Micklewick Bay

The Little Bookshop by the Sea

★ 4.1

Welcome to your happy place… Each morning as bookseller Florrie Appleton cycles along the promenade of her seaside hometown, watching the surfers far out in the bay, breathing in the fresh salty air, she counts herself lucky. She has a small but picture-perfect cottage overlooking the sea, a group of friends she can always rely on, and the job of her dreams at her favourite bookshop. But when tragedy strikes, her little slice of heaven is in danger of being lost forever. To save the bookshop from closure, Florrie finds herself thrown together with the elderly owner’s handsome grandson, Ed Hartes, who has a habit of making butterflies dance in her stomach. But the only romance Florrie has time for lies within the pages of her favourite novels, and her instincts are telling her to be wary. There’s something Ed’s keeping from her, and she can’t face another heartbreak. When Florrie stumbles upon a mysterious stash of yellowed letters in the storeroom, it seems Ed isn’t the only one with secrets. The old bookshop is full of stories waiting to be told, and they aren’t only in the pages of the books....

Summer Days at Clifftop Cottage

★ 4.3

Welcome to your happy place… As summer comes to the tranquil shores of Micklewick Bay, Maggie Marsay is on cloud nine. She can barely keep up with orders for her handmade teddy bears, turning her crafting hobby into a thriving business. And after trying for a baby for some time, she has joyful news to share with her devoted husband Bear who she lives with in an idyllic clifftop cottage alongside their cheeky labrador. But an unexpected visitor casts a shadow over Maggie’s sun-drenched bliss. Robyn, a ghost from the past Maggie hasn't seen in twelve long years, arrives on their doorstep. What could have brought Robyn back into Maggie’s life after so long? Is she truly sorry for her past mistakes, or is she up to her old tricks? Maggie welcomes Robyn into their home, trying her best to forgive and forget. But when Robyn starts to drive a wedge between her and Bear, Maggie’s close-knit group of friends and neighbours rally around. Can they help Maggie weather this storm and find her way back to happily ever after? Or is trouble here to stay? Escape to Micklewick Bay in an uplifting, feel-good page-turner for fans of Heidi Swain, Jenny Colgan and Phillipa Ashley.

Finding Love in Micklewick Bay

★ 4.3

Welcome to your happy place… Stella Hutton has everything under control. Her high-flying career as a lawyer relies on her keeping a calm, rational head on her shoulders. She hasn’t got time for love, or space for a man in her glamorous new apartment, a converted warehouse overlooking the rugged cliffs of Micklewick Bay. But when a handsome stranger walks into the Jolly Sailors pub, with a sparkle in his blue eyes and a head of dark curls, everything changes. Making a beeline for her, Alex Bainbridge introduces himself while a gorgeous labrador waits at his feet. Electricity instantly sparks between Stella and Alex, as her heart flips inside her chest and her usual strict rules about men fly out the window… Stella thinks her crush will pass. But every time she bumps into Alex - on her daily jog along the promenade, at the supermarket, inside the Happy Hartes Bookshop - her feelings only grow stronger. Her close-knit group of friends have never seen her like this before. After thirty years of being happily single, has Stella finally met the one? Or will her cherished independence sabotage her chance at a forever love? Escape to Micklewick Bay in an uplifting, feel-good page-turner for fans of Heidi Swain, Jenny Colgan and Phillipa Ashley.

Christmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea

★ 4.2

A festive treat brimming with the magic of bookshops and Christmas… In the seaside town of Micklewick Bay, Florrie Appleton and Ed Harte are gearing up for a magical Christmas at the Happy Hartes Bookshop. Florrie’s book-themed decorations are the talk of the town, while Ed’s dazzling window displays could have been plucked straight from a fairytale. With romance in the air, this promises to be their best holiday season yet. But after a surprise phone call from his father, Florrie worries that Ed is keeping a secret. Why is he spending so much time in the attic? And what’s making him act so distantly? Determined to make this Christmas unforgettable, Florrie packs their days with festive treats from gingerbread hot chocolates to sleigh rides under the stars. But when Ed disappears just a few days before Christmas, Florrie fears the worst. Will her holiday dreams shatter like a dropped bauble? Or is Florrie in for a Christmas surprise of her own? The perfect festive read to get you in the holiday spirit, Christmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea will delight fans of Jessica Redland, Jenny Colgan and Phillipa Ashley. What readers say about Eliza J Scott's ‘I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down, even at 2.30am! A beautiful story about love, family and friendships.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Gives all the warm and fuzzy feelings… a beautiful story.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A wonderful read. I was completely engrossed… there were plenty of laughs, sadness and the twists and turns just kept you reading unable to put it down. Beautifully written.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Oh wow this book is so good had me hooked from the first page till the last page. I didn't want it to end.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I absolutely adored my time in Micklewick Bay.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Wonderful…this is about the love and support of true friends… a great, heartwarming story.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay

★ 4.5

Every night, Jasmine Ingilby dreams of delicate sugar flowers and perfectly swirled buttercream. By day, she steals moments between her cleaning shifts to craft stunning cakes from her tiny kitchen, hoping to transform her passion into something more. But as a fiercely independent single mother of two, finding time to grow her fledgling business feels like reaching for the impossible. Just when her hard work seems about to pay off, Jasmine’s carefully balanced world begins to crumble. Her landlord puts a ‘For Sale’ sign outside her rented home. Then a figure from her past returns to town, reopening old wounds Jasmine thought had long healed and causing trouble at school for her young children. Then Max Grainger – her childhood best friend – unexpectedly returns to Micklewick Bay after twenty-five years away, and Jasmine is blindsided by the emotions his presence stirs. Now a successful businessman with a son of his own, Max seems determined to solve all her problems. But years of self-reliance have built walls around Jasmine's heart that even the sweetest gestures struggle to break through. Will Jasmine's fear of getting burned again stop her from accepting help when she needs it most? Or will the loyal support of her friends help her discover the perfect recipe for love? A heartwarming, emotional read about second chances, friendship, and finding the courage to believe in yourself, perfect for fans of Jessica Redland, Jenny Colgan, and Phillipa Ashley.

A Snowy Seaside Christmas

★ 4.4

As snow falls over Micklewick Bay, Lark Harker is preparing for the busy festive season at her vintage clothing boutique, creating enchanting window displays of sequinned dresses and crafting handmade Christmas decorations from shimmering silk ribbon. But her festive preparations are put on hold when Nate Wilkinson arrives at her cottage door. The owner of a local upcycling business, Nate asks for her help clearing out the long-abandoned Crayke’s Cottage – a place locals whisper is cursed and haunted by its smuggling past. Deep within the cottage’s shadowy rooms, Lark discovers two mysterious leather suitcases. The first reveals a treasure trove of 1940s clothes that sparkle with wartime romance and mystery. But the second holds a darker smuggling artefacts, cryptic coded messages and a rusty iron key that gets Lark’s mind racing. As Lark consults the town’s museum curator to unlock the suitcases’ secrets, she finds herself torn between growing feelings for her dear friend Nate and her inexplicable intuition that warns her away from love. When the rusty key leads to a shocking discovery in the cottage, Lark must trust her instincts and overcome her fears to finally find the greatest treasure of all… Escape to Micklewick Bay in this uplifting, emotional, feel-good page-turner that sparkles with Christmas magic, perfect for fans of Heidi Swain, Jenny Colgan and Phillipa Ashley.

A Wedding at the Little Bookshop by the Sea

★ 4.3

Booksellers Florrie Appleton and her fiancé Ed are just three weeks away from their dream wedding. Between hand-selling beloved classics, unveiling Ed’s enchanting window displays and hosting lively book readings with local authors, they’ve managed to plan an intimate ceremony that promises to be everything they’ve ever hoped for – filled with literary delights, lots of laughter and the love of those closest to them. But when Ed's mother Dawn arrives unannounced on their doorstep, Florrie's world is thrown into chaos like confetti. Dawn claims she's come to help with the wedding preparations, yet she's never shown the slightest interest in her son before. As she starts dismissing their carefully curated shelves and snooping around their cosy cottage, Florrie can't shake the feeling that Dawn’s plans stretch far beyond simply choosing flowers and cake. With her close-knit group of friends rallying around her and the bookshop's loyal customers offering support, can Florrie protect her relationship and the bookshop that means everything to them both? Or will their happily ever after slip through their fingers like pages torn from one of her treasured books? An uplifting, emotional feel-good read, perfect for fans of Jessica Redland, Jenny Colgan and Phillipa Ashley.