Jenny Hale has done it again! This was delightful! The characters were charming. The plot was well-paced and completely captivating and engaging to the very end. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Book – The Beach House
Author – Jenny Hale
Series – N/A
Cliffhanger? - No
Publication Date – June 9, 2021
Genre – Contemporary Romance
Rating – 4 1/2 out of 5 Stars

Complimentary copy generously provided by Bookouture through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


My Thoughts - Story

I loved the whole story concept of a past romantic mystery. As I was reading the letters left behind by Alfred, I felt myself tearing up with the tragic love lost. And how the author tied in the present romance between Melanie and Josh just put the icing on the cake. This book really touched my heart and I was so engrossed in the story that I couldn't put it down until I read the last page. And even today, I find myself thinking about Alfred and ??, Melanie and Josh and the rest of the characters in this story.

Yes, Josh pissed me off a bunch during the story, but by the ending it finally made sense why he was as hot and cold as he was.

Even though every cell in my body is begging me to expose more of this story, I don't want to give away spoilers about what happened to Alfred or his lost love.

The reason why I took a half a star off is that I felt that Melanie and Josh's characters weren't completely developed during their whirlwind romance, but it was easy to look past this as the story was heartfelt and tugged at my soul.

Reason for Reading – NetGalley Review
Story – 5 out of 5 Stars
Steam – 4 out of 5 Stars
Angst – 5 out of 5 Stars
Writing – 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Content Flow – 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Would Read More from Author? Yes
Recommend To – Lovers of a touching romance bringing the past to the present

Thank you to NetGalley, Jenny Hale, & Bookouture for the advance digital copy of The Beach House, in exchange for my honest review. Let me begin with an upfront disclaimer - this is not my usual genre, it's been a very long time since I've read a romance. I haven't read this author before. I needed an escape from my usual murder, crime, legal, thrillers, & this was a welcome diversion!
Melanie, having just lost her dear "Gram", is faced with finding her next chapter in life. This includes moving to Gram's favorite vacation spot, Rosemary Bay, FL, buying & renovating a derelict beach house with lots of secrets. The location was beautifully described.
Throw in a local temperamental contractor, Josh, a hurricane, & some old love letters, & the mystery & romance begins.
I thought Melanie's character spent more time on the letters than renovations, a bit immature for her age. Many other fun & quirky characters in the story.
This would be a great summer beach read for any romantic looking for that fairy tale ending.

This book is a fantasy from beginning to end. Purchasing an abandoned house is one thing.. Spending a night the first night is another - no mention of bugs, mice, etc which surely would have invaded this coastal house as it had been so long empty, no problem sleeping on a dusty floor. After the hurricane everyone just happened to be available to fix her house, clear her yard of debris. because of her boyfriend's connections. After any kind of storm everyone pitches in and helps everyone else - not just be available to one home owner. Sometimes you have to wait months for a contractor to be available., except in this complete fantasy world. There is happily everafter and then there is so far fetched to be unbelievable. It should have been classed as a fairytale.

Hale is on my list, which is very long, of favorite authors. She writes solid reads that are tender and sweet. The Beach House involves a renovation, blue water, a stack of letters, and a mysterious key. Enough criteria to suck me in for a few hours of pleasure reading. It took me awhile to warm up to,Josh because of some of his actions. I thought. Melanie was too passive and needed to be more assertive. I did love the story behind the letters. I discerned how certain strings of the story would come together and I was right. The ending was good, but without giving anything away, there’s no way I would vacate from the renovated beach house.

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and Jenny Hale for gifting me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
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Melanie has spent the last three years taking care of her sick grandmother. When she passes, she leaves Melanie money and instructions to buy the run down beach house they’d always dreamed about. But the house is in much worse shape than Melanie could ever expect, a situation that is definitely not helped when a hurricane sweeps through. Josh should be taking care of last minute items and on the way to New York. Instead after losing a dart game, he’s found himself helping Melanie. He has his walls up and is working hard to stay unapproachable and unlikeable. When they find a box of letters in the closet, they set off a chain of events that will affect more than one family over more than one generation.
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I have mixed feelings about this one. I just feel like there’s a lot of this story that’s missing. The pacing of the story felt way off. Jenny Hale had set these great scenes where the chemistry could’ve stewed more between Melanie and Josh, but then we just breezed right through them without much depth. This kept the reading pace quick and I blew through this in one sitting, but I just wanted more! So close to being good, but instead doesn’t feel too memorable as it is.

I was lucky to receive an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and opinion. This book caught my eye with the adorable cover and made me want to read it! I'm so glad I did as it was amazing! I loved how this book talked about new beginnings and second chances as truly that is what life is all about. I will for sure be adding Jenny Hale to my list of must read authors. So well done!

Add this one to your beach bag! Great summer read. Fast paced romance with characters and a story you will fall in love with.

Not my go to genre but this was a feel-good romance that will let you escape for a few hours.

Thank you #netgalley and #bookouture for the eARC.

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley, I was chosen as an early reviewer!

******Coming out June 9, 2021*****

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Melanie spent the final 3 years of her grandmother’s life being her caregiver full time, so when her grandmother passed away, Melanie is devastated. She is left with a big decision with renovating her grandmothers Florida beach house. What will she find and will she be able to rebuild her life in the way she envisioned? What secrets will she uncover? This heart warming and uplifting book will have you turning the pages to find out Melanie’s fate.

I’m a big fan of Jenny Hale’s books as I love that she writes heartwarming and uplifting books that leave you feeling hopeful.

Letters, an old house, a safe deposit key – all help unfold the answers to the secrets in Jenny Hale’s The Beach House. Melanie buys the Ellis house in Rosemary Bay with the money that her grandmother left her to buy it. Josh, a local carpenter, and Melanie make a bet over a game of darts. Little did they realize the secrets of the past that for years have remained hidden will have such a profound effect on not only their lives but also on the lives of the people around them. I loved this beautifully written novel about new beginnings and second chances. I have my fingers crossed for a sequel. Well done, Jenny Hale!