Meet Me at Beachcomber Bay by Jill Mansell – a Review

Meet Me at Beachcomber Bay by Jill Mansell – a Review

 

 

 

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Description:
Love is in the air in St Carys, but you’d never know it – the people of this seaside town are very good at keeping secrets…

The man Clemency loves belongs to someone else. She has to hide her true feelings – but when she ropes in an unsuspecting friend to help, wires start to get crossed.

For the first time in Ronan’s life his charm has failed him in winning over the woman he wants. Loving her from afar appears to be his only option.

Belle seems to have the perfect boyfriend, but something isn’t quite right. And now a long-buried secret is slowly rising to the surface.

The truth has a funny way of revealing itself, and when it does St Carys will be a very different place indeed…

 

Review:

Meet Me at Beachcomber Bay by Jill Mansell is a sweet chic lit romance.  We meet our heroine, Clemency at the start, when she boards a plane and sits next to a man who immediately draws her attention.  Sam, our hero, is distant at first, but our bubbly charming Clemency is hard to ignore for too long.   When they arrive at their destination, Sam quickly disappears and Clemency catches up to him to learn that he is married.

Three years later, they will meet again, as Sam comes to St. Carys, on the arm of Clem’s sister Belle.  Both are shocked to see each other again, and though she learns that Sam’s wife died, Clemency has to keep her distance, since Belle is now engaged to Sam.  We also get to meet Ronan, another hero in this sweet story.  Ronan is a long time friend of Clem and they work together as real estate agents.  Because she is determined not to interfere with Belle’s relationship with Sam, Clem will get Ronan to help pretend that they are a couple.  Clemency was a great heroine, always fun, caring, romantic and loyal to her friends and family. 

Ronan meets Kate during a showing, and they become friends.  In a  short time, he will begin to realize that he is falling for Kate.  This was a another romance that mingled with the main characters, and the fun people of St. Carys.   The only one I wasn’t crazy about was Belle, who came across as snobby, arrogant and bitchy.  Towards the end, this will change somewhat to make her more likable.  I loved the close friendship between Clem and Ronan, which made this story so good, as they were fun,  humorous, with witty banter.    The relationship between Sam and Clem was quieter, since it doesn’t really happen til later in the book. 

This was a very nice romance, with wonderful characters, small town atmosphere, and a few very nice background stories.  The other good characters besides, Clem, Ronan, Sam, Belle, Kate were Josephine, Verity and Marina. The story with Marina was very good, and emotional.  Jill Mansell does a wonderful job writing a fun story line that also touched series subjects, such as cancer, adoption and gay relationship.  I wholly recommend Meet Me at Beachcomber Bay as a book for you to read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Meet Me at Beachcomber Bay by Jill Mansell – Spotlight, Excerpt & Giveaway

Meet Me at Beachcomber Bay by Jill Mansell – Spotlight, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

Meet Me at Beachcomber Bay
by Jill Mansell
Release Date: May 2, 2017

Meet Me At Beachcomer Bay Amazon | | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound

 

Beachcomber Bay graphic

  1. A brief encounter that could have become so much more…if only everything were different
  2. Step-sisters, bitter rivals in every area except one—by unbreakable pact neither will ever steal a man from the other
  3. A love triangle that starts out as a mess of secrets and mix-ups, and only gets worse from there

Plus!

Friendship, family ties, crossed wires and self-discovery, second chances and first impressions

Welcome to Jill Mansell’s blustery seaside world. Once you step inside, you’ll never want to leave!

 

excerpt

 

By two o’clock, they’d arrived in St. Carys, where the third of the shortlisted properties was situated.
“Here we are then.” Jumping out of the rental car and shielding her eyes from the sun as she peered up at the third-floor apartment, Belle said, “It’s like ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears,’ isn’t it? The first place was too boring, and the second place was too interesting. Let’s hope this one is going to be just right.”
Obviously Belle wanted it to be the one Sam chose. Then he’d be right here in her own home town. Clemency, who wasn’t so sure how she felt about it, was torn. It went against the grain to not want to sell a property, but just seeing Sam again today had been unsettling. Did she really want him to buy a place in St. Carys? Yet the apartment was stunning. Once he clapped eyes on it, was there the remotest chance he’d say no?
Five minutes later, she discovered the answer to that question. The views were fantastic. Everything about the place was about as perfect as any potential owner could want. The wraparound balcony was big enough to throw a party on…
Which was apparently what was happening right now, in the penthouse apartment directly above their heads.
In fact, it was sounding like quite an intimate party. Oh God.
“Listen to them,” Belle exclaimed, slow on the uptake. “What is going on up there?”
Sam, who wasn’t slow on the uptake, said wryly, “I think it might be some kind of exercise class.”
As a real estate agent, it wasn’t the first time Clemency had overheard something she’d have preferred not to overhear during the course of a viewing, but this was without a doubt the loudest.
And appeared to involve the largest number of…well, participants.
OK, this was officially awkward.
“Oh!” The penny finally dropped and Belle clapped her hands over her mouth. “Oh my God.”
Overhead, the gasps and shrieks appeared to be escalating. Belle said, “I don’t believe it! Clem, make it stop.”
“Seriously?” Clemency looked at her. “How do I go about doing that?”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake!” Marching out on to the balcony, Belle bellowed, “Hey you! Up there! We can all hear you, you know…You have to stop making that noise this minute!”
They heard laughter amid the other sounds, followed by the pop of a champagne cork, which sailed over the edge of the balcony. A male voice called out, “We like it best when we know people are listening.”
“Well, you’re disgusting,” Belle yelled back, “and you should all be ashamed of yourselves.”
“Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it,” a female voice shouted down to them. “Come up and join us if you want. Don’t be shy! The more the merrier!”
As they were leaving, they encountered the occupier of the flat below the one they’d just viewed. Clemency stopped the middle-aged woman. “Hi, excuse me…do you happen to know if the people in the penthouse apartment are the owners? Or is it rented out to vacationers?” Because if they were only going to be staying for a week or two, it wouldn’t be a problem after all.
“You mean the Carters?” The middle-aged woman rolled her eyes. “You’re from the real estate agency, aren’t you? And this is the first time you’ve heard them having an orgy? Well, all I can say is, lucky you. They bought the place in January and they’ve been inviting their so-called friends around most afternoons ever since.”
“Oh.” Clemency’s heart sank.
“The Jeffersons didn’t happen to mention that to you, I’m guessing? Thought they wouldn’t. Why else do you suppose they’re so desperate to move out? God only knows how you’re ever going to sell that place. Those new people are a living nightmare.”
Oh dear. The Jeffersons should have told them. Not only had Clemency failed to find Sam a suitable property to buy, they were going to have to drop the price of this one.
“Maybe you could offer any buyers a lifetime’s supply of industrial earplugs,” said Sam.


 

theauthor

Jill Mansell

 

With over 10 million copies sold, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Mansell writes irresistible and funny, poignant and romantic tales for women in the tradition of Marian Keyes, Sophie Kinsella and Jojo Moyes. She lives with her partner and their children in Bristol, England.

 

 

 

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Good at Games by Jill Mansell – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

Good at Games by Jill Mansell – Review, Spotlight & Giveaway

Good at Games cover

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Description:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Mansell captivates with a madcap tale of the games lovers play.

Who will make the next move?

How does one become accidentally engaged? That’s what Suzy Curtis thinks when she suddenly finds herself very publicly engaged to handsome Harry Fitzallan, local town hero. Harry wants famous rock star Jaz to be his best man—only he’s Suzy’s ex-husband and a recovering alcoholic. Suzy’s half sister Lucille loves getting to know the family she’d never met, but she can’t help her attraction to Jaz, nor can Suzy quash her entirely inappropriate feelings for Leo, Harry’s engaged brother!

With all these wild players at the table, mayhem is bound to ensue. As each new piece comes into play, everyone has more to lose, and the only way to win is if you’re good at the games of love…

 

Review:

After reading the back cover of Good at Games by Jill Mansell, I got totally confused when I started reading the book.  It took a few chapters and a few rereads, but please persevere as it is well worth it. There are lots of characters, and they all get their say, all in their perspectives, and it does bounce around a lot. But I persevered, and I’m glad I did, it’s a very funny book, and worth the read.

Most of the action happens around the ex-rock star and former alcoholic, Jaz Dreyfuss. We meet him, his ex-wives, and the current love in his life (or current bubble-head, as she is described), as well as a selection of their relatives and friends.Everyone has an opinion, and everyone is as mad as a hatter.

Suzy is the heroine of this tale. She is a feisty, wise-cracking, ex-wife (she is number two). She is an estate agent extraordinaire.

The hero was harder to pin down, I thought it was either brother. And at one point, I didn’t think she would settle for either.

Suzy’s mother, who recently died, has left Suzy and her siblings to discover a skeleton leaping (literally) out of the family cupboard.  Good at Games was an excellent, witty story;  full of likeable and wacky characters.

I really enjoy this wild and wacky story by Jill Mansell.

Reviewed by Julie B.

Copy provided by Publisher

 

About the author

Jill Mansell photo

 

With over 10 million copies sold, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Mansell writes irresistible and funny, poignant and romantic tales for women in the tradition of Marian Keyes, Sophie Kinsella and Jojo Moyes. She lives with her partner and their children in Bristol, England.

 

If you want to learn more about Jill Mansell, you can click on the following links.

Website: / FacebookTwitter: / Goodreads

 

excerpt

 

Could there possibly be anything nicer in the world than a Curly Wurly?

Alone in the office, Suzy lovingly peeled off the wrapper and admired the dappled chocolate covering. Then she bit into it, her teeth sinking through the toffee, her head twisting from side to side in order to bite off that first heavenly mouthful…oh, and they were sooo much better straight from the fridge…

“Ahem.”

Suzy’s eyes snapped open and she spun around guiltily. Damn, she’d been so carried away she hadn’t even heard the door open and close behind her.

And, double damn, it had to be Leo Fitzallan.

“Mmff…shorry…mmergh…”

“Bitten off more than you can chew?” inquired Leo with a slight smile.

Suzy’s mouth was full—OK, overfull—and the toffee was welding itself to her teeth like quick-setting cement. Waving her hand apologetically, praying the melted chocolate wasn’t about to spill out and dribble attractively down her chin, she chewed and swallowed, chewed and swallowed, threw the rest of the Curly Wurly onto her desk and chewed and swallowed again.

Oh dear, not at all like the girl in the Cadbury’s Flake ad. In fact, more like Waynetta Slob guzzling a pizza.

“Sorry,” said Leo. “I obviously interrupted a special private moment.”

And swallowed again.

Hooray, didn’t even dribble!

“There.” Suzy executed a quick curtsy. “All gone. Now, how can I help you?”

He was wearing Givenchy aftershave—none of your Tommy Hilfigers or Calvin Kleins for Leo Fitzallan, thank you very much—and an expensively cut dark suit. Suzy wondered if he had chosen the bottle-green shirt and blue and amber tie himself, or whether Gabriella had picked them out for him.

Probably Gabriella. A man who drove a gray Volvo would never be that adventurous. And the dark blue in the tie exactly matched his eyes.

Definitely Gabriella.

“I thought maybe we should call a truce,” said Leo. “How does that sound to you?”

Blimey, Suzy thought, like a miracle. Quick, give the man a bottle of water and see if he can turn it into Chardonnay.

Aloud she said, “So what’s brought this on?”

“My brother’s happy with you. By Christmas you and I’ll be related. The last thing I want is a family feud. Easier all around if we bury the hatchet now,” Leo said easily. “Put the bickering behind us. What d’you say?”

He was even more attractive, Suzy realized, when he was in a good mood. During the last few days all he’d seemed to do was scowl, sneer, and generally radiate disapproval, which was sexy enough in its own way, of course, but it really was amazing the difference a few laughter lines could make.

“I agree.” Her mouth curled up at the corners. “That’s it then. From now on we’re going to be completely lovely to each other. And I’ll just have to find someone else to bicker with.”

“So long as it isn’t Harry,” said Leo.

“Harry isn’t the bickering kind.” Suzy smiled sunnily at him and perched on the edge of her desk. “This feels quite weird, actually. I’m not sure what we’re supposed to do now. If this were Friends we’d be giving each other a group hug.”

For a split second something indefinable flickered in Leo’s eyes. The next moment it had gone. He pushed his fingers through his ultra-straight dark hair, heaved a sigh and shrugged as if searching for inspiration.
 

 

 

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The Unexpected Consequences of Love by Jill Mansell – Review, Spotlight, & Giveaway

The Unexpected Consequences of Love by Jill Mansell – Review, Spotlight, & Giveaway

 

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Description:
Sophie has no interest in finding love. But what happens when love finds her?

Sophie Wells is a successful photographer with a focus on putting the past firmly behind her. When Josh Strachan returns to the seaside town of Cornwall from the States to run his family’s hotel, he can’t understand why the fun, sexy girl has zero interest in letting him-or any man for that matter-into her life. He also can’t understand how he’s been duped into employing Sophie’s impulsive friend Tula, whose crush on him is decidedly unrequited. Both girls remain mum about the reasons behind Sophie’s indifference to love. But that doesn’t mean Josh is going to quit trying…

 

Review:

The Unexpected Consequences of Love by Jill Mansell is a sweet romance story, which much of it is more like a romantic comedy. The setting of the story takes place in a small town of St. Carys in Cornwall. Though we do have a main couple in this story, there are quite a few others that also have big side stories.

We meet Sophie, our heroine, who is a successful photographer, while she is taking pictures at the Mariscombe House.   This hotel is owned by Dot Strachan, a sweet older woman, who welcomes her grandson, Josh, who will help her run the hotel.

Josh immediately finds himself attracted to Sophie, but is rebuffed at every turn, when he tries to get her interest. He learns quickly from others, that Sophie has no interest in men, and refuses to become involved. Josh is determined to find out what in her past has caused this beautiful, charming and vivacious Sophie to swear off men.

While Josh does his own investigations, so much else is going on. Sophie’s friend Tula loses her job and comes to St. Cary’s to stay with Sophie. In a short time, Tula will get a job working at the hotel for Josh and Dot. Riley is Josh’s best friend, and a fun loving womanizer, who finds himself falling for Tula. Of course, Tula is not interested in the handsome Riley, since she feels he is just a fun likeable guy who is a player with no responsibilities. She would much prefer someone like Josh. Unfortunately, no matter how hard Tula tries to win Josh over, he only has eyes for Sophie.

There is also a story between Dot, her ex-husband Lawrence and Antoine. It seems Lawrence left Dot years ago for Antoine’s wife. Now with years passed, the wife is deceased, and Antoine comes back and begins to show interest in Dot, much to Lawrence’s dismay, as he wants his ex-wife back.

As you can see, there are a number of storylines ongoing, with each of them having issues to open themselves up to love again. Sophie and Josh are the lead characters, and we learn why Sophie is the way she is. It will be up to Josh to show her that she needed to allow her growing feelings for him to rise, as her past was not what she thought it was.

This was a fun, sweet, and humorous story of very likable people, with each of couples having good storylines. I thought though at times it was a little cluttered going back and forth between all of them. However, I did enjoy the book, and if you like romantic comedies then The Unexpected Consequences of Love is perfect for you.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

excerpt

 

“Nearly done… Oh, it’s you.” Turning, she glimpsed him in the doorway and straightened up. Nodding at Griff, she said, “Have you come to get him? He’s shattered now. I’ve just finished the shoot.”

“I know, I saw the family driving off. And I am sorry. Dot did warn me about the door-opening thing,” Josh admitted. “I just forgot about it. Can I blame it on the jet lag?”

She gave him a look. “Only if you’re a complete wuss. You’ve had a whole week to get over it.”

Her eyes were bright and sparkling, silver-gray with very white whites. Her well-defined eyebrows were dark but tipped with gold and there was a smudge of mud on her left temple.

It wasn’t an expression he’d ever thought of using before, but it occurred to him that she had joie de vivre.

“True.” He dipped his head in acknowledgment. “All my own fault. So how did it go in the end?”

“Come over here and I’ll show you.” Leading the way across the room, she picked up her camera and began scrolling through the shots, starting with the half dozen or so pre-Griff originals, then on through the second stage of the shoot.

“These are great.” Josh nodded at them, genuinely impressed. “So it ended up not being such a disaster after all.”

“Thanks to me being a complete genius,” she agreed happily. He liked her attitude. “What’s your name?”

“Sophie.”

“Hi, Sophie. I’m Josh.”

“I know. Haven’t you noticed everyone whispering about you since you’ve been back?”

“Not really. Well, maybe a bit. You don’t take much notice after a while.” He paused. “Do you have a business card?”

She took one from an envelope in the side pocket of her black canvas camera case and handed it over.

Sophie Wells Photography. Portraits, Weddings, Commercial was written in silver on a black background, along with her contact details. Josh noticed that as well as the bracelets on her left wrist there was a key attached to a plain silver bangle. He reached out and touched it briefly. “What’s this for?”

“It’s the key to my secret Swiss bank account.” “Amazing. I didn’t know Swiss banks used Yale locks.”

A dimple appeared in her left cheek. “I started wearing it after I locked myself out of my flat three times in one week.”

“Look,” said Josh. “I still feel terrible about the photos.” “No need. I told Emma I’d do them for free.”

“But that means you’re losing out. Which is even worse.” Sophie shook her head. “They all like what we ended up doing instead. Emma’s still happy to pay.” “But their clothes…”

“They live on a farm. She says the mud’ll come out in a boil wash.” “But when I came back here with Griff, she was in tears.”

“I know, but you weren’t actually to blame for that. Relax,” Sophie said cheerfully. “It’s your lucky day. You’re off the hook.”

Women, he’d never understand them. Still, it was a positive result. Somewhat distracted by her eyelashes—were they also gold- tipped beneath the mascara?—Josh said, “Fine then. So long as you’re sure. Can I ask you a personal question?”

“You can try.”

He was charmed by her easy smile, playful humor, and feisty can-do attitude. Okay, and her body was pretty amazing too. “Are you single at the moment? Or seeing someone?”

If she were, he would have to say with good-natured regret, “Well, that’s a real shame,” and leave it at that.

“Me? Oh no, I’m not seeing anyone.” Sophie shook her head. “Completely and utterly single, that’s me.”

Excellent. Enjoying her honesty, Josh said, “So would you like to come out for dinner with me one evening?”

“It would have to be an evening.” Sophie nodded gravely. “Otherwise it wouldn’t be dinner; it’d be breakfast or lunch.”

“Definitely evening,” he agreed. “We could do it tonight if you like.” This is going so well.

“Oh, I can’t.”

“Yes, bit short notice. Friday, then? Or Saturday? You choose, whenever suits you best.”

But even as he was saying it, Sophie was shaking her head. “Sorry, no… I mean, thanks for asking, but I can’t meet you for dinner.”

“Right.” Taken aback, Josh said, “Not at all?” “No.”

“Okay. That’s fine.” It wasn’t remotely fine. What was going on? Did she have a small baby at home, or an elderly relative who couldn’t be left unattended? “Am I allowed to ask why?”

Her eyes sparkled. “Oh dear, are you offended?” “Of course not,” lied Josh.

Sophie gave him a who-are-you-kidding look. “I think you are. Don’t be. I’m just pretty busy right now.”

“So maybe in a couple weeks?” He couldn’t quite believe he was still asking.

“Look, thanks again, but no thanks. I just don’t really want to go out to dinner with…anyone.”

Aaaand another knock-back.

“No problem.” Josh wished he’d never started it. “Sorry.”

He managed a rueful smile. “Hey, all I need is a few months for my ego to recover. I’ll be fine.”

“It’s not you.” Sophie’s mouth was twitching. “It’s me.”

Okay, now she was making fun of him.

“Well, obviously,” said Josh..

 

 

About the Author pink

 

Jill MansellJill Mansell lives with her partner and children in Bristol, and writes full time. Actually that’s not true; she watches TV, eats fruit gums, admires the rugby players training in the sports field behind her house, and spends hours on the internet marvelling at how many other writers have blogs. Only when she’s completely run out of displacement activities does she write.

Jill Mansell’s books have sold over ten million copies and her titles include: Making your Mind up, Fast Friends, Good at Games, Sheer Mischief and Solo, among many others.

Connect with Jill Mansell:
                                                            Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

 

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