What an utter joy.

The fact that the author - or at least Annie - shares my opinions on the former president (catastrophe) and David Tennant (absolutely the best Doctor) doesn't hurt. And the blast from the past that came with the mention of Gareth Malone! I loved The Choir.

But seriously - it's a difficult world out there. Comfort books are valuable. Books where realistic, utterly engaging characters work through their own challenges and come out the other side, books that are funny and sweet and sharp and heartbreaking and heartwarming - books that enlarge my vocabulary of British slang ... These are the reasons I read. Liz Eeles is one of the reasons I read. I've missied a few of her more recent books - and there's a bit of a warm glow that goes with knowing they're out there, waiting.

Another very enjoyable visit to the town of Shipley, this time in a sparkly Christmas romcom. Lovely to see some of the characters from the earlier books in their cameos, as well as meeting the new characters who are centre stage. Beautifully written and full of fun.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to read and review this book.

After losing and replacing my broken Kindle and getting a new phone I was unable to download the title again for review as it was no longer available on Netgalley.

I’m really sorry about this and hope that it won’t affect you allowing me to read and review your titles in the future.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Natalie.

Continuing on from book one, I really enjoyed watching Annie and Josh's romance blossom in to a full relationship. Annie has such a big influence on Josh and we definitely got to see a much softer side to him, however, he wouldn't be our Josh if we didn't see his grumpy side make an appearance now and again!

Meeting Annie's father and half-sister was an extremely interesting story-line and there was times I was telling them to bugger off and leave Annie alone! That being said, as annoying as Annie's father was at times and as unbearable as her teenage half-sister could be, it was really wonderful seeing how they also adapted to the life of Salt Bay as well.

It was lovely being back in Salt Bay, especially at Christmas, the whole town was described so stunningly and I'll forever cherish these characters in my heart... Time to read book number three!

I love a Christmassy book but am apparently really bad at reviewing them. But this was more than just a Christmas book, being full of surprises and moments that kept me reading. Liz Eeles established herself as a writer to watch out for with Annie's Christmas By The Sea and I hope to read more from her in future. It was nice to "meet" Annie again and read more of her adventures.

This is the second novel in a three-novel series featuring Annie’s adventures in Salt Bay in Cornwall and the people she knows and loves there. This romantic comedy lets you temporarily move to Cornwall to meet and get to know a whole cast of interesting characters. This is a delightful seasonal novel. Full disclosure: this is written by my friend Liz Eels, so obviously I’m going to give it five out of five stars because I know how much blood, sweat and tears went into writing this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Bookouture for giving me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Annie’s Christmas by the Sea is the second book in this series by Liz Eeles. Annabella Trebarwith has come to Salt Bay, Cornwall, to live in Tregavar House with her great Aunt Alice Trebarwith Gowan, who she did not know existed until she received a fateful letter just months ago. Annie had been brought up by her late single mother in London, never knowing of her mother’s family or who her father was. However, in late fall would be rocker Barry Stubbs and his daughter, Storm, arrive at Tregavara House and Barry has the evidence to convince Annie that he is indeed her father.

Annie was a London girl and was just settling in to her new life in Salt Bay with boyfriend Josh Pasco, who codirects the Salt Bay Choral Society with her. Together they are resurrecting the choir from its demise in a terrible storm and flood 16 years earlier. She needs no disruptions in her new life.

Also looming in Annie’s near future is her thirtieth birthday, which is also the date of the Kernow Choral Crown Grand Final. There is much to do before the competition, not the least of which is the need for an original song for their finale, which Barry creates for the group

In a story of love, family, and place in community, Ms. Eeles has spun an intricate tale of finding one’s way in an uncertain world. This is an enjoyable story and I do recommend this book.

We are back in Salt Bay folks! Which honestly just feels like home to me at this point and I absolutely love being back. But while Annie was all set to enjoy her Christmas with Alice, her yummy boyfriend Josh and the Salt Bay Choir, Annie gets a surprise "gift" instead, when her biological father Barry turns up with her teenage half-sister Storm, and I don't think any of them knew what to expect, certainly not what they are faced with.

Annie's Christmas by the Sea is a fantastic book two in the Salt Bay series (I hope), it has all the normal characters, plus crazy aging rocker Barry, who is nothing like her mother said he was. I have to admit I do love Alice's excepting nature in, it truly endears that women to me even more.

When it comes to Josh and Annie, they have their up and downs, but by the end of the book I was concerned that they might not last, as there are definitely stains over the family drama and the lack of being together, but I'm holding strong that they're a forever couple.

Annie's Christmas by the Sea is yet another stunning book by Liz Eeles, her writing is fantastic and truly sucks you into the story and that is why I give it 5 stars

Love this author, I would read anything she writes even a menu!!! Brilliant story, fabulous characters. I cannot get enough of Liz Eeles!!!

Lovely heartwarming book. Great characters that you really root for. I loved it.

lovely book i really enjoyed this novel and read it within a few days.

It’s the second book in Salt Bay series and to fully enjoy it it’s recommended to read the first book before starting this one. Annie is settling in Salt Bay nicely with her great-aunt Alice and boyfriend Josh, but that’s all about to change, when her father Barry and half-sister Storm arrive out of the blue. Suddenly Annie’s life is like a chaos, where her father wants to build a relationship with her, she has to find time for Josh as he has a lot going on in his life as well and there’s also the choir that brings the whole village together plus the Christmas time is around the corner.

I really enjoyed being in the familiar setting again with the well loved characters. I love the fact that there’s always something going on and it never feels that the story is dragging. The writing style is great, there’s no problem imaging the people or the setting. All in all I really enjoyed the book and would definitely love to visit Salt Bay again in the near future.

A fantastic sequel, I really enjoyed this book. This could be read as a standalone novel but I would recommend reading the first book in the series first.

A stunningly beautiful location in Cornwall, with a lovely warm cast of quirky characters this is a charming cosy read. Written in a warm easy style, the story flows with twists and turns along the way.

Heartwarming, I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the first book in this series & couldn’t wait to start the second book. The characters are really great - yes, even Barry - and you can’t help but root for them. This can be read as a stand alone novel, but I think you’d get more out of it if you read the first book beforehand. A lovely, heart warming, easy read that I highly recommend.

I first met Annie back earlier in the year and I have to say I did not warm to her in the first book, however as the story progressed I could see the change in Annie and of course my change in the way I viewed her and the story.

So I was delighted to be back with Annie, to see how she is getting on by the sea away from the bright lights of London that she left behind in the first book.

Just when she has settled into Salt Bay, is enjoying being part of the choir which has restarted after a long ago tragedy. Her boyfriend Josh is everything she could want and she has started to feel that she actually belongs somewhere.

That is until the past comes back - the past that is actually her father, Barry  and he brings a stroppy teenage stepsister, Storm in tow as well. Clearly he thinks that perhaps Annie has some wealth. Their presence seems to be upsetting not just Annie but everyone in the village as well. They have put so many peoples backs up that Annie feels that perhaps she does not belong in Salt Bay after all.

Even her relationship with Josh is now under strain and when Barry gets involved with the choir, there seems to be nothing that Annie can do anymore that is just for her.

As Christmas looms round the corner and there is an unexpected fall of snow on the Cornish Coast, Annie struggles to work out how all these individuals will ever get on and how is the choir going to fair when they are entered for a competition?

Just like the first, this is a lovely story which shows how far Annie has comes from the original book (you don't need to have read this to enjoy this book). Annie has softened she has let the place and the people embrace her and it has made her a better person. Along with us the reader, Annie is learning about a past she knew nothing about and how she can fit into Salt Bay and really be part of a community, a family, a relationship and a choir!

As good as the first novel and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Annie's Christmas by the Sea is less romance and more family drama. It is about finding your family and home after many years; and coming together at the holidays. The village seems like such a wonderful place to live and is described so beautifully.

Great feel good Christmas book, I even went back and got the first book in the series as I so enjoyed reading about Annie - and can't wait for the next instalment. The book is funny and beautifully descriptive, I liked the setting in Cornwall and the great cast of family members.

This is the second book for Annie Trebarwith and while I do think you could read each book individually it is well worth your while to begin with the first in the series which is called 'Annie's Holiday by the Sea'. I was very happy to travel back to Salt Bay to spend a little more time with Annie to see how her life was progressing (especially her romantic attachment to Josh).
What is great about these books is the fact that they are quite believable in how the characters behave in certain situations and react to each other. Nothing is sugar coated and perfect - happy endings don't just happen because we want there to be a good outcome. Instead good and bad things happen in Annie's world and things are not always perfect. Annie never knew her father and has built a rather interesting picture of who he is and what he is like. Unfortunately, she has not got it quite right which she is about to discover when enter stage right Barry (her dad) with extra baggage Storm (her half-sister). Annie suddenly more relations than she knows what to do with.
All the familiar faces from book one are back in this book and we get to know them a little better. I especially loved getting to see what really made Jennifer tick. There are so many things going on in this story from the Saltbay Choir getting their moment to compete in the choir competition to Annie celebrating her 30th birthday. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read which does make you grind your teeth at times at how some of the characters behave. Absolutely worth picking up and settling in to Saltbay Cornwall.

An entertaining read set during the Holiday season. Memorable characters and enough family drama to keep your attention. It is the 2nd book int the series but can be read as a stand-alone book.

He differently wasn’t a viking as her mother had told her growing up. Annie opens the door one day to find a man that who claims to be dad and he comes a half-sister she never knew existed. They end up staying with her and make life complicated for her in Salt Bay. Things with her boyfriend get stressed and she also has to get the Chorus ready for a competition. At the end of it all will Annie still want to stay at Salt Bay or go back to the city. Family can make things difficult but, in the end they add to our lives.

This was a fun book to read. I loved meeting up with Annie again as she is now in beautiful Salt Bay by the rugged Cornish Coast. This was an absolutely delightful story about meeting her father for the first time as he unexpectedly shows up at her door with a step sister she didn't know even existed. Being that this book is based in the UK and I am not from there it's so neat to see all the English expressions in written form. I can just imagine hearing them being spoken now. A different culture than what I am used to I loved this book. It was so much fun. Magical and musical,Annie saves the Salt Bay Choral Society. Annie and shy and formal Josh have a relationship but will loudmouth,bugger dad Barry ruin their relationship or can magical things happen this holiday season? I hope there is another book in this series to read soon!
Pub Date 06 Oct 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.