‘Funny, emotional, irresistible and sweet. This story made me laugh till it hurt and had my heart and emotions twisting.’ Marie’s Tempting ReadsDarcy is expecting a celebration. Or at least a nice piece of cake. Instead, she’s served with divorce papers. Oh, and she’s broke. With her twenty year union over and two children to support, she moves in with her eccentric grandmother, hoping to find … with her eccentric grandmother, hoping to find peace and quiet in the seaside town of Bayside.
What she isn’t expecting to find is a set of saggy old man balls upon arrival.
Needing to bleach her eyes, calm her screaming teen daughter and stop her eight year old son from filming the chaos to upload, Darcy is already reconsidering the sanity in her decision. Turns out, Nana is quite the player in the retirement circle.
She also fancies herself a bit of a matchmaker.
Deciding local football legend, Leo Murphy will provide the ultimate distraction for Darcy, Nana enlists the help of her trouble-loving great-grandson with somewhat disastrous results. Leo doesn’t know what hit him. Literally.
With a great smile and a body to die for, it isn’t hard to convince Darcy to give Leo a chance. It also helps that he has a lot of patience for one particularly rambunctious young boy and can’t run too fast on his busted knee—a captive audience is easily swayed, after all.
But with a teenager in the midst of a meltdown, a heart cracked and bruised, and a son who keeps her on her toes, even a chance could prove too much for Darcy. Luckily Leo isn’t the kind of man who gives up easily.more
WOOOOOOOOOOOW! I didn’t expect Love Is A Beach to be such a treat but it was! Funny, emotional, irresistible and sweet, this story made me laugh till it hurt and had my heart and emotions twisting.
This was the PERFECT and most EPIC read ever! This was SO MUCH more than a simple romance…this was something more. The characters seemed so real and the plot had me laughing out loud one moment and near tears the next. It was fun and swoon worthy and crackling with heat. I am in love!
Love Is A Beach gets a SWOON WORTHY FIVE AMAZING STARS!
This is a Great read. With a captial G.
It’s about 40-year old Darcy who is abandoned by her husband of 20 years, tricked out of her home and totally destitute, and her struggle to start a new life for herself and her two kids. It doesn’t sound particularly romantic, but it is. Only a more realistic and mature romance where attraction and love aren’t the only ingredients needed for a happily ever after.
Darcy ends up taking her kids to live at her Nana’s nice but small beach condo, forcing her 8-year old and sullen 14-year old to share a room. Darcy – while heartbroken and betrayed – tries to get their life in order and at the same time handle the outbursts of her distraught teenage daughter.
Meeting a new man is not even on her list. But then there’s the sexy neighbour Leo…
Darcy and Leo hit it off immediately, but with the emotional upheaval going on in her family, the timing couldn’t be worse.
It’s a wonderful story by a talented author. You get just about everything a good romance needs. You feel what Darcy feels whether it be anger, betrayal, sorrow, vulnerability or happiness and lust. This story has it all.
But it’s not merely romance and family drama. It’s witty and funny and the characters are beuatifully depicted.
And it feels so real, especially the portrayal of parenthood and a family in the middle of a crisis.
This is the first time I read something by Lilliana Anderson. And I’m awestruck by her ability to write a story with so many opposing feelings. Just like real life. The story sucked me in and wouldn’t let go. I laughed and cried and got all the warm fuzzies in the end. I really enjoyed the fact that the main characters were more mature than in a typical romance. That Darcy and Leo both had their own baggage and struggles. And the very accurate description of your kids always being your number one priority.
Simply put, this is a gem. Read it.
https://reflectionsofaswedishgirl.blog.se/
My Rating:
4.5
Favorite Quotes:
“I didn’t even know you could milk rice,” Archer says, his face scrunched up in thought while he mixes the fruit and porridge. “Do they even have titties?”
“I hope I never meet her.” “Oh, you will. Just keep an eye out for the flying monkeys, they’ll herald her arrival.”
I’m straight-up regular past-my-prime kinda pretty.
“Betsy is making espresso martinis as a test for our next craft club.” “Haven’t you two had enough to drink today?” “We’re so old, we need the alcohol to preserve our organs.”
I try not to spend too much time on one man, dear. They get too comfortable and next thing you know, you’re washing their underwear and vacuuming under their feet.
“We could go riding together. Start a gang.” She grins, her eyes dancing as she meets mine. The visual has me smiling. “And what would your gang be called?” She thinks for a moment, her lips working together as her eyes narrow. “The Bayside Biddies. We could get T-shirts.”
My Review:
This book had a bit of everything, humor, tons of family drama, angst, betrayal, vile villains, diabolical exes, feisty senior citizens, obnoxious teens, and a steamy romance with a delicious and swoon-worthy sex god. This was a well-balanced read between heavy and relevant family issues and humorous situations, with several active and eventful storylines and a large cast of unique and intriguing characters.
Darcy thought learning her husband was in remission would be a happy day for them, until he informed he was over being married and a father before they even left the parking lot. She was all the d’s – dumbfounded, devastated, decimated, and unknowingly debt-ridden; as he was long gone before evidence surfaced of his defaulted loans and their cleaned out bank accounts, which left her holding the bag for a massive amount of debt and no home, assets, or means to pay them or meaningful skills to support her children.
Yikes! An abandoned, betrayed, and broke forty-year-old housewife doesn’t sound like the basis for a humorous novel, but fear not, this entertaining tale contained a considerable amount of highly amusing and provocative levity; which was primarily provided by Darcy’s disarmingly endearing and vibrant grandmother and her little gang of cocktail swigging octogenarians and their drunken craft gatherings/coven meetings/tarot readings/and busybody meddling. Nana and the Biddies were a source of constant amusement, and I enjoyed each and every one of their contributions.
I gleaned a few unfamiliar gems for my Aussie Word List with spruiker – which was defined by Mr. Google as “someone who tries to persuade people to buy something, use a service, etc often in a dishonest or exaggerated way” which is what I would call a huckster; ropable- angry; and gumnuts – the hard woody fruit of Eucalyptus trees, which in the story a little boy was using in his slingshot.
I enjoyed this mature romance story by new to me author, Lilliana Anderson. Dealing with two divorced families where children are involved. I was shocked how the story begins with Darcy’s husband finding out he is now cancer free and then in the next breath asking for a divorce! Not only divorce, but he disappears from Darcy’s life and the kids’. Fast forward to Darcy’s move home when her Gram and we meet Leo. Leo is also divorced with an older son and an ex that drags him through the mud. The story that unfolds with Darcy’s ex is crazy and unbelievable! I had a hard time connecting to the story in some areas. I felt like it was the same stuff going round and around. But I do enjoy Darcy and Leo together, I love watching them blossom and the kids coming around also.
An older age mature romance between 2 broken families. I really enjoyed the story of Darcy and Leo coming together. It was so very real what happened to Darcy, to be in a marriage that she thought was perfect when really things are not what they seem on the outside. Dealing with a young mature boy and a bratty teenage daughter. Then you have Leo, he is the good guy always taking the heat just to spend time with his son. This rom-com had parts that I laughed so hard, the author Lilliana Anderson detailed the scenes so well especially the most comical scene when Darcy and her kids arrived at her grandmother’s Emse apartment, I am dying just thinking about it. The story was very well developed, and it was a good read. If you are looking for a good mature rom-com then I highly recommend this book to you.
3.5 Stars
After her loser of a husband beats cancer he asks for a divorce. What a douche. She nursed him back to health and the moment he’s given the all clear he ups and leaves not just her, the kids as well. A confusing time for all.
She goes to visit her grandmother Esme who is quite the character we all need someone like her in our life. I loved the way she approaches life.
This was a good time for reflection by Darcy. Did she have rose-colored glasses on during her marriage and didn’t see what an a-hole her husband was.
Esme loves next door neighbor Leo. He’s a hot single dad ex-rugby player who’s a carpenter, hello a lot of boxes ticked here. Total opposite of douche ex-husband. There’s an obvious attraction but since she’s not single she’s feel nothing but guilt.
This is an easy breezy read, hilarious in parts.
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: I love romance novels in general, but I get a kick out of main characters who happen to be within my own age group, as was the case with both Darcy and Leo. These two were at a point in their lives where they were basically trying to start over. They could have been the poster children for the relationship status “It’s complicated,” but complicated provided a whole lot of laughs and even some tearing up. After all, Lilliana Anderson does humor with angst, and she does it well. The situation with the teenage kids had a realistic feel to it, and that, along with Darcy’s and Leo’s issues with their exes brought in the angst. The humor was courtesy of two scene-stealers and quite possibly my two favorite characters in the entire book, Esme and Archer. This isn’t necessarily a quick read, but time felt like it passed quickly, and I was all in because it wasn’t just Darcy and Leo who deserved to live happily-ever-after but their children as well. Oh, and let’s not forget Esme but then I was never worried about her being happy because the one took life by the horns and simply lived and loved and did both with gusto. Anderson has yet another winner with this rom-com read. Love Is a Beach receives five stars.
“Our defining moment is a sunburnt kiss.”
**swoon** … just … **swoon**!
Gosh just where do I start with this one? Love is a Beach is quite a story, both in length and plot. It’s too long to really be able to read in one sitting, though the way it held my attention and captured my heart I both wish I could have consumed it in one go, and yet never finished it either. Whilst not a second-chance romance, it is a story of getting a second chance at love, happiness and family. And, whilst ‘the course of true love never did run smooth’, a promise to wait however long it takes is never given lightly.
Not only is this Darcy and Leo’s story, but it is Nana, Archer, Abigail and Niall’s story too. You can’t help but fall in love with these wonderful, troubled and very special people. We all need a Nana in our lives, and if Archer is partly based on her own son, the, Lilliana Anderson has one of the cutest and most wonderful 8 year old boys on the planet. I think Archer could bring world peace and solve all the planets problems if he ever put his mind to it.
The chemistry between Darcy and Leo could be felt, it smoulders from the page and has you rooting for this couple from the off. Leo is a unicorn of a man and I’m so jealous of Darcy finding such a wonderful, yet also very believable, guy to love her. I don’t CARE that he’s fictional, I totally fell for him too. Darcy is so hugely giving and forgiving that you can’t even dislike her. You’re actually pleased that someone as wonderful and special as Leo enters her life, because quite frankly she deserves it.
Whilst the author wrote this as a rom-com for me it transcends that genre, or at the very least is the bar by which all other books are judged. It’s more smiley-giggly-fun than snort-through-the-nose laugh out loud BUT that was what I loved about it. Some books do make you howl and chuckle in public, but very often they are also a little too cheesy with fairly 2 dimensional characters. Here the humour is much more observational than slapstick. It’s in the zest for life of the characters, the embarrassing moments we all encounter and that’s what makes it work so well.
Darcy and Leo find each other quickly and yet also take a long time to find their path too. Yet at no point did the book ever feel as though it was dragging it’s feet. Never did a passage feel like unnecessary filler. Quite simply this couple had one heck of a story to tell, a story of one step forward and two steps back, at times, a story of choosing the right path. A story of two betrayed souls finding the strength to take risks and do what makes them happy, rather than what is safe.
This is a must read book. It’s sexy and sweet, painful but passionate, hopeless but hopeful. It has two amazing, believable and very human main characters in Leo and Darcy plus a host of supporting characters that range from the sublime to the ridiculous. I can guarantee that not only will you enjoy every single minute of the book but you too will then be recommending it to family and friends.
And finally I feel it’s only right and proper to leave the last few words to Nana and Darcy.
“As long as their maypole works and they give as good as they get I’m a happy lady.”
Does anyone else have an eighty-something grandmother who talks this openly about her sex life? No? So, it’s just me then.
As a slightly (cough) older woman I was happy this was a story about a more mature couple. This story is the perfect mix of emotional turmoil with moments of laugh out loud humor.
Darcy has been blindsided by her husband and is left to pick up the ruins of their lives whilst protecting their children. The dynamics of Leo and Darcy’s budding relationship was good to read because we see the struggles of balancing this with juggling her children’s feelings. Whilst I love these two Nana Esme is fantastic I want to be her when I grow up. Her zest for life is the tonic you need on a gloomy day. I’m not sure if Archer is based on anyone but he’s such an amazing young man who you’ll just adore.
Whilst this could be classed as a rom-com it still manages to deal with some very real issues. Another great read from this author.
I throughly enjoyed and highly recommend this book. The story of a 40 year married woman of 20 years with a 14 year daughter and a 8 year old son who soon discovers that the life she thought she had was all built on a lie.
Darcy’s life unravels as she thought she was about to celebrate great news, only to discover that her husband Kevin wants a divorce and leaves her and the kids and simply walks away. Darcy takes the kids and seeks out the only person she knows that can help, Esme her ecentric nana who takes them in and shows Darcy how to fight and live again.
This is a beautifully written heartwarming story that will have your emotions in a constant battle between happiness and heartache as she soon discovers that being a single parent is the hardest job ever, especially when her estaranged husband takes everything including all the money, the bank takes the house and Darcy quickly becomes aware of the depths of deception and betrayal rejection and drama he has left behind.
Leo Murphy is Esme’s neighbour a single father an ex rugby player who quickly finds himself wanting to protect her. The sexual chemistry between Darcy and Leo is off the charts.
This is a beautifully well written story also showing the hazards that need to dealt with when you have hurt and angry children involved. This is a realistic emotional story with so many characters that are funny delightful and leave you wanting more of their stories. I hope this becomes a series as there are so many stories that need to be told.
Copy received from author for an honest review
I love anything that Lilliana Anderson writes, and it was a joy to read Love Is A Beach.
This is a (mostly) lighthearted read about finding love again. There are some sad and very emotional times as well, but they are outshined by the happy fun times.
I can’t lie though – there were people I wanted to nut punch – and they deserved it!
Another thing – I sooooo want to be Nana when I retire! Between her and Darcy’s boy Archer, they completely stole the limelight with this one.
Leo and Darcy have this insane attraction, pheromones flying all over the place between them, and all I want is for them to get together.
Ms Anderson has a great sense of humour (and some great inspiration for her characters). There were times when I was laughing out loud as I was reading. I want to be friends with these people so much.
Beautiful story telling, wonderful imagery, I was drawn right into this story, and I didn’t want to leave.
Now I am impatiently awaiting what Ms Anderson brings us next.
Every once in a while a book comes along that burrows it’s way in to your subconscious and won’t come out, Love Is A Beach is one of those books. I connected with the characters so well it seems like I’ve known them for years.
The story is beautifully written. It’s laugh out loud funny yet achingly sad all at the same time. Like LITERALLY at the same time, I was crying but had the biggest smile on my face.
For everyone that’s had their heart broken and wondered if “the one” actually exists and is still out tbere waiting to find you the answer is a resounding YES…