Fabulous!! This was a great story which I could not put down. Would recommend this to everyone who loves this genre.

Another fantastic story with a real sense of community-I wish I could visit Castleby and be a part of this tight knit group of people!

I find it easy to get swept away in the drama and delights of the locals, and couldn’t wait to see how this chapter of the story played out.

In Sea Shaken, we find that Jesse is in a coma after being attacked by her ex for the second time. He is in hiding, and wants to finish what he started, by killing Jesse once and for all. Elsewhere in Castleby, Sophie’s husband Sam, who was missed presumed dead in Afghanistan, returns home but seems to want nothing to do with her or their son. The town is also rocked by a series of unexplained deaths, keeping everyone on edge…

Despite being the third in a series, you could read this as a stand alone, though I do think you would get more enjoyment from it if you read them all. I feel you would be more invested and attached to the characters if you do.

If you love watching the soaps, I think you would love this. There is a true sense of comradery and community in Castleby, with most people looking out for each other.

There is drama, humour, intrigue and suspense jam packed into this easy to read novel. Its cosy but not cloying, soapy without being unbelievable.

A fabulous read, I hope to visit Castleby again soon!

The third book in the Castleby series and my first. Even though I jumped in to the middle of a series this book reads really well as a standalone. The author gives enough information to fill in the reader so I wasn't confused at all.

The cover to this book made me fall in love with it at first sight. I just hoped I would enjoy the story too. I don't know why I worried really, I found I took to the main characters really quickly and the fast paced story just swept me away as it all unfolded.

This is a multi layered and quite complex plot that the author skilfully weaves the threads together of each separate strand. One which hooked me immediately with the suspense and drama that developed as the story came alive in my mind.

As I said I connected with the main characters and cared what actually happened as I got to know then more. This is a sign of a well written book and it is that. I read it over two days as I kept picking it back up to read 'just a bit more', when I should have been doing other things. Thats how much this book engaged me. There is certainly plenty going on to keep the reader entertained and turning those pages!

A book that was definitely an easy read with all the ingredients for a page turning and gripping read. I do recommend Sea Shaken by J.M Simpson and I shall be finding the previous books to read at some point. A new author for me and one I really enjoyed.
Thanks to Lit PR and Netgalley

This was an enjoyable read. It gave me something to look forward to and the end of the day. The author keeps you guessing until the end as to whose nefarious plot this was, it brought out lots of emotions in me.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Sea Shaken' by J.M Simpson.

Read and reviewed for J.M Simpson and Hashtag press.

Publication date 29th September 2022.

This is the first book I have read by this author. It is also the third book in 'The Castleby Series' series but can be read as a standalone.

I was originally drawn to this book by its gorgeous cover and gripping sounding synopsis and title.

This novel consists of a prologue and 33 chapters. The chapters are short in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is based in the fictional Castleby which is based on Pembrokeshire and Tenby, Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. The fact that I live in Wales and only live approximately hour away from both of these places, visiting each many times is even better!!! It was so easy to picture many of the places.

This book is written in third person perspective and there are several protagonists. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.

What did I just read and why have I not read any of this series before?!?! What an absolutely page turning, heart racing read!!

I cannot belive I have never read the previous books in this absolutely amazing series before!! Well I most certainly will be reading more in the future!!! This book is fantastically written and had me hooked from the first page until the last. The descriptions were so vivid and realistic I felt myself hearing the waves, smelling the sea air and sitting on the edge of my seat throughout. The storyline is packed with tension, suspense, crime, romance, fun, laughter, friendship, community and filled with twists and turns. I was absolutely shocked when everything was revealed and was not expecting it at all!!! A HUGE congratulations to Jo, it is getting harder and harder to shock me but you did it well!!! I also enjoyed the fact that everything was explained at the end as I hate loose ends and when something is mentioned or happens in a book and then is forgotten about. Jo has obviously done her research on police procedurals which is yet another bonus as I've read many crime novels where the authors make massive mistakes due to not doing enough research. The storyline is realistic and I absolutely LOVED the stunning atmosphere at Castleby!! The Carnival of the Sea sounds absolutely amazing and Jo completely brought it to life!! There was so much going on in this book that it doesn't give you a minute to get bored, or able you to put the book down!!! Jo manages to weave the story lines of all the characters romantic, criminal, stressful, fun and action packed lives together ensuring the reader can go from what one character is doing to another without any worry of confusion.

This may be the third book in the series but I had no problems reading it as a standalone. Any relationships, friendships and past cases mentioned are explained in just the right amount of detail so new readers of this gripping series understand what's happened previously but not too much that previous readers get bored by repetition. This is an absolutely unputdownable page turner and I cannot wait to read the previous and future books in what is promising to be an addictive series.

I love that there are so many amazing and colourful characters in Castleby and I became completely invested in each and every one of their lives. They became like good friends, with a pinch of enemies, thrown in and I am going to miss the majority of them. I cannot wait to read the previous two books in this absolutely amazing series as well as any more that come out!! The characters were all realistic and it was lovely to watch all the different relationships and friendships between different characters develop and grow. There was the perfect amount of romance sprinkled throughout to ensure some lighthearted moments in between the crime and darker times. Jesse is just starting her new life with the romantic and sweet Doug after being attacked twice by her psychotic ex husband Chris who is still alive and will stop at nothing until he has his revenge on her. Sophie has just found out her missing presumed dead husband Sam was rescued from two years of being tortured in Afghanistan but he isn't the same man who left her and their son Marcus. Sophie has the stunning Foxy as a friend who has been there for her the whole time but does he want more than friendship? Foxy has also been captured as a soldier and has his own nightmares. Foxy is amazing with Marcus and Sophie so will Sam see him as competition? We also have the lovely Dr Kate who has left her husband Matthew who blamed her for losing their son who wasn't "perfect" and was having an affair with her so called best friend. Kate is moving on with the hunky Chief Inspector Steve but will Matthew change his mind about what he wants? There are also drugs, strange goings on at the vicarage, community deaths and so so much more!! These aren't the only characters and storylines going on in Castleby but if you want to know more you need to grab your copy today. I love the strong female role models, the hunky men and the stunning atmosphere, I just love everything about Castleby and am missing it already!!


Congratulations Jo on what promises to be a huge success!!! I cannot wait to get stuck into more of your books and I would like to welcome you to my favourite author list!!! Here is to your next success 🥂 I'm now off to add every one of your books to my wishlists


Overall an absolutely addictive, heart racing and unputdownable crime thriller that will keep you up all night

Genres covered in this book include Suspense Thriller, Romantic Suspense, Drama, Mystery, Suspense, Indie Author, Crime, Thriller and Romance amongst others.


I would recommend this book to the above as well as absolutely everyone looking for an absolutely addictive and unputdownable page turner.


445 pages


This book is just £2.49 to purchase on kindle free on kindle unlimited and £9.99 in paperback via Amazon at time of review which I think is an absolute bargain.


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I have not read the other books in this series, even though I read this as a standalone, I still worked out the storyline and wasnt too confused. This is the third book in J.M. Simpon’s Castleby series.

I really loved the characters in this story and even though it is a crime thriller there are elements of romance intermixed into it, which I personally loved.

The Author does a great job of dealing with explaining about PTSD and the emotions of members of the armed forces when they return back home. This was dealt with realistically but also considerate.

I definitely want to read the other 2 books now as I think it would explain alot more, but it didnt stop me enjoying this book. I am intrigued to read more about these characters so I will be buying the other two.

The third book in the Castleby series and my first. Even though I jumped in to the middle of a series this book reads really well as a standalone. The author gives enough information to fill in the reader so I wasn't confused at all.

The cover to this book made me fall in love with it at first sight. I just hoped I would enjoy the story too. I don't know why I worried really, I found I took to the main characters really quickly and the fast paced story just swept me away as it all unfolded.

This is a multi layered and quite complex plot that the author skilfully weaves the threads together of each separate strand. One which hooked me immediately with the suspense and drama that developed as the story came alive in my mind.

As I said I connected with the main characters and cared what actually happened as I got to know then more. This is a sign of a well written book and it is that. I read it over two days as I kept picking it back up to read 'just a bit more', when I should have been doing other things. Thats how much this book engaged me. There is certainly plenty going on to keep the reader entertained and turning those pages!

A book that was definitely an easy read with all the ingredients for a page turning and gripping read. I do recommend Sea Shaken by J.M Simpson and I shall be finding the previous books to read at some point. A new author for me and one I really enjoyed.

Thanks to Literally PR, and NetGalley

Readers will know that I do love my romantic suspense stories and mystery reads and the coziness of small towns. However, sometimes these books can become messy with too many plots and storylines happening and I get confused with who's who. It probably would have been easier for me, if I had read the previous two books but I was going into this one blind. The beginning was very intriguing and captivated me as a reader as I had NCIS/ FBI flashbacks of soldiers being caught and tortured. The book then jumps to Kate who is a Doctor and has split up with her partner for the past five years. I say good riddance, especially since we learn he is also a cheating beep. Kate heads to the small town of Castleby as her best friend Sophie's dad is getting dementia and he needs a new doctor on staff. Kate heads to the small town and her first run-in is with the sheriff. Sparks fly between these two and you can assume what happens next. The sheriff has a lot on his plate as someone he has been tracking has turned up dead - well part of him has anyway. Sophie's husband Sam is back after he was rescued from his torture chamber, he isn't the same guy now physically and mentally. Can Sophie nurse him back to health or will he turn his back on the family who loves him? Now his best friend is back, is Foxy aka Rob ready to leave Sophie and Mason's side and return to his own life or has he developed feelings for Sophie and Mason? Jesse has awoken from her coma after nearly dying from her ex-husband, but she has amnesia. Can she remember Doug and Brodie and the relationship she was about to begin? Jesse's ex is still out there, just biding his time till he heals - will he make it back to Castleby and finished what he began once and for all? Find out in this action-packed romantic suspense "Sea Shaken" by J.M Simpson.

4.5 rating

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. It is the third book in the Castleby Series. I knew going into reading this book there were previous books I hadn’t read. I could tell from the start that there was history from the others that flowed into this one. However, the author gave enough information in this to give a round-up of what happened previously and not take away what was happening in this book. I read this in a handful of sittings. I easily read this as a standalone and immediately took to the main characters. Early on I did click on to whodunnit and had this person in my head throughout but I did like the twist at the end of that person not being the whole story. There were two or three different case stories within the book that easily connected with the right amount of each to balance out this well-written book. I’m glad I have been introduced to this author. I would very much pick up another book in the future.

If you have been a follower of mine for a while, you will know that I reviewed the previous two books in the Castleby series; Sea State and Sea Change. As soon as I heard there was a third installment, I jumped at the chance to read because I am so invested in these characters.

If you haven't read the other two books, a lot is caught up but I would definitely advise reading them first. In Sea Shaken, we are back at Castleby where we left off last time. Jesse is hospitalised and in a coma following an attack by her ex-boyfriend, Sophie's husband Sam has been found after being kidnapped and tortured whilst serving but is in a bad way and, like the other two books, we have the introduction of a new character, GP Kate Cooper. As well as the previous mafia storyline involving Jimmy, we also have some further goings-on that need solved. Elderly residents at a care home seem to be dying suddenly and it doesn't seem to just be due to old age...

I think this is probably my favourite of the three books in the Castleby series. I love how the fleshed out storylines continued on, I felt more of a connection to the characters and the chase was fantastic. The ending too - wow!

Sea Shaken by J M Simpson.
book three in the Castleby series.
All is not well in Castleby.
Her life hangs in the balance… He needs to be sure she’s dead… Jesse Stevens lies in a coma after being pulled off a cliff by a psychopath who escaped from prison to find her. He is in hiding, also hurt from the fall, but fuelled with rage. He needs to make sure she’s dead. If she isn’t, he’ll finish the job once and for all. Military Intelligence Officer, Sam Jones, missing presumed dead, returns from Afghanistan after two years of brutal torture in captivity. Struggling to cope, Sam has no desire to carry on living, or return to family life, with his wife, Sophie, and son, Marcus. Sophie is desperate to help Sam recover and leans heavily on her friend and ex-forces soldier Foxy for support. Castleby is plagued by a series of unexplained deaths among the elderly and that of a local fisherman. Inspector Steve Miller works closely with the new local GP, Kate Cooper, to try and find an explanation and they eventually uncover the sinister truth.
Omg. I love this series. Great story and characters. I'm now waiting patiently for next installment. 5*.

Sea Shaken is book three in the Castleby series. I have been looking forward to the continuation of this series. I love the characters. They are strong and interesting. We get to renew acquaintance with many of the original characters and as new ones are added they are a good fit for the story.

The story begins with Jesse in the hospital after an attack from Chris, her ex-husband and escaped from prison has committed against her. As all of her friends are pulling for her to recover some others are also having issues of their own.

Jesse finally awakens but does not remember the events up to her trauma. Steve is looking for more to his life than keeping Castleby safe. Foxy and Sophie are getting closer but appear to be clueless about how they feel for each other. Steve meets Kate and is instantly taken with her. The elderly are dying but there seems to be more to their deaths than meets the eye. Steve and Kate will work together to get to the bottom of this while getting much closer. Jimmy thinks he can save himself once and for all.

This is a busy storyline jumping from one to the next. I really liked how the stories were fast paced and sometimes overlapped into others. There were heart pulling stories but there was also a lot of love. The interweaving of the various stories was artfully done. I hope there a many more book to come, I am not ready to see this series end.

Sea Shaken by J.M. Simpson

Published: September 29, 2022
J.M. Simpson
Pages: 454
Genre: Suspense/ Thriller
KKECReads Rating: 5/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

J.M. Simpson, or Jo, was originally born in Essex; Jo was predominantly raised in the West Country, enjoying childhood in Devon and Cornwall, never far from a rugged coastline, sandy beach, or harbour.
Jo currently lives in Kent, with her two (occasionally stroppy) teenage daughters, her incredibly long-suffering husband, and her two writing partners, Max (who features as Brock in the series) and Merlin, both rescue Border Collie’s.

“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.”

Jesse is trying to recover from the attack Chris launched at her while trying to remember what happened. Steve is looking for more to his life than keeping Castleby safe. Foxy realizes he is in love. Sophie gets the surprise of her life and a devastating blow. Jimmy thinks he can save himself once and for all. Maggie is trying to keep those she loves fed and safe. And someone is potentially murdering the elderly in care homes. Life in Castleby is anything but dull.

So many things happened in this book! I enjoyed how this storyline started chaotically, and then as things progressed, it started falling into place.

I also enjoyed that so many storylines were happening at once. I love these characters so much, and it is so great watching them come together.

This book was heavy in a lot of ways. Something I love about J.M. Simpson is how she isn’t afraid to take a plot point to the emotional brink. There were some moments in this book that left my jaw on the floor.

I am ready for the next installation in this series! So many doors have closed, but so many are still open. I cannot wait to get my questions answered.

I love how this story flows, much like the sea, calm but deadly. Beautifully written and filled with love! I look forward to seeing what happens next in our favorite town by the sea.

Jesse is in a wild predicament and the situation sets the scene for a book which is full of thrills and tension. To be honest, I don’t think the hint of romance added much and would have preferred to focus on this as a straight thriller, but others may enjoy that.