Molly Meets Jenny Colgan
We caught up with bestselling author Jenny Colgan to chat all things Meet Me At The Seaside Cottages. From childhood holidays and cosy beds to her favourite fishy dishes (spoiler: she loves oysters), Jenny shares the seaside moments that shaped her story—and how you can bring that same sense of calm coastal charm into your home.
Q: Meet Me At The Seaside Cottages perfectly captures the charm of coastal life. What inspired you to set the story by the sea? Any personal memories that helped bring it to life?
Jenny: Oh absolutely—I grew up by the sea! My parents had been city kids in Glasgow, and when they had us, they really wanted to escape the city. So we grew up on the coast in Prestwick. Sandcastles, raspberry sauce on ice cream, swimming in the freezing sea, sneaking into the amusements… they’re such happy memories. Writing about seaside life felt totally natural, because that’s what I knew as a child.
Q: You’ve teamed up with Secret Linen Store for this collaboration—how do you think beautiful bedding enhances a seaside escape? Any must-haves for that perfect coastal sleep?
Jenny: Oh my goodness, yes. I think getting into a fresh bed with lovely linen and a good book is just one of life’s great joys. I actually go to bed really early just so I can do exactly that! I only sleep with one pillow, but we’ve got loads, and because it’s Scotland and the weather is ahem unpredictable, we always have some cosy lambswool blankets on hand too.
Q: Even though you lived by the sea, did you still go on seaside holidays? Any that have stuck with you?
Jenny: Definitely! Every year, we’d all pile into the car and drive to Cornwall, which felt a million miles away. It was paradise compared to home—much warmer—and even though we didn’t have loads of money, my parents made it magical. Chips, fudge, cream teas, staying up late, boogie boarding all day, and my mum telling us ghost stories at night. Just wonderful.
Q: What would your top tips be for turning a home into a warm, seaside-inspired space?
Jenny: Light! Light is everything. I’m currently trying to convince my husband to let me knock down our kitchen wall because it faces east and is so dull in the morning. Waking up to sunshine is the best feeling. I’d love one of those big glass houses you see in American Netflix shows—though someone usually gets murdered in them!
I think a true beach house should feel relaxed. Nothing too fancy. You want it to be the kind of place where it doesn’t matter if you bring in sand or hang wet towels everywhere. Some of my happiest memories are in those kinds of places—like the little beach shack we rented in Antigua after we got married. It was right on the sand, had a hammock outside, and we’d fall asleep to the sound of the waves. Pure magic.
Q: If Meet Me At The Seaside Cottages became a film, what would you most want to see captured on screen?
Jenny: Oh, the scenery! Scotland is just stunning. I’m so lucky that I get to travel with my job and I’ve seen all four corners of it. The islands are incredible. Some of the northern coves and lochs have water that looks like the Caribbean. There are so many beautiful little villages and traditional buildings—you could film it anywhere and it would feel right.
Q: If you were to design a beach-style bedroom with Secret Linen Store, what would it look like?
Jenny: I go through phases with colours, but right now I’m really into teal—it’s got such a lovely, watery vibe. I also love pale greens and soft shell colours. Nothing too dark or heavy. You want something that feels calm and summery, like a breath of fresh sea air.
Q: What inspired you to become a writer? Has your personal journey shaped the stories you tell?
Jenny: I always had my head in a book as a child, but I never really knew writing was something you could do as a job. Then in the ‘90s, writers like Helen Fielding and Marian Keyes came along and I thought—maybe anyone could do that! I gave it a go, and it was the biggest surprise when it actually worked out.
I’ve also had a life full of travel—my husband is a marine engineer—so I think all those different places and people definitely sneak their way into my stories.
Q: Do you have a specific writing routine or creative setup?
Jenny: I really do. Most professional writers I know have a set routine. I get up, drink coffee, faff about on the internet (one of the perks of having older kids), then take the dogs for a walk—usually with my husband—and head to a coffee shop to write. I love the noise and bustle, and it keeps me focused because I’ve only got a limited window to hit my word count.
Sometimes I meet friends for lunch, then head home to play the piano or harp—though I’m truly dreadful at the harp! I also travel a lot for work, so I’ve gotten good at writing on trains and planes with headphones on. I really love my life.
Jenny Colgan's Meet Me At The Seaside Cottages is available to buy now, click here to grab yourself a copy.
Quick-Fire with Jenny
Favourite seaside memory?
Hot potatoes in St Ives, walking around the fishing boats. Best thing I’ve ever eaten.
Dream coastal destination?
The Lerins Isles near Cannes. We hired a boat, ate at a restaurant you can only reach by sea, and went snorkelling in a deserted cove—completely naked. It was amazing.
Sandcastles or beachcombing?
Sandcastles. I was a beach kid—we got very serious about it. Everything you pick up beachcombing might be hiding something gross!
Go-to beach read?
Anything and everything—I hit “cruising altitude” on holiday and read a book a day. I love Jon Ronson, Stephen King for audiobooks, and the Strike series.
Sunrise or sunset?
Those tropical sunsets where the sun disappears in half a second. Feels like magic.
One thing you always pack for the seaside?
Big floppy hat. You can survive without suncream or sunglasses if you’ve got that.
Favourite coastal dish?
Anything fishy—oysters, langoustine, mussels. And I always get soupe de poissons the second I land in France.
Barefoot in the sand or cocktail on the promenade?
A bit of both, please! Ice cream in the sand, cocktail on the promenade. Ideal.
