Another lovely visit to The Starfish Cafe. Full of old characters - although can be read stand alone - with the introduction of new character Tori, who has a troubled background and history of disastrous relationships. From a famous, but eccentric family, Tori decides to go out alone and try to build a new life for herself, but will love blossom when she is least expecting it? A book full of love, community and friendship, you'll shed years of happiness and sadness along the way, willing the lovely characters to find happiness.

4.5 stars

I didn't realize this was a series and not one you can read standalone so it took me too long to go and read the first so I could read the second.

I loved the first book and getting to know Hollie and Jake. Both have overcome a lot and find each other at a time that may not be the best but you can't always plan life, you just have to take it how it comes at you.

The second book continues their story and I wasn't sure how I'd feel about it but it was SO good, I think I liked it a bit more than the first. I cannot wait to read the third.

If you like cozy stories this series is good for you so long as you go in knowing it's going to make you probably cry at least once. It deals with some tough stuff but it's inspiring how these characters deal with life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an eARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

A fun sweet read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC.

"Spring Tides at The Starfish Café" by Jessica Redland is a heartwarming and enchanting story that deserves every bit of its five-star rating. Returning to the Starfish Café feels like coming home, where stunning views, delectable food, and enduring friendships await readers.

The narrative beautifully captures the essence of a new season, as winter gives way to spring. Hollie, the owner of The Starfish Café, is portrayed with a depth that makes her relatable and endearing. Her contentment with her loving boyfriend, Jake, and their adorable dog Pickle sets the stage for a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Redland skillfully weaves a tale of resilience and strength when an unwelcome visitor threatens the future of Hollie's café. The challenges faced by Hollie resonate, creating a strong emotional connection with readers who witness her determination to protect her family's legacy.

The introduction of Tori, emerging from an unhappy relationship and grappling with long-hidden secrets, adds layers of complexity to the narrative. The chance encounter with Finley, who is also dealing with his own secrets, creates a poignant opportunity for both characters to open up and confront their pasts. The themes of trust, facing one's history, and the courage to start anew are expertly explored.

The intersection of Hollie and Tori's lives at The Starfish Café is masterfully crafted, providing a compelling and heartening story of friendship and support. The portrayal of their journey, intertwined with the charm of the café and the picturesque setting, creates a vivid and immersive reading experience.

Redland's storytelling is impeccable, with a perfect balance of warmth, humor, and emotion. The friendships depicted in the story feel authentic, making readers root for the characters and their interconnected lives. The narrative unfolds with a natural flow, keeping readers engaged from start to finish.

"Spring Tides at The Starfish Café" is not just a novel; it's an experience that leaves readers with a sense of joy and optimism. With its well-developed characters, engaging plot, and the comforting ambiance of The Starfish Café, this book is a true gem that earns its five stars. Jessica Redland has created a masterpiece that celebrates the power of friendship, fresh starts, and the beauty of life's simple pleasures.

A great rom com and just an overall fun story to red anytime but esp in spring and summer ! I hope they’re a sequel!

I didn't read the first book in this series, and though I'm sure I missed out on some plot points that were from the first book, I really enjoyed this one and felt I wasn't overly lost with picking up with book two. The end of the story left me feeling happy, satisfied and fulfilled. I'll be checking out more of Redland's novels in the future.

Really enjoyed this book, and loving the series so far..
The characters are lovely and realistic.
The setting is great.
Reading this has made me want to read all the books by this author that I haven't read.

So happy to return to the Starfish Café once more,
A location and characters that I really adore.
This time Hollie, Jack and Pickle have much to face
As a slimy man is threatening to get them out of the place.

This is a fascinating read with sun, seals, mystery and romance
A treasure hunt, members training for the RNLI and even a dance!
There are relationships that are ending if they follow their heart,
Though if they follow their head, they may never part.

With family drama, threats, freak storms and danger
Who'd think how life would change after meeting a stranger?
A heartwarming adventure with skilfully entwined threads,
Helping each other face the future together instead.

I'm thoroughly enjoying this setting and series, too
I have no hesitation in highly recommending it to you.
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
Such a gorgeous read and this is my honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my copy of Spring Tides at The Starfish Cafe by Jessica Redland in exchange for an honest review. It published April 5, 2022.
Jessica Redland is one of my favorite authors in this genre, and I will always want to read anything she writes, this book is no exception! I am still thinking about this book after finishing it, and missing the characters. I found their stories to be so interesting, I was totally invested in their lives. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series! Also, I totally wish I could see The Starfish Cafe in all of its glory!

This was my first book by Jessica Redland so I was new to this sweet seaside community and the town members in it. The town itself really came to life and I instantly wished I could go there on vacation. I loved meeting Hollie, Jake and Pickle (I’m definitely going back to read the start of their love story). But Tori and Finley were such a perfect match. They are struggling with similar hang ups but both bring out the desire to work through them and take a chance and open up to one another. This was such a sweet read, I thoroughly enjoyed it! It definitely won’t be my last time reading about Whitsborough Bay.

Thank you to Netgalley for this copy!
A beautiful book of second chances, heartbreak, starting over, and finding love! It's magical and I love love love the cover so much! Definitely, a wonderful beach read.

This book is part of a series, and in this instance I would recommend reading previous instalments in the series. I felt a little lost here, which did impact my enjoyment quite a bit sadly. Though, the writing is beautiful and I enjoyed the storyline.

It followed on from the first one so it’s better that to read them in order. This story was sweet and I was rooting for the cafe all the way through. What wouldn’t I give to have a place like that by the sea to drop in and eat all the yummy scones. I hope this series continues on as I for one will want to read it.

Back to the Starfish Cafe as winter turns into Spring Hollie is feeling contented with her loving boyfriend Jake and adopted pup Pickle.
An unwelcome visitor appears at the cafe with a proposition that could destroy her families dreams.
Meet Tori who is newly single, homeless and carries the weight of the world on her shoulders until meeting Finley who gives her the opportunity to open up and possibly change both of their lives for the better.
Beautiful views, friendly cups of hot chocolate and a mystery needing solving, with the help of friends, provokes an interesting and exciting read.

Lovely feel good book to read. It was a joy to read. Lovely characters. Great plot. The book was charming. Very well written. I’d definitely recommend this book

https://eatwell2015.wordpress.com/2022/04/05/spring-tides-at-the-starfish-cafe-jessica-redland/

I am so excited at being given the golden ticket – the chance to review the second book in Jessica Redland’s Starfish Cafe series. What better way to hail the start of spring (we did actually have hail and snow last week) than to share it with Hollie, of the Starfish Cafe fame. Without fail, I love Jessica Redland’s books and I admire the way that she continues to produce books of such quality, that I do not want to put them down. I enjoy the concept of a book becoming a series of books, and I look forward to the new instalments being released. Jessica is such a talented writer and I will happily lap up any of her books tat come along.
I already know that Hollie and Jake are the most endearing pair, both individually and as part of a couple, but I am looking forward to meeting some more new characters. In fact, such is my fondness for ’Hake’ as I shall call them herein, that I had thought we were on at least book three by now!

I loved the descriptive language in the book – even the simple things such as setting the early morning scene on the Starfish Cafe terrace. These words made me wish that I could jump into the pages of a book at will, Jumanji style. Were that to be a reality, my very first stop would be that terrace at the Starfish Cafe, to breathe in the cool, early morning sea air.

Hollie had been through so much in such a relatively short life, that it really broke my heart every time Jake was called out as lifeboat crew; she had already lost so much to that life boat, and I hate to think what might flash though her mind on those occasions. She was pretty amazing for just holding things together – at least in public. Having been brought up by the seaside, I understand the concept of having ’sea in your blood’ and I sincerely hoped that Hollie would fulfil the lifeboat captain’s prediction of her becoming their first crew member. Will Jake have any thoughts on the matter? Indeed, if Hake were to have children surely only them would be able to crew at any one time? I really felt for Hollie, when her cave was trashed; who would do something like that? Sebastian Smythe had motive, but would he stoop so low?

I really felt for Tori upon first meeting her – I cannot imagine being scared to have lunch with my in-laws, worrying about what I looked like and what I was wearing, at 38 years of age! Surely her Partner, Leyton, should be standing up for her. Frankly I felt very little for Leyton (even before he is unmasked as a liar) as he should be able to stand up for himself at forty years old – but then his parents having a controlling interest in the business he runs, clearly doesn’t help matters! I could clearly see why Leyton’s rude petulance (no doubt a behaviour learned from his Father), was beginning to wear Tori down, especially when combined with the behaviour of his parents.

I must confess to being rather intrigued upon being fed the titbit that Tori used to live in a castle with her parents. I thought that Tori was a strong character, too strong to put up with Leyton’s behaviour and I felt certain that she would flourish wherever she ended up. Tori’s formative years proved to be most interesting to an outsider like me, but must have been excruciating awful for her at the time. You will of course need to read the book for yourself to find out just how awful those early years were for Tori; all I will say is that their story exemplifies Jessica Redland’s unparalleled imagination!

Finlay was an interesting character, whom I thought showed tremendous strength, for holding things together, considering what he was going through in his life. After he unburdened himself to Tori, I hoped they could be friends. In actual fact, they’d be the perfect romantic match – he can’t have children, and she doesn’t want any children of her own.

I love a bit of intrigue and my curiosity was most certainly piqued by the snippet that Tori had some kind of fall out with her castellan parents. I’m not sure what interests me most – why Tori fell out with them, or how they came to live in a castle. Tori seems loyal to her friends, I can only imagine some kind of catastrophic break up. I was saddened by the story of Tori and Ewan, as is seemed that deep down they did still love each other. What a tragic story! Fascinatingly, Tori and Hollie’s lives start to become intertwined; I felt that they would be good friends.

I like that Jessica writes about strong female characters and I hope that this strength mirrors her own strength. Similarly I adore the way that she cleverly cross pollinates the characters in her books – to that end I was thrilled to come across Charlee and her chocolate shop again, despite the circumstances in which Charlee turns up in this book. (If you haven’t read about Charlene’s foray into chocolate, I do wholeheartedly recommend it https://eatwell2015.wordpress.com/2021/10/24/christmas-wishes-at-the-chocolate-shop-jessica-redland/ ) Indeed this book was crammed full with new, complex characters, before taking into account characters we have met before.

Why is ‘Slippy Smythe’ so keen to get his hands on the Starfish Cafe?
Is there any truth in the legend of Tingler’s Treasure?
What happened to Tori’s parents, seven years ago? What secret was Phipps keeping?
As you can tell, I loved this book with its amazing sense of community. I loved the way that the mosaic in the ’new’ cafe symbolised Hollie’s cafe journey, and the new design for the cafe just seemed so right. Tori’s family were amazing and I liked how she became so accepting of their quirks. Most beguiling was the do they/don’t they question hanging between Finlay and Tori.

This story really captured my imagination, with its real yet enticing characters. I found myself wanting to be part of their world.

I am so looking forward to the next instalment in Tori and Finlay’s story, and perhaps a ’Hake’ wedding, although I profess to some sadness at the next book being the last in the series.

Absolutely adored this book. Jessica Redland is amazing at what she does. Love her character development and how you just fall in love with them and want more. Highly recommend this.

"If you stumble,make it part of your dance."

I enjoyed reading Spring Tides at the Starfish Cafe. The story is quite different compared to first book in the series, which makes it a fun experience. There are new characters which makes it interesting.

The book talks about Love, Hope, Family and overcoming tough situations. It's a cosy read and perfect for a lazy day.

Thank you Netgalley, publishers and author, Jessica Redland for the ARC.

This one was a lovely read. I really enjoyed reading this one. I just love this kind of books.
4 stars read for me

Another trip to The Starfish Cafe and Beach. Jake and Hollie have survived as a couple and are going from strength to strength. This is Victoria’s story, or Tori if you know her well. A beautifully written book following the ups and downs of Tori’s life. She’s fallen out with her family, had enough of her boyfriend and wants to make changes. A brilliant sequel to Snowflakes Over the Starfish Cafe. Jessica Redland at her best.