5☆ Beautifully Written, Compelling story of Friendships and New Beginnings.

The little bed and breakfast by the sea is a charming feel good story that will leave you feeling warm and cosy inside.
It's beautifully written, and the atmosphere surrounding the bed and breakfast is enchanting.

The story is told by each of the 3 main character's points of view. I know some readers find this off putting, but I actually found it ok. It was easy to follow and the stories linked in with ease.

There are 3 main character's within the story.

Mae is the main character she runs the b&b from inside her home. She is a single parent to Hannah an adorable 4 year old.
Mae doesn't have it easy, she has to work 2 jobs to help make ends meet. So she takes a job working in the local pub.

Mae seems to be getting unwanted attention from the local vet Alfie.
The spark between Alfie and Mae is definitely there, but Mae puts up a barrier making it very hard to find love or to let anyone in.
Alfie is very persistent, I'll give him that. Some would of given up after the first several 'No's

Willow is married to Ethan. She owns a shop that sells recycled/ upcycled items and restored furniture, which is a passion of hers.
However she finds herself renting one of Mae's rooms when the project to renovate her dream new home with her husband goes very wrong. 
Ethan works away alot, and reading between the lines Willow and Ethan don't appear to be very strong. She leans on Mae for support.

Melody checks into Mae's b&b whilst on her travels around the coast. She's a budding photographer and is out to find the perfect seaside shot for her new project. She is very vulnerable and has low self esteem.
Melody meets Hugo, who sells ice creams. He can see something special in Melody and they become very good friends. But he has a huge task breaking down her walls and helping her to see her potential and overcome her vulnerability. Hugo was one of my favourite male characters.

Each of the women are very different. But in time they bond and come together to build beautiful, strong friendships.

I really enjoyed getting to know each of the women and being part of their journeys and growth. All of the women are relatable characters and each unique in their own ways.

This compelling story is about new beginnings, secrets,friendship, learning to love, opening up and letting others in, determination, humour and sadness.

I would definitely recommend this book to readers who love Chick Lit, romance,  beautiful seaside reads, friendships,  summer reads.

This was a really lovely and enjoyable read by Jennifer Joyce. It's lighthearted and the romances make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside! I found this book really easy to read and it made the book go by so quick! I was soon finding that I was nearly finished but didn't want it to end!

This is the perfect book to read by the pool on your summer holiday but also a great one to read snuggled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee. There are three main characters and their stories - Mae, Willow and Melody. All with completely different stories and lives but somehow all come together in Mae's bed and breakfast. The three girls soon all become friends and I found that their stories all blended well into one anothers.

This book was charming and such an easy to read story. This story made you fall in love with English seaside towns and made me want to travel around them all like Melody was planning! It'll definitely have you craving fish and chips and spend some money in the arcades this summer!

Thank you to Netgalley and to HQ Digital for a chance to read this book in return of an honest review.

Whilst reading a book, have you ever felt a sudden urge to shout out 'YASSSS!!!'?

You have? Me too. Want to know why?


After reading Jennifer Joyce's previous novel (and enjoying it), I felt like that particular story was missing something. What though, I had absolutely no idea. Seeing as I am familiar with the authors other books, I knew that she had it in her to go the extra mile with her storyline this time around. I had my fingers crossed that 'The Little Bed & Breakfast by the Sea', would be THE book to fill the 'something missing' hole.

I hadn't even reached halfway through the book when the urge to shout 'YASSSSSS!', crept up on me. And so I did. As soon as I had shouted 'YASSSSSSS!!!!' out loud, I knew that Jennifer Joyce had done it. The author had filled that hole. The author had ticked all of the boxes that I knew she could tick with her books. In my eyes, Jennifer Joyce had done it; she had written the type of storyline that made me go 'this is her best book yet'.

Three ladies, all with completely different back stories, yet they're all searching for one thing; happiness.

There's Mae; she runs a bed and breakfast whilst also juggling a four-year old, and a job in a bar. Super Woman springs to mind! Then there is Willow, who is married to Ethan and likes reinventing worn out items...as well as houses. Lastly, Melody, a determined young woman who tends to focus on things through a lens, rather than focusing on things outside it - in the moment.

Which lady did I relate to the most? Good question! I related to Mae due to the fact that she's a single mum to a four-year old, and has been since the pee on the stick moment. But that said, I also found myself relating to Melody in more ways than one. Melody seemed to be afraid of letting go and doing things for herself; I'm like that too!
In all fairness, all three ladies brought something rather special to the storyline in their own individual ways. I loved how different they were, and how they had found each other when they needed someone the most. There's girl power in a sassy and Spice Girl-ish way, and then there's girl power in the empowering, physically being there kinda way. I know which one I would choose, do you?

Aside from the wonderful characters, 'The Little Bed & Breakfast by the Sea' has such a heart-warming and cosy storyline. I found it incredibly difficult not to fall in love with the seaside town whilst dreaming of being amongst such energetic and magnetic vibes. I cannot tell you the ins and outs of those vibes due to spoilers. However, trust me when I say that you really do need to go and grab a cuppa and some biccies, lay on the sofa with a blanket and this book, and just lose yourself in this enchanting story.

Full of laughter, smiles, and confidence, 'The Little Bed & Breakfast by the Sea' will remind YOU to BE in the moment rather than sitting on the outside. Absolutely lovely book, by far the best book that Jennifer Joyce has ever written.

Thanks to the author & HQ.

What an absolutely fabulous story! Fun, sweet & light hearted, it's a perfect summer read when you're lounging around the pool.

I loved each of the 3 women & their personal journeys navigating some difficult times. All of the secondary characters were fantastic too & reading this book definitely conjured up a lot of my childhood memories visiting a caravan park in Wales.

Will definitely look forward to reading more from this author

Jennifer Joyce certainly hasn't kept us waiting long for a new book as it was only back in February that The Little Teashop of Broken Hearts was published. I had really enjoyed this book so was thrilled when I saw the cover for The Little Bed and Breakfast by the Sea which again turned out to be charming, heartfelt read that I flew through as I found it so enjoyable. I've said it before but bed and breakfasts seem to be this Summer's theme for books published in the lighter end of women's fiction and to be honest I don't have any problem with this and feel there is plenty of room on the market for books with said theme. They really are the ideal reads for this time of year when you can hopefully sit out in the garden or on a beach and just relax with a nice, light, easy read that will capture your imagination, have you rooting for the characters and most importantly it has to have that special setting that one can picture so vividly. This little gem of a book provided all that more and proved to be a lovely read and highlighted what a talented author Jennifer Joyce is.

The book centres around three women who are all connected through the bed and breakfast run by our central character Mae. Mae has always dreamed of running her own b&b and when she inherited the house from her grandmother four years ago, she knew it was the time to turn her dreams into a reality. The house may be small but it has its charm and allows Mae to get to know her guests. Life isn't easy for her as everything is a constant juggling act as she raises her 4 year old daughter single handedly as well as working in a local pub.

It was evident from the outset that Mae was a worker, she was someone who had ambition and nothing was ever handed directly to her on a plate. She worked hard and earned everything she received. She wanted to achieve things on her own steam but still she was not adverse to asking for help with child minding from her mother Eloise or Hannah's godparents Frank and Corrine who run the pub Mae works in. I loved how Mae was interested in vintage fashion and her sense of style shone through the book but yet on the other hand I felt and she probably would have admitted this herself that she presented a front to the world. I think quite often most of us to some extent do that for one reason or another so in a way I could identify with Mae. On the outside she came across to others as confident running her own business as well as juggling rearing Hannah and her shifts at the pub. But on the other hand inside she was holding things back and not allowing herself to live life to the full.

As we delved deeper it became apparent not having a good relationship with male figures in her life has made Mae so hesitant in accepting the advances of local vet Alfie. To this end she was frustrating to me at certain times, I could see there was a chemistry between the pair. I wouldn't call it a sexual tension but there was a spark there that could have grown into something bigger given half the chance but Mae just wouldn't commit or even accept a date with him. It became a running joke throughout the story that Alfie constantly asked Mae on a date even though the answer would always be a firm but polite no. I wanted to shake Mae and say despite what we may be battling with internally sometimes we really do have to throw caution to the wind and go for it. Explore that little bit more, take a leap into the unknown for who knows what happiness it might bring us in the future. I could see Mae had her daughter's best interest at heart and she was always to be admired for the way she conducts her professional life but I thought she should have thought about herself and her own personal happiness and fulfilment. I was more than interested to see how Mae's storyline would play out.

Of course this book wasn't all about Mae and in a way I'm glad the b&b wasn't the dominant feature of the story. If it had been a story all about trying to get it up and running etc I would have grown tired of it quickly. Instead it became the focus that bound the women together and gave them a place to develop their friendship and offer each help, support and advice when needed. Without the b&b the three women would never have met and probably be still stuck in the same situations we found them in at the beginning of the book.

Willow St.Clair is married to Ethan and they are currently restoring their dream house. They have been living on site but disaster has struck and now Willow needs to find somewhere to stay until the full extent of the problems with the house have been revealed. Being the summer season everywhere is booked up but an unexpected cancellation means Mae can take Willow as her husband is away working. To be honest there was nothing wrong with the writing of Willow's character but I didn't really warm to her very much and I can't quite put my figure on the reason for this. I did find the descriptions of her job running her own restoration/up cycling shop really interesting but I felt there was a little lack to the depth of her character until towards the end when her secret heartache was revealed. Then I suppose my attitude towards her changed ever so slightly but still she wasn't my favourite character that title is reserved for Mae. I did find it odd that wee didn't hear much from Ethan, I understand he was working away from home but in a time f need I presumed he would have come rushing back to help Willow out. Clearly all wasn't rosy in the garden for the pair and the testing times ahead would either make or break them. I thought Mae and our last female character Melody offered Willow the support and solace her husband should have been there to give to her.

Melody Rosewood is the final piece of the puzzle brought together with Mae and Willow as she needs a room to stay in. Melody was to me the most vulnerable character and I think she was this way because she seemed to be running away from something or was afraid to move on in her life. Something had happened to her that deeply affected how she lived her life on a day to day basis. She seemed on a mission and until she had completed this task she would always be raw and hesitant and not sure of her capabilities until she found the answers or closure she was looking for. Melody has spent time going from seaside town to seaside town photographing the institution that is the British seaside. She is searching for that elusive photo that will capture a moment in time. As the reader discovers the real reason for this idea Melody has taken on, it seems so bittersweet yet so worthy.

It did come across though that Melody was putting herself under enormous pressure and could never fully let go and accept maybe she was good at photography and that what she was doing was so worthwhile and valuable to her healing process. I felt she was very down on herself and she had no reason to be. It's not until she meets handsome ice-cream seller Hugo that a smile comes on her face and I felt he really was the catalyst for the beginnings of a change for her. Hugo was so bubbly and enthusiastic. He could see Melody was a special person and he wanted the world to see that too. If he couldn't bring her out of her shell then no one could. I loved his positive attitude towards everything, his ambition to expand his ice-cream business and his overall zest for life. Melody had built a wall around her and lacked trust in people and hopefully Hugo and even Mae and Willow can make her see things in a new more positive way. He helped Melody see the world through different eyes and once she was opened up to something there perhaps would have been no stopping her.

In The Little Bed and Breakfast by the Sea all three women - Mae, Willow and Mae have their own struggles which perhaps they would prefer to be kept secret but through this wonderful story it proves a problem shared is a problem halved. There were numerous lines that I stopped and re-read because everything that Jennifer Joyce was writing was so true and it really was advice I would find very helpful. I enjoyed seeing how the friendship developed between the three characters as they allowed their masks to slip and their true natures to emerge. There were three distinct separate storylines which all stood very well but when needed I felt these came together at just the appropriate time and in doing so the developing friendships never felt forced or stilted but instead had a natural flow and companionship. I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent reading this book and hope others will do to as the story that awaits you between the covers was a pleasure to read.

Delightful cosy book, just perfect for summer reading. Lovely to just switch off and escape into this heartwarming story.

I loved The Little Bed and Breakfast by the Sea, easy to read and had me hooked from the first few pages. A great feel good read perfect for reading on a summers day.
We meet Mae, Melody and Willow who have their own problems that life has thrown at them, can they overcome these? Well I'm not going to spoil it for you but will just say have a read you'll soon be transported into their lives and won't be disappointed.

Okay, so I'm going to be a little unconventional here with my book review because I'd very much like to start with this...


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You see, I have enjoyed being in my little book world so much lately, that I find myself wanting to resort to emojis or physical displays of happiness, like dancing or skipping, as I feel like they do a better job of fully explaining my emotions, when reading. Does anybody else get that feeling sometimes? Please tell me that we all have a little book dance or jig upon finding ourselves lost in a a new world and meeting new friends that we feel like we have known forever...I will await your comments of confirmation! ;)

Let's get back to the book that had me doing my little book jig this week. 'The Little Bed and Breakfast by the Sea' by the wonderful Jennifer Joyce. She is so wonderful, that she never lets me down. Isn't that a nice feeling? Trust. I was thinking about that a lot this week, when reading this delightful book. We as book worms put a lot of trust into authors; we trust that they will make us happy, sad, excited, anxious, scared, nervous, joyful. We trust that they will take us on a journey, one that we can get lost in for a few minutes, if not hours and forget about our troubles and to do lists. That's a lot of trust going round. But when these lovely authors succeed in doing all of the above, it's a very nice feeling indeed. I know that whenever I need a pick me up, or an escape from reality for an hour or two, that I can trust Jennifer Joyce, because like I said before, she never lets me down.

In Jennifer's new book, we meet three women:

Mae. She owns the bed and breakfast, works in the local pub, has an adorable four year old daughter, a dress sense I envy and keeps turning down Alfie, the local vet who is determined to win her over, even after months of rejection.

Willow. She's a dreamer and an optimist even when things are tough. She has her own shop full of wonderful items that may have been ready for the scrap heap but instead have been restored into creative, quirky pieces, giving them a whole new lease of life. She adores her husband Ethan and is missing him while he's away, especially since they are having trouble with their new home and another month has gone by, making her feel more hopeless than hopeful yet again.

Melody. She is a photographer, well not officially, officially she works in an office. But photography is her passion. She's going through an incredibly tough time in her life and has set off on a trip to explore the British seaside, because that's what someone who believed in her the most would have wanted. As long as she has her camera she feels safe but as far as loving life and being truly happy, she's not sure she is ever going to feel that again, without the guilt to accompany it.

I kid you not, I felt like I had known these ladies forever. They felt so real and normal, in a really good way. I can't even pick a favourite because I loved them all so much. I could literally picture every smile and every chat like I was sat right there with them. Oh now I'm getting sad because I miss them...

...Okay I'm fine. I'm just going to have to read it again. Each woman was warm, welcoming, kind, friendly and funny. There were genuinely laugh out loud moments, even when dealing with very real, heartbreaking problems. I loved the way they came together and supported each other, even though they hadn't known each other very long. They looked out for each other because it was the nice thing to do. Honestly, I guarantee you won't be able to read this book without feeling like Mae, Willow and Melody are your new best friends.

I'm at risk of starting to write a short essay however, I cannot end this review without talking about the setting and the guys...ooh maybe I can join them together! Both were stunning, homely, comforting and you couldn't not be happy around them both!! That wasn't bad right?? Ha!! Jennifer's descriptions of the little town, the beach and the bed and breakfast had me wishing I was there. I could picture the walk to the sea, to Willow's shop, to the cliffs, I could picture it all like I was actually there. As for the men, I fell in love with them both, yes I know it's cheesy but I did. Jennifer always makes the perfect guys, they are genuinely nice, funny, lovable and of course sexy. I admired Alfie's determination with Mae and I laughed every time Hugo appeared in a scene. He was charming and such wonderful comic relief, plus he makes Ice Cream for a living!!!!

If all this wasn't enough to entice you to pick up this book, there is also the four year old factor!! Yes Mae's daughter Hannah is a delight, in addition to the stray black cat she is determined to keep!!

'The Little Bed and Breakfast by the Sea' is the perfect summer read. Yep it's as simple as that!

This was a fun summer read set in a cozy English seaside village. In the beginning I did struggle to remember which story I was connecting with the next chapter but eventually I stayed up with the characters stories. It is a light summer read that you can finish in one sitting.

This was such a charming, heart warming book set in a bed and breakfast by the sea. You feel wrapped within a warm and cosy blanket enjoying the friendships and romances in the beautiful setting of Clifton on Sea whilst enjoying a cup of tea and enjoying a plate of cookies!

Mae runs a lovely bed and breakfast by the sea where she rents 2 rooms out in her house. She also has to work shifts in the local pub to help make ends meet. She has a 4 year old daughter and keeps rebuffing the advances of the local vet.

Willow runs a local shop which upcycles items into must have home decor- I loved the commissions she had throughout the book. She is doing up her ‘forever house’ with her husband Ethan. It has turned into a bit of a money pit leaving them with financial worries and stress. When a potentially severe problem turns up she manages to book into Mae’s B&B for a coupe of weeks.

Melody is escaping her everyday life and travelling around the coast to try and take that one special shot for a photography competition. She’s not sure of her ability but is desperate to take her hobby further. She meets Hugo who runs an ice cream van and sees past his brash exterior.

The girls develop a lovely friendship whilst they are sharing the house and try to encourage each other to take a chance on love with the men who are trying to get close to them! They share some of the issues troubling them. I loved this book

5 - "Is that a cone in your pocket... or are you just pleased to see me?" Stars!

Another excellent book from Jennifer Joyce. If you are looking for an enjoyable easy-going read for the summer then The Little Bed & Breakfast by the Sea is the perfect addition to your Kindle.



This is the second book I have read by this author, and one of the things that I fell in love with in the first book and what carried through with this one is the innate Britishness of it. The characters again are down-to-earth- likeable, approachable, but at the same time still special in their own ways, you can relate to them, and envision the locations that are being described. Once again the author takes the multiple POV and uses it to excellent effect, you are essentially getting three stories, from three women all going through different struggles in their lives at the same time.

She’d become almost and expert at hiding the cracks lately…

Mae, Melody and Willow, are all women with a lot going for them, and I loved that the author gave each of them a voice in the story, and as it develops the rest of the cast involved gradually start to come together so that everything eventually connects back to the B&B in one way or another.

She didn’t like the quiet. The quiet gave you space to think, to remember. It gave you space to think, to remember. It bought your fears and weaknesses to the surface…

This is a story where I don’t want to say too much because it is something that gradually unravels as each of the characters work through what is troubling them with its progression. The author does really well at keeping the plot moving, but not giving everything away in one go. I loved the secondary characters in this one as well, it was just a great well rounded happy, make-you-smile read.

Jennifer Joyce is two for two with me now, and I am quietly hoping that her next offering will be something of a seasonal persuasion, I would love to read something by her focused on my favorite time of the year.

"I wasn’t expecting it… It took me by surprise."

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review.

Loved this book. It was cheerful and fun. Remained me of Maeve Binchy.

3.5 stars. A light, easy summer read. Three women with a "little something" that is bothering them, but with wit and humor, Ms. Joyce tells their tale. The characters and setting will keep you entertained. This is a lovely and sweet story.

**Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley in exchange of an honest review.**

Prepare to fall in love this summer with this charming seaside town of Clifton-on-Sea in the North of England. I loved that Jennifer Joyce set the book up in the North as there are many gorgeous seaside towns up there but don't get the advertisement of towns in Cornwall and Devon.

The main basis of the story is focusing on three women who I each fell in love with. Jennifer did a gorgeous job of describing each character and they each have their own distinct personality. Mae runs a B&B in the town while working in a local pub and raising her daughter Hannah. Willow is doing a house up with her husband Ethan who works away a lot. Melody is capturing photographs of seaside towns for a photography project when she arrives in Clifton. The lives of the women begin to mix together throughout the story.

The chapters are written by a different POV which I loved as we got to know more about each character and what they're thinking etc.

I liked the supporting characters as well, Hugo, Alfie, Chilly and everyone else. The story trundles along at a perfect pace and I really felt like I was there at the seaside as to how beautifully Jennifer has described the setting.

You will find yourself craving fish and chips while reading this fabulous story. Escape to the seaside this summer and fall in love with Mae, Willow and Melody.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. A book for the beach or the garden as very light hearted, fun and a summer feel good book

What an enjoyable, easy read .. one which has left me with a smile in my heart!

This novel centres around the lives of three very different women, unknown to each other at the beginning but soon to become firm friends. The setting is glorious, well-described and easy to picture and, indeed, crave to visit. It's a lovely story, heart-warming and a perfect holiday read. The characters are well-drawn, well-named and completely individual. It's the kind of book you close with a sigh .. completely satisfied but somehow wishing you could read it again for the first time! A full five fat shiny stars from me, and a hefty recommendation as a feel-good read.

I received an arc via NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Struggled a little at first with the jumping to one character then the next but soon got into it and enjoyed! Felt at the sea while reading and was a good cross over of different characters and how their lives were. Finished in one sitting 👍🏻👍🏻

Like many books, the first thing that caught my attention was the title and the cover. It looks so inviting and warm. Then I read the blurb and pressed request straight away. The house and tabled and chairs all look so inviting. I want to sit there and enjoy the sun while I write. 

This warm summer tale will have you wrapped up in one chapter. I love the change of POV and the story from all thee ladies perspectives. Mae is a busy woman, focusing on her 4-year-old daughter, running a B&B and taking shifts on at the local pub. She's a force to be reckoned with and constantly denies her feelings for Alfie, who keeps coming back even when she says no. 

Willow runs a little shop where she does DIY projects and gives old furniture new life. Even if her new home is falling apart according to the builders. Melody is an adventurer, she is looking for the perfect images to enter a photography contest which lands her in need of somewhere to stay. 

I really enjoyed how Joyce takes the time to breathe life into three different characters, bringing them all together. Overall, this little read had all the exciting and heart wrenching moments a good contemporary romance should have. Especially, as each woman finds a man, maybe not where you would expect either. Definitely recommend this easy, warm summer read. Perfect for when you're lying by the pool!

This book was the perfect summer afternoon escape. Filled with engaging characters and laughs, I was left craving more. I am already looking forward to Jennifer Joyce's next book!

I very much enjoyed this book. The changing POV's allowed for a more rounded story than can sometimes be found in these books and it was nice to see a realistic approach to the romance. It is definitely a slow burn romance but it was still engaging and sweet.

This is definitely a lazy day read when you just want something slow and sweet to read.

- I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review