This was a generally fun book to read. I was put off by a few things that didn't jive for me. The main character is the same age as me and would mention not doing things because they would form wrinkles or just bring up her "saggy boobs". Come on. In this age of self-obsession, I get really tired of women putting themselves down for the natural progression of simply being alive and aging. It's exhausting and disheartening and I don't like reading about it in rom-coms. If it weren't for that, and the weird sex toy plotline that kept reappearing, I would have scored this book a lot higher because it was otherwise pretty great. ( )

A charmingly quirky seaside town offers a recently separated restauranteur a fresh start and possibly a new lease on love in A Season for Second Chances, by the author of The Twelve Dates of Christmas.

Annie Sharpe’s spark for life has fizzled out. Her kids are grown up, her restaurant is doing just fine on its own, and her twenty-six-year marriage has come to an unceremonious end. Untethered for the first time in her adult life, she finds a winter guardian position in a historic seaside home and decides to leave her city life behind for a brand-new beginning.

When she arrives in Willow Bay, Annie is enamored by the charming house, the invigorating sea breeze, and the town’s rich seasonal traditions. Not to mention, her neighbors receive her with open arms—that is, all except the surly nephew of the homeowner, whose grand plans for the property are at odds with her residency. As Christmas...

Not a bookclub book, Ruth suggested it awhile back. Good book but pretty predictable, I liked the descriptions of the landscape and the foods and coziness, and caring of people. ( )

This lovely tale is too good to be labeled “chick-lit.” It has depth in its storyline as well as in its characters and their growth and development. Annie has had it with her philandering husband and has has called it quits on her marriage. She has taken temporary residence in a seaside abode, taking care it of it for the elderly owner until spring. She restarts a kiosk and tea shop that had been there, and soon makes friends with the neighborhood residents. Her soon to be ex-husband doesn’t want to end the marriage, but then, neither does he seem inclined to be faithful. Annie isn’t looking too far in the future, but is certainly enjoying her time at the moment. And the handsome nephew of the property’s owner adds some spice to her life. They got off to a rocky start, but who knows what the future will bring! This is a well told and delightful tale. It has humor as well as some deeper thoughts as it deals with the illnesses and the homelessness of some of the characters. It’s quite entertaining even as it presents and deals with some social issues. Well written, it’s a marvelous story for anytime if the year, but especially at Christmas time. ( )

A Season for Second Chances is Jenny Bayliss' new novel.

I quite enjoyed last year's The Twelve Dates of Christmas and was eager to get lost in another escapist read.

Annie is forty four years old and is a successful restaurateur with two wonderful sons ... and a husband who is a serial philanderer. When she catches him, um... red handed it's the final straw. When she spies an ad for a seasonal caretaker for a wee cottage in a seaside town, she knows that it's just what she needs - to get away and reassess her life.

Ahh, I loved the setting. Living by the water in a quirky historical building sounds perfect! The rest of the town is also well drawn and I would happily sit in the pub with a pint, catching up with the latest.

Annie is a great lead character. I liked her being older (not that forty four is old!) and could connect with her. She's kind and friendly, as are the rest of the residents of Willow Bay. The supporting cast is eclectic and quirky as well. Annie easily slips into village life.

Except for John - the nephew of the elderly lady who owns the building Annie is living in. He has his own plans for for it. But...he is rather handsome...

All the bits are there for a fun rom-com, will they, won't they read. And yes, this is a seasonal read. Willow Bay hosts a large number of festivals and events, with Christmas being the biggest hurrah. I wanted to put up my decorations right away!

I quite enjoyed A Season for Second Chances but ... yes, I have a but. There's a sex toy introduced in the book club that whole element just felt awkward, forced and not realistic. Frankly, it wasn't a needed piece of the story and I found it took away from the feel of the book. Other than that, a fun read in the run up to Christmas. ( )