 Author: Julie Klassen Genre: Historical Romance Series: On Devonshire Shores #3 Pages: 400 Release Date: December 3, 2024 Publisher: Bethany House Publishers A surprise homecoming tests the bonds of sisterhood as a hidden past comes to light . . . Disgraced eldest sister Claire Summers has been living in exile as companion to a stern great-aunt in Scotland. About to lose her place and longing to be reconciled with her estranged family, Claire sees an advertisement from someone looking for a "respectable female partner" in a Sidmouth boarding house. Is it a sign? She answers the ad, hoping she has not made another reckless mistake. When she meets the handsome, secretive proprietor, she wonders what he's hiding and if he's any more trustworthy than the nobleman who betrayed her years ago. Claire is drawn to him even though she fears he will reject her when he discovers her genteel façade hides a less-than-respectable past. Meanwhile, the Summers family learns their great-aunt has died and Claire has disappeared without a word. The sisters rally together to find their lost sibling, but will their unexpected reunion heal old wounds and rekindle their bonds . . . or deepen the divide? Return to the captivating Devonshire coast as the Summers sisters navigate romance, second chances, and the enduring strength of sisterhood in the face of adversity.
 Reviewer: Winnie Thomas The Seaside Homecoming by talented author Julie Klassen is the third book in her On Devonshire Shores series. The series centers around five sisters living in Regency England in the early 1800s. Claire Summers is the oldest sister, and she has been living with an elderly aunt in Scotland after a serious transgression which caused her father to demand the family ostracize her. When her aunt dies, she returns to Sidmouth in answer to an advertisement for a partner in a boarding house. There she meets William Hammond, the proprietor, and his daughter. She also finds that her father has passed away and her mother and sisters are running a guest house in Sidmouth. It was a treat to finally have Claire’s story, and I’m looking forward to Sarah’s tale in the next book. I’ve enjoyed seeing the different sisters mature and change through their experiences. Filled with the rich historical detail which characterizes Klassen’s stories, this tale is well-written with a stellar cast of engaging, entertaining, and realistically flawed characters. I enjoyed the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter and especially appreciated the map at the beginning, which allowed me to visualize the area around Sidmouth. The author’s notes at the end were also a very interesting addition. There is a powerful message of forgiveness and the importance of family, which added depth and inspiration to the story. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews. All opinions are my own. Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise Claire was ostracized by her family when she made a foolish choice. When the elderly aunt she has been caring for dies, she returns to the same town where her remaining family runs a guest house. She becomes a partner in a rival boarding house. Full of family drama, mysterious happenings, forgiveness and reconciliation, this well written novel follows the Summers family in the aftermath of the death of their father. A romance develops while Claire helps William run the boarding house where he lives with his daughter and her nanny. This many layered story uses chapter heading quotes to hint at the content of the next scene. The book shows the prejudices and attitudes of the times and how the characters handled difficult situations. Claire’s sisters and mother showed loyalty in different ways, but their faith was always clearly depicted. I am glad there will be yet another book about the sisters of Seaview. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House via NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.  Reviewer: Anna Bottoms This was a wonderful story, beginning with rejection and disappointment, then ending with love and redemption. As Clair grapples with the consequences of sin and separation from her family, God makes a way forward and shows her how precious she is. Step by step through interactions with newfound friends and her family, she begins to see herself differently. Through the personal stories of the places and characters and the descriptions of the area around Sidmouth, I was taken on a journey through this time in history. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the Summers sisters again and getting a glimpse of their lives as they interacted with Clair, but Sarah’s rigidness was a bit of a disappointment. It made me not like her as well, at least for a while. I somehow wanted the villain to be more villainous, though he was just a man with flaws like us all. Overall, this is a book that I would read again and recommend. I was given a copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews. This is my honest opinion of the book. Reviewer: Laura J. Davis I have enjoyed visiting with the Summers sisters once again, and I believe The Seaside Homecoming is my favourite book in the series so far. I found it very hard to put down and it kept me up until the wee hours of the night. We finally get to learn all the details of why Claire was banished to her aunt’s home in Scotland and how horrible the standards were for women as opposed to men in those days, regarding their reputations. But, hasn’t that always been the way? Things never change. I was very perturbed by Mrs. Summers’ refusal to forgive her daughter because of a deathbed promise she made to her husband. Good grief! Women were so ridiculous in those days. I would never be that obedient to my husband. Everything in this book about how subservient the women were rubbed me the wrong way. However, I loved this book because all these women grew! Not just in their faith and in the real meaning of forgiveness, but in their opinions of themselves and their own worth. I was delighted that Sarah’s story will continue in the next book. I hope she gets her happily ever after! I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley for my honest review. Reviewer: Rebecca Maney "You have probably heard by now, but in case you have not; Aunt Mercer has died." Then what had happened to their sister Claire? Claire Summers had been banished from her family by their father following a public indiscretion and sent to Scotland to serve as personal companion to his sister in perpetuity. Which once again begged the question, where was Claire? Unbeknownst to her mother and sisters, she had made a very bold move. Coming back to Sidmouth was a gamble that Claire Summers wasn't sure would have a happy ending, but when she answered the advertisement for a "respectable female partner" in a boarding house venture, her longing for home overrode everything else. Once gainfully employed, she set about to do the best job that she could, live quietly within the walls of Broadbridge's Boarding House and pray that amends could eventually be made with her mother and sisters. However, another complication soon made his presence known, the intriguing Thomas Hammond and his lovely little daughter, the man who just happened to be her newly acquired business partner. "I want the impossible, I suppose. I want to be forgiven, to no longer be a source of shame to my family." Claire's story! What a treat for readers who have been following this series to finally spend some time with the Summers sister who had broken her family's heart. And what a heart it turns out that she has! Able to overcome her past with grace and humility, Claire pushes past obstacles both past and present to become the woman that God always intended for her to be. I received a copy of this book from Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews. Reviewer: Juanita Varela This is the third book in the On Devonshire Shores series. I recommend reading the first two chapters of this book because of the previous stories. If you do not care, it is still an enjoyable book to read if this is the only one. However, I recommend reading them in order. It feels like a series, where stories continue even after their books. I like a redemption or reconciliation plot. I am a big sucker for those who come back to their families. Faith is a present aspect. I like where Julie Klassen took this book. I also like the point of view. It gives the story more depth, which makes it all the more real. I can’t wait to follow this series in the future. This is a clean novel with no sex or language. Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own. Reviewer: Jeanette Durkin What a fantastic book! Once again, Julie Klassen wrote a book that touched my heart on many levels. The Summers family continues to amaze me with their faith, love, and forgiveness. The sisters' close bond with each other reminds me so much of the March sisters of Little Women. The characters are wonderful! I enjoyed Claire's growth during this book. She really has to put her past in her past. Agnes did not seem likable at first, but her true nature is revealed in surprising ways! I liked William from the beginning. He has an air of mystery and sadness. His affection for his daughter is heartwarming. Mira is my favorite! She's cute, precocious, and has a heart full of love. A point of interest involves intermarriage between the British and natives of India. The racial prejudice that was endured by many is disheartening. Faith is a large part of the book. Many of the characters have to lean on their faith as they try to move on from their painful pasts. I was provided with a complimentary copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers via Netgalley through Interviews & Reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Reviewer: Lori Parrish
It seems as if it’s the way with a series of books that the last one is always the best. Like this one. I loved Claire’s story! What a story it was! So much is going on that it will keep a reader glued to their seat until the book is finished. I didn’t like Claire’s aunt. Yes, I know she took her in, but I didn’t like how she treated her. People make mistakes. I liked how Claire learned from hers. I didn’t want this book to end. It was so good. The characters were so realistic that I felt like I was watching a movie. The scenes were so descriptive that I loved and appreciated the beauty of it all. Honestly, in my opinion there’s no place like home. Five stars from me. I truly enjoyed this novel. I highly recommend it. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion. Leave a Reply. |
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