Wonderful debut book by indie author, Maggie May!

Reading this amazing book gives hope for love and second chances. The author does a great job exploring love and second chances despite hardships which people encounter in life. While not a huge reader myself, I could not put this book down once I started it. I honestly dreaded interruptions when reading it and was so excited when I had the opportunity to get back to the story. It was truly a delight to read this book; the storyline is easy to follow. If you are looking for a great book to read which will keep you looking forward to the next page and chapter to see what occurs next between Michael and Katherine and how the story turns out, this book is for you. Highly recommend!!

What do you do when it seems like your happily ever after is over? How do you overcome a grief so strong? Do you eventually let go and live the life your lifelong love would have wanted you to experience? Katherine and Michael are struggling with exactly the same thoughts, just in their own separate ways. How do you learn to navigate life in a new, unfamiliar, and even frightening way without your #1 by your side? In this second-chance romance, Maggie May Ainsworth tells the story of two characters who while may be similar in age, are complete opposites in personality. Katherine is sweet, timid, and sensitive, but also strong. She’s wary and cautious around new people. Michael is more open, willing to put it all on the line for what he believes in. And he strongly believes in his newfound feelings for Katherine. For her debut novel, Ainsworth delves into the journey of growing old, and the grief that comes along with that. Her depictions of emotion through trials and tribulations are wonderfully complex, and she doesn’t stray away from still giving us a happy ending, even through all of life’s ups and downs. I can’t wait for the world to unravel this story, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for this up-and-coming author!

Under the Boardwalk was such a beautiful and emotional read. This wasn’t just a romance — it was a story about grief, healing, loneliness, and allowing yourself to find happiness again later in life.

Katherine and Michael’s relationship felt so genuine and mature. The quiet moments between them, the letters, the beach setting, the early morning conversations under the boardwalk… everything about their connection felt soft, comforting, and real. It’s the kind of romance that slowly sneaks up on you emotionally.

One of my favorite parts of this book was how thoughtfully it handled loss and second chances. It showed that moving forward after heartbreak doesn’t erase the love that came before it, and I thought that message was handled so beautifully.

I also loved that this book focused on older characters because their emotions, regrets, and fears felt incredibly authentic and refreshing compared to a lot of romances I’ve read lately.

All my favorite tropes and written beautifully so this is an easy 5 stars from me. ⭐️

Love has no age limit, and if you believe that too, then this book is for you! This love story delved not only into finding love later in life, but loneliness and healing. Katherine and Michael have both experienced loss, and they find a second chance at love, slow and steady, through this book. I wish it never ended, this was so tender and lovely. I think more romances should include this age group.
4.5 ⭐

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e-ARC Review

This was the most beautiful story, I only wish I'd read it by the sea!

A chance encounter on the beach, watching a sunrise brings together two lost souls who have had their share of heartbreak. But until they start talking, I don't think they really realised how lost they were and their discoveries of themselves is both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

Katherine and Michael meet when they are both spending a week by the sea on Pawleys Island, a place that has been special to them and their families for many years. Now, they are both there alone for the first time - Katherine, after the death of her husband Charlie and Michael, after his wife of 40 years left him. Their daily meets and shared coffee orders turn into a beautiful friendship, giving them both back feelings they thought they'd never feel again.

This story is told from alternating points of view so we see how each of their encounters is affecting them both. I really enjoyed how we find out more and more about them through their daily conversations. There is also the lovely relationship between Katherine and her daughter Elise, as well as the slightly different relationship Michael has with his children, Lillian and Julian. Is there ever a right time to move on? With two different experiences of grief, Katherine and Michael have difficult decisions to navigate but is it ever too late to find love and start again?

What a debut this is! Beautifully written, with such depth of emotion and the descriptions place you right there on that beach. There were moments I didn't think it would turn out the way I was expecting and some breath-holding moments where I hoped I wasn't about to read what I was wishing wouldn't happen! (Trying not to give any spoilers here!!)

If you like second chance romances, love in the most unexpected places, characters you only wish the very best for and beautiful surroundings, then this one's for you.

Thank you so much to Victory Editing, Maggie May Ainsworth and Netgalley for my e-ARC.

Out now and a perfect summer read.