An enjoyable read following Ruth and Hamish and the gradual friendship that builds into more. While they were the main focus it was also the friends, family, neighbours and cafe visitors that added to the complexity and richness of the story. It was nice to read about a mature Australian couple for a change and to think about issues that all of us will face in terms of emotional baggage, retirement and death. One topic particularly hit home hard for me (which wouldn’t for most readers) and it nearly derailed my read but i’m so glad I continued. Thanks to Netgalley and @harlequinaus for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my review - due for release in Australia 4/9/24.

Ruth Clancy moved to Cutlers Bay, on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula from Adelaide to open her own coffee shop and she’s put a lot of effort into building up her business. Ruth loves Rosie’s Café, but after five years she starting to feel tired and she’s wondering when to retire. Ruth knows she has to make some changes, it’s not easy running the café on her own with only part time help and otherwise she will burnout.

Hamish Adams worked as a diesel mechanic in the bush, he’s retired and built his dream apartment in North Adelaide and now that it’s finished he doesn’t feel content and fulfilled. When his elderly father dies, Hamish travels to Cutlers Bay to settle his estate and go through the contents of the house and shed. Hamish isn’t much of a cook, and he enjoys a coffee and breakfast at Rosie’s Café and where he meets Ruth. Hamish decides to not only clean out the house, but give the old place a lick of paint and tidy up the yard. The longer he's in town, the more Cutlers Bay starts to grow on him and feel like home and the flash apartment in the city doesn’t.

The narrative highlights important issues and topics, like the loss of a parent or family member, how hard and time consuming it is to run a small business and the sacrifices owners make, the advantages being part of a community and friendship, rediscovering yourself and what you want out of life, what the future holds and considering the possibility of dating and being in a relationship after a long drought and is it easier to stay single.

Meredith Appleyard’s books are packed full of little details and it made me feel a real connection to the characters and story-line. The topics are relevant, and thoroughly researched and executed and I have owned and run a small café and everything mentioned in the narrative was spot on. I really liked the characters of, Ruth and Hamish, Allie and Mia, Laurie and Pete and catching up with Angie and Zach from the author’s previous novel, All about Ella.

I received a copy of The Seachangers by Meredith Appleyard from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an honest review. Ms. Appleyard has written another winner, about new beginnings in your 60’s and five stars from me.