The Holiday Cottage by the Sea: An utterly gorgeous feel good romantic comedy

Holly Martin

Apr 2018 · Bookouture

About this ebook

‘Wow! Every time I pick up a Holly Martin book I devour it within hours… Holly Martin's writing is more than a 5 star rating…’ Goodreads Reviewer
The new book from the bestselling author of Summer at Buttercup Beach. Escape to Sandcastle Bay, where you’ll discover a charming little seaside village brimming with heart-warming friendships, quirky characters and plenty of sunshine.

The perfect place to fall in love this summer…

Tori Graham is in need of a holiday. Trying to piece her heart back together after losing the love of her life, she escapes to Blossom Cottage, with its picturesque views of the sea. And plans to spend the summer in gorgeous Sandcastle Bay, where her best friend Melody Rosewood lives.

Tori’s not expecting her summer by the beach to be eventful, until she meets handsome and mysterious Aidan Jackson…

Aidan looks after the holiday cottage Tori is staying in. Healing from past hurts, he wants to avoid any further chance of heartache. But could this newcomer be the breath of fresh air he needs?

Finding herself embracing life in the coastal community, Tori starts to fall in love with Sandcastle Bay and its welcoming cast of residents. But that’s not all she begins to fall for, as Tori is swept away by Aidan’s genuine heart and mischievous sense of humour. The attraction between them is undeniable, but will a simple holiday romance be enough?

As Tori’s stay in Sandcastle Bay comes to an end she has a tough decision to make…. Has her heart found a new place to call home?

A joyously romantic summer read that will make you laugh, cry and fall in love. If you enjoy reading Sarah Morgan, Jenny Oliver and Lucy Diamond this book is for you.

Read what everyone is saying about Holly Martin:

'OMG this is Holly's best book ever I haven't laughed so much in ages … hilarious and endearing … The chemistry is electric (and steamy too).' Goodreads

'To say I loved this story is a huge understatement. I read it in one sitting and honestly could not put it down once I started … I loved every minute of it.' Fiona's Book Reviews

'I absolutely flew through this book … A wonderful story that I have no doubt will leave you with a smile!'Rae Reads

'A fantastically romantic book … I was almost in tears …Holly Martin at her best.' Rachel’s Random Reads 

'This is a hug in a book and I found it simply delightful.' Goodreads

'Oh my! I think I’ve just fell in love! The characters are just fantastic and incredibly loveable ... The book is jam packed with romance, passion and fun. This is one of the loveliest romances I’ve ever read.' Goodreads

'An absolutely FAB story! Holly Martin does it again! I LOVE Holly's books and this one is brilliant! A beautifully written, feel good, fun, charming tale that grabs you from the first page.Adored it and highly recommend to everyone.' Renita D'Silva

'Every page of this book was delicious and impossible to put down … a beautifully written tale, that was funny and well thought out … Swoonsome, flirty and downright gorgeous.'Escapades of a Bookworm

'This is probably the best Holly Martin book I’ve read so far! Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic.' Stardust Book Reviews

'Sometimes you just need a really good read, one that will lift you out of your doldrums. When I’m having a day (or week) like that, I reach for Holly Martin and I’m never disappointed...you can suspend disbelief and, for a little while, believe in happily ever after.' For the Love of Books

Ratings and reviews

Tori has been lonely in London, throwing herself into her work as an animator after her best friend and roommate left. Melody went to Sandcastle Bay in Cornwall after her brother’s death, her sister Isla has guardianship of young Elliot, and Melody is there to help her out. But this leaves Tori out in the cold: she and Matthew had a ‘secret relationship’, that she had come to rely on, even as she can’t get past her fear of a relationship bringing anything but pain. But, missing her friends and desperately in need of a break, Tori has rented Blossom Cottage in return for helping with the fruit picking at Heartberry Farm: a combined getaway / vacation / reconnect with friends fortnight on the Cornwall coast. From the first moment to the last, Martin’s skill with characters and comical ‘toss you in the deep end’ situations have Tori rethinking her vacation: a traffic jam with immobile sheep, chased by a turkey, a strange old lady who is predicting her marriage and her lingering discomfort with the secret connection to Matthew that she never shared with his sisters. Oh – and did I mention Aidan – and her stuck for words elbow-fetish, her friends obvious crushes on two of the café owners brothers and the almost overwhelming tales of the Heartberry and its magical powers. What Holly Martin does so well is let a story develop – from being enveloped into the community gossip to being a target for the quirky Aunt Agatha’s ‘matchmaking’, the story is crazy wonderful – you can hear the conversations, feel how the magic of the place (and Aidan) are working their magic on Tori – everyone busily declaring their unavailability for a ‘relationship’ but that something between them is too great to ignore. When you add in her excitement in creating an advertising story for the farm, the crazy animals (Beast, Beauty and Dobby the Turkey who believes he’s a dog – and HUGS his owner) the story moves from one moment of laughs to the next. Add in little Elliot, and his penchant for questions that come at the worst times, and repeating words that he shouldn’t – the story feels plausible and leaves everyone smiling in all the best ways. 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.