Let me start by saying this: if you're looking for a book that feels like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket with a cup of tea, Saving Sandcastles delivers. The small-town charm of Lobster Bay is so vivid, I could practically smell the saltwater and hear the seagulls. The friendships between Claire, Jane, and Maxi? Heartwarming. These women have been through hell—loss, betrayal, dementia—yet their bond feels real and uplifting.

But here's the thing... Claire drove me nuts. Her mistrust of Rob, the new bakery owner (and surprise childhood crush), borders on irrational. I get it—she's been burned before—but her attitude drags on like a bad Netflix season that won’t end. It’s frustrating when you just want to shake a character and yell, 'HE’S OBVIOUSLY INTO YOU!'

The plot? Predictable but comforting, like knowing exactly how your grandma’s apple pie will taste. The rival bakery drama is admittedly over-the-top (who sabotages over bread vs. cupcakes?), but it’s balanced by sweet moments—like Rob secretly fixing Claire’s leaky pipes (swoon). And those bakery descriptions? Dangerously delicious. I craved cupcakes for days.

Final verdict: This is Hallmark-movie fluff with emotional depth in unexpected places. Perfect for beach reads or when life needs a sugary pick-me-up—just brace yourself for Claire’s stubbornness. Already downloading Book 2.