Introducing Beautiful Place by the Sea, a New Coastal Romance by Danielle Smyth

Astralumen Press is thrilled to announce BEAUTIFUL PLACE BY THE SEA, a heartfelt new coastal romance by Danielle Smyth releasing February 13, 2026.

Set in a charming small Maine vacation town, Beautiful Place by the Sea is a slow-burn romance filled with seaside magic, a cozy bookshop, simmering tension that starts off on entirely the wrong foot, and family secrets that refuse to stay buried. At its heart, the novel explores grief and healing, inherited stories, and the places that call us home even when we try to leave them behind.

The story centers on Ivy Parker, a disillusioned school librarian reeling from a devastating breakup. Burned out on her life outside Boston, Ivy retreats to the coastal town that has always felt like home. She takes a part-time job at the local bookshop, where she immediately clashes with Oliver Clarke, the town’s guarded and infuriatingly attractive bookseller. What begins as friction soon turns into simmering tension and an undeniable connection neither of them expected.

When Ivy uncovers a decades-old family secret, it sheds new light on love, sacrifice, and the choices people make for those they care about. As she grows closer to Oliver, both must confront what they truly want and whether they can make room for each other without losing themselves.

Beautiful Place by the Sea is a tender, slow-burn romance about second chances, found family, and discovering a love that feels like coming home.

Release date: February 13, 2026
Preorders open: February 1, 2026

Readers who love these tropes will fall for Beautiful Place by the Sea:

• Light enemies-to-lovers

• Forced proximity

• Small-town coastal romance

• Bookstore setting

• Slow burn

• Family secrets

• Found family and lovable locals

Stay tuned to the Astralumen Press website and the author's social media channels to learn more over the coming months!