Day: June 14, 2021

If you are looking for a nice, easy summer read with likeable characters and a beachy setting, this is definitely the book for you.

Melanie’s grandmother has recently passed away, and Melanie took care of her in her last years. As the grandmother’s will is read, Melanie is surprised to find that there is a beach house that her grandmother wants her to use her inheritance to buy.

But why? And to what purpose? Is Melanie at loose ends and Grandma knows exactly what she needs to move forward, or does Grandma have ulterior motives? Why a dilapidated old beach house?

What follows is a story about family secrets, learning how to trust people, and never giving up faith that things will somehow work out.

I thoroughly enjoyed the “mystery” part of this book. I’m a sucker for old letters and what they do (or don’t) mean. Aside from the obvious “how does it connect” storyline, there is something comforting about how important writing used to be.

I know that sounds weird, but there’s a sense of nostalgia to it. And that’s important to me these days.

I liked Melanie and could relate to her a little bit. I understand what it means to be given a task that you’re unsure of due to motivations or personal roadblocks. I felt for her.

I don’t know that the entire romance between her and Josh was believable. There were parts that seemed too incredible (nobody builds that fast) and required a bit of suspended disbelief.

Can anyone really trust a stranger that quickly? Are the rules for kids that much different in a smaller beach town?

Those things didn’t bother me too much, but they did take me out of the story a bit.

Ultimately, it seemed formulaic – which makes sense because the author has consistently released similar books, which has created quite a following.

Regardless, it was a harmless, ultimately enjoyable read. And really, who could ask for anything more in a book on a summer reading list?

Author Bio:

Jenny Hale is a USA Today, Amazon, and international bestselling author of romantic contemporary fiction. Her books have sold worldwide, have been translated into multiple languages, and adapted for television. Her novels Coming Home for Christmas and Movie Guide Epiphany Award winner Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses are Hallmark Channel original movies.

She was included in Oprah Magazine’s “19 Dreamy Summer Romances to Whisk You Away” and Southern Living’s “30 Christmas Novels to Start Reading Now.” Her stories are chock-full of feel-good romance and overflowing with warm settings, great friends, and family. Jenny is at work on her next novel, delighted to be bringing even more heartwarming stories to her readers.

When she isn’t writing, or heading up her romantic fiction imprint Harpeth Road, she can be found running around her hometown of Nashville with her husband, two boys, and their labradoodle, taking pictures–her favorite pastime.