My thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Publishing for a copy of “ Sunrise By The Sea “ for an honest review.

I love Jenny Colgan books , and I struggled , after getting a copy of her latest to review , to keep it unread until my ‘ Summer Staycation’..Even though I haven’t managed to get away this year , I almost felt I got my dose of Cornish life from reading this
I really enjoyed the previous tales of Polly and Huckle , and especially Neil the puffin…My memory is awful and I worried that I wouldn’t remember all the different people from this series, but the characters were so well written , including the newcomers that it wasn’t a problem at all.
Even if you haven’t read the previous books this book works perfectly well as a standalone.
I can’t wait now to get my seasonal treat of Jenny Colgan’s annual Christmas release
Highly recommended

A little heavier than some of Jenny Colgan's books as the story is about Marisa working through her grief, in the familiar setting of Mount Polbearne and the little beachside bakery. There are some funny set pieces, and some difficult dramas to work through. As always with Jenny Colgan it's very readable so if you've enjoyed her previous books then it's definitely worth reading.

Marisa is struggling with getting to terms with her beloved grandfather’s death, so much that her grief turns into anxiety and agoraphobia. And so she ends up on an island, far away from the world, staying in a new holiday cottage, only with a… piano teacher as a neighbour. It’s also the same island Polly, Huckle and ther twins are living on, right now struggling with their finances, as Huckle’s honey isn’t doing well and the bakery is their only source of income for them. They could ask Reuben, the amazingly rich businessman and their friend for help, but that’s actually the last option.
Marisa might be paralysed with fear when stepping out of her cottage, but she also has heart in the right place. She discovers Polly’s brilliant ovens in the bakery and a plan is formed. But then disaster happens – will they all be able to survive? To overcome their own tribulations and to climb their personal mountains?

Jenny Colgan is an author of many series and they are all brilliant, but I always have to think hard which one the new book belongs to, because, as much as I love them and adore them and the characters are absolutely smashing, they start to blur. This time we’re back to Mount Polbearne, with Polly and Huckle and their hilarious twins and, of course, Neil the Puffin and I couldn’t be happier to be back with them. Even though it seems that everyday life and parenthood rebound heavily on Polly and Huckle. Nevertheless, this time, the story also deals with some new characters, Marisa and Alex. The characters are, as always, so brilliantly written, there is depth to them and they are all so real and honest. I warmed to those two newcomers immediately and I think that Marisa’s character was captured in a very heartfelt and realistic way. Consumed with grief after her beloved grandfather’s death, she had a feeling that everybody is moving forward and only she stays behind, which eventually turned into anxiety and agoraphobia.

I like with how much feeling the author writes her stories and that she isn’t afraid of putting her characters into complicated and difficult situations, situations that often bring change to everyone. This time she writes about grief which, as we all should know, is not an easy feeling and yes, one might appear to have it all together, but under the surface they’re broken and struggle. I think she has tackled this issue with a gentle but also firm way, trying to make us realise that we are allowed to grieve just in the way we need it. I also love how, seamlessly and effortlessly and maybe unconsciously, showed us how important the help of friends and family is, that with their support there is really nothing impossible and that there is always something bright, something positive, even in the worst of times.

Of course, there are some mouth – watering food descriptions in this book and with Marisa being Italian you can only imagine those lush dishes. What I wouldn’t give for her pizza! The writing style is magical, making you fall in love with the characters and the setting immediately. It’s full of heart and warmth and it’s absolutely engaging. „Sunrise by the Sea“ is a comfortable, charming read with characters that you’ve already grown to love and some new that will grow on you, with a nice storyline and beautiful setting. The author, again, has proved that she’s a brilliant observer of human characters and in capturing their personalities. She has handled all the heavier issues in the story with sensitivity, but also with humour, finding a happy medium.

This book had it all – lovely, real and entertaining characters, picturesque setting, sadness and humour and this lovely bit of romance that will make you go „oooooh“. However, I didn’t feel as invested in this book as I am usually. While it was, again, a gorgeous, poignant and hilariously funny story, I had this overwhelming feeling of having been there, of seeing it all. Nevertheless, I truly liked this story and the fact that the author has drawn me into it immediately, from the very first word – and it’s a sign of a brilliant author, as it’s an ability that only few can show off – and she can be proud of this.

So lovely to be back at Mount Polbearne with Polly, Huckle the kids and not forgetting Neil. Marisa finds herself on the little island wanting to escape her life and hideaway , unfortunately having a Russian bear of a man for a neighbour (who teaches and plays music all times ) when all you want is quiet isn’t ideal and Marisa soon finds out that island life means community whether you want it or not.

Literally had my mouth watering for Marisa’s cooking and I’m so glad Jenny didn’t do a coronavirus book as i definitely don’t want to read fiction about it.

Always know it’s going to be a fantastic book

Sunrise by the Sea - Jenny Colgan

This was such a great catch up tale to all our favourite characters from Mount. Polbearne, (although I am always wanting more from Neil the Puffin!) Although this book is part of a series, we do not need to have read the previous books in order to enjoy this one, as we meet a host of new characters including Marisa Rossi and her Piano playing music teacher neighbour Alexei. Jenny Colgan's writing is always such a comforting read for me, you always know that you are going to love the characters and be rooting for them. Perfect sunny patch in the garden reading! Many thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for the approval for this title.

I absolutely love the Island, Mount. Polbearne, and it’s inhabitants, especially Neil, the Puffin.
Great catching up with Polly, Huckle and their twins.
I felt i was there going through the pain and anxieties Marisa was feeling and it was sensitively dealt with as not many people, unless they have gone through it, understand ‘hidden’ illnesses.
The beautifully described scenery, cooking ( I could almost smell and taste) and friendships Marisa finds helps her immensely, especially when she develops a mutual understanding with her musical neighbour the piano teacher, Alexei, and reconnects with her Nonna, in Italy, via Skype.
Laughs, tears and some heartfelt moments made this a fabulous summer read.

A fun summer read. Good to catch up with characters from the previous books and meet some new ones too!

Sunrise by the sea
By Jenny Colgan
Pub Date 10 June 2021
I loved this book it got me excited to read every page. I loved the writing style the characters the humour. I loved this island I would love to be in this world. This is a uplifting book you enjoy. Does deal with anxiety in certain part. This is a brilliant book.

If you want an entertaining read with picturesque settings, warm, loveable characters and a splash of romance than Jenny Colgan’s books are the ones for you. She never disappoints and has this unique ability of drawing you in from the very first page as the characters walk off the page to meet and embrace you and even when you have finished each wonderful story you are just longing for more. Sunrise by the Sea provided me with all the above traits and more and really took my mind off everything going on in the world as once again I was whisked away to the tidal island of Mount Polbearne and back to characters that I had fallen in love with in the previous Little Beach Street Bakery series.

This is book number four and honestly I thought given it’s five years since Jenny had written about this setting I didn’t think we’d ever get a book again featuring Polly and Huckle, not to mention Neil the puffin. Thankfully wishes do come true and this new story was a joy to read and I’m sad it’s over. Out of all four books in this series this really is the one that can be read as a standalone as, although Polly does feature, it’s a new character Marisa who has the dominant role. As I was reading I never thought that new readers would be confused or feel that they were missing out having not read the previous three books. That’s the sign of a really good author and I think having such a break between this book and the last meant that the author really approached this new story with fresh eyes and really was giving it her all.

Marisa is one of the best written characters in a book that I have read in a long time. Whilst reading time and time again I found myself nodding along in agreement with how she was feeling, what she was experiencing and how she was coping with it. There was no shying away giving fleeting descriptions of her state of mind and as a character she was all the better for this. It meant that I could identify with her in so many ways. She is in a bad place both mentally and physically but perhaps the wonderful and special island that is Mount Polbearne and its supportive residents in particular Polly might be able to work their magic enabling Marisa to see light at the end of the tunnel.

Since the death of her Italian grandfather Marisa has become a shell of her former self, she is truly and utterly heartbroken. Grief is holding her down like a ball and chain and her family and friends can’t understand why this death has affected her so much. In a way she can’t understand this herself either. She has always been quiet but now she has become more or less a recluse, taking leave from her job as a births, deaths and marriages registrar and staying locked in her room despite the best efforts of flatmate Caius to get her out. The layer upon layer of sadness that she feels just builds and builds. It’s growing too large for her and she has established a sturdy wall around herself. She lives in a world of fear where to step outside the door is next to impossible. Grief, anxiety, loneliness, anger and desperation eat away at her and erode any remaining shred of self confidence that she possess. Her wellbeing and mental health are at all time low and she views the world as a cold, noisy, hostile environment. Caius reaches a point where he can’t take it anymore and she needs to go. Thankfully his Uncle Reuben has holiday homes recently built on Mount Polbearne and no holiday makers can go there as the road has not been completed. Before she knows it Marisa has arrived on the island after a journey that does nothing to dissuade the way she is feeling.

I loved the description of the holiday homes. It seemed like just the place that Marisa needed to be, hiding away from the world until she could begin to try and fix herself so to speak. I could visualise these little units high up at the top of the island, almost cut off in a way as no one really went there given Reuben didn’t get the road finished. It was an oasis for Marisa. OK she never left the house, taking a step outside just wasn’t happening for her but still she was cocooned and safe. By this point she has reduced her world to a tiny space which could not harm her. Grief and anxiety has made her selfish in a way but I think if you are so crippled by this illness she had (for that is what it was) then you see no way out of it and you do only think about yourself and can’t take on board the advice others are trying to give you. You do question whether there is more than her grandfather’s death that has made Marisa this way? What has made herself so scared and tying herself in endless knots?

The inclusion of Marisa’s grandmother and their method of communication was just brilliant. It was a great way to bring strands of the story together in the most heart-warming and genuine of ways. Without it I don’t think the meaning/message that Jenny was trying to achieve would have been possible. It may seem like this book is all doom and gloom from what I have said about Marisa but it’s not at all and that’s thanks to the wonderful writing of the author. She brings so much light and shade to the story and infuses more serious moments with such fantastic humour that has you laughing out loud. Polly’s four year old twins, Daisy and Avery, were so expertly written. So blunt in what they said and they were like a tonic for Marisa and provided plenty of funny moments throughout the book.

It’s unusual for me to really love both the main female and male characters in a story. It’s usually the female character I am more drawn too. Marisa was a fantastic character and thankfully a break from the norm in characters I have read about in this genre. But equally as good was her neighbour Alexei. Himself and Marisa are the only two to occupy the holiday homes and he is a big bear of a Russian man who teaches music to the local children. How refreshing to have a male character who is a bit different from the norm. One who is big and burly and to Marisa a complete pain as he plays and practices his music at all hours of the day and night with the sounds coming through the thin walls preventing her from finding any peace. But underneath his gruff exterior Alexei too was hurting. Perhaps in not as such and deep and destructive way as Marisa but yet there was pain beneath his kind eyes. He had such a wonderful relationship with the children he taught and would help in any situation. But Marisa and himself really misunderstand each other and it’s through lack of communication this happens. I just really loved these two characters and by the end you just wish that you too had an Alexei in your life.

As always the community spirit and just all round warm feelings and goodness shine through from this series of books. It’s here in spades and that’s why I enjoy Jenny’s books so much. I loved how we still got a glimpse into how Polly was coping with running the bakery as it all started with her and she has come so far since we first met her. Times are tough for her and she sees no way out of the inevitable despite the best efforts of Huckle as well. She needed a light bulb moment to turn things around and maybe it could be found in the most unexpected of people? Also when the worst fate threatens to befall the island can everyone pull together? When push comes to shove can those that are needed most step up to the plate despite battling their own problems and uncertainties? Also Reuben is as exuberant and extravagant as ever and towards the end I just loved the over the top scenes with the party. It was like Jenny just let rip and let her imagination run riot with everything she could think of and it was just brilliant.

Sunrise by the Sea is a book that you will easily lose yourself in. It provides comfort and escape and lots of humour too. It’s a book that you will want to re-read as you will want to with all of Jenny’s books and it’s not often I say that about an author. I’m already looking forward to The Christmas Bookshop which publishes in October.

Another brilliant tale from Jenny Colgan, thoroughly enjoy disappearing with her characters for a few hours. Loved the adventures of the characters in this story in another beautiful Cornish location

We all need some sunshine in our lives and that is so for the main character in this novel, Marisa Rosso. Suffering with the loss of her grandfather, grief has consumed her and she cannot understand why others are not feeling the same as much as they cannot understand why she has reacted as she has.

Marisa moves as far as way as possible to, Mount Polbearne a tidal island at the foot of Cornwall. She hopes to be able to continue working remotely and find some solace in this far away place.

What she doesn’t bank on is a giant Russian piano teacher next door, and a struggling bakery that could do with a slice of Marisa’s Italian heritage cooking to help it to survive. When disaster strikes in the village, Marisa is forced to confront many demons and uses this strength to help others in a time of need.

Of course not everything runs smoothly but the uplifting spirit found in Jenny Colgan’s books means that you keep reading to the end.

This is the fourth novel set in Mount Polbearne and I came to it, not having read any of the others (soon to be rectified) but it can easily be read as a standalone but I do want to know more about this little place and Polly as well as Neil the Puffin, who is adorable!

A perfect summery read filled with lovely moments of laughter, love and luscious amount of food.

I shall be very honest about this book i was a little bit disappointed when I started reading as I had built myself up to thinking it would be about Polly, Huckle the twins and of course Neil. I pushed myself to continue reading and I am so glad I did.
Marisa is one of the main characters in this story she moved to the island so she could be alone with her issues and agoraphobia but her next door neighbour was a music teacher and gave piano lesson all day long. This caused some problems for Marisa and when she tried to confront her neighbour it did not go to well. Her neighbour who's name was Alexei was Russian and his English was not the best so things got lost in translation.
Marisa had a nona who lived in Italy and they spoke on video calling all the time. They were company for each other even though they were miles apart. Her nona sent her food parcels and help her to cook proper italinan meals and made sure she ate well.
The relationship between Marisa and Alexei was is very volatile. She is then pushed out of her comfort zone due to a few circumstances out of her control but this puts her on a long path to recovery.
This is where I stop.
If you are looking to escape from the circumstances that left the whole world in a state of upheaval give this book a go. It will transport you to lovely Cornwall where you can believe you are really there among friends you have come to know on this little island with Neil the puffin.

I was looking forward to revisiting The Little Beach Street Bakery for another instalment with Polly Huckle and Neil the puffing, and I wasn't disappointed.
This time around we meet newcomers Alexei and Marissa.
Marissa us grieving after the death of her Italian grandfather and Alexei is a Russian piano teacher who lives next door to her.
Once again the author delivers another great book which is a perfect summer read.

This was an interesting book. Marisa is struggling to cope with her grief and her friend offers her the chance to stay at one of his new holiday chalets on a tiny island. She moves in and discovers that she lives next door to a russian piano teacher who plays very loud all day and night and Marisa struggles to deal with the noise.

They develop a friendship and Marisa starts making friends in the village.

It was a good story but i just didnt buy the romantic relationship between the 2 charcters, i didnt feel any connection at all so was surprised it ended up the way it did.

It was a charming read, just not that believable for me.

The latest in the saga of Polly and just what you expect from Jenny Colgan! A lovely read. As soon as it's out, I'll be buying a copy for my mum as I know she'll love it too.

Bliss. I love Jenny Colgans books and I especially adore her series books. Here we are back in Pollys world. This time the story revolves more around two new islanders - Marisa and her neighbour Alexi, but the storyline interweaves Polly and her family into it. Jenny takes us on a lovely ride, I always had to ration my reading as I enjoyed the book a lot and didn't want it to end. Marisa emotional problems were dealt with sympathetically and they didn't take over the whole of the story you were able to live other peoples stories as well. Even though it was another chapter in the Neil the puffin saga, it was a book that you could read without needing to start at the beginning of the series but you would want to go back to where the story began - and this can be done without any spoilers.

Sunrise by the Sea, the fourth book in Jenny Colgan’s Mount Polbearne series, introduces us to two new characters: Marisa and Alexei, as well as reacquainting us with a host of well-loved regulars including Polly and her puffin Neil.

Marisa is struggling to deal with the death of her grandfather in Italy and finds herself moving to a small holiday cottage on Mount Polbearne with a Russian music teacher as her next door neighbour (which brings its own set of challenges including music at all hours and a language barrier to overcome).

While Alexei has also moved to the island to escape troubles of his own, grieving the end of a relationship, and hopes to build a new life for himself in this idyllic setting.

This story has that magical Jenny Colgan formula of romance, drama and misunderstandings. While I thought the author handled grief and Marisa’s mental health experiences with real sensitivity and compassion.

A really lovely, fun summer read and highly recommended for all fans of Jenny Colgan’s previous novels.

Another peach of a Jenny Colgan story...its my happy place and has been for many years. I know I can open her books and be immersed in a different life for a few days. I loved Marisa and Pollys stories. Marisas struggle with an anxiety disorder shows the road back from a dark please.

Would highly recommend 💗

It was so lovely to be back in Mount Polbearne with Huckle, Polly and Reuben.

This book focuses on Marissa who is having a hard time dealing with grief and so is forced to take a break in Polbearne,

For me the story was fabulous and kind of like a warm hug but be warned the issues of grief and mental health are written very well and if you are struggling with grief it can be quite an emotional read.

Yet another fabulous Jenny Colgan book that will stay with you well after you have finished.

It was lovey to return to Polbearne and reunite with some favourite characters and meet some new ones for the first time. It t does not matter if this is the first one you have read in the series, it is complete by itself and it is very easy to catch up with the characters.
Jenny has a way of writing which draws you into the settings and brings the characters to life.
New visitors to the island, Marissa and Alexei are both trying to put their lives back in order. Some serious issues are examined in the book, but the tone is overall fun and lively; especially the Birthday Party!
A lovely read.