alangmaack's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bayleewalsh's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
hkeeney7398's review against another edition
3.0
It was okay. I didn't feel like the ending was enough. I actually would have loved to hear more about Georgina. Could have been better.
adelphiereads's review against another edition
2.0
I did not enjoy this book. It was like the author wanted to put so many things into one book and her writing didn’t give justice to them. She wanted to write a romantic mystery/thriller novel but all I see was romance. And the romance wasn’t even that good. Let alone the mystery. The mystery was badly done. The small details, the foreshadowing and the evidences for the mystery don’t add up in the end and don’t make sense at all. Things would’ve been better if she simply focused on romance, instead. But I’m not so sure, I wasn’t swept off my feet with the romance too.
Everything just felt pushed. Or forced. Anyway this is only my personal opinion. Would I recommend this book? Definitely not if you’ve come from reading mystery novels like Agatha Christie or thriller novels like James Patterson or Kate Furnivall.
Everything just felt pushed. Or forced. Anyway this is only my personal opinion. Would I recommend this book? Definitely not if you’ve come from reading mystery novels like Agatha Christie or thriller novels like James Patterson or Kate Furnivall.
libby_joy's review against another edition
3.0
Listened to almost all on audiobook, the narrator was mediocre, she broke up sentences a weird way.
The story line was interesting, but poorly executed.
Murder victims cannot be organ donors as far as I know. There were other parts of the story that were lacking research (some medical advice on post-transplant life, how transplant lists work, etc).
Dnf.
The story line was interesting, but poorly executed.
Murder victims cannot be organ donors as far as I know. There were other parts of the story that were lacking research (some medical advice on post-transplant life, how transplant lists work, etc).
Dnf.
blackngoldgirlsbookspot's review against another edition
3.0
Colleen Coble's Hope Beach series is the perfect read if you're a landlocked beach lover like me. I've been pining away for the Outer Banks, but unfortunately my vacation isn't coming up anytime soon. Seagrass Pier was the suspenseful escape I needed.
While not quite as gripping or romantic as the previous books in the series, it was still nice to read a story that featured new characters and my old favorites from the first two books. Never fear, if you haven't read the first two books in the Hope Beach series, you can still read and enjoy Elin and Marc's story! Elin Summerall and Marc Everton's relationship starts off rather interestingly -- with a hookup. This is Christian fiction, so obviously there aren't any "details" and both have learned to forgive themselves and ask forgiveness for past wrongs that forever affected both their lives. Seagrass Pier focuses on both rediscovering the spark that they both felt when they were younger all while trying to find out the truth behind a dangerous and deadly mystery before more people get hurt or worse, killed. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't a little more chemistry between Marc and Elin. The sparks and storyline between two of the secondary characters was more interesting for me. However, the most suspenseful and intriguing monents happened when Marc and Elin were together, so that's a plus!
As always, Coble pens an interesting story that is hard to put down. If ever you're in search of a quick romantic read with mysterious undertones, her books are some of the best you can reach for. The Hope Beach series, while not my all-time favorite by the author, is still a set of worthwhile reads. Hopefully, there will be more beach-set stories from Ms. Coble in the near future!
*I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
While not quite as gripping or romantic as the previous books in the series, it was still nice to read a story that featured new characters and my old favorites from the first two books. Never fear, if you haven't read the first two books in the Hope Beach series, you can still read and enjoy Elin and Marc's story! Elin Summerall and Marc Everton's relationship starts off rather interestingly -- with a hookup. This is Christian fiction, so obviously there aren't any "details" and both have learned to forgive themselves and ask forgiveness for past wrongs that forever affected both their lives. Seagrass Pier focuses on both rediscovering the spark that they both felt when they were younger all while trying to find out the truth behind a dangerous and deadly mystery before more people get hurt or worse, killed. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't a little more chemistry between Marc and Elin. The sparks and storyline between two of the secondary characters was more interesting for me. However, the most suspenseful and intriguing monents happened when Marc and Elin were together, so that's a plus!
As always, Coble pens an interesting story that is hard to put down. If ever you're in search of a quick romantic read with mysterious undertones, her books are some of the best you can reach for. The Hope Beach series, while not my all-time favorite by the author, is still a set of worthwhile reads. Hopefully, there will be more beach-set stories from Ms. Coble in the near future!
*I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
kaci422's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I think if the author focused on one storyline then maybe it would have been better but mixing in two storylines, one about something from like a century prior, was a little much. The author spent so much time describing certain things for us to get to the end and not have them resolved which I feel might not have been a thing if there wasn't so much going on in the book. She's definitely great at writing, I just think this could have been split into two different books and been so much better.
booksoneveryshelf's review against another edition
3.0
It fell short of my expectations - 3.5 stars
Seagrass Pier is the third book in Colleen Coble’s Hope Beach series. I had really enjoyed the previous books and was anxiously awaiting this one. I’m sorry to say that it fell a bit short of my expectations.
Ms. Coble deals with a controversial subject in this novel - cell memory. Do those who receive donor organs actually know or remember things about their donor? Even going so far as having flashbacks that are not their own? I have to admit that I was a little put off by this plot, though I did manage to put that unease aside through most of the book and just enjoy the story.
Ms. Coble once again does an excellent job of writing a story that keeps you intrigued and wanting to know what will happen next. The descriptions were wonderful, the writing very well done, and the mystery fascinating. This is one of the few mysteries I’ve read where I seriously considered skipping to the end and finding out who the villain was, and then finishing the book.
Elin Summerall is one of the protagonists in this story. She is a very compelling character and I easily related to her. She is strong and determined, but also kind and caring. She really struggles with the cell memory and the flashbacks that come with it. She also contends with her fear of changing and becoming someone she doesn’t recognize.
Marc Everton is the “hero” in the book. He is the typical romance hero - strong, determined, stubborn, but with a soft spot for Elin and her daughter. I actually liked him a good deal, though I found a couple of his reactions a little unrealistic for the current events. As we learn early in the book, he has been wronged by Elin in the past, but seems to rather easily forgive her, though his anger at the situation does pop up once in a while. I suppose I was hoping for a bit more resolution between them, but the issue is rarely discussed. I enjoyed the story coming from his view point and getting to see everything through his eyes. He is also a strong Christian and endeavors to help Elin find who she is beyond all of the surface things that may change.
Marc and Elin’s relationship is interesting. They’ve been friends for years, though they haven’t seen each other for two of them. While they have the aforementioned issue between them, the chemistry is definitely there. I enjoyed how honest they both were and how they managed to move beyond the past and get to know each other anew.
As I already commented, the mystery had me very intrigued. It is rather intricate, with a couple things going on at once, that seem to have no connection to each other. I found it a little confusing at times and wasn’t always sure what was going on. I had to keep going over it in my head, trying to keep up, and I still have a couple questions. I may have to read the ending again in an attempt to figure them out. I do appreciate how Ms. Coble somehow kept it all together without getting something mixed up.
My only other complaint is that the book comes from several different view points. That usually doesn’t bother me, but with two mysteries, along with several characters to keep up with, it became quite confusing. A few times it would be afternoon, then skip to morning for another point of view and somehow still be the same day. I kept trying to figure out how they went back in time.
I’m disappointed that I didn’t enjoy it more, but overall, I would say this is a good, if somewhat complex book. I have enjoyed Ms. Coble’s previous books, so I will definitely be looking forward to the next.
I recommend this book if you enjoy complex mysteries with compelling characters.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through The Christian Manifesto for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Seagrass Pier is the third book in Colleen Coble’s Hope Beach series. I had really enjoyed the previous books and was anxiously awaiting this one. I’m sorry to say that it fell a bit short of my expectations.
Ms. Coble deals with a controversial subject in this novel - cell memory. Do those who receive donor organs actually know or remember things about their donor? Even going so far as having flashbacks that are not their own? I have to admit that I was a little put off by this plot, though I did manage to put that unease aside through most of the book and just enjoy the story.
Ms. Coble once again does an excellent job of writing a story that keeps you intrigued and wanting to know what will happen next. The descriptions were wonderful, the writing very well done, and the mystery fascinating. This is one of the few mysteries I’ve read where I seriously considered skipping to the end and finding out who the villain was, and then finishing the book.
Elin Summerall is one of the protagonists in this story. She is a very compelling character and I easily related to her. She is strong and determined, but also kind and caring. She really struggles with the cell memory and the flashbacks that come with it. She also contends with her fear of changing and becoming someone she doesn’t recognize.
Marc Everton is the “hero” in the book. He is the typical romance hero - strong, determined, stubborn, but with a soft spot for Elin and her daughter. I actually liked him a good deal, though I found a couple of his reactions a little unrealistic for the current events. As we learn early in the book, he has been wronged by Elin in the past, but seems to rather easily forgive her, though his anger at the situation does pop up once in a while. I suppose I was hoping for a bit more resolution between them, but the issue is rarely discussed. I enjoyed the story coming from his view point and getting to see everything through his eyes. He is also a strong Christian and endeavors to help Elin find who she is beyond all of the surface things that may change.
Marc and Elin’s relationship is interesting. They’ve been friends for years, though they haven’t seen each other for two of them. While they have the aforementioned issue between them, the chemistry is definitely there. I enjoyed how honest they both were and how they managed to move beyond the past and get to know each other anew.
As I already commented, the mystery had me very intrigued. It is rather intricate, with a couple things going on at once, that seem to have no connection to each other. I found it a little confusing at times and wasn’t always sure what was going on. I had to keep going over it in my head, trying to keep up, and I still have a couple questions. I may have to read the ending again in an attempt to figure them out. I do appreciate how Ms. Coble somehow kept it all together without getting something mixed up.
My only other complaint is that the book comes from several different view points. That usually doesn’t bother me, but with two mysteries, along with several characters to keep up with, it became quite confusing. A few times it would be afternoon, then skip to morning for another point of view and somehow still be the same day. I kept trying to figure out how they went back in time.
I’m disappointed that I didn’t enjoy it more, but overall, I would say this is a good, if somewhat complex book. I have enjoyed Ms. Coble’s previous books, so I will definitely be looking forward to the next.
I recommend this book if you enjoy complex mysteries with compelling characters.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through The Christian Manifesto for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
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