dawnkrause's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful read, one that allows you to get right into their world!
I loved this book! Families are complicated and yet every member has something to contribute at different times. This four - generational story is sure to warm your heart.
I loved this book! Families are complicated and yet every member has something to contribute at different times. This four - generational story is sure to warm your heart.
gr8reader's review against another edition
3.0
Although there were things that were predictable, it was the perfect read after my last book as this was an easy one. (There were a few surprises)
eab333's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent! There was honestly NEVER a dull moment or plot hole. First read by this author. Definitely will look into her other novels!
mayafrank's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mishale1's review against another edition
3.0
Issy gets called to her childhood home Muses by the Sea, after her sister drops off her children with their grandmother Leo and great aunt Fae. Leo has a small accident and a police officer calls Issy asking if she can come care for the kids since her grandmother is in the hospital and Fae is unaccounted for.
When Issy gets to Muses there is a ton of family drama to deal with. The kids feel like they've been abandoned and Issy wonders if this could be possible. After all, their own mother Jillian gave them up to Leo and Fae.
In addition, Issy soon learns that Leo may be in worse shape physically, mentally and financially than she's realized.
Suddenly everything falls on Issy's plate.
I had a lot of trouble getting into this story. The Muses sounded like a really cool place and Issy, Leo, Fae and Chloe were all very likable.
I just couldn't get super invested in the story.
When Issy gets to Muses there is a ton of family drama to deal with. The kids feel like they've been abandoned and Issy wonders if this could be possible. After all, their own mother Jillian gave them up to Leo and Fae.
In addition, Issy soon learns that Leo may be in worse shape physically, mentally and financially than she's realized.
Suddenly everything falls on Issy's plate.
I had a lot of trouble getting into this story. The Muses sounded like a really cool place and Issy, Leo, Fae and Chloe were all very likable.
I just couldn't get super invested in the story.
mishmashedme's review against another edition
3.0
As much as I enjoy a book with a beach setting, this one was just okay.
Issy has to return to the beach estate she grew up in with her grandparents after a family emergency calls her back. She needs to take care of her grandmother and her nieces and nephew all while sorting through the estates finances and running her career from afar.
Issy has some help though, her childhood best friend and her brother help to get things back on track. Yet as she solves one of the family’s problems more come up.
I found it a bit chaotic with all the characters at the beginning. It was hard to keep all the names straight.
I also found the story dragged for the first half and I was frustrated by the family history being referred to repeatedly.
However, once it got going I was into it. I liked the characters once I sorted them out. I enjoyed how some had redeeming qualities when at first they seemed reprehensible. I did find it predictable and took much longer than needed to get going.
Issy has to return to the beach estate she grew up in with her grandparents after a family emergency calls her back. She needs to take care of her grandmother and her nieces and nephew all while sorting through the estates finances and running her career from afar.
Issy has some help though, her childhood best friend and her brother help to get things back on track. Yet as she solves one of the family’s problems more come up.
I found it a bit chaotic with all the characters at the beginning. It was hard to keep all the names straight.
I also found the story dragged for the first half and I was frustrated by the family history being referred to repeatedly.
However, once it got going I was into it. I liked the characters once I sorted them out. I enjoyed how some had redeeming qualities when at first they seemed reprehensible. I did find it predictable and took much longer than needed to get going.
dollycas's review against another edition
5.0
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Muses by the Sea is a special place, a mansion and grounds open to artists for years. But the family has all gone their separate ways leaving Leo (Grammy) and her sister-in-law Fae all on their own. Until a phone call from the police brings 4 generations of women home.
This was the summer beach read I have been waiting for. Family drama with mystery and romance too.
Issy had not been back home in years, she even missed her grandfather’s funeral, which was not her fault. But when she gets a call that her Grammy has fallen and there are 3 children without anyone to watch them, she quickly hurries back to the Muses by the Sea. When she gets there she finds things are even worse than she imagined. But she connects with an old friend and her brother who rush right in to try to bring a little order to the chaos.
Shelley Noble has created such a wonderful cast of characters and through the course of the book the vast difference in personalities emerge and collide. A very dysfunctional family, everyone is coming from a different place in their lives. Most only concerned about themselves. As the story continues they grow and evolve in a delightful way.
Grammy was a character I was so drawn to. The love of her life, Wes, has passed away as has one of her sons. She is at the age where she can remember the past vividly but current time is not always so easy. She finds comfort sitting on a bench near her loved ones graves, talking things over with them. Alzheimer’s may just be starting but she is a strong woman and she will fight to stay in her home until it is time to join her husband. I have known several woman like Grammy in my lifetime.
The location at Muses by the Sea is a character in itself. In addition to the mansion that just needs a little work and deep cleaning sounds like such a wonderful place. So many rooms and even a hidden elevator. If you would like to stay somewhere a little more rustic like Fae, there are several cabins on the property. Many haven’t been used in years but again a little TLC would go a long way. Surrounding the buildings are woods, meadows and coves.
The author also gives us a couple of mysteries to solve. Secrets, lies, a couple of missing persons, and theft are all found in this family saga.
I don’t want to give anything away but what I need in a summer beach read is a happy ending and this story did not disappoint. Love blooms, sacrifices are made, and those that need to pay do. You are going to want to pick this book up for your next summer getaway.
Muses by the Sea is a special place, a mansion and grounds open to artists for years. But the family has all gone their separate ways leaving Leo (Grammy) and her sister-in-law Fae all on their own. Until a phone call from the police brings 4 generations of women home.
This was the summer beach read I have been waiting for. Family drama with mystery and romance too.
Issy had not been back home in years, she even missed her grandfather’s funeral, which was not her fault. But when she gets a call that her Grammy has fallen and there are 3 children without anyone to watch them, she quickly hurries back to the Muses by the Sea. When she gets there she finds things are even worse than she imagined. But she connects with an old friend and her brother who rush right in to try to bring a little order to the chaos.
Shelley Noble has created such a wonderful cast of characters and through the course of the book the vast difference in personalities emerge and collide. A very dysfunctional family, everyone is coming from a different place in their lives. Most only concerned about themselves. As the story continues they grow and evolve in a delightful way.
Grammy was a character I was so drawn to. The love of her life, Wes, has passed away as has one of her sons. She is at the age where she can remember the past vividly but current time is not always so easy. She finds comfort sitting on a bench near her loved ones graves, talking things over with them. Alzheimer’s may just be starting but she is a strong woman and she will fight to stay in her home until it is time to join her husband. I have known several woman like Grammy in my lifetime.
The location at Muses by the Sea is a character in itself. In addition to the mansion that just needs a little work and deep cleaning sounds like such a wonderful place. So many rooms and even a hidden elevator. If you would like to stay somewhere a little more rustic like Fae, there are several cabins on the property. Many haven’t been used in years but again a little TLC would go a long way. Surrounding the buildings are woods, meadows and coves.
The author also gives us a couple of mysteries to solve. Secrets, lies, a couple of missing persons, and theft are all found in this family saga.
I don’t want to give anything away but what I need in a summer beach read is a happy ending and this story did not disappoint. Love blooms, sacrifices are made, and those that need to pay do. You are going to want to pick this book up for your next summer getaway.