This is the kind of book I wish I would have written. I loved it and wanted to pass it on to you, though if you’re like me you have a massive ‘To Be Read’ pile.
News here is that I have a Western Historical out to Carina press. So in the wait stage for that one. About finished with the first draft of a Romantic Suspense set in Sedona. And, restarted on a story I started a few years ago and dropped. Going back and reading what I had written made me excited to work on it again.
So book review of Beach House Memories:
We recently purchased a condo in North Myrtle Beach South Carolina. I’d never been there before we flew down to look at the unit and I love the area. This book is set on the Isles of Palms which is 95 miles from North Myrtle Beach so perfect timing for me to read it.
It opens with Lovie (Olivia Rutledge) again at her beloved beach cottage. She is an old lady and in the last stages of cancer. The story is designed like a sandwich with the first and last chapter in the present and the rest of the book mainly about the summer of 74 at the beach. A plus is the sub-plot where they study loggerhead turtles and the newly hatched babies. We saw some nesting spots when we were in Florida. These creatures are amazing.
Lovie finds love this summer and she truly finds herself. We all face crossroads in life. Some us face more than others, but I think we all wonder what our life would have been if we had taken the other road.
As I read this story I thought that everyone over maybe 60 should read this book. Choices were made that changed the course of life, and in the end, if you believe in soul mates you can believe that these two will meet again.
Maybe it’s where I live, but I seem to be more aware of the life journey than I once was. Here it’s 55 and older, and there have been a lot of changes on our street. One couple downsizing to an apartment, another moving to a local assisted living, another choosing to move across the state to be closer to their daughter and they also chose assisted living. One lady described it to me as turning to a new chapter. This book made me look back and see more clearly the chapters of my own life story.
A recommended read for sure.
Sounds like a good read. And yes, life changes seem to lead to more soul searching as we get older. It sounds like your street is in a state of flux for sure. I am glad you go the condo to go visit. Love the fact that the book is set near there. Enjoy the new condo!! And love the turtle season! Jillian
Thanks for the comment. I read a lot and there are so many great stories out there. Yours among them. Hope the writing is going well for you.
aw. thanks. I am in a rut right now. More sad about the lack of sales which makes my motivation pretty low. BUT I do love a good story, too!
I know that feeling, Jillian. Yep, know it well. Still trying to soldier on, though.
thanks, Laurie. You, too. Hugs.