Thanks to Gallery Books, Mary Alice Monroe, & NetGalley for the chance to read "The Summer of Lost & Found" in exchange for an honest review.

Once again, back at the Beach house, only it is March 2020 & the pandemic has just started. The story's focus is on Linnea this time, with the usual cast of characters. Perhaps right now, while still living IN the pandemic, wasn't a great time to read a book that was written during it. I found myself a few times thinking "Well, that's not how it was here" or "Hmm, we wouldn't have done that", but, it's a book, a work of fiction. The story line is the usual, sucks you right in, and at the end is bittersweet. A summer read-probably. Maybe better for next summer, or those who in years to come were too little to remember how it was. Again, decent book, decent story, just my feelings. For those who have been reading the books in order, it definitely continues the storyline.

If you're a fan of The Beach House series by Mary Alice Monroe, you've got to continue the Rutledge family story. If you’re new to the series, Mary Alice has made it easy to start here, but I’d still recommend you read all of the series at some point. These are all great beach reads for the summer.
The pandemic of 2020 has hit and Linnea has been laid-off from her job at the aquarium. I know, I didn't think I'd want to be reading about the pandemic (especially so soon), but instead of being turned off, I found myself more connected to these characters who were socializing in small pods, keeping socially distant in public, quarantining when necessary, stressing about finances, and having concern for keeping loved ones safe and healthy.
The story focuses around Linnea's ex-boyfriend John, who has returned to visit his mother next door to Linnea, and her current boyfriend Gordon, who is struggling to get out of England to visit her and conduct a research project. Who could blame John for trying to rekindle lost love? But when Gordon arrives, Linnea is faced with tough decisions in this love triangle- who does she love and who does she want to be? And yet, there’s so much more to it than that! So good!
I just love this series. Pre-order your copy from your favorite book seller today!

(Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy. The opinions are my own.)

Thank you NetGalley, Mary Alice Monroe and Gallery Books for the ARC of The Summer of Lost and Found. This is my personal review.
Linnea Rutledge has her life all planned out, but the universe has other plans for her and a different path to take.
She has her life in South Carolina on the Isle of Palms. She has a job she loves at the Aquarium and everything is going good until the pandemic has stopped all living that is normal.
Cara, Hope, Cooper, Anna, David, Emmi, Gordon, John, Julia, Palmer, and Flo all are a huge part of this story.
The family and friendships are all so beautifully written that I felt a part of all that was going on in the story.
Mary Alice Monroe has given us all another wonderful book to add to our collections!

I always love Mary Alice’s book. Her beach house series sucks me right in every single time. I was hesitant at first because the story takes place in the pandemic. I wasn’t keen on reading about present day events, but I dove in anyway. I fell in love with the new generation of characters and connected with the challenges they faced. There are a few surprises in this book and as always I shed a few tears. I hope the series continues!

I have followed this series for a long time and it was as wonderful as ever to catch up with everyone.
Like my life and yours the pandemic has prevented any real growth in their lives but it was interesting
to observe their problems for a few hours. All I could think was how lucky they are to live at the beach.
This follows Linnea as she navigates her love life and friendships. Not the usual escape but still and enjoyable story.

The continuing story of the Rutledge family and their life in the low country.. As always I love the beach setting and the inclusion of the watching/hatching of their beloved sea turtles. A big lesson from an older member of the family-Family is most important, an important aspect with the very recent CoVid year as the timeline for this story.. In some cases it was hard to read about something we all are living through, but honestly this takes place in the very early months of 2020 and it is good to see the progress we have made. Another quote in this book that I take with me is " If it isn't one thing, it's another!" Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

I was honestly a little unsure how I would feel reading my first book fully centered around the pandemic. Though this made for there to be a heavy feel through out the book, it still showcased love, family and a good beach setting. The characters are super well developed and I was completely invested in each one! It so perfectly hits the nail on the head with many of the realities and feelings of the past year!

The Summer of Lost and Found by Mary Alice Monroe was a wonderful heartwarming return to her Beach House series. This story revolves mostly around the two leads, Linnea and Cara Rutledge, with the backdrop being the realistic covid pandemic, which affects everyone, with all arriving to the Isle of Palms, in South Carolina. Linnea is upset as she has been furloughed during the pandemic, and worries about getting her job back. She goes to her Aunt Cara, about her financial issues, and is assured that she can continue to stay rent free at the Beach House.

Soon others unable to afford rent or have nothing available, come to Linnea for a place to stay during the pandemic. Anna, a coworker, who also has lost her job, and has no money is happy that Linnea will let her take a room at her place, as well as her brother, Cooper. Cara is happy when David is able to get home, but he will be quarantining for two weeks, and their 6-year-old daughter has to stay with Linnea to be safe. For two weeks, Linnea has her hands full with Hope, as well as her guests. She is in for a surprise, when her ex-boyfriend, John moves in next door; and he will be staying for the summer to help his mother. In a short time, Linnea’s boyfriend from England arrives to stay with her. This creates an emotional turmoil for Linnea, with both (her current and former lovers) men determined to fight for her attention, as well as handling all the people staying with her.

What I loved about this story was the close relationships between most of the characters, whether it be mother, daughter, aunt, brother, boyfriends, husbands, father, friendships- and how things affect them all with the new normal (covid pandemic, social distancing, masks, etc), but these people will always find a way to be there for each other. Very well done. I thought Monroe created such a great group of characters, besides the two leads (Linnea/Cara), such as Cooper, Anna, David, Emmi, Gordon, John, Julia, Palmer, and Flo.
The Summer of Lost and Found was a sweet wonderful story, with fantastic characters, friendships, family, love; as well as various realistic issues pertaining the pandemic. Mary Alice Monroe has written a wonderful story that you will enjoy.

The Summer of Lost and Found
By Mary Alice Monroe


A timely and touching story of relationships during the summer of the 2020 pandemic

SUMMARY
In March 2020 the pandemic be.gins and Linnea Rutledge is laid off from the South Carolina Aquarium. As she begins worrying about finances she agrees to help her Aunt Cara take care of her daughter, while Cara’s husband is battling Covid at home. Linnea’s boyfriend, Gordon is trying to return to Isle of Palms SC from England for the summer. Linnea’s previous boyfriend John had also traveled to Isle of Palms from California and is quarantining next door to Linnea and desperately trying to reignite a relationship with her. When Gordon eventually makes it to Isle of Palms, the two men battle for Linnea’s attention.

REVIEW
In THE SUMMER OF LOST AND FOUND Linnea and the Rutledge family face challenges with the coronavirus. With stay-at-home orders, relationships are strained and major opportunities are lost.

The story is timely, touching and at times even funny. Linnea’s character, exhibited strength and fortitude handling Hope, a precocious six-year-old, two new frustrating roommates, a new puppy and two good-looking men competing for her attention. New friendships are formed at Primrose Cottage, Her old flame John was a colorful and delightful character who added humor and lightness to the story.

Author Mary Alice Monroe’s writing is smart and captures a timely topic. It’s a quick and easy read. Monroe is the New York Times bestselling author of over 27 books, most recently including On Ocean Boulevard (2020) and The Summer Guest (2019)

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher Simon & Schuster
Published May 11, 2021
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

I have loved visiting the Isle Of Palms and reuniting with these old friends. The focus on the newer generation during the Pandemic was comforting even though I had to say goodbye to one of the older generation. As always, MAM has written a beautiful story about love and family, and what is important in life.
Many thanks to Gallery Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

“Nothing cheers up a soul like good memories.”
Indeed. And The Summer of List and Found certainly brings up all kinds of memories from Mary Alice Monroe’s Beach House series.

In this book of the Rutledge family saga, Linnea is struggling with the weight of being laid off from her work, because of the pandemic. Family, as always, is front and center, along with conservation of course.

I was crying by the end of the book. We have all felt the trials of this family, not only from the pandemic, but in life. I can’t give more than five stars, but I would. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc. I cannot wait for my hardback to arrive in May.

There are so many quotes, that really hit home, and I’ve included a few here.

“If there is one lesson I learned from Lovie,” Cara continued, “and there were many, it is that above all, only one thing matters in life. Family.”

“That every day is meant to be lived. Fully. With our eyes wide open. Our senses on full alert. Not wasted. Or squandered in doubt or self-pity.”

Mary Alice Monroe has done it again! Reading The Summer of Lost and Found was like going home to Isle of Palms and having a family reunion with all of the Rutledges! Linnea's story unfolds as the pandemic begins. She is laid off from her job and is at loose ends. Cara comes to the rescue with help with rent, and a job as a nanny for Hope. As Cara say, the cottage is a shelter for the women of the family and LInnea is welcome to stay, even though she has no income.

The story progresses through 2020 with all of the pandemic elements occurring as if in real time. Having just gone though it, I could read with empathy and full understanding of what all of the characters were up against. If you love the Beach House series, The Summer of Lost and Found is a must!

Who better to make us reflect on the once-in-a-lifetime experience of the pandemic and its effects on family than a master storyteller, Mary Alice Monroe? With this latest edition of The Beach House series, she has once again invited us into the family workings of the Charlestonian Rutledge family. In this newest edition, the story is centered on the third-generation member, Linnea Rutledge. Linnea transitions into the keeper of the precious Primrose Cottage from her Aunt Cara while she works to reclaim her life and values during a summer of upheaval and change for the entire family and close friends. The lessons of perseverance and unity doled out with a bit of humor prove to let everyone discover unexpected joys that will last well beyond the season.

Reading a good South Carolina Low Country novel has been a summer tradition for me, and though I read this a bit earlier than the official start of the season, it was the perfect remedy for a bit of solace after the year we’ve all come off of. Though this is part of The Beach House series, and I have enjoyed every one, this book easily can be read as a stand-alone.
Mary Alice Monroe’s ability to tell the story of strong women in a relevant storyline makes her a joy to read. Following the story of the Rutledge family is like visiting old friends. I can’t wait to see how the next story unwinds!

] Loved, loved The Summer of Lost and Found! Catching up with all the Beach House characters was like finding old friends, and if this is your first Mary Alice book they will quickly become your friends as well. It was so easy to put yourself into the pandemic as they lived it, the isolation, the shutdowns, becoming a family pod, and how this family handled all that came their way. Revisiting Isle of Palms, the turtles, and important environmental issues rounded out the story. I cried some tears, laughed, and then went back to read it again as I devoured it the first time.

The Summer of Lost and Found is the 7th book in Mary Alice Monroe’s series of Beach House books. This particular story centered around Linnea and how her life is going after her break-up with John and moving back to The Lowcountry. The stories time frame is in 2020 because the characters are having to quarantine and follow all the rules and guidelines required due to the Corona virus. The characters, which was mainly family and a few friends and neighbors all became this pod. A pod is a group of people that can get together without worrying about being contagions. Throughout the story, it mentioned people and events from the past so it was easy to remember the backstory. It was an enjoyable read, a nice visit with old friends and I always enjoy spending time at the beach even if only through my reading. I’d like to thank Gallery Books for accepting my request and to NetGalley for the arc to read, review and enjoy. I’m giving this a 4 star rating!

“If there is one lesson I learned from Lovie, and there were many, is that above all, only one thing matters in life. Family. Who your people are, as she used to say.”

If there is one sentence in Mary Alice’s new book that sums up the entire theme of her entire series it is this one. Another beach house book just in time for summer. After the year we have all been through, it sure felt like coming home to my family! I laughed, I cried, and I read it too quickly. It’s always a real joy to catch up with our favorite island people, see the changes within them and around them. Reading about how they handled the pandemic and created their own pod and tried to find something positive out of being in lockdown reminded me of what so many of us have been doing. And what we continue to do. Shutdowns and lockdowns were tough on everyone but reading about our favorite characters and how they chose to handle themselves through a real life pandemic was so real.
And as always, Mary Alice leaves you wanting more of the story!

I was uplifted by this novel centered around forming a pod of family and friends as COVID-19 starts to become rampant. Linnea Rutledge lives in Primrose Cottage on the Isle of Palms, the beloved former home of her grandmother, Lovie. Her aunt Cara owns it now but graciously discontinued Linnea having to pay rent as her job at the aquarium was put on hold due to the pandemic. To her surprise, her ex-boyfriend, John has flown home from California to stay next door in the carriage house on his mother Emmi’s property. And her current boyfriend, Gordon will also be arriving from England. I loved spending time with the different families and friends I met before in other books in this series. Having the age range vary from 6 to 89 required a great deal of thinking out the variety of ways each generation had to manage this life-changing event together. Through the author’s heartwarming writing, the beautiful lowcountry was the perfect backdrop for this novel. I felt like I was there and am still there. [I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley and the author and my opinion is my own.]

This is a well written book that hooks you on the first page. I adore the Beach House series and this book was good read. I look forward to the next book in this series. Thank you Gallery Books via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I'm not even sure what to say. I laughed, I cried (a lot)....this hit home. Taking place during the pandemic, and one of the older characters having my moms name.....some parts were rough on me.

Great writing, great characters.

Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.

Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy!

A great summer beach read following the Rutledge family and their neighbors and loved ones navigating during Covid. I appreciated the real and difficult conversations that had to happen during these unprecedented times. Such as if they want to form a pod, what the individuals must cover. I also liked how they may the best of their situation with the areas surrounding them and people they may not have interacted with previously. I really enjoyed this read and will pass along to others.