Another heartwarming story by this author. It wasn't quite my favourite but its well written and an easy read. Enjoyable for readers who like Carolyn Brown books.

This was a cute book, and an enjoyable read. It starts out a bit slow, but picks up when you get to know the characters, and you start getting vested in their stories, and their stories start merging together. At its heart, it is a story of found families, when you need them most, and closing the door on those relationships that just aren’t healthy. If you are looking for a pleasant story that you don’t have to think about too much, this might be good for you!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley; all opinions are my own.

A storm is brewing. I am not sure if it is the author or me. I put the book down. Typical Carolyn Brown story. Boring.

DNF at 13%

I personally found the the book slow moving. There were also a lot of characters to keep tracker off.

Thank you to NetGalley for the copy for my honest feedback

The Sandcastle Hurricane was such a sweet book that brought out all my emotions.

Carolyn Brown delivered a multi layered story, with an eclectic group of characters.
They are all very different people, different ages, backgrounds and life experiences, but they will come together, helping each other while they wait for the hurricane to pass.

I was so glad to go on this journey with them, I had the pleasure to see them change and grow up.

If you like heartwarming stories you really need to read this novel, and to keep this author on your radar.

Another heartwarming story by this author. It wasn't quite my favourite but its well written and an easy read. Enjoyable for readers who like Carolyn Brown books.
Thanks!

When their aunt decides to retire and move from Sandcastle, Texas, she turns over the running of her B&B to her nieces, Tabby and Ellie Mae. The cousins are both dealing with tragic things and need a change in their lives. Shortly after arriving, a Hurricane Delilah rolls in and changes their lives, for the better. Four seniors from the senior home have nowhere to go to ride out the hurricane so move into the B&B, and Alex, a local handyman Alex LaSalle, also stays to ride out the storm. When the storm passes, there is a lot of destruction, including the total loss of Alex's house and boat as well as the senior home. They all need to stay for a bit longer and with the help of Alex's business partner, Ricky Benoit, they begin to repair the damage to the buildings and to Tabby's and Ellie Mae's hearts.

This was another heartwarming Carolyn Brown story. It is a story about family - both blood and found, friendship, grief, reconciliation, multi-generational friendship, new beginnings and personal growth. I loved the characters in this book, at least the ones living at the B&B. Tabby and Ellie Mae are dealing with heartache, both have recently lost someone and are dealing with grief and guilt. They always loved spending time with their great Aunt Charlotte and were thrilled that she wanted them to run her B&B. They were willing to help others, were open to suggestions, cared about people and were fun as well. The four seniors consist of Chloe and Maude who are constantly sniping at each other, and Homer and Frank who had served in Vietnam together, and then been business partners. The asides between Maude and Chloe had me laughing out loud, while Frank and Homer are the voices of reason. They were a hoot and I loved them, even if there were times I'm sure they would have aggravated me with the bickering. Finally, Alex and Ricky, two very different but calming influences who were able to sooth the souls of Tabby and Ellie Mae. The unlikable characters were their parents. They were demanding, belittling and had not idea what made their children tick. Families that I am glad I was not a part of. The family that developed within the walls of the Sandcastle B&B is the one that loved, cherished and nurtured each other. Sandcastle Hurricane is a story of finding yourself, dealing with grief, self-forgiveness, reconciliation, romance and family - especially learning to let your children live their own lives, not living the life you planned for them.

Sandcastle Hurricane

by Carolyn Brown

Two adult cousins, Tabby and Ellie Mae, with dysfunctional family backgrounds are reunited when their Aunt Charlotte decides to retire from the B&B she owns in the little beach town of Sandcastle, TX. Although she has moved away from hurricane country to snow country, she is a constant source of encouragement and advice to her nieces through phone calls and statements sprinkled throughout the book as the cousins can almost hear her talking.

Tabby and Ellie Mae have only been at the B&B for a few weeks when they find themselves boarding up windows in response to warnings of Hurricane Delilah. Aunt Charlotte arranges for her friend Alex to help them as he always helped her and for the trio to take in four residents from an assisted living center who have no family.

The story is very character driven as we learn the backgrounds of all of them and how life’s events have affected them. Tabby and Ellie Mae are both battling grief. Neither has a positive relationship with their families for good reason. The four elderly characters are a study in contrasts. The author shows how it is possible to change, grow, and stand up to overwhelming problems. Although humor is not a mainstay of this book, there are amusing situations and dialogue that lighten the tone of some serious issues and confrontations.

There are romantic scenarios for Tabby and Ellie Mae. The events at the end of the book lead to good things for the characters even though they would not have planned the turns that happen in their journey. Sandcastle Hurricane is about people struggling to do their best, misunderstandings, and family. It deals with the problems that can accompany mixed race marriages and their offspring as well as the joys of color-blind friendships.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 4/5

Category: General Fiction, Romance

Notes: Contains about a dozen instances of mild swearing

Publication: November 8, 2022—Montlake

Memorable Lines:

Why can’t my dad and his brother get along like Homer and Frank? Ellie Mae bit back a sigh. Because they never had to go through tough times together. That builds character and teaches people to depend on each other, Aunt Charlotte whispered softly in her ear.

A woman who has lost her husband is called a widow. Children who lose their parents are orphans.. But there is no word for mothers who lose children, because the grief is too hard to put a name on it.

“We just have to believe what is happening now is for a good reason, and what brought us to this day has shaped us into the people we are.”

Cousins Tabby and Ellie Mae are running their aunt’s beachfront bed-and-breakfast in Sandcastle, Texas. Their lives spin out of control when a hurricane barrels into the coastline, and a small eclectic group of local folks take shelter with them.
I really wanted to like this story, but it didn’t hold my interest. There was really no excitement, just seemed like a lot of talking. This is the first book I read from this author, and it just wasn’t for me. Fans of this author should try this one, though. Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

Second chances, dysfunctional families and replacing them with friends that become family are what this book is all about. Cousins Tabby and Ellie Mae are bequethed the family B&B at a very low point in their lives. Who would have thought that a hurricane would bring joy into the lives of the two cousins, four displaced seniors and two men who are looking for someone to share their lives with. The author successfully develops the characters to make them real and the situation she creates makes an engaging story.

I read an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

This book had me from the beautiful book cover. I know they say to never judge, but I did!

I wasn't disappointed. This book was really well written. The autho draws you in from the beginning. I loved that feeling of not wanting to put the book down. That feeling comes few and far between now.

A really great read!

I was lucky to receive an advance copy of The Sandcastle Hurricane by Carolyn Brown from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I was drawn to this book by the beautiful cover and couldn't wait to read it. Carolyn Brown has a writing style that makes you just want to be friends with the characters in this book. I loved it! I truly was unable to put this book down. I think I had a book hangover after this one as it took me a bit of time before I felt like reading anything else. I hope to read many more by her.

I loved reading about cousins Tabby and Ellie Mae as they prepare to open up the Sandcastle B&B. And when they take in four quirky senior citizens from an assisted living center, the hurricane isn’t the only thing that causes chaos. Between sisters Chloe and Maude and their constant bickering, best friends Frank and Homer, and the fixer-uppers dudes, Alex and Ricky, you have a recipe for adversity. This story will have you chuckling, shedding a tear or two, and cheering some of the characters on as they discover a strength they didn’t know they possessed. The way these characters touch each other’s lives, encourage healing and burying past hurts, and being there to support each other will put a smile on your face and tug at your heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

A perfect beach read. Tabby and Ellie love a challenge. They may have met their match when a hurricane strands a variety of local in their bed and breakfast . Sandcastle ,Texas is a chance to start a new chapter. Two local handymen have started to turn their affections on the women and they are more than open to the thought. If it wasn’t for the hurricane. Tabby and Ellie open their doors to those misplaced by the storm. The residents seek shelter but bring their squabbles and troubles inside as well. It’s a wonderful look at life in its purest form, helping each other in trouble.

Tabby and Elle Mae have moved to Sandcastle Texas to run their grandmother's B&B. They have been there for a month when Hurricane Delilah is predicted to hit. Grandma calls from Montana to tell them she has invited 4 folks from the local nursing home to take safe harbor at the inn and her neighbor Alex will be staying to help with cooking and keeping the generator running. This is a fun read as the sisters adjust to their first "guests". I love the interaction between the generations and it's nice to see how the guest help out and all learn to rely on each other.

This is a story of 2 cousins: Ellie and Tabby needed a change in their life decided to manage the family Bed & Breakfast which they inherited from their Great Aunt Charlotte. A hurricane was about to hit them and Aunt Charlotte requesting them to take in 4 elderly guests; Maude, Chloe, Frank and Homer. The story thereafter continue with what the days together as they wait out the hurricane.

This story is about love, second chances and families. in This book come as a surprise for me as there are multiple layer within the story. I feel heartbreaking especially for Ellie and Tabby when their story was revealed.The storyline is very well written and is full of laughters and tears as they learn to coexist with each other and romance blooms too!

*review post scheduled to be posted on 19/3/23*

Another great book by Carolyn Brown. She has the ability to pit you right there in the middle of the conversation as if you were hearing it for yourself. As always she has some fun characters that can really get sassy. They do have some depth of character and acceptance along the way but done nicely. I was provided Advanced Reader e book but was under no obligation to provide a review. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. Read and enjoy!

Thank you for the ARC! It’s an interesting read about two cousins who were gifted an b&b by their aunt but then a hurricane strikes. I don’t live in an area where hurricanes happened so it was all new to me. However, I did enjoy reading the book.

As usual, Carolyn Brown's characters and story in the Sandcastle Hurricane are full of sass and smiles .
A hurricane is coming to Sandcastle, and cousins Ellie Mae and Tabby find themselves not only caring for their Aunt Charlotte's beach house b&b but a mixed group of residents from the local assisted living center. With the help of past love, Alex LaSalle, the group works together and shares life-lessons, romance, reconciliation, and friendship that spans generations, leaving readers smiling at the end of this book.
I have read several of Carolyn Brown's books, and this is in my top five. I loved the characters and their camaraderie, and it is hard to beat the beauty and majesty of a beach setting, even with the ferocity of a hurricane. This is a fun read that doesn't require too much deep thinking, but it does make the reader think about what things are truly important: relationships, forgiveness, and hope.

I seriously don't think Carolyn Brown can write a bad book. She is one of my favorite authors and I have read every book this woman has wrote!! This is another book you are hooked from page one and you can't put it down until you finish it. Her characters are always so relatable and she always makes you feel like they are your friends and part of the town. I can't recommend this book enough!

Thanks NetGalley and Montlake for allowing me to read this ARC.