I really enjoyed this story and found it to be a slow burn romantic story.

I thought that there was plenty going on to keep me fully engaged and I thought that the plotline was good too. The characters were well developed and I loved their interaction, they were genuine and believable and that really helped the story.

It is four stars from me for this one - highly recommended!

Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
Having read all of Ali's books it comes as no great surprise that she has surpassed herself once again with
Secrets and seashells at rainbow bay.
This was one intriguing read from beginning to end totally captivating the whole way through I found the history of the castle Fantastically beautiful,
Amelia's story was told with such warmth and feeling it really was an extraordinary read that I can highly recommend

For single mum, Amelia and her son Charlie times are really hard. Charlie misses his old school friends when they had to move and Amelia is trying desperately to keep everything together with very little money and prospects.

That is until someone comes to tell her that Amelia and in fact Charlie are the sole descendants of the Chesterford family and they have in fact inherited a castle. 

Whilst it may well be the answer to all their financial worries it isn't going to be easy as the caveat for inheritances means you have to live and work within the castle walls and grounds to maintain it. 

So for what she hopes is the final time, Amelia uproots Charlie and they go to live in Chesterford Castle on the Northumberland Coast where the beach is a stone's throw away.  

However, Chesterford CAstle seems to be lacking visitors and the exhibits aren't exactly inspiring and so much more could be done with the place, Amelia realises she has a tough job on her hands. 

She also has to convince the incumbent staff, butler Arthur and his wife Dorothy, the Cook. Tiffany the administrator, Joey the general hand plus a few that have yet to make themselves known to Amelia. 

But she tackles the castle and her future with aplomb but of course she is going to face some difficulties along the way; ghosts, diaries, ex husbands, new boyfriends, cameo brooches and a possible threat to her new found inheritance. All of it is weaved together in this wonderful book. 

I have often dreamed about living in a castle and it was by reading this book my dreams were coming true. The history fascinated me as well as the present and I adored all the whimsical features of the castle as wella s the characters!

A great read and another excellent book from Ali McNamara who seems to be getting better with every book I read. Excellent storytelling and all so believable! I would love to return to the castle and see how they are getting on.

Thanks Netgalley, Publisher and of course one of my favourite authors. How I loved this book, the characters and the story and of course Rainbow Bay. Please let there be another one soon.

I have enjoyed all of Ali McNamara’s books and this one lived up to expectations.

Single mum Amelia and her son Charlie are struggling to survive when they inherit Chesterford Castle on the Northumberland coast. On arriving at the castle, Amelia discovers that it needs some work to bring it up to date. With the help of the small but eccentric household staff and some unexpected visitors, they endeavour to bring the castle into the 21st century.

From the delightful cover to the perfect story inside, this book was a pleasure to read.

Ali McNamara
The title and cover drew me in to request this book .
Not having read anything by this author before.
Brilliant read loved the storyline, enjoyed the romance and mystery.
Read it in one sitting.
Will look out for more Ali McNamara books to read.
Many thanks to Little Brown book group and Nettgalley for advance copy for a honest review.

thank you for allowing me to read this book. it was very easy to read. i enjoyed the story line and the characters. look forward to reading more from this author.

Yet another case of cover love from Ali McNamara, they have a sort of whimsical feel due to the beautiful sketches used and of course the colours!

I am a sucker for all things relating to castles so once I read the synopsis for this story - down on her luck single mum Amelia inherits a castle (Chesterford Castle), as you do! - I knew I wanted to read it. She moves to the Northumberland coast to live-in as a stipulation of the inheritance is that the castle cannot be sold.

Chesterford is lacking visitors and Amelia comes up with some sure-fire ways to get the castle earning some income and as a frequent visitor to historic homes I loved reading about the ideas she had and castle life. Amelia is also doing some digging into the castle history and I definitely enjoyed this aspect, I love finding out more about the history of either the buildings or people who lived there previously so this was an added bonus and made for some extra intrigue with some friendly ghosts also being added to the mix!

Amelia was very likeable, as was her son Charlie, and the few staff that worked at the castle were funny; frequently referring to Amelia as "Her Ladyship" and suchlike and not in a sarcastic manner!

There is a relationship with Tom, a furniture restorer sent to try and assist, hinted at from early on in the story but I actually preferred reading about Amelia's friendship with Benji. Benji was the historian who traced Amelia down as the next in line of the Chesterfield's and he remained a welcome figure throughout the book.

Overall this was a really enjoyable, likeable read with strong characters, a sweet romance and some epic ghosts!

My many thanks to Little Brown Book Group UK via NetGalley for providing me with this advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

Full disclosure, I'm an absolute sucker for romance books set in castles. And I loved this book. Amelia was a fantastic main character and I loved her dynamic with Tom. If you enjoyed Caroline Roberts' The Cosy Teashop in the Castle, Wickham Hall by Cathy Bramley or Summer at the Castle Cafe by Donna Ashcroft you will adore this book!

What a glorious read. Mainly set in a castle on the Northumberland coast. I was transported there, where I felt I could see the castle, the beach, be among friends and enjoy the journey into castle living. Perfect easy going read with a few twists along the way.
Thank you to Ali McNamara and Netgalley for the early review e copy.

Love the cover which drew me to request it initially. The story was solid, rags to ritches with plenty of drama along the way. I loved the way Charlie was written, very wise! A lovely read for summer.

I love Ali McNamara books, you know you’re in for a nice cosy read and the delivered just that. The story was unusual however originality is always appreciated and this rags to riches tale was a great modern, perhaps with a hint of feminist, fairy tale. It has a great host of characters from the main character of single mum Amelia and her, wise beyond his years, son Charlie and the motley crew that make up the castle staff, restorer Tom and historian Benji. This is a wonderfully imaginative story but written in a very down to earth way and all in all makes for a very relaxing and entertaining read.