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Barefoot Beach
Spend a summer at the beach with this enchanting and emotional story about love, loss, and the powerful bonds of female friendship...
The beach house carried some kind of spell, concocted of—I don’t know—salt air, sea grass and Old Bay seasoning that over the years had permeated its walls and floorboards. Whatever it was, the place cast fabulous magic.
For Nora Farrell, Tuckahoe, Maryland, isn’t just a summer refuge, it’s home—where she married the love of her life, decided to have a child, and has remained connected with her two closest friends. Even now, long after her husband’s passing, Nora reunites with Margo and Emine every June….
But this year, challenges invade the friends’ retreat. Even as Nora delights in teaching at her dance studio, she is shaken by the possible loss of her beach house…and by a tentative new romance. While Margo directs a musical at the Driftwood Playhouse, she finds her marriage on rocky ground. And Em, who relishes running her family’s café, struggles to handle her rebellious daughter.
With their personal dramas reaching a fever pitch, the women will discover that it isn’t only the beach that brightens their lives. Their bond with one another provides the ultimate magic.
The beach house carried some kind of spell, concocted of—I don’t know—salt air, sea grass and Old Bay seasoning that over the years had permeated its walls and floorboards. Whatever it was, the place cast fabulous magic.
For Nora Farrell, Tuckahoe, Maryland, isn’t just a summer refuge, it’s home—where she married the love of her life, decided to have a child, and has remained connected with her two closest friends. Even now, long after her husband’s passing, Nora reunites with Margo and Emine every June….
But this year, challenges invade the friends’ retreat. Even as Nora delights in teaching at her dance studio, she is shaken by the possible loss of her beach house…and by a tentative new romance. While Margo directs a musical at the Driftwood Playhouse, she finds her marriage on rocky ground. And Em, who relishes running her family’s café, struggles to handle her rebellious daughter.
With their personal dramas reaching a fever pitch, the women will discover that it isn’t only the beach that brightens their lives. Their bond with one another provides the ultimate magic.
401 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2014
39 people are currently reading
544 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 2, 2017
I might be the only male who has ever read this book. I don't normally read chick lit, but I met the author and she was nice and so I bought her book. This review might not be fair because this book was not meant for the likes of me, so take what I say with a grain of salt.
Barefoot Beach takes place in a small beach town on the Atlantic coast of Maryland. The beach and the ocean, together with the town itself, with its homey little businesses like dance studios and ice-cream shops, are the real centers of the story. The beautifully written descriptions of the ocean and the sky with their ever-changing colors and currents, the tactile descriptions of the feel of the wind and the sand and the shells and sea life underfoot on any given day, and the obvious appreciation of even the grey and cloudy days as just part of a multifaceted but benevolent nature, all make it credible that Nora would treasure this place even as it reminds her constantly of her beloved but deceased husband.
But Nora is lonely and, to make things worse, she is a born worrier. She worries about her son’s attraction to his new girlfriend – whom she has never met – and is terrified that her son, who was conceived by artificial insemination, will hook up with his biological father. She worries about her friend’s teenage daughter who is rebelling against her ultra-strict father. She worries that another friend’s longtime husband might be having an affair. Granted, these are all potentially worrisome things, but most of them could probably be put into the category of “mind your own business.” I found myself wishing she would.
She does have a real financial problem actually facing her, but, amazingly enough, she doesn’t worry about that. She just takes action to solve the problem. I got that.
A man reading this book might be put off by Nora’s all-encompassing need to influence and manipulate the emotions of everyone around her – and especially by her assumption that men need women to do this for them. Nora is fond of a local girl, Clair, because “beneath the flutter of this girl was a woman as bright and guiding as a lighthouse.” In case the reader misses who Claire is supposed to be guiding, Nora is quite clear: “Go after my son.” I rooted her on. “Hook him with cookies; reel him in with cleavage.”
And, although he might in some passages seem like a dumb animal who can be manipulated by cookies and cleavage, her son at other times sounds more like an anxious middle-aged woman himself. “Do you know what time it is?” he asks her when she arrives home one night. “Past midnight … I’ve been crazy worried about you.” A nineteen-year-old guy says this? Really? Some of the other men don’t sound like any men I know. For example, a middle-aged husband of her friend confides in her. “I could use a little spousal-caring credit.” Really? Men say that?
The basic concept of the book seems to be that relationships trump everything else. When one of Nora’s dance students keels over with a heart attack, his wife cries out, “Marty! Fifty-two years together. Don’t leave me!” Touching? Maybe. But I couldn’t help feeling that the “Marty” part was not really as important to the woman as the “fifty-two years” part. In other words, really, deep down, the long marriage was more important than the particular man in it.
But this is not supposed to be a story written for men, or about them either. It’s the story about enduring female friendships. When the handsome, kind, manly, wounded-but-very-vigorous (and newly divorced) war hero comes to town, no one will be surprised at what happens next. But that’s okay. This story isn’t about him or any of the other men in town. It’s about a woman surrounded by beauty and engulfed in a warm sea of friendship and kindness so calm and satisfying she doesn’t really need (even though she still kind of yearns for) the sexual lifeboat relentlessly motoring her way.
Barefoot Beach takes place in a small beach town on the Atlantic coast of Maryland. The beach and the ocean, together with the town itself, with its homey little businesses like dance studios and ice-cream shops, are the real centers of the story. The beautifully written descriptions of the ocean and the sky with their ever-changing colors and currents, the tactile descriptions of the feel of the wind and the sand and the shells and sea life underfoot on any given day, and the obvious appreciation of even the grey and cloudy days as just part of a multifaceted but benevolent nature, all make it credible that Nora would treasure this place even as it reminds her constantly of her beloved but deceased husband.
But Nora is lonely and, to make things worse, she is a born worrier. She worries about her son’s attraction to his new girlfriend – whom she has never met – and is terrified that her son, who was conceived by artificial insemination, will hook up with his biological father. She worries about her friend’s teenage daughter who is rebelling against her ultra-strict father. She worries that another friend’s longtime husband might be having an affair. Granted, these are all potentially worrisome things, but most of them could probably be put into the category of “mind your own business.” I found myself wishing she would.
She does have a real financial problem actually facing her, but, amazingly enough, she doesn’t worry about that. She just takes action to solve the problem. I got that.
A man reading this book might be put off by Nora’s all-encompassing need to influence and manipulate the emotions of everyone around her – and especially by her assumption that men need women to do this for them. Nora is fond of a local girl, Clair, because “beneath the flutter of this girl was a woman as bright and guiding as a lighthouse.” In case the reader misses who Claire is supposed to be guiding, Nora is quite clear: “Go after my son.” I rooted her on. “Hook him with cookies; reel him in with cleavage.”
And, although he might in some passages seem like a dumb animal who can be manipulated by cookies and cleavage, her son at other times sounds more like an anxious middle-aged woman himself. “Do you know what time it is?” he asks her when she arrives home one night. “Past midnight … I’ve been crazy worried about you.” A nineteen-year-old guy says this? Really? Some of the other men don’t sound like any men I know. For example, a middle-aged husband of her friend confides in her. “I could use a little spousal-caring credit.” Really? Men say that?
The basic concept of the book seems to be that relationships trump everything else. When one of Nora’s dance students keels over with a heart attack, his wife cries out, “Marty! Fifty-two years together. Don’t leave me!” Touching? Maybe. But I couldn’t help feeling that the “Marty” part was not really as important to the woman as the “fifty-two years” part. In other words, really, deep down, the long marriage was more important than the particular man in it.
But this is not supposed to be a story written for men, or about them either. It’s the story about enduring female friendships. When the handsome, kind, manly, wounded-but-very-vigorous (and newly divorced) war hero comes to town, no one will be surprised at what happens next. But that’s okay. This story isn’t about him or any of the other men in town. It’s about a woman surrounded by beauty and engulfed in a warm sea of friendship and kindness so calm and satisfying she doesn’t really need (even though she still kind of yearns for) the sexual lifeboat relentlessly motoring her way.
June 18, 2016
This sounded like a fun summer read. Sadly I can't say that happened to be the case for me. I tried however as I got to chapter twelve and was done with the book. Yet, I did try be picking a random spot in the middle of the book and proceeded to read. However my feelings towards this book did not change. What was missing for me is the lack of a connection to any of the women and their families. This is the type of story where I need to feel that connection in order to be on the journey with the characters as they navigate through their lives. There was a small, small bit of this happening but not strong enough for me to continue reading. Just because this book was not for me does not mean that other readers of these type of books won't like it.
August 2, 2016
Just finished reading Barefoot Beach. The beginning dragged for me, and I thought for sure I'd be putting this as a DNF. I let it sit for a few days and went back to reading it, and it caught me in the story that was weaved among family and friends. I was not a huge fan of Nora, her character drove me insane with all the internal monologue she did with herself. I felt often that she was a very wishy-washy person (although she didn't seem that way when speaking). I thought a few of the other characters were a bit shallow. I would have loved to see a bit more of Lon before he passed (at least with 400 pages it should have been). I didn't think it would be a good 'beach' type of read, it was a bit to heavy at times...but a decent summer read.
July 28, 2016
You know how sometimes you expect something a little fluffy but still has at least some mild depth to it? That's what Barefoot Beach was aiming for I think. And while it succeeded in some ways, in others it was somewhat of a letdown.
Predominantly leading my review was my lack of investment into the characters or their lives. I have a couple theories about this but the main one is just that they seemed a little too vapid for me. Nora was too much of a Mary Sue and Margo was all sorts of crazy. My inability to latch on to their lives made it increasingly difficult to get invested into the story and I couldn't help but wish it would move faster through the plot.
Predominantly leading my review was my lack of investment into the characters or their lives. I have a couple theories about this but the main one is just that they seemed a little too vapid for me. Nora was too much of a Mary Sue and Margo was all sorts of crazy. My inability to latch on to their lives made it increasingly difficult to get invested into the story and I couldn't help but wish it would move faster through the plot.
November 24, 2016
Nor, Margo and Emine are friends who enjoy each others company each Summer in a small beach town. Each have different problems. Nora's Son needs to finish his collage education and she may not be able to afford to continue paying for it because of losing one of her jobs. She may have to sell the beach cottage her dead husband bought for them. Margo is married to a retired ball player and thinks he has a young lover. Ermine has a Daughter who is wild and her husband is sending for the Mother-in -law to get her straightened out. It is good to have friends in time of need. I won this book on Goodreads.
May 25, 2020
I just love a beach read. What can I say? There’s of course always some adversity but it’s a breeze to overcome and the stories are just easy to read and lap up. There are lovable characters, a quick plot and the best of friendships. They remind me of summer which is quickly approaching. You also don’t have to think much in these which is always nice! Sometimes a beach read is what you need and this book satisfied my need! Quick, delicious and summery. A golden book for the golden sunshine I read it in!
August 19, 2020
Such a great read about 3 friends and their lives as they all try to travel the road. Em, Margo, and Nora are 3 friends that have each others best intersts at heart. There is a little romance thrown in with Nora and Scott and how her son reacts to it as he searches out his donor Dad after his father dies when he is a child. This is a touching story. This was enjoyable and well worth the money.
April 8, 2018
Toby Devens does not disappoint.
Barefoot beach, by Toby Devens, centers around Nora Farrell, a widowed dance instructor, her two best friends, lots of personal turmoil, and a budding romance. The story is fast paced and exciting, sending the reader on a wonderful shoreside trip. I didn’t want to put it down.
Barefoot beach, by Toby Devens, centers around Nora Farrell, a widowed dance instructor, her two best friends, lots of personal turmoil, and a budding romance. The story is fast paced and exciting, sending the reader on a wonderful shoreside trip. I didn’t want to put it down.
June 25, 2018
Meh, this was not for me. I picked it up from a random shelf in the library and it looked good for a beach read, but I found it pretty boring. I never was super hooked on Nora’s life. I usually like books that have a minimal plot and themes about friendship, but this one just didn’t grip me. Wouldn’t recommend.
June 18, 2017
This book just kinda dragged along. I hate not finishing a book but I really considered not continuing the book.
July 27, 2020
Fun read, perfect for the beach I can't go to in the middle of the pandemic. Lots of humor, drama, romance, and friendship!
September 7, 2020
Loved it
June 2, 2021
Enjoyed this novel about a widowed dance therapist spending the summer in her beach home. Well not as well written or interesting as Toby Devon’s earlier novels still a great read.
July 30, 2021
2.5. I remember I enjoyed it but one week after finishing it I remember nothing of the book so I'm guessing this might be a good beach read.
March 11, 2023
Decent story - moved slow in some areas and predictable in others. Ok for a quick beach read.
November 13, 2025
I can't recommend not reading this book enough. Slow, boring and anti-climatic. Choose anything else.
July 15, 2016
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Nora, Margo and Emine come together every summer at the beach. This summer it seems each of their lives are in flux. Nora faces a job loss which could mean losing her summer home. Her son also takes a huge step in his life. Margo thinks her husband is cheating on her. Emine is dealing with a rebellious teenage daughter and her husband brings his mother from Turkey to help get the girl in line much to his wife’s distress. She and her mother-in-law have never seen eye to eye.
I really enjoyed the way author Toby Devens writes but the book didn’t not have the easy flow I suspected it to have. It started slow and built to a comfortable pace but then it started to drag a bit in places. There was one truly exciting moment for a missing girl, but then it slowed again. Yet the ending seemed rushed and story lines were tied up quickly in a very predictable way.
All of the characters were realistic, flawed in their own way. I liked that. While Nora was the main character and things focus around her, I found Emine story almost more interesting. She and her husband are from Turkey and own a restaurant. Emine and her daughter are more Americanized than her husband. He believes in the old ways. Seeing this marriage and family life played out was compelling. I just couldn’t get into Margo’s story. The drama there was mostly self inflicted. Nora’s foray back into the dating world after her husband’s death was amusing and moving at times.
I also appreciated the descriptions of the scenes from the beach to the abandoned house. It was super easy to picture everything clearly.
This is a friendship story. After being friends so long these women knew how and when to support each other. When to butt in and when to let things settle themselves. All three were dealing with emotional issues and together they got each other through the summer.
This was a nice escape to what sounds like a gorgeous place.
Nora, Margo and Emine come together every summer at the beach. This summer it seems each of their lives are in flux. Nora faces a job loss which could mean losing her summer home. Her son also takes a huge step in his life. Margo thinks her husband is cheating on her. Emine is dealing with a rebellious teenage daughter and her husband brings his mother from Turkey to help get the girl in line much to his wife’s distress. She and her mother-in-law have never seen eye to eye.
I really enjoyed the way author Toby Devens writes but the book didn’t not have the easy flow I suspected it to have. It started slow and built to a comfortable pace but then it started to drag a bit in places. There was one truly exciting moment for a missing girl, but then it slowed again. Yet the ending seemed rushed and story lines were tied up quickly in a very predictable way.
All of the characters were realistic, flawed in their own way. I liked that. While Nora was the main character and things focus around her, I found Emine story almost more interesting. She and her husband are from Turkey and own a restaurant. Emine and her daughter are more Americanized than her husband. He believes in the old ways. Seeing this marriage and family life played out was compelling. I just couldn’t get into Margo’s story. The drama there was mostly self inflicted. Nora’s foray back into the dating world after her husband’s death was amusing and moving at times.
I also appreciated the descriptions of the scenes from the beach to the abandoned house. It was super easy to picture everything clearly.
This is a friendship story. After being friends so long these women knew how and when to support each other. When to butt in and when to let things settle themselves. All three were dealing with emotional issues and together they got each other through the summer.
This was a nice escape to what sounds like a gorgeous place.
July 8, 2016
I received an advanced copy from First to Read.
Nora, Emine and Margo. Close friends who come together every summer share a summer full or worries and laughs and beginnings. Faced with a job loss and a possible new love, Nora muddles through dealing with too many changes and her own self doubts. Margo, an actress, thrives on drama, most of which she creates, can't figure out her next line when real drama, or so she fears, threatens her marriage. Emine; hard working and dedicated wife, mother, and business woman (and part time belly dancing instructor) has to learn to power her way through a traditional Turkish marriage ( and scary mother-in-law) to save her wayward Americanized daughter from herself.
What I liked about this book wasn't the story itself; it was the way in which the author strung words together to tell the story. I enjoyed the way the scenes where constructed to make you feel as if you're stepping off the page right onto the beach or into the cafe or inside the abandoned house. It wasn't the premise of the book that made the story--quite honestly have could predicted most of what would happen-- it was the way in which it was told. The writing alone gets it at least a three star rating. I could arguably stretch it to a four star rating because of the time the author takes to introduce you to characters you can like. Flawed people who, just like real life, are basically good humans (and dogs), so that you forgive the flaws that are outweighed by basic goodness. Slow to start, it drags some in some places but never really enough to want to put it down for long. And the exciting, even if predictable, ending ties the whole thing up in a pretty and tidy bow. We get to walk away from Barefoot Beach satisfied that everything after the last page will work out just fine.
Nora, Emine and Margo. Close friends who come together every summer share a summer full or worries and laughs and beginnings. Faced with a job loss and a possible new love, Nora muddles through dealing with too many changes and her own self doubts. Margo, an actress, thrives on drama, most of which she creates, can't figure out her next line when real drama, or so she fears, threatens her marriage. Emine; hard working and dedicated wife, mother, and business woman (and part time belly dancing instructor) has to learn to power her way through a traditional Turkish marriage ( and scary mother-in-law) to save her wayward Americanized daughter from herself.
What I liked about this book wasn't the story itself; it was the way in which the author strung words together to tell the story. I enjoyed the way the scenes where constructed to make you feel as if you're stepping off the page right onto the beach or into the cafe or inside the abandoned house. It wasn't the premise of the book that made the story--quite honestly have could predicted most of what would happen-- it was the way in which it was told. The writing alone gets it at least a three star rating. I could arguably stretch it to a four star rating because of the time the author takes to introduce you to characters you can like. Flawed people who, just like real life, are basically good humans (and dogs), so that you forgive the flaws that are outweighed by basic goodness. Slow to start, it drags some in some places but never really enough to want to put it down for long. And the exciting, even if predictable, ending ties the whole thing up in a pretty and tidy bow. We get to walk away from Barefoot Beach satisfied that everything after the last page will work out just fine.
August 6, 2016
This book started out really slow for me. I had to reread the first few pages several times. But I am one of those people who once I start a book I have to finish it. It just took me longer than it usually does. I am glad I did finish it because it did pick up and I did start to like it by the end. Since they talk about San Fransisco so mush and Maryland I was not quite sure for a while exactly where it was taking place. Especially since they kept talking about the bay bridge, which to me I was thinking of Northern California, but come to find out it was on the east coast.
The main character Nora was just getting by with life. Not really trying anything new or doing anything exciting or out of the ordinary except for renovating 2 rooms in her beach house. I understand her not wanting to replace her love of her life but I am glad at the end she finally put herself out there. By the middle of the book her life was falling apart but in the end everything worked out. She did give her self undue worry by not agreeing to life choices until the very last minute. I do like Nora's attitude about Scott, that was one of her best character features. Margo is Nora's loyal but high maintenance best friend. Emine in the end finally stood up for herself and her daughter Merry seemed to calm down a little. The place itself Tuckahoe was described beautifully, even though it is an imaginary place I could imagine it perfectly and see the scenes as if I was there.
The writing itself was good and I am willing to look into other books by this author.
I received this book for free to read from First to read for an honest review. The opinions in this review are 100% my own.
The main character Nora was just getting by with life. Not really trying anything new or doing anything exciting or out of the ordinary except for renovating 2 rooms in her beach house. I understand her not wanting to replace her love of her life but I am glad at the end she finally put herself out there. By the middle of the book her life was falling apart but in the end everything worked out. She did give her self undue worry by not agreeing to life choices until the very last minute. I do like Nora's attitude about Scott, that was one of her best character features. Margo is Nora's loyal but high maintenance best friend. Emine in the end finally stood up for herself and her daughter Merry seemed to calm down a little. The place itself Tuckahoe was described beautifully, even though it is an imaginary place I could imagine it perfectly and see the scenes as if I was there.
The writing itself was good and I am willing to look into other books by this author.
I received this book for free to read from First to read for an honest review. The opinions in this review are 100% my own.
July 15, 2016
Barefoot Beach is a tale of loss and rediscovering love when and where you least expect it. Nora is spending her summers as she always has in Tuckahoe Maryland but since her husband has died it isn’t the same. Yes, she has her son but he is growing up and is spending less time with her. This summer her son has told her a shocker that he wants to meet his donor dad. While his real father did pass away he was conceived via a donor since the man who raised him was unable to have children. So not only is Nora dealing with the fact that her son is on the brink of meeting this man but also with the fact that when he does her son thinks they make a perfect match.
Nora is trying to deal with the idea of moving on and dating again but also with her career. She teaches dance and that’s where she meets an ex-soldier whom she clicks with instantly and after learning he is divorced sparks fly. Although I love the whole romance aspect of the book what I enjoyed most was the female friendships in the read. I love Nora’s interactions with her best friend Margo who is so funny but is constantly doubting her husband’s love and devotion to her. We also met her good friend Em who is trying to deal with the teenage daughter and her mother in law who comes to discipline her granddaughter. Between these friends, they have enough drama to fill the summer. This is a good beach read that will make you laugh and root for the possibility of a second chance at love.
Nora is trying to deal with the idea of moving on and dating again but also with her career. She teaches dance and that’s where she meets an ex-soldier whom she clicks with instantly and after learning he is divorced sparks fly. Although I love the whole romance aspect of the book what I enjoyed most was the female friendships in the read. I love Nora’s interactions with her best friend Margo who is so funny but is constantly doubting her husband’s love and devotion to her. We also met her good friend Em who is trying to deal with the teenage daughter and her mother in law who comes to discipline her granddaughter. Between these friends, they have enough drama to fill the summer. This is a good beach read that will make you laugh and root for the possibility of a second chance at love.
August 20, 2016
If you're looking for something to pass the time this summer...look no further. That's what this book felt like to me. Just something to pass the time. Not something you HAVE to read.
It wasn't bad. It wasn't great. It was just okay...there are a lot of elements and a lot of detail but nothing too gripping that you just have to keep reading. I think the author could have gotten point across without spreading it out into 400 pages.
Three friends, three lives, all entwined in cute little beach town. Each has dilemmas they are dealing with and leaning on each other for support. I enjoyed that element. Actually, that was my favorite part.
What I could've done without: the wishy-washy main character, sure she had her moments in dialog where I thought I'd get along well with her, but her internal was just too much...drab. Drawn out and ho-hum.
The details. Oh, the details...while I appreciate the imagery, I would still be able to visualize and enjoy without every single minute aspect spelled out for me. Sometimes too much of a good thing is just too much.
**2.5 Too Much Beach, Stars**
It wasn't bad. It wasn't great. It was just okay...there are a lot of elements and a lot of detail but nothing too gripping that you just have to keep reading. I think the author could have gotten point across without spreading it out into 400 pages.
Three friends, three lives, all entwined in cute little beach town. Each has dilemmas they are dealing with and leaning on each other for support. I enjoyed that element. Actually, that was my favorite part.
What I could've done without: the wishy-washy main character, sure she had her moments in dialog where I thought I'd get along well with her, but her internal was just too much...drab. Drawn out and ho-hum.
The details. Oh, the details...while I appreciate the imagery, I would still be able to visualize and enjoy without every single minute aspect spelled out for me. Sometimes too much of a good thing is just too much.
**2.5 Too Much Beach, Stars**
June 24, 2016
Barefoot Beach promised me an “enchanting and emotional story about love, loss, and the powerful bonds of female friendship,” which made it an easy “yes,” but which also gave it a lot to live up to. Did it succeed? On the plus side, I relished the rich, beachy atmosphere, the easy prose, and the cast of colorful, female characters. I enjoy stories like this one that allow me to be a bystander to something that feels pretty much like real life, watching friends circle ’round each other in support as they help one another untangle their problems.
Despite these good things, however, I wasn’t particularly grabbed by this novel. Maybe some of the characters were just a shade to edgy for my taste, or perhaps the issues felt like ones I’d seen before. I did appreciate the story as a tribute to the gift of female friendship, and to bonds that last a lifetime.
Thanks to the publisher for providing a free book to review. All opinions are mine.
Despite these good things, however, I wasn’t particularly grabbed by this novel. Maybe some of the characters were just a shade to edgy for my taste, or perhaps the issues felt like ones I’d seen before. I did appreciate the story as a tribute to the gift of female friendship, and to bonds that last a lifetime.
Thanks to the publisher for providing a free book to review. All opinions are mine.
July 26, 2016
I was set to thoroughly dislike this book even though I requested it from First to Read. I requested it because it is touted as being the perfect beach read and I was looking for something light and easy. Despite my initial misgivings, I actually enjoyed this novel.
Set in a beach town (I live in one myself), we meet Nora. Nora's lost her husband several years prior and has raised their son on her own. Now that he's home from his first year in college, Nora returns for the summer to their beach house to while away the days with her two closest friends. Finally, maybe, she's given herself permission to move on with her life.
This is very Lifetime movie-ish, but the women are likeable, strong, each in her own way, yet flawed. I enjoyed the story for what it is, a chick-lit, beach-read and would recommend it for anyone looking for a book to pop into their beach tote.
Set in a beach town (I live in one myself), we meet Nora. Nora's lost her husband several years prior and has raised their son on her own. Now that he's home from his first year in college, Nora returns for the summer to their beach house to while away the days with her two closest friends. Finally, maybe, she's given herself permission to move on with her life.
This is very Lifetime movie-ish, but the women are likeable, strong, each in her own way, yet flawed. I enjoyed the story for what it is, a chick-lit, beach-read and would recommend it for anyone looking for a book to pop into their beach tote.
August 13, 2016
Just finished Barefoot Beach and I liked it. It was a bit slow in the beginning but the more I got into the story the more I began to enjoy it. Nora Farrell is back to her favorite place. Her beach house off the Maryland shores where she spends her summers with her two best friends. This year though, everyone seems to be dealing with family problems. As this book progresses, each of the three women find their way through the choppy waters of life. Friends helping friends, and families learning to trust each other, and a new possible love interest for Nora. This was a nice light read great for the beach.
August 28, 2016
I won a copy of 'Barefoot Beach' through a Goodreads giveaway.
I would definitely classify this as a vacation read, best enjoyed while on the beach, or in front of the fireplace, passing the time 'til summer comes.
The book is a bit formulaic...3 women friends; a widow who's lost her job and is in danger of losing her summer home, one who suspects her husband of adultery, and one with a rebellious teenage daughter and their love and support for each other.
I would definitely classify this as a vacation read, best enjoyed while on the beach, or in front of the fireplace, passing the time 'til summer comes.
The book is a bit formulaic...3 women friends; a widow who's lost her job and is in danger of losing her summer home, one who suspects her husband of adultery, and one with a rebellious teenage daughter and their love and support for each other.
July 22, 2016
I was lucky to have won this book through the contest here on Goodreads. I wanted to read a like chick-lit for once since I'm usually a paranormal junkie. The premise of the book sounded intersting and I wanted to like it but it didn't happen for me. I could not get into the book and it took me a long time to finish it. I didn't feel connected to the characters, so it was hard for me to understand what was happening. The whole story just wasn't my cup of tea.
August 18, 2016
The writing was excellent. The setting and characterizations were strong, so I would definitely read another book by this author. BUT....the biggest conflict for the heroine was that she might have to sell her SECOND home and get a full time job? Um...zero sympathy for that, seeing as how that is how most of us live. And when you can't sympathize with the main character, the book goes downhill fast.
July 2, 2016
Barefoot Beach met its promise of a great summer read! I felt the stories and characters continue to develop through the very last chapter. This story of friendships and personal drama dealt with deep emotion and humour in a beautiful coastal setting where one hopes to escape life for a summer getaway. Unfortunately, life cannot be avoided so easily.
January 18, 2017
I was looking for a light read about some kind of tropical beach that would make me feel like I was on vacation. At a beach. I didn't get this. The main character was highly annoying and the story was very slow. I just didn't get into it as much as I would have liked. I didn't feel like I was on a beach or an island or on vacation.
July 17, 2016
this was a good read, stalled out a couple times for me, but I generally enjoyed it.
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