Mary Alice Monroe, where have you been all my life? Why have I not read your books before?
Somehow, after all these years of reading, I had never read a book by Mary Alice Monroe. During the pandemic, I stumbled upon a new Facebook page sponsored by a group of five women writers including Mary Alice (more about that on another blog post). That’s when I learned about her newest novel, On Ocean Boulevard, and wanted to read it. But . . . it was part of a well-loved series, The Beach House series, so I had to start at the beginning.
Last week while on vacation on Sanibel Island (my happy place), I read book one, The Beach House. Wow. I loved this book. Many of you are probably laughing at me because this book was even made into a Hallmark movie starring Andi McDowell. Again, how have I missed all that?!
I want to say this author knows how to craft a story! Of course I read for enjoyment, but as a writer myself, I also pay attention to point of view, dialogue, how characters are introduced, how new conflicts are added, and so on. I was impressed by her skill. The story flowed perfectly and kept my interest the whole way through. I will certainly read the rest of this series and other books she’s written. Â
The Beach House takes place on the Isle of Palms. Olivia Rutledge (Lovie to her friends) knows her time is short and has asked her 40-year-old daughter Cara to come visit her. Having been kicked out of the house at age eighteen by her father, Cara has had to work for everything on her own and has isolated herself from the family. Now that her father is gone, she decides to accept her mother’s invitation, especially since her life in Chicago has recently fallen apart. When she arrives, she discovers her brother inherited the Charleston house from their father, her mother has moved to the beach house full time, and pregnant eighteen-year-old Toy lives with her mother as a companion and helper.
While at the beach house, Cara learns to appreciate her mother. Being able to see her mother through her own 40-year-old lens rather than the lens of a teenager, she learns why her mother made certain choices in an unhappy marriage. Cara is also able to better appreciate the importance of the beach house and the Turtle Team of which her mother is a founding member. Cara and Olivia are able to create a stronger mother-daughter bond after years of damage, hurt and misunderstandings. Cara also begins a relationship with a new man while on the island, a summer fling she tells herself.
I truly loved this book. Mary Alice is a master storyteller, knowing exactly when to introduce a new plot twist, character, or conflict. If you like a good beach read, you will love the story, the setting and the turtle rescues that go with it! What a great series to use to escape for awhile!
In case you’re interested, Mary Alice suggests the series should be read in this order: The Beach House, Swimming Lessons, Beach House Memories, Beach House for Rent, Beach House Reunion, and the newest addition, On Ocean Boulevard. Let me know if you’ve read and enjoyed any of Mary Alice’s books and what you thought, or if you want to read one of her books. Enjoy the warm summer days and a good beach read!
