Maria Baer

Sometimes I pick up a book on a hunch, just sensing it's going to be something special-and The Seaside House by Sophie Kenna absolutely delivered. From the moment I read the description, 1 had a good feeling, and it did not disappoint. This book is a beautiful example of how you don't need an over-the-top plot to create a truly engaging, emotionally compelling story. At its heart, this is a story about a woman piecing her life back together after everything seems to fall apart. It's told in such a grounded, honest way that it feels deeply human and relatable. I especially appreciated that it wasn't a long book, yet it managed to tell such a rich, satisfying story-that's a huge plus for me. Not every good book needs to be hundreds of pages long; sometimes less truly is more. The characters were likable and real (with a few exceptions that added to the drama), and the seaside setting was absolutely perfect-calming, picturesque, and fitting for the tone of the story. There's something so soothing about the way this book was written, and I found myself completely immersed in it. If you're looking for a clean women's fiction read-something heartfelt without graphic content-this book is exactly that. A warm, reflective, and hopeful story you can fully sink into. What I loved most is that the ending sets things up beautifully for the next book. I already can't wait to read more from Sophie Kenna!