Let me begin by saying thank you to Rachel Burton for introducing me to the delights of a Christmas song called "I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas" which is a song mentioned a few times in the book and that I had to google and listen to. It's rather charming, completely bizarre and I'm surprised never appears on any Christmas compilation albums!

So now you are back from looking that up too, sorry, but who could resist - I'd like to say what an enjoyable story this really was.

If you are a fan of tea in all its varieties, you will love Ellie's gift of being able to meet a person and work exactly what sort of tea blend they would be, and she seems to have a good success rate with it. And the tearoom in Sanderson Bay is rather quaint sounding, warm, cosy and in a year of being open has become a hub of the community.

From the moment Ellie meets Ben there is something between them even if its not entirely obvious what, they can recognise things in each other, but its also clear Ben is hiding various things. I found there were more than enough clues to get the gist of what Ben may reveal, but I had to keep reading to check I was correct.

Then there is Marcus, Ellie's ex, who has turned up out of the blue, and well is he a changed man, will he get her back, or just cause chaos?

I loved the whole vibe of Sanderson Bay, and especially the knitting group ladies, who were always good to listen to their gossip. And then there is the weekly pub quiz with its incredibly tricky final questions which had me scratching my head!

It's the second book I've read by Rachel Burton and I'm already eyeing up her next book out next year, so will definitely be happy to read more. I really enjoyed the whole book, and now won't be happy unless I get a Hippopotamus for Christmas.

Thank you to Aria and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily,

What a simply lovely warming cosy read. Ellie has fled her current home after a breakup to return to the coastal town of Sanderson Bay where she spent most of her time growing up. Its not long before she is living the life she dreamed off, running her own little teashop, belonging to the community and not crying from heartbreak anymore. One day a dark and brooding stranger walks into the tea room, and despite claiming to be a coffee drinker. Ellie can sense the tea he needs and is drawn to him. Something about this stranger is making her believe love might be out there for her. However, throw in an ex who has returned and is throwing her life into turmoil and discovering Ben isnt as he seems and you have tension and drama to keep the pages turning.

I really really enjoyed this, it was just a great book to read - it made me feel warm and cosy, it warmed my heart in places but kept me reading with just enough drama. Although, very early on i figured alot out - it didn't take from the enjoyment because i really enjoyed seeing how it all panned out and came to a head. The characters were lovely and fiercely protective of each other. You could really sense the bonds of the community from the very first pages. A great winter read to get you feeling all snug and warm.

This is a Christmas book that can really be read any time of the year (it was only after I'd finished it that I spotted the gingerbread man on the cover!).

A story about letting go of the past, about forgiveness, and honesty, The Tea Room on the Bay is a lovely, page-turny read, with a main character who comes into her own. It is also a story about taking chances and living life to the full, and is guaranteed to brighten a dark and dismal winter day.

In The Tearoom on the Bay we meet Ellie who after a tough break up settles in Sanderson Bay running her own tearoom. However her peace doesn’t last long and what follows is a heartwarming tale of love and life.

Ellie was a wonderful character and it was so very easy to want the best for her. I especially loved her interactions with Ben. As the reader sees a friendship develop between the pair along with seeing sparks of attraction too. Even though I was a big fan of Ellie and Ben, all of the characters played their part and helped to create a community spirit that made this book extra special. Rachel Burton really did a fabulous job of bringing all of her characters to life. It was so lovely to get to know not only Ellie but the other characters too.

I have to make a quick mention of the fact that this book is set at Christmas however to be honest it isn’t that heavily themed. I usually wait until November before I start reading anything festive. The thing is that after reading the description, seeing the fun and colourful cover I couldn’t resist picking this book up. Let’s just say that I am so very happy I chose it. The setting of Sanderson Bay was also perfect and from the very first mention of Ellie’s tearoom I really wished I could visit!

Cosy and heartwarming are just two words I could use to describe The Tearoom on the Bay. Along with there being a wonderful uplifting feeling throughout, there were so many moments that made me smile. It was just what I needed!

This was a well written book, it’s a cute and quirky read. It has a very cosy feel to it which is perfect for curling up with a cup of tea and being swept away by a sweet romance. There is some good character growth as well as an engaging plotline. A solid read.

The Tearoom on the Bay by Rachel Burton is a sweet romance that I really enjoyed. This book made me relax and visualize sitting on the beach, listening to the sounds of the water, while drinking tea of course. I found this book to be a quick and fun read, and look forward to reading this author again. I highly recommend this book, it is a perfect escape, as I watch the snow fall outside my window.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A most enjoyable read. I love the seaside and a good tea room so this was perfect reading for me. A little predictable at times, but with a strong cast of likeable characters. The story also touched on some important issues, such as Ellie's traumatic past and how she works through some of the issues she has faced. The attraction with Ben unfolded in a pleasing way, with a few bumps along the way. Friendship also featured heavily and all in all, this was the perfect bit of escapism from the real world.

I don't believe I've ever read a book by this author before but I did quite enjoy this novel by Rachel Burton. Her style of writing is quite stark and I whilst I liked the characters, they never really stood out to me. It was an easy, Christmassy read however.

I read this book for a blog tour.

A lovely heart-warming Christmas story set in the seaside town of Sanderson Bay, where Ellie runs a teashop, selling the perfect blends she designs herself.

When Ben enters her life, she's thrown, having run to the Bay after heartbreak, she's not looking for anyone new, but there's something about Ben and his own return to the Bay that Ellie can't ignore.

This book was really charming and sweet, perfect for curling up under a blanket with a treat and a pot of your favourite tea (I like a chai spice mix).

This was a pleasant, enjoyable, cozy book. There was nothing particularly remarkable about it that would set it apart from the many other books in this genre. But it was a pleasant enough book.

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me. Hopefully someone else will be able to enjoy it more. I will try her other books sometime

This book is one of the cutest I’ve ever read! If the sound of a main character who owns a little tea shop doesn’t make you want to grab a cuppa yourself and dive straight in, then I don’t know what will (and I don’t even drink tea!) I’m so happy to be closing the blog tour for this delightful book, and hopefully I’ll do it justice.

I wish I could think of a more appropriate word than ‘perfect’ for this book because I don’t even think that word does it justice. I couldn’t have asked for anything else from this author – she’s not only surprised me and had me gripped me from beginning to end with her unforgettable characters and addictive plot, but has made everything feel so real, something I haven’t quite got over just yet! Rom-com isn’t even my favourite genre, yet this book has left an imprint in my heart and mind that will be very difficult to erase. A truly amazing read!

Ellie is living her dream, running a very popular bespoke tea shop in Sanderson Bay. The only place that has ever felt like home to her.

Just when her live life seems to be looking up with newcomer Ben, her ex boyfriend turns up wanting her back.

Ellie has many decisions to meals this Christmas. Not all fun ones.

I really enjoyed this book. It wasn’t all about romance, but focused also on friendship and living with the trauma of death.

I think I would've enjoyed this book a bit more if the things in the synopsis actually played a big part in the story. Now that I think about it, I don't think romance could be considered the main genre of this story, as the romantic aspects actually played a very small part in this story. The story mostly focused Ellie, her friendships and her teashop. I enjoyed reading about the interactions between Ellie and her friend group. What little romantic relationship we had between Ben and Ellie was nice enough but I found myself really annoyed with the situation surrounding Ellie and her ex. For one he wasn't as big of an issue as the synopsis made him out to be, and I found Ellie's decision to let him stay with her infuriatingly stupid.I like Ellie as a character though. Her thing with figuring out people's perfect "tea match" was, for lack of a better word, cute. The other characters were also pretty likable.The story as started to look into a few darker topics but didn't really dive deep into to any of them. It didn't hinder the story but I wish the author dove deep into a few of the topics. That's All I Got, Danielle.

What a delightful book this was to read and one that I started mid-afternoon, and apart from putting it down to have tea I read in one sitting.

Ellie has an interesting story and it is one that the author gradually tease out over the course of the story. A year ago, after her ex broke up with her she returned to her bolt hole in Sanderson Bay. Everything seemed to fall into place a the right time. It was a chance for her to start a business and by doing so help out her Aunt and Uncle who wanted to sell. So Ellie began her Tea shop, a shop that is full of amazing sounding teas that are blended by Ellie herself.

With everything going well and her being busty she hasn't much time for herself. Then Ben walks in, dark and brooding is how the author describes him and yes initially I od agree, but as his story is slowly unravelled there is more to him than meets the eye.

This is a gorgeous book that really does bring the world of tea, community, family and friends together. Ellie doesn't have the best memories of family and she is estranged from her father apart from the standard calls on birthdays and the like, but she does have her aunt and uncle. Along with some very wonderful friends that have helped Ellie to settle.

The author has done such a great job of creating some interesting characters, some are a little more vocal than others and not exactly subtle making for some lovely humorous moments. There is a really nice slow burner of a romance that fizzles and meanders its way through.

This was a real pleasure to read and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is ideal for snuggling down with and escaping into for an afternoon. A book that readers of contemporary fiction and romance will absolutely adore and one I would definitely recommend.

This was a great sweet read which I really enjoyed.

This is Ellie's story who has returned home and opened a tea room, when after some time in walk Ben, all mysterious. Why has he returned and is romance on the cards for Ellie?

This story has everything, its a rom-com, romance read that also has a real sense of community (including the local nosy, busy bodies lol !! I really felt that we get to see Ellie grow in this story and I found myself routing for her throughout the book.

This was a one of them reads where you can easily get lost in the story and find out that a few hours has past !! It has a great pace and lots of twists that keep you wanting to read on. This book is perfect to read on these cosy/ dark autumn evening. Overall a great fun, sweet read which I really enjoyed.

Thank you to Netgalley and Aria fiction for my review copy in exchange for this review.

A lovely read. I loved the setting and the character build up was really enjoyable! I hadn’t heard of this author before so I’ll certainly be keeping my eyes out for more by her

Welcome to Sanderson Bay. You may arrive a stranger, but I can guarantee you’ll leave as a friend.

I’m a firm believer that a good cuppa cures all ills and if there’s cake, even better! Who’s with me?!

Have you ever been a tad jealous of a book character? Come on, admit it! I can’t be the only one this has ever happened to, lol.

*sighs* I’d love to run my own tea shop. Don’t laugh! I’m being serious. The only difference is I want to have a tea shop/book shop combo. Although, my friend Margaret says all the books would be for display purposes only as I wouldn’t be able to part with any. I have absolutely no idea *shrugs* what she means *whistles*.

Sanderson Bay has always been Ellie Caron’s safe place. It’s been her shelter from the storm ever since she was a teen. So, it stands to reason it’s the first place she’d escape to when life throws her a curveball.

Fast forward twelve months and sometimes the worst of times can turn out to be the best of times, but this is just the beginning...

I thoroughly enjoyed Ellie’s story. It was like I got to pick a selection of my favourite genres all in the one book. Family saga, romance, rom-com, suspense with a sprinkling of Christmas-themes to lift the spirits.

I loved the feeling of community in this story. They may be a nosy bunch (well, when you wanna know, you wanna know!) all up in your business but their hearts are in the right place.

The Ellie we meet at the start of the story is very different to the Ellie at the end. As cliched as it may sound (I love a good cliché), she became like a friend as I joined Ellie on her journey of self-reflection and self-discovery. I was a virtual cheerleader supporting Ellie to find her happy!

I really ‘felt’ the author echoing off the pages in this book – from the love of tea, York etc. Does that make sense? Ack, I know what I mean *snorts*.

I do have one final question... I wonder what kind of tea Ellie would say I was? *taps chin*

Tearoom on the Bay is a great novel by Rachel Burton. I truly enjoyed this book. The storyline and the characters were wonderful. Although at times it was a bit predictable and a little cheesy, it all plays into this being a fun and light read. Perfect for the holidays. I enjoyed Ellie’s character, and wonderful bond she has with her community. And can’t forget the romance brewing with Ben. The story had of course romance, but it also touched on loss and the internal struggles many people face. I honestly loved these characters.

A heartwarming and uplifting story that made me smile and root for the characters.
It's well written, the plot is highly entertaining, the characters are well developed and likable.
An excellent read, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine