Seaside Friends

Bay Harbor Beach #1

by Nellie Brooks

Thirty years after her mother's sudden disappearance, Pamela returns to her old beach house in the small town of Bay Harbor, Maine, where old friends, new neighbors, and long-forgotten secrets are already waiting for her.

When Mela finds an old journal and gets lost in the story, she has to decide whether she wants to stay at the coast, give the past a second chance, and solve the secrets her mother and grandmother were hiding. But her husband needs her to do her part at home...and sends daughter Kimmie to bring her back.

Amelie is overjoyed to see her childhood friend again. Her son is also visiting - and since she would like grandchildren sometime, she's glad to hear Mela's charming daughter is joining them.

Investigative journalist Kimmie is between projects. She's also freshly divorced and has no idea why, but at least it gives her time to drive up the coast and check what's going on with Mom. To her surprise, all her journalistic skills do not prepare her for what happens next...

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Romance, Contemporary, Womens Fiction, Literary Fiction, Ebooks

Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2023

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing needs work, the story didn’t flow very well. At times, I’d feel “how the heck did that happen” and find myself looking back to see if I missed something. I still haven’t figured out how Mela and Peter managed to have such a strong connection after 40 years. It was definitely one of those “how the heck did that happen” moments. Far as I could figure out, all they did was hold hands one day in high school!

[ISABELLE M MANDANICI · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends indeed d!

I really loved getting to know all the c :) ars vCard
I really loved getting to know all the characters. A wonderful way Nellie used so much description so that up u could feel that you were stepping right into the story.

[Nita · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good beach read book.

[Madison Rossmoore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a cute feel good book but found the characters to be a little surface level. Book didn’t flow very well.

[Erika Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really cute book with a fun premise! It reminds me a lot of the stories Elin Hilderband writes. My only criticism is there were a few sudden twists at the end that felt sudden and not fully formed. That being said, I enjoyed it enough to carry on to the second in the series!

[Robin]

quick easy read about sweet reconnection of childhood friends and a mother reconnecting with her children after finally finding herself

[Beverli · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story but the writing needs work. Lots of pieces that could and should be developed better. Also the writing was a little choppy in some places and hard to follow.

[Hollie Grieve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stories written in third person are just 😩 first half of the book was good but second half flopped

[Ainsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Dad taught me all I need to know about beekeeping, Julie had written. I’ll get my own hives and let thousands of sisters grow up together. They’ll love each other, and none of them will ever be lonely or left out. I always wonder how that would feel.”


This book was so heartwarming and a great summer read. I have always wanted to go to Maine and this transported me there! I also love bees so this book felt perfect.

This read was quick as the book isn’t very long - especially compared to most books now days - but I did enjoy the story and will continue the series.

I knocked off one start because there were too many major plot points in the book that I felt happened to quickly in the last 25% of the book. I felt like that distracted from the growth of Mela. I also found one glaring error that caused me to have to re-read a portion a few times to make sure I wasn’t misreading. At one point, Amelie’s mother is mistakenly referred to as Constance when that in fact is Julie’s grandmother. It was a small error but really took me out of the story for a second - especially because it was at a major point in the story.

Overall I enjoyed this book. The plot was somewhat predictable but it made for a great beach read and is a good read for anyone who feels like they are at a cross roads!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating, touching story of friendship, family, and second chances by the sea. The writing is evocative and mesmerizing, leaving me absolutely enchanted by the characters and the setting.
Initially, there’s a bit of melancholy when Mela, the main character, reflects on her life’s choices and marriage, her happy childhood in Bay Harbor, and also the mystery of her mom’s disappearance, but the overall feeling in the story is one of hope and joy.
I rooted for Mela from the very first, and it was truly so uplifting to see her take steps to change course in her life, reconnecting with old friends, family, and finding happiness in a way she didn’t expect. I loved how much Mela loved Bay Harbor, the beach, the sea, nature…and of course, the bees.
There are mysteries to uncover in the sleepy beach town, risks to take and unexpected new opportunities to explore. I loved all of it!
As in this author’s previous series Beach Cove, one of the things that really drew me in was the strong bond between the women in the stories, be they friends, daughters, sisters … It’s just so heartwarming the way they support each other! This is a wonderful start to a new series, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for all of them!

[Monika Hoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to use my holiday/day off to read one of the books I got from Stuff Your Kindle day!
I really kinda wish I could give half ratings. I enjoyed reading about Mela’s spontaneous decision to give herself her life back. This book really felt like digging your toes in the sand and going on a mental vacation. It felt extremely nostalgic to read the way she talked about Bay Harbor and the people she meets along the way. The author doesn’t spend a ton of time describing people Mela encounters in the book so it gives you an opportunity to kinda fill in the blanks a little on your own; that being said that also felt like a small pitfall to this book.
The reason I wish I could half rate is because there’s a lot that happens off the page, so the writing seems a bit choppy. We get some snippets of her mother’s journal but not a ton so it’s hard to feel like we’re on the same journey as Mela. It fast forwards quite a bit through some of the mundane stuff which I can appreciate but it also skips some parts that I wish I could have participated in.
So honesty I would probably rate it more like a 3.5. I enjoyed the feeling I got from reading the book but I wish I got some more details.

[Linda Fore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mela and Amelie were young friends who played in the waves and sand. Grown-up Mela is the wife of a campaigning man determined to gain office, even at the cost of his wife’s trust, safety, and comfort.
Mela walked out of the ladies’ room and discovered she was alone in the building – the campaign bus had left her! She was the forgotten one. Exhausted and extremely irritated at not being able to contact Rob or her personal assistant, Mela decided it was past time to visit her childhood home which was nearby. She had only spent an hour there since she was forced to leave after her mother’s accident.
This story is about returning to your memories and finding secrets long hidden. Mela reconnects with some of her friends, as well as establishing a new relationship with her daughter.
Nellie Brooks, your characters are wonderful, and your storyline is fascinating. Once more, you did not disappoint. Thank you for furnishing this book to me. I am gladly writing this review of your work.

[Readsandeats · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in a quartet and my first book by this author.
We meet Mela as a young child and she loves living with her Mum in Harbor Bay in their blue house. She loves spending time on the beach with her friend Amelia.
We then meet her again as an adult. Her husband is running for a political position, things happen and she realises that she wants to head back to Harbor Bay and the blue house. She realises that the house is not habitable at present so books into the town's motel which she discovers is run by her childhood friend Peter.
She reconnects with Amelia and makes plans but can these plans last? Her daughter Kimmie arrives at the request of her father to bring Mela back home, will she go and what will happen to the blue house?
Mela is very much at a cross roads, which road will she choose?

A wonderful start to the series and one that I will be continuing with. The plot line was well written and I loved the characters. They all added to the overall story and I want to know what happens next.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is really not a good book. The premise had potential but there were too many unlikely coincidences and plot developments that were unearned. Grammatical errors and weird phrasing needed editing. Things happened really fast without enough development. After a while I kind of skimmed to the end.

-the divorce happens in the blink of an eye with no discussion of the effect on Robert’s political career
- Mela and Peter are supposed to have some grand connection because of a brief interaction when they were children
- Amelie the therapist never seems to work and has all the time in the world to bake and cook delicious meals all day long
- it’s implied there’s a mystery about Julie’s boat accident but it’s completely undeveloped
- Sunny and Mela decide they’re related because Sunny and Julie looked alike as babies - REALLY?
- Sunny’s house has been abandoned with all her stuff in it for years and suddenly Johanna is able to get in and move it all out - REALLY?
Anyway, there’s a lot of totally implausible stuff that happens.

[SylviaV · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seaside Friends by Nellie Brooks. (Bay Harbor Beach #1)

This is the first book in a series and it is the setup for the following books. There is an ensemble cast of side characters, who may or may not get more time on the page in future books. The main character Pamela now in her late 40's, is on a journey to find out about her mother's disappearance when she was 7.
It is a nice feel good story with lots of potential; the mystery of what happened to her mother is not solved in this book and as more people are introduced into the story, some of the details, time lines and flow of the story are not consistent and took me out of the story to check back with previous chapters to see if I missed some details. Spoiler alert, I did not, there were inconsistencies. A nice summer/beach read, not engaging enough for me to keep my interest and for me to purchase the next books in the series. 3 stars.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story wasn't bad but it just didn't flow well. It was very choppy like waves in a stormy sea. A really good story needs to be smooth, like water for smooth sailing.
That being said I was looking forward to Mela solving the mystery of what happened to her mom but nothing really happened. Her relationship with her husband was...bleh. Not to mention in the last few chapters too many things happened.
It's nice to have some conflict in a story, especially gradually building up. When it's all thrown together at once...well...it makes you wonder: why did I read this to begin with?
It's interesting that the one thing I liked was the location of Bay Harbor. I liked the location better than the characters. However, is the setting enough to make me read the next in the series?

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not a particularly easy read although I enjoyed it I did feel like it shifted from character to character very quickly. I know it’s part of a series but the revelations that came out of this book didn’t feel fully finished. I did like the story though even though some of the characters seemed a little bit predictable and the story itself was quite predictable in some parts. It just seemed like there were too many characters but not enough time in this book and there was a lot crammed in with multiple characters that made it slightly confusing at times rather than really digging deep into individual characters so no real depth came from them characters. Overall not a bad read but I won’t be going out my way to carry on the series

[Gwen S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mêla Redirected Her Life! 4.35*****

Pamela aka Mela realized her political driven husband no longer needed her as his campaign bus left her behind locked in a theatre. Escaping she headed to her mother’s dilapidated, beach side cottage in Bar Harbor ME, and proceeded to renovate it while reconnecting with childhood friends Amelie and therapist and Peter a biologist/ motel owner. Together they all redirect their sails to become a tribe with new healthy life goals, including getting Kimmie, Bennett and Johanna to live in Bar Harbor, and Sunny to get her hip surgery.
Great characters with pregnant Sisley’s appearance additional tribe personnel. A good read!
12/21/23- 12/23/23 COVID-19 Winter Break 2023

[Susan Garatino · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very enjoyable, easy to read story. Mela is living a life not of her choosing, but doing her best to support her husbands political aspirations. When the unexpected happens, Mela finds herself in her childhood home and with two old friends And lie and Peter. As she reconnects with her past and nemories, she tries to also reconnect with her children. There is a lot she needs to learn about her past, and her moms friend Sunny seems to hold the backstory. However, the book did not end. At the very last it introduced a new character and a new plot twist...message: buy the next book to find out what happens. Absolutely hate books that end abruptly like this!

[Lady Galaxy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, easy, light, feel good story. I liked all of the main characters. I loved the setting. The only thing it needs to make it perfect would be the addition of a rescue dog or cat or both.

Yes, you have to use a slight bit of suspending of disbelief that a refrigerator that has sat unplugged in an empty house for close to 40 years would start right up when plugged back in. Since I frequently read books that feature talking cats, squirrels, raccoons and other witch's familiars, I can believe in than ancient refrigerator!

I plan to read this whole series.

[Cheryl A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost didn’t read it

As I started to read this book, it just wasn’t quite capturing me. As in other reviews I was getting ready to put it down for good. Others had written the same but said they were glad they kept reading it. I am glad I decided to keep reading. It is a very nice, sweet story that for me gave the message of “Don’t give up.” When life gives you lemons make lemonade. I will read book 2 to see if the story continues for Mela and Peter, Sunny, Johanna, Kimmie and Sisley. To see what life brings them.

[Lucia Valenzuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story about friendship and family. This book is full of surprises. Mela returns finally returns to her childhood home. That starts a succession of events that makes a heartwarming tale. Old friends, new friends, renewing ties with adult children, this book runs the gamut along with all the emotions. I highly recommend this one.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my voluntary, honest review.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good beach read

Follow your heart was not part of Mela's vocabulary. As the wife of an up-and-coming politician, she simply did what was expected and convinced herself it was enough. Then Mila realizes that maybe it's not enough and runs away to the sea-side home she shared with her mom before that fateful day 40 years ago. Will she stay or "come to her senses" and return to her husband that's too busy to notice she's even missing?

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mela returns to her childhood home to escape the direction her life is going. She finds old friends and old habits so easy to come back to. When her daughters decide to check up on her they too are drawn to the waterfront and the simple life. I enjoy reading about the renewal of old relationships and the creation of new ones.

[Terresa Mountain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was captivated by this story from the very beginning! The turn of events that caused the main character to do some soul searching makes you wonder why she waited so long! And renewing old friendships and facing the old memories are a great start toward healing! The last page left me ready for more!!!

[Betty Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet & Heartwarming

I loved, loved, lived this story. I didn't know where it was going but things begin to flow in when you needed it too. The moments wer
e priceless. Characters were so real and you loved them except a few of the men that really didn't take up much space. Read it!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book! It had a touch of nostalgia and a little bit of intrigue.
I had a good time getting to know the people involved in the story and how they played a part in each others lives. On a side note, I also learned a little bit about bees and beekeeping!
I will definitely continue with the remainder of the series!

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book, partly because I can so relate to Mela and her need to escape her present and find herself. She did it in a rather unconventional way but a way that certainly worked for her and in her pursuit she also found family and reacquainted with 2 of her children. A feel good story for sure.

[Deanna Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

great Read

I really enjoyed this book. There were a few silly editing errors and contradictions, but not enough to ruin the book. Although I found it strange that Mela and Rob separated amicably in the middle of his campaign. Usually they put on a brave face until after. But it was a very enjoyable read making you wish you were there. Starting book 2 right away

[Pamela Faust · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a whole lot of nothing happening. Mela lost her mother when she was a child. She loved her more than anything. Now it’s forty years later and her husband is trying to be the governor. He forgets her in a theater so she goes back to her mother’s house. She gets reacquainted with Amelie and Peter. She wants to be a beekeeper now. The bee stuff was really boring.