Book Review: Spring Tides at the Starfish Café by Jessica Redland

A big lovely welcome back to Jessica Redland. She is here with the blog tour for her latest novel, Spring Tides at the Starfish Café. 

Welcome back to the Starfish Café – where you will find stunning views, delicious food and lifelong friendships.

A new season…

As winter turns to spring, Hollie – owner of The Starfish Café – is feeling content as she settles into her new life with her loving boyfriend, Jake, and their adorable dog Pickle.

But when an unwelcome visitor threatens the future of her café, Hollie must stay strong to protect her family’s legacy…

A leap of faith…

Emerging from an unhappy relationship, Tori finds herself with nowhere to stay and nobody to talk to. The long-hidden secrets of her past weigh heavily on her until a chance encounter with Finley, struggling to come to terms with his own secrets, provides an opportunity to open up.

Can she find the strength to stop hiding from her past and face up to her family? Especially when that would mean letting her guard down and learning to trust again…

A fresh start…?

Little do Hollie and Tori know that their lives are about to collide at The Starfish Café and they may be able to help each other with a fresh start. After all, with good friends in your life, nothing is impossible…

*****

Winter is now Spring. Hollie and Jake are settling into their new life with Pickle and business at the Starfish Café has never been better. 

However, someone wants Hollie’s café and it seems they will stop at nothing to get it. 

Tori has been with Layton for a few years. After a near death experience, she begins to question their relationship, his commitment and behaviour. It’s also been years since she has spoken to her family. If she left, where would she go? 

I was so excited to be invited onto this blog tour. It was so lovely to be back at the Starfish Café. It was like grabbing a cup of tea, pulling up a chair and being back with old friends. 

Don’t worry if you’ve not read Snowflakes Over the Starfish Café. Although this book is book two in the series, it could be read as a standalone in my opinion. However, the first book is brilliant so I would recommend it. 

Hollie continues to be a wonderful, kind, relatable character. She’s a lot stronger and self assured this time around which was good to see. 

Jake continues to be his lovely, charming self and it was great to see him grow as the plot progressed.  

Tori is a great addition to the narrative. Her circumstances made me sad in so many ways, as did Finley’s situation. I really wanted it to work out for them. Both characters had some complicated themes and emotions to deal with and it was tackled well and with warmth and humour. 

The plot develops well and goes smoothly between the point of view of Hollie and Tori. This book, like its predecessor, was hard to put down. There wasn’t a dull moment for me. 

I love these people and the setting so much. I could imagine myself there, standing on the terrace of The Starfish Café, taking in the scenery. If there is anywhere down in the south (where I am,) that comes to mind when I think of the stunning fictional Yorkshire town of Whitsborough Bay, it’s Swanage – one of my favourite places. I really didn’t want the book to end and I hope it’s not the last we see of these characters. 

Spring Tides at the Starfish Café is a beautifully written story full of love, friendship and warmth, filled with humour, great characters and a gorgeous setting. It’s a perfect companion for that holiday with sun or escaping on a horrible, rainy day. 

(Thank you to Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.) 

About Jessica Redland: 

Jessica Redland is the top 10 bestselling author of over thirteen novels, including The Secret to Happiness.

Inspired by her hometown of Scarborough she writes uplifting women’s fiction which has garnered many devoted fans.

Say hello to Jessica via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also sign up to her newsletter by clicking here. 

Spring Tides at the Starfish Café was released by Boldwood Books on 5th April 2022. Click to purchase on Amazon UK 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.