Thank you to Sanny Chiu and Monica Cordova for my amazing book cover. I love it! Thank you so much for making Saltwater Nook look exactly like it does in my head and for giving Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle a starring role; she is, after all, a very high-maintenance cat!
The world of publishing is made up of many talented people working tirelessly behind the scenes to help people like me get a book out into the world. Huge thank-yous to the team at Putnam: Anthony Ramondo—Executive Creative Director, Sally Kim—Publisher, Ashley McClay—Marketing Director, Alexis Welby—Publicity Director, Meredith Dros—Managing Editor, Maija Baldauf—Associate Managing Editor, Hannah Dragone—Production Manager, Claire Sullivan—Production Editor, and Katy Riegel—Interior Designer; you are all superstars!
Book people are the best people! Thank you to the booky people on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and the like; your passion for books and kind, generous spirits have made my social media a safe haven in what has been a strange time for all . . . you are also responsible for my ever-growing TBR pile with your tantalizing book reviews!
Thank you to the Bayou Book Babes for letting me join your book club; it is an absolute joy to talk books with such fabulous women. And thank you to the Café on the Beach for letting me spend hours writing this book in your café before the pandemic and keeping me topped up with fine coffee takeaways all the way through it.
Lindsay and Jo, thank you for being my first readers and giving me the confidence to go ahead and press Send. I love you both so much. Aileen, you have been championing me for nearly thirty years, what would I ever do without your love and friendship? Thanks, Adele, for our work-morning Zoom calls where we have tried to re-create a working-in-a-coffee-shop vibe in lieu of the real things being open.
To my Mum and Dad, thank you for being hilarious, loving, and supportive in equal measure; you mean the world to me. To my brother, Simon, and my sons, Jack and Will, thank you for being the kind of men who inspire the heroes for my stories.
And finally, to my husband, Dom, who takes me out to look at leaves and fields when I feel overwhelmed and calms me down when I’m being an anxious Agatha; thanks babe, love you.
Discussion Guide
A Season for Second Chances begins with Annie’s marriage meeting an unceremonious end. What makes this time different for Annie?
Discuss why Annie decides to take the winter guardian position at Saltwater Nook. What of her old life does she decide to leave behind? What are her first impressions of Saltwater Nook and the town of Willow Bay?
This novel explores the value of new beginnings and the meaning of true happiness. What can Annie teach us about starting new life chapters?
Annie and John Granger butt heads from their first encounter. What did you think about John at the beginning of the story, and how did your perception of him change?
Like Annie, author Jenny Bayliss lives in a small seaside town in the UK. Would you want to live in Willow Bay? What would be the benefits and drawbacks?
Willow Bay is full of great secondary characters. Discuss some that stand out to you and what roles they play in Annie’s journey. What can the women in the book club tell us about the power of female friendship?
Once Annie decides to open the Saltwater Café, Willow Bay starts to really feel like home. Why does she become invested in opening and running the business? What does her identity as a business owner offer her?
The novel’s timeline moves through several seasons and holidays. What are some of your favorite holiday traditions? Which ones from the book would you participate in?
Alfred is an important character in the book. Discuss his backstory and how his relationship with Annie develops. What can Alfred teach us about community and the value of second chances?
What were your thoughts on the ending? What do you think is in store for Annie and John?
About the Author
A former professional cake baker, Jenny Bayliss lives in a small seaside town in the UK with her husband, their children having left home for big adventures. She is also the author of The Twelve Dates of Christmas.