A cute and quick Christmas read. You always know what you’re going to get with Melody Carlson - it’s not going to be classic literature, but it will be a sweet, comforting read. Sometimes, that’s just what you need.

Cute. Quick read. All enjoyable characters. Almost entirely predictable. See also: a Hallmark-style quick holiday read.

Escapism in a short book, this is exactly what I needed. When the mind is full of busy things, a book like this is soothing for the soul. Curl up, get cosy and sit back and enjoy as the characters take you away. Combining my love of the beach and Christmas was never going to be a hit.

Melody Carlson has been on my author radar since I read the very first book by her. She has a way of making you become emotionally invested in all of her characters and soon you find yourself cheering them on and praying they find their happily ever after. Melody creates characters that pull you right in and never let you go, even after the last page is read. The way Melody writes, puts you right in the middle of their story, leaving you feeling like you truly know the characters and feeling exactly what they are going through. I love when an author can do that to me. CHRISTMAS BY THE SEA is a story about a struggling single mom named Wendy and her son Jackson, who temporarily move to her family’s seaside cottage that she has just inherited. If you love a romantic holiday story then you have to give A CHRISTMAS BY THE SEA a go. You won’t be sorry and your heart will be warmer because of it.

I started A CHRISTMAS BY THE SEA one afternoon and couldn’t stop reading until the very last page. I want to get out my tree and decorations now and set it up and it’s only October. I have always enjoyed Melody Carlson’s stories and this one does not disappoint. Melody’s stories always leave me feeling warm and fuzzy inside with a huge smile on my face. As I was reading, I felt like I was right there with Wendy and Jackson spreading Christmas cheer. Caleb has a huge heart and just wants to have a happy Christmas. It is now a tradition every year to read Melody Carlson’s annual Christmas novella. A CHRISTMAS BY THE SEA is one of her best stories so far with this heart warming holiday tale set in Seaside, Maine. Melody Carlson has a gift for telling uplifting and inspirational stories and she knows exactly how to get the reader in the holiday spirit.

I can totally see A CHRISTMAS BY THE SEA becoming a Hallmark Christmas movie that I would love to watch. Melody Carlson always puts me on an emotional roller coaster and A CHRISTMAS BY THE SEA is exactly why! Now the only thing I’m sad about is, I just finished her wonderful book and now I have to wait for the next one! It was so nice to read a clean romance, where the couple actually have a friendship and not fall in love instantly. I loved the scene with Wendy and Jackson finding sand dollars along the beach. Although light, spiritual content is woven through the story and left my mind at peace. Melody has been one of my top authors from the very first book of hers that I had the pleasure of reading and when you read A CHRISTMAS BY THE SEA you will know exactly why.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I enjoyed reading this cute book. I couldn't put it down once I started reading it. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

Anothef beautiful story by the great Melody Carlson. There is just something special about her Christmas books. She is able to create a magic in her pages of her Christmas stories. In this book we have the dreamy seaside town setting which just adds the the charm. We meet a cast of lovely characters that help to bring the life and love to the story. If you love Christmas stories with lots of love and a charming location this is the book for you.

DNF @43%
2018; Revell

This gorgeous cover caught my eye right away, it seemed like the most perfect place to be in Winter during Christmas. I had enjoyed Carlson's Christmas novella last year (when I had requested this book) so decided to try it. I didn't get to it last year so I decided to read this one (and the latest Christmas novella Christmas in Winter Hill). I wanted to like this one, but had to DNF after 43%. I can take a lot cheesiness as I love romance and Hallmark movies, but this one was just too much for me. Check out some other reviews to see if this one is a fit for you!

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

I was looking forward to a light sweet Christmas read. And while this book fit the bill, it was a little simple. The ending was expected, but it happened too quickly. It was almost like the author had reached her page limit and had to reach the conclusion suddenly.

So a sweet book, but too simple.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Lovely festive feel good read. Enjoyed it very much. This is one to curl up in front of the fire with in the winter. Flowed well. Was easy to read and thoroughly enjoyable

Wendy Harper and her 12-year old son Jackson move back to her family’s beach cottage, which she inherited, in Seaside, Maine. Wendy hopes to do most of the work herself, though the time frame is quickly moving to the Christmas season. Once there, the town and craftsman Caleb Colton become a part of their lives, pulling at Wendy’s plan to fix up and sell the cottage and move on with her and Jackson’s lives. Wendy knows she needs to fix he cottage, sell it and move on, but the lure of the sea, the town and Caleb force her to seriously think about her motives and needs.

This is a pretty good holiday story and it will definitely get any reader into a holiday mood. The story moves a bit slow, however—not as action-packed as some others I have read. I enjoyed watching Wendy work through her issues, with help from Jackson, the town and the craftsman Caleb. I was interesting to watch things develop as the story progressed. My one big concern/problem was that it sort of ended very quickly in a short period of time and number of pages, without a lot of build-up, rather like a big rush to get through with it all. I have read and enjoyed more by the author. This one just did not match up, though it was a great holiday read. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

I really liked this charming Christmas story! I loved the main characters Wendy and her son Jackson. I loved how descriptive the author was with describing the Maine seashore and sites of the small town and Wendy’s memories of her grandparents.

The story had a great steady plot that I really enjoyed UNTIL the last chapter of the book. Which is the only reason it gets 4 starts instead of 5 stars. The last chapter was so unrealistic and rushed-it was like the author had to keep the book under a certain number of words so she just quickly wrapped it up to end the story. 🙁 Other than that, I loved it!

Carlson does a great job with the relationship between Wendy and her son. Moving to a new house she inherited and trying to renovate it to eventually sell it has its challenges. One of the challenges is that her son wants to stay in the house and the community. She wants to fix the house up and sell it because of money issues resulting from her husband dying but her son desperately wants to stay. When she meets some of the residents of the community, she has to rethink all of her plans.

I have read numerous books by this author and she has become an author that I continually read. She hasn't disappointed me and I will continue reading her works.

A light Christmas read from Melody Carlson that begins with Wendy, a young widow and her son Jackson on a road trip from Ohio where they live to Seaside, Maine the charming town where Wendy spent her summers with her grandparents as a child. Wendy has inherited her Grandparents cottage and hopes that the fixing up and sale of it will improve their sorry finances due to student loans and medical bills that mounted following her husband's death from cancer.

Upon their arrival in Seaside, Wendy visits the local hardware store the for the supplies needed to begin the necessary improvements to the cottage. She encounters Caleb on her shopping trip, and he stirs in her an immediate attraction despite her thoughts that he is a pesky hardware salesman. He insists on staying by her side pointing out precisely what she needs by way of paint and flooring.

Meanwhile, Wendy has not told Jackson who is 12 years old that her plan on coming to Seaside has been to sell the cottage, and he mistakenly believes that it is being fixed up to become their permanent home. As the days go by, Jackson becomes increasingly charmed by the little oceanside town and is eager to help his Mom as much as he can.

As Christmas draws closer and the work on the cottage continues, Wendy herself begins to wish that she could find a way to support herself and Jackson in Seaside so that they could stay. Her friendship with Caleb is blossoming as he lends a hand and is encouraging of her artistic bent in fashioning decor and Christmas ornaments using seashells. Jackson begins to make friends, start school and loves spending time on the beach. And then, his ultimate wish comes true when he encounters a stray dog and Wendy agrees that they can look after it for the time being.

As the pages decrease in the novel, Wendy makes the tough decision that the only way she can provide a comfortable life for her and Jackson is to take the proceeds from the sale, pay off debts and return to her job and life in Ohio. Suddenly the story comes to an abrupt ending as Caleb sweeps in and saves the day!

This conclusion came on much too swiftly to be believable. Although I have enjoyed Ms. Carlson's Christmas stories in the past and the beginning of this one, it lacked substance in the end.

I loved this book! I love the beach, and the vivid images of seashells and driftwood made me feel right at home, even though I am far from the ocean in person. Carlson's characters were well-developed, and I found myself lost in the sweet romance. A perfect read for someone wanting something short and light-hearted for the holiday season.

I always read one or more Christmas books each year at Christmastime. I read many this year. Hands down, the one was my favorite. A Christmas by the Sea by Melody Carlson is a lovely story for this time of year. Wendy is a single mother struggling to make a life for herself and her son Jackson. When she inherits a seaside cottage in Maine, they travel to Maine to get it ready to sell. Jackson is determined to stay there. This story is definitely predictable but it is told with such tenderness and great emotion. I think readers looking for a holiday read will love it. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

This is a perfect read for this busy time of year. Only 167 pages it's a complete Christmas love story of healing and family. Ms. Carlson usually writes a wonderful Christmas book every year. Wendy and her 12 year old son Jackson are moving to Maine temporarily to fix up her family's home and sell it to settle her debts. She's had a hard time since her husband died. But the sea is calling her to stay and the locals make her feel welcome and safe. Nice Christmas story without being overly religious. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A Christmas By The Sea by Melody Carlson is the most delightful Christian romance. Every year I eagerly await the latest festive offering from Melody Carlson and I am never disappointed.
The novel is about blessings. Sometimes in life, we can see the hand of God at work in our lives, especially when we look backwards.
There are new beginnings to be had. The fresh sea air contrasts with the oppressive city life. “She felt like the child inside her waking up.” Returning to the seaside of her childhood, hope begins to rise.
Sometimes we just need to step out in faith and trust God. “She… had… believed that God would meet all their needs. When had she quit?” Life can be hard and we may drift from God but it is never too late to return to Him. Wanting to believe and trust God again is the first step to doing it.
The inclusion of a dog is sure to make the reader smile.
Memories are important, as is knowing our roots. We can remember the good times and also set about making new memories.
A warm, wonderful community atmosphere pervades the novel. I ‘felt’ included in the action. The people pull together to meet needs.
I absolutely adored A Christmas By The Sea. I cannot wait for the festive offering from Melody Carlson in 2019!
Absolutely wonderful.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

Such a sweet, endearing holiday read. This mother and son tale left me with warm fuzzies and all the good Christmas spitit feels, I really enjoyed reading it!

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read and review this title!

A Christmas by the Sea is Melody Carlson's latest Christmas book. This was a heart warming story about new beginnings, faith, and the spirit of Christmas. Very enjoyable Christmas book!

"A Christmas by the Sea" by Melody Carlson is set in the quiet town of Seaside, Maine. Having just lost her husband to cancer, Wendy Harper and her son, Jackson, drive along the coast to the beach house she inherited from her grandfather. While she wants to sell the house, Jackson wants them to stay there permanently. Constantly torn between buoyant hope and nerve-wracking doubt, Wendy is unsure if selling the beach house is the solution to her myriad problems. Caleb Colton makes Wendy see the plethora of possibilities if they stayed in Seaside. Jackson encourages his mother to trust God for their needs and stay in Seaside. Melody Carlson explores the beauty of second chances through life in a small beach house with a budding romance and a renewed faith in God. The characters are perfectly ordinary, likeable and relatable people, set in a blooming love story, woven through subtle family history and seaside escapades. Quick, uplifting, warmhearted and lighthearted at the same time, I highly recommend "A Christmas by the Sea." This clean, Christian romance is very well-written, with descriptive writing, beautiful imagery and excellent character delineation. The story is full of hope and joy in the true spirit of Christmas.