After a slow start I really enjoyed this book. Loved the characters and their back stories the way their relationship developed. I will admit to welling up on more than one occasion. Pickle was a great addition and catalyst to the story. So glad this book is the first in a brand new series so we have more to look forward to.

So good to be back at the Star Fish Cafe, catching up with Hollie, Jake, Angie and so many others. Filled with shocks, heartbreak, new beginnings and love, I struggled to put this down. Kerry's story was particularly moving, and told so sensitively, along with Hollie's latest story. Such a great book, had me hooked from the start.

Summer Nights at the Starfish Café

by Jessica Redland

When I started reading Summer Nights at the Starfish Café, I almost did an about face to stop reading this fictional account of a summer in the lives of the residents of the “popular North Yorkshire seaside town of Whitsborough Bay.” Author Redland began with a list with descriptive notes about the main and some minor characters. It seemed like too much to keep up with, but I persisted and I’m so glad I did. Although I referred back to the list several times, I found that Redland reintroduces the characters with more information about them as they initially appear in the book. I had no trouble keeping up after that.

Redland tells the story by focusing on two main characters. Hollie owns the Starfish Café, and Kerry, a single mother of four, works part time for Hollie during the school term. Each one tells her part of the story written from her point of view. Their lives overlap, even in the summer, because they have many of the same friends.

With a delicate hand, Redland draws a picture of the difficult situations both women find themselves in the middle of through no fault of their own. Both are sympathetic characters who work hard at their jobs, in their relationships, and in support of those they love. Even the minor characters and characters that are unlikable are shown to be worthy of the reader’s attention and maybe even empathy. Romance is in the air in Whitsborough Bay for several characters with dates, weddings and pregnancy forming a central focus, but friendship, children, and pets are important also. Many of the characters are crew members of the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution). There is a strong family feeling among them, and many of them are descendants of multiple generations of crew members.

Bitter estrangement between Hollie’s husband Jake and his sister Larissa bubbles over into violence. Kerry’s ex-husband, Cameron, after a six year absence with no explanation, decides he wants to renew his role as a father to his four children. Kerry wants it to happen slowly and in a way that won’t hurt her children. She sets boundaries and makes it clear that Cameron needs to put the kids’ needs above his own.

I enjoyed this novel. It has dramatic twists that keep the reader engaged. Kerry’s children play important roles as does Pickles, Hollie’s dog. I recommend this book for a fun read with depth of character and plot situation.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Women’s Fiction, Romance

Notes: #3 and the final book in the Starfish Café Series. It can be read as a standalone.

Publication: April 6 2023—Boldwood Books

Memorable Lines:

I pictured Larissa’s pinched face, the scowl on her forehead, the stiffness in her body. It must be exhausting to carry that much hate and anger with you all the time. I hoped she didn’t take it out on her husband and son.

People are too quick to pass the blame onto something from their past as though that justifies everything, but it doesn’t. They make their own choices. They’re responsible for their own behaviour.

Keep dancing in the rain. There is always, ALWAYS someone having a tougher time than you. Smile. Sparkle. You’ve got this!

Another great book in the starfish cafe series
Jessica is one of my favourite authors and her books keep getting better and better even though I thought they couldn’t
These books just pull you in and you feel your their with them
Thanks NetGalley

What can I say this is yet another Brilliant book by Jessica Redland, This book was a fantastic book to add to the series,.

I would love to revisit the cafe in the future to see how the life has developed.

thank you net gallery for an advanced copy of this fantastic book

This book continues Jake and Holly's story as they are looking forward to their future together. But the return of his manipulative aggressive sister throws a spanner in the works.

The story alongside Jake and Holly's is that of Kerry who works at the starfish cafe. She is raising her four children by herself after her husband walked out on them when. Carrie discovered that she was expecting twins. He has now decided he wants to reconnect with his children after 7 years. Can carry. Forgive his selfishness and allow him back into her life?

This is the final installment of the starfish cafe series and I loved it. It beautifully wrapped up everyone's story. However, I will miss dipping back into this community.

Summer nights at the Starfish Cafe - Jessica Redland

Jessica Redland is quickly becoming one of my go to authors when I am needing a cosy feel good read, each time I pick up one of her books I am never disappointed. It was good to catch back up with Hollie and Jake from a previous book and also delve deeper into a few other characters in Whitsborough Bay. If you have not read the previous books in this series do not be put off as this can definitely be read as a stand alone story. Brilliant characters, and such a mixture (let's not even get started on Jake's horrendous sister!) I cannot wait to read more from this author.

Thanks so much Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this e-arc in return for my honest thoughts and opinions.

Apologies for the delay in this review, i have been battling ill health.

Great story, lovely setting, enjoyed the charcters and the story very much. I thought it flowed really well and it was a really good read.

These books are always a delight to read. The series has been an absolute delight and this book has been no different. That said, these books can easily be read as standalones.
I love the different story threads, following new chapters for characters from previous books, but also dipping into new characters throughout, there is always something interesting.
The author is never afraid to address very real storyline such as loss, miscarriage or blended families in this instance. But does it with such tenderness and tact it is really touching.
As always the inclusion of promoting how important the lifeboat is, and sneaking in important messages and beach rules to follow is very clever, but could also make a huge difference to someone's life.
I cant praise this enough, I really hope we will be back to revisit the starfish cafe again.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this Arc - Jessica Redland books are real page turners and this didn't disappoint it was lovely to return to The Starfish Cafe

Holly and Jake's relationship has flourished, leading them to tie the knot and eagerly anticipate what lies ahead. This narrative delves into their journey, alongside Kerry, an individual employed at the Starfish Cafe, who carries a complex history. Kerry has single-handedly raised her four children since her husband abruptly departed upon learning they were expecting twins. However, he has recently resurfaced after seven years, expressing his desire to reconnect with their lives. Kerry finds herself cautiously navigating this situation, grappling with the deep-seated resentment towards him and the manner in which he left.

This is the final installation in the Starfish Cafe Trilogy. Each character in Summer Nights at the Starfish Café serves a distinct purpose, contributing their unique essence to the narrative. Jessica, in particular, constructs a captivating environment that envelops the central setting of the Café. Love, loss, life, and happiness intertwine within this enchanting space, making it the hub around which the story revolves.This book is a wonderful, warm ending to this lovely series.

This series is an offshoot of a bigger series, one that I have also read several books of. It is not mandatory, but knowing the extended family (so to speak) definitely makes it feel more involved than just knowing a handful of people. Several people have long, complicated backgrounds, and to date, everyone has found their happily ever after.
In this series, the author has done something different from the other series, which had single couples being the focus of the narrative. In this series, the first book was about Jake and Hollie. In the second, we had them split their time with another couple. This book continues that trend, with the book taking time to explore Jake and Hollie's story while simultaneously talking about Kerry and her history. I would not recommend reading this without knowing of Jake and Hollie's past - at least the first book to begin with.
Jake and Hollie may have started their happily ever after, but Jake's sister rears her head again. In the first book, I felt like her character was a little over the top for me to digest. In this, that feeling was rounded off by addressing her behaviour, and everything that happens makes sense.
Kerry's story also has some back-and-forth when it comes to thinking of her Ex, but that chapter is also concluded by the time the book comes to a close.
There are some serious topics tackled here, and the author's note at the end talks of where the plot stemmed from. It may be triggering to some. It almost was for me, and I may have rushed through parts of it, but mentioning it upfront will be a big spoiler.
I would recommend this book to those who have started the series and the series to those who haven't. It is probably the most consistent reaction I have had to the author's series. In some other cases, I have liked a few a lot more than others. This time I think I enjoyed all of them equally.
I have another new one by the author already queued up on my virtual shelf.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

The final instalment at the starfish cafe and it didn’t disappoint. Holly and Jake and looking towards their future together and planning to start a family. Kerry who works at the starfish cafe has a complicated past, raising four children on her own following her husband walking out when Kerry discovered that she was expecting twins. Her husband decides he wants to reconnect with Kerry after seven years without contact, Kerry struggles with letting him in following the distress caused when he left. Will Kerry allow her husband back into her life?

I zipped through this book in record time (for me!)
This was the first Jessica Redland book that I've read, but as soon as I finished it, I started Healing Hearts at Bumblebee Farm - I think that says it all doesn't it?

I couldn’t wait for this book. This is the final book in the Starfish Cafe Series and has been one of my favourite series of books by Jessica. I loved getting reacquainted with Hollie and Jake on the run up to their wedding and really enjoyed Kerry’s story. The characters in these books have been amazing and the strong sense of community which surrounds the cafe.
As always there are many twists and turns to the plot before the characters get the happy ending they deserve and hard subjects are handled with sensitivity by Jessica.
Overall a beautifully written book which draws the reader in, real life being put on hold. This was a book I didn’t want to end. Highly recommended by me, if I could give the book more than five stars I would.
Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books, and Jessica Redland for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

Loved this book! It is the third installment in the series and I have read the other two. You do need to read these in order but you will not be disappointed.

I love love love Jess Redland books and this has been no different. As always this book has been a gem to read and has delivered on every level.

This is another brilliant story from beginning to end. Redland has filled the pages with love, family and life. It’s not always a smooth journey but it’s always heartwarming.

This is a lovely read and one a that has pulled me in from the very beginning. I have been completely unable to put this down and loved every moment of this book. It’s been like a ray of sunshine that has been completely heartwarming.

I have loved the characters and the setting. This has been completely captivating and gorgeous to read. I have devoured page after page.

This has been an absolute delight to read and one that I will be recommending to everyone.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I'm relatively new to Jessica Redland books but they are becoming a firm favourite for gentle, comfort books. Her Hedgehog Hollow books are incredibly popular and having read (well, listened to) the first one I am definitely keen to read more. I can't ignore a tour invite for a Jessica Redland book and although I haven't read the previous Starfish Café books, I have read some of the other books set in Whitsborough Bay so I was keen to give this one a go.

The book is written in the first person from the alternating points of view of Hollie, owner of the Starfish Cafe and Kerry, an employee of the Starfish Cafe.  Their stories are separate but there are links as the town know each other and their friendship develops over the story. Both characters are strong,  independent women and are very likeable. All the characters are well written and I love the seaside setting. Both main characters have challenges to face in the story and there's a rollercoaster of emotions, tension and peril, as well as joy and a sprinkling of romance. There are themes of death, miscarriage, sea rescue, estranged parents, single parenthood, mental health, family life, weddings, new love and friendship.

Firstly, I have to start off by saying Jessica absolutely never misses with her books. The finale of the Starfish Cafe series has arrived and what a beautiful and heart-wrenching finish it had. I thoroughly enjoyed returning to one of my favourite series' ready to reunite with old characters and meet new ones. Hollie and Jake's story was a difficult one to get through this time and I admire Jessica for sharing her own story within theirs. They deserve the world and more. It was a delight to meet Kerry and her beautiful family - Kerry's story was extremely complex, however she got the happy beginning she deserved with the most wonderful man and it was a delight to see the romance blossom.

What a beautiful trilogy. I can only try and sit patiently for what Jessica has awaiting us next!

I’m obsessed with this series! Please please let there be another!!!
A brilliant heroine, heartwarming storylines and made me both laugh and cry at the same time. I have enjoyed these books. Whilst this title is not my favourite in the series it is a great addition to the story