The Beach Reads Book Club by @KathrynFreeman1 #RomCom #NetGalley #FridayReads @OneMoreChapter

Author: Kathryn Freeman

Published: June 2021 by One More Chapter

Category: Romance, Humour, Chick Lit, Book Review

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Welcome to the Beach Reads Book Club…where love is just a page away…

When Lottie Watt is unceremoniously booted out of her uptight book club for not following the rules, she decides to throw the rulebook out the window and start her own club – one where conversation, gin and cake take precedent over actually having read the book!

Lottie Watt has had her fill of the regimented book club run by Eve. It was like being back at school. And she certainly doesn’t appreciate being quizzed on why she hasn’t had chance to read the designated (by Eve) book. Throwing caution to the winds, she decides to start her own book club with lighter reads and a more relaxed atmosphere. She was joined by Gira and Heidi, two other now ex members who also wanted more romantic, fun reading.

Lottie has the perfect place in mind for the book club if the new owner of Books by the Bay doesn’t mind them taking over the book shop’s cafe one evening a month. Matthew (Matt) Steele isn’t quite sure but Lottie’s charm offensive wins the day and the Beach Reads Book Club is born.

It was only later, when he received her email, that he began to wonder what on earth he’d agreed to.Lottie Watt — at least now he knew her name — was bringing her book club to his shop on the last Thursday in Every month at 5.30 p.m. For two hours. Starting in two weeks.

Did he want people in his shop after it had closed? Sure, there was plenty he could do, but he enjoyed the peace of being by himself after hours. Sorting stock, updating orders, just him and his books.

Matt is finding it hard to transition from a full on corporate job to his now more laid back occupation, living as well with his father and sister. However, a fresh start for them all was badly needed after their recent bereavement and Matt’s regrets and feelings of guilt which aren’t allowing him to feel more open emotionally or, for that matter, relaxed.

I enjoyed how the book club evolved to include Audrey, an lonely older lady who benefits from a new lease of life when she joins the club. All the characters are well drawn and likeable but probably the star of the show is Lottie who brings everyone together and forms a close knit group. She’s a positive force, understanding and supportive, able to bring people out of themselves without really trying. The attraction and developing romance is in turns delightful and steamy.

This is a book club I’d love to join — talking about books in a bookshop, (I appreciate the books discussed are real titles) with the added attraction of (plenty of) gin courtesy of Audrey, cake and sometimes pizza, plus a group of great people all up for a bit of fun. Each character has his or her own story with personal struggles or issues and all fleshed out and brought to life. Complete and enjoyable escapism.

Many thanks to Sara Roberts for the invite to read the book via NetGalley.

Book links ~ Bookshop.org | Hive Books | Book Depository | Amazon |

I was born in Wallingford, England and have spent most of my life living in a village outside Windsor. A former pharmacist, former pharmaceutical industry employee I’m now a self-employed medical writer who also loves to write romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it’s the reaction to a hunky hero…

I’ve two teenage boys and a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to bother buying a card again this year (yes, he does) so the romance in my life is all in my head. Then again, my husband’s unstinting support of my career change goes to prove that love isn’t always about hearts and flowers – and heroes can come in many disguises.