“A Walk Along the Beach” by Debbie Macomber
An emotional read for sure. A family story of losses and recovery. I didn't find as much joy in this story as I expect from a Debbie Macomber book. Maybe that is why I found this to be a very long read and only awarded 4-stars.
Note: I received an ARC of this story from the publisher with the proviso of writing a review.

When a book makes you cry it's going to be an automatic 5 star review. Absolutely an emotional story, full of forgiving and finding love. It was nice to revisit Oceanside and see some characters from Cottage by the Sea that we know and love. I hope there are more books planned in Oceanside so we can see how Willa and Sean are doing in the future.

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Having read several books by Debbie Macomber and really enjoying them I was excited to be able to pick up her latest contemporary romance A Walk Along the Beach. Of course what I expected was some really solid writing and she did not disappoint yet again.

Willa Lakey grew up rather fast when her mother passed away and Willa took over the motherly role to her brother and sister. While Willa kept the family pulled together things were not easy as her younger sister Harper was diagnosed with a serious illness. Thankfully though Harper survived and the sisters grew even closer.

Now Willa runs her own coffee shop working long hours as Harper lives life on the edge always keeping her sister nervous with worry. When Sean O’Malley walks into Willa’s shop Harper is sure he has his eye on Willa and to her delight he does ask her out. Just as Sean and Willa are starting a relationship though Willa gets some news that rocks her world.

So I’ll begin this with a confession, one thing about contemporary romance for me is I often find myself rolling my eyes at the inevitable conflict that will occur. Quite often I think to myself that the character is overreacting but when it came to A Walk Along the Beach I could so feel for Willa as the book became quite heartbreaking and moving and I just wanted to hug her. This however made me question if maybe the romance wasn’t quite up to what I normally feel for this author’s characters but by the end I did enjoy the story enough to still rate at four stars.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

A Walk Along the Beach by Debbie Macomber is her best book so far. Her books always hold my interest and always give me hope. I come away feeling like I just peeked through the curtains of someone's life, met them and have become dear friends with them. Ms Macomber writes in such a way you can feel the emotions of the characters and, for a short time, become part of their intimate circle of friends.

Sisters Willa and Harper are so opposite. While Willa is the studious, steadfast and average looking older sister, Harper is the vivacious, beautiful, adventurous one. So opposite. Since the early death of their mother, Willa has been forced into raising Harper and their brother, Lucas. Due their father's inability to cope with the death of their mother, and subsequent reliance on liquor to ease his pain, all the responsibility of raising her younger siblings has fallen on the shoulders of Willa. It's a task she didn't ask for but she accepts the challenge and preservers. While beautiful Harper is out enjoying life and dating, Willa stays home and keeps the family going. Then tragedy strikes and Harper develops cancer and that is a game changer.

Willa eventually opens a coffee shop, her life's dream, after all three of the siblings are adults, have careers, and on their own. It's small, but the coffee shop is a big hit in their community. Harper is in remission from leukemia, their brother has found the girl of his dreams and life seems like it has steadied off. Then one day a newcomer in town arrives: a freelance photographer named Sean O'Malley, who Willa assumes is coming in daily to the coffee shop to try to get the attention of Harper, but it's really Willa who intrigues him.

Some characters in Debbie Macomber's earlier work make cameo appearances throughout the book, which I truly enjoyed. It seemed to update me on the lives of those other characters I have left behind in other books. My reunion with them was sweet.

A Walk Along the Beach is, by far, the best book I have read by Debbie Macomber. It has become my personal favorite. As always, there are bumps and bruises along the way, twists and turns, but the ending is perfect: it is just perfect. I came away from this book with more hope in my heart than I have had in a long time. Again, in my opinion, this is Debbie Macomber's best book so far. As always, when I want a down-to-earth story about people who are depicted as living real- to- life lives, I always reach for her books. She never disappoints me.

FAMILY BONDS

Debbie Macomber has a reputation for writing novels that touch reader’s souls and A WALK ALONG THE BEACH is another perfect example! She introduces readers to the Lakeys, a family that has had its struggles. In spite of it all the three siblings are close, with sisters Willa and Harper still living as roommates. Willa feels protective after Harper’s near death bought with leukemia. Willa has always been the steady sibling; Harper has always been the thrill-seeker. Willa is always worried about Harper. Until Sean O’Malley gives her something else to think about! He seems perfect until Willa finds out he is a PhotoJournalist and his work often requires that he travel to remote areas for weeks or months at a time with no internet or cell service. Not so great when you think you have met the love of your life! Macomber keeps readers on the edge of their seat with this novel. It is a story of family, pain, loss, angst, forgiveness and love.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this novel by Random House, LLC and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review of this book. This is the story of two sisters, their relationship, and how life events changed them.
Overall, it focused on taking chances and living life to the fullest, and how a person's brush with mortality affects them. I was frustrated by some of the things Willa said or did, but put in context of her life experiences, they made sense. It was a 'heavier' read than her others that I have read (mostly Christmas books) but it was a thought-provoking story.

This is a wonderful emotion charged story of family, love, fear, and acceptance. Grab a tissue or two for this one. The first part of the book is an easy read as we get to know the characters and the town. Then the second half will have your emotions all over the place and take you on one heck of a roller coaster ride. This was one of those books that once I started reading I had to keep turning the pages to find out what happened. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

HJ Recommends!!

In A Walk Along the Beach by Debbie Macomber, Willa Lakey and her sister Harper have been a team--and unstoppable force, really--since they were kids. After the loss of their beloved mother and then Harper's battle with leukemia as a teenager, Willa has taken on the role of basically sister and mother. She still finds herself worrying about her sister's health and their father's destructive behavior, as well as how her business, a coffee shop in Oceanside called Bean There, is doing. What Willa doesn't have time for is a man in her life. But when Sean O'Malley keeps showing up in her shop everyday, with his lovely smile and quiet charm, she knows she would probably accept an invitation to date him...should he ever make a move.

Just when Sean finally gets up the nerve to ask Willa out on a date and they begin to really get to know each other, Willa's family is thrown into turmoil. As a freelance photographer, Sean has to travel abroad for a number of shoots a year and with one coming right up, the timing couldn't be worse. His main concern is for Willa, helping her and the family through their potentially devastating crisis. If only he could be in two places at once. But even if Sean could be there every moment in person, he's not sure he would be much help to the Lakey family. And with Willa a walking bundle of emotions, it has him doing everything he can to support the woman of his dreams from afar.

A Walk Along the Beach was a deeply emotional novel as only Debbie Macomber can write it. With heartbreaking loss, a slow burn romance, and that indomitable small town spirit Macomber is known for, my heart went out to each of the characters she so lovingly crafted.

The first thing that caught my eye about Debbie Macomber's newest book is that beautiful cover. It fits so well with the story, as you would imagine by the book title alone. The beach ended up being a soothing place for our heroine Willa, something I wholeheartedly share with her--like I'm sure many readers do as well. While she was going through so many changes personally and within her family, the beach was Willa's place to go to gather her thoughts and feel more grounded. I thought it was important that Macomber showed how Willa found moments to center herself that way instead of being self-destructive or closed off completely.

I will be honest that Macomber can typically make me shed a tear here and there with her heartfelt stories but A Walk Along the Beach had me ugly crying from about halfway through until the end. It was sad, hopeful, distressing, uplifting...so many emotions mixed all together. I was firmly on mother hen Willa's side for the majority of the book, with only one section where I thought she treated our hero, Sean, rather harshly. It was tough because I could see both of their views on the rift between them but in the end things did work out as well as could be expected. (Can you tell I'm trying very hard not to give any spoilers? lol) Overall it was a lovely cast with a bunch of characters from Cottage by the Sea, which was also set in Oceanside, which meant it felt like a reunion in some ways.

It's always a pleasure to get swept away in a book by Debbie Macomber, but A Walk Along the Beach proved to be an especially moving, tearjerker of a story where faith and the love of family and friends helped heal a fractured heart.

I received an ARC from #netgalley for a review.

I love Debbie Macomber and her writing.


This book holds so many emotions. You could kind of guess at what was about to happen but I think it was written in a way that was alright. You fall in love with these characters and feel all their feelings as they pass through all these stages! I especially loved the fathers story!

No one does small-town romance like Debbie Macomber. I always turn to her books when I need a pick me up or a light read. I know that my HEA will come. I have enjoyed the other books in the series set in Oceanside, but this one fell flat for me. The pacing was off, I didn't really like the hero and the conversation between the couple sounded like they were in their 60's and not their twenties or thirties.

I think this would have been better as a book about the sisters, that is where the main thrust of the story was. The author's note stated that this book was written after the death of a close friend. Read this book for the relationship between the sisters and the father, but as a romance, it fell flat.

Willa and Harper are very close sisters as their mother died young. Willa became mother to Harper and saw her through a fight with leukemia which brought them even closer. Along with their brother Lucas, they are close knit siblings as their dad became an alcoholic when their mom died.

This was such a beautifully poignant story. I haven't cried in a novel for a long time, but this one certainly touched my heart. Well written, with realistic characters dealing with the ups, downs, and tragedies of life. Macomber brought small town Oceanside, Washington to life. I loved Willa's coffee shop, Bean There, and the role it played in the story. I also found it very interesting to have a main male character whose profession was a photojournalist. I could definitely see where long trips away shooting could cause problems in a relationship.

The slowly developing relationship between Sean and Willa was wonderful to observe. Sean had to do some hard thinking about how his profession affected their relationship. In turn, Willa had been the controller over life for so long playing the role of mother that she had to learn to let go of some of that control.

Beautiful story that ran the gamut of emotions and left me hoping that Macomber will revisit Oceanside, Washington again someday.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Such a heart-touching story by Debbie Macomber! Dealing with cancer on this level and losing a loved one are reality for so many. I cried right along with Willa. I read this book in three days. It wouldn't have taken that long but I had to go to work! I will definitely be recommending this book to my reader friends. Debbie Macomber has never disappointed me with her books. I always look forward to the next one!

A Walk Along the Beach is the summer 2020 offering from prolific author Debbie Macomber. Sisters Willa and Harper Lakey are best friends, roommates, and survivors, both of the loss of their mother many years ago and Harper’s recent bout of leukemia. When their mother passed suddenly from an aneurism, a young Willa moved into the role of ‘mother’ for the family including their brother, Lucas, and their father. Willa is very protective, especially of Harper, and this is causing some friction between the sisters.

Harper has blossomed into a vivacious young woman who doesn’t seem to take much seriously. She doesn’t date anyone for more than a few weeks and actually sets those suitors up with others more often than not. Willa is much more introverted although open and friendly, especially in running her coffee shop, Bean There. When Harper notices a seemingly shy fellow coming daily and watching Willa more than drinking coffee, she again plays matchmaker. Sean O’Malley is a free lance photographer who travels often, and sometimes for extended periods, for his career. Since his former life, Sean has been somewhat reclusive and feels rather awkward with Willa, but he is definitely interested.

When tough times again visit the Lakey family, Willa again jumps into ‘mother’ mode. With the family rallied around the only thing Willa is missing to fortify her is Sean, who is on assignment on the other side of the world. When the unthinkable happens, Willa closes herself off from Sean.

As the story unfolds the depth of character of this cast is demonstrated over and over. The interpersonal relationships are touching and memorable. This is a beautifully written story of love and loss and finding one’s way to the light when the storm has passed. Ms. Macomber has once again penned a deeply felt story that should be yet another bestselling hit for this award winning author. I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it!

A Walk Along the Beach by Debbie Macomber 5 stars

Full Disclosure - the Author's Note at the beginning of the book made me cry and I cried again toward the last quarter of the book.

This book was written in memory of Christina Skye, a romance author that wrote the Draycott Abbey series and many other books that I loved. I was moved by the Author's Note and after I recovered, I started to read. The book is an engrossing romance told between two viewpoints: Willa and Sean. Other characters that populate the book are Willa's family, Sean's family and the people of Oceanside.

Willa Lakey is the owner of Bean There, a coffee shop in Oceanside, WA. She and her sister Harper live together and they have a close relationship. Harper is a 3 year cancer survivor, so she packs a lot into her life and her latest goal is to climb Mt. Rainier. Sean O'Malley is a recent transplant to Oceanside; he is a professional photographer that travels around the world. The story is told in alternating chapters from Willa and Sean's viewpoints. [Special Note: there is a rescue dog named Bandit that illustrates how a look or action can speak volumes; he is one of the best parts of this book] It is a story of family, strength, trauma, faith, forgiveness and love. I finished this book in one sitting and enjoyed it (in between the tears).

Thank you Netgalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for this ARC.

Talk about an emotional roller coaster... A Walk Along the Beach had me reaching for the tissues more times than I could count! But then could we expect anything else but a tug at the heartstrings from Debbie Macomber!?

When I sit down to read a new book by Debbie Macomber, I always know that I am going to enjoy it. There is a reason she is a #1 bestseller after all. Still, I must admit as I started the book, I didn't feel like I was as drawn into the story as much as I typically am with hers. The pace was perhaps a bit slower, and while I enjoyed it and felt like it was still going to be a pleasant read... I just didn't see it wowing me. In the second half of the story however, things took a turn and I found myself unable to step away. At this point I became truly invested in the characters and found myself truly hoping for the best outcome for all.

Without giving to much away, I can only say that this is one book that you are going to want to have your tissues handy for. It is absolutely heartbreaking... but also filled with hope, love and family. What started as an 'eh' read for me, truly ended up being one that will stick with me. Fans of Debbie Macomber and of inspirational reads will certainly want to check this one out!

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.

A Walk Along the Beach was such an amazing book! I literally started and finished reading it in one sitting! I was completely hooked right from the first page, and was lured in by the relatable and familiar characters and the easy and light reading. I flew through the book page after page and could not get enough. Don’t even get me started about the emotions! Grab a box of tissues for this one, trust me. But there is also love, such deep and honest love, between family members, lovers, friends, and community. This was just a perfect book and I loved loved loved it!

Debbie Macomber never disappoints!!!
Great combination of romance and heartbreak..this book had it all. Actually having someone very close to me have leukemia I took more of a personal interest in that aspect of the book. It touched me in a way that others probably can't relate to reading this.
I have never read a book By Debbie Macomber that wasn't 5 stars and this one was just a great read.

I LOVE Ms. Macomber's Books. I know of few authors who can actually create a mound of characters that all become as important as the main characters and, make you want to move to this imaginary place!
Will owns a coffee shop/bakery in Oceanside. It's taken her quite a while to reach her goals but, she has had a hard life after her mom died and, her dad lost himself in alcohol. Willa then became Mom to her sister Harper and, her brother Lucas. Harper then got sick with Leukemia and, Luke joined the Armed Forces. After Harper went into remission, Willa thought that things were looking up, only to find that Harper had now become someone who would do anything she could that was as dangerous as possible. Again, Willa has to worry about Harper.
When Willa meets Sean O'Malley, she is immediately attracted, as is he. The problem is that Willa is used to loss and, Sean is frequently traveling. It's hard to be trusting of someone who is frequently gone. No matter how Sean feels about Willa or, how she feels about him.
I fell into this book and, dealt with love, fun, heartbreak and, hope. Family means everything.

This is a beautifully written book by Debbie Macomber. The characters are realistic, flawed, & relatable. Willa is the older sister that took on all the mothering responsibilities for Lucas & Harper as a teen when their mother died, & she is having a hard time letting this role go. Harper is her younger sister who survived leukemia & just wants to live her life to the fullest. Sean enters the picture by coming to Willa's coffee shop/bakery & liking her on the spot. He is a former baseball player that got sidelined by an injury & is now a professional photographer. Watching all of their stories unfold & overlap with the rest of the family is magical. Be prepared for a roller coaster of emotions during this book. Also you won't be able to put it down. Highly recommend reading this book!

Thank you Random House Publishing - Balantine Books & NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy

I always enjoy Debbie Macomber’s books. This one doesn’t disappoint. It starts out slow but as I kept reading, it’s because the author is developing the characters. It helps you understand why they do what they do throughout the book. The book is set around two sisters, Willa and Harper. The are roommates and best friends. You will cry, laugh and have hope. Great read. Thank you to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine and NetGalley for the E-ARC. This is my own opinion.