Welcome back to Sidmouth with a lovely cast of four Summers’ sisters and their widowed mother as the main characters who run Sea View as a guest house. If you love the Regency era, then you’ve come to the right place! There is much excitement in the small community of because royalty will be wintering there. Needless to say, having the new visitors cause a bit of a stir in the small community. There are dreams that may come true, a dash of mystery and of course a dangerous situation. All in all, I find that Julie Klassen writes a wonderful novel that brings to mind a simpler time and a warmth of community that is to be envied.
This book is book two in the On Devonshire Shores series and her first in this series is A winter by the Sea. I recommend reading that one first because is really does fill in important details that were a part of book 1. I have enjoyed many of her previous novels. She has an excellent backlist, and my favorite series is Tales from Ivy Hill. I have no problem recommending any of her novels. If you enjoy this author, then Sarah E. Ladd or Kristi Ann Hunter shares similar writing styles.
I received an early e-copy copy of this book from Net Galley and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

So I realized when starting this that (as per my normal) it's book 2 in a series, and I haven't read book 1 yet! LOL!

I do think it'd be helpful to read in order; I managed, but there were defo a number of references I just didn't get, and I would have appreciated the gravitas more had I read book 1 first.

That being said, I did really enjoy this book; it's been a good while since I read anything by Julie Klassen, and I've been missing out! It felt very Jane Austeny, and brought Regency England to life vividly and authentically. I'm excited to read book 1 and hope that a book 3 is forthcoming!

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

A Winter by the Sea
by Julie Klassen
Pub Date: December 5, 2024
Bethany
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NertGalley for providing the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Ah! The regency era!!
If you enjoy this type of writing you are surely going to enjoy reading this book, the second in the Devonshire Shore series.
When the Duke and Duchess of Kent and their daughter--the future Queen Victoria--rent neighboring Woolbrook Cottage for the winter, the Summers sisters are called upon to host three of the royal family's male staff in their seaside house. But they soon realize they've invited secrets and intrigue into their home.

Meanwhile, Emily Summers longs to become an author. A local publisher offers to consider her novel if she will first write a Sidmouth guidebook for him. Emily agrees and begins researching the area with help from the Duke of Kent's handsome private secretary. But a surprise visitor from her past shows up at Sea View, leaving Emily torn between the desires she's long held dear and her budding dreams for the future.

Return to the Devonshire coast with the Summers sisters, where loyalties are tested, secrets come to light, and new love emerges.
5 stars

Oh how my heart aches for the Regency Era women of Sea View. Regardless of how hard they work or try to make their way in the world, they are still subject to the whims of men and societal standards of 1820s Sidmouth, England. A woman's life was precarious outside the protection of a father or husband. For those women who strove to stand on their own through means available to them, I am ever their cheering fan.

This delightful story is rich with stories of such women. A genteel widow with three young daughters runs a Sidmouth guest house to make ends meet as best they are permitted by societal morés. The older two daughters are outside the home. One is married and lives nearby. The other resides in Scotland and through an unfortunate circumstance has leveled a dark cloud over the family.

We soon discover that the Prince of Wales has decided to make his and his family's winter home in Sidmouth by renting Woolbrook Cottage for the family and Fortfield Terrace for the upper staff. This leaves Sea View for the remaining staff - the pastry chef, the prince's private secretary and the table-decker. The primary character of this story is the second youngest daughter Emily - an aspiring and gifted writer who has recently had her heart broken.

The writing is lovely, the scenes well-described and the characters are well developed. The romance elements are chaste and rather Austenesque. The love triangle gives the story its tension with a gentle and successful conclusion. All in all, this was a very sweet diversion and beautifully delivered by a gifted writer.

I am grateful to Bethany House for having provided a complimentary uncorrected digital galley of this book through LibraryThing Early Reviewers and NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.


Publisher: Bethany House (division of Baker Publishing Group)
Publication Date: December 5, 2023
No. of Pages: 448
ISBN No.: 978-0764234286

A Winter by the Sea is the second book in the On Devonshire Shores by Julie Klassen. It can be read as a stand-alone novel. Emily Summers takes a job ghost writing a guidebook for the town of Sidmouth, England as a way to get a publisher take notice and ultimately publish her novel. Klassen adds in a romantic interest for Emily and then creates a love triangle all while blending in a regency writing style and historical tidbits (a vacationing royal family with the future Queen Victoria as a baby). This book was better than the first, and there will be more to come in this series.

A Winter by the Sea - Julie Klassen - 3.5 Stars (Book 2 in the On Devonshire Shores series)

"A Winter by the Sea", the second installment in Julie Klassen's On Devonshire Shores series, proved to be an enjoyable read. We continue our journey with the Summers sisters, primarily following Emily Summers as she pursues her dream of becoming an author. Facing rejecting from a local publisher, she agrees to an intriguing proposing from a charming competitor, leading her into unexpected twists involving a love triangle. Despite my usual aversion to love triangles, this one was well-executed.

This series fully immerses you in the atmospheric setting and you really do feel like you are right there with the "Sisters of Sea View" throughout the story. My only complaints are the books in this series do feel a bit too long for my liking, as I struggle to keep interest at times with the plot. There were also times it felt too slow for me, but I enjoyed this book in the series a bit more than I did book 1, mostly because of the less POVS to keep up with from a personal standpoint.

Emily's character shines in this book, showcasing her passion for writing and her dedication to her family. I loved seeing her process writing the guidebook for Sidmouth too, very interesting. We see a little bit of Sarah's journey but I preferred just following Emily here. She really cares for her family and I think she may be my favorite sister in the group. We also see some of the royal family shown here - that added a fun layer too.

This book really is a very fitting one to read in the Winter time as well as it has some really great descriptions of the Winter season. Maybe because I finished reading Little Women recently is another reason I liked this one a bit more than book 1 because I could certainly see how lovers of Little Women would enjoy this story.

Overall, a good continuation to the series that I think people who love regency-era stories with rich historical settings would enjoy. Thank you to Bethany House for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Julie Klassen is a beloved author in my world. (And in the world of Christian Fiction!) Her "Ivy Hill" series helped me through a hard trial, and thus I didn't hesitate one bit to dive into A Winter by the Sea.

What an incredible book it is! Weaving Christian themes into a unique plot, with beautifully flawed characters and little historical tidbits, this book is impossible to put down. If you want to end the year on a good note, you simply must grab up A Winter by the Sea. For you, your mama, your hairdresser, the grocery store clerk and your favorite barista.

This is Book Two in the On Devonshire Shores series. It can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading Book One, The Sisters of Sea View. In this installment, the sisters and their mother are excited to find out that the Duke and Duchess of Kent have rented the cottage next door for the winter. The Royals will be accompanied by their young daughter, a girl who will one day be Queen Victoria. Then the sisters learn that three of the lower members of the Royal staff will be lodging at Sea View.

I loved reading about a royal visit and all the preparations, headaches, and prestige involved. Don’t you hate it when the royals use up all the eggs in town? The fun of reading a series set in a hotel, or “Guest House, as they call it, is that new residents move in with each book, so a new cast of characters arrives, blends with the established characters, and shakes things up. Add secrets and romance to this delightful mixture, and this is a winning recipe for a great story. There is also a delightful bookish storyline involving Emily that is sure to please readers. Julie Klassen has such a great talent for creating characters that we care about, and she is a master at weaving in real events from history. This book is no exception. I can’t wait to see what the Summers Sisters do next!

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via Austenprose PR. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

“…kissing the man you loved wasn’t poetry. It was better.”

Oh how I loved this story! And how I loved getting to visit with the Summers sisters, their mother, and the eccentric Mr. Gwilt again! There’s a swoony romance brewing, a new batch of guests with layered backstories, further character development and more insight into the sisters themselves, and a sweet (and organically presented) message of faith. But there’s also a very intriguing history that plays out on these pages, and I immensely enjoyed that element as well. Getting to ‘meet’ Prince Edward (the Duke of Kent and Strathearn, King George III’s fourth son) and the unlikely-but-future Queen (as a little baby) helped bring that part of history to life and made me appreciate even more the surprise twists that ended up eventually putting Victoria on the throne.

As with The Sisters of Sea View, Klassen tells the story from alternating third person perspectives, though in A Winter by the Sea we only switch between Emily and Sarah. These transitions are seamlessly done and create the cozy feeling that we readers are curled up on a couch in the parlor watching one sister and then the other. Because of this, I have become deeply invested in Sarah and Emily – and Viola – and care about their struggles and successes, their joys and heartbreaks. (On that note, I am still rooting for the return of a certain swoony Scotsman, and certain events in this story have me hoping for a reunion sooner rather than later.) I really enjoyed the growth I saw in both Sarah and Emily over the course of this story, as well as the shifting family dynamics and the emphasis on trusting God with your future. This is a reminder we all need, regardless of how different – or similar – our circumstances may be from those of the Summers sisters.

And the romance… oh the agony and the bliss! There is a delicious tension of attraction that simmers instantly between Emily and Mr. Thomson – the Duke of Kent’s private secretary who is staying at Sea View while the Royal party winters in Sidmouth. As the novel progresses, we come to see James as the kindest of men, a voracious reader (go ahead and swoon – I know you want to), and a man of faith. Watching his anguish as Emily’s first love returns and wants to make amends… well, you just need to read it for yourself. But trust me, Klassen does a fabulous job of immersing us so completely in this story that your own heart will twist for James and for Emily and for Charles. As a general rule, I don’t like love triangles but this one is written so tenderly that I’m glad I didn’t shy away from reading it. (I say that as though anything could keep me from reading a Julie Klassen book – please!)

Bottom Line: Grab a comfy blanket and your fave hot beverage and settle in by a roaring fire (if only in your imagination) to read A Winter by the Sea – the second book in Julie Klassen’s delightfully character-driven Regency series. You will experience a range of emotions over the course of this sweet story, but you will close the last page with a smile and a lighter heart. You may even learn some history while being thoroughly captivated by Klassen’s engaging writing voice and layered plot. Add in a kind and bookish hero, a plucky and bookish heroine, new friends and old, unexpected twists and turns, compelling characters, a quaint seaside village, and a reminder to lean into God’s wisdom and trust Him with your future… what more could you want? Perfect for fans of Persuasion and Little Women!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

I enjoyed revisiting the Summers sisters at their Regency-era boarding house on the Devonshire coast. It was fun to encounter Viola as a newlywed, but this second book in the series focused on Emily’s romance.

This story revolves around a royal visit to the area, which I understand is based on actual events. The Duke and Duchess of Kent were the parents of the future Queen Victoria. She was a baby in this book. From Wikipedia:

Following the birth of Princess Victoria in May 1819, the Duke and Duchess, concerned to manage the Duke’s great debts, sought to find a place where they could live inexpensively. After the coast of Devon was recommended to them they leased from a General Baynes, intending to remain incognito, Woolbrook Cottage on the seaside by Sidmouth.

I was fascinated with how the author seamlessly wove the historical events into the fictional story. Well done!

We return to Sea View and the Summers' sisters. This time to follow the fun and flirty middle sister Emily. It was so interesting to see Emily's love life run parallel to the Duke of Kent residing in Sidmouth as well (2 doors down from Sea View). There were so many interesting details that the author wove through the story. I did find it hard to follow who all the monarchs were and how the fell in line to the throne. Some of the details (although accurate) felt as though they could have been left out (the fortune teller, whose appearance in the story is brief but also unnecessary).

I really enjoy Julie Klassen's writing style and I think this time period is a perfect fit for her story telling talents. I also felt fully satisfied after reading this novel & am curious as how the series will conclude.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

A Winter by the Sea by Julie Klassen takes you on a delightful journey back to the Devonshire coast making you feel like you have stepped into a cozy family reunion, reminiscent of the heartwarming dynamics in Little Women. The Summers family’s charm, mixed with the meticulously researched historical details, made the story utterly captivating. The introduction of new characters in addition to the previous books' characters, sprinkled in a hint of intrigue that kept me hooked. Klassen’s storytelling ensures you stay engaged until the very last page. I even read it out loud to my daughter at bed time!

Diving into Emily’s story was a highlight for me. I enjoyed seeing her follow her aspirations to become a published author providing a genuine glimpse into the feelings, fears, and insecurities that any aspiring or published author might face. When James, the private secretary to the Duke of Kent, catches Emily’s eye, however, she cautiously reminds herself not to get too attached as her tender heart has been bruised before. I adored the interactions between Emily and James. He accepted her as she was. And the cooking scenes with Chef Bernardi and Sarah were 🫠 perfection. I can’t wait to read the next book.

This book as an ideal choice for slowing down and getting cozy with a good read.

Read this if you enjoy:
❄️ Little Women and Jane Austen vibes
❄️ Historical Fiction
❄️ Overcoming Loss
❄️ Bookish love
❄️ Hidden secrets & Intrigue
❄️ Well developed characters
❄️ Strangers to Lovers

Thank you to the publisher for sending the book for me to read and review. All thoughts are my own

I’ve been anxiously awaiting to see what happens next with the Summers sisters, and A Winter by the Sea didn’t disappoint. I loved the updates on Viola and getting to see the sisters continue their business.

Emily has a great arc, and I loved seeing her romance unfold. I also liked seeing Sarah reflect on the events of the last book as she contemplated her future. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next for her.

There were certain parts that felt like an info dump, but I appreciate Klassen’s research. She does a great job of dropping you right into Regency England and the Devonshire coast.

Overall, A Winter by the Sea is a engaging historical women’s fiction novel with a sweet romantic thread.

Award-winning author Julie Klassen blends mystery, emotion, drama and royal intrigue in her irresistible new historical romance, A Winter by the Sea.

There is great excitement for the Summer sisters when they receive news that the Duke and Duchess of Kent and their daughter – the future Queen Victoria – have rented neighboring Woolbrook Cottage for the winter. Having been called upon to host three of the royal household’s male staff, the sisters are determined to ensure that everything is absolutely perfect for their distinguished guests. The sisters are prepared to move mountains and bend over backwards for the new arrivals. However, little do they realize that they have invited dangerous secrets into their home that might just put them all in serious jeopardy.

Emily Summers has always dreamed of becoming an author and it looks like she will at long last achieve her ambition when a publisher offers to consider her novel – if she first writes a guidebook about Sidmouth for him. Emily immediately accepts and as she begins her research she gets a helping hand from the Duke of Kent’s handsome private secretary. However, when a face from her past makes an unexpected return, Emily is torn between her professional ambitions and her heart’s deepest wishes.

Will Emily make the right choice? Or is she about to make a decision that she will regret for the rest of her life?

Julie Klassen writes atmospheric, enjoyable and poignant historical romances that never fail to delight and she has done it again with her latest novel, A Winter by the Sea. Sparkling with wit, warmth and charm, A Winter by the Sea is a magical treat for readers who like their historicals full of hope and heart.

With characters readers will care for, a gorgeous love story and a narrative that will keep readers turning the pages, A Winter by the Sea is another first-class historical romance from Julie Klassen’s very gifted pen.

Julie Klassen is at her best in this novel of a seaside town that hosted the Duke and Duchess of Kent in the 1800s. The residents of Sidmouth include a genteel family who runs a guest house, and the main character is a young woman named Emily, who falls in love perhaps too easily. I loved the wide cast of unique and fascinating characters, including the Royal Keeper of the Plate and other royal servants staying at the guest house.
The pacing of the book kept me engaged and it had the perfect amount of romance, adventure, and drama. Basically a Downton Abbey story arc in book form! I recommend this to all fans of the genre.
Thanks to @austenprose @bethanyhousefiction and @julie.k.klassen for the beautiful, complimentary copy of the book. I feel so blessed!

Yes - read it.

2nd book in a series , I think it's best to read in order.

Great characters you always want the best for. This was an interesting storyline with the real life events of the Duke of Kent. There was a lot going on so it was very easy to pick up and read a bit each night because you don't have to wait for something to happen.

Very satisfying read!

I received an ARC from Netgalley to help me prepare my honest review.

WOW! This book is SO GOOD! It is sweet, romantic, full of hope, heartwarming, and so much more! Whenever I picked up "A Winter by the Sea", I was whisked back in time, and went on such an emotional journey with this story.

This is the second book in author Julie Klassen's "On Devonshire Shores" series, but I do think this sequel can work as a stand-alone! Julie Klassen has such a visceral writing style full of so much heart. The past jumped to life right before my eyes, and I immediately became so engaged in the story that I did not want to put this book down. She seamlessly weaves romance and historical fiction, real people and fictional, and her storytelling and world-building is simply breathtaking. I hope there will be many more books in this beautiful series!

This book focuses on Emily, a strong, intelligent, kind, and hardworking woman who strives to become an author. This book also dives further into the Summers family, and their relationships with one another as well. Royalty comes to stay nearby, and with Emily having to choose between a past love, Charles, and someone new, James, this book truly has so much in it: heartbreaking moments, heartwarming moments, hope, family, romance, sweet moments, love, and so, so much more.

I highly recommend this book!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Austenprose PR, and Bethany House Publishers for the e-ARC, and to Austenprose PR and Bethany House Publishers for the beautiful finished copy as well, and for having me on the book tour! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

It's a treat to bookend my reading year with two Klassen novels! My 1st review of the year was for the delightful, Sanditon-esque The Sisters of Sea View, leaving me eager to revisit & A Winter by the Sea did not disappoint. This volume primarily focuses on Emily, the Summers sister with writing aspirations & a Marianne Dashwood-penchant for dreams of one true love. Romance for Sarah, the eldest & rock of her family, seems a dream unfulfilled with the absence of the handsome Scot, Mr. Henshall (but I have high hopes that he will return!).

While the Summers ladies have adjusted to their reduced circumstances –& even embraced life in Sidmouth – here Klassen continues her thesis of highlighting the struggles (& triumphs) of women forced to make their way in a male-dominated society. Emily must confront the long-cherished dreams of the life she always thought she wanted, against the tantalizing promise of a future she never dreamt of. She confronts the prejudices & challenges facing a woman of words, balancing societal expectations with individual dreams & drive.

With the release of the Queen Charlotte miniseries earlier this year, I loved seeing this novel touch on that history. Charlotte’s drive to see a legitimate heir after the passing of the Princess Royal has come to fruition with the arrival of the younger Prince Edward, his German wife, & their infant daughter (future queen) Victoria. This brush with royalty brings with it James Thomason, quiet, intelligent private secretary & new favorite Klassen hero. 😍

It may be premature to admit this, but I’m already hoping that Klassen might continue to grace readers with visits to Sea View beyond the upcoming 3rd installment (A Seaside Homecoming, December '24). Klassen’s gift for this time period is unmatched, & coupled with her skillfully-drawn characters & the warmth imbued within every vignette knit together to tell a tale of resilience, hope renewed, & lives well-lived. Sea View is a refuge & escape I’ll happily revisit.

In the spirit of such endearing classics as Little Women or Sense & Sensibility featuring a family of warm-hearted sisters living life and finding love, Julie Klassen’s tales of the Summers sisters in their guest house by the sea bring a rich and deeply satisfying reading experience that I highly anticipate.

A Winter by the Sea is the second in the On Devonshire Shores series set in the late Regency era in the seaside resort town of Sidmouth featuring a family of women who were forced to give up their genteel life on a country estate for the semi-genteel life as guesthouse keepers after the father passed on and estate was entailed away.

This is the vibrant and impulsive Emily’s turn to get the focus of the story. I’m not fond of love triangles, but Julie Klassen deftly handled Emily’s need to come to terms with her past and learning the difference between ‘Romance’ like the novels she loves and real abiding love. I loved seeing her blossom as she wrote the area guidebook and worked to get Mr. Gwilt’s stories published. I liked how she ended up showing steadiness and thoughtfulness in the way she handled her feelings for the two men vying for her heart.

Emily’s story is surrounded by the overall story of her family of sisters, their growing circle of friends, the mild suspense plot that came up for them to deal with, and of course the inclusion of the real life historical figures who featured prominently like the Duke of Kent, his family and household for this fateful visit to Sidmouth. Gently-paced, a well-painted backdrop and setting, infused with spiritual and character growth and a sweet slow-burn romance growing in the background, A Winter By the Sea engaged me on more than one level and I reluctantly closed the last page. Don’t hesitate to slip this book/series onto your winter reading pile.

Dear Readers, Can you believe Christmas is almost upon us and a new year is about to begin? A Winter by the Sea, recently released from the talented pen of author Julie Klassen, and it's the perfect Christmas time read. In the second book in the series On Devonshire Shores, the Summers sisters  play host to members of the Duke and Duchess of Kent's staff while the royal family lodges at nearby Woolbrook Cottage for the winter. Unexpected excitement, danger, and love await the sisters in this sweet regency romance. 

A Winter by the Sea is a lovely book. The delightful and quirky characters were all well developed for such an extensive cast and brought this story perfectly together. 

The little snippets of historical detail regarding the royal families' time in this seaside village lend a richness to the story, which was especially interesting. The setting is charming, and the plot is steady. This is not to say it lacks emotion or heart. On the contrary, I found myself lost in the world Klassen creates. By the conclusion of the book, we have a happy ending for our main heroine and interesting prospects for the others. 

This Regency romance is full of compelling and thoughtful characters with a sweet romance that will warm the heart and is definitely one you won't want to miss.