The Hampton Beach Café

Starting Over #2

by Sage Parker

An unusual affair. A family with big secrets. A beach café crumbling to the ground. 41 year-old Frances Crawford’s life was great…until suddenly, it wasn’t. When her husband decides to leave her days before her birthday, her best friend suggests it’s time for a big change. So, Frances decides to use her life-savings and buy a falling-apart beach café in her hometown. But Hampton Beach, the small beachy town where Frances spent many childhood summers, has more than a few surprises in store, including a family secret that reshapes everything. Amidst the sandy streets, and salty breeze, old friendships are rekindled, new flames are ignited, and second chances offer possibilities Frances could never imagine.

Maybe it won’t be the worst summer of her life after all. Visit the beautiful small village of Hampton Beach, where friendship, hope, love, and coffee are plentiful. This small-town women’s fiction series is perfect for readers who like happy endings and a little bit of mystery.
Scroll up to begin Book 2 in the Starting Over series!

93 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 9, 2023

Reviews

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining relationships listening 🎶🔰

Frances and her friends are working hard to get ready for the inspection and planning the grand opening. With the help of Alexa and Lucinda, they pass inspection and have a very successful grand opening. Frances learns that Lucinda has a personal problem. Continued in book three. I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of family and friends relationships romantic novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀👒🐕

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The continuing story of Frances and the Hampton Beach Cafe that she has been working on to get up and running. Time is running out and its almost time for the cafe to open up. With help from her friends they have been getting it ready to go and ready for inspection. Frances and her husband have split and she has relocated temporarily to Hampton Beach where she grew up. Her longtime friend Lucinda has been staying with her and helping with the renovations. Soon the cafe will be ready and the plan is that Frances will stay for about 6 months and then return to Los Angeles to her old life without her husband Malcolm,. He has moved on and hooked up with his old gf in Boston. I can't wait to see what happens next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.The continuing story of Frances and the Hampton Beach Cafe that she has been working on to get up and running. Time is running out and its almost time for the cafe to open up. With help from her friends they have been getting it ready to go and ready for inspection. Frances and her husband have split and she has relocated temporarily to Hampton Beach where she grew up. Her longtime friend Lucinda has been staying with her and helping with the renovations. Soon the cafe will be ready and the plan is that Frances will stay for about 6 months and then return to Los Angeles to her old life without her husband Malcolm,. He has moved on and hooked up with his old gf in Boston. I can't wait to see what happens next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Megann · Rating 5 out of 5]

So book two shows us not only how Frances's friends work together but that her best friend Lucinda has a secret that she has been hiding from everyone. Will her demons destroy her or the Coffee Shop or will Frances be able to offer the help that she needs to come out of this on the other side.
In the meantime, Prom King, who is an Influencer, is taking Frances to all sorts of parties, get together s and other places where a lot of people congregate. He claims to be doing it for the business and while it has brought in a lot of customers it also has brought some whack-a-doodles who think that she and he are an item. Alex, on the other hand is used to being second fiddle but will he stand up this time and admit that he has loved Frances since they were children?
But in the meantime Frances has to deal with a crazy lady who is pushing things through her door and screaming at her and low and behold we find out that Kennedy is also in love with Prom King and has been for a long time. She goes of on Frances in a restaurant and then again at the shop. Now the problems between them have to be solved in order for them to open and remain open.
Yep just like back in high school. Clique after Clique and Frances doesn't feel like she fits anywhere.
And the one last thing, what is up with her mom and the diaries....just one more issue to solve. Now on to book three and find out whose problems are going to arise during this story.
Love Sage's books and how each one is a different story within the larger story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara Labbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 finds Frances, Lucinda & Alex are working on the renovations of the cafe’. Frances found out that the liquor license expired so they are also scrambling to butter up the counselor to get the license. Finally the license is approved.
A trip to Frances’ mother’s digs up things from Frances past but she finds diaries written by her mother in her childhood items plus letters addressed to her from her father. Why didn’t she ever receive the letters? Looking at the diaries, Frances realizes they are about her mother trying to find her father after he walked out on them. Why did her mother keep diaries about trying to find her father? Did she find him?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carmela Dimattia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally Frances is ready for the opening of her cafe although at times it's not smooth sailing but with Lucinda, Alex and Vincent everything is on track for a huge success. When Frances visited her mother she came across some letters from her father but that is even more mysterious for her. As Frances forges forward after her divorce her best friend Lucinda is facing a major dilemma in her life and she will need her friends now more than ever. This was a great instalment and I am looking forward to read more about all these great characters.

I received an arc copy via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frances is newly divorced and made a spur of the moment decision to buy a building in her hometown. She's transforming it into an art gallery, coffee bar and night time fun spot. Frances' high school nemesis is the town mayor and has to approve everything before the shop can open. Her best friend, Lucinda, has been helping a lot although she's been acting very weird lately. Things are happening quickly, more surprises are in the works.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the help of Lucinda, Alex and Vincent, Frances is ready to have the grand opening of the café. She is also dealing with the letters from her father that she found while visiting her mother. Her father left decades ago and Frances is trying to figure what happened. On top of all this, Lucinda has been very moody and Frances wants to know what is wrong. Join Frances and the crew as they prepare for the grand opening and handle issues as they arise.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kim Mears · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book in the series.

Frances and her friends are rushing to make sure the Café can be ready to open in time for the council inspection, but Frances has other things on her mind. Like what is wrong with her friend Lucinda and after finding some old diaries of her mothers she wonders what really happened with her father.

I enjoyed reading this book and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Baby Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frances has so much on her plate, but she is being a trooper. Alex is her match in every way and I hope they finally acknowledge that they belong together as more than friends! Clarkson gives me the creeps and I feel like he is up to something so I hope Frances wakes up and realizes it too! Lucinda needs a lot of support and I hope Vincent steps up because she is going to need all the love and support from her loved ones to overcome her addiction. I am perplexed as to the whereabouts of Frances dad and I hope her and her mom can find the closure they need to move on. So much is going on with this series that my head is spinning, but in a "you've caught my attention" kind of way. I am loving where this story is heading!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frances is moving on after her divorce , Lucinda needs her friends more than ever Alex her rock and best friend. The three of them are busy with cafe renovations. Frances finds secrets on a visit to her mum’s ….great story the characters and backgrounds solid as the saga continues. Very well written can’t wait for the next in series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Roslyn Simonin Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Francis is opening a cafe with an Art Gallery attacked with Vincent.In the evenings the Art Gallery will hold special events, so Vincent is designing the Cafe with turning walls to go from Coffee to alcohol in mere minutes. Alex is baking for the cafe and Lucinda is helping with where she can.
Is Lucinda crushing on Vincent????
What are Francis' feeling for Alex?

Sage has us hooked again.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

BookTwo finds Francis opening her cafe with the assistance of her friends. She finds her mother’s journal which describes how her mother sought to find her husband who mysteriously disappeared. Francis is able to locate her husband and the woman he is seeing. Something, however, is going on with Lucinda as her behavior becomes mysterious. There is a surprising cliffhanger.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A total change of life and lifestyle for Frances after a surprise divorce. I love how she is not afraid to meet challenges head on and how her best friends are at her side supporting her. Of course, there are some tensions and issues along the way to keep you fully engaged in the plot. A book and series worth reading!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Coffeenbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things are in full motion with Frances and her friends working to get the cafe ready for the grand opening - if they can pass inspection!

Frances finds some items in her mother's attic that make her question her past. She also notices Lucinda's increasingly odd behavior.

Can she pull everything together in time?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frances is a smart and warm hearted woman. Lucinda is a sassy, caring and explosive woman. Alex is a sweet man. Clarkson is a explosive man. Vincent is a sweetheart of a man who has a talent for working with wood. This story is really getting in depth with mystery and drama.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author continues the story with Francis and friends working hard to open the cafe/art gallery. She's delving into the story more with all the drama and mystery unfolding. I'm looking forward to the next book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful series! Hampton Beach is such a charming little beach town, with endearing characters I'd like to have for friends and neighbors. Another great read from Sage Parker. She does a fantastic job keeping her readers wanting more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 2nd book in this series allows us to know a little more about Frances and the secrets her mother was keeping. Frances also finds out her best friend had been keeping secrets too. Frances is learning more about everyone while she is trying to settle in with the opening of the cafe and finding more information about her ex-husband. The storyline is good and I look forward to the next book.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of books written by Sage Parker; she is one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the second book in the Starting Over Series; the story continues from the previous book and needs to be read in order.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book two of the series. Frances and her friends are trying to get everything set for the opening of the cafe. While at her mother's, Frances finds letters from her father and her mom's diaries. What secrets are about to see the light of day? You will absolutely love the characters and the mystery.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful characters in this story. Interesting read following the journey that they have to make and adjust to changes in their life. It always makes for interesting reading. Like the small town feeling of the story. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this story. To read about Frances and learning more about her past and her relationships wotb her friends is great. The last chapter when the grand opening is happening, her best friend Lucinda needs help. This is really interesting.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rose Grabowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

In book 2 of the series the cafe continues toward its opening date. Her friends are helping her jump through the obstacles an unfriendly counselor is creating. A love triangle is forming between two men and Frances. They were both from her past. Her friend confesses a serious problem. This is a short book that continues the Hampton Beach Cafe saga.

[Raylene Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucinda open up to Frances about her problem and she let her stay as long as she likes. Can friend support you are not?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Francis and her friends are hard at work trying to get the cafe ready to open. The mystery and drama builds in this installment.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful series! Each book is enjoyable, captivating and well written. The characters are realistic, fun and easy to get to know.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[B E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frances and team are working hard to open the cafe. She has found letters from her father that she never received and looks like her mother was looking for him.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debi Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting Over

This one started where the first one left off. Frances is finally starting over with her new life and job. She opened Cafe Bruno. Definitely looking forward to the next book

[Sue Negrillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frances reads journals of her mother trying to figure out about her dad. They get the Cafe ready and passes inspections. They have grand opening. Lucinda is frantic outside the casino, she tells Frances h she has a gambling problem and was about to relapse.

[christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I enjoyed this contemporary romance mystery. At time I get a little confusing with the characters. The characters are very likable and supportive