Another charming novel from Jenny Colgan that was devoured in two sittings. When Essie has to return to the Scottish island where she was born after leaving for the high life in Edinburgh she never expects that this will open her eyes to the shallowness of her old life and friends, and that she will appreciate the community and life she was so keen to leave behind her.
Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read and review Jenny’s latest book

I love Jenny Colgan. So many authors do feel-good novels these days, but only Jenny does them with perfectly pitched humour and just enough grit of realness. So when I managed to get my hands on her latest I was extremely excited.

Essie grew up in beautiful, windswept, very remote Carso and couldn’t wait to leave it behind when she left for university. She works in finance and loves her insta-perfect Edinburgh life with her posh boyfriend. I totally understood her fascination with him and his group of friends, and their experience of financial safety that is so alien to her. At the start of the book she loses her job when the firm relocates to Bern, and has to move home temporarily. Where she instantly reverts to the moody teenager she was when she left.

Janey is Essie’s Mum, a popular audiologist in the village, who finally feels safe in her tiny, cosy cottage after the stressful and tumultuous end of her marriage and divorce (which Essie has never quite forgiven her for). She loves Essie desperately but they can never make themselves understood to each other.

While trying to find a new job Essie ends up getting involved in the refurbishment of the dilapidated cottages on Janey’s street. As well as the developments in their lives and the appearance of puppies and love interests alike, the book touches on how investors, holiday homes and AirBnbs have contributed to a housing crisis and shortage of affordable homes for locals - a hot topic in Scotland today.

At the start of the book Essie’s posh boyfriend jokes about her going home being like a cheesy Christmas movie where the city girl rediscovers the meaning of life, starts wearing flannel, and falls in love with the hot woodsman. And yes through the book Essie does come to understand the joys of living at a slower pace, being less interested in shiny material things, and doing what some would call ‘honest work’. But while the happy ending for mother and daughter is never really in doubt, the best thing about the book is the journey to get there.

Despite many of the settings and issues here being close to my heart (and life) this didn’t grab me emotionally as some of her other books do. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, I don’t want to be a sobbing wreck after each book I read, but I’ve knocked a star off for it.

Also, a note that a couple of scenes in here are much spicier than I’m used to from Colgan! Maybe a nod to the cosy, spicy novels everywhere these days.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review

I was so excited to receive this advance copy of Jenny Colgan’s latest book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.
This story is set in the very north of Scotland in Carso, the setting for Jenny’s last book about the knitting ladies in the town. Some of the characters from that book appear in this one but only in minor roles. It does make you feel at home knowing a bit about the town and its characters but it’s not essential as the story is a stand-alone one.
As usual with Jenny Colgan books there are some well written characters who you really get to know and like, despite their idiosyncrasies. In this one there is also an unexpected litter of six puppies and they too all have special, individual and lovable characters.
I recommend that you read this book as soon as you can get your hands on it!

This is a very warm and uplifting read and for me one of the best Jenny Colgan has written recently. With two fabulous main characters in mum Janey who has done a good job of rebuilding her life after divorce and her daughter Essie who has had a strained relationship with her mum since the divorce. Essie is forced to move back home after losing her job and home and the difficulties of a boomerang child are very well explored in this especially as Essie’s relationship with her mum is not great. Janey has some fab work colleagues which add a lot of character to this as well as some of the locals in her hometown too, not to mention the unexpected arrival of unlikely puppies. I loved reading both Janey and Essie’s perspectives in this and despite their difficulties the overall feel of this book is really positive despite the setbacks they suffer along the way.

Book Review: Meet Me at the Seaside Cottages by Jenny Colgan
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Jenny Colgan’s Meet Me at the Seaside Cottages is a heartwarming, delightful escape to the coastal village of Carso, offering the perfect blend of love, family dynamics, and personal growth. If you're a fan of stories where characters find themselves (and sometimes love) amidst the rolling waves of the sea, this is a book you won't want to miss.

The story centers around Janey Carter, a woman who, despite having the life she’s worked hard for—an idyllic home by the sea, a fulfilling career, and great friends—finds herself lost after her husband’s departure. But her world is turned upside down when her adult daughter, Essie, moves back home after a string of misfortunes. Their strained relationship and differing life stages create a dynamic that’s both touching and comical.

What makes this novel so special is how Colgan brings the setting to life. The seaside cottages, which Janey begins to renovate, serve as a metaphor for the characters' journeys. The physical restoration of these cottages parallels the emotional healing both Janey and Essie undergo, and the charm of the coastal town makes the entire experience feel like a breath of fresh sea air.

The relationship between Janey and Essie is one of the most compelling aspects of the book. As they navigate their personal challenges, their interactions grow from tension to tenderness. Janey is rediscovering herself after her divorce, and Essie is confronting her own issues, including her failed relationship and career struggles. Their shared experiences and new adventures bring them closer, making this a wonderful story of reconciliation and love.

In addition to the mother-daughter bond, Colgan introduces a lovely romance subplot that adds another layer of warmth to the narrative. Janey, after years of feeling disconnected from love, finds a surprising second chance at romance, which is a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late for new beginnings.

The secondary characters—like the quirky villagers and the adorable rescue dogs—add charm and lightness, creating a welcoming atmosphere that makes the reader feel like they’re right there on the Cornish coast. The light humor and feel-good moments sprinkled throughout the book are perfectly balanced with the deeper emotional themes of personal reinvention and healing.

Final Thoughts:
Meet Me at the Seaside Cottages is a perfect blend of romance, family, and personal growth set against the picturesque backdrop of the sea. Jenny Colgan’s signature warmth and wit shine through in every page, making it a must-read for fans of uplifting and heartwarming stories. Whether you’re looking for a story about second chances, mother-daughter relationships, or simply an escape to a charming coastal village, this book has it all. I couldn’t put it down, and I’m sure you won’t be able to either!