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The Little House by the Sea
Bluebells bob in the salty sea wind and the cottage gate swings open to reveal the inky-blue cove. It’s exactly how Kitty always pictured it… except in her head, she wasn’t standing here alone.
Kitty Roberts spends her days searching for the perfect home for two… until her boyfriend dumps her. Devastated, she flees to a tiny seaside village called Pennystrand, where she spent golden summers as a child, before her family fell apart.
At first, Kitty’s dramatic escape proves to be exactly what she needs – golden sunsets over warm, sandy beaches, lovably eccentric new neighbours and even a blush-inducing run-in with Cory Hudson, a floppy-haired local surfer with a heart-stopping smile.
But just as Kitty feels herself beginning to heal, Cory reveals that his time in Pennystrand is nearly up. What’s more, some strange reactions to Kitty in town make her wonder if her connection to this place might go deeper than she thought.
What is this tranquil little village hiding? It seems there’s a secret in Kitty’s past that is about to turn her life on its head once more… Is she ready for the truth? And will it bring her and Cory closer together, or drive them apart?
A page-turning story full of unexpected twists and turns. It will make you smile, laugh and wish you could visit Pennystrand! Absolutely perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan, Heidi Swain and Carole Matthews.
Kitty Roberts spends her days searching for the perfect home for two… until her boyfriend dumps her. Devastated, she flees to a tiny seaside village called Pennystrand, where she spent golden summers as a child, before her family fell apart.
At first, Kitty’s dramatic escape proves to be exactly what she needs – golden sunsets over warm, sandy beaches, lovably eccentric new neighbours and even a blush-inducing run-in with Cory Hudson, a floppy-haired local surfer with a heart-stopping smile.
But just as Kitty feels herself beginning to heal, Cory reveals that his time in Pennystrand is nearly up. What’s more, some strange reactions to Kitty in town make her wonder if her connection to this place might go deeper than she thought.
What is this tranquil little village hiding? It seems there’s a secret in Kitty’s past that is about to turn her life on its head once more… Is she ready for the truth? And will it bring her and Cory closer together, or drive them apart?
A page-turning story full of unexpected twists and turns. It will make you smile, laugh and wish you could visit Pennystrand! Absolutely perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan, Heidi Swain and Carole Matthews.
277 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 24, 2022
205 people are currently reading
350 people want to read
About the author
Tracy Rees
11 books562 followersTracy Rees is a Cambridge graduate with a degree in Modern and Medieval Languages. After an eight-year career in nonfiction publishing, she worked as a counselor for people with cancer and their families. Amy Snow is her first novel. She lives in Swansea, Wales.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
August 28, 2022
A Charming book about second chances, starting over, and love.
Kitty Roberts thought she would be purchasing her dream home with her boyfriend until her whole world falls apart. Needing a new start, she goes to Pennystrand Village, a place she once visited with her family. She takes a six-month lease, agrees to a short-term job and slowly immerses herself in village life. She enjoys the beaches, the weather, her new neighbors, and has that 'oops' first meeting with Cory Hudson, the villages famous surfer.
Kitty realizes that she is happy even though she has been getting strange looks from the villagers and some have even told her she resembles someone. She and her sister, look back to their vacation in the village and an argument her sister overheard between their parents.
While Corey is off chasing the waves, Kitty decides to chase her dream. She loves the village, helping people find their dream homes has given her meaning. Will Kitty find what she has been looking for?
I first read a Tracy Rees book when I picked up The Little Christmas House. I loved her characters and storytelling. When I saw this book was coming out, I had to get my hands (eyes) on a copy. I love how she creates communities full of interesting characters. She also writes characters that I come to care for and root for. Kitty is such a likeable character that I rooted for her the entire time.
This was such a charming and heartwarming book about second chances and starting over. I enjoyed watching Kitty not only grow but win the villagers over. I loved her interactions and the warmth that was shown to her by her boss.
This was a beautifully written book that is the first in a series. A series that I look forward to reading.
#TheLittleHousebytheSeaPennystrandVillageBook1 #NetGalley
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Kitty Roberts thought she would be purchasing her dream home with her boyfriend until her whole world falls apart. Needing a new start, she goes to Pennystrand Village, a place she once visited with her family. She takes a six-month lease, agrees to a short-term job and slowly immerses herself in village life. She enjoys the beaches, the weather, her new neighbors, and has that 'oops' first meeting with Cory Hudson, the villages famous surfer.
Kitty realizes that she is happy even though she has been getting strange looks from the villagers and some have even told her she resembles someone. She and her sister, look back to their vacation in the village and an argument her sister overheard between their parents.
While Corey is off chasing the waves, Kitty decides to chase her dream. She loves the village, helping people find their dream homes has given her meaning. Will Kitty find what she has been looking for?
I first read a Tracy Rees book when I picked up The Little Christmas House. I loved her characters and storytelling. When I saw this book was coming out, I had to get my hands (eyes) on a copy. I love how she creates communities full of interesting characters. She also writes characters that I come to care for and root for. Kitty is such a likeable character that I rooted for her the entire time.
This was such a charming and heartwarming book about second chances and starting over. I enjoyed watching Kitty not only grow but win the villagers over. I loved her interactions and the warmth that was shown to her by her boss.
This was a beautifully written book that is the first in a series. A series that I look forward to reading.
#TheLittleHousebytheSeaPennystrandVillageBook1 #NetGalley
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
August 14, 2022
Review coming soon.
September 2, 2022
This was such a sweet book to read. I devoured it very quickly and I loved the story. It was uplifting and funny and it had romance as well. I do hope that there is more in this series to come as I would love to know what happens in the future to all the people in Pennystrand Village. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
August 25, 2022
“It’s exactly how Kitty always pictured it… except in her head, she wasn’t standing here alone”
In the short July spell of record breaking intense heat, the coolest pace has definitely been in a cool dark room, with a craving for an easy-reading, ‘comfort’ story, to see me through. I read this lovely book in just a couple of days, although I feel sure that if I had been able to secure a dedicated ‘bibliotherapy’ session (yes! that really is a word), I could have safely powered through it in a day, whilst still enjoying what would seem like a leisurely read.
…
So let’s get down to a potted version of the storyline first, although the premise really does already include a few small ‘spoilers’…
Admin assistant for a London based interior design company, Kitty and her partner Mitch, live in a dingy flat whilst they are saving for the deposit on a house, closer to the suburbs and nearer to her older sister Cooper and her family. Kitty spends every moment of her spare time drooling over the estate agent’s window, wishing that she could work there, as she loves to imagine herself living in the properties that come up for sale and how she would decorate them to their best advantage, with the ultimate aim of matching the right property with the ideal buyers and not just selling stock through for a quick sale. From Kitty’s point of view, every property has a unique personality and she knows exactly what her own dream place would look like.
However, in the space of just a few short weeks, Kitty’s world is about to implode spectacularly and she is set to lose everything in her life in one fell swoop, leaving her desolate and inconsolable. Fearing the ridicule of a very straight talking Cooper, Kitty is loathe to divulge the source of the help she seeks when trying to rebuild her shattered dreams, but suffice to say, the advice she receives turns out to be spot on and invaluable. Searching for the new beginning she has been advised to seek, Kitty finds herself taking a short six month lease on a seaside property, in a pretty village in South Wales, which the family used to visit when Cooper, Kitty and younger sister Cassidy were children and before the split between her parents, which ended in divorce.
For the first few days, Kitty is content to explore the local area and just take some time for herself, to regroup her thoughts and unravel her mixed up emotions. Everyone who spoke to her, commented on how familiar she looked, but none were willing to engage in conversation with her and she begins to feel like a complete outsider in this small insular community, where everyone knows everybody else – and all their private business too! She is almost at the point of kicking the tenancy agreement and the whole notion of a bright new start into the long grass, when by chance she meets young wife and mother, Cherry, and almost instantly her mood and spirits are lifted, by this cheery force of nature, whose eternal optimism, love of life and making the most of all the chances which come her way, is infectious and the best tonic Kitty could have found. Not only has she discovered in Cherry, a firm and loyal friend, but an oracle of local knowledge, so when she suggests that rather than simply idle away her six months grace period, Kitty should perhaps find some part-time work, the solution comes as part of the package and Kitty soon finds herself in her dream job, with arguably the most congenial and generous boss Roly, and group of co-workers she could have imagined.
Life for Kitty chugs along quite nicely for a few weeks. Thanks to Cherry, her path towards community acceptance is assured and even red-carpeted in many cases. The property vendors and indeed prospective buyers, warm to her obvious enthusiasm for the job and even her fractured family are minded to change their opinions and approve of her decision to put down roots, when they see how happy and contented she is with her new life. There is one big crease which needs ironing out however, instigated by Cooper who insists she knows what she heard as a child, when they took their last family holiday in Pennystrand, and this could be the make or break of Kitty’s final choice. She makes Kitty promise that she ask her father to be upfront and honest with her, so Kitty manages to track him down and puts him right on the spot with Cooper’s allegations. To say he is aghast, is putting it mildly. It seems as though Cooper is way off the mark, with the separation and divorce having been instigated by their mother, who in his opinion, should have told the girls the truth many years ago, and who must still speak for herself on the matter. When Kitty puts two and two together in her own mind, she asks her mother outright just how close to the truth she is and Tilly comes clean, which explains so many of the aside remarks and glances Kitty has been receiving from the villagers in general and one family in particular.
Kitty’s love life takes a bit of an uptick too, temporary as it might be, so by the time it comes to making her mind up about the lease on her property, she has already decided that Pennystrand is where she belongs, once she has laid down some boundaries for her new found family; which is just as well, because Roly has already indicated that her temporary part-time job is set to become a permanent and full-time position, and he thinks he might have found just the place for her to buy, which should suit her down to the ground, as it does. Is her romance with the hunky Cory about to flourish too, which would really be the icing on the cake!
…
Whilst on the whole, this was quite a predictable and formulaic, feel-good storyline, there were one or two twists which added extra layers, were unique and intriguing, and which I didn’t fully work out ahead of the reveal. Author Tracy Rees, has a delightfully fluent, effortless and personable style of storytelling, which is immersive and relaxing, textured and rich in atmosphere, compelling and obviously written from the heart. The story was narrated in short, seamless chapters, which kept everything moving forward towards its conclusion at a steady pace, whilst some lovely descriptive passages were seamlessly woven in, bringing the charming coastal location to life, which really resonated with me, as this would also be my ideal style of living, even if not in that exact spot. Everything exuded a calming aura of peace and serenity, conducive to the healing, soothing balm, which Kitty was seeking as the new beginning to rebuild her fractured life. I would have been a little happier if Tracy had used real place names, which I could have tracked on the map, but that is just the ‘nerd’ in me I’m sure, and I am certain that most ‘armchair travellers’ would have been more than happy with their journey.
A quite large cast of lovingly drawn, engaging and well developed characters, are reliable, authentic, easy to connect with and relate to, sharing some great dynamics, energy and synergy between them. It was so easy to imagine that I was listening to them telling their own story, as they have been given such a strong and animated voice, by an author who is clearly confident in the imagery her words can conjure up. I guess the one person who bucked the trend was Mitch, who was just a self-centred individual, full of his own importance and ego, who felt that by clicking his fingers and saying all the right words, he would have Kitty at his feet, begging to be taken back. There were a couple of other characters who at first seemed rather remote, aloof and full of their own importance. However, as the mystery surrounding Kitty unravelled, it became clear why they had adopted that deliberate stance. Although still not sure about her own connection with their fractured lives, Kitty immediately detected an inner sadness, which she perceptively managed to work out and alleviate for them, despite the fact it might have laid her career on the line, before it had even truly begun. Luckily she and Roly are like minded individuals when it comes to making sure that the right person is paired with the ideal home, so he backed Kitty’s decisions, rather than berating her for having made them.
This was a story of new beginnings. Chasing a dream if it is at all attainable and you don’t damage anyone else in the process. Learning how good life in a relationship can be if both people are singing from the same song sheet and the giving isn’t all one sided. How much more fulfilling a job can be if it is the right one for you and you can be passionate about what you do. It also highlights the long-term misunderstandings and indeed damage, which can be done in crisis, when children are not treated with the honesty and respect they deserve as mini adults. Half heard and imagined truths, seen and heard by a child, will often be remembered completely out of context, as Cooper discovers in the book, but not until her middle-age years, when she has spent her life protecting Kitty and Cassidy from an imagined wrong. And most important of all, after the love of family are the lasting and enduring friendships we make along our way through life.
Perhaps I am reading far more into this storyline than the author ever intended, and obviously for now, Kitty is living her utopian idyll and enjoying every moment of it, which is what makes occasional escapism reading so uplifting. As the title of the book suggests, this is either the first in a new series, or there is at least a sequel in the offing, so perhaps I shall get to catch up with Kitty again, just to see how things are working out – And perhaps more importantly, find out if the ‘auntie’ gin drinking sessions have become a regular feature!
I read for a whole range of reasons, but among them are enjoyment, entertainment, escapism and emotion. This story soundly ticked all those boxes and more besides.
In the short July spell of record breaking intense heat, the coolest pace has definitely been in a cool dark room, with a craving for an easy-reading, ‘comfort’ story, to see me through. I read this lovely book in just a couple of days, although I feel sure that if I had been able to secure a dedicated ‘bibliotherapy’ session (yes! that really is a word), I could have safely powered through it in a day, whilst still enjoying what would seem like a leisurely read.
…
So let’s get down to a potted version of the storyline first, although the premise really does already include a few small ‘spoilers’…
Admin assistant for a London based interior design company, Kitty and her partner Mitch, live in a dingy flat whilst they are saving for the deposit on a house, closer to the suburbs and nearer to her older sister Cooper and her family. Kitty spends every moment of her spare time drooling over the estate agent’s window, wishing that she could work there, as she loves to imagine herself living in the properties that come up for sale and how she would decorate them to their best advantage, with the ultimate aim of matching the right property with the ideal buyers and not just selling stock through for a quick sale. From Kitty’s point of view, every property has a unique personality and she knows exactly what her own dream place would look like.
However, in the space of just a few short weeks, Kitty’s world is about to implode spectacularly and she is set to lose everything in her life in one fell swoop, leaving her desolate and inconsolable. Fearing the ridicule of a very straight talking Cooper, Kitty is loathe to divulge the source of the help she seeks when trying to rebuild her shattered dreams, but suffice to say, the advice she receives turns out to be spot on and invaluable. Searching for the new beginning she has been advised to seek, Kitty finds herself taking a short six month lease on a seaside property, in a pretty village in South Wales, which the family used to visit when Cooper, Kitty and younger sister Cassidy were children and before the split between her parents, which ended in divorce.
For the first few days, Kitty is content to explore the local area and just take some time for herself, to regroup her thoughts and unravel her mixed up emotions. Everyone who spoke to her, commented on how familiar she looked, but none were willing to engage in conversation with her and she begins to feel like a complete outsider in this small insular community, where everyone knows everybody else – and all their private business too! She is almost at the point of kicking the tenancy agreement and the whole notion of a bright new start into the long grass, when by chance she meets young wife and mother, Cherry, and almost instantly her mood and spirits are lifted, by this cheery force of nature, whose eternal optimism, love of life and making the most of all the chances which come her way, is infectious and the best tonic Kitty could have found. Not only has she discovered in Cherry, a firm and loyal friend, but an oracle of local knowledge, so when she suggests that rather than simply idle away her six months grace period, Kitty should perhaps find some part-time work, the solution comes as part of the package and Kitty soon finds herself in her dream job, with arguably the most congenial and generous boss Roly, and group of co-workers she could have imagined.
Life for Kitty chugs along quite nicely for a few weeks. Thanks to Cherry, her path towards community acceptance is assured and even red-carpeted in many cases. The property vendors and indeed prospective buyers, warm to her obvious enthusiasm for the job and even her fractured family are minded to change their opinions and approve of her decision to put down roots, when they see how happy and contented she is with her new life. There is one big crease which needs ironing out however, instigated by Cooper who insists she knows what she heard as a child, when they took their last family holiday in Pennystrand, and this could be the make or break of Kitty’s final choice. She makes Kitty promise that she ask her father to be upfront and honest with her, so Kitty manages to track him down and puts him right on the spot with Cooper’s allegations. To say he is aghast, is putting it mildly. It seems as though Cooper is way off the mark, with the separation and divorce having been instigated by their mother, who in his opinion, should have told the girls the truth many years ago, and who must still speak for herself on the matter. When Kitty puts two and two together in her own mind, she asks her mother outright just how close to the truth she is and Tilly comes clean, which explains so many of the aside remarks and glances Kitty has been receiving from the villagers in general and one family in particular.
Kitty’s love life takes a bit of an uptick too, temporary as it might be, so by the time it comes to making her mind up about the lease on her property, she has already decided that Pennystrand is where she belongs, once she has laid down some boundaries for her new found family; which is just as well, because Roly has already indicated that her temporary part-time job is set to become a permanent and full-time position, and he thinks he might have found just the place for her to buy, which should suit her down to the ground, as it does. Is her romance with the hunky Cory about to flourish too, which would really be the icing on the cake!
…
Whilst on the whole, this was quite a predictable and formulaic, feel-good storyline, there were one or two twists which added extra layers, were unique and intriguing, and which I didn’t fully work out ahead of the reveal. Author Tracy Rees, has a delightfully fluent, effortless and personable style of storytelling, which is immersive and relaxing, textured and rich in atmosphere, compelling and obviously written from the heart. The story was narrated in short, seamless chapters, which kept everything moving forward towards its conclusion at a steady pace, whilst some lovely descriptive passages were seamlessly woven in, bringing the charming coastal location to life, which really resonated with me, as this would also be my ideal style of living, even if not in that exact spot. Everything exuded a calming aura of peace and serenity, conducive to the healing, soothing balm, which Kitty was seeking as the new beginning to rebuild her fractured life. I would have been a little happier if Tracy had used real place names, which I could have tracked on the map, but that is just the ‘nerd’ in me I’m sure, and I am certain that most ‘armchair travellers’ would have been more than happy with their journey.
A quite large cast of lovingly drawn, engaging and well developed characters, are reliable, authentic, easy to connect with and relate to, sharing some great dynamics, energy and synergy between them. It was so easy to imagine that I was listening to them telling their own story, as they have been given such a strong and animated voice, by an author who is clearly confident in the imagery her words can conjure up. I guess the one person who bucked the trend was Mitch, who was just a self-centred individual, full of his own importance and ego, who felt that by clicking his fingers and saying all the right words, he would have Kitty at his feet, begging to be taken back. There were a couple of other characters who at first seemed rather remote, aloof and full of their own importance. However, as the mystery surrounding Kitty unravelled, it became clear why they had adopted that deliberate stance. Although still not sure about her own connection with their fractured lives, Kitty immediately detected an inner sadness, which she perceptively managed to work out and alleviate for them, despite the fact it might have laid her career on the line, before it had even truly begun. Luckily she and Roly are like minded individuals when it comes to making sure that the right person is paired with the ideal home, so he backed Kitty’s decisions, rather than berating her for having made them.
This was a story of new beginnings. Chasing a dream if it is at all attainable and you don’t damage anyone else in the process. Learning how good life in a relationship can be if both people are singing from the same song sheet and the giving isn’t all one sided. How much more fulfilling a job can be if it is the right one for you and you can be passionate about what you do. It also highlights the long-term misunderstandings and indeed damage, which can be done in crisis, when children are not treated with the honesty and respect they deserve as mini adults. Half heard and imagined truths, seen and heard by a child, will often be remembered completely out of context, as Cooper discovers in the book, but not until her middle-age years, when she has spent her life protecting Kitty and Cassidy from an imagined wrong. And most important of all, after the love of family are the lasting and enduring friendships we make along our way through life.
Perhaps I am reading far more into this storyline than the author ever intended, and obviously for now, Kitty is living her utopian idyll and enjoying every moment of it, which is what makes occasional escapism reading so uplifting. As the title of the book suggests, this is either the first in a new series, or there is at least a sequel in the offing, so perhaps I shall get to catch up with Kitty again, just to see how things are working out – And perhaps more importantly, find out if the ‘auntie’ gin drinking sessions have become a regular feature!
I read for a whole range of reasons, but among them are enjoyment, entertainment, escapism and emotion. This story soundly ticked all those boxes and more besides.
Read
August 20, 2022The Little House by the Sea was just the most wonderful story! It's all about new starts and finding yourself. I adored the sea setting and the characters, especially Kitty who I could see a lot of myself in. So looking forward ro more in this charming series!
August 28, 2022
Kitty Roberts has been searching for the perfect house for her and her boyfriend Mitch. Arriving home after a long day of househunting, Kitty walks into their apartment and finds him in the arms of another woman. He quickly dumps her and she suddenly is facing some difficult decisions.
For starters, she does not think she wants to renew her current lease nor will she continue to look for a house. Furthermore, she ends up getting fired from a job that was beginning to show promise. What will she do? She wonders if perhaps she will take her sister Cooper’s offer to go stay with her or whether she might do something entirely different. Their parents divorced years ago and Cooper has always been her closest confidant and friend. Kitty seeks the advice of a spiritualist and that leads her to Wales to a small village of Pennystrand.
Kitty and her family vacationed at the lovely little village when she was a child, and she remembers how beautiful the location was. She takes on a six-month lease of a furnished department, which should give her enough time to make her life choices over again. One of the first things Kitty does is she does look for friends. Meeting a young mother leads her to getting a job, a job that ends up bringing her quite a bit of joy. She also meets a local surfer and named Cory and the two hit it off.
Things are not completely agreeable, however. Parts of Kitty‘s past are beginning to reveal secrets that have been hidden for years and this could prove to be her undoing. Hopefully, she can get to the bottom of things while trying to decide on her future.
From a delightful setting, to an enjoyable story with warm and personable characters, this book is the perfect beginning for what promises to be quite an endearing series.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/KAl1ClRLS9U
For starters, she does not think she wants to renew her current lease nor will she continue to look for a house. Furthermore, she ends up getting fired from a job that was beginning to show promise. What will she do? She wonders if perhaps she will take her sister Cooper’s offer to go stay with her or whether she might do something entirely different. Their parents divorced years ago and Cooper has always been her closest confidant and friend. Kitty seeks the advice of a spiritualist and that leads her to Wales to a small village of Pennystrand.
Kitty and her family vacationed at the lovely little village when she was a child, and she remembers how beautiful the location was. She takes on a six-month lease of a furnished department, which should give her enough time to make her life choices over again. One of the first things Kitty does is she does look for friends. Meeting a young mother leads her to getting a job, a job that ends up bringing her quite a bit of joy. She also meets a local surfer and named Cory and the two hit it off.
Things are not completely agreeable, however. Parts of Kitty‘s past are beginning to reveal secrets that have been hidden for years and this could prove to be her undoing. Hopefully, she can get to the bottom of things while trying to decide on her future.
From a delightful setting, to an enjoyable story with warm and personable characters, this book is the perfect beginning for what promises to be quite an endearing series.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/KAl1ClRLS9U
July 23, 2022
Ah what a glorious feel-good read.
Brilliant choice of concept by using an estate agents to peek into people's lives and reveal more characters and stories.
Kitty's openness and vulnerability made her feel like such a wholesome character and I fell in love with her immediately.
Roly is also completely adorable- everyone would want him as a boss. I think we need #BeMoreRoly to enter our workplaces.
Beautiful setting, vivid characters, great blend of Welsh culture thrown in the mix. And, mermaids. I definitely need to know more about the mermaids.
Perfection on the page.
Brilliant choice of concept by using an estate agents to peek into people's lives and reveal more characters and stories.
Kitty's openness and vulnerability made her feel like such a wholesome character and I fell in love with her immediately.
Roly is also completely adorable- everyone would want him as a boss. I think we need #BeMoreRoly to enter our workplaces.
Beautiful setting, vivid characters, great blend of Welsh culture thrown in the mix. And, mermaids. I definitely need to know more about the mermaids.
Perfection on the page.
August 27, 2022
The Little House By The Sea is a beautiful uplifting character driven novel that is brimming with depth, heart, secrets and treasures. To echo one character’s words, the reading of this story left me ‘wild with hope and longing!’ It is divinely memorable and carries a touch of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary.
The main setting, Pennystrand, is a fictional coastal village in Wales. I suspect the name may have a strong connection to the ‘little house by the sea’ and its fascinating historical activities. Tracy has painted a vivid picture with her descriptions of this magical place where the weather is as temperamental as some of the characters.
I instantly warmed to the main character Kitty who has had some unfortunate circumstances rise unexpectedly in her life. Her relationship with her long-time boyfriend and her dreams of having her own home are shaken and abruptly altered at the same time. She is also in a job she does not particularly like and when her whole world implodes, she decides it is time to get away and figure out what she wants to do. So, through an unusual means, she is directed to re-visit a quaint Welsh village that is connected to her past. Once there, she takes up a six month residence. And through a series of events and meetings, her life begins to change rapidly. There’s lots of excitement, self-discovery and secrets to uncover. Plus, a new job in real estate that allows her to meet new people and to indulge in her passion for houses and design. And even more importantly, it allows her to help buyers find their dream home, which is rightly compared to the beginnings of a lasting romance.
There are many other wonderful characters in this novel such as Kitty’s first village friend Cherry. Plus, others she gets to know through listing and selling their homes. Then there is Cory the famous handsome surfer she bumps into in a most humorous way. Their relationship is in its early days but I expect we may see more of him in the series. Kitty’s sister, Cooper, has a good support role and their parents were also intriguing. I enjoyed learning about their lives and past experiences and how it affected their directions and decisions. In fact, we get to know all characters quite well and can see what has made them who they are. Most are not static, though, and there are definite obvious changes in many of them which could continue in future books.
I must admit, I had great difficulty putting this novel down once starting it. Tracy had me hook, line and sinker from the title, cover, first page, characters and plot! I wanted to know what would become of Kitty and the others in the novel. It was easy to care about them and harder to let go when the book ended. The Little House By The Sea is also truly a delicious feast for the senses. The beauty of the landscape comes through, the atmosphere, the smells, the sounds of the sea.
This novel expresses the movements of life - like the surf on the sand and how it is always changing: pulling and drawing us backwards and forwards. When a wave of disappointment comes, these challenges can either destroy a person or offer growth. (Surfing is an apt activity and analogy in this novel.) Falling from a moving board into the waves can waken us from the monotony of complacency and inspire us to go in directions we may not have considered or thought possible. The Little House By The Sea shines with this message: follow your dream, find yourself and have the courage to make it happen for this is where true happiness lies. Kitty loved design, homes and helping people connect with the places right for them. The kind of love affair you feel when you walk into a place or town, and know it is right— for it speaks to you and provides a spiritual connection.
Another message in The Little House By the Sea is that happiness does not rely upon another. You can be whole on your own but if you enter a relationship, it shouldn’t be a needy one. Partners can be equals – you can be yourselves and maintain a healthy independence (so if things fall through, you still have you!).
The Little House By the Sea is about dealing with disappointments, starting over, finding and caring about yourself, learning when to let go of expectations, learning to make decisions that are best for you. It is about lost things that need to be found— including a sense of belonging— of connecting to a land/seascape. It is also about growth, forgiveness, respecting the other’s differences—especially in family. With Kitty, there are some pretty big family secrets that come to the surface that help her heal and move forward with her dream and happiness. I cannot help but think of what Socrates said: “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” This story shines with this thought.
This is my second book of Tracy’s I have read and only within the past two weeks. As soon as I discovered her work through Bookouture, after reading her Christmas one, I needed to read more. I am so glad I requested the ARC and that I squeezed it in my reviewing schedule as I absolutely loved The Little House By The Sea. I adored Kitty and her courage to start a new life in a village she had not been to since she was a child and the fact she is drawn back through mysterious, cryptic leadings. This series is off to a flying start and I am dying to read more in the next instalment. I highly recommend this novel and have become an overnight huge fan of Tracy Rees. 5 Sea-Filled Stars!
Huge thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a copy to review.
The main setting, Pennystrand, is a fictional coastal village in Wales. I suspect the name may have a strong connection to the ‘little house by the sea’ and its fascinating historical activities. Tracy has painted a vivid picture with her descriptions of this magical place where the weather is as temperamental as some of the characters.
I instantly warmed to the main character Kitty who has had some unfortunate circumstances rise unexpectedly in her life. Her relationship with her long-time boyfriend and her dreams of having her own home are shaken and abruptly altered at the same time. She is also in a job she does not particularly like and when her whole world implodes, she decides it is time to get away and figure out what she wants to do. So, through an unusual means, she is directed to re-visit a quaint Welsh village that is connected to her past. Once there, she takes up a six month residence. And through a series of events and meetings, her life begins to change rapidly. There’s lots of excitement, self-discovery and secrets to uncover. Plus, a new job in real estate that allows her to meet new people and to indulge in her passion for houses and design. And even more importantly, it allows her to help buyers find their dream home, which is rightly compared to the beginnings of a lasting romance.
There are many other wonderful characters in this novel such as Kitty’s first village friend Cherry. Plus, others she gets to know through listing and selling their homes. Then there is Cory the famous handsome surfer she bumps into in a most humorous way. Their relationship is in its early days but I expect we may see more of him in the series. Kitty’s sister, Cooper, has a good support role and their parents were also intriguing. I enjoyed learning about their lives and past experiences and how it affected their directions and decisions. In fact, we get to know all characters quite well and can see what has made them who they are. Most are not static, though, and there are definite obvious changes in many of them which could continue in future books.
I must admit, I had great difficulty putting this novel down once starting it. Tracy had me hook, line and sinker from the title, cover, first page, characters and plot! I wanted to know what would become of Kitty and the others in the novel. It was easy to care about them and harder to let go when the book ended. The Little House By The Sea is also truly a delicious feast for the senses. The beauty of the landscape comes through, the atmosphere, the smells, the sounds of the sea.
This novel expresses the movements of life - like the surf on the sand and how it is always changing: pulling and drawing us backwards and forwards. When a wave of disappointment comes, these challenges can either destroy a person or offer growth. (Surfing is an apt activity and analogy in this novel.) Falling from a moving board into the waves can waken us from the monotony of complacency and inspire us to go in directions we may not have considered or thought possible. The Little House By The Sea shines with this message: follow your dream, find yourself and have the courage to make it happen for this is where true happiness lies. Kitty loved design, homes and helping people connect with the places right for them. The kind of love affair you feel when you walk into a place or town, and know it is right— for it speaks to you and provides a spiritual connection.
Another message in The Little House By the Sea is that happiness does not rely upon another. You can be whole on your own but if you enter a relationship, it shouldn’t be a needy one. Partners can be equals – you can be yourselves and maintain a healthy independence (so if things fall through, you still have you!).
The Little House By the Sea is about dealing with disappointments, starting over, finding and caring about yourself, learning when to let go of expectations, learning to make decisions that are best for you. It is about lost things that need to be found— including a sense of belonging— of connecting to a land/seascape. It is also about growth, forgiveness, respecting the other’s differences—especially in family. With Kitty, there are some pretty big family secrets that come to the surface that help her heal and move forward with her dream and happiness. I cannot help but think of what Socrates said: “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” This story shines with this thought.
This is my second book of Tracy’s I have read and only within the past two weeks. As soon as I discovered her work through Bookouture, after reading her Christmas one, I needed to read more. I am so glad I requested the ARC and that I squeezed it in my reviewing schedule as I absolutely loved The Little House By The Sea. I adored Kitty and her courage to start a new life in a village she had not been to since she was a child and the fact she is drawn back through mysterious, cryptic leadings. This series is off to a flying start and I am dying to read more in the next instalment. I highly recommend this novel and have become an overnight huge fan of Tracy Rees. 5 Sea-Filled Stars!
Huge thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a copy to review.
August 24, 2022
Kitty and Mitch are saving for a down payment on a house in the country. Every extra cent is being socked away for their dream home. Kitty can't wait to get out of the dinky flat that doesn't even have a real kitchen. She spends all her spare time at the local estate agent looking for that perfect home they can afford, until it all comes crashing down. Apparently it is not Mitch's dream, and he leaves on a world tour with his new girlfriend, leaving Kitty lost and alone after ten years. Not only has she lost her boyfriend, but she also loses her job. She wants to escape and heal, so remembering the last wonderful family vacation they took in Pennystrand, Wales, she rents a small cottage for six months, packs up and heads off. It is not all she remembers and she finds it hard to meet people and make friends. She finally meets Cherry, and that leads to a job, new friends and new experiences. Will Kitty find what she is looking for in Pennystrand?
This is a wonderful, uplifting story about finding what you really want out of life, new beginnings, romance and where you belong. Kitty is such a great character. She is sweet, genuine, caring and really needed a break. I was worried about her, but Tracy Rees didn't let me down, and Kitty blossoms in her new life. It isn't a straight path, there are some ups and downs, secrets that need to be revealed and dealt with and a lot of self-discovery. I really liked the setting as well. This small town, on the coast of Wales with all its beaches sounds delightful. The Little House by the Sea is beautifully written, magical and uplifting. This is another of those stories, where I am ready to pack my bags and head off to meet the wonderful characters and give Kitty a big hug. I definitely recommend this one.
This is a wonderful, uplifting story about finding what you really want out of life, new beginnings, romance and where you belong. Kitty is such a great character. She is sweet, genuine, caring and really needed a break. I was worried about her, but Tracy Rees didn't let me down, and Kitty blossoms in her new life. It isn't a straight path, there are some ups and downs, secrets that need to be revealed and dealt with and a lot of self-discovery. I really liked the setting as well. This small town, on the coast of Wales with all its beaches sounds delightful. The Little House by the Sea is beautifully written, magical and uplifting. This is another of those stories, where I am ready to pack my bags and head off to meet the wonderful characters and give Kitty a big hug. I definitely recommend this one.
September 3, 2022
What a delight of a story. Loved it from start to finish. I grew up in Wales and part of me would love to go back. Enjoyed the characters - sounds like a wonderful community to be part of. Loved the secrets coming out and being overcome. And of course loved the romance but I need to know what happens next - fingers crossed for a sequel.
August 29, 2022
Beautiful. A stunning, evocative wonderful reqd that transported me. Such exquisite writing. A great story. Love this author and with this amazing book she's raised the bar that was already sky high. Just wow.
August 19, 2022
Just the perfect sweet story to escape in. Kitty was the perfect host to show me around the new houses available in the pretty Welsh seaside village and I loved her zest for life. She’d been dealt a poor hand recently and I loved how she had the strength to follow her heart and go somewhere new to rest and repair. My nosy personality would so love to be an estate agent - imagining the lives and loves that have happened in each of the houses visited and Kitty really brought them to life. A charming read I’d recommend.
July 24, 2022
Kitty is saving as hard as she can to get that idyllic place in the country, with roses round the door and chickens pecking in the yard. A far contrast from the poky flat she lives in, in London with her boyfriend Mitch. Her days are filled at estate agent windows. Dreaming.
Then the dream comes crashing to an end, and Kitty finds herself jobless, homeless and boyfriend-less. On a whim of memories of a childhood holiday and a clairvoyant’s prediction, Kitty takes herself off to Pennystrand a seaside village in Wales.
Pennystrand is the place to heal, the endless blue sky, the golden beaches as spring turns to summer. Even the long arduous trips up the hill to her temporary home prove to be the salve needed. There are a few things missing though and Kitty is not sure she will ever find them.
But when a chance meeting with a tree branch, a part time job in an estate agent and a surfer dude it seems that for Kitty has come home at last. There is something familiar about Kitty, and not everyone can place it, but the well known local family the Parnells can and it seems that Kitty may have come home after all.
This wonderful new contemporary novel from Tracy Rees has as much sunshine and sea as it does mystery and intrigue. I really wasn’t sure where the plot was going to take me apart from on a wonderful journey with Kitty. I fell in love with the Kitty, Pennystrand and even a little bit with Roly too!
This is a book full of love and it did not go down the obvious route of boy meets girl, fall out, get back together and live happily ever after. For me this makes the book stand out amongst a number I read. Sometimes you have to be reminded that life is not that neat and perfect.
This book was full of finding yourself, meeting new people, expanding your horizons and comforting in making some of your dreams come true.
Without a doubt Tracy Rees has done it again for me and I cannot wait to return to Pennystrand.
Then the dream comes crashing to an end, and Kitty finds herself jobless, homeless and boyfriend-less. On a whim of memories of a childhood holiday and a clairvoyant’s prediction, Kitty takes herself off to Pennystrand a seaside village in Wales.
Pennystrand is the place to heal, the endless blue sky, the golden beaches as spring turns to summer. Even the long arduous trips up the hill to her temporary home prove to be the salve needed. There are a few things missing though and Kitty is not sure she will ever find them.
But when a chance meeting with a tree branch, a part time job in an estate agent and a surfer dude it seems that for Kitty has come home at last. There is something familiar about Kitty, and not everyone can place it, but the well known local family the Parnells can and it seems that Kitty may have come home after all.
This wonderful new contemporary novel from Tracy Rees has as much sunshine and sea as it does mystery and intrigue. I really wasn’t sure where the plot was going to take me apart from on a wonderful journey with Kitty. I fell in love with the Kitty, Pennystrand and even a little bit with Roly too!
This is a book full of love and it did not go down the obvious route of boy meets girl, fall out, get back together and live happily ever after. For me this makes the book stand out amongst a number I read. Sometimes you have to be reminded that life is not that neat and perfect.
This book was full of finding yourself, meeting new people, expanding your horizons and comforting in making some of your dreams come true.
Without a doubt Tracy Rees has done it again for me and I cannot wait to return to Pennystrand.
Read
July 18, 2022Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I do love a Tracy Rees book; perfect for warming you up and filling you with joy and hope.
The life Tracy has depicted - a small house in a village by the sea, in a small community, with her dream job, good friends, wrapped up in the garden with a cup of tea - it just sounds idyllic and I’m desperate to find a way of living in her fictional world.
I’m also glad I’m not the only one who spends their free time fantasy house shopping, lusting after expensive country cottages.
For a easy, happily-ever-after type book, it’s full of twists and turns and mystery. A lot to get your teeth into, but relaxing and comforting all the same. I like that not everything is neatly wrapped up by the end. There’s enough to satisfy you, but somethings are left to your own thoughts, which I’m hoping means there is going to be a sequel.
I loved all the characters - ok, perhaps not Mitch, and I wasn’t a big fan of Cooper - but everyone else…I just found them to be wonderful.
It’s full of heart and love and warmth. I don’t think there’s anything negative I can say about it.
This wasn’t your typical woman meets man love story. Whilst that’s an important element, this is more of Kitty falling in love with the village, with a house, with her friends and family, and with herself.
I do love a Tracy Rees book; perfect for warming you up and filling you with joy and hope.
The life Tracy has depicted - a small house in a village by the sea, in a small community, with her dream job, good friends, wrapped up in the garden with a cup of tea - it just sounds idyllic and I’m desperate to find a way of living in her fictional world.
I’m also glad I’m not the only one who spends their free time fantasy house shopping, lusting after expensive country cottages.
For a easy, happily-ever-after type book, it’s full of twists and turns and mystery. A lot to get your teeth into, but relaxing and comforting all the same. I like that not everything is neatly wrapped up by the end. There’s enough to satisfy you, but somethings are left to your own thoughts, which I’m hoping means there is going to be a sequel.
I loved all the characters - ok, perhaps not Mitch, and I wasn’t a big fan of Cooper - but everyone else…I just found them to be wonderful.
It’s full of heart and love and warmth. I don’t think there’s anything negative I can say about it.
This wasn’t your typical woman meets man love story. Whilst that’s an important element, this is more of Kitty falling in love with the village, with a house, with her friends and family, and with herself.
July 25, 2022
I adored this introduction to fictional Welsh coastal village Pennystrand and I'm looking forward to reading more in the series.
Kitty is a likeable character who I really felt close to throughout her heartache and initial loneliness at moving away, it highlighted how hard it can be for adults to make new friendships and start again. However, she soon finds her dreams were waiting to be realised one by one by taking action and making choices for herself.
Fab uplifting and interesting read
Kitty is a likeable character who I really felt close to throughout her heartache and initial loneliness at moving away, it highlighted how hard it can be for adults to make new friendships and start again. However, she soon finds her dreams were waiting to be realised one by one by taking action and making choices for herself.
Fab uplifting and interesting read
August 16, 2022
am a big fan of Tracy Rees, true I haven’t read all of her books but the one I have read I absolutely loved so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to sit down with one of her stories again, plus it’s the first book in a brand new series. Win, win!!
The Pennystrand Village series is going to be fabulous judging by this first visit, it’s full of interesting characters who I can’t wait to get to know throughout the series and hopefully more of the villagers will have stories of their own.
The Little House by the Sea is like a box of chocolates, you open it up and see the wonders f dreamy delicious chocolates inside and are excited to dive in and discover the delights within.
Hmmm, went off on a little chocolate fest there, this is what happens when I have a box of Diary milk sitting on the sideboard begging to be opened. Yes, I go a little distracted, LOL!
The story centres around Kitty Wilson, a city gal who is dreaming of another more tranquil life, preferably by the sea. She is an ordinary woman who just wants more, she isn’t sure what kind of more she wants she just knows that her life isn’t set in stone in London and dreams of sea views, quiet coves and idyllic tranquil skies.
Don’t we all!!
Like so many of us, she is one of the many who walks around estate agents looking for the perfect escape, yes I will put my hand to that one too, who doesn’t do the same? Unfortunately, her dead-wood of a boyfriend doesn’t share her dream, she soon dumps her and leaves her heartbroken but opens up an opportunity for her to finally get her dream. She leaves London and her life behind and flees for her childhood safe place, the place she always felt happy and relaxed. She goes ‘home’ to Pennystand village in Wales, where she begins to breathe the sea air and mend her heart, she starts believing that this is what she wants she even has a fleeting romance with a sexy as hell, surfer; Cory.
But, good things don’t last long do they? Cory reveals that he won’t be staying and she starts to feel as though things are being hidden from her, that there is something about Pennystand which is eluding her. There is certainly, more to this sleepy village than meets the eye, secrets are entwined in her very own past, but will she be brave and seek out the truth or will she run?
I won’t say too much about what happens, or about the scenes or even how I all connect within, but it’s emotional and hugely enjoyable watching the story unfold and watching Kitty relax and grow into a warm, engaging and relatable woman.
The Little House by the Sea is beautifully written, and magical and most importantly it will make you smile. Reading this will make you feel happy and content, who cares what is happening in the world when you can escape to the beautiful and magical Welsh coast?
The Pennystrand Village series is going to be fabulous judging by this first visit, it’s full of interesting characters who I can’t wait to get to know throughout the series and hopefully more of the villagers will have stories of their own.
The Little House by the Sea is like a box of chocolates, you open it up and see the wonders f dreamy delicious chocolates inside and are excited to dive in and discover the delights within.
Hmmm, went off on a little chocolate fest there, this is what happens when I have a box of Diary milk sitting on the sideboard begging to be opened. Yes, I go a little distracted, LOL!
The story centres around Kitty Wilson, a city gal who is dreaming of another more tranquil life, preferably by the sea. She is an ordinary woman who just wants more, she isn’t sure what kind of more she wants she just knows that her life isn’t set in stone in London and dreams of sea views, quiet coves and idyllic tranquil skies.
Don’t we all!!
Like so many of us, she is one of the many who walks around estate agents looking for the perfect escape, yes I will put my hand to that one too, who doesn’t do the same? Unfortunately, her dead-wood of a boyfriend doesn’t share her dream, she soon dumps her and leaves her heartbroken but opens up an opportunity for her to finally get her dream. She leaves London and her life behind and flees for her childhood safe place, the place she always felt happy and relaxed. She goes ‘home’ to Pennystand village in Wales, where she begins to breathe the sea air and mend her heart, she starts believing that this is what she wants she even has a fleeting romance with a sexy as hell, surfer; Cory.
But, good things don’t last long do they? Cory reveals that he won’t be staying and she starts to feel as though things are being hidden from her, that there is something about Pennystand which is eluding her. There is certainly, more to this sleepy village than meets the eye, secrets are entwined in her very own past, but will she be brave and seek out the truth or will she run?
I won’t say too much about what happens, or about the scenes or even how I all connect within, but it’s emotional and hugely enjoyable watching the story unfold and watching Kitty relax and grow into a warm, engaging and relatable woman.
The Little House by the Sea is beautifully written, and magical and most importantly it will make you smile. Reading this will make you feel happy and content, who cares what is happening in the world when you can escape to the beautiful and magical Welsh coast?
August 28, 2022
Kitty Roberts’s life is about to change.
What I so love about Tracy Rees’s writing is the absolute confidence that it will be beautifully written, perfectly plotted and emotional, with fabulous characters I can believe in and gorgeous descriptions that transport me wherever the author chooses. The Little House by the Sea is all of those things and more. I loved it. There isn’t a dissonant note throughout so that reading The Little House by the Sea is absorbing, entertaining and incredibly satisfying.
In amongst a carefully plotted story that weaves several strands into a brilliant narrative, is a lightness of touch that includes humour through Roly, balanced by depth of theme in the past lurking in Kitty’s family with just a tiny sprinkling of magic from Agatha that allows the reader to choose their own interpretation. There’s everything here from love and relationships, to family and friends and from ambition to acceptance in many forms. I loved the fact that Kitty isn’t defined by a man, but finds her place in life independently so that The Little House by the Sea feels surprisingly feminist as well as romantic. The plot is believable even where there are surprises which makes the story so engaging. It feels as if any reader could experience life like Kitty, making her relatable and appealing.
Indeed, the characters are fabulous, and I adored the way the small town of Pennystrand means everyone knows everyone else’s business. What I found so refreshing was that whilst the full range of characters is present, we get to know a few really thoroughly, making them vivid and real. I thought Kitty was depicted to perfection; possibly because her obsession with houses matches my own!
I don’t know about Tracy Rees, but I so enjoyed The Little House by the Sea that I’m not finished with the people of Pennystrand – or the town itself – so I hope we’ll hear more in the future. I can’t stop thinking about the place because of Tracy Rees’s evocative descriptions or about the people because I feel they are completely authentic. I just loved this feel good, heartening and thoroughly entertaining story and I really recommend The Little House by the Sea as a breath of fresh (sea) air!
What I so love about Tracy Rees’s writing is the absolute confidence that it will be beautifully written, perfectly plotted and emotional, with fabulous characters I can believe in and gorgeous descriptions that transport me wherever the author chooses. The Little House by the Sea is all of those things and more. I loved it. There isn’t a dissonant note throughout so that reading The Little House by the Sea is absorbing, entertaining and incredibly satisfying.
In amongst a carefully plotted story that weaves several strands into a brilliant narrative, is a lightness of touch that includes humour through Roly, balanced by depth of theme in the past lurking in Kitty’s family with just a tiny sprinkling of magic from Agatha that allows the reader to choose their own interpretation. There’s everything here from love and relationships, to family and friends and from ambition to acceptance in many forms. I loved the fact that Kitty isn’t defined by a man, but finds her place in life independently so that The Little House by the Sea feels surprisingly feminist as well as romantic. The plot is believable even where there are surprises which makes the story so engaging. It feels as if any reader could experience life like Kitty, making her relatable and appealing.
Indeed, the characters are fabulous, and I adored the way the small town of Pennystrand means everyone knows everyone else’s business. What I found so refreshing was that whilst the full range of characters is present, we get to know a few really thoroughly, making them vivid and real. I thought Kitty was depicted to perfection; possibly because her obsession with houses matches my own!
I don’t know about Tracy Rees, but I so enjoyed The Little House by the Sea that I’m not finished with the people of Pennystrand – or the town itself – so I hope we’ll hear more in the future. I can’t stop thinking about the place because of Tracy Rees’s evocative descriptions or about the people because I feel they are completely authentic. I just loved this feel good, heartening and thoroughly entertaining story and I really recommend The Little House by the Sea as a breath of fresh (sea) air!
December 1, 2022
Tracy Rees has the storyteller’s gift and with The Little House by the Sea, she has once again penned a charming and emotional romantic tale readers will fall in love with.
Thirty year old Kitty Roberts is determined to find the perfect home for her and her boyfriend. Kitty has lots of dreams for the future and she cannot wait to spend the rest of her life with her Prince Charming – until he dumps her and leaves her heartbroken, humiliated and alone. Feeling as if the walls are closing in on her, Kitty finds herself in desperate need of an escape, so she leaves her old life behind and heads to the seaside village where she spent many a happy summer with her family as a child.
After the upheaval of the last couple of months, Kitty finally feels like she has found a place to call home. Her new neighbours are welcoming, the sea air is invigorating and there is even the possibility of romance with sexy surfer Cory. As old wounds begin to heal, Kitty begins to wonder whether she might have found somewhere to belong until Cory drops a bombshell that he will be leaving the seaside village very soon. What’s more a secret from Kitty’s family’s past rears it head making her question everything she has always believed to be true about her life.
Will Kitty ever find the happiness that has thus far eluded her? Can she have a future with Cory? Or is she about to get her heart broken all over again?
In The Little House by the Sea, Tracy Rees has written a gentle, uplifting and engrossing page-turner about starting over, healing from the past and falling in love that captured my attention from the first page and kept me entertained and gripped till the end. Tracy Rees has got a wonderful ability of making her readers laugh and cry – often on the same page – and with The Little House by the Sea she has written an exceptional romantic escape full of warmth and humour I simply couldn’t bear to put down.
Thirty year old Kitty Roberts is determined to find the perfect home for her and her boyfriend. Kitty has lots of dreams for the future and she cannot wait to spend the rest of her life with her Prince Charming – until he dumps her and leaves her heartbroken, humiliated and alone. Feeling as if the walls are closing in on her, Kitty finds herself in desperate need of an escape, so she leaves her old life behind and heads to the seaside village where she spent many a happy summer with her family as a child.
After the upheaval of the last couple of months, Kitty finally feels like she has found a place to call home. Her new neighbours are welcoming, the sea air is invigorating and there is even the possibility of romance with sexy surfer Cory. As old wounds begin to heal, Kitty begins to wonder whether she might have found somewhere to belong until Cory drops a bombshell that he will be leaving the seaside village very soon. What’s more a secret from Kitty’s family’s past rears it head making her question everything she has always believed to be true about her life.
Will Kitty ever find the happiness that has thus far eluded her? Can she have a future with Cory? Or is she about to get her heart broken all over again?
In The Little House by the Sea, Tracy Rees has written a gentle, uplifting and engrossing page-turner about starting over, healing from the past and falling in love that captured my attention from the first page and kept me entertained and gripped till the end. Tracy Rees has got a wonderful ability of making her readers laugh and cry – often on the same page – and with The Little House by the Sea she has written an exceptional romantic escape full of warmth and humour I simply couldn’t bear to put down.
August 16, 2022
4 stars
It’s too bad that Pennystrand isn’t a real place. Because I would be packing to move there tomorrow if it was.
Kitty Roberts has a fixation with houses. She spends hours upon hours at the local estate office poring over their listings. She and her partner have been living in a hovel, saving up for the day that they can move to country to purchase their dream home. Until Kitty finds out that isn’t the boyfriend’s dream at all.
When all falls apart in her London world, Kitty escapes to Wales, to the small beachside village of Pennystrand. Her family had summered there when Kitty was small, and she never really got it out of her system. While her sister thinks this is a disastrous move, Kitty feels like it’s right. Especially when everything starts to fall into place. A job, a friend, the perfect little rental.
Then she meets Cory Hudson, world renowned surfer and Pennystrand native. Kitty swore not to let herself get head over heels for anyone, but Cory is special. Kitty hadn’t planned to make Pennystrand her permanent home. Still, the way everything is happening, maybe this was meant to be.
Pennystrand Village is the quirky small town that we’ve all visited and wanted to make home. Kind people, crazy old ladies, and the beach. Like I said, I would move there immediately if it were an option. I’m so excited that Tracy Rees has made this book one, because I can’t wait to spend more time in this perfect little town.
When you need a break from reality and the harsh news of the day, take a visit to Pennystrand. You will love it and want to stay forever, just like me.
It’s too bad that Pennystrand isn’t a real place. Because I would be packing to move there tomorrow if it was.
Kitty Roberts has a fixation with houses. She spends hours upon hours at the local estate office poring over their listings. She and her partner have been living in a hovel, saving up for the day that they can move to country to purchase their dream home. Until Kitty finds out that isn’t the boyfriend’s dream at all.
When all falls apart in her London world, Kitty escapes to Wales, to the small beachside village of Pennystrand. Her family had summered there when Kitty was small, and she never really got it out of her system. While her sister thinks this is a disastrous move, Kitty feels like it’s right. Especially when everything starts to fall into place. A job, a friend, the perfect little rental.
Then she meets Cory Hudson, world renowned surfer and Pennystrand native. Kitty swore not to let herself get head over heels for anyone, but Cory is special. Kitty hadn’t planned to make Pennystrand her permanent home. Still, the way everything is happening, maybe this was meant to be.
Pennystrand Village is the quirky small town that we’ve all visited and wanted to make home. Kind people, crazy old ladies, and the beach. Like I said, I would move there immediately if it were an option. I’m so excited that Tracy Rees has made this book one, because I can’t wait to spend more time in this perfect little town.
When you need a break from reality and the harsh news of the day, take a visit to Pennystrand. You will love it and want to stay forever, just like me.
August 25, 2022
Kitty Roberts is thirty years old and very happy with her life and in love with her boyfriend who also happens to be her best friend. She is searching for a house for the two of them, and to her surprise her boyfriend breaks up with her. She is devastated by the break up and decides to return to the beautiful and tranquil village by the sea. She spent summer vacations there as a child. Kitty is happy to be back at Pennystrand Village to rest and recover from heartbreak. She loves her long walks on the beach and watching the sunsets. She meets a few new friends including professional surfer Cory Hudson. Kitty begins to allow herself to open up to Cory about her past, The more time they spend together the closer they become. Kitty isn’t quite ready to completely give her heart away just yet, especially when Cory tells her that his time in Pennystrand Village is almost over.
This was such a wonderful feel-good cozy romance. I loved the description of Pennystrand Village. It sounded like an amazing place to go to “get away from it all.” With the house being so close to the sea, it makes for a great escape. The storyline is engaging with believable and captivating characters. This summer romance has all the feels, full of hope and inspiration. This wonderful read is a must for anyone that needs to lift their spirit and fill their heart. It is a rapid read because the flow of the story is perfect which makes it impossible to put down. I recommend this must read book.
Thank you Tracy Rees for such an amazing escape. It is exactly what I needed. I absolutely loved everything about this book and I highly recommend it.
This was such a wonderful feel-good cozy romance. I loved the description of Pennystrand Village. It sounded like an amazing place to go to “get away from it all.” With the house being so close to the sea, it makes for a great escape. The storyline is engaging with believable and captivating characters. This summer romance has all the feels, full of hope and inspiration. This wonderful read is a must for anyone that needs to lift their spirit and fill their heart. It is a rapid read because the flow of the story is perfect which makes it impossible to put down. I recommend this must read book.
Thank you Tracy Rees for such an amazing escape. It is exactly what I needed. I absolutely loved everything about this book and I highly recommend it.
July 29, 2022
Loved Loved Loved!! This is one of those books that puts a smile on your face and warms your heart! And it was just a wonderful treat to read in the sunshine - and to know that you're not alone in being someone who searches estate agents looking and dreaming of that perfect life away from it all!
Kitty is the main character in this book and she's looking for something but she's not sure what! Her happy times are spent in estate agents looking for a dream house, away from the noise and bustle of London - her other half Mitch doesn't share that dream but fate soon finds a way for her to follow her own path!!
So she finds herself moving to Wales to reassess her life, in a place where she has happy memories from her childhood and with her family. She finds a lovely spot to stay with a nice landlady, and soon finds herself at the heart of the village, trying to make new friends and find a new way of life.
I loved how she threw herself into her new life, and how new doors, literally!, opened up for her! There was lots of fun banter and the introduction of Cory really spices things up and their relationship was just perfect! There's also a little mystery thrown in, along with some shocking family secrets and I just loved how the story evolved and didn't want it to end! Home truly is where the heart is!!
Kitty is the main character in this book and she's looking for something but she's not sure what! Her happy times are spent in estate agents looking for a dream house, away from the noise and bustle of London - her other half Mitch doesn't share that dream but fate soon finds a way for her to follow her own path!!
So she finds herself moving to Wales to reassess her life, in a place where she has happy memories from her childhood and with her family. She finds a lovely spot to stay with a nice landlady, and soon finds herself at the heart of the village, trying to make new friends and find a new way of life.
I loved how she threw herself into her new life, and how new doors, literally!, opened up for her! There was lots of fun banter and the introduction of Cory really spices things up and their relationship was just perfect! There's also a little mystery thrown in, along with some shocking family secrets and I just loved how the story evolved and didn't want it to end! Home truly is where the heart is!!
August 14, 2022
🌅Such a feel-good story: delightful🤗
An excellent piece of women's fiction with an idyllic, seaside setting. The principal Kitty character is an inspiration. She goes through heartbreak and decides to take temporary refuge in a seaside town in Wales where she had her best childhood summer holiday to consider how to restart her life. Kitty opens herself to the people and opportunities there and takes delight in every new friendship and acquaintance.
This is the right story to read to pick up your spirits and focus on the good experiences, minor and major, associated with doing something you love and striving for your heart's desire. There's also a family mystery to unravel and a handsome surfer surprise.
This was the second novel I'd read by Tracy Rees and I think I'm hooked. In both cases, the read was so easy and engaging that I regretted reaching the end. Definitely, unequivocally recommended.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
An excellent piece of women's fiction with an idyllic, seaside setting. The principal Kitty character is an inspiration. She goes through heartbreak and decides to take temporary refuge in a seaside town in Wales where she had her best childhood summer holiday to consider how to restart her life. Kitty opens herself to the people and opportunities there and takes delight in every new friendship and acquaintance.
This is the right story to read to pick up your spirits and focus on the good experiences, minor and major, associated with doing something you love and striving for your heart's desire. There's also a family mystery to unravel and a handsome surfer surprise.
This was the second novel I'd read by Tracy Rees and I think I'm hooked. In both cases, the read was so easy and engaging that I regretted reaching the end. Definitely, unequivocally recommended.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
August 24, 2022
Sometimes to make changes you need the first step to take
One choice at a time is all you can make.
By doing so, and looking out for yourself, too,
The future could be much brighter for you!
Her partner's betrayal triggers a fresh start,
In which a psychic, family holiday and secrets play a part.
A heartwarming read about moving on
When the one you loved and trusted is gone.
Kitty Roberts has dreams of a cottage by the sea,
But losing her partner and job, how could this be?
With happy memories of a childhood holiday
To Wales is where she decides to go stay.
New friends, a dream job and the beach
Make a happy ending seem again within reach.
But family drama from decades gone by
Could thwart her endeavours - should she try?
A gorgeous read from beginning to end
This is a lovely read I highly recommend.
With great characters and setting as well as romance
There's some mysteries, surprises as Kitty takes a chance!
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.
One choice at a time is all you can make.
By doing so, and looking out for yourself, too,
The future could be much brighter for you!
Her partner's betrayal triggers a fresh start,
In which a psychic, family holiday and secrets play a part.
A heartwarming read about moving on
When the one you loved and trusted is gone.
Kitty Roberts has dreams of a cottage by the sea,
But losing her partner and job, how could this be?
With happy memories of a childhood holiday
To Wales is where she decides to go stay.
New friends, a dream job and the beach
Make a happy ending seem again within reach.
But family drama from decades gone by
Could thwart her endeavours - should she try?
A gorgeous read from beginning to end
This is a lovely read I highly recommend.
With great characters and setting as well as romance
There's some mysteries, surprises as Kitty takes a chance!
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.
July 28, 2022
The Little House By The Sea by Tracy Rees
“The little House by the sea” is a delightful story of new beginnings and the importance of friendships. Kitty loves houses, she spends her free time at estate agents looking for the perfect home. After discovering her boyfriend is being unfaithful she leaves their tiny flat in London to rent a place in Pennystrand, a seaside town in Wales that she once visited as a child, and fell in love with. Once there, her plans to only stay for six months begin to change. Her dream job and home are not as far away as they once seemed. The story is heartwarming, full of colourful characters, mystery and joy. There is a hint of romance, but it doesn’t drive the storyline it is just a pleasant aside that keeps Kitty smiling and the reader too. I was rooting for Kitty to find a sense of belonging in Pennystrand throughout the whole book and I am sure anyone that reads will too.
“The little House by the sea” is a delightful story of new beginnings and the importance of friendships. Kitty loves houses, she spends her free time at estate agents looking for the perfect home. After discovering her boyfriend is being unfaithful she leaves their tiny flat in London to rent a place in Pennystrand, a seaside town in Wales that she once visited as a child, and fell in love with. Once there, her plans to only stay for six months begin to change. Her dream job and home are not as far away as they once seemed. The story is heartwarming, full of colourful characters, mystery and joy. There is a hint of romance, but it doesn’t drive the storyline it is just a pleasant aside that keeps Kitty smiling and the reader too. I was rooting for Kitty to find a sense of belonging in Pennystrand throughout the whole book and I am sure anyone that reads will too.
August 10, 2022
Kitty went to a tiny seaside village called Pennystrand, where she spent summers as a child after she caught her boyfriend and her friend together. When, she got there, she was lonely and didn't have any friends there. She met a neighbor who invited her in, and she learned about a job opening at the real estate office. It would help her meet people, and she would have money coming in.
While she is there she sees, that she wasn't happy, she just did what she thought others wanted or expected her to do. Her sister told her she needed to live her best life she could for herself, and she started doing just that. When she did that, she soon realized she had never been this happy, her dreams were coming true.
There is a mystery, and her mother comes to visit, and tells her the story, and her mother helps her make the decision of what she is going to do.
I received an ARC from Bookouture through NetGalley.
While she is there she sees, that she wasn't happy, she just did what she thought others wanted or expected her to do. Her sister told her she needed to live her best life she could for herself, and she started doing just that. When she did that, she soon realized she had never been this happy, her dreams were coming true.
There is a mystery, and her mother comes to visit, and tells her the story, and her mother helps her make the decision of what she is going to do.
I received an ARC from Bookouture through NetGalley.
August 14, 2022
Needing to start over after her boyfriend cheats on her, Kitty visits a psychic who tells her to go to a town she visited as a child. Kitty heeds the advice and jumps full in to a new adventure in Pennystrand Village. This book title says this is book #1 of the series and I do hope there will be more because I absolutely loved the little village and all of the characters in this story. Kitty is a delightful main character who you will be cheering for the whole time to succeed and find her own happiness, her boss is an absolute sweetheart, the Parnells are the rich clan living on the hill who harbor many secrets to uncover. The story takes us to Pennystrand in the springtime and throughout the summer, but I definitely wanted to keep reading to see what was going to happen next to Kitty and Cory. I'll be keeping a look out for future books in this series and I hope to see Kitty and her friends again.
August 14, 2022
Oh wow, this was a lovely book!
Kitty lives with her long-term boyfriend, Mitch, in London. They are saving hard to buy a house of their own - until they aren't. Mitch is caught with someone else and this, of course, really throws her.
She finds herself in Pennystrand, an idyllic village near the sea. There, she licks her wounds and tries to re-evaluate her life.
I don't want to spoil the plot so I think I should leave it here.
There is a bit of romance in this book, of course, but it is more about Kitty herself and the people she surrounds herself with. What does SHE want from her life? How can she make her dreams come true?
A really gorgeous book. The only thing that I didn't like is that it ended! Can't wait for book 2 in the series.
5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.
Kitty lives with her long-term boyfriend, Mitch, in London. They are saving hard to buy a house of their own - until they aren't. Mitch is caught with someone else and this, of course, really throws her.
She finds herself in Pennystrand, an idyllic village near the sea. There, she licks her wounds and tries to re-evaluate her life.
I don't want to spoil the plot so I think I should leave it here.
There is a bit of romance in this book, of course, but it is more about Kitty herself and the people she surrounds herself with. What does SHE want from her life? How can she make her dreams come true?
A really gorgeous book. The only thing that I didn't like is that it ended! Can't wait for book 2 in the series.
5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.
August 24, 2022
Such a delightful book, I loved every second of it! After a heartbreak and losing her job, Kitty leaves London and decides to settle for 6 months in a lovely village in Wales where she spent holidays when she was young.
The story revolves around Kitty finding her way in a new place, and back to herself. This is an inspiring and empowering book, with a big family secret, a tiny bit of romance, and wonderful strong friendships.
This is only the second book I read by Tracy Rees and she made it on my favourite authors list!
I devoured this book and I can't wait to read the next one, I fell in love with Pennystrand, and all the characters, I'd move there in a heartbeat!
Highly recommended if you want a heartwarming, cosy, and emotional page-turner.
Thank you to the publisher who provided me with an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The story revolves around Kitty finding her way in a new place, and back to herself. This is an inspiring and empowering book, with a big family secret, a tiny bit of romance, and wonderful strong friendships.
This is only the second book I read by Tracy Rees and she made it on my favourite authors list!
I devoured this book and I can't wait to read the next one, I fell in love with Pennystrand, and all the characters, I'd move there in a heartbeat!
Highly recommended if you want a heartwarming, cosy, and emotional page-turner.
Thank you to the publisher who provided me with an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2022
Tracy Rees’ books are always a pleasure to read and this one is no exception.
I absolutely fell in love with this book and so pleased it’s the first book in the Pennystrand series.
Kitty is the main protagonist who returns to a family favourite holiday area of Pennystrand in Wales after her life is turned upside down from her cheating boyfriend. In Pennystrand she finds her ideal job, makes good friendships and uncovers a family secret. Such a charming book with lovely cosy characters and a very engaging storyline. I could not put this book down and can’t wait for the next installment.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review. It really was an absolute pleasure.
I absolutely fell in love with this book and so pleased it’s the first book in the Pennystrand series.
Kitty is the main protagonist who returns to a family favourite holiday area of Pennystrand in Wales after her life is turned upside down from her cheating boyfriend. In Pennystrand she finds her ideal job, makes good friendships and uncovers a family secret. Such a charming book with lovely cosy characters and a very engaging storyline. I could not put this book down and can’t wait for the next installment.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review. It really was an absolute pleasure.
August 27, 2022
Just what I needed after reading several heavy reads, a light hearted fluffy feel-good read which ticked all the boxes...
The backdrop of Pennystrand sounds absolutely idyllic, and I'd move there in a heartbeat!
The characters are all so lovely, friendly and realistic, my kind of people. Kitty and Cory are adorable together and I so hope we get to hear more of them and their blossoming romance.
Full of romance, friendship and mystery with a smudge of magic, I thoroughly enjoyed The Little House By the Sea and would highly recommend to anyone wanting an uplifting read.
I can't wait for my next visit back to Pennystrand to make some more new friends.
Many thanks to Bookouture for my tour spot.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The backdrop of Pennystrand sounds absolutely idyllic, and I'd move there in a heartbeat!
The characters are all so lovely, friendly and realistic, my kind of people. Kitty and Cory are adorable together and I so hope we get to hear more of them and their blossoming romance.
Full of romance, friendship and mystery with a smudge of magic, I thoroughly enjoyed The Little House By the Sea and would highly recommend to anyone wanting an uplifting read.
I can't wait for my next visit back to Pennystrand to make some more new friends.
Many thanks to Bookouture for my tour spot.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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