An Affair by the Sea, is a cute, lively historical romance novel. Allegra sure does know how to make up a believable story. What happens when her fictional suitor is standing before her is really comical. Then fact that John goes along with it not knowing what's going on is even better. For John, her made up story is just what is needed to turn his life around. Reading this book made me smile throughout.

This was a fun little romp to the seashore. I love that the leads are both “older” and that neither are titled. They’re normal people who’ve lead difficult lives and become stronger for having done so.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This novella was, from the very beginning, absolutely ridiculous. Nothing that happened was really even remotely possible -- and yet I found myself just enjoying the ride. It's a testament to Erica Ridley's writing skills that she can turn a farcical premise like this into something sweet where I was invested in the characters and their romance and holding out hope for a happy-ever-after.

We have John, a former solicitor who dreams of opening his own tea shop and whose previous attempt at being a chef went up in flames. Literally. His catchphrase could be a combination of 'a place for everything and everything in its place' and 'be prepared. No, more prepared than that.'

We have Allegra, the poor ward of her uncle who works as an unpaid servant in his household taking care of her two cousins. She dreams of the day she turns 30 and can claim the money left to her should she remain a spinster. Her catchphrase could be ''But it *could* be true.'

Allegra has spent years spinning ever more ridiculous tales of her long-lost fiance Captain Hamish L'Amour. Her cousins are delighted (and Allegra horrified) when they run into the Captain on the street. John takes it all in stride, after accidentally confirming that indeed, it is he. He and Allegra then turn the case of mistaken identity into an elaborate fake courtship, while falling in love for real and challenging one another to step out of their comfort zones and seize their dreams.

It was feel-good and sweet and terribly funny. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who needs a good laugh and a dose of happily-ever-after.

*Thanks to NetGalley, Erica Ridley, and WebMotion for providing an e-arc for review.

An Affair by the Sea/Goodreads
Post: March 10, 2022

I’ve read other novels by Erica Ridley and really enjoyed them. “An Affair by the Sea” was a quick novella read about Allegra and John was just a delightful and whimsical historical rom-com. There were times that I found myself smiling from the beginning to the end. I loved that they had their own self interest despite the charade that they were portraying in the story. The flirty moments were just loveable and I wished that she would have been more forthcoming vocal to her dislikeable uncle versus the two cousins seeming to have more backbone against him. A charming and utterly enjoyable read in this series. With that exception, all characters were truly likeable individuals and I am looking forward to finishing this series.

Thank you NetGalley and WebMotion for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

I've read a few books by Erica Ridley before and so it was natural to request for this upcoming book of hers from NetGalley. The story follows Allegra Brown and her younger cousins on an unexpected journey towards love and a fulfilling life. Having lived with her cousins and uncle since she was quite young, Allegra was used to being the one in the shadows, taking care of her cousins but not being noticed. This is until they almost run over Mr. John Sharp, handsome mad with a striking personality who seems to fit the mold of the made up Captain L'Amour.

It was indeed love at first sight for both our protagonists but I enjoyed how the story built up to it and how they find their space with each other. The characters are fun to read about and the setting is picturesque and beautiful to imagine. This is a quick read and is quite entertaining with romance, music, tasty food and a whole lot of fun. The bond that Allegra shares with her cousins is heart-warming and I did enjoy the way they worked to push Allegra and John together.

Overall this is a pleasant read that I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a good romantic read!

I really enjoyed Allegra and John's story. I just loved that they were the biggest champion for one another right from the start. Everyone needs someone like them in their life!!

An Affair by the Sea, by Erica Ridley. How is possible for one to have fun reading a book? I believe that It has to do with the writer. This beautiful romantic love story was exceptionally charming. All the characters, except for maybe one or two were joyous and happy.
They looked for the good in people as well as for the ones that they loved, to be happy. The two that pushed this movement the most are Dorsca and Portia, Allegra’s cousins. They were so supportive of Allegra. They wanted her to live her life to be happy and in love with her betrothed. When Not-Captain L’Amour fell into the scene it was fireworks and flowers petals falling all around Allegra.
I enjoyed how the fake romance kicked off between the two. Erica brought fun entertainment and exciting fun to this love story. The story was light and witty, these elements made the story easy to read. Keeping the background story simple also added to the story being a page turner. Until next time my fellow readers… read on.

What happens when a wallflower's extremely make-believe fake suitor appears in the flesh just in time to ruin all her spinsterly plans?
Orphaned pianist Allegra Brown is a poor relation with nothing much to recommend her, save a minuscule dowry and a very big imagination. She has spent the past several years as governess to her younger cousins, who are now ready for their come out—and want Allegra to marry, too. Specifically, they eagerly await the return of Allegra’s dashing, handsome, swashbuckling, conveniently absent and secretly fictional fiancé, the dread pirate Captain L’Amour.
The only place Mr. John Sharp strikes fear is in the courtroom, where his neat, ordered mind is renowned for winning every case he presents. John loves predictability and longs to be a chef. Unfortunately, every time he puts on an apron, the entire kitchen catches fire. Much like passion burning between him and a certain wildly unpredictable spinster, who seems to have confused him for a dashing, exciting pirate. By fulfilling her fantasies, can his dreams come true…together?
John and Allegra are meant to be together.
If only her life was not rushed to the point of being destitute. She stands to get considerably more money than she thinks upon reaching her thirtieth birthday.
John doesn't want to be an attorney any more. He wants to be a chef.
Together they stand to overcome all odds.
Erica Ridley has written another good book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily

A fun tale of mistaken identity and dreams coming true

This tale reminded me of the Comedia dell’Arte, a bit like the Bard’s romantic comedies.
From the situations, to the unexpected twists and turns and the outrageousness of some characters, it was a fun read.
Captain L’Amour is everything a man could never be, an impossible character why John while sharing some of his physical traits, is as far removed from the heroic pirate than the moon and the earth. Still he jumps into the fray and put on the suit. And for it, he is rewarded by the most fun he had his whole life.
For a man with fear of the unknown, this is quite a earthquake in his well-ordered life. Maybe the shake he needed to accept not everything could be controlled or prevented.
Allegra is only living on anticipation, longing for the moment she will be free of any duty, left alone to order her life the way she only would want it. So when her fictional betrothed appears living and breathing in front of her, what is she to do. Can she continue her tale of the estranged betrothed and will been soon self sufficient be enough to warm her for years to come.

This is a read to enjoy with for the excesses of the protagonists, the big twists of last minutes and the silly banters between the heroine’s charges.
4 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scene

I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Such a fun romp in Brighton at the Sirens Retreat. John Sharp is licking his wounds, embarrassed by a fiasco that happened in London. A solicitor dreaming of being a Chef, owning his own tea shop.
Allegra is living the Cinderella life, taking care of her two motherless cousins. Her uncle takes advantage of a free servant in exchange for taking in Allegra who was orphaned at 12 years old. Loving her younger cousins and raising them with love and stories of her imaginary fiancée, Captain L’Amour. They are all at Sirens Retreat where as the legend goes, those who stay there with a open heart will find love.
Or just run over one in your phaeton! The story is a bit unrealistic, but the story is about following your dreams and living life. To learning to adjust to the unexpected that life can throw at you and never give up.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #AnAffairbytheSea

A fun book that makes a fairly quick read. Interesting characters keep things lively, with the bad uncle providing the person one can dislike. I am almost okay with how his story turns out, because his spirited daughters would want him to be happy, too, but I could easily have given him a different ending. Kudos to people who make their dreams reality! I was provided an ARC copy for an honest review.

An orphan living with relatives, Allegra, cannot wait till she inherits her small dowry and can go live on her own. A solicitor, John, quits his job and takes time off to pursue the dream of owning a tea shop to cook in. They meet and decide that with some modifications, maybe they can both have what they want. I received an ARC from NetGalley and WebMotion for my honest review.

Fake fiancee, mistaken identity, fake engagement, poor relation spinster, and opposites attract. How many tropes can you fit into a novella? Allegra has made up a fake pirate fiancee to appease her younger cousins and make excuses for her lack of suitors, but really, she's just waiting for her inheritance to come when she turns 30. On a trip to Siren's Retreat, Allegra literally runs into a man who fits the physical description of her pirate. Except that he's a bit of a bumbling solicitor with dreams of becoming a chef. We have the two agreeing to keep up the charade while they're both at Siren's Retreat, but they end up falling in love for real.

A beautiful, fun and engaging story, Allegra and John are wonderful characters and kept me turning the pages. This make-believe romance turns into a full blown true love.

Nothing elicits weirder stares from strangers than when you start laughing out loud while sitting by yourself in the corner of the coffee shop. This unique regency romance was a light, fun, laugh-invoking quick read.

Our hero, John, who thrives on order and plans absolutely every aspect of his life, decides to quit his London law practice and open a tea room in Brighton. Our heroine, Allegra, is the exact opposite of John in most ways. Allegra is the poor relation, unpaid governess, and companion to her uncle's family and is looking forward to inheriting a small fortune on her thirtieth birthday.

John's life begins to change when he is nearly run over by a phaeton driven by our heroine and mistaken by her cousins as her long-lost (made-up) lover, Captain L'Amour. In a moment of confusion, John ends up pretending to be the dashing Captain L'Amour, and enters into a fake courtship with Allegra. This fake courtship quickly steams up and leaves both partners questioning what the other actually feels.

Lovely novella! What I liked best was the way both love interests saw themselves vs how the other saw them, it was a subtle point but I thought extremely well executed. What I liked least was that the evil uncle never gets told off or gets what is coming to him. He was a mean guy and someone needed to tell him how abusive and terrible he was.

I absolutely loved this novella by Erica Ridley! Truly could not put it down once I started. This is a very happy, sweet, whimsical romance that really pulls you in. I loved that our characters are not nobility, that they each had quite strong personalities and they both managed to have personal growth even in the span of a short time and a short novel. Truly this was delightful and cannot wait to read the others in the quartet! This was easily read as a stand-alone.