The Secret Seaside Escape – by Heidi Swain

The blurb: 

Tess Tyler needs a break. Weighed down by her high-pressure job and her demanding father, she’s left little time to take care of herself. But after a shocking discovery sends her spiralling, she flees to Wynmouth, the seaside town she fell in love with as a child, to escape it all.

With its sandy beaches, stunning rock pools and welcoming community, Tess feels like she can finally breathe again. And as she grows ever closer to local barman Sam, she dares to dream that she might never return to her real life. But when a familiar face returns to town, Tess realises that there are secrets in Wynmouth too, and that her own past may be about to catch up with her . . .  

My Opinion:

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Reading Heidi Swain is always a treat and I was really looking forward to this book. 

We follow Tess Tyler in this book. She needs a break from work (she works in her father’s company) and just time for herself. Some shocking news confuse her even more, so she decides tp go back to Wynmouth. A little town she visited as a child during holidays. The town is by the sea and she connects a lot of memories to it.

She rents a cottage and turns her phone off completely. She starts hanging out with barman Sam and they have an instant connection. She also makes friends with Sophie, who ones a little café in town. Things aren’t easy though, especially because Sophie’s daughter Hope comes back and spends a lot of time with Sam. And then there is Joe, who knows Sam and Hope as well. 

A lot has happened in their past and we slowly find out more about it. Tess doesn’t tell them she has been in town before and she has more secrets and they are all connected to a kiss. I won’t tell you more here though ;) 

Tess is very committed and starts helping out in town a lot. It the break she needs, even though her feelings are all mixed up. When her dad comes to town as well things get even more complicated. 

The storyline is lovely though and I really enjoyed following these people around. Heidi Swain included a lot of emotions, heart, love and passion. The story is full of beautiful moments, family relations, friendship and so much more. I love how detailed the writing is, I felt like being there with the characters. 

The setting is absolutely gorgeous and I love how present and past connect in the story. It’s full of ups and downs, but I always felt a warmth. It’s the perfect summer read!!!

Rating:

Heidi Swain on Twitter: @Heidi_Swain Website: https://heidiswain.co.uk Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

The Staycation – by Michele Gorman

The blurb: 

An uplifting, hilarious read about a cancelled holiday... and how love, laughter and fun can always be found close to home. For fans of The Holiday, Lindsey Kelk and Sarah Morgan.

Two families. One cancelled flight. And a last minute house swap...

Things get desperate for strangers Harriet and Sophie when they become stranded with their families in Heathrow's Terminal 5. Each woman has her own reason for really really really needing the family holiday they've anticipated for months. But an unruly volcano has other plans for them. When their flights are cancelled, the families swap houses and discover that sometimes the best things in life happen close to home.

This ash cloud has a silver lining, even if no one can quite see it yet.

My Opinion:

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

The idea behind behind this book is great and I really enjoyed it. 

The Staycation follows two women and their families, who meet at Heathrow Terminal 5. Their flight is cancelled because of the ash cold. The women decide to swap houses. 

Both women seem to have secrets and go through tough times in their lives. Things are slowly revealed and it was interesting seeing the different families interact. Sophie and Harriet are very different, Harriet is a successful solicitor, Sophie is a stay - at - home mum. Also their husbands have things to hide and that made the storyline very intriguing and exciting. 

The women text each other and share a phone call from time to time, which lead to a friendship. I enjoyed that a lot. The book is full of funny moments and I liked the fact that both women develop and learn a lot throughout the story. 

At times I felt like there was a lot at once and the connection to them was missing for me. I also had difficulties relating to these two women and therefore struggled from time to time. 

The setting is great and it’s a lovely book for summer!

Rating: 

Michele Gorman on Twitter: @MicheleGormanUK

Website: https://www.michelegorman.co.uk

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US