But I Smile Anyway…

I’m back with another great blog tour review for fantastic author, Nicola May and her latest release, Marry Me in Seahaven Bay.

The Blurb

The emotional and uplifting new novel from the author of the million-copy bestselling Cockleberry Bay series.

Life at the Seahaven Bay Retreat is flourishing, but Rita Jory’s second chance at happiness is about to face its biggest test yet. When Jago’s glamorous French ex-wife appears on the doorstep with a five-year-old daughter in tow, their blossoming relationship hangs by a thread.

Between juggling retreat guests seeking healing, her daughter Sennen’s desperate need for a last-minute wedding venue, and dealing with Elodie’s impossible demands, Rita’s already stretched to breaking point.

Then some very unexpected news forces her to reconsider everything she thought she wanted. But can she trust Jago with her secret and embrace the new life ahead?

Rita must decide whether to protect her heart or fight for her future.

A joyful, tender and laugh-out-loud tale of family, forgiveness and finding the courage to say yes to life’s beautiful surprises. Perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Jojo Moyes and Amanda Prowse.

Purchase Links – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GMXMX9BF

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GMXMX9BF

My Review

Marry Me in Seahaven Bay by Nicola May

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I was swept right back into the world of Rita Jory and the community in Seahavem Bay with this second book in the series.
Rita is a woman of a certain age, a widow with two grown children and a fledgling business started after the death of her husband. The wellness retreat has been well received by the locals and those who have stayed, and Rita’s romance with the neighbour, who also has a bit of a complicated connection with her late husband, is blossoming.
In the first book, we hear so many secrets, and though most are accepted, there are still other little things coming out of the woodwork through book two.
First, an ex-wife appears, then Rita discovers something about herself…
All with the retreat needing to be used for a wedding, a new band of guests with their own issues, and an intruder who threatens to put the kibosh on the whole site and business!
So much going on!
I loved seeing what the original characters were up to, and I love Teo, Rita’s husband’s son from another relationship, who treats Rita like his own mother. Rita certainly goes through the wringer, again, losing another loved one, but gaining many more in the process
If you love stories with family at the heart, and a gorgeous village setting, then you won’t be disappointed!




View all my reviews

About The Author

Nicola May is a bestselling author renowned for her heartwarming and humorous romantic comedies. With twenty-two books to her name, her work has captured readers’ hearts around the world, has been translated into fifteen languages and consistently ranks in the top 100 of Amazon’s Kindle bestseller charts. As a self-published author, she achieved the remarkable feat of reaching number one on Amazon twice, and has been a strong advocate for indie authors, pushing for a dedicated chart for them in The Bookseller magazine. Now signed to Storm Publishing, Nicola continues to write heartfelt rom-coms with her signature blend of warmth and wit.

When she’s not writing, she enjoys cream teas in her beloved Devon, hikes through nature, and occasionally places a bet on the horses.

Social Media Links –

i: author_nicola

X: @nicolamay1

f: NicolaMayAuthor

Tiktok: @nicolamayauthor

I’m back with another great blog tour review for fantastic author, Nicola May and her latest release, Escape To Seahaven Bay.

The Blurb

The heartwarming new novel from the author of the million-copy bestselling Cockleberry Bay series

Seahaven Bay has always been a place where the sparkling tides bring laughter, love and a lot of fun. But when Rita Jory’s beloved husband Archie dies in a tragic accident, she’s left alone on their failing Cornish farm with nothing but her grieving heart, a mountain of debt and some very badly behaved goats. Faced with selling the home she loves or finding a way to make it pay, Rita has a moment of desperate inspiration. She decides to transform her beloved Seahaven Farm into a place where broken souls can heal by the sea.

With help from her sharp-tongued mother-in-law, loyal best friend, daughter and new friends, the rundown farm soon blossoms into a haven of healing, creativity and community. Rita dares to believe her future might still shimmer with possibility – and even admits her growing attraction to Jago, the gorgeous neighbouring farmer with whom the Jorys had a decades-long feud.

But just as Rita begins to find peace, long-buried secrets about Archie’s past begin to surface, forcing her to question everything she believed about the life they built together.

Rita must discover the truth and decide if she’s ready to open her heart again – to love, to hope, and to the possibility that even after loss, life can still be full of surprises.

A tender, uplifting and hilarious tale of resilience, friendship and finding light in the darkest moments, perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Jojo Moyes and Amanda Prowse.

Purchase Links –

https://www.amazon.com/Escape-Seahaven-Bay-Nicola-May-ebook/dp/B0FGB43VLH

My Review

Escape to Seahaven Bay by Nicola May
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You know that feeling, when you begin a book, and positively hum with happiness, knowing it is the first in a series and that you really want to read the next and the next?
That’s how I felt as I got into this new book by the amazing Nicola May.
Seahaven Bay is not far removed from Cockleberry Bay, but has its own cast of interesting characters.
In this first book, we get to know Rita Jory, a mid-forties widow still in the throes of grief, running a farm almost single-handedly while looking out for her eccentric mother-in-law, Hilda, and a group of animals with their own personalities.
Rita isn’t sure how long she can survive on the farm after being left with a lot of unexpected debt by her late husband, Archie.
A spark of an idea to host a retreat on the property brings her much happiness and a sense of purpose, and she brings together a wonderful, motley crew to support her.
But nothing is ever smooth sailing, is it? There is an old family secret gnawing at her, but not quite revealing itself, as well as many questions about Archie and what he may or may not have been hiding from her.
Everything about this story was perfect!
I felt for Rita so much, and it was wonderful to read about the support network around her, from old friends to new ones.
Hilda is a real character, and Jory, the ‘enemy’ neighbour, is definitely a bit of hot stuff!
And I cannot not mention Camilla. Yes, she’s a goat, but she has a lot to offer in the story, and though she cannot talk, her actions make sure she is noticed!
Oh, and if it were real, I would so want to join them all on the month-long retreats that Rita provides!

About The Author

Nicola May is an international bestselling author renowned for her heartwarming and humorous romantic comedies. With twenty books to her name, her work has captured readers’ hearts around the world, has been translated into fifteen languages and consistently ranks in the top 100 of Amazon’s Kindle bestseller charts. As a self-published author, she achieved the remarkable feat of reaching number one on Amazon twice, and has been a strong advocate for indie authors, pushing for a dedicated chart for them in The Bookseller magazine. Now signed to Storm Publishing, Nicola continues to write heartfelt rom-coms with her signature blend of warmth and wit.

Social Media Links –

www.nicolamay.com

i:author_nicola

t: @nicolamay1

f: NicolaMayAuthor