Book Review: Handmade with Love by Rachel Bowdler 🐚
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"Returning to Castell Bay was always going to be difficult, but she'd never expected it to be living-above-your-ex's-store, banning-her-from-collecting-driftwood-on-the-beach-while-a-seagull-shits-on-you-difficult. Not to mention the way she'd been skirting about town to avoid her parents. One drama at a time was quite enough for Anna."
Synopsis
In the Welsh coastal village of Castell Bay, Stevie Turner creates souvenirs with washed-up materials found on the beach for her rustic gift shop, the Little Shop of Driftwood. When old flame, Anna Conway, returns home and moves into the apartment above the shop, Stevie can only offer her ex-girlfriend the cold shoulder.
It’s been eight years since Anna broke things off and vowed to never return to Castell Bay, but with a new job as a city council member, her focus is protecting the home she loves from beach-combing tourists. How could she have known her first bylaw would result in destroying her ex’s business?
Despite the shared hostility, old feelings begin to resurface, and when Stevie father’s health takes a turn for the worse, their past becomes the present. Anna and Stevie must finally face the truth of their breakup and accept first loves can never dwindle, even after eight years.
This charming, humorous small-town romance is a heartwarming beach read that explores the importance of second chances and found family.
My Review
I absolutely FLEW through Handmade with Love, and for good reason. With a dreamy seaside setting and relatable characters with heartwarming interactions, HWL is a beautifully crafted tale of how love can come back to you, even when you've let it go.
If you're looking for a quick, LGBTQIA+ friendly read, pick this up!
*I received a free advanced readers copy (ARC) of this book from the author, Rachel and Booksprout. My review is my own and reflects my honest opinion about this book. 💙
