Wow what a book. The meet cute was good and I loved how they wrote each other letters, but did not know who each other was. I enjoyed how the hero wished that Deborah was Salt&sea and how Deborah never thought that the hero could be lostinlondon

With a fabulous You’ve Got Mail reminiscent love story, a devoted and complicated female lead, and a sexy beach side setting, this book was the sweet treat I wanted today! In fact, it was very sweet and not spicy at all, which is not my usual bag. But I really liked reading this book, I love their beautiful town and the letter writing and all the classic mishaps. A very sweet book in a fun series, I’m looking forward to more stories from Siren’s Retreat!

Review: Love Letters by the Sea provides a satisfying conclusion to the Sirens Retreat series written by Erica Ridley and Grace Burrowes. In this story, the siren herself discovers that lightning does indeed strike twice when she falls in love with her (unknown identity) correspondence through his letters, and a wealthy aristocrat’s man of business who comes to Brighton to turn the best land in Brighton into a gaming hell. The best land in Brighton, is, unfortunately, where Sirens Retreat stands and the lord is willing to pay Deborah’s brother-in-law a lot of money for the prime real estate. Patrick goes to Brighton to seal the deal, earn the bonus, and woo the woman he’s been corresponding with, but falls in love with the proprietress of the retreat he’s working to purchase for his boss. By the time he realizes that the two women are one in the same, he’s let them both down and becomes determined to fight for love over money.

I was really excited to read Mrs. Cartwright’s story after getting a glimpse of her character earlier in the series, and it’s heartwarming to read about a main character falling in love again without diminishing the love of a previous marriage. The fact that Deborah and Patrick fell in love through correspondence and then again in-person without knowing the identity of the other person was great. It added some fun drama.

I’ve really enjoyed the Erica Ridley books in the Sirens Retreat series, and I’m going to go back and read the first and third novellas as soon as I can. 5 stars.

A very quick and cute romance novel! We finally get a love story for the owner of The Siren's Retreat! So well earned! I really loved that this was not you typical historical romance with the hero being a man of business to a lord, and the heroine "owning" an inn. Many cute tropes with an adorable ending. I cannot wait to read more from Erica Ridley! She has quickly worked her way up as one of my favourites in the genre!

I have been on an historical romance kick lately and this novella hit the spot. It was a sweet and easy read with beautiful imagery and characters.

I loved the dash of angst and the evolution of their relationship. A great read.

A sweet romance for an older more mature couple who are working people unusual for regency romance, I haven't read all the books and while it can be read as a stand alone people from other books do reappear.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review

Deborah has been running an Inn since her husband's death. When her brother in law, who owns the property, gives her an ultimatum, she may lose the property. She must either come up with more money or he will sell it.
Patrick works for an Earl who is interested in the property. The Earl sends Patrick to purchase it any way he can.
While researching the property, Deborah and Patrick wrote letters back and forth without knowing each other's names. The innocent to begin with letters turned into something more as time grew. However, with Patrick and Deborah on opposing sides of the property, their letters may end up tearing them apart.
Opinion
I'm a big fan of Erica Ridley. This book had me so twisted inside on a solution that even though I knew it would work out, I had no clue how Ridley would go about it. It wasn't until the ending that I was able to sit back and appreciate all that was laid out before me.
I will say that the ending was a bit abrupt. The HEA was achieved and all was well. I will probably resonate on what happened with Patrick's boss, the Earl.
Many thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Love Letters by the Sea is the fourth and last entry in the Siren’s Retreat series, a collaboration between Grace Burrowes and Erica Ridley. I hadn’t read the earlier three in the series, but I had no difficulty at all in enjoying this one, and I don’t think anyone else would either!

This novel is a finely wrought historical romance that does admirable work blending the internal and external obstacles to the central couple, Mrs. Deborah Cartwright and Mr. Patrick Gretham, finding their HEA. I found so much about this novel refreshing. I haven’t read that many historical romances that feature older characters and this novel reminded me that characters who aren’t in the first blush of youth actually have way more potential for high-quality conflict. When two characters are young, hot, rich, and relatively unattached, the barriers keeping them apart can be difficult to sell; Love Letters by the Sea shows how, for a couple who has lived more of life, the emotional and logistical impediments to a relationship are often inherently more believable. (And I fully acknowledge here that I am calling these characters “older” when Deborah is only thirty-five—but that is still older for most historical heroines. Also, Deborah feels she has lived a whole life already herself, having been happily married and then widowed before meeting Patrick). For instance, the first conflict we see to their relationship is a deep-seated emotional one: Deborah does not want to fall in love again because she feels that it would be disloyal to her late husband. I appreciated this conflict for the actual stumbling block that it is; it is not something easily solved and I loved seeing such a real emotional dilemma put at the center of a historical romance.

I also adored that, rather than a duke or a nobleman, Patrick is man of business for an earl, and has to deal with the fact that his love for Deborah conflicts with the role he must play for his employer. Often in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century historical romances, male main characters are kings of their domain with complete self-determination—the fantasy of that is really powerful (and I definitely enjoy delighting in it!!!), but I really saw the value here in a male main character who—like many men and women then and now—has an employer and the constraints of his job to answer to. Ridley puts exquisite care into showing how Patrick feels caught between his livelihood (and his means of offering Deborah a comfortable life) and his love for her; it is really admirably done and I wish we saw more heroes in historicals struggling with the same.

I would definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical romances that skew towards realism (both emotionally and in terms of historical accuracy), but also sweetness. Also, this book is technically a Regency (it takes places in 1818), but it had a distinctly Victorian flavor to me, so if that is your jam, I definitely think you will enjoy. Also, I will note that it is not very high on the spice scale at all (only kissing is shown on page), so if you enjoy low-steam, then you’ll definitely like this story—and I will add that, traditionally, I tend to prefer high-steam books, but I really didn’t mind the absence of sex scenes here, because I found the plot so well-managed and the emotional connection between the two characters so rich. Overall, the relationship between Patrick and Deborah is very sweet and so I would advise reading it if you are looking for a tender romance between two good people who always treat each other with respect—and/or you enjoy a hero with emotional maturity and who really cares about connecting and building a life with his love interest. It felt like a very healing and romantic read to me and so, in particular, I recommend Love Letters by the Sea to those seeking that reading experience.

Thank you to Author Collective 20 for providing me with an ARC of this book!

What a great story! It really warms the cockles of your heart!
A widowed woman, who was married to the love of her life, runs an inn on the ocean in the resort town of Brighton. She and her husband shared 10 years of happiness then her husband was afflicted with an illness that took him away. Thanks to her husband's heir, she was allowed to stay at the house, but with his permission renovated it into suites and rooms for tourists. It is one if the premier places to stay and has the advantage of being the inn where wishes of love comes true. The heroine also started answering letters for the town and ran a small column in the paper, I think. She started a correspondence with one person, who she thinks is an older man, but feels a deep connection with him. The heir has been offered numerous business deals to sell or remodel the inn, but he has refused because of the heroine's love of the house and love for her deceased husband. On certain nights, when she has the time, she sings at the local coffee house with the pianist. The heroine was once a renowned singer, so the locals and tourists consider it a treat to hear the pianist and heroine entertain them.
The hero is a man of business for the Earl of Edgewick. The earl is a ruthless business man, only wanting more money and power, but he also has to have the best of everything. The hero is kept on his toes to pander to such a demanding employer. But the hero is able to get a vacation, and goes to Brighton. He has been corresponding with a resident of Brighton and he sees that she is a woman by the script of her handwriting. He feels that they are connected at the soul and mo matter how old she is, he wants to meet her in person and share conversation with her.
The thing I like best about this story is that their love for the other person is based on their connection. They can lay their souls bare in their letters and the other person doesn't deride them. It is like a transdecent love.
As usual, this author gives her readers a powerful love story, set in a middle class life. Neither one is excessively wealthy or powerful. They both work for what they have. They do not spend their time shopping and dressing for fashion or going to parties all the time. This story shows the readers what "normal" people did in historical romances. The story is well.written, with no grammar errors and just flows smoothly along. There are no cliff hangers or dead end stories. I give the a recommendation to read and 5 stars.

4/5 stars!

The widowed heroine is the proprietress of the inn that she built up with her late husband. As his employer wants the property, the hero arrives to persuade the heroine to sell the property. However, the two does not know that they are pen pals that had written letters to each other. As they learn more about each other, will their secrets keep them apart or bring them closer?

This short story by Erica Ridley is an enjoyable read. It flowed smoothly and the couple were delightful to read. I enjoyed the appearances from characters from a previous book and the interactions that the couple individually have with others and together. Overall, it's a solid Erica Ridley book.

**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions and thoughts in the review are my own.**

Love Letters by the Sea is the fourth and final book in The Siren's Retreat series by Erica Ridley. Grace Burrowes has joined forces in this series, so the first, and third will be written by her. The second and fourth are by Erica. "All four books take place in Brighton, in a picturesque inn called Siren's Retreat—where, legend has it, all who cross its threshold with an open heart will soon meet their true love!"

This is Deborah's story, she is the manager of the inn and she was the first person who discovered her one true love there and how the legend began. Since then her husband has passed away and she has been content enough running the inn and watching it work its magic on many other couples. The inn is her life so when she discovers that her brother-in-law who owns the inn wants to increase her rent, or sell the place she is distraught. She must find a way to increase her funds if she has any chance of keeping the place.

Patrick Gretham is the man of business for a very rich man who wants to buy Siren's Retreat and turn it into a gambling hell. Patrick has been sent to Brighton to find out more about the inn and to make sure that its owner will sell it to him.

Patrick and Deborah also have other identities, Salt&Sea, and LostInLondon. They are the pen names for them both and anonymously they have been writing to each other for a long time. So long that both find that they are fighting not to admit that they could perhaps fall in love if they were to meet in person. Patrick of course has no idea that his Salt&Sea is the manager of the inn, and Margaret has no idea that the very nice man who is showing an interest in the inn is her LostInLondon. She also has no idea that the very nice man is out to negotiate the sale of the inn from beneath her.

Theirs is a story that kept me hooked from start to finish. I held my breath when I read how Margaret felt when she was finding out that Patrick was working for the man wanting to buy the inn. I couldn't even imagine how much worse she would feel when she found out that the only man she thought she could rely on after that, LostInLondon, was the very same man. I couldn't begin to fathom how or if the inn could be saved or how our couple could possibly end up having a happy ever after. I am pleased to say that I loved how the story ended, it was believable and I finished this book, and the series very pleased with every outcome.

Book received for free through NetGalley

I quickly realized that this book follows along with “shop around the corner” and “you’ve got mail”. That said I love that story and this author and enjoyed every word along the way. A great read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

This book was so, so delightful. I put off reading it because I've been on a fanfic kick, and it was exactly what I needed today.

Erica Ridley absolutely shines at creating characters that jump off the page and make you fall in love with them. The settings aren't as important, and fade into the background just because the characters shine so bright.

I love that these aren't your typical regency debutante and rake. Instead we have a widowed proprietress of an inn (and former opera singer) and a man of business with a soft heart, smile lines around his eyes, and silver at his temples. I love that they fall in love anonymously through letters and in person but are kept apart by being adversaries with seemingly nothing in common. I love the way we can't help but fall with them.

This was short and sweet and brimming with romance and I smiled so much while reading (a feat, as I am coming down with a cold and feel little like smiling). I will definitely be pulling it out again when I need to be cheered up and reminded of how much I love watching people fall in love. This, right here, is why I read romance novels, and why Erica Ridley is always at the top of my list.

*Thanks to NetGalley, Erica Ridley, and WebMotion for providing an e-arc for review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this cute novella which I read in one sitting. The characters were lovely, I cared about them both and I felt the emotional connection between them. A recommended read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received an advanced reader’s copy of Love Letters by the Sea by Erica Ridley.

There are some poignant moments where Deborah believes she’s had the on,y love she will ever have in her life and she will never experience it again. Patrick’s actions and his willingness to sacrifice himself shows how much he cares about for her. The story conflict was resolved in an uplifting way. Based on what we learn about the earl involved in the conflict and how it was resolved I don’t know if it would fit his character because he didn’t seem the type to bow to pressure. Still it was a happy ending where everything works out in the best way for everyone.

The novella is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. This is a wonderful addition to the series .

I always love Erica Ridley's books. This book did not disappoint me. I loved the concept as soon as I read the description. I felt very vested in this story.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me the ARC for my honest review.

I loved the characters individually at first. They seemed mature and hard working people. But sadly I couldn’t enjoy their romance . I didn’t feel any chemistry between them. Even though I did like the h when I started reading, I find her childish, impractical and immature. Especially when she came to know Patrick was the buyer. Also I would like to see more honesty from the H.

Two solid stars form me.

Deborah is the proprietess of Siren's Retreat. She runs it but does not own it. It is owned by her brother in law who inherited it upon the death of Deborah's husband.
Patrick is a clerk, secretary for an Earl. He handles all his business and financial matters. His job right now is to buy Siren's Retreat at any cost so that the Earl can tear it down and build a gaming hell.
When they meet for the first time there is this instant connection between them. What could it be? Could they already know one another?
I found this story a little difficult to get started. But once I got into the book, it flowed smoothly and I really enjoyed it.
I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Mrs. Deborah Cartwright is the widowed proprieteress of Siren's Retreat in Brighton, a legendary place where many of its visitors find their true loves. Sadly, the Earl of Edgewick sends his man of business there to buy the property and he won't take no for an answer. What will Deborah do when she learns that Patrick Gretham is her anonymous beloved penpal LostinLondon? And how will she react when she finds out his intentions towards her inn are?

As always I enjoyed this story. Short, sweet, and full of romance just like Erica Ridley always writes. She is such a wonderful story teller. I don't know about you but, but she never fails to make me believe in fate, destiny, and true love. She is one of my favorites and I could read her sweet stories every day and be perfectly content.

Widow Deborah runs the Siren's Retreat, an inn in Brighton, legendary for bringing true love to all who stay there. After losing her beloved husband, she knows she'll never find that kind of love again. She's content to correspond with a man in London she's never met, and never expects to.

When Patrick is sent to Brighton by his employer, he's hoping to meet the woman he's been corresponding with. When he does, he's smitten—but he can't reveal his true identity. His employer wants to turn Deborah's beloved inn into a gaming house. Can Patrick find a way to save both their livelihoods, and convince her to take a second chance on love?

This is a light, fun, heartfelt romance. I enjoyed the Brighton setting for this series—it's a nice change from the usual London setting for Regency romance. It's also nice to see middle class characters rather than just focusing on the aristocracy.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.