I received this book for free for a Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Cottage on Strawberry Sands by Holly Martin Also by this author: One Hundred Proposals, One Hundred Christmas Proposals, The Sentinel, Tied Up with Love
Series: Apple Hill Bay #2
Published by Self-Published on 11th April 2024
Genres: Chicklit, Contemporary, Love & Romance, RomCom
Pages: 315
Format: eARC
Source: for a Blog Tour
Goodreads
Amazon Kindle
Escape to the golden sands and glittering seas of Apple Hill Bay for a sizzling summer of love. From the bestselling author of Sunshine and Secrets at Blackberry Beach comes this gorgeously romantic tale.
They say there’s no place like home and for Roo Clarke this couldn’t be more true. Fourteen years ago she left the sparkling shores of Apple Hill Bay for America, leaving behind her childhood best friend Theo Lucas, and with him a piece of her heart. Nothing has felt right since then, and though she’s certain Theo has long since moved on from their hometown, Roo has high hopes that the exciting new job that’s brought her back here and the quirky beach hut she’ll make her own will fill her heart again.
But Theo hasn’t moved on, he’s right where Roo left him in Apple Hill Bay, and he’s even more gorgeous than Roo remembers. Fourteen years is a long time, but the secret crush she harboured as a teenager burns as intensely as if they’d never been apart. What if this is her chance to tell him how she really felt all those years ago? And what if he felt the same way? What if the lost years melted away, could they fall in love? Or could something unexpected ruin everything between them?
Step into the sunshine with this summer’s hottest love story, guaranteed to warm your heart and take your breath away. Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan, Jill Mansell and Sue Moorcroft.
Thank you to Holly for my copy of this book and for letting me take part in this tour. I am a long time fan of Holly’s writing so I jumped on the chance to be on this tour. This is the second book in the Apple Bay Hill series but could be read as a standalone.
If you are a follower of my reviews you will know I had a little girl just over 6 months ago (HOW is she 6 months already!) and since then I have found it harder and harder to concentrate on reading. When I picked up this book however I blocked out the rest of the world and soon became fully immersed in Theo and Roo’s story. From the very first page I felt like I had come home and in a blink I had read half the book.
Theo and Roo had the best chemistry. Having both had secret crushes on each other as teenagers they were both shocked and happy to see each other again. It was obvious from the start that these two were end game despite Roo’s resistance. Theo is everything you expect as the leading male character. He is kind, big hearted and damn hot! Roo is a easy main character to root for. She has been through the mill in her life and you just want everything to work out for her and Theo.
The big theme in this book are animals. From the pet publishing company that Roo works for to the wildlife rescue that they are partnered with, animals and their preservation are central in this book.
This book is the perfect summer romance story. It’s full of uplifting moments that will leave you with a big smile.
About Holly Martin
Holly has been writing for six years. She was shortlisted for the New Talent Award at the Festival of Romance. Her short story won the Sunlounger competition and was published in the Sunlounger anthology. She won the Carina Valentine’s competition at the Festival of Romance 2013 with her novel The Guestbook. She was shortlisted for Best Romantic Read, Best eBook and Innovation in Romantic Fiction at the Festival of Romance 2014. Holly lives in Bedfordshire.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2024 Goodreads Challenge
Leave a Reply