The Beach House (South Carolina Sunsets)

Great story of love & betrayal with the right amount of twists to keep you turning the pages. Believable family drama. Charming and captivating local culture and scenery. Can’t wait to read the others in the series.

THE BEACH HOUSE is a standalone read with a happy ever after. There are no sex scenes or colorful language so any age can read and enjoy. It is a love story, a new love but it is more the story of a woman, 43, starting her life over. Married for 21 years, two grown daughters on their own, he almost retired, their big house sold and plans to move to a cottage on the beach and live the rest of their life doing their thing and enjoying their life. He comes in late and then informs her he is moving out. He is in love with someone else and he has been with her for 2 years and they have a son. Her world shatters. She had no idea what was happening. Very quickly he arranges for the sale of the house to happen so they can divide the money and he has started divorce proceedings. She has no idea what hit her but now she is mad. However, after a long pity party she gets her stuff together and uses her half of the house money to buy a cottage on a small island on the S. Carolina coast. She arrives to find a cottage in very bad shape. She can't even spend the night there. She is devastated. What has she done. Her money is running low, the house is a disaster and could things get any worse. She drives down the island to see if she can find a small B&B to spend the night. Luckily she finds a small place. She arranges for a room and a sandwich for the night. Dawson owns the B&B. However the next day he tells her that the B&B has not rented rooms for the last few years. She is shocked. He explains it is just southern hospitality. With her hands in her head she explains her whole miserable problem. He tells her he can help with the cottage. Thus a friendship starts. Day by day she is getting stronger, feeling better, learning to live on her land and being happy. Then her mother shows up with a sister she has had nothing but problems with and winds up dumping her there. That is not the last surprise she will get. The hospital in Boston calls to tell her that her husband (the divorce is not final yet) has had a terrible accident and is in the hospital. As his wife they need her to make medical decisions for him. and then his sweet fiancee leaves him at the hospital with a...I'm sorry I can do this. Oh man this poor lady has bad karma. I loved this story. It was so today and could be someone we all know. It is a story of learning to stand up for herself. Learning to see another side to the story. Growing a backbone and getting on with her life. This is a very good read. I found it to be very entertaining and I definitely recommend it. I was not paid for this review. I am not a writer nor do I know one. I am not kin to this author. I am a reader and this is my opinion, nothing more, nothing less.

This was a wholesome, relaxing read. This book was the kind of read, that you can cozy up in your favorite space, with your favorite beverage and snack; just be in the moment and enjoy. I am about to read the next book in the series. I am curious about the potential romance and family dynamics. I give this book a thumbs up. The characters and settings are well developed, as well as the theme. this book is for those whom enjoy a wholesome story, without bad language, and explicit scenes. I recommend this book for young adults to senior adults.

Good clean book with a great story line. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. It’s an easy read.

I chose this new author (to me) based upon reviews and supposedly she was similar to a very favorite, Dorothea Benton Frank. I read this first book with great anticipation as I love a long series for the summer. To say I was disappointed is a truism. The story itself was fine, as were the introduction to the characters. What was missing for ME was the overall lack of specific, daily details that flesh out a story, make a reader dive in and relate well to characters. Whether it was how the cottage looked overall, or the real way a contractor would work, what outfits either Janine or Julie chose for a moment, some history of their relationship with their mom, what they were enjoying (other than ropey-sweet tea or cupcakes), etc. Such detail takes time, as does the accompanying emotional reverie; sketches more intricate. THAT is what I hoped for. Instead, this book does precisely what the author said it did: came to her over a basket of nachos. 12 books. Introductory story from a seemingly introductory writer. When I consider Benton-Frank's freshman attempt "Sullivan's Island" which literally captured me within the first three pages, I have to admit, I wished for far far more. So. Mediocre but mildly interesting. I did read it thru, all the while wishing for Julie to get a backbone.

really good read enjoyed book I highly recommend taking the time to read

Sweet, quick, enjoyable read (that ex-husband though 😑)

This is a fun, enjoyable book to read any time of the year. I love reading beach books. It's clean and easy to read. I can wait to read the next one by this author.

Loved this book. Great read . First time reader of Rachel Hanna. Looking forward to the next one and so on.

Agréable à lire

Enjoy Rachel Hannah’s books!

Enjoyable, easy read, great for holiday or chilling with a cuppa, looking forward to book two now, just purchased ENJOY

I enjoyed the location and imagery. I finished it in on Christmas Eve in one sitting.