Long suffering wife Annie finally reaches her breaking point with her chetaing husband when she walks in on him in their restaurant, getting it on with a new waitress 20 years younger than her. At long last, Annie packs her bags and says goodbye to her spouse and business, and finds a new place to call home in Saltwater Nook - a cliffside haven perfect for a woman needing to reinvent herself. Soon Annie becomes involved in the community, but her new home is in danger from property investors who want to change it beyond recognition.

This was an enjoyable read that is great for Autumn/Winter with minimal Christmas (literally just the epilogue) so it could be read any time of year. I really appreciated following a character having up up her life and figure out what to do next who wasn;t in her twenties or early 30s but instead someone approaching 50, with grown up children and real experience with life and everything it throws at you. Annie as a character is strong, level-headed and business-savvy and I found her, and her new look on life, really refreshing.

One of the best things I think Jenny Bayliss does in her novels (having read both) is a sense of community. She writes these amazing settings that are so welcoming and real, from the types of shops and businesses you would expect to see in a little town to all the different personalities living there. Everyone is unique and you remember who everyone is - and I always find myself wishing she would write more in the same setting so I can get to know everyone a little bit better, and just stay there a while longer.

I also loved the different celebrations and festivals from Halloween to Bonfire Night, and then Christmas. All fun and different, and I loved how the Saltwater Cafe became a real highlight in the community and how welcoming everyone was to Annie and supportive of her new business.

There is a Victoria Book Club in this with Annie and some friends which contained some funny scenes but I do think some of the discussions they had about the books they read could actually have been cut down, as I'm not really reading a book to get a review of another book, and I found these conversations at the start went on a bit too long.

While I enjoyed this, it didn't hold quite the same sparkle for me as 12 Dates of Christmas - however, I will definitely be making Jenny Bayliss a yearly read if she brings out a new book every winter like I hope she does.

This book is brilliant I loved every page especially Annie character I loved how everyone loved her she so caring and lovely help people. Annie is a chef and start a new life by the sea and it’s a great community I would love to love there my self. I love this author writing style you feel that you in the book with them it’s so additive this book is didn’t take me long to read it. You love this book x

I loved the author's first novel and this second one didn't disappoint. It's a lovely story with great characters. I found it very entertaining, and laughed out loud several times. Very moving as well. I think this should be the first of a series as it would be wonderful to develop the characters and their lives further.
With grateful thanks to Netgalley, Pan Macmillan and Jenny Bayliss for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley  and the publishers for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.


The Winter of Second Chances is a book about Annie, who finds herself at a point in her life where everything she once thought made her happy, doesn't anymore. So Annie leaves her old life behind and moves into a little town, where she is supposed to stay only for a few months. But soon she finds herself enamored with the place and the people and the festivities.

This was the perfect festive read. The little town by the sea setting felt cozy, and I got all the Christmasy vibes. Annie is the perfect protagonist. She is likable, a feminist and is not afraid of speaking her mind. I absolutely loved everything from the women book club to the cozy café. The romance was really wholesome and made me smile a lot. All in all, this is the perfect read to fly through whilst snuggling under a blanket and listening to Christmas music.

I loved this book, it's a heartwarming story in many ways and Jenny Bayliss is skilled at including many laugh out loud moments. I loved Jenny's previous book, the twelve dates of Christmas too and so already look forward to next year's read too. Thanks to Netgalley a the author and publisher for my arc.

This was lovely! Totally predictable but wonderful! It was snowing outside and I was very snuggly with this book which I devoured!

I really loved this book. I think Annie’s strength of character was what gripped me- to (finally!) be so brave in the face of her husband’s behaviour.
The community of salt water nook were so lovely and welcoming, and living in a seaside town myself I spent the whole novel wishing that the salt water cafe would exist near me! Some drama, some romance, and bucket loads of friendliness. Would highly recommend!

I really enjoyed this book. The story follows Annie who, after leaving her cheating husband, escapes to the coast to horseshit Saltwater nook for the winter. There she encounters a welcoming community and the less welcoming nephew of the house's owner. This is a lovely easy to read book with lots of nice stories around the winter holidays. And a good bit of romance thrown in. Definitely recommend. Thanks to netgalky for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

A fabulous Christmas novel from Jenny Bayliss. Annie discovers her husband is having an affair and decides to leave. She then finds herself looking after a beach cafe by the sea and we follow her adventure. Easy to follow. Short chapters. Loveable and fun characters. Thanks Jenny, your publisher and NetGalley

A frothy combination of dark stormy nights in a seaside location with sufficient tension as Annie is torn between returning to her wayward husband or the unsettlingly severe yet attractive nephew of her lovely landlady. All bound up with great coffee, scrumptious food, a Victorian book club and a spirited local community, just curl up and enjoy.

This is a comfy comic Christmas read which is great to curl up with a cup of cocoa.
Annis has had enough of her cheating husband and decides to spread her wings without him. However, as she is accepted into into her community of Saltwater Nook her new life does not run smoothly.
Yes this may seem predictable but its all the interesting details along the way that makes this an interesting read.. curl up and enjoy

The Winter of Second Chances was a truly heartwarming read, and with the nights drawing in and Christmas just around the corner, it was perfect book to cosy up with.

I loved Annie’s character and I can completely see why she was drawn to Willow Bay and all of its quirks and traditions. While I did find the storyline somewhat predictable, the people - good and bad - that Annie meets along the way each have their individual charms and felt like old friends by the time the story draws to a close.

*Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

I loved this book, it was funny, romantic, great story and perfect escapism. Fabulous setting, characters and warmly written - very enjoyable!

I enjoyed this book. For me it’s not about the outcome, it’s the journey to get there. I thought this book was well written with believable characters. I would describe the language as modern and does contain some swearing, but not enough that it would put off anyone who doesn’t like that kind of thing. I thought the book was filled with hope, even though the main character gets off to a dodgy start. All round a good story and I am glad I got the chance to read it. Thank you #netgalley

I enjoyed reading this book although a little predictable in parts. I love Kent so that probably made it seem better. 4 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this e ARC

I enjoyed finding out about Saltwater Bay and the residents when Annie walks away from her cheating husband and their restaurant and becomes a temporary custodian of a lovely cottage by the sea.
I loved the characters Annie meets who become friends and I detested the cheating slimy husband!!
It was great to see Annie reopening the cafe and joining in with events. The style of writing was great as you felt you were really there experiencing the seaside village. I wanted to be able to, have a coffee in the cafe and join in the celebrations!

Sadly the old saying of not judging a book by its cover is very relevant here. I thought the book looked stunning and was keen to get stuck into a cosy, winter romance. That is what I got eventually but I thought this was poorly written and as a result was difficult to read. Thoughts were stated but not explored, I had more questions than answers for a lot of the read.
Towards the end, I did enjoy this more, but I am not sure if the quality improved or I got used to it. I did enjoy the characters and their story. It is quite sweet and a lovely read but I was also bored.

I really enjoyed this wintery feel good romance . Yes it is a tad predictable but it’s still super enjoyable! Annie has just left her marriage and goes to a seaside town in Kent and ends up opening a cafe and making lots of friends except John… but not for long!

Another beautiful novel from Jenny Bayliss! After reading and loving The Twelve Dates of Christmas, I couldn’t wait for this and I’m so happy I got to read it early.

Annie finally has enough of her cheating husband and sets off to start again, house sitting in a cute seaside village.

What comes next is uplifting, heartbreaking and completely encouraging.
Without giving it away, you just have to read this yourself, it’s well worth it!

I am now definitely putting Jenny Bayliss on my auto buy list!!

Thank you NetGalley, Jenny Bayliss and PanMacmillan for my advanced copy!

A wonderful Christmas romance full of humour, just loved it.

Annie leaves her husband after he`s unfaithful to her yet again, leaving behind a 5 star restaurant. She reply's to an add to be a temporary caretaker in a flat with a café attached in a small Kent seaside village on the sea front. The owner is 80yr old Mari found it hard living there by herself so left her nephew John in charge.
Annie makes friends with all the village except John which starts out very badly, she ends up opening the café for various occasions which is a great success.

Ok you can see what`s coming but the journey is full of laugh out loud humour, so easy to read with great characters, loved them all.
Definitely recommend for a nice cosy Christmas read.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review