Spring at Lavender Bay (Lavender Bay, Book 1)

Beth is having a rough month: missing her friends back in Lavender Bay, frustrated with work and a dotard for a boss, a depressing bed-sit that takes much of her salary and still wondering how to explain to her absent but very overly critical mother that she’s not got the ‘boyfriend of her mother’s dreams’ after all. And then, the biggest hit: Eleanor, the woman who took her in as a teen and provided her with love, acceptance and security has died, and left her a shop and apartment on the towns promenade. Hating her job, and dreaming just a little bit, she thinks that perhaps she can run the shop and be among friends in the only place that ever felt like home to her, despite disappointing her mother now a charter member of the botox-bridge club in Florida where she lives with her new-ish husband. Coming home where her best friend Libby is running the Fish & Chip shop with her father, next door to her other best friend Eliza’s parents’ pub, where her brother Sam has stepped in as his father is ill, with plenty of skype time (and several visits from Eliza – now married and living ‘away’, and not really happy) she’s back home with a mountain of decisions to make, and plenty to learn. And when you add Sam into the mix, Eliza’s older brother who always looked out for her, but now is looking out for her and causing all sorts of unsettling feelings – she’s certain he’s only wanting to be a friend, despite the lingering looks and a mad kiss…. Bennett takes readers through the changes for Beth: her fears about being able to run the shop, all she needs to learn, her worries about ‘failing’ and even her moments of utter despair when she discovers her ex is marrying and her mother, never supportive in the best of times, will lose her mind when she learns that Beth wants to stay in Lavender Bay. With a penchant for running when the going gets tough, it takes Sam to drag her back and show her that home, or the home she wants, is in her grasp, and while she mightn’t have the family she hoped for growing up – she has a chance to build her life in ways that she had only dreamed of growing up – if only she’d take it. This was a story that was full of friendship, support, caring and a solid sense of place and home: allowing readers to cheer on Beth, sigh over Sam’s loving care for her, enjoy her friends and yearn for the support that the community brings to one of their own. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

DNF at 35%. I adored Sarah Bennett's Butterfly Cove series so I was stoked to see this up for request at NetGalley. Sadly, after two attempts I just couldn't get into this book. Beth Reynolds spent the best part of her childhood at Lavender Bay but left to forge a career in London. However, when her mentor Eleanor dies and leaves her Eleanor's Emporium in Lavender Bay she burns her boats and comes back home. There are plenty of characters and old school friends but I didn't warm to anyone and at over a third through the book I just had the overwhelming feeling that nothing was happening, and frankly I didn't care. I've been on a book downer this year so maybe I'm being overly harsh but I just didn't feel interest in finishing the book. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Bit cheesy in some parts but does exactly what it says on the tin! Feel good, soppy Rom-com. Great. Thanks! Getting the next book in the series right now