Known for her moving characters and emotional honesty, Mary Alice Monroe brings readers a beautifully rendered story that explores the fragile yet enduring bond between mothers and daughters Caretta Rutledge thought she’d left her Southern roots and troubled family far behind. But an unusual request from her mother–coming just as her own life is spinning out of control–has Cara heading back to … Cara heading back to the scenic Lowcountry of her childhood summers. Before long, the rhythms of the island open her heart in wonderful ways as she repairs the family beach house, becomes a bona fide “turtle lady” and renews old acquaintances long thought lost. But it is in reconnecting with her mother that she will learn life’s most precious lessons–true love involves sacrifice, family is forever and the mistakes of the past can be forgiven.
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Enjoyable read and entertaining. If you like being near the beach this is a fun read and relaxing too. My first book by this author and will read more. Some books are heavy and intense, so this was a nice break from that. Good read
being from SC i enjoyed her descriptions of the lowcountry
I love every book Mary Alice Monroe has written!!!!
Love ,love ,love this book , read the whole series!
I read this book several years ago and it is a wonderful book. The characters are real, and the story is so engrossing. One of my favorite parts of the book is before each chapter you get information on the Logerhead turtles and by the time you finish the book, you know facts about these wonderful creatures that you never knew before. I hope Mary Alice Monroe will write many more books like this with factual information before each chapter.
I’ve seen the movie 2/3 times and the book is wonderful and thought provoking. It’s also haunting and one I will enjoy for a long time
I’ve read this book a couple of times and watched the movie. It’s my favorite book she has written but I love them all.
THE BEACH HOUSE is the foundation for Mary Alice Monroe’s beloved series set on the Isle of Palms in South Carolina. This is an engaging, charming, and endearing story of three generations of Southern women, the choices they make, the consequences they face, and the life lessons they learn.
As a quintessential beach read, The Beach House has a summer setting, lots of surf and sand, just the right amount of romance, and three women navigating their relationships with one another and the world. But it also has a hidden surprise: Monroe’s signature feel-good twist, the annual arrival of nesting female sea turtles.
Monroe deftly weaves the turtles’ nesting season with the return of wayward daughter, Cara, to her mother Lovie’s beloved beach house. As the turtles arrive to lay their eggs, Cara arrives to make peace with her family and in particular her mother. Along the way, Lovie teaches lessons about life and death, Cara teaches lessons about self-respect, and they both learn to love one another without judgement or selfish expectations. But beyond the unique backdrop the turtles offer, there is also a subtle lesson in ecology, and this elevates Monroe’s story in a singular way.
With the addition of a pregnant teen Lovie has taken under her wing, Cara’s misguided older brother, and a romantic hero to swoon for, The Beach House is a recipe for thoughtful and uplifting summer entertainment.
Five Stars.
Love all her books!
Wonderful
It is what I would call a summer read. It was easy and introduced me to the Turtle Ladies. It was a good story of family healing, and southern charm. I liked it so much I sought out the rest of the of the books in the series.
Mary Alice Monroe’s writing in this book is amazing!!! Moments of clarity, defeat and life altering decisions were everything in this book! I cried, laughed, and even prayed while reading this. On to book #2. Because of this book I found my love for turtles and sea conservation!
I loved this book. By the time I finished the book, I felt like the characters were friends. I couldn’t wait to read the next book in the series to see what happened next.
The Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe was a wonderful story. Cara Rutledge is at a crossroads in her life and comes home to the SC Lowcountry after being away for nineteen years. Cara realizes that things are not quite as they seem and has to work on her relationships, especially with her mother. She also has to question the decisions she has made in her life. Does she still have the same goals and dreams? Emotion filled, loving lowcountry read that I would definitely recommend.
I love this whole series of books. The author allows you to learn about South Carolina and its people in a homey way and, at the same time, talks about real-life struggles. The endings always make sense and leads you to crave the next book in the series.
Enjoyed this story of a daughter coming back home
A wonderful book. Somewhat like those of Dorothy Benton Frank who I love.
Lots of nostalgia and family problems and love. Good humor, also.
This author never disappoints.
Wonderful book ! I really loved this book. Highly recommend it.
I liked it, but it was not Memorial.