Back to Middlewick Bay for the second book in this series and what a great story it is. Lovely characters and a real pleasure to read. Nice to relax at any time with a novel from Eliza, worth 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for this ARC.

I am a huge fan of Eliza's work and have been for a while. I have to admit that I haven't caught up with everything that she has written but that is something that I hope to rectify one day. I must admit that at the moment I love the series set in Micklewick Bay. I loved the first book in the series and I have been impatiently waiting for the second book in the series to be released. Well ladies and gents, the wait is over because the second book in the series is called 'Summer Days At Clifftop Cottage' and it was released on 1st May 2024. I thought that the first book was good but for me, 'Summer Days At Clifftop Cottage' is even better. I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Summer Days At Clifftop Cottage' but more about that in a bit.

As soon as I started that was it for me. I knew that I wouldn't be moving very far and I certainly wouldn't be putting the book down until after I had read the very last word on the very last page. My Kindle wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn't bear to miss a single second of the story. Part of the reason why I enjoyed the book so much has to do with the main characters of Maggie and Bear and their adorable but loopy Labrador. I warmed to them all from the start and began to think of them as friends. Maggie and Bear have been through some tough times and have hit bumps in the road so to speak. I loved the Labrador although I may be slightly biased since I have two OAP ASBO yellow Labradors myself. Without going into too much detail, I just hoped that the story would have a positive outcome for all three of them. The more of the book that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. I was so wrapped up in the story and desperate to find out how it ended that I didn't realise just how quickly the time was passing and the speed with which I was getting through the book. All too quickly I reached the end of 'Summer Days At Clifftop Cottage'. I found 'Summer Days At Clifftop Cottage' to be a delight to read from start to finish. It's perfect escapist reading.

'Summer Days At Clifftop Cottage' is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Eliza J. Scott. Eliza has an easy going writing style that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact Eliza's books read more like a chat between friends rather than reading a book. Eliza certainly knows how to grab the reader's attention, draw them into the story and make them feel as though they are part of the story themselves. Eliza's love for her characters shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. Eliza makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. As I mentioned earlier in the review Maggie and Bear ended up feeling more like friends rather than characters in a book. There are some difficult subjects in this story but Eliza writes about them with compassion and sensitivity.

In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Summer Days At Clifftop Cottage' and I wholeheartedly recommend this book to other readers. I look forward to reading much more of Eliza's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

I have been looking forward to reading the rest of this series for quite some time, so I dived right into this story and loved every moment. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t enjoy reading about Robyn’s effect on Maggie and Bear, but I knew that they were safe in the author’s hands, or at least I hoped that would be the case.
We first met Maggie and Bear in the first book of this series. Their marriage was solid, and I knew that it would take a mighty force to cause any damage to their relationship. I was right, and we soon had to sit back and witness the impact of Robyn’s meddling.
Maggie and Bear are incredible characters. They share a connection that many couples can only dream about. Despite the challenges that they have faced together, they are still united in their desire to start a family; if only Maggie could carry a pregnancy to term. With the benefit of reading the previous book, I knew that they were a perfect match, but if this is your first trip to Micklewick Bay, you’ll soon understand that they are meant to be together.
I’d love to say that Robyn is a complex character, but that would be being kind. Her brand of manipulation and interference is toxic, and I took an instant dislike to her. It didn’t help that I am all too familiar with her type, and I had no desire to see her triumph. It’s a testament to the author’s skill that I was swiftly able to invest in, hoping for her comeuppance. When Eliza J Scott dreams up a bad penny, she doesn’t hold back!
Once again, this is an ensemble story, and we spend time with Maggie’s friendship group and enjoy their wonderful connections. Whilst enduring the challenges to her happiness, Maggie does get some good news that could shape her future. Despite the serious events in the story, this book is written with hope and a huge heart that kept me invested in hoping for a happy ending.

I would firstly just like to say a big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of this book, for my kindle, in turn for my honest review…

Summer Days At Clifftop Cottage is actually book number 2 from the Micklewick Bay series of books but can very easily be read as a stand alone without any problems.

Right from the very beginning i was pulled in to this story, it pulled me in and wouldn’t let me go until i had finished it!

It was such an easy book to read and with the author’s writing style being so lovely, it left me feeling as though i was actually in the middle of the story, enveloped in all of it’s goodness.

This was a wonderful story with Robyn thrown in to the mix to cause a fair bit of drama…

The characters were very well written and this definitely makes the perfect read for the Summer…..

Eliza J. Scott does a fantastic job in writing this book, the overall feel worked with what I was hoping for in a sequel to the Micklewick Bay series. The characters were everything that I wanted from this type of book. The overall feel was great and enjoyed getting to go through this book.

Summer Days at Clifftop Cottage by Eliza J. Scott

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Welcome to your happy place…

As summer comes to the tranquil shores of Micklewick Bay, Maggie Marsay is on cloud nine. She can barely keep up with orders for her handmade teddy bears, turning her crafting hobby into a thriving business. And after trying for a baby for some time, she has joyful news to share with her devoted husband Bear who she lives with in an idyllic clifftop cottage alongside their cheeky labrador.

But an unexpected visitor casts a shadow over Maggie’s sun-drenched bliss. Robyn, a ghost from the past Maggie hasn't seen in twelve long years, arrives on their doorstep. What could have brought Robyn back into Maggie’s life after so long? Is she truly sorry for her past mistakes, or is she up to her old tricks?

Maggie welcomes Robyn into their home, trying her best to forgive and forget. But when Robyn starts to drive a wedge between her and Bear, Maggie’s close-knit group of friends and neighbours rally around. Can they help Maggie weather this storm and find her way back to happily ever after? Or is trouble here to stay?

My Opinion

My second visit to Micklewick Bay was a real page-turner, this could work as a standalone. This was a sweet, light-hearted read although it did touch on some darker topics. I really loved the idea of Maggie sewing her bears, they just sounded lovely. I read this book over a day, each time I put it down I was eager to return. Micklewick Bay sounds like such a lovely place to visit.

Rating 4/5

This was a stunning summer read with a gripping and fantastic storyline! I really enjoyed the characters and the depth that came with them. Brilliant company for a summer day.

This is a great summer, beach read! Love the cover of this book, although there are some dark and ghostly moments. It was definitely a page turner and wondering what the story was of the ghost and Maggie's past. The storyline was great and was a quick read. This book was a reminder that life is about the love and support of our family and friends.

Summer Days at Clifftop Cottage is a difficult book for me to review because I couldn't put it down and needed to know the tale. On the other hand, there was not a single character that did not irritate me!
Let's start with the good. Ms. Scott is an excellent writer, and the setting she creates with the town and house is stunning and draws you in! Then we get to the characters. Maggie is our main character. Maggie is a nice girl, but she has little personality other than her love for her husband Bear, who we will meet later, and her desire to be pregnant/give birth.
I was quite irritated by the way she let everyone to trample all over her. Also, the way she spoke and behaved, I had to keep telling myself that this woman is approximately my age, not in her late 50s/early 60s.
Then comes Robin, the cousin. She's the embodiment of a cruel chick. Multiple characters repeatedly tell us that she is a manipulative liar, but no one ever questions her stories or investigates anything she says?! I was hoping she'd have a fascinating justification for her behavior, but I was also disappointed.
Finally, there's Bear. The name is quite apt, because I believe even a literal Bear communicates better than this man! It was infuriating!

I’ve been a big fan of Eliza J Scott for a long time, her books are always centred around great characters and are heartfelt, engaging stories. This is the second book in the Micklewick Bay series, and whilst this can be read as a standalone, I do highly recommend reading the previous book – just as a wonderful read in itself. I love that these books build a community where we revisit characters on occasion and catch up on their lives.
Maggie is the central character in this book, she lives with husband Bear and she runs a successful business from home where she creates handmade teddy bears. Everything is going well; business is booming and she has very special news to share with Bea but suddenly an old, familiar face appears and old feelings start to resurface.
Maggie’s cousin, Robyn, suddenly turns up and despite not being especially welcome, soon settles into Maggie and Bears cottage. Seeming to have a strange hold over Bear, relationships start to break down; Maggie’s happy life is under threat.
Gosh this one was a rollercoaster! Whilst Maggie perhaps isn’t the most endearing character at times, what she goes through is enough to drive anyone to the brink. Her husband Bear seems like the ideal man at the start, but I have to admit how he seemed to take her cousins side on things almost immediately was annoying – his loyalty to Maggie seemed to waver so fast. He should have been stronger and on Maggie’s side no matter what. Its one thing wanting a quiet life, but I was surprised by him throughout.
A good group of girlfriends is everything though and I love how Maggie has friends with their own different quirks but that come together as a strong group to support each other no matter what.
A story full of drama, heartache, and tension as well as warmth, love and kindness.
Highly recommend this heart warming read. Take a visit to Micklewick Bay!

As other reviewers have said, this book is a great palette cleanser. Light, easy, quick to read. A bit "sweet" at times, but overall really enjoyable. I'll look for more in the series.

I really enjoy the Micklewick Bay series! After just finishing a very heavy historical fiction read, Summer Days at Clifftop Cottage was the perfect palette cleanser. Light and romantic in parts, but also drama filled.

Another brilliant visit to Micklewick Bay.
Maggie is happy with her wonderful marriage to Bear but she’s missing a baby to hold after many miscarriages.
She has a fantastic business making bespoke teddy bears and loves her work everything is going great as she suspects she might this time be pregnant and has a good feeling about this pregnancy.
Then comes an unwelcome blast from the past, her cousin Robyn who ghosted her in her uni days and conned her into a profitable business which left Maggie fulfilling orders whilst Robyn ran away with the funds. But she says she changed and manages to talk her way into staying with Maggie and Bear in cliff top cottage, but things start quickly to go wrong.
Loved Maggies journey and living this series.

I gave this book 3 1/2 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you Net Galley and Storm Publishing for the ARC of Summer Days at Clifftop Cottage.

This was a perfect palette cleanser for me! The story is well laid out and I couldn’t put it down! Although, the cover is deceiving - it looks like a sweet, light hearted read, but it had its darker moments.

I didn’t “love” any of the characters. I was rooting for Maggie and Bear, but they were just “lukewarm likable”. Robyn was atrocious.

The writing was good! It propelled the story forward and made it hard to put down at times.

An emotional story of friendship and love where family provides the upset. I loved the story of the bears and although it was a bit too sweet at times it was a great read

It is a love story with a lot of family drama. The book is also about friendship and how much friends can make a difference in our lives. On the other hand, some relatives can make our lives impossible! In the end, the story is interesting.

A new author for me and an excellent book from Eliza. I will be having a look for more of this author's books. This one ticks all the boxes for me and didn't disappoint.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and author Eliza J. Scott for this eARC.

Summer Days at Clifftop Cottage... this book is rather hard for me to review because on the one hand I couldn't put it down and had to know the story. On the other side, there was not one character that didn't annoy the hell out of me!
Let's start with the positives. Ms.Scott is a good writer and the scene she set with the town and cottage is beautiful and draws you right in!
But then we get to our characters.
Our mc Maggie. Maggie is a nice girl, but has zero personality besides being in love with her husband Bear, whom we will get to later, and wanting to be pregnant/give birth. The way she let basically everyone just walk all over her annoyed me to no end. Also the way she talked and behaved I had to keep reminding myself that this woman is about my age, not in her late 50s/early 60s
Then comes cousin Robin. She is the epitome of a classic mean girl. We are constantly told by multiple characters how she is a manipulative liar and yet no one questions her stories or bothers to check out anything she says?! I was hopeing at least that she would have some interesting reason or something for her behaviour, but no, I was disappointed on that front too.
Last but not least Bear. The name is pretty accurate, cause I think even a literal bear has better communication skills than this man! It was infuriating!
And dispite all of it I HAD to keep reading!

ARC read! Cute feel good, second chance relationship!! I love seeing the MC get a second chance at love and how much they truly cherish the connection. I can’t wait to get my paperback copy when it releases!!

This was a sweet read, if a little too saccharine for my taste. I felt it dragged in places and I ended up skim-reading parts of it. However, it is well-written and I have no doubt others will enjoy it greatly.