This is a novella written about a thirtyish widow and her son. They have inherited a beach side cottage in the town of Seaside. The mom, Wendy, has full intentions of getting the cottage ready for sale and selling it. They have a lot of debt as her husband had been very sick with cancer before he passed away and Wendy feels she must have her corporate job in Ohio to make ends meet. Jackson, her son, loves the town and feels like he is being given a fresh start. And then, of course, there is the knight in shining armor, who also lives in the town.

To be honest, I didn't realize this was supposed to be a novella until I sat down to write this review. That helps my feelings with this book, because one of my biggest issues is that the story was too short. To get from start to finish, everything moved along very fast and was focused too much, I thought, on the romantic end of it. The other thing that I didn't like about this book is it feels like I read it before. The story line just reminds me of another book I have read. I have no idea what that book was, who the author was, or anything, but the plot seemed so very similar. I actually checked to make sure this wasn't an older book I was rereading.

I have read other Melody Carlson books and really liked them, so I have nothing against the author. Armando's Treasure is one I remember reading and thinking it was an excellent book. I just think for me, I didn't give it a fair chance as I don't really like novellas unless they are preludes to a series of regular length books. For sure, I need to know going into the reading of it that it's a novella. That I didn't know that is nobody's fault but my own.

The writing style and structure of the book was well done. I read it as an ebook and often that makes me not like the book as well. I always think there are more typos and grammar issue in ebooks or that there can be, but I did not find that to be the case. It was a well written chick flick. And the next time I might exercise more caution in finding out if it's a full length book or not.

I received this book from Revell and was not required to write a positive review.

Wendy and her son, Jackson, have been living in Cincinnati, OH and trying to cope with life after the death of her husband, his dad. Wendy's grandfather passed away and left her his home in Seaside, Maine. Wendy plans on updating the home and selling it ASAP. They drive to Maine over Thanksgiving break and both fall in love with the house and town. Jackson wants to live there but Wendy sees no way to make a living and insists they must go back to Cincinnati. Will the townspeople, one in particular, change her mind and give a young boy his Christmas wish?

What a heartwarming, beautiful Christmas read. Melody Carlson writes with such love and hope that you can't help but fall in love with Seaside. She makes the reader wish we could experience the Christmas season on the Maine coast with mornings of shelling, days filled with creating beauty within our home and evenings filled with delicious seafood meals.

I would like to see a return visit to Seaside with one of the other characters with an update to how Wendy and Jackson are doing.

I received a complimentary copy of this story from Revell through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

Widowed and left in crippling debt after her husband's fight with cancer, Wendy feels as though she's beginning to lose her only child, 12-year-old Jackson, as well. When Wendy inherits her father's Maine seaside cottage, she believes she has a chance to wipe out her debt by fixing up and selling the cottage. She takes a few weeks off work, pulls her son out of school, packs up her Subaru, and heads across the country.

Jackson has other plans. He plans on making the Maine cottage their permanent home. He throws himself into life in his new Maine town wholeheartedly. Jackson is excited by the progress they make on the cottage and even sets his mom up on a date with a local furniture builder, Caleb, Wendy sees her son opening up emotionally and is finding it hard to remind him that it's all temporary and they must return home soon.

Wendy, just as she is embracing her own artistic gifts, is faced with a reminder in the form of a struggling neighbor who falls ill, that being a single mom is difficult and a tremendous amount of responsibility. Wendy, like most moms, just wants to give her son the best life possible. Reminded by her son, she places her faith and future in God's hands.

Melody Carlson delivers another uplifting Christmas story. My only wish is that the pacing was a little evener. The ending felt a bit rushed and I was shocked at how fast the relationship moved. Still, a very solid and moving holiday story.

A Christmas by the Sea is the first book I have read written by Melody Carlson. I have seen her name many times, often associated with a holiday title. I have been missing out on a great author.
A Christmas by the Sea is written with heart about characters especially Wendy and her son, Jackson, who are easy to identify and understand their hesitations. Jackson is just a great character, that I would love to read his story when he is ten or fifteen years older.

I must say I loved everything about this story until the conclusion. The pacing was on spot until it was so rushed at the end. I want to say slow down and let it all play out in a normal way, not one that happened so quickly. Would I read more by Melody Carson? You bet, but I am hoping the next book I read is not a rush to the finish.

Melody Carlson knows how to write sweet romances. This is a relatively short book about a single mom Wendy with her preteen son Jackson who inherits a seaside cottage in Maine. Wendy drives up to Maine with the sole intention of fixing up the cottage and selling it to help their financial woes but gets sidetracked by a handsome, kind, generous local furniture maker who befriends her and her son. As the days unfold, Wendy and Jackson are mesmerized by the charm of the small seaside town (and you, as a reader, will be, too!). The relationship between Wendy and Caleb is sweet and tender. If you’re looking for a well-written heart-warming story with Christmas themes, you will love this story.

I received a copy of the book from Baker Publishing Group via Interviews and Reviews and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

A Christmas by the Sea is one of those books that you just want to curl up with a blanket, your favorite cup of tea while you dream of the small seaside town you are reading about. The characters are likeable and believable, in a way just ordinary. It begins with Wendy, a widow and mother of a 12 year old boy, doing her best to make ends meet, while protecting her son from growing up too fast. Although she quickly realizes that kids pick up on things more than adults give them credit for. Jackson, her 12 year old son, is embracing this small town vibe and flourishing at that. Although a blooming love story is woven throughout, it's subtle and doesn’t feel cheesy. I enjoyed the family history that was uncovered and the seaside escapades that were sprinkled throughout. It’s one of those books that reminds you of the simple things but yet the impact they have on our hearts and overall well being. This book is what I would consider a quick read. Although I did find the beginning to stretch on for a bit, I still enjoyed the storyline and characters. So if you want something quick, light and uplifting then I would recommend A Christmas by the Sea.

Sweet Seaside Romance
This is a sweet and clean romance that takes place in a small coastal Maine town. There are elements of faith throughout the story, but it's not overwhelming. This story could lead to a series. The plot is simple, yet well done. The characters are totally believable, but somewhat one dimensional. The story is good enough for me to keep and re-read again later. I will also be looking for more of this author's work. I received this book for free and this is my honest review.

Melody Carlson has written over two hundred books among which are many Christmas stories. All of the ones I've read, including Christmas By the Sea, are sweet, encouraging holiday stories that would make wonderful Hallmark type Christmas movies.
Wendy Harper and her son Jackson are headed to Maine to see the seaside cottage she often visited while growing up, the one she had inherited from her grandfather. While Jackson dreams of making a permanent move to Maine, Wendy must face the reality that selling the cottage is the only way to pay off the debts incurred during her husband's battle with cancer. While the characters are endearing, the ending is somewhat predictable, and in true Christmas movie tradition includes a rapidly progressing romance. The main theme of the story is trusting in God's provision.
If you would like a sweet, quick read, this book fits the bill. I thank NetGalley and Revell for providing me with a copy of Christmas By the Sea in exchange for an honest review. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

This enjoyable short story is perfect for the fall and holiday season. The story takes place in the fall around thanksgiving, and over the preparations for the Christmas season. One of my favorite settings is a small coastal town and this one, set in Seaside, Maine did not disappoint. The first meeting between Wendy and Caleb had me laughing and seemed perfectly set in the small coastal location. This leaves the reader with the reminder that God is in control, and sometimes our plans don’t work out and that God has better plans in store for us that He will work out in His timing. While I did feel the ending wrapped up a little too quickly, I would recommend this lighthearted holiday read.

I loved this story, the author has given us a story about rebirth, building a life after the death of a loved one.
I could just picture Jackson a young teenage still reeling from the death of his father, not happy and being bullied at his school in Ohio, and now a breath of fresh air, a new beginning, and at the ocean.
His mother, and the friendly local have both lost someone they loved, is there a chance that they are now in the right place at the right time?
This is a warm your heart Christmas story, and I am so glad to have read it!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.

Ms. Carlson provides another delightful story with this book. The setting is in Maine at Christmas. The book focuses on Wendy, a widow, and her son, Jackson. After inheriting a cottage on the beach in Maine, Wendy and Jackson travel for a few weeks to prepare the cottage to sale. Jackson would prefer to move there forever. Seaside is an enchanting town that really pulls at Wendy and Jackson. Together they make many friends and acquaintances including Caleb. This book is a delightful holiday story about the importance of family and friends and home being where the heart is. Ms. Carlson’s books are entertaining and refreshing. I highly recommend this book and know you will not be disappointed in the story. This is a Christian romantic story.
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, this is my own opinion.

This is a feel good Christmas story about widow, Wendy Harper and her son Jackson. Wendy finds the medical bills piling up from her husband’s illness and eventual passing when word reaches her that her grandfather willed his seaside cottage to her, a place that is filled with happy childhood memories. Wendy and Jackson head from Ohio to Seaside, Maine to prepare the cottage to sell – an answered prayer to her financial situation. Hoping to prepare the cottage to sell in time to return home before Christmas, Wendy and Jackson set to work. What Wendy doesn’t count on is the transformation in her 13 year old son, who’d been struggling since the passing of his dad, nor the handsome carpenter Caleb who could be the answer to staying in Seaside permanently.
The story moves along at a good pace. The ending came up a bit quickly but the time line in the story leant itself well to this particular ending. Descriptions are vivid of the cottage itself, and the time spent beachcombing. Wendy is a likeable character and one can instantly empathize with her plight, and can’t blame her for the plan of selling the cottage, even though it’s her happy place from childhood. She really doesn’t have a choice or a way of getting out of the burden of medical expenses.
I enjoyed the interaction between Caleb and Wendy, especially in the way they meet. A case of mistaken identity on Wendy’s part….
There are a lot of likeable characters, but not too many that one gets mixed up.
It’s light on the “Christian” side of things, though trusting God and church attendance is mentioned a few times.
It’s a light, easy, quick read just in time for the Christmas season.
I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Wendy and her son Jackson travel to Maine, where she’s inherited her grandparents cottage. Her plans are to get the cottage ready to sell and head back home to Ohio. Jackson’s plans are to convince his mom to stay in Seaside. The book weaves back and forth between the two, and new friends they make. A delightful story that is hard to put down. I loved everything about it and this author has become one who’s Christmas stories I look forward to.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Baker Publishing Group/Revell through NetGalley. No review was required and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Christmas by the Sea by Melody Carlson. I loved the Christmas story. Her son wanted to stay in the cottage by the Sea instead of going back to Ohio. She had inherited the cottage from her grandfather. A beautiful story..

I've come to look forward to Melody Carlson's Christmas stories each year. This is another sweet story for the Christmas season. Wendy, a recent widow and her twelve year old son, Jackson travel to Seaside you ready her grandparent's cottage to sell. Her only option is to sell because of the medical bills and college bills that need to be paid. Jackson is determine to stay and tries to encourage his mom to stay at the beach. This is a great story about moving forward after death and finding God's will. Recommended!

Thank you to Revell for the free review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. 

This was such a sweet book about fresh starts and new beginnings. I loved the mother/son relationship between Wendy and Jackson. I think that their relationship was filled with love and grace. It was great to read a book that showed such a tight knit bond between a parent and child. 

I also really loved the setting of this novel. Thinking about being on the beach at Christmas time is really special. It made me eager for the upcoming holidays to have hot chocolate and bundle up with those that I love. 

I did feel, however, that the ending was almost rushed. I wanted to linger with these characters and their decisions much longer than I got to. Even an epilogue would've helped me see where they were going next. I just felt that this book left me wanting more.

A lovely Christmas story set in beautiful surroundings. A perfect holiday read.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

A cottage in Maine seems to be the ideal way to spend Christmas if Wendy didn't have so much on her plate. Still reeling from her husband's death, Wendy feels that she must sell the cottage. However, her son has a different plan. He wants to stay by the sea. Watching the love and interaction between these characters grow was a delightful way to spend an evening. I love to read stories set at Christmas time. Having it set at the seaside is an extra bonus. Melody Carlson's books have a way of pulling the reader in and strumming the heart strings. Her characters are believable and heart warming. Her storylines take you on an adventure. I recommend any of her books. I received a copy through Netgalley. I review was not requested or required.

This is a feel-good Christmas romance story. The plot is not very original, with a widow and her son go to get her grandfther’s house at the oceanside ready to sell. The best part about the book was that the characters were helpful and kind. There was conflict between the main character Wendy and a resident Chrystal, but it wasn’t so bad that the language or the story got off track. My favorite character was the talented son Jackson. He has skills way beyond his years and is always very encouraging and helpful to his mom. I enjoyed reading about a teen-ager who was not so self-absorbed. The love story was there in the background, obvious but not taking over the plot. I also enjoyed the new pet, a dog named Oliver who is an extra attraction in the book. Melody Carlson never disappoints with books that make you feel like celebrating the goodness of mankind and the special holiday that is Christmas. Those who enjoy a good Christmas romance will thoroughly enjoy this quick read.

A Christmas by the Sea is a warm Christmas story like we have come to expect from Melody Carlson. Wendy Harper and her twelve year old son, Jackson, has had a rough few years. Their husband and father died after a battle with cancer leaving the family with a strained financial situation. Jackson has had a hard time at school with bullying and teasing. When Wendy inherits her grandfather's beach house in Seaside, Maine, it seems an answer to their prayers. Wendy decides they can use the trip to get away for Thanksgiving to get the cottage in shape to sell. Jackson thinks that this is a great new start for them. So, they set out from Ohio and drove to Maine.
Wendy struggles to keep finances above water while she works on the cottage. Jackson won't talk about leaving. Caleb Colton is a local furniture builder and store owner that gets to know Wendy and Jackson. He befriends them and gives advice to Wendy while hiring Jackson as a helper. Jackson quickly makes a friend, rescues a dog and even enrolls himself in school. He tells Wendy to have faith that God will work things out. But Wendy knows that Jackson is a child who doesn't understand the dire straits they are in financially.
This is a heartwarming story of faith and family during the special holiday time of hope and joy.
I received a complimentary ARC from Revell Publishing through NetGalley. The thoughts and opinion stated are mine only.