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The Shell Shop
One missing shell. One quirky family. One chance to save the Shell Shop.
Julia and her husband started the shell shop in the Florida Keys decades ago, before their now-grown children were born—he sold the rare shells he found on diving trips around the world and she raised their kids among the balmy breezes and waving palm trees.
But John died in a diving accident and now it’s all up to Julia. Her adult kids are busy with their own lives, and Julia has to dig deep to figure out a way to keep the shop—and her home—afloat.
When a world-famous shell collector expects a rare shell that her husband promised to deliver, can the Montgomery family rally together and figure out the method to John’s madness? Find the shell John died trying to find and keep the shop in business?
Escape into this feel-good beach series. You’ll fall in love with the Montgomery family while you visit the warm sunny beaches of the Florida Keys!
** Previously published under the author's pen name of Mia Alexander. **
Julia and her husband started the shell shop in the Florida Keys decades ago, before their now-grown children were born—he sold the rare shells he found on diving trips around the world and she raised their kids among the balmy breezes and waving palm trees.
But John died in a diving accident and now it’s all up to Julia. Her adult kids are busy with their own lives, and Julia has to dig deep to figure out a way to keep the shop—and her home—afloat.
When a world-famous shell collector expects a rare shell that her husband promised to deliver, can the Montgomery family rally together and figure out the method to John’s madness? Find the shell John died trying to find and keep the shop in business?
Escape into this feel-good beach series. You’ll fall in love with the Montgomery family while you visit the warm sunny beaches of the Florida Keys!
** Previously published under the author's pen name of Mia Alexander. **
166 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2022
881 people are currently reading
3372 people want to read
About the author
Cindy Nichols
98 books115 followersCindy Nichols also writes as Cindy Caldwell
Cindy Nichols writes heartwarming stories interwoven with the bonds of friendship and family that combine what she loves most about women's fiction and romance.
She's lived most of her life near a beach...just the way she likes it. She hopes to share that feeling of peace and serenity with readers in her gently thought-provoking, feel-good stories.
Feel free to sign up for her mailing list to hear about new releases as soon as they are available. Just copy and paste into your browser:
https://www.subscribepage.com/goodreads
Cindy Nichols writes heartwarming stories interwoven with the bonds of friendship and family that combine what she loves most about women's fiction and romance.
She's lived most of her life near a beach...just the way she likes it. She hopes to share that feeling of peace and serenity with readers in her gently thought-provoking, feel-good stories.
Feel free to sign up for her mailing list to hear about new releases as soon as they are available. Just copy and paste into your browser:
https://www.subscribepage.com/goodreads
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 17, 2022
Lovely first book in a new series! Family and friends join together to help a woman, who has recently lost her husband unexpectedly, get her husband’s shell shop in the Florida Cays ready for the upcoming tourist season. Smooth writing style makes for an easy read. Love the descriptions of the beach setting. Looking forward to the next one!
January 13, 2024
Sweet enough read about family supporting one another after the death of the father. However, I found the characters a bit flat and was a bit annoyed that it appeared unfinished. Some minor editing errors.
November 12, 2023
Family members stick together after a crisis
This was a very enjoyable book. The name 'The Shell Shop' was right on the nose.
After a diving accident that took the life of her husband, John Montgomery., Julia, his wife and their three kids try to start a life without him.
John collected sea shells from all over the world and had a lucrative shell shop located in their large Victorian home. Their shops was right on Pearl Beach in the Florida Keys. This story tells about Julia trying to make a go of the shell shop, while not knowing one thing about shells and the business of running the shell shop. This wonderful book shows how a family will work together to help one another after a death in the family. I am anxious to read what is happening to each of the Montgomery children and to Julia, herself. Happy reading!!
This was a very enjoyable book. The name 'The Shell Shop' was right on the nose.
After a diving accident that took the life of her husband, John Montgomery., Julia, his wife and their three kids try to start a life without him.
John collected sea shells from all over the world and had a lucrative shell shop located in their large Victorian home. Their shops was right on Pearl Beach in the Florida Keys. This story tells about Julia trying to make a go of the shell shop, while not knowing one thing about shells and the business of running the shell shop. This wonderful book shows how a family will work together to help one another after a death in the family. I am anxious to read what is happening to each of the Montgomery children and to Julia, herself. Happy reading!!
May 2, 2025
Needs An Editor
Unfortunately I had to give up reading halfway through. It has a lot of potential but there were paragraphs that made no sense, and then the same paragraph appeared later where it was supposed to be. Some lines were repeated immediately after they first appeared. One small issue in the story was resolved, then in the next chapter the item was still missing and it needed to be resolved. One line they are in an SUV, next line someone catches up to them as they are walking home. An editor is needed. Also, not a lot of depth. The same thing or sentiment just mentioned over again in different ways. I think it really could be a good story, so it was disappointing that the errors kept happening and I just couldn't read anymore.
Unfortunately I had to give up reading halfway through. It has a lot of potential but there were paragraphs that made no sense, and then the same paragraph appeared later where it was supposed to be. Some lines were repeated immediately after they first appeared. One small issue in the story was resolved, then in the next chapter the item was still missing and it needed to be resolved. One line they are in an SUV, next line someone catches up to them as they are walking home. An editor is needed. Also, not a lot of depth. The same thing or sentiment just mentioned over again in different ways. I think it really could be a good story, so it was disappointing that the errors kept happening and I just couldn't read anymore.
July 20, 2025
Julia Montgomery, is a widow who is living in Key West. She has three adult children and two grandchildren. She has a lovely home on the Keys, just a walk to the beach. Part of her home is a "Shell Shop". You see her husband ran the shop, he would go all over the world to find precious and rare shells. Now the shop has had no shop owner for 6 months. You see her husband, John, died in a diving accident while looking for a rare shell. He went there specifically to find this special shell for a client.
Now with the encouragement of her friend, Trish and her three children and son-in-law, she wants to re-open the shop. Julia wants to continue John's legacy. All of a sudden clients are coming to her asking for this specific shell John went to find. But you see she needs to learn about shells, so she goes into John's office to find the shell book. She will read for hours learn about all the species of shells, and there are so many.
One day she was trying to sort some shells and a client walks in. He is British and quite the collector of shells. He helps her sort them according how much she can charge for them. Some worth more than others. This is a lovely story how a family comes together to help their Mom and to bring memories back to them of their Dad.
The reason I wanted to read this book is, my Mom loved shells so much. And I miss the beach near where I grew up. So shells and beaches have a memory for me too. This series has six books in the series. Plus Cindy Nichols has penned other beach series. I am so wanting to read the rest of this series and more of her books.
Now with the encouragement of her friend, Trish and her three children and son-in-law, she wants to re-open the shop. Julia wants to continue John's legacy. All of a sudden clients are coming to her asking for this specific shell John went to find. But you see she needs to learn about shells, so she goes into John's office to find the shell book. She will read for hours learn about all the species of shells, and there are so many.
One day she was trying to sort some shells and a client walks in. He is British and quite the collector of shells. He helps her sort them according how much she can charge for them. Some worth more than others. This is a lovely story how a family comes together to help their Mom and to bring memories back to them of their Dad.
The reason I wanted to read this book is, my Mom loved shells so much. And I miss the beach near where I grew up. So shells and beaches have a memory for me too. This series has six books in the series. Plus Cindy Nichols has penned other beach series. I am so wanting to read the rest of this series and more of her books.
December 31, 2023
A quick and cute beach read. Gives you a great sense of family coming together to get past their grief of loss and moving on in new ways.
April 27, 2025
Nothing better in life than family, friends and fun with plenty of laughter. Happiness is the total opposite of grief, but this book has both. It's a family that recently lost the lifelong Dad, cherished husband and huggable grandfather. Even the customers of the Shell Shop grieved the loss of the man who knew everything there was to know about shells - whether they were valuable or carried living beings. He was a diver who lost his life and those he left behind felt the terrible loss each and every day. Julie, his wife, is trying to carry on; his three adult children try to cope and help mom; and the grandkids remember all the fun they had with him around. I loved the storyline and felt the grief; but there are many moments that made me smile. It's just that kind of book that makes you feel good!
September 9, 2022
Julia's husband, who ran the Shell Shop recently passed away in a diving accident.
Now bills are accumulating and Julia's not sure what's going to happen with the
shop and her home of the last 30+ years.
This is a decent women's fiction story with developed characters.
I felt that the story wasn't complete as Julia's quest for the missing shell was not answered.
I realize that there are two more books in this series, but, with the importance of this particular shell? It should have been resolved.
With it not being resolved, I'm assuming that the shell in question is going to a quest for Julia throughout all three books.
Now bills are accumulating and Julia's not sure what's going to happen with the
shop and her home of the last 30+ years.
This is a decent women's fiction story with developed characters.
I felt that the story wasn't complete as Julia's quest for the missing shell was not answered.
I realize that there are two more books in this series, but, with the importance of this particular shell? It should have been resolved.
With it not being resolved, I'm assuming that the shell in question is going to a quest for Julia throughout all three books.
September 4, 2022
I really enjoyed reading Book 1
in the new series, Pearl Beach.
It's a touching story about a
widow, Julia & her family.
Her husband, John, recently
passed away. He had a Shell Shop
that he loved. Traveled the world
searching for rare shells.
Now Julia, needs to pay the bills.
But she doesn't have a lot of knowledge
in that area.
With the help of family & friends,
everything may work out alright.
Look forward to Book 2!!
in the new series, Pearl Beach.
It's a touching story about a
widow, Julia & her family.
Her husband, John, recently
passed away. He had a Shell Shop
that he loved. Traveled the world
searching for rare shells.
Now Julia, needs to pay the bills.
But she doesn't have a lot of knowledge
in that area.
With the help of family & friends,
everything may work out alright.
Look forward to Book 2!!
December 11, 2024
The Shell Shop
Cindy Nichols
A lovely read!
I loved the story! The love that exists between family members is very special and it is described perfectly in the story.
Cindy Nichols
A lovely read!
I loved the story! The love that exists between family members is very special and it is described perfectly in the story.
January 17, 2023
Julia Montgomery lost her husband in a diving accident. He ran a prosperous shell shop in the Florida Keys and as Julia redefines her life, she has to learn how to manage a business that she had little to do with. Her friends and adult children jump in to help her and learn about themselves in the process. This was a great start to a new series, and I look forward to continuing it.
November 18, 2023
Florida Keys
So want to go to the Keys. This story is about a family who lived a great life until the dad/husband died. The business that kept them happy was shells from the sea. Julia had to pick up the business and with the help of her family all pulling together, it was working. Love the characters and you will want w continue the series.
So want to go to the Keys. This story is about a family who lived a great life until the dad/husband died. The business that kept them happy was shells from the sea. Julia had to pick up the business and with the help of her family all pulling together, it was working. Love the characters and you will want w continue the series.
January 21, 2026
The book has good potential but instead of having an ending, you have to keep reading the series. It’s as if the author chopped the chapters into books to sell more. Literally nothing was wrapped up to end the book, it just …
I’m reading the 2nd in the series but have a feeling it will be the same way
I’m reading the 2nd in the series but have a feeling it will be the same way
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2022
Enjoyed it!
A story about the recreation of a family after the husband/father dies that I really enjoyed. The children thought their Mom was doing well but Mom did not want to be truthful with them as she struggled. Read this book and enjoyed it.
A story about the recreation of a family after the husband/father dies that I really enjoyed. The children thought their Mom was doing well but Mom did not want to be truthful with them as she struggled. Read this book and enjoyed it.
January 14, 2023
THE SHELL SHOP by Cindy Nichols brings the Montgomery family to life one member at a time in this short and sweet book. You'll enjoy the fun they have and the problems they solve on the Florida Keys beaches. This novel made me feel like it was summer in the middle of January.
November 22, 2023
Awesome tale of admirable love in a loving and supportive family that maintains the family's unity while also honouring each member's uniqueness and aspirations, all the while keeping the irreplaceable memory of the departed loved one safe and secure!
November 30, 2023
DNF…h…head in the sand
I got to 13% and was tired of the h…with her head in the sand. Decided to check reviews to see if it might get better, only to find out there is a cliffhanger. Nope…done. Guess I won’t find out about the “missing” shell and I am okay with that.
I got to 13% and was tired of the h…with her head in the sand. Decided to check reviews to see if it might get better, only to find out there is a cliffhanger. Nope…done. Guess I won’t find out about the “missing” shell and I am okay with that.
December 4, 2023
Having lived in the keys, this story felt good
This was an easy story to read as the family struggled thru their sorrow & upheaval.
Enjoy spending mellow days at the beach with them.
This was an easy story to read as the family struggled thru their sorrow & upheaval.
Enjoy spending mellow days at the beach with them.
October 4, 2024
A bit disappointed
I was a little disappointed with how it almost seemed like it ended on a cliffhanger and I really hate books Can I make you feeling?You have to buy the next book to find out what happens.
I was a little disappointed with how it almost seemed like it ended on a cliffhanger and I really hate books Can I make you feeling?You have to buy the next book to find out what happens.
November 15, 2023
Delightful story
Lovely story about a family pulling together after the death of the father. Each member has something to contribute to make the family whole again.
Lovely story about a family pulling together after the death of the father. Each member has something to contribute to make the family whole again.
November 19, 2023
Characters were rather flat. Flow was a little stilted. Suspect it was self-published though props that it wasn’t full of spelling and grammatical errors.
November 21, 2023
Interesting family dynamics as adult children become more mature. I did feel let down by the ending but realize it leads to a following book.
November 22, 2023
I enjoyed this sweet story about a woman--and her grown children--learning to live again after losing her husband.
November 27, 2023
A very enjoyable book .
December 29, 2023
Did not finish
January 4, 2024
Cute book
This was a fun book,I loved the picturesque small town,her description of living by the ocean and it was a fast read,I enjoyed it.
This was a fun book,I loved the picturesque small town,her description of living by the ocean and it was a fast read,I enjoyed it.
February 10, 2024
Very readable...
Really enjoyed this straightforward story of Julia dealing with grief from her husbands death and having to get to grips with his Shell Shop business.
A warm, sweet and humorous read where you feel the emotions and being part of the family. Look forward to the next instalment 🙂
Really enjoyed this straightforward story of Julia dealing with grief from her husbands death and having to get to grips with his Shell Shop business.
A warm, sweet and humorous read where you feel the emotions and being part of the family. Look forward to the next instalment 🙂
March 3, 2024
It's a cute family story. Clean no romance.
April 18, 2024
And as we gather together.
A family each going their own way in life, and drawn together thru necessity. Shells are more than pretty ,they're the livelihood.
A family each going their own way in life, and drawn together thru necessity. Shells are more than pretty ,they're the livelihood.
June 11, 2024
A nice easy read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews