Book Review: Celebrations at the Beach Hotel By Francesca Capaldi

Please join me in welcoming Francesca Capaldi back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Celebrations at the Beach Hotel.

Sisters Alice and Annie have always been close but will a man come between them?

Annie and Alice love their life working at the Beach Hotel together and each is thrilled to have finally found a sweetheart. Yet the path of true love never did run smooth, and they soon find themselves facing conflict and strife. Could love come between them and the bond they share?

Meanwhile, as men start to come home from the war, the women have to work out how to keep their jobs, although they are delighted to be back with their beaus. Soon, wedding bells ring out in Littlehampton.

Will everything be made right in time for Christmas?

*****

It’s a pleasure to be taking part in the blog tour for the latest novel in Francesca Capaldi’s Beach Hotel series.

Even though we’ve featured this series before, it’s my first review. I am not sure how that’s happened. This is book six in the series. Although I felt that reading previous novels would enrich my experience of this book, I didn’t feel that I had missed any important information so it can be read as a standalone. 

At the heart of this novel sits a collection of relatable, well developed characters who are all trying to navigate life at the end of the First World War. I found it interesting how both points of view are explored – the men adjusting when coming home but we also get the point of view of all the people left behind. The women who contributed so much more than given credit for. It was refreshing to see that many of the male characters show how progressive they are. 

The story moves between a few characters but mostly focuses on sisters, Annie and Alice. 

The supporting characters are a good mixture. Through them, themes such as PTSD are explored, as well as racism and bigotry. I got really angry at a few scenes and wanted to jump into the novel. However, when it comes to Johnny for example, It had me thinking about how emotions run high when people have experienced trauma. It doesn’t condone certain behaviours but you can at least understand them. A reminder of how horrible the First World War was seems particularly topical right now. 

The plot unfolds at a good pace and is really driven by the characters. It builds up to a  satisfying ending. 

The scene the author sets is vivid and I could smell the sea and imagine the hotel. I could see the decadence of the building. 

I don’t want to give too much more away. This book reflects life in a wonderful way. It explores the good and the bad and reminds us to focus on the beauty of life and to be grateful for the small, happy moments with the people you love. 

About Francesca Capaldi –

aFrancesca Capaldi has enjoyed writing since she was a child, largely influenced by a Welsh mother who was good at improvised storytelling and an Italian father who loved history. She is the author of historical sagas, short stories and pocket novels.

The first novel in the Beach Hotel series, A New Start at the Beach Hotel, won the Romantic Saga Award at the Romantic Novelists’ Association Awards in 2024. The first novel in the Wartime in the Valleys series, Heartbreak in the Valleys, was shortlisted for the Historical Romantic Award in the RoNAs in 2021.

Francesca was born and brought up on the Sussex coast, went to London to do a history degree, but has lived for many years in Kent with her family and a cat called Lando Calrission.

Say hello to Francesca via her website and on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

Celebrations at the Beach Hotel is book six in the Beach Hotel Series. It was released by Hera on 15th January 2026. Click to buy on Amazon UK, Kobo, Amazon US, Waterstones and Barnes & Noble. 

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.