Helpful Score: 6
I was a little sceptical but needed a break from my suspense thrillers and picked it up. It ended up being one that I'd wished was longer!
Helpful Score: 5
If you have heard the old cliche that you can never go home again, this story proves that sometimes you can. Caretta Rutledge and her mother never saw eye to eye and she left home at age 18. At the age of 40 she loses her job. Her mom writes her a letter asking her to come home for a visit to the family beach house in South Carolina. While there she and her mom begin getting to know each other. Can people change? A very emotional story that you have to read!!! Awewome!!!
Helpful Score: 4
Very enjoyable book. This is not my normal genre of books, but the story line was very intriguing. It was definately worth it to branch out to this type of novel. It was very moving and reminded me that situations aren't always what they appear to be. We can never take things at face value.
I highly recommend this book, to mothers and daughters alike.
I highly recommend this book, to mothers and daughters alike.
Helpful Score: 3
EXCELLENT!!!
After reading Monroe's The Four Season's & The Beach House, I'm hooked!
After reading Monroe's The Four Season's & The Beach House, I'm hooked!
Helpful Score: 2
This is one of my favorite books by Mary Alice Monroe. A mother-daughter relationship renewed in the SC Lowcountry. . the beach . . sea-turtles and relationships old and new. A great story.
Helpful Score: 2
This was the first book that I have read by this author. Really enjoyed it and added her to my favorite authors list!
Helpful Score: 2
One of the BEST books I have ever read!!! I adore the way Mary Alice Monroe brings not only her characters but the scenery in her stories to life! This story made me wish I lived at The Beach House with Lovie and her daughter and the turtles! :)
Helpful Score: 2
Great book. I liked Sweetgrass a little more, but I still enjoyed this one. I love how Ms. Monroe always picks some species that is becoming endangered to focus her books on.
Helpful Score: 2
This was such a wonderful book about finding your way back home. I cried in the end as I knew I would.
Helpful Score: 2
Nice, heartwarming story, but a bit contrived and the symbolism with the loggerheads made me think Monroe was trying too hard to warrant a comparison to Pat Conroy. It took me more than 100 pages to really get into this story, but I stuck with it because it was recommended and, ultimately, I'm glad I did. Cara, the lead character, bothered me, but when her attitude begins to change (and a man enters her life), I really got into it.
Helpful Score: 1
If you like the low country, the beach and nature this is a great read.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a good one, they probably should of made a lifetime movie of this one!
Helpful Score: 1
This is my first time reading Mary Alice Monroe's work and I love it.
A story of mother-daughter relationships and how sometimes it takes a lot of work to restore those that have been broken. Carreta Rutledge has been asked to come back to the beach house owned by her mother to spend some time with her mother. While she has many happy memories of summers spent there, the intervening years have strained her relationship with her mother. But now Carreta is at loose ends, she's lost her high-powered job in Chicago, her boyfriend has seemingly double-crossed her and she's just plain mad!! So she heads to the beach of South Carolina and the one place she always loved...perfect except for the prospect of having to spend time with her mother, who she has not been on the best of terms with for the last several years.
The summer grows on her, as she tends to the loggerhead turtles who have come home to nest, re-establishes an old love-affair and comes to terms with her mother and brother.
A warm and caring book that makes you feel good when you've finished it, because you know relationships can be restored with love and hard work.
A story of mother-daughter relationships and how sometimes it takes a lot of work to restore those that have been broken. Carreta Rutledge has been asked to come back to the beach house owned by her mother to spend some time with her mother. While she has many happy memories of summers spent there, the intervening years have strained her relationship with her mother. But now Carreta is at loose ends, she's lost her high-powered job in Chicago, her boyfriend has seemingly double-crossed her and she's just plain mad!! So she heads to the beach of South Carolina and the one place she always loved...perfect except for the prospect of having to spend time with her mother, who she has not been on the best of terms with for the last several years.
The summer grows on her, as she tends to the loggerhead turtles who have come home to nest, re-establishes an old love-affair and comes to terms with her mother and brother.
A warm and caring book that makes you feel good when you've finished it, because you know relationships can be restored with love and hard work.
Helpful Score: 1
A VERY TOUCHING STORY
Helpful Score: 1
This is a heart warming mother daughter tail. When mom asked her to come home to the Beach House after a 22 year absence daughter Cara can't refuse. This is a real emotional book about mother daughter relationships that have been torn apart and need to be mended before it's to late. There is a love story also in this but the mother, daughter relationship is the main part of the story. I would highly recommend reading this book. It does not contain any graphic sex.
Helpful Score: 1
Great summer read. I actually read this while at the beach - engrossing.
Helpful Score: 1
What a wonderful book! Mary Alice Monroe never fails to write a moving, richly warm story. This story is about the relationship between mothers and daughters and family ties and how it doesn't necessarily involve "blood" to be a family. The running theme of the sea turtles is extraordinary!
Helpful Score: 1
Wonderful book and the author does a fabulous job describing the beach and water. I wanted the book to go on without ending.
Helpful Score: 1
A story of the Lowcountry, sea turtles and the fragile, but endearing bond between mothers and daughters. What more could you ask for!?
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book! It was such a good story and a very fast read. Makes me want to read her other books.
Helpful Score: 1
An absolutely wonderful book! For the type of book it was, I really expected it to be predictable, but it really wasn't. I loved the strong female lead character. I loved the fact that she didn't fall in love and submit to the man early and predictably. She is truly a "modern woman". I think the characters were well done and not overboard for what they were. It was really a very plausible story. I highly recommend this!
Helpful Score: 1
This book was wonderful. It's about an adult woman who reconnects with her mother in the scenic lowcountry. If you like animals, you will also learn a lot about beach turtles in this story about love, friends and finding your way home.
Helpful Score: 1
Can the feelings bewteen mother and daughter be recaptured? Caretta Rutledge finds the answers as she heads back to her childhood home from her hustle and bustle life in Chicago. Romance blooms and fences are mended before it is too late. A great and easy read!
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book and am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Helpful Score: 1
An unforgetting novel about finding your way home
Heartwarming
Definitely a heart to heart read. Enjoyed greatly.
Wonderful book for the beach. Cara and her mother do not get along. After she loses her job at work she decides to go for a visit that will change her life. It was very hard to put down and I loved all the information about the turtles, too.
enjoyed this book
This book was awesome I laughed, cried and really enjoyed the book want to read more by this author..
This book is so well written. I discovered Mary Alice Monroe when I read "Time is a River". I absolutely could not put it down so I immediately tried to gather up all of her previous books. I've now read all but 2 of her books and she just came out with a new one this week.
The Beach House is set in Charleston SC and incorporates the story of the Leatherback Turtles that return to the coast each year to lay their eggs. You'll definitely enjoy this book.
The Beach House is set in Charleston SC and incorporates the story of the Leatherback Turtles that return to the coast each year to lay their eggs. You'll definitely enjoy this book.
I love anything that takes place near the beach.
Mary Alice Monroe has become one of my favorite authors.
Mary Alice Monroe has become one of my favorite authors.
a little too "tear jerker" for my tastes
Really good read. I enjoyed it completely. Especially it being located at the beach.
Had never heard of the author when I read this book. Thought it was great and it made me want to read other books she has written.
This was a bit of a slow start and a pretty predictable ending, but I did really enjoy the story. Cara comes home to find that her mother is sick and she spends the summer at the beach with her. They both learn about each other and it helps to heal their realtionship.
I loved reading about the turtles, that was an excellant side story in the book.
Great summer read.
I loved reading about the turtles, that was an excellant side story in the book.
Great summer read.
Caretta Rutlege had thought that by moving to Chicago at age eighteen, she had effectively left her Southern roots and troubled family far behind her. Over the past two decades, Cara had created a comfortable life for herself, as well as a successful career that kept her busy. The status of polite truce that currently exists between herself and her mother has worked well for them both - and she sees no reason why that should change.
But an unusual request from her mother - coming just as her own life is spinning out of control - has Cara questioning the years of self-imposed estrangement. So now, she is heading back to the Isle of Palms - back to the scenic Lowcountry of her childhood summers. Before long, the rhythms of the island open her heart in wonderful ways as she repairs the family beach house, becomes a bona fide "turtle lady" and renews old acquaintances long thought lost. But it is in reconnecting with her mother that she will learn life's most precious lessons - true love involves sacrifice, family is forever, and the mistakes of the past can be forgiven.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a very well-written story, with an engaging plot and sympathetic characters. In my opinion, my reading pace was slower with this book - much slower than with some books that I've read recently.
It certainly had nothing to do with this particular book, overall the story was still very interesting - I just think that I was slightly distracted while reading. I give this book a definite A! and will certainly be reading more from this author in the future.
I've read two previous books by different authors relatively recently - both dealing with sea turtles as an element of the plots. Some readers may find learning so much about sea turtles very informative, but for me, I may have just learned too much, too fast. As a result, I went into 'Sea Turtle Information Overload'!
But an unusual request from her mother - coming just as her own life is spinning out of control - has Cara questioning the years of self-imposed estrangement. So now, she is heading back to the Isle of Palms - back to the scenic Lowcountry of her childhood summers. Before long, the rhythms of the island open her heart in wonderful ways as she repairs the family beach house, becomes a bona fide "turtle lady" and renews old acquaintances long thought lost. But it is in reconnecting with her mother that she will learn life's most precious lessons - true love involves sacrifice, family is forever, and the mistakes of the past can be forgiven.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a very well-written story, with an engaging plot and sympathetic characters. In my opinion, my reading pace was slower with this book - much slower than with some books that I've read recently.
It certainly had nothing to do with this particular book, overall the story was still very interesting - I just think that I was slightly distracted while reading. I give this book a definite A! and will certainly be reading more from this author in the future.
I've read two previous books by different authors relatively recently - both dealing with sea turtles as an element of the plots. Some readers may find learning so much about sea turtles very informative, but for me, I may have just learned too much, too fast. As a result, I went into 'Sea Turtle Information Overload'!
Rating 4 out of 5 stars. I'll grab any book with a beach in the story and give it a whirl. In this story, Cara returns to her home in the lowcountry where she learns to be a "turtle lady" and mends her relationship with her estranged Mother and renews old acquaintances. The author uses the rhythm of the turtles life as a symbol of the rhythm or changes in our lifes. This was a very interesting story for me.
A very nice beach story. High pressure job behind her, Cara returns home for the summer to the beach. Her mother is the turtle lady overseeing nests of loggerhead turtle eggs over the summer.Family issues unsolved her whole life become clear, plus there's a cute guy!
loved this book
Absolutely a wonderful book ! Worth reading
Another series by Mary Alice Monroe that does not disappoint. I love her style and I love how she integrates the turtle facts into her story. I really want to go find some nests and help the loggerheads out. I did not realize it was such an issue and the story brought that to my attention. Love these stories!
Enjoyable.
This book was a pleasant surprise, I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. A great story set in South Carolina, about going back to your roots, and the unbreakable bonds between a mother and daughter. Also contains some interesting information on loggerhead sea turtles. I really enjoyed it.
Outstanding book.
This is a fabulous book! Set at a southern lowcountry beach house. Mother and daughter reunion.
Great book -- hope you enjoy it also!
Great Story even though it took a long time to read.
This is a really great book and really makes you want to visit the south.
This books explorest he fragile yet enduring bond between mothers and daughters. Caretta Ruthledge learn that life's most precious lessons, are true love involves sacrifice, family is forever and the mistakes of the past can be forgiven.
One of Andrews best!
Loved the book.....it's the first I've read by this author.....her writing reminds me of Elin Hildebrand and I LOVE her books!!
Wonderful, wonderful book! I haven't met a Mary Alice Monroe book that I didn't like! LOL
O love this book. I like the story of the Loggerheads Turtle and the way those ladies take care of them. The relationship between Cara and Lovie is so realistic.
Monroe has a talent to describe the scenery..I just want to go to Palm Island now.
Monroe has a talent to describe the scenery..I just want to go to Palm Island now.
A wonderful book about the lowcountry in South Carolina. It is a beautiful story that explores the fragile yet enduring bond between mothers and daughters.
Caretta Rutledge thought she'd left her southern roots and troubled family far behind. But an unusual request from her mother-coming just as her own life is spinning out of control-has Cara heading back to the scenic lowcountry of her childhood summers.
From Publishers Weekly
After losing her high-powered advertising job in Chicago, Caretta Rutledge grudgingly returns to her low-country roots at her mother's behest. Cara has long resented her mother, who focused her maternal efforts more on looking after the annual loggerhead turtle spawn than on protecting herself and her children from their abusive father. But when Cara learns that her mother is ill, she must lay her bitterness aside and try to make amends. Cara starts by restoring her mother's small beach house and joining the same turtle brigade she resented while growing up. In the process, she reconnects with an old friend and finds love in the arms of a local boat owner and naturalist.
After losing her high-powered advertising job in Chicago, Caretta Rutledge grudgingly returns to her low-country roots at her mother's behest. Cara has long resented her mother, who focused her maternal efforts more on looking after the annual loggerhead turtle spawn than on protecting herself and her children from their abusive father. But when Cara learns that her mother is ill, she must lay her bitterness aside and try to make amends. Cara starts by restoring her mother's small beach house and joining the same turtle brigade she resented while growing up. In the process, she reconnects with an old friend and finds love in the arms of a local boat owner and naturalist.
This was a fun read. I really enjoyed it.
a story that explores the fragile yet enduring bond between mothers and daughters. Caretta Rutledge thought she'd left her Southern roots and troubled family far behind. But an unusual request from her mother, coming just as her own life is spinning out of control, has Cara heading back to the scenic lowcountry of her childhood summers. Before long, the rythums of the island open her heart in wonderful ways as she repairs the family beach house, becomes a bona fide "turtle lady" and renews old acquaintences long thought lost. But it is in reconnecting with her mother that she will learn life's most precious lessons, true love involves sacrifice, family is forever and the mistakes of the past can be forgiven. ...
I loved the characters and the story I was sad when I got to the end of the book!
Lowcountry tale about the estrangement of a mother and daughter. Cara returns to the south of her childhood by a unusual request from her mother.
Caretta thought she'd left her Southern roots and troubled family far behind. An unusual request from her mom-coming just as her own life is spinning out of control-has Cara heading back to Lowcountryo of her childhood summers. Before long, the island opens her heart in wonderful ways as she repairs the family beach house, and she becomes a "turtle lady" and renews old acquaintances long thought lost.But it is in reconnecting with her mother that she will learn life's most precious lessons-true love involves sacrifice, family is forever and the mistakes of the past can be forgiven.
Caretta Rutledge thought she'd left her Southern roots and troubled family far behind. But an unusual request from her mother coming just as her own life is spinning out of control has Cara heading back to the scenic Lowcountry of her childhood summers. Before long, the rhythms of the island open her heart in wornderful ways as she repairs the family beach house, becomes a bona fide, "turtle lady" and renews old acquaintances long thought lost. But it is in reconnecting with her mother that she will learn life's motst precious lessons true love involves sacrifice, family is forever and the mistakes of the past can be forgiven.
From the back of the book:
"Known for her moving characters and emotional honesty, Mary Alice Monroe brings readers a beautifully rendered story that explores the fragile yet enduring bond between mothers and daughters.
Caretta Rutledge thought she'd left her Southern roots and troubled family far behind. But an unusual request from her mother--coming just as her own life is spinning out of control--has Cara heading back to the scenic Lowcountry of her childhood summers. Before long, the rhythms of the island open her heart in wonderful ways as she repairs the family beach house, becomes a bona fide 'Turtle lady' and renews old acquaintances long thought lost. But it is in reconnecting with her mother that she will learn life's most precious lessons--true love involves sacrifice, family is forever and mistakes of the past can be forgiven."
"Known for her moving characters and emotional honesty, Mary Alice Monroe brings readers a beautifully rendered story that explores the fragile yet enduring bond between mothers and daughters.
Caretta Rutledge thought she'd left her Southern roots and troubled family far behind. But an unusual request from her mother--coming just as her own life is spinning out of control--has Cara heading back to the scenic Lowcountry of her childhood summers. Before long, the rhythms of the island open her heart in wonderful ways as she repairs the family beach house, becomes a bona fide 'Turtle lady' and renews old acquaintances long thought lost. But it is in reconnecting with her mother that she will learn life's most precious lessons--true love involves sacrifice, family is forever and mistakes of the past can be forgiven."
