A slightly slow start admittedly but once it got going the book delivered. Delightful read, I became completely engrossed and sad to leave Pennystrand. I really hope there will be more adventures set there in the future. The characters are divine and the setting is idyllic. Really enjoyable read.

Thank you Netgalley

Loved this. I'm a fan of Tracy's books. I like how they're not samey and I love her characters.

When Kitty's relationship ends suddenly she takes a big chance and moves to somewhere with happy childhood memories. I love how Kitty builds a while new life for herself.

I'm gutted the next one isn't out yet though!

Kitty and Mitch are saving for a down payment on a house in the country. Every extra cent is being socked away for their dream home. Kitty can't wait to get out of the dinky flat that doesn't even have a real kitchen. She spends all her spare time at the local estate agent looking for that perfect home they can afford, until it all comes crashing down. Apparently it is not Mitch's dream, and he leaves on a world tour with his new girlfriend, leaving Kitty lost and alone after ten years. Not only has she lost her boyfriend, but she also loses her job. She wants to escape and heal, so remembering the last wonderful family vacation they took in Pennystrand, Wales, she rents a small cottage for six months, packs up and heads off. It is not all she remembers and she finds it hard to meet people and make friends. She finally meets Cherry, and that leads to a job, new friends and new experiences. Will Kitty find what she is looking for in Pennystrand?

This is a wonderful, uplifting story about finding what you really want out of life, new beginnings, romance and where you belong. Kitty is such a great character. She is sweet, genuine, caring and really needed a break. I was worried about her, but Tracy Rees didn't let me down, and Kitty blossoms in her new life. It isn't a straight path, there are some ups and downs, secrets that need to be revealed and dealt with and a lot of self-discovery. I really liked the setting as well. This small town, on the coast of Wales with all its beaches sounds delightful. The Little House by the Sea is beautifully written, magical and uplifting. This is another of those stories, where I am ready to pack my bags and head off to meet the wonderful characters and give Kitty a big hug. I definitely recommend this one.

The Little House by the Sea (Pennystrand Village Book 1) by Tracee Rees is a great start to a new series. I enjoyed the characters and would love to be a part of a community like this. I look forward to continuing this series as soon as possible. Great read!

This was such a sweet and uplifting book and I devoured it very quickly. I loved the characters living in a village in Wales by the sea. They were all so kind to each other which is something so rare these days. I do hope there is more in this series as I would love to know what happens next. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Beautiful. A stunning, evocative wonderful reqd that transported me. Such exquisite writing. A great story. Love this author and with this amazing book she's raised the bar that was already sky high. Just wow.

The Little House by the Sea (Pennystrand Village Book 1) by Tracee Rees is a light, summery book and I breezed right through it.
As the story starts off, Kitty Roberts spends her days working at a job she doesn’t really like but saving her money to buy her dream home with her live in boyfriend Mitch. That is until she and Mitch suddenly break up leaving Kitty totally heartbroken. She decides to visit a psychic who suggests she should move to a house by the sea and so she does. She ends up renting a house for 6 months in Wales in the small town of Pennystrand where she would visit as a child with her parents and sisters. She has her savings to count on for now until she decides what to do next but she starts looking for work in Pennystrand in the meantime. What she finds there is a small community of locals, gorgeous views and a lot of time to self reflect.

The story moved along quickly and I rooted for Kitty, she’s a down to earth relatable type of character. I wondered how it would end up for her as she tries to meet new people in Pennystrand and tries to move on with her life. What a nice idea, to pack it up and move to a quaint little beachside town right? Pennystrand is described so nicely I could easily envision the small town setting and the sounds of the ocean waves. The supporting cast of characters was well written and the story moved at a steady pace and held my interest throughout. The plot took a few twists and turns as Kitty settles into Pennystrand life and there is also a secret woven into the storyline that I did not see coming. It all wraps up nicely in the end while leaving it open for the next book in the series. This is a story about starting over and second chances.

The Little House by the Sea by Tracee Rees is one of those feel good stories best read in your comfy pajamas while sipping a warm cup of tea and enjoying homemade cookies which is exactly how I read most of it.

New series from Tracy Rees. Kitty returns to Pennystrand where she spent happy summers with her family when a child. Full of unexpected twists. she finds her connection to the village.

A Charming book about second chances, starting over, and love.

Kitty Roberts thought she would be purchasing her dream home with her boyfriend until her whole world falls apart. Needing a new start, she goes to Pennystrand Village, a place she once visited with her family. She takes a six-month lease, agrees to a short-term job and slowly immerses herself in village life. She enjoys the beaches, the weather, her new neighbors, and has that 'oops' first meeting with Cory Hudson, the villages famous surfer.

Kitty realizes that she is happy even though she has been getting strange looks from the villagers and some have even told her she resembles someone. She and her sister, look back to their vacation in the village and an argument her sister overheard between their parents.

While Corey is off chasing the waves, Kitty decides to chase her dream. She loves the village, helping people find their dream homes has given her meaning. Will Kitty find what she has been looking for?

I first read a Tracy Rees book when I picked up The Little Christmas House. I loved her characters and storytelling. When I saw this book was coming out, I had to get my hands (eyes) on a copy. I love how she creates communities full of interesting characters. She also writes characters that I come to care for and root for. Kitty is such a likeable character that I rooted for her the entire time.

This was such a charming and heartwarming book about second chances and starting over. I enjoyed watching Kitty not only grow but win the villagers over. I loved her interactions and the warmth that was shown to her by her boss.

This was a beautifully written book that is the first in a series. A series that I look forward to reading.

#TheLittleHousebytheSeaPennystrandVillageBook1 #NetGalley

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Little House by the Sea is another wonderful read from Tracy Rees and I really hope that this won’t be the only visit we pay to the village of Pennystrand because I thoroughly enjoyed every moment reading this delightful book. The cover is stunning and really inviting and for that alone it would make you want to pick this book up off the shelf if you came across it in a bookshop. Once you start reading you feel instantly at home in the little village where Kitty goes to find herself following some personal upheaval. I loved how this book didn’t have your typical boy meets girl plot instead there was real meat to the story with Kitty going on a journey and uncovering some mystery and family secrets along the way.That’s not to say that romance didn’t feature but it only did so to a very small extent and given the ending I feel there is plenty of room for a second book and I hope the author feels the same way.

When Kitty Roberts needs comforting she goes to estate agents and browses the properties for sale. It’s her way of getting away from rainy dirty London and in her head she can live the life she has always dreamt about. She has her ideal home down to a t all mapped out in her head and she would love a pretty and peaceful place to live. Somewhere in the countryside near her sister perhaps? You have to wonder why does Kitty do this? Is she not happy in her own life? Why has she been reluctant to follow an idea that she has clearly established so strongly in both her heart and mind? What has stopped her up until this point in just going for it and seeing where the road takes her? The further I read on I could see her ambitions regarding a house and a secure future all stem from her parents divorcing when she was younger. She doesn’t have the best memories from that time and you can sense how insecure she feels. Her work as a project co-ordinator for an interior designer only fuels her ambition to see her dreams become a reality. Then her life is turned upside down when she discovers her partner Mitch cheating. Well that’s the big push she has needed to up sticks and leave London behind. All her plans for the future with Mitch have been snatched away but maybe this needed to happen. It was brilliant to see her take control of her own life and take a brave step into the unknown. She starts to pull herself together due to the unexpected turn her life has taken and although not full of confidence and as strong as she could be Kitty begins a journey that will alter her life forever.

Following a palm reading where she has a vision of a small house and garden not a five minute walk from a village she rents a house near the coastal town of Pennystrand in Wales. A childhood holiday had been spent there with her family and she feels something drawing her back. I loved the descriptions of the town. It seemed like such a vibrant little place with lots of interesting characters. Although none of the characters became over dominant which meant they could have potentially taken away from Kitty’s story. Instead they were all utilised to perfection and they played their roles brilliantly. That’s what makes me really want a second book because a, I want to discover more about what happened to Kitty when the book ended and b, there definitely are plenty more people that featured that perhaps have their own story to share. Kitty wants to take stock and think about what she should do next and plans to stay in the area for six months and live off the money she had saved as a deposit for a house. I could feel her sense of trepidation that she was venturing into the unknown but how many of us have wished to change something in our lives and not have the guts to do so? By making this move she had taken the first step and was courageous in admitting I need things to change and if I work hard enough my dreams could become a reality.

Pennystrand is a tightknit community and if you are an outsider it’s initially hard to find your way in but I loved Kitty’s persistence and the book took on a whole different tone when she lands a job at Rowlands, the local estate agents. I felt Kitty as a character came alive when this happened because she was doing something she loved. OK she may have had no real experience of showing houses etc but she was a quick learner because she adored what she was doing. You could see her passion was ignited and I loved how this new job opened up different avenues for exploration within the story. It could have become all too much like a retelling of Escape to the Country with Kitty randomly showing houses and it would have gotten boring to read about. Instead Kitty meets lots of fascinating characters and lots of brilliant little subplots developed that had me really engrossed in everything. Not to mention that Kitty literally bumps into the famous handsome surfer Cory whom every reader will instantly be smitten with. He’s back in the town for a whirlwind visit and boy the spark between himself and Kitty was certainly electric but as I have previously mentioned this was just another little strand to the story that didn’t need a major focus. It was developed so well as I expected it to venture the traditional route that a lot of women’s fiction books do and instead I was pleasantly surprised but at the same time it left me wanting more.

The new job really is the makings of Kitty. She wasn’t as down on herself as in the beginning of the book and she was helping so many others without even realising it. I loved how the mystery element of the book slowly unfolded piece by piece. At one point something just clicked with me and I realised what had been going on and why certain characters appeared so warm and inviting at some points and then with a flick of a switch they became cold, hurtful and uninviting. When an opportunity presents itself to Kitty, it makes her stop and take stock of what she has achieved in the village but still that hesitancy and vulnerable side of her manifests itself and she needs to look back to the past and her family before she can move forward into a more positive future. A little investigative digging and soul searching ensues, and I just thoroughly enjoyed how everything played out and all the strands of the story came together so well.

The Little House by the Sea was a gorgeous read and I am so glad that Tracy Rees decided to write in this genre as well as writing in the historical fiction genre which is where I first discovered her. Her books are warm and inviting and give you that feel good feeling when you need it the most. The storyline here was engaging and you’ll root for Kitty from beginning to end as she really is endearing and finds a way into your heart. This marvellous story provides you with the perfect slice of escapism so much so that you’ll find yourself read it in one sitting

Kitty Roberts has been searching for the perfect house for her and her boyfriend Mitch. Arriving home after a long day of househunting, Kitty walks into their apartment and finds him in the arms of another woman. He quickly dumps her and she suddenly is facing some difficult decisions.

For starters, she does not think she wants to renew her current lease nor will she continue to look for a house. Furthermore, she ends up getting fired from a job that was beginning to show promise. What will she do? She wonders if perhaps she will take her sister Cooper’s offer to go stay with her or whether she might do something entirely different. Their parents divorced years ago and Cooper has always been her closest confidant and friend. Kitty seeks the advice of a spiritualist and that leads her to Wales to a small village of Pennystrand.

Kitty and her family vacationed at the lovely little village when she was a child, and she remembers how beautiful the location was. She takes on a six-month lease of a furnished department, which should give her enough time to make her life choices over again. One of the first things Kitty does is she does look for friends. Meeting a young mother leads her to getting a job, a job that ends up bringing her quite a bit of joy. She also meets a local surfer and named Cory and the two hit it off.

Things are not completely agreeable, however. Parts of Kitty‘s past are beginning to reveal secrets that have been hidden for years and this could prove to be her undoing. Hopefully, she can get to the bottom of things while trying to decide on her future.

From a delightful setting, to an enjoyable story with warm and personable characters, this book is the perfect beginning for what promises to be quite an endearing series.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/KAl1ClRLS9U

Just what I needed after reading several heavy reads, a light hearted fluffy feel-good read which ticked all the boxes...

The backdrop of Pennystrand sounds absolutely idyllic, and I'd move there in a heartbeat!

The characters are all so lovely, friendly and realistic, my kind of people. Kitty and Cory are adorable together and I so hope we get to hear more of them and their blossoming romance.

Full of romance, friendship and mystery with a smudge of magic, I thoroughly enjoyed The Little House By the Sea and would highly recommend to anyone wanting an uplifting read.

I can't wait for my next visit back to Pennystrand to make some more new friends.

Many thanks to Bookouture for my tour spot.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Oh how i loved this story, but i hated the ending.

Kitty is single and living in London. She splits from her boyfriend Mitch and a Psychic tells her to move to the seaside so she does. She rents a cottage there, gets a job and carves out a life for herself.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story and it was so well written, i felt i was living Kittys life with her.

However, the ending. Really? I needed another chapter to tie everything up as it was left ona cliffhanger which i cannot stand. There needs to be a sequel. Perhaps it could be about Jessica and her reconection with the family and then we get more of Kitty and Corey too.

This was such a great read and the first book I’ve read by Tracy Rees. The estate agents angle was so unique and fitted perfectly for Kitty’s character. I remember how excited I was to buy my house so this just brought all those feelings back. I think there is definitely room for another story for Kitty! Would love to know what’s in store for her next and the other residents of Pennystrand!

The Little House By The Sea is a beautiful uplifting character driven novel that is brimming with depth, heart, secrets and treasures. To echo one character’s words, the reading of this story left me ‘wild with hope and longing!’ It is divinely memorable and carries a touch of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary.

The main setting, Pennystrand, is a fictional coastal village in Wales. I suspect the name may have a strong connection to the ‘little house by the sea’ and its fascinating historical activities. Tracy has painted a vivid picture with her descriptions of this magical place where the weather is as temperamental as some of the characters.

I instantly warmed to the main character Kitty who has had some unfortunate circumstances rise unexpectedly in her life. Her relationship with her long-time boyfriend and her dreams of having her own home are shaken and abruptly altered at the same time. She is also in a job she does not particularly like and when her whole world implodes, she decides it is time to get away and figure out what she wants to do. So, through an unusual means, she is directed to re-visit a quaint Welsh village that is connected to her past. Once there, she takes up a six month residence. And through a series of events and meetings, her life begins to change rapidly. There’s lots of excitement, self-discovery and secrets to uncover. Plus, a new job in real estate that allows her to meet new people and to indulge in her passion for houses and design. And even more importantly, it allows her to help buyers find their dream home, which is rightly compared to the beginnings of a lasting romance.

There are many other wonderful characters in this novel such as Kitty’s first village friend, Cherry. Plus, others she gets to know through listing and selling their homes. Then there is Cory the famous handsome surfer she bumps into in a most humorous way. Their relationship is in its early days but I expect we may see more of him in the series. Kitty’s sister, Cooper, has a good support role and their parents were also intriguing. I enjoyed learning about their lives and past experiences and how it affected their directions and decisions. In fact, we get to know all characters quite well and can see what has made them who they are. Most are not static, though, and there are definite obvious changes in many of them which could continue in future books.

I must admit, I had great difficulty putting this novel down once starting it. Tracy had me hook, line and sinker from the title, cover, first page, characters and plot! I wanted to know what would become of Kitty and the others in the novel. It was easy to care about them and harder to let go when the book ended. The Little House By The Sea is also truly a delicious feast for the senses. The beauty of the landscape comes through, the atmosphere, the smells, the sounds of the sea.

This novel expresses the movements of life - like the surf on the sand and how it is always changing: pulling and drawing us backwards and forwards. When a wave of disappointment comes, these challenges can either destroy a person or offer growth. (Surfing is an apt activity and analogy in this novel.) Falling from a moving board into the waves can waken us from the monotony of complacency and inspire us to go in directions we may not have considered or thought possible. The Little House By The Sea shines with this message: follow your dream, find yourself and have the courage to make it happen for this is where true happiness lies. Kitty loved design, homes and helping people connect with the places right for them. The kind of love affair you feel when you walk into a place or town, and know it is right— for it speaks to you and provides a spiritual connection.

Another message in The Little House By the Sea is that happiness does not rely upon another. You can be whole on your own but if you enter a relationship, it shouldn’t be a needy one. Partners can be equals – you can be yourselves and maintain a healthy independence (so if things fall through, you still have you!).

The Little House By the Sea is about dealing with disappointments, starting over, finding and caring about yourself, learning when to let go of expectations, learning to make decisions that are best for you. It is about lost things that need to be found— including a sense of belonging— of connecting to a land/seascape. It is also about growth, forgiveness, respecting the other’s differences—especially in family. With Kitty, there are some pretty big family secrets that come to the surface that help her heal and move forward with her dream and happiness. I cannot help but think of what Socrates said: “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” This story shines with this thought.

This is my second book of Tracy’s I have read and only within the past two weeks. As soon as I discovered her work through Bookouture, after reading her Christmas one, I needed to read more. I am so glad I requested the ARC and that I squeezed it in my reviewing schedule as I absolutely loved The Little House By The Sea. I adored Kitty and her courage to start a new life in a village she had not been to since she was a child and the fact she is drawn back through mysterious, cryptic leadings. This series is off to a flying start and I am dying to read more in the next instalment. I highly recommend this novel and have become an overnight huge fan of Tracy Rees. 5 Sea-Filled Stars!

Huge thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a copy to review.

A delight to read! When Kitty is betrayed by her boyfriend, it seems as if all her dreams are gone. In order to get away and give herself some breathing space, she moves to Wales for six months, where she remembers being happy as a child. She soon realizes that what she thought would have made her happy in the past, no longer applies. A new job, new friends and a handsome surfer soon brings new happiness.

Oh wow. I’ve been blown away by The Little House by the Sea. The author’s descriptions of the area of Pennystrand made me fall in love with it and wish I was Kitty’s newest friend! Kitty has escaped London following being dumped by her boyfriend, to a place she vaguely remembers visiting as a child. Little did she know she’d fall in love with the village, but is there something she doesn’t know? A beautiful summer read.

Kitty Roberts is thirty years old and very happy with her life and in love with her boyfriend who also happens to be her best friend. She is searching for a house for the two of them, and to her surprise her boyfriend breaks up with her. She is devastated by the break up and decides to return to the beautiful and tranquil village by the sea. She spent summer vacations there as a child. Kitty is happy to be back at Pennystrand Village to rest and recover from heartbreak. She loves her long walks on the beach and watching the sunsets. She meets a few new friends including professional surfer Cory Hudson. Kitty begins to allow herself to open up to Cory about her past, The more time they spend together the closer they become. Kitty isn’t quite ready to completely give her heart away just yet, especially when Cory tells her that his time in Pennystrand Village is almost over.

This was such a wonderful feel-good cozy romance. I loved the description of Pennystrand Village. It sounded like an amazing place to go to “get away from it all.” With the house being so close to the sea, it makes for a great escape. The storyline is engaging with believable and captivating characters. This summer romance has all the feels, full of hope and inspiration. This wonderful read is a must for anyone that needs to lift their spirit and fill their heart. It is a rapid read because the flow of the story is perfect which makes it impossible to put down. I recommend this must read book.

Thank you Tracy Rees for such an amazing escape. It is exactly what I needed. I absolutely loved everything about this book and I highly recommend it.

i loved this book! i felt like i was actually part of this community and how much would i like to live there! what started off as a short break for kitty she finds her place and her people! can’t wait to read the next instalment from this author

A great start to a new series., Kitty moves on from being betrayed by those she loves and rediscovers herself. Well written with characters you enjoy getting to know.