The Beach House – ARC Book Review

An absolutely gorgeous and heartwarming read about finding love where you least expect it, new beginnings, and how family is always with you, no matter where you are. Fans of Susan Mallery, Pamela Kelley, and Mary Alice Monroe will adore this romantic page-turner.

When her gram passes away, Melanie Simpson feels utterly lost. But her grandmother’s will gives her a purpose: an inheritance to buy a crumbling house in Rosemary Bay. They used to visit the village every summer, sit by the sparkling water on a beach the color of pearl, and daydream about turning the place on the corner into a bed and breakfast.

On her first night in her new hometown, Melanie meets local contractor and landowner Josh Claiborne, whose eyes match the dazzling sea. Melanie plans to restore the beach house to its original glory, and Josh is the perfect person to help renovate the wrap-around porch weathered by the coastal breeze and the peeling white paint faded by the sun.

But hiding in a closet is a yellowing stack of letters that could change everything. The looping handwriting reveals the mystery of the rickety house—a buried history that touches everyone in Rosemary Bay. Will its secrets bring Melanie and Josh together or tear them apart?

No. of pages:- 322 pages

Published:- will be published on 8th June 2021

Publisher:- Bookouture

Genre:- Romance/Historical

First of all–the book cover is so pretty that it got attracted to me in the first place! Second of all, this is a cute summer and cozy reading!

Melanie inherits a house in Rosemary Bay, as a part of her grandmother’s inheritance and to fulfill her wish of opening a bed and breakfast. But the house is in utter disrepair and is about to crumble to pieces. She enlists the help of a contractor, Josh who seemed to be reluctant to help Melanie, as this house belonged once to a man named Alfred Ellis. While going through storm and then repairing the old house, Melanie comes across a stack of letters written by Alfred to his lover. Curiously, she starts reading those letters, transporting her back to those times along with the budding romance between Josh and Melanie.

I really do enjoy reading this book! The writing was good and engaging, and the author did a good job engaging the reader into the story. The characters in the book were likable, except for Janie, Josh’s ex wife who seemed to be manipulative. Melanie was a very likable character and despite Josh’s stubborn and sometimes arrogant attitude with determination to leave behind the small town and move to New York, Josh’s character was likable as well. Though the story was predictable, nonetheless, it’s a story of love, friendship spanning back from 1961 with Alfred’s love story and to the present with Melanie and Josh. I really like the ending as well, the small twist that let the cat out of the bag and a secret is revealed but it was truly an enjoyable book.

Overall, I give this book five stars! The story was warm, emotional and cozy story that will keep you up all night to finish the book. Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

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.

Website: http://www.itsjennyhale.com; Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jhaleauthor; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennyhaleauthor; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jhaleauthor