At first I was a bit sceptical in reading this novel. I couldn't get into the story, but then after the first couple of chapters I couldn't put the book down. Glad I read it.

Unfortunately, I was slow in downloading this story and it was archived before I had the chance. I'm sure it is a wonderful read.

Oh dear...this one did NOT work for me. It's never a good sign when a book that's a little over 200 pages takes me FOUR nights to read.

Nate and Sydney were college sweethearts with big plans to spend the rest of their lives together. But just after graduation Nate breaks things off and leaves their small beach town, never looking back.

Now many years later (we don’t know exactly how many because we’re never told - but Sydney has gotten married and divorced, and has an eight year old son), Sydney has lived back at Firefly Beach for a year and Nate has returned for a wedding they are both attending.

This book frustrated me to no end. And the heroine frustrated me the most. Poor Nate kept telling Sydney he wants to talk and she constantly shut him down. But Nate was kind of a weeny, too. Good grief, man up and spit out your words! You’ve had plenty of opportunities, just start talking.

I’m not EVEN going to go into the stupid reason why Nate left Sydney behind (basically it boils down to young men do stupid things) or how it took him well over 10 years to go back for “the love of his life.” Not cool, man, not cool at all.

Then we have the glacially slow pacing throughout the book where almost nothing happens other than Nate shows up to talk and Sydney pushes him away, or someone interrupts. Just when things started picking up because Sydney discovers some information Nate hasn’t told her, he flys off for a job and we get a chapter which waxes eloquent about makeup and hair for a magazine cover. All momentum came to a screeching halt.

Add to that quasi other woman drama (Nate shows up with a date to the wedding but doesn’t do anything to set the record straight for many days - SO NOT hero-like behavior), a faux drama concerning construction in their little town, and the conflict which doesn’t get resolved until about 92% of the book, and I’m surprised I was able to finish this one.

The only thing I liked about this story is that the heroine didn’t forgive the hero right away.

I’m a big fan of the second-chance romance, but this one fell completely flat. Not communicating is the modus operandi of YA stories, not people who are in their 30s. And that’s all this story was...two people who refused to talk and were all “woe is me” about it.

* thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

What a perfect summer read. I truly enjoyed my first book by this author for me. Looking forward to more.

I fell in love with this book right from the start! The story is so brilliantly plotted and brought to life by the author, I certainly went through all the emotions whilst reading it.

A beautiful, heartwarming romance...I adored this book.

This was my first book by Jenny Hale, it will not be my last. A heartwarming, story line with engaging characters. I look forward to reading many more by her.

The House on Firefly Beach is the second Firefly Beach novel, by Jenny Hale. In this story, Sydney Flynn spends her summer at her family home, Starlight Cottage, to celebrate her sister Hallie’s wedding. At the wedding she runs into her first love, Nate Henderson. Everyone tells Sydney that Nate still has feelings for her, but Sydney can’t get over the way he left her ten years ago and moved to Nashville to become a successful songwriter. While Sydney battles her feelings for Nate, she is also left to deal with the potential sale of Starlight Cottage to a wealthy developer, who wants to turn the property into high end retail space.

The story was quick, light, and read like a predictable Hallmark movie - you know how it’s going to end, but that doesn’t stop you from watching. The timing felt off to me - the entire novel takes place while Sydney’s sister is on her honeymoon - which seemed a little rushed. I also wish the characters had more depth to to them. Overall this was just ok.


Thank you NetGalley for the copy of The House on Firefly Beach.

Jenny's books are always such wonderfully warm, feel good stories! It's the literary equivalent of curling up with a snuggly blanket and a cup of tea--heartfelt, comforting, and yet with emotional depth.

Sun, sand and second chances! When you're from a town where everyone knows everyone you're bound to run into someone from the past. Sydney and Nate were college sweethearts until Nate decided to chase a dream and left Sydney. They find their way back into each other's lives at a wedding that leads into secrets being revealed and of course an ending that will make you cheer and smile.

Sydney and Nate were childhood sweethearts and they planned on spending their lives together in Firefly Beach. That is until Nate packs up his truck one day, and leaves. A decade later Sydney and Nate see one another again for the first time at Sydney’s sisters wedding. Nate is no longer the teenage boy she fell in love with. Nate is now a big time song writer. Sydney is trying to protect her heart, and does not want to hear what Nate has to say, or let him into her life again. Yet, they keep running into one another, now that they’re both at Firefly Beach again. Will they have a chance to start over?

This is book two in the Firefly Beach series. I loved book one so much, that I had to start this one right after! This book can be read as a stand alone, but would be better enjoyed after the first book. This book was like coming back to Firefly Beach and characters that warm your heart. I loved that this book showed you glimpses of Sydney and Nate’s life together prior to him leaving. I loved Sydney and Nate’s characters, they were well developed, likable, and relatable. This was such a wonderful second chance romance. I would highly recommend this if you’re looking for a quick summer read!

Thank you Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Like all Jenny’s books such an easy read lovable characters that you really want to get their happy ending. Puts a smile on your face in these strange lockdown times and really makes you want to live in a Starlight cottage and go to firefly beach.

ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

A low-angst, fun, summer read. Definitely recommend if you're looking for something lighthearted.

4 stars

The House on Firefly Beach by Jenny Hale is a well written and entertaining read.
I enjoyed the storyline, it held my interest from start to end and I enjoyed watching the relationship between Sidney and Nate.

Overall, The House on Firefly Beach is a good addition to the Firefly Beach series and I highly recommend it.

*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the ARC*

Sydney loves her family cottage, starlight cottage, surrounded by turquoise water and beaches. She is putting her life back together . Then she sees her best friend from childhood, Nate, and her feelings are overwhelmed. Sydney and Nate spent their teenage years together promising forever to each other. But Nate drove away never looking back and it broke her heart. Sydney doesn't want to let him back in as she now has a son to look out for.
Now Starlight Cottage is being threatened and Nate looks like he may be in the thick of things or can he save it?
I really liked where this took off after the first book, Summer at Firefly Beach.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This is one of those books that will always be in your mind, because it was just so beautiful. Jenny is an amazing writer with wit and such poise, i couldnt put it down. It is part of a series so look up book one fiorst if you can, if not, not to worry. This is a summer romance, boy meets girl with the great community and a second chance romance.
WE have the beach, sun, sand and love.
Loved it.
thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this treat of a read.

Jenny shake has done it again: another heartwarming story brining people and families together. She has grabbed a hold of your heart and mDe you feel like you are living right there inside her novel. Firefly Beach is a place you want to take your own vacation and meet the characters in her book. A visit to the beautiful House of Firefly Beach is just the perfect destination for friendship, adventure and love.

Beautiful book!
Throughout the book Nate and Sydney have you captivated What happened all those years ago for him to leave her just like that. You feel all the emotions Sydney does through the way the author tells the story.
I loved it! Would recommend!

Jenny Hale is a new author to me and after reading The House on Firefly Beach I’m left wondering why she hasn’t crossed my radar before now, well that’s about to change because I really enjoyed this fun second chance romance.
Nate and Sydney had planned their life together but one day Nate packed his truck and left Firefly Beach leaving Sydney behind. Fast forward a few years and last person Sydney expects to see at her sisters wedding is Nate only now he is no longer the boy that left town now he is a superstar song writer with a supermodel on his arm. Fate works in mysterious ways and it seems fate wants to push Nate and Sydney together but will Sydney forget and forgive the past especially as it’s not just her she has to consider.....
This was my first visit to Firefly Beach but it won’t be my last, I loved the residents and their friends and I loved how this author painted such pretty pictures with her words, she made me feel like I knew this town and that it’s residents were actually friends of mine, so I guess all that’s left to say is I highly recommend this gem of a read.

Sydney and Nate had the perfect relationship and had planned out their future together. Until one day, Nate left Firefly Beach without a backwards glance. Sydney rebuilt her shattered heart but later returned to live in the old family home at Firefly Beach. Nate returns for his friend's wedding and is eager to make amends. But has he left it too late and what is his connection to the redevelopment of the land that could result in Sydney's family losing their home...
It is clear to us as readers that Sydney and Nate are perfect to each other and there must be some reasonable explanation for his behaviour in the past and present. However, I don't blame Sydney for keeping him away, wanting to protect herself and her son from further heartbreak.
The House on Firefly Beach is the second in the series by Jenny Hale set at this location with the same background characters. This book works well on its own as it is a continuation of the story but with new lead characters to drive the plot forwards. If you have read the first book then you will get an update on that lead couple's relationship.
Sydney and Nate are both likeable but their past keeps getting in the way of any future together. The trust between them has shattered and both of them are vulnerable to heartache. There is an important theme of appearances being deceptive and the danger of making assumptions about peple and their motives.
This is a feelgood book with a happy ending that ties up things nicely for all characters which leaves the reader with a warm and satisfied feeling.

Thank you so much Netgalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read the ARC of "House on Firefly Beach" by Jenny Hale.
Having read and loved one of the author’s earlier Christmas themed novels through Netgalley, I knew I was in for a treat with this one!

First, there is the gorgeous cover.
I am not ashamed to admit that, I often do judge books by their cover.
This one just gave me the perfect summery feel with those beautiful colors and relaxed setting.

Now for the story. Sydney and Nate have known each other for years spending their summers at the idyllic Firefly Beach along the Florida Coast.
They were teenage sweethearts and after college, Sydney had envisaged them spending a wonderful future together.
When that dream comes to an abrupt halt, Sydney is left feeling devastated and hurt.

In the following years Nate Henderson has changed his name into Nathan Carr and became a massively successful singer and songwriter in California whereas Sydney settled in Nashville where she got married and became a mother to son Robby working as a paralegal.
When her marriage ended, Sydney moved back back to the one place that feels like home to her, the stunning Starlight Cottage in Firefly Beach where she feels comfort and solace with her family.

As Sydney and Nate’s paths cross again at the same place their love blossomed all those summers ago, it soon appears that there is a lot of unfinished business between them.
Although Sydney is adamant not to let Nate back into her life again, she must admit to herself that she still has feelings for him.
Nate on the other hand is becoming more and more aware of the fact that breaking things off with Sydney was the biggest mistake of his life.
Will they find their way back to each other’s heart?

This book was pure escapism for me.
Jenny Hale has the ability to immediately transport you to the most idyllic settings.
Whether it’s a cozy mountain cabin in the Winter or, in this case, a perfectly styled and situated seaside cottage in the Summer, it’s as if I’m there!
As for the characters, they are really brought to life. All of them were caring and supportive of each other which I think was great. I was genuinly rooting for Sydney and Nate and I had a weak spot for uncle Hank!

All in all a 5 star read for me.
Go grab a copy to put in your beach bag!