This is a warm story about love, betrayal, family, and internal healing.
I believe the family in this book could have been happy but the father’s attitude – his hate ruined everything.

It all started in 1940 when 12 years old Izzie overheard her parents arguments. In that late-night, her mother ran out. And never returned. She was taken to a mental institution shortly after that.

As for Izzie and her sister Linda, things changed. They were taken to their grandparents house on a farm where they lived for a short time. Then they were brought back to the city by their father.

I adore Izzie’s character. I believe she’s a strong and smart girl. Even when her father stopped her from continuing her education she worked, earning some money which she used to enroll in a school. The attitude of her dad and sister were so annoying I felt it was better for her to leave the house. They would leave all the chores for her and she didn’t complain. It was just too much. She also fought hard on her own, before landing a job at a fancy restaurant owned by an Italian, Mr Semandini 😍
Her finally summing up the courage to search for her mother was marvellous. At last, she heard her mother’s side of the story.

As for Linda, I think the hatred she had bubbled inside due to her mom’s disappearance made her sort of angry and hardened inside. She lied, shoplifted, made bad friends and decisions.

At last, I love the ending. It was incredible! The perfect ending except for the fact that the rapist didn’t get what he deserved.
As for Izzie, she found her prince charming whom I completely adore. Her mom had found someone amazing and her dad has changed drastically. He realized that his attitude brought them nothing but misfortune.

This is my first Pam Weaver book, but I’ve already added her other books to my TBR!

Much thanks to Netgalley, Avon and the author for this ARC copy.

This story is mainly about Izzie, her sister Linda and her parents. It begins where Izzie hears her parents having a row, the front door slams which is her mother running away. Her father is a brute. Many more people come into this story, I like the way how Pam introduces them all. You will not get confused as to who is who as Pam 'drip feeds' them to us so we get to know them, Then someone else comes into the story which is set at the beginning of the 1950's. Izzie was found a job by her father who took most of her wages for her upkeep. As her mother never returned, Izzie had to keep house, wash, iron, clean shop and cook. I do not want to give too much away, but Izzie did have a hard life. Towards the end there was a Rape followed by a court case, Pam handled this very well. At the end of the book Pam explains about the Rape part of the book which you must read. I have no hesitation in giving 5* and recommend the book. For me this book was better than the Brighton Girls


With thanks to netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a review which I willing give

I was rather underwhelmed by this book, despite a strong start. It is written in an era that is not often explored, and the premise sounded intriguing. It covers life and attitudes of the times - early 1950s - but for me there was something missing that I can’t quite define. The characterisation is not strong, and Izzie is not a particularly likeable character. She is a doormat for her father and sister, whilst being constantly annoyed with them., but never standing up for herself. There were some very feisty young women around in the 1950s, who had had to take the place of men away at the war. Izzie is not one of them, sadly,
The story seems contrived, and not very convincing. I lived through these years as a child, and the happenings during the story seem a bit scattergun, with predictable outcomes. The ‘teddy boys’ and their actions, were signposted so much, and the ultimate crime committed is just not credible, in my humble opinion.
There is an overload of detail; what Izzie and her mother ate and wore every time they met; every item of clothing the teddy boys wore or aspired to possess; the minutiae of the cafes/ tea rooms and where they were, or would be; some judicious editing might have helped the flow of the narrative, which really flagged at times.
The ending is all neatly sewn up, and tied with a bow, predictably but unconvincingly.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this title. I wish I had liked it more.

Since their mother walked out on them as children, Izzie's taken responsibility for her younger sister, Linda. And when there father's temper flares up, Izzie knows the girls would be better off on their own. But when a handsome Italian chef moves to Worthing and offers Izzie a job in his cafe, she is forced to choose between her responsibilities and desires. then her mother resurfaces, and Izzie discovers there's more to her abandonment than meets the eye.

Set just after WWII, rationing was coming to an end and lives were getting back to normal. It's set around Izzie, her sister Linda and their parents. Their father is a brute, and after a row one night, their mother runs away.

This is a heart-warming but also a gut-wrenching story of a family that's broken. We also get true historical facts from the era. There's stories within stories that weave together seamlessly, linking the family together. There is a mixed bunch of characters in the book which is also descriptively written. The story held my attention throughout.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #AvonBooksUk and the author #PamWeaver for my ARC of #AtHomeByTheSea in exchange for an honest review.

Set in the years following World war two,this is a story of two young girls who's mother disappears in strange circumstances. As Izzy grows up we follow her through ups and downs,secrets and lies,till she finds happiness.

I seem to have an insatiable appetite for UK-set, cozy romances. Add in a mid-century, coastal setting, and I'm in heaven.

Izzie and Linda's mother disappeared shortly after their father returns from being a WWII POW. However, Izzie learns first, that her mother hadn't disappeared but had been committed to a mental hospital, and two, that her father hadn't been a prisoner of war, but rather a prisoner of state due to a crime he committed.

Izzie must work to support herself and contribute to the household, while still doing the majority of the housework, while her father and the favored Linda work a bit and constantly flirt with the wrong side of the law. Izzie tries to ignore her growing affection for her boss, Giacomo, believing he's too old and experienced for her, but a tragedy makes her realize the depth of her love for him.

This isn't great literature, but it is a delightful way to distract oneself for a few hours and take a vicarious trip to a seaside village in the early 1950s. #AtHomeByTheSea #NetGalley

An interesting and emotional peek at post-WWII England. Izzie's father came home but he's not the same. Her mother has left the family (no spoilers). She's struggled to raise herself and her sister Linda. Now, though,. she's got some brightness in her future. What's key, though, is learning the truth about her mother. I found myself annoyed at times by Linda but never ever by Izzie. who is someone you will root for. Thanks to netgalley for the ArC. A very good read.

Set just after World War II I found it so interesting to hear of life after the war. Its an era I'm particularly fascinated by but I don't seem to find many books set during this timeline. Rationing is coming to an end and lives are slowly getting back to some kind if normal. It's a beautiful story and seems very relevant in the current circumstances. I found comfort reading ths book. I really enjoyed this book.

The day before Izzie’s 13th birthday, her mother walks out on the family following an argument with their father, and so it falls to Izzy then take responsibility for her younger sister Linda.

But when a handsome Italian chef moves to Worthing and offers Izzie a job in his cafe, she is forced to choose between her responsibilities and her desires. Then her mother resurfaces, and Izzie discovers there’s more to her abandonment than meets the eye.

Will Izzie be able to come to terms with the past in order to pursue the future she deserves?
This was a lovely story, and although I’ve never been to Worthing the places were described in such a way that I can imagine myself walking through the streets, along onto the sea front and sipping coffee in Giacomo’s café that Giacomo.

With regards to the characters, Izzy seemed to take the weight of the world on her shoulders, whereas Linda was a wily little minx who needed someone to tell her a few home truths! Despite that, as characters I loved them both especially as they were so different, and I don’t think we were meant to like Linda anyway!
Raymond reminded me a lot of Pinkie from Graham Green’s Brighton Rock – he was a wannabe gangster, but in reality was a bit of a sociopath.

I’ve read many wartime sagas in my time, so it was a nice change to read one set after the war when rationing was coming to an end and life was slowly returning to a new normal.

All in all a really lovely book and I would highly recommend it.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

When their mother leaves the house one night, Izzy is the one looking after her younger sister Linda.

Then after a while, she meets a chef, and is offered a job, as she’s hoping to move away, she’s thinking whether this will be her chance to do so. .

I liked he Izzy looked after her sister and was always the one who saw to everything. Whilst others just stood back and let her. The characters were relatable.

It was lovely to see how people lived post WW2 and how well it was researched.

I highly recommend it to anyone that likes a love story.

Another brilliant read from Pam, I've read all her books so far and I really enjoy them. She writes so descriptively and I shall continue to read and enjoy her books as she writes them. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Set in post-WWII in Worthing, this arresting book is about courage, love, loss, family ties and how people tried to piece their lives back together after the war. Everything had changed. The author beautifully injects fascinating historical details such as King George's death and wondrous descriptions including Tiddyoggies and Italian pastries. I just love vivid multi-sensory descriptions.

After the war, Izzie and her younger sister Linda weren't prepared for her father's return home as he had been a POW since their childhood. Not only was he super strict but also cruel, especially to Izzie. What made it even worse was their mother suddenly deserting them. The relationship of the girls shifts between warm and tender to cold and untrusting. Izzie finds employment at a cafe owned by an Italian. Italian cafes were de rigueur at the time so it was the place to work and visit.

The two very different sisters clashed and domestic battles raged. Other relationships appeared. The stories within the story are seamlessly written, including the reappearance of the girls' mother. We also see the effects of war, secrets, deception and heartache. I like that the book has oomph and substance and both lovely and despicable characters. As in real life, there is good and bad and both are depicted here.

My sincere thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this wonderful book.

At Home by the Sea.
Set in 1947 this is a great family saga. A story of two young girls who, following a family breakup are sent to live with their paternal grandparents. Fast forward two years and their father reappears into their life expecting them to just move in and pick up where they left off. Upset and confused the girls, Izzie and Linda are left with no choice but to do as expected. What follows is a great tale very well told. There are a few twist and turns here but ultimately it’s a gripping tale that keeps you turning the pages.. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a page turning saga. 4⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️Thanks to #NetGalley for an advanced copy of this great book. #AtHomebytheSea

We follow Izzie and her sister Linda who live with their father after their mother disappears one night. At first they live with granny and grandad until their father decides he wants them back. This leads to some turbulent times with Izzie looking after Linda who thinks she is grown up and gets involved with a group of bad lads. Will there be repercussions! Izzie gets a job typing up manuscripts for a book then decides to look for her mother. Enjoyable but I felt I would have liked to find out more about Izzie.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Even though it took me a while to finish it, I really liked the story. The characters were both believable and likeable and it was very interesting to read a post war story that was set after WW1. The book did go at a rather slow pace, but it somehow suited the story, so I did not mind it that much.

Lovely book couldn't stop reading it. Poor Izzie traumatized by her mother disappearing as a young girl she takes responsibility for her younger sister Linda, after moving back home to live with their father. As they grow older Izzie is responsible for running the house and finding work. Linda goes.off.the rails and ends up in bad company. Izzie finds work as a companion and finds a passion for writing until the elderly lady she works for dies and she is accused of theft. Secretly meeting her mother she meets Mr Sandini and unknowingly ends up working in his new cafe.
There are lots of secrets in this story which keep the reader gripped til the very end which is a happy one for everyone. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend.

Another excellent novel by Pam Weaver.
I was hooked from the first page in the 50s family saga set in post WW2
Read it for yourself and experience this brilliant book.

Thank you for the advanced copy of this latest book by Pam Weaver. I found myself hooked from the beginning and read it in a few days. Set post second World war, it felt to be very realistic. Women had gained independence during the war years, but men returning home were reluctant to allow this to continue. Izzy wants to better herself after a difficult childhood. Her father thwarts this by ending her education early and forcing her to handover her earnings to him. She has set backs along the way, but life improves. She also searches out her mother who had been placed in a mental hospital. Her sister and father are not happy with her research.
Lots of interwoven storylines. Well researched and a good read.

This is a family saga set in the 50’s, very well written and a book I would recommend. Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this great book. I will be looking for more books by this author.

1947 Worthing.
Izzie Baxter, and her dad is back home one of the last of the brave boy's from the war and he is a stranger to her, the arguments between him and her mother grew louder and he was so strict with her and sister Linda he had no job and always in the pub, one morning coming down stairs they both find their mother had gone it's February 26th 1947 and it's Izzie's thirteenth birthday they had all forgotten a search goes out and her mother is found not right in the head and is taking into a hospital, the two girl's are then sent to grandparents in Dial Post twelve miles from Worthing where they spend the next two years till their father comes to take them to a new home he has a good business and Izzie is now old enough to work. but all she wants is to find out where her mother is and answers about her father and why she left that night she won't give up.
This is such a remarkable book from start to finish that I enjoyed. It will touch your heart as you read with some gripping details will Izzie ever find her Home By The Sea? read on for yourself I highly recommend you do. Loved It.