Sophie Green has done it again with a beautifully woven, character-driven story set against the nostalgic charm of 1980s coastal Australia. Lessons in Love at the Seaside Salon is a gentle, heartfelt exploration of four women at very different stages in life, each searching for something.

From the comforting buzz of the Summertime Salon to the quiet ache of unspoken grief, each storyline is full of emotional depth and warmth. I adored Trudy’s strength, Anna’s rediscovery of herself, Evie’s vulnerability, and Josie’s hopeful independence. Their journeys are honest and relatable, touching on motherhood, second chances, and the kind of female friendships that quietly hold you together.

This is a story about love in all its forms: messy, healing, enduring. It left me feeling lighter and inspired. A perfect comfort read for fans of community stories, found family, and stories that celebrate the resilience of women.

Warm and wise story, featuring relatable and well-written women, of varying ages and life circumstances overcoming the challenges of life and love. Including first love, unrequited love, lost love and love on the rocks.

I enjoyed the characterisation of the Seaside Salon, as a place of community and connection; as well as the inclusion of the nostalgic references to 1980’s Australia, including music, movies, celebrity icons, television, popular events, and given this story is centered at the Seaside Salon - Lady Di’s hairstyles.

I love how Sophie Green writes women of all ages, facing realistic responsibilities and challenges, as well as covering a variety of themes with nuance and care.

Many thanks to Hachette Australia and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy of this fabulous story, in exchange for an honest review.

Whenever I open a Sophie Green book, I know I’m not going to be disappointed, and this latest one was no exception. I was lucky enough to win a competition on Sophie’s Substack (which I highly recommend you follow) and received an uncorrected proof in the mail from the author. I also received a digital copy via NetGalley for which I am very grateful for also.
This book is all you’ve come to expect in a Sophie Green novel and more. From the first chapter, you’re invested in the characters, and as the story develops, they become like friends. The story moves at a good pace and is an easy and very enjoyable read that I didn’t want to put down.
If you’re a Sophie Green fan, then you’ll love this one, and if you’ve not discovered the delight of reading one of her books yet, then I highly recommend grabbing a copy.

Trudy, the owner of the Seaside Salon, recently widowed, missing her husband and her son that lives in Sydney and seldom sees. Evie, the hairdresser, a single mother to her son and not with his father. Josie, the apprentice who longs to leave home and her controlling parents and Anna who brings her mother into the salon every week, with 2 children and a husband that is never there.

The characters come alive as their lives intertwine, with advice and love for each other as their journeys begin to find out what is missing in lives

A wonderful uplifting read.

A warm-hearted celebration of connection, introspection, and seaside serenity.

Sophie Green’s Lessons on Love at the Seaside Salon swept me off my feet and straight into the chairs of Trudy, Evie, Josie, and Anna — four women whose personal journeys were tenderly unraveled with depth and grace. While it leans into a character-driven narrative with minimal plot, I found myself wholly invested in their growth and the nuanced ways they found happiness.

The seaside salon is a surprisingly perfect vessel for reflection and emotional intimacy. Though I’m not a regular hair salon visitor, I could absolutely see how such a setting — far removed from the hectic swirl of Sydney’s beaches — offered the tranquility needed for these characters to truly connect. Green paints their differing life stages and evolving dynamics with remarkable authenticity. Their interactions felt real, raw, and deeply relatable.

More than once I was moved to tears, needing a moment for my vision to clear before diving back in. Stories like this remind me of my own humanity — our flaws, longings, and moments of unexpected joy. And that ending? A gentle, powerful nudge to take time for ourselves, to reflect, and to dare to dream.

One motif that lingered with me was the recurring presence of pelicans — featured on the cover and woven into the story with quiet symbolism. Trudy and Sol admired their elegance and patience, perhaps seeing in them a mirror of the grace they were learning to cultivate in their own lives. Josie, on the other hand, expressed discomfort, referencing Storm Boy and its themes of vulnerability and loss. Pelicans, in many traditions, symbolize selflessness, nurturing, and renewal — qualities that resonate deeply with the arcs of these women. Their presence at The Entrance felt like a gentle reminder of the beauty in stillness, in waiting, in trusting the tides of life.

I couldn’t be happier with this read — it’s nourishing, honest, and beautifully grounding. And I especially loved the nod to nature and its serenity to help fuel moments of introspection and reflection.

Thank you very much to author Sophie Green and the publishers at Hachette Australia for an advanced proof copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.