Guest Review: Beach House Summer by Sarah Morgan

 A marriage in the spotlight

Joanna Whitman’s high-profile marriage held more secrets than she cares to remember, so when her ex-husband dies, she doesn't know what to feel. But when she discovers that he’s left behind a pregnant young woman, Joanna is forced to act. She knows exactly how brutal the spotlight on them both will be…unless she can find a way for them to disappear.

A beach house hideaway

Ashley Blake is amazed when Joanna suggests they lie low at her beach house in her sleepy Californian hometown. Joanna should be hating her, not helping her. But alone and pregnant, Ashley needs all the support she can find.

A summer of new beginnings

Joanna's only goal for the summer is privacy. All Ashley wants is space to plan for her and her baby's future. But when an old flame reappears, and secrets spill out under the hot summer sun, this unlikely friendship is put to the test…

Review: Sarah Morgan is one of my very favourite authors. Ever since I discovered her books, I have looked forward to each and every new title. They are always filled with solid storylines, well-developed characters and amazing locations. This one is no exception; I was hooked from the beginning and charmed by the principal characters and stunning Californian setting.

The story concerns two women, whose lives are brought together by one man. Forty-year-old Joanna was once married to celebrity chef Cliff Whitmore, who cheated on her regularly during their marriage. When he dies in a car crash, the press are at Joanna’s gates hounding her and speculating on the identity of pregnant teenager Ashley Blake, who was also in the car when it crashed. However, Joanna knows from first sight exactly who the girl is and finds herself compelled to help her. They make their way to the charming small coastal town of Silver Point, Joanna’s childhood home, and attempt to hide from the press in her secluded beach front house. Having left the town and cut all ties suddenly twenty years previously, Joanna is surprised to find the community offering acceptance and support for her and Ashley. Ashley is surprised by Joanna’s offer of friendship and protection, but shares her desire to be left be left in peace to build a new life. In Joanna’s case, she finds her old life, and particularly an old boyfriend, Nate, is something she can’t escape, but with Ashley’s encouragement can she rekindle lost relationships?

I absolutely loved this new novel from Sarah Morgan. The storyline was so compelling that I found myself completely immersed in the characters’ world every time I sat down to read. Joanna is an amazing woman, first to have put up with an awful husband for so long and then to have taken a lost, pregnant teenager under her wing without question. I’m sure not many women in her position would have done that. It was great to see Ashley blossom as time goes by and she realises that Joanna really does want to help her, and what’s more that she can help Joanna as well. As for Joanna’s house - I could almost see Ashley’s eyes growing bigger and bigger as she toured inside and outside the property; mine were as well. I loved that every room has a reading nook! A private beach and the ocean on your doorstep; what more could anyone want? Then there was the town of Silver Point - what marvellous community spirit there was amongst its inhabitants. Although all is explained in the text, I’m not sure how Joanna could bring herself to leave in the first place, never mind stay away for twenty years. This story is a real rollercoaster of a read. There is drama, tragedy, emotion and the very best romance. A really heart-warming story for any reader. 

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