A great feel good summer read, perfect for the beach. I have already bought the next in the series.

The beachside sweet shop was a great chick lit read which I really enjoyed.
We meet Marnie who has recently taken over the family business- the sweet shop. Things aren't going up plan someone is trying to sabotage the business, can Marnie think of new ideas to keep the shop going so should she throw in the towel and go off traveling.
I loved this easy to read book, my first by the author Karen and am already looking forward to reading another of her books.

Those who are long time readers here at afternoonbookery will know that a beach, coffee,sweet,shop,b&b books are straight to the top of my list, so when i spied this newbie on netgalley - i knew it was going to be a perfect summer time read for me. Oh it was.

We meet Marnie, who is stuck at home - running the beachside sweet shop aspiring to travel the world with her ex, but the universe had other plans for her, with relatives ill and no one else to run the family shop, it falls to Marnie.

Beth has other plans for the sweet shop though - and when Marnie wins an unexpected award (all arranged by Beth!) its time to fix up the sweet shop, but not everyone believes that a sweet treat is a good thing, when newbie mum blogger Isobel turns her sights on Marnie, can the sweet shop handle her smear campaign? Throw in some new eye candy to help heal the heartbreak and you have a recipe for something all together sweet and full of sugar.

The beachside sweet shop is a wonderfully sugary sweet read with the right amount of town drama
that keeps the reader interested in where the narrative is going. My heart really went out to Marnie and i just wanted all to be right in her world, i was rooting for her all along.

The characters are well built in a fantasticly descriptive little village that really feels like home, that despite all the drama from the yummy mummys you know the older dears only have your best interest at heart. This was the perfect summer pick me up, and one for those with a sweet tooth.

To be honest, I didn't expect much from this book (maybe the cover is a bit too childish?). I wasn't too sure about this but decided to give it a try and I am really I did! From the first page to the last one I enjoyed reading this book! Such a lovely story, full of events. I never was bored. And I really liked the characters, especially the main one, Marnie. She is such a lovely person, who we can only like. I have in my TBR, the Beachside Flower Shop from the same author and I can't wait to read it! I hope some of the characters from The Beachside Sweet Shop will make an appearance in the second book!

If you want an easy enjoyable read for your holidays then you won't go too far wrong with this book. It is a light-hearted read with likeable characters. I give this book 3 ***

Marnie Appleton runs a traditional sweet-shop that she inherited from her grandfather in a small seaside town. It is about to get a quite the make-over after she wins a competition for small business that her best friend, the very pregnant Beth, entered her in. The only thing is Marnie isn't sure that she really wants to be running this shop - she honestly believes that this is a temporary thing and one of these days very soon she will be taking off to places on distant shores and all that sugar will be just a memory.

However before Marnie can go she must defeat the mummy mafia who led by a newcomer to the town, Iosbel, are out to stop the evil sweets with all that sugar destroying their children's lives. Oh, and to make matters just a little more interesting Marnie's old love is back in town with perhaps a new love of his own, Marnie may have a new heartthrob moving into her life and she is definitely in need of a new sweet supplier. Yes day to day life is very interesting in 'The Beachside Sweet Shop'.

This was a really fun story with some interesting twists that you don't quite see coming and when they arrive you go ahha, of course. Marnie's grandmother, Celia, is a hoot - a dog trainer that I seriously wouldn't mess with. She was definitely one of my favourite characters. There are some absolute laugh out loud moments if only because of what licorice can be made into - something I don't think will become an hot selling item. A super holiday read that is worth getting a bit of sand between the pages.

Rating 4.5/5

From the very start this delightful story had me laughing out loud. It starts with Marnie Appleton coping with a salesman trying to sell her his new sweet products - the hilarious banter and imagery are just right to put a big smile on your face! It is a 'sweet' fun filled read, with great characters, plenty of surprises and set in the seaside community of Shipley. Marnie inherited the sweet shop a couple of years ago after her grandfather’s death, though she’s dreamed of going off to explore the wider world she’s determined to keep the family business succeeding. However, with a blogging neighbour crusading against people eating sugary products, her ex-boyfriend returning with a new girlfriend, her best friend and shop assistant about to give birth and her grandmother recovering from an operation, there’s lots going on in Marnie’s life and, even though the business has won a prestigious award, the shop need bringing up to date to survive. The pressure is on - can Marnie help the business survive and find time for love and romance in her own life?

This is a lovely, light-hearted read that is a real tonic, it truly is a brilliant feel-good romantic comedy . Whether you’re looking for something to read on the beach or something to help you dream of relaxing at the seaside, it is sure to put a smile on your face. My only advice is be prepared for great laugh out loud moments as you enjoy this well crafted, sweet story served with an added dose of romance! I look forward to future visits to Shipley in other stories in this series, I'll definitely be looking out for them :)

I requested and received a copy of this story via NetGalley and this is my honest review after reading it.

This is a delightful read and a sweet story with very little romance but plenty of sweets. Marnie has inherited her Grandfathers legendary sweet shop in a seaside town. She is struggling to keep it going when opposition occurs with a neighbor who is adamantly against sugar begins a campaign of hate against her. . As Marnie begins to lose hope while fighting for her shop her ex boyfriend and his new girlfriend return to town. As the situation escalates against Marnie she finds that her families legacy will live on with the help of some of the quirky townspeople. I loved this book an would like to read the next in series by the author. Marnie is a smart independent determined protagonist who all readers will love. The sweet shop is divine as is the small coastal town. I highly recommend The Beachside Sweet Shop.

I loved this book and the twists. I can't wait for the next one!

This was an enjoyable, lighthearted read!! I got caught up. in the characters and their surroundings! I wanted to go and live with them!! You can tell, that for the most part, communities come together, to help and heal each other.
Marnie has the dream, she wants, she just don't know it yet. She believes that the world is so much more, than a candy shop by the beach. Sometimes we need to take a look around us, to see just how far we've gone!

I would read any of this author's books and will be ordering the Beachside Flower Stall! Thank you for the adventures!!

What a sweet sugar filled story! A great read with lovely warm characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishers for this review copy.

Marnie Appleton runs the Beachside Sweet Shop in Shipley. It was left to her by her grandfather and she wants to do him proud and keep the legacy going. The only problem is, she’s not sure she wants to stay in Shipley. She wants to be like her mother and go off travelling. She wins a local business award and this gives her the financial means to pursue her dream. When it boils down to it though, does she really want to go? The business award also brings a different kind of trouble in the guise of Isobel Sinclair, former model and new neighbour who is determined to single handed bring down all unhealthy teeth rotting sweet shops! With the local press on the case, Marnie keeps putting her foot in it and suddenly finds herself announcing that she will start a new line of handmade sugar free sweets. Everything seems to happen at once – her ex-boyfriend comes home with new girlfriend in tow, her new shop assistant wants to be her new boyfriend and her best friend has a baby! Will she manage to hold Isobel off with her healthy treats or will she sell up and leave her grandfather’s legacy?

I loved this book! The title and cover enticed me straight away – who doesn’t love a good old fashioned sweet shop! To be honest, it’s very similar to other books in this genre but this is the first one I’ve read based in a sweet shop! This is also, so I discovered today, the first in the Beachside Bay series, with the second book ‘The Beachside Bay Flower Stall’ released on 13th April 2017.

The characters were lovely and I felt connected to them straight away. I worked out that some of them had some secrets, but they don’t come out to much later in the book! Some of the names were great also – Bunty the baby and of course, how could we forget local busybody Doris Day! It was such a delightful read, nice and easy and no difficult or confusing storyline. I have read so many intense crime/thriller books recently and it was so refreshing to have something that was entertaining and made me laugh out loud! I love the fact that Josh had been sent to ‘give her the willies’ (you’ll get it when you read it!).

A funny book with a hint of romance by the sea in a sweet shop – what more could a girl want! Five Stars!

Short quick read. Not really in my opinion romantic, because they really didn't act on it. Marnie promises to keep her grandfathers sweet shop open. She has to deal with a mean ex model trying to close shop and then her ex with his new girlfriend. She grows thru out story, and has beautiful friendships, beautiful town. Will wait for next book..

The Beachside Sweet Shop - Karen Clarke

I love going to the beach. I love eating sweets. I love falling in love. Karen Clarke has beautifully created a world I want to be a part of!

Marnie is running her late grandfather's sweet shop but is unsure if her award-winning success is enough to fulfill her long-held ambitions. Her ex boyfriend has left the country and a local yummy mummy blogger is on a one-woman evil sugar crusade, hell-bent on trying to close her down.

I fell a tiny bit in love with Shipley and its cast of colourful characters. Each of them are painted brilliantly, even the infuriating ones!

Marnie is a likeable lead, you know she absolutely adores her hometown even if she doesn't always realise it herself. Josh is a dreamboat and after all that tension & drama I can't help questioning if she ended up with the right guy. I don't think we heard enough about the beach, and the shop might have been located anywhere. In future Shipley books - which I certainly hope there are - I'd really like to see more of the beachside bit coming through in the storylines.

A lovely, gentle, feelgood read which will make you smile & crave a quarter of rosy apples (remember them?) A very sweet five cwtches! Thanks to Netgalley & the lovely publishers for the chance to read & review honestly. Get your copy here.

This was a truly smashing read, new author to me, it was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. There were a few funny bits which made me giggle. This book certainly bought fond memories back of the sweets I used to eat as a child :-), it made me want pick n mix and some bon bons whilst I was reading lol.

The book was very well written, lovely characters throughout, well most of them, always one to two that you're not meant to like.

I'd definitely recommend this book if you like chic lit and after an easy lighthearted read.

This is a delightful, well written story and although I thought I knew were it was heading several times - but no, never guessed correctly!
Plenty going on - family, business, friends, hints of romance, new baby, travel along with the dirty deeds of a saboteur - keep this a fresh and lively read. Even better, when I reached the very end I discovered that the author has more books planned in the same setting of Shipley. I love that this was a full novel, 100% this story and no needless previews (I never read them anyway).
If you are looking for a busy, uplifting read which will hold your attention, look no further. I most definitely recommend this and will be adding Karen Clarke to my list of authors to watch out for.
I received an arc via Net Galley in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

This was a great read with some great characters. The books main character is Marnie who took over running the sweet shop after her grandfather died 2 years ago, Marnie is an extremely likeable character and I found myself routing for her very early in in the book. Marnie was travelling with her boyfriend at the time when her grandfather fell ill and felt she had to stay to keep the shop going and to keep it in the family as her grandmother had fallen and broken her leg so needed help around the house as well. This meant Marnie became single, a carer and a shop owner almost over night.
The book follows the ups and downs of Marnies life and the highs and lows of running a beachside sweet shop. There wasn't a dull moment in this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it and am so so glad there are going to be others in this series and although they won't be centred around Marnie it would be nice if she had a mention so we could carry on her journey with her, which I am sure it will!
I would like to thank netgalley and bookouture for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Bookouture for accepting my request to review this book via Netgalley. I have a bit of a sweet tooth so when I saw there was a book all about sweets I knew I had to read it. Warning before you read this you might want to get a bag of your favourite sweets.

Marnie took over the Beachside Sweet shop from her Gramps. She’d enjoyed working there as a child/teenager and thought it was a good way to save some money so she could go travelling. She also couldn’t bear to see the shop sold and the rest of the family didn’t want to run it. I really liked Marnie. She is instantly likeable and you can’t help but root for her immediately. She’s a genuinely nice person and you want everything to go right for her

There are also a whole host of great side characters in this book. With pregnant BFF Beth, who is hilarious. Ceila, Paddy, Harry, Aggie and Josh. All these characters had their place in both the story and Marnie’s life. I have to confess that I have a little soft spot for Josh.

The book was easy to read and the ending gave you the warm fuzzies. It was well written and had a good pace. I think this story was about more than romance, it was about family. There are also some classic laugh out loud moments that I really enjoyed.

I look forward to see more from Karen in the near future.

A delicious story that made me hungry for old fashioned sweets.
Reading this book made me want to set up a sweet shop , if only I had the funds.
This story flowed really well from start to finish and was unpredictable.

Ahhh do you remember the good ol' days, usually a Saturday, when you were given pocket-money from your parents and there was only ONE place that was guaranteed your 'hard earned' change? Every Saturday, my mum used to give my brother and I anything from 50p-£1 to spend on sweets, and we always went to the same place; Churchills. The sort of sweet shop where, in the mid-nineties, 50p would get you a heck load of sherbet pips! As soon as I saw the title of Karen Clarke's novel, it brought back so many childhood memories which were all centred around that one particular sweet shop. It didn't even matter whether you dabbled in the sugary treats every so often, or whether you inhaled them as though they were the last sweets on Earth (every.single.week), you just had to visit your local sweet shop.

Marnie Appleton is under a lot of pressure (pressure which she has put on herself no less), as she tries to keep her grandfather's memory alive by keeping his bricked 'baby', aka his heart and soul open; The Beachside Sweet Shop. After Marnie's grandfather passed away, most of the family seemed more willing to eat the liquorice and bon-bons themselves, rather than serve the residents of Shipley those treats. Marnie didn't want to let her late grandfather down and was determined to keep the shop going in a way she knew that he would approve of. However, the best laid plans don't always go the way you want them to.

As I mentioned near the beginning of this review, Karen Clarke's tantalizing novel brought back so many memories for me, it was lovely to be able to reminisce about things with people you don't even know; the characters. I felt as though Marnie had bitten off more than she could chew and part of me wondered whether her heart was truly IN the sweet shop, or that she wasn't taking it over because people expected her to. Karen's descriptions of the shop's interior, the sweets and even smaller things like the paper bags that they were put in, was beautifully written. She didn't rush over the items in the shop, she took her time in letting the reader know everything about the sweet shop as if she was describing it to one of her good friends. I warmed to the storyline even more so because of that.

Even though Karen Clarke's novel seems to be centred around one thing in particular, there is a lot more to the storyline that meets the eye. At first I thought I was going to get an insane sugar rush from the book and its contents, but what I actually got was a clever, in depth storyline which contained a lot of depth and giggles. The Beachside Sweet Shop really is an enjoyable place to visit, and, thanks to Karen Clarke, the storyline tickled my taste buds in more ways than one. It wasn't just school children and sweeties, it was more about who had your back....whilst eating sweets. Make sense?

The Beachside Sweet Shop is a really enjoyable, fun and sweet read, full of good friendships, lost memories, good intentions and finding the right recipe to move forward. For me, some of the characters weren't as memorable as I would have liked them to be, it didn't stop me from having fun with this book.

The Beachside Sweet Shop really is the ideal read for just letting go and distracting yourself from the outside word.

Thank you Bookouture.