Book Review - The Winter of Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: The Winter of Second Chances

Author: Jenny Bayliss

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Pan

Publication Date: 2nd September 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

Annie Sharpe has it all – an acclaimed restaurant she owns with her handsome husband Max, and two gorgeous grown-up sons. But after one indiscretion too many, she leaves behind the only life she’s ever known.

In search of a fresh start, Annie takes up a position as a caretaker of Saltwater Nook, a creaky but charming beach house on Kent’s beautiful, wild coastline. The village community is an eccentric but tightknit bunch, and Annie is swept up in a whirlwind of their traditional festive celebrations, from pumpkin carving to bonfires on the beach. It soon feels like home – she even reopens the long-dormant seafront café.

The only thorns in her side are John, the owner’s rugged but totally unreasonable nephew who has his own agenda for the house, and a persistent Max, intent on winning her back.

Salwater Nook has been the perfect escape, but Annie can’t run from her problems forever. Will she give her first love a second chance? Or step into the promise of a new life?

For around 80% of the book you have a lovely gentle slow burn romance, included with a story of Annie transforming her life after finding her husband cheating again.

And it was all rather enjoyable, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all the characters that locals to Saltwater Nook.

Yet it was all building to a dramatic climax in ways I wouldn't have predicted turning the last bit into addictive, I have to read it all now, utter brilliance.

This is the authors second novel and I have loved them both. She is clearly a talented writer and it was a pleasure spending time between the pages of this book. 

There is humour including memorable scene involving little John and the newly formed book club. The banter between Maeve and Gemma is brilliant,  and Alfred has a special place in my heart. 

I only hope this isn't the last we see of this setting and these characters, as I want more!!

Thank you to Pan and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.