3 Women Discover Surprising Love By the Seaside
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Blog Tour
Part of the Timeless Regency Collection, A Seaside Summer is an anthology of three stand alone Regency Romance novellas written by three well-known and talented writers. The novellas range from 77 to 109 pages in length, and each takes place near various seaside locales in the summer. I hope this break down is helpful!
THE NEW COUNTESS – Josi S. Kilpack
- The Premise: Lady Avery is luxuriating in a simple summer holiday away from formality, society, and schedules until her husband spontaneously arrives and brings with him unwanted duties, expectations, and intrusive obligations…
- My Thoughts: What an honest look at a seemingly content marriage of convenience, and an apt reminder that surface-level relationships are never satisfying or longterm successful. I loved seeing all the steps and learning this married couple went through, especially the moments they started to drop their facades and say what was truly in the hearts. In addition, I was completely endeared by the children, and I loved witnessing their bonds with their new parents and siblings become more tightly knit together.
MISHAPS AND MEMORIIES – Martha Keyes
- The Premise: At a fateful ball in Brighton James Carlisle was an unforgivably rude and insulting dinner companion to Judith Jardine. And when she discovers him unconscious on the beach and unable to remember who he is, she decides some harmless retribution is in order…
- My Thoughts: It’s a Regency Overboard! Haha! It was quite a delicious farce to see such an elevated and eligible gentleman contentedly doing the drudge work of a servant…even when his memory return. Even though there were some instances that required the reader to suspend some disbelief a little, I enjoyed the entertaining tangle of webs both characters wove together and the fun of anticipating when the truth would be revealed!
MOONLIGHT SUMMER – Heather B. Moore
- The Premise: Dorothea Atkinson is trying to resign herself to an arranged marriage of her stepfather’s choosing when she encounters a kind but socially ostracized gentleman by the sea…
- My Thoughts: I LOVED every meeting between these two characters – they say so little, yet it is feels so important and meaningful. I loved how they had matching gentle natures, kind hearts, and hidden backbones of steel. I enjoyed hearing about their sketches and I loved that they had a special place where they individually and jointly found solace. I especially loved the honorable actions of both of these characters. My favorite!
CONCLUSION:
Not sure if this was intentional or coincidental, but one element that all three novellas had in common was that they all portrayed characters with limited options. Whether it was because they lacked wealth or security, suffered from societal disdain, or were coerced by family – these women (and sometimes men) had to contemplate and, in some cases, accept marriages without love because they had no other alternatives. How fortunate they are that it all turned out well!
A Seaside Summer is a most delightful and romantic escape to shore, replete with some favorite summertime pursuits – swimming, fishing, and moonlight strolls on the beach. Each story is sincere, modest, and exquisite – I thoroughly enjoyed them all!
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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Mirror Press is kindly giving away an ebook of any of the 16 previous books in the Timeless Regency Collection (winner’s choice!) at each stop of this blog tour.
To enter this giveaway, leave a comment about my review.
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Mirror Press!
- This giveaway ends September 26th.
Thanks for sharing here.
Love your description of Mishaps and Memories as Overboard has always been a favorite movie to watch.
I loved reading this non-JAFF review!
Don’t get me wrong, I love JAFF but from time to time I feel every heroine is named Elizabeth. 😛
Thank you for the thorough and intriguing review!
I fell in love with regency novels before I discovered Jane Austen. Thank you for the review!
I love a novella to break up my reading–sometimes you need a good snack, not just a big meal ;}
Ilike the premise behind A Seaside Summer. Its interesing to see more of what is behind a regency marriage.
These sound charming and a great antidote to the particular stresses of pandemic life (we’re in lockdown again). You point out how these women had few options — indeed that was the case for the majority of Regency women. Our lives may be different, but sooner or later we also face situations without alternatives. I welcome the chance of escape a good read offers.
Great review!
These sound interesting, I’m always keen to read marriage of convenience/arranged marriage stories where couple have to learn about and accept each other.
Please delete my last name from my comment, I put it on there by mistake and can’t find an edit button. Thanks!
I love novellas , its a break from the longer novels. Sometimes one just needs a quick pick me up, and a regency novella is almost as good as a chocolate bar. Maybe even better!
All three stories sound wonderful!
Your review made me interested in looking at the book at Amazon. I’d love to be in the giveaway for one of the previous books in the series
sounds delightful.
denise
I haven’t read all of the books in this series, but the ones I have read have been a pleasantly sweet escape. Thank you for the review.
Thank you for sharing your lovely review, Meredith. I love short fiction and also enjoyed being by the seaside with all of these stories. I am looking forward to the next book in the collection, The Inns of Devonshire. Best, LA