Tinsel & Tides

Starfish Inn #1

by Nina Potter

A short, sweet Christmas novella about finding love later in life - perfect for a cozy evening read! (Under 100 pages)

In Mistletoe Cove, where Christmas magic meets second chances...

Burned out from her high-powered Boston career, Olivia Hartley never expected her reluctant vacation to change her life. But the charming coastal town of Mistletoe Cove, with its twinkling lights and festive decorations, has a way of working holiday magic.

Harbor master Jack Sawyer loves everything about his hometown, from the salty air to the close-knit community. When he meets the stressed-out city executive, he sees past her professional facade to the longing for something more. As he introduces her to Mistletoe Cove's Christmas traditions, both discover that the best gifts can't be wrapped.

But with her demanding job calling her back to Boston, Olivia must choose between the career she's built and the chance at love she never saw coming. Can the magic of Mistletoe Cove convince her that sometimes the best life plans are the ones we never expected?

A heartwarming holiday romance

A career woman discovering what really mattersA charming small-town harbor masterThe magic of coastal Christmas traditionsFinding love when you least expect itA community that feels like familyThe courage to choose happinessWelcome to Mistletoe Cove, where second chances are always in season. "Tinsel & Tides" is Book 1 in the Starfish Inn Romance series but can be enjoyed as a standalone story.

Perfect for readers who

Mature characters finding loveSmall-town holiday romanceCoastal settingsCareer woman romanceSweet contemporary romanceChristmas magicThis uplifting holiday romance novella is a quick, heartwarming read under 100 pages. If you're looking for a short, sweet story about mature characters finding love during the holiday season, "Tinsel & Tides" is perfect for you!

Genres: Christmas, Holiday, Novella, Romance, Contemporary

83 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 26, 2024

Reviews

[Madelynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute but way too short. This definitely could have been a bit longer.

[Kay Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Australian warm beach Christmas! As Tinsel & Tides states, it is a short, sweet Christmas Romance that 100% nails it! Also, can we talk about the cover? It's stunning! So beautiful that it caught my eye instantly.

Tinsel & Tide is a great time-passer or a perfect Novella to catch up on reading goals, but it is something we've read countless times with a workaholic during the Holidays. However, I do love how it is a beach Christmas, not the standard snowed-in, bundled up in the cold. Thank You, Australia!


Written in Third Person.

Story: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Audiobook: N/A Read
Spice: N/A

[Bana AZ]

I only got a few pages in, but I already thought it was kinda cliche with the workaholic city FMC and the small town MMC. During their first meeting, Jack told Olivia twice to not work so much. Excuse me, you just met! And not even formally. And the last straw was the inconsistency with Olivia's boss. Olivia was told by her boss to take 2 weeks off to avoid burnout, but in the next few paragraphs he's calling her about a work problem? Makes no sense. Decided to DNF instead of power through and end up giving a low rating.

[Jenny - Book Sojourner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short but Sweet Later-in-Life Christmas Romance. Hallmark-ish.

[Angela · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like that

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet short story perfect for my Hallmark Christmas Movie loving soul.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia Hartley is on a forced two week vacay where she meets Harbor Master Jack Sawyer.Her high power job has always been her driving force but she finds a new pace and the simple joys of small town living are luring her to stay and not go away back to Boston . The charming coastal town of Mistletoe Cove has wielded its powers as she’s introduced to their Christmas traditions this holiday season. She needs a reason to stay and not go away but what of Jack? He’s as ruggedly handsome as they come full of warmth and never glum. This later in life romance has everything that’s good about falling in love . Best friends who have the same taste and she’s finding this out when her heart begins to race and going away leaves her in doubt. Life is what you make it and happiness comes to those who embrace life to its fullest. Beautifully written , I was indeed smitten by these two romantic souls and the whole small town cosiness. She’s not only found love , she’s found home. Awesome writing , loved this story thats well written with endearing characters and their real life tale . I’m leaving my review voluntarily and in my own words.

[Elmaret Fourie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Workaholic and nearly burned out Olivia’s boss sends her on vacation. On arriving in Mistletoe Cove she meets the local harbor master, Jack, who immediately senses she rather might be on a workcation. Jack offers her to show her around the charming town. And soon Olivia discovers there is more to life than fast-paced corporate careers and big cities. It is difficult to say if it was the attractive, rugged harbor master or the sweet town with a true Christmas spirit that won Olivia over to give love, romance, and a new career a chance. This book is perfect for readers who believe in finding love a bit later in life!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun, sweet, short read about hitting mid-life and having to make some decisions about which direction to move in the future. Olivia had worked for years to get the corner office. Now that she is there she must decide if that is where she really wants to be with dreams from her younger years just memories in the rear-view mirror or if there is something better than working eighteen-hour days and always being on call, even on a vacation you have been forced to take. Fortunately, spending some time in the small costal village of Mistletoe Harbor and getting to know the local harbor master, Jack, gives her some choices.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t like this book. It was a quick read, being a short story, but it didn’t feel realistic at all. Olivia was falling in love with Jack after knowing him for three days. That’s so quick. The book also hardly has anything to do with Christmas, so that was a letdown as well. Also, Olivia’s boss demands she takes a vacation and then calls her everyday with a crisis? In what world! Maybe I’m just overly cynical, but this book was not it for me. Lastly, the only mention of this being a “later in life” romance, was in the epilogue. Without that one sentence, these characters could have been any age. Not a favorite, and not really worth my time.

[Margaret Hejmanowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love all things Nina Potter and this does not disappoint, this is book one in The Starfish Cove Series. Olivia Hartley has a high powered, high pressure job in Boston. Due to possible burnout, she is forced to take a two week vacation in Mistletoe Cove. As Olivia is there, her boss keeps calling her with emergencies for Olivia to handle. Olivia meets Jack Sawyer the Harbor Master, he shows her around town and meets his friends. One's life is to short to only work! Love the plot, great setting, and strong intense interesting characters. I look forward to the next book in the series.

[Brooke Burger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review

Tinsel and Tides by NIna Potter,

This short read takes the reader from a forced vacation for a burned out executive to true love with a little help from small town guy and his small town’s Christmas charm. The town also sounds like a wonderful place to visit for the holidays.

I received an advance copy of this book, but was under no obligation to leave positive reviews (that is all me).

[Chloe A · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

i enjoyed the coastal christmas vibes! the town is cute, and the seasonal atmosphere is great.

however, the characters and romance were shallow. and it did low key bother me how it supposed to be dual pov but the writing kept switching into omnipotent territory. “he was listening intently”… how would olivia know he was listening intently??

anyways im being nitpicky, overall a fun little novella!

[Aud · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Tinsel & Tides” (Starfish Inn, Book 1) by Nina Potter
A Sweet Easy Read
Everyone should be so lucky as to find their Mistletoe Cove. Yes, I loved this story. It was just a perfect read for me. And, a very real and important message. One’s life should be in a place and working an occupation that makes you happy. I am looking forward to the next story in Mistletoe Cove. Happy Reading ! !

[Lucia Valenzuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute short story. Jack is immediately drawn to Olivia. On a forced vacation, her boss is constantly calling her to put out fires. Jack persuades Olivia to sample Mistletoe Cove’s holiday traditions. Now Olivia is faced with new life choices. Really enjoyable story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my voluntary, honest review.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet later in life love story where a woman learns that there is more to life than working herself to death. Starfish Inn is a cosy centrepiece to this town, and this story is a great prequel and setup to the coming series.

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

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet and delightful, second chance Christmas romance! This book was so entertaining, enjoyable, well written and fun to read. It had such charming, relatable, later in life characters and the Mistloe Cove setting was amazing. Just a really cute story and perfect for a wonderful afternoon of entertainment.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and Sweet Romance

This was a charming feel good whirlwind romance. I loved being able to read it in about an hour. Olivia and Jack are sweet adults who have experienced life and are looking for something to enrich it even more. Their genuine care and connection make for a beautiful story.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mature romance - short story

Olivia is sent in a forced holiday vacation to avoid burnout yet her boss calls at least once a day with a crisis. While vacationing in a small seaside town, though, she is exposed to a much more peaceful way of life; and begins to question life decisions. Meeting Jack adds to new considerations.

[Tami Willard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forced to take a vacation yet her boss keeps calling with emergencies for her to handle. Feeling a connection with someone while on vacation wasn't planned. Will this make her rethink her life? What would she choose?
I received a copy of this book from the author. Review voluntarily given.

[Linda Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, quick small town later-in-life romance. Work really isn’t everything. This is an entertaining charming read set in a quaint seaside town with plenty of fun festivals. The first in a new series. I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author & I am writing a voluntary honest review.

[Nasi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tinsel & Tides was a quick cozy read, however was written in a third person pov. It was a sweet romance but in a sensible way. It wasn’t over the top and wasn’t boring. Definitely enjoyable in a way that many could probably relate to with being overworked and such.

[Abbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute Christmas whirlwind romance in a picturesque small town that I am convinced doesn't exist in the UK. The characters were charming but understandable things felt a bit rushed but it was such a lovely feel good read

[Cheryl Hollingsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a wonderful story! I absolutely loved reading it - and starting to get to know the folks in Mistletoe Cove along the way! Such a wonderful reminder to live the life that makes you happy, just as both Jack & Olivia end up doing!

[Nancy Peach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great story!

Start with a stressed out corporate woman and a laid back harbor master in a magical town. Love is definitely in the air! Such a sweet story of love that can be found at any age.

[diaryofacleanreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

4/5

Olivia and Jack were so cute! Don’t think you would know this is a later in life romance if not for the description. Love how these characters were able to LIVE without their age as a restriction.

SPICE: 0/5 clean read!

LANGUAGE: none!

TROPES: later in life romance, holiday romance

[LaRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very delightful, clean romance book! Quick to read and such a cute story! Loved it!

[Cheyanne Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute & short little holiday romance!

[Melinda Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and cozy

This was so cute and perfect for.Christmas.
Sometimes you have to let.go and take a chance. Can't wait to read book2

[Breeanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

To cheesy for me🧀☹️