Delightful. I Completely enjoyed all the characters of the book. The writing style was warm and charming

I received an arc copy of this book in exchange for my review of it. It was just okay for me. Typical beach read.

Another fabulous book by Ms. Monroe. This was a heartwarming story of a widow, Cara, who decides to return to her home near Charleston, SC with her newly adopted baby girl. The beauty and peace of her home, inherited from her mother, along with her friends, all make the transition to self-employed new mom run smoothly. Then there's the handsome widower she becomes reacquainted with. But no spoilers here! Read it and luxuriate in the delightful writing that makes this an absolute must read, especially on the beach!!

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Debbie Krenzer
Debbie Krenzer's Reviews > Beach House Reunion
Beach House Reunion by Mary Alice Monroe
Beach House Reunion (Beach House #5)
by Mary Alice Monroe (Goodreads Author)
12691311
Debbie Krenzer's review Jun 05, 2018 · edit
really liked it
bookshelves: ebooks, net-galley-books

First off, I want to say that this book in the series was much better for me than number 4, it was too morbid and sad. It's a beach and holiday book. Let's not get tied down with sad things.

And now my review:

We are back on Isle of Palms and the Rutledge family is in turmoil brought about by previous family influences and a more common destroyer of families.

Cara has big changes in her life and lets Palmer in on a very big secret. One that has plagued him for years.

Hurricane Irma hits the coast.

"Big Girl" revisits the island and causes quite the commotion.

Lovie returns in spirit and I liked it!

A much better read, while still some sad things happen, they are not emphasized over and over and over again. I did enjoy this one and seriously look forward to the next installment.

Thanks to Gallery, Threshold Pocket Books and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Cara Rutledge returns to Primrose Cottage to rejuvenate her life goals while still mourning the loss of her husband. Her transition in becoming the matriarch of this respected Charleston family has unforeseen challenges. Mary Alice Monroe shows an eloquent writing style of dealing with certain solemn life issues that have been concealed from the outside world in preserving the Rutledge legacy. The author’s descriptive portrayal of the Low Country’s landscape and the environmental concerns for the turtles can be easily envisioned by the reader. Cara’s sense of responsibility for her extended family is shown both on emotional and practical levels. You will have compassion for Cara and root for her happiness during this story filled with unpredictable events. I loved the intense moments between siblings in two generations that revealed realistic outcomes even though there was unconditional love between them. Mary Alice Monroe’s Beach House Reunion intertwines beautifully the preservation of the earth’s treasures and desire that it is possible to return home in a different role.

In this heartwarming and heart wrenching tale, three generations of the Rutledge family return home to Isle of the Palms. Cara, who left a few years ago after the untimely death of her first husband, returns to the cozy beach home her mother Lovie left her, with a surprise in tow, and looking to start all over, once again. At the same time, Cara's niece, Linnea, decides to leave the confines of her privileged home in Charleston after returning from college. Both Cara and Linnea will soon learn that family and friends on the Isle of the Palms can help them through anything and that life has a wonderful way of bringing things full circle.

My first time to read anything by Mary Alice Monroe. I really enjoyed it. Great characters that I want to visit again.

For an honest review I received a pre-release copy of this book.

I really enjoyed this book though I have not read any of the previous in this series. The story of Cara, a woman in her 50's bringing her newly adopted daughter, Hope to Primrose Cottage on the idyllic Isle of Palms as she returns to her favorite childhood place. She misses her mom, Lovie and is freightened by the changes she is making to the cabin to make it a home for Hope and herself but she is also embracing them. She is looking to find peace.
Her niece Linnea has just graduated college and is looking to find her a path that will make her feel fulfilled and doesn't want to live the life her father expects her to want.
Through triumphs and trials, these characters come to life and soon feel like old friends.
Mary Alice Monroe has a new fan and I'm going to go back and read all of this series!!

This is a story of family ties and tradition and of letting go of old ways and finding ways to make a new life.

Cara Rutledge returns to her cottage on the Isle of Palms (off the coast of South Carolina) in an effort to let go of painful memories and to open herself up to new possibilities. She is a widow, fifty-three years old, and a new mother of a little girl, and she will make a new life that fits her needs. Her niece, Linnea, is a recent college graduate and wants to find a job in her field of environmental studies, but is happy living with Cara over the summer and helping with little Hope.

All of the loose ties of career, family, and live were tied up by the end and new possibilities were evident. This is a satisfying beach read.

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for an ARC; all opinions are my own.

Ever a fan of Mary Alice Monroe, and in particular, the stories of the Rutledge family in her Beach House series, Beach House Reunion doesn't disappoint.

Mary Alice Monroe has a magical way of capturing this part of coast Carolina - not just the scenery, but the innate nature of the two spots - Isle of Palms and Charleston. We get to catch up with some beloved characters ten years on in this story of family history and breaking bad cycles, of new beginnings, and of how the familiar characters stand up for themselves and are true to themselves.

This was a lovely read, a reward at the end of a stressful day as I lost myself in the pages. I only hope that Mary Alice continues to write about this family, as there are many good years left in the beloved beach house.

This is a perfect summer book ! Each one of Mary Alice Monroe's books are a delight and this one was the perfect introduction to the summer season. I adore her writing and her Beach House Series which I read every summer with great anticipation. I was thrilled to receive this ARC for review. Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley. My opinions are my own.
In this 5th in series we are once again fortunate to be swept away to the Isle of Palms and the wonderful welcoming southern charm of Charleston. This is one of my favorite places to read about with this author as she brings this area alive for her readers. The vivid descriptions are sublime as you can almost feel the sand beneath your feet and hear the waves amid the charcters. . The charming family cottage is perfection and every detail is beautifully included for the reader. The conservation of the logger heads are delightful addition to these books as conservation is part of every coastal community. Previous character Toy, who is working with her beloved loggerheads at the aquarium, is a part of this book and I was happy to read about her contribution to the turtles and the conservation efforts. it brought back the story of the first books in series to me and how the conservation of the logger heads began in these books.
Beach House Reunion is about home, friendship, family, relationships and new beginnings. it centers around the most beautiful coastal area imaginable that is brought to life for the reader. It is about bringing a sense of belonging to those in need of a home.
To me reading Mary Alice's Monroe's books are like going on vacation. As one who cannot travel I appreciate her attention to detail and how her stories are so attune to issues of home, friendship and a coastal life on a Southern coastal town.
I highly recommend this book, as well as the entire Beach House series for anyone in need of an escape. This was a great summer read and a book to be savored . You will not want to put this book down. i look forward to the next in series with great anticipation. Thank you to the author and publisher for continuing this great series!

If you liked her other beach books,' you will like this one, too. Cara returns to the island of her youth, to Primrose cottage, with plans to raise her child. Her child you say? A new mother at the age of 53, who loved growing up there, has hopes for her child to do the same.

I guess I'm done with her beach books, maybe all beach books, as this was more of the same, just like other authors I have read lately. It could be just my reading tastes have changed.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

I absolutely adore Mary Alice Monroe and her Beach House series! With each book, this being the 5th in the series, I am swept away to the tranquil atmosphere of Isle of Palms and the laid back Southern charm of Charleston. Beach House Reunion is about coming home, friendship, family and new beginnings. Curling up to read one of Mary Alice's books is like going on vacation without ever leaving home. I highly recommend this book, as well as the entire Beach House series for anyone in need of an escape.

This is a series I have followed and enjoyed, and this latest book did not disappoint.
I love how Mary Alice Monroe makes Charleston and the the sorrounding areas come alive, you feel like you have been there.
This well written sequel could stand alone aswell, which is also a sign of a well written book.

Beach House Reunion. Mary Alice Monroe. 5/22. Done 4/29. Need to review
I was happy to return to South Carolina and be reunited with the characters who feel like old friends in The Beach House Reunion. This delightful story reunites Cara Rutledge with her friends on Isle of Palms and brings her niece “home” to also find her way after graduating college. The healing vibe of their beach house brings clarity and healing to both their lives.

I loved this book and highly recommend it!

This is a great book; this is the fifth book in the Beach House series written by Mary Alice Monroe. Cara Rutledge returns to her Southern home on the idyllic Isle of Palms. Everything is comfortingly the same, yet each detail is rife with painful memories. Only through reconnecting with family, friends, and the rhythms of the lowcountry can Cara release the hold of the past and open herself to the possibility of a new love, career, and hope for the future. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

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.

I really love reading Southern fiction and this one was a real pleasure to read. Beach House Reunion is only the second book by Mary Alice Monroe that I have read and the first book of her five book Beach House series. I loved that I could jump right into the story, five books in, and not feel like I had missed a thing. I can only imagine how much more I would've loved this book if I had started to meet the characters from the beginning.

This is a wonderful, emotional story as we watch so many of the characters grow, put the past behind them, and move on to discover whatever the futures holds for them. I quickly became a part of their lives and got swept up in their emotions. Parts did bring me to tears, I haven't had a good cry over a book in a long time. I love it when a story touches me to tears.

I am excited to take more trips to the beach house which was just as much of a character in the story as the people were. I am ready to go back to book one to see how it all started.

This is a wonderful summer (or anytime) read! There are many issues dealt with in this book that keep you turning the pages. Cara, a widow morning the loss of her beloved husband, returns to the beach house she inherited from her mother with her recently adopted baby daughter. She is trying to work from home and raise her daughter on the island off of Charlestown, South Carolina. She will have the love and support of her family and her best friend. She finds working from home with a baby to be almost impossible. Cara hires her niece Linnea, a recent college graduate, to help her for the summer. Linnea is trying to find her path in the world. As the summer progresses Linnea finds her true self and Cara slowly starts to make peace with the loss of her husband and move on in her own life. The beach house is still the sanctuary it has been for three generations of the Rutledge women.
This is a delightful story that should be packed into every beach bag!
I had not read any of Mary Alice Monroe's prior books, but I had no trouble reading this stand alone book. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

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.