Helpful Score: 2
This was one of my favorites of the series. What a happy book- but also such a tearjerker! You will need to read books 1-6 to understand this one- but they are well worth the read!
Helpful Score: 1
A good summer read for the beach or the backyard.
Helpful Score: 1
Another excellent book by Sherryl Woods. A little different subject matter than usual for her but very well done.
Loved the whole series of Chesapeake Shores - excellent reads!
A breezy romance that flows easily to a predicatable ending. It's exactly right for a light read that leaves you feeling upbeat without the emotional roller coaster ride that some books take you through.
My favorite of the series. I read it first and it made me want to go back and read the others. It wasn't necessary to read this on in order, but I think it is best to read 1-6 in order.
This was a very good book. It is the story of Susie and Mack and the ins and outs of their relationship and what it really means to them both. There are many tear jerking moments if you like those kinds of stories (which I do). If you like Sherryl Woods I'm sure you'll love this one too.
Sherryl Woods has another hit of course. I just love the way she brings her characters to life. I can't wait to read the next book.
great book one of my favorite authors I have never read a book by her that wasn't great
New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods returns to Chesapeake Shores with a heartfelt story about the healing power of love.
In the close-knit community of Chesapeake Shores, Maryland, Susie OBrien and Mack Franklins not dating claim befuddles everyone, especially since the two spend every spare minute together. Susies thrilled when their friendship finally heats up. Then, just when happily-ever-after seems within reach, Mack loses the job he loves and Susie faces a devastating diagnosis.
But OBriens always unite in a crisis. Even her cousin Jess, Susies rival for most of their lives, becomes her staunchest supporterespecially when Macks former lover comes to town. The stakes are higher than ever before, but Susies definitely up to the challenge...as long as Macks right there by her side.
In the close-knit community of Chesapeake Shores, Maryland, Susie OBrien and Mack Franklins not dating claim befuddles everyone, especially since the two spend every spare minute together. Susies thrilled when their friendship finally heats up. Then, just when happily-ever-after seems within reach, Mack loses the job he loves and Susie faces a devastating diagnosis.
But OBriens always unite in a crisis. Even her cousin Jess, Susies rival for most of their lives, becomes her staunchest supporterespecially when Macks former lover comes to town. The stakes are higher than ever before, but Susies definitely up to the challenge...as long as Macks right there by her side.
Stephanie G. (thestephanieloves) reviewed Beach Lane (Chesapeake Shores, Bk 7) on + 241 more book reviews
Mack and Susie share a solid, ever-loyal love that everyoneexcept for Mack and Susie themselvesseems to recognize. The onset and eventual defeat of an illness tests this exquisite bond, which exposes its rawest of vulnerabilities, yet at the same time, illuminates upon its unshakable strength. The entire town of Chesapeake Shores will stand by both their sides during the difficult period; many will questionwhile others will emphasizethe importance of faith and God's will. But when it comes down to things, what matters is that Mack and Susie fit perfectlyalways have, always will. And that alone, they know, will get them through it all.
Beach Lane is highly emotional rather than romantic. There's lots of future-planning and emphasis on family matters... reading this book was like watching a short Hallmark movie. It's a quick, enjoyable read with lots of depth within the characters and honest, well-portrayed emotions. Overall, it's chaste and sweethardly a romance, and more a family novel.
There's a cast of marvelous, strong secondary characters, which indicates they were or will be fantastic foundations for their own stories in past and upcoming books in the series. Although Beach Lane is the seventh Woods novel to take place in Chesapeake Shores, it serves fine as a standalone novel; I hadn't read any of the previous installments, and still had no problem keeping up. You can tell with how involved all the characters are with each other, that they each have their own backstories and own lives and loves, which is what makes the intricacy of such interpersonal relationshipsand in just one small town, at that!all the more magical.
This was really an undemanding read, perfect for a brief contemporary escape with an east coast beach setting (guaranteeing a gorgeous view and the lingering scent of salt in the air). The story moved me, but in the end, was pretty unmemorable. There's nothing I adored and nothing I hated; it was just an effortless story I breezed over. I did, however, find it it extremely weird how the entire extended O'Brien family meddles in Susie's dating life, as well as in the lives of others. I know this book is strong on family values, but how realistic is it that an entire townno matter how smallwould stick it nose into such personal matters? Sherryl Woods overdid that aspect a little.
Pros: Effortless stylesuch smooth storytelling! // Deep, grounded, and balanced main characters // Fabulous and likable secondary characters // Clean, chaste romance // One of those books that makes you feel warm and well-loved
Cons: Painfully predictable // No chemistry in the romance since the Susie and Mack have feelings for each other from the beginning // Super-intimate family dynamic that I found weird // A bit too corny for my liking
Love: "It seemed [he] had the ability to rob her of common sense, reason, logicall of those things on which she prided herself. And that made him not only the most inappropriate man she'd ever dated, but the most dangerous."
Verdict: While buoyant in tone, Beach Lane tackles a serious terminal illness that gives it a melancholy feel to it throughout; however, once Susie overcomes her fears and learns to just live her life, there is nothing but triumph. Full of hope and light, Sherryl Woods's seventh book in the Chesapeake Shores series is about believing in yourself and believing in love even in the hardest of timesperfect for all you happily-ever-after fans.
Rating: 7 out of 10 hearts (4 stars): Not perfect, but overall enjoyable.
Source: Complimentary ARC provided by Romance Novel News in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Carolyn!).
Beach Lane is highly emotional rather than romantic. There's lots of future-planning and emphasis on family matters... reading this book was like watching a short Hallmark movie. It's a quick, enjoyable read with lots of depth within the characters and honest, well-portrayed emotions. Overall, it's chaste and sweethardly a romance, and more a family novel.
There's a cast of marvelous, strong secondary characters, which indicates they were or will be fantastic foundations for their own stories in past and upcoming books in the series. Although Beach Lane is the seventh Woods novel to take place in Chesapeake Shores, it serves fine as a standalone novel; I hadn't read any of the previous installments, and still had no problem keeping up. You can tell with how involved all the characters are with each other, that they each have their own backstories and own lives and loves, which is what makes the intricacy of such interpersonal relationshipsand in just one small town, at that!all the more magical.
This was really an undemanding read, perfect for a brief contemporary escape with an east coast beach setting (guaranteeing a gorgeous view and the lingering scent of salt in the air). The story moved me, but in the end, was pretty unmemorable. There's nothing I adored and nothing I hated; it was just an effortless story I breezed over. I did, however, find it it extremely weird how the entire extended O'Brien family meddles in Susie's dating life, as well as in the lives of others. I know this book is strong on family values, but how realistic is it that an entire townno matter how smallwould stick it nose into such personal matters? Sherryl Woods overdid that aspect a little.
Pros: Effortless stylesuch smooth storytelling! // Deep, grounded, and balanced main characters // Fabulous and likable secondary characters // Clean, chaste romance // One of those books that makes you feel warm and well-loved
Cons: Painfully predictable // No chemistry in the romance since the Susie and Mack have feelings for each other from the beginning // Super-intimate family dynamic that I found weird // A bit too corny for my liking
Love: "It seemed [he] had the ability to rob her of common sense, reason, logicall of those things on which she prided herself. And that made him not only the most inappropriate man she'd ever dated, but the most dangerous."
Verdict: While buoyant in tone, Beach Lane tackles a serious terminal illness that gives it a melancholy feel to it throughout; however, once Susie overcomes her fears and learns to just live her life, there is nothing but triumph. Full of hope and light, Sherryl Woods's seventh book in the Chesapeake Shores series is about believing in yourself and believing in love even in the hardest of timesperfect for all you happily-ever-after fans.
Rating: 7 out of 10 hearts (4 stars): Not perfect, but overall enjoyable.
Source: Complimentary ARC provided by Romance Novel News in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Carolyn!).
