Mary Alice Monroe’s Beach House series has always been one of my favorites.
The first three books in the series introduce readers to the miraculous life cycle of loggerhead sea turtles. In Beach House For Rent (Beach House Series #4), Mary Alice Monroe includes an additional focus on Atlantic shorebirds. Bird lovers may want to jump into the series here—and that’s perfectly okay, because although the Beach House series is designed to be read in order, each book can also be read as a standalone novel.
In Beach House for Rent, the series’ pillar, Cara Rutledge, rents out her quaint beach house on Isle of Palms to new resident Heather Wyatt. It appears to be a win-win for everyone. Cara is generating income necessary to keep her husband Brett’s ecotourism boat business afloat, and anxiety-prone Heather, a young artist who has been commissioned to paint shorebirds on postage stamps, has a quiet space to work and tend to her pet canaries.
But just when Cara is turning fifty years old, tragedy strikes. Heather finds herself in a position to help—but can she drum up the nerve to overcome her reclusiveness and fear?
Young romance is a fun element of this story. Sensitive readers may want a heads up regarding a brief sex scene, which is not physically detailed but feels intense for its emotion.
Themes of motherhood, and the grief of losing a mother, are gracefully woven into the story.
Without giving any spoilers, I’d love to point out that one of the series’ finest moments happens in this book, when hurting Cara draws on every ounce of strength she has to protect Heather.
Readers may be inspired, like Cara and Heather, to take a chance on a new and uncertain friendship.
What unlikely friendship may be on the horizon for you?
Here with you,
Laura
P.S. Want to catch up on the first three Beach House books before reading Beach House For Rent? They are The Beach House (#1), Swimming Lessons (#2), and Beach House Memories (#3).
