Starred review from May 15, 2017
Despite pressure from her brother, Palmer, Cara Rutledge refuses to sell Primrose, the 85-year-old cottage on Isle of Palms, SC. Palmer does come up with a tenant for the entire summer. Heather Wyatt is an accomplished illustrator with a commission to paint shorebirds for postage stamps. She arrives at the house with her three canaries and a well-hidden problem: she suffers from extreme social anxiety that often leads to panic attacks. While building a deck at Primrose, Bo Stanton senses Heather's shyness and is able to draw her out. They're making progress when Cara is dealt a tragic blow, losing the love of her life. She wants to return to the beach house to heal, but Heather is unwilling to give it up. Instead, she offers Cara a solution that could help them both--why not share the beach house for the rest of the summer? Monroe (The Beach House) continues her series featuring women who return to Primrose for comfort, healing, and strength. However, the books can stand alone. VERDICT Readers interested in environmental fiction highlighting endangered birds, turtles, and lands will delight in this latest novel featuring women who need the healing power of nature. Recommended for fans of Dorothea Benton Frank and beach fiction.--Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN
Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
June 1, 2017
Cara Rutledge's beach house in the low country of South Carolina has always been a peaceful refuge. The old house is a labor of love, fixed up to be in prime shape for the summer rental season. This year's inhabitant is Heather Wyatt, a shy artist hoping to regain a sense of independence while she paints the coastal shorebirds. Calm, confident Cara and skittish Heather couldn't be more different, until a sudden tragedy shakes Cara to her core. Heather offers to let Cara move back into the beach house for the rest of the summer, and the new roommates lean on each other while accessing strengths they never knew they had. Monroe's newest installation in her Beach House series also serves as a stand-alone novel, but faithful readers will recognize her ability to blend uniquely human stories with pressing environmental issues. Fans of Mary Kay Andrews and Mary Simses will adore this novel of simple pleasures, shifting priorities, and the power of self-discovery. Tender and inspiring with a touch of romance, it's just the thing to fill an empty beach bag.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)