Has this ever happened to you? you inherit a house from your grandmother in a lovely beachside village. When you go to check out the house there is a hot Australian living next-door. He happens to be a doctor and a super kind and down to earth guy, with an adorable dog??? No? Well me neither. Seriously not one of these things has ever happened to me? This is why we read so we can live vicariously through the characters in our books. And Holly experiences all of this and more.

Maxine Moorey has written another delightful romcom sure to make you smile and swoon. From the first page of this book you know where it is going, but it’s the getting there that is so much fun. Holly was a lovely character with a big heart and I really wanted her to find her HEA. Gabe was pretty darn scrumptious and his dog Bryan was simply delightful. I also really liked Holly‘s brother who had a tendency to put his foot in his mouth, he said some things that really made me laugh. Like most romances there were times in this book I was so frustrated with Holly and Gabe, I guess it’s always easier to see what’s going on as a silent observer.

Simply put this was a fun uplifting story packed with humor and heart!

*** many thanks to HQ Digital for my copy of this book ***

What a fantastic read this turned out to be - mind you, I shouldn't have been surprised. With Maxine Morrey as the author you can guarantee a great, engaging, feel-good story that is packed with laugh out loud humour and a fantastic romance - and this book certainly delivered all that.

Holly is a workaholic, so much so that she's stressing out and having severe panic attacks. This is spotted by her boss who orders she have an extended holiday to help herself heal. So Holly travels back to Wishington Bay and the home she's inherited from her Grandmother, Gigi. She is planning to clear out the house, do some work on it and sell it but when she meets Gabe, the doctor living next door, and his brilliant little dog Bryan maybe things won't go quite as she'd planned!

This is a delightful rom com that has great characters, plenty of twists and turns, some surprises and an engaging romance. I loved the community of Wishington Bay and really hope there will be future stories set in the location and including more of them. This is a story of re-evaluating your life, learning to slow down rather than rush headlong and having time to appreciate the people and places around you. It is a heartwarming story of finding new dreams, love and laughter with a few obstacles along the way! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and have no hesitation in highly recommending it and other books by this highly talented author!

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.

Favorite Quotes:

Although, if I’m honest, ever since I found out that the man I’d been dating thought girlfriends qualified as a “two for the price of one” deal, batteries were something I tended to keep a stock of.

No, I promise this time, it’s most definitely not a set-up. I’m pretty sure you’re not his type anyway. His last girlfriend was an absolute stunner.’ My brother was, as always, the epitome of tact.

It was at least a week before I could even look at chocolate cake again but, as I wasn’t a quitter, I’d forced myself to beat that particular problem.

I was civil at work because I had to be, Paul! What I really wanted to do was grab your nuts and rip them out through your throat, but I was reliably informed that HR would most likely frown on something like that. More’s the pity.

Who cares if you can bounce a pound coin off her arse? … Mine would probably just eat it like a money box.

Some days are better than others. Some days I still want to kick him in the nuts so hard his grandchildren would be sopranos– but apart from that.


My Review:

This was a fun and amusing read with frequent spikes of wry wit and clever banter. I enjoyed the liberal levity, sassy teasing, and flippant quips that regularly marked the characters’ verbal exchanges and inner musings. Ms. Morrey’s application of humor alternated between feisty and mischievous to wry and ironic, and I reveled in it all and jonesed for even more.

Cool new additions to my Brit Word List include gobby - British slang for talking in a loud and offensive manner; snaffle – steal or nab; caught on the hop – being surprised or unprepared; boot sale – pop-up markets involving selling goods from the trunk of cars; and fizzog – face.

This is only the second book I've read by this author and Maxine Morrey is becoming one of my favourite writers.
Coming Home to Wishington Bay is a wonderful story of new beginnings and taking stock of your life and finding your happy place. It's also a story of coping with the emotions that grief brings you and of struggling with health concerns.
Holly has been living and working in London for a good while and she's been forced to take a sabbatical due to increasing worries regarding her mental health. Holly has committed herself to her career and didn't think nothing of working regular 12 hour plus days. She's also recently broken up from a relationship that has brought mixed emotions of anger, trust and humiliation. Returning to Wishington Bay on the south-coast to her late Grandmother Gigi's home Holly hopes that this time away from her London life is enough to get her back on track and to also appease her boss.
Holly didn't expect her 'r n r' to include bumping into her new neighbour, hot doctor Gabe with his rescued 'hot dog' Bryan. After initial confused introductions a friendship soon ensues between Holly and Gabe. However, Gabe forgot to mention a little 'white lie' he told his parents and their friendship soon becomes a little more confused.
I loved the sound of Gigi's home it sounded so idyllic being on the beachfront and with a small close-knit community of independent businesses in the village. The blooming relationship between Holly and Gabe was good fun with lots of banter flying between them but you could sense a chemistry behind the cheeky chat. I loved the interaction between Bryan, the adorable rescued pup, and all the characters it was very endearing and I always think animals bring a softness to characters in a story.
This is a beautiful, romantic story but touches on the subject of serious issues regarding mental health which made the storyline even more relatable. Coming Home to Wishington Bay is a gorgeous feel-good story that will uplift and charm you.

My first book by this author and, this is our little secret but I’ve never heard of this author before either! I have no idea how she has managed to go under my chick-lit radar, but I’ve spotted her now and she certainly won’t be getting away again! This book was absolutely wonderful!! I have spent the last couple of days completely transfixed with this story and have loved every single second of it!

Holly is basically on the verge of a nervous breakdown. With a high powered, stressful job working in the City in stock and shares, she’s finding it hard to cope. Her boss has insisted she takes a sabbatical, so she makes her way back to her childhood home, her late grandmother’s house, in Wishington Bay, which has stood empty since her grandmother passed away the year before. Plans to sort out the house, sell it and return to her job may be put on hold when she finds she is quite enjoying living back in the Bay. Having Gabe, an Aussie Paediatrician living next door is an obvious bonus! Will Holly sell up and move back to her old life, or will she be staying in Wishington Bay?

I really loved this book!! The story was perfect and it had me hooked from the very first page. I loved Holly, although first impressions were of an uncaring, highly stressed workaholic, but as the story moved on, Holly became much more likeable and only a couple of chapters in we were beginning to see the real person!! Her relationship with her brother and his pregnant wife was heart-warming and the brotherly-sisterly love between them was obvious! Gabe the ‘hot doctor’ next door was a very welcome distraction in the book and whilst Holly accused Gabe of breaking in and Gabe saw Holly in her very expensive underwear, their relationship just got better and better as you got further into the story!

It was kind of obvious how the book was going to end, but the course of true love never runs smoothly and this was certainly the case in this story! The writing was fabulous and it had me ‘oohing and aaring’ in so many places and insanely jealous of Holly and Gabe in so many others! The location was perfect and I imagined myself walking through the village, browsing the little shops and running down the beach with my surfboard tucked under my arm!! (Well, okay that might be going too far, but I could definitely feel the sand between my toes!) I could also feel the sun beating down on me and it has certainly cheered up the last two rainy days!

It was such a fabulous read though!! Not only did it put a smile on my face and love in my heart, but it also had me laughing out loud throughout the book. It did, as well, have a serious undertone running through it concerning panic attacks and anxiety, which Holly was suffering from, and it was wonderful to see this in a book to ward off the stigma of mental health problems! There was just the right amount of characters (too many and it gets complicated, too few and I lose interest!) and of course, this review wouldn’t be right without mentioning Bryan the Dog, who had to be the star of the show!!

My first by this author, most definitely not my last. Highly, highly recommended!!

Wishington Bay ... This must be a village where wishes are granted and after finishing the book it felt indeed like a very happy place to be

It's clear that nobody's life is a bed of roses, but when you find the right person or your dream has finally come true or you realize that working can also be a fun thing you are on the right path to happiness.I

loved the banter in the story and the funny bits made me smile a lot. The way the author describes everything made me feel like I could see it happening. It was more like watching a film than reading a book to me.

I, for one, would not mind living in this little seaside village.  A pity it does not exist or I would already be busy checking out real estate agencies.

A lovely, funny romantic story that I enjoyed very much. 4 stars.

Thank you, Maxine Morrey and Rachel's Random Resources.

Coming Home To Wishington Bay by Maxine Morrey is the most delightful contemporary tale about love, loss and new beginnings.
Loss can hit hard. “I’d wanted her back so, so much.” The pain of loss radiates outwards. The deeper we love, the harder the loss. Guilt often runs hand in hand with loss. “Why hadn’t I come down here more?” Regrets and guilt need to be put aside in favour of warm memories.
Within the novel the house is not just a house but a home. “The walls… were infused with all the happy memories and laughter and love.” It is as though the house takes on the personality of its owner.
The freedom that is found in Wishington Bay contrasts with the stifling city of London. Wishington Bay is a place where hearts can heal and personality’s blossom. The small community welcomes strangers as friends. Lives can be restored. Furniture is upcycled and given a new lease of life. This can be seen as a motif for broken people being brought back to life.
There is a wonderful dachshund called Bryan. Pets really make a house into a home. They are also good de-stressors. The way people treat pets says a lot about the state of their hearts.
The novel is written in the first person. The reader becomes intimately acquainted with the main character. She is lovable and likable. Her interactions with the other characters are a delight to witness. The dialogue is amusing, fun and light hearted.
I adored Coming Home To Wishington Bay. It was a delightful warm read that wrapped itself around my heart. It was simply perfect.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

This is the perfect book for putting your feet up (preferably on a lounger in the sunshine with a cocktail) and escaping for a few hours. It takes you to the British coast, the kind with a close knit community and little artisan shops, and uncrowded, beautiful beaches.

Holly has had more than her fair share of trauma; losing her beloved grandma Gigi, and finding out the man she finally opened up to was a two-timing toerag. Her career is something she's fiercely proud of but when she's floored by everything catching up with her and her health is under threat, she's forced to address and re-evaluate it all.

Returning to clear out Gigi's house by the seaside reignites memories and passions for Holly, and she finds herself surrounded by wonderful people and new possibilities.

Gabe and Bryan are probably the two most loveable characters in existence, Bryan just edges ahead on account of the fact he's a Dachshund 💓 (I have a soft spot especially for sausage dogs that not even hot Aussies can compete with).

I felt that the mental health aspects of this story were executed so well, written with an accuracy familiar to anyone who has experienced panic attacks and the physical terror of anxiety. It also covers grief and loss sensitively and with eye-opening candour.

Coming Home To Wishington Bay is full to the brim with uplifting energy, feel-good beach vibes, and characters you fall in love with; guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Two workaholics find themselves sharing an isolated beach house and the love of an adorable dog.
We can see where this is going, right? But it is the journey there that is so delightful.

Holly has devoted her life to work and getting ahead professionally. She gave away her heart once, against her intuition, and it lead to disaster not only for her personally but also damaged her at work. She began to have panic attacks and was forced to take a break, at least the summer off.
Her aunt had died the previous year and this gave Holly the time to get the house she had inherited sorted for sale.

Although she knew a respectable doctor lived on one half of the beach house, neither was prepared for the impactful way they first met. Gabe looked more like a surfer dude than doctor, and was acting like neither that fateful morning. Happily he turns out to be a stand up guy (until tackled on the beach) and close friends with Holly's brother and pregnant sister-in-law.

Wishington Beach is a colorful and close community. I enjoyed the shops and the neighbors, but this is really a family-centric romantic tale. A clean read with some very humorous moments and a very sweet and endearing dog.

Holly's troubles are her addiction to work plus the panic attacks she struggles to control. Gabe is enjoying life, but when his parents surprise him with an extended visit, he has to act fast. He sort of told his parents he was in a long distance relationship with Holly, never imagining they would meet. This came as a last minute shock to Holly and her family as well.

The story of one interesting summer and two people finding what they need close to home.

This is one of the cutest love stories of all times! The handsomely hot doctor Gabe - woohoo! I loved every bit of the story. I liked Holly's transformation the most. Holly, the girl who lost hope in finding true love to 'accidentally' falling in love with the handsome hunk made me go aww! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The story made me smile.

Coming Home to Wishington Bay is exactly as the publisher describes it- heartwarming and funny! I adored this book to pieces! I want to personally fly to Wishington Bay myself and immerse myself in the lives of the locals. This is a feel good novel with heart and charm and I think all readers of the genre should give it a try!

It feels like ages since I last read a Maxine Morrey rom-com, but falling into the pages of this book really did feel like coming home. There was just such a comforting, cosy feel to this story, and even when I wasn't reading, my heart was with Hollie in Wishington Bay.

I'll admit the basic concept is one that has been done before - girl inherits property from relation in different location to where she lives, and then has to decide what to do with it. However its all the other bits of the book that make it so special.

The handsome Australian doctor next door and his adorable sausage dog, Bryan who has an emotional back story of his own. There is Holly's brother and his pregnant wife, who are so excited for the baby, but also really concerned about Holly. And there is the Bay itself which is gorgeous sounding, and if its anything like the cover, probably stunning to live in too.

I just really enjoyed the writing in this story, the descriptions and dialogue. It doesn't have the largest amount of characters, but that just adds to its charm as the ones that are featured you get to know so much better. Although not alive Gigi was also a big presence in the book, and I really felt I got to know Hollie's grandmother quite well. It was obvious she had a great sense of humour.

As much as I was enjoying the book there were moments where I just wanted to lock Hollie and Gabe in a room together and not let them out until they had realised the obvious!

Coming Home to Wishington Bay is a truly lovely story that I thoroughly enjoyed. I really hope this isn't the last we see of this location or characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

What a gorgeous story this is! I devoured this in less than a week and considering how much time I have to spend reading that’s very quick. I’m going to be honest as this is my first read by Maxine and I wish I had of discovered her writing sooner!

We meet Holly who travels back to Wishington Bay from her high powered stressful career in London. She is ordered to take a sabbatical or get fired from her job, she goes back to her grandmother Gigi’s house on the edge of the beach and plans to sort out the house and sell it to go back to London - but does she follow through with her original plans? She certainly has to deal with bumps in the road along the way!

Maxine also brings to light the issue of anxiety and panic attacks and I think this is written realistically and at the same time sensitively. I think a lot of people will relate to Holly’s health problems but as you read this story you will see how she deals with these issues and who helps her to get through it. We also meet the delectable Gabe, who also knew Gigi as a dear friend and neighbour. What sort of relationship will Holly and Gabe develop? Well they certainly come face to face with some challenges along the way. I love Bryan the dog and wish I had a dog just like him!

‘Coming Home to Wishington Bay’ is a beautifully, heartfelt story about grief, love, friendship and finding ways to deal with daily life that in the end you realise everything will be ok no matter what happens. I found Maxine’s writing full of humour, warmth and sensitivity. I give ‘Coming Home to Wishington Bay’ 4*/5* 😊

Thank you to HQ Digital UK and Maxine Morrey for an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley.

“His smile was soft, and his eyes did that sparkly thing and somewhere in the hard, protective shell I’d built around my heart, I felt a crack.”

Who is this young career woman with the well-protected heart? She is Holly, a focused financial management professional who has done well at her prestigious London job. She has the London flat and lifestyle to match. So, why is she coming “home” to Wishington Bay. Isn’t her home in London?

That’s what this “funny and uplifting holiday romcom” is all about. What happens when our goals and plans and love affairs get turned upside down? When we meet Holly, she has been betrayed by her lover and she has experienced a health scare- her panic attacks are increasing in frequency and duration. So, much so, that her boss orders her to take a sabbatical.

She reluctantly retreats to Wishington Bay for the summer, where she has inherited her Grandma Gigi’s beach-side house. She hasn’t been to the place since her grandmother passed, and things have changed. Specifically, an “Australian Adonis” now lives in the other side of the beach house.

Holly’s plan is to fix up her grandmother’s place and then sell it and resume her life in London. Readers will bond with Holly, as I did, as we see her change her view of “home”. Can Wishington Bay become home for Holly? And can she open her heart and home to love?

There are many well-developed and lovable characters in this book, including the doggie “Bryan”. (yes, he spells it with a “y”.) Many will be able to relate to Holly’s panic attacks and how she learns to handle them. Just a warning- they are clearly described, but in an objective manner- no undue drama, and Holly receives care and compassion from others. The love and romance sparkles like the sea and the beach setting and small village proved a tranquil respite we all need. My only quibble is that twice in the book, Holly uses language I “try” not to use- language that seemed out of character.

I recommend this charming book and I thank HQ Digital, NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for a review copy. This is my honest review.