The Hotel by the Sea by Julie Caplin
Synopsis: “Rebecca needs to escape. After making a complete fool of herself watching the man she’s secretly loved for years run off with someone else―she jumps at a temporary job at the family-run Quinta do Mar hotel. Sun, sea, and a fresh start sound perfect.

What she doesn’t expect is Felipe Rebelo.

Charming, infuriatingly confident, and always ready with a flirty quip, Felipe seems to have life sorted. But beneath his carefree exterior lies a man carrying the weight of his entire family. The last thing he needs is another responsibility. Especially one who challenges him at every turn, makes him laugh, and is dangerously easy to fall for…

Escape to Portugal’s stunning Algarve coast in this uplifting summer romance about finding yourself, choosing happiness, and discovering that love isn’t about being needed―it’s about being seen.“

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My Review

I love this series, and this was another fab book from Julie Caplin, one of my favourite authors.

It’s set in Portugal, on the Algarve, as Rebecca the main character gets a job at a family run hotel, as a Pilates instructor. The hotel and location sounded gorgeous and made me feel like I’d been transported there along with Rebecca.

I loved Rebecca right from the start, she’s a strong independent woman who doesn’t need a man to rescue her, or rely on her. She’s nursing a broken heart because of Will, the man she’s secretly loved for years. He definitely hasn’t felt the same way about her, and has gone off with someone else. Then she meets Felipe at the hotel, and the chemistry between them is so good straight from the start, that she almost forgets about Will. 

I loved following Rebecca as she settled into her routine at the hotel, with Felipe and his family. It was a really lovely story, seeing her try all the different foods, she wouldn’t normally eat and having fun as Felipe’s young cousins, Katerina and Cristina give her fashion tips.

The romance between her and Felipe, was fun and flirty with a bit of spice. It felt very natural, and I really wanted it all to work out for them.

Of course because it’s a romance it wasn’t plain sailing, but I was quite surprised with the plot development, and annoyed for Rebecca and Felipe, especially Felipe! I was shouting in my head at both of them, to open their eyes and stop what was about to happen! I can’t say any more because of spoilers!

If you’re looking for a fun, flirty romance, I definitely recommend this one. In fact as usual I recommend the whole Romantic Escapes series!

Thanks so much to One More Chapter and NetGalley for my digital ARC.