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The Little Vintage Carousel by the Sea
Ness has almost resigned herself to being single forever, when she catches sight of the most gorgeous man she’s ever seen on the train to work.
But just as she plucks up the courage to speak to him – he steps off the train and disappears into the crowds, without realising he’s accidentally dropped his phone!
It’s her ‘glass slipper’ moment, she’s sure of it, she just needs to track him down – all the way to the gorgeous seaside village of Pearlholme, where she finds him restoring a vintage carousel by the sea…
Maybe it’s finally time to follow her heart?
But just as she plucks up the courage to speak to him – he steps off the train and disappears into the crowds, without realising he’s accidentally dropped his phone!
It’s her ‘glass slipper’ moment, she’s sure of it, she just needs to track him down – all the way to the gorgeous seaside village of Pearlholme, where she finds him restoring a vintage carousel by the sea…
Maybe it’s finally time to follow her heart?
295 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 3, 2019
137 people are currently reading
552 people want to read
About the author
Jaimie Admans
26 books710 followersJaimie is a 32-year-old English-sounding Welsh girl with an awkward-to-spell name. She lives in South Wales and enjoys writing, gardening, watching horror movies, and drinking tea, although she’s seriously considering marrying her coffee machine. She loves autumn and winter, and singing songs from musicals despite the fact she’s got the voice of a dying hyena. She hates spiders, hot weather, and cheese & onion crisps. She spends far too much time on Twitter and owns too many pairs of boots.
She will never have time to read all the books she wants to read.
She is the author of chick-lit romantic comedies The Chateau of Happily Ever Afters and Kismetology, and she has also written young-adult romantic comedies Afterlife Academy, Not Pretty Enough, and North Pole Reform School.
She will never have time to read all the books she wants to read.
She is the author of chick-lit romantic comedies The Chateau of Happily Ever Afters and Kismetology, and she has also written young-adult romantic comedies Afterlife Academy, Not Pretty Enough, and North Pole Reform School.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
April 3, 2019
Finally! Another remarkable novel from the author of 'It's a Wonderful Night' and just like the other one, this story is also steeped in movie references. This all really makes me want to cultivate a taste for old movies and maybe one day I will. Rest assured, you don't have to be familiar with the 'Carousel' movie to enjoy this beautiful romance because by the end of the book you are going to be really familiar with its story.
Vanessa Berton (Ness for her friends) works as a fact checker for one of the famous London magazines dreaming of becoming a real journalist one day. She has been single for two years without venturing for any dates after her last break up but now she is feeling a connection towards a stranger she meets on the train. It could be that the universe is taking an interest in her life because the stranger drops his phone accidentally which is rescued by Ness from trampling. Her boss overhears this unlikely incident and offers her a promotion if she can write a story on it. But what will happen when the train man (later came to be identified as Nathaniel) comes to know that his love life has become part of a feature?
There you have it, folks. The crux of the story may make you think that this is like any other romance. Even I thought similarly till the middle, but then came the story behind the carousel, visit of Ness's mother (she is a tornado to be reckoned with), the strong community feeling in this quaint little village and we will slowly fall in love with the story just like love comes to find the two lovers.
Dialogues are witty and there is too much laughter involved. Mind you, this is a clean romance apart from some kissing scenes, but there is going to be a lot of ogling (ooh! be really prepared) leaving no doubt as to how much Nessa fancies the gorgeous stranger.
On the whole, a funny, engaging romance that will leave you with a sigh. Highly recommended!
Vanessa Berton (Ness for her friends) works as a fact checker for one of the famous London magazines dreaming of becoming a real journalist one day. She has been single for two years without venturing for any dates after her last break up but now she is feeling a connection towards a stranger she meets on the train. It could be that the universe is taking an interest in her life because the stranger drops his phone accidentally which is rescued by Ness from trampling. Her boss overhears this unlikely incident and offers her a promotion if she can write a story on it. But what will happen when the train man (later came to be identified as Nathaniel) comes to know that his love life has become part of a feature?
There you have it, folks. The crux of the story may make you think that this is like any other romance. Even I thought similarly till the middle, but then came the story behind the carousel, visit of Ness's mother (she is a tornado to be reckoned with), the strong community feeling in this quaint little village and we will slowly fall in love with the story just like love comes to find the two lovers.
Dialogues are witty and there is too much laughter involved. Mind you, this is a clean romance apart from some kissing scenes, but there is going to be a lot of ogling (ooh! be really prepared) leaving no doubt as to how much Nessa fancies the gorgeous stranger.
On the whole, a funny, engaging romance that will leave you with a sigh. Highly recommended!
February 8, 2020
What a treat this book was! This beautiful story about two lonely people connecting over a lost cellphone, then falling in love while restoring an old carousel was nothing short of magical. I loved how the author unraveled the history of the carousel while the couple was working on it, and I wish Pearlholme was a real place so that I could spend a summer there! I am such a fan of Jaimie's work and can't wait to see what she writes next.
June 11, 2019
What a beautiful love story! But also what a complicated love story! What a mess Ness is in thanks to her job and her boss! I loved this story from first to last line! It's the first time I see a story talking about Carousel restoration and this makes this book very unique. I loved everything from the "love at first sight, but I don't know yet I am in love" thing to the lovely atmosphere that is around the lovely village Ness arrives in while looking for the lovely guy she has seen in the train in London and who dropped by accident his smartphone. Lovely story! I recommend it!
March 28, 2019
Enjoyable, cute story, though I can’t say I loved it. I felt despite the ages of the main characters they were somewhat immature - lots of giggling, red faces and almost kissing. I was at times internally screaming “just get on with it!”
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc copy and the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased review.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc copy and the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased review.
May 19, 2019
The Little Vintage Carousel by the Sea is the perfect summer read! I smiled all the way through reading it. It was joyful, funny, sweet and absolutely infectious in its happiness!
Seriously... It's pure joy distilled into a couple hundred pages.
Ness is a fact-checker working for a London based magazine. She lives in a horrible flat, hates her commute, dislikes her boss and dreams of something different while being stuck in the mundane day-to-day of her life. She has a smile-thing/major crush going on with an attractive stranger she sees semi-regularly on the tube and one day he drops his phone which she picks up and tries to return to him but doesn't get a chance before he's lost in a crowd.
This sets the scene for a madcap scheme with her annoying boss and pregnant BFF (who works at the magazine) to write a series of articles as Ness tries to track down 'train man'.
Of course, Ness finds train man - who happens to restore carousels - and sets off to return his phone to him (with her boss's approval) in a sleepy seaside village in Yorkshire where he is restoring a mystery carousel.
You can imagine how it all unfolds...
An amazing guy, who is intensely private, falls in love with his train girl only to find out she's in the town under not entirely honest circumstances...
And that's why this isn't a 5 star read, I'm afraid.
All Ness had to do was tell Ethan what was going on and everything would have been fine, but she didn't. She lied to him... A lie of omission, perhaps, but still a lie, and the mini-drama that unfolded felt like it was added just for drama's sake diminishing the shine of this book like a storm cloud on a sunny day.
It doesn't ruin the book though.
I loved Ethan and Ness, they were perfect for each other. The setting was beautiful, the mystery surrounding the old carousel was captivating and I laughed out loud so many times... A little unnecessary drama can't destroy that.
That's why I whole-heartedly recommend this book if you're looking for a happy pick me up or something to read while chilling in the sunshine.
Seriously... It's pure joy distilled into a couple hundred pages.
Ness is a fact-checker working for a London based magazine. She lives in a horrible flat, hates her commute, dislikes her boss and dreams of something different while being stuck in the mundane day-to-day of her life. She has a smile-thing/major crush going on with an attractive stranger she sees semi-regularly on the tube and one day he drops his phone which she picks up and tries to return to him but doesn't get a chance before he's lost in a crowd.
This sets the scene for a madcap scheme with her annoying boss and pregnant BFF (who works at the magazine) to write a series of articles as Ness tries to track down 'train man'.
Of course, Ness finds train man - who happens to restore carousels - and sets off to return his phone to him (with her boss's approval) in a sleepy seaside village in Yorkshire where he is restoring a mystery carousel.
You can imagine how it all unfolds...
An amazing guy, who is intensely private, falls in love with his train girl only to find out she's in the town under not entirely honest circumstances...
And that's why this isn't a 5 star read, I'm afraid.
All Ness had to do was tell Ethan what was going on and everything would have been fine, but she didn't. She lied to him... A lie of omission, perhaps, but still a lie, and the mini-drama that unfolded felt like it was added just for drama's sake diminishing the shine of this book like a storm cloud on a sunny day.
It doesn't ruin the book though.
I loved Ethan and Ness, they were perfect for each other. The setting was beautiful, the mystery surrounding the old carousel was captivating and I laughed out loud so many times... A little unnecessary drama can't destroy that.
That's why I whole-heartedly recommend this book if you're looking for a happy pick me up or something to read while chilling in the sunshine.
March 10, 2020
I read my first Jaimie Admans book, It's a Wonderful Night, last year and immediately fell in love with the balance of love and heartbreak, a bittersweet look at a nostalgic holiday and her warm, welcoming characters. As a fan of Annie Darling and Jenny Colgan, Admans fits well in with my reading tastes and always makes me want to seep into and live in the worlds she creates. Yet, even her whimsy and sense of wonder, the colour of Ness's world and the way that Nate approaches life, there is an undercurrent of longing. I find that the balance of Admans' deep humanity with her absolutely adorable meet-cute kismet is what combines for a perfect recipe.
So if you have mourned a lost chance or just want to figure out how you fit, or are drawn to books with high concepts like Sliding Doors or Our Stop, this is so wonderful!!! Admans has made a fan of me for life.
So if you have mourned a lost chance or just want to figure out how you fit, or are drawn to books with high concepts like Sliding Doors or Our Stop, this is so wonderful!!! Admans has made a fan of me for life.
April 4, 2019
Jaimie Admen you did it again. This book is absolutely fabulous. I adored it. It had me smiling and laughing out loud many, many times. With all the hilarious innuendos. The whole ice cream scene had me in hysterics.
In this book we meet Ness. Our lovely independent woman, who is funny and clumsy (and I saw myself in Ness in more than one circumstance). She works for a woman’s magazine, lives in a flat in London, loves pizza and binge watching Netflix.
Ness dreams of becoming a successful journalist and the handsome stranger she sees on her daily underground commute most mornings.
A chance encounter, sees the handsome stranger meeting Ness’s eye on the train. It loooks like they are finally going to communicate with each other. But then handsome stranger realises that his stop is coming up. In the rush to get off the train, he drops his mobile phone on the floor.
Ness sees this and in a split seconds decides that she will pick up the phone and try to get it back to him. The only problem is, when Ness gets off the train a rush of commuters realise it’s their stop too and dash to get off the train. In the hectic station Ness looses sight of the handsome stranger and in the process makes herself incredible late for work.
However when Ness gets to work and tells her friend and subsequently her manager about the near encounter. Her manager decides that there is a story to be written and that Ness is going to be the one to write it. If she does a good job then she will be able to cover for her friend when she goes on maternity leave.
Together they decide that Ness has to track done this handsome stranger. But that is easier said then done. On a peruse of the phone. They discover that handsome stranger and Ness have quite a lot in common. But there is no way on tracking down the owner.
Then when Ness gets home from work. She gets an unexpected call on handsome strangers phone. It is the man himself AKA Nathan. They talk for hours and Ness discovers that Nathan is in Pearlholme fixing a centuries old Carousel.
When Ness informs everyone what happened the next day at work. They demand that she goes to Pearlholme and tracks down handsome stranger, and to write the romantic story of a lifetime.
This all happens in like the first few chapters of the book. So please rest assured that I haven’t given anything away. If you are a romance fan then I highly recommend reading this new gorgeously romantic book about Ness and Nathanial. Get swept away in the magic and romance of Pearlholme history and the gorgeous romantic story of the carousel. This is a wonderful story and one that I highly recommend to all. I absolutely loved every moment of it. Simply beautiful.
In this book we meet Ness. Our lovely independent woman, who is funny and clumsy (and I saw myself in Ness in more than one circumstance). She works for a woman’s magazine, lives in a flat in London, loves pizza and binge watching Netflix.
Ness dreams of becoming a successful journalist and the handsome stranger she sees on her daily underground commute most mornings.
A chance encounter, sees the handsome stranger meeting Ness’s eye on the train. It loooks like they are finally going to communicate with each other. But then handsome stranger realises that his stop is coming up. In the rush to get off the train, he drops his mobile phone on the floor.
Ness sees this and in a split seconds decides that she will pick up the phone and try to get it back to him. The only problem is, when Ness gets off the train a rush of commuters realise it’s their stop too and dash to get off the train. In the hectic station Ness looses sight of the handsome stranger and in the process makes herself incredible late for work.
However when Ness gets to work and tells her friend and subsequently her manager about the near encounter. Her manager decides that there is a story to be written and that Ness is going to be the one to write it. If she does a good job then she will be able to cover for her friend when she goes on maternity leave.
Together they decide that Ness has to track done this handsome stranger. But that is easier said then done. On a peruse of the phone. They discover that handsome stranger and Ness have quite a lot in common. But there is no way on tracking down the owner.
Then when Ness gets home from work. She gets an unexpected call on handsome strangers phone. It is the man himself AKA Nathan. They talk for hours and Ness discovers that Nathan is in Pearlholme fixing a centuries old Carousel.
When Ness informs everyone what happened the next day at work. They demand that she goes to Pearlholme and tracks down handsome stranger, and to write the romantic story of a lifetime.
This all happens in like the first few chapters of the book. So please rest assured that I haven’t given anything away. If you are a romance fan then I highly recommend reading this new gorgeously romantic book about Ness and Nathanial. Get swept away in the magic and romance of Pearlholme history and the gorgeous romantic story of the carousel. This is a wonderful story and one that I highly recommend to all. I absolutely loved every moment of it. Simply beautiful.
March 9, 2019
Nathan is a stranger to Ness but they have been sharing coy looks at one another on the train for a while, with neither summoning up courage to speak to the other.
The story follows that Ness is sent to seaside town Pearlholme by her boss to find Nathan and return his phone to him after he drops it on the train. What he doesn't know is that she has been tasked with writing a series of articles about their encounter and how she is trying to track down the 'handsome, mysterious train man'.
Nathan seems so happy-go-lucky that at times I could not figure out how I felt he would feel once he found out Ness had written the articles after he'd fallen for her (and vice versa). However we also learn that he is so shy and keeps to himself that he would feel his trust had been betrayed by Ness after all is revealed. Ness needs to find a way to restore that trust and goes about it perfectly - I had to keep on reading and reading to find out if they got their happy ever after!
Such a quirky storyline based around a carousel which Nathan is lovingly restoring - it was actually really endearing listening to the history of the nuts and bolts and then about Nathan sanding and painting the horses! Carousel's now mean so much more than a child's fairground ride...
I was already enjoying this book but the arrival of Ness' parents, in particular her mum, to the holiday cottage Ness and Nathan were staying at ramped up the giggle factor, it was very funny!
The ending and last few chapters of this story had me doing an internal happy dance!
My many thanks to HQ Digital via NetGalley for providing me with this advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story follows that Ness is sent to seaside town Pearlholme by her boss to find Nathan and return his phone to him after he drops it on the train. What he doesn't know is that she has been tasked with writing a series of articles about their encounter and how she is trying to track down the 'handsome, mysterious train man'.
Nathan seems so happy-go-lucky that at times I could not figure out how I felt he would feel once he found out Ness had written the articles after he'd fallen for her (and vice versa). However we also learn that he is so shy and keeps to himself that he would feel his trust had been betrayed by Ness after all is revealed. Ness needs to find a way to restore that trust and goes about it perfectly - I had to keep on reading and reading to find out if they got their happy ever after!
Such a quirky storyline based around a carousel which Nathan is lovingly restoring - it was actually really endearing listening to the history of the nuts and bolts and then about Nathan sanding and painting the horses! Carousel's now mean so much more than a child's fairground ride...
I was already enjoying this book but the arrival of Ness' parents, in particular her mum, to the holiday cottage Ness and Nathan were staying at ramped up the giggle factor, it was very funny!
The ending and last few chapters of this story had me doing an internal happy dance!
My many thanks to HQ Digital via NetGalley for providing me with this advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 14, 2019
I’ve read and loved all of Jaimie Admans’ books, and while it seems impossible to choose a favourite, The Little Vintage Carousel by the Sea might just be it.
I love how relatable Ms Admans’ characters always are. I really felt for Ness and her desire for something more. She settled for a ho-hum relationship and after breaking free from that, she then settled for a ho-hum job. The job was something to pay the bills and maybe even a stepping stone to something better, plus it meant getting to work with her best friend, so it wasn’t so bad. I think a lot of us tell ourselves that - “it’s not so bad” - even when we’re miserable and desperate for change.
Enter Nathan - adorable, awkward, slightly insecure Nathan - and everything in Ness’s life changes. Nathan was just as relatable as Ness; he’d been hurt, he didn’t want to put his trust in someone else, didn’t want to fall in love again or ever be in another relationship. He absolutely broke my heart at times, but I loved how good Ness was to him and for him. And these two together...oh man...I honestly can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard. There were scenes where I literally had tears running down my face because I was laughing so hard. Their interactions were hilarious, sweet, poignant, and swoony. I loved them so much and rooted for them from beginning to end. The side characters were also fantastic, and I absolutely loved the beach setting. This book was a joy from beginning to end.
Sweet and funny with a beautiful romance that will leave you swooning and feeling hopeful, The Little Vintage Carousel by the Sea is the perfect escape.
I love how relatable Ms Admans’ characters always are. I really felt for Ness and her desire for something more. She settled for a ho-hum relationship and after breaking free from that, she then settled for a ho-hum job. The job was something to pay the bills and maybe even a stepping stone to something better, plus it meant getting to work with her best friend, so it wasn’t so bad. I think a lot of us tell ourselves that - “it’s not so bad” - even when we’re miserable and desperate for change.
Enter Nathan - adorable, awkward, slightly insecure Nathan - and everything in Ness’s life changes. Nathan was just as relatable as Ness; he’d been hurt, he didn’t want to put his trust in someone else, didn’t want to fall in love again or ever be in another relationship. He absolutely broke my heart at times, but I loved how good Ness was to him and for him. And these two together...oh man...I honestly can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard. There were scenes where I literally had tears running down my face because I was laughing so hard. Their interactions were hilarious, sweet, poignant, and swoony. I loved them so much and rooted for them from beginning to end. The side characters were also fantastic, and I absolutely loved the beach setting. This book was a joy from beginning to end.
Sweet and funny with a beautiful romance that will leave you swooning and feeling hopeful, The Little Vintage Carousel by the Sea is the perfect escape.
April 12, 2019
Having read previous books by this author, I was very much looking forward to reading this one, her latest release. Also I absolutely adore/love the cover.
Well this was a truly delightful and enjoyable read. I loved it from start to finish, there were moments that just melted my heart and then there were moments that totally made me giggle.
I really liked the character of Ness as I felt like I could totally relate to her, and our personalities are so very similar, not to mention that we share the exact same name lol. So because of that I felt as if I had a pretty close connection with Ness throughout the whole of the story.
As for the story itself, I loved the concept ot it and on the whole it was very well written, however I did think that certain parts of the story were very drawn out especially in the middle and then in other parts, come the end, it all felt a bit rushed in places.
However, I still really enjoyed reading this and I will be looking forward to her future books.
Well this was a truly delightful and enjoyable read. I loved it from start to finish, there were moments that just melted my heart and then there were moments that totally made me giggle.
I really liked the character of Ness as I felt like I could totally relate to her, and our personalities are so very similar, not to mention that we share the exact same name lol. So because of that I felt as if I had a pretty close connection with Ness throughout the whole of the story.
As for the story itself, I loved the concept ot it and on the whole it was very well written, however I did think that certain parts of the story were very drawn out especially in the middle and then in other parts, come the end, it all felt a bit rushed in places.
However, I still really enjoyed reading this and I will be looking forward to her future books.
May 25, 2023
I don't know what it is about Jaimie Admans books but they just make me happy. I read a lot of her Christmas books last year and loved the Christmas feels and magic they brought so I figured I'd try a non Christmas book of hers and this one didn't disappoint. The characters were cute and lovable and the plot centered around the carousel was enchanting as well. I loved all the references to tv shows and movies thought the book as well. I will definitely be reading more of her books in the future.
April 22, 2019
What a lovely feel good book. A mysterious stranger on a train. A spark of attraction. Finally brought together in an idyllic location. Throw I an emotional backstory, an intriguing mystery and a cast of hilarious characters. I loved everything about this book and really hope there might be a sequel. I do love this author's style of writing. Cover is gorgeous too. Thank you to author and to TBC for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 7, 2023
Jaimie Admans' romance novels are my (not so) guilty pleasure. I have loved every single one of her books that I have read and The Little Vintage Carousel was no exception! Beautifully cheesy and utterly romantic, she has managed to perfectly pull off a love story within a love story - I adored Ness and Nath and hearing the story behind their gorgeous carousel.✨🎠💕
March 12, 2019
A joyous read, this is absolutely wonderful. Its enchanting, and funny and just a fabulous story.
The amount of times during this story that I was laughing along with Ness and Train Man's dialogue, was ridiculous. Just every interaction they had as sort of awkward, but sort of perfect at the same time. Train Man really is gorgeous but also a bit dorky, and Ness isn't the most graceful of women, so the pair just works.
All the dialogue generally in the book was just en-point and engaging.
However they are both adamant they aren't looking for love, but they really do bond when Ness goes up to Pearlholme to return train man's phone. Previously there had just been eye contact and smiles on crowded commuter tube trains - which pretty much never happens in real life.
It turns out that Train Man is a carousel restorer and we learn a lot about Carousels, and more specifically this rather special one. It has the most beautiful story behind it, which is slowly discovered.
Pearlholme itself is a gorgeous little Northern coastal village, so picturesque, and when you meet Charles and Camilla there are even more laughs to be had.
This book is just so funny and entertaining.
My only niggle with the book is that the characters seemed to love the film Carousel so much, whereas to my own personal taste it is the only musical I've ever seen that I've not enjoyed one bit, even despite the iconic You'll Never Walk Alone coming from it. There are just too many mentions of a film that sends me to sleep, and the stage show which I saw first was one of the most underwhelming productions of anything I've watched in the West End.
Apart from that I can't fault this book, I just loved every moment of it. Jaimie Admans is fast becoming one of my go to authors, and her books seem to be getting even better and better with each release.
Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
The amount of times during this story that I was laughing along with Ness and Train Man's dialogue, was ridiculous. Just every interaction they had as sort of awkward, but sort of perfect at the same time. Train Man really is gorgeous but also a bit dorky, and Ness isn't the most graceful of women, so the pair just works.
All the dialogue generally in the book was just en-point and engaging.
However they are both adamant they aren't looking for love, but they really do bond when Ness goes up to Pearlholme to return train man's phone. Previously there had just been eye contact and smiles on crowded commuter tube trains - which pretty much never happens in real life.
It turns out that Train Man is a carousel restorer and we learn a lot about Carousels, and more specifically this rather special one. It has the most beautiful story behind it, which is slowly discovered.
Pearlholme itself is a gorgeous little Northern coastal village, so picturesque, and when you meet Charles and Camilla there are even more laughs to be had.
This book is just so funny and entertaining.
My only niggle with the book is that the characters seemed to love the film Carousel so much, whereas to my own personal taste it is the only musical I've ever seen that I've not enjoyed one bit, even despite the iconic You'll Never Walk Alone coming from it. There are just too many mentions of a film that sends me to sleep, and the stage show which I saw first was one of the most underwhelming productions of anything I've watched in the West End.
Apart from that I can't fault this book, I just loved every moment of it. Jaimie Admans is fast becoming one of my go to authors, and her books seem to be getting even better and better with each release.
Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
December 13, 2019
Cute, romantic BUT sometimes I felt they where teenagers not 30-something adults
March 28, 2019
5 Star review The Little Vintage Carousel by the Sea by Jaimie Admans
Jaime Admans is a new author to me. This was a good little gem which had me laughing and smiling often whilst I read.
A chance glance between strangers morphs in to so much more for Ness after the man she makes eye contact with on the train accidentally leaves his phone behind. It’s not the first time she has seen him but she has no idea who he is and she decides to track him down to return his phone.
Ness wants to be a journalist and when she mentions the phone to her friend and then her boss, they decide it would make a great story and Ness is given the opportunity to write it.
Like Prince Charming trying to find the woman who left the glass slipper behind, Ness finds it difficult to tract the man down. When Nathan (the handsome stranger) calls his own phone, they instantly connect.
I loved the sweetness of this story, the love and romance was beautifully written and the humour made for some snort worthy laughs. The Little Vintage Carousel by the Sea is a feel good story that will not disappoint.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.
Jaime Admans is a new author to me. This was a good little gem which had me laughing and smiling often whilst I read.
A chance glance between strangers morphs in to so much more for Ness after the man she makes eye contact with on the train accidentally leaves his phone behind. It’s not the first time she has seen him but she has no idea who he is and she decides to track him down to return his phone.
Ness wants to be a journalist and when she mentions the phone to her friend and then her boss, they decide it would make a great story and Ness is given the opportunity to write it.
Like Prince Charming trying to find the woman who left the glass slipper behind, Ness finds it difficult to tract the man down. When Nathan (the handsome stranger) calls his own phone, they instantly connect.
I loved the sweetness of this story, the love and romance was beautifully written and the humour made for some snort worthy laughs. The Little Vintage Carousel by the Sea is a feel good story that will not disappoint.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.
March 9, 2019
If I loved this...*hums music* but I only just really liked it due to some problems.
I’m a big fan of Jaimie Admans writing and I found this book very enjoyable. The plot was cute and the characters seemed to compliment each other well. I do have a few complaints and one is that it didn’t seem like Ness to keep that “secret” from Nath for so long. I think the story could have been improved if the secret had been revealed sooner paving way for a more fluid ending. To be honest the concept of “train man” also seemed too close to Zoe Folbigg’s novel The Note as well, right down to the train man nickname so that was a bit disappointing.
However, this was a fun read with a cute romance and lots of Carousel references. But...referencing Carousel as a film every single time it came up in conversation instead of the musical. Please fix this and reference the musical the film was based on. Honestly the film is one of the worst versions of Carousel and I hope the author seeks out better performances. As I’m a huge fan of the musical this plot connection worked for me. Thank goodness Nath wasn’t named Billy.
Curl up with a cup of tea and read this. I now want to move to Pearlholme.
My copy was provided by the publisher and NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.
I’m a big fan of Jaimie Admans writing and I found this book very enjoyable. The plot was cute and the characters seemed to compliment each other well. I do have a few complaints and one is that it didn’t seem like Ness to keep that “secret” from Nath for so long. I think the story could have been improved if the secret had been revealed sooner paving way for a more fluid ending. To be honest the concept of “train man” also seemed too close to Zoe Folbigg’s novel The Note as well, right down to the train man nickname so that was a bit disappointing.
However, this was a fun read with a cute romance and lots of Carousel references. But...referencing Carousel as a film every single time it came up in conversation instead of the musical. Please fix this and reference the musical the film was based on. Honestly the film is one of the worst versions of Carousel and I hope the author seeks out better performances. As I’m a huge fan of the musical this plot connection worked for me. Thank goodness Nath wasn’t named Billy.
Curl up with a cup of tea and read this. I now want to move to Pearlholme.
My copy was provided by the publisher and NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.
April 8, 2019
The Little Vintage Carousel By The Sea by Jaimie Admans is the most delightful feel-good contemporary romance. It warmed my heart, soothed my soul and left me smiling and feeling good.
The characters are a wonderful mix and all well drawn. I loved the older couple who have no filter on their mouth so we hear all about their bladder problems! The leading lady’s Mum is not afraid to meddle and says what she thinks. The two lead characters and both vulnerable but begin to trust again. Their dialogue is both witty and charming.
Set mainly in a seaside town in North Yorkshire, the reader is in for a real treat. It is a place where problems are solved with ice cream and your business is everyone else’s! There is a warm welcome that you do not get in the anonymity that is London.
There is the theme of restoration – not just of an old carousel but of lives too. The seaside town is a place where hurt souls can begin to live again.
A hundred year old legend entertains both the characters and the reader as we discover if true love really does exist.
This is my first book by Jaimie Admans and I loved it. I want to read more, more, more. She writes with a zest for life that is infectious. This book has left me feeling good about love, life and the inherent goodness of people.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
The characters are a wonderful mix and all well drawn. I loved the older couple who have no filter on their mouth so we hear all about their bladder problems! The leading lady’s Mum is not afraid to meddle and says what she thinks. The two lead characters and both vulnerable but begin to trust again. Their dialogue is both witty and charming.
Set mainly in a seaside town in North Yorkshire, the reader is in for a real treat. It is a place where problems are solved with ice cream and your business is everyone else’s! There is a warm welcome that you do not get in the anonymity that is London.
There is the theme of restoration – not just of an old carousel but of lives too. The seaside town is a place where hurt souls can begin to live again.
A hundred year old legend entertains both the characters and the reader as we discover if true love really does exist.
This is my first book by Jaimie Admans and I loved it. I want to read more, more, more. She writes with a zest for life that is infectious. This book has left me feeling good about love, life and the inherent goodness of people.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
March 26, 2019
How many times have you exchanged glances with the same person on a train (or bus, for that matter)? Well, Ness has been doing it with a mystery man and then one day he drops his phone and she picks it up. Turns out Nathan is, really is, a good guy. He's restoring a carousel (how cool is that). When Ness heads out to Yorkshire to see him, she doesn't tell him that she's planning to write a story about their meeting and relationship. Or will she? This is a sweet romance with nice details and good characters. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Perfect escapist reading.
August 2, 2020
Stories like this make me want to tell book snobs to shove their literary fiction into the deepest, darkest orifice. I’ll stick with feel-good romance, thank you very much.
I didn’t think Jaimie Admans could write anything else that would top my love for The Chateau of Happily Ever Afters. I was so, so, so, so wrong and now I’d like to give The Little Vintage Carousel by the Sea six stars.
I didn’t think Jaimie Admans could write anything else that would top my love for The Chateau of Happily Ever Afters. I was so, so, so, so wrong and now I’d like to give The Little Vintage Carousel by the Sea six stars.
March 7, 2022
DNF at 40%
This was for our small book club so I really tried to give it a chance but I had to give up at 40%. The MC was sooo annoying, and there wasn't anything interesting happening in the plot. It felt like a cheesy 90s romcom movie, except it took way longer than 2 hours to finish it. The setting was cute, though, I did like that, but everything else was pretty boring.
This was for our small book club so I really tried to give it a chance but I had to give up at 40%. The MC was sooo annoying, and there wasn't anything interesting happening in the plot. It felt like a cheesy 90s romcom movie, except it took way longer than 2 hours to finish it. The setting was cute, though, I did like that, but everything else was pretty boring.
May 3, 2019
I loved the romance of this book. I felt that I was right there with the characters and quite frankly didn’t want it to end. An easy to pick up book perfect for brightening a rainy day. Definitely will look out for more books from this author.
May 18, 2020
Another super cute one! Loved Nathan and Ness.
January 14, 2020
The Little Vintage Carousel by the Sea is a romcom-style fluffy romance that hits all the expected beats. It's also super bantery and goofy. There's a bit of clunkiness to some of the writing that kept it at three stars, but it was definitely an enjoyable read.
Ness lives in London and works as a fact checker at a magazine, just waiting for a chance to make her break as an article writer. But she's happy enough because at least she works with her bestie...and gets to make eyes at a hot guy most mornings on the tube. Then, one morning, she sees him drop his phone, picks it up, and, though she tries, can't catch him. When her boss hears her telling this story to her bestie, she offers Ness an article about this missed connection, and ultimately a series about her hunt for the Train Man.
He calls his phone, and he guesses it's her right away, and they end up talking for over an hour. Train Man, who turns out to be called Nathan, and Ness have so much in common, like a loathing for spending time with people and a love of Netflix and junk food. He invites her to come up to Pearlholme, a small town on the coast, to return his phone, since he's on location for a couple months restoring a carousel. Obviously, that's a weird thing to do, but everyone's aware. She wouldn't have except her boss encouraged her to work remotely and develop the story.
Ness and Nathan click right away, and their every interaction is filled with awkward banter. I really did like them together, and they seem like they'd be a good couple IRL since they share a desire for a comfortable couch and microwave dinner. However, certain things got tediously repetitive, like the insistence by both that they don't want relationships, even as they're massively couple-y together constantly, albeit not kissing. It just rang false when they're otherwise so honest. And I really didn't understand Ness' antipathy to relationships overall, though her lack of desire to be set up by her friends and family did make sense.
Another thing we're beat over the head with is the whole magazine article thing. Ness wants to stay, so she has to write it, but she feels bad about it because she knows how private Nathan is from the first phone call. She keeps considering telling him but doesn't. This is a common romcom thing, but I didn't get why she didn't just tell him at the start. The first article was harmless, and it was her excuse to visit, which he wanted, so I think he'd understand and could work with her on what he was comfortable with from that point. Keeping a secret that's going to cause a blowup is a classic romcom thing, but I prefer when romances don't lean on that.
Overall, a fair amount of the book stayed too surface level to be particularly memorable, but it was a pleasant read and the setting around the restoration of the carousel was cool.
Ness lives in London and works as a fact checker at a magazine, just waiting for a chance to make her break as an article writer. But she's happy enough because at least she works with her bestie...and gets to make eyes at a hot guy most mornings on the tube. Then, one morning, she sees him drop his phone, picks it up, and, though she tries, can't catch him. When her boss hears her telling this story to her bestie, she offers Ness an article about this missed connection, and ultimately a series about her hunt for the Train Man.
He calls his phone, and he guesses it's her right away, and they end up talking for over an hour. Train Man, who turns out to be called Nathan, and Ness have so much in common, like a loathing for spending time with people and a love of Netflix and junk food. He invites her to come up to Pearlholme, a small town on the coast, to return his phone, since he's on location for a couple months restoring a carousel. Obviously, that's a weird thing to do, but everyone's aware. She wouldn't have except her boss encouraged her to work remotely and develop the story.
Ness and Nathan click right away, and their every interaction is filled with awkward banter. I really did like them together, and they seem like they'd be a good couple IRL since they share a desire for a comfortable couch and microwave dinner. However, certain things got tediously repetitive, like the insistence by both that they don't want relationships, even as they're massively couple-y together constantly, albeit not kissing. It just rang false when they're otherwise so honest. And I really didn't understand Ness' antipathy to relationships overall, though her lack of desire to be set up by her friends and family did make sense.
Another thing we're beat over the head with is the whole magazine article thing. Ness wants to stay, so she has to write it, but she feels bad about it because she knows how private Nathan is from the first phone call. She keeps considering telling him but doesn't. This is a common romcom thing, but I didn't get why she didn't just tell him at the start. The first article was harmless, and it was her excuse to visit, which he wanted, so I think he'd understand and could work with her on what he was comfortable with from that point. Keeping a secret that's going to cause a blowup is a classic romcom thing, but I prefer when romances don't lean on that.
Overall, a fair amount of the book stayed too surface level to be particularly memorable, but it was a pleasant read and the setting around the restoration of the carousel was cool.
March 12, 2019
Loved this book. An entertaining read that takes place over a few weeks.
When Nath (train man) drops his phone on the train, Ness rescues it and sets out to reunite it with it's owner. Encourage by her friend at work she follows him to the small coastal town where he is working in Yorkshire. Even though they both want to stay single, the more time they spend together the harder it is to ignore what is happening between them. But once the real reason she follows him is revealed he won't like it.
When Nath (train man) drops his phone on the train, Ness rescues it and sets out to reunite it with it's owner. Encourage by her friend at work she follows him to the small coastal town where he is working in Yorkshire. Even though they both want to stay single, the more time they spend together the harder it is to ignore what is happening between them. But once the real reason she follows him is revealed he won't like it.
April 30, 2019
I loved The Chateau of Happily-Ever-Afters so could not wait to read The Little Vintage Carousel by the Sea! Jaimie Admans is an incredible author.
Firstly, absolutely gorgeous cover! So vibrant, colourful and inviting – definitely stands out on bookshelves! I absolutely loved loved loved this magical book! The story is set in the wonderful seaside village of Pearlholme where we meet the very quirky and wonderfully funny residents who will make you smile and laugh all the way through. The two main characters Nathan and Ness are just the best who are just meant to be together. The story revolves around a vintage carousel and how two people fall in love – not only with each other but the village, the residents and the carousel! There was so much interesting and incredible detail with regards to the repair and restoration of the carousel .
I loved the storyline, I loved the characters, I loved the setting in Pearlholme – would love to visit and go on the carousel and meet everyone!
Who would have thought that a lost phone would bring two amazing people together and I am so very glad Nathan lost his phone! Everyone needs to read this wonderful book to find out who Train Man is and how a vintage carousel brings two wonderful perfect people together – I really hope that there is a follow up to this book as I would love to hear more about their journey together!
Another stop to Pearlholme is a must!
This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.
Firstly, absolutely gorgeous cover! So vibrant, colourful and inviting – definitely stands out on bookshelves! I absolutely loved loved loved this magical book! The story is set in the wonderful seaside village of Pearlholme where we meet the very quirky and wonderfully funny residents who will make you smile and laugh all the way through. The two main characters Nathan and Ness are just the best who are just meant to be together. The story revolves around a vintage carousel and how two people fall in love – not only with each other but the village, the residents and the carousel! There was so much interesting and incredible detail with regards to the repair and restoration of the carousel .
I loved the storyline, I loved the characters, I loved the setting in Pearlholme – would love to visit and go on the carousel and meet everyone!
Who would have thought that a lost phone would bring two amazing people together and I am so very glad Nathan lost his phone! Everyone needs to read this wonderful book to find out who Train Man is and how a vintage carousel brings two wonderful perfect people together – I really hope that there is a follow up to this book as I would love to hear more about their journey together!
Another stop to Pearlholme is a must!
This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.
December 22, 2019
Charming ~ Enchanting ~ Quick
Tl;dr: The fact is there might be someone for everyone.
Alright, this has to be the perfect holiday read. I wished I wasn't sitting in a wintery wonderland while writing this, though the book had a pretty solid transformational quality. This book is a nice, well-written cozy romance, with solid environmental details and appealing heroine. It is a pretty perfect quick, heart-warming romance for a holiday beach.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tl;dr: The fact is there might be someone for everyone.
Alright, this has to be the perfect holiday read. I wished I wasn't sitting in a wintery wonderland while writing this, though the book had a pretty solid transformational quality. This book is a nice, well-written cozy romance, with solid environmental details and appealing heroine. It is a pretty perfect quick, heart-warming romance for a holiday beach.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2019
The meet cute totally convinced me to read further in this one. :) And the rest of the story was pretty adorable! Not perfect, but adorable nonetheless. Ness is a fairly relatable character and I was rooting for her and Nathan to hold on to each other, once they finally got introduced. These two characters are pretty much made for each other and everyone around them knows it. It simply takes them a bit longer to figure things out. But that's the fun part, so I'm not complaining. The awkwardness between them just makes for more smiles from me!
August 15, 2022
I loved this book, everything about it was just amazing. I loved reading about Ness and Nathan, the beautiful village of Pearholme and its residents and the carousel. Hope there is a sequel.
June 10, 2019
Vanessa (Ness) has a poky London flat, a job as a fact-checker for a leading woman’s magazine and a seemingly endless series of days that are all the same. From the sardine-like commute on the Tube, to mind-numbingly pedantic fact checking through her friend and mother’s constant ‘meddling’ to find her a boyfriend, she’s stuck in a rut. And what a rut it is. The bloom is off the rose where London is concerned, and she’s found it increasingly difficult to meet new people, or even find a reason to want to. But, defying all rules of the London Commuter’s Handbook, there is one person she’s encountered on the tube that intrigues her. Train Guy. Taller than most commuters, occasionally making eye contact, and frequently smiling at others – all things not acceptable, she finds herself in near ‘conversation’ distance one commute, until he hops off the train, dropping his phone in the process. She grabs it up – planning to return it, but his height combined with the crowd and her lack of coordination and fitness means he’s long gone.
Discussing this ‘encounter’ with her best friend at the office, they are overheard by the boss, and Ness is set with a task. Write up the story of her encounter with Train Guy, then follow it up with finding him, delivering the phone and falling in love. Easy, right? Oh so very not. For Vanessa is in no way a person who is comfortable with using someone to get herself ahead, and Nathaniel (Train Guy) is perhaps her perfect match. A bit goofy, a lot honest and utterly sweet – so very in love with his job of restoration and renovations with a specialty in antique carousels. And he’s on the coast in a small village to do just that. A Victorian-era carousel, hand carved, unlisted and previously unknown, with no attributions for artist or purpose – or even a “how it came to be”. Legends and stories, sure, but nothing real. And he’s got Ness arriving unexpectedly, delivered to his doorstep by well-meaning and wholly involved geriatric residents of the village.
Oh this was simply adorable: from Nath’s excitement about the find to his connection to Ness, and her ability to listen and get him to open up about the past that had so hurt him. She’s not divulging her real reasons for her unexpected trip and three-week break, and as the two are so clearly matched to one another to everyone BUT them, the input from residents, her parents and even the changes that occur between them are clever and full of heart. Admans created a lovely story with characters to adore and cheer for, and gives us a bit of insight into how one goes about rectifying a mistake, simply to set things right. Nath and Ness are lovely characters who are much better together than apart, and they finally find a way to make all of that work for them both.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
Discussing this ‘encounter’ with her best friend at the office, they are overheard by the boss, and Ness is set with a task. Write up the story of her encounter with Train Guy, then follow it up with finding him, delivering the phone and falling in love. Easy, right? Oh so very not. For Vanessa is in no way a person who is comfortable with using someone to get herself ahead, and Nathaniel (Train Guy) is perhaps her perfect match. A bit goofy, a lot honest and utterly sweet – so very in love with his job of restoration and renovations with a specialty in antique carousels. And he’s on the coast in a small village to do just that. A Victorian-era carousel, hand carved, unlisted and previously unknown, with no attributions for artist or purpose – or even a “how it came to be”. Legends and stories, sure, but nothing real. And he’s got Ness arriving unexpectedly, delivered to his doorstep by well-meaning and wholly involved geriatric residents of the village.
Oh this was simply adorable: from Nath’s excitement about the find to his connection to Ness, and her ability to listen and get him to open up about the past that had so hurt him. She’s not divulging her real reasons for her unexpected trip and three-week break, and as the two are so clearly matched to one another to everyone BUT them, the input from residents, her parents and even the changes that occur between them are clever and full of heart. Admans created a lovely story with characters to adore and cheer for, and gives us a bit of insight into how one goes about rectifying a mistake, simply to set things right. Nath and Ness are lovely characters who are much better together than apart, and they finally find a way to make all of that work for them both.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
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