This is the newest installment in the Beach House series, and it doesn't disappoint.

Linnea Rutledge, Lovey's granddaughter, faces a layoff from the aquarium job she absolutely adores. She moves back to Isle of Pines, to the cottage that used to be Lovey's and now is her aunt Cara's. Finances are going to be very tight, emotions are tense, and health concerns -- due to COVID-19 -- push her to the brink. Adding to her angst is her former boyfriend, John, is staying next door to help his mother out.. All the while, her new boyfriend, Gordon, is trying hard to return to the Isle from England.. Linnea lets a co-worker stay with her, and then her brother decides he can't live with their parents, and he moves in...with the co-worker.
Linnea tries hard to ignore John, but when he sends her plaintive notes in the form of paper airplanes, old sparks ignite. Then when Gordon at last reaches the island, she wonders if it's possible to love two men at the same time? As the weeks turn to months, and another sea turtle season comes to a close, Linnea learns there are more meaningful lessons during this summer than opportunities lost, and that summer is a time of wonder. The Rutledge family continue to face their challenges with the strength, faith, and commitment that has inspired fans for decades.

The amazing @MaryAliceMonroe has done it again, this time with THE SUMMER OF LOST AND FOUND @gallerybooks the 7th installment of The Beach House series (which can be read as a stand alone).
It’s the story of family, friendship, and learning how to live in the midst of a global pandemic. The narrative starts out in March 2020 when the pandemic is just starting and the Rutledge family has to figure out a new way to live. With Linnea losing her job, to Cara’s husband arriving home from England with a case of covid, to Linnea having to take Cara’s immunocompromised 6 year old daughter into her home to prevent her from getting sick, things are starting out rough.
While attempting to stay home and stay isolated, Linnea is quite frustrated, especially when her ex has come home to visit and is self quarantining next door, now trying to communicate via paper airplane. Her brother Cooper is home from overseas and decides to stay with her, and now her long distance boyfriend has finally arrived to town. The Beach House that has once become a sanctuary has now become so much more.

This story is touching, heartwarming, and at times quite amusing. Monroe has taken all the strife, restlessness and unrest we have all been experiencing this past year, and has written it into a beautiful family story that is overwhelmingly relatable. It shows a family that is scared, confused and frustrated with each other, the state of the world, and even themselves evolving to find the courage and stability they need, both alone, and within each other to endure the unknown. It’s a story of love, resilience, and the importance of family and forgiveness.

I was immediately captivated by this book, the characters are written beautifully, with human flaws and insecurities. The story so realistic, completely mimicking all of the emotions and feelings we have had this past year, and validating each and every one. Monroe has written the perfect story of perseverance and love, one that will resonate long after we finish. This was a wonderful read, one that is relevant and heartfelt, and I highly recommend it.

Mary Alice Monroe is a favorite author of mine and has been for years. The Summer of Lost and Found is #7 in her series about the Rutledge family in Charleston SC. This book takes place during the summer of this COVID-19 pandemic but it doesn't take away from Monroe's usual themes of love and family. There is quite a bit of talk about social distancing, hand washing and mask wearing so consider yourself warned if that is triggering for you. I recommend this book if you like southern lit, summer loving and family sagas but do yourself a favor and read this whole series.

Mary Alice Monroe has never done wrong in my book. (See what I did there?) I like this book and it is certainly relevant but I just can’t stomach anymore Covid. I read to escape and reading off quarantine, restrictions, social distances consumes most of our lives. I couldn’t stomach it in my time to escape. Sorry. This pains me to say but I couldn’t - wouldn’t finish it.

I always read Mary Alice Monroe whenever I get a copy of any of her books and review them when they come out on the other platforms. I sometimes forget to review them on here. This was a wonderful book by her as always.

This book pulls at the heartstrings! It is the 1st book that I read that is in the time of COVID & was interesting to read and feel what the characters were going through. Jobs were lost, friendships were rekindled & the simple things appreciated. And of course the dilemma of loving 2 men at the same time, is always a problem. The turtle season shows everyone that no matter what is happening, some constants remain and bring joy & comfort.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. Mary Alice Monroe always has great nautical/beachy/summer reads with great characters and storylines and I really liked this one. Anxious to read the next installment.

The Summer Of Lost And Found by Mary Alice Monroe

This book follows the Rutledge family as they face a summer of upheaval and change.

First book I have read about thevCOVID-19 virus and was willing to read. I thought it was well done. Munich compassion and told directly how one family & friends handled it. I recommend this book.

The Summer of Lost and Found is book seven of a series of novels set in an idyllic South Carolina community. I have not read all of the books and, while I will probably do so, my enjoyment of this title was in no way diminished.

This is the first fiction that I have read in which the Corona Virus is front and center as it impacts the lives of many of the characters. I think that the author did a masterful job with incorporating real life into the story. I hoped that David would successfully quarantine, that Linnea’s boyfriend would be able to leave England, that Hope would deal as well as a six-year-old might, and much more. I felt connected to each of them as they dealt with the early days of the pandemic.

The novel’s primary character is Linnea whom I remembered from book 6. She is experiencing changes and trying to reconfigure both her professional and personal lives. There are both a former and current boyfriend with whom Linnea has a relationship to figure out. Old boyfriend John is communicating through charming paper airplanes as the story begins. This is because he is quarantining due to Covid. Gordon is in England and may not be able to leave due to restrictions on entering the U.S.

Readers will enjoy spending time with a wide ranging cast of recurring characters, each of whom has their own story and also a connection with Linnea. There are Linnea’s aunt, her parents, her niece and her neighbor, just to mention a few.

Mary Alice Monroe knows how to invite a reader into a world. I very much enjoyed spending time there, even if Covid came along too.

I recommend this novel to those who enjoy women’s fiction.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The Summer of Lost and Found by Mary Alice Monroe is a perfect addition to her Beach House series. Mary Alice Monroe deftly uses the 2020 pandemic to continue the saga of the Rutledge women on the beautiful Isle of Palm in South Carolina. Her characters never disappoint, she takes us through illness, blossoming love and ultimately the death of a family friend. ‘The Summer of Lost and Found’ was a wonderful beach read this summer, and even if you haven’t read Mary Alice Monroe’s six other Beach House books, you can easily pick this one up and understand the history and traditions of the Primrose Cottage and the Rutledge women. A must add to your summer reading list.

I received this advanced reading copy from Gallery Books and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review..

As the Rutledge family struggles with health issues, low finances friendships tested marriages tested etc. Linnea and her family stand their ground and push on dealing with all their issues during the Covid pandemic.

As I read chapter after chapter I would smile at the happy parts cheer up on reading the struggles that’s the family went through and towards the end say understood what the family went through as they dealt with the pandemic.

I have always enjoyed the beach house stories. This one I was disappointed in. I found Linnea as a lead character not as pleasant as Lovey or Cara were to read. She came off as whining and I am really never into a character who strings multiple people on while dating. I finished the story with the hope it would improve. I will continue to read any other beach house stories that may come out with the hope that they return to their original voice.

Linnea has just been released from her position at the SC aquarium due to covid. Now she is returning to her cottage on the Isle of Palms that had been her grandmother, Lovie's. This is a tale of decisions between her love of two men, what she will do with her life, and family.
The story is a slow starter, but builts dramatically. The lives of these family members are changed by covid and the limitations the disease places on them.

Mary Alice Monroe once again gives us a heartwarming story that shows the many facets of family dynamics. Her life lessons taught partly through nature and partly through gentle encouragement shine through even the dark pandemic. Another big success for Monroe.

Even with the quarantine as a backdrop, this does not read as even slightly depressing. Mary Alice Monroe writes family sagas that inspire the best in us. Her use of nature to teach gentle encouraging lessons is admirable and the learning is almost painless. Monroe gives us literary fiction that can also serve as beach reads and that’s a lot. Even if you don’t think you want to read anything set during quarantine, I recommend you try this one.

This is a book we can all relate to. Set during 2020 while COVID ran wild through the nation, this story is about family, friendship, and love. It dives into the uncertainty felt by many during these tough times and teaches the importance of courage and community.

This was the first MAM book I’ve read. My reading experience would have been enhanced had I read the other books in the Beach House series first. However I was able to follow the characters as she does give some background to them. The story centers around the pandemic and how life has shifted for so many due to Covid. If you are unsure of wanting to read a story with this subject I think you will be pleasantly surprised. The themes in her story are family relationships and love. In a few instances some characters grapple with being at crossroads in their lives and face life altering decisions. The book is set at the beach and the author does an excellent job of showcasing the low country. She also does a good job depicting life amongst Covid. Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC all opinions are my own. #TheSummerOfLostAndFound

Returning to the Rutledge family, Mary Alice Monroe writes about love and family in the time of coronavirus.
I really enjoyed the other books in this series, but in this one the plot seemed too predictable, and while relevant to the times, the focus on the coronavirus was just a bit too much for me.
Recommended for diehard Monroe fans.

Now I have to go back and read the previous books in the Beach House series.

This is exactly the kind of book I love to devour in the summer. Set in the south, summertime, multiple characters, family roots, love interests, heartbreak. Love it. This one was also set during the Covid pandemic, but the storyline works wonderfully with it.

It stands on its own, and gives enough of a backstory I did not feel like I was missing anything about the characters. It is a sweet story, Quick and light read, even with the pandemic background.

"Every day is meant to live fully. With our eyes wide open. Our senses on full alert. Not wasted. Or squandered in doubt or self-pity."

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 A lowcountry inspired love triangle in the midst of the pandemic? Don't mind if I do!

I was a little apprehensive to read a story set in 2020. I mean, who wants to relive all that?! But...The Summer of Lost and Found was not at all what I expected...in a good way.

I related with the main character Linnea and her need to control things in the midst of the uncontrollable. I loved her determination to look on the bright side and make the best of something none of us asked for.

She and her "pod" of people gave me the warm fuzziness. They brought out the best and the worst in eachother with enough grace to cover it all.

I also admire the subtle awareness this book brings to caring for our world and the creatures in it. We can make conscious choices to bring hope to the future.