Book Review: Snowflakes over Micklewick Bay by Eliza J Scott

I’m very happy to be welcoming Eliza J Scott to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Snowflakes over Micklewick Bay.

A wintry treat brimming with snowflakes, secrets and second chances!

When her beloved Aunt Colleen passes away, settling her affairs means doing the one thing Hannah Merryweather has spent years avoiding: returning to Micklewick Bay, the seaside town she fled years ago and has never quite found the courage to face again.

Coming home means facing the past too. Polly, her stepmother, and Darryl, her stepbrother, still loom large over the life she once knew, and the home she lost is never far from her thoughts.

Then, on her very first day back, she nearly collides with the one man she never expected to see again: Lachie, the kilted, green-eyed Scotsman who stole her heart last spring. His unexpected arrival in Micklewick Bay is the last complication Hannah needs – especially as feelings she thought she’d locked away start to resurface.

As Hannah slowly uncovers just how far her aunt’s plans for her future stretch – including one life-changing surprise waiting at the end of the pier – can she find the courage to claim the life, and the love, Auntie Colleen always believed she deserved?

A beautifully uplifting story of hope and second chances, set in the snow-globe charm of Micklewick Bay.

Perfect for readers who love:

• Cosy seaside fiction
• Slow-burn romance
• Stories about fresh starts
• Female friendship and found family
• Wintry settings

*****

When still a teenager, Hannah left Micklewick Bay thinking she’d never return. However, when a family tragedy pulls her back, she is soon having to decide whether to face her past or leave forever. 

I do love a book by Eliza J Scott and will always try to join a blog tour for her novels. Needless to say, I was very happy to be invited to review the latest instalment in the Micklewick Bay series, Snowflakes Over Micklewick Bay. 

I was very sad to hear that this is the last book in the series. However, if you’ve not yet discovered this amazing set of stories, you have eight books to disappear into. Snowflakes Over Micklewick Bay can also be read as a standalone. 

Told from the point of view of Hannah, the  narrative held a few surprises. There were moments where I wanted to cheer, boo, laugh, smile and, dare I admit it, cry. The plot for this book didn’t go in the direction I had expected it to, and I loved that it didn’t. The stunning cover does give this book a festive feel but a lot of it takes place throughout the year so it’s a perfect book to read anytime you like. The story uses time jumps to give an overall look at Hannah’s life, how she got to this point, and the reasons for what she does next. 

Without hopefully giving too much away, this book is very much about Hannah overcoming her past, accepting herself and having faith that things will be ok. She is at the heart of this novel and from the very beginning, I empathised with her. She felt like a real, beautiful, flawed person with emotion and passion. I can relate to her in terms of confidence levels and that feeling of not knowing how people are going to react. Mentally, she’s got herself in a bit of a pickle. This theme, along with grief and childhood trauma, is handled with a lot of care. 

Lachie was also an interesting character and although I can see why it wouldn’t be possible to show his point of view without taking away from Hannah’s story, I think there’s maybe room for a novella that shows us his side? Maybe? Just saying? 

Birdie is wonderful, as is Aunt Colleen. Fans of this series will be pleased to know that Lark, Stella, Maggie, Jasmine and Florrie make a very welcome reappearance. I love the spirit of their friendship and how easily it expands without any drama. Just love and support. 

To me, that’s what this novel is about – finding your place, your people, self-worth and belief in your own power. It’s about letting people in and learning to trust again in relationships and in yourself. Eliza J Scott demonstrates this perfectly within this book with her usual charm and humour. Put another way… I loved it. 

About Eliza J Scott –

Eliza J Scott lives in North Yorkshire with her family and has wanted to be a writer as far back as she can remember. She is inspired by her beautiful surroundings and loves to write heartwarming stories based on romance and friendship with a generous dollop of community spirit and a hint of humour.

When she’s not writing, Eliza can usually be found with her nose in a book or working in her garden doing a spot of plot wrangling (of the writing variety), and battling against the weeds. The weeds, unfortunately, are currently winning but Eliza is undeterred. Roses are amongst her favourite flowers and she doesn’t need much of an excuse to visit a plant centre, where a new rose always seems to mysteriously find its way onto her trolley much to her husband’s astonishment.

Eliza also enjoys having a catch-up with friends over tea and cake, as well as bracing walks in the countryside, rounded off by a visit to a teashop – for yet more tea and cake!

Say hello to Eliza via her website, UK Amazon Author Page, US Amazon Author Page, X, Facebook, Bookbub, Threads and Instagram. 

Snowflakes over Micklewick Bay is book 8 in the Micklewick Bay series and was released in 2026. Available in bookshops. Click to buy on Amazon UK, Amazon US, Barnes & Noble and Waterstones. 

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.