The New York Times bestselling author and “skilled storyteller who never lets her readers down” (Huffington Post) returns to her beloved Beach House series with this ”authentic, generous, and heartfelt” (Mary Kay Andrews, New York Times bestselling author) tale of new beginnings, resilience, and one family’s enduring love. Cara Rutledge returns to her Southern home on the idyllic Isle of Palms. … her Southern home on the idyllic Isle of Palms. Comforting in its familiarity, it is still rife with painful memories. Only through reconnecting with family, friends, and the rhythms of the lowcountry can Cara let go of the past and open herself to the possibility of a new career and love.
Meanwhile, her niece Linnea, a recent college graduate with an uncertain future, leaves her historic home in Charleston, with all its entitlement and expectations, and heads to her aunt’s beach house. On the island, she is free to join the turtle team, learn to surf, and fall in love. Remembering the lessons of her beloved grandmother, Lovie, the original “turtle lady,” Linnea rediscovers a meaningful purpose to her life and finds the courage she needs to break from tradition.
In “this tender and openhearted novel of familial expectations, new boundaries, and the power of forgiveness” (Booklist), three generations of the Rutledge family gather together to find the strength, love, and commitment to break destructive family patterns and to forge new bonds that will endure long beyond one summer reunion.
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Isle of Palms, turtle rescue, tragedy, recovery, and complicated family dynamics combine to make Mary Alice Monroe’s newest a true gem. The bonds of friends, family, neighbors, and generations take center stage in Cara and Linnea’s story. Both have lessons to learn and lessons to deliver. Past pain need not be the predictor of a painful future. We all have the ability to change old habits, choose new paths, and forge the future into something beyond our imaginings. Mary Alice can always be counted on for a beach read that’s as compelling and refreshing as a day at the shore.
This novel carries on in the Beach House tradition, with love, family challenges, and new beginnings. It’s told from the perspective of Cara, who’s recovering from tragedy and celebrating new love(s), and Linnea, who is grounding herself in family and her past as she seeks inspiration to break from tradition and forge her own path.
I literally cannot wait to have Mary Alice Monroe on my radio show, Wine Women & Writing, to talk about this book. Thank you so much to her for providing me with an advance copy to review.
And, yes, there’s plenty of awesome SC scenery and SEA TURTLES <3
Beach House Reunion is the latest addition to Mary Alice Monroe’s Beach House saga. Cara Rutledge Beauchamps is returning to her Mama’s beach House, Primrose Cottage, on the Isle of Pines, South Carolina. She has spent the last three years working PR at the Chattanooga Aquarium trying to get her life back on track after the sudden and unexpected death of her husband Brett.
While never completely successful at this, she had made friends and had mentored a young woman from Mexico. But Elena left the aquarium and hadn’t been heard from until Cara was contacted as listed next of kin when Elena is tragically killed in an auto accident leaving behind her baby girl, Esperanza. Cara, who had been unsuccessful in conceiving, stepped up at 53 and adopted the beautiful little girl, translating her name to the English Hope.
Needing familial support in this new parenthood endeavor, Cara leaves her job in Tennessee and returns home at just about the same time her niece Linnea graduates from USC. Linnea has a degree in environmental studies and wants to work in that field, although her father Palmer has other ideas. Since jobs are not forthcoming, Linnea signs on to work as nanny to Hope as Cara tries to get her consultation firm up and running.
The beach house holds its own kind of magic, showing both Cara and Linnea an unimaginable future that is there for their taking. A beautiful saga involving family and friends that might as well be family, this is a heartwarming story that will only lead you to wanting one more story of these rich characters.
I have read all of Mary Alice Monroe’s novels and have most loved her family sagas. These people have such rich tales to tell, perhaps as we all do. I wholeheartedly recommend this book!
For me, The Beach House series is like seeing an old friend. It doesn’t matter how long it’s been, you pick right up where you left off and settle in comfortably like time has never passed.
It’s been a few years since Cara’s been back. It’s never easy trying to run from painful memories, but it’s time she comes home to her true North in the Isle of Palms. She’s not coming alone and she intends to do things right. Primrose Cottage is where she was always happiest and at Primrose she will stay.
Cara’s niece Linnea is also the focus of this 5th book in the Beach House series. Graduating from college and finding herself smothered by societal norms, she breaks free and comes to stay with Cara. Helping out and rejoining the Turtle Ladies as an official member, it is there on the beach where she learns who she really is, what her passions are, and finds the strength she needs to follow her heart.
With some appearances from familiar “faces” that made my heart soar and give a happy sigh, Beach House Reunion is another 5 star in Mary Alice Monroe’s series. I hope there are more to come. I’ve become far too attached to this Rutledge clan.
I received an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine alone.
Definitely a beach read. Fun, entertaining, likeable characters, reasonable dialogue. You actually care about these people and hope for the best for all of them. The turtles and the involvement with the turtles add to the fun. There also manages to be some decent dysfunctional family issues with reasonable resolutions
Beach House Reunion is a continuation of Mary Alice Monroe’s Beach House series. Cara comes back to the Isle of Palms where life is slower and more relaxed. Her niece also returns to Charleston and ends of coming to the beach to help Cara out. There is family drama, romance, heartbreak, turtles and love in this installment of The Beach House series. Mary Alice Monroe weaves a great story of the Southern family and their life. I would definitely recommend this book, this author and this series.
I found this book to be just as delightful as the first in this series. The family dynamics and insight are gut-wrenching at times. I listened to the audiobook version of this narrated by none other than the author herself! I loved the information about the sea turtles and sea animals at the start to each chapter. The characters in this story have such depth and humanity. The reader feels as if they are a part of this close-knit community. The reader feels the heartache of loss as well as the trepidation and uncertainty of a possible Cat. 5 hurricane on its way toward the island. This was another wonderful addition to the Beach House series. Kudos to Ms Monroe for her artful descriptions and evocative writing and characters.
Read the series
The perfect read just in time for the top of your summer reading list. I truly enjoyed this book. I have read all of the books in this group, but you can read this as a stand alone and not feel as if you’ve missed out on anything, though you should read them all as they are wonderful. Whatever happens life does go on. It is about family, growing up, growing older, discovering what you are capable of, fulfilling your hearts desires and no matter what standing by your family. Family isn’t always those you are genetically linked to, but those who love you no matter what. Who are there to hold your hand when you need it most and knowing when to let it go and just be.
At 53, Cara returns home with a newly adopted baby in tow and still mourning the death of her beloved husband. “Things are different on the island” and it is exactly what Cara needs. She rediscovers what makes her heart sing, spends time with her niece, goes nose to nose with her brother and helps him find his way and heal his relationships with his children and wife, gives her niece the courage and space to find herself and new love and rediscovers how important friends are and allows herself to let new love in. As with the series the turtles are a metaphor for all involved. They are survivors that occasionally need a little help from their friends.
Get yourself a copy of this book, read and share with those you love. They will thank you for the delightful heartwarming read.
I love the whole series. I love the scenery and the characters.
Wonderful series.
Like all of her books, this was excellent. I just need a hardcover version for my collection.
I truly enjoy reading most of Mary Alice Monroe’s novels. Great story line and character development.
I am a great fan of Mary Alice Monroe. Her knowledge and love of the Low Country always enlightens and delights.
This was an excellent book, evoking the unique low country environment and natural habitat while examining the complex family ties and problems of a family with Charleston and low country history. Providing an intriguing look into the turtle mating, hatching and migration patterns, the reader receives an education while enjoying the interesting problems and struggles of an extended family.
Great continuation of the Beach House story
I have read this entire series! Still one of my favorites! I love Mary Alice Monroe’s writing, the characters and it is set in one of my favorite locations! I visit the area every chance I can!
This was another wonderful beach read in this series. I enjoy all of her books. Very pleasant reading.
This is part of a short series of books beginning with The Beach House I enjoyed seeing where the author took the story and thoroughly enjoyed reading this latest iteration. She portrays the challenges of family dynamics, the culture of the low country and the South. It was easy and enjoyable to get very engaged with these characters.
Nice beach novel, quick read