A perfect cosy, romantic and hilarious read, featuring an intelligent, accomplished and kind female main character in her mid 40s.

Successful restauranteurs Annie and Max have been together for nearly 30 years, ever since Annie unexpectedly became pregnant with twins at 17.

She has put up with Max's philandering throughout their marriage for the sake of the children, focusing her energy into the business, but finding him in the act is the final straw. She has to get away and the advert she spots offering 6 months rent-free accommodation in exchange for house-sitting couldn't have come at a better time.

Annie soon falls in love with the house, the community, and the eccentric residents, and is brimming with ideas for the former tea room on the ground floor.

But there are two problems. One fly in the ointment is the owner's nephew who is determined to sell to a developer to secure funds for his elderly aunt's care. The other is her soon-to-be ex-husband, who is refusing to let her go and has locked her out of all their joint accounts.

Annie quickly becomes a central part of the community but faces a difficult decision of whether to give in to Max's wooing or to start again by herself.

This book has my heart! 💖
It made it laugh out loud so much.
The whole cast of characters are fabulous.

Bayliss is becoming a firm favourite for me!

A well written and lovely winter read. Loved the characters.

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

I chose to read this story because I had previously enjoyed The Twelve Dates of Christmas and I found the blurb enticing.

Annie is a successful restauranteur and chef. She co-owns The Pomegranate Seed restaurant with her husband, Max, who works front-of-house. They are the parents of twin boys who have long since flown the nest, and appear to have it all. However, Max has been cheating on Annie throughout their marriage, and when Annie finds him with his latest paramour, she can no longer turn a blind eye, and leaves him.

An advertisement in a newspaper brings Annie to Willow Bay where she will have the winter season to think about her future.

I was hooked by the end of Chapter One, where Annie's perfect life comes crashing down. I found the story both humorous and plausible. I thought the characters were realistically drawn and very likeable; likeable with the exception of the sleaze ball Max of course. Of the secondary characters I particularly liked Maeve, and as I write her name I giggle as I remember the Victorian book club meeting where Maeve gives Annie an 'interesting' present for hosting the club.

My favourite line comes from Bill the landlord of The Sunken Willow pub who seems to be quite used to people arriving at the pub having encountered the local seagulls. Living by the coast, I can relate to being dive-bombed by these winged dustbins, and my windows bear testament to the accuracy of their aim.

I was also very fond of Alfred, the homeless man. He has a backstory I'd like to know more about.

For the most part, The Winter of Second Chances is a gentle story about a woman starting over again in a new place; making new friends; setting up a new business; and being open to finding a new love. And just when it looks like things are working out for her, things take a turn and there is a bit of high drama that had me on the edge of my seat.

I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to lovers of Women's Fiction.

DNF 23%

This is just too boring. It's not keeping my attention. I signed up for this as I was expecting a Christmas story - where are the Christmas vibes?

A great festive book to get you in the mood for the winter months! I enjoyed the characters! Thank you netgalley for the review copy!

2.5

I was a bit disappointed with The Winter of Second Chances. On one hand it was sweet, the community spirit, Annie and John's banter and the book club made me smile. There was some real laugh out loud moments (Mr. Knightley's introduction was on of my favourites. But on the other hand, I found the book quite drawn out and I wasn't overly invested in it. Which annoys me because 12 dates of Christmas was a favourite read of mine a few years back, this unfortunately wasn't the best read for me.

I’ve had this book sat on my Netgalley shelf for too long, so much so that I actually have a couple of Jenny’s books on it that I really want to get read asap, although the others may have to wait a while now..

Although saying that, I think part of the reason I hadn’t picked this one up was because I thought it was going to be quite festive but it was definitely more cosy, chilly winter than Christmas so it actually could be read any time of year!

If you’re a fan of short chapters then this definitely ticks that box - just be prepared for a lot of them… I was happily reading thinking I was blasting through the book and then when I turned my percentage on on kindle it was sat at about 30% (the chapter was also number 30)

Once I realised this it wasn’t a bad thing at all as it gave me loads of places to stop and I could happily snatch up the book whenever I had a few spare minutes, which I did a lot!

The characters really came to life in this book and I felt a kinship towards them all, they’re all characters in their own right as well not just as people to fill the space and I believe that they could easily have their own books. I absolutely loved the book clubs and the cafe just sounded absolutely delightful and the perfect tonic against the battering wind and rain.

Alfred steals your heart as you read this book and my heart was in my mouth towards the end as some drama takes force - although Maeve definitely has a little glint in her eye doesn’t she!!

Overall I really enjoyed this book and I could have easily sat and binge read it in a couple of days if I’d have had the time but instead it’s bought me a bit of comfort throughout the week which has been great. I’m already looking forward to more of Jenny’s writing and I’m not going to wait until Christmas this time

A heart warming read of community, autumn and Christmas charm and a romance. The characters are interesting and intriguing which just added to Annie's journey. Would definitely recommend.

If you enjoy the sea and the breeze it carries in the Winter, then this is already something you will find engaging. Annie takes herself off to the coast of Kent to escape her life and try for something new, Only her husband Max isn't ready to let go so easily. A great cold weather read that will transport you away, make you laugh, sigh and breathe easy. Recommended.

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

Christmas in August - great read and definitely put me on the countdown to Christmas. Thank you for this festive read which has definitely got me in the Christmas spirit even if it is August!

The Winder of Second Chances is a heart-warming seasonal story about giving a town and it's inhabitants a second chance, but is not the sweet romantic story I had expected. This is not bad, and the main character Annie does find her second chance(?) when meeting John, but my expectations were more of a 'true' second chance love story.

Loved loved loved this book! Last year I read The Twelve Dates of Christmas and absolutely loved it so could not wait to read this one and was not disappointed. So funny and relatable. An absolute must read for all!

A warm and cosy story of second chances. The descriptive writing transports the reader to the coast on a windswept day.
A set of quirky characters and a strong female MC. Annie has it all - an acclaimed restaurant, two gorgeous grown up sons and a loving husband. But life is about to fall apart. Annie moves away and takes up as new position on a beach house, she is welcomed with open arms into the new community. The only thorn in her side is John - the beach house owners nephew.
Romance, winter, humour and all set in a delightful village.

Delightful little book! I liked the characters and the setting - Christmas by the seaside? What's not to love? It was a very cosy read, one to curl up with by the fire on a chilly day. I would also say that this is a book that can be enjoyed year round, not just at Christmas, because the seaside setting makes it feel like a great escape from the humdrum world.

I first read Jenny Bayliss last year, and she has slowly moved her way up my favourite author's list.

I read this over Christmas and I loved how cosy and inviting it was, and her making her mark in a wonderful new seaside town. Will definitely read the next!

Loved this, start to finish was a fantastic read. Was so pleased to be given the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion thank you netgalley and the author and publisher

I am sooooo in love with this book. From the first chapter I was gripped and fully loving the characters and plot. Jenny Bayliss is a fantastic writer, I felt like I was living this or watching it on screen. I’ll definitely be recommending this one!

The Winter if Second Chances - Jenny Bayliss

I adored this book, from the characters to the dreamlike setting, food and drink descriptions and even a book club featuring, what is there not to like! This is the second book I have read by Jenny Bayliss (the first being the twelve dates of Christmas) which I also enjoyed but this was SO good and I can't wait to read more. There were quite a few characters within the book and usually that does put me off a story, however there was nothing about this book that I did not like. I normally race through books that I am enjoying but I purposefully kept putting this book down so that it would last longer. Thank you Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the e-arc, I can only apologise in the delay of my opinion