Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay

This book is OK but I can't help feeling the author is now scraping the bottom of the barrel for ideas for her magical novels. Once again the main character inherits something, but this time it's neither an island nor a campervan, but a Northumbrian castle. Of course, such an ancient pile of stones is crawling with ghosts. It's as if the writer sat down in front of her keyboard and said 'What supernatural device haven't I used? Oh, of course, we could have some hauntings.'This would be acceptable but for the blatantly obvious twists and turns throughout the story. And far from being mysterious like some of her other books, the whole thing has an air of not very funny comedy.Ali M can do a lot better. 'Step Back in Time', which I've read several times, is excellent, while 'Letters from Lighthouse Cottage' is also very clever. Her other magical novels are equally inspired and absorbing, with the exception of 'The Summer of Serendipity', which I found dull. Admittedly this one is better than 'The Summer of Serendipity' but it comes across as formulaic. Perhaps it's time for the author to return to the romcoms she does so well, like the Nottinghill books.So Amelia and her growing son relocate and take up residence as owners of the castle. Rather unbelievably, the staff bow and grovel as if to nobility of yesteryear. Amelia cringes, but no more than I did, since it's so unlikely and such an unwieldy piece of writing. She (sort of) manages to reduce the formality and they settle in as one happy family - how convenient, both for them and the plot!!! But finances are tight. Can the ghosts help? Can Amelia find love?Despite the book's problems, Amelia and her son are good characters, fairly well developed and the sort you care about. This is what made the book worth finishing, for me.

A gorgeous read that I really struggled to put down. The setting is just divine and something really special, a castle steeped in family history.The little bay and community of characters really make this, warming, welcoming and a whole new family they really give this book the edge.I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to explore more by Ali mcnamara.

This book is a fabulous easy read full of life struggles, love and mysteries set in a fairytale castle. Its packed with loveable but eccentric characters that makes you want to be part of the Chesterford castle family. It had several twists and turns that keeps you wanting more. I did not want to put it down.

I went into this book expecting a chicklit - this isn't a bad thing, it's a genre I love and I was looking forward to some nice romance. I found all that and more! I loved the stories around the castle and ghostly aspects were just an added bonus. Fantastic read

I’ve read all of Ali’s books and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them all. This is another gem of a book, I couldn’t put it down, it was a fabulous read! A well deserved 5*.