Recent Reads - The Seaside Affair

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The Seaside Affair by Vicki Hopkins - Elizabeth and her older brother Francis end their period of mourning for their mother by visiting the seaside resort of Aycliffe. The invitation to visit came from long-time friends of their mother, whom she had corresponded with for all the years since she herself had held a governess post in Aycliffe. 

Beth and Francis are curious about why their mother maintained her correspondence with the Wilsons for so many years, and yet had said so little about her time in Aycliffe. Their curiosity becomes more urgent when their new friends around the town drop some hints that there may have been unpleasant gossip attached to their mother. The Davenports are the family that had employed their mother as governess, and the now grown children remember her fondly. Alexander, Edwin, and Lydia Davenport, along with the Wilsons' daughter Celia, and Lord Howard's niece Annie, form the social circle that Beth and Francis move in during their vacation. Beth is quite surprised when Lord Howard asks her to stay with Annie as a companion for about a month, but decides that she will stay even if Francis objects. 

Beth's extended stay gives her opportunity to find out more about her mother's past, and gives her more time to spend with Annie and Celia, and even with Alexander whose interest in her is becoming obvious. Alexander, for his part, is determined to break away from his father's expectations to pursue his own dreams and interests. But back at home, Francis makes a discovery that sheds new light on his mother's past and realizes he must confront the people of Aycliffe with the truth, and make sure that Beth hears the truth from him.

Although the story is interesting and piqued my curiosity about the secrets of the past and the outcomes for the characters, the writing style was disappointing. Misplaced modifiers, clumsy wording, and redundant descriptions of unnecessary details were common throughout the book, and it was full of the kind of awkward writing one would expect from middle schoolers. I also found many places where incorrect words were used, and where sentences were clumsy and confusing. I found the writing so distracting and frustrating, and it surprised me that this author has many other titles published. A good story, but poor writing, to be honest.

From the publisher:

Over twenty years after their mother left the seaside resort of Aycliffe on the English coast, Elizabeth and Francis Edwards visit on holiday. They are invited by long-time friends of their mother, who are saddened to hear of her death.

Upon arrival, the siblings soon discover that the sleepy seaside town is plagued by family drama and plots of self-preservation. Gossip, greed, deceit, and lust are the vices hidden under the sands of time. As Elizabeth and Francis unearth the truth about their mother's life at the resort, a shocking revelation comes to the surface. In the end, lovers find the courage to embark on adventures, while others accept change and new lives.

(Historical fiction, set in 1840, with romantic and family saga elements.)

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