Reviews

Spring at Lavender Bay by Sarah Bennett

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vickmwah's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

fionaaaaaa's review

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hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

What a treat. My favourite, friendships, romance and a happy ending 💖 A light hearted, fun read, a great escape.

a_smith231's review

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This was a pleasant read. It was completely as the cover suggested, a light read which would be a perfect holiday 'lounge by the pool' read.

It's a sweet story, our heroine is stuck in a rut and ends up going back to her old town after being left a shop in a close friend's will. It's a steep learning curve, but at least she has her hero - the boy-next-door, out of bounds, best friend's brother to help!

The characters aren't deep, but they're very likeable and the book does a great job to highlight the problems with young adults making a go of their lives in these small coastal towns that we take for advantage.

If you are looking for a deep and detailed plot, this book isn't for you. If you want something that you can read in a couple of hours to relax and unwind after a stressful day then this is perfect. I did enjoy the book and it hit the right spot at the right moment. Will I read the others in the series next time I'm in the mood for something similar? Most probably.

yvo_about_books's review against another edition

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3.0

Finished reading: October 12th 2021

“He was a builder. Time to lay the foundations of what might be a promising future.”

My first introduction to the work of this author with the Bluebell Castle books earlier this year was a big success, and I've been looking forward to try more of her series. I decided to start with the Lavender Bay books for no particular reason... Hoping to read the first two books in time to be able to add book three to my Christmas TBR. This series once again includes three different stories focusing on three friends, and in the first book Spring At Lavender Bay it's all about Beth (and Sam). I have to say that while it was a nice enough read, I did feel that some of the charm of the Bluebell Castle books was missing. I think this has mostly to do with the fact that I struggled to warm up to Beth herself. There was just something about her that irked me considerably, and it's not just the fact that she lets people walk all over her. Thankfully we had Sam's POV too, who was a lot easier to warm up to. I also really liked the setting itself as the beach town and its shops sounded wonderful. The plot itself is nothing too exciting and mostly focused on the attraction and budding relationship between the two main characters... And as I wasn't a really fan of half of that duo during a long time, I sometimes struggled to say invested. That said, I liked her friends (and especially Libby) a lot better, so I do have hopes for the other two books of the series.

kazza248's review against another edition

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5.0

This is the first book I have read by this author and i loved it. It's a nice summer read ideal for the beach with a glass of wine (or two).

Beth was born in Lavender bay and even though she moved to London to pursue her career, her heart was always in Lavender bay, and when Eleanor died leaving her the Emporium, she quit her job and returned to reopen the shop.

This is a heartwarming book full of great characters and a lovely storyline, ill be sure to get the next two books in this series!

mushmysteriesandmore's review against another edition

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3.0

I enjoyed the storyline of this and enjoyed the friendships between the three girls, Beth Libby and Eliza. Sam was a good man and gave Beth the space she needed as well as the strength to pull herself up.

Spoiler

A couple of things bothered me though. The property developer gave almost too easily given how interested he was in the property. The ending was a little too convenient, I thought that the developer would be involved somehow rather than just a random homeless person. Unless there are more books to come to resolve these issues. I'm also hoping there is more regarding Eliza and her husband as I was left wondering why she (and her family) allowed him to be so controlling.

Otherwise, I enjoyed the romance between Sam and Beth and the storyline in general.

melindamoor's review against another edition

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3.0

This is one of those instances, where I really wish GR introduced the half-star rating.

It is certainly better than 2 stars, but I feel it does not deserve a clean 3 stars for a rather pleasant and light, but all in all too banal story.

This was my first book by Sarah Bennett and I requested the ARC partly because a lot of my GR friends praised her "Butterfly Cove"-series and partly because of the cute cover/story setting.
I mean: pretty, little seaside town, in serious need of a makeover?? Yess, totally my kind of story, bring it on!!
However, I found the book rather underwhelming and the MC, Beth, seriously frustrating. It is one thing when the heroine starts out as a kind of doormat and self-doubting person in the beginning as long as there is some noticeable character development by the end. I did not really feel this happened here especially as almost before the very end we are delivered the possibly most hackneyed trope of chick-lit ever

Spoiler

Beth bolts from town on the verge of finding her happy ending for totally stupid reasons

just to add extra pages and some fake drama.
Overall it did not improve the stock-romance between a boy-and-girl-next door and left me with a feeling of annoyance.

I am not tempted to go on reading the upcoming book in the series.

ARC received from the Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.