This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.

On Ocean Boulevard

Summary: The New York Times bestselling author of The Summer Guestsreturns at long last to her beloved Beach House series in this breathtaking novel about one family’s summer of forging new beginnings against the enduring beauty and resilience of the natural world.

It’s been sixteen years since Caretta “Cara” Rutledge has returned home to the beautiful shores of Charleston, South Carolina. Over those years, she has weathered the tides of deaths and births, struggles and joys. And now, as Cara prepares for her second wedding, her life is about to change yet again.

Meanwhile, the rest of the storied Rutledge family is also in flux. Cara’s niece Linnea returns to Sullivan’s Island to begin a new career and an unexpected relationship. Linnea’s parents, having survived bankruptcy, pin their hopes and futures on the construction of a new home on Ocean Boulevard. But as excitement over the house and wedding builds, a devastating illness strikes the family and brings plans to a screeching halt. It is under these trying circumstances that the Rutledge family must come together yet again to discover the enduring strength in love, tradition, and legacy from mother to daughter to granddaughter.

Like the sea turtles that come ashore annually on these windswept islands, three generations of the Rutledge family experience a season of return, rebirth, and growth. “Authentic, generous, and heartfelt” (Mary Kay Andrews, The New York Timesbestselling author), On Ocean Boulevard is Mary Alice Monroe at her very best.

 

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

Ok, I’ve read some of MAM’s books- but I don’t think I’ve read any in the Beach House series- which I think I must have overlooked this book being a part of- since I was completely WOWZA about this cover. Fun fact: I’ve always wanted to live in a beach town for a few weeks each summer, getting around in a cute little car like that.

So, anyway- for me- there was some backstory that I was not aware of- but for the most part- you can read this as a standalone.

 

What I liked:

Well the cover. And how can you NOT like it? It just screams SUMMER.

Linnea. I really liked her character.

The family. These people love each other, drive each other crazy, and don’t always see eye to eye. But they are there for each other.

 

Bottom line: I think I would have enjoyed the book more if I had been reading some of the earlier books in the series, but it was still a good book.

 

*This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.*

 

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Happy Reading and Bookishly Yours,

T @ Traveling With T