Relax and Read Book Club: Meet Me at the Seaside Cottages by Jenny Colgan

Spabreaks.com’s Relax and Read Book Club gives you the chance to discover new books, learn about the authors, share your opinions and really escape into an inspiring world of literature.

This month we're reading Meet Me at the Seaside Cottages by Jenny Colgan, a story about Janey Carter who lives by the sea in Carso, and how she navigates life when her 30 year old daughter Essie comes home after losing her job. It explores the challenges of mother and daughter living back under the same roof, and leaves space for life to happen when you least expect it.

"The story of a mother and daughter who find their love and to each other, fabulous characters that make you laugh and sigh...and as for the dogs, they are the icing on the cake." - Amazon review

We’d love to know your Summer Read recommendation - the one you'd press into someone's hands at the start of the holidays. Is it something new you're looking forward to this year, or a title you return to every summer?

Oh I always like to read something fresh and fun. This year I really loved Such Stuff by Hannah Morrish, about a young actress waiting to go onstage and thinking about her dad.

Meet Me at the Seaside Cottages - give us your best holiday pitch. What's the story, who is it for, and why is it the perfect spa break companion?

This book is for anyone who loves going through Rightmove and peering into other people's houses and lives - it's for property nosey parkers. Janey is divorced and finally has her life back on track, when her adult daughter moves back in due to the horrendous property market- and complications ensue. There's also dogs, laughs and sunshine.

Writing and unwinding - do you escape somewhere specific to write, or to stop writing? Tell us about your ideal environment for both creative thinking and proper rest.

I am happy with anywhere sunny, a comfy sun bed, a pool and a good book!

If you could design your perfect spa break, what would it look like? Think setting, treatments, the playlist and of course, what's on the reading list.

ooh a lovely big pool, a huge Jacuzzi, definitely a full body massage and I would like my toes done please! And some lovely new funny romantic books to read, and a cheeky glass of prosecco- I'm in heaven!

Sauna or steam room?

LOVE a sauna

Paperback or e-reader?

E reader

Early morning dip or sunset soak?

Both please!

The book you'd take to a desert island?

War and Peace, I'm saving it just for that. Or prison.

Tea, coffee or something stronger - what's your writing fuel?

Coffee and fizzy water.

Guilty pleasure read - the one you'd always pack for a spa break?

Terry Hayes