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Nothing?’ Nessa gaped at her and then looked guilty. ‘I’m so thoughtless. Here am I worrying about spiders and press statements, and you’ve just lost the man you were married to for two decades. I know you were divorced, and that he wasn’t exactly –‘ her voice trailed off as she studied Joanna’s face, ‘I mean twenty years is a long time, even if he was a –‘ she gave a helpless shrug. ‘Give me some clues here. I want to say the right thing, but I don’t know what that is. How do you feel? Are you sad or mad? Do I get you tissues or a punch bag?’ She’d spent the last year wanting to kill him herself and she didn’t know whether to feel elated or cheated. After everything he’d done, everything he’d put her through, it seemed unfair of the universe to have deprived her of the chance to play at least a small part in his demise. Sunshine in a book! Joy and optimism infuse every word of this delicious novel - I couldn’t put [it] down” - Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author I loved this book – it’s definitely one of my favourites that I’ve read by Sarah Morgan! I could barely put this down – an easy 5 stars for me’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ do you know who I definitely wouldn’t want to be?’ She pushed her glasses up her nose and gave Joanna a knowing look. ‘That girl in the car. Don’t know who she is or what she was doing, but I would not want her life.’
Beach House Summer by Sarah Morgan BOOK REVIEW: Beach House Summer by Sarah Morgan
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. Some people are saying it’s a shame because it was his recipe for citrus salmon that made them realise good food wasn’t just for restaurants.’She’d had dreams about him. Fantasies. She’d thought about him day and night for the past couple of months, ever since she’d first laid eyes on him. You’re quiet.’ He drove with one hand on the wheel, supremely confident. One hand, his eyes mostly on her. She wanted to tell him to keep his attention on the road. Of course you don’t. Why would you? You’re divorced from him. Whoever she is, I bet she’s wishing now she got into a car with a different guy. I mean we’ve all had bad dates, but that– ’ Nessa shrugged, took a gulp of water and continued scrolling. ‘Some people are wondering if this will mean the end of the business. Will it?’ She glanced up. ‘The business is called Cliff’s. And Chef Cliff is –‘ she stopped. Joyful, uplifting and overflowing with love. Sarah’s writing speaks straight to my heart” - Cathy Bramley, Sunday Times bestselling author Book a Dream Ireland beach location and enjoy a wonderful beach vacation and make lasting memories that will stay with you forever. Dream Ireland beach cottages and holiday homes are the perfect choice for your summer holiday with family and friends.
Beach House Summer - Sarah Morgan Beach House Summer - Sarah Morgan
She knew how this worked. There would be endless gossip. In the past she’d even been the subject of a women’s daytime chat show. Successful women who stay with men who cheat. Book an exceptional beachside cottage with Dream Ireland and explore some of Ireland's most beautiful beaches. Dream Ireland offer a range of quiet and tranquil seaside holiday cottages in scenic coastal locations across Ireland, for those who are looking to get away from it all. Of course you’re not. I’m here for more than work. I’m your right-hand woman. The dragon at your gate.’ Nessa polished a smudge from her glasses. ‘When you employed me, you said I had to be there for you in both calm and crisis, so here I am. I assume this is the crisis part. We’re in this together. Bring it on.’ If you’re wondering how to attach a house sign to a wall, here are some general instructions (they may need adapting depending on the sign type)
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He was driving fast now, enjoying the car, the moment, his life. She knew that was about to change. She’d rehearsed a speech. Practised a hundred times in front of the mirror. Ashley's story also ends really beautifully — can't say much more without spoiling but she gets a visitor at some point and that was my favourite scene in the whole book. Beach House Summer is a perfect slice of joyful summer escapism from Sarah Morgan, the master of the genre” - Clare Pooley, The Authenticity Project She’d finally left him, but the news stories never went away, which meant that even though she’d finally divorced him she still sometimes felt as if they were together. Her mistake was an anchor that held her fast. Whatever she did in the future, she’d be dragging her past with Cliff along with her. Nessa hesitated. ‘There are a few decent people out there. People saying a death is always sad. Some of the comments are pretty neutral, some wondering who the woman was –‘ she sneaked a look at Joanna.
Beach House Summer | Sarah Morgan | 9780008916718 | NetGalley
She knew that. She knew his reputation, and yet still she was here. What did that say about her? She should have more pride, but pride and desperation didn’t fit comfortably together. She felt a pang, thinking of the actual baby she’d lost. One minute she’d been eleven weeks pregnant, excited about her future as a mother, the next she’d been sitting in the bathroom sobbing. Her son. She’d buried that pain deep, but that didn’t mean it had gone away. Sometimes she’d wake up and think my boy would be ten years old today and she’d imagine the gift she would have bought, and the adventures they would have had together and how much she would have loved him . Would her priorities have been different if she’d had a child? Her marriage? Oh how she loathed being the subject of attention and gossip. Cliff hadn’t understood her aversion. He’d hungered for the limelight, and not only because it was essential to building his brand. If attention was a large pie, he would have greedily devoured the whole thing without offering her a sliver. But perhaps precisely because she wasn’t interested, the media chose to focus on her. How did she feel about his latest affair? Why didn’t she leave? Had she no self-respect? She became a case study in humiliation, although she’d never understood why the shame should be hers when he was the one who was cheating. They photographed her from every angle, commented on the weight she’d lost, how haggard she looked, their speculation cruel and deeply personal. If he cheats, it must be her fault. They’d speculated on whether in marrying a man fourteen years her senior, she’d somehow been trying to replace her father. That suggestion had offended her more than any of them. Cliff was nothing like her father. Hearing the two of them mentioned in the same breath had made her want to lash out.It was easy to guess Ashley's connection to Cliff. It was easy to guess where it all will lead. No surprises. Joanna was sometimes immature and too insecure, then all so very perfect. I didn't understand the media's attention - why stalk Joanna, a chef's wife? The romance was lukewarm. It just happened because it was supposed to happen. She rejected the call, muted the sound on the TV but continued to stare at the words scrolling along the bottom of the screen. There are lots of different ways to create a sign for your house, and your beach home. Think about materials that complement the style of your house. You might choose a traditional slate for example, or rustic house sign that speaks to the location. The best house sign will be one that depicts the character of your home, is robust and strong, and easy to fit. HOW DO YOU PUT UP A HOUSE NAME SIGN?
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Some authors handle multiple POVs and sub-plots well. In this story I felt like author didn't bother to explore more deeply any of the characters or their problems, so they remained superficial and flat. Ms. Sarah Morgan followed her usual formula. Her characters just did what they did. No complexity, growth, explaining why things were like they were, no genuine emotions or tension. Ashley is the girl that was in the car with Joanna’s husband and so she’s stunned when Joanna offers to give her a place to stay and hideout from the media. Ashley has her own history. She and Joanna get close while sorting through their problems. As to the writing, then once again too much telling, little showing. Pile of words, that could not evoke any actual emotions for me.
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Yes, she had to go. Divorce or no divorce, it was the respectful thing to do. People would be watching. Everyone would want to know how she felt, not that she would tell them. She never spoke to the press. When Joanna Whitman's famous ex-husband dies in a car accident, she doesn't know what to feel. Their dysfunctional marriage held more painful secrets than she cares to remember. But when she discovers that the young woman with him in the crash is pregnant, Joanna feels compelled to act, knowing exactly how brutal the media spotlight will be on celebrity chef Cliff Whitman's ex-wife and his mysterious female friend. Sarah Morgan never disappoints. I've come to look forward to her books. "Beach House Summer" is that magical mix of family, friends, and finding oneself that gives hope to us all. Having family and a community that stands behind you no matter what, to use a now cliche, is a bit of a Hallmark moment. Joanne thinks she's rescuing Ashley when, instead, Ashley is also rescuing her. It's fascinating to watch how their unlikely friendship evolves and they learn from each other. Toss in an ample dose of romance and you've got it all. The strange feeling in her chest spread to her throat. People generally distanced themselves from her, afraid of being tainted by association. They didn’t want to find themselves in that spotlight. ‘Have you really thought this through?’
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