Book Review - Escape to Seahaven Bay by Nicola May - #HolidayReading Dom Rep

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Title: Escape to Seahaven Bay

Author: Nicola May

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Storm Publishing

Publication Date: 16th February 2026

Rating: 5 Stars

The heartwarming new novel from the author of the million-copy bestselling Cockleberry Bay series

Seahaven Bay has always been a place where the sparkling tides bring laughter, love and a lot of fun. But when Rita Jory’s beloved husband Archie dies in a tragic accident, she’s left alone on their failing Cornish farm with nothing but her grieving heart, a mountain of debt and some very badly behaved goats. Faced with selling the home she loves or finding a way to make it pay, Rita has a moment of desperate inspiration. She decides to transform her beloved Seahaven Farm into a place where broken souls can heal by the sea.

With help from her sharp-tongued mother-in-law, loyal best friend, daughter and new friends, the rundown farm soon blossoms into a haven of healing, creativity and community. Rita dares to believe her future might still shimmer with possibility – and even admits her growing attraction to Jago, the gorgeous neighbouring farmer with whom the Jorys had a decades-long feud.

But just as Rita begins to find peace, long-buried secrets about Archie’s past begin to surface, forcing her to question everything she believed about the life they built together.

Rita must discover the truth and decide if she’s ready to open her heart again – to love, to hope, and to the possibility that even after loss, life can still be full of surprises.

A tender, uplifting and hilarious tale of resilience, friendship and finding light in the darkest moments, perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Jojo Moyes and Amanda Prowse.

What an absolutely brilliant start to a new series.

I loved Rita right from the start,  and when you add in her best friend Kelly, and also Jilly Cooper from reformed Pilates, you have a totally hilarious trio of women guaranteed to make you laugh. 

Rita needs to make her farm start earning more money after she was left in debt when hubby Archie died. And decides to set up a retreat. 

I loved seeing how everything comes together,  and the first set of various guests that come for the month long retreat which offers rest,  relaxation, and various woo woo options.

And then there is the mystery of the will and also just why is there a feud with the neighbouring farm.  Add in her mother in law Hilda and you have all the elements for a fabulous story. 

And the best bit is this is the first of a new series, so at some point I'll be able to return to these characters.

I also liked a cameo of a character from a different series from this author. 

I was completely engaged from start to finish and think this may just be the beginning of a new hit series for this always talented author.

Oh and I loved the goats too, especially Camilla!

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