The perfect summer read. Whether it's blaring sunshine or tipping it with rain, this story will transport you to the place you want to be

This is the second book of the Micklewick Bay series, I read them out of order and got to this one last, however, I think that this could work well as a standalone story as well, so don't skip it if you haven't read the first, it's definitely still worth it!
We meet Maggie, who lives with her husband Bear and whose Teddy Bear creation business is thriving. On top of that, she's finally expecting her first child, after years of trying. Trouble starts brewing when her cousin, Robyn, who she's not seen for over a decade turns up unexpected at her doorstep. Maggie welcomes her, in spite of their past, but will this doom her relationship and future plans? As Robyn's presence starts to create havoc, the close-knit community of Micklewick Bay rallies around the Maggie and Bear, embodying the strong sense of friendship and support that defines Micklewick Bay.
It's important to note that, even though the look of the book may deceive and make you think it's a lighthearted rom com, it does touch on some dark topics as well.

I enjoyed Summer Days at Clifftop Cottage. I connected well with Maggie.

I loved Maggie and Bear’s relationship and are a strong couple. A distant relative comes into their lives and tries to destroy their relationship!

The story was great and I loved finding out what was going to happen. This author always writes great stories.

This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!

I enjoyed the return trip to Micklewick Bay. Although there are some familiar characters in the background, this is Maggie and Bear's story and what an uplifting tale it is. Living in the idyllic clifftop setting in their beautiful cottage, they are happily getting on with their lives until the arrival of an unwelcome guest. Maggie is too kind for her own good some times, but even her patience s stretched to the limit.

With Bear's close-knit family nearby and a strong circle of friends, there are plenty to keep a look out for Maggie, although she has a few secrets of her own. She also needs to recognise her own talents and put herself first more often. This is a lovely, uplifting read for those who enjoy a spot of romance set in a beautiful environment.

In short: uplifting reading

I loved this book so much! It felt like I was in my happy place! I would definitely recommend this book.

A really lovely book. Maggie and Bear have to deal with her cousin who likes to cause trouble and make her life very difficult. I loved their relationship, the characters the village and her job making handmade luxury bears. I want to read the rest of the series

Loved Maggie and her teddy bears but was expecting so much more from the sinister cousin- the way she is introduced has axe murderer coming through as a main personality trait but the reality is much tamer and a bit of a let down given the build up!
That said it is a great read in a picturesque setting full of detail.

What a wonderful uplifting story that kept me gripped until the end. It was full of friendships and hope with plenty of colourful characters thrown in!

I did not realise it was the second book in a series of three but that did not take any enjoyment as it stood alone. It held everything you would want from a summer read and lots of hope too. I was reading into the small hours

In the second book in the Micklewick Bay series, Scott brings her readers back to Yorkshire and Micklewick Bay where Maggie Marsay and her husband Bear are thriving. With a successful teddy bear business and a happy surprise, life here is good for Maggie, Bear, and their friends and family. However, Maggie’s manipulative and cruel cousin Robyn has resurfaced in their town, and Maggie is immediately suspicious because of their last interaction a decade ago. As Robyn’s presence starts to sour Maggie’s successes, it affects Maggie’s relationships with her friends and Bear, so Maggie and her loyal friends must band together to protect each other and Maggie and Bear’s relationship. With kind, complex, and realistic characters, Scott has populated Micklewick Bay with some fantastic personalities. Robyn is an excellent antagonist, and Maggie and Bear’s relationship is particularly fun and heartwarming to follow. Micklewick Bay is a charming Yorkshire town with a beautiful location on the beach. The combination of characters and setting creates a fantastic atmosphere as a backdrop to the high emotional and personal stakes in this novel. With great characters, a detailed setting, and a realistically complex plot, Scott’s latest novel is an excellent continuation of the Micklewick Bay series which readers are sure to enjoy.

This was such a sweet, adorable little read. The author is a master of description and vivid detail of the world she built.

i didnt realise this was the second book in a series but i dont think it made much difference, in fact to be honest I probably wouldnt have read it if I'd known that as I felt it was very slow and far too much descriptive deal all the way through. the main characters despite being a couple didnt seem very convincing at all even with a much wanted pregnancy. unfortunately this one missed the mark for me

BOOK: SUMMERTOP AT THE ROOFTOP COTTAGE
AUTHOR: ELIZA J SCOTT
PUB DATE: MAY 2023
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REVIEW; 3.5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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I read another book in this series, and my feelings towards were similar. Both of them were slow paced, contained too much information and an annoying main character(not the villain)
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I liked the storyline of a marriage on the rocks and the couples working together. But, I'm just annoyed at Mary and Bear, especially Bear. Mary should have trusted her instincts and avoided her villainous cousin and Bear should have never been that nice and naive to Robyn. He got annoying close to the middle of the book. Nevertheless, he was a good, loving husband
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I admired Mary's business acumen and I liked her teddy bears although I didn't see then at all. The author's description was on point.
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I also liked the side characters of Bear's parents and Mary's friends.
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This book was nice, I just wanted some things to be excluded. I don't know of I would be reading more books in the series

A perfect summer read which leaves the reader with warm feelings. I loved the idea of a successful teddy bear making business and also the exploits of the cheeky Labrador - two of my favourite things,

This book kept me interested and turning the pages as I wanted to know whether things turned out well in the end for Maggie despite the machinations of Robyn. I won’t spoil the plot for others though.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

After finishing the first instalment of the ‘Micklewick Bay’ series I couldn’t wait to read the second which is ‘Summer Days at Clifftop Cottage’ and this story focuses on Maggie who is part of the friend group of Florrie who we meet in book 1. I still feel like these can be read in any order though which is just fab.

Maggie and Bear are settled in their lives in Micklewick Bay with a strong marriage. Robyn, Maggie’s estranged cousin invades their lives with no warning whatsoever.

I feel like flew through this story, especially the second half I just didn’t want to put it down. It did also keep me company when I couldn’t sleep so thanks to Eliza for that 😊 I love this friend group and getting to know the residents of Micklewick Bay a lot better.

I loved Maggie and Bear and their relationship as a whole it’s a relationship I love to have with my own partner and I know we do have that. I obviously didn’t like Robyn very much but you will find out why when you read it for yourself!

I can’t wait to read the third instalment to this series actually sooner rather than later 🥰 Eliza J Scott just gives you the perfect escapism with her stunning settings and characters. It’s a community I’d want to be a part of. I highly recommend you grab this series qnd a cuppa and enjoy 💖

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This is a contemporary novel following Maggie, her husband Bear, and Maggie's cousin Robyn. Robyn unexpectedly arrives at Maggie's door after years of estrangement, causing turmoil in Maggie and Bear's lives. Robyn is the nightmare house guest, overstaying her welcome, using expensive items without permission, and even trying to cozy up to Bear. Maggie, a sympathetic character, struggles to tell Bear she’s pregnant after years of trying, while also managing a new contract for her handmade stuffed bears. The story explores themes of marriage strained by external pressures, pregnancy, and creativity. It's ideal for readers who enjoy small-town contemporary romances with elements of family drama and personal growth.

I feel bamboozled by the cover of this book and the amazing cozy vibes of the town because this was anything but.

I’m so happy for Maggie and she deserves all the good things in life but I swear to Bob if she mentioned anything with lemon one more time….
And the whole Robyn situation felt so dumb to me. I would never in my life let anyone stay with me if I haven’t heard from them for 15 years.

And Bear? The entire reason why I won’t rate this higher. How dare he not say anything for so long. Like I just don’t understand. And to act the way he did while Robyn was there? Nope.

The Robyn plot line was so quick to be pushed under the rug at the end that I didn’t get the satisfaction feeling at all.

Thank you Net Galley and Storm Publishing for the ARC.

Welcome to your happy place…and Micklewick Bay really is now firmly one of my book happy places to retreat to. I have been having a difficult time lately and this series has really helped me escape and remind me of the happiness in life and the good in people, it’s been a little shining light for me.

I love Maggie so much, Bear too but I connected most to Maggie as I’m a crafter (sewing, crochet etc) and now I want to try my hand at teddy bears, but I know how difficult it is, but I could just see Maggie sewing her little bears and not only did I connect but I want one too. Robyn is, well no spoilers, but I dislike her and she was a good vent for my anger as Maggie and her friends,the community were a balm to me.

I very much appreciate the skill Eliza J Scott has in writing these characters and making me able to connect to or even dislike characters, it’s always so fascinating to me that an invented person on a page can mean so much to you when written with talent and care.

This is a lovely, light read, but with some drama and because of the authors wonderful writing is so easy to fall into and get absorbed into the characters lives. I can’t wait to dive into the next.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I was drawn to this book by its lovely cover and thought it would be a nice light hearted read, however, it was more than that.

Maggie and Bear are the perfect couple, Bear happily working and Maggie concentrating on her handmade teddybears. All they hope for is a little addition to their family.

This started out as a nice, lighthearted read then we were introduced to Robyn, Maggie’s cousin who she has not seen for years and it goes downhill from there.

As we delve into the book, more serious topics arise and I felt they were dealt with very well. My heart went out to Maggie with everything she was dealing with.

I loved the author's writing style with her beautiful descriptions of community life as well as the eclectic mix of characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and definitely went through a range of emotions whilst reading it. It had me hooked and I couldn't put it down.

My first trip to Micklewick Bay has left such an impression that I'm already planning to come back with the next book in the series. The blend of whimsical moments and profound themes creates an absorbing experience. Maggie's distinctive hobby of sewing bears brings an endearing quality to the story. I'd suggest this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary tales about marriages facing outside challenges, appreciates stories that honor inventive women and explore pregnancy and fertility, or enjoys small-town settings with the classic scenario of guests who linger a little too long.