Love Letters by the Sea

Oh, what a charming novella this was. I was so glad that Deborah Cartwright, the widowed proprietress of Siren's Retreat, is granted another chance at love to last a lifetime. Deborah never intended to marry again but fate had other plans in store for her. In fact, she had two separate “persons” vying for her heart. The Inn at Siren's retreat had brought love into so many peoples’ lives, it was destined to do that for Deborah. Using a nom de plume of Salt&Sea, she has been corresponding with LostInLondon, the pseudonym of an unknown gentleman. He has formed an attachment to her through her written prose and descriptions of people, events, and the habitats of Brighton. Though he isn’t able to stay at Siren's Retreat, Patrick Gretham’s employer has sent him to Brighton to accomplish one major task. Though at odds with completing his task, Patrick can’t help his desire to strike up a friendship with Deborah which grows into something more. It is a real conundrum when Deborah realizes she has formed an attachment with both “persons.” One she has never met but corresponded with, and the other she has met in person. She is appalled when she finds out the truth about Patrick but also hurt when she cannot rely on her dear friend she has written and trusts his character. I loved how it was all resolved and recommend this sweet, character-driven Regency period romance. I was lucky to receive an ARC of it and have no problem rating it 5 stars.

Deborah Cartwright was happily married for too brief a time to the man who built Siren’s Retreat. She manages the inn and loves the legend that surrounds her inn, couples finding their true loves. She feels she has already had the one true love in her life. Now, anyone who believes in the magic of the inn should know better. Patrick comes to Brighton to acquire the land for an earl who wants to build a gambling hell on the sea shore. The property he wants is the land where Siren’s Retreat sits. They spend a good deal of time in each other’s company, and they begin to fall for each other. He would like to help her find a way to keep the inn, but he has his job to do. When he inadvertently discovers that she is his secret penpal, Salt&Sea, he wants more than anything to find a way. This is fourth and final romance set in the Siren’s Retreat in Brighton. Although she might not believe it, at first, it is Deborah’s second chance for true love. I liked this sort of fingers-crossed the story. Will she be able to keep the inn? Will she and Patrick find happily ever after? I love Patrick and Deborah. They have wonderful chemistry. Deborah’s nieces are adorable, and her friends John and Allegra from the second story are here. By the shore in Brighton is a beautiful place for a love story. And a love story it is, with a charming hero, a determined heroine, and a splashing good HEA. I recommend this story and the rest of the series. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Love Letters by the Sea by Erica Ridley Siren’s Retreat #4 Excellent conclusion to this four-book series set in Brighton, England at the Siren’s Retreat Inn where true love is often found! What I liked: * Mrs. Deborah Cartright: inn keeper, widow, soprano once on stage with the opera, believes in one true love…maybe? * Mr. Patrick Gretham: employed by an earl, business minded, solid, focused, intrigued by his pen pal, hopes there might be more for him in the future * The legend of the inn and remembering the previous books in the series * The Tea Room and seeing how Allegra and her husband are doing * The setting * That the relationship between the two main characters was not “easy” but definitely worth pursuing * The book that Patrick put together to give to his employer, the Earl of Edgewick * The solution that the earl came up with at the end of the book * Wondering if there might be more books in the future set at the Siren’s Retreat What I didn’t like: * Hmmm…can’t think of anything…it all was necessary for the story so…everything was just right! Did I enjoy this book? Yes Would I read more by this author? Definitely! Thank you to the author for the ARC – this is my honest review. 5 Stars