Another delightful book by Jennifer. This has been a refreshing and enjoyable read, although emotional in some parts.

This romance story was akin to a perfect day sailing on mostly calm waters with a pleasant breeze blowing in your face. There was a peaceful feeling to the writing as the story of Cassie and the round the world race unfolds. The pace was steady and a little predictable in some ways, but it was delightful. It was nice to have a main character as a relatable older woman with grown children. She was a gentle character, much like the whole of this book.

“Believe me, my young friend, there is NOTHING – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats” Wind in the Willows

The setting was romantic and atmospheric which added to the appeal of the story. This was about sail boats and very interesting in that respect. The round the world race takes up part of the story and relates to Polly, Cassie's daughter. Polly is a wonderful character, strong, independent and trying to find her place in the world. I found that it was this part of the story that intrigued me more than the main story.
To wrap up this is a delightful, lighthearted romance. The writing flows and the story is sweet, if some what predictable. It would appeal to those more mature romance readers and especially those who are keen sailors.

20 years ago Cassie lost her husband in a sailing accident. Unfortunately for her both of her children have inherited his love for sailing. Her oldest son Tom is preparing to set off on a round the world sailing race but has an unfortunate accident breaking both his legs so it looks to Cassie's relief that the race is off.
Polly who is 19 and also inherited her dad's love if sailing has other ideas and wants to take Tom's place if the sponsors will allow it. Despite being scared something will happen to her Cassie reluctantly agrees
Releasing her family are moving on with their own lives Cassie who is about to reach 50 starts to wonder if she should be finding herself and moving forward

As her fiftieth birthday draws near
Cassie Lewis decides something is clear,
She has brought up her children and now is her time
Not making the most of her future would be a crime!

Tom and Polly are Cassie's children who
Like their Dad, are competitive sailors, too.
Get ready for plans round the world to solo sail,
Whatever happens, they hope not to fail.

A cruel accident, a burglary and a fire,
And two suitors who they can't help but admire.
There are choices to make, and fears to face
Alongside competing in a gruelling race.

This is a heartwarming read about decisions to make
Deciding what route your life should take,
With friendships, family and romance, too,
Being key to everything all the way through.

For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
I throughly enjoyed reading it and this is my honest review.

Despite this being a rerelease, I had never come across this gorgeous book before. Cassie is the central character, and her story is a particularly sad one. Widowed over 20 years previously, she has raised her two children to enjoy their lives to the full. They all live and work at the family boatyard that is run by Cassie’s Dad.
Tom, Cassie’s son is married to Mai, and they are expecting their first child. Both her children have inherited her late husband’s love of yacht racing and the story opens with Tom completing a practice run for the world-famous round-the-world yacht race.
Daughter Polly is equally keen to become a successful yacht racer and she has all the skills required which is serendipitous as she finds herself stepping in when Tom has an accident which rules him out of the race.
I particularly enjoyed learning more about the technical side of yacht racing and was surprised by how invested I became in the process. After his accident, it becomes clear that Tom will need a more accessible home, so Cassie lets Tom and Mai have the family home, swapping with them to take up residence at Riverview Cottage. After 20 years of living her life through her kids, Cassie now feels that she’s ready to put herself first. Suitors are readily available, and she finds herself being courted by two men. One an old friend and the other an ultra-wealthy businessman. Following these courtships, we learn more about Cassie’s train of thought and her hopes and fears.
This book offers everything that I needed to keep my attention glued and I finished the story in a single sitting. The romance is perfectly framed, and I was thrilled when Cassie chose the suitor that I preferred. I’m sure that Jennifer Bohnet planned that I would favour one over the other, but the storyline felt completely natural. This isn’t a story about a widow needing to find a new partner, it’s about a woman, who has been grieving, coming back to a life that has been waiting for her. Cassie is strong and more than capable of enjoying her life alone, but she discovers love on her own terms.
I enjoyed escaping onto the high seas and discovering that life can begin again at 50.

I’m hesitant to write this review as I’ve only ever read a couple of books I didn’t particularly enjoy, and unfortunately this is one of them. Perhaps the storyline just wasn’t for me or just the style of writing isn’t how my imagination is captivated, who knows, but I just found the whole thing dull, which seems to be a different to many of the other reviews, so I’m guessing it’s a case of ‘it’s not you, it’s me’.
As someone approaching the same age as the main character, Cassie, I was pleased to see a story featuring a more mature main character so was hopeful for this book as most seem to feature characters half my age. But I just found that my age perhaps acted against me as I found myself questioning the decisions of the younger characters as their storylines played out alongside Cassie’s.
I do have to admit that by about 1/3 - 1/2 of the way through I got so bored of the slow feeling of the story, so I started to skim through the book, so chances are this has affected my connection with the characters, as I did feel anything for them, other than confusion over the author’s keenness to settle her characters down extremely early in life - one with an engagement/proposal from a naval officer at 19 (and then altering her life goals & dreams when they come to fruition, for a brand new relationship!) and the other married with a baby in early 20s. I realise it frequently happens, but neither seemed to sit well with the adventuring, globe-circumnavigating characters they are also meant to be.
This book just was not for me. Unfortunately I found it rather boring and unbelievable and populated with characters I just didn’t gel with. I had made the assumption that the author’s style of writing just isn’t for me, and that affected my ability to enjoy the story & why I found it disappointing, as many others have enjoyed it. However, looking back through previous reads I have read another book by the same author & absolutely loved it, stating it was a breath of fresh air, so I’m not quite sure why this one just missed the mark for me. I notice in the author notes that this is a re-write of her first ever book, so perhaps her later style is more my cup of tea & I’ll try again with her next book.
Not for me, but worth a read as many others enjoyed it.

As a person who has spent many happy hours on the ocean sailing with my father, so much of what was written in this book resonated with me. I am also a woman of a "certain age" with grown children. Trying to balance my own needs with the demands of their lives, can be challenging.

Cassie has been a widow for over 20 years. She loved her husband, Miles, fiercely and when he was taken away from her so soon, she got stuck in and raised her children. Now, with the big 5-0 looming large, Cassie needs to decide what is important to HER. She suddenly has not just one but TWO men who are interested in her.

She also has two grown children who are wanting to do risky things she really doesn't want them doing. Polly and Tom are great kids though.

A really nice read. Nothing too deep but a good way to while away a few hours.

4 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books.

It makes such a change to read a book based around a main character of over 50 years old and show that the world doesnt always find you invisible after this age.
A story of a family whose lives are intertwined with the water and sailing on the Devon coast and the trials and problems along the way. An easy reading, neat and tidy book.

This was a lovely read and set in Devon on the waterside and more. Great characters and great storyline.. Well recommended 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

Very enjoyable story about single mother Cassie and her grown up children, their trials and tribulations and their life as part of the waterside community. Well paced, with interesting characters. Thank you to Jennifer Bohnet, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

Lovely feel good book to read. It was a joy to read. Lovely characters. Great plot. The book was charming. Very well written. I’d definitely recommend this book

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Another fabulous book by Jennifer Bohnet.

I loved this cosy read, the plot, and setting was fabulous, it flowed beautifully.

The story was about how to get over misfortune, loss, love and achieving your dreams, by having family and friends and the right person with you.

I found this book unable to put down.

I would love to know what happens next in the characters Cassie, James, polly and Dexters lives.

I recommend this book.

I always enjoy books by this author. Making Waves at River View Cottage was no exception. Great to have a female protagonist aged 50. Loved Cassie's family and business. Polly was great too. I would have liked to hear a bit more from Dexter, but all in all, a great read. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to @bookandtonic, @netgalley and @rachelsrandomresources for my advanced copy and my place on the tour!
This story follows Cassie, a widow of 20 years and soon turning 50. Her children, Tom and Polly are now grown up and although still a big part of her life, they no longer need her as much as they used to. Will Cassie find the happiness and freedom she now needs?
I love reading about stories focused on boats/sailing/cruises etc. so I enjoyed that this was based around sailing races and boat yards. The characters are all wholesome and genuine and I felt as if I was part of the family as I was reading. The family dynamic was beautiful and uplifting, each willing to step in and help out with whatever was needed or find solutions if they couldn’t. Although I liked Cassie, my favourite character overall was Polly!
An easy, inspiring and heartfelt read!

A truly enjoyable story of finding yourself at 50. After being a widow for the past twenty years and pouring all of her time and energy into her children and their happiness, Cassie is left wondering what to do with herself as they reach a point in their lives where they don't need her as much anymore. It's hard to let go, as much because it's all you know anymore, as it is because you have no idea who you are anymore.

I so resonated with this story after being a single parent for 24 years now myself. That transition is hard. But it's necessary, for everyone's future happiness.

I loved seeing how Cassie and both her grown children, Tom and Polly, worked their way through it together, learning how to identify their wants and needs, and set boundaries where needed.

Overall, a very inspiring tale. Thank you to Jennifer Bohnet, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

Go Polly! Ha, what a girl at only nineteen. Let me admit there were a few parts of the story I had tears in my eyes. Apart from that, first class escapism indeed.

Also very cleverly written – changing scene when things got heated. I was glued to the electric page :)

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

You can’t read one of this author’s books without smiling. The characters are always likeable and the stories sweet. This book centres around Cassie, a widow with two grown children, Tom and Polly. Although Cassie lost her husband to a sailing incident, she has encouraged and stood behind her children who both love sailing and the sea. This was a heartwarming story about a woman realizing that having your own life is okay and that life does go on. Also as stated, this book left me smiling.

Really enjoyed this book I'm fact it brought a tear to my eye in parts
Female endurance, compromises, family life and love all put together in a great story. Great beach read. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

Widowed for twenty years and having spent that time looking after her family, Cassie decides the time has come for her to look to her own future. This is an enjoyable story that revolves around the family boat yard business and competitive sailing. I was cheering Polly on when she took her brother,Tom’s, place in the yacht race as well as being sorry for Tom when an accident prevented him from competing. It’s a book that celebrates close family ties as well as coming to terms with grief after Cassie’s husband died young in a boating accident. All in all Jennifer Bohnet weaves a good tale.

Another wonderful book written by Jennifer bohnet. It is a story about finding out who you are again when your roll of a mother has changed and all your children have flown the nest. It is also a story about finding love again when you possibly have thought that it is behind you. An enjoyable book with good characters. I liked it.