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about Susanne mCcarthy

I’m a Londoner, though I haven’t lived there for many years. But if you’re born a Londoner you’re always a Londoner. And what could be better than growing up in London in the 60s? The clubs, the live music, the shops – all now passed into legend.

I got fed up with school and left before taking my A levels. Over the next few years I had lots of jobs – measuring fabric in Jones and Higgins in Peckham, cleaning chalets at Butlins Bognor Regis, even a short stint in the Civil Service. Then I decided it was time to grow up, so I went to Liverpool to train as a teacher. I loved life at University, but I wasn’t so keen on teaching, so I switched to adult education, which suited me fine.

Shortly after I met my husband we moved to Shropshire, where we lived on the side of a hill with a series of rescued Afghan Hounds, a couple of small terriers, some cats, some birds, some fish, and an iguana called Spike.

A few years ago we decided to move to Devon. My husband is a Devonian, and had always wanted to come home. And me… I wanted to live near the sea. So now we are settled here in South Devon, a twenty minute stroll from the beach. And I love it!

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My Review

I couldn’t wait to return to Sturcombe Bay, and from the very first pages of Summer in Sturcombe Bay, it felt like stepping back into the warmest, most comforting seaside escape imaginable. Over the course of this series, Susanne McCarthy has created a village that feels so vivid and welcoming that coming back to it honestly felt like reconnecting with old friends.

This time the story follows Izzy, whose life in London has completely unravelled, leading her to take a temporary teaching post in Sturcombe Bay. And honestly, the entire setup felt like the dream escape so many of us secretly wish for at some point in life. A cosy cottage by the sea, sunny mornings, quieter days, friendly neighbours and the chance to simply stop, breathe and start over somewhere peaceful.

Susanne McCarthy captures that feeling of emotional exhaustion and needing a reset so well through Izzy’s story. Watching her slowly settle into village life – and begin rediscovering happiness in the little everyday moments – made this feel especially uplifting.

I also loved the dynamic between Izzy and Dan from the very beginning. Their chemistry has that perfect mix of irritation, teasing and undeniable attraction, but it was seeing Dan with his shy young nephew Connor that really made me fall for him. Connor brought such sweetness and heart to the story, and the growing bond between all three characters felt natural, comforting and genuinely emotional.

One thing this series does beautifully is create a world readers genuinely want to escape into. Sturcombe Bay has become the kind of fictional place that feels comforting to return to – full of kindness, hope and people quietly looking out for one another when it matters most.

While each Sturcombe Bay book works perfectly as a standalone romance, reading the series together adds such a lovely sense of familiarity and belonging to the village. These books are the definition of comforting escapist reading – warm, uplifting stories that are perfect for lazy summer afternoons, holiday reading or simply taking a break from the real world for a while.

There’s also something wonderfully summery about this instalment in particular. The sunshine, sea air, relaxed coastal atmosphere and quiet beachside moments gave the whole story such a bright, uplifting feeling. More than once, I found myself wishing I could pack a bag and disappear to Devon for the summer too.

Once again, I found myself reluctant to leave Sturcombe Bay behind. These books have become such a comforting place to escape to, full of warmth, hope and characters who feel like old friends now. I can only hope Susanne McCarthy has more stories waiting for us in this gorgeous little corner of Devon, because I’d return there in a heartbeat.

#SummerInSturcombeBay #SusanneMcCarthy #SturcombeBay
#JoffeBooks #ZooloosBookTours

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See About My Reviews and Review FAQ for full star rating explanations and review guidelines. This review may also appear on my social media channels and selected book platforms. All links were correct at the time of publication. DISCLOSURE: I received a review copy of this book via Zooloo’s Book Tours and Choc Lit (a Joffe Books company). As always, my thoughts are honest and my own.

© [2026] [MoMoBookDiary]. This review is original content. Please credit and link back if you wish to quote.

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