Spring Tides at the Starfish Café is a welcome return to the café at Starfish Point, near fictional Whitsborough Bay where many of Jessica’s other books are set. I so enjoyed reading about the developing relationship between Hollie and Jake. You don’t need to have read the first book in the series as, of course, the author includes enough backstory for the main characters for this to work as a standalone. Having already met Hollie and Jake though, I was so pleased to see how happy their love made them, especially knowing the sad stories from their past.

There are some new characters in this book too, most notably Tori. It was very interesting to read about her with her unconventional upbringing and rather eccentric family and how that impacted on her life decisions. When we meet her, she is having relationship issues with Leyton who seemed a real horror and her previous relationship hadn’t gone well either. At approaching forty, she is feeling rather cast adrift in life.

Jessica Redland brings an element of mystery to this book with the legend of Tingler’s Treasure and smuggling. There’s also the question of why ‘slimy’ Sebastian Smythe is so determined to buy the café from Hollie, something she is equally determined he won’t do!

As ever, Jessica Redland puts her characters through some difficult times but ultimately this is a warm and feel good read. Spring Tides at the Starfish Café is a lovely story about love, friendship and new beginnings and will leave you with a smile on your face. I’m really pleased that there will be a further book set at the Starfish Café and look forward to finding out what the future holds for Hollie and Jake.

Spring tides at the starfish cafe by Jessica Redland.
Book 2 of the starfish cafe.
Emerging from an unhappy relationship, Tori finds herself with nowhere to stay and nobody to talk to. The long-hidden secrets of her past weigh heavily on her until a chance encounter with Finley, struggling to come to terms with his own secrets, provides an opportunity to open up.
A lovely feel good read. I love this series. 5*.

After all the emotion of the first book (goodness, it was wonderful – and there was plenty of happiness too!) it was so lovely to rediscover Hollie and Jake’s quite beautiful relationship – her heart might still stop when he’s called out for a rescue on the lifeboat, but she’s working on that one. And it was really good to catch up with the staff and visitors at the Starfish Café too – although one more recent one turns out to be something of a villain, destined to make Hollie’s life particularly difficult and put her future security in jeopardy. But as well as the characters I’d enjoyed before, this book also tells troubled Tori’s story – and her new friendship with Finley, also trying to find his feet again after a recent difficult time in his own life, perhaps with the possibility of that friendship developing into something more.

The emotional content of this book is so perfectly handled – a considerable amount of angst, but so sensitively handled, and balanced with moments of lightness and sheer joy. Families figure large – the loved ones who aren’t around any more, and the ones who are and seem destined to make life difficult. Tori’s rather unconventional parents haven’t always been the caring refuge she’s wanted them to be, and their relationship is a particularly difficult one, fraught by expectation and frequent disappointment. But there’s also a considerable amount of drama in this book, and the author handles that every bit as well as she does the family drama and the characters’ personal journeys.

As well as very real characters you entirely take to your heart and a few compelling storylines, there are all the lovely touches of detail that always make me love her books so much – Jake’s photography (and the way Hollie supports him), Hollie’s beach combing and the art she creates from her finds, her passion for the café and its importance in carrying forward her mother’s legacy, along with a touch of local folklore, the workings of the lifeboat station, and all the little glimpses into people’s lives. And, although there’s plenty of drama and despair along the way, there are also many moments just made for dancing in the rain. The author also has a particular ability to involve you in the lives of her characters, dipping into their back stories to flesh out their present day stories, moving seamlessly in time to earlier experiences that continue to cast a shadow.

The setting, as always, is wonderful – this time, there are seals on the shore below the café and a lovely small storyline associated with them – and you can really feel the author’s love for the surroundings she writes about, and experience the beauty of the sunrises and sunsets, along with sometimes feeling the extremes of its weather.

I really loved this book, and I’m so delighted to see that this will now be a three-book series – although don’t let that stop you picking it up as a standalone if you really want to, there’s enough well-covered back story to make that possible – as I’m certainly not ready to leave the characters behind. Highly recommended by me – Jessica Redland’s books just get better and better.

Finishing a Jessica Redland book always provokes a sigh of satisfaction. This novel is no exception. Once again, Redland has created a wonderful story full of hope, optimism and self-reflection. Continuing on from the first book of this series but meeting new characters along the way, this story reaffirmed why Redland is one of my favourite authors.

What I like most about Redland’s writing is how the characters are so normal! They are presented in such a way that they are believable and have many recognisable traits. As a result, it feels like you are part of the community at Whitsborough Bay, which is particularly heightened by the appearance of characters from other books. Although I have not read every Redland book… yet (and it is a welcome challenge which I am trying to achieve!), it was nice to see a character or two that made me think, yes! I know you from another book!

Heading into spring (hence the title of this book), Hollie and Jake are in the prime of their relationship. Continuing just where we left off, Hollie is following through with her lifeboat training and the pair are loving life. Pickle, the dog, is just as adorable as ever, and I loved Redland’s description of the coastline, seal pups, and sunrises. It just made everything all the more magical.

Yet, it is not all a bed of roses in this story. Meeting Tori, it becomes clear that she is stuck in a very unhappy, unbalanced relationship. I could not believe the emotional abuse she receives from her boyfriend, Leyton, and cheered when Tori felt she was finally able to cut free from this toxic coupling. Trying to move forwards with her life leads Tori to meeting Finley, someone else who seems to be experiencing a fatal attraction. The two share their experiences and find themselves drawn to one another; it is a friendship and a connection that they have missed with their thwarted relationships.

Over the story, Tori’s past is revealed to readers, explaining her behaviour towards her parents and the men in her life. Her childhood is particularly sad and when Tori attempts to reconnect with her family, home truths cause some rather painful soul-searching. I liked how Tori was able to self-reflect about her actions and this made her grow as a person over the novel. These changes and contemplations that Tori displays is a theme seen across Redland’s books and I always appreciate seeing the characters become better people as a result. As the story progresses, Tori acknowledges her own behaviour was not as perfect as she remembers and this made her even more likable as a character.

A lot of things become broken in this story and, whilst this added to the emotions of the narrative, the optimism that shines through at the end was certainly uplifting. With the symbolism of the new moon with new beginnings, characters and places make changes in the story. It is not always an easy transition but I appreciated the journey that happens, again reinforcing why I enjoy Redland’s writing so much.

This book has a lot going for it and I thoroughly enjoyed every page! I was most surprised by the pirate treasure twist in the plot and was slightly sceptical how Redland would fuse this with the narrative. However, it became a fun part of the story and lightened the atmosphere, particularly when Hollie’s café becomes the target of some scrupulous behaviour. The pirate-plot was especially sweet because it reconnected Hollie with precious memories of her late brother, reinforcing the loss that Hollie has experienced and her protectiveness towards The Starfish Café.

Learning that there is one more book to come in this series, I cannot wait to see what is next for Hollie, Jake, Tori and Finley. I look forward to catching up with these characters once more and, if the next book is just like Redland’s other writings, I know I will be in for a treat.

With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is another wonderful book by Jessica Redland continuing the Starfish Cafe series. Catching up with previous characters and meeting new ones. Hoping there will be more books to follow in this series.

I have become such a fan of Jessica Redland's over the past year. I couldn't imagine not reading one of her new releases now. I love how her characters are so wonderfully flawed, it makes them realistic and relatable. Spring Tides at the Starfish Café wasn't as heartbreaking as some of her previous books in my opinion. I loved reading about Tori and Finley. Tori's growth and acceptance throughout the book was wonderful. I really finished this book with the biggest smile on my face. I can't wait to visit The Starfish Café again in the near future.

Firstly, I can confirm that I used fewer tissues reading this instalment. Don’t get me wrong, I was fully invested in the story, but it was by no means as emotionally draining as book one. Don’t expect to get through unscathed, though. Jessica Redland writes from the heart, and she instinctively knows what makes for a great story.
Hollie and Jake are moving forward with their plans and are looking at merging their homelives and becoming a full-time couple. A giant leap that Jake may not be completely ready for as he doesn’t want to sell or rent the home that he inherited from his late grandmother.
We meet Tori and Finley who gel over a shared temporary bed in a restored camper van. Their friendship is strictly platonic as they are each licking the wounds left by previous relationships. Their friendship forms a huge part of this wonderful story and it’s a joy to watch their relationship transform. Finley has been left homeless after discovering that his girlfriend is trying to pass of her pregnancy as his. A fact that he categorically knows to be false.
Although a trained architect, Tori is focusing on her desire to become an interior designer. Having escaped from a challenging relationship, she is besieged by feelings of self-doubt and unworthiness which span back to her difficult and seemingly loveless childhood. Her parents are passionate about each other and their writing, but aloof when it comes to Tori and her sister.
There are cameos from some well-loved characters from neighbouring Whitsborough Bay and also the lifeboat crew.
Although there’s a lot going on, this book never felt like a chore. The story flowed and the characters sprung into life as trouble descended on the Starfish Café. There are moments of both joy and sorrow with no wasted opportunities to develop even the smallest of characters.
I know that Jessica spent some time with a seal rescue team and the knowledge that she secured in that time adds a real depth to the mentions of the seal colony on the beach beneath the café. Like with the Hedgehog series, the wealth of research is evident in the quality of writing.
There’s no question, in my mind, that this will prove to be another magnificent series.

This is the second book in the Starfish Cafe series. It can be read as a standalone book, but is more enjoyable if you have read the previous book. Characters from some of Jessica Redland's older books also make an appearance.
This is not as sad and emotional as the first book but there is still done heartbreaking moments as well as some heartwarming moments. I was eager to see if the Treasure existed as well as hoping that Slippery Smythe would get his comeuppance.
Hollie and Jake are the main characters and we meet Lori and Finley who also feature heavily.
This is an enjoyable read and I am really looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Oh Jessica Redland you have done it again! I just love the style of the writing, the trials and heartbreak that is overcome throughout the story. Each character has a journey to take and life affirming actions to complete and I just LOVE it!

We are back with Hollie and Jake after the first book 'Snowflakes over the Starfish cafe' and they have some more issues to resolve. With the addition of 'slippery smythe' they have tricky trials to overcome, but this time they do it together!
Also the addition of Tori and Finley is a welcome side story. I loved the links with Matt and Charlee from another of the whitsborough Bay books, Charlees story was actually the first of Jessica's books I ever read so it made my heart smile to find them linked into this story.

There are lots of twists and turns, plenty of quirky characters and many heartwarming scenes. I can't wait for the third one! My full review will be found on my blog on 9th April as part of a blog tour.

I enjoyed this book, I didn't think it was as good as the first one, but still a lovely read, I really like the description and the are it is set in sounds lovely, characters are well written and very likable, thanks.

What an amazing book. I loved visiting Hollie and Jake again at the Starfish cafe. Seeing Hollie overcome her heart ache and embrace life again was lovely. She faced her fear and won, and I love that she got all her brothers treasure hunting notes out and embraced her happy memories and allowed Issac to finally solve his mystery.
Meeting Tori and Finlay was great too, what amazing stories they have, I loved learning about Toris childhood and her parents. Seeing her and Finlay’s relationship grow was lovely and I hope we get to revisit them soon and see how they’re getting on.
A beautiful, heartwarming and empowering read.

Another wonderful book in this series. Jessica Redlands writes a good story and this one was just as good as her others. The story continues on from the first one so it better to read these in order to understand what’s going on. I really hope there is more to come in this series. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Welcome back to the Starfish Café - where you will find stunning views, delicious food and lifelong friendships.

A new season...

As winter turns to spring, Hollie - owner of The Starfish Café - is feeling content as she settles into her new life with her loving boyfriend, Jake, and their adorable dog Pickle.

But when an unwelcome visitor threatens the future of her café, Hollie must stay strong to protect her family's legacy...

A leap of faith...

Emerging from an unhappy relationship, Tori finds herself with nowhere to stay and nobody to talk to. The long-hidden secrets of her past weigh heavily on her until a chance encounter with Finley, struggling to come to terms with his own secrets, provides an opportunity to open up.

Can she find the strength to stop hiding from her past and face up to her family? Especially when that would mean letting her guard down and learning to trust again...

A fresh start...?

Little do Hollie and Tori know that their lives are about to collide at The Starfish Café and they may be able to help each other with a fresh start. After all, with good friends in your life, nothing is impossible...

Review

Full disclosure and complete honesty, I am a massive fan of Jessica Redland andi think I’ve loved every book of hers I have ever read, so this isn’t going to be an unbiased review, but it will be fully me and honest.

We return to the Starfish Cafe after meeting Hollie and Jake in the first book, well Spring Tides at The Starfish Café brings us back to our favourites along with some new faces. Hollie and Jake are back with us again, we get to see the continuation of their relationship which seems to be going well after the last book, or is it …. Well you’ll have to read to find the answers to that. The RNLI is still a big role in this which I love, Hollie literally pulling our new heroine Tori and some friends from stormy waters, however with an unexpected visitor to the cafe, secrets and romance in the air you know there’s going to be more stormy weather ahead.

I love Tori and Hollie’s relationship and how they helped each other, I’m a big fan of community opinion books and I love how the community pull together to help each other, I’m a sucker for that. Tori and Finley's story is so sweet and adorable (although not without it’s issues and finding their own way to each other) you can’t help but fall in love with them yourself. I love that this story mirrored the relationships involved, that even when things are going well things can suddenly change. As always communicating is they key,talking through and facing your difficulties, listening to and trusting each other, no spoilers but I’ll let you read for yourselves.

I didn’t like that things seem to take a nasty turn for The Starfish Cafe which is under threat (this is me as a reader loving but not being able cope with tension and drama, I do wonder how I read so much with my book anxiety !) you feel so sorry for the characters you love like Hollie and so mad , with the ones you don’ like Smythe , which is a testament to how good Tilly writes and makes you care about the whole community, not just the main characters.

If you are a fan of Snowflakes Over The Starfish Café, Tilly Tennant or a fabulous story you should read this uplifting, positive and addictive book full of love , friendship and most of all hope.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Another absolutely amazing book from Jessica! I really enjoyed this instalment of the starfish café series and cannot wait for the third and final book!

Loved this book! Good to keep following this community and I am now looking forward to the next instalment of this Saga based on the Yorkshire coast.

I liked "Spring Tides at the Starfish Café," but I didn't like it as much as I expected I would. I loved the first book, and while it was nice to see Hollie and Jake again, I think I'd have preferred to see them a little less and just plainly focus on the new potential couple, because the novel just felt too long at times. The book switches between Hollie and newcomer Tori's POV, and both of their storylines were great. The plot is still very fluffy, perhaps a tad less sad than the first book, which was set during Xmas. It was so fluffy and sweet though, even during the "uglier" moments, that is became really predictable at times, and I wish some things could have been left unsaid too! It's one of those instances when you feel super full after a buffet, and you end up hoping you'd be left hungry for more instead! Although it might just be better for someone who hasn't read the first book perhaps.

Thank you netgalley for the arc of spring tides at the starfish cafe by Jessica Redland. I love Jessica Redland books they are always a great page turner and this one didn't disppointment.

Feeling awesome....

This is the second book of a series but I hadn't read the first one. Still I could understand the story and flow, very well..

Hollie and Tori are two central characters from whose pov this book has been written. There are several more characters - I liked them all.
There was also a mystery included.

Overall - a very well written book...

Note:
Received an ARC in exchange of honest review.

I dived in without reading any blurb and this is my first from this author. When I saw this was book #2 in the series I was a bit concerned about how much I will understand and whether i will like it... Reading the character details, I thought of putting it away - I wanted a happy book, while the character backgrounds had tragedy. On a whim I just decided to read on... Am super glad I read this!

The first book is supposed to have more details on the background, but I was fine with getting only a rough idea about what happened in the past (heavy/ tragic/ depressing subjects)..
Book #2 - though it does have some heavy moments, it felt warm and happy.

I don't know if I can read the first one (it's available in KU) but am definitely looking forward to reading the next one (book#3).

Really enjoyed this from Jessica Redland. A great enjoyable read, full of great characters, good atmosphere and well written. Look forward to next one.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an Arc in exchange for an honest opinion

An absolutely joyous and uplifting read.

Told from the perspective again of Hollie and new character Tori. We journey again with Hollie and Jake and Hollie’s developments at the starfish cafe. They have such a loving and warm relationship it’s such a joy to read.

We meet Tori who’s past is peppered with secrets and an unusual upbringing. Finley, also known as Bart from the RNLI crew is also going through a difficult time and the two form a friendship and help each other work through their difficulties.

Such a lovely read I devoured this over a couple of nights! I can’t wait for the final instalment.