3.78 AVERAGE

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing
lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes

Read this while on vacation in the mountains and it was such a cozy holiday read! I have seen some reviews that disliked that a lot of the book was made up of Annie meeting the people around Willow Bay, but honestly I loved all of the detail that was included. Annie and all of the characters were very relatable and with all of the details about their lives and involvement in the town it added much needed backstory that made you feel like you were in the town too. I would love to see this become some type of series where we get to see more of the adventures of the book club, Alfred, the villagers, and of course Annie and John!

Jenny Bayliss delivers another cozy, feel-good story with ๐—” ๐—ฆ๐—˜๐—”๐—ฆ๐—ข๐—ก ๐—™๐—ข๐—ฅ ๐—ฆ๐—˜๐—–๐—ข๐—ก๐—— ๐—–๐—›๐—”๐—ก๐—–๐—˜๐—ฆ. Annie Sharpe is a protagonist you canโ€™t help but root for as she steps away from a stale marriage and a comfortable but uninspiring life. Saltwater Nook, with its invigorating sea air and welcoming community, feels like a character in itself. The heartwarming traditions, quirky neighbors, and hilarious momentsโ€”like the book club anticsโ€”make Willow Bay a place youโ€™ll wish you could visit. Annieโ€™s journey of self-discovery, peppered with delightful autumn and Christmas vibes, is both relatable and uplifting. Yes, the plot may be a tad predictable, but thatโ€™s part of its charm. This novel is about embracing second chances, finding strength in the unexpected, and building a life you truly love. Whether itโ€™s the budding romance or the sense of belonging Annie finds, this story wraps you in its warmth and wit. 
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anythingnovelgoes's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 29%

So boring and not Christmasy at all

Rounding up from 3.5 stars. Sweet, light contemporary romance in a charming small town setting.
funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes