Book Review: Winter at the Beach by Sheila Roberts

This seasonal return to Moonlight Harbor is classic Sheila Roberts.

Christmas is coming and Moonlight Harbor's tourist season has gone out with the tide. How will the small local businesses survive? Jenna Jones, proprietor of The Driftwood Inn, devises a plan to hold a holiday festival to show people the beach is the perfect place to be around the holidays.

With tons of reservations, Jenna is sure Seaside with Santa will be a huge success. Mother Nature, however, has other plans. A storm blows through knocking out power and blocking the road out of town. It will take a lot of pulling together and a heavy dose of holiday spirit to turn things around.

Having read the first Moonlight Harbor novel, I was thrilled to have the chance to revisit this coastal small town filled with charm. Roberts did not disappoint with this sequel--not that I imagined she would. Like all her stories, Winter at the Beach tugs at your heartstrings and delights you with great characters you enjoy spending time with. Her characters are so genuine, so compelling, that you can't help but stay up late reading their stories.

Winter at the Beach is like a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie where there is romance, but it's not the focus. Instead of that sweet kiss at the end, your main character has made it through the stormy days of life having learned a bit and triumphed in one way or another. Jenna is relatable on so many levels that this series is destined to strike a cord with women from all walks of life. I can't wait to see what happens in Moonlight Harbor next.

EXCERPT

“Do I have a motion that we sponsor a Seaside with Santa Festival for the weekend before Christmas?” Brody asked.

“So moved,” said Ellis. “I’m with you, kid,” he told Jenna.

“I’ll second,” Nora said and reached across the back of Tyrella’s chair to give Jenna’s shoulder an encouraging pat.

“All in favor?” Brody asked.

“Aye,” chorused almost everyone.

“Opposed?”

“Nay,” Susan Frank said. “I’m telling you all, this is a bad idea. Make sure you put that in the minutes,” she told Cindy.

“Motion carries,” said Brody. He smiled down at Jenna. “Looks like we’re going to be putting on a holiday bash.”

“Holiday disaster,” Susan grumbled from her side of the table.

What did Susan know? Blink, blink, blink.


Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: MIRA; Original edition (October 23, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780778369950
ISBN-13: 978-0778369950
ASIN: 0778369951

I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Review: Welcome to Moonlight Harbor by Sheila Roberts

Welcome to Moonlight Harbor by Sheila Roberts is a story of second chances and not giving up.

Jenna Jones celebrates her fortieth birthday by getting divorced from her deadbeat artist husband Damien. Even better, the court awards him spousal support. What will she and her teenage daughter do?

When a letter arrives from Aunt Edie asking for Jenna to stay in Moonlight Harbor to help run the Driftwood Inn, it sounds like an answer to a prayer. That is until she and her daughter arrive and find the inn in need of major renovations there is no money to pay for. With determination and the help of friends, Jenna plans to give this second chance her best shot.

I've loved Roberts' books since I read On Strike for Christmas. With this new series, she continues her trademark of masterfully written dramatic women's fiction with a touch of humor and romance. Any wife or mother can relate to the issues Jenna is facing in this novel. This book pulls at the heartstrings, bringing with it moments of laughter and times of heartbreak as the reader witnesses Jenna's story unfold. Roberts also has a knack for great endings. This one was definitely worth reading every page.

I'm excited to see what the future holds in store for the residents of Moonlight Harbor.

Series: A Moonlight Harbor Novel (Book 1)

Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: MIRA (April 17, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 077836805X
ISBN-13: 978-0778368052

About the Book:

Title: WELCOME TO MOONLIGHT HARBOR

Author: Sheila Roberts

Publisher: Harlequin MIRA

Pages: 400

Genre: Women’s Fiction

BOOK BLURB:

Once-happily married Jenna Jones is about to turn forty, and this year for her birthday – lucky her – she’s getting a divorce. She’s barely able to support herself and her teenage daughter, but now her deadbeat artist ex is hitting her up for spousal support…and then spending it on his “other” woman.

Still, Jenna is determined to follow her mother’s philosophy – every storm brings a rainbow. And when she gets a very unexpected gift from her great Aunt Edie, things seem to be taking a turn for the better. Aging aunt Edie is finding it difficult to keep up her business running The Driftwood Inn, so she invites Jenna to come live with her and run the place. It looks like Jenna's financial problems are solved!

Or not. The town is a little more run-down than Jenna remembered, but that's nothing compared to the ramshackle state of The Driftwood Inn. Aunt Edie is confident they can return it to its former glory, though Jenna feels like she’s jumped from the proverbial frying pan into the beach fire.

But who knows? With the help of her new friends and a couple of handsome citizens, perhaps that rainbow is on the horizon after all. Because, no matter what, life is always good at the beach.

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I received a paperback copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.