Don't let the cover fool you. This is a great book full of mystery and historical content. A good read with unique circumstances.

This was another winner in the Beach Hotel series, it uses the World War 1 elements perfectly and felt like it was belonging in this universe. The characters felt like they were supposed to and I enjoyed how they felt like the same characters that I expected from this series. It had a strong plot going on and thought it was a great entry in this series.

I chose this book as I remembered reading a previous book in The Beach Hotel series, and I enjoyed it.

When I first started reading, I had the feeling that I was missing something. I believe this is the third book in the series, and I read the first book some time ago, but don't recall reading the second. I enjoyed the first book, but found I didn't remember much of it, and I had a feeling that this book featured a different protagonist, but I wasn't totally sure. In hindsight, I wish I could have read the first book again, and the second.

I still enjoyed this though. I felt as though I was getting to know the beach hotel all over again, and found myself warming to it. The characters had personalities that stood out to me, and I found it a comforting, nostalgic kind of book to read. I think books like this are a good choice for when you're looking for a book to relax with. I do like the way this author writes, so I would be interested in reading more of her books.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

Can she save her hotel...and her reputation...?

It's 1916 and war has been raging across the channel in Europe for two years. For Helen Bygrove, she has had a war of her own to battle. Six years ago, five years married and idealistic, Helen and her husband Douglas purchased the Beach Hotel with Helen's inheritance from her mother...wisely invested on the advice of her own mother. However, Douglas had one stipulation - that his name be solely on the deeds as the owner and manager and Helen, in her naivete, agreed. Although women were now allowed to own property Douglas was a little old fashioned like that...or so she thought.

Fast forward six years and the years have not been plain sailing. Douglas has single-handedly undermined everything Helen suggested in their joint venture of running the hotel, isolated her and the children and bullied her at every opportunity. Where was the man she had fallen in love with?

In the first two books we met the bullish Douglas Bygrove and laughed him off as incompetent and useless, always racing off to "important meetings" or the golf club whilst Helen stayed behind to manage the hotel in his absence. Any positive feedback on the hotel, Douglas preened and took credit whilst any bad decisions or publicity he thrust the blame firmly in his wife's direction. we rarely saw much of him and when we did he was issuing orders whilst preening to those he considered to be important.

In this book, however, we see a little more into Douglas' behaviour and it soon proves to be no laughing matter. Although I admit to inwardly chuckling when the tribunal laughed him out of court when he tried to be exempt from service due to his important position as hotel proprietor and manager. Thus he was conscripted much to his annoyance and obvious frustration. However, in his absence Beach Hotel could be run smoothly under the deft hands of Helen Bygrove and her hugely competent staff...regardless of whatever notion Douglas tried to portray.

But it seems someone else isn't happy with Helen's smooth running of the establishment either as libelous letters begin to pop up around Littlehampton, slandering many person with unfounded allegations whilst some may have bordered the truth. At any rate, the missives were insulting and seemed to originate from the Beach Hotel. Helen couldn't believe that any of her staff would do anything so underhand. But the new Detective Inspector, who appeared abrasive as first impressions go, requested handwriting samples from all the staff for the process of elimination. And then Miss Isabella Harvey, who has often shown an inappropriate interest in Douglas, arrives at the hotel with accusations directed at Helen as the writer of the abusive letters.

Soon, trade at the hotel begins to dwindle as news about Helen's possible involvement spreads and bookings are cancelled, leaving Miss Harvey crowing triumphantly.

And then Helen gets even more bad news. Douglas has been injured in France and will be returning home where he will surely stake his claim once again...undoing all of Helen's hard work. But can she save the hotel and her reputation before it's too late?

It was wonderful to be back in the company at the Beach Hotel once again with all the wonderful friendly staff and regulars who we've come to regard as a kind of family. I admit to Douglas frustrating me on more than one occasion in previous books but in his one he takes the biscuit! I cannot tell you more of my thoughts without giving anything away. But rest assured you will be entertained from start to finish and even come to like the new Inspector Sam Tobrash (I think I spelt his name correctly).

Whilst it is the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone as each story surrounds one of the characters on its own. First was Edie's then Lili's and this time it was Helen. And I was thrilled to discover that Helen would have her story told because there was most definitely one lurking there dying to be told.

I have enjoyed all three books but this one did have a different feel to it. Helen not only has to face running the hotel in her incompetent husband's absence (in the knowledge that he will one day come back to stake his claim once again) but she has not one two hugely upsetting and dramatic turns of events that threaten her happiness and her livelihood. I would have liked to see a little more before it ended but it ended on a promise which was a nice touch.

Another fantastic read and addition to this delightful series. I look forward to meeting up with everyone again in the next book.

I would like to thank #FrancescaCapaldi, #Netgalley, #HeraBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #DarkDaysAtTheBeachHotel in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

Helen is managing the hotel while her husband is away fighting in the war. Mysterious written letters have a detective looking at the hotel staff. I loved the descriptions of the hotel as I could easily picture it in my mind and I particularly enjoyed reading about the children as I myself felt like a child on vacation. The characters are endearing particularly Helen who I think is a caring and kind boss who respects and includes her staff in the decision making. The mystery letters had me guessing until the very end and I feel that this story is my favourite of the series because of Helen who I liked and came to admire. It's a emotional, charming and mystery story wrapped in a unforgettable novel!

I have loved the Beach Hotel books ,all three have been a great read and couldn't put them down.It is the first world war and Helen Bygrove is running the hotel now her husband has been sent too the front.Thing don't run smooth for Helen while Douglas is away but he finally comes home injured.Thank you to Netgalley and Hera.

Thank you for the chance to read this ARC in return for my honest opinion

I had read the other books in the series and looked forward to this one. Moreso because it was based on Helen whose husband Douglas had made sure that he owned the hotel despite it not being his money that financed it

I had disliked Douglas in the previous books and he did little to redeem himself - he was so well written I actually spoke out loud while reading the book with my derision
The book described the coercive control and bullying very well - even though sometimes it was upsetting to read

This is a well written book - full of friendship amongst the staff while Helen is having a completely horrendous time.

There was a hint of more to come perhaps for her but there could also be more for other characters - equally I can see that this episode would wrap up the series.
I did find the end slightly rushed but again there could be an opening for more about the despicable Arundel policeman.

I really enjoyed this and was slightly sad when I turned the page and it had finished.

I shall look out by more books by this author

January 28, 2024

After Helen Bygrove’s husband is conscripted during WWI, Helen must manage the infamous Beach Hotel. Against all odds, Helen builds a team of friendships with her staff as she painstakingly runs the hotel in a quaint seaside setting. By all accounts she appears to be doing an excellent job of managing the day-to-day responsibilities, even with wartime rationing and shortages. But as jealousies mount and word reaches her husband of her successes, a series of mysterious letters threaten the hotel and Helen’s stellar reputation as a Lady and entrepreneur. When Helen finds herself the target of a police investigation, a jealous woman, and an abusive husband, Helen meets a local Inspector, with a desire to get at the truth behind these mysterious incidents involving Helen. Via well-rounded characters and beautiful descriptive settings, the author frames a clean little beachside mystery in a captivating lighthearted romantic-leaning saga which had me turning the pages well into the night. In all honesty, the author had my interest in the title and cover art. I loved the plot twists and turns, the beautiful colorful settings, and well-researched attitudes toward women of the era, which made the book a fascinating caper of love, mystery, and changes for women inherent in the hysterical period. I thoroughly enjoyed this lighthearted mystery/sweetheart story and can’t wait to read more of Francesca Capaldi’s carefree tales. A five-star, well-written beach caper. A page turner from beginning to end. I received a copy from Net Galley.

Helen thought that her life was settled - handsome husband, a good legacy and plans to buy a hotel. That achieved, husband demands sole ownership and things take a turn for the worse. He's conscripted, very angry about that and she is left to run the hotel. She has a very supportive staff luckily. There's serious bullying, black marketeering, some very nasty characters, poison pen letters, murder and more Helen has a very hard time of it in all respects. Still, she has supportive staff around her and wins through in the end. The author writes convincingly about the trials of social imbalance and women's roles/place in life amidst the increasing lack of food and commodities during the First World War. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

I have enjoyed all three books in this series but this one was the best! I think that is because it is Helen's story and Helen is the very heart of the hotel. The days certainly are dark as the title proclaims. Not only is the country at war but Helen has to face two hugely upsetting and dramatic events that threaten her happiness, her future, and her liberty. Not wanting to include spoilers, I can say no more! A story of vindictiveness, injustice and bullying of the worst kind, but with the hint of romance and better days to come. Thete are some of the nastiest 'baddies' I have encountered in a novel for a long time. I wanted to boo and hiss panto-style every time they walked onto the page. But some wonderfully supportive and loyal characters too. I really enjoyed it.

The strong thread that runs through this series is friendship, that’s exactly what Helen Bygrove needs when things get difficult!
Helen thinks her life will be quieter without her domineering husband Douglas continually throwing out orders now that he has been conscripted. How could she be so wrong!
Without Douglas around to berate her for mixing with the lower class, Helen likes to join staff for a coffee which endears her to them even more than usual. Then when poison pen letters start going around local businesses, the equally poisonous Isabella Harvey accuses her publicly of being responsible for them. This has a devastating effect on business, not to mention for Helen herself who wasn’t too keen on the new detective inspector Toshack who she thought a door scot.
Eddie Moore tries her best to rouse support for Helen with the support of Major Thomas who takes it all very seriously. Will they get to the root of these letters! Will it be in time for Helen, not to mention her children Dorothy and Arthur.

I didn’t feel the need for the prologue as the story just comes flooding back from the beginning.
Can’t say I was too keen on Mr Rotherham or sup int Crooke. My favourite character was Eddie.
I know it was 3rd in series but I’m sure there’s room for a follow up! I live in hope

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this Arc

Another brilliant book by this brilliant author

Lovely storyline and can’t wait to read more of their books

Oh wow this story was hard to read with all the emotions in it.
it was amazing and heartfelt I'm so glad it has a happy ending.
I don't want to give spoilers but I'm so glad of the outcome.
I hope there will be more in this series

I am sorry to say I dnfed this book. Just because the story did not keep me interested. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion