Published by Headline

Publication date – 12 January 2017

Source – review copy

“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…”

Clemency Price is settled in St Carys, her home town. Working as an estate agent she has a lovely set of friends. She can’t, however, forget the man she met three years ago. A man she couldn’t be with. She is therefore surprised to see him in St Carys, and broken-hearted to realise he is still unavailable. Trying to hide her feelings she ropes her friend and boss Ronan in to help. But Ronan is hiding heartache of his own and soon wires become very crossed.

Having recently re-discovered Jill Mansell’s novels I was thrilled when a copy of her latest novel arrived. I settled down with the book and was soon caught up with life in St Carys.

There are a host of charming characters. Clemency is a lovely character. Loving to her friends and family, good at her job as an estate agent but with strong morals that she maintains, even when it causes her heartache. Ronan is a Jack the Lad, having a reputation in town as a cheeky but charming lothario. It is a joy to read about his transformation as he comes to terms with the fact that he may have met his romantic match. The rapport between Clemency and Ronan was a delight to read, the banter between the two bringing laughter and humour to the pages. Belle is a perhaps more in depth character. Step sister to Clemency, the sibling rivalry is apparent and a point which does divide the sisters to some extent. She is more acerbic and less easy going but as the story progresses it becomes clear that a secret she has been keeping for a long time has affected her demeanour to a degree even she isn’t aware of.

I could often be heard chuckling to myself as I read this book, dashed through as it was with humour and light-hearted banter. I found myself racing through the book but also wanting to take my time so it wouldn’t be over too soon.

Jill Mansell has a wonderfully comforting style of writing. Her books are extremely engaging, drawing the reader in, filled with laughter and loveable characters, and story lines that are strong throughout the novels. Meet Me at Beachcomber Bay is no different and fans won’t be disappointed.

This is a warm and witty novel, packed full of wonderful characters. Perfect for a lazy summer’s day or a dark winter’s night. A lovely bit of escapism for a few hours. I’m looking forward to the next book from Jill Mansell soon.