I really wanted to like this book as it falls in my favorite genres of romance and suspense. However, it fell flat to me because it was too far fetched and a bit slow. I give it 3/5 stars. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I love a good escape novel and Brenda Novak does them so well. This is a spectacular book to cozy up with with when you want a touch of small town romance!

A good romance suspense story with secrets coming into view of a 20 year mystery. Found it difficult to engage with the characters, so it was hard to stay interested reading. An entertaining and good read for Ms Novak's many fans, just not a favorite for me.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book

Cam, Ivy, and Ariana were close friends as kids. The three of them kept a horrible secret that 20 years later still haunted them. When truths come to light, it looks awful for them, proving secrets and lies always fester. The book started out a little slow for me but picked up quickly and I really enjoyed it.

Brenda Novak is an automatic read for me. I love her books and this was no exception. From the title I expected this to be a light summer beach read but it turns out it was a lot more. Romance of course with a twist of an old murder that comes to light when a body is discovered. Great read.

Three musketeers. That’s the image I conjured up when getting acquainted with Ariana, Ivy, and Cam. Three adults that had been brought up on Mariners a small beach community, were good close friends all through high school. Mariners was the place families go for beachfront vacations. Tourists come and go but THE SEASIDE LIBRARY is constructed around those who live there year-round. Now as adults each has carved out a life for themselves, and in fact they’re not even close any more. Ariana is in NY with an important job. Cam is a successful architect. And Ivy is the owner, manager and conservator of the local library left to her by her grandmother.
Now with Ariana back in Mariners it is obvious that the three of them are going to come face to face with their pasts. Little hints about that past, vintage Brenda Novak, which seems to involve some tragic event. A body just discovered after being missing for the last twenty years. And somehow the three friends are linked to that young girl.
All three admit that they have been lugging around baggage of what had happened the night that Emily disappeared. The girls had acted as Cam’s alibi. In their hearts they knew Cam incapable of doing anything to Emily, but even after all these years there’s a niggle of doubt. Doubt that they had done the right moral thing in banding together. But really no doubt that any of them had done anything sinister resulting in her disappearance. Emily was thought to have been a victim of a kidnapping.
Now as adults they seem to have come home to roost as they say. The investigation has been reopened. There is a private investigator snooping around. All three are candidly uncomfortable with the newest development in what had been for so many years just an anxiety mostly hidden in their subconscious.
If you want to watch this brilliant author at her very best than search out THE SEASIDE LIBRARY as your next must read. It is that good a page turner as facts and suspicions unravels at a fast pace keeping the amateur armchair detective on the edge of his seat. If you were expecting a simple seaside reunion with a dash of romance, then you haven’t met Brenda Novak.
I must admit that I read THE SEASIDE LIBRARY twice before actually putting pen to paper and writing the review. This is quite normal for me with most anything written by Brenda Novak. Her books get dog eared and THE SEASIDE LIBRARY is no exception. Fans of Brenda Novak will agree THE SEASIDE LIBRARY earns a five-star review.

Romance…intrigue…friendship…mystery and intrigue…likable characters who come alive on the pages of this novel. A talented author who weaves a cannot put down story. This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. I liked this book. I enjoy this author. I look forward to more from this author. A quick fun read…Curl up in a cozy chair with a cup of steaming herbal tea…escape for awhile.

The cover of this book would lead readers to believe they are picking up a little romance novel, in truth, this story is much darker. Twenty years ago, the lives of three friends, Cam, Ariana and Ivy were forever changed when Cam was accused of kidnapping a girl that had gone missing. Determined to protect Cam, Ariana and Ivy gave him a false alibi, believing their friend would never hurt anyone. Now the three old friends have reunited at the local library where Ivy works. Another girl has gone missing and Ivy and Ariana are forced to question the choices they made all those years ago. Could Cam be guilty of something truly awful?