Sea Glass Summer is book two of a series, you do not have to read the first book to love this one. That said, you should read it because it is a great story. This book has no harsh on page cursing and no open door sex, so if those things bother you, there's nothing to worry about here.

Life is hard right now, that's just a fact – we're all dealing with real life stuff that is difficult to deal with. I am someone who reads a lot to escape, so I am incredibly particular about what I read to help me escape the fear and anxiety that overwhelms my days. Miranda Liasson's books are everything that I want when I want to escape into a book. She writes stories with incredibly serious topics and moments, but she writes them with such care that they're never too heavy or depressing the way some current “romance” stories can sometimes be. Not all authors can write about a widow dealing with the guilt of moving on with her life, aching for her husband while she's also falling for his best friend, while dealing with a son who is also struggling, but Ms. Liasson is a master at taking all that angst, all those feelings, and smoothing them all out with beautiful hope, sweetness, and the kind of humor that makes her books not only must-reads, but the kind of book you want to read again and again.

I have read every single book by this author, and I say this with utter honesty: this is my absolute favorite book Ms. Liasson has ever written. I absolutely loved Kit, Ollie, Alex, and the entire host of side characters who added a tremendous amount to this beautiful story but never overwhelmed it. Everything about this book was beautifully executed and wonderfully written. I will admit, there was a moment, a part of this book that I thought for sure would cost it a star, possibly two. I actually talked out loud to my Kindle as I read, shocked and horrified that Ms. Liasson had finally written a character doing something that I thought was going to be unforgivable, but I should have known better than to doubt her. The situation was handled in a perfectly satisfying manner that left me wanting to hug my Kindle with happiness and relief.

If you enjoy a book that covers all of the emotions and takes you along for a beautiful ride that ends with a happy sigh, this is a must-read. It's the perfect book to read while you're sitting by the ocean, but if you can't get to the water this story will transport you there.

(Disclaimer not needed as I preordered this book. My review will be verified.)

This story was a little bit heartbreaking but a whole lot hopeful.

Kit is a single mother trying to keep her life moving forward after the loss of her husband. Focused on providing her son with the best life, she's forced to make some decisions about leaving the comfort of her parents home to strike out on her own. Realizing the best way to move forward is to sell the house that she never got to share with her husband before his death but it needs a lot of work before it can be put on the market. This is where her husband's best friend Alex steps in. He's vowed to fix up Kit's house so that she can sell it in order to make sure that she and her son, Ollie, will be taken care of.

There is arguments and concessions but there is also a ton on chemistry. Things get complicated when long-time secrets are revealed and Kit and Alex will have to decide if they can let go of the past and create a new future or if moving forward means moving on.

This was a great story with wonderful characters, a beautiful setting and a great way to escape from the real world. I absolutely suggest this book to anyone who doesn't mind closed-door romance with low angst, fun world building and endearing characters.

*I received an ARC from NetGalley for voluntary review

This is the second book in the Seashore Harbor series centering around lifelong friends Hadley, Kit and Darla. Hadley got her second chance with her first love Cam in book one. Kit is a widow with a five year old son Ollie. Her husband was in the service and died three years ago. She has been dealing with her grief and been in a holding pattern. She has decided that she needs to make some changes, one of which is to sell the dump of a house her husband had inherited. Her husband’s best friend, Alex De La Cruz, has come back to town to renovate the house so Kit can sell it to support her and her son. Of course, there are no places to rent in town, so Kit offers Alex the apartment over the garage at her rental bungalow. Both Kit and Alex are dealing with grief and guilt and need to work through it to be able to move on. This book also has a bit of a Cyrano De Bergerac vibe, with an unrequited love and letters from a dead husband. This is a great story about coming out of the other side of grief. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley for my independent review.

Just finished reading Sea Glass Summer. Miranda Liasson did not disappoint. This is a story of the strength of a woman who wants to create a life for her and her son after the death of her husband. With the help of her strong circle of friends and family they find happiness and love. A great summer read!

I’m not a romance reader, but this one was quirky and fun and the characters were delightful. I felt whisked away to a beautiful beach town filled with supportive fitness and community members bolstering a widowed mother until love could sweep her off her feet. Sea Glass Summer is a marvelous, if predictable, love story.

Sea Glass Summer
by Miranda Liasson
Seashell Harbor
Book 2 of 2: Seashell Harbor
5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Publisher: Forever
Publication date: June 28, 2022
Description:
Kit Blakemore is ready to live again. After her husband died while serving in the military, she was in a haze of grief. Now she wants to reclaim her former self—finish her degree and find a better career to provide for their sweet little boy, Oliver. To do that, she’ll need to sell her late husband’s dilapidated Victorian in Seashell Harbor. But first, Kit intends to give Ollie the kind of unforgettable seaside summer she had growing up, making lifelong memories and friendships. Of course, nothing goes exactly as she planned. Ollie is struggling with his confidence, and frankly, so is Kit. But everything changes when her husband’s best friend, Alex de la Cruz, returns to town, offering to help her renovate. She doesn’t expect Alex to temporarily move in…or for him to bond with Ollie…or for her numb heart to begin thawing. Slowly he’s helping Kit and Ollie heal, and it scares her to death.Kit swore she wouldn’t leave herself open to the pain of loss again. But if she’s going to teach her son to be brave and move forward, Kit must first face her own fears.
🌴🏖🌈 MY REVIEW 🌴🏖🌈
Sea Glass Summer by Miranda Liasson is a story of love, loss, second chances and the story of Kit and Alex two wounded and hurting souls .This is one of those books that kept me up all night to read it. I totally could not put it down. Kit and all of the other great characters come together to create this amazing story in such an amazing town. Right from the start i knew Kit and Alex's story was going to be an emotional story. It was well written with us getting both of thier pov . Both of them had to work through deep emotional issues. I loved every second of the hurdles they overcame, their individual growth and their truly beautiful love story . I couldn't get enough of these characters. I especially loved how Alex took an instant bond to Ollie. That just warmed my heart. More than once I found myself wanting to just hold Ollie and wrap him in a big protective hug. This book totally gives you all the feels. I love how this Author writes, and the fact she always gives you Characters you just love. You just know these two were made for each other and it's so fun to watch as they figure that out, too! The whole story was extremely realistic and made the book a very interesting read. I can't wait for her next book.
*******Disclosure*******
I received a free ARC copy of this book from the author prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review. I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review , just an honest one. So sorry it has took me so long to get your review done.
#JoyceStewartReviews
#bookreviewblogger
#bookrecommendations
#romance
#SeaGlassSummer #NetGalley.

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC!

I really enjoyed this book. A bit predictable but thoroughly relaxing. I loved little Ollie and I’m a sucker for books with rescue animals.

There are two things you can always count on when you pick up a Miranda Liasson story. One, it will have a lot of heart, the kind that brings the reader tears and smiles. Two, it will have a happy ending. Sea Glass Summer, the second in the series, is Kit's story. Kit is a young widow with a young son, Ollie, who is working her way through her grief and reclaiming her life. This summer she wants to boost Ollie's confidence and her own, and give him the kind of summer by the ocean she experienced as a child. She also wants to finally sell the rough around the edges Victorian house her husband inherited.

Enter Alex de la Cruz, her husband's best friend and fellow pilot. A mishap in high school kept him from approaching Kit first and he has had to live with that missed opportunity for years. He's also living with guilt and blames himself for his friend's death. Alex returns to town to help renovate the Victorian and help his friend's widow and his son get on firmer ground. Kit and Alex find that working together helps heal their hearts and move on from their shared loss. Everyone deserves their happily ever after and it doesn't hurt to get a boost.

Sea Glass Summer by Miranda Liasson is the perfect summer love story. Kit is a widowed single mom of an adorable 5-year-old boy who falls for her best friend after losing her husband in combat overseas. Definitely finished the last page with a very happy smile on my face.

Kit is a single mom whose husband died in combat when their son was just a toddler. His best friend Alex return to their hometown to help her restore the old house her husband left her. But he has always loved Kit and strives to hide his feelings from her.

This book got me in the feels. I highlighted so many quotes that spoke to me about life and fear and grief. I already knew that I enjoyed Miranda Liasson's writing, but this book went to a new level. I loved all of the characters and so enjoyed seeing the interactions with Ollie, Kit's 5-year-old. The balance of emotion and comedy was so well done. And I laughed a bunch at lemons and their related puns.

This is a sweet, closed door, beachy romance. It's the Second in the series but stands alone.

Thank you to Forever for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

4.5 stars rounded up

As always, Miranda Liasson delivers. As soon as Sea Glass Summer was available for pre-order, I one-clicked right away. I was ready to read Kit's story based on her interactions with the gaggle of fun and interesting characters we got to meet in Coming Home to Seashell Harbor.

Kit was such a relatable character. She's a parent that is struggling to be both a mom and a dad but not let her son Ollie see those parenting hurdles as she tries to build his confidence. She wants the best for her son and she has a crew of folks to help her along the way...even if she isn't always confident about receiving help.

The widow of a soldier, Kit is also not very confident about the new love brewing with Alex de la Cruz--her husband's best friend. Together, Kit and Alex mend both home and heart. <3 <3 <3 <3

Such a lovely story involving two grieving people-a widower and her deceased husband’s best friend. Kit is trying to finally move on two years after her husband’s death. Alex, her husband’s best friend, walks back into her life determined to fix up a beaten down beach house left to Kit. They clash. They argue. They try to deny their chemistry. They hold to being just friends but destiny says otherwise.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This story felt like a big warm hug. I loved every minute. It was two lost and broken souls uniting in their grief of someone they both loved in different ways and trying to move on with life. Kit feels like her life is starting over, a widower raising a rambunctious five year old. Ollie was an absolute jem, he completely stole my heart. Then we meet Alex, who has come back to the beachside harbor town, to help Kit repair the house that her late husband had purchased. In their shared loss and grief, Kit and Alex can't fight their growing chemistry. This was a beautiful, low angst romance with lots of heart.

As the wife of a retired military spouse reading books with this theme can be a bit emotional. Especially when certain subjects are at the forefront. As always, Miranda Liasson keeps a firm grasp on what she is portraying and how she delivers it.

I found Sea Glass Summer to be ultimately uplifting and inspiring. Giving a voice to grief and the ability to create a new normal. This was beautifully done.

~Tanja

Book 2 of the Seashell Harbor Series is what I have come to expect from Miranda Liasson…a wonderful story filled with wonderful, warm characters that are just the kind of people that I would love to have for friends.

Kit is still grieving the loss of her military husband and trying to stay positive for their little boy, Oliver. When her deceased husband’s best friend, Alex, comes to town and offers to help renovate the house that she needs to sell so that she can move on with her life, she resists his efforts…until she couldn’t resist his charm and construction skills any longer.

Ms. Liasson never disappoints. Her books are warm and wonderful. Sea Glass Summer is no exception. I recommend this book and this series.

A mostly sweet enemy’ish to loves tome. Kit is trying to get her life back on track while adjusting to widowhood. She wants to make the best life she can for Ollie, her adorable, shy little boy. Her goal is to move out of her parents home, go back to college and sell the white elephant of a Victorian she and her husband had planned to fix up together before he lost his life in the military. No one in her orbit treats her like an adult, thinks she can handle life on her own and everyone, I mean everyone infantilizes her. If you can get beyond the fact it seems this was written not in 2022, but back in a time when women were treated like children, couldn’t get a loan or credit card than this is for you. Kits parents are loving, but so condescending it was shocking she stayed as long as she did. And Alex, her husbands best friend who made it home from serving his country when her husband didn’t feels survivors guilt and ignores her to make himself feel better. Yes, they eventually fall in love because this is a HEA romance, but you’ve got to suspend reality, pretend that is isn’t 1950 and that heaven forbid a women say no and mean it to truly enjoy this book. Mostly, cute, but I wonder at what point do authors want to give women at least some authority over their own lives. The wrap up is as would be expected and is sweet, but the road it took to get there wasn’t truly an old school road that needs to be repaved.

What a heartwarming read! I loved getting to know more about Kit after reading the first book in the series. Her loss was absolutely gut-wrenching, and I really was rooting for Kit and sweet Ollie to be happy and successful in life. Enter Alex, a reminder of the past- but maybe the key to the future?

Kit’s husband died while serving in the military. She needs to regroup and decide what to do with her life. She has a little boy, who has a stutter. With the help of friends and family and. with the help of her husband’s best friend, Alex, she is able to rebuild her old home and eventually rebuild her life.

A beautiful story about learning to live again and learning to love again after loss. I loved Alex even in the first book, his grumpy demeanor. Kit is so strong and I love her. Ollie is the best kid. It’s no secret that when there’s a kid involved and seeing love interest bond with that kid, it makes my heart (and ovaries) scream. I’m an absolute sucker for that story line and it didn’t disappoint. This is book 2 in a series, but can be read as a standalone. I liked this book ever better than the first (and the first was great too!) I loved this one so so so much. I’ll never look at 🍋🍋🍋 the same way ❤️.

Thank you NetGalley & Forever publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A beautifully touching story about learning to live and love again- the perfect beach read for this summer. Recently widowed and paralyzed by grief, Kit is raising her young son in her small town childhood home. She yearns to move out from underneath her parents' anxious hovering, get a college degree and MAYBE begin dating again. The only way to accomplish these steps toward independence is to renovate and sell the home she and her deceased military husband had purchased years before.
Along comes her husband's best friend, Alex, whose guilt over the death forces him to compensate by offering his construction services for free. Reluctantly, Kit agrees but quickly finds the warm soul underneath that tough military bearing to be irrististible.
This novel has ALL the feels, I can't recommend it highly enough!