Cover Image: The Waffle House on the Pier

The Waffle House on the Pier

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Member Reviews

Another winner for Tilly Tennant. She writes with passion and you fall in love with the characters. Her books are my relief from life.
The Waffle House on the Pier has been on the pier since the sixties. The owners Gammy and Gamy (April and Kenneth Schwartz) moved to England and opened The Waffle House. The death of Kenneth (Gamy) no one knew what was going to happened to the Waffle House.
Sadie decided to stop studying to become a teacher because she wanted to open the Waffle House.
Sadie found love and became the owner of The Waffle House.
I want to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and Tilly Tennant for this advance copy in exchange of an honest review.

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There’s no secret that I love a Tilly Tennant story – some more than others, true, but I’m always up for the read. There’s something in knowing that things, no matter how dire they become, will be better by the end. And Sadie’s story was no different. Growing up in the seaside town left her longing for “more” even when she didn’t know what that meant. And at eighteen and sure of ‘more and better out there’ she broke it off with her long-term boyfriend and best friend and headed out. Now taking a teacher training course (that she hates) and sure that giving this up will only reinforce her family’s censure, she’s determined to make the Waffle House, started by her grandmother and newly deceased grandfather.


Of course, things aren’t smooth: her grandmother is displaying all the signs of dementia, her parents and siblings think sell is the best option, and she’s still drawn to her ex Declan – as the two are best friends, despite his new relationship and those struggles. Enter Luke, an outlyer from the city who purchased an old chapel from the last ‘outlyer’ who was going to rehab the building into a house. An accident where he nearly ran Sadie over with his boat meant that his ‘stranger’ status, in a town that always rallies round its own made things more difficult.

Back and forth with Sadie’s worries about her feelings for both Declan and Luke, her struggles with the shop and her grandmother’s increasing illness, the reality that she doesn’t know diddly about managing the business, and plenty of moments where family upheaval becomes the center point of the story leave readers wondering about the happy ending here. Not quite a rom-com, and not entirely a romance, the characters, their histories, the small town and the community feel make this a story well worth reading. It puts you in the center of the small community where tourism is a mainstay, and everyone knows (and has suggestions about) you.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aJX /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

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I enjoyed this, my first read by Tilly Tennant. I didn't adore it and felt it took a long time to really get going but I enjoyed it all the same and would recommend it for a nice easy summer read.

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Run away to Sea Salt Bay, where the sand is warm and soft, the sea is a perfect blue, and a candy-coloured waffle house is about to change Sadie’s life…

For as long as she can remember, Sadie’s grandparents have run the waffle house on the pier at Sea Salt Bay. With its pretty painted chairs, sweet smells, and the warm advice of her beloved grandparents, the waffle house is like a second home

But when Sadie’s grandfather dies, leaving her grandmother without an anchor, Sadie must make a difficult decision. She quits her job and moves back home, determined to keep things going. The trouble is, she knows nothing about running a business, and learning at a million miles an hour with a shop full of hungry people isn’t easy. When she nearly burns the waffle house down, she has to admit she needs to get some help.

Her ex-boyfriend Declan promises to be there for her but Sadie worries that getting too close is a mistake – especially as he has a new girlfriend now. And anyway she’s just met newcomer Luke, with his gorgeous suntan and mellow voice…

Sadie’s family have always loved Declan and they’re not too sure about Luke, leaving Sadie unsure which way to turn. A terrible accident at sea forces her to look into her heart, but what if it’s already too late to tell the right man that she loves him?

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

This is the first Tilly Tennant book I have read and I would call it an enjoyable read.

In terms of scene setting I could feel the sand in between my toes and smell the waffles and fish and chips as described, this was definitely 10 out of 10!

It was interesting to read a book where the main character and her siblings (and parents in this case) got along, I find this is quite unusual in up-lit books and it was a dynamic that I enjoyed greatly.

However, to be honest this book moved along slowly for me and I found myself checking the percentages of how far I was through the book. There is one scene in particular that I felt the book was missing (don't want to say as it may spoil the book for future readers) and a lot of the book was simply Sadie going backwards and forwards on her feelings.

An enjoyable read but could have delved a lot deeper. A perfect holiday read.

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Thank you to NetGalley, author Tilly Tennant for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review and feedback!

I felt like I was on vacation with this book!!! Sea Salt Bay will give you all the feels of a cozy coastal town, packed with drama, waffles, and love!

I’m giving this book 4 stars. I loved the characters and the plot. I am giving 4 stars because I struggled through the first half. I felt like the story was a bit slow starting out, but picked up towards the end. Walking through Sadie’s journey to find love and happiness is truly enjoyable!

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ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a review
Woman's Fiction is becoming one of my all-time favorite genres and this book is part of the reason. I love cute romances as much as any other avid romance reader but this book has made my foray into woman's fiction worth it; the picturesque scenery and the food, OMG the food, basically any book which has a plot that involves food is always a must-read for me, but it wasn't just the scenic beach location or The Waffle House, this story really captured the essence of a young woman trying to figure out what she wants in life.
I found Sadie to be a very relatable character, her dedication to her family by quitting her job and coming back home to her grandmother in her time of need made me really appreciate my own family because I know I'd do the same fo them and they'd do the same for me. Sadie was also flawed which I liked in this novel, she realized that she couldn't do everything herself and did need help something I admired about her since the trope of the main character being so independent and being able to do everything themself is overplayed, this was a refreshing quality in Sadie. I actually found Declan to be more likable than Luke, which was surprising, I usually find the ex to be more annoying but Tennant wrote Declan to be extremely likable in times that I found myself championing him more than Luke. Not to say I didn't like Luke but for me, Declan stood out more due to the fact that even though they were no longer together he still went out of his way to commit to helping her, even though he no longer had any loyalty towards Sadie, he still chose to help.
I found this book to be charming, cute, and a great read for a day at the beach or with a stack of waffles.

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Sadie, Sadie, conflicted lady! Romance with some sad realities encroaching on the joy🌅

🌊Of the Tilly Tennant books I've read, this one was not among my favorites but was a fine tale of budding romance and family drama by the sea. Lead protagonist Sadie is cloaked in nostalgia for her youth and is not too successful at dealing with the realities of the present which include questionable career choices and an impetuous plan to assist her grieving and ailing grandmother. Sadie's flaws made her real but a bit too flighty in my eyes. Seems being the youngest of three children has spoiled her somewhat. She's ready to scarper off on a date in the midst of a family crisis, ignore signs of serious problems hoping they will go away, and is an expert at bickering with her brother and making too friendly with an old flame who's got a new girl. I guess my inability to adore young Sadie heavily influenced my impression of the story.😕

The book starts out at a slower pace but picks up towards the end. The romance is sweet and promising (the whole story takes place in a matter of weeks) and the author included some suspenseful drama for Gammy, Sadie's waffle-making grandmother, and some tense moments in the water for Sadie & co.

Thanks to publishers Bookouture and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

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This is the first Tilly Tennant book I have ever read and what an absolute delight it is. Full of warmth, loveable characters and a seaside setting (just what is needed at the moment). Looking forward to reading more of Tilly's books.

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Beckoning, blue skies. Warm, sun-kissed sand. Sea Salt Bay. Sadie’s home village by the sea. Sadie loves her little paradise but has always yearned to get away from it—leaving it behind for training to be a teacher. To Sadie’s chagrin, she finds she is not all that suited to the realities of being a teacher.

Returning to idyllic Sea Salt Bay and her grandparents on the weekends is her safe haven.

Ever since Sadie could remember, her grandparents ran the Waffle House on the Pier. Beachy-coloured, buzzing with both locals and tourists who cannot escape the delectable, inviting aroma of fresh-baked waffles, the Waffle House is the area’s temptress to all foodies. When Sadie’s grandmother is suddenly left alone to run the Waffle House, Sadie is torn between carrying on the beloved Waffle House tradition, or, agreeing to sell it.

As Sadie ponders her immediate future plans, we are introduced to her ex-love Declan. Having big-time regrets over their breakup Sadie wonders if he ever thinks of what they could have had. Bumping into Declan time and time again, just adds to her nostalgia and remorse. But Declan’s heart belongs to someone else, now. Or, does it?

When Sadie decides to stay on to help her grandmother run the Waffle House, things take a decidedly topsy-turvy twist when she meets Luke quite by accident. Did I say accident? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

Sadie is a warm and likable character with genuine flaws and insecurities, surrounded by a gaggle of great friends and a well-meaning family. Sadie’s character shows credible individual growth. The storyline is realistic and relatable. And the depiction of the gorgeous locale, cheerful colours, and scrumptious aromas…you’re there!

I thoroughly enjoyed The Waffle House on the Pier. It is a charming, delightful, feel-good summertime read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for Tilly Tennant’s read of, The Waffle House on the Pier.

Opinions expressed in my reviews are my own.

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This was a great summer read! The beginning was a little slow, but I still enjoyed it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital copy of this book!

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The Waffle House on the Pier is a sweet story about family and love. Sadie was in the midst of finishing her teacher training, unhappy and unsure if she saw herself in education when her grandfather passed away. Her grandmother needed help running their Waffle House, and Sadie dropped everything to help her even though her family advised against it. Sadie learned very quickly that her grandmother wasn't doing well, and she was in over her head trying to keep the restaurant afloat on her own. In walks, sexy Luke into her life and Sadie learns there is more to life than just business.

Summer is the time I read a lot of "beach" books. This story was just what I needed. I will be adding more of Tilly Tennat's books to my to-read list.

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The perfect cozy summer read! This one gets 4 stars from me. It’s the cutest story that involves some light fam drama with an adorable romance, too! If you aren’t craving waffles after this one, you’re a stronger human than I am. I loved the seaside town setting and this cover is absolutely perfect. Definitely recommend this for your beach trip this summer!

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I love Tilly Tennant's books and this was no exception.
A tale of love and families set by the sea. What's not to like?
I found I could easily put myself in Sadie's shoes and was considering what it would be like to run an waffle bar in a seaside town. Probably much more hard work than what is in my idealised vision!

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The story of Sadie and the love of her family in The Waffle House on the Pier was sweet just like the waffles Sadie’s Gammy made. I really enjoyed reading this story as there was depth and the complications of the heart woven within the thread of the story that were realistic and relatable.

As Sadie came to the realization that teaching wasn’t for her and that she gave up a lot; including a loving boyfriend, Declan, for a career that she sadly realized was not going to work out, I felt bad for her.

However, Sadie is complex. She was thoughtful in that she wanted to keep the waffle house going for her Gammy who clearly did not want it to be closed after the death of her grandfather who ran the business with Gammy. On the other hand, she was selfish when it was very apparent that her Gammy was losing her memory and train of thought that could have posed as a danger to herself and others. It was quite frustrating to read about Sadie’s stubbornness and sticking her head in the sand when she did not want to see what was right in front of her. It had to take Gammy locking Sadie in the waffle house and leaving with the key for Sadie to finally realize that running the waffle house with Gammy was also another thing that was not going to work out her. Sadie was also a victim of not knowing what she had until it was too late.

If you got some time, this is a great beach read. The story took some time to develop and introduce Sadie’s love interest, Luke nearly 50 per cent through the story, but after that it seemed to pick up and become a lot more interesting.

I loved how Luke also had some deepness to him and even though he and Sadie’s relationship was put into high-drive and quickly got serious, it was written in a way that did not detract from the story.

Overall, this was a cozy beach read that was about true-life issues, finding oneself and being open to new opportunities and love.

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This isn’t my typical genre. It’s also my first book by this author. It was an enjoyable book just moved a little to slow for me.

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Book: The Waffle House on the Pier
Author: Tilly Tennant
Summary: ‘The Waffle House on the Pier’ is about a Sadie, a young woman who lives in Sea Salt Bay with her family and her uncertainties in life. Can she save the Waffle House and be with the love of her life?

Sadie is a conflicting character. She is selfless, loving, and hardworking but she does not have clarity in life. She does find answers by the end. The author included a ton of detail about the background characters and that added to the book. They were all extremely relatable. Every sentence had a purpose. The author appealed to the five senses of the reader. Impressive setting.

The reader does not get introduced to the romance subplot between Sadie and Luke until half of the story. The pacing was slow, especially in the beginning. Although the book picked up pace in the second half of the book, the details about Sadie’s family members and their stories were much more intriguing than her decisions regarding her love interests, Luke and Declan. Sadie’s character felt lacking in individuality. Sadie’s brother and sister-in-law, her parents, and grandparents stole the attention.

This book is recommended to readers who are in the mood for a slow comfy romance. The beauty of ‘The Waffle House on the Pier’ lies in its simplicity.

ARC is provided by Bookouture and NetGalley. Thank you.

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Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my review.

This was my first Tilly Tennant book and I enjoyed it!

It was a great beach read with likable characters. It was a little slow in the beginning, but perfect for a summer afternoon!

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The Waffle House on the Pier was the first book I have read by Tilly Tennant. Sadie lives with her parents in Sea Salt Bay, a small town in England where the entire town knows everything and everyone. Her grandparents own a waffle house on the pier and within the first few pages her grandfather has a heart attack and dies. Also in this town is Sadie's ex-boyfriend who has a new love interest. Sadie's Gammy is struggling with the death of Gampy and the family drama is laid out for most of the book. There is a new man that comes into Sadie's life and a new romance begins.


This book is a wonderful summer read! The setting in Sea Salt Bay is so inviting and the fact that Sadie's family all live there...it just is a feel good situation. Except that I wanted more...….more development of the Gammy character and Sadie's relationship, more of what the developing romance was like. In fact, I thought the amount of time spent on the drama with the family overshadowed the romance.

Even though I felt like I wanted more details and development, I still liked the book. The setting and plot were good and kept my attention. Also, who can resist the setting in Sea Salt Bay which has to be the cutest little town with a waffle house on the pier. I rate this book 4 out 5 stars.

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Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review which I am more than happy to give.

Who doesn’t love a Tilly Tennant book and The Waffle House on the Pier does not disappoint.

Set in a cozy little sea-side town we follow the story of Sadie who tries her hardest to save her Grandparent’s Waffle House after her Grandfather passes away and her Grandmother get dementia. Throw in an ex-boyfriend and a new love interest and you have yourself the perfect little cosy, heartwarming read.

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Sadie loves the little village she lives in, Sea Salt Bay, as it is by the sea and her close family all work on or but the water, but Sadie didn’t want to follow in their footsteps, she wanted to make something of herself and went to university to become a teacher.

With her placements in school being harder than she thought it would be, she starts to have second thoughts about her career but doesn’t want to quit, that is until her Grandfather suddenly dies, leaving her Grandmother to either run the Waffle House on the Pier they have run for decades alone or sell it.

Sadie decides to help out at the waffle house but she notices differences in her grandmother and she is worried. She also has to put up with her ex who she still loves wandering around town with his girlfriend, plus, there’s a new man in town who literally bumps into her! But what does Sadie truly want out of life and for her future?

The Waffle House on the Pier is a feel-good story featuring a fabulous cast of characters who all work well together and are perfectly realistic. I love the idea of a waffle house. I’ve only ever seen one at Center Parcs, but the food sounds so delicious and had my mouth watering.

For me, it felt like the plot took a little time to get going, but that isn’t to say it wasn’t enjoyable, just a little slow at first, a long build-up to the main storyline.

There were a lot of family dramas as well as drama with a couple of males to deal with for Sadie and a tough decision or two to be made. I’m not always a fan of love triangles but it worked in this instance.

The book was a quick and easy read that had me smiling throughout. Another fabulous novel from Tilly Tennant.

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