I loved this book! I had no expectations whatsoever and it had me crying, gasping and laughing all at the same time! Inspired me about how one person change their environment and the people around her. Can’t wait for the next one

I've not come across the author, Jane Lovering, before, but the idea of the story appealed to me.
The main character, Tansy, is very likeable and it's easy to feel empathy with her as she tells her story. Equally likeable is the actor Davin, but he is a bit of a mystery.

The story follows them as we learn more about what happened to them.
There's a lot of side stories as well that are neatly concluded in this book. I liked the Christmas theme and the author did a great job of making everyone relatable and the story enjoyable too.

I'll be looking out for more from this author in the future

Pleasant read to wile away a cold wet day. I enjoyed this story with the feel good factors it brought with it. A light tale which left me with a warm feeling

I wanted to like this more than I did. Liked the hero, and liked the heroine too - but I didn’t feel you got to understand her enough until late on. I also didn’t think the resolution did everything it needed to to tie everything up the way that you wanted - I wondered if it was because there was going to be a follow up book, but I can't see one.

I really enjoyed reading this book, one of the best I’ve read recently.
From the very first sentence describing Brian the dog as ‘a toupee on a mission’ set the scene for the whole book. So well written, with very touching moments wrapped alongside some descriptions that really made me chuckle.
Tansy has had the most dreadful 18 months and has been left with nothing but a rusting campervan and as many items from her home that she could stuff into all the van’s nooks & crannies. She has gone from being a successful business owner with a boyfriend, a gorgeous city apartment and Insta-worthy month-long Christmas holidays, to not even being able to buy herself anything to eat let alone enough fuel to move her campervan anywhere. We follow her, and Brian the stray dog that is not Tansy’s, stinks of sardines and leaves an oil slick on any hand brave enough to stroke him, who has chosen Tansy as his human of choice. After being helped & befriended by local cafe manager Karen & her son Rory things start to take a better turn. On the hunt for a job Tansy bumps into her friend, TV director Keenan who is filming a series in the next bay and Tansy ends up being roped into being the assistant for the moody pain-in-the-arse star of the show, Davin. But all is not what it seems with Davin and soon Tansy discovers several big secrets Davin has been hiding from everyone. The pair begin to open up to each other and a friendship develops, but could there be more ...
A lovely feel-good book so well written. I will definitely be looking out for more by Jane Lovering.

A fun Christmas read with plenty of romance in this short novel ideal for a seasonal read. A plot with many twists and turns, if somewhat predictable as to who ends up with who but enough drama along the way, with plenty of wild weather to add to the mix. Lots of sad and serious issues attended to but there is hope and a definite warm feelgood factor with more than a touch of humour. The characters were good, from the spiky Davin (the Aiden Turner, Poldark, character), to the rather gauche teenager Rory and not forgetting Brian the stray dog. There is certainly the beginnings of a series of books with these characters from Jane Lovering.

This is a charming and entertaining romance with a twist. Both characters, the girl Tansy and David have been hurt before and carry their wounds which makes real connection impossible. Through circumstances these two have to cooperate and slowly reveal more of their vulnerability. They come together at the end but it is still precarious as each of them has to learn to fully trust again. I can recommend this novel wfor any reader who wants a bit more than pure shallow romance.

A quick light-hearted, though at times heartbreaking read. I liked Tansy from the start. Though thoroughly defeated by life, she managed to keep on. I might have preferred a few less flashbacks, but otherwise a great read.

My thanks to Netgalley and publishers for a copy of Christmas secrets by the sea for an honest review.

An easy ,enjoyable read with likeable characters set in an area where I love. My only gripe is that it isn’t really a Christmas read and ,as I had kept this to read until then , I was a bit disappointed , hence a deduction of a star.

I was pulled in by the premise of Christmas Secrets by the Sea and by main character Tansy's backstory. Previously having had a happy life in a beautiful flat in London, she loses it all one day: her job, boyfriend and the flat she loved.

Left with no belongings except a camper van, she takes off to the seaside and parks up on the dunes. Unsure what to do next, she finds Brian, a sardine-loving dog and from then he's her companion.

The beach café proves a cosy place to get a bite to eat and get to know the owner and her son. I thought the atmosphere of all of the settings in the book could have been fleshed out more so I really felt like I was on the beach or in the café or wherever.

When she meets Davin she realises he is not an easy person to get on with, but there's something about him.....

I was expecting romance. And Christmas. But what I got was a lot of backstory and less of a plot.

This was the first time I struggled to get into a book and the second 50% was better than the first. I felt more engaged then and like how the characters opened up more (Davin and Tansy).

I wanted to know more about the secondary characters.

There were some good descriptions in the novel but long sentences let down the flow. I thought the mention of romance was only (barely) alluded to and I would have loved more obvious romance.

Rather than than a romance, this is more a story about a seaside community and how they helped a stranger move on.

I did feel for Tansy and liked the café owner Karen. I wanted to know more about Rory.

Christmas Secrets by the Sea is the first novel I have reviewed by Jane Lovering. This is the first in a series and I am curious to find out how the story continues in the other books in the series.

Thanks to Jane Lovering and publisher Farrago for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

3 stars.

A festive, fun read, I have not read anything by the author before but I will be looking out for more now. This is a funny, romantic, cute read, great chemistry and such a heartwarming read. Recommended for a Christmas read.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

This is an easy enough Christmas read about Tansy who has run away from her successful life to Dorset in a camper-van, and Davin who is a very famous heartthrob making a movie in Dorset, and how their paths collide.
If you're after a Christmas story with a bit of romance, dogs, and rough Dorset winter weather then this isn't a bad way to spend a few hours.
Although I enjoyed it well enough, I never really believed in the romance and I didn't think the characters were that well developed. Everyone felt a bit "same, same" and the only differences being what was told to us, rather than exploring that ourselves through their thoughts and actions. However, this is a short Christmas read and recommended for those looking for something that doesn't take a lot of thinking at this time of year.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

A lovely seasonal read, managed it in a day, haha. Boy meets girl, and a happy ending, with plenty of tension in the middle.
Snuggle up in front of the fire and enjoy

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for a free copy this ebook to review.
I have read and enjoyed many of this authors other works. She writes in an easy fashion with kindness and gentleness. This book is in of a similar type. It's contains no shocks or big surprises it's just a lovely seasonal tale. I recommend it to those who enjoy a little romance in their lives.

I couldn’t wait to read this book as it was based in Dorset which is our favourite place to go in our campervan so was totally drawn in by the description!
Christmas secrets by the sea is a totally heartwarming engaging read, emotional in places but much more than just a Christmas romance book!
Poor Tansy had lost her business her flat and her partner and much more, so finds herself camping out in her van in Dorset, life is looking bleak and empty until new found friends and the scruffiest smelliest dog enter her life, soon life starts looking up again new friends,a job and eventually a romance make this a great read perfect for any time of the year!
Thank you net galley for this early read.

I was charmed from the first page, instantly swept up into the lives of the characters. Christmas books always have this whimsical charm that makes you feel warm an fuzzy as a reader. This book especially so because both Tansy and Davin has huge issues to overcome. I just have to say I loved Brian. He made me smile every time.

A sweet and endearing tale of hope and second chances that will leave you smiling at the end.

thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

It's a Christmas book (automatic 3 stars) and there will be more (add 1!)

A fun chick lit read...I quite liked it!

**OMG! I cannot believe that these reviews haven't been done! I am so sorry they are so late!!!**

Lovely feel good summer read. What’s not to love sun sea and sadly ur reading about it instead of living it. Easy to read and flowed well. Perfect summer bookWell

Like a warm cup of hot cocoa, that's how I describe this book. A Warm and endearing story. Most enjoyable. A new to me author that I will read more.

Perfect cosy read! Definitely one I will recommend to others. I hope to see more of these characters in future books.