A Marriage by the Sea

Author: Jody Hedlund
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Sisters of Stony Ridge Island #1
Pages: 336
Release Date: October 20, 2026
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

The only thing standing between Marissa and her family's seaside farm is a ring--and the one man she was never supposed to love.

As the oldest of four sisters, Marissa Axton has spent her life trying to prove to her father that, even though she was not born a son, she can capably manage the family farm and blueberry business on Maine's Stony Ridge Island. Regardless of her success, her father insists she marry before he will give her the deed to the farm.

Despite the years he has spent away from the island, Felix Larock can't deny that he still has feelings for Marissa, his childhood best friend. Their friendship has been a secret since their fathers' long-standing feud began years ago. However, when he learns that Marissa needs a husband, he rashly proposes a marriage of convenience. But their feelings for each other are far from pretend, and their relationship begins to blossom--until family secrets unravel and threaten to tear them apart.

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Reviewer: Lori Parrish

A Marriage by the Sea by Jody Hedlund is a clean historical romance. This book has a little of everything in it that a reader could want.

My favorite thing about this story is a second chance romance of the best kind. I wasn’t disappointed at all in this one. Her historical novels are wonderful!

Wonderful new characters that I enjoyed getting to know and love. Marissa is my favorite of course and Felix comes next. I loved them both because they’ve had such hardships throughout life’s difficulties.

I enjoyed this story so much that I am giving this delightful story 5 stars. I enjoyed it because of the message the author offers from this amazing adventure. It will move you in ways that you’d never expect a book to. I just simply couldn’t set this heartfelt novel down. I had to see what happened next!

The cover is beautiful. The author is one of my favorite people. She’s my go to for historical fiction.

It makes me feel like I am really there, and I can hear the ocean too. This story is full of secrets. Honestly, they are what kept me turning the pages. Secrets are never meant to stay hidden. They always come out eventually.

I really, really enjoyed this story, and I was sad to see it end.

I’ll need to add this one to my shelf also. “Sigh “

5 stars for a job well done!

I received a complimentary copy from Revell through Interviews & Reviews via NetGalley for my honest opinion.

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