This instant New York Times bestseller from the author of The Summer Guests is set on the Isle of Palms and offers “magical depictions of the lowcountry and the charms of her characters” (Elin Hilderbrand, #1 New York Times bestselling author) in a breathtaking novel that recounts one family’s summer of forging new beginnings against the enduring beauty and resilience of the natural world. It’s … beginnings against the enduring beauty and resilience of the natural world.
It’s been sixteen years since Caretta “Cara” Rutledge has returned home to the beautiful shores of Charleston, South Carolina. Over those years, she has weathered the tides of deaths and births, struggles and joys. And now, as Cara prepares for her second wedding, her life is about to change yet again.
Meanwhile, the rest of the storied Rutledge family is also in flux. Cara’s niece Linnea returns to Sullivan’s Island to begin a new career and an unexpected relationship. Linnea’s parents, having survived bankruptcy, pin their hopes and futures on the construction of a new home on Ocean Boulevard. But as excitement over the house and wedding builds, a devastating illness strikes the family and brings plans to a screeching halt. It is under these trying circumstances that the Rutledge family must come together yet again to discover the enduring strength in love, tradition, and legacy from mother to daughter to granddaughter.
Like the sea turtles that come ashore annually on these windswept islands, three generations of the Rutledge family experience a season of return, rebirth, and growth. “A heartwarming story of lowcountry love, loyalty, and longstanding friendships” (Booklist), On Ocean Boulevard is Mary Alice Monroe at her very best.
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On Ocean Boulevard this book was an experience to read it because I didn’t expect it at all.. when I started reading this book I wasn’t feeling the characters and the story I didn’t know if I was going to continue reading it until I hit 50% and everything change so dramatically for me that I wanted to continue getting to know more about Cara and all those great characters.
I’m so glad I kept reading this book, it was a complete surprise. On Ocean Boulevard is the story of Cara a beautiful woman who has the time ad the strength to help and give so much love to everybody around her.. it is the story of many strong women who have come together and are helping other to heal.
We get to meet a lot of great characters that bring so much to this story like Linea who is also running away from something that hurt her seeking to start all over in a place where she could be surrounded by love and kindness…
On Ocean Boulevard it is the story of a family that is very close and is trying to survive whatever life throws at them, love, faith, and hope are emotions that are very present in this story, it is enjoyable, emotional but at the same time full of teachings for these amazing characters.
I did enjoy the story and I’m glad I gave it a chance.
Really enjoyed reading this book. I felt like I was at the beach with them.
I enjoyed the book. Love the author. Only complaint is there are so many characters that I had trouble keeping up with them all.
Mary Alice Monroe NEVER fails to entertain, keep you interested and write an exceptionally great read! I thoroughly enjoy every novel I read written by her! Thanks Mary Alice!
Another fabulous work by Mary Alice Monroe! Linnea Rutledge has returned to Sullivan’s Island, SC & her parents’ home after losing her job & breaking up with her boyfriend. Widowed Cara Rutledge is engaged to be married to her second husband. Cara’s brother Palmer & his wife Julia are in the process of completing the building of a spec home on land Cara gave him. This is a huge opportunity to leave their bankruptcy far behind. And the loggerhead turtles are coming ashore to lay their eggs once again. Lots of things going on for everyone in this wonderful low country story. You can almost smell the ocean.
Ms. Monroe’s books are always exceptional escapist reading & this is yet another example of her artistry. I loved this book & very strongly recommend it. I didn’t want it to end!
Thank you to Netgalley, the author Mary Alice Monroe, and the publisher Gallery Books for granting my request to read the ARC of this superb book.
Loved it!
Finished reading this book last night, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have read all of Mary Alice Monroe’s books. I did not want it to end. I have loved all of the Ocean Front books, and Beach House series, especially about the turtles. The characters are wonderful.
A young woman, Linnea, returns home to Charleston after losing her job and her boyfriend. Her strong family help her find her way. I enjoyed this book and especially enjoyed learning about the sea turtles. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
I received this book as a Goodreads win. I didn’t remember entering this contest, but was pleasantly surprised to receive book mail. This isn’t a normal genre for me, but I was glad to give it a try. The book centers on main characters Linnea and her aunt Cora. There are a cast of other secondary characters that round out the story. Linnea has moved back to Charleston after a break up with her longtime boyfriend. Linnea comes from a long lineage of Charleston residents. Linnea feels lost as she lost her job in California, lost her boyfriend, and has to move back in with her parents. Linnea’s parents have moved from the city of Charleston to the beach due to a major financial strain. Cora is juggling work, being an older mom, and her upcoming wedding. Cora is overwhelmed with the wedding planning and just wants a small family wedding. As Linnea and Cora adjust to the changes they are experiencing their lives they find that things work out just as they were meant to.
Ultimately I enjoyed the book. It started out slow and I almost DNF’d it, but I kept going and it was good to get to the ending. I probably wouldn’t read this author again because I didn’t feel the characters relatable to me, and the lack of diversity in the book was a bit off putting. It was almost as if there are no people of color in Charleston. There was a brief little blurb about a black student to who attended high school with Linnea. Other than that all the characters were white. It would’ve been nice for the story to be more inclusive. I also felt there was way too much talk about the turtles. It was a bit overboard and I found myself skipping over those parts of the book, because it just wasn’t interesting.