There are very few things that warm my heart quite like a wintery story of new beginnings and romance. The title of this book and its cover promised me these things and so I was so happy to be accepted for it.

Annie Sharpe is a successful restauranteur with grown up twin sons and a husband who has had affair after affair. But he has now used his last chance and Annie is off to the Kentish coast to become the winter guardian of a godforsaken beach house. When Annie decides to open up the tea room attached to the house, which has been shut for years, the friendly local community is delighted But the owner’s nephew, who is keen to sell the place to help pay for his elderly aunt’s care, isn’t happy that Annie has reopened the business. This coupled with Annie’s ex-husband Max continuously pursuing forgiveness and another chance, Annie has some tricky decisions to make.

Annie knows that she still has a lot of sex appeal and her confidence is really inspiring. So many single 40-something women in books and films feel ashamed or disgusted by their bodies but Annie isn’t one of them. I actually found quite inspiring in so many ways and I can only hope that I am a little bit like her when I get to her age.

There is some brutally honest depictions of less than great sex in the book too. I wasn’t expecting it because it’s really not something that I see often. Particularly in romance books, sex is nearly always an incredible, heady trip that the heroine can’t stop thinking about. It was really refreshing to read a less than perfect sexual experience.

Annie is clearly not too bothered by Max’s latest infidelity and it seems that she was actually looking for a reason to get out of the marriage. The opening chapter where she walks in on him with a waitress is full of cringe but it’s not uncomfortable because Annie’s mind is clearly on other things. She is more concerned about her restaurant’s decor rather than the fact her husband is cheating on her. Because of this, I knew that Max wouldn’t ever succeed in getting her back. Annie left the relationship a long time ago.

Saltwater Nook is a place in serious need to tender loving care. There are so many real places like it in small seaside towns that have been abandoned and fallen into disrepair, particularly since COVID-19. All of these houses and businesses have stories behind them and seeing Saltwater Nook for the first time reminded me how sad it is that these places have simply vanished from the coastline. However, Annie proves that these places can be brought back from the dead if someone cares enough to put in the effort.

There are a lot of hilarious lines in the book and most of them come from Annie’s friend Maeve, an older cynical lady who apparently knows the wonders of sex toys better than anyone. She and Gemma, a young mum, have the most wonderful friendship and watching them verbally spar is so much fun. Bayliss does a great job of depicting beautiful connections between an eclectic group of personalities and provoking that warm fuzzy feeling inside that comes from watching them interact.

Maeve, Gemma and Annie’s hotelier friend Sally, make up Annie’s Victorian book club, which she runs out of the tea room after closing hours. They make some really interesting points about the books they read as well as share gossip and laughs. I found myself really looking forward to these scenes because I really felt like a honorary book club member. Although these meetings were often interrupted by drama, they were really warm, cosy affairs that I couldn’t get enough of.

The town itself has a lot of traditions and I could feel the local folklore seeping through all of them. The honouring of the past and strange important rituals that are still kept are probably one of the things I love most about small communities. The preparation for both the Halloween and Christmas celebrations really got me in the mood for the colder months and I’m even more excited for them now.

The Winter of Second Chances is a funny, cosy romance with themes of new beginnings, friendship and community. It’s a predictable but light-hearted, comforting autumnal read with some laugh-out-loud dialogue, a touch of drama and a lot of warmth.

Annie takes up a caretaker job on Kent's south coast after her husband has one too many affairs. It's only until March as Mari the owner's nephew wants to sell as she's getting too old. Annie and John the nephew keeps clashing. Annie's husband Max keeps trying to win her back. Lovely read especially for long winter's nights.

This was a lovely read about betrayed Annie who leaves her husband, home and business to move short term to a lovely community based seaside village where she is quickly adopted by the locals. Annie is a strong character deep down, she’s worked hard to get where she is but she’s not always used her strength in all areas of life just sticking to the status quo thinking it’s the best option. This was great at depicting her many sides and many emotions and her eagerness to move on. I loved the book club, it added so much warmth and humour to the book but I must admit to wondering how long it takes for a cast (to make a mould) takes to set!

The winter of Second chances.
Sometimes we all wish for a second chance, an opportunity to start afresh somewhere new.
When an accidental encounter changes Annie's life, she decides to start afresh on the south coast at Willow Bay, where she hopes to begin her second chance.
Read on to discover if Annie really does discover her second chance or will the lure of the old draw her back from the lustre of the new?
I have read Jenny Baylis's first book and I thought it was excellent, I am pleased to say that with this book she has done it again. Excellent characters, pacing and excitement that makes you want to carry on reading just the next page.
We all know how these books end, but what makes it enjoyable is the journey for both the characters and us.
A perfect read for these dark winter nights.
More please!

Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC.

A fantastic feel good story full of festive cheers and romance. I loved following Anna's journey to find love.
I would love to read more by Jennifer

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me gripped and made me want to keep reading. I will be recommending to my book club and also friends who I work with who enjoy reading. Well done.

I loved this author’s first book so I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into this one.

This is a story about finding yourself, finding love, having fun, and friendship.

The characters were delightful and funny, and the chemistry was hot enough to keep the story flowing at pace!

I just want to run away to the seaside and meet this wonderful group of people.

• The Winter of Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss •

Got an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first time reading a book by this particular author, so I did not know what to expect with regard to the writing style or wether I'd even like it.

This is the story of Annie, a forty something women, who at last confronts the reality of her life and decides that enough is enough. I liked the female MC, liked how she was clear as to what she wanted, needed and the fact that she wasn't a snivelling mess.
The supporting characters were surprisingly good and likeable enough. My favourite parts were when the Victorian Book Club held its meets. I did not particularly like the Male MC but I didn't hate him either, he was rather okay-ish.

The entire plot was smooth flowing and story had a good pace overall. The book is good enough for a one time read, it has nothing exciting about it but still it's not dull.

This book would be much better appreciated by people who love to read sweet, small town, second chance romances.

Annie Sharpe and husband Max own a very successful restaurant The Pomegranate Seed in Leaming on the Lye. Late one evening she makes an eye boggling discovery about Max, not a huge surprise as he has history but she’s now had enough. She takes herself off to a hotel where she sees and answers an advert to be a custodian of a West Kent beachside apartment and business premises for the winter months. It is currently owned by Mari who is in her 80’s. She travels down to Saltwater Nook in Willow Bay, meets Mari and jumps at the opportunity offered as it will give her breathing space to decide on the direction of her life.

I really enjoyed last years Twelve Dates of Christmas and this second novel proves what I thought then - that Jenny Bayliss writes entertaining and engaging novels. In places it’s very witty and funny with some likeable characters especially Annie who you root for in her attempts to wrestle free of Max. There are a host of other good characters such as John Granger, Mari’s nephew, Alfred and Maeve who is extremely funny. The setting is wonderful and the community is portrayed so well you want to move there especially as they use any excuse to hold community gatherings with Saltwater Nook at the centre of the hub! This book will happily take you through autumn and Halloween and then up to Christmas! It’s got a bit of everything from hilarious book clubs (great choices there ladies) to some romance and tense drama. It’s pleasant, compelling, easy to read, fun and with some really good dialogue.

Overall, I daresay it’s predictable but it’s also a happy quirky read which warms your heart.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Pan McMillan for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

When Annie finds her husband doing the dirty after many years of marriage, she escapes leaving everything behind. Answering an advert for someone to look after a beach side residence she makes her way to Saltwater Cove and begins a process of healing and discovery. She makes new friends, re-starts the cafe and kiosk which has lain unused and missed for many years and explores a little new romance. I loved this book it describes village life and community spirit and evokes a sense of togetherness. A Perfect read for an Autumnal evening.

I love a Christmas book & I really enjoyed this one. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Annie, has what others would call a fabulous life, she’s married to Max, has twin boys and is the owner and chef of a restaurant which is Michelin star.
After witnessing something which she’d rather not have done, she’s forced to face what she’s been avoiding not doing for ages.
Spotting an advertisement which she thinks doesn’t look right, she’s replies and soon, she takes on a short term role of caretaker, a tiny cottage called Saltwater Nook, on the coast in Kent.
This book is an enjoyable, maybe predictable read. The place where the story is set was described beautifully and so were the characters, my favourite being Alfred, it was lovely to see how the community helps each other.
The story proved its never too late to start afresh, whether it’s a new life or love.

Recommend It.

This is the second book I have read from Jenny Bayliss and I have loved both!
Annie is a wife, mother to grown up twin boys and owner of a successful restaurant who finds herself leaving her old life to embark on a fresh start.

I didn’t want to put this book down, I loved the setting, the community spirit, the characters especially Maeve, Alfred, and Annie. The Winter of Second Chances is such a cosy read to curl up with.

Will definitely be reading all of Jenny Bayliss’ work.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free ebook from NetGalley.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. I really enjoyed Jenny Bayliss' first book, so was pleased to receive an ARC of this book. I really enjoyed it - it was warm, comforting and easy to read, and its predictability suited the genre - I do love a Christmas romcom (and the cover is beautiful!). I liked the leads (except Max) although would have liked more about Mari. I loved the coastal Kent setting, but was a little baffled by references to being on the Atlantic Ocean...

I love these type of books and this was no exception. Annie has the seeming perfect and successful life until one moment sends her running for a new start. A seaside town, new community and a fresh start is just what she needs but a developer rears his head threatening to destroy her new found peace. Can the community be saved and could romance be on the cards?
Loved the location (I want to visit) and the characters. Great one to curl up with on a long autumn evening.

The winter of second chances is an easy going somewhat predictable read, a gorgeous setting, interesting likeable characters, I particularly liked John,Alfred and maeve,a brilliant sense of community spirit and a sense of starting over again as it’s never too late to have a second chance at love and living a new life!
Annie mother of grown up twin boys, wife of max and owner of a successful restaurant leaves her old life and embarks on a new one! Alone in an old beach house with a business attached to it, Annie reconsiders life and her choices, makes life changing decisions, new friends, starts a business and falls in love! Proving that it’s never to late to start over and in doing so having a happier more fulfilled life.
Thank you netgalley for this early read.

Annie Sharpe has a golden life, wife to Max, her childhood sweetheart, with twin sons Peter and Alex, and chef/owner of a MIchelin starred restaurant. Then a small error on her part leads Annie to confront a truth she's been ignoring for too long. A chance sighting of an unusual advertisement leads Annie to a role as short-term caretaker of a tiny cottage on the Kent coast called Saltwater Nook (the cottage not the village) while its owner holidays with a friend in Cornwall.

The village of Willow Bay is small and friendly, soon Annie, and Saltwater Nook are at the heart of village life, hosting various festivals and parties to mark the passing of the seasons. The only issue is her landlady's nephew John, who seems determined to sell Saltwater Nook to a developer.

This was a pleasant, albeit predictable, small town, over-40 contemporary romance. Annie is a likable character and her revival of the Saltwater Nook cafe acts as a hub for the community as the tourists leave.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I don’t know where to start. A very sad but also a happy read. How Max and Josie met was fun and the twists a long the way were not expected. I loved the use of real letters. Christmas is always more of a tough time for people than you realise. I loved it and did not see the ending at all. Oliver was a piece of work. I loved how Max helped Josie to find her perfect job. A great book