Debbie MacComber has another bestseller on her hands!!!!!!!! This has her signature style of pulling you into her stories of family, love, with romance mixed in. If you enjoy her previous books you will enjoy this one as well!!!!

Classic Debbie Macomber. She covers it all - family, love, drama, and tears all wrapped up in an almost sappy story. Set in Washington State, we have the beach and good coffee.

Willa, almost a martyr, has been taking care of her family since her mother died, and she can't seem to get out of that role even though all three siblings are grown with lives of their own. Her sister, Harper, her roommate and closest friend, is in remission from cancer, and continually on the go. Willa's local coffee shop, Bean There, is a busy place. Sean, who doesn't even like coffee, is a photographer who quickly captures her heart. His work, her schedule, and a return of Heather's leukemia, makes it hard for them to spend time together. Oh, and Sean adopts a homeless dog, who soon takes over all their lives.

Every time I pick up one of Debbie's books I know I'm going to have trouble putting it down. Characters you will love and make your friends. "A Walk Along the Beach " was no exception. I loved the family bonds and the community love but I spent many pages with tears running down my face. This book will touch your heart in many ways as it deals with what the family of cancer patients go through. It is happy, sad, heart felt and a very emotional book.
Thanks to Netgalley and to the publisher for this ARC.

Make sure you have tissues by your side when you read "A Walk Along the Beach". Being a huge Debbie Macomber fan, I always wonder how she can top her previous books. Well, she has done it again. Willa and Harper have lost their mother and, in different ways, their father. They are holding it together as they battle through life. Harper battling harder and Willa trying to keep it together with their brother, Lucas there to help. When life throws another wrench at them, Willa does what she has always done, try to be Harper's mother. Willa has always stayed away from relationships as she is scared of loss. When Sean, a freelance photographers, comes into Willa's coffee shop, things change. Between Harper's fight and trying to deal with Sean's absences, Willa begins to push away from Sean. Love of family is deeply present in this book. I finished this book a couple of days ago and the feels are still deep in my heart. Thank you to Ms. Macomber, NetGalley, and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read and review "A Walk Along the Beach".

Once again Debbie Macomber had me reading nonstop until the end of the book and then wanting more. The love between these two sisters is so beautiful. I'm definitely a sucker for a book that includes rescue animals and this one included two. This book brought me to tears and back again. I really haven't had a Debbie Macomber book that I didn't love. My only negative is that the end of the book seemed a little rushed. Great book!
This was an ARC book from Netgalley

Debbie Macomber has done it again! A great novel with characters so well written they seem like friends. Grab your tissues and settle in for a heart warming story.

As we all know, you cannot go wrong with any Debbie Macomber book. I always enjoy her books and this one followed the same tried and true plot line as many of her others. I love the uplifting spirituality and the ending that you can see coming. The journey of this family on the cancer journey will remind you of all that is important in everyday life.

Thanks to NetGalley, Debbie Macomber and Random House-Ballantine for the ARC..

I love Debbie Macomber's books. Willa and Harper are sisters living in Oceanside, WA, Willa lives a quiet life, content to work in her coffee shop, providing coffee and baked goods to a steady stream of customers. Harper is adventurous, bold and exuberant, living life to its fullest. Their father lives nearby but is not part of their every day life; his battle with alcohol keeps a barrier between them all. Brother Lucas lives and works in Seattle, and although they love each other, they do not see each other often.

In walks a handsome stranger, and Willa eventually decides to take a chance at romance. Sean, the new man in Willa's life, accepts an assignment overseas, and while he is gone the Lakey sisters receive terrible news. Willa learn she cannot depend on Sean for support and tries to handle the crisis on her own. It's a romance novel, so we ultimately know love will win out, but the twists and turns that it takes along the way really make this book worth reading. Love can be messy and not all hearts and flowers, but it can also be so worth it.

Author Debbie Macomber has written so many wonderful novels for our reading pleasure. A Walk Along the Beach just wasn't one of my favorites. It has a very sweet romance, but also a very sad side-story. This is definitely reflective of where the author was in real life, as the book is dedicated to a good friend that she recently lost. Willa and Sean are very sweet and their story unfolds amid their daily lives. Harper's story is so very real. At this time in my life, I choose to read happy books, and while this story is uplifting, it also brought tears.

Debbie Macomber is one of those authors who writes books that you know you are going to love before you even start reading. She has become to me as the author who has absolutely wonderful and very real characters. Characters you will find yourself pulling for, laughing and crying with and will miss when the story reaches its conclusion.

The plot is emotional and full of love and begs you to stay up all night and read. The setting is beautiful and vivid. In true Debbie Macomber form her descriptive setting makes you want to move there. The story is about family, friendship, heartache, love, happiness, happy tears and sad tears.

I loved this book. As usual Debbie Macomber does not disappoint. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us in her next novel. Well done.

I wish to thank Net Galley and the Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine Books for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's an interesting read. I recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley This in no way affects my opinions which are solely my own.

Being a Debbie Macomber fan, I was excited to receive a digital ARC of A Walk Along the Beach, from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Although, I did like the book, overall, Debbie Macomber's newest stand alone book didn't seem as polished as her others have been. I thought the love relationship between Willa and Sean needed more development right from the beginning. Though the story began as if it were a romance, there was so much fear, pain and grief in the book, that the love story fell flat for me. I felt like there were too many separate issues trying to be packed and woven into one story.

This book is one of the reasons why Debbie Macomber is one of my favorite authors. Debbie Macomber's books are usually very lighthearted and easy going. With A Walk along the Beach, Debbie Macomber tells a heartbreaking story of two sisters that have to overcome so much loss and then a devastating illness of one of the sisters. I enjoyed this book very much! Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book for my honest review. A 5 out of 5 stars!

I loved this book! A romantic tearjerker that had me reaching for the box of tissues..Family is everything in this book.This book was well written with well developed easy to understand characters Great read!

Tears, tears, and more tears...heart wrenching but oh so good. Sister bonds can be powerful, but Willa and Harper have a really intense bond as Willa raised Harper after the death of their mom. Their personalities are so very different but each tugged at my heart strings. Sean, a freelance photographer, falls in love with Willa, but several obstacles crop up and become road blocks for their budding relationship.
As I do not review spoilers you will have to read this one and I bet you also will shed tears. Debbie Macomber is on point with this read. Many thanks to Debbie Macomber, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for affording me the delightful opportunity to read this arc. To be published on July 14th. Don’t miss this read!

A Walk on the Beach by Debbie Macomber is quite possible her best book. All the ingredients for a great, memorable story are included.

A Walk Along The Beach
Debbie Macomber
July 14, 2020

The Lakey girls were best friends as well as sisters. When their mother passed, Willa left her senior year in college to come home to support her family. Her brother Lucas was finishing up high school with plans to enter the service. Harper was an active sixteen year old. Their father could not handle his wife’s passing. He crawled into a bottle. Willa handled the house, her siblings activities, and tried to get her father help. When life seemed at it toughest, Harper came down with a case of hives. When they didn’t go away despite medical help, blood work was ordered. Harper had leukemia. Her brother left the service despite his plans to make a career of it. Willa handled all again.
The world changed for them in the past three years. Luke was a longshoreman working out of Seattle. Willa had bought a small cafe and was running a coffee shop, Bean There. Harper had a very difficult year but once again grew healthy and strong. She taught yoga, physical workouts, and helped out at Bean There. The girls had a small apartment and despite working different hours remained good friends. One morning in the coffee line Harper caught the eye of a guy she had not seen before. Willa informed her he was Sean and he had been coming early several times in the past weeks. Harper, always the social butterfly, called out to him and encouraged him to join the two for coffee. Willa was embarrassed but by the end of the short conversation, all of Sean’s attention focused on Willa. That was Harper’s plan. Willa did not say a word until he left when she lambasted her sister about being so forward. Yes, he was good looking and quite the gentleman but she had no time to socialize and run the cafe.
In reading the first part of the book I felt it would be another enjoyable and fun Debbie Macomber book. As I progressed further I sensed the family issues that lay heavily on Willa’s shoulders. She still mothered Harper. Lucas was busy but she called and kept track of where he was headed. Her father was still trying to stay clean but most of the time he could only make it a month or two before he was drinking again. Honestly? I didn’t see Macomber writing such a heavy book and please don’t get me wrong, it is excellent from start to finish. Usually the fun and romance played the major plots of her books. They are good reads and entertaining movies that get made from a few. A Walk Along the Beach was one I could not put down, one that drew my attention to Willa and Harper’s arduous lives. A Walk Along the Beach is warm- hearted and devoted to its characters. With this novel, she validates that she too is a supherb writer.
Debbie Macomber’s latest book, A Walk Along the Beach will be published by Ballantine Books of Random House on July 14, 2020. I appreciate their allowing me to read the uncorrected proof of the book. Truly excellent.

I have reviewed the book for New York Journal of Books where it will be posted the night before the release date.



"A Walk Along the Beach" by Debbie Macomber
Ballantine Books
July 14, 2020
10-0399181369
Women's Contemporary Fiction
336 Pages

Publicity Contact: mdettlinger@penguinrandomhouse.com

Reviewed by Nancy Carty Lepri

Willa and Harper Lakey are as close as two sisters could be, even considering their personalities are so dissimilar. Willa is the middle child in the Lakey clan and when their mother unexpectedly dies when they are young, Willa becomes the head of the house. Older brother, Lucas joins the service to get away from their now dysfunctional family with their father who cannot cope with losing his wife and instead turns to the bottle. When their home is foreclosed, the sisters are old enough to be on their own and share an apartment in Oceanside, WA. Willa opens a coffee shop called, Bean There, and Harper teaches yoga and exercise classes a few blocks away from Willa's café.

Suddenly, the unthinkable happens: Harper becomes ill and is diagnosed with leukemia. This disease takes its toll on her but Willa stays by her side constantly, offering comfort and reassurance as she battles the debilitating side effects of chemotherapy.

For three years Harper remains in remission, yet the threat of a recurrence hangs over their heads like a fog. Now, seeming healthy and fit Willa feels she can finally breathe. Harper often comes to Willa's shop for coffee and sister talk, and one day she is there, she spots a good-looking guy enter and place an order from Willa. Harper later tells Willa he likes her but Willa brushes her off, thinking men would be more interested in Harper than her. Harper, outgoing, vivacious, and beautiful, whereas Willa envisions herself as an introvert and a plain Jane.

This man seems to show up almost every day and while Willa is taking a break with her sister, Harper asks him to join them, which he does. Willa notices he is attractive but does not set her sights on him believing he could only want Harper. Harper chats with him, learning his name is Sean O'Malley, while Willa sits tongue-tied and embarrassed, knowing Harper's ploys at trying to fix them up.

"Harper shot me a look that said I should make my move.

"Yeah, right. My little sister had yet to realize I had no moves. Our mother died of a brain aneurysm when I was thirteen and in junior high, so I'd completely missed out on those carefree teen years. As best I could, I'd taken over the duties at home, cooking and cleaning for our older brother, Lucas, Harper, and my dad."

Not wanting a relationship, Willa wishes Harper would find the right one for herself, but her sister is famous for dating guys for a few weeks before dumping them. Why does she do that?

Tired after long days at the café, baking, and serving customers, Willa finds her relaxation by taking walks along the beach, breathing in the fresh air, and centering herself.

"The ocean had always been my solace. The sound of the waves as they crashed against the shore reverberated in my head, offering me peaceful contentment. I once heard it explained that being near the ocean, with the surf and the swirling waters, was like being tucked inside a mother's womb. I wasn't sure if that was scientific or not, but in some ways, it made sense. The rhythm of the tides, the predictability of it all, offers reassurance and a certain sense of security."

When Harper announces she is planning to climb Mt. Rainier with a group she is working out with Willa becomes frightened, knowing this could be dangerous, and she pleads with her to not go in this venture. Harper informs Willa they are having a practice run over the weekend and she promises if she cannot accomplish this, she will bow out of the hike.

Much to Willa's relief, the trial hike takes a toll on Harper, and she must give up her plans. She argues with Willa then states she is moving out, insisting she is tired of being mothered by Willa. Willa dearly loves her little sister and is fearful of her health so how can she not mother her?

As Sean frequents Willa's café more often, he manages to bring her out of her shell, and they become friends. He is easy to talk to, and she looks forward to his visits and starts to care deeply for him. As a busy professional photographer, he gets many assignments out of the country, leaving for long periods of time. It breaks Willa's heart when he's away, but while he's on a shoot in Bolivia, she learns something about his history he never disclosed to her, giving her second thoughts about him. After his return, he becomes deathly ill and it is determined he is suffering from typhoid fever! Who would believe he'd be struck down by such an archaic illness? Willa remains close by caring for him until he recovers, knowing she must discuss with him the things she learned about his past.

Meanwhile, Lucas announces he plans to marry his fiancé around Christmas time and both sisters are excited and eager to help with preparations. Then Harper becomes deathly sick and is rushed to the hospital. Willa fears how their father will react when he hears this news. He couldn't handle their mother's passing, so will he go back to drinking upon hearing of Harper's relapse? He will need Willa too to help him through this time.

Sean is away on another job in the Philippines when Harper is admitted for treatment. Willa stays with her night and day, yet she's hurt and disappointed by his absence. She wants him with her now more than ever, but it appears his career means more to him than she does. With this thought in mind, she decides to tell him they cannot have a future. As much as she has come to love him, they can’t be together if she can't depend on him.

Willa and Sean each voice their point-of-view and air their anguish in differing chapters, which adds depth to the tale knowing the feelings of both characters. Though Willa is a strong and independent woman, she needs to know she can rely on Sean, and he must prove to her he will not let her down. This highly emotional read is a hard-to-put-down page-turner, yet, throughout all the heartache, the strength and love of family shine through making this a bittersweet tale.

Debbie Macomber's latest book is a lot more serious than her typical novels. She starts off with a letter to the reader remembering the loss of her best friend to cancer. Then the story begins in "Bean There" a coffee shop run by Willa Lakey. Her sister and roommate, Harper, stops by daily for her special protein drink and invites newcomer, Sean O'Malley, to join them. Harper is as notorious for trying to fix up her sister as she is for her devastating good looks and bubbly personality. Harper also just announced that she is going to climb Mt. Rainier, starting training immediately after her bungie-jumping adventure. Willa has a hard time with this. She's been taking care of Harper, her older brother Lucas and their alcoholic father since their mother died suddenly while the girls were in high school. She convinced that Harper's leukemia is back and that is why Harper is acting so erratically. Her tests come back clean though and soon the sisters are caught up in the plans for Lucas's wedding and Willa's new romance with Sean. Things take a tragic turn and Sean's photography career has him in remote areas so he's unreachable.

The story takes place in Oceanside, Washington as did "Cottage By the Sea." Some of the same characters show up in "A Walk on the Beach." Macomber has written a beautiful love story that's more about family than romance. It is a heartbreaking tribute to a good friend and I was brought to tears on several occasions I enjoyed reading the ARC and I'm grateful for the opportunity. This is a good summer read, but be sure to have tissues handy. Like Macomber's other books this one is a fast read and ended well. .

A Walk Along the Beach by Debbie Macomber is a book that is so poignant and touching that an entire box of tissues is required. The Lake family has gone through much and it has brought the siblings closer together, especially Harper and Willa. They are best friends, roommates and in some ways polar opposites. Harper is outgoing, charming and spirited, while Willa is more reticent and quiet. Harper is determined that Willa notices a newer customer, Sean and is determined that Willa has a boyfriend. Harper is also determined to climb Mount Rainier with her climbing group and has been all out training for it. Willa feels she has enough going on with running her coffee shop Been There and lately worrying about Harper. Something has changed and isn’t quite right with Harper.

A Walk Along the Beach is one of those novels that makes you determined to live life fully. Seeing the passion for life of Harper reminds us of all the things we can or might want to do. Willa’s more quiet character is the strength of daily life. Her success in her business, and taking care of her family is her quiet passion. Debbie Macomber’s writing in this novel was, to me, very powerful. The characters were spot on and helped bring the story to life. The feelings of love flowed out from the words. A Walk Along the Beach by Debbie Macomber was a wonderful but very emotional read.