Christmas at Bella Beach: A Bella Beach Novella

Bella Beach #1.5

by Kate Wentworth

Alexis Sinclair has a nearly perfect life. Or so she thought. After getting passed over for promotion at the job she loves, she realizes that somewhere along the line, she lost her way and she’s not sure what to do about it.

Christmas with her mom in Bella Beach is just what she needs to give herself a break so she can get back on track. What she isn’t prepared for is the charm of the beach town or its resident lawyer, the handsome Jesse Varrow.

The holidays are a time for family, friends, love, and miracles, but Alexis’ life is back in Seattle, not in Bella Beach. She’s got to go back and face the music and no amount of Christmas magic is going to change her mind. Or will it…?

Welcome to Bella Beach! A charming town with a host of delightful characters and unforgettable stories. Where secrets abound, friendships are formed, and love is waiting to be uncovered in this heartwarming holiday beachy women's fiction.

Cottage at Bella Beach – Book 1
Christmas at Bella Beach – Novella 1.5
Bakery at Bella Beach – Book 2
Bookshop at Bella Beach – Book 3
Lighthouse at Bella Beach – Book 4
Secrets of Bella Beach – Book 5
Return to Bella Beach – Book 6
Wedding at Bella Beach – Book 7

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Novella, Contemporary, Holiday, Fiction, Friendship

90 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 13, 2022

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 A cute Christmasy novella! Lots of loose ends but that’s what the series is for.

[Carol Engler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story. Alexis comes to visit her mom at Bella Beach at Christmas time. Maybe this will go somewhere in another book.

[Karen Sheldon · Rating 4 out of 5]

loving these women

This is such a sweet series…I’m absolutely loving the stories of each of these women as the “Cottage at Bella Beach” changes and enhances each of their lives.

[Beth Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alexis is stalled in her career and struggling to decide what to do next. Her mom recently moved to Bella Beach and Alexis takes some much deserved vacation time to escape her law firm in Seattle. She meets Jesse, a handsome lawyer who left L.A. to take over his father’s small town practice, and whenever she feels butterflies in his presence, she tries to remember she’s leaving in the new year…

This was a cute Christmas romance novella with easy-to-like characters. You don’t have to read book one in the series first. The pace was steady and the POV shifted between Alexis, her mother, Emma, and Jesse.

It was a festive cozy read, but this story didn’t really have a strong arc or conclusion. The issues open at the beginning are still open at the end. I’m sure the plot moves over the course of the series, but each installment should have a story of its own with change or resolution of some kind.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet story at Christmastime. Alexis gets two weeks vacation and uses them to go to her mother's new place at Bella Beach. Alexis works in Seattle and Bella Beach is in southern California, so this is quite a change. A close friend of her mom is already there, and Alexis has a great time being together with these older women. There's a story about her job in Seattle that colors her thinking throughout the Christmas story.

Alexis meets a man who is the son of the mayor of the town and a lawyer who handled the estate of her grandmother when she passed. Sparks fly the moment they lay eyes on each other. It is fun to see them hit it off and become closer as the story progresses. Regretfully, the story ends before we know how or if their relationship will continue to develop. I think this is a teaser to get you to read the next book in the series. just like my review is a teaser to get you to read this book.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an indie and free. It was cute for what it is. The setting wasn't too over the top. Being a novella, there isn't room for a lot of story, and much of the real estate is expended on introducing the series cast. Nevertheless, the author tried to add some layers. My biggest complaint was the "ending" which felt as if I was missing a few pages. It's okay not to resolve everything, but pretty much, this didn't resolve anything for the main character. Zero arc. Zero resolution. I would have liked an open-ended conclusion better than none at all.

[Linda Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good up into the end when they Left me hanging , I think they need to put warnings on books

It was a cute story With characters that were confused and Weary and Fun loving. Visiting your mother in a small town by the beach sounds heavenly to me. The story the story was about a mystery And a house that was given . I really was enjoying this story but wasn't ready for the ending well the not ending.

[Dianna Peck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent author, great book

I am totally loving this series,. The author writes so well I "feel" the characters. Plus geography in my neck of the USA I can vividly picture Portland, Seattle and southern California. Each character is unique and different but blend well together.
Highly recommend, only drawback is waiting for the next book!

[Deb Blackbourn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A New Start?

I will definitely be reading the subsequent books in this series! First of all, it’s Christmas, romantic & takes place near the ocean! How much more perfect could it get? Ms. Wentworth has written a believable story with believable characters & believable conversations! This is a perfect start to the series!

[Susanne Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet Christmas novella it was a great introduction to the series and definitely left me wanting to know more. I liked the different character view points and the different age ranges. Some great small town Christmas tradition descriptions. I will certainly be looking for more in this series to see what happens to the characters.

[babrara wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beachy Christmas

Kate did a great job on keeping you turning pages to see what happens next. A story how a guy took credit in a law office for something he didn't do. Took away from Alexis that did. Great read.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve started reading this series and really enjoy it!

[Edward Kundahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan

Very warm story, really enjoyed the novella. I wish I had read it first but just as good as the books

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this series and Ms Wentworth's writing. I am hooked started the next book in the series tonight,

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good. It was nice to have a bit of the story from another prospective.

[Cathie Leger-Lami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Now to start Bakery at Bella Beach.

[Georgianne Landy-Kordis AUTHOR - ARTIST · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. Can't wait for the next book.

[Rose Grabowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cottage at Bella Beach makes positive changes to the lives of 5 women. I have been enjoying their stories. It is novella length and although it could be a standalone, I strongly suggest reading them in order. On to the next in the series!

[Jordan Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short little story with all the Christmas vibes! Loving this series, this setting, and all the characters! Already starting the next one! :)

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the six books in this series in less than 2 days! They are wonderful! And now I have to wait over 5 months until the next one comes out!!! I was really engaged in the stories, the characters, and their lives.

[crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas Romance

A Christmas romance is the best romance. I love all things Christmas. Wish I knew what happens next!!! Alexis and Jesse must end up together!

[Violet Mastroeni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute

It is cute just not for me. Is a quick read though. There is a plot well a story with UT so there is that just not something I am into

[Jenny Mason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story. Likeable characters. Enjoyable short read.
A Christmas novella. Straight onto the first book in the Bella Beach series.

[Amber Gipple · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 I wanted more at the ending

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute holiday novella with a Hallmark style.

[Elizabeth Blyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story

Sweet story, but an abrupt ending and the what felt like half way point. I hope I somehow downloaded a teaser and this wasn't all of the book.

[Joanne Bandfield-Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

This was a great addition to the series. It's a quick to read Christmas novella and I truly enjoyed getting to know Alexis better.

[Jen Esme✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was cute. A change of pace of a very short novella. Some clunky parts though.

[Alayne]

An enjoyable short story which obviously belongs in a series, but I didn't have to read the first book to enjoy this book.

[Joann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this story about relationships.