A nice, easy, women’s fiction title that is perfect for a beach read. Okay, it’s not going to set the literary world on fire, but it is a solid read in this genre for when you want something light and undemanding.

Great storyline with good strong characters. Very well written. I would recommend this book to anyone.

This was a slow read for me. It took me a lot of time to get into the story - or should I say stories - and even then I had the feeling the dialogue was very stilted. At least, I have never had dialogues like that in all of my life - not with friends, nor with strangers. That was the biggest pet-peeve I had with this book. I liked the idea behind the book, I liked how that summer in Devon came with chance meetings and stories that went along with it, but I hated the dialogue and hence had a very hard time to connect with the characters.

4.5 stars.
This is such a delightful, uplifting and heartwarming read about acts of kindness for the visitors to 23 The Strand, it is a chalet in a Devon Holiday Village and it tells of the various guests who come and stay.

Sometimes you get a book that is just right for whatever time and place you are in. I read this book after coming back from holiday, I stayed in a chalet in a Devon Holiday Village, it was number 25. It was also in the same area as the book setting as well! It brought back memories and warm snuggly feelings of being away on holiday

This book is set out as a series of stories that deal with some aspects of the guests who stay at number 23. Starting with an actress who is trying to escape the limelight of the paparazzi she manages to relax and find peace. On leaving she leaves a little gift along with a note explaining why the chalet and her stay helped her. This little gesture is found by the next guest and they decide to keep the gift and note giving continuing.

This gives you various guests that arrive in the form of families and individuals throughout the season. Each visitor has their own agenda for being there, a problem or two, or something they need time to ponder over. Each story just flows from one to the next as the gift and note add the link.

Sometimes we all need to re-charge our batteries or need a time out from the real world for a few days and just escape. You don’t have to travel far to do this, for me my holiday was only 2-3 hours drive away. But the author has managed to capture the feelings behind the characters individual stories very well. It does have some more serious problems that the characters have to deal with, they are mentioned but not overly dwelt upon and so gives the stories a slightly more uplifting feel to them.

This really is a great summer read that had me with a smirk on my face and the odd lump in my throat and I admit to going a little misty eyed at times. The ending of the story was perfect and I did love the way the author tied up the loose ends.

A great book for readers who are looking for a delightful and heartwarming story and I am very happy to recommend this one. Pull up a chair under the sun shade, get a glass of something chilled with ice, maybe pop your feet on a footstool and relax with Summer at 23 The Strand xx

Summer at 23 The Strand is written by Linda Mitchelmore and published by HQ Digital. Promoted as a feel good holiday read it tells the several linked stories starting with Martha's escape to the seaside for the summer.

Martha is an actress and her split with her boyfriend has just hit the headlines. She walks off her movie set and escapes to Elberry Cove to hide from the press and to recover in private. She stays in chalet 23 The Strand, a beach chalet in the sands where she she can begin to regroup and put her life back together. Will Hugh, grieving for his deceased brother, help her d code which way to go? When she finally leaves she leaves behind a special gift for the next visitor to find which in turn creates a tradition of gift leaving/ giving for all the residents of chalet 23!

Other linked stories include Cally, who has to tell her husband something important, but is unable to find the courage do so until she addresses her fears and problems herself.

Each short story is set within the 2 week stay at the chalet so it is easy to dip in and out of the book rather than just read it cover to cover. I don't really enjoy short stories, linked or not, but it is well written and the characters do catch the reader's attention and imagination as they struggle with the angst or problem that has brought them to Elberry Cove.


I received this book via Netgalley and HQ Digital in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed Summer at 23 The Strand. This book is all about a beachside chalet and all the people who stay here for their break and their reasons for booking number 23 for their holiday. A great book that I really enjoyed, I also loved how the book was summed up at the end as to what happened to them all once they’d left number 23.

I loved the premise of Linda Mitchelmore’s Summer at 23 The Strand, which follows a series of holiday makers who come to unwind in a beach chalet in Devon. As each resident nears the end of their break they reflect on what their time by the coast has taught them and also select a small gift to leave for the next occupant, which had me second-guessing what they might choose. Although put together as a novel, Summer at 23 The Strand also has the feel of a short story collection. Be sure to pop it into your beach bag. And if you’re planning on a staycation this year then let Summer at 23 The Strand transport you to the seaside, watching seals at play in the bay.

23 The Stand is a beach chalet in Devon and this book tells the stories of all of the guests that stay there over the summer, each having their own reasons for their escape and each leaving a little gift for the next resident to arrive. It is really a collection of short stories but the different tales all draw you in making it a nice light summer read

A perfect summer holiday read. It tells the stories of each of a series of guests staying at 23 The Strand - a beachside holiday chalet located in lovely Devon.

Each character has their own story - some are happy, some uplifting, some very sad. Each character has their own reason for wanting/needing to get away from it all.

I found the concept of the book really interesting but did find myself wanting to know more about each character - what happened to them after their stay at 23 The Strand. I am not usually a fan of short stories but I did enjoy this book, although I was left wanting more.

A lovely book to read on holiday as you are easily able to dip in and out of it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A sweet book that links a number of people through their occupancy of the beach hut at 23 The Strand.

I liked the earlier stories with their loss and heartache being helped by the uplifting environment of the seaside and 23 The Strand. I particularly enjoyed the gifts that were left from one occupant to the next.

I would have liked to know more about the stories of Martha, Ana and Belle. Hannah and Lucy’s stories had a clearer resolution.

However, it felt as this book ran out of steam towards the end - when the character Caroline appeared. Although most of the stories had a melancholy tone, hers was bitter and I found it difficult to engage with her. I also found Margy’s story less interesting.

I’ve never really enjoyed short stories and this book felt as though it was a collection of short stories woven together with a common thread. For me, the characters needed more depth and the stories too scant for me to really appreciate them - but that’s always been my issue with short stories!

3.5* for me

A sweet book that details the lives of the visitors to a chalet on the beach in Devon over one summer. It's like a collection of short stories and is an easy, light hearted read. I did find the way the characters spoke a bit disjointed, it's a bit hard to explain really but the mannerisms and vocabulary choices seemed a little off considering the characters ages/backgrounds so I didn't find I could connect emotionally to them quite as well as I'd have liked. But overall an uplifting read with a lovely seaside setting.

Escapism at its finest. If you’ve ever thought you’ve lost your way in life you’re sure to enjoy this. Likewise if you like a seaside setting for a story. I reading about each character at the chalet and looked forwards to reading about the next. Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review. My review will be added to Amazon and Instagram soon.

I don’t usually read “short stories”, but I’m glad I did finish this book. The recap at the end was a great surprise. The idea of leaving a gift for the next renter was an interesting thought. I was surprised by the objects left. The families, singles and couples all had interesting stories and I would recommend this to other readers. I’m sorry it took me a few days to get into the story but I’m glad I read about everyone staying at 23 the Strand.

A lovely collection of short stories that all have a holiday chalet in common. This is a lovely summer read. The short chapters came together really well. This is an enjoyable read and a lovely form of escapism for a few hours. I could imagine the chalet and its surroundings and imagine the sound the of the sea.

Lovely cover on the book. It sounded like a lovely book. I loved the 1st story very much. But found the rest just weren't as interesting. Sadly it took a nose dive from there

I love my Summer reads set in the UK and Linda Mitchelmore brings us something a little different as we meet the holidaymakers who, between May and September, stay at 23 The Strand.

“Well, that was a nice thing to find—a welcome present from the previous occupant.”

This is the perfect book for dipping in and out of as it’s more a collection of several short stories interconnected by the paying it forward theme. That itself was a lovely touch and whilst there were a couple of stories that worked less well for me, on the whole Summer at 23 The Strand was an enjoyable mix with a little bit of everything from humour to heartfelt.

“Sometimes you just have to grasp what’s in front of you even if the timing isn’t what you expected.”

This was one of the most enjoyable books I have read this year. It was engaging, warm and well written. The characters were all interesting and unique and there were some nice surprises throughout the story.

It's rare in this genre to feel like something has a new or unique idea but this book definitely felt both new and unique.

I am very much looking forward to reading more from this author.

A collection of ‘Pay It Forwards’. Each renter leaves a meaningful gift for the following renter. Renters are staying at 23 the Strand, a beach rental while they face conflicts and fears. Kept me interested. I recommend.

I have never read anything from this author before but the cover seduced me. I am certainly glad i read it and will look out for future reads of hers. It is an absolute perfect read for those summer months and i loved the location at the seaside and what it represented....
23 the strand is a house for those people who are looking for a new lease in life and they've lost their way. It helps to get you back on your feet and restore your inner self.
Martha heads out of her hometown and leaves her acting career to get some rest, she rents the little holiday chalet on the basis it may be sold and when she leaves the house, she leaves a note for the next person and it becomes a tradition for those who have lost their way for that summer season. Anytime you need a pick me up and feel down, this book will open up your inner love and make you feel calm and happy, such a beautiful read.

Review: I have not read a book before by this author so her writing style was all new to me. In this story we find ourselves in Devon, a favourite place of mine, in a chalet with a lovely view. Chalet number 23 is somewhere were people stay who have lost their way and need a break. This is a plot idea that has been down before with a romance from a fellow person staying in a chalet nearby but it is still good, not a favourite of mine. A light-hearted read.