Member Reviews

The Beach Reads Book Club was so cute! I can't wait to read the rest of Kathryn Freeman's books if they're as good as this one!

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The beach reads book club follows Lottie Watt, shes a 30 something, electrician, who is an avid reader and who is still kind of trying to get over her ex Henry who moved away to better his career. She is a member in a book club run by a strict and stuffy woman called Eve and Lottie just doesn't enjoy it anymore so she decides to start her own book club. She finds a home for the book club which is a little book shop that just happens to have a handsome new owner.

I don't know what i expected when I picked this one up, I was just interested to read a book about a book club. It ended up being about so much more. Yes it was pretty light hearted but it did touch on alot of tough subjects especially because the groups age range was so wide I felt like you really got to get a insight into some of the things each of the people in those age groups go through.

It also brought alot more fun to the group to have that huge age range gap and it had some hilarious parts in it and also some sad ones. The book club ends up being more of a little family and support group than just a book club and they all help each other out through some things. Also with Matt and his family there were alot of subjects dealt with revolving around a somewhat dysfunctional family dynamic.

Although the romance was pretty good it didn't feel like the main story line to me and I liked that. It was more about Lottie and the book club. Although you actually get Matt's perspective I feel like it still just adds to Lottie's story. It had a small bit of a trope that I love but I wont say what because it will be a spoiler. I did like Matt as a character, and you get alot of insight into why he is the way he is.

What I didn't like was the way Lottie and Matt were making assumptions so much about how each other feel and there was lots of miscommunication and I don't like that "trope" I felt like that part went on for too long and happened too many times. I get that it is kind of realistic but I don't know ifs its realistic to have happened that much, it just got a little bit annoying for me.

You also get a nice little bite size into every members life, I would have liked a little more but can see why that would have been hard to add in.

It was a nice light read.

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This was a cute romance book, something the actual Beach Reads Book Club might pick. The plot is on the simple side and a bit predictable but still an enjoyable read nonetheless.

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What a fun and delightful book! I wish I could join Lottie's book club! Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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What a wonderful book this was! I loved the idea of a beach reads book club, and the cover enticed me in straight away! We meet Lottie Watt who starts her own book club after being ousted from the library run one! She finds a little bookshop, Books by the Bay, with its own café and persuades the owner Matthew Steele to let her run the book club from there! Matt is mysterious and brooding and obviously has his own issues which he is dealing with. He is, however, also devilishly handsome and it’s obvious there is a spark between Lottie and him.

This book grabbed me from the first page and didn’t let me go until I’d finished it! I loved Lottie’s character, who was fun and sparkling! I also loved the fact that she was an electrician, a female in a male dominated profession! She has a great relationship with everyone she meets and knows just the right things to say. The friends who migrate with her to the newly formed book club are equally just as fun and Audrey’s character was absolutely perfect! I really took to Matt from the very beginning as well, he has everything which you could want in a man…and he owns a bookshop! Be still my beating heart!! I can forgive his standoffishness and brooding though as there are obviously undisclosed issues, but as the book moves on these are all revealed.

Not only was this storyline so captivating, it was fun, flirty, light-hearted and so easy to read. It took me less than a day to finish as once I was caught up in Lottie and Matt’s story, I didn’t want to let it go! The location is great, the characters all complement each other perfectly and the romantic scenes make your heart do that little pitter patter flip! I’ve read a few books by this author and I have to say, whilst they were all great, this was definitely my favourite. I loved it!! Would definitely recommend!!

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My thanks to Netgalley for my copy of The Beach Reads Club which is exactly as the title suggests. It's a fantastic holiday read packed full of delightful characters mostly enjoying fun, sex and romance in one form or another alongside their books, gin and cake. Perfect!

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The Beach Reads Book Club is a must read for all Rom-Com fans – I cannot recommend it enough!  This is the second book I have read by Kathryn Freeman and I absolutely loved it from start to finish.  Her writing style is so fun and easy to read and the book completely suits the title!

This is a fabulous book, it ticks all the boxes and the romance between Lottie and Matt is a seductive slow burner.  You are desperate for one of them to make a move so you cannot beat their first kiss and the way that Kathryn Freeman describes it, it was absolutely perfect 💋

There are some very saucy scenes and you will fall in love with all of the Characters, my favourite without a doubt was Audrey and you will have to read the book to understand why!

“To the Beach Reads Book Club and all who join it” – I would join this Book Club in a heart beat! I loved the books the book club Nono Stef for each meeting, my #TBR has grown again!

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Lottie wants to enjoy her book club which meets in the local library but it’s so stuffy, she doesn’t enjoy the books and feels like she is being told off every time she goes. So she decides to start her own book club where socialising, gin and cake will be just as important as discussing the books and the books will be the kind of books you’d want to take on holiday. They will be romantic, uplifting and fun!

I used to go to a book club similar to the one Lottie describes at the beginning of the book. The people were lovely but the books could be a bit heavy going at times. I vividly remember having just talked enthusiastically about a book I’d actually enjoyed then feeling rather humiliated when the next person described it scathingly as ‘chick lit with a veneer’. I didn’t go back. So I completely sympathised with Lottie wanting to read more enjoyable, feel-good books. As her mum says, they are about hope and joy, about handling life’s challenges and about love which as we all know is one of the most important things in life.

The members of the Beach Reads Book Club although different ages and at different stages of life quickly become good friends and a real support to each other. All had something to add to the story but special mention must be made of Audrey, in her 80s but loving all the raunchy scenes in the books and somehow managing to bring sex into every conversation. She was hilarious!

Lottie’s own love story is with Matt who owns Books by the Bay, the bookshop overlooking the Solent where the book club meets. Matt is gorgeous, of course, if somewhat gruff! There are some rather hot scenes between the two but Lottie should know from her favourite romance novels that things don’t always run smoothly and the return of an ex might just throw a spanner in the works. Will she get her own happy ever after? I was so hoping she would, but you’ll need to read the book for yourself to find out.

My current book group is just me and my best friends. Obviously we’ve not been able to meet in person for a while but we’ve rattled through loads of books over the past months and if we don’t like someone else’s choice, well it doesn’t matter. It’s always fun guessing what the others will have thought about each book. We have a laugh and enjoy each others company whether online or in person and that’s what a book group should be about. As well as the books of course!

Lottie describes a beach read book as one you’d want to take on holiday, a book that’s easy to pick up and put down. Well, it was certainly easy to pick up this book but not so easy to put it down. A really entertaining read, it ticks all the boxes for an uplifting romcom. I’d love to be part of the Beach Reads Book Club!

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This novel is a surprise! I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked it up, but it quickly got under my skin and is now a summer favourite.

Charlotte "Lottie" Watt loves reading but the book club she attends isn't reading books she enjoys, so on a whim, she decides to set up her own club. With the backing of a couple of other ladies, she asks the new owner of the local bookshop, if they can hold their meetings after hours. With the venue sorted, a book agreed, what more do you need to do at a meeting apart from chat?

Matt Steele, owner of Books by the Bay doesn't know what hit him when he agrees to let Lottie and her book club use his shop for their monthly meetings. He and his family are new to the town, so he sees it as a way of getting to know more locals. However, the ladies become much more to him and his family than to a group of people who enjoy books!

You'll laugh out loud and inwardly cringe at the antics… and incidents during the book club meetings. Readers can also join in, as each month they discuss well known familiar novels. The group is small but has likeable and relatable personalities. As they get to know each other meaningful friendships are forged whilst reading sexy novels and drinking gin!

While Lottie is a whirlwind of a woman, with her bubbly personality, Matt is quiet and brooding. Underneath is a passionate man trying to rebuild his life after his divorce and the death of his mother. Together, they make a fascinating couple who compliment each other.

One of the joys of this story is the diverse age span between the book club members. On the younger end, is Amy, Matt's sister who is struggling to settle into her new surroundings, whilst on the senior end, is Audrey, who is a force to reckon with…a wild-card but ultimately is an octogenarian given a new lease of life to socialise with like-minded people. However, Lottie is the woman who makes it all possible with her unselfish and compassionate desire to help people struggling with issues in their lives.

Overall, The Beach Reads Book Club is a quick and fabulous read for either a day at the beach or a cosy corner in the garden along with a cheeky, sparkling glassful of some naughty and nice!

***arc generously received courtesy of One More Chapter via NetGalley***

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Lottie Watt decides that she's had enough of the stuffy book club which reminds her of being back at school and with a couple of friends who enjoy some of the more raunchy variety of chick lit, Lottie persuades the owner of the local book shop to let them use Books by the Bay as the venue for their Beach Reads Book Club. The book shop is charming and Matthew Steele, the handsome shop owner, although a little reserved, soon finds that Lottie's considerable charm and vibrant personality starts to melt his frosty exterior. What then follows is a story which is just a delight to read as not only do we follow Lottie's endeavours as she sets to work to make her book club welcoming and friendly, but we also see how she starts to work her special magic on Matthew.

The book club is a fabulous idea, as all the members have their own reasons for attending but what brings them together, initially, is their need for companionship and their shared love of books. I love stories about books within books and each of the chapters are clevely headed with the book group choice for that particular month, some titles I was familiar with, whilst others had me scurrying to find out more, but what made me laugh out loud was the reaction of the club members to their book club choices, especially octogenarian, Audrey, who has her own special way of bringing the book club to life. The Beach Reads Book Club is lively and warm, funny and sometimes a little bit sad, but throughout it all the author brings everything life so that you can't help but fall in love with the characters and hope that things turn out well for them and especially for Lottie and Matthew.

As always Kathryn Freeman has given us a light, entertaining read which is both wise and compassionate, and yet there is also a hint of passionate romance to get the pulses racing. The Beach Reads Book Club is both a perfect beach read and a perfect book club read.

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This one certainly passes my good reads test. That is, when I'd finished it, I couldn't quite leave it alone and kept re-reading chapters and savouring my favourite bits. For me, Kathryn Freeman books are all about the male lead and in Matt she has created another gorgeous character. You understand why he is so reserved once you hear about his backstory and therefore you can believe in the story.
In Lottie, you have a great contrast to Matt. She wears her heart on her sleeve and attracts such a lovely group of people to her in the book club. I enjoyed every one of them, especially Audrey, with her wicked sense of humour. Lottie has an independent streak but there is a lot of vulnerability there too and the book club helps everyone who becomes a member. It certainly is the perfect holiday read and the references to the books the club reads are a perfect touch for any romcom reader.
In short: one of the best reads...
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book

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4.5 Stars

The fabulous Kathryn Freeman is back with a feel-good romantic comedy readers are going to fall head over heels in love with: The Beach Reads Book Club.

Lottie Watt had thought that joining a book club would be a fun thing to do – she never imagined that she would find herself feeling as if she was back in school being reprimanded by her teachers! When she finds herself booted out for not following the rules, Lottie vows to set up her own book club where conversation, drinking and cake take precedence over literary analysis and philosophical discussions. The Beach Reads Book Club is born and Lottie has found the perfect location for their first meeting: Books by the Bay, a bookshop and café run by the handsome Matthew Steele…

Brooding Matthew could very well give the heroes of the romances The Beach Reads Book Club read a run for their money. The more time she spends at Books by the Bay, the more Lottie finds herself drawn to him. As the attraction between the two of them heats up, Lottie finds herself wondering whether she and Matthew will end up having their own happy ending or whether this love story might just end up having a twist that will leave her severely disappointed.

The Beach Reads Book Club has given Lottie laughter, support and friendship, but will it provide her with the happiness she has long been searching for? Or should Lottie resign herself to the fact that romantic heroes are to be found between the pages of her book club picks and not in real life?

If The Beach Reads Book Club is looking for new members, then sign me up! I absolutely adored this enchanting and adorable romantic comedy full of all the charm, wit, humour and heat for which Kathryn Freeman’s books are known for.

With a lovely heroine, a gorgeous hero and plenty of giggles, warmth, hilarity and book recommendations, Kathryn Freeman has got another hit on her hands with her fabulous new novel, The Beach Reads Book Club.

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This is an enticing read, one that takes you straight there
Right into the action, with people for whom you’ll quickly care.
Lottie Watt is a sparky and book lover who starts her own book club
One for herself and others for whom the rules just rub.

Together the members plan a monthly meet
In the Books by the Bay café -such a treat!
Its owner is Matthew Steele
Finds Lottie has great appeal.

However both Lottie and Matthew, too
Have been let down in love by others who
Have left them reluctant to risk losing their heart
So will these two have to stay apart?

It is a story with sweet romance
With more than one couple giving love a chance.
There are other books mentioned that the club read
Some I’ve already read and others I now need!

With brilliant characters in this story, both human and dog, who
Make it so funny all the way through.
It is a superb story I thoroughly enjoyed reading so
I highly recommend you also give it a go!

Thanks the the One More Chapter and NetGalley for my copy of this book
I hope my honest review makes it one at which you also want to take a look!

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Well firstly can someone start this book club please? I'm a big fan of books, cake, wouldn't say no to gin and to having a close friendship group! Everything that Lotties book club has!

I loved this book! I read most of it while away on a UK holiday myself and reading books by the beach is my perfect happy place!

The characters were fabulous , Lottie is bubbly and outgoing and wants to help everyone .Audrey is the funny pensioner with a cheeky personality. Matthew Steele is a rather uptight love interest (think Colin Firth in Bridget Jones) so also quite swoon worthy and the chemistry between Lottie and Matt is off the charts!

There are a bunch of great characters that attend the book club and we also have some family dynamics , reappearing exes and an over protective dog with a thing against whistleing!

I loved hearing the title of the next read for the book club meetings as I recognised so many of them myself and they often tied in to the story!
A book about books ? How fabulous!

It reads like a perfect rom com and I would love to watch it on the screen!

This is a book club I want to join!

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[Thanks Netgalley for the ebook. This review is my honest opinion but just another opinion, you should read this book and judge it by yourself]

Sadly, I couldn't enjoy this book. I usually love Kathryn Freeman's stories but this one isn't one of them. I found the story very simple (which isn't have to be a bad thing) but not well developed. The MC are lovely but I couldn't connect with their constant selfdoubts. They are inteligent people and they love each other so I couldn't understand their behaviour and their miscommunication. Sometimes they look more teens than adults.
Although I loved the book club premise, I think it doesn't have the necessary weight on the story (I still don't understand why some books titles are mentioned on the chapters titles since they don't have any importance).
It's light, it's easy to read but I didn't hook me. But I will sure read the next Kathryn Freeman book, since she's a great writer.
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//SPANISH REVIEW//
Mñe. Como tantas que leo, tenía buena pinta pero en eso se queda. Es un nadismo de mono con platillos pero que tira más por lo ñoño y blando que por lo divertido y sexy. La historia es muy sencilla, le intenta añadir algo de tensión al final con un nuevo personaje pero nada, no funciona de ningún modo, al menos a mí no me atrapó en ningún momento. Además, la estructura me ha despistado un poco, ya que, con la excusa del club de lectura, ves que hay capítulos en cuyo enunciado se menciona el libro que van a leer (que luego no tiene importancia alguna), pero otros capítulos son normales, sin enunciado alguno. No sé, es una cosa rara de leer.
La historia de amor es de esas de hombre de ciudad que va a pueblito encantador a curar sus heridas pero tanto él como ella tienen tantas dudas sobre su propio comportamiento que te cansas de leer sus pensamientos.
No es que tuviera mucho encanto pero en la parte final tan floja lo pierde por completo.
Una pena porque esta autora tiene libros que me han hecho disfrutar mucho (aunque si buscas leer guarrerismos, esta no es tu novela), pero este libro no formará parte de ellos.

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This is a book club I want to join! Good friends, lots of laughs, and good books. I don't want a book that will make me cry or make me think too hard. I am all about reading fun, entertaining books with HEA endings.

This book doesn't disappoint. It was entertaining, thoughtful, sweet, had a great group of friends and had the HEA ending that is a must in all the books I read.

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Well this book turned out to be a breath of fresh air and as it's about a book club set in a book shop it's the perfect read for book lovers. I loved it and read pretty much the whole book with a smile on my face so I must say a huge thank you to Kathryn Freeman.

Lottie's experience of the book club in her local library is precisely what puts me off book clubs: reading a book that somebody else has chosen and then having to discuss it. I love books but speaking about them in front of people is my idea of hell. Lottie isn't the only book club member to find that they're not having as much fun as they'd hoped so when Lottie decides to set up her own book club she already has a couple of founding members.

A book shop café is the perfect location for Lottie's book club and owner Matthew Steele provides the sexual tension as a brooding Mr Darcy style love interest. Lottie is an electrician (and her surname is Watt which is rather amusing) so there's more than a few sparks as she is drawn to Matt but both of them have been hurt in the past so they're each reluctant to make the first move.

If all book clubs were like this one, I wouldn't mind joining! Although I'd be the size of house with so much gin and cake! I loved every single character as each one is brought to life through Kathryn Freeman's wonderful writing. I have to say that my favourite character was Lottie's dog Chewie and it just shows the depth of character portrayed that he is so multidimensional without having the ability to speak.

You're always guaranteed a smile with a Kathryn Freeman book and The Beach Reads Book Club is no exception. It's perfect escapism and I picked up one or two book recommendations along the way so it's a book lover's dream. So cut a slice of cake, pour yourself a (large) gin and tonic and pick up a copy of The Beach Reads Book Club - you won't be disappointed.

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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Oh how I loved this book. I'm a big fan of Kathryn Freeman's and this book was gorgeous.

It was hilarious, emotional, steamy and all about building friendships.

I loved Lottie's character and feel like we would be firm friends in real like. I like to think that Jim and Audrey are planning a date in the future, they would be too cute together and Chewie the dog is exactly like one of my dogs so that really made me smile.

Throughout the book the club read and review some brilliant books and they were mostly books that I had heard of and I've since downloaded a couple. I love that Kathryn promotes other authors through her own book.

A definite book to fall in love with. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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I received this book via NetGalley and give it my honest opinion!

This is a fantastic summer read that you will not want to put down!!! Lottie is a loveable character and I really want to be part of her book club. If you love Gin, books, cakes, book clubs, friendship and love then this book is for you!
The storyline is a great one and grips you tightly from the beginning, you really need to read it!

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Wonderful book and hoping I can join this fun book club. Lottie takes a group of almost lost souls and turns them into this fun, friendly and supportive group that discuss not only books, but life situations and support one another. Along the way Lottie opens her heart and finds the one thing she has been looking for, true love.

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