Book Review: What Happens in Brighton, a Regency and Victorian Collection

Ohhh, I want to go to Brighton!

That was my first thought when I read the title of this anthology. Anyone who is a fan of the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice knows exactly what scene that line is from.

(Just for the record, this collection of stories is nothing like that.)

So, as if on a pier at the ocean, I jumped in feet first. From the first story to the last, I was mesmerized. And with some of my favorite authors in here, I knew I was in good hands.

I won’t go into details on the stories. That’s not my review style. Just know that they are of different lengths and various scenarios. Some made me feel like I dove in headfirst, and others I waded in leisurely. And there was one that reminded me of going to the beach up here in the northeast of the US: you wade in up to your ankles, wait to get “used to it,” then up to the knees until the waves of the story are starting to break around you, and you ride them until the story is done.

I’ll let you figure out which is which.

Oh, my favorite? Although I loved each one in their own way, Winner Takes All by Tracy Brogan stole my heart. Oh, but The Way We Were by Gayle Callen stole it, too. Then again, Eileen Dreyer’s A Day at the Beach took my breath away.

So, don’t take my word for it! Grab a copy and get lost in a little romance (or two, or three!).

Release Date Tuesday, 02/10/2026

It can be found here on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. (among other wonderful booksellers!)

NOTE: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

From Goodreads:

Who doesn’t yearn for the exhilarating rush of falling in love? Alas, the more desperately you chase it, the more it slips through your fingers like grains of sand. Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh, new perspective.

In the enchanting seaside town of Brighton, England, where the sun kisses the shore and dreams linger in the salty breeze, a vibrant tapestry of souls will Vicar’s daughters and country maidens striving to ascend the social ladder, widows daring to seek a second chance at joy, and heartbroken singles clinging to the fragile hope of love.

In this magical place, one daring choice can change everything.

Cozy up with “What Happens in Brighton,” a heartwarming Regency and Victorian collection featuring eight exclusive, never-before-published stories from beloved authors, including Anna Bradley, Tracy Brogan, Kerrigan Byrne, Gayle Callen, Christy Carlyle, Sofie Darling, Eileen Dreyer, Barbara Russell, and Misty Urban. Don’t miss out—just in time for Valentine’s Day.