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The Beach Trees
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Tradd Street novels comes the story of one woman’s journey into a secret past—and a life she never expected on the ravaged coast of Biloxi, Mississippi...Working at an auction house in New York, Julie Holt meets a struggling artist and single mother who reminds her very much of her missing younger sister. Monica Guidry paints a vivid picture of her Southern family through stories, but never says why or how she lost contact with them. And she has another a heart condition that will soon take her life. Feeling as if she’s lost her sister a second time, Julie inherits from Monica an antique portrait—as well as custody of her young son. Taking him to Biloxi, Mississippi, to meet the family he’s never known, Julie discovers a connection of her own. The portrait, of an old Guidry relative, was done by her great-grandfather—and unlocks a surprising family history.... INCLUDES A READERS GUIDE AND AN EXCERPT OF DREAMS OF FALLING
434 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 3, 2011
874 people are currently reading
14208 people want to read
About the author
Karen White
42 books7,520 followersWith more than 2 million books in print in fifteen different languages, Karen White is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 34 novels, including the popular Charleston-set Tradd Street mystery series.
Raised in a house full of brothers, Karen’s love of books and strong female characters first began in the third grade when the local librarian issued her a library card and placed The Secret of the Old Clock, a Nancy Drew Mystery, in her hands.
Karen’s roots run deep in the South where many of her novels are set. Her intricate plot lines and compelling characters charm and captivate readers with just the right mix of family drama, mystery, intrigue and romance.
Not entirely convinced she wanted to be a writer, Karen first pursued a career in business and graduated cum laude with a BS in Management from Tulane University. Ten years later, in a weak moment, she wrote her first book. In the Shadow of the Moon was published in August, 2000. Her books—referred to as “grit lit” (Southern Women’s Fiction)—have since been nominated for numerous national contests including the SIBA (Southeastern Booksellers Alliance) Fiction Book of the Year.
Karen’s next book, THAT LAST CAROLINA SUMMER, will be published by Park Row Books in July, 2025.
When not writing, Karen spends her time reading, scrapbooking, playing piano, and avoiding cooking. Karen and her husband have two grown children and currently live near Atlanta, Georgia with two spoiled Havanese dogs.
- See more at: http://www.karen-white.com/bio.cfm#st...
Raised in a house full of brothers, Karen’s love of books and strong female characters first began in the third grade when the local librarian issued her a library card and placed The Secret of the Old Clock, a Nancy Drew Mystery, in her hands.
Karen’s roots run deep in the South where many of her novels are set. Her intricate plot lines and compelling characters charm and captivate readers with just the right mix of family drama, mystery, intrigue and romance.
Not entirely convinced she wanted to be a writer, Karen first pursued a career in business and graduated cum laude with a BS in Management from Tulane University. Ten years later, in a weak moment, she wrote her first book. In the Shadow of the Moon was published in August, 2000. Her books—referred to as “grit lit” (Southern Women’s Fiction)—have since been nominated for numerous national contests including the SIBA (Southeastern Booksellers Alliance) Fiction Book of the Year.
Karen’s next book, THAT LAST CAROLINA SUMMER, will be published by Park Row Books in July, 2025.
When not writing, Karen spends her time reading, scrapbooking, playing piano, and avoiding cooking. Karen and her husband have two grown children and currently live near Atlanta, Georgia with two spoiled Havanese dogs.
- See more at: http://www.karen-white.com/bio.cfm#st...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,486 reviews
August 11, 2013
Ok, here's the thing. It was a gripping read. I debated on 3 or 4 stars, but ultimately decided that I since I really, really wanted to find out what happened, that was saying something. I have five main issues:
1) The historical part of the story was fantastic. However, the newer story in the book was not nearly as good as the story in the past. I kept wanting to skip ahead to go back to Aimee's story.
2) The reason that Monica left was not believable to me. It wasn't good enough to stay away from her brother and grandmother for 10 years, no way.
3) I didn't get the sense that Monica and Julie were as close as Ms. White wanted us to believe. It didn't come through in the plot.
4) Aimee says that she and Julie will share stories and find the answers. I felt as though Julie's story held none of the answers. She found a picture album, that's it. If either Trey or Aimee had bothered to look through Monica's stuff when she left, they would have found it 10 years earlier. Why didn't they look? There was no good reason given.
5) The story of Chelsea is unfinished. But not in an open-ended, frame your own ending sort of way -- it was more like Ms. White forgot to finish that part of the story.
However, like I said, it was a very suspenseful and gripping read. I wanted to know what happened. I hated to put it down. Most of my issues have to do with the fact that the ending seemed rushed and unfinished.
1) The historical part of the story was fantastic. However, the newer story in the book was not nearly as good as the story in the past. I kept wanting to skip ahead to go back to Aimee's story.
2) The reason that Monica left was not believable to me. It wasn't good enough to stay away from her brother and grandmother for 10 years, no way.
3) I didn't get the sense that Monica and Julie were as close as Ms. White wanted us to believe. It didn't come through in the plot.
4) Aimee says that she and Julie will share stories and find the answers. I felt as though Julie's story held none of the answers. She found a picture album, that's it. If either Trey or Aimee had bothered to look through Monica's stuff when she left, they would have found it 10 years earlier. Why didn't they look? There was no good reason given.
5) The story of Chelsea is unfinished. But not in an open-ended, frame your own ending sort of way -- it was more like Ms. White forgot to finish that part of the story.
However, like I said, it was a very suspenseful and gripping read. I wanted to know what happened. I hated to put it down. Most of my issues have to do with the fact that the ending seemed rushed and unfinished.
June 21, 2011
I have been sitting here since I finished the book trying to come up with a good review. I just keep coming back to.... Wow. I love Karen White's books, but this is my absolute favorite. I found myself torn between wanting to keep reading to find out what happened, and wanting to read more slowly so as to be able to savor the story longer. No need to rehash the plot (not that I ever do anyway) since that has been done numerous times by those more skillful at that than I. Just read it. Then you can sit with the book closed in your lap and say Wow too.
March 6, 2013
After finishing THE BEACH TREES, I longed for more of the story, and to go and see what New Orleans and the Gulf Coast are like. I closed the book, and it was as though I'd left some good friends behing!
Karen White's THE BEACH TREES is an excellent and compelling read! It begins with Julie, who has inherited (part) ownership of a home on the river in Biloxi, Mississippi, along with her best friend's five year-old son. Her deceased friend, Monica, died very young, of a congenital heart problem, and Julie was her best friend. She had run away from her roots--her family and the places where she grew up because of circumstances that are mysterious to Julie. But Julie can understand Monica, because her own family life was pretty dysfunctional, and she lost her younger sister when she was twelve, and went missing while Julie was watching her. What a difficult burden for any person to bear!
The story relates how Julie goes to Biloxi and then New Orleans, meeting Monica's estranged family, and introduces them to Beau--his existence previously unknown to them until Julie arrives on the scene.
At first, she's very suspicious, as she should be, but later, comes to have a relationship with Monica's family that helps everyone grow and change. This is a moving story of reunions and hope--even when your whole life has been shattered. I enjoyed reading about the relationship of Aimee to everyone in the story. She comes to be a grandmother figure to Julie, and enables her to put her life back together again.
Once you read about 50 pages, you won't want to put this book down!
Karen White's THE BEACH TREES is an excellent and compelling read! It begins with Julie, who has inherited (part) ownership of a home on the river in Biloxi, Mississippi, along with her best friend's five year-old son. Her deceased friend, Monica, died very young, of a congenital heart problem, and Julie was her best friend. She had run away from her roots--her family and the places where she grew up because of circumstances that are mysterious to Julie. But Julie can understand Monica, because her own family life was pretty dysfunctional, and she lost her younger sister when she was twelve, and went missing while Julie was watching her. What a difficult burden for any person to bear!
The story relates how Julie goes to Biloxi and then New Orleans, meeting Monica's estranged family, and introduces them to Beau--his existence previously unknown to them until Julie arrives on the scene.
At first, she's very suspicious, as she should be, but later, comes to have a relationship with Monica's family that helps everyone grow and change. This is a moving story of reunions and hope--even when your whole life has been shattered. I enjoyed reading about the relationship of Aimee to everyone in the story. She comes to be a grandmother figure to Julie, and enables her to put her life back together again.
Once you read about 50 pages, you won't want to put this book down!
March 21, 2024
This is contrived and frustrating to read. I was impatient with the alternating events past and present and threads that took a very long time to tie together. It is not logical that Aimee would take months to tell her whole story--who does that?--especially when it contains the main point of what Julie wants to find out. It is a stretch that Monica purposely created this mystery before she died for Julie to solve--who does that?? This is peppered with annoying characters who can't seem to ever answer a question when asked. About halfway through, I wanted the story to end and move on to something better, but persevered. There are a lot of meaningless conversations interjected only to seemingly produce a 400-page novel that warrants 200. Afternoon soap opera is a kind description for this. I bought this book because it's indicated it is a NYT Bestseller (doubtful) with many glowing reviews (false advertising) that probably created too high of expectations in me. The style reminds me of Anne Rivers Siddons, who I gave up on a while back. The overall plot description is appealing with an attractive cover, but the storytelling on this particular book falls short.
June 23, 2016
Okay I knew better, having really disliked another book by this same author but a friend gave this to me with a great recommendation. Oh my gosh - where to start?? Truly the most clichéd story ever. NO ONE doesn't know how it will end after the first 5 pages.
This supposedly smart young woman doesn't know how to swim, doesn't know about boob-showing to get beads at Mardi Gras, has no clue what a po'boy sandwich is. She constantly wears a blouse...a blouse with a skirt, a blouse with jeans. A blouse. Not a shirt. No one young calls a casual top a blouse anymore, do they?? No. And oh my gosh - the writing.
1. The New Orleans detective: writing everything in his stained and faded leather notebook. A stocky man wearing a filthy raincoat. The scratch of his pen on the paper and the gum-smacking. Wtf?? Is this Columbo?
2. "I placed my hand on the scarred bark of the tree as if I could mend it, then drew my hand away, somehow knowing that I wasn't there to make the scars disappear" - huh??
3. Butterflies tapping on the glass? Really? Butterflies can be heard tapping on window glass??? These are NOT butterflies.
4. Oh and THIS: "His lips vibrated with a throaty chuckle as he nipped at my jawbone" No, this is not a mule - it's her husband. *gag
5. And there are CONSTANTLY birds twittering and insects chittering or skittering or something equally lame.
The truth is that the only thing I enjoyed about this book AT ALL was circling passages that made me cringe.
There's no way I can believe all the good reviews for this book - it was atrocious.
This supposedly smart young woman doesn't know how to swim, doesn't know about boob-showing to get beads at Mardi Gras, has no clue what a po'boy sandwich is. She constantly wears a blouse...a blouse with a skirt, a blouse with jeans. A blouse. Not a shirt. No one young calls a casual top a blouse anymore, do they?? No. And oh my gosh - the writing.
1. The New Orleans detective: writing everything in his stained and faded leather notebook. A stocky man wearing a filthy raincoat. The scratch of his pen on the paper and the gum-smacking. Wtf?? Is this Columbo?
2. "I placed my hand on the scarred bark of the tree as if I could mend it, then drew my hand away, somehow knowing that I wasn't there to make the scars disappear" - huh??
3. Butterflies tapping on the glass? Really? Butterflies can be heard tapping on window glass??? These are NOT butterflies.
4. Oh and THIS: "His lips vibrated with a throaty chuckle as he nipped at my jawbone" No, this is not a mule - it's her husband. *gag
5. And there are CONSTANTLY birds twittering and insects chittering or skittering or something equally lame.
The truth is that the only thing I enjoyed about this book AT ALL was circling passages that made me cringe.
There's no way I can believe all the good reviews for this book - it was atrocious.
July 17, 2012
It's one thing to have a facility with words, and it's another to construct an engrossing story with a smooth release of information. Ms White is a wordsmith, but much of the time in this novel there were too many of them, and too much reading the expressions of people, along the lines of "behind his eyes he kept his secrets to himself", and having an important recollection just beyond the character's grasp and memory all to create suspense. "Something floated by in my mind that avoided me." The narrative is divided between first person stories of the young protagonist and an old woman--whose recollections include conversations and 50 year old thoughts that are far from what an oral telling is like. Maybe this is nit-picking, but these points drew the story out too long and made it confusing. Two murders, two missing young women, two heart attacks, two pieces of missing jewelry--it was all too much.
I do applaud the author's efforts to ground the story in the real events of hurricanes Camille and Katrina, and these were the most interesting aspects of the story.
I do applaud the author's efforts to ground the story in the real events of hurricanes Camille and Katrina, and these were the most interesting aspects of the story.
June 2, 2019
Geras! Knyga, iš kurios nieko nesitikėjau, bet kuri man labai patiko. Manau, kad viršelis ir pavadinimas apgauna ir nieko doro nepasako apie knygą. Galiausiai supranti pavadinimo esmę, bet galėjo būti ir geriau atskleidžiantis istoriją. Primena gerą amerikietišką romantinį filmą su šiek tiek kriminalo elementų. Visą laiką skaičiau ir miriau iš smalsumo, o kas gi ten toliau. Puikus romanas atostogoms, kai norisi geros, įtraukiančios istorijos su meilės elementais, bet be saldumo.
November 2, 2014
This is my third book by Karen White and by far it is my favorite by her. I was captivated from the beginning. Told from the perspective of two women, Julie and Aimee. I was more interested in Aimee's story, from the past, than Julie's. It's definitely a story that I hated to put down because I wanted to know 'what happened'. Full of mystery, family secrets, loss, and a little romance.
June 6, 2022
A love letter to the Coastal South. Engaging. Atmospheric. Old family secrets and mysteries. So close to being five stars, except I didn't care for the way one of the plot points wrapped up.
April 9, 2013
Kind of a vanilla book for me. The setting was what spoke to me most about the book. It made me want to be on a secluded beach, listening to the bird calls and smelling the breeze.
There are two protagonists in the book, Julie and Aimee. Julie's story frames the book. She has become the guardian to a five year old boy after his mother dies young of a heart condition. She takes him to New Orleans to meet his family and also to restore a beach house in Biloxi that she now co-owns with that family, also thanks to the deceased friend.
Turns out that Julie's friend ran away from her home in the South and never looked back. The mystery to why she did is the puzzle to solve in the book. In the end, the friend's reasons seem extremely contrived and unsatisfactory. There was a gothic story here, but it wasn't handled well enough to really shine in that genre.
Julie's sister disappeared seventeen years ago. Since then, Julie's never really let herself have a life due to her guilt about possibly having been able to prevent the disappearance. She spends her nights trolling missing persons websites.
Aimee (a strangely modern spelling) is the other protagonist. She's the grandmother (or great-grandmother?) to this little boy. She begins to slowly tell Julie the story of her life in the 1950's. In theory this story is to help them "put the pieces together" and figure out why Julie left.
While Aimee's story is by far more interesting, for me it didn't work as a way to tell the reader the true story of the book. It's drawn out over months and months- this might build tension in a book but it's a ridiculous way to give another person information about a problem that you both want to solve. It might have been better to do the "lost letter" thing instead of having a living person hold back information, while still wanting that person to be sympathetic.
Julie is a real sad sack in the book. Of course, there's a romance, but I couldn't feel why the man in the relationship would be drawn to her, other than "she's gorgeous" in some non-specific way. Julie's pain is sad, but she's such a fuddy-duddy for a 29 year old woman that I got impatient with her a lot. She also had tons of time (and apparently money) to spend, docenting part-time at a museum while mainly focusing on the renovation of this house, playing with the child, and wandering on the beach a lot.
There's a kind of nasty undertone to the racial and homosexual aspects of the book. Turns out that one of the characters is repeatedly raped while her husband also has an affair with (or also rapes?) the hired help. A very weird, gothic dynamic, which never really gets explored. The race aspect seems very glossed over for an issue that definitely would have had a huge impact on how these people lived, and it was a shame not to examine it more thoroughly. And then there's the "crazy lesbian" trope which I definitely could have done without. Again, if explored intelligently it could have been a great issue- I'm sure that many women had to conceal who they were and tolerate sex that they really didn't want (I'm sure this still happens) in order to conform to the dictates of society. But nothing was done with the issue that made me think that the author had thought these tragedies through.
The difficulty of moving on after loss was what the author really seemed to want to address in this book, and she did a decent job of that.
There are two protagonists in the book, Julie and Aimee. Julie's story frames the book. She has become the guardian to a five year old boy after his mother dies young of a heart condition. She takes him to New Orleans to meet his family and also to restore a beach house in Biloxi that she now co-owns with that family, also thanks to the deceased friend.
Turns out that Julie's friend ran away from her home in the South and never looked back. The mystery to why she did is the puzzle to solve in the book. In the end, the friend's reasons seem extremely contrived and unsatisfactory. There was a gothic story here, but it wasn't handled well enough to really shine in that genre.
Julie's sister disappeared seventeen years ago. Since then, Julie's never really let herself have a life due to her guilt about possibly having been able to prevent the disappearance. She spends her nights trolling missing persons websites.
Aimee (a strangely modern spelling) is the other protagonist. She's the grandmother (or great-grandmother?) to this little boy. She begins to slowly tell Julie the story of her life in the 1950's. In theory this story is to help them "put the pieces together" and figure out why Julie left.
While Aimee's story is by far more interesting, for me it didn't work as a way to tell the reader the true story of the book. It's drawn out over months and months- this might build tension in a book but it's a ridiculous way to give another person information about a problem that you both want to solve. It might have been better to do the "lost letter" thing instead of having a living person hold back information, while still wanting that person to be sympathetic.
Julie is a real sad sack in the book. Of course, there's a romance, but I couldn't feel why the man in the relationship would be drawn to her, other than "she's gorgeous" in some non-specific way. Julie's pain is sad, but she's such a fuddy-duddy for a 29 year old woman that I got impatient with her a lot. She also had tons of time (and apparently money) to spend, docenting part-time at a museum while mainly focusing on the renovation of this house, playing with the child, and wandering on the beach a lot.
There's a kind of nasty undertone to the racial and homosexual aspects of the book. Turns out that one of the characters is repeatedly raped while her husband also has an affair with (or also rapes?) the hired help. A very weird, gothic dynamic, which never really gets explored. The race aspect seems very glossed over for an issue that definitely would have had a huge impact on how these people lived, and it was a shame not to examine it more thoroughly. And then there's the "crazy lesbian" trope which I definitely could have done without. Again, if explored intelligently it could have been a great issue- I'm sure that many women had to conceal who they were and tolerate sex that they really didn't want (I'm sure this still happens) in order to conform to the dictates of society. But nothing was done with the issue that made me think that the author had thought these tragedies through.
The difficulty of moving on after loss was what the author really seemed to want to address in this book, and she did a decent job of that.
March 5, 2019
Love this author! From the time she was twelve, Julie Holt knew what a random tragedy can do to a family. At that tender age, her little sister disappeared-never to be found. It was a loss that slowly eroded the family bonds she once relied on. As an adult with a prestigious job in the arts, Julie meets a struggling artist who reminds her so much of her sister, she can't help feeling protective. It is a friendship that begins a long and painful process of healing for Julie, leading her to a house on the Gulf Coast, ravaged by hurricane Katrina, and to stories of family that take her deep into the past.
July 21, 2011
My favorite of Karen Whites novels!!! Really pulls you in... her writing makes you feel with her words the salty ocean air on your skin and the sand between your toes!!! Very inspiring... Definitely worth 4.5 stars!!!
August 3, 2011
Julie Holt and Monica Guidry become best friends with the young artist Monica, who because of artistry and zest for life had reminded Julie of her long lost sister who had disappeared some 17 years ago and whom Julie was still looking for. After Monica, who had congestive heart failure died, Julie received a legacy of a beach house as well as guardianship of Monica’s five year old son Beau. Julie decided to head to Biloxi and discover the beach house Monica had so loved and to discover why Monica had run and hid from her family for years; the same family whom she regaled with such heart warming memories of her family life and love. What Julie finds is a decades old mystery of love, betrayal, murder, and a powerful bond of family, strength, and endurance that gives her the power to let go of guilt and resume a life that had been stagnant for far too long.
*** First of all – THE BEACH TREES was an absolutely phenomenal read! It was extremely hard to put down and even harder still to stay away from as their were two subplots with main characters Julie in the present, and Aimee’s story from the 1950’s which were absolutely riveting. Normally I hate stories that go back and forth, but in this case it was what moved the entire plot along.
Ms. White did a marvelous job writing THE BEACH TREES and I especially enjoyed the way she treated Aimee’s story with exceptional pacing that allowed Aimee (now an elderly woman) to remember all the good times as well as opening up and letting her memories come together to forge the pieces of a puzzle from long ago fit together. It was emotional, sensitive and thoroughly entertaining.
Ms. White fashioned all of the supporting characters (Aimee, Beau, Trey, Gary, Ray Von and Wes) as essential in helping to move the story forward while allowing Julie to finally come and face some bitter truths about her own search for her long lost sister all of these years, intent on blaming herself for not watching her sister more carefully. The setting of Louisiana, (post Katrina) was a study in the Southern culture and a glimpse of the fortitude of the people who live there who hold dearly to their ancestry and love of their homeland in spite of the occasional hurricane that rips apart what they treasure most.
Bottom line: As mentioned in the beginning, this book is a phenomenal read with a powerful message of faith, and determination. THE BEACH TREES is highly recommended reading!
Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com
*** First of all – THE BEACH TREES was an absolutely phenomenal read! It was extremely hard to put down and even harder still to stay away from as their were two subplots with main characters Julie in the present, and Aimee’s story from the 1950’s which were absolutely riveting. Normally I hate stories that go back and forth, but in this case it was what moved the entire plot along.
Ms. White did a marvelous job writing THE BEACH TREES and I especially enjoyed the way she treated Aimee’s story with exceptional pacing that allowed Aimee (now an elderly woman) to remember all the good times as well as opening up and letting her memories come together to forge the pieces of a puzzle from long ago fit together. It was emotional, sensitive and thoroughly entertaining.
Ms. White fashioned all of the supporting characters (Aimee, Beau, Trey, Gary, Ray Von and Wes) as essential in helping to move the story forward while allowing Julie to finally come and face some bitter truths about her own search for her long lost sister all of these years, intent on blaming herself for not watching her sister more carefully. The setting of Louisiana, (post Katrina) was a study in the Southern culture and a glimpse of the fortitude of the people who live there who hold dearly to their ancestry and love of their homeland in spite of the occasional hurricane that rips apart what they treasure most.
Bottom line: As mentioned in the beginning, this book is a phenomenal read with a powerful message of faith, and determination. THE BEACH TREES is highly recommended reading!
Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com
August 17, 2018
What is it about Ms White's books that have me borderline obsessed? I'm working my way through her ebooks at my public library like a crazy person. There's the lovely southern settings, the beautiful homes and delicious foods. Throw in the dual storylines and a deeply buried family secret...and I'm hooked every single time.
July 26, 2020
Pažintis su Karen White nenuvylė 😊 skaitysiu ir kitas jos knygas 100%
"Pakrantės medžiai" - jautri ir šilta šeimos istorija, kuri prikaustė ir išlaikė intrigą iki pat galo.
"Pakrantės medžiai" - jautri ir šilta šeimos istorija, kuri prikaustė ir išlaikė intrigą iki pat galo.
January 1, 2014
Three stars.
Maybe it was the wrong book at the wrong time of year or possibly I was put off by the faint print but I struggled to read this one. Julie Holt's sister disappears when she is twelve and it affects her life. Even as an adult she is constantly looking to find her sister, Chelsea. When she meets Monica, a struggling artist they form a deep friendship or so Julie thought. Even though Monica leaves her son Beau in Julie's care, Julie finds out she doesn't know as much about her friends or her family as she though. Secrets, lies, and natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina, add tension to this novel yet for all that it didn't quite work for me. I enjoyed it but not as much as I expected to or as much as The Lost Hours. I got a bit annoyed with the way the story flipped between Julie and Aimee's stories. Aimee is Monica's grandmother and the way Aimee dragged the story out. There is of course a romance interest in the story as well, but I wasn't convinced.
Maybe it was the wrong book at the wrong time of year or possibly I was put off by the faint print but I struggled to read this one. Julie Holt's sister disappears when she is twelve and it affects her life. Even as an adult she is constantly looking to find her sister, Chelsea. When she meets Monica, a struggling artist they form a deep friendship or so Julie thought. Even though Monica leaves her son Beau in Julie's care, Julie finds out she doesn't know as much about her friends or her family as she though. Secrets, lies, and natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina, add tension to this novel yet for all that it didn't quite work for me. I enjoyed it but not as much as I expected to or as much as The Lost Hours. I got a bit annoyed with the way the story flipped between Julie and Aimee's stories. Aimee is Monica's grandmother and the way Aimee dragged the story out. There is of course a romance interest in the story as well, but I wasn't convinced.
October 11, 2017
This was a fantastic read! I was hooked from the first chapter. While reading this, I learned a lot about New Orleans, Biloxi and the devastation Hurricane Katrina had on those areas. Ms. White really did her research while writing this novel. The things she described had me running to Google so I could see pictures of Katrina trees as well as shoofly porches.
The book not only had a romantic theme, but a mystery element as well. Karen White definitely has a new fan. I can't wait to get my hands on more books by her.
The book not only had a romantic theme, but a mystery element as well. Karen White definitely has a new fan. I can't wait to get my hands on more books by her.
October 9, 2011
WOW! So different than what I usually read...and it was soooo good. There was romance in the book, but I wouldn't classify this as a Romance. It was such a heart wrenching story of such wonderful people and how things that happened generations before affected their family. Hidden family secrets, the heroine, Julie trying to uncover those secrets and wonderful story telling from the characters had me turning the pages seeing what would happen next.
This is a story is about finding answers to unknowns or acceptance that sometimes you don't have answers, but you just have to go on and live, forgive and accept- not look back. Julie has had some past tragedies and heartbreak. Her sister disappeared 17 years ago while she was to be watching her and it destroyed her family. She still looks for her everyday of her life, has no dreams of her own because she can't move on without knowing. Now, Julie just had her best friend, Monica, die from a heart condition and she is granted custody of Monica's sweet 5 year old son, Beau, and the keys to a beach house in Biloxi, Mississippi. Julie decides to leave NYC and take Beau to Monica's beach house because she wants him to be surrounded by such wonderful memories and stories of Monica's childhood and she doesn't know what else to do. Julie is broke, has no family, and hopes she will find some answers to her and Beau's future, but when she arrives the house is gone- destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Undecided where to go next she meets an old woman who gives her a package that was sent to her by Monica before she died and was told to give it to Julie if she comes a calling. The package is a picture of a woman painted by Julie's great grandfather. Why would Monica have it and why did she never tell Julie about their family's connection? She knows that Monica has family in New Orleans and the old lady directs her to talk to Aimee, Monica's grandmother. Monica was estranged from her family, yet she would never tell Julie why, so Julie is a little scared to expose Beau to another sad or unstable situation.
Julie needs money so she decides to display her painting in an art gallery to sell because it is very valuable and she is contacted immediately by Aimee and Monica's brother. She immediately feels the love from Aimee, but Trey, Monica's brother, is threatened on Julie's motives and there is definitely some sparks (both good and bad). They both see Beau and know immediately he is Monica's son. I could feel the heartbreak from both Trey and Aimee and not getting to say goodbye to Monica. This is where so many more questions appear and by flashbacks to 1950 to Aimee's stories, discovering the history of the picture's origin, the beach house stories remembered by all three and the mystery surrounding all of this creates the most amazing story that I just loved!! So is knowing or not knowing past tragedies' answers better? The ending to one mystery (Aimee's mom) did come out of left field a little. I would have like to have seen a little more romance and physical connection between Julie and Monica's brother Trey, it would have been just icing on the cake!
December 26, 2012
In travelling south to Biloxi, Julie Holt is travelling towards her future; one in which she has a home at the evocatively named River Song, left to her by her late friend Monica, and is step mother to Monica's son Beau. Or, it could just be another episode in her life of searching.
Julie's younger sister went missing when they were both children, but Julie has never given up hope of finding Chelsea, and never stopped feeling guilty for her sister's disappearance. Monica had reminded Julie of Chelsea, but now she too was gone, and Julie is not sure if she wants to take on the responsibility for everything Monica has left her.
To begin with, Monica has a family who, likewise, has never given up hope of hearing from the delinquent daughter who left home never to have further contact with her family. When Julie, a stranger, turns up with Monica's son in tow, and claiming to be heir to Monica's beach house, their suspicions are aroused.
Especially those of Trey, Monica's brother and, it turns out, part owner of River Song. But the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina has left it's legacy on Monica's once cherished house, and on the entire Gulf Coast.
It also seems that Monica knew something that Julie did not - about a connection between their two families that goes back a couple of generations. Aimee, the family matriarch holds the key to understanding what that connection is. The Beach Trees is as much Aimee's story as it is Julie's, and they alternate in telling the story that will somehow make sense of things to Julie's satisfaction. Or will it?
I have to admit I got a bit impatient with the alternating threads of this novel - the past and the present. I could not understand why anyone would deliberately take so long to give someone the answers they wanted to important questions. The problem is more one of the novel's structure rather than the story it tells.
But, there is plenty of atmosphere and empathy for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, the lives lost, and the lives broken by loss of one kind or another and the heroic efforts to rebuild, as symbolised by the beach trees of the title. It is the setting and the peripheral events that surround the story that make it an interesting read.
But towards the end, like Julie, I just wanted answers without all the interruptions.
Review by Kerry Hennigan
Dec 26, 2012.
Julie's younger sister went missing when they were both children, but Julie has never given up hope of finding Chelsea, and never stopped feeling guilty for her sister's disappearance. Monica had reminded Julie of Chelsea, but now she too was gone, and Julie is not sure if she wants to take on the responsibility for everything Monica has left her.
To begin with, Monica has a family who, likewise, has never given up hope of hearing from the delinquent daughter who left home never to have further contact with her family. When Julie, a stranger, turns up with Monica's son in tow, and claiming to be heir to Monica's beach house, their suspicions are aroused.
Especially those of Trey, Monica's brother and, it turns out, part owner of River Song. But the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina has left it's legacy on Monica's once cherished house, and on the entire Gulf Coast.
It also seems that Monica knew something that Julie did not - about a connection between their two families that goes back a couple of generations. Aimee, the family matriarch holds the key to understanding what that connection is. The Beach Trees is as much Aimee's story as it is Julie's, and they alternate in telling the story that will somehow make sense of things to Julie's satisfaction. Or will it?
I have to admit I got a bit impatient with the alternating threads of this novel - the past and the present. I could not understand why anyone would deliberately take so long to give someone the answers they wanted to important questions. The problem is more one of the novel's structure rather than the story it tells.
But, there is plenty of atmosphere and empathy for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, the lives lost, and the lives broken by loss of one kind or another and the heroic efforts to rebuild, as symbolised by the beach trees of the title. It is the setting and the peripheral events that surround the story that make it an interesting read.
But towards the end, like Julie, I just wanted answers without all the interruptions.
Review by Kerry Hennigan
Dec 26, 2012.
February 20, 2016
The formula the author uses to unravel The Big Mystery gets irritating after a while. Using an ongoing conversation to purposely draw out the story doesn't work for me ("I'm afraid that's it for now, I need to rest" and the conversation picks up days later...ugh), especially when the joint realization amongst the key players in the last 20 pages (insert eye-roll here) could have been figured out without most of the historical recounting from the matriarch character.
One thing I really get annoyed with is outdated stereotyped characterization. In this case, the main character, Julie, is originally from New England. So naturally she is portrayed as uptight and ignorant in the most ridiculous ways: she completely freaks out about kayaking the first time, doesn't have any idea what a po' boy is, instantly thinks another character who's face is disfigured must be nothing but bad news, and lives such a practical life that even shopping for something other than food is plain frivolous. Come on.
The location also didn't feel thoroughly researched. Descriptions of New Orleans and Biloxi felt generic and broad; I was expecting to learn at least some lesser-known stuff having never visited that part of the Gulf Coast.
Not a total failure if you're looking for an easy read but not a successful one if you're looking for something with depth.
One thing I really get annoyed with is outdated stereotyped characterization. In this case, the main character, Julie, is originally from New England. So naturally she is portrayed as uptight and ignorant in the most ridiculous ways: she completely freaks out about kayaking the first time, doesn't have any idea what a po' boy is, instantly thinks another character who's face is disfigured must be nothing but bad news, and lives such a practical life that even shopping for something other than food is plain frivolous. Come on.
The location also didn't feel thoroughly researched. Descriptions of New Orleans and Biloxi felt generic and broad; I was expecting to learn at least some lesser-known stuff having never visited that part of the Gulf Coast.
Not a total failure if you're looking for an easy read but not a successful one if you're looking for something with depth.
January 27, 2015
The author spins a mystery enticing the reader to want to read more. Julie's best friend Monica, dies and now she is part owner in a beach house in Biloxi plus she is now a guardian for Monica's five year old son. Julie gets acquainted with Monica's family, were secrets are slowly revealed, bringing her into their circle. Wonderful story.
November 21, 2015
hmm. Wonderful, slow moving, lazy read but with a twist. The reader is immersed into the after effects of Hurricane Katrina (and even Camilla), Katrina tree art, and the culture. The read was so languid and slow, I could only give it 4 stars. It was a good bedtime book. Put me to sleep many nights.
September 30, 2011
I just loved this book. Being a huge fan of Karen White, I probably loved the book before I even read it. This author really knows how to do family drama and wonderful, draw you in scenic descriptions. A big bonus if you are a fan of southern fiction.
November 9, 2016
So much history of the Katrina Hurricane in this book. The story itself was heartwarming and very intriguing.
March 22, 2017
Captivating, beautifully written and sad family story. I really enjoyed listening to this story.
February 16, 2023
I enjoyed this story, but it left me with some unanswered questions.
December 14, 2019
I bought this book at a resale shop and thought I'd take a chance on a bargain. The cashier commented that she had loved the book and had listened to it on a long trip. Julie Holt pulled up her roots to travel to Mississippi to live in a house that her recently deceased best friend had bequeathed her along with the guardianship of her young son. What Julie finds is a demolished house that had been blown away during Katrina. Looking for someone who would know her friends family she discovers that she has also inherited a portrait painted by her grandfather.
Putting together why she has been lead to Biloxi, Julie unwraps a family secret that lead her friend to leave home and to never return.
I really enjoyed this book. As it turns out, the author lives in Atlanta. I'll be looking into more of her books.
Putting together why she has been lead to Biloxi, Julie unwraps a family secret that lead her friend to leave home and to never return.
I really enjoyed this book. As it turns out, the author lives in Atlanta. I'll be looking into more of her books.
April 19, 2025
Such an amazing story I didn't want it to end, but I feel this way about all of karen's books.
I love how this story was on dual timelines.
Aimees story was simply phenomenal.I loved the whole book, and I loved how it wrapped up in the end.
The past holds secrets and they tend to come to light. in the end.
I have loved every book I have ever read by this author.
Such a wonderful book.
I am such a fan of karen white books.
I love how this story was on dual timelines.
Aimees story was simply phenomenal.I loved the whole book, and I loved how it wrapped up in the end.
The past holds secrets and they tend to come to light. in the end.
I have loved every book I have ever read by this author.
Such a wonderful book.
I am such a fan of karen white books.
January 10, 2020
I loved this book. She always does an awesome job drawing the reader into the story. I was having a hard time putting the book down and was still guessing up to the end. Wonderful book by a wonderful author!
March 13, 2024
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