This book is the fourth in a quartet of longish novellas that make up the Siren's Retreat series, a series by two romance powerhouses, Erica Ridley and Grace Burrows. I only read the two by Ridley. While I adored book two, this one was only okay.

This final book of the series belongs to Deborah Cartwright, the woman who runs the titular Siren's Retreat resort in Brighton. She's run the hotel for ten years, first with her husband, who was the love of her life, and then alone after her husband died. She feels that she's already had her chance at her one true love, and she's content to make the resort a place where others can come to find the same.

Patrick has other plans for the resort. He works for a very wealthy earl, who has tasked Patrick with buying it and turning it into a gaming hell. He comes to Brighton to make the deal, never expecting to fall in love. And that's where we find the main conflict: two people enamored with each other but who are on opposite sides. Deborah is angry when she discovers the truth, and Patrick is full of remorse.

The Enemies to Lovers and Betrayal tropes are nothing new, and I've never found either one particularly compelling. Here, the characters are sweet, but what should make them fascinating is relegated to side notes (Deborah's tremendous singing talent, for example). Also, the story flows someone unevenly. At first, Deborah is very clear that she is not seeking love and feels like she had her one opportunity. Obviously things were going to change, but there's never that moment where she decides to relax and let love back into her life. I also found the resolution somewhat unsatisfying. I won't say much because I don't want to introduce spoilers into this review. Basically, I just got the feeling that the author wasn't entirely sure how she wanted to go about resolving the issue. Several possibilities were introduced, but like Debra's singing talent, mentions of them just petered out.

Don't get me wrong, the story is good. It just wasn't.. exciting? It didn't feel like the end to a four book series.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!

Ahwww, this is just an historical version of the movie You’ve got Mail.

We have Deborah, the widowed owner of Siren’s Retreat as Meg Ryan. And we have Patrick, the man-of-business for a Lord who wants to buy Deborah’s Inn and turn it into a gaming hell. Like Tom Hanks in the movie.

During the day, Deborah and Patrick are sworn enemies, because there is no way that Deborah will give up her beloved Inn, that she has started with her husband all those years ago. But at night, Deborah and Patrick exchange letters via a newspaper. Therefore, they don’t realize who they are sharing their feelings with on paper. As usual for Erica Ridley, a wonderful, cute and funny story.

Five out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

The fourth book in the Siren's Retreat Quartet series another great story in this series. Widow Mrs. Deborah Cartwright who runs the Siren's Retreat and Mr. Patrick Gretham the trusted man-of-business for a powerful lord's story. The story is well written with drama, twists, turns, secrets and romance. The story was well worth reading. I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

.Another enjoyable novella from Erica Ridley. This one wasn't quite as much of a favorite as An Affair by the Sea, but it was still a good read. I hope for more titles in this series!

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

It seems this author cannot do wrong. It’s another great couple in a fantastic setting. I’m absolutely addicted to her characters and the HEAs.

I voluntarily received an eARC of "Love Letters by the Sea" by Erica Ridley via NetGalley in exhange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

An epistolary romance with a slight enemies to lovers romance.

Mrs. Deborah Cartwright is a widow who believes shes already found love. Now she runs an inn that specializes in bringing love matches together. Through a series of letters to an unnamed man she begins to feel something more than friendship, but unfortunately, her pen pal is Mr. Patrick Gretham who is charged with buying her beloved in for his employer and turning it into a gaming hell.

Though the epistolary romance is quite cute in this book I felt the angst of unknown identies and business deals took center stage over their actual romance.

I did really enjoy how much the hero has to make up for and grovel at the end but I would have liked a bit more of a romantic climax around it instead of just primarily business.

This is a low steam (only kisses) short romance that makes up for its lack of steam with some good ol' fashiones angst.

Love Love Love that we get anonymous pen pals with this one! We are back in the small seaside town plus we get characters and setting from Erica’s other book in this series (Books 2) that add in fun! I really enjoyed the storyline and flow of this book! The chemistry is perfect with them both when they meet in person and through their letters!

Really enjoyed this series! I hope Grace and Erica do it again!

5 stars
1 steam

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

This kind of reminded me of the movie "You've Got Mail!" but set in the Regency time frame. Deborah and Patrick are enjoying being pen pals with no names exchanged so when they meet in person they have no idea it is their beloved pen pal. Instead, they rub each other the wrong way.

It also doesn't help that Patrick is trying to buy Siren's Retreat out from under Deborah for his employer. The guy is kind of clueless, because she is a widow so where does he think she is going to live or find employment??

Lots of angst and drama as Deborah finds out what Patrick is doing and cuts off all contact with him. I don't want to give away any spoilers so I will just say that there is a HEA and leave it at that!

The final installment of the series ended on an apt note - lightning striking twice and the lesson that there can be multiple paths to happiness. There was not much heat - I’d rate it as a mild banana pepper. I appreciate that both MCs were more mature - particularly in a period piece in a time where one was a spinster if unwed past 20. It was well written, short, and enjoyable to read. While it is part of a series it can also be read as a stand alone.

I received an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. The opinions are my own.

I loved this so much! Widow Deborah Cartwright is the proprietress of Siren's Retreat, where lovelorn guests find their match. She found her one true love there, Can lightning strike twice in the form of Patrick Gretham? This story loosely follows, "You've Got Mail," and for my money, it was better. The movie's ending never had me gushing happy tears like the book did.

Besides the engrossing main story, there were great additional touches like spotlighting slightly older MCs, Also, Patrick entering John and Allegra's tea shop! Their story was book 2 in the series, "An Affair by the Sea,. I'd love to see more of these characters in future books, but if not, I'm content. What a beautiful cake topper to crown this wedding cake of a series. I plan to revisit it often.

My thanks to the author and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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This was…… fine. Deeply fine. Mostly boring. The epistolary romance angle was sweet, but it was sad how quickly they abandoned that idea once they met each other. Total lack of heat and chemistry. The resolution of the plot was almost nonsensical.

Love Letters by the Sea by Erica Ridley is a little different in its approach. It is 1818 and so very tradition and rule bound. Deborah Cartwright runs an inn in Brighton called Siren's Retreat. She inherited it from her husband. Well, not really. His brother did, but they agreed Deborah should run it to preserve Harland's memory. Things had been going fine, until all of a sudden, he doubles the rent. She has to figure out a way to solve this problem. The business, as it stood, could not afford the increase. At the same time a wealthy earl from London had chosen the site of Siren's Retreat upon which to build a gaming hell. His man of business had researched other properties and this was perfect. What could she do?

Another of the plots was really the love story and it came with plenty of angst and recriminations. The man of business, Patrick Gretham had fallen in love with Deborah. He had been writing her, under an assumed persona, and felt guilt about not being faithful to his pen pal. She was also writing under an assumed identity so neither of them realized who the other one was. It was kind of fun to watch. He made my day when he worked tirelessly to find a way to allows Deborah to keep her inn. It was about falling in love slowly and relishing the journey. When it all came together it was breath taking. It was different and enjoyable. Ridley has written a memorable novel, taking place in a memorable place.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Love Letters by the Sea by the author, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #ericaridley #lovelettersbythesea

This is the final book in The Siren's Retreat Quartet. Another charming and delightful novella with lovely characters and an engaging storyline. This is an enemies to lovers romance and was just such fun to read. Ms. Ridley never disappoints with her unique style of combining wit, humor, and romance and creating a fun and sweet story. Deborah is the widowed proprietress of the Siren's Retreat and despite the legend that goes along with the retreat of finding true love, Deborah has no intention of falling in love. She has been finding comfort in corresponding with a charming gentleman in London. When she finds out he is coming to Brighton she is excited to meet him. But she will surely change her tune when she finds out he is coming on behalf of a Lord who wishes to purchase the retreat and turn it in into a gaming hell. They instantly connect upon first meeting, but Patrick's reason for visiting turns everything sour. They butt heads about what is to become of The Siren's Retreat, but they can't deny the feelings they have for each other. A sweet romance and witty dialogue with engaging characters kept me glued till the end. This was a well-written and enjoyable story that I am happy to have had the opportunity to read. My only complaint is that I wish the series didn't end here. Lovely story!

I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

I was a little reluctant to read this book because this story was not about a powerful aristocrat and I do love me some alphahole of a lord. 😝 But I loved the whole concept of falling in love through letters, and I have to say this book delivered.

This novella was short and to the point, and unfortunately did not have any smut. 😭 But the thing I loved was the side characters, I swear the, "Moo", makes me chuckle every time I think about it.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

Widow Deborah Cartwright runs the Siren's Retreat, which is known for helping those seeking love to find it. Fifteen years ago she left the London opera to join her husband running the Siren's Retreat. After she lost him five years ago, she was content to help others find love, but lately she's been lonely.

Patrick Gretham is a man-of-business for a lord who wishes to acquire Siren's Retreat and change it into a gambling hell. He's worked and toiled hard and finds joy in writing to a fascinating woman penning the name Salt&Sea. With financial security just ahead he's hoping to also find love.

When Patrick meets Deborah he becomes enchanted with her, torn between her and the unknown Salt&Sea. The more time they spend together, he discovers Deborah and Salt&Sea are the same. He sees how important Siren's Retreat is not only to Deborah but to Brighton and works to find a way for her to keep the Inn and possibly win her heart.

Another sweet, love story in the Siren's Retreat quartet. I knew this was a novella but I would have liked more of their story.

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I didn't like this one as well as the others in the series. I liked the concept, but it was too much like You've Got Mail for me. There was even a direct quote from the movie at the end. I didn't mind that the trope was used, but I was hoping for a bit of originality.

Great finish for this series, I have read two of the four books and plan on reading the others soon.
I just love stories that have older, mature couples. They have experienced life and maybe love too. In this story
the Deborah is the proprietress of the famous Sirens Retreat. Sirens Retreat was built by her late husband and they ran it together till his death. Deborah is sure she has had her love of a life time. She is keeps busy running the inn and helping the parson's wife with questions written to the paper about their town. Most can be answered with a quick sentence or two. Till the letters from LostinLondon, a gentleman wanted to know about a place he can't afford to visit.
So, as the letters start to flow between them, they become more personal and longer. They know each other only by their pen names, she is Salt&Sea. It is easy to write someone you know you will never meet. You can talk about a lot of different things, share your thoughts and dreams. Deborah's life is the Inn where she helps couples find their true love.
Patrick has worked hard to become the Earl of Edgewick man of business. He handles all of the Earls investments.
When the Earl tells him he wants him to go to Brighton and buy an Inn for him. Patrick may finally get to meet Salt&Sea after all. Unfortunately, love doesn't always run smoothly.
What will happen when two strangers meet and really start to like each other, when secrets come to light?
Can they get past the hurts between them, have a future or is all lost ?
You need to get the book to find out what happens. It's a page turner. I love the ending it was just what I hoped for..
This is a fast read with lots of romance, a clean read..
I received and ARC from the author, won a copy and bought a copy too !! This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.

I loved the mystery of the pen pal concept. It was exciting to follow along and easy to see myself as Deborah. It was easy to read and hard to put down. Book provided by NetGalley.

This book is the culmination of everything. The fearless leader of romance herself must save her inn from the daring clutches of a handsome devil who wants to ruin it. For me? And likely most avid readers? *swoon* with the romance starting with the written word they send back and forth to each other. #netgalley #LoveLettersbytheSea

This lovely novella reads like a historical adaptation of "You've Got Mail", as Deborah and Patrick are secret penpals who meet when Patrick comes to buy an inn which Deborah started with her late husband. She has been running the inn after her husband died by renting it from her brother-in-law, as it is sentimental to her after so many couples first met there and fell in love. Once she learns Patrick is there to buy it, Deborah isn't sure if she is ready to open her heart again.

Honestly, I loved this one! Erica Ridley is one of my favorite authors and I could have happily read a full-length novel on this couple. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read the ARC and provide my honest review.

I just reviewed Love Letters by the Sea by Erica Ridley. #SirensRetreat #NetGalley