Beach Plum Island

by Holly Robinson

"Your brother should know the truth."

These are the last cryptic words that Ava Barrett's father says before he dies. But Ava doesn't have a brother, as far as she knows, so how can she tell him the truth? She dismisses the conversation and dedicates herself to bringing her family together for her father's funeral. This is no easy task, since her sister, Elaine, has been estranged from the family and still harbors resentment against their stepmother and half-sister, Gigi. Ava, on the other hand, is a single mother who sees Gigi as a troubled teen in need of love and connection.

Ava, too, could use more love in her life and finds it where she least expects it. But the biggest surprise of all is that Gigi holds the key to the mystery surrounding her father's dying words, and joins Ava in uncovering a secret that rapidly unravels the very fabric of their entire family...

CONVERSATION GUIDE INCLUDED

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Chick Lit, Romance, Womens Fiction, Contemporary, Family

402 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2014

About the author

Holly Robinson is the author of The Gerbil Farmer's Daughter: a Memoir as well as several novels, including Sleeping Tigers, The Wishing Hill, Beach Plum Island, and Haven Lake.

Her essays, articles and columns have appeared in a variety of national publications. She also works as a ghost writer and book doctor on celebrity memoirs and other nonfiction books.

Holly holds a B.A. in biology from Clark University and is a graduate of the MFA program in Creative Writing at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

She and her husband have five children, two cats and one very stubborn Pekingese. They are crazy enough to be fixing up two old houses--in Massachusetts and on Prince Edward Island--one shingle at a time.

Reviews

[Aditi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family and its values and importance and the pain, people go through, in being united with their family members, all these are depicted and portrayed beautifully by the author, Holly Robinson in her book Beach Plum Island, which is a tale about the journey of three sisters to find their long lost brother, about whom they have not a single clue!

Thanks to the author, Holly Robinson, for sending me over a copy of her book, in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Ava's father's last wish is to tell his son the truth, but unfortunately, Ava knew nothing about her brother, she have no idea that she even has a brother. With the help of estranged sister, Elaine and her half-sister, Gigi, the three sisters embarks on a journey to search their long-lost brother, in order to honor their father's last wish. Elaine is estranged, because she resents her father's decision for leaving them to marry off another woman named Katy. Ava and Elaine have a half-sister from their father's second marriage, Gigi and Elaine resents her way too much. These three women have a life of their own. Elaine is a successful business woman by the day and a hard-core party-girl by the night. On the other hand, Ava is an understanding and mature woman, who loves her sister, Elaine a lot. Ava, being a mother of two teenage boys, is an art teacher and handles her pottery business. And Gigi is a young, punk, teenage girl, who loves dying her hair in different colors and lives her life pretty much on her own terms. Ava holds a special place for Gigi in her heart. They get blended very well from the moment they meet each other. Gigi and Ava decides to find their long lost brother on their father's last wish and finds out that their brother was born physically challenged under some shady circumstances. In this journey, Ava and Elaine come across some respectable men, who understand them and respects their decisions.

Since this the first time I'm reading anything penned by this author, Holly Robinson, she is already one of my favorite authors. It seems she has a natural way of portraying her story and representing the story to us. The author has created a mystery surrounding a family drama along with the elements of love and hence the book becomes very interesting and enthralling and riveting. You can't abandon this story even for a single minute. Her cast of characters is more like real and everyday characters. The romance shown in this book is more like having an ice-cream sundae on your bad days.

This journey teaches a lot to us, the importance of holding onto each other, and the love that we share among our family members and the loss of a family member. This book is painful but yet in a beautiful way. This book truly proves that the author is highly talented and has dome immense job to make this book a perfect read for her readers!

A great book for summer read!!

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly Robinson is a new-to-me author and if Beach Plum Island is typical of her writing, I can't wait to get my hands on more of her books. This is a story about family, no matter how dysfunctional or non-traditional. It is a story of seeing each others' flaws and accepting everything that comes with those flaws. I loved Robinson's creation of and use of craft and place to help soothe the soul. The teenagers were angst-filled but enthusiastic enough to challenge the adults with typical but respectful responses. And I loved that a death is what began everyone's journeys. I look forward to reading more by Holly Robinson.

Go Cards! L1C4!!

[Lisa Cobb Sabatini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won Beach Plum Island by Holly Robinson from Goodreads.
Beach Plum Island by Holly Robinson is simply a beautiful story. The author draws the reader into the story with an intriguing puzzle: who and where is the brother mentioned by their father on his deathbed. The three sisters, Ava, Elaine, and Gigi, keep the reader fully engaged as the novel progresses.
These sisters are remarkable women, each with her own flaws and attributes, fears and courage. The reader journeys with them as they navigate through the uncertain and emotional paths each takes in response to their dying father's shocking revelation. As each sister explores her own feelings and works on her own issues in life, including her relationships with her sisters and other family members, readers share in the failures and triumphs.
Robinson is a talented writer who brings out the inner truths of her characters, and these truths contribute to the many layers of the novel. The story is engaging, the setting feels natural for the characters, and the pace is perfect. I couldn't put down the book during the last half of the novel and I was truly moved by the ending.
This is a book for readers who enjoy stories about what it means to be a member of a family.

[Lyn (Readinghearts) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like Holly Robinson's first book, Beach Plum Island is mostly a story about family, in this case siblings. Ava Barret is the oldest of the sisters, a potter by trade, and the divorced mother of two teenage boys. All her life she has been the one to "take care of things". When her father passes away from cancer, he tells he to "tell her brother the truth." The only problem is, as far as Ava knows, she only has two sisters, Elaine, the sister she grew up with, and Gigi, her half-sister from her father's second marriage.

Beach Plum Island is one is part mystery and one part family drama, with romance thrown in for good measure. I like the way the clues for the mystery part of the story are revealed slowly, as the story progresses, allowing the mystery to be engaging without taking over the entire plot. Unfortunately, although I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the brother, and the ensuing search for him, this part of the story had it's flaws for me. In the beginning, it seemed like it was going to be just as complex as the rest of the story, but the conclusion of this story line seemed a bit to easy and didn't quite ring true. To say anymore would be to include spoilers, but I would have liked this part of the story to be a bit more real.

It is the family drama part that Iiked the most, and where I think Holly's writing really shines. The relationships between the characters are both complex and flawed, as are the characters themselves. I love that all of the characters, from the major protagonists all the way down to the character with the smallest part in the story, have demons in their lives that they are dealing with. Not a single one of them is totally positive or negative. At times I loved them and applauded their actions, at other times I wanted to yell at them and tell them to grow up, or think things through before acting. Exactly the way I am with my real life siblings, which makes the story all the more enjoyable to read.

As I read the book, I found myself turning pages, not wanting to stop reading until I found out how Ava was going to pull the family together, or how Gigi was going to fit into the family without her father around as a buffer, or even whether Elaine was going to decide that a one night stand didn't equal a relationship. This feeling lasted all of the way to the end of the book and beyond. Although the end of the book was perfectly satisfying, I still found myself wondering what was next for the members of the family. This type of feeling is what I have come to expect from Holly's writing and I am looking forward to her next project. It is also what makes me recommend this book to all my reading friends.

Thanks to Holly for making this book available through the Sisterhood of the Traveling Book here on Goodreads in exchange for my review

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review Copy Provided by Author via STB on Goodreads

When I got my first look at the cover for Beach Plum Island, my immediate thought was that it would whimsical, flirty, a light kind of read. But having previously read Holly Robinson’s work, I knew that wasn’t going to be the case – she manages to find that story that tugs at the heart-strings. And Beach Plum Island was no different, although I will admit that it wasn’t as angsty as her previous book – not that I’m complaining!

I was sucked in to the story of Ava, Elaine and Gigi from the very beginning – there is something about Holly’s writing that makes the relationship between the women so real – I mean, I felt like I was watching three sisters interact, there were happy moments, sad moments, moments where I wanted to hit one (or all three of them) upside the head. There is definately plenty of angst between the three of them, from Ava/Elaine and the sisters who grew up together, to Gigi, the interloper, trying to figure out where she fits in the family. Added to that the last words from their dying father, about a brother no one knew existed. The mystery of finding their brother played out well through the book, it wasn’t like a wham bam solve the mystery ma’am, but rather a gradual release of clues and discovery leading to the ultimate discovery. There was definately a feel-good ending to the book.

This was one of those books where you think you are just going to read a chapter or two, and then next thing you know its 2am and your alarm clock is going to go off in 2 hours…(yeah, it most definately got snoozed that morning). Its hard for me to say which authors are similar to Holly Robinson, maybe Kristin Hannah with her female relationships, but I think that Holly’s books tend to be more final at the end, whereas sometimes Ms Hannah’s leaving me feeling not quite done.

Overall, I gave Beach Plum Island , 4.5 stars, but rounding down to 4 on Goodreads (and up to 5 on Amazon).

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ava and Elaine's father dies. Prior to his death, their father tells Ava to tell her brother that he is sorry. Ava does not think much about it until her half sister, Gigi brings this up. Ava did not know she had a brother. Elaine is bitter towards her father's new wife and her half sister. However all three sisters pull together to honor their father's last wishes.

So Ava and Elaine's family relationship is kind of dysfunctional but than again what family is not without their problems. I had a love/hate relationship with both Elaine and Ava. On one hand I loved her wild ways but on the other hand I did not care for all of her complaining. Even if I could understand where her feelings were coming from. I did not see any reason for Elaine to be as hateful as she was towards Gigi. However I do have to pick on Ava some too. I wanted her to have a little more of Elaine's backbone and not be such a wallflower. So you can see why I said I have a love/hate relationship with the sisters. What this truly means is that I was invested in the characters in this book as more then just characters but as people. Ava and Elaine's story drew me in. This book got better with the story of the sister's brother. Ok, I am hooked and will be on the look out for the next book by this author. Beach Plum Island is a feel, good, type of book that you should not miss!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can totally see BEACH PLUM ISLAND being made into a movie. Holly has a way of pulling you right in and never letting you go until the very last page. The journey that these three sisters embark on to find out if they really do have a brother is bitter sweet and they all do some major growing up and at the same time, learn to let go of deep resentment. By the end of their story, I felt as if I were sitting in the car beside them, trying to figure out life. I was instantly hooked on the characters lives and found myself cheering for them one by one. Holly is one of my favorite authors and I can't wait to read more by her. The characters all felt very real to me and they are the kind of women I would expect to run into at the grocery store.

[Mahala Church · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from Goodreads contest. Holly Robinson is a gifted writer, carefully painting the picturesque settings of disparate family lives. Her character development portrays each character fully, bringing them to life as they circle each other, wary of expectations. An intimate look at a family fighting every stop of the way to avoid blending, perhaps because too many secrets and fears will surface.

The death of the family patriarch is artfully used to explore family history and all its dimensions leading to the resolution of so many unanswered questions that each of the three sisters bring to the story. This is a book of redemption, forgiveness, and love in its many forms.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a novel about sisters. Ava, the potter, is a down to earth woman with 2 boys. Elaine is a no nonsense business woman - seemingly complete opposites. Add in the addition of a step-sister Gigi, who is a teenager with a poor self image and the sisters' father, who has just died, and you have a story waiting to be told - and Holly Robinson tells it with sympathy and imagination.

I loved each minute of reading this book. Holly has the ability to draw characters of depth and so much feeling that I felt right at home with them. Beautifully written book!

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme” · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story about siblings that learn a secret about their father after he passes away. I found the characters to be very believable and like able even with all their flaws.
Very suspenseful as the story takes you on a journey of a fractured family trying to find answers to their fathers dying words. A story full of love, hope, grief, teen issues, divorce, forgiveness and so much more. It is also a story that will have you laughing one minute and then crying the next minute.
I had to keep reading the book and couldn’t put it down.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holly nails it again. Thank you for allowing me to advance read this wonderful story. Being the oldest of 4 sisters, oh how I could relate. Times in the book you loved each character other times I wanted to smack them upside there head. This story draws you in from the start and carries you till the end. Wonderful and igniting.

Review Copy Provided by Author

[Gigi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual star rating 3.5

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beach Plum Island, by Holly Robinson, is a wonderful novel revolving around family, friendship, love, and loss. I have to say that I absolutely adored this book and its characters! Beach Plum Island is told from the viewpoint of three sisters: Ava, Elaine, and Gigi. When Ava and Elaine were young adults, their father left his unhappy marriage to their mother and married a much younger woman. Gigi was born shortly after and to Elaine became someone to blame for her father's abandonment. Ava and Elaine kept their distance from their father and his new family and life went on. However, their father dies the summer of Gigi's Sophomore year and leaves his daughters a message that will either bring them together or tear them further apart.

Robinson did a fantastic job creating flawed characters that were both 3-diminsional and real. Each of the three sisters were struggling with their own demons throughout the novel. Ava is growing older and watching life pass her by, Gigi feels alone in the world, and Elaine is battling alcoholism and sex addiction which she uses to forget the past. I think readers will instantly find one of the sisters to connect with, be it Gigi, Ava, or Elaine.

Personally, I found myself loving both Gigi and Elaine. Teenage Gigi, shrouded in mourning, doesn't know who she is yet. She is struggling to find her place in the world but hopes to stay invisible with her multiple piercings and multicolored punk hair. However, when Gigi opens up and allows Ava and her nephews to really see her, she begins blossoming like a flower and finds a wealth of confidence.

I love that Elaine is so multifaceted. She had been babied by Ava all of her life and was used to having Ava all to herself. Ava always did everything for Elaine. Interestingly, Elaine is the one who was there for their mother in her final days and she carries a lot of guilt regarding her mothers life and sad death. Elaine is frightened that she is becoming like her mother and turns to alcohol and sex with strangers to bury her fear. I found Elaine's struggle with alcohol very realistic and fascinating. To fill the hole in her soul and feel halfway normal, Elaine resorts to sleeping with strangers and drinking her memories away. It takes several close calls to really wake Elaine up and make her realize that something has to give.

My favorite scene in the book is between Peter and Elaine. He could have easily hated her, but he didn't judge her nor was he ruffled by her abruptness. Elaine was able to show her true self to him and he embraced her fully, something that means a lot to Elaine. I loved how Peter simply understood her and accepted her, flaws and all.

If you are looking for a heartwarming story, please do yourself a favor and pick up Holly Robinson's Beach Plum Island. The characters will stay with you long after you put down the book. I guarantee you will find yourself smiling, laughing, and crying. What a great piece of literary work!

*I have been provided a complimentary copy of the book, Beach Plum Island, for the purpose of review.*

[OpenBookSociety.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://openbooksociety.com/article/be...

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kim

beach-plum-island-holly-robinsonI have read many books and yet it still amazes me when I find one you can actually relate too and also draws you in. I can picture it all, the beauty of Beach Plum Island, and the homes and lives that Holly Robinson has opened up for the readers.

There’s a sadness as soon as you open the book and start reading. Nothing worse than losing a family member but whats worse when you lose a parent are the lost moments in time that no matter what you do can never be returned but when the last words are,” Your brother should know the truth,” and you don’t have a brother, well thats when you have to relive your parents past to find him.

Two sisters are lost into their own world of pain and loneliness of the loss of their father a second time, first when he left them for another woman, and then when he breathed his last breath. The third sister is the daughter of the second wife who worshiped her father and doesn’t have a clue what to do without him. All three struggling with his death now have to look to each other for closure and to find their brother that none of them even knew existed.

Ava is the oldest and practically raised Elaine because of a mother who suffered severe depression and when Ava left home when she married, Elaine felt abandoned and pushed into taking care of their mother. Elaine became resentful of their father and Ava because they have a life and she doesn’t. Elaine doesn’t even have the slightest interest in Gigi their youngest step sister because Gigi has memories of her father that she never will.

As Ava and Gigi go on a hunt looking for the long lost brother they begin to learn the truths of the young lives of their parents. Are the secrets from the past going to pull them closer together or is it going to push them farther apart?

Elaine is jealous because Ava has opened her heart and her home to Gigi. Ava is a mother and Gigi is only a fifteen yr old child who’s own mother has slipped into a depression after Gigi’s father dies. Ava has mothered Elaine all her life and to this day as an adult Elaine still gets into trouble and Ava is always there to help her out but now that Gigi is in need of Ava’s mothering Elaine is mad because once again someone is taking Ava’s time from her. Elaine is on the fast track of destruction but is it too late to save her?

This book is a heartbreaking story of lives and misunderstandings, of secrets kept that can potentially destroy all ties and relationships of a family but love sometimes can be strong enough to mend all the cracks in the foundation as long as the heart can heal enough to let the love shine through.

The flow of the story was rocky at first but after a couple of chapters it was smooth as silk. Anyone liking romance with a little mystery and the shedding of a few tears will enjoy this book as much as I did.

[Viviane Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beach Plum Island. Holly Robinson. Penguin Group (USA). April 2014. 400 pp. ISBN#: 9780451241023.
Ava, Elaine, and Gigi are grieving the death of their father in different ways. Ava and Elaine are sisters from their father’s first marriage and Gigi from his second marriage. Elaine lives each day as a successful business woman but at night trolls clubs and bars for drinks and a one-night stand, the latter the wildness that alone offers her consolation. For she deeply resents that her father left their mother, causing the latter’s eventual mental and emotional descent into drink and then death. Ava loves Elaine but seems powerless to offer any comfort and peace. Ava instead buries herself in her art teacher work, her pottery business and raising her two teenage sons. That’s all about to change when she and Gigi meet weeks after the funeral!
Gigi is a young, teenage girl who dies her hair different colors and does pretty much what she wants as her own mother is so devastated by the loss of her husband she is oblivious to Gigi. Mercifully, Gigi meets Ava and change begins. Gigi meets Ava’s sons and it turns out they blend very, very well together as Gigi has a phenomenal singing voice. Ava knows exactly what to say and what not to say, so Gigi learns to trust someone who really cares for her as a real sister would and respects her likes and dislikes.
To say more would be a spoiler, but suffice to say that Ava and Gigi decide to act on their father’s last words. They discover they had a brother who was born with a physical handicap under mysterious circumstances that no one will discuss; the sisters decide to attempt to find him. The quest is both arduous and comforting in a strange but beautiful way!
Meanwhile, Ava and Elaine separately meet men who will treat them respectfully as adults, accepting their grief but not treating them like fragile pots that will break. They also are both attractive for their honesty, spoken with just enough firmness to elicit growth and without making these women hurt more than they already do. Add in some genuinely charming, fired-up romance!
Beach Plum Island is a perfect read for this springtime and upcoming summer. The author is quite talented in the manner in which she has depicted wounded but capable women who need to grieve but also need to move beyond the poignant moments of their past history. Sensitivity clearly enables every character in this novel to grow, to expose grievous secrets and to create new life that erodes the tension too long lying just below the surface. Evolution yields good experiences for both main and minor characters. Lovely, powerful story that is well-crafted – great read, Holly Robinson!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beach Plum Island by Holly Robinson is about family ties, blended families and the trials they go through to become one loving family, the loss of parents, and family secrets.
When Ava Barrett’s father dies, she convinces her sister Elaine to come to his funeral where they both will have to face his wife, their stepmother. Elaine still resents her father leaving their mother to marry Katy and is not afraid to show it. She directs her anger at Ava for including Gigi, their half-sister, in the family. Their father told Ava and Gigi to find their brother and tell him the truth. Ava was confused because she didn’t have a brother. What truth was she to tell him? While trying to solve this mysterious directive of their father, Ava, Elaine, and Gigi have a Herculean task before them, made more difficult by guilt and secrets of Ava and Elaine. What will they find in the end? Can they become one happy family?
Holly Robinson’s vivid descriptions of Boston, Beach Plum Island, and surrounding areas transport you to the setting of the book. Her characters are complex and well developed, involving you deeply in their struggles, their lives, and their loves. I loved every single one of them.
This is perhaps one of the best novels I have ever read. I could have finished it in one sitting, but as I neared the half-way mark, I was already starting to mourn the end of the story. I wanted it to go on. I started to read just a chapter at a sitting trying to stretch it out. I didn’t want it to come to the end.
This is an excellent read anytime and anywhere, but you will surely want to tuck it in your beach bag for a lazy summer day. I give Beach Plum Island and Holly Robinson five stars!

[Chelsey Wolford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ava, Elaine, and Gigi unite once again when their father dies. Ava wants to honor her father’s last wish, which was that he wanted her brother to know the truth. Only Ava doesn’t have a brother, or at least she didn’t think she had a brother. The sisters come together in respect of their father, although all is not well amongst them. Elaine has been estranged from the family for quite some time because she holds a lot of resentment towards her stepmother and half-sister, Gigi. However, the mystery of finding a brother that they did not know about just might be enough to bring them all back together.

These three sisters sucked me in right from the start. I don’t have any sisters of my own, so I always love stories like this one where so much revolves around family, relationships, loyalty, and forgiveness. Their relationship felt so real and I became attached very quickly. This story was written very realistically because things like this happen in families all the time. I loved seeing the sisters reconnect, and they had something so powerful to bond over.

The mystery of finding their long lost brother was well-developed throughout the story. When I picked up this book I didn’t expect to have a mystery in my hands. I was sometimes more engaged in the mystery of this alleged brother unraveling than I was in their lives and their relationship together as a family. Needless to say, this book was finished in two days. I only put it down because I had to go to sleep so that I could get up and go to work the next morning!

***A free copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at NAL in exchange for my honest review***

[Caren ~ the misfit geek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I really liked this book. I swept up right away and didn’t want to put it down. In fact, I would get so engrossed that I would not notice the passage of time. Before I would know it, several hours would pass and tasks I had intended to complete were left undone.

There were many aspects to this story and Ms. Robinson did a fantastic job in blending it all into a cohesive unit that flowed very well. It did not feel fragmented or distracting as sometimes happens when there is a lot going on in a story. Each character had a personal journey as well as the collective mystery of finding the lost brother. It all came together nicely for a satisfying and believable conclusion.

I really loved the character development in this book. The three women were complex, flawed, and so very realistic. I particularly liked the way their relationships with each other were portrayed. I felt Robinson did a good job of demonstrating the complex and unique relationship between sisters.

I would definitely recommend this book. I really appreciated Robinson’s writing style in this book. I have to say that I liked this book a lot better than her last book. I see a refinement of style that impresses me. I will be looking forward to her next creation.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it took me over a month to receive this book, I was still excited to read it. It's always nice when you get a book that you just want to keep reading and not put down because you want to know what's going to happen next. I still want to know what happened to them after the book. I was originally expecting a nice and easy beach-y type of read.

I love Ava, Elaine, and Gigi's relationship. I enjoy reading about dysfunctional families because how many perfect families do you know? None and that's what many books seem to have. It really reminds me of how my family is. One minute you want to slap them and the next minute you want to hug them. It's also great when a book isn't solely on romance and it's just a splash of it.

The search for their brother seemed like it was going to be a tough thing to do at first but then towards the end it seemed very quick. I'm not sure how I feel about that at all.

I would give it a 4.5 stars rating and I always love a feel good ending :)

I received this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.

[Myfanwy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is filled with loss and love, sadness and humor, misunderstanding and seeing the truth, which is one way of saying this book is about family. I was completely captivated by this book and turned pages easily, desperate to find out what would happen to Ava, Gigi, Elaine, and, of course, Peter. Ultimately, what I found was what Robinson knows so well: family is not always perfect, but even tarnished and dented and cobbled together, it can help us feel just that much more connected to the world around us.

It was also thrilling to read a book that takes place in my neck of the woods. Having lived on the real Plum Island for years, I can say with authority that Robinson captured and the surrounding area where we live now, perfectly.

Beach Plum Island is a beautiful and satisfying, book. I hope you will read it.

[Suzanne Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holly's latest novel is as cozily satisfying as grilled cheese and tomato soup on a chilly fall day. (Except that it's set in the summer when you're more likely to want to sip something chilled and sparkling.) She deftly handles the complexity of mixed families, marital disruption, and mental illness, and shows us the never-ending capability for humans to embrace guilt.

The people and issues presented in Beach Plum Island are simultaneously comfortably familiar and compellingly unusual. It's this combination that makes the book so readable. Holly's use of language and imagery rounds out the satisfaction level perfectly.

Beach Plum Island is a great addition to any summer reading list!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a goodreads first-reads.

This is the first book - in a long time - to capture my attention and keep my nose in the book until it was finished. I loved the depth and individuality of the three main characters. It wasn't cheesy and too obvious like I thought it might be in the beginning. My one complaint is that I didn't like the way Ava and Simon's relationship unfolded. I felt like it happened to quickly and didn't take time to develop. I think it would've been better received if tension would've been created first. It wasn't believable to me. But, since that was only a small part of the overall story, I am still giving it a 4-star rating. I will definitely read more of Holly Robinson's books in the future.

[Stephanie Rollins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death, divorce, half siblings, and new (and surprising) relationships--it may be more than Elaine can handle. She feels like she was slighted by her entire family. Now, they are searching for their long-lost sibling. The secrets they uncover are heart-breaking. Is Elaine too fragile for it all? Will she turn to alcohol?

In the end, they are all family, and sometimes, that is all you need. This is definitely chick lit. It is a great escape with wonderful characters. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[Joanne Tailele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Beach Plum Island. This is the third of Holly Robinson's books that I have read and I think it is her best so far. The mix of characters are realistic and charming. Holly has that knack for creating characters that you can both love and hate at the same time . . . yes, I was referring to Elaine. In today's mixed up, divorced, and single parent times of today, Beach Plum Island gives the reader a peek into the new definition of family. It gives hope to readers that are perhaps going through their own struggles with "family". Great job Holly.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a book that will take you on a gentle and enjoyable journey, then look no further. The book unfolds like a mystery and keeps the pages turning with one small revelation after another. The writing is beautiful and the imagery of forces that forge great change is subtly etched. There are no cliff-hangers, no big reveals. It's an easy book that tells a realistic story of a fractured family that comes together only after truths are revealed. Curl up and enjoy.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Readable story that is unique and wonderful in the way it allows flawed characters to have moments of happiness .

A bit of a soap opera / romantic fairy tale but sincere at the same time.

I love how this story about family shows at every turn how important friends and the act of friendship can be.

If this were a screenplay it could be a rockin script for older actresses and they could have a good time with it. I like how the generations intersect but mostly have their own orbits.

[Lorrie Thomson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beach Plum Island begins with three sisters--Ava, Elaine, and GiGi--mourning the loss of their beloved father. The three women are as different as people can be. Or are they? They grieve by alternately acting out against each other, themselves, and unsuspecting strangers. But ultimately coming together as a stronger, more self-aware, and loving family. Exactly as their father would've wanted. An uplifting family drama!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Won in a First Look giveaway - I really enjoyed this book. It was an interesting family drama about three sisters trying to find their brother who was given away before they were born. Each of the sisters had an interesting story line and I especially liked the character of Ava. The story was a definite page turner and a perfect beach read. Will definitely be reading more by this author.

[Diane Debrovner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly Robinson weaves together the page-turning stories of three very different sisters in this beautifully written book. You will be rooting for all of them to make peace with each other and find love and acceptance…and wishing you could visit the cottage on Beach Plum Island to join them for a cup of tea or a glass of wine.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book! Many books I enjoy, but this one had me in its grip. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and getting to know the characters. With all their flaws, they were a family. The characters were working their ways through life. I felt like they were any given family: love, loss and learning about themselves.