This was another amazing entry in the series, it had that romance element that I was wanting and enjoyed the overall feel of this. The characters had that feel that worked and enjoyed that they had second chances in love. Sarah Bennett has a strong writing style and enjoyed how good everything was connected with each other.

Thank you, Netgallery and Boldbooks, for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had not realised that this was the second book in a series, while I don’t think you need to read the first book, I was a little lost and confused by all the characters. There is a list of the characters and their connections at the start of the book, which is essential for understanding who anyone is.
I did not finish this book because of the slower pace and confusion about who everyone is and their backstory. I’m giving this book three stars due to the fact that I did not read the first book, which I think is the main cause of my confusion and lack of interest in the main characters. The plot is lovely. I love small-town romances where everyone is connected and has funny banter with each other. You don’t need to read the first book, but I would highly recommend doing so.

Thank you for letting me read this. This is the 2nd book in the Halfmoon Quay series. It can be read as a stand alone so don’t need to read the first one, although I did. Really enjoyed the first book but this one was better. The story of Liam and Issy, their past and their future. This was a feel good story with underlying messages running through it. Also gives a promise of lots more stories to come from the village. Thoroughly recommend this book and the first one.

Whilst I did enjoy the book it was a bit of a slow burner and it felt a bit dragged out. It is the 2nd in the series but can be read as a standalone.

I loved the first book in this series! Set in the beautiful Cornish coastline, stunning story. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it, and could not put it down!

Thank you to Netgalley for my ARC copy of 'Everything Changes but You' by Sarah Bennett (this has not affected my review). I have read and enjoyed the previous books in the series about the Penrose clan. This instalment focuses on Izzy Kernow (who runs the cafe) and Liam Penrose - both characters appear briefly in the previous instalments. Liam is back from London, following a relationship breakdown and the loss of his home. He's taking a break from his high-stress , highly paid job as he figures out his future. Izzy works all the hours she can keeping the cafe afloat and a roof over her head. There is history between them - they were teenage sweethearts, but when Liam moved away for his education and Izzy coped with losing her parents, the bond between them severed (and each now blames the other). However, Liam suddenly has a reason to stay - following illness his uncle offers him the chance to run his hotel. What should Liam do? Hire a manager, or take up the reins himself... Set in a seaside town, this is the perfect summer read to get away from it all.

this is the second book in a series, better to read them in order. a story of second chances. good story

This is something of a slow burn which kept me turning the pages to follow the ins and outs of the daily lives of Issy and Liam. They were teenage sweethearts and then things went wrong. Liam is back in town and the books follows the both, along with their friends and family as to whether there is a place for Liam in the village and if so what might that look like. The nosiness of small town life, along with the impact of the water on villages by the sea is all covered in a charming and cozy way. The romance is steady and cute and a throw back to gentler times.

I didn't realise when I requested this book that it was the second book in the Halfmoon Quay series. Set on the beautiful cornish coast. However, once I started reading I realised I had read the first book in the series so it was nice to be back with the quays inhabitants.

Izzy isstill running her aunts cafe by the sea, she should be happy but wonders if she is missing out by still being there now her parents have died and even her aunt has moved on with her life. Starting to feel restless she needs to make a decision on what happens next. Things change quickly when her old childhood sweetheart Liam Penrose returns to Halfmood Quay, needed a change from the rat race in London he takes sometime off to come back when he is offered the chance to run his uncles rundown hotel. It might just be the fresh start he needs.

I did enjoy the book, but just felt everything seemed to be a little dragged out. You don't need to have read the previous book as it doesnt have a relevance really to this story. Just fills in a few gaps.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thgouhts and opinions are my own.
Expected publication date: September 8, 2025

As soon as i saw this book come up i was like "please,please please please please". the first in the series had me done in(in a good way you understand). i fell in love with the family. they were the best kind to get involved in. and i was so eager to be back with them. and what a joy it was to be back once again.
i thought of Issy when we interacted with her in the first book. i wondered if she would come front and centre(and of course her gran). she played a nice role in the first so it felt fitting to see her story now too. and then Liam, well, he was leading us an intriguing dance in the first book and definitely new i wanted more from him. infact there were so many of them in the first book that i wanted to have their time in the sun that i didn't mind who it was!
but yes, this was brilliant. Sarah Bennett is one hell of a writer. she is a firm fave of mine and i cherish any and all the books she's written. i hope authors like her know just how much there books, talent and work means to us all.
Issy runs the local cafe in the Cornwall setting of the books. she helped by her Gran and the two have a gorgeous relationship.
Liam works in the city. in the first book we could see he wasn't happy. his calls back home were often becoming more worrisome over how he was feeling and finding things. he new something wasn't right and or something had to give. so it was no surprise to see him come home.
Issy and Liam new each other once. once. but then something changed. suddenly things just stopped...didn't they? and they both felt it was coming in from the other side. so what really went on?
the generations of this family are an absolute delight. getting to meet the characters and some in more focus is once again beautiful. i cant recommend this story enough. its sat on a shelf in my readers heart and wont be budging. thank you Sarah and everyone that went towards bringing this book out for us!

A mildly interesting installment in what is meant to become a sprawling universe ripe to be plucked for future Hallmark movies. The Cornish setting will be beautiful on the screen; here it was scarce. The initial character list proved daunting and it was necessary to refer back to it in order to plod through the story; arranging it as a family tree would have helped the reader gain a quicker understanding. Plot points were telegraphed so boldly that there was little intrigue and the MCs jump from estranged to entangled took no time or effort so it was difficult to buy into their passion. All in all, it was a pleasant enough story but felt very much a place-maker as so much effort was involved in setting the foundation for future stories.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for this free ARC. Opinions stated here are wholly my own.

I have read many of Sarah’s books so was happy to receive an advance copy of this one. This is the second in this series set in Cornwall. This book centres mainly on Issy and Liam. Issy runs a cafe with some help from her gran Maud. Her parents died many years ago so there is just her and her gran. Liam works in London in finance but is not happy with his life. He has been with his girlfriend for many years but decided it’s time to ends things as they are not after the same things. He moves back home and has a few months off work. Issy and Liam haven’t seen each other in years but had been inseparable when they were younger. Liam was given a scholarship to a private school but they vowed to keep in touch and they wrote to each other but then the letters stopped. Liam has an extended family and as Issy is friends with Liams cousin,it’s difficult to keep apart. They find out that they kept writing to each other but don’t understand why they didn’t receive the letters. Liam wants to know what happened but doesn’t think his parents would have stopped them staying in touch. You must read this book and find out the journey Issy and Liam go on to get back together. I loved it and I hope there are more.

At first, the long character list at the start felt overwhelming and almost put me off — there were so many names and relationships to keep track of! But I’m really glad I stuck with it, because this turned out to be a lovely, heart-lifting story about romance and second chances. A warm, enjoyable read that left me smiling.

This was a slow burn, but I enjoyed reading as it unfolded. I enjoyed the generational family tales. I look forward to reading more.

I liked this book better than the first but it was slow moving, as former childhood sweetheart find themselves back in the small coastal village of Halfmoon Quay. Izzy at the beginning she really annoyed me with her attitude but it did get better when something came to light. Liam, on the other hand, is instantly likeable and I was rooting for him. The story moves slowly but there is a bit of action in the last few chapters which is something different for Sarah as she tackles a new subject.

I feel there was more of the story to be told and everything has been left hanging in some sense of the word. Storylines that could have been tied up or I hope it will be somehow in the books to come especially the one from the first book.

Thank you for the early access.

I really liked the setting (Cornwall is just wonderful) but other than that... I don't know. I mean, the writing is fine but I found the pacing really slow, and not much happened in the first half and it dragged a bit. I haven't read the first book of this series so I don't really know if the stories start in a book and then continue on the next, but I felt like the ending wasn't really one which isn't something I like because I don't like to feel like I have to read the next one just to find out what happens.

Loved it! Great follow up to the previous book in the series. Set in gorgeous Cornwall with a wonderful set of characters and a fabulous story, very well told . I really hope there’s going to be another in the series .
Highly recommended!

Great little romance about second chances and starting over.

Liam is on sabbatical from his non stop life in London. Issy is busy building her business in Halfmoon Key. Old childhood sweethearts until they were torn apart. Will they find a way to exist together again in Halfmoon key.

I love the Penrose family and can’t wait to read more of their adventures. I love all the generations in this story. Great characters with a great story.

Great to be back in Halfmoon Quay.This book 2 and I loved it. Could read on its own You are back with the Penrose family and you follow Liam. Some sad moments and some beautiful ones. I love the community . The water part was so moving .I loved the cafe and Issa. Just a brilliant read. Can’t wait for the next one. Just escape.