Cover Image: The Secret Seaside Escape

The Secret Seaside Escape

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Member Reviews

This is another cosy gem from Heidi Swain, this time set in her gorgeous new seaside location of Wynmouth. She introduces some fabulous new characters whom I hope we’ll hear more about in future and a storyline full of secrets and mixups. This is a lovely read to just relax with and easily as good as Heidi’s previous books.

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Delving into a Heidi Swain book is always a treat. The characters are loveable and the story lines enjoyable. This latest book has you falling in love with the seaside town of Wynmouth, it’s residents and Tess. Tess has escaped her job and returned to the town where she has happy memories of visiting as a child. As her time in the town rolls on she realises that maybe everything isn’t as perfect as she remembers and what’s in front of her might not always be the truth. This is a great read to remind us not to take things for granted and to follow your dreams.
Thanks to Netgalley and Heidi Swain for the advanced ebook copy.

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This is the first book I’ve read by Heidi and I was looking forward to trying a fun romance and I was pulled into one immediately, and into a delightful seaside setting of Wynmouth. I wanted to be there joining in with the parties
Our heroine, Tess, has run away from work and a tyrannical boss (who is her father) and she is feeling “proud that I had put myself first for once…”, but she soon becomes entangled in the lives of the locals and thinks she has met up with the boy who gave her the most amazing kiss (her first), which she has never forgotten. Then, she meets Sam: “His sun streaked blonde hair, ready smile and sparkling green eyes caught me off guard” and, off we go. Several spanners are thrown in the works and before too long, finding herself involved in an almighty mess, Tess is set to escape again. But, will she stay or will she go? You’ll have to find out for yourselves, readers. There are more themes to this story than kisses behind the beach huts: there’s a mysterious diary, family problems, a huge personality trait of our heroine jumping to conclusions, plus an issue with plans for a huge holiday park that threaten to ruin the idyll of Wynmouth. And lots more.
There is a comment towards the end of the book, that the story is like a Shakespearian comedy, because there are so many unexpected twists and turns. “…it’s such a lot to take in.” And that is my criticism of the book. They say truth is stranger than fiction, but in this case, fiction is stranger than truth and all the little twists turned into a big tangle for me. (Albeit amusing. It was like reading a modern-day fairy story that ends happily ever after. And I just knew it would end happily, because that was the vibe). It might be because I don’t normally opt for romantic comedy and I need to not take it so seriously. Heidi has a huge following and her books sell really well, so what do I know? 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars for transporting me to another place. My thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book and to leave my honest review.

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This book follows Tess who decides that throwing herself into work after her mother’s death has not done her any favours and she needs a break. She decides very last minute to go back to the seaside town where she had happy memories with her Mum and Dad and where she had her first kiss.

She soon finds herself getting involved with the locals, helping them out with business help and finds the person who gave her her first kiss, will it live up to the memory?

A diary also changes her life along with family secrets change her life.

I loved this book not only because I love the author’s other books but it was nice to visit a new setting, and I hope this is not the only trip there. Even though I got a free copy of this book I will be buying it when it comes out to add to my Heidi Swain collection.

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I didn't think I could fall in love with a Heidi Swain book any more than I have previously but how wrong was I? This book was utterly captivating from start to finish. The characters were not only relatable, funny and engaging but they also really felt like they were real to the reader due to their depth and authenticity. The book is full of love, humour, heartache, food, connections and it has some really clever twists and turns that I didn't see coming! It has an overall, really poignant message of the importance of "just talking". I utterly adored this book and I'm hoping it'll be the start of a new Heidi Swain series...

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🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
Wow What a book thank you very much netgalley for this copy I loved it.
It's about a lady called Tess who works for her father in a high flying job doing pr but after a rough few weeks with losing her mother and having to deal with a nightmare celeb. And realising she hasnt had any of her annual leave over the year's she decides she needsca break after helping her father go through her mother's clothes and bits she finds a diary and decides to go to wymouth where they used to holiday when she was younger.
When she arrives it may not be the peaceful break she was hoping for after starting to read her mother's diary she realises some things about her parents marriage is she correct.
She tries to help out with getting more custom into the local beach cafe and pub.
And she decides to try to bring two old friends together again but can she succeed.
She decides two weeks is not enough time to sort herself out so ends up staying longer.
She meets a lot of new friends along the way Sophie who owns the local beach cafe, Sam the local pub owner and owner of the cottage she is renting, Joe who has come back and seems not keen on Sam.
Was there something going on in her parents marriage.
Can she help the local businesses succeed.
Can she get Joe and Sam talking again.
Will she find her teenage love.

This book was amazing I flew through it I love Heidi books they always make you feel good.

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It is a lovely story. It draws you in and there are some great twists and turns you don't see coming. It is a make you feel good book. Set in a nice place. Also up to date with the part about the environment. The ending is a happy one but it leaves you right to the end before you can work it out

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I absolutely adored this book. All the other Heidi Swain books I have read have had Christmassy feels, so this was a change. I found myself in Tess's shoes & fell in love with the idea of living in a town like Wynmouth myself. I hope that this is going to be the first in a series of Wynmouth books. Many thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.

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After being kindly sent this book I couldn’t wait to get started on it!
The story begins with Tess outlining her life of working for her fathers PR company. She unexpectedly lost her mother a little over a year ago and has thrown herself head first into work to try and cope with the loss and grief she has felt but all it’s done is physically and emotionally exhaust her and has left her dreaming and reminiscing of past holidays as a young girl in the wonderful village Wynmouth.
After going through some of her mothers belongings and finding old diary entries, Tess discovers something upsetting and realises enough is enough. There’s more to her life than ‘living to work’, and decides to put herself first, by taking time off and revisiting Wynmouth; a place she feels is more her home.
Tess soon settles into life in Wynmouth by getting involved and instigating events for the locals to boost their businesses and soon makes good friends with some of the locals.
I particularly warmed to Sophie and Hope and definitely felt from the off there was more to them than meets the eye.
After different things happening in the Village, Sophie decides to make a big decision, and in doing so opens up a lot of things in her life which she thought she 100% knew the truth on. I did have an inkling to some of the ending but couldn’t predict all of it.
I am so happy that Tess, Hope and Sophie all got their happy endings and so hope Heidi takes us back to revisit these characters in the future!

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Another fantastic Heidi book! I loved this book from start to finish, a perfect summery read that instantly transports you to the idyllic seaside setting of wynmouth complete with likeable characters such as Sophie, Sam, joe, Charlie, hope and George with his meddling ways!
Tess Tyler finds herself back in her favourite childhood holiday location after taking an abrupt leave of abscence from work, instantly she is absorbed into the community and feels as though she belongs in this close knit place, forging great female relationships and even a romantic liaison or two!
The plot is intriguing and draws you in with some very unexpected revelations that really help to emphasise that you really do only live once and that you should Pursue your dreams as you never know what may happen!
A great read that I will highly recommend and have thoroughly enjoyed!
Thank you net galley for this early read! X

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I love all of Heidi's books and this one is no exception. In fact it just might be her best ever. I did actually guess a couple of the endings, but not all of them but that didn't detract from what a wonderful read this is. In fact I almost punched the air when certain things were revealed, I don't often guess things correctly where plots are concerned! It was hard to put it down and concentrate on 'real' life!
The characters are totally believable and I hope this is only the beginning of a series that we can get our teeth in to!

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I absolutely loved this book I loved all of the characters and Heidi Swain brings them all to life in the most delightful way! This is my favourite book of Heidi Swains so far and I cannot wait to read more

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The Secret Seaside Escape is another brilliantly written book by Heidi Swain. This time, set in Wynmouth, we follow Tess who works for the family company, Tyler PR and is on the verge of burn out. Still grieving for her mother, she decides to get away and goe to the one place that she always felt relaxed and happy – her childhood holiday location of Wynmouth.

Wynmouth is the perfect location for her to recharge her batteries (I could also feel my own being recharged!) and it isn’t too long before she feels herself relaxing and becoming fully immersed in the close knit community.

The heart of this book is the community though and this wonderful little seaside village, and we slowly learn about the inhabitants and their quirky little secrets.

I really hope we learn more about Wynmouth and its residents as there are definitely more stories to be told....

Another winner from Heidi Swain!

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What an amazing book! This book keeps you guessing right to the end. Makes you think and with a plot twist I didn't see coming! Definitely a good holiday read!

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I enjoyed this book, it was a mostly relaxing read. A summer romance with a little bit of mystery. I liked the fact that the characters did not immediately jump into bed together, even though they were attracted to one another. The characters in general seemed realistic and the character development was good.

The only thing I found irritating, was the way everyone continually jumped to conclusions and didn’t bother to actually communicate with one another about important topics.

If you are looking for a summery romance with a little more depth to it, and some mysteries to uncover, then this is the book for you.

I was given a free copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

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I'm a huge fan of Heidi Swain's, and have read all of her books so I was eager to get my hands on her latest The Secret Seaside Escape. What's not to love about it? It's set in a tiny seaside village which sounds very appealing especially to someone who couldn't live any further from the coast than is possible,. The characters are very likeable and believable. There are quite a few twists which I didn't see coming and a wonderful happy ending for everyone. Thank you Heidi!

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Absolutely loved this book. I couldn’t put it down and if real life hadn’t gotten in the way I would have read it in a day. The perfect book to curl up with on a rainy day, it made me yearn for summer and a beach holiday. Another fantastic story and location, let’s hope there’s more stories for this lovely place.

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Thanks to Simon and Schuster and netgalley for a Arc.
Having read all of Heidi's books over the years I was delighted to read this new one.
I loved the slightly new style of writing and being by the beach made reading this FANTASTIC book even more so.
Following the lives of Tess Sam Joe and Hope anything is possible in the seaside town of Weymouth a fabulously warm intriguing plot that keeps your senses heightened till the very end.
As always a truly inspirational read.

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Clear your diary because once you start you won’t want to put it down. Fabulous!!

Heidi’s books NEVER fail to disappoint.

Tess is burnt out from work and life and needs a break., Tess heads for a seaside break, in her childhood holiday town of Wynmouth. Tess returns to the place she has her first Kiss, to the place where she holds memories of happy times. Can Tess regroup and return to her daily life refreshed and ready for action.

Easy to read but gripping with some pretty awesome twists along the way. I couldn’t put it down! Praise for Heidi Swain absolutely loved it.

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Oh my WORD!!! This was absolutely worth the wait 💕💕 Heidi Swain has only gone and done it again!!!!!⠀

I was approved today by NetGalley to read and review this and I’ve just finished it!!

This book was absolutely magnificent and I was so excited to receive it today! I could not put it down, and fell in love with the residents of Wynmouth straight away.⠀

Tess is a wonderful character and I instantly warmed to her. The friendships she makes on returning to Wynmouth are lovely and I adored Hope......what a wonderfully bubbly and vivacious lady she is.⠀

I didn’t at all anticipate some of the revelations as they unravelled, which kept me whizzing through the book and wanting to find out more!!⠀

Heidi, thank you for another gorgeous book, as always I loved it, and The Secret Seaside Escape has left my heart full of warmth and happiness!!⠀

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me......and all the stars 🌟 ⠀

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