Melissa Tagg's Autumn by the Sea begins a new series set in Muir Harbor.

When Sydney gets an invitation to spend time in Muir Harbor with the woman who might be her grandmother, she thinks it's a long shot but she decides to go anyway. What she didn't expect to find was the family she'd always wanted or the love of her life.

When Sydney showed up at Muir House, Neil is not excited about another imposter. But Sydney is not like the others and Neil can't help but be drawn to her.

The Muir family may not have wanted Sydney around, but it was hard not to see how much they loved each other. It was great to see how they eventually opened up their ranks and made a place for Sydney.

Autumn by the Sea is a complete story but there are loose ends that will hopefully be handled in later books.

The romance between Neil and Sydney began as a friendship and slowly developed into more. Interwoven throughout the story are two mysteries that are decades-old that are affecting the characters in the present.

The faith element was faint but readers will be reminded that God has a plan for our lives.

I received an advanced reader's copy from the publisher through NetGalley; a positive review was not required.

** The review will be published on 9/29/21

This started off as a slow, enjoyable fall read. Then the questions began to build and I couldn't put it down. Usually I figure things out mid-book and then have fun following the characters reactions as they figure it out, but I am genuinely left with so many questions and cannot wait for book two to find out the answers.

The characters are also very well written and feel like real, living people. I look forward to visiting them again.

Thank you Netgalley and Larkspur Press for providing an e-reader ARC for my honest review.

I started this book this morning, and finished it in one day. This was such a beautiful heart warming story. This book had everything you could want in a book, a lovable handsome hero with an accent, a likable heroine slightly damaged but working to overcome her past, a beautiful setting, a great meet cute, and an intriguing mystery running throughout. The Muir family is full of amazing and interesting characters, that I REALLY hope all get their own stories, because I am not ready to leave this world that Melissa Tagg has created yet!!! I have read several of her books and loved them, and I think this one is her best book yet. These characters and this storyline will stay with me for a while. Another beautiful book by Melissa Tagg! I received an ARC from netgalley, and this is my honest review.

Autumn by the Sea is the story of Sydney, who longs to find her real family. Her search brings her to a small seaside town in Maine and to Maggie, who has spent a great amount of time looking for her granddaughter. Sydney is not the first potential granddaughter to come into Maggie's life, which leaves those around her (Neil in particular), skeptical of Sydney's intentions.

The setting in Autumn by the Sea is gorgeous and really does a lot to set the stage for the reader. Beautiful coastal small towns, I just can't get enough. I liked the continuous theme of lost and found families throughout this book, and everyone has their own story to contribute. Sydney, Maggie, and Neil are all great characters, and how their paths intertwine creates a good book. My main critique is that while I loved the setting and plot, I struggled to stay engaged at times. That said, I may be in the minority on this one, so I would still encourage readers to check out Autumn by the Sea. 3.5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and Larkspur Press for this ARC; this is my honest and voluntary review.

Melissa Tagg has quickly become one of my favorite contemporary fiction authors and to say this book is amazing is totally an understatement—there's just really not enough adjectives in MY vocabulary to describe it! Who doesn't love the small-town ambience of a tale set by the seacoast with its briny scent and wild waves, wind-tossed, and brushed with foam...the pervasive squawk of seagulls in the distance, and the crisp smell of fall in the air?

'Autumn by the Sea' is truly a love story—not only romantically (although there is that!), but the deep loyalty and adoration of family, whether biological or not, and the intense fondness between friends...old and new. I enjoyed the dynamics of the Muir blueberry farm and the entire Muir family—their witty banter and quips, and especially their camaraderie.

The chemistry between Neil and Sydney is toe-curling and palpable, from the shower scene (gotcha guessing? lol) to the angst-filled conclusion! And oh, if everyone lived their lives like the unselfish matriarch, Maggie Muir, what an incredible world this would be. There were a few loose ends which I imagine will be tied up in a neat little bow in the next book in the series, A Seaside Wonder, but the conclusion was very satisfying!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Larkspur Press via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review and I received no monetary compensation.*

"Sometimes a feeling is just a feeling. Other times it's truth wrapped in undeniable knowing."

After all the creepy thrillers I've been reading, this was the perfect book to add into the mix! It was so cute and sweet. I could definitely see this being a really good Hallmark movie (lost city girl visits cute family farm! It's perfect lol). I loved all of the characters and the family they had made together (found family trope 🙌🏻). I loved the undeniable chemistry between Neil and Sydney and the light mystery surrounded the story as Sydney figures out who she is. This book was so beautifully written and I was excited to find out more about these lovely characters every time I picked it up. And that cover?! The cover is what drew me in on Netgalley since Autumn is my favorite season, and this book was just as cute as I hoped it would be. I'm looking forward to book 2 and learning more about Indi. I was definitely getting some "frenemies to lovers" Wilder + Lilian vibes so maybe that will be a thing in book #3

Thank you to @melissatagg @victoryeditingngc & @netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! This book is due for publication on September 28, 2021.

Melissa Tagg brings us yet another fabulous book with Autumn by the Sea.

Once again, Tagg has crafted an incredibly romantic novel with compelling main characters, quirky and lovable side characters, and a setting that is a character all on its own.

And I ate up every second of it.

Neil’s Scottish heritage was a definite plus, but it was his loyalty and steadfastness that made me a fan of his from the beginning. Even when he was being grumpy. And Sydney’s quest for love and belonging hit me right in the feels. I love these two characters, and it was easy for me to root for their happy ending.

The faith elements were subtle but there. I loved the discussion about God’s plan. It’s not preachy but natural and gave me something to think about.

Overall, Autumn by the Sea is a romantic and heartwarming tale perfect for fans of small town romance.

As the mystery unfolds as to who Sydney’s biological parents are, the main characters develop a bond that’s thicker than blood. As they navigate tragedy and possible disaster on the farm, the reader falls in love with Sydney’s plea to find the truth.

The mystery continues until the very end of the book so expect to stay in suspense. The author leaves a little more intrigue at the end of the book to leave you ready for Book 2.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

I loved this book! Melissa Tagg’s books always make me happy, and this story is now one of my new favorites of hers! This one isn’t set in Maple Valley (which is one of my favorite fictional places!), but Muir Harbor is so beautifully described that I want to visit there too now.

Neil and Sydney are both wonderful characters! He is grumpy on the outside, but loves his adopted family deeply and will do anything to help them. (Also, he was born in Scotland, though he has lived in America for awhile when the story starts, so he has a bit of a Scottish accent that comes out every now and then! This totally upped his swoon factor for me, not going to lie. 😂😍) Sydney wants to belong somewhere and find answers about her past. I really felt for her! Their meet cute is both awkward (in a memorable way) and hilarious, in true Melissa Tagg form. I may have reread that scene a few times just because it was so great!

I love found family stories, and this one is a beautiful one. The mystery element is woven nicely throughout the book, and I can’t wait to get more answers in the next book! I wouldn’t say this ends on a cliffhanger, but there are definitely some story elements/parts of the mystery that will carry over from this book into the next.

I can’t wait for the next book in the series! I don’t usually read the snippets in the back of a book for the next one, but I did this time, and I am hooked and ready for the next book! 😉

5/5 stars!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I will post my review on Instagram (under the name always_reading_a_novel), Amazon, and Barnes and Noble on release day. I will post my review on Goodreads on 9/8/21 to help get readers excited about the book.

Thank you NetGalley and Melissa Tagg for the opportunity to read and review!

I loved meeting the Muir Harbor characters! This was a great start to an interesting series filled with humor, intrigue, hope and belonging. Sydney Rose was blindsided by the discovery of her potential grandmother looking for her. She decides to follow through with meeting this woman and her family and grows extremely close to them in the time she visits. Neil is working hard to keep their blueberry farm going and feels attached to the land and family he loves so much. The story kept my interest and I'm excited to find out more in the next books.

What a fantastic start to this new series! There's something so comforting about Melissa Tagg's books. I just want to jump into the pages and get completely lost in the charming community she's created. I'd never leave if I had the choice.

I loved all the characters here. They were all so lifelike, so authentic. Neil, with his slight Scottish brogue, flannel shirts, hardworking attitude, and love for his family, was so swoonworthy. There were times when he really tugged at my heartstrings. And I couldn't help but root for Sydney. She'd had some really hard times, but she continually pressed on.

Muir Farms was such a charming place. Filled with fields of blueberries, goats, a cow, chickens, and plenty of land to roam, all with the added bonus of an ocean-front view. Yeah, that's my literal dream.

Autumn by the Sea was a heartfelt, genuine, and all-around great read. There were plenty of laughs, a few tears, and a bit of a mystery, too. It was a breath of fresh air and Melissa Tagg's best story yet. I'm so excited to visit Muir Harbor again for Indi's story in the next book, A Seaside Wonder.

I received an early copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

Melissa Tagg is one of my favorite authors. If you are looking for a good, clean, interesting and exciting romance she will deliver. When I started this book, I knew I would have a hard time putting it down. I read as fast as I can to see what happens and then I am disappointed when it ends. It leaves you wanting more. The good news is, I know there is at least one other book in this series, a Seaside Wonder. The bad news, we have to wait until it comes out in January 2022.Melissa's characters are believable and very likable. Maggie is my favorite. She has such a good heart always looking out for others and has such a mothers heart. One of my favorite quotes comes from Maggie.
“Sometimes a feeling is just a feeling. Other times, it's truth wrapped in undeniable knowing.”

Another beautiful saying, “Maybe there were times when her deepest desires were the echoes of divine whispers. And maybe it was time she finally listened.”

I want to thank Larkspur Press and NetGalleys for allowing me to read and review this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

This was the first time that I read anything by this author and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future. I thoroughly enjoyed going on the Muir Farm and being part of their family.

I loved the character of Maggie and how despite the difficulties in her life, she continued to try to help those around her and take care of her family. The character of Neil was pretty fabulous too. He had been through many trials as well but he worked so hard to care for Maggie and his family.

This is one of the novels that you will cry for the characters as they are in the valley and cheer them on when they are on the mountaintop!!

Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

I did a happy dance when I received notice that I was able to read an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley! Melissa Tagg is one of my favorite authors and I couldn't wait to read this beginning to a new series! Autumn by the Sea is a powerful story about searching for home and belonging. Sydney Rose grew up in the foster care system and her only glimpse into her origins was painful. When she gets an opportunity to travel to Muir Harbor to possibly learn more, she has to decide if it's worth the risk opening herself up to more pain for the opportunity to find a place where she belongs. I enjoyed every minute of this book. The characters drew me in, and I couldn't put it down! I loved how the author authentically wrote of the search in both Sydney and Neil's characters journeys to find home. The mystery hooked me and the romance between Sydney and Neil was delightful! I loved getting to know these characters and I can't wait to read the next installment in this series!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank Larkspur Press and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book.

I received an advance copy of, Autumn by the Sea, by Melissa Tagg. I really wanted to like this book, but I did not. I did not care for the characters, especially Sydney, but the setting was beautiful.

Sydney grew up in foster care, and the one time she tried to find her birth mother it ended in disappointment.
When a PI says he thinks she is the granddaughter of Maggie, she agrees to travel to Maine to meet her.
Maggie is excited to meet her, but the rest of her family are skeptical about Sydney and who she is.
As the mystery unravels and she falls in love with Maine, will she be able to stay long term?

A great read, looking forward to the next book in the series.

Another winner from Melissa Tagg. This story of family and discovery is touching and sweet. The characters are imperfect yet endearing. Her meet-cute is hilarious and I love the way she's woven the threads of this story. Sydney and Neil grow in realistic ways throughout the story and I the writing is beautifully done-- like a painting you can stare at for hours. It has mystery, a great setting, and all the varied relationships. I'm looking forward to more in this series.

Autumn By The Sea
Melissa Tagg
September 28, 2021

Sydney Rose spent many years in Chicago wondering what it would be like to have a real family. As a toddler, she was abandoned. She went from one house to another in foster care. When eighteen and able to head out on her own she enrolled in college for one year. She took courses in technology to help her find a job. She worked as a waitress, saving her tips so that when the time came she would be ready. One evening while walking home to her tiny one bedroom apartment she noticed someone following her. In the restaurant she thought the man was stalking her, as busy as she was she blew it off. On the trek home she sped along and entered her flat, locking the door. He begged her to listen to him. He slid his PI badge under the door. Finally convincing her, she opened her door via the chain to hear what he needed to tell her.
On the coast of Maine we find Maggie Muir anxiously awaiting the investigator´s call. She lost her daughter in an accident. Her granddaughter, Cynthia was taken by child care services to try to locate relatives. None of the family were found and she was supposedly put into foster guardianship.
This is a wonderful story of the Muir Blueberry Farm. Maggie Muir lost her husband in the war. She adopted her children and raised them with love. The story begins with the introduction of Sydney Rose to the Muir family. It was planned that she would stay for 2 weeks hoping to discover information that would prove she was the missing Cindy Muir
I very much enjoyed this piece of literature and was delighted to learn upon finishing the novel that it continues with the Taggś series of the Muir Family. Autumn By The Sea is due to be published on September 28, 2021 by Larkspur Press. I appreciate their allowing me to read and review Melissa Tagg´s latest book via NetGalley. It's a lovely story that many who enjoy comfort reads with characters that are a joy to return to. By all means pick this one up. Enjoy!

The Author had me wrapped up in this book by the second chapter. I have read Melissa Taggs' books before but this story was definitely different from her other books and I absolutely loved it. The story was filled with unpredictable twists and turns with mystery and suspense added that kept me turning the pages . I didn't want to see the book come to an end but the writer skillfully left a few loose ends to carry over to the next book in the series. I like it when a book ends this way and I will be sure to read book two in January of next year. I liked all the characters because each one was important to the story. Romance was a part of the book too. Over all I thought Autumn by the Sea was an entertaining read and the cover was beautiful.
Sydney Rose was dropped off at a Foster care center by a woman who was thought to be her mother. Unfortunately no one adopted her so she didn't have a family growing up except her Foster parents. She had searched for and found the woman thought to be her birth mother but she was in hospice and died shortly after Sydney had gone to see her. So other than a friendship with a Foster brother that she seen from time to time Sydney was alone in the world. Then a Private Detective contacted her out of the blue informing her that a woman who might be her grandmother wanted Sydney to come to Maine to visit with her. Maggie Muir had been searching for her granddaughter for years ever since her daughter had died in a accident. But Sydney's birth mother had died years ago so how could that be? But Sydney had a picture she had taken from her birth mother and there were two other people in the picture too. On the back the names were written and one name was Maggie Muir's late daughters name. Is it possible that the woman who bought her to the Foster Care Center wasn't her real mother after all? Should Sydney make the trip to Maine to find out if she might be part of a family there?
I recommend this book to readers of Contemporary Romance and fans of Melissa Tagg. This is the first book of the Muir Harbor series. This book will be released on September 28th of this year.
I received a complimentary advanced reader's copy of this book from the Author and Publisher through NetGalley. A favorable review was not requested. All opinions expressed here in this review are my own.
#AutumnbytheSea#NetGalley

A Melissa Tagg book is always a treat! Autumn by the Sea was just such a treat and well worth the wait!

Tagg spins a tale so full of appeal and charm I knew I was in for a blissful reading experience. From the first meet-cute between Sydney and Neil to the final epilogue I was riveted to the mystery of Sydney Rose's identity. Sydney and Neil have great chemistry and their journey to a relationship was so adorably fun.

I loved everything about Autumn By the Sea, the characters, the family dynamics, the mystery and the autumn seaside setting that will have readers longing for sweater weather and walks in the woods.

Some of my favorite quotes:
*"Some love takes months or years to blossom. But some blow in like a storm over the sea, so fast and furious and wonderful it about bowls you over."
*"Sometimes a feeling is just a feeling. Other times it's a truth wrapped up in undeniable knowing."
*"Maybe there were times when her deepest desires were the echoes of divine whispers."

The theme of what makes a family, by blood or by choice, plays out so well in this heartwarming story. Well done Melissa Tagg!
I love Muir Harbor and can hardly wait for a return visit to read sister Indi's story in A Seaside Wonder. I appreciate the publisher and Netgalley making a copy of Autumn By the Sea available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.