This review is based on the first two chapters, provided by Netgalley.

I've read a few of Jenny Colgan's novels in the past, including "Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe", "The Bookshop on the Corner", and "Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe". I've found each of these to be enjoyable reads that were quick to finish.

The Endless Beach feels like it has a bit of a different setting and tone from her previous novels - which isn't a bad thing. The beauty of the coastal town of Mure, as well as all the deliciousness of the goods sold in the Seaside Kitchen (butter, fresh seafood, scones!!) are wonderfully described.

Admittedly I was a little confused at some points in the opening on who's POV I was reading from - Flora or her boyfriend's Joel.. It was also hard to get to know our second Character, Lorna, too well in the second chapter.

Nonetheless - my attention's been captured and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this novel once it's released!

The first two chapters of ' The Endless Beach' give the reader a taste of the island of Mure and its inhabitants, through the eyes of Flora, an Islander, who has returned to Mure after working in London. Despite the allure of the bright lights, the island called her home, and she sees it with new eyes, delighting in its natural beauty and people.

For most people, seeing a whale would be a memorable experience, and Lorna agrees but knows the island's people are superstitious, and see a whale sighting as bad news.

This story has an air of mystery and intriguing characters.

Will Flora and Joel take the next step in their relationship? What happens on Flora's visit to London? Does the whale signify bad luck? Is their romance on the island for Lorna?

I can't wait to read the rest of the book to find out.

I received a two chapter sampler of this book from The Little Brown Book Company UK Sphere via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I may have said previously in reviews I don't like tasters. This is a sampler of the first two chapters of Jenny Colgan's book The Endless Beach set on the fictitious Island of Mure.
So, what is he doing requesting this romantic fiction piece clearly aimed at a female audience?
Good question. However, I do like good authors and Jenny had evidence of a long list of best-selling novels that she is excellent at what she does and highly respected in this genre.
Does it come over as sexist to rail against being drawn into a romantic story; saying it is more suited to my wife's tastes and as an Alpha male I would protest so loudly.
Well it does read from the standpoint of the two main female characters and the males they encounter and have designs on at this early stage are not largely fleshed out. Weddings are spoken about and female extras are interestingly commented upon in terms of emotions and desires. Some male participants, fishermen are spoken off less favourably from a female perspective as being unsuitable boyfriend material due to their smell of fish and the number of digits left on their hands.
Standing outside the romantic notions and rich vein of relationship hopefulness the two main female characters introduced in these two chapters are Flora; dating a rich successful boyfriend who she has ‘loved’ for a long time and recently has ‘noticed’ her and currently they are together. However, work takes him away most of the time, he is broody and fails to communicate openly with her. Indeed, her boyfriend Joel seems to see her as a mystical creature, full of magic and wonder. He remains aloof unless united in their love making that is more body language than the spoken word. She is struggling to set up a business from scratch on the island and despite his wealth struggles financially and wouldn’t dream of asking for his investment in the enterprise.
Walking along the beach (Endless Beach) is Lorna a teacher. She seems to have an inkling for a refugee whose status and right to remain is in doubt yet he practices his profession as a doctor among the community. Saif, left a terrible unknown county and has become separated from his wife and children. Lorna can’t talk to him about such painful things where the island survives of gossip and tittle tattle this played out human tragedy is on another level completely.
The reader feels however that these are perhaps another potential couple in the making however such a relationship could play out. There is a timely potent sign. A whale close to the beach is breaking the surface and diving down again. Lorna is worried he may wash ashore and die but a further ominous factor is the islanders’ belief that seeing the creature from the shore like this doesn’t bode well and some calamity is likely to befall them.
So, in just a couple of chapters we are poised to learn more, but here endeth the first instalment – you’ll have to buy the book it seems to learn more. Am I interested as a bloke or as a reader generally. No and yes. I like books set in close knit communities where everyone knows each other and make their own entertainment during long Winters ahead of a tourist invasion in the Summer I like the mystery of myth and legend, stories passed down and superstition pre-dating more refined beliefs with the coming of Christianity. I like the stranger, outsider introduced with a completely different life experience, scarred and suffering flashbacks and night terrors. I love the brooding boyfriend who has little romantic notions and absence doesn’t appear to make the heart grow fonder. Joel cannot be read, he is a cold fish and either a workaholic or not a lifelong partner material most islanders find.
Perhaps there is intrigue but I despair that the genre isn’t crime fiction ‘cos it needs a murder. However, the author hasn’t got where she is without her own tricks and a skillset to manipulate and create drama. I might just have to buy it for my wife and read it first!!

I’ve only read two chapters of this bright, sunny book. Only enough for the characters to start to build but enough to lay the foundations of, what will obviously be, an intriguing romance. I would love to find out more about the island’s inhabitants, their lives and futures. Perhaps someday .........!?

I was lucky to be given the first two chapters to read and review. So, snuggled under the duvet with coffee I settled down to read. In moms I was transported back to the Western Isles, Kintyre and othe remote places I have loved on holby in Scotland.

The atmosphere is conjured up quickly, scenery, cold, locals, beach and more. An interesting refugee Doctor and the worry but wonderful sighting of a whale.

Is this a bad omen? Beached whales are a hugely sad thing but equally whales are considered bad luck in some places.

A promising start, looking forward to more.

Any book by Jenny Colgan is always an anticipatory delight, so it was lovely to enjoy a sampler of the new,forthcoming novel. In typical form it promises to be a gentle, relaxing and all round enjoyable read. The sampler has left me eager to continue the tale. Many thanks!

Looks like another fabulous book from Jenny Colgan. The sampler has left me quite impatient to finish the story!

Cant wait to read the rest of this book. Love jenny colgan

I love jenny colgans books I'm looking forward to this book coming out I enjoyed read the sampler makes me want to read it all.looking forward to reading what is in store for flora and the gang.

while I was reading seaside kitchen came up I thought I'm sure that is a book so had a look and it is with the Same people as the endless beach doesn't say its part of a series though.

A very tantalising taster of the much anticipated new novel from Jenny Colgan. It seems there's plenty more mystery and charm that Muir has to offer.

I love Jenny Colgan - she's the one author that I normally pre-order all books for! I loved the first chapter of The Endless Beach. I've read so many books since The Cafe By The Sea that it took me a while to remember what happened in the first of the series. After that it didn't take me long to get back in the story and enjoy the first chapter. It was entertaining, a good recap and left you wanting more! I can't wait to read the rest of the book.

This sample definately makes you want to read more. Back on the picturesque island of Mure, it is lovely to revisit Flora and Lorna. I can't wait to find out what happens next.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the Publisher for this review sampler, given in exchange for an honest review.

I love Jenny Colgan, and was excited to get a taster of her new book. Okay, it was only a couple of chapters, but it was enough to already get hooked back into the Island of Mure. Whilst it's not listed as part of a series, the setting and characters sounded familiar so when I went looking I realised I have already read a couple of books already based here - A Very Distant Shore and The Summer Seaside Kitchen. This new novel features characters from the previous books and from what I've read seems like it will be a delight to read!

Can't wait for this one to be released!

I loved the first two chapters of The Endless Beach and was sad to finish it as I just have to know how it all enfolds.
The Summer Seaside Kitchen is run by Flora who plays a major part in the story.
Will she find her happy ever after with boyfriend Joel? I can’t wait to read the rest of the book to find out what happens next. Already looking forward to the rest of the book, another great read by Jenny.

I will come back and re-review if it turns out that I only received part of the book as when this book ended I was so surprised as nothing had happened other than being reunited with Saif and Lorna.

Loved this! It has made me so excited to read the rest of the book!

It has everything we all know and love about Jenny Colgans books! From the first chapter you just fall in love with the book.

Fantastic characters and location! Just so exciting and enjoyable!