Stony Point, Connecticut, is the perfect place for both old and new friends to enjoy the summer months.
Celia Gray is a newcomer who has arrived to stage cottages for local realtors, and to heal from a painful divorce, and while she stays in her friends’ cottage during her time here, she begins to form connections among the friendly residents.
Elsa DeLuca is the first of many who engage her, sweeping her up into a cozy circle of warmth, bringing her into her own whirl of activity as she renovates Old Foley’s into an inviting bed and breakfast inn, which she has dubbed Ocean Star Inn.
Soon Elsa is joined by her son Salvatore, who is seeking to heal from his stressful job on Wall Street. But could Sal be harboring other reasons for his summer sojourn?
While new connections form, the old friends show up to provide a backdrop for the summer explorations, and remind us of why we love visiting the beach community populated by Jason and Maris, Kyle and Lauren, and Eva and Matt. We watch as all the old friends share the memories that are part of their legacy in this place, nourishing them during hard times, and how they now bring the newcomers into their circle of trust.
One newcomer, the new beach commissioner, offered an annoying yet humorous backdrop to the usual friendly interactions. He was constantly on hand to issue citations for supposed violations to residents and visitors, with a pompous air and inflexible attitude. The Hammer Law was another rather strange rule: no hammering between the first day of summer until Labor Day, which put a kibosh on any construction work. It was interesting to see how Jason, the resident architect, managed his way around the rules.
Beach Blues is a continuation of the adventures of the characters’ journeys from previous books, and we come to look forward to what they add to this year’s adventures. More secrets are revealed, and with a sense of hidden darkness hovering overhead, we begin to suspect that sadness is not far off. But can the love and romance and celebration of the new lives they have created bring joy, despite any potential sorrow?
This delightful read is a book to savor for the summer, which earned 5 stars.
RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS 
It sounds like a wonderful beach read. And I really like the cover, too.
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Thanks, Loreen, the book was delightful, and it took all week to finish it, mostly because of other distractions, but also because I savored it, just as if I was walking along with the characters. Thanks for stopping by.
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So is this part of a series? It sounds like I would like it but would start at the beginning if characters develop from one book to another.
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Yes, but each can manage as a stand alone, I think. The Stony Point series includes The Denim Blue Sea and Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans.
Her other books have some crossover characters, too, so it feels like a community, since they are all in the New England area. (Whole Latte Life and True Blend, plus the winter books: Snow Flakes and Coffee Cakes and Snow Deer and Cocoa Cheer).
Enjoy! Thanks for stopping by, Kathryn.
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Thanks so I will look into the whole group.
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