Christmas Secrets by the Sea

Tansy Merriwether has pretty much hit rock bottom, in the last year she has lost her successful cupcake business, her business partner/ lover, her home and her money. Now she's living in a decrepit caravan on a Dorset beach. When she befriends the single mother who runs an isolated cafe nearby she hears about a TV crew which is filing a series in a nearby cove who might need someone to run odd jobs. When Tansy approaches the crew she finds out that she knows the director from when she lived in London. He suggests she could help the crew enormously by scouting for locations for a new series and taking the obnoxious male star with her, he and his female co-star are impossible when working together.

Davin O'Riordan isn't the man the PR people make him out to be, he isn't the man he pretends to be, he has lots of secrets but for some reason he likes Tansy, she's the only woman who doesn't swoon at his feet and who sees more than just a former model turned actor. But can two people learn to trust each other?

If I say that this book contains a sexy Irish actor, a teenage boy with a bottomless stomach, a single mother, Christmas, a vegan actress, a beautiful whippet and a smelly stray dog, and quaint English villages would you be interested? Yes, me too. This was charming, funny and a saccharine-free holiday romance. Maybe if I was being really picky I would have preferred fewer flashbacks to Davin's past (which didn't generally seem to add much) and maybe more to Tansy's past which (to me) still remains somewhat shrouded in mystery.

Overall, if Poldark revs your engine then I think you'll like Davin, he's been described as looking like Chris Hemsworth and Aidan Turner had a baby!

Recommended for fans of Sue Moorcroft.

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

Never heard of this author before but the cover caught my eye and I'm glad I gave it a read. It was festive, entertaining and heart-warming. I liked this authors easy style of writing. Will be looking out for more by her in future

A most enjoyable book by Jane Lovering. As usual, she does not disappoint. A slow burning romance with normal and likeable characters. The story unfolds gently as we discover what has happened to the lead characters in the past and wait for their 4 legged friends to help them in the road to true love.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

After losing her business and home to her scheming ex, Tansy Merriweather finds herself living out of a van on a beach in Dorset. While she has no intention of staying long, she knows she doesn't have the money to keep traveling, and is forced to look into employment. Unfortunately for her, the only job she seems to find is working as a location scout for a TV show. It's here she meets the prickly actor, Davin "Not Gavin" O'Riordan. Davin is a bit of a newcomer to the acting scene, but already has a reputation as being grouchy and difficult to work with. However, after some initial verbal sparring, the two find in each other something of a kindred spirit, and soon the two work to save a local cafe, as well as help each other overcome past sorrows.

While I was definitely expecting a much happier and lighter read, Christmas Secrets by the Sea was an engaging read with a delightful cast of unique characters. I loved the believable slow-burn relationship between Tansy and Davin, and enjoyed reading about both of their complicated, if a bit depressing, pasts. I do wish the explanations for Pansy's past were a bit less vague, and would have preferred the flashback scenes for Davin were slightly more substantial, but found them enlightening nonetheless. I also really loved the plotline involving Pansy and Davin's dogs, finding it adorable and hilarious.

Overall, I found this book to be incredibly entertaining, as well as both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Tansy was a compelling and sympathetic character I feel would appeal to many readers. While Lovering was a new-to-me author, I can definitely see myself reading more from her in the future, and would definitely recommend this novel to romance and women's fiction fans.

4/5

This was a very enjoyable story set right on the beach in Dorset. I loved Brian, the scruffy abandoned dog that Tansy took in and looked after and the beautiful whippet, Seelie, that he was in love with!

Tansy is living in a camper van on the dunes in Dorset after having lost her thriving business to her nasty ex. So she's licking her wounds and contemplating her next move whilst living in a freezing camper van in the middle of nowhere. But then she find out they are filming a very popular coastal series in the next bay over and the director turns out to be an old London friend of Tansy who offers her work scouting out locations for a new series, and 'adult-sitting' his star, Davin.

Davin was a right grumpy sod for about half the book, it did take me quite a while to warm to him, which is unusual for an Irish character for me, they're usually so charming. He did have his reasons for being grouchy, secrets which are slowly revealed as he and Tansy get closer.

The beach cafe near Tansy's camper van is in danger of closing as the elderly owner/benefactor has just died and his relatives want to sell. So Tansy and Davin work together to help save the cafe and help the lady running it, Karen, and her 14 year old son Toby, from losing their home and Karen's job.

I really liked Tansy's character, and did feel really sorry for her when the full story of how she ended up broke and living in a camper van after owning a thriving and expanding business in London was revealed. But it worked out for her anyway as she ended up just where she should be, in Devon with a (not so grouchy by the end of the book!) Irishman, instead of in London with a cheating, lying ex - every cloud has a silver lining.

Very enjoyable book with a fair bit of drama towards the end (the dogs are OK!). I see that it's book number one of the Seasons By The Sea series and I really look forward to reading the rest of this series.

I loved this book!

It had a warm and endearing plot.

The characterisation was great and I loved the attention to detail - the characters were ones I could easily relate too and I really enjoyed that.

It was very well written and a really addictive page turner.

Five stars from me, an excellent story - very highly recommended!!

Another wonderful novel by Jane Lovering.The charming cover drew me right in to this warm emotional lovely story.Highly recommend. #netgalley#farrago

Christmas Secrets by the Sea, Jane Lovering

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Humour, romance

I've read several of Jane's stories now, and she has a style of writing I really like. I'm cautious when a book is styled as “humour” as so many are just that forced, OTT that I simply just don't like them. Jane's humour though is typical British subtle humour.
The romance is muted, a side part of the overall story but was very satisfying and the perfect ending.
I loved the characters, Tansy, clearly escaping from something – but what? It takes the full length of the book for everything to come out, little bits are released along the story but you always know she's holding back something more. Likewise Davin, he's so obnoxious to begin then as we get to know the real man, the secrets of his past I really liked him. He's got a real sensitivity about him, something that isn't apparent until we get to know him.
The rest of the cast are great too, Karen from the cafe, Rory, a typical teen, written so well. Everything's a drama at that age, its all highs or all down dramas....I loved his openness and how close he was to his mum, how protective of her he was. Even Larch had me warming to her by the end. People really aren't as they first seem all the while, some just need you to get to know them, in real life and in books.
Then there's the real stars of the story Brian and Seelie, they were so perfect. They brought a lightness into more serious moments, brought people together, brought in some gentle humour ( Brian and the ever present sardines and seaweed) and provided real emotional support to Davin and Tansy, something they both really needed.
Its a wonderful story, fully of whimsy and gentle humour, a terrific story and wonderful characters, all wrapped up in a very satisfying ending.

Stars: Five, a fantastic read, one that kept me gripped, sniggering one moment and emotional the next.

Arc via Netgalley and publishers

Tansy is living in a van, and licking her wounds after the loss of her company and fiance. Ashamed and tired, she just wants to get away from it all. While walking the beach she sees a pretty whippet being chased by a shaggy mutt, and closely followed by a gorgeous man in a weird coat. After he screams at her for the mutt attacking his prize dog he stomps off. It is not her dog, although he starts following her around and basically becomes her dog. When she goes to a local cafe for the wi-fi, she meets up with the lady and her son who run the place. Her teenage son takes her to a place where a tv show is being filmed, in the hopes she can find a job. Surprisingly enough, she knows the director, who gives her a job finding a local spot for a spin-off show. With the help of the teenager, they start looking, and also get stuck babysitting grumpy Davin (the gorgeous man from the beach) who is the lead in the show. Enjoyed this one a lot, and the banter is fun. Highly recommend this book and author, and hope to read more by her.

Christmas Secrets by the Sea by Jane Lovering, Fun, entertaining and heart warming story. Enjoyable start to a new series.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

Christmas Secrets by the Sea by Jane Lovering is one of the most entertaining reads I've had in a long time. This is a well thought out story featuring quirky characters, humor, romance and an stray dog that will win your heart. .
#ChristmasSecretsByTheSea #NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, for this free eARC.

Wanting to read all the Christmas books in December, I quickly requested this one, and really enjoyed it.

Tansy is down on her luck. She lost her business and her relationship, and her home is now a camper van on a Dorset beach. Soon she is adopted by a scruffy dog, named Brian.

Tansy finds a job as a location scout for a new TV show, and pretty much has to babysit the shows star, Davin O'Riordan.

As Christmas approaches, Tansy and Davin discover each other's secrets, and a new bond begins to grow between them. But how will they cope with the storms headed their way?


While I felt this book started out slow, it eventually picked up, and I didn't want it to end. I didn't feel any Christmas vibes with this book, but that didn't take too much away from it. I enjoyed all the characters and how everyone came to together to save the cafe. The two dogs Brian and Seelie were very unique, and I loved that they were a huge part of the story. This was a charming, and funny book. I am excited that there will be a second one, and I can't wait to get my hands on it!

What an entertaining, wonderful story. I was immediately absorbed by these two broken people – Davin and Tansy – and their initial mutual hostility was really well written.
Our aloof hero, Davin, is a great addition to the gallery of wounded heroes, hiding beneath layers of broodiness, rudeness and the “sulk factor” a great deal of vulnerability and a really caring and nice person. I loved how the author, Jane Lovering, slowly revealed the solitary man and the “lost boy with his dog” of the past. I also liked the fact that he and his family managed to succeed despite all the problems. However, I would have liked his secret to be more elaborated.
Tansy is a great heroine, too, her humor and sarcasm always tempered with intelligence and an innate kindness.
I loved the vivid descriptions of the Dorset coast, the secondary characters; and, finally, the dogs, Brian and Seelie: they are characters in its own right, with their animal personalities and quirks. They are endearing and so fun to read.

I really liked this book: it's heartwarming, engaging and entertaining. It's also full of Christmas spirit without being fluffy.
I loved the characters, both human and canine.
The plot was good and I laughed out more than once.
I look forward to reading other books by this writer.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Farrago and Netgalley for this ARC

The story was charming, heart-warming and at times, heart-wrenching. Davin is a famous model-turned-actor and has a lot of secrets in life. Tansy's also been through a lot and has been carrying her grief, bundled tightly. And though they don't gel well initially, as time passes by, they find comfort and consolation in sharing secrets with each other.

Christmas Secrets by the Sea is the story of love, hope, and life. It makes you laugh. It also makes you cry. Tansy's grief makes you cry. Davin's childhood memories makes you sad. But past is now a memory. How two individuals, who have had difficult times in the past, meet and find hope is well portrayed in this story.

The twist in the story was when Davin's very curious to know if Tansy's signed the non-disclosure agreement. And when he recruits her as his assistant, Tansy puts two and two together and finds out the truth behind Davin desperately wanting an assistant.

The story is engaging and keeps you hooked on till the end. Lovering's writing style is superb. When you think that the story is going to end on a good note, there's a twist. And of course, all's well that ends well. The story does have a happy ending or two. There's a little bit of humor too but the story is inclined towards human emotions.

The characters are unique, with each of them having a story of their own. The characters and their stories are beautifully amalgamated into one big story. Life gives you second chances, never lose hope and faith in yourself and you are not alone, not even during your tough times - these are the things you get to take away from this book.

After her life has been turned upside down, Tansy moves herself to the Dorset coast to lick her wounds and put her life back together. She is offered work as a location scout for a new TV show. But with the job comes Davin, the very sexy star of the new show who she is asked to babysit. As Tansy gets to know Davin she comes to realise he is totally different to his public persona.

As a friendship between them develops, they reveal past secrets to each other that they are trying to overcome. With each other’s help, will they be able to put their pasts behind them and move on?

An entertaining story with good characters; it is a heartwarming read with plenty of fun and laughter along the way.

Christmas Secrets by the Sea by Jane Lovering is a heartfelt, warm story about new beginning and second chances.

Fabulously fun and entertaining, with steady rhythm and a lot of heartbreaking secrets is a perfect read not only for the most magical time of the year but for any season.

For those who believe in love when you least expect it, for those who trust that love will find a way even when you don't want it, for all of us who are looking for a forever love, this is the book that will prove them right.
Absorbing and intelligent, without any mushiness it will still make you cry and give you hope that just about anything can happen. And that love comes in all sizes and shapes. And not just romantic love but any kind of love that will heal our souls.

An absolute must read.

This was a fun to read holiday romance. A fast read, but by no means without substance or depth. I found the main characters to be realistic and believable, likeable but with flaws. There are also a couple dogs in the story, which help round out the plot and move it along in spots. I enjoyed getting to know the back stories of some of the main characters, and look forward to reading more in future books in this series. There are some funny moments, some sad moments, some nail-biting moments, and some moments that may make you say, "Awww!" I enjoyed my first Jane Lovering book and can't wait to read my next!

I received an advance copy of this book. This review contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

While the secrets involved in this story weren't particularly Christmasy, they were at the core of motivation for the lead characters. Both Tansy and Davin turned out to be nothing like the façades they presented. Each one hid the secrets that they believed defined them and breaking down the defensive walls almost proved too hard for them to handle. Forces of nature took them on an emotional journey and I am glad to have been a witness to the transformations that came as a result of their physical and emotional struggles.
I voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinion in response.

The romance is more understated and gentle as Davin and Tansy initially spend their time taking pot shots at each other then spend more time getting to know each other and getting past their initial meeting rather than hopping into bed. Their non meet-cute actually gets things going as Davin is intrigued by a woman who doesn’t fall for his “star smile” and fling herself all over him. Tansy, on the other hand, isn’t sure she wants anything to do with this guy even after she starts to see underneath the outer protective shell.

So, I liked the other distinctive characters who are nicely drawn and add to the story. Brian the mutt, with his skeptical expressions, endeared himself to me and them. The holiday setting doesn’t turn the story too sugary sweet. Tansy and Davin have a hopeful future. But I’m going to try and avoid being on the Dorset coast during a storm. B+

I had not read any books by this author before.
I found this book hard to get into to begin with, as I found the style of writing didn't flow well. I thought that a lot of the sentences were too long. Once i had got used to this, I started to enjoy the book.
There was a lot of tension between the main characters of Davin and Tansy. It was clear that they were both hiding something, and it was not easy to work out what their secrets were. I wanted to read to the end to find out what the secrets were.
The characters were quirky but funny and kind. The book was not completely festive, as Christmas time was not until the end. It was still an enjoyable read, and I would definitely read the next part of the series.

The cover to Christmas Secrets by the Sea promised rainy English seaside atmosphere, Christmas joy and two dogs- all the things I look for in a love story!
Tansy having fled London, her failed relationship and cupcake empire is quite literally trying to get away from it all and is racking her brain for what to do with her life when she is thrust into dog ownership and work on the set of a moody, English version of Baywatch. The banter between her and the show's Irish lead actor Davin is fun and, in comparison to many other similar romance novels, refreshingly self-aware. We meet a whole "cast" of likeable side-characters and the Dorset setting warmed my heart.
Christmas Secrets by the Sea ended up being more serious than I had expected and less stereotypically christmassy. But I did root for every single character and now feel like planning my next holiday trip to South-England... and plan on taking my dog!

I love Christmas-themed novels and I’ve read (and enjoyed!) quite a few of Jane’s books, so I knew I was in for a treat.

Tansy has lost everything this past year, and finds herself living in a clapped-out van on the coast. Her luck starts to improve when she lands a television location scout, and finds herself minding a gorgeous but miserable Irish male actor. As well as romance between humans, there is also a romance between two four-legged friends, which is fun.

I really enjoyed this amusing and romantic festive read, and very pleased to discover that there will be further books in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Farrago for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

First book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it.

The story of Tansy and Davin. When they first meet they don't get on, but as they slowly get to know each other, they share their secrets and get closer.

Looking forward to the rest of the books in this series.

Thank you to Netgalley for a review copy of this book. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary review

Loved this book! Hilariously funny, yet deeply emotional and ultimately satisfying. Tansy and Davin are both hidinLoved this book! Hilariously funny, yet deeply emotional and ultimately satisfying. Tansy and Davin are both hiding secrets. The setting, the weather, the dogs (!), literacy, mental illness all play a role in advancing the story. Looking forward to the next installment in this series.g secrets. The setting, the weather, the dogs (!), literacy, mental illness all play a role in advancing the story. Looking forward to the next installment in this series.

Tansy's not having the best days of her life – she's running from a lost business and a broken heart, and a whole lot of guilt, shame and disappointment, when she is 'found' by a scruffy dog and a couple of situations that lead one into the other. Tansy ends up working an odd job for a TV show filming crew she runs into, which essentially means babysitting a really cocky actor and a super patronizing co-star of his. Angry at her life, or rather, the lack of logic in the fact that this is now somehow her life, Tansy is not in the best place when the story starts out. Meanwhile, Davin is your traditional brooding hero: handsome, but utterly full of... 'stuff' on the outside. In the end, you'll probably find out he's not actually like that, but he'll do a great job of convincing you he's not worth the air he's breathing at first. It's not long before he opens up to Tansy, and through her – to us, and shows just exactly what he is protecting so much with such a harsh picture on the outside.

If you're expecting open romance, well, that's not how this book is. I would say, this is more of a slice of life story, where the characters are struggling with disappointment and their respective pasts, trying to make something of their lives, and as a result, something comes from it. It's a very unobtrusive, silent kind of story. At first I was going to give it 3 stars because I couldn't connect to the characters and what was going on, but then the real reasons behind their actions came out, and they were deep and troubled – I was mesmerized. If at first the book seems like just another story, by the end it will have you exploring the deep pains of the human condition, betrayal by the closest people you have and coming to terms with it all. It's done beautifully through dialogue between the two main characters and it had me glued to the pages past the halfway point. I really do recommend this book, but I have to warn about triggers as well. But the trigger is a spoiler, so if you want to risk it, please don't keep reading.

Triggers and spoilers follow now.

Triggers include:

miscarriage, guilt – especially over the miscarriage, losing a business and all your belongings, a cheating and manipulative spouse, growing up in a poor family with an alcoholic dad, being looked down on because of being dyslexic.

I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This has not affected my opinion.

This is my introduction to Jane Loverings writing, my first read of Christmas Secrets by the Sea. I immensely enjoyed this novel. The cover caught my eye, but her warm, humorist and endearing plot draws you in through her brilliant characterization. Phenomenal attention to detail in creating relatable and quirky characters and a stray dog to boot. A bit of an addictive page turner.

If you’re looking for a Christmas romance, this may not be the one for you as Christmas is pretty much an after-thought especially for the heroine, Tansy, who has had a very rough year.

However, this book goes beyond fluff and shows two people who meet at the right point in their lives to help each other and perhaps fall in love.

While Davin is initially shown to be mean-spirited and superficial, it’s a facade to hide his deeper secrets, which he shares with Tansy as their relationship progresses. Likewise, Davin guesses that Tansy has a deeper secret than the one she initially shares, a secret that makes the novel rather poignant.

The supporting characters add a great deal to the novel, especially Mom Karen and her son Rory. Karen has some great one-liners. Even Larch, the supposed self-absorbed actress, is shown to be far more than a pretty face.

After a near-tragedy brings everyone together on Christmas, the novel is indeed heart-warming. There might not be a lot of Christmas, but Karen tinsels everything.

Choose this one if you’re looking for a little more depth and just a shade less cheery in your Christmas story.

And, please, could someone give the scruffy dog a bath?

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Christmas Secrets by the Sea" is just the kind of book I like to read during the holiday season. Christmas is present but it isn't thrown in your face and there is a lot going on besides just cute romance. In the beginning of the book, the reader is introduced to Tansy and a scraggly stray she eventually names Brian. We know that Tansy is down on her luck, just recently losing her business, her home and her boyfriend. She has chosen to park her caravan on Dorset Beach and wait out the holidays. What she doesn't plan on is meeting new people and learning that sometimes you really can chose your own family.

There's lots to love about this book. There is a wonderful small town feel and as Tansy discovers a new job scouting filming locations for a local production company, she meets many new, wonderful and nerve-racking individuals. There is also a great puppy love story between Brian and a whippet named Seelie - talk about odd couples. There is some romance thrown into this book so if that turns you off, then you won't want to give it a go. But it's not over-the-top and it's actually a love-to-hate trope which I am finding I enjoy quite a bit. And there are some pretty dark secrets which are exposed by the end and it only made me love Tansy and Davin even more.

I probably wouldn't pick a book like this up to read most of the year but it was a perfect fit for the holiday season. And come on, with Brian and Seelie, you pretty much know it's going to be something I enjoy. I'm curious about the rest of the series when it releases because if it focuses on some of the characters we've already met, I'm anxious to see where it's headed.

I really liked this book. I've read a couple of Jane Lovering's other books and they are always a bit of a different type of romance. In general, I find British romance to be "slower" than American romance. This isn't a bad thing. What I'm trying to say is that the British romance authors that I've read seem to develop their MCs and the connection between them much more than the typical American romance. There's rarely a case of insta-lust and there is usually a firm friendship developing before the hero and heroine become intimate. I love the pacing of such romances, but compared to American romances, where I swear it's almost required that the MCs become intimate by (if not before) the 50% mark, British romances often seem slower paced. Such is the case for Christmas Secrets by the Sea. There is so much going on with both Tansy and Davin and the author takes the time to develop their personalities and form a strong connection between them. They both have hard outer shells, and what is initially visible on the surface is not at all what is going on beneath those shells but those inner layers are revealed slowly and only after they've built up some trust.

I also find it interesting that the book is being marketed as a Christmas story. Although it's set at that time of year, and there is talk and scenes of the holidays, it doesn't have much of a typically "christmasy", celebratory, or holiday feel, it's much more serious than that. However, the underlying theme of the book is forgiveness and redemption, so the title is appropriate in that sense. Jane Lovering also did a fantastic job in evoking the feeling of winter, paralleling how barren Tansy feels inside after losing everything that was important to her. I felt cold most of the time as I was reading the descriptions of the Dorset cost and the wild winter winds and storms. Overall, a great job in evoking the time and place and drawing the reader into the story. I also have to mention Brian and Seelie, the two dogs owned by Tansy and Davin. They were both smart and adorable and I loved the little romance that developed between them also. If you are a pet lover, there are plenty of scenes with both of them, they aren't just window dressing.

a buiseness woman wohl has lost everything meets an actor. First they do not like each other but by workig togehter and their love for the dogs a romance begins. Great book, written in a very descriotive way. I really liked it

This is a fun read, very sweet, and who doesn't like a dog story? It's poignant and just a nice read.

I have read a few of Jane Lovering's books now and I always enjoy the way she uses one liners and non sequiturs to ground her characters and bring them into three dimensional life. This story, deals with Tansy and Davin, two people thrown together by circumstance on a film set on the stormy Dorset coast in winter.
We discover early on these two have pasts which have defined them in different ways and deeply affects their attitude and behaviour. Then there are their two lovely dogs, mutt Brian and the graceful Seelie, both of whom bring their unique personalities into the story.
Tansy has hit a large bump in the road, though her more obvious problems conceal a deeper, more traumatic one, so she was easy to empathise with. Davin wasn’t so transparent and his initial behaviour is so atrocious I wonder why she didn’t just kick him to the curb and move on. We don’t discover Tansy’s pain until almost the end, where the light-hearted humour makes way for an emotional revelation which I defy any reader not to be affected by. Davin keeps his innate sensitivity well hidden but once his past is laid out, it becomes easier to see where he is coming from.
The other characters are equally well written, like single-mum Karen at the café, he permanently hungry sensitive teenager, Rory and the prickly Larch all of whom convey that we shouldn’t take people at first impression. It wasn’t very festive, but I read it at Christmas so that helped, and a storm lashed Dorset coast is pretty characteristic for December.

Great book with believable characters. The book has a great plot and great writing. I highly recommend this book. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my digital arc this is my unbiased review.

A heartwarming and heartwrenching read full of emotion and hope!

This is not a light fluffy Christmas story, this is a book full of emotion and struggle that will take you on a wonderful journey... as you all know I adore a fun festive story, but this book took hold of my heart and did not let go until the bitter end... an emotional ride that will make you smile, make you laugh, make you angry, make you cry, but at the end of the day it will leave you with a warm toasty feeling in your heart.... I truly loved this story from first page to last, I was completely captivated by these characters!

Tansy has lost everything her company, her boyfriend, her beautiful flat... The only thing she has left from her old life is a camper van, so she sets off in her van to temporarily live on the beach...Tansy finds herself in a small village where she befriends the owner of a café and her son, and takes a job as a TV location scout... turns out part of the job is taking care of the grumpy, grouchy, brooding, star Devin... i’m sure you can figure out where this is going? But let me tell you it was so much more than your typical romance, these two characters had some major depth and some major baggage... not to mention two adorable dogs who had a love story of their very own!

This was a very slow burning realistic romance full of angst and misunderstanding... both Tansy and Davin were likable sympathetic characters... both of their backstories were quite heartbreaking, but I loved reading about what made them the people they are today.... The secondary characters added so much charm to the story even the obnoxious vegan actress... this is the first book in the series, and I am really hoping that we will revisit these characters in future books...

Strongly encourage you to pick this up if you are a fan of a well done romance with some depth and emotion💕 don’t let the title fool you, this book can be read any time of the year!

*** many thanks to the author and the publisher for my copy of this book ***

4 STARS!🤩

I seriously didn't expect THIS. I thought it was going to be some fluffy romance type and not so much deep. But i was completely wrong and i am very happy for it now that i have read it.
So moving on from me. This book is so much more than some sea romance despite what the cover indicates. It's about trust, betrayal, finding your footing again when your whole life turns upside down. It's about friends we find at very unusual moments of life, to trust again, love and to letting go.

I really connected with the characters specifically Tansy. She's so strong! And Davin..my god i am really happy that the author made him this different from the other romance heros. He's so handsome, understanding, emotional and i couldn't just get enough of him. I just completely loved him.

I loved the pace of the story ,the writing, the involvement of the other characters and Yes! The dogs.
So basically i really liked this book cause it's a romance not just about lust. It's a lot more than that. So go for it!
(Arc provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange of an honest review)

Rescued from Drowning

This book deals with agony and loss and rejection and homelessness and abandonment--and is screamingly funny. Allowing that bad things happen to good people, nonetheless I was laughing out loud long before I was through reading the first chapter. The truly serious bits serve well to bracket the basic facts of life which tend to bathos rather than pathos and can generally be more realistically viewed with mordant wit than 'Sturm und Drang.' Of course it is the latter that informs the former and our author knows just how to twist a phrase to point out the general absurdities of life amidst the every day tragedies which can range from losing ones glasses to losing a beloved.

I am a fan of Jane Lovering and always enjoy her writing style, her humour and her quirky characters. This is another great read that warms your heart and entertains with great skill. The characters of Tansy, Davin and all of the people in the novel, along with the dogs, leap off the page and the author, as always, provides a good plot with an uplifting resolution. A wonderful read to cosy up with whether it's Christmas or after. "Christmas Secrets by the Sea" is about the struggles of life and how love can win through. Loved it!

What a heartwarming and emotional ride this book was! I loved it! The cast of characters were so enjoyable and realistic. I hope to read more of Lovering’s work. Thanks to Farrago and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thanks to NetGalley and Farrago for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.

This was one of those light Christmas romance reads that ended up being much deeper than I anticipated!

Tansy Merriweather isn’t doing so great. She’s living in an old, broken down caravan in an isolated seaside town, not sure where her next meal is coming from or what her future looks like. She’s a long way from the successful London businesswoman she used to be, living her dream life. To top things off, a scruffy dog has decided she’d make the perfect owner – which is the last thing she needs. Fortunately, Tansy makes friends at a local café on the beach, and manages to find some work to tide her over. Unfortunately, that work involves spending the day with a very grumpy, conceited TV star, Davin O’Riordan. OK, so he’s handsome, but Tansy isn’t quite sure what his fans see in him. Until she spends some time getting to know him…and he starts breaking down some of her emotional barriers…and the two form a special bond. Christmas is fast approaching, and while this may not be the life Tansy imagined or dreamed of, with new friends and a possible romance, maybe this holiday won’t be quite as awful as she feared.

*Sigh* Christmas time, a seaside English town, a brooding Irishman, adorable dogs, romance… This was a charming read, with more depth that I anticipated. Tansy carries quite a few burdens, as does Davin, and parts of the novel were pretty intense. But overall, it was heartwarming and hopeful. The characters were charming and perfectly imperfect. And the setting! I loved the rich descriptions of the Dorset town. 4 festive stars for this one – if this is a genre you gravitate towards, definitely give it a shot!

This was a lovely read - it was a little predictable in places, but the characters were well rounded and plausible, and the story kept going at a good pace.

A wonderful story, especially to read during the holiday season as it wasn’t just ‘fluff’. It has a good story line, romance, emotion and was quite heartwarming.

A really heartwarming and engaging read! As an Irish person I loved the fact that the male lead was played by a traveller. So refreshing and different in these type of books. The character was not your typical one dimension portrayal of travellers. Instead it showed him with much depth and made his story so compelling. I loved that the relationship between the two main characters played out over the entire book and developed at a steady pace.

I've never read anything by Jane Lovering before, but I am going to look out for the name in my library! I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series!

Good old fashioned romance! I really enjoy a British romantic comedy - the witty repartee and the slow building of the romance. This book did not disappoint. I enjoyed watching the characters unfold and the story build to its ending. I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Christmas Secrets By The Sea is a romantic comedy set in Dorset. This is a cute fun story. No big surprises, but it's enjoyable and entertaining. The characters are loveable and endearing. The story is heart warming and perfect for a little holiday reading. It's a charming romcom Christmas. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is just lovely! A real heartwarming Christmas tale set on the Dorset coast. We meet tansy who is a little down in her luck, David who has all the charm in the world - when he wants to and Brian who is dog with a taste for sardines!
Read it with a mug of tea, a warm fire and your pet at your feet!

Secrets unveil little by little in this romantic novel, in which romance is not the most important aspect of the characters' relationship.
While moving around the country, Tansy gets to a seaside town where she'll meet new friends who will help her get a new perspective.
I really enjoyed reading this story, filled with real emotions and relatable characters.
Thanks Netgally and the publisher for my copy of this book.

Tansy has lost everything, her smart job, flat and boyfriend and has ended up penniless in a camper van on a beach in Dorset...... her only friend Brian the scruffy dog who is determined to adopt her! As there is a TV company on location down there she manages to get some casual work..... looking after the grumpy star Davin! Things might not start off to well between them but if you add Davin's whippet to the mix to befriend Brian things can only get better!

Another lovely book by this author, you know that you are going to be left with a nice warm feeling without the book being too fluffy. I liked both of the main characters, especially Davin..... and Brian of course!

You don’t get a lot of Christmassy seaside books as it isn’t generally the place to be in the northern hemisphere with icy gales and lashing rain. So the very title of this book is an invitation to find out more about what is probably going to be a ‘different sort’ of romcom.
And it is! The cupcakes are firmly, and thankfully, behind her – there are way too many cupcakes in chicklit at the moment! – so Tansy is rebuilding her life and recovering from financial and emotional betrayal by her ex. She stumbles into a job with a TV crew that’s filming locally, and this is what throws into the company of Davin.
Irishman Davin is as miserable as a wet Irish week to start with. He takes some warming up to, but we and Tansy persist and eventually discover a nicer but hurting human being within.
A nearby café is in danger of going under and together Tansy and Davin become invested in helping to save it. We expect this of Tansy as she’s proved herself to be a kind, genuine, caring person, but it’s still a bit of a surprise that the seemingly self-centred Davin becomes quite so involved.
There’s fascinating character development, plenty of action, twists in the plot and a happy ending in this feelgood romcom. At times the comedy is almost dark but there was a twinkle in the author’s eye as she wrote it, I imagine, and it all works out the best for everyone – two- and four-legged – in the end!#

Leichte Unterhaltung, was fürs Herz, eine nette Geschichte rund um sympathische und authentische Charaktere. Wird nicht lang im Gedächtnis bleiben, ist aber eine richtig schöne Lektüre.

Like a warm cup of hot cocoa, that's how I describe this book. A Warm and endearing story. Most enjoyable. A new to me author that I will read more.

Lovely feel good summer read. What’s not to love sun sea and sadly ur reading about it instead of living it. Easy to read and flowed well. Perfect summer bookWell

It's a Christmas book (automatic 3 stars) and there will be more (add 1!)

A fun chick lit read...I quite liked it!

**OMG! I cannot believe that these reviews haven't been done! I am so sorry they are so late!!!**

I couldn’t wait to read this book as it was based in Dorset which is our favourite place to go in our campervan so was totally drawn in by the description!
Christmas secrets by the sea is a totally heartwarming engaging read, emotional in places but much more than just a Christmas romance book!
Poor Tansy had lost her business her flat and her partner and much more, so finds herself camping out in her van in Dorset, life is looking bleak and empty until new found friends and the scruffiest smelliest dog enter her life, soon life starts looking up again new friends,a job and eventually a romance make this a great read perfect for any time of the year!
Thank you net galley for this early read.

A lovely seasonal read, managed it in a day, haha. Boy meets girl, and a happy ending, with plenty of tension in the middle.
Snuggle up in front of the fire and enjoy

A festive, fun read, I have not read anything by the author before but I will be looking out for more now. This is a funny, romantic, cute read, great chemistry and such a heartwarming read. Recommended for a Christmas read.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

A quick light-hearted, though at times heartbreaking read. I liked Tansy from the start. Though thoroughly defeated by life, she managed to keep on. I might have preferred a few less flashbacks, but otherwise a great read.

This is a charming and entertaining romance with a twist. Both characters, the girl Tansy and David have been hurt before and carry their wounds which makes real connection impossible. Through circumstances these two have to cooperate and slowly reveal more of their vulnerability. They come together at the end but it is still precarious as each of them has to learn to fully trust again. I can recommend this novel wfor any reader who wants a bit more than pure shallow romance.

A fun Christmas read with plenty of romance in this short novel ideal for a seasonal read. A plot with many twists and turns, if somewhat predictable as to who ends up with who but enough drama along the way, with plenty of wild weather to add to the mix. Lots of sad and serious issues attended to but there is hope and a definite warm feelgood factor with more than a touch of humour. The characters were good, from the spiky Davin (the Aiden Turner, Poldark, character), to the rather gauche teenager Rory and not forgetting Brian the stray dog. There is certainly the beginnings of a series of books with these characters from Jane Lovering.

I really enjoyed reading this book, one of the best I’ve read recently.
From the very first sentence describing Brian the dog as ‘a toupee on a mission’ set the scene for the whole book. So well written, with very touching moments wrapped alongside some descriptions that really made me chuckle.
Tansy has had the most dreadful 18 months and has been left with nothing but a rusting campervan and as many items from her home that she could stuff into all the van’s nooks & crannies. She has gone from being a successful business owner with a boyfriend, a gorgeous city apartment and Insta-worthy month-long Christmas holidays, to not even being able to buy herself anything to eat let alone enough fuel to move her campervan anywhere. We follow her, and Brian the stray dog that is not Tansy’s, stinks of sardines and leaves an oil slick on any hand brave enough to stroke him, who has chosen Tansy as his human of choice. After being helped & befriended by local cafe manager Karen & her son Rory things start to take a better turn. On the hunt for a job Tansy bumps into her friend, TV director Keenan who is filming a series in the next bay and Tansy ends up being roped into being the assistant for the moody pain-in-the-arse star of the show, Davin. But all is not what it seems with Davin and soon Tansy discovers several big secrets Davin has been hiding from everyone. The pair begin to open up to each other and a friendship develops, but could there be more ...
A lovely feel-good book so well written. I will definitely be looking out for more by Jane Lovering.

Pleasant read to wile away a cold wet day. I enjoyed this story with the feel good factors it brought with it. A light tale which left me with a warm feeling

I've not come across the author, Jane Lovering, before, but the idea of the story appealed to me.
The main character, Tansy, is very likeable and it's easy to feel empathy with her as she tells her story. Equally likeable is the actor Davin, but he is a bit of a mystery.

The story follows them as we learn more about what happened to them.
There's a lot of side stories as well that are neatly concluded in this book. I liked the Christmas theme and the author did a great job of making everyone relatable and the story enjoyable too.

I'll be looking out for more from this author in the future

I loved this book! I had no expectations whatsoever and it had me crying, gasping and laughing all at the same time! Inspired me about how one person change their environment and the people around her. Can’t wait for the next one

5 Words: Friendship, family, survival, expectations, community.

This is not a super-Christmassy book. It's more a case of the story happens around Christmas. Which is great as it turns out that was what I needed. It wasn't really heavy on the romance either, which is also something that it turns out I needed!

Christmas Secrets by the Sea is very much a slice of life story - one of my favourite kinds. It wasn't full of huge revelations and shock twists, although it did have its fill of the small dramas that make up life. I liked the was the story focused a lot on communities, on the way they change and develop.

I couldn't say that I really connected with any of the characters. Which is weird because I couldn't tell you how and ordinarily if I don't connect with characters then I don't enjoy the story. I think it's because it was just so lovely and made me laugh a lot.

I really enjoyed the dogs - the cute snapshots of every day life as a dog owner, the shenanigans that the pups got up to. And the chaos that they created.

Christmas Secrets by the Sea is a romantic comedy about Tansy, who has lost everything, including her business and the man she loved, and Davin, an ordinary guy with a painful past, who just happens to be a handsome and famous actor.

This book is both hilariously funny and heartbreaking. You find yourself both laughing and crying, and the well written characters definitely touch your heart. There are two other stars in this book, the dogs, Seelie and Brian, who are integral parts of this story. If you love romantic comedies, and I mean real romance and the problems that come with it, you will love this book. If you are a dog lover you will love this book.

Although this is set at Christmas, it can be read anytime. This is the first book I’ve read by Jane Lovering, and I’m definitely going to read more.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley. My review is voluntary.

Lately, I've been all up into stories out of the early 1900s. So Christmas Secrets by the Sea was a nice change of pace. I'm not usually much into straight-up romance tales either, but this had me smiling, laughing and crying a couple of times as well. I enjoyed spending time with the characters Tansy, Karen, Rory, and Davin... and last but definitely not least Brian. This story had it all. I loved the attention to the details, the slow build of the relationships, the antics of the dogs. Oh! And the description of "THE" storm - whew!!! I think I will have to follow along with these characters, see what brews up next.

A couple of hard emotions to deal with, if your sensitive to the subject of miscarriage at this point in life, I'd find another book to read.

Lovely book to curl up with. Looks at building new relationships after a massive upheaval and traumatic experience. Lovely characters and 2 gorgeous dogs!! Well worth a read for the dogs alone who are hilarious with their antics. Thank you for letting me review this book.

A lovely easy read. Heart warming, well written story. Really enjoyable book to curl with and read with a brew!

I laughed so much while reading this novel and I cried a fair bit too. Gorgeous scenery, interesting characters (human and canine) and an intriguing back story. All in all it was pretty much a perfect read in every way.

I think I have found a new favourite author! This book has everything, humour, emotion, beautiful scenic location and a hunky Irish leading man! I would strongly recommend this book and can’t wait to read others by Jane Lovering.

Sweet and heartwarming. A perfect story to read after some of those heavy ones we read that take too much time and are hard to review. This one is light and fluffy and left me happy ....

I felt that it was a cute read without a lot of Christmas really in it. I loved the characters, would have liked to have seen a wee bit more development. The setting and premise were great.

I thought it was a good read and really enjoyed it. I definitely recommend it. I look forward to more in the series!

I would like to thank the author/publisher/Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A lovely story with drama and tensions thrown in. Definitely recommended to those who enjoy reading this type of book.

To start with, it was amazing. I was a bit confused in the beginning, as in what the hell is happening, but that was probably because I didn’t remember the blurb properly. But after sorting things out, it all made sense.

No to begin with cover, it is splendid! I mean just look at it, pause, and then think that it’s going to be an amazing read. Moving on to the title, well, there were plenty of secrets in here. I mean there were parts that were hidden up till the end and that too very beautifully. The love and the tragic that has been brought in here doesn’t appear to be an act, it gels well with the plot and the whole background of the story.

I was really glad that the suspense was maintained at least for more than half of the story. It didn’t appear as if the author had to do much work in progressing the story and it was being dragged. It appeared to be a natural.

Moving on to the characters, I don’t think there was anyone in here, well apart from one or two but I guess that’s kind of like a mandate (no fun if there isn’t one character that appears to be a stupid, idiot and blubbering mess), that I didn’t like. There were moments wherein I was annoyed by some of the characters but otherwise they were gems. I kind of appreciate that because it was like more than meets the eye, and at the same time being realistic.

At this point, I honestly don’t know what I am writing considering I don’t have much time, but it was a beautiful, emotional, sensitive and humorous read. Did I mention dogs? No? Then definitely sweet as well as cute 😉

A fantastic read. And kudos to the author for sensitively including baby loss as part of the characters back story. A really tough topic to get right and one which is often overlooked and as a loss mother myself I could wholeheartedly relate. So thank you. At the beginning of the book i felt like it started a little hap hazardly and didn't quite know if I was going to enjoy the book but soon found myself hooked. The characters were all exceptionally relatable and I found myself rushing to read the next chapter.

Charming and quirky, this book was such a delight. A rugged landscape, fun characters and some sweet dogs made this an excellent read.

An enjoyable and absorbing book that is far deeper than the title and blurb suggest. Dealing with themes of hiding our true selves, loneliness, guilt, loss and starting over/reinvention, this book is a contemporary fiction read that makes you think. Its simple writing style will have you fooled - it’s got levels of depth that other books in this genre can only dream of! There’s some great characters - particularly Rory, Karen and Keenan - who all have roles to play and could well feature in future books (now I know it’s the first of a series).

4* as a little slow to start (tansy, the main character is a bit whiny but makes sense as the book progresses) and a little predictable in places but has depth - and would be a great discussion at a bookclub

I like Jane Lovering's books. They are funny, romantic, and have engaging characters. They aren't as fluffy as the covers might suggest. I enjoyed this one. A seaside setting, dogs, Christmas, plenty to like about it.

A bit more emotional that your average romcom Christmas read!

Tansy has lost everything and escaped to Dorset in a camper van.

Davin is a famous actor, filming a soap opera on the beaches close by.

When their lives collide, there relationship grows from frosty, to friendship, to love, all filled with drama and revelations.

There is no hidden deep meaning to this book, it is an easy reading romcom, but with a little bit more of a storyline threaded throughout it. The characters have flaws which sometimes make them unlikeable, but also more realistic than some of the plastic stereotypical leading characters in such novels. There are some genuine LOL moments and some nail-biting page turning moments.

All in all, a charming, heartwarming and entertaining read.