***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
Bestselling author Alex Nelson is slowly coming apart at the seams after a failed marriage and an abrupt change in career leave him at a crossroads in life. When an unexpected opportunity arises to escape to the idyllic village of Mermaids Point, he’s hot on the heels of his brother, Tom, who has recently moved there. Buying a rundown bookshop might be just his latest harebrained scheme, but Alex has never been one to do things by halves.
After spending her early years caring for her mother, Ivy Fisher is finally ready to start living her own life. But when the impossibly charming, impossibly good-looking Alex Nelson swoops in and snatches her dream out from under her nose, it really is the last straw. Forced by circumstances to spend more time with him, Ivy finally gets a peek of the real man beneath the confident exterior, and she likes what she sees.
But just when things are starting to come together for them, Ivy is reminded why men can never be trusted. Is Alex who he says he is, or is he using Mermaids Point as nothing more than research fodder for his next bestseller?
Enjoy a gloriously uplifting, page-turning, romantic escape to the seaside with the bestselling author Sarah Bennett. Perfect for all fans of Trisha Ashley, Holly Martin and Milly Johnson.
Love Blooms at Mermaid’s Point by Sarah Bennett is the fourth installment of her popular Mermaid’s Point Series. This is a series that is best read in order, but Love Blooms at Mermaid’s Point can be read as a stand-alone. I was thrilled to be back at Mermaid’s Point and completely enjoyed Ivy and Alex’s story.
Ivy’s mother just passed away after a long and debilitating illness. After years of caring for her mother, Ivy is now able to start her life on her own terms.
Her father is making trouble and she has to sell her mother’s house and find a place to live on her own. Plus, her plans to buy the town’s bookstore hit a snag. Alex Nelson, bestselling author, and brother to the town’s doctor is planning to purchase the store.
Alex is at a crossroads in his life. Tired of the financial world of London, he decides to purchase a bookstore in Mermaid’s Point and continue writing. He has serious writer’s block, as his previous book makes it to the bestsellers lists. When he learns that Ivy also wanted to purchase the bookstore, they make an agreement for her to sell her goods out of the store as well as his books. Working side by side to get the old dilapidated store ready, and stocking the shelves, Ivy and Alex start to have feelings for each other. But, will secrets cause distrust between the couple?
I sure enjoyed being back in Mermaids’ point and really enjoyed Ivy and Alex’s story. Working together to get the shop up and running allows them each to discover and appreciate each other. One of the small issues I had with the previous book in the series is the large number of characters. In this book, the author provided a helpful character list at the beginning of the book, which I found very useful and allowed me to remember each of the characters before I started reading. And I used it as a reference when I encountered a character that I forgot from the previous books.
I found that this book was much more of a stand-alone than her previous books as it concentrated almost exclusively on Alex’s and Ivy’s story, with just a few visits from the previous characters. The town of Mermaid Point is as much part of the story as the human characters, the idyllic life is masterly described and would make any reader wish they lived there.
I highly recommend Love Blooms at Mermaids Point to anyone who loves an optimistic and positive love story. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Sarah Bennett
Sarah Bennett is the bestselling author of several romantic fiction trilogies including those set in Butterfly Cove and Lavender Bay. Born and raised in a military family she is happily married to her own Officer and when not reading or writing enjoys sailing the high seas.
I’ve never read any of the books from the series, but this sounds like it would be a nice getaway for me. I also love books about books and bookstores.
I would love to live in a place called Mermaid’s Point. Because, of course, it would be at the beach ❤️❤️❤️ This sounds like a lovely series. Excellent review, Wendy!
Great review Wendy. I enjoy Sarah Bennett’s writing. I have this one and another to catch up on. I need to get them on my upcoming TBR.
I was sold at the mention of the bookstore and I love the sound of Ivy and Alex’s romance. I’m definitely adding this to my TBR!
I’ve never read any of the books from the series, but this sounds like it would be a nice getaway for me. I also love books about books and bookstores.
Thank you! It’s a lovely series.
Excellent review, Wendy! And it has such a cute cover!
Thank you, Jolene!
I like it when the setting becomes almost a character in the book, and of course having the plot focus on a bookstore is awesome.
Thank you, Linda! It’s such a lovely series.
I would love to live in a place called Mermaid’s Point. Because, of course, it would be at the beach ❤️❤️❤️ This sounds like a lovely series. Excellent review, Wendy!
Thank you, Tessa! It’s such a lovely place to live!
Glad you enjoyed, it does sound really good 😊
Thank you, Jenny!
Sounds a lovely read Wendy🙂 Great review
Thank you, Mallika!
I really like the look of this one, Wendy. 💙
Thank you, Kim!
I’m reading it right now.
I hope you enjoy it!
I love the cover and the story sounds good. I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Thank you, Cindy!
I love this cover, this sounds like such a fun series.
Thank you, Rae!
The book cover really is enticing.
Thank you, Rosie.