The Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen is a must read for Inspirational Regency romance lovers! It’s the third book in the On Devonshire Shores series. You can read this as a standalone, but if you don’t want spoilers from the first two books, you’ll want to read them in order. I always think books like this are best when you read them in order since you can see how the characters grow and change throughout the series, and these characters definitely do!

This is Claire’s story. She’s been in Scotland caring for a great-aunt for the past two years, but when her great-aunt passed away, Claire decided to move to the seaside town of Sidmouth where her estranged family owns a boarding house. If I were Claire, I think I’d do the same thing. I’d miss my family, and I’d hope and pray for reconciliation which is what Claire does. This novel really portrays how forgiveness can heal relationships and how God will always forgive us when we come to him in repentance.

I love the characters in this series! The addition of Claire and several others just add to how much I adore them. Klassen has a talent for bringing both likable and unlikable characters to life. When I read her books, I just want to be one of them! I’ve always wanted to live (or at least visit!) in the area in which the books are set. As I read The Seaside Homecoming, I really felt like I was a part of the story. It’s just so amazing, and I couldn’t put it down! Of course, the romance is simply lovely and sweet, and I cried and laughed as it developed. I read this in a day, but now I’ve got to wait another year for the next sister’s story!

I highly recommend The Seaside Homecoming for its beautiful story of forgiveness and redemption, the well-written characters, the seaside setting, and Claire’s sweet and heartwarming romance. 5 huge stars!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

I love Julie Klassen books! This is a beautiful story of someone who made a mistake and felt unworthy of love and regard. It’s also a story of family, love and forgiveness!

Claire was deceived and abandoned a ruined woman. She can’t go home. Her family has disowned her. Taken in by her ailing great aunt, she serves as a caretaker and companion to her. She’s constantly reminded of her sins and not allowed to receive any communication from her sisters. When her aunt dies, Claire has no place to go. No one to take her in.

She has just enough money to travel from Scotland to England where she’s taken a partnership in a boarding house. This also happens to be in the same town her family is in.

What will their reaction be? Her mother promised her father on his deathbed she would shun Claire and never speak her name. It’s been two years. Does she have any hope of reconciliation? What if her new business partner learns of her past?

I loved the themes of hope and second chances. How God loves us where we are, regardless of our flaws. I highly recommend this book.

Book 3 of the On Devonshire Shores series was amazing. (You don’t need to read the first two books, but I recommend that you do). We finally get the whole story of what happened to Claire. A wonderful story of faith, love, redemption and forgiveness.
Claire is a brave, repentant, determined woman. Her love for little Mira was precious. William was so secretive but once he decided to trust he was all in. I enjoyed learning a little about an attaché’s life.
The bond between these five sisters is unbreakable, and the work God did in their mother’s heart touching. I enjoyed getting to see Sea View boarders and staff, a few townspeople, the married sisters and their husbands. And the connection between Armaan and William, I did not see that coming.
I loved getting little glimpses into Sarah’s thoughts and I look forward to her story conclusion, when her novella comes out September 2025.
😍”How you undo me when you call me by my given name…” 🫠
This ARC was provided through NetGalley by the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review, rating and opinions are my own.

Read The Seaside Homecoming, book 3 of On Devonshire Shores, without realizing it was a series. Great read as a stand alone. Loved Claire’s story and knowing there are two other books to get to read about the other sister’s stories also. Love Julie Klassen takes us to a beautiful English seaside in the 1800’s in this novel.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley and publisher. The opinions expressed are my own.
#theseasidehomecoming #julieklassen #netgalley #bethanyhousepublishers #christianfiction

The Seaside Homecoming is Book 3 of On Devonshire Shores series by Julie Klassen. The setting is well established in the previous novels and Klassen is a deft hand at using historical information to evoke time and place. The main character, Claire Summers had been banished to Scotland as a young woman and shunned by her parents and sisters for being involved in a failed elopement. She has spent her time caring for a grumpy aging relative. When her great-aunt dies, leaving Claire with minimal resources, she decides to find work in the Devonshire village that is the home of her mother and sisters, with some hope of seeing them. The story develops with many twists and turns but eventually Claire finds a good man to love and there is reconciliation and forgiveness with her family. This is another excellent novel in the series. Strongly recommended for readers of clean historical romance.

Julie Klassen once again, outdoes herself this with this delightful English novel! The Summers sisters each have a unique story and this time its Claire's turn. Disgraced and shunned, she has lived the last two years caring for a spinster Aunt in Scotland. As Aunt Mercer's life ebbs, Claire begins to wonder what the next chapter in her life will look like. Her Aunt has made it abundantly clear there will be no inheritance, so she is on her own. After the death of her aunt, with a small stipend in hand, she decides to answer an ad for a partner in a boardinghouse - in the same town as her estranged family. Hoping against hope to make a new start and heal old wounds, she heads back to England. But will rumors, unwanted guests, and a long-held family grudge keep her from staring over? Come away to the English seaside as the author weaves a poignant tale of hope and healing.

Julie Klassen has hooked me in since I read her book "The Lady of Milkweed Manor." She thinks her plots through and builds them up to a classical crescendo. Sometimes when I read a book like this, I know the outcome because the plot is so predictable. Julie has crafted a plot that keeps the reader engaged and interested throughout.

The Seaside Homecoming is first and foremost a story of redemption and forgiveness. Claire Summers has been disowned by her family because of an impulsive decision she made two years prior. For two years she lived with her great-aunt and took care of her until she passed away. She returns to the town where her mother and sisters are living and takes a position at a different boarding house.

The characters in this book are varied and for the most part likable. There are a few hoity-toities who live to make people's lives miserable. When the villain of the story shows up in the book, Claire has made peace with her situation and is making inroads to a peaceful resolution with her mother. Finding out that the whole debacle she's in is caused by money and that's all she was deemed good for, she makes her best decision and sends him away.

There are two love stories that develop throughout the book that are completely satisfying. This is one of the best books I've read so far this year. Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a Boarding House by the Sea.

Bethany House provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

A return to 1820 Devonshire and the Summers family, with Claire working through the downfall of her reputation, having taken care of her aunt in Scotland, then taking a chance to return home where her family now lives, years later. New relationships evolve and new possibilities for her. Beautifully written, everyone is completely believable, and you can't help feeling attached and defensive at times. The story takes you through a lot of feelings but hope shines through with second chances and a close-knit family. Nicely wrapped up and opened for the next installment.

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#TheSeasideHomecoming #JulieKlassen #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianHistoricalRomance #BethanyHousePublishers

"The Seaside Homecoming" is a Christian romance set in 1820 in Scotland and England. This is the third book in a series, but it can be understood without reading the previous novels. However, it does "spoil" how the previous two romances turned out.

Claire has no patience: if she wants something, she does it immediately. If she wanted to ask her business partner something or give him something, even though it could easily wait until he left his private rooms, she felt fully justified in barging into his private rooms to confront him. He repeatedly asked her not to enter his private rooms, and this was partly to protect her reputation. She also had a bad habit of eavesdropping. Her business partner was very patient with her. After Claire made her choice of whom to marry, they intensely kissed as often as they could, only prevented in doing more before marriage by their chaperones. It just felt like Claire hadn't really learned anything from the mistakes that nearly ruined her life.

The story was mostly about her reconciliation with her sisters and mother and her spying on her business partner because she's worried he's a spy. Unlike the previous novels, there wasn't much interaction with the people staying at the boarding house or those in town. Many historical details were woven into the story and brought it alive in my imagination, but they did slow the pacing. The characters were likable and acted in realistic ways. Claire's family learned about God's forgiveness and forgiving others. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable novel.

First sentence: Bleak. The weather, her mood, her life.

Claire Summers, the oldest sister (I believe), stars in the third book in the series. The series has been absolutely fantastic. I have LOVED all three books. They are all similar YET also each is unique. You do get a chance to reconnect (briefly) with previous characters and see how their stories are progressing.

Claire has been shunned--cast out--by her parents for eloping with a fellow who was less than honest. The marriage did not happen, and she fled to her Scottish aunt or great-aunt. She's been her companion--for better or worse--since the failed elopement. She has no idea if her sisters will ever be a part of her life again or not. (Same with her mother).

After her great-aunt dies, Claire is left without a place to go and only a small allowance to allow her to make a new start. (Not a genteel start, but a start). Claire sees an opportunity that just so happens to be near where her family has resettled....will her new beginning be a happy one? Can she make amends with her family?

As I mentioned before, I really do love the series so much. I think I may love the first two a tiny bit more than this third book. HOWEVER, all the books have been SO wonderful and just a joy to read. I do hope the series continues since there are more sisters who haven't had their own books.

Loved. This. Book. It brought back all the memories from the past two books, and was like cuddling in a warm blanket to sit and be welcomed back into this family and all they have going on. I’d been looking forward to reading about Claire’s story and loved how things ended for her. Mr. Hammond and that entire household was wonderful and I enjoyed every single page of this story. The love story was sweet, the reconnection with her family was heartbreaking and heartfelt. Just wonderful!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is book 3 of the On Devonshire Shores series, and I would recommend reading them in order - you'd lose a lot of context if you just jumped into this one! I enjoyed learning more about Claire's story & felt the story was the strongest when focused on the sisters. I liked the addition of several Indian characters & their story. The romance was only so/so for me - the love interest didn't stand out & it felt perfunctory.

I really like Julie Klassen's books & will continue to read them!

The Seaside Homecoming, by Julie Klassen, is an interesting tale set in the year 1820. Miss Claire Summers is dealing with a very rainy day. At her father’s request, she is currently in exile, living in Scotland spending her days as companion to her great-aunt. And it is not an enjoyable life!

Little does Claire know that merely a country away her sisters Viola, Emily and Sarah are thinking of her. They do not understand why Claire has not responded to their letters. After her aunt passes away, Claire must find a new place to live. You will not believe where she ends up!

Claire has come back to jolly ole England to try to make a place for herself. You will be surprised to learn who she meets after she arrives!

Hold tight to see where Claire lands and if resolution ever comes to Claire and her family!

What a fantastic book! Once again, Julie Klassen writes a book that touched my heart on many levels. The Summers family continues to amaze me with their faith, love, and forgiveness. The sisters' close bond with each other reminds me so much of the March sisters of Little Women.

The characters are wonderful! I enjoyed Claire's growth during this book. She really has to put her past in her past. Agnes did not seem likable at first, but her true nature is revealed in surprising ways! I liked William from the beginning. He has an air of mystery and sadness. His affection for his daughter is heartwarming. Mira is my favorite! She's cute, precocious, and has a heart full of love.

A point of interest involves intermarriage between the British and natives of India. The racial prejudice that was endured by many is disheartening.

Faith is a large part of the book. Many of the characters have to lean on their faith as they try to move on from their painful pasts.

I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers via Netgalley through Interviews and Reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It seems as if it's the way with a series of books that the last one is always the best one. Like this one.
I loved Claire's story! What a story it was!
So much going on that it will keep a reader glued to their seat until finished.
I didn't like Claire's aunt. Yes, I know she took her in and all but I really didn't like how she treated her.
People make mistakes. I liked how Claire learned from hers.
I didn't want this book to end it was sooooo good.
The characters were so realistic that I felt like I was watching a movie.
The scenes were so descriptive that I loved and appreciated the beauty of it all.
Honestly, in my opinion, there's no place like home.
5 stars from me. I truly enjoyed this novel.
I highly recommend it.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

With this latest installment of the On Devonshire Shores series we now get to meet THE banished sister Claire. We learn her story and what she's gone through over the years since her banishment. We see how she's grown and adapted. We see her deep love for her family that leads her to move to the same location as they are in hopes for reconciliation. But we also see her hurt by her mother's refusal to do so.

While Claire's story is told, we also get more insight into Sarah. Sarah continues to be the secondary voice in this novel. Pieces of her story continue to be revealed and hopefully will be resolved in the next book.

Additionally we also can see the prejudices the nation of India faced during this colonial time. Including when the British men would take Indian wives.

A solid installment in the series, but the first book continues to be my favorite. :)

*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC of this to review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Young ladies of Jane Austen’s time learned and lived by the rules of proper etiquette, manners, and decorum. Any hint of impropriety could torpedo a woman’s good standing and status in society. If she had sisters, they too would fall in the eyes of others.

Everyone panics with good reason when Lydia Bennet runs away to elope with George Wickham in Austen's Pride & Prejudice. Mr. Bennet travels to find and either stop them or make them marry. Austen’s bookish, Fordyce’s-Sermons-loving Mary Bennet says,  

“’…We must stem the tide of malice and pour into the wounded bosoms of each other the balm of sisterly consolation. … ‘We may draw from it this useful lesson: that loss of virtue in a female is irretrievable; that one false step involves her in endless ruin; that her reputation is no less brittle than it is beautiful; and that she cannot be too much guarded in her behaviour towards the undeserving of the other sex.’ (155)”

Vain, insufferable Mr. Collins writes Mr. Bennet a letter where he pats himself on the back that he didn’t marry one of the eldest sisters. He also tells them “no time can remove” what Lydia has done.

“The death of your daughter would have been a blessing in comparison of this (159).” He counsels Mr. Bennet to “console [himself] as much as possible, to throw off [his] unworthy child from [his] affection for ever and leave her to reap the fruits of her own heinous offence” (159).

Austen provides readers with a myriad of views on the subject of a woman's place in society. The reader can decide based on each scenario of a lady falling for “the undeserving of the other sex.” In real life, as in fiction, many of these people considered themselves Christians and were church-goers. They apparently missed the part of the full Gospel message that shows no one is without sin and everyone is in need of salvation.

Julie Klassen joins the conversation with Claire Summers, a young lady who is desperate for forgiveness and freedom from sin and shame in book three of her On Devonshire Shores series, A Seaside Homecoming. She shows that while society may shun a woman guilty of impropriety, God calls her to Him. He is ready and able to forgive and “create in [her] a new heart and renew a right spirit within [her],” as David wrote in Psalm 51:10.

I have read and review Klassen’s first two novels of the On Devonshire Shores series, The Sisters of Sea View and A Winter By The Sea, book one and two, respectively.  Each of the books tells the tale of the Summers family with special focus on one sister. Twins Viola and Emily’s tales of love and marriage have been told. Sarah’s has been started, while Claire’s has been an unsolved mystery. At first, only Sarah and Mamma knew the full scandalous picture that sounded a lot like Lydia Bennet's journey. The other three sisters, Emily, Viola, and Georgiana, believe Claire is simply a lady's companion, taking care of their aging aunt Agnes Mercer in Scotland. She is in the thoughts of all though. Mamma finally tells all but one daughter, Georgie, about what really happened to Claire.

Claire met Lord Bertram at a house party hosted by Emily’s love interest, Charles Parker. Lord Bertram thought Claire had a large dowry and gave Claire his full attention. At 26, Claire thought Lord Bertram was her last chance at happiness. She left for Gretna Green with him under cover of night. Her father Harold Summers tried to track the couple down. He found Claire at an inn alone and unmarried. In his anger, he disowned her and made his wife promise to never shelter Claire again. He said she was dead to him.

Not long after, Papa died. The Summers ladies lost their Gloucestershire estate to a distant relative, but they retained Sea View, the house at Sidmouth, a seaside town on the English Channel in Devonshire.

Claire traveled on to live with her paternal Aunt Mercer. Aunt Mercer kept Claire cloistered, reminding her often of her sins of the past. Claire lives with the pain of having not only destroying her reputation; she thinks she killed her father. She only attends church and otherwise stays at home. She has only two dresses to wear on rotation and is allowed no visitors or letters.

Eugenia continues to uphold the decision her husband made before his death and doesn’t approve of her daughters’ corresponding with their sister. And Aunt Mercer is of the same mind, telling her servants to destroy any letters written to Claire. But Emily, Viola, and eventually Sarah write to her at various points. (Thankfully, the servants don’t always oblige.) Sarah and Mamma have been running a guest house since Viola and Emily married.

Before she passes, Aunt Mercer talks to Claire about her gold scrollwork ruby cross necklace. She tells her niece the cross is the only way for a person to be saved from the penalty sin demands. She has made her decision to accept Christ's gift of salvation, but she thinks Claire is drifting out to sea spiritually. She seems to have some regret for the way she treated Claire who has taken such great care of her. When she passes, she leaves the necklace to Claire along with a bit of money.

Claire answers an advertisement to become a partner in a boarding house called Broadbridge in Sidmouth. She needs money and a place to stay. She desperately wants to be close to her family in hopes one day they will forgive her. Mary, Aunt Mercer's maid, is equally desperate to leave and go wherever Claire is headed. Claire cares about others more than herself, and she pawns the precious necklace to book Mary’s passage. (I won’t say what happens with the necklace. I want you to have that joy of discovery.)

Klassen's story adds to the discussion of racism and colonialism in the Regency period, a topic of the minds of Bridgerton bloggers. Claire and Mary meet Armaan Sagar, a previous character in the series. Armaan is a veteran Anglo-Indian soldier who once saved Maj. Jack Hutton, Claire's sister Viola’s husband. Klassen was inspired by Dean Mahomet, who wrote the first English-language book, The Travels of Dean Mahomet. He was an Indian surgeon and entrepreneur as well as a veteran in the British East India Company’s Bengal Army who converted to Christianity. Claire witnesses with discomfort another passenger's vocal disdain of Armaan based on his skin-color while on the journey to Sidmouth. She doesn't know it at the time, but their paths will cross again.

Broadbridge’s proprietor is widower William Hammond, who worked in the Foreign Office, and is skilled in deciphering. Klassen said she drew inspiration for the character from George Scovell, having read Mark Urban's The Man Who Broke Napoleon’s Codes. William married an Anglo-Indian woman named Vanita. She gave birth to Mira but died before giving birth to their son. Klassen here brings in details about British rule established in India called "the Raj" by the 1800s. She imagines what life would be like for Anglo-Indian people who immigrated to England. Her inspiration came from Women of the Raj by Margaret MacMillan and Henrietta Liston’s Travels: The Turkish Journals 1812-1820.

Vanita’s father used to tell her stories of his life by the English seaside. William vows to take his wife there, but she dies before he can fulfill his promise. He searches for Armaan, Vanita’s half-brother, who resides in Sidmouth. Vanita’s friend and lady’s maid Sonali Patel travels with William and Mira to the seaside town. People are often unkind or outright rude to Armaan, Sonali, and Mira. They are shunned and mistreated for their differences, and this extends to William as well.

Claire knows what it’s like to be a social pariah, and though she is not of another ethnicity, she can empathize with them. Sonali and Mira are turned away by a merchant who refuses service to them, and Claire intervenes. Later, Claire seeks help from Viola and Maj. Hutton when someone picks a fight with Armaan. Armaan later tells William that people accept him more in London circles, but he stayed because of his friendship and loyalty to Maj. Hutton.

A social and spiritual storm sets in for Claire as friends of Lord Bertram make an appearance in Sidmouth. One lady echos the sentiments of P&P’s Mary Bennet and Mr. Collins. And Claire receives an offer she never thought she’d receive. She takes stock of what she once knew about herself. She used to be a valued, cherished daughter, and an admired, trusted sister. Can she really regain what she lost? Aunt Mercer’s gift of the cross and its meaning are key to unlocking Claire from her personal prison and walking in God’s glorious light. She has to make a life-changing decision, one that seems to reveal a path that will heal her relationship with her mother.

Claire visits Mrs. Denby, her sisters’ dear friend from the previous novels. Claire’s secret shame at this point is fairly eating her alive. She asks Mrs. Denby if she has ever done something that brought her shame. As expected, Mrs. Denby says that at her age it's a given that she’s done things that she regrets. She hid away from others as a result, she tells Claire, until Viola reached out the hand of friendship. She reminds Claire that Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Claire says she knows this and that God is a righteous judge. Aunt Mercer portrayed this aspect of God's character to her often. Mrs. Denby shares the Gospel with Claire, reminding her that while God is holy, righteous, and just, He also extends His grace and mercy to us. Mrs. Denby's view of God reminds me of the description of the lion, Aslan, in C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. God is not safe, but He’s good. As it says in Romans 10:11, “Whoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed.” 

I love Julie Klassen's novels for the spiritual insights and excellent storytelling. My most favorite scene illustrates Psalm 23:5 with an anointing that was breathtaking and tear-jerking. That’s all I’ll say. Klassen ties up most loose ends in such a soul-satisfying way. She reminds me of favorite Regency and Victorian period novelists. I felt so much joy when I saw I was approved to read this advance review copy I danced in my kitchen. I couldn’t wait to learn what Claire has been up to in her absence from the family, and I was not disappointed. I was here for it!

And in even better news – a Christmas novella is in the works for September 2025, A Sea View Christmas featuring Miss Sarah Summers and Mr. Callum Henshall from the first novel, The Sisters of Sea View. I am so excited!

Thank you to Netgalley.com and Baker Publishing Group, Bethany House publishing for allowing me the opportunity to read and review Klassen’s The Seaside Homecoming.

The Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen tells Claire's story. Readers are introduced to the real reason that she was not mentioned in a good light. Also, readers will become familiar with new characters that will spark a new interest in the storyline. The family does come back into the story, wanting to rekindle their relationship with Claire. The setting is familiar and homely. The plot reminds me a little bit of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. A continuing story of a family where the family means everything to them. There is a touch of romance and a little bit of mystery to the hero's past, but it moved nicely. Not much action, but a good novel for those who enjoy Regency novels. Right for the genre and sweetly written. I enjoyed this story. There is a hint of an upcoming Christmas novella with this setting and characters due out in September 2025, and I know that I will want to read that story to catch up with this family. Overall, The Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen is a delightful read with interesting, yet adorable characters.

I received a complimentary copy of The Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Perhaps what I love the most about Seaside Homecoming is the sweet redemption story lacking unnecessary drama. I have been waiting for Claire’s story since the last book in the series and am very happy for happy ending at last. Now to wait for Sarah’s story to be complete!

THE SEASIDE HOMECOMING is the third novel in the On Devonshire Shores series by Julie Klassen. I have been looking forward to this addition to the series and am definitely not disappointed! It is a beautifully written and well researched book, with great characters whose emotions one can literally feel, sweet romance and a strong Christian message of redemption. I particularly like the very apt quotations at the beginning of each chapter, from Jane Austen and other authors of the early nineteenth century.
It is good to come across most of the same characters as before, namely the Summers family, as well as some interesting and mostly delightful new ones, in the same beautiful seaside setting.
When the rigidly religious and seemingly unfeeling Aunt Mercer dies, Claire Summers, who has taken refuge with her aunt in Edinburgh, bravely sets off to Sea View, hoping to at least see her sisters, even if her mother still refuses to reconcile with her after her unforgivable sin.
With some trepidation she answers an advertisement to go into partnership in Broadridges boarding house, hoping that her past is never found out by her business partner, Mr William Hammond………
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling your read.
I cannot recommend this enjoyable and thought provoking book strongly enough. I am now looking forward to the fourth novel in the series.
I was givena free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.