The Beach House

I have read several magazines this month after finishing a huge series, as I wasn’t sure how I was going to jump back in to just regular books where there is one and done. The Beach House was the perfect transition in to it!

From Goodreads:

Nan Powell is a free-spirited, sixty-five-year-old widow who’s not above skinny-dipping in her neighbors’ pools when they’re away and who dearly loves her Nantucket home. But when she discovers that the money she thought would last forever is dwindling, she realizes she must make drastic changes to save her beloved house. So Nan takes out an ad: Rooms to rent for the summer in a beautiful old Nantucket home with water views and direct access to the beach.

Slowly people start moving in to the house, filling it with noise, laughter, and with tears. As the house comes alive again, Nan finds her family and friends expanding. Her son comes home for the summer, and then an unexpected visitor turns all their lives upside down.

I adored the way this book was written. It is sort of soap-opera style where it follows along the separate lives of different people, but eventually they all intertwine, as you would expect. I will not give away spoilers, but there was a huge plot twist that I totally did not see coming. I forgot that “and then an unexpected visitor turns all their lives upside down” part from the back of the book.

I loved that this book was set in Nantucket. The description of the beach houses and all the characters made it that much more enjoyable. Perhaps what I loved most? Was this passage at the beginning:

These are the reasons Nan has come to have a reputation for being slightly eccentric. A reputation she is well aware of, and a reputation she welcomes, for it affords her freedom, allows her to do the things she really wants to do, the things other people don’t dare, and because she is thought of as eccentric, exceptions are always made.

I feel like we probably all know that cooky old person. The one that is slightly embarrassing because frankly, she doesn’t give a damn. But why wait until your old to enjoy  your life and not give a damn? To let go of all those insecurities. Do everything you want to do. Say everything you want to say. It really has me thinking.

Another fun thing to note about the book, there is a Nadine in it! She is a past relationship from one of the characters in the book, so she isn’t spoken of much but I thought that was cool.

Skimmers: I really enjoyed this book. It is not mind blowing or incredibly deep, it would make a great summer read. Especially if you are on a beach! I personally liked the way it followed along with several characters, and I would recommend this book.

I started Promises to Keep yesterday, another Jane Green novel out of opportunity of a 49 cent find at the thrift store! My hope is to link up more than just one book next month. No one wants to hear about my magazine 🙂

What are you reading?