Grab a copy of this fabulous book now! Annie Sharpe has a golden life, wife to Max, her childhood sweetheart, with twin sons Peter and Alex, and chef/owner of a MIchelin starred restaurant. Then a small error on her part leads Annie to confront a truth she's been ignoring for too long. A chance sighting of an unusual advertisement leads Annie to a role as short-term caretaker of a tiny cottage on the Kent coast called Saltwater Nook (the cottage not the village) while its owner holidays with a friend in Cornwall.

The village of Willow Bay is small and friendly, soon Annie, and Saltwater Nook are at the heart of village life, hosting various festivals and parties to mark the passing of the seasons. The only issue is her landlady's nephew John, who seems determined to sell Saltwater Nook to a developer.!
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I jumped at the chance to read The Winter Of Second Chances.
A middle-aged woman like me - starting again..
Annie Sharpe has it all. A successful restaurant, two lovely children in the forms of her grown-up twin sons and an adoring husband.

Or does she ?

A husband who is too busy caring about others, not her. And she catches him, in the act with his latest bit in the side.
What's a wife going to do?
We watch as Annie ups sticks, and removes herself from a toxic situation that has been simmering for a long while, and finds herself as the tenant and guardian for a small, beach hut/kiosk/tea room called Saltwater Nook.
Here, Annie finds her feet, making what she expects to be temporary friends, and a little hobby to keep her busy as. she figures out her life.
But nothing is straightforward.
I loved Annie. She was a straight-talking woman, who found her voice regarding her marriage a little later than in other aspects of her life. It tales quite a backbone to leave everything you have worked for, and start afresh.
The locals she encounters are fab, especially her new book club friends, who become a little raucous, but with funny consequences.

The owners of the two local pubs welcome her, and she even makes a tentative friend with the local homeless man, Albert.
And who can forget John? John, the nephew of her landlady, who seems hellbent on selling this little nook she is looking after. John, who has different layers. John, who becomes rather fanciable to a newly single woman,
Lovely cosy reading perfect for this time of year..

I loved this so, so, much! The Winter of Second Chances reminded me of an adult version of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books with their smuggler’s coves and secret passageways under the sea, but without the ‘lashings and lashings of ginger beer’, and instead, lots of hot chocolate with marshmallows!

Annie needed to get away. From her husband, her restaurant, and her life in the city, and so she finds a nice little hideaway on the coast where she can begin to reset her life. However, her plans to relax and take some time out for herself soon embark on a different route, and soon Annie finds herself busier than ever.

The Winter of Second Chances is a beautiful, cosy read which will warm the cockles of your heart. Alfred reminded me of Tammylan in Enid Blyton’s, ‘Children of Cherry Tree Farm’, with his outdoor living and love of nature. I know that Enid Blyton’s books never became popular in the US, but those of you in the UK will understand completely!

This is a brilliant book for a stormy winter’s day, so grab yourself that hot chocolate, settle back, relax and enjoy this amazing read from Jenny Bayliss.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The Winter of Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss.

This is a heartwarming and riveting story, one of those book perfect for a grey and cold afternoon.
It's not one which redefines a genre as the plot is a bit predictable but it's surely highly entertaining.
I like story set in small community and like those that features over 40 characters.
This story ticked all the check and I liked it.
Likeable and well written characters, a lovely setting, good storytelling.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I enjoyed this book, I read last years 12 Dates of Christmas, so was worried this one would not be as good, but I wasn't disappointed, I liked the characters they were very well written, a lovely start to feeling Christmassy.

I loved this book! It's refreshing to read a book with a female protagonist in their 40's for starters. Annie's a great character. And it's a great story. I particularly liked all the foodie elements, as the cafe is brought back to life. Loved all the seaside characters, and Miss Tiggy Winkle made me laugh. Perfect ending too. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a wonderfully uplifting story which has everything that a reader wants from a feel good light hearted story.

Annie is in her early 40’s, mum to adult twin boys and married to her childhood sweetheart with whom she runs a successful restaurant. What she does not anticipate is walking in and finding him cheating on her with a staff member half her age. To distance herself from him and the situation she takes up a temporary position as custodian of a house on the beach where she finds herself caught up with the locals and falling in love with more than the home she is custodian of.

The characters are beautifully described and make you root for each and every one of them, well apart from love rat husband Max! The descriptions of the seaside are inviting and the slow burning romance between Annie and John is wonderfully told. There is much humour too and the introduction of Mr Knightley is very funny. The perfect romantic comedy and a great follow up to last years The Twelve Dates of Christmas.

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

The Winter of Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss a fantastic five-star read. This was so much, I didn’t always like everyone, there were times when I wanted to shake some characters, but honestly, overall, it was a lovely warm story in the end. I adore Jenny Bayliss as they just create characters who will take you on their journey. Leaving you with warm fuzzies.

Why do so many novels start with an attractive, yet angry and uncooperative man? I knew from the start how it would end…how it must end!
I loved the way Annie and John swore, conversationally - it made it all far less twee, and far more true to life and realistic.
A fab book, I really enjoyed it!

I think Jenny Bayliss is set to be one of my new favourite authors in this genre!
The Winter of Second Chances is a great balance of humour, feel-good warmth and great story-telling.
When Annie finds her husband Max, in their restaurant in a compromising position with a young waitress, she decides she's had enough, and looks to leave their marriage, home and business behind.
Finding the perfect bolt-hole as a winter caretaker of Saltwater Nook on the Kent coast, Annie proceeds to mend her heart. Quickly becoming part of the village community, this story is fresh and engaging. Great characters and you really get a feel for the beautiful, windswept location. Pure escapism from dull winter days.
Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for this ARC.

I loved this book!

Annie has had enough of her cheating husband Max after catching him with someone else, not the first time he's cheated, but definitely the last time. But they have a very successful restaurant together, so it's hard to leave, but Annie has just had enough and, after replying to an advert, she ends up as a temporary caretaker to a beach house, while she thinks about her future and sorts her finances out. The current elderly owner, Mari, moves to stay with a friend elsewhere as she can't cope with the harsh winters there these days, and leaves her nephew, John, in charge, as he hopes to sell the property to a developer the following year.

The property also has a tea shop below it that has been shut for a while, but of course Annie soons get that opened again, and gets sucked into the village life, where the tea shop used to be a main centre for a lot of events in the past. I really liked Annie's get on with it personality, she managed to split from Max fairly amicably, her sons were great in supporting her to do what she wanted, and she even won grumpy John around!

A really lovely book that I thoroughly enjoyed. This is the second book I've read by Jenny Bayliss, the other one being The Twelve Dates of Christmas, and both have been really great reads.

This book is just so lush to read and has been the perfect escape. I love how it’s written. It has a gorgeous cover and is filled with a mix of superb characters and a great plot.

THE WINTER OF SECOND CHANCES by JENNY BAYLISS.

Annie Sharpe is doing well in life. She owns a successful restaurant, she has two grown up children and a seemingly good marriage
Then she catches her husband up to no good and everything falls apart.
Annie needs a fresh start. So she takes a job as the caretaker of a beachside house on the south coast.
Willow Bay offers Annie the time and space to heal and put her life back together.
Annie enjoys life in Willow Bay and finds she fits comfortably into village life.
It’s not all plain sailing, but can Annie find a second chance at love and life?

Ok, so this story was a little predictable, but that isn’t a bad thing, it was still a thoroughly enjoyable book.
This is a story with heart, a bit of drama, romance and fun.
You can’t help but fall in love with some lovely characters and the wonderful setting of Willow Bay.

A fabulously feel good read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

With thanks to #Netgalley and #PanMacmillan for an ARC of #TheWinterOfSecondChances by #JennyBayliss.

What makes this book different from the average 'chick lit' is the glimpse , every now and then, of a wry sense of humour. I really loathe the term 'laugh-out -loud' when appleid to a book, but I have to admit to a chuckle or three, just when it's unexpected.......'You had a pebble for a friend?', 'overfamiliar fir tree branches' and best of all, Mrs Tiggs...with her own mobile phone.
Annie and John have a shaky start when they first meet at Saltwater. Annie has taken off after finding her husband Max, with another woman. He comes across as a complete idiot, and I did want annie to take a firmer line with him. She is so supported by her two lovely sons. Her relationship with John grows beautifully and of course the ending is what we hope for.
I loved this book, hope to read more from this author. Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy.

Ah a lovely Christmas themed book - right up my street! A well written enjoyable novel about moving on and a word of warning, make sure you have a good snack with it as this book will make you ravenous!

Thanks to PanMac Marketing for inviting me to read this.

This is Bayliss's second novel and after really enjoying her first, I snapped up the chance to read this one too. I like how this is a Winter Season novel as opposed to a Christmas book. I like the Halloween festivities to go with the Christmas festivities. This novel is predictable (as I think all chick lit is) when it comes to the romance part of it, but I still found it gave me all the warm fuzzy feelings you want during the winter months! Also made me laugh quite a lot. I definitely want to go to a book club like Annie's!

A thriving restaurant business, two grown sons and a lying, cheating husband. Annie has it all. Over the years she has turned a blind eye to her husbands wandering ways but when confronted with it she leaves.
A new start in a new town, house sitting. Time and distance gives her the courage to end her marriage and move forward.
Not without hiccups, arguments, new friends and a fledgling business of her own.
Cheer Annie on as she rediscovers her self worth and possible romantic encounters.

Annie's journey from the restaurant where she finally faces the truth about her husband to the beautiful beach side cafe is an unusual start for a Christmas novel but don't worry it definitely fulfills the brief! A wonderful, heartwarming romance with a book club, hot chocolate, pumpkins and a wraparound community thrown in for good measure. Settle down in a comfy armchair and be prepared not to move for several very enjoyable hours!

There’s something automatically comforting and inviting about any novel featuring a small seaside community at the heart of which is either a cafe or a restaurant, serving as a welcoming place for all the residents to congregate, connect, converse, commiserate and celebrate. Whether it’s the combination of sea air and appetising images of the culinary fare on offer or the warm generous characters who extend the hand of friendship to newcomers I don’t know but a feeling that all will be right with the world instantly washes over you the minute you begin reading. Basically there’s nothing a good coffee/hot chocolate/glass of wine/homemade biscuits shared with new found friends can’t cure in the type of storyline where the emphasis is on starting over. Jenny Bayliss seduces her readers with the promise of all this and more with a wintry tale that is often as witty as it is warm. This is a storyline that’s like being wrapped up in a cozy blanket on a chilly winter’s night, wearing your favourite pjs, your head sinking into the softest, fluffiest pillows, your spirits soaring with every turn of the page.

Annie Sharpe is ready to grab her second chance at happiness when she swaps her married life for singledom, turning her back on The Pomegranate Seed, the restaurant she and husband Max have built up from scratch in favour of assuming temporary guardianship of Saltwater Nook, Willow Bay. This charming, quaint residence is owned and loved by the elderly Mari and it’s the perfect bolt hole for forty something Annie, a safe haven of peace and tranquility where she can lick the wounds inflicted by the self serving Max and take a well earned rest, rethink her future and possibly emerge a new woman, rejuvenated and ready to take on a new challenge.

Well I was immediately won over by this idyllic fictional setting inspired (I believe) by places along the Thanet coast. Memories of childhood day trips and holidays to Broadstairs resurfaced and even though I live in a seaside city I found myself longing to be part of this community which embraces Annie with open arms. In Willow Bay it would seem the spirit of all for one and one for all is well and truly alive, a network of support, kindness, and friendship in full swing amongst the majority of residents. There’s an underlying respect for tradition and desire to preserve the history of the place, particularly Saltwater Nook which has always been at the centre of Willow Bay. The arrival of Annie certainly helps to cement these feelings as she takes it upon herself to breathe new life into her surroundings, despite the fact her presence may only be short lived. There’s only so much inactivity Annie can tolerate before she needs to get her hands busy again! Any excuse for a party and everyone comes out of the woodwork, keen to jump on board helping with the organisation of major celebrations like Halloween, Bonfire Night, and Christmas festivities. Willow Bay is where it’s all happening! The joy these characters find in the simple things in life is infectious and the pleasure they get from paying their kindness forward is touching. I found myself swept along on a wave of happiness, feeling lighter and brighter for engaging with characters who bring out the best in each other.

They are a good assortment too from the outspoken but hilarious Maeve, to the private yet helpful ,homeless handyman Alfred to Mari’s nephew John Granger who’s responsible for ruffling a few feathers. Annie’s fellow book club members who include Maeve, Gemma and Sally add a sense of fun and sauciness to the narrative. I was impressed by their choice of titles and the speed at which they manage to get through them! The errant Max is constantly hovering in the background like a bad smell but Saltwater Nook has given Annie a new found strength and confidence to finally deal with his wily ways. She’s brave to strike out on her own but it soon becomes obvious she’s worth a 100 of Max! This woman is a go getter and she’s quickly finding her feet in a place that she feels privileged to call home.

I loved the good humoured banter between these characters which raises plenty of smiles and laughter too. Besides this there’s romance and the usual predictable mix of mild tension and bumps in the road but these are minor hurdles to overcome compared to the drama that draws the time in Willow Bay to a close. I wasn’t prepared for that! If I have any negative comments to make it’s that I found the ending to be overly dramatic and a trifle unbelievable although it fits in well with the history of the area. Also the second chances theme is such a popular and familiar thread explored by writers of this genre it can sometimes lose its shine, unless the characters truly stand out. On this occasion I think I fell in love with the setting and the ideal vision of such a close knit, inclusive community rather than the characters per se. That said Jenny Bayliss’s second novel is as enjoyable as her first. The Winter of Second Chances is a lovely, uncomplicated, lightweight piece of escapism, It is a soothing balm that gives you permission to unwind, relax and let your mind float free of all worries and stress (if only temporarily!) and don’t we all need that from time to time? Take a chance on this novel and you might find yourself wishing you could escape to Willow Bay whose restorative powers are most impressive!

My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

I read the authors debut novel The Twelve Dates of Christmas and really enjoyed it so I was looking forward to reading this one. It didn't disappoint.

Annie is such a great character I liked her right from the start and I loved Saltwater Nook and the whole community.

I was so drawn into the book that I found myself shouting out loud "No" at Annie during one of her encounters with her estranged husband Max, you'll have to read the book to guess which one! I also read well into the night to finish the book as the last few chapters got really exciting.

I could say so much about the book like what happened with Max, what led Annie to be at Saltwater Nook, who is Mr Knightley and why is John jealous ... but really wouldn't want to spoil it for anybody.

This is a perfect rom com winter read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC.