It’s such a pleasure today to share my review of Take Me Home to Kelsea Sands, the first in a new series from Sharon Booth. Published on 22nd January by Boldwood Books, it’s now available as an ebook (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback and hardcover, and also as an audiobook. My thanks to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy, provided via netgalley.
I’ll always remember the first book of Sharon’s that I read and reviewed – it was back at the tail end of 2016, when I was really struggling to read after losing my dad, and Baxter’s Christmas Wish (part of her Home for Christmas series) proved to be just what I needed. Since then, I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed so many of Sharon’s lovely books. Although I don’t usually go for books with witchcraft and magic, my favourite series of hers has to be The Witches of Castle Clair (if you pop her name into my search bar, you’ll find reviews of all the book in the series) – I just thought the ideas behind them were so very original, the depth of research evident but wonderfully used, the characters fantastic, and every book so emotionally engaging. But I’ve also really enjoyed her Ghosts of Rowan Vale series – three books since she joined Boldwood, with another to follow at the end of March (and yes, I have preordered!) – with the most perfect setting, all the characters (ghostly or not) so superbly drawn, and the stories simply wonderful.
I have rather neglected her women’s fiction though – a book here and there, always really enjoyable, but I’ve never quite managed to take on a whole series. I think it’s beyond time to do so – and when I spotted that her latest was the first in a brand new series, I was really delighted and immediately added it to my reading list…
Alison has spent years putting everyone else first. But now widowed, fed up with being taken for granted by her daughter and facing unexpected health worries, she realises she’s lost sight of the woman she used to be.
Then her cousin Rosie proposes a daring plan: move back to the coastal village where she grew up, for twelve weeks of ‘Project Alison’ – prioritising herself, for a change. Alison isn’t sure whether to laugh or cry! But the idea of going home to Kelsea Sands, back to the sea and the beautiful, wide Holderness skies, convinces her to take the plunge.
Soon she’s on a journey of rediscovery, hastened by the unexpected return of Mac – the boy she once knew, now a handsome man with a complicated past. But then come some shocking revelations. Does Alison have the courage to stand up for herself and finally seize the happiness she deserves?
Heartfelt, uplifting and full of Sharon Booth’s trademark warmth, this is the start of a new series about family, love and second chances set on the East Yorkshire coast.
Alison’s life just isn’t her own any more – her daughter and son-in-law are really taking advantage, and she’s spending more and more of her time looking after their rather boisterous twins. She gave up her teaching job when her husband was still alive, and now generally enjoys working at a local garage – but she has so little me-time, and is beginning to resent it.
A health scare finds her ready to make some changes – making it clear she’s no longer on call for the childcare, followed by a three month stay with her cousin Rosie in her caravan at Kelsea Sands, closer to her parents, when she’ll try to turn her life around.
Rosie’s always been a wonderful friend to her, always there in support when she’s needed – and she’s more than happy to help Alison stick to her new diet (maybe even keener than Alison is at times!), to lift her spirits after the obvious fall-out with her daughter, and to make their time together fun. She even introduces her to journalling – all the washi tape and need for creativity might be a step too far, but she does find it useful to record her thoughts and feelings (included in the story’s telling, and something I really enjoyed).
Spending more time with her parents can be a bit of a mixed blessing – they both rather lack any filters, find it really difficult to keep any secrets, and their trips to the supermarket together are sometimes a bit of a trial. But she loves them both dearly – and so did I.
And then she runs into a friend from her schooldays – Mac, formerly known as Ian, who left for University but has finally returned to Kelsea Sands after the death of his mother. He’s certainly had some issues in his life, but their friendship develops again – he had a crush on Alison when they were younger, and their friendship has potential to become rather more (and he’s such a lovely man…), but there are some real obstacles for them both along the way.
This was a book I really loved – some darker edges to the story really sensitively handled, a gentle developing romance, the characters very real (Alison really found a place in my heart), and a lovely focus on friendship and (often messy) family. The setting was vividly drawn too – I’m going to very much enjoy spending more time at Kelsea Sands. Just delightful, and the perfect start to a new series – I’ll look forward to reading more.
About the author
Sharon Booth writes heartwarming stories featuring couples, families, friendships, and close-knit communities. Her worlds are full of magic, mystery and lots of love.
Women’s fiction fans will love the Kearton Bay, Skimmerdale, Home for Christmas, Bramblewick, Moorland Heroes, The Other Half, and Tuppenny Bridge series.
If magic and mystery is your thing, Sharon also has two non-spicy, cosy fantasy series: The Witches of Castle Clair features the talented St Clairs, their quirky familiars, and quite a bit of cake. They offer lots of magical mishaps, family dramas, and new twists on British myths and legends. Ghosts of Rowan Vale is set in a living history village in the stunning Cotswolds. Warm and cosy contemporary romance with a dash of ghostly goings-on!
If you enjoy warm, witty, feelgood stories set in pretty villages and quirky market towns, by the sea or in the countryside, and flawed characters doing the best they can, you’ll love her books.
Sharon lives in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. When she’s not writing she loves visiting old buildings, the coast, or the countryside. At home you’ll find her reading, or watching Cary Grant films, Dr Who, Rivals, and just about any British cosy crime series that was ever made. She loves horses, journalling and jigsaws, and will argue till the end of time that scone rhymes with bone. She also admits to being shamefully prone to crushes on fictional heroes.
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Thank you so much for the lovely review, Anne! I really appreciate it, and I’m very happy that you enjoyed your visit to Kelsea Sands. xx