Rating: 
Summary: The Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe
Review: This book not only caputred my imagination but it melted my heart! Once I started it I found it difficult to put down. I finished the last few chapters while I was sitting on a plane with tears running down my cheeks (very touching)! Once I regained my composure the woman sitting next to me asked "was that a good book?" I told her without a doubt it was a two thumbs up and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone!
Rating:
Summary: Great book to begin family ties
Review: This book was highly advertised the last time I was in Charleston, SC. Being in need of something new to read, I bought it from the area Barnes and Noble dealer. I have to say that this is one of the best books I have ever read. The story line is such a strong one that it made me want to try to do a lot more with my own mother because you just never know when something could happen to any of us. In addition, the book draws wonderful parallels to the life of the loggerhead turtles, one of my favorite animals. These gracious animals need good people to help them become a revived species, and Ms. Monroe does a beautiful job of describing the activities of the Turtle Team and makes you, the reader, want to help out! The turtles, along with Lovie, are gracious beings that spread goodness throughout the entire book. Again, it makes the reader want to be a decent and kind human being. This book is a must read. I am keeping it and sharing it with my mother hoping she will enjoy it as much as I did.
Rating:
Summary: Great book to begin family ties
Review: This book was highly advertised the last time I was in Charleston, SC. Being in need of something new to read, I bought it from the area Barnes and Noble dealer. I have to say that this is one of the best books I have ever read. The story line is such a strong one that it made me want to try to do a lot more with my own mother because you just never know when something could happen to any of us. In addition, the book draws wonderful parallels to the life of the loggerhead turtles, one of my favorite animals. These gracious animals need good people to help them become a revived species, and Ms. Monroe does a beautiful job of describing the activities of the Turtle Team and makes you, the reader, want to help out! The turtles, along with Lovie, are gracious beings that spread goodness throughout the entire book. Again, it makes the reader want to be a decent and kind human being. This book is a must read. I am keeping it and sharing it with my mother hoping she will enjoy it as much as I did.
Rating:
Summary: Keep your hankies near by!
Review: This is an absolutely stunning book ~~ beautifully written and with insightful looks between a mother and her daughter and the forces of nature. At first glance, it looks like a typical feminine contemporary novel ~~ but Monroe writes with a haunting sense of self as she presents this story. Lovie knows she's dying and before she dies, she wants to reconcile with her daughter whom she hasn't seen much of in 20 years. Cara, named Caretta ~~ after a turtle ~~ has lived in Chicago after leaving the house in a rage with her father. Olivia begs Cara to come home and asked her to help her do some cleaning out. Cara comes home ~~ because she just lost her job. And that is when the story begins. There is Toy, Lovie's companion. She's dealing with problems of her own ~~ found at a shelter by a friend of Lovie's, she came to live with Lovie as she goes through her pregnancy. In love with a man who doesn't love her, Toy isn't sure what to expect of her future. Then there is Palmer, Lovie's son and Cara's brother ~~ he doesn't think along the same ways as the ladies do. He's money-hungry and always looking for a good deal. There is Brett, a long-time friend of the family. He meets Cara again and sparks begin to fly. Then there is the Turtle Ladies ~~ always on the lookout to help the loggerhead turtles nest and move their nests if possible. They may be volunteers and Lovie is in charge of them ~~ their friendships rekindled over the summer. And this is the story between Lovie and Cara ~~ as they comes to grips with Lovie's upcoming death and bridging the gap between the years. It is a beautiful story meant for mothers and daughters to share and relate to. It has enough scenery in there that makes you long to live in St. Palm Isles as well. It is just a poignant story that will grip your heart and won't let go till you have turned the last page. I highly recommend this one for every woman who longs for a lovely story. 9-24-03
Rating:
Summary: Worth 10 Stars-GREAT SUMMER READING
Review: This is the first Mary Alice Monroe book I've ever read-and let me tell you I definitely plan to read her other works, too. From the very first page it's like the story and characters catch your attention right away. The info that heads each chapter regarding the sea turtles is actually quite interesting, and I was saddened to read at the end of the book how they are quickly becoming an endangered species. This story of how Cara Rutledge, after losing her job at a Chicago advertising firm, returns home to her mother's beach house in Isle of Palms, SC, is a very warm, touching one that explains how she finally bonds with her seriously ill mother-Olivia(Lovie)Rutledge, having left home at 18 due to constantly fighting with her father. Cara reconnects with her childhood best pal Emmi, plus finds true love when least expected. Lovie's houseguest(and caretaker)Toy Sooner is another memorable character-her initial meeting up with Cara is not a good one but soon the two of them learn to accept one another as well as become fast friends. This story is one you'll definitely remember long after the last page has been turned. Very highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: What coast are we on??
Review: This was an enjoyable read for a long airplane ride. The fact that it was set in an area, South Carolina, and I plan to visit there this fall was another draw.
Where was the editing for this novel??? From the very first page, "It was twilight and a brilliant red sun lazily made its hazy descent off the South Carolina Coast" to p.407, "Cara stood on the small dune watching the sun dip into the Atlantic" someone missed the boat. The last time I looked, South Carolina was on the east coast and even this evening the sun set in the west. I think this is a major flaw in an otherwise engaging book.
Rating:
Summary: A book to remember
Review: What fun to find a book that not only gives a great summer read but has a resonance in the heart and mind as well. The renewing of the relationship between mother and daughter and the parallels to the life cycle of the turtles was very moving. It reminded me strongly of the final months with my father in Florida and gave me a better perspective on his passing and his legacy to me. I loved THE FOUR SEASONS and with THE BEACH HOUSE Ms Monroe has written an even more powerful and complex book that will last long past the summer.
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