How to Read the Little Beach Street Bakery Series
Written by best-selling Scottish author Jenny Colgan, the Little Beach Street Bakery series is a heartwarming blend of contemporary romance, personal recovery, and small-town community charm. The story follows Polly Waterford as she recovers from a painful business bankruptcy and relationship breakdown by retreating to the fictional tidal island of Mount Polbearne in Cornwall, England. There, she discovers a passion for baking bread that transforms both her life and the local community.
Because the character arcs, romantic relationships, and town developments progress chronologically, we strongly recommend reading the core novels in their official publication order.
The Core Little Beach Street Bakery Books in Reading Order
- Little Beach Street Bakery (2014) – This is the book that starts it all. Polly Waterford escapes to Mount Polbearne, moves into a drafty flat above an abandoned shop, and begins baking bread to cope with her struggles. Along the way, she rescues an injured baby puffin named Neil and catches the eye of Huckle, a handsome local beekeeper.
- Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery (2015) – Polly’s bakery is thriving, and her relationship with Huckle is going well, but sudden changes in the town threaten her bakery's future and test her love life. Neil the puffin is still by her side as she faces these new challenges.
- Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery (2016) – Set during the festive season, this story sees Polly dealing with family drama, secrets, and a winter storm that isolates Mount Polbearne. It's a cozy, emotional holiday read that deepens the bonds of the local community.
- Sunrise by the Sea (2021) – The fourth book shifts the primary focus to Marissa Rossi, a young woman suffering from severe anxiety who seeks isolation on Mount Polbearne. While Marissa is the main protagonist, Polly Waterford and the bakery play a major supporting role in helping Marissa heal, making this an essential and satisfying continuation of the series.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
For this series, the publication order and chronological order are identical. The narrative timeline moves forward naturally from book to book, following the seasons and the progression of Polly's life on the island. Reading out of order will spoil major relationship milestones, business developments, and town changes, so it is highly recommended to follow the order listed above.
The Children's Spin-Off: Polly and the Puffin
In addition to the main contemporary fiction novels, Jenny Colgan wrote a charming, illustrated children's spin-off series titled Polly and the Puffin. These books are aimed at younger readers (ages 5–8) and expand on the adventures of Polly Waterford and her beloved pet puffin, Neil. They are perfect companion reads for families or fans who want more whimsical stories from Mount Polbearne.The reading order for the children's series is as follows:
- Polly and the Puffin (2015)
- The Stormy Day (2016)
- The New Friend (2017)
- The Happy Christmas (2017)
What to Know Before You Start
The fictional setting of Mount Polbearne is heavily inspired by the real-life tidal island of St. Michael's Mount in Cornwall. This setting plays a massive role in the story, as the rising and falling tides physically isolate the community twice a day, adding a unique sense of atmosphere and stakes to the narrative.
While the first three books focus squarely on Polly Waterford, readers should be prepared for the perspective shift in Sunrise by the Sea. Although some readers were initially surprised by Marissa taking center stage, Polly remains a crucial presence, and the book successfully wraps up several lingering threads from the earlier novels.
Each of the core novels also includes recipes at the back, allowing you to bake some of the very treats Polly creates in her kitchen, from simple sourdough to sweet pastries.