Review: The Bakery at Seashell Cove by Karen Clarke: 7 of my #20BooksofSummer21

Meg Larson thought she had everything she wanted: she works in the local bakery, she’s months away from marrying her high-school sweetheart, and home is beautiful, sunny Seashell Cove, where the sky is blue, the sea is turquoise and the sand is golden.

Except that the bakery is up for sale and her fiancé Sam’s more interested in bikes than their relationship. When Meg receives shocking news about her family, he’s on a cycling tour and ignoring her calls – and posting selfies on Facebook with a female cyclist he looks far too cosy with…

Luckily the bakery’s estate agent, Nathan, is understanding and funny, and as the summer goes on an unexpected friendship blossoms. When the bakery is given a second lease of life under a mysterious new owner, Meg realises a change might be exactly what she needs too.

Will Meg find the happy-ever-after she dreams of in Seashell Cove? (Goodreads)

I was a bit iffy about this book in the beginning, but it ended up winning over my heart.
The Bakery at Seashell Cove by Karen Clarke is a lighthearted yet pretty emotional, scrumptious read. I cannot sing praises of this book enough.

As I mentioned earlier, however, this book didn’t grab my heart straight away.
I had some sticking points that had me wondering whether to go on or not, but eventually, it all worked out and I am so glad about it.

First off, I wasn’t a big fan of Meg as other readers appeared to have been. As opposed to positive comments regarding her character, I didn’t find Meg as likeable or relatable, I actually found her a bit ungrateful at some point.
Secondly, Her devotion to the Old Bakery didn’t come across as properly executed, and despite all the reiteration as to how Meg has always wanted to own her own bakery, I couldn’t see why and how she has become to be so attached to this particular bakery, to begin with. The delivery was a bit lacking and less convincing in my eyes, and it consequently hindered me from getting into the story as quickly as I would have liked.

I enjoyed the romance and the emotional seesawing tremendously though. It’s actually what truly pulled me into the story, and got me all invested.
I did find the introduction of the romance a teeny bit contrived (like having a sexual daydream) momentarily, but I could totally see the sparks and chemistry between Meg and Nathan, and it didn’t take me long to begin rooting for Meg, wanting them to be happy together.
Combined with the emotional drifts from Sam, the fracture in the relationship was nicely portrayed and depicted. I appreciated how the chink – which was initially small – became wider and wider as the story develops and how it was depicted with conviction.
Emotions were spilling out of each word and swept me up in a roller-coaster ride. My heart ached and beat like crazy just as Meg’s did, and I reckon it’s a true testament to how good a book is to have a reader go like that.

The rom-com moment in the end was such a treat that held me captive till the end; it raised my heart rate and had my emotions go all haywire. I know I am sounding like a broken record but I cannot help but love a book that gets my emotions to go crazy!

All in all, The Bakery at Seashell Cove is a lovely story of love and friendship, as well as following your heart. Meg finally finds true love and a place where she can truly shine.

This book had me become a Karen Clarke fan, and this book won’t certainly be the last that I read from the author.
Delicious and satisfying 4.5 stars go to the book, and I am now eyeing to read the next book in the series. 

This is the 7th book of my 20 Books of Summer Reading Challenge.