Summer in Bellbird Bay by Maggie Christensen is a heart-warming story about love, life, friendship, and starting all over again.
Alisa McNeil’s marriage of more than twenty-five years has ended and everything feels so different. When her friend, Bev, invites Alisa to spend the summer in Bellbird Bay, Queensland, she jumps at the chance to leave her home in Canberra.
She expects sun, beaches, and relaxation, but she certainly doesn’t expect romance!
Her friend’s twin brother, Martin Cooper, was the first man she was attracted to, when she was just nineteen years old.
Having travelled the world as a well-known travel photographer, his arrival at Bellbird Bay for the summer is unexpected. Reuniting with him takes her back to that initial attraction but she can’t help worrying that perusing something could lead to even more pain.
This story reflected on many topics, from marriage breakdown, empty nesting, through to friendship, rejuvenation, and … of course… romance! It was a beautiful read that kept me turning the pages late into the evening, and wistful for a summer vacation. This was my first Maggie Christensen book, but I’m looking forward to the rest in the Bellbird Bay series.
Thank you to Beauty and Lace and Cala Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
ISBN: 9780645128345
Copy courtesy of Maggie Christensen
A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club Members are reading Summer in Bellbird Bay by Maggie Christensen. You can read their comments below, or add your own review.
Raechel is a Professor, mother of 5 and avid reader. She always has at least four books on the go at any one time – an audio book, a fiction e-book, a non-fiction e-book, and an ‘actual’ book. She is often criticized for this behaviour!
Summer in Bellbird Bay
52 year old Ailsa has had enough of her grumpy husband and boring home life. So when the offer comes in from her long time friend, Bev, to stay with her in idyllic Qld town Bellbird Bay she eagerly accepts.
Her husbands respond to her trip and his shock admission takes her completely by surprise.
Just as Ailsa starts to relax in the holiday Bev’s grumpy twin brother Martin arrives home stirring up old memories of a date they had together when they were only 19.
I really enjoyed this book. It was nice to read a book where the main characters and love interests were in their 50s rather then young as most novels are.
Thanks to Beauty and lace book club for this copy.
Summer at Bellbird Bay by Maggie Christensen is a story about Ailsa and the end of her marriage. After her husband’s distance and shock announcement Aisla decides to visit her best friend Bev for some peace and thinking space. While there Bev’s brother Martin arrives and adds to her confusion as they had met and connected prior to her marriage.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the area and the vibe of the small town. I was a little frustrated to Ailsa’s inner monologue as it was repetitive and felt like she was just going around in circles. But i guess considering the circumstances of her life that would be the way most of us would react.
Overall a great read and I look forward to continuing my visits to Bellbird Bay.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Cala Publishing for the chance to read and review.
Ailsa has had concerns about her husband’s happiness and their relationship for some time and a family Xmas seems the time to ask some questions and take sometime out on her own. An offer to visit a friend in Bellbird Bay sees her making the drive to visit and artsy with her friend Bev for the summer school holidays. A lot of heartache as communicating with her husband is difficult and the knowledge that her marriage is over seems to overwhelm her.
Bee’s brother who. She had met when she was younger returns to Bellbird Bay with secrets of his own and seems to be deciding what he does with his future. Family visits, strolls and confidential conversations take place and it seems that their may be light out their for her future. I really felt for Ailsa and what she is going through. A story to open your heart and see what can happen.
Summer in Bellbird Bay is truly a lovely and soul searching read.
Maggie Christensen has written a delightful book
Alisa has been married to Bob for nearly 25 years they have 2 adult sons,
Bob has been acting strange for quite a while he finally confesses to Ailsa ( absolutely no spoilers ) what his problem is,
It rocks her world as it would to most wives,
An old friend Bev has asked Ailsa to stay with her in Bellbird Bay, which is the perfect opportunity for Alisa to come to terms with what is happening in her marriage,
Bevs twin brother Martin also arrives to stay this causes mixed emotions for both of them
Lots of ups and downs but a really lovely book to read with a happy ending
I absolutely loved this book, and literally read from cover to cover all night! It is so refreshing to read a story about life, love, and heartbreak, for a middle aged woman, rather than the younger generation as is so often the norm in novels.
Bellbird Bay sounds beautiful, and the descriptions of the Bay, the garden centre and cafe, jumped out of the pages. They were written in a way they became so easy to visualise.
I enjoyed the inclusivity of Alisa’s children, and their reactions to a shocking revelation.
It truly is a heartwarming story, and covers just about every emotion imaginable. But a warning, like me, you will not want to put it down. I hope there is a sequel, so that we can further follow Alisa on her journey in love and life.
Thank you Beauty & Lace , Cala Publishing, and Maggie Christensen, for a wonderful story.
Summer in Bellbird Bay is a romance novel.
Alisa McNeil believed that after 25 years of marriage to her husband Bob, and now that their 2 boys have left home, it would be time for overseas trips and time together. Instead Bob has become a different person, reclusive and even moved to the couch to sleep.
When her friend Bev invited her to spend the summer at Bellbird Bay, Ailsa jumps at the chance.
While telling Bob her plans and that she needs some space. Bob drops his own bomb on their marriage. It was some thing she never thought she would hear.
Keeping this recent news to herself she goes to stay in Bellbird Bay, it will give her time to think, as it seems her marriage is definitely over.
The stunning views, the fresh air is just what she needs.
Bev’s twin brother Martin also decides to come and stay with Bev. He needs somewhere to regroup after relationship and work problems. Having grown up in Bellbird Bay, he was desperate to escape the small town. He has spent 30 years travelling the world as a photographer.
Alisa rememberers a brief connection with him when she was 19 years old.
This is a lovely story of second chances when life doesn’t work out the way you expect!
The book is easy to read, great characters , thoroughly recommended it.
So what do you do when the things you thought you know are not what they seem? Alisa was concerned her Bob was drifting away from her, may even be cheating, definitely not participating in their marriage how he should. A shock revelation from Bob encouraged her to relocate, take time out and touch base with a blast from the past, Bev.
In Bellbird bay there was the beach, the people, the relaxation and just that bit more…
Martin has had his professional life trashed by a lie. Its over, he needs to find out how to move forward. Returning to his twin sister in Bellbird bay to review seems the best option. He didnt realise Bev has company, more than he bargained for.
A tale of self searching, reassessment and a touch of naughty, i enjoyed this read and the relaxation it brought.
Thanks Beauty & Lace for the chance to read it.
Summer in Bellbird Bay is the first book in a series by Maggie Christensen. It was a lovely, easy to read story with nice characters. I will make sure to look for the rest of the series as it comes out. Thank you Beauty and Lace for letting me review this book >:o)
I really enjoyed reading “Summer in Bellbird Bay” by Maggie Christensen. This little town sounds so cute, just where I would love to live.
Alisa arrives in Bellbird Bay to try and sort out her feelings on her marriage breakdown. A old boyfriend returns with problems of his own.
It takes a while to find the outcome of this story but its well worth it.
Ailsa McNeil runs to Bellbird Bay to regroup and find space to deal with her imploding marriage. The invitation to stay with her friend Bev, arriving at the perfect time.
Martin Cooper returns to Bellbird Bay, the only place he’s ever truly called home, his career seemingly in tatters and sworn off women forever. Arriving at his twin sister Bev’s place, he is surprised the old friend staying with her is Ailsa.
After trying to stay out of each other’s way, an accident throws Ailsa and Martin together and sees them sharing their reasons for being in Bellbird Bay with each other.
Will the spark from a kiss 33 years ago still be there or will some miscommunications keep them apart?
Throw in Bev, an adult son or two and some interesting locals to add even more interest and this is a great weekend read. As this is book one in the Bellbird Bay series, I am assuming we will see more of the good people of Bellbird Bay in the future, and that is something I will look forward to.
Thank you to Beauty and Lace for the opportunity to read and review this book.