Autumn by the Sea is one of those books that will have you up reading late at night not wanting to put it down. The characters and the journey that they go on over the course of the book are beautifully written and the side mystery storyline is a great addition. This book does end with some loose threads that I'm sure will be answered in the sequel. Overall a wonderful story and I can't wait to read the next in the series!

This was an enjoyable story set in a tiny seaside town in Maine and a blueberry farm that is struggling a bit, together with a family, none of whom are blood relatives.

Sydney was abandoned as a toddler, but found who she thought was her mother as she was dying, so has no family apart from a foster brother who she always seems to be bailing out of trouble. So when a private investigator reaches out and says he thinks she may be the missing 'granddaughter' of his client Maggie she is initially sceptical, but eventually agrees to visit to see if it may be true.

While there she meets her supposed grandmother, Maggie, who owns the blueberry farm and has three children (all adults), none of whom are related by blood. The mystery surrounding Sydney is slowly revealed and, without giving anything away, isn't quite what everyone expected.

There's a slow burning romance between Sydney and Neil, one of Maggie's 'children' who runs the blueberry farm and keeps everything on track and, after a rocky start, they get closer and provide support for one another.

There were a few things that niggled me a bit, Neil hiding work he was doing on the farm and the financial state they were in, and Maggie not being receptive to new ideas. But they kind of grew on me. I didn't realise initially it was classed as a 'Christian' book and whilst there were references it wasn't too much. It did end with an intriguing situation though, and one that will definitely be in the next book and follow on the story. So sort of a stand-alone story, but one where if you really enjoyed it you'd definitely want to read the next book.

What a wonderful read! This is a story that when you finish, you have a smile on your face and feel an ahh moment. A family is not just a family by blood but also by choice and love. Maggie Muir lost her love to war before they could marry. She has created her own family through fostering and adopting children, now adults. But her first daughter died while home after being gone over two years. She had a baby girl with her that Maggie did not know about. But she disappeared. Maggie has searched for many years for baby Cynthia, employing a PI and now his son, Wilder Monroe, Maggie's son's best friend. Maybe Sidney Rose, living in Chicago, is that baby girl. So after some convincing by Wilder, Sidney goes to the Maine coast to see if the family she always wanted is with Maggie. But the mystery of if she is that baby girl is still a question and the queries continue. Who is the father?
Sidney has to endure suspicion from the adult children who want to protect Maggie. It is fun to watch as Sidney gradually works her way into the family and especially her relationship with Neil, who came to Maggie from Scotland and is the one who works the Muir land and blueberry farm. We also get a glimpse into each of the daughters and I already look forward to reading their story. This rich and multilayered story has love, loyalty, romance, and faith threaded with suspense, tension, and mystery.
For those who enjoy family relationships and romance with faith and mystery, this is a wonderful read.
I received a complimentary ARC from Larkspur Press via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are mine only.

This is my first time reading a Melissa Tagg book, and now I’m sad it took me this long! Tagg creates characters that jump of the pages. While reading you almost feel as though you’re part of the Muir family, and what a family to be a part of!

The chemistry between Sydney and Neil builds and builds into something so beautiful, so fun, so enthralling. I’m sure I had a goofy grin on my face reading some of the stand out moments between the two.

The mystery adds a bit of intrigue to this romantic book, and leaves you only wanting more! I can’t wait to read Indi’s story in book two, and see what happens next with the Muir family.

Highly recommend!

#AutumnbytheSea #NetGalley

A heartwarming story about a family that was created out of love rather than blood. A young woman who grew up within the foster care system is approached by a man who believes he could have answers about her birth family. In finding answers, she learns about family and love. Characters are dynamic and enjoyable contributing to an even better storyline.

A very good read. Well written. A story of family, and a search for family, together with a slow burning romance. I’m eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.

This book was so sweet! When I first started reading it, I wasn’t too invested but after chapter 6 I couldn’t put it down. It was so different from Miss Taggs other books but I can honestly say it is one of her best. I loved Neil and Sydney and I can’t wait to read about the other characters from the book, and I loved Maggie. I felt like I knew her and wanted her to be my grandmother. The plot of finding where you belong really hit close to my heart. The next book can’t come fast enough.

My stars!! That's one great read 😁
I'm in desperation to continue the next 2 books

Melissa did nail this book... I read it freaking 1 Day😂😂 .
I'm not surprised though because when I seriously like a book I cannot stop reading it .
One of the most important book rating specification for me is -how I feel after completing the book.. you know I just layed down on my bed and closed my eyes and gave a squeak and closed my eyes still my mind wandering in the beautiful Muir Coast .

Okay, so This book takes you through the lives of Sydney - who is an orphan and thinks her mother was happy for deserting her based on her last words, she doesn't have anyone other than her foster brother .. in a life where she's afraid to hope .. she decides to be content in everything her little life offers.. but deep inside she's lonely, she has burried her dreams and hopes of her girlself

Maggie - A 65 year old woman who raises Neil, Liliana and Indi .. who still continues to search for her long lost granddaughter

Every character has a great role and was so well written ... I loved all the characters .. don't get me started on the beautiful Muir Coast Views .. I felt like I traveled that place in my heart 💜💛

Oh guys, this tale takes you through true healing of souls, answers to deep quests , mystery and secrets which unfold truth which hurts ..
✨The book has depth in it's story line, it's characters posses you throughout the read makes you desperate for answers as much as they are??..
✨The Romance between Neil and Sydney is so perfect just all the feels 💞😍
✨The humor laced through all pages and banter between Lil and Wilder is like cherry on the top 🍧🍒

This book has indeed taught me so much , true strength is to hope even when everything crushes your dreams and hope .. It's how you choose to take the truth and how you love the ppl around you .. how you honor the Lord in simple acts of living for Him and showing His Love 💕

This book also left me in desperate hunger for the next 2 books and I cannot wait to read them!!!
Seriously there's so much mystery still hidden in these Gems and I want to just continue reading it... I almost shouted realizing what's going in the second book 😁
The anticipation is high

I highly recommend this book for everyone , it's got everything you need for an good read.. specifically recommend for Women's fiction and contemporary romance lovers

*Thank you Netgally for an free ebook in exchange for an honest review

Let me just say, 'I want to be adopted into the Muir family'! Melissa's books are always favorites of mine. And this first book in this new series is no exception. She has totally reeled me in to this new world she has created on a blueberry farm on the coast of Maine.
Melissa never disappoints. Her books are well paced, full of love, family, faith, humor, some mystery and of course a flannel shirt or two.
The characters are wonderful and become friends that I will look forward to seeing in the next books. Sydney is a sweet soul yearning for a place to belong. I loved her thought that "maybe there were times when her deepest desires were the echoes of divine whispers". And Neil, the hard working heart of the farm, whose heart softened to Sydney. And Maddie, a guardian angel of a woman, the mother of the farm, full of love and hope.
And at the end of this one, Melissa gives a taste of what's to come and left me eager for more!
She says that this is a 'book of her heart'. Thank you for sharing it Melissa.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own.

This is a beautifully written story that hooks you on the first page and doesn't let go. It has just enough twists and turns to keep you turning the pages. I loved everything about this book and look forward to the next book in this series.
I received a complimentary copy from Larkspur Press via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Autumn by the Sea by Melissa Tagg left me wanting more. As Sydney and Neil come together in an unusual way. Sydney wanting to fill in the pieces from her past and Neil fighting to hold onto the land he loves- they start to fall in love. The mystery of the history of the Muir family adds the intrigue and all of the questions that are asked left me ready to read the second story in the series. Melissa Tagg goes into depth with their feelings and experiences that enriches the whole reading experience. She introduces the other characters' romances in a way that makes me excited for the rest of the series without overwhelming the main characters.

The rest of this series is on my to-be-read list as soon as they come out and I can't wait to see what comes next.

An emotional yet uplifting story:
I was drawn in by the wonderful setting and held captive by the mystery and intrigue.
I instantly felt a connection to the characters and my heart especially went out to poor Sydney who was so yearning to find a place of love and belonging. Meanwhile Neil was also desperate to feel like he too belonged and it was wonderful seeing them both work through their issues and find peace and hope. They made such a cute couple and I was rooting for them all the way.
This was a fabulous and uplifting small town, clean romance. I really look forward to upcoming books in the series as some of the threads of mystery will be continuing on and I am eager to return to this wonderful family.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

I love this new novel, Autumn by the Sea by Melissa Tagg! It's a multilayered winning story about love and the meaning of family. Filled with romance, mystery, and the charm of a small town in coastal Maine, I discovered new characters by Tagg to love, especially Maggie and Sydney. This couldn't be a more appropriate read for those who appreciate good Christian romantic fiction as we head into Autumn. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC for this honest review.

A little romance, a little mystery plus a beautiful setting makes this first book in the series very enjoyable. Loved that Maggie adopted children from the foster care system. Her letters were touching. Sydney's journey to find her family and Maggie's search for her missing granddaughter were both heart wrenching. I liked that the author showed Neil's vulnerable side as well as his strength. Of course, the tease at the conclusion will have readers anticipating the next book. Recommended!

Sydney and Neil were amazing main characters, with an intriguing and well established supporting cast of characters. Maggie stole my heart from early on and she is the pivotal point for nearly everyone in the story. Family is obviously a touchstone of this series, but not family in the typical sense.

There is plenty of mystery and romance, a captivatingly beautiful setting in Maine of the Muir Farm on the waterfront, a delightful treehouse (I want one!), and engaging small-town life.

Although some mysteries have been solved, it is obvious that both the pivotal mystery and more romance will continue in this new series by Melissa Tagg and, while I am anxious to read more about Wilder and Lilian, Indie and Philip, Tatum and Maggie, Micah and Nikola...I also can't wait for updates on Neil and Sydney and their life at Muir Farm on the Sea.

Autumn by the Sea is a sweet and “clean” read that beautifully highlights the love of family. I really enjoyed the banter shared amongst the Muir family, it showed how close and connected they all were. There were several mysteries to solve, which was fun and kept me turning the pages. Some of the mysteries are resolved and some are not, but, thankfully, the book did not end with a cliff-hanger. The unresolved mysteries make it all the more exciting to grab book two when it comes out in January! Looking forward to A Seaside Wonder and discovering what else the Muirs are up to!

Thank you to Larkspur Press and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A very fine romance book. Paced and written very well. It was a nice pick me up compared to what I’ve read recently so I enjoyed it

Wow. I am speechless. This book was so excellent! Melissa Tagg is an author that I read without even reading what the book is about. She wrote it, so I am going to read it. Every book just gets better and better. The mystery was well done and the romance was excellent, as always! Where can I get a Neil? I can hardly wait for the next one in the series. I absolutely cannot wait to read about Lillian and Wilder. Please tell me that's a thing! And how am I going to wait until book 3 to find out about them?!
I cannot recommend this book enough. So so good.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Melissa Tagg's Autumn by the Sea begins a new series set in Muir Harbor.

When Sydney gets an invitation to spend time in Muir Harbor with the woman who might be her grandmother, she thinks it's a long shot but she decides to go anyway. What she didn't expect to find was the family she'd always wanted or the love of her life.

When Sydney showed up at Muir House, Neil is not excited about another imposter. But Sydney is not like the others and Neil can't help but be drawn to her.

The Muir family may not have wanted Sydney around, but it was hard not to see how much they loved each other. It was great to see how they eventually opened up their ranks and made a place for Sydney.

Autumn by the Sea is a complete story but there are loose ends that will hopefully be handled in later books.

The romance between Neil and Sydney began as a friendship and slowly developed into more. Interwoven throughout the story are two mysteries that are decades-old that are affecting the characters in the present.

The faith element was faint but readers will be reminded that God has a plan for our lives.

I received an advanced reader's copy from the publisher through NetGalley; a positive review was not required.

** The review will be published on 9/29/21

This started off as a slow, enjoyable fall read. Then the questions began to build and I couldn't put it down. Usually I figure things out mid-book and then have fun following the characters reactions as they figure it out, but I am genuinely left with so many questions and cannot wait for book two to find out the answers.

The characters are also very well written and feel like real, living people. I look forward to visiting them again.

Thank you Netgalley and Larkspur Press for providing an e-reader ARC for my honest review.