Author Profile

Mia Kent is the author of clean, contemporary women’s fiction and small-town romance. She writes heartfelt stories about love, friendship, happily ever after, and the importance of staying true to yourself.

She’s been married for over a decade to her high school sweetheart, and when she isn’t working on her next book, she’s chasing around a toddler, crawling after an infant, and hiding from an eighty-pound tornado of dog love. Frankly, it’s a wonder she writes at all.

To learn more about Mia’s books, to sign up for her email list, or to send her a message, visit her website at www.miakent.com.

Non-review Rant

This book was read and review was drafted in February. If this review comes out much later, that’s because I am scheduling it thusly. I want to be consistent in posting book reviews, and scheduled posts are the only way to achieve it.

Recap

Leah Turner finds out that her best friend, her neighbour and her boss, has also mothered a child with Phil, Leah’s husband of twenty-five years. Could life get shittier than that?

I guess it could, if Leah moves to her hometown Crystal Bay.

 ~

Review

“Sunrise at Crystal Bay” by Mia Kent takes readers on a captivating journey to the picturesque Crystal Bay, where the tranquil beauty of the setting matches the depth of the characters’ emotions. The novel follows the story of Leah, a woman betrayed by her husband who returns to her hometown after a devastating loss, seeking solace and a fresh start. As Leah navigates her grief and tries to rebuild her life, she crosses paths with the charming and enigmatic childhood friend Ben, setting off a chain of events that will change both of their lives forever.

One of the standout aspects of the novel is the portrayal of Phil, Stephanie’s ex-boyfriend. Kent does an excellent job of depicting Phil as a despicable character, making it easy for readers to dislike him intensely. His behavior and actions are spot-on, adding depth to the storyline.

~

However, there are moments in the novel that feel slightly jarring, such as Ben’s statement about Leah being “almost like a sister” to him.

You heard me.

At one point, while defending his friendship with Leah, Ben says: “She’s almost like a sister to me.”

I was like: Naw. why would he say that? too far, Ben, too far.

This line seems out of place, especially considering Ben’s underlying feelings for Leah. It comes across as forced and unnatural, disrupting the flow of the narrative.

~ 

In Sunrise at Crystal Bay, Mia Kent weaves a tale that goes beyond the typical romance novel. While there are elements of love and relationships, at its core, this story is about self-love and redemption. The protagonist, Leah, undergoes a journey of self-discovery and growth, learning to love herself, free herself of a toxic relationship and find redemption in the process.

Throughout the novel, Leah grapples with burden of breaking a marriage of 25 years and struggles to come to terms with who she will be if she leaves Phil. Her relationship with her sister Avery and her friend Ben serves as a catalyst for her personal anchor, as she learns to let go of her insecurities and fears. Kent beautifully captures the essence of self-love, showing that true happiness comes from within.

The theme of redemption is prevalent throughout the story, as Leah learns to forgive himself and others. Her journey is not easy, but it is a testament to the power of self-reflection and growth. Kent’s storytelling is poignant and heartfelt, making Sunrise at Crystal Bay a compelling read for anyone looking for a story of love, forgiveness, and redemption.

Overall, Sunrise at Crystal Bay lays a solid foundation for the series, introducing intriguing characters and setting the stage for what promises to be an engaging story of love and redemption.

You can buy the book on Amazon.in using my affiliate link. 

Some quotes and notes

Chapter 1 – Page 8

Happy, that is. And doting, more often than not.

Chapter 3 – Page 50

That was loneliness of a different kind, bottomless and empty. Come home. That’s what Ben had said. Come home, to people who loved and supported her. Come home, to air fragrant with saltwater and the scent of the sea. Come home, to endless sunny mornings and balmy nights. Come home, to the place where she wouldn’t have to spend every day in a house surrounded by memories of a once-happy marriage, and the knowledge that things would never be the same.

Chapter 5 – Page 75

“It’s hard to change when you’re already perfect.”

Chapter 5 – Page 80

Ben shot him a look of annoyance at the mention of his on-again, off-again girlfriend. Usually off-again, but right now, they were having another go at things, at Shannon’s insistence… and Ben’s reluctance.

Chapter 6 – Page 93

Dad called today out of the blue to tell me that you’d left,

Chapter 7 – Page 112

Chapter 8 – Page 117

Turning to Leah, he rested both hands on her shoulders and looked directly into her eyes; his gaze was so intense, so… almost intimate

Chapter 8 – Page 120

She’s almost like a sister to me.”

but… the lies. Thirteen years of them.

Chapter 10 – Page 154

“I think it’s perfect.” Ben wasn’t looking at the sand but at her, his eyes twinkling with laughter, his face soft with some emotion she couldn’t quite put her finger on. “I think it’s absolutely perfect.”

Chapter 11 – Page 160

“You always have my support.” Avery reached across the space separating them and squeezed her sister’s hand, fiercely and reassuringly. “Always. But it’s my job to play devil’s advocate. It’s my job to ask the tough questions—I wouldn’t be able to face you if I didn’t.”

Chapter 13 – Page 181

She ignored him; this wasn’t her admission to make. It wasn’t her story to tell.

Chapter 13 – Page 189

Then she sidestepped him and strode toward the bedroom door, her head held high, her shoulders erect, and her heart absolutely shattered.

~

You can buy the book on Amazon.in using my affiliate link. 

Until next time, happy reading!