Annie Trebarwith is happily settled in Salt Bay with her beloved great-aunt Alice and gorgeous boyfriend Josh Pasco. Snow is in the air, and Christmas is just around the corner.
But when the father she’s never met, aging rock god Barry, turns up with the half-sister Annie didn’t know existed, life suddenly gets complicated. Barry and Storm are soon clashing with the entire village, and their antics are even driving a wedge between Annie and Josh.
Can Annie prevent her new family ruining the festivities and repair things with Josh in time for a cosy Christmas? Or will their relationship end up as frosty as the Salt Bay air?
Many thanks to Bookouture for my copy of Annie's Christmas by the Sea to review via NetGalley and to Sharon for having my review on the blog.
Annie's Christmas by the Sea by Liz Eeles was without question my most eagerly anticipated Christmas book being published this year. I adored Annie's Holiday by the Sea when I read it back in May. It is certainly one of my books of the year and as I said at the time I really couldn't believe this was a début author so brilliantly written was the story. Since reading that book it has gotten a name change as it had been called Annie's Lovely Choir by the Sea. That was my only gripe about the book, yes a choir did feature in the story but it definitely wasn't the main focus so I didn't feel the title was the most apt but the new title certainly is.
The choir does feature again in this book as they compete in a choral competition but again I enjoyed how Liz Eeles let the characters and their various stories do the talking rather than it being all about the choir. Despite this being the second book in the Salt Bay series it can be read as a stand alone but to really appreciate the overall story, personally I would read the story of Annie's arrival in Salt Bay. I think you would miss out on a lot even though the author does provide the background story within the first few chapters of this new book. I got such a warm feeling and the sense of being totally swept up in the lives of the characters in book one that I would hate for any reader to miss out on this.
Annie and the residents of Salt Bay had already found a place in my heart so it was a joy to return and see what they were up to now. The story didn't drag in any way and immediately new characters were introduced which kept the book fresh. At the same time some familiar faces came to the fore once again to share their stories and have their plots developed just that little bit more. The small coastal village of Salt Bay exudes its charm once again. It's picturesque and idyllic but for some it feels too cut off from everything, struggling to get a mobile signal is beyond a pain at times.
For Annie Trebarwith, Salt Bay is now a place to call home. She may have arrived their under duress and at the time it was supposed to be a fleeting visit but the village itself has captured her heart not to mention a certain Josh Pasco who sets her heart a flutter every time they grab a chance to meet. Annie is happy living with her Great Aunt Alice, she feels like she has been given a home and having been without roots for so long she has now firmly planted herself in Salt Bay. Annie and Alice are recovering after a devastating flood wrecked their home. Alice is still dealing with her illness but is more open and willing to talk about it. She has become like a mother to Annie and Annie will never forget the kindness and love shown to her. Things are running smoothly, that is until the unexpected arrival of the Dad she has never met, Barry with his abrupt teenage daughter Storm in tow. The calmness and rest that had descended is shattered and once again Annie's world is turned upside down.
To be honest if someone like Barry had shown up after so many years absence I don't think I would have even opened the door. Annie had never known him and it had to be proven he was her actual father. I felt from the beginning he had ulterior motives and never quite felt he was genuine in his intentions. That searching for Annie and coming to Salt Bay was a last desperate measure. He seemed to be down on his luck and wanted to sweet talk Annie and maybe in some way get money from her. His short lived music career was but a distant memory. In his reality, he came across as a young rocker with not a care in the world who would muddle through life and rely on others to get him out of trouble.
I thought Annie in one way was gullible for taking him so much at face value and I think other residents and her friends felt the same. On the other hand if you had never ever met your father, were you going to turn down the opportunity to get to know him even if he didn't live up to the picture you had built up in your head over so many years? Annie also probably felt conflicted that she couldn't let her mother down. Even though she has passed away I think Annie thought her Mum would want her to connect with her Dad. Barry's arrival could also be compared to that of Annie's in book one. In the way Alice didn't shut the door on Annie, she knew she needed help and Annie was the one to give it and help her through tough times.
Storm, Annie's new step sister, was a typical teenager, sullen and abrupt in conversation. She stayed pretty much to herself. Beneath this exterior I was keen to see was there someone warmer willing to emerge. I think she was also embarrassed by Barry's actions, annoying and upsetting the people in the village. Yes there were some cringeworthy moments but at the end of the day your dad is your Dad. Martha had her only little story to share and maybe Annie would be the one to discover it? Annie should be admired for the way she dealt with Barry and Martha too. I hoped Annie and Salt Bay would work their charms on the pair and things would turn out differently.
One character who really got my back up in this book was Josh. I figured as Annie and himself were trying to develop and strengthen her relationship that he would be there for her a lot more but it was the totally opposite. Josh was secretive and quite sharp in the way he spoke to Annie at times. There was a feeling that he was under a lot of pressure but I didn't think that was any excuse for not meeting up with Annie when any opportunity presented itself. Their relationship seemed very hit and miss in the book and I suppose that is reflective of life that it's not always plain sailing on the path to true love. Their families were definitely pulling them in different directions when they wanted to spend time with each other but achieving the right balance and always expressing your true feelings can be very hard to do.
Annie's Christmas by the Sea was the perfect follow up story to Annie's Holiday by the Sea. Out of the two I think I prefer the first one but that doesn't mean this second book wasn't a brilliant read, it certainly was. The entire story really moved everything forward where as sometimes I feel book two in a series doesn't do more than rehash the first book with a few added extras. Again there were mentions of characters who I think are still on the periphery but if there are more books to come in the future they may get their chance to step into the spotlight. Kayla, Annie's best friend who works in the pub, once again had me in stitches over her love life with Ollie. She is a great friend to Annie and always there as a sounding board or to offer light relief. Alice's nephew Toby makes a reappearance and I was delighted to see a slightly softer side emerging.
Overall, this book was a lovely read and didn't disappoint. Liz Eeles conveys so easily what a special place Salt Bay is and the residents are there as friends and supporters to everyone. It is an uplifting, cosy read with characters that come alive on the page and become your firm friends. It's so warm and inviting you'll never want to leave and I am sad that is over and that I will have to wait if another visit to Salt Bay and Annie will arise in the future. Stick this on your Christmas reading list quick, you'll be glad you did so.
All book titles in bold are Amazon UK Affiliate links which will earn me a few pence if anyone clicks through and makes a purchase - any money earned will go towards buying books or gifts for giveaways.
No comments:
Post a Comment