I put a shout out on twitter looking for a sugar sweet beach read with a romance story to break up all the thrillers i have been reading lately. This one was shared back at me, and lucky for me it was on NetGalley. I devoured this in two days and it would of been quicker if life hadn't got in the way, so it was excatly what i was seeking.



Tori has just arrived in Sandcastle Bay to catch up with her best friend, after esentially been stuck under a rock working it was time to come up for some air, and seaside air was always a great solution. Snapping up the oppurtunity to work in exchange for a place to stay and some downtime works out great for Tori. What she wasnt counting on is an old lady prediciting her marriage to Aidan Jackson within minutes of her arriving.



Thats okay though, because shes meeting Parker....well, that changes when she learns Aidans nickname is Parker. Thats okay though, because neither of them want a thing, and Tori is still mending her own heart after a troubled time. What wasnt counted on the undeniable tension between them, and maybe a summer fling could help them both out? However, would that ever be enough?



This was a wonderful read that melted my heart, was sugar sweet in the right places with some sizzling tension for good measure. Enough mention of the beach and coastal community to keep the read interested as we meet the cast of locals. It made me laugh, it made me swoon and it made me want to take a visit to the beach. This was everything i was looking for and filled the beach based book void in my heart. I am so looking forward to returning to Sandcastle Bay to find out how everyone is getting on.

Holly Martin has very quickly become one of my favourite authors. Her story's are fabulous and this one is right up there with the rest.

The story is written so well that you really feel like you are there watching the story unfold, I must say I fell in love with the characters and hope we meet them again in the future!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

OMG! I don’t knowing I could love this book more than I do now! This is my first Holly Martin book and it won’t be the last. I read it within just a few hours, didn’t want to put it down to go to sleep and snuck in every available moment today. This book has all the feels and though it’s somewhat predictable, it’s exactly what I needed and wanted out of a romance story. Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to review The Holiday Cottage by the Sea in return for an honest review. This book publishes on April 12, 2018, which so happens to be my birthday!

Holly Martin is one of my favorite chick lit authors. The romance is sweet, and the beautiful sea village settings are always lovely. This one isn't one of my favorites of hers-I think it got a little repetitive-but I still enjoyed it and will read the next book in the series!

When I saw the cover of Holly Martin's latest novel I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Winter has been so long, cold and wet this year my day was totally cheered up when I saw the beautiful jacket for The Holiday Cottage by the Sea.

Every single book I've read of Holly's ends in disappointment, not because I didn't enjoy the book - quite the opposite, because I loved it and feel a bit bereft there are no more pages to turn.

The book starts as it means to go on. With Tori abandoning her car amidst a lane full of sheep before being chased down the hill into the village cafe 'Cherry on the Top' by an over friendly turkey! I howled out loud as a big grin spread across my face.

Tori Graham is on a long overdue break from her work as a film animator and is on her way to visit her best friends Melody and Isla in Sandcastle Bay. She's secured some free accommodation in exchange for a couple of weeks fruit picking - picking the famous 'Heartberry's'.

This was a book that made me smile throughout, there are hilarious moments that made me laugh out loud. This happens all the time when reading a book by Holly Martin - she adds empathy and warmth to all her characters with comic timing that is just perfect. As ever a delicious book of sunshine, laughter, friends and more than a smattering of love thrown into the mix for good measure.

Tori finds herself in the spotlight, everyone seems to know all about her and within the first hour of her arrival in Sandcastle Bay she is told she'll be marrying Aidan Jackson within the year - a person she hasn't even met yet, it was hilarious. I could just imagine how she felt arriving from London into a small village and having her life dissected before her very eyes by complete strangers. For reasons that later become apparent she is adamant that she is definitely not looking for love, men are off the cards!!

The story is woven around a close community, three brothers Leo, Jamie and Aidan the three girls Tori, Melody and Isla and the famous 'Heartberry love festival. I just loved the story it was totally entrancing, I really don't know how Holly does it but she has once again draped her blanket of love and hearts over this warm, witty story. It is truly magical, I was swept up in the magic and excitement as love wrapped itself around each of them in different ways. Be prepared though, I also had to swallow a huge lump in my throat as I choked up with emotion at one point - Holly creates plots and people that could so very easily be real.

I highly recommend this story, a book that will transport you straight into the heart of Sandcastle Bay.

This is another charming treat by Holly Martin, whom I have begun to rely upon for lovely, light-hearted stories with warm characters and beautiful settings. Recommended!

Look at the beautiful cover; bright, blossoming with an eye-catching font (& cows!)! I think Holly's books always have some of the best covers.

This beauty introduces the beginning of a new series based in Sandcastle, yet another picturesque seaside town full of mystical tradition surrounding the rare heartberries that are grown there. Our main character, Tori, turns up for a much needed break from the city to spend time with her best friend Melody, staying in Blossom cottage in exchange for helping pick the berries. Holly Martin crafts such magical, imaginative settings for her books that always ooze "ideal place to visit" vibes that leave you wishing these were real places and real people.

Tori inevitably gets more than she bargained for during the break; forced to face past secrets and hurt, and her issues regarding abandonment and relationships. The charming and adorable Aidan chips away at her self defences but they both have a lot to lose if things get serious. I found the way deep-rooted fears were explored during the story heartbreakingly honest and authentic. The chemistry and camaraderie between not just Tori and Aidan but the peripheral friends and community made this book uplifting and a joy to read.

Amusing, heartfelt and engrossing, this book is another gem on Holly Martin's crown of rom-com triumphs!

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookoutre for a copy of this book to review in my honest, unbiased views.

Holly’s books are endearing, sentimental, witty, heartwarming and nostalgic, just what every romance reader is looking for!

This story, as with all of Holly’s books, meanders around seaside village life on the south coast of England and goes about capturing the many colourful residents that reside there. These colourful locals include a local elderly self-proclaimed psychic, Agatha, whose her loveably quirky and beguiling ways will leave you in hoots; Dobby, a turkey who thinks like a dog; and Beauty and Beast, two wild dogs living in the village and friends of Dobby’s and the locals. Add to the mix the obligatory helping of romance between two characters needing to learn to trust their hearts and you have the perfect combination for a summer romance.

I knew from the outset that I would once again fall in love with the characters and Aidan stole my heart right from the very beginning. Aidan is one of three brothers, all of whom are single and unknowingly looking for love. Add in two sisters, and one best friend and you’ve got a series crying out to be read.

Set in Sandcastle Bay, readers are once again treated to a story about a village with a predilection for romance. Tori is holidaying with her friend Melody and whilst she is in Sandcastle Bay she has agreed to work for her lodgings by picking the village’s Heartberry crop. Little does she know, is the man that Agatha predicts she will marry is none other than her landlord and boss, Aidan Jackson. Despite their less than conventional introduction, it is clear that the duo has instant chemistry and a shared sense of humour. The only problem is that both Aidan and Tori are not looking for love or a relationship, or are they?

This was a highly entertaining story. My only minor niggle was that I felt that the usual helping of village sights and sounds was missing and this left me feeling slightly estranged from the storyline setting, something that doesn’t usually happen with Holly’s books. That said, I did get more character engagement and this has set the scene nicely for the next book in the series.

I really enjoyed reading this book.
Tori is on holiday visiting friends and staying in a holiday cottage owned by Aiden. There is chemistry between them from when they first meet, but both of them have been hurt before so wary of what is happening. They are surrounded by friends and family, and the Sandcastle Bay seems like a lovely place to live.
A great range of character, especially Agatha.
Looking forward to more books in this series, hopefully telling the stories of Leo and Jamie.

Such a lovely, heartwarming book.
The publisher’s description of ‘An utterly gorgeous feel good romantic comedy’ is spot on….truly gorgeous.
This story has all you want and need in a modern romantic novel.
A picture-perfect setting, a man and a woman. A dog and a turkey who thinks it’s a dog.
I imagined I was there in the small English seaside town of Sandcastle Bay, and the views were fantastic in my head.
Tori and Aidan are really drawn to each other. The feelings are there instantly but they try to play it down to themselves and everyone else. I loved the ‘elbow’ conversations, they had me really chuckling.
The legend of the heartberry fruit was lovely, and picking fruit by moonlight was a delight.
Some of the locals believed the legend, and it was such fun making boats to race across the river to the island to claim the heartberry.
The story isn’t just about Tori and Aidan, but also his brothers and her old friends and some of the villagers.
I thoroughly recommend this book, a perfect light-hearted getaway.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the review copy in which I give my honest opinion

The Holiday Cottage by the Sea

Do you believe in fairies? No? Well, the community of Sandcastle Bay believe in heartberries. The little town in the UK is famous for these little fruits. The reason -- their belief that the fruit, picked in May, brings couples together, brings them love and marriage. They are picked at night, when the moon is full and the fruit is sweet.

For Tori Graham this is hard to believe. On a two week vacation she comes to the coastal town to meet close friends she had known in London. It was just what she needed, to get away from a heavy workload as an animator, and to get out in the country, she books a stay at Blossom Cottage. Even more so, she has volunteered to help pick fruit, never realizing that she would be doing so at night, never knowing anything about heartberries. With a cast of characters including Aiden Jackson, the owner of the farm and cottage, Tori finds herself drawn to him immediately. The feeling is mutual, even though Tori wants to guard her heart and is leery about relationships. Let us not leave out Aiden's Aunt Agatha, the 80 year old quirky aunt who upon first meeting Tori predicts she will marry Aiden.

This was a delightful, romantic and heartwarming novel. Ms. Martin kept the pages rolling along with her quick wit and humor. The characters are lovable, the English countryside offers a charming backdrop and the story wraps itself around your heart. My thanks to NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

My first book by this author and I was totally impressed and will be reading more books.

I loved the humour in this and the banter between Tori and Aiden really made this story fun. The whole story was enjoyable from the small town traditions, to the meddling aunt to the animals. What a great mix to keep you entertained. I hope this is the start of a series because I really want to know what happens with the other characters. Absolutely recommend this book, it made me laugh and smile a lot and it made me cry....very well written.

I was promised a gorgeous feel good romantic comedy and did I receive it?
Yes! I certainly did. I loved the banter between Tori and Aiden and that put, more than once, a smile on my face. I loved Sandcastle Bay and the way people took care of each other. I loved the romances, some of them still hidden but definitely budding and some clearly already surfacing.
Maybe I should say what I did not love? Well, ... nothing!!!
It's the first time I read a book from this author but I will not be my last. I am so angry with myself that I did not discover her books a lot sooner.
It is summer reading for sure, but the warmth that seeps from the book, will certainly warm your heart in winter as well.
When (and not if) you read it, make sure you have some time off, because you will not want to put it down.
I did not read about Sandcastle Bay, it felt like I was in Sandcastle Bay.
Thank you, Netgalley and Bookouture.

Holly Martin has done it again with another brilliant un-putdownable read, full of humour that had me giggling a few times and with characters you fall in love with and the perfect setting that makes this book perfect to read on the beach, her writing gets better and better, this is just the perfect summer read.

I honestly could not have loved this book more. I think it's my favourite Holly Martin novels to date! With every book I just feel that Holly's books get better and better and this one certainly didn't disappoint. I loved every single page and the story was just so sizzling and so gripping.

The story follows main character Tori Graham, who has come to Sandcastle Bay for two reasons: to see her best friends, and to get away. Tori works in animation but after a long stint working on a movie which involved her being inside for most of the time, she decides she needs to get some fresh air and applies to be a fruit picker at a farm. This isn't any normal farm however, as it grows some special fruit: the heartberry. This is what Tori learns she shall be picking, but with a slight twist, she needs to pick the fruit at night. The heartberry has a lot of history surrounding it, proclaiming that it is a romantic fruit, and those that eat it in a pie will be happy in love forever.

Upon arriving in Sandcastle Bay (which is just a glorious sounding name!), Tori meets a 'crazy old lady with green hair' that claims she shall marry a man named Aidan Jackson. Of course, Tori thinks this is craziness and doesn't believe a thing, until she meets the owner of the farm she is working at, the man himself: Aidan Jackson. Tori is attracted to him upon first site, and from their first meeting the chemistry coming from them both is staggering!

This is such a sizzling and romantic novel, which I was absolutely hooked to from the first page. Holly Martin has a gift of getting a reader hooked on a storyline, which makes you never want to put the book down! This book is stunningly written, and is all about letting go of past relationships, grief and of course, the beauty of love. Another brilliant novel by Holly Martin, I would urge you to go and pick up a copy now!!

Thank you to Netgalley and of course to the publisher, for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Well Holly has done it yet again, she has provided us with another outstanding story which was wonderful, funny and so very heartfelt in places.  My heart has well and truly melted with this delightful story.

Holly just has such a wonderful way with words that just makes her stories truly magical and come alive within your imagination. She also never fails to create such wonderful and entertaining characters within her stories.

I love how the story was told from the perspective of two of the main characters Tori and Aidan, as it just gives so much more to the story and it means that you really do get to know them inside out.

I fell in love with the whole story and even developed a soft spot for Beast, if you want to know who or what Beast is, then you will just have to read the book. I also found Elliot to be completely adorable, and couldn't believe he was only 5 years old given the things that he came out with.

I loved the characters of Leo, James, Isla and Melody and I truly hope that Holly's next books will revolve around them as I'd love to read their individual stories and get to know each of them a lot more.

Such an easy feel good read. Tori a famous animator living in London, goes to visit her friends In Sandcastle Bay. She has taken a holiday cottage on a farm owned by Aiden and has promised to help him harvest the heart berries in time for the local festival. I loved the description of the area, the cafe and the likeable characters in this book. There are some laugh out loud moments, some sad secrets and true friendships.. Will Tori manage to leave the past behind and look to the future. A really enjoyable book

What a cute book! I love how the characters are realistic, and are suffering from their own issues and insecurities, yet the book has a very light feeling. It's chick lit, no doubt, but one that will be perfect for curling up with on a towel at your favorite summer location....just escaping into. There are some other romances discussed within the side characters, and I look for a couple more novels to come out of this one, possibly developing into a series. Hopefully, within those follow-ups, we'll get to see how the two main characters progress....and what happens to those awful tattoos!

I get so excited when i see a new book is out by Holly Martin....
This is the most enchanting and completley romantic read ive read for some time. When i hear that a book by Holly Martin is due out, im excited to read it. Its her best yet and i say that about all her books so you can imagine how perfect this book is. She is the Queen of Rom- com books and i can imagine watching this in a movie....
Its has an array of quirky charcaters that have unsual jobs but when you put them all together they work wonders together especially in the west coast of England, Cornwall. You can taste the fruit of the heartberries that are being harvested with their enticing descriptions throughout.... i want to be a fruit picker.
We have a large group of people who live on Sandcastle bay and Tori lives in London and hasnt been back for many years so when she decised to come for a visit and work as Aidans fruit picker for the summer all is good....

Agatha is the Crazy Aunt. She is one for telling the villagers who is next to fall in love and have babies and within minutes of Tori arriving agatha is telling her whose her patner match made in heaven and shell be married with so many kids.... WEll Tori isnt one for thinking any of this is true because shes given up on men. She supples Tori with supplies you wouldnt expect an old lady to even possess never pass pass onto someone else... Then she has tattoo idead etc hence shes the quirky one of them all. She had me laughing so much.

Aidan is the man who runs the fruit farm overlooking the beach and he sounds so sexy and is so big but he neither wants a relationship as hes been scorched too. Aidan and tor share some romantic thoughts and their one liners are hillarious. He looks after a stray dog, Beast who has fun with Beauty and theres also a crazy Turkey dobby... its all fun and games here.

Problems exist with the weather and trying to get all the fruit harbvested in time.We have the annual festival to go to and the boat race even that isnt all safe sailings but so funny with all their manmade boats to win a slice of cake, its not any old cake its the cake that signifies forever love.

it is a toally enchanting captivating and romantic read. A few tears if your emotional because you want it to end happy and im not telling you how it ends. Its totally encapulates you to read this so fast, i couldnt put it down and read it within 24hours. i am never shocked at how i love Hollys books, her style is perfection and so lovely, it makes you believe that romance isnt dead.

I want to thank Netgalley and boooture for this chance to read this.