The Old Boat Clubhouse

Pepper Bay #8

by K.T. Dady

Welcome to Pepper Bay, where you’ll find love, drama, and a happily ever after.

Snuggle down with this cosy, feel-good, comfort read that whisks you away to a beautiful bay on the Isle of Wight – Perfect for fans of Christie Barlow, Phillipa Ashley, and Holly Martin.

The Pepper Bay books are standalone stories that intertwine with recurring characters.

The Old Boat Clubhouse: When Hollywood actor Keaton Byrd needs a brand boost, the last thing Harriet Hadley thinks is that it will involve her. All she does is work in housekeeping in Sandly’s biggest hotel. Being asked to be his pretend girlfriend in exchange for a whole heap of money doesn’t exist, even in her wildest dreams. Can she really pull it off? Be the small-town girl who he needs to rebuild his image? It’s worth a try. What could go wrong? Especially with Keaton’s right-hand man, Jude Jackson, always by her side, making sure she’s okay. He smells so good, just like the ocean she adores, and he looks like the men her sister Lexi puts on the front covers of her steamy romance novels. How is Harriet supposed to concentrate on being Keaton’s fake girlfriend when she can’t stop looking at Jude? The best part is, Jude is always looking back.

248 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2023

About the author

Hello, I'm K.T. Dady. I write uplifting love stories filled with friendship, family, and community set here, there, and everywhere, as love happens anywhere and under all sorts of circumstances. But whatever challenges my characters face along the way, there is always a happily ever after.

Feel free to join my newsletter over at my website.

You can also find me mostly on Instagram or Facebook.

Instagram - @kt_dady

Facebook - @ktdady

Thank you so much to everyone who buys my books. I'm truly grateful.

Reviews

[Kirsty (BookBlogger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Old Boat Clubhouse by K.T. Dady

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

The Old Boat Clubhouse: When Hollywood actor Keaton Byrd needs a brand boost, the last thing Harriet Hadley thinks is that it will involve her. All she does is work in housekeeping in Sandly’s biggest hotel. Being asked to be his pretend girlfriend in exchange for a whole heap of money doesn’t exist, even in her wildest dreams. Can she really pull it off? Be the small-town girl who he needs to rebuild his image? It’s worth a try. What could go wrong? Especially with Keaton’s right-hand man, Jude Jackson, always by her side, making sure she’s okay. He smells so good, just like the ocean she adores, and he looks like the men her sister Lexi puts on the front covers of her steamy romance novels. How is Harriet supposed to concentrate on being Keaton’s fake girlfriend when she can’t stop looking at Jude? The best part is, Jude is always looking back.

My Opinion

The Pepper Bay books are a series that can be read in any order - I am not reading them in the published order and I am having no problems following the story. In fact, quite the opposite I am loving this series. It was nice to return to Pepper Bay and catch up with some familiar characters. This book was an easy book to slip into and I found it difficult to put down.

Harriet is reluctant to help Keaton with his plans to clean up his image but might it be the best thing to happen to her? This was a lovely, heart-warming read. I am already waiting for my next invitation to visit Pepper Bay.

Rating: 4/5

[Pam Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each instalment in the Pepper Bay series adds to the feeling of community and friendship. It makes for a heartwarming read and I always look forward to a new story to see who it is going to highlight. Harriet has a great sense of the importance of family and is determined to build a secure future for her son. When the idea of being Keaton's fake girlfriend is put to her, she even surprises herself when she agrees. It is fairly clear from the beginning that there is no chemistry there.

There is a certain air of fate about Pepper Bay and the feeling that certain people can sense what is going to happen. It seems like an enchanted place in some ways which heals people and offers them the feeling of coming home. Harriet is not the only person in the story who reevaluates her life and takes a risk to try to get the future she wants. This is well up to the standard we have come to expect from the Pepper Bay stories. Read it and enjoy it!
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book

[thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in love with the Pepper Bay series, I love the community, the characters, the friendships made you meet in the books, they are such heartwarming reads and I am always overjoyed when there is a new one out for me to devour.

The Old Boat Clubhouse is yet another beautiful addition to the this wonderful series, each can be read as a stand-alone with no problems at al, but I think it’s always nice to read them all because you get to see old faces whilst you make acquaintances with some new ones. You won’t be at all lost if you do choose to read this as a stand-alone, but I guarantee you’ll want to read more.

I loved Harriet and Jude so much, Harriet struggling to hide her attraction is adorable. I loved the fact it was a fake romance going on whilst they find a real romance too, rather than it being a fake romance to love story, it felt really fresh and unique. With a fake romance and a real one, too. I love how happy these books make me and this is no exception, they are real feel good stories and so heartfelt, this book can only make you smile.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[mrsljgibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would firstly just like to say a big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of this book, for my kindle, in return for my honest review.

This book is book number eight from the Pepper Bay series but can very easily be read as a standalone in any order with no problems whatsoever. It does however have recurring characters.

At Pepper Bay you will find love, drama and a wonderful happy ever after too. Sit in your favourite armchair, snuggle down and get ready for a cosy, feel-good comfort read that transports you away to a beautiful bay on the Isle of Wight.

The Old Boat Clubhouse is such an easy read and I found myself turning the pages faster and faster just so that i could find out what was going to happen next!

I absolutely loved being in Pepper Bay, there was a wonderful sense of community, the characters were all so real and down-to-earth and it was an amazing heartwarming read that left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling…….

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series set on the Isle of Wight, ascot the people who live there, visitors who come and dont go home.

This book centers on Harriet, one of the Hadley sisters. Harriet, a Mum at 16 has made a life for herself and Tommy, her Son, with the support of her loving family. Now in her mid twenties, she wants to get a place for them both, so when an offer comes along she can't refuse it. An actor needing a rebrand of his image comes to the Island, his team offer Harriet alot of money to act as his girlfriend, however, it's not the actor Harriet likes. The actor has issues of his own to deal with.

Jude, the actors PA needs a change of scene, he's deeply unsettled at what is happening, can he really do it, change what he does? His heart lies in the water, not as a PA.

A really good romance story, one which I couldn't put down. All the books in this series are standalone stories but they are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.

[Nicola Malloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always look forward to returning to Pepper bay this series is like a mug of hot chocolate, its warm, comforting and just lovely. This time we follow Harriet as she finds herself pretending to be a Hollywood actors girlfriend to help clean up his image but with a sexy surfing righthand man who is always catching her eye can Harriet keep up the charade?

I loved following Harriet and Jude, the dynamic between them is lovely and the way that Jude accepts Tommy just makes my heart melt. As always I really enjoy the other residents of Pepper Bay popping in to make an appearance, its always fun seeing where they are and what they have been up too.

I can't wait to see what happens next in Pepper Bay

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hollywood hits the Isle of Wight when Keaton Byrd arrives in town needing a pretend girlfriend of all things. Not quite what you'd expect is it, you'd think he'd have women swooning at his feet.

I've said it before, being an Island girl myself, a new Pepper Bay book is always a trip home for me, and just like the real Island there is an amazing sense of community and everyone is friendly.

The Old Boat Clubhouse is another heartwarming addition to the ever growing series, where we catch up with old characters and make friends with some new.

I absolutely love this series and am already looking forward to my next journey across The Solent.

Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[autumnal_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that each chapter is a new POV. And within that POV you get like an inner monologue which expresses how the character truly feels! It's a brilliant way to showcase the characters'development and their insecurities!

I love that Harriet is a strong single mother and will do anything for her kid to anything he wants in life.

I automatically knew that Harriet and Jude were going to fall in love as soon as they made eye contact so I loved reading how that relationship blossomed. The sexual tension between them is insane.

The celebrity she fake dates seems like your typical snobby dickhead but after while his truth self shines out you really start to like him as a character - such a softy

I love the setting Isle of Wight is beautiful and the author perfectly captures that beauty in her book.
I can't wait to read more by this author!

[Grace Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have fallen in love with this series and the beautiful community of Pepper Bay and its residents. Harriet is a single mum and working as a housekeeper at Hotel Royale. Keaton is a Hollywood star who is holidaying on the island with his P.A. Jude and they have a proposition for Harriet! Harriet agrees and the fun and games start immediately. Harriet and her son Tommy were lovely and she also has her family behind her. There are no secrets in Pepper Bay or are there? Full of family and friends with a hint of mystery and a lovely romantic ending.

[theweebookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was delighted to be asked by Rachel's Random Resources review the next installment in the Pepper Bay Series as I have read them all. This is book number 8.

I thought Harriet was a great character and it was lovely to see the bond between her and Tommy and it was great how Jude seemed to fit right in.

Although she was supposed to be Keaton’s "fake" girlfriend, the chemistry between her and Jude was undeniable. I liked the way she handled Keaton and he slowly grew on me when you realised his past.

I whizzed through this book in 2 sittings as it was one I couldn't put down. There is the usual happiness, sadness, romance and drama which makes it so good as well as some previous characters making a cameo appearance. I am really looking forward to the next book.

[Julie Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book can be read as a standalone it was nice to catch up with the characters from the other books in this series. I am really looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first trip in to pepper bay, I loved the sense of community in this heart warming read! I loved that the lead doesn’t fall for the Hollywood star, but his aide.

This is the perfect summer weekend read, although this is book 8 it can be read as a standalone.

[Sharon Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a absolutely lovely add on to the pepper Bay series. I loved jude and hal the make a perfect couple and was very jice to have past stories told such as con and dusty who used to own the hotel that got split in half. Can't wait for the next book.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of K. T. Dady’s work for a while now. I love the series that she has set in ‘Pepper Bay’. By no means have I read all the books in the series, but one day soon I hope to read the series in full and in chronological order. ‘The Old Boat Clubhouse’ is the eighth book in the ‘Pepper Bay’ series and it’s another cracking addition to what is proving to be a cracking series. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Old Boat Clubhouse’ but more about that in a bit.

Oh my word, this book was a delight to read from start to finish. My attention was grabbed when I happened to see K. T. Dady’s name on the cover of a book that I hadn’t yet read. Then as soon as I started reading the story itself, I realised two things- firstly that I wouldn’t be able to put the book down and secondly that I was reading something special. I felt as though Harriet and Jude had become friends of mine rather than characters in a book and I cared about what happened to them. I was spot on about not being able to put the book down because I didn’t! I had picked the book up only intending to read a chapter or two but I was so blown away by the story that I didn’t put the book down until after I had read the very last word on the very last page. My Kindle was well travelled that day because it went everywhere with me. I think that I thought that I would miss something or break the spell that the story seemed to cast over me. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘The Old Boat Clubhouse’ and I had to say goodbye to Harriet, Jude and the other residents of Pepper Bay. I found ‘The Old Boat Clubhouse’ to be a delightful read full of fun, romance and heart warming moments.

‘The Old Boat Clubhouse’ is superbly written and then some but I have come to expect nothing less from K. T. Dady, The author has an easy going writing style that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading one of K. T. Dady’s books often feels more like a chat between friends rather than reading an actual book. I hope that makes sense. K. T. Dady clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. I love the author’s very vivid and realistic descriptions of ‘Pepper Bay’, which is on the Isle of Wight. The Isle of Wight is somewhere I have wanted to visit for a long time. If I was to close my eyes it would be easy to imagine that I was there on the Isle Of Wight with the sun shining on my face with the sound of waves crashing in the background. I always find that the sign of a good book is when I find myself becoming far too involved in the story and ‘interact’ with the characters as if they can hear me. Well that happened with this book and then some. I love the way in which the author makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. That’s how I felt anyway.

In short and overall I adored reading ‘The Old Boat Clubhouse’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of K. T. Dady’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Book Escapes Babs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Returning to Pepper Bay feels a lot like coming home. I feel as though I know all the residents and rather a lot about their private lives. The real joy in that is definitely getting to know how their minds work. If you’re not familiar with this author, then let me explain one of the most special elements of her books. Invariably, they are written as two-handers with a male and a female lead. Each character’s dialogue boasts some wonderful, witty exchanges, but it’s the italicised elements that give you a glimpse into their thoughts. At first, I wasn’t sure about the format, but soon warmed to it and now love it.
On this visit, we find ourselves in Sandly, just down the road from Pepper Bay. We meet a Hollywood superstar, Keaton Byrd, and his entourage. A hastily agreed plan sees housekeeper Harriet acting as a fake girlfriend to the actor. The deception becomes complicated when Jude, Byrd’s PA, becomes attracted to Harriet. As the attraction is mutual, things become complicated very quickly.
One of the joys of this series is the way that previous stories interlink. As previously mentioned, they can be read as a standalone, so don’t worry about that. KT Dady includes perfect recaps to ensure that there’s sufficient back story to make the experience feel seamless. This time, the crossover looks at the Pepper River Inn and lifts the lid on an old secret.
There are opportunities to glimpse the lives of characters from earlier in the series, and it’s a real treat to know how their lives are turning out. I cannot recommend Pepper Bay enough. This series is absolutely wonderful, and it would be a real shame not to enjoy all the gorgeous stories.

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

So great to return to this delightful community once more,
With the chance the Isle of Wight to explore.
As always, there are also characters who are easy to relate to,
With their lives and all they are going through.

It is the sort of book that I easily get lost within
Taken in with the story right from where it begins.
This time it is a Hollywood actor wanting an image that's new
Hoping a local will help achieve that, too.

Harriet Hadley is the local who he offers to pay
To pretend to be his girlfriend during his stay.
With the money on offer and nothing to lose
She has no problems which option to choose.

The fact that surfer Ken, Jude Jackson, will be by her side
And her attraction to him she struggles to hide
That makes it more possible for her and her young son
To get her share of the acting done!

With secrets to share and the possibility of romance
Should she really give this stranger a chance?
The attraction is mutual, but what happens when
He returns to the States again?

With a fake romance and a real one, too,
Secrets shared and discoveries that are new,
This is a gorgeous, heartwarming story that I adore
A series that has me looking out for more!

I have no hesitation in saying to you
I highly recommend you read this brill book too!
For my complementary copy, I say a huge thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

[Wendy Ann Neels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Always a joy to return to pepper bay. I love these people so much and really look forward to every new book. This one certainly didn't disappoint, I like Harriet and Jude very much. Wonderful writing IT Dady as always

[Alison Key · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another lovely book in this series. Easy reading and very enjoyable

[Orla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted an epilogue to this one. Just a quick update from these two.

[Georgina Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I’ve read in this series and think I have the same feelings about this one as I did the other - takes a while to get the hang of but you end up enjoying it. Harriet is asked to pretend to be the girlfriend of a Hollywood star that needs an image clean-up and she is the one they choose. But she ends up falling for his right hand man instead, and her life takes such a big leap, it’s hard to keep up.

There are a few sub-stories too that take over for a short time then get solved and forgotten within pages, not sure I like this and think I’d prefer them to be spread over more of the book as towards the end the story got a bit samey and repetitive.

Overall, this was a good cosy read that kept me reading whilst snuggled at the weekend recharging.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5 (3.5/5 rounded up for Goodreads & Amazon)

[Henriette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am thrilled to say I have not missed out on any books in this series and this was already book 8! The concept is the same as for all the other books, two main characters and their love story, chapters switching between the two characters and with their inner thoughts in italics, making sure we understand them. I really loved Harriet, but Jude was perhaps a little too good to be true for my liking. If he was a dog he would be a Golden Retriever, so sweet and good natured and happy... if you get my drift. As it's fiction, it's okay he was like a dream.

The story is about Harriet and Jude. Jude arrives on the island working as a PA for a Hollywood movie star and ends up instantly attracted to Harriet his boss's pretend girlfriend. Harriet is a sweet and down to earth island girl. I loved her family, who we had also met in other books focussing on her sisters. Both her parents are just wonderful people, with the result that all their girls are also really good people. I liked that Harriet was a single mother as there was just that little bit extra to the story, rather than just a love story between two people. I can't wait to return to Pepper Bay!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the Pepper Bay series and thoroughly enjoyed this latest one. Harriet Hadley works as a housekeeper at Sandly’s biggest hotel and when a Hollywood star comes and stays there she has no idea how her life will change forever! A fabulous cast of characters, some old and some new, a story about love, how to never judge a book by its cover and how sometimes you need to take a leap and follow your heart. I can’t recommend KT Dady books enough. Easy to read and get lost in. I want to visit Pepper Bay!!!!