The Seaview: Caribbean love after loss.

by Barbara Angermeier Malcolm

Widow and scuba diver Rose Lambert uses her savings to buy a ramshackle four-room hotel on a Caribbean beach. She hires local workers, overcomes unexpected obstacles, makes friends, and works to build a life for herself on a small island where everyone knows everyone else--and their business. She knew it would be hard work, but what she didn't plan on was Ignatius and the way he made her feel. The Seaview will have the reader imagining they are on a Caribbean vacation with engaging islanders, breathtaking scenery above and below water, and a little romance.

Genres: Contemporary, Audiobook

251 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 14, 2022

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun getaway read

I enjoyed this story if a widow living out her dream on a Caribbean island by renovating an old hotel and coincidentally meeting a interesting widower. Sparks fly. A little heat and spice, this charming romance has lots going for it.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the death of her husband, Rose decides to live out a long dream she and her husband had. On the island of Anguilla, a place they both held dear, she buys an old building with the intent to open a B&B. Except she discovers after her purchase that maybe the building isn't quite in as good of a shape as she had hope. A little more...okay, a lot more... work will be needed. But with the help of a slowly growing friend group of locals she starts to put her vision together bit by bit even with all the bumps along the way. And maybe, her heart will be stitched up too.

I will always be drawn to stories with older protagonists. I love seeing this woman claiming her retirement, taking on such a project, knowing what she knows and standing her ground against misogyny. While I'm not much for intimate scenes, I can appreciate any story that acknowledges that physical and emotional affection doesn't just suddenly die out at a certain birthday. And we all need some cozy vibes some times.

However as I was reading it, I kept having this nagging bother. It took a while to put a finger on it. Now, I want to preface this by saying I absolutely and utterly believe the author loves and knows places like these, isn't asserting what I was responding to, and has the best of intentions. It was only the way to make this the heartwarming story of acceptance of self, purpose, and community. But I found myself completely cringing when there was a line that was something to the tune of 'we have to be model citizens not like -those- types of islanders. we need people like miss Rose'.

I do not live in the Caribbean but I do live in a place dependent on tourism. So I share to a lesser extent the gobbling up of land, tradition, and rights of attractive places once the rich find them out. Now, I wish all those people were exactly like Rose. Wanting to connect with the place as much as assert their own dream. But the way every neighbor seemed not just to welcome her but bend themselves backward for a stranger went beyond the courtesy and generosity I know small places to have. Especially when you take into account the island's demographics, colonial history, and being used as a tax haven. At the very least I think she would have faced skepticism for more than her budding relationship with the local most wanted bachelor.

It wasn't the only stumbling point for me. There were sections of closely repeated information that didn't feel quite necessary. And I never really got a feel of what the core plot or pace of this book was leaving me unsure if the book just felt abrupt or longer. Yet this is what a reader would expect it to be. A second chance, spunky and confident woman, and a tale of friendship and dreams. So it might be exactly what another reader needs. Structural notes aside, I know the subtext I read into this was unintended and probably just the product of me immersing myself in fiction and nonfiction of the Caribbean over the past two years in order to take in more of the history putting those negative thoughts too close to mind.

[Torie Mostek]

Local Green Bay writer and debut novel! Barb's specialty is postmenopausal chick lit, an area that is often underrepresented. It might be the first novel I read this year that has a reliable narrator, which was a refreshing change. I also appreciated the linear, straightforward writing style. What you see is what you get. No hidden agendas, no convoluted twists, just a heart-driven story with lovely characters and a location where I now want to live.

[Yakub Abdulganiy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one overall. The island setting was easy to picture and I liked how the author showed Rose trying to rebuild her life after loss. Some parts dragged a bit, and I wish Ignatius had been fleshed out more, but it was still a nice, hopeful read. Made me want to sit on a beach with a rum punch.

[Fathia Balogun · Rating 5 out of 5]

The idea of buying a rundown hotel and starting fresh in the Caribbean really hooked me. Rose is a likable main character and I appreciated the community feel of the story. That said, it felt a little predictable at times, and the romance didn’t hit as hard for me as I hoped. Still, it’s cozy and uplifting, and worth reading if you like second-chance life stories.

[Jerry Aubin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Seaview is a tender story of loss, resilience, and rediscovering joy in unexpected places. The Caribbean setting is so vivid it feels like a vacation, and Rose’s determination makes her journey both inspiring and relatable. A lovely blend of atmosphere and heart.

[Ibrahim Azeez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how this book transported me straight to the Caribbean. The setting was so vivid, and I could almost feel the sea breeze while reading. Rose’s story of loss and finding love again felt heartfelt and inspiring, and the romance unfolded in such a natural way.

[Elle Nicoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Seaview is one of those books that sneaks up on you with its warmth. Rose is a character you can truly root for, and I admired how she faced each setback with determination. The mix of community, island life, and second-chance romance was really charming.

[Sophia Cardwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story made me want to pack a bag and head to the beach. The descriptions of the island were beautiful, and the characters felt like real people. Rose’s journey of healing and the sweet romance made for a really uplifting read.

[Kamaldeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I enjoyed most here was the balance between struggle and joy. Rose’s challenges in fixing up the hotel felt so real, and yet the friendships and romance gave the story hope. It’s a gentle, heartwarming read with a lovely sense of place.

[James Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book felt like a vacation with heart. The island setting was gorgeous, but what really stood out was Rose’s courage to start over. I liked how the romance was gentle but meaningful, adding just the right amount of sweetness.

[Novatra Literary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara Angermeier Malcolm captures both the beauty of the Caribbean and the complexity of starting fresh. Rose’s struggles were relatable, and her resilience made her easy to root for. The romance added a soft touch that tied the story together perfectly.

[John Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed watching Rose rebuild her life after loss. The hotel setting was fun, the community aspect was lively, and the romance felt authentic. This book had a great mix of escapism and emotional depth.

[Ibrahim Azeez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Seaview is a light but meaningful read. Rose’s journey of finding herself again was handled with warmth, and the details of the island made everything feel alive. The love story was understated but touching.

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Seaview isn’t just a romance, it’s a story of rediscovery. The characters’ journey through grief toward love again is written with such tenderness that I found myself smiling through tears. A heartfelt reminder that love can return when we least expect it.

[Mercy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel beautifully balances the heaviness of loss with the light of new beginnings. The seaside setting amplifies the emotions, both soothing and stirring. A perfect read for anyone who believes in love’s ability to heal.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Seaview offers more than a love story, it delivers a meditation on resilience and emotional rebirth. The Caribbean backdrop is not just scenery but an integral force of healing. Readers will find both escapism and emotional truth here.

[Valentina'S · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Seaview, love and loss intertwine seamlessly. The prose is lush, the pacing tender, and the characters unforgettable. This is romance at its most meaningful, not about forgetting the past, but carrying it into a hopeful future.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Seaview is the kind of story that stays with you, tender, healing, and filled with the salty sweetness of the Caribbean breeze. It’s a love story that proves life after loss can be just as beautiful as before.

[Tamsyn Muir · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, hopeful book about starting over after loss. The island details were so vivid I felt like I was there, and Rose’s growth was inspiring. The romance was touching and made the story feel complete.

[Hanna Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Seaview gave me exactly what I hoped for: a heartfelt story in a beautiful setting. Rose’s resilience made her easy to root for, and the romance was understated but genuine. It left me with a smile.

[Mollie Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how the author blended atmosphere with emotion. The island setting was gorgeous, but it was Rose’s inner strength that carried the story. The romance was tender and made the ending feel very satisfying.

[Rose Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a pleasant surprise. Rose’s determination was inspiring, and her vulnerability made her feel very human. The love story added sweetness without overpowering the themes of resilience and renewal.

[Rickey Gearhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up as an escape read, and it delivered. The setting was rich and colorful, the locals were fun to get to know, and Rose’s journey felt heartfelt. It’s a gentle reminder that new beginnings are always possible.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I loved most about "The Seaview" is its honesty. Grief isn’t swept aside but woven into the love story, making the romance even more powerful. It feels authentic, relatable, and uplifting.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few books capture the ache of grief and the joy of love’s return so beautifully. The Seaview reminded me that hearts can break and still beat stronger than before.

[DENISE M SCHOEN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun easy read! I loved it!

[Wynter Mills]

Listen to the audiobook. I don’t think I’m into the middle aged romance, but good for them!