A charming, feel-good and uplifting contemporary romance that is simply delightful, it is impossible not to fall in love with Sarah Bennett’s enchanting new novel, Summer Kisses at Mermaids Point.

The small seaside town of Mermaids Point is named after the beautiful creatures rumoured to live in the water a few miles off the top of the point. Café owner Laurie Morgan has heard the mythical stories about these creatures so many times, but with a business to run and her family to keep out of the trouble, she has next to no time to indulge in these fairy stories – or so she thinks. When a hazy image is posted online of what appears to be a mermaid, Laurie’s café is soon overrun with curious sightseers who come to the village in their droves hoping to catch a glimpse of these astonishingly beautiful figures that thus far have only existed in fairy stories.

Jake Smith has also come to Mermaids Point for the summer having rented a cottage in the village while working on his latest book – or so he says. While this is the story he has told the locals, it turns out that Jake is a journalist sent by his editor on a ridiculous mermaid-hunt! Jake thinks he’s got more chance of winning the lottery than of seeing a mermaid with his own eyes, but disillusioned and burned out, he sees this chance to come to Mermaids Point as the opportunity he had been waiting for for some much-needed time out. When Jake had agreed to come to the village, he never imagined that he would find himself drawn into community life – or that he would find himself attracted to the beautiful woman running the local café…

Jake might find himself unable to stop himself from thinking about Laurie, but he mustn’t lose sight of the reason why he is in Mermaids Point. As he begins chasing leads for his story, Jake makes a shocking story that could incriminate Laurie’s family, leaving him torn between pursuing the truth and protecting the woman who has come to mean everything to him.

Will Jake’s job end up costing him his chance at happiness? Or will Mermaids Point end up working its magic on Jake and Laurie and have them both triumphing over all the obstacles standing in the way of their future?

Sarah Bennett has struck gold with Summer Kisses at Mermaids Point! Written with all the wit, warmth and charm that have become her trademarks, Summer Kisses at Mermaids Point is the literary equivalent of a sunny day and a delicious slice of cake all rolled into one. Funny, heartfelt, emotional and dramatic, Summer Kisses at Mermaids Point is an immensely enjoyable tale full of characters you are simply going to love – Laurie and Jake are wonderful characters and in Mermaids Point, Sarah Bennett has created a loveable and eccentric community I would just love to be a part of.

An exceptional romantic read that is simply superb, Sarah Bennett’s latest novel Summer Kisses at Mermaids Point is another winner from this very talented writer.

Summer Kisses at Mermaids Point is a heartwarming fun beach read. The picturesque setting of Mermaids Point is idealistic and makes me want to spend time there.
A blurry picture of a mermaid appears online one day from the seaside town and now the tourist have started flocking in including book author, Jake who falls for cafe owner Laurie .
Laurie's shop is a friendly meeting place and the town's people are so friendly and supportive of each other.
It was fun to see the mystery of the mermaid play out, is she real ?
Sweet and fun book to read!

Pub Date 25 Mar 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

3.35/5 🌟

Summer Kisses at Mermaids Point had a cozy and heart-warming storyline! It was a fast-paced read from the beginning to end. There were a few things that I disliked though~ but I enjoyed reading the book for the most part.

Things I loved :
• The picturesque setting of Mermaids Point was such a treat! It added such a soothing touch to the entire storyline. I am obsessed with cafes, so I longed to be in Laurie's shop all the time while reading the book. 😭 The community spirit of Mermaids Point was one of the highlights of reading the book too!
• The mystery surrounding the mermaid sightings was very intriguing. I loved how the author added a suspense element in a cozy book!
• Laurie's family members were all just sunshine in human form. I loved reading about their relationship dynamics and how they embraced Jake without any hesitation.

Things I didn't like :
• Even though Jake and Laurie's chemistry was amazing, I didn't like the insta-love trope that the book followed. :( I wanted to see more from their relationship. It was very fast-paced for my liking and I just couldn't....catch up and connect to their romance. :(
• The story got a bit too unnecessarily descriptive sometimes. I skimmed through a lot of pages because nothing was happening there except some scenic places + islands being described. The story would have been more enjoyable if it got wrapped up in a shorter timeline, in my opinion.

I definitely recommend reading this one if you're a fan of insta-love trope and fluffy books!

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

Laurie Morgan runs a little bakery/eatery in Memaids Point - a cute little town on the seaside with an love for mermaids that people believe live off the coast.

One morning, a grainy photo of a mermaid appears online and here come the tourists!! Amongst those tourists is Jake Smith, an "author" looking for material for his book on mythical creatures, especially mermaids. When Laurie and Jake's paths cross - fireworks!! However, Laurie has sworn off any romantic interests with any visitors after a devastating heartbreak a few years ago.

Will her resolve hold? Are the mermaids real - they could be when another photo appears?

I really enjoyed this book and was excited to see it was the start of a new series. I look forward to reading other books by this author.

Summer Kisses at Mermaid Point was the first book I have read by Sarah Bennett, but it definitely won’t be my last! I found this story warm and engaging, with a great cast of characters and a lovely romance between Laurie and Jake.

I loved the setting of Mermaid Point, and loved the hint of folklore with the possibility of mermaids. I adored the seaside resort feel to the story, and reading it on a cold and gloomy day it really transported me to the warm and sunny seaside location, and it was exactly what I needed. This really is a perfect summer feel-good read.

The mystery surrounding the mermaid sightings was fun and I enjoyed the way in which it developed. I also found myself considering baking some chocolate cherry brownies, which is perhaps bad for my diet, but good for tempting my literary taste buds!

I found the characters really had a good level of depth to them and I am thrilled to find out that this is the first in a series, and we will get to read Nerissa’s story next. I cannot wait to return to Mermaid Point again.

This feel-good summer read will have you dreaming of cakes and mermaids, and honestly, what could be better than that?

I have read and enjoyed one other series by Sarah Bennett. When I saw a new series by her, I had to give it a shot. Firstly, I should confirm that this is a solid romance story. It does not masquerade as anything else. Any other events in the storyline are by-products of and circle back to the love story of the lead protagonists.
We have Laurie, who is settled at Mermaid's point, has solid roots running all the way back to the idea of Mermaid's in the locality. The story she gives of her family history was mildly disturbing as the male ancestor's actions did not seem to be addressed in the narrative at all!
Jake has the opposite issue, he has no roots, and he has drifted as far as possible from the family he once was a part of. The two meet, and the apparent attraction takes hold. Things move fairly quickly, and although the cast of lovable characters was well done, everything seemed to be done in a rush. There was not much of a story to unfold. Even the 'secret' happened quite quickly, and everything connected to it was wrapped up surprisingly fast. Toxic relationships are handled in-between.
I read a fair amount of such stories and have specific pacing that I enjoy, and this was slightly off. Given how I relished the previous encounter with the author's writing, I had much higher expectations from this work. It is not bad, just not what I hoped to get from it - hence the rating. It is a quick, almost one sitting read. I will pick up the next in the series if given a chance since I am still curious about how the story would move forward.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

This was a lovely , easy paced read with an engaging storyline that flowed comfortably , I was really engrossed after a few pages. The characters were both likeable and relatable and the whole community of Mermaids point was well represented , making the reader feel part of the family .
A grainy image seemingly showing a mermaid appears online and attracts both the media and tourists to the sleepy coastal village of Mermaids Point
Laurie Morgan runs the local bakery/ cafe and when she meets Jake it's instant attraction for both of them . Their chemistry sizzles as they spend more time together .Things are not as they seem though, Jake Smith is a journalist who is posing as an author interested in the local legends and folklore to try and get a lead on who posted the video and why. As he gets to know the whole Morgan family, he starts to feel bad about the lies he's telling .
This was a fun and uplifting read and I found myself smiling as the story progresses,
I thoroughly recommend this book to readers who enjoy Jill mansell and Heidi Swain. I'm definitely looking forward to revisiting Mermaid point with the next book in the series .

As the title suggests, this is a perfect summer read - or a book that will definitely get you in the mood for summer.. The story flowed well, and the descriptions of the area - and the famed Mermaid - were well done and imaginative. This was a lovely books, perfect for reading while on vacation, or to dream about your next vacation.

I have to say it was extremely easy to be pulled into Summer Kisses at Mermaids Point. To be fair this came as no surprise because Sarah Bennett writes the most engaging and gorgeous books. I was smiling away in no time especially loving the flirty banter at Laurie and Jake’s first meeting. I really enjoyed seeing the story play out worrying how it could all go wrong when Jake’s secret would be revealed. Especially as Laurie and Jake had developed this wonderful friendship and chemistry. I was willing them to get their happy ever after. Then you have the side story of the mystery over hazy footage that might or might not show a mermaid. This all adds an extra charm and a little bit of a mysterious edge to the story.

What I will say is that even though I loved Jake and Laurie I adored the connection between all of the characters. From getting to know Laurie’s close knit family to Jake being received by the residents of Mermaids Point in such a friendly way. All of the characters helped to shape such a warm and comforting story. One that felt as if I was meeting and going on to make new friends. The location was just as inviting and it really is a place I wish was real and could visit. Let’s just say that I would definitely be stopping off at Laurie’s cafe!

Laurie runs a café in Mermaids Point and all the business owners there are feeling the pinch. The community needs tourists, and they get their wish when hazy photos of a mermaid start appearing on social media. Jake has just resurfaced after exposing a horrific case of human trafficking, and his editor encourages him to take a much-needed break. And while he is on this break, he might as well find out what's going on with the mermaid-sightings. Jake sets himself up in a cottage at Mermaids Point and tell everybody he is there to write a book.

That was some meet-cute between Jake and Laurie. I couldn't help but smile throughout the encounter.
Jake fell in the trap of feeling guilty about not telling Laurie and her family the truth about himself and trying to find the right time to tell them. And then, of course, he manages to make a huge mess of everything. It didn't help that Laurie had some experience with flaky boyfriends.

Laurie's father and his big personality was my favorite by far. Jake and Laurie and the rest of her family weren't too far behind. I liked the two of them together.

It's a very sweet story of the power of having a supportive family behind you and of finding love when you least expect it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was my first read of Sarah Bennett books and what a delightfully charming story so I’m glad it is the start of a series.

We meet Laurie Morgan who is running a seafront cafe next to her parents gift shop. After having her heart broken she is concentrating on the business and with the rumour of a mermaid spotting, the increase in trade.

Then along comes under cover journalist Jake, who quickly finds himself drawn to Laurie but has lied about his reason for being there. Will he put the story or Laurie and her family first?

I loved the dual narration from both Laurie and Jake and they had wonderful chemistry so I was rooting for them to get a happy ever after. The whole Morgan family were a joy to read about, her brother Nick had me at toilet rolls. There was such a warmth about them all, that I was swept into the family like a mermaid to the shore.

The setting of a traditional seaside town was quaint and charming just like the residents themselves. The inclusion of mermaid legends and beautiful names brought some wonderful mythology to the mix.

This is the equivalent of seaside sunshine in book form, all I needed was to feel the sand between my toes.

What a great start to a new series! There are lots of interesting characters to take your attention and a fantastic setting in the rather whimsical Mermaids Point. From the start, you realise that the Morgan family is a formidable force and that Laurie has a grounded background. What a contrast this is to Jake's lonely childhood and dysfunctional childhood. Nevertheless, there is chemistry between them from the first.

I enjoyed the references to the mythical side of the local history. You have to make your own mind up about the mermaids' sightings but there are plenty of theories as to who might be behind them. Another strength of the story is the feeling of community which is created. Jake is initially amazed at the generosity he meets and you realise that itis a warm and inclusive place. Sarah has created a warn and uplifting setting for her next series- I can't wait for the second instalment in the story.

In short: Family bonds prove to be the strongest.
Thanks to the author for a copy of the book

Laurie lives in Mermaid Point, running the small cafe and living with her parents and brother. One day there is a supposed sighting of a mermaid on the rocks and the small village is hit by an influx of visitors and one of them is seasoned reporter Jake.

Jake has been covering some hard hitting news stories and needed a break so his boss Mac sends him Mermaid hunting ! I have read most of Sarah’s books so I knew I was in for a treat when I received the blog tour invitation.

I immediately fell in love with Mermaids Point and it’s residents, it was just the escapism I needed at this time. The little traditional seaside town was a real trip down memory lane of my seaside holidays as a child, like Jake. Jake moves in to Walker’s Farm under the guise of a writer so he can investigate the mermaid story without being discovered. He soon meets Laurie and she is quite taken with him which surprises her as she normally avoids tourists.

Jake soons realises that there is much more to the mermaid than meets the eye, but he is also quite interested in Laurie too. Who is rumoured to have mermaid blood. All the women in the family are named after mermaids. The village got it’s name because legend has it that mermaids arrive when the village most needs them and after a couple of very lean years of tourism, the sightings have definitely increased the popularity of the village massively. Sadly it doesn’t last and Jake soon finds himself caught up in a big drama which involves Laurie too.

Another gorgeous, warm story from one of my favourite authors. Sarah always writes such likeable and realistic characters and I loved the mermaid angle too which was really unique and interesting. A sunny trip to this gorgeous little village was just what I needed. I am looking forward to the next instalment from this lovely setting.

4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to Rachel at Random Resources for my invitation to the tour and to Boldwood for my e copy of the book via Net Galley in return for a fair and honest review.

A feel good summer read. Some gorgeous description of an idyllic seaside village. I felt like I was there whilst reading it. Jake was a complex character due to his childhood and estrangement from his parents. It made for some interesting reading. Laurie, still bruised from a previous relationship was a ray of sunshine, however because she wasn't even twenty three, I felt that she was far too young to be worrying about being single. I'm really looking forward to reading reading the follow up and finding out mate about Nick and particularly Nerissa. She really intrigued me. I'll look forward to catching up with the residents of Mermaid's Point later on in the year.

This was a fun, light, read! I really enjoyed meeting Laurie and her family. After finishing this book I felt like I'd had a nice relaxing weekend at the beach!

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was a pleasant, gentle read that is perfect for the summer. I felt transported to the idyllic, picturesque coast and found myself equally immersed in the excitement of spotting a mermaid.

I was delighted to learn that this is the start of a series. I feel that Bennett can explore so much more with the characters living at Mermaid Point, not to mention develop Laurie and Jake’s characters even further. The community that we are introduced to are loving, supportive and interesting. I was desperate to see more of Laurie’s own family and beyond – even including the Italian family that opened up a lovely deli in the village.

One thing is for sure, reading about Laurie running her café had me wanting to reach for a sweet treat! Bennett’s presentation of Laurie’s baking skills were inspiring me to grab me own apron and get cooking. The café seems rather idyllic and the heart of the community, especially once tourists start descending in the hope of spotting their own mermaid. Whilst this is great for local business, it is also a reminder of how much the community rely on visitors all year round, not just when there is a sniff of an exciting story.

Therefore, the presentation of Mermaids Point felt completely vivid and realistic. When Jake arrives under the cover of carrying out research on myths and legends, you know that this is going to generate shockwaves when the truth is eventually revealed. Although it was obvious that Jake would have to tell Laurie his real reasons for being at Mermaids Point – to potentially expose the hoax of the mermaid spotting – I could not have foreseen how this would have actually been revealed. These two characters make a lovely couple and I was really excited when they let down their barriers and expose their pasts to each other. Laurie and Jake’s background would make them definite candidates for the last biscuit in the biscuit tin! I think this makes them a more endearing couple because they have both experienced loss and loneliness in their lives. Therefore, when things get difficult to them both, I did have to wonder how and if Bennett would reunite these characters?

Despite it being a book under 300-pages, I did not notice this and thought the plot developed as expected. I felt a part of the Mermaids Point community and grew to love the characters. I think the only thing really missing from this story was more of the element of surprise. I do not feel that the crisis in the story was prolonged for long enough and, with Jake seemingly at Mermaids Point for several months, could not get a grasp of this extended period of time – it felt like the months passed incredibly quickly over the chapters.

This was a great read, nonetheless, and left me with a smile on my face. It is a definite “pick me up” sort of story and I cannot wait to return to Mermaids Point to see what happens next.

With thanks to Boldwood Books, NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love books that involve cute cafes, seaside communities and a little bit of romance. This first in a new series by Sarah Bennett has really got me hooked and already looking forward to more.

A perfect read for a couple of hours light relief and escape. Mermaids Point sounds like a brilliant community and a picturesque seaside town, would be lovely if we could visit and spot some mermaids for ourselves.
Here we have Jake, a burned-out journalist that finds himself in Mermaids Point following the story of recent mermaid sightings. It’s a definite change of pace for him and he isn’t exactly upfront about his reasons for being there.
Laurie runs the local café and is keen for trade to pick up. She’s had her heartbroken so is focusing her attention on the business and supporting her family. When Jake and Laurie meet there is an instant attraction, but will their pasts come back to ruin any chance of romance? How will Laurie feel when she discovers the truth about Jake’s stay.
In this will they/won’t they romance, there is fun and laughter alongside mystery and intrigue -thanks to a couple of possible mermaid sightings.
Nicely paced and a brilliant writing style meant I flew through this book in one indulgently lazy sitting. I was swept up in the lives of the characters. I am really pleased there will be chance to go back to Mermaids Point, and I hope we get to see a few of these characters again and catch up with how things are.
Fans of Sarah will love this latest release, if this is the first time you have read anything by this author I highly recommend her other book series.

This is a beautifully written romantic novel that takes you to Mermaids Point, a small coastal town that is suffering from the lack of tourists visiting. It is a stunning location. The detailed descriptions capture the atmosphere of the town perfectly and drew me into the story. I fell in love with the setting and all the characters especially Laurie and her family. Jake was rather swoonsome too. The mention of cake and other tantalising food made my tastebuds zing, and I felt homesick for the family Sunday dinners from my childhood.

With a relative simple plot about an investigative reporter searching for mermaid, it shows you don’t need complex story to give you hours of pleasure and pure escapism, just wonderful imagery, well written prose and delightful characters blended with romantic chemistry.

There isn't a lot that I love more than a trip to the ocean. The smell, the wind, just the feeling of it. After that, reading a sweet romance novel that takes place in a quaint, quirky oceanside town? Ugh. It's like crack.


The fact that Sarah Bennett is a fantastic writer and left me wanting more was just a bonus.


Part mystery, part romance, full-on amazing. This book is a perfect read if you're needing to just take a day or two to curl up with a book that will leave you feeling fulfilled. The characters were lovely and the story was one that I won't soon forget.

Summer kisses at Mermaids Point… see that is a title that spoke to me on so many levels. Mermaids, summer,… I am there for it!

People who follow my reviews know I have a secret love for café stories. Throw cakes in books at me and I will be a fan forever. And god, there were some lovely sweets mentioned in this book. Only for that I would grant it 5 stars. 
I know.. I know… that is not why we are here. But honestly this book has everything I love. Set in a little picturesque village on the English coast, cakes and a romance. But this time add a little sprinkle of mystery to the story because a mermaid has been spotted! Are mermaids real?
So if it has everything I love, why did I only rank it 3 stars? Well, because of two main reasons.
1. So much in this book was based on bad communication and little lies. It is something I don’t like in stories. Especially if they are only added for the plotline. Like all good romances do our couple is faced with a “difficult revelation” they have to overcome. But in this case the revelation is totally unnecessary and just there to help the plot along. I absolutely hate it when authors do that. Why can’t you just invest some time in a believable twist in the romance story?
2. The romance developed really fast. And I don’t mind that normally. But this was just very fast… a couple of hours fast.
So overall a quick and enjoyable read, but certainly not the best out there.