Summer Nights at the Starfish Café

by Jessica Redland

When I started reading Summer Nights at the Starfish Café, I almost did an about face to stop reading this fictional account of a summer in the lives of the residents of the “popular North Yorkshire seaside town of Whitsborough Bay.” Author Redland began with a list with descriptive notes about the main and some minor characters. It seemed like too much to keep up with, but I persisted and I’m so glad I did. Although I referred back to the list several times, I found that Redland reintroduces the characters with more information about them as they initially appear in the book. I had no trouble keeping up after that.

Redland tells the story by focusing on two main characters. Hollie owns the Starfish Café, and Kerry, a single mother of four, works part time for Hollie during the school term. Each one tells her part of the story written from her point of view. Their lives overlap, even in the summer, because they have many of the same friends.

With a delicate hand, Redland draws a picture of the difficult situations both women find themselves in the middle of through no fault of their own. Both are sympathetic characters who work hard at their jobs, in their relationships, and in support of those they love. Even the minor characters and characters that are unlikable are shown to be worthy of the reader’s attention and maybe even empathy. Romance is in the air in Whitsborough Bay for several characters with dates, weddings and pregnancy forming a central focus, but friendship, children, and pets are important also. Many of the characters are crew members of the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution). There is a strong family feeling among them, and many of them are descendants of multiple generations of crew members.

Bitter estrangement between Hollie’s husband Jake and his sister Larissa bubbles over into violence. Kerry’s ex-husband, Cameron, after a six year absence with no explanation, decides he wants to renew his role as a father to his four children. Kerry wants it to happen slowly and in a way that won’t hurt her children. She sets boundaries and makes it clear that Cameron needs to put the kids’ needs above his own.

I enjoyed this novel. It has dramatic twists that keep the reader engaged. Kerry’s children play important roles as does Pickles, Hollie’s dog. I recommend this book for a fun read with depth of character and plot situation.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Women’s Fiction, Romance

Notes: #3 and the final book in the Starfish Café Series. It can be read as a standalone.

Publication:  April 6 2023—Boldwood Books

Memorable Lines:

I pictured Larissa’s pinched face, the scowl on her forehead, the stiffness in her body. It must be exhausting to carry that much hate and anger with you all the time. I hoped she didn’t take it out on her husband and son.

People are too quick to pass the blame onto something from their past as though that justifies everything, but it doesn’t. They make their own choices. They’re responsible for their own behaviour.

Keep dancing in the rain. There is always, ALWAYS someone having a tougher time than you. Smile. Sparkle. You’ve got this!