Thursday, June 30, 2022

Review & Giveaway - - Sea Glass Summer

Sea Glass Summer
by Miranda Liasson
Seashell Harbor - Book 2
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: June 28, 2022
Reviewed by PJ



Kit Blakemore is ready to live again. After her husband died while serving in the military, she was in a haze of grief. Now she wants to reclaim her former self—finish her degree and find a better career to provide for their sweet little boy, Oliver. To do that, she’ll need to sell her late husband’s dilapidated Victorian in Seashell Harbor. But first, Kit intends to give Ollie the kind of unforgettable seaside summer she had growing up, making lifelong memories and friendships.


Of course, nothing goes exactly as she planned. Ollie is struggling with his confidence, and frankly, so is Kit. But everything changes when her husband’s best friend, Alex de la Cruz, returns to town, offering to help her renovate. She doesn’t expect Alex to temporarily move in…or for him to bond with Ollie…or for her numb heart to begin thawing. Slowly he’s helping Kit and Ollie heal, and it scares her to death.

Kit swore she wouldn’t leave herself open to the pain of loss again. But if she’s going to teach her son to be brave and move forward, Kit must first face her own fears.

PJ's Thoughts:

Each time I've picked up a Miranda Liasson book, I've been taken to a community I'd like to visit where I've met people I'd like to befriend. Once again, that's the case with the second book in Liasson's Seashell Harbor series: Sea Glass Summer.

One of the things I'm most enjoying about this series is the three women at its core. Kit, Hadley, and Darla are friendship goals. Childhood friends who have returned to their hometown and solidified their bonds as adults, I love how they support one another, challenge each other, and don't hesitate to tell the hard truths when necessary. Their scenes together are some of my favorites in the series.

Then there's the romance. Liasson aims straight for the heart in this book and does not miss. There's so much depth of emotion, so many layers for both Kit and Alex to navigate. I enjoyed the slow burn of their journey, the time that is taken to steer them gradually through the murky waters of grief, and guilt, to understanding, self-forgiveness, and love. I enjoyed the journey each of them took individually as well as the one they took together. These two are so realistic, so relatable, and very endearing. It wasn't difficult to be come emotionally engaged with them both, to be their sideline cheerleader as their hearts slowly heal and the friendship that grows between them deepens into something more. I shed tears with them, laughed with them, and happily celebrated their hard-won love. 

Another highlight for me is Ollie, Kit's young son. Such an adorable character and so very realistic. His evolving relationship with Alex is one of my favorite threads in the book. 

If you're a fan of the Seashell Harbor series, you will undoubtedly enjoy catching up with Hadley and Tony (Coming Home to Seashell Harbor) and will mostly likely be as curious as I about where the tenuous relationship between divorced couple, Darla and Nick is headed next. I don't know when their book will be published but I am already eager to read it. 


Have you read Miranda Liasson?

Do you have childhood girlfriends with whom you are still close?

What books have you read recently that both touched your heart and tickled your funny bone?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, July 2 will receive a print copy of Sea Glass Summer

*U.S. only
*Must be 18
*Void where prohibited








17 comments:

  1. I have read of few of this author's books and really enjoyed them. I have a few others on my tbr. Would love to read this one. I have one girlfriend from school, we stay in touch a little, she lives in Fla and me in NY. We got to see each other a few times over the years; wish she lived near me.

    I am currently enjoying Lori Foster's The Honeymoon Cottage and recenty loved: Naima Simone - Christmas in Rose Bend, and oldie - Irene Hannon - A Family to Call Her own; Carrie Jansen - Celebration at Christmas Cove, Annie Rains - The Christmas Village.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I loved Naima Simone's Christmas in Rose Bend. In fact, I'm enjoying that entire series. Same with Annie Rains.

      Delete
  2. Comment #1 was me - sorry - did not mean to choose anonymous. (Patoct)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have not read this author. Will have to check her out. Sounds like a nice read.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I haven't read this author before.
    We've kind of drifted apart since high school
    Return to Rose bend by Naima Simone

    ReplyDelete
  5. I haven't read any of Miranda's books yet, but she's been on my radar tbr.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I loved this book! I can't wait to read the next book in this series. I've talked and texted with my BFF today. Seeing each other at the end of next month. Dead In The Water by Julie Ann Walker.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm familiar with her books, but I haven't read them. I have a few friends from high school.

    denise

    ReplyDelete
  8. I too enjoyed this book. Idon't have childhood girlfriends but have very special adult ones.

    ReplyDelete
  9. PJ, Sea Glass Summer sounds wonderful, and I've never read Miranda Liasson, so I appreciate the recommendation. Sadly, like some of the other commenters, I've drifted away from most of my friends from long ago. I find it odd that my mother is in closer touch with far more of her friends from high school than I am. On the bright side, I recently read and heartily recommend a new, FABULOUS book called Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. It will most definitely tickle your funny bone and touch your heart in ways you will never forget.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have not read Ms. Liasson but have heard great things about her. I've just recently read Lucy Checks In by Dee Ernst (out 8/16) and simply fell in love with an endearing cast of characters living in an old hotel in Rennes, France. Just a lovely story.

    ReplyDelete
  11. This books sounds like something I would like and I have not read any of this author. I am very happy to say that my husband and I have very dear friends that live near by and they we see often who we went to school with.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Left off my name - Cathie P.

      Delete
  12. This is a new to me author. And you have given me a wonderful review which makes me realize I have been missing a lot. Thanks for the review and thanks for showing me another author and a series i would enjoy. Hope everyone has a lovely 4th weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I recently read and enjoyed It's a Mad, Mad, Murder by Cindy Vincent.

    ReplyDelete
  14. No, I have not read any of her books, and I'm not still close with childhood girlfriends.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Her books sound like the type that make you feel like you are among good friends and are invested in their happiness and futures. She is on my short list of new to me authors I want to read.
    I have two friends from high school that I don't see nearly enough. We saw on in Texas last month on a trip to AZ. It has probably been at least 5 years or more since we connected in person. My best friend from high school still lives in our home town and I usually see her once a year when we are up visiting family. Both are the type of friends that no matter how long it has been it is just like we saw each other a few weeks ago.
    Not much reading lately. Have been busy in the gardens and have gone on two trips. Am trying to get things ready for surgery this month. I will have to take it easy for at least 6 weeks afterwards, so I am getting my reading list ready. I plan to do lots of good reading and not feel the least bit guilty for not doing any housework or garden work.

    I hope you have a wonderful 4th of July weekend.

    ReplyDelete