This book was free for a review for Netgalley...while living through Covid and the isolation that has ensued, it was astonishing to read about friends and family getting together so often during a pandemic. Also it was disheartening to read about the pandemic in a fiction story. This did not appeal to me at all. Couples hooking up and unhooking...etc....there was no definitive plot to this story...sorry I have to pass on this one.

I have long been a fan of Mary Alice Monroe, but this book, written at this time was definitely not my favorite. Given the fact that it's been a long,, long year since we were hit with this pandemic, reading this book is as far from an escape as you could get. Bad enough that every time you hear or read the news Covid-19 is in your face, this novel isn't one I would recommend to anyone. It was my mistake for requesting it!

I was given this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
I have been a MAM fan for so long. The Beach House series is my most favorite of all. I feel such a connection with the characters. I was a little nervous to read a book set in the midst of the pandemic but I am so in love with this series and I trust the Mary Alice would not disappoint. There was something that resonates deep within my soul while reading The Summer of Lost and Found. Perhaps it is because we have all lost so much and if we search deep enough we can realize that we too have found something during this trying time. The emotions tied to this book are the most real and this book will forever portray what our country was going through at this particular time in history. Thank you Mary Alice Monroe for carrying us through this so delicately and with such class.

Every summer I look forward to a new book from my favorite beach read authors and Mary Alice Monroe is at the top of my list. This time the focus is on Linnea Rutledge and her love life. All the members of the clan are here and dealing with life during the pandemic. Monroe does an excellent job of portraying life in quarantine. The Rutledge novels are like meeting up with old friends!

This book is part of the Beach House series. It can be read as a stand alone but after reading this book, you will want to go back to the beginning. It follows the Rutledge family at the start of the pandemic. You find out how the characters from the series are coping with the pandemic. It does touch on about the sea turtle hatchlings. I enjoyed this book very much even though we are still dealing with coronavirus. It brought back how the country shut down during 2020 with layoffs, quarantine, closings of restaurants etc. A wonderful beach read. Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the E-ARC.

The highlight of my year in reading is always MAM’s new book. This book is so current to our world today and the challenges we all face in this “new” world we live in. I love how with the ending of her last book the status of all involved just flowed into the issues we currently face. I very much enjoy the environmental concerns that are always a part of her books and my only disappointment is not feeling much of that in this book. Nevertheless it is a must read for your beach book collection for this year. I received this ARC from netgalley in exchange for my honest review...Thank you!

{Thank you to Gallery Books for my gifted copy.}

I have been a long-time fan of both Mary Alice Monroe and the Beach House series was so excited to read this book. I always look forward to seeing what the Rutledge family is up to and this year was no different.

After nearly a year of living in a pandemic, it was so interesting to follow along with the Rutledge family as they navigated the early days of COVID back in spring, 2020. The lack of tests, the uncertainty about what quarantining even meant, the new idea of “pods,” and even the surge of Instapot sales and cooking at home all brought me right back to those early days when this world we are now living in was all new.

While I can’t say that a ton of events unfolded in the pages of this book, I think that was totally fair in light of how many of our lives were spent at home this past year. As always, I loved the reappearance of the turtles in this series, as well as the lessons that in times of trouble or not, family and friends are really the only things that matter. Definitely an easy and enjoyable read during this still uncertain time!

Thank you to Gallery Books for my gifted copy.

This book is part of the Beach House series. It can be read as a stand alone but after reading this book, you will want to go back to the beginning. It follows the Rutledge family at the start of the pandemic. You find out how the characters from the series are coping with the pandemic. It does touch on about the sea turtle hatchlings. I enjoyed this book very much even though we are still dealing with coronavirus. It brought back how the country shut down during 2020 with layoffs, quarantine, closings of restaurants etc. A wonderful beach read. Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the E-ARC.

Another awesome book in the Beach House series. The Rutledge family is dealing with the coronavirus and is uprooting everyone’s life. Linnea is laid off from her aquarium job. Her new love interest Gordon is trying to get back to Isle of Palms from England and her old flame John has returned from California and is living across the street with his mom. The rest of her family and friends are all struggling to deal with the effects of the virus. I love this book as I have the all the books in this series!



Thanks Mary Alice Monroe and Gallery Books

When I first started I wasn’t sure I would enjoy the book but I was wrong. It was wonderful and I loved reading about the low Country since that’s where I have grown up. I liked how the book is part of the series but I felt anyone could pick it up and enjoy it.

While I usually am a sucker for a Mary Alice Monroe book, The Summer of Lost and Found wasn't really my cup of tea. I think it will appeal to many, many readers, as her work does, but it didn't do it for me.

The book was filled with far too many references to the coronavirus, social distancing, masks, and other such things that I am just not ready to read about while living it. I gave this book 3 stars because while it wasn't for me, I'm obviously in the minority and there are quite a few others that will love this visit to the Lowcountry.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for providing an ARC at my request. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of The Summer of Lost and Found. I usually love MaryAlice Monroe’s summer reads, but this one fell flat for me. It is not a light, uplifting book. It is set in real time during covid with some character from her other books. The story was eh and the characters were blah. I also don’t want to read about Covid. I read to relax and forget what’s going on. I will be neither recommending this book or talking anyone out of reading this book.

Ahhhh, LOVED this book! Mary Alice Monroe never disappoints and once again, she delivers a great book! This one centers around Covid-19, which we are all living and don't necessarily want to read about. However, I enjoyed this one from the first page until the last. Perfect for the beach or anywhere!
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Mary Alice Monroe for me is always a sign that summer is coming! After navigating our way through such a strange and unprecedented year, I was even more excited to dive into her latest novel! When I laid eyes on the gorgeous cover and read the title, I just knew this novel would be the comfort read I’ve been craving!

The Summer of Lost and Found starts in the Spring of 2020 when the COVID19 pandemic started gaining momentum. Due to the pandemic, Linnea Rutledge find herself without a job and trying to reconfigure her new normal. What Linnea doesn’t expect is that her love life would take so many unforeseen twists and turns!

I have to say I adored everything Mary Alice Monroe had planned for this endearing cast of characters! I honestly LOVE every single character, but Flo holds special place in my heart and for many reasons she reminds me of my Mommom❤️. I thoroughly enjoyed how well the COVID pandemic was woven into the storyline! So many times throughout the book I found myself nodding along at some COVID situation that was relatable! The Summer of Lost and Found is such a wonderful and welcomed distraction from everything! This 5 star novel should be at the top of your summer reading list! I haven’t made it any secret that I truly enjoy The Beach House series, but this installment in particular stands out. I’m not sure if it’s the crazy year we have all had or what, but The Summer of Lost and Found was like chicken soup for my soul. My new official favorite from this treasured series!

I always grab Mary Alice Monroe's novel as soon as I can. I'm not sure I would have read any book featured around COVID other than one written by a writer of MAM's talents. And, if course, I enjoyed it.

Something about Mary Alice Monroe books screams summer to me so I treated myself to an escape to Isle of Palms on a freezing snowy day. It made me crave warmer and sunnier days and it was exactly what I needed! I am an avid reader of Monroe's Beach House series and this was a great addition to the Rutledge saga complete with drama, friendships, love, turtles, and yes, even the coronavirus weaved into their story. This series always feels like I'm visiting with old friends. While I usually want a total mental escape from reality while reading, I really enjoyed the COVID-19 pandemic spin in the story and I felt like it made the story that much more realistic and relatable as we've all navigating a tough year. I look forward to sharing this novel with our audience as a "great summer read" and will keep it as a potential book pick for our virtual book club. Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was first intrigued by this novel because it fully captured the entire scope of the Novel Corona Virus or COVID-19. With it affecting so many lives, many readers will connect personal experiences to this lovely novel. It is a light yet refreshing read. On a side note, it is advisable for readers who are new to this series to start at Book One. However, it is not necessary. (One is not missing out if a reader decides to start with this book.) As aforementioned, this story hits home. The characters are just as lost as the world was, looking for answers and making the best of a dreadful situation. Monroe was able to weave metaphors into her work, which allowed her creativity to come alive from the written word. No spoilers here, but I also appreciate the ingenuity her characters utilized to bring together one of the most aspects of today’s time: family.

With the release date nearing Summer, you don’t want to miss out on this narrative by a beloved author!

Thank you to NetGalley, Gallery Books and Mary Alice Monroe for an early copy of this book.

This is the 7th book in The Beach House series and it was so good!! I have loved all of the books in this series and the author does a great job making sure that they all can stand-alone.

The book begins as COVID is starting to hit in March 2020. People are trying to return from other countries and some will come down with COVID. This is a very small part of the book.

This book is about the third generation of the Rutledges from these books...the children of Palmer Rutledge....Linnea and Cooper and their friends. They have been sent home from their jobs and they are all trying to find some normal in the craziness. Gordon is trying to come to SC and John is already there so Linnea is flooded with emotions and is trying to figure it all out!!

They all come together and try to support each other during the crazy time. I group email this is my favorite of the Beach House series. I was beautifully written and so engaging!!!

This was a good book, but I am not sure I was ready to read a book set in the time of COVID-19 just yet. I felt a little on edge throughout, and it wasn’t the relaxing escape I usually get normally when reading Mary Alice Monroe’s books. I immediately requested it, though, because I love the Beach House books centered around the Rutledge family.

It is a good book, that shows the family pulling together in one of the most difficult times in recent history. As someone who has lost a parent and grandparent to COVID, I was on edge with certain things (i.e. the sense of security the characters seemed to feel interacting closely with their “pod”), and really kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. This perspective is definitely more about me than the book, but I do want to throw it out there, in case there are others who might feel the same way I do.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Summer of Lost and Found by Mary Alice Monroe returns us to the Isle of Palm with the continuing story of the Rutledge family.
Linnea Rutledge is finding her way after being laid off from her dream job at the South Carolina aquarium due to the shutdowns caused by the Corona virus pandemic. With the help of her family especially he Aunt Cara, linnea spends the summer months recreating and redefining her friendships, relationships, and job at the aquarium.
Mary Alice Monroe's book not only continues the story of the Rutledge family but also what living life during a pandemic means to them all
I love this book and hope it is not the last in the series.