The Old Boat Shed

by Polly Babbington

Escape to the coast with bestselling author Polly Babbington and a brand new uplifting small-town romance book full of sweet romance, friendship and a new start by the sea.

A broken heart. An old boat shed. And a man never part of the plan.

It's never too late to find yourself...

Tilly has followed her musician partner around the world, taking housekeeping jobs in international five-star hotels and kitchen duties on cruise ships as he tries to hit the big time. She’s loyal, hard working, intelligent and not expecting to be cheated on in any shape or form.

After finding out that she’s not the only one her partner spends the night with and seeing a social media post for an old boat shed on a tiny island just off the south coast of England, she puts all her eggs in one basket, books a flight and lands back in Britain with a heavy heart.

On her way to Darling Island, she’s not sure what she’s going to find. One thing she’s resolutely certain she’s not looking for love . But will the irritating, ravishingly handsome farmer who lands in her world have other ideas?

Every Polly book can be read as a standalone.

Readers on contemporary romance author Polly Babbington.

'You will be OBSESSED!!!'

‘Love Polly’s writing and I’m hooked on the Pollyverse. Perfect if you love Jo Bartlett, Jessica Redland, Holly Martin and Heidi Swain. Get ready to fall in love with a world.' Reader review

'The best escape to the coast books I've ever read!' Reader review

♥ small town
♥ meet cute
♥ slow burn
♥ one bed
♥ closed door
♥ comfort reading
♥ grumpy sunshine
♥ opposites attract

293 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 24, 2026

Reviews

[Freya Carter]

It isn’t a bad book but I found it very slow, when I reached about third of the way through I wasn’t sure if I was going to pick it up again.
I liked the overall storyline it just felt slow, dragged out (even for a short book) and lacked excitement.

[Ros Pluck]

My new favourite Polly Character

Oh wow Polly has done it again!
Tilly and her story is warm and relatable.
And we're back on Darling Island which makes me really happy. I want to sit in the cafe with a bowl of coffee and a basket!
Otto and Stanley are just what Tilly needs and the Old Boat Shed is brought back to life.
A great read xx

[karen cross]

I have read and loved all of Polly's books. This one had me hooked by the first chapter. All of her books are lovely to read, but this one is far the best. Can't wait for the next one. Thank you Polly you have smashed it again x

[Margaret lee]

pollyverse

Wow that’s was a great read how did I start it and then get to the end so quickly that I actually tutted a full on frustrated tut I was engrossed in the storyline it was that good the characters as always were spot on roll on the next instalment, a huge 5 stars

[Bhavini Ranson]

Polly does it again

The first in a trilogy about Tilly. Things have been so different for her until she settled on Darling Island. Now a new romance and business and her Properlies still in the background supporting her all the way.
Cant wait to see what part 2 brings

[anne payne]

absolutely brilliant

As usual Pollys new book about Tilly is everything and more that I’ve come to expect.
Polly makes Darling feel like somewhere that we’ve all been or want to go to.
We’ve come to know the chins they feel like family friends. Absolutely love it

[P Parkin]

great new character

Loved this book. Tilly is a fab new character… can’t wait to see how she settles in Darling. Nice to be back there 🥰

[Zayla Ralph]

Perfect reading

Highly recommend .Couldn't put it down . Another brilliant story from Polly . Loved Tilly and Otto . Can't wait for part 2

[Flint]

Lovely! Looking forward to reading more about Tilly and Foghorn.

[G. McGavin]

Love this book

I really enjoyed this book. I'm loving Tilly and Otto and her friends. Its lovely to be back on Darling Island again. Looking forward to the next book.