Sea Glass Summer

South Carolina Sunsets #11

by Rachel Hanna

At 40, Tara Lawson's world falls apart. A painful divorce and the loss of her job as a journalist leave her reeling. But it's the news of her beloved grandmother's passing that draws her back to her childhood home in Seagrove, South Carolina, to settle the estate. In the midst of her grief, Tara unexpectedly reconnects with Noah, her childhood best friend. Now a successful sea glass artist, Noah's steadfast presence becomes a comforting anchor. Together, they revive their old tradition of hunting for sea glass, a simple joy that begins to heal Tara's emotional wounds. As the summer unfolds, their bond deepens, and a profound love blossoms. The peaceful beach town, the shared silence and laughter, and the beauty of sea glass all play a part in Tara's healing process. But as the season draws to a close, Tara is faced with a decision that threatens to unravel everything she's rebuilt. Torn between two paths, she must choose what she truly wants.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Fiction, Summer, Adult Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit

198 pages, Paperback

Published February 27, 2024

About the author

Hey there! Before I tell you all about myself, can I invite you to join my private Rachel's Readers Facebook group? That's where my readers hang out, discuss my books, participate in giveaways and learn about new releases.

You can join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Rache...

So who am I? My name is Rachel Hanna, and I am a wife, mother of three incredible kids (maybe I am a BIT biased?), two lovable doggies and one cat that lives outside and thinks he owns the world. Okay, I also have a gecko now too. Don't judge me.

I started writing as a young child, and I went into the field of Journalism for many years as an adult. Now, as a romantic fiction writer, I get to live out my own daydreams every single day and share them with readers around the world!

I'm a Southern chick living near Atlanta, so I say "yes, ma'm" and "ya'll", but I wouldn't have it any other way. :)

Reviews

[Jennifer (not getting notifications) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this book was a miss for me.

[Barbara Massey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly disappointed

I'm a huge fan of Rachel Hannah and was SO excited to read the newest in the series. However this one didn't do anything for me. It felt rushed and unintentional. The main character didn't have any connections with the other characters in the book and I didn't like how Julie and Colleen were acting when they are so obviously surrounded by friends family and support, in fact that's one of the reasons why I usually enjoy the books because of their connections and thoughtfulness.

[Mary Jackson _TheMaryReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this is the last book in this series, South Carolina Sunsets and all eleven books have been out of this world. I have connected with these characters and cheered them on. I don't have the words to explain just how wonderful Hanna's writing style is.
I recommend this entire series.

[Trio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sea Glass Summer is my first book by Rachel Hanna and I'm glad I gave it a try. This is a sweet, second chance romance set in a charming South Carolina beach town. Hanna paints a vivid picture of this small town and the folks who live here.

The audio version is nicely performed by Becky Brabham.

an audiobook copy of Sea Glass Summer was provided by Dreamscape Select, via NetGalley, for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own

[Peggy Gruber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. I have read the whole series and have enjoyed it. This book seemed a little rushed. I felt like the new characters of Tara and Noah were not developed enough. I did enjoy the second chance at romance theme. And I enjoyed the characters. The whole Julie storyline with her trying to get her book published was actually just a distraction for me even though I have enjoyed this character in her other books. I wanted more Tara and Noah and wished we could have gotten to know them a little better. Ending was good but once again rushed.

Despite my negative comments, I really did enjoy the book and would recommend the whole series.
I absolutely love the beach setting and wish I could live in Seagrove. I do enjoy Rachel Hannah as an author when I want to read a feel good story that revolves around family and falling in love.

[Jen Blasy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am not trying to be mean, but this was awful. I hate not finishing books and I considered dropping this one. It was so cheesy. It was also so repetitive. The whole story could have probably been printed on about 30 pages. It was dragged out forever and each character’s thoughts repeated constantly, to the point where it was really annoying. It was also completely predictable. I did not enjoy this one at all, but wanted to finish it so that I could count it towards my reading goal for the year.

[Jill Dater · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook. The reader had a weird cadence and made the words seem like they were written by a prudish 80 year old. This book felt antiquated longing for good old days that don’t really exist.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sea Glass Summer is the 11th book in the South Carolina Sunsets series, but I easily read it as a standalone story. Tara Lawson's life has brought her to a crossroads. At 4o, she is recently divorced, was let go from her job and her boss suggested she take time away from journalism, and she just received a phone call that her gram, the woman who raised her, has died from pancreatic cancer, which she kept from her. Her grandmother's lawyer asks her to come home to Seagrove, South Carolina, to settle her estate. Tara heads home, wounded, grieving and not knowing what is next in her life. Shortly after arriving, she meets her childhood best friend, Noah, a successful sea glass artist. This brings back memories of them as children collecting sea glass together. The peaceful beach town, the shared silence and laughter, and the beauty of sea glass all play a part in Tara's healing process, but as summer ends, she has a painful decision to make.

This was a relatively short story that I enjoyed. Tara was a lost soul and returning to Seagrove was just what she needed. I loved the people in the community that welcomed her home with open arms. I liked the eclectic mix of characters and how they worked and lived together. They were an encouraging group and helped Tara figure out some things. The romance between Tara and Noah was sweet, and blossomed over the summer. Although I enjoyed this story, something seemed to be missing as I didn't really connect to this story as much as I wanted to. There was a second storyline about Julie, a character from other books, trying to get her book published, but because I hadn't read the other books, this was a bit of a distraction for me. I would have liked more development with Tara and Noah instead. Overall this was a sweet second chance romance that I somewhat enjoyed. The audio version was narrated by Becky Brabham. This is a new narrator for me and I enjoyed her performance.

[Charlene Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not the best at listening to audiobooks, but this one was easy to follow and a very nice predictable storyline.
I definitely like the authors’ writing style,
I will admit I did not get to finish this one before it archived, but the general consensus I feel about this book for how far I got into it, is that if you need a light, summer based read , with not too much time commitment this is the perfect one for that.
And I would recommend the audiobook.

Thankyou to author Rachel Hanna, Netgalley for the opportunity to read/listen to this book ahead of publication date.
Charlene 📚🤗🌸 @lastnownext

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Romance and Charming Setting

There are three interconnecting stories within the pages of this novel, and the author does a spectacular job of weaving the stories together to make one cohesive reflection on life and the choices we make. My favorite story, of course, was the main one about Tara, her job, her grandmother and her boyhood friend, Noah. This story delves deeply into feelings of loss, self-discovery and forgiveness. The characters are realistic and lovable and I look forward to another visit to the little town of Seagrove.
I checked out a copy of this book from my local library using the Libby App. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good read and a wonderful addition to an already beloved series. Sea Glass Summer brings everything I’ve come to love about this community—charm, warmth, and characters who feel like friends. I will miss visiting this town and sharing in their lives. This story captures the spirit of summer, friendship, and new beginnings, making it an absolute joy to read. If you’ve been following the series, you won’t be disappointed. A solid 4-star read!

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I needed a book for a challenge, and I chose this one. This is the only book I have read by this author, and I realize that this is the eleventh book in a series. I didn't like the main character.

[Denise Loutsch-beitelspacher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story line, but too slow going for me..

[Reina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really hope RH continues this series because I am sad that it’s over, it has been so wonderful! I have grown so connected to these characters, the love and support they share with each other, and the small town of Seagrove! This book had me reminiscing about so many things from my youth, especially looking for sea glass with my brother! So, I’m adding that to my bucket list to do with my sons when we get a chance to visit east coast oceans!

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure what exactly I was expecting, but I feel like I was missing something with this one. ??

Sweet story. Short story. But there was either so much turmoil, or…none at all!

The story revolves around Tara. We meet her at her job as a journalist. She just broke up with her fiancé, and she’s feeling lost…
Add to that that her boss got very upset with her for a mistake she made…
and she gets fired! (This all within a few minutes of opening the book!)

Then she gets a phone call that she CANNOT and WILL NOT believe. Her entire life is spinning!

She’s forced to go back to small town South Carolina…where she grew up with her grandma.

Sweet stories. Beautiful episodes of reminiscing. Flashbacks to summertime…walks on the beach…friendships…growing up…and loves lost…

Additionally there are several other mini-stories going on. (Still not sure how they all fit together though ?? !! ??)

Although I liked it, I just feel like I’m missing so much.
Disappointed, as I’ve always liked her books so much in the past…

Anyone else read this??
Thoughts??

3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me.

⭐️ Sweet female main character (that can never seem to make up her mind)
⭐️ Wonderful male main character (who should be sainted!!)
⭐️ Sub-story involving writing/publishing a book!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #DreamscapeSelect for an ARC of the audiobook which releases on 3/19/24. Of note: This is book #11 of the series.

#SeaGlassSummer by #RachelHanna and narrated nicely by #BeckyBrabham.

Feel free to like, follow and friend me on: Goodreads,
IG @ #BookReviews_with_emsr or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine.

Thanks so much for reading!📚⭐️📖

[Lorraine · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh

I love this series, but didn’t really connect with this book. It was extremely short and i felt that i didn’t really get to know the two newest characters in the series. The storyline had too many moving pieces and again, the newest arrivals, Tara and Noah, had a minimal part of the book. Definitely disappointed but hopeful for the next release.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was sadly disappointing. I have read the other books in this series and liked them. I felt like the drama in these women's lives was forced and not as big of a deal as portrayed. It lost my interest and I skimmed through the last few chapters just to finish.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the eleventh book in the Series South Carolina Sunsets and Rachel Hanna never disappoints. This is my favorite series by this author so I loved catching up with the citizens of Seagrove.

We’re headed back to the small South Carolina town of Seagrove to reconnect with some old friends as well as some new. Tara’s life is spinning out of control. She’s lost her job and her fiancé, and now she’s getting additional bad news. In the midst of all this, she’s been called back to the home town where she was raised to cope with a family tragedy. While there she runs into her childhood best friend, Noah. Noah now owns his own shop where he is Sea Glass artist. The inspiration for Noah’s shop came from his and Tara’s time spent collecting Sea Glass at the beach when they were kidssh. Tara and Noah realize they still have a bond and she is finding some comfort with him. As there connection deepens, Tara is faced with a difficult decision. She has to really thing about what she wants and which direction she is going to choose.

We’re also back in Julie’s life to find out what she’s been up to with Dawson and her family. She’s facing some challenges and because she hasn’t opened up to her family about it, she’s dealing with it on her own. As she is starting to decide what path to take will she begin to open up to her family!

I really love catching up with the residents of Sea Grove. Rachel's characters so so realistic and well developed that the reader starts to think of them as friends or family. I want to move to Seagrove and be a part of that small tight-knit community. When reading any of Rachel Hanna's books, the reader is transported to the town where they take place. like It's like going to the bookstore or coffee shop and having coffee with friends.

if you enjoy a heartwarming romance, of second chances, Love, Family, Friends, Reconnecting, disappointments, forgiveness, new opportunities and a charming small beach town you are going to love this series

[Anne Wolters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 11 of the South Carolina Sunsets series. This delightful, heartwarming story could certainly be read as a standalone, however, I highly recommend you start out with book #1, The Beach House. You will not be disappointed.
Many of the well-developed, and much loved, unforgettable characters in this series are brought back to life in this book. Julie is following her dream, and making it come true, Colleen is adjusting to being a mother. Janine is busy keeping track of a toddler and teaching yoga classes. Dixie is enjoying life, however, stops by often at the bookstore to check-in.
Having lost her parents at an early age, Tara Lawson grew up with her grandmother in Seagrove, South Carolina. Now at thirty years of age, she lives in Atlanta where she is a producer for a popular TV news show. Unbeknownst to her, she reported a story that she learned later was fake, resulting in the loss of her job.
At the death of her beloved grandmother, Tara ends up back in Seagrove at her grandmother’s house. She is grieving the loss of her grandmother, and her job, when she and her childhood best friend Noah, unexpectedly see each other on the sidewalk by her grandmother’s house. They spent much of their growing up years collecting sea glass on the beach. Now Noah is a sea glass artist.
This is a delightful, heartwarming story that brings the lives of family and friends together. At the end of the summer, Tara has a difficult decision to make regarding what to do with her grandmother’s house. Should she stay and live in it or go back to Atlanta and pursue her career?
I never hesitate to recommend a book by Rachel Hanna. I can always count on them being clean, heartwarming stories with lovable, unforgettable characters.

[Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sea Glass Summer by Rachel Hanna and narrated by Becky Brabham begins with an idyllic scene of 11 year old Tara Lawson and her best friend Noah on their usual early morning walk along the Seagrove beach to find sea glass before school.

This sweet introduction is then eclipsed by Tara in the present day, where everything she has built in Atlanta begins to collapse around her, her engagement breaks up, she misses a fake story and gets royally fired by her boss and then, a few days later, in her haze of bewilderment, she receives a call. Her grandmother, the lady who raised her when her parents passed and who she kept in constant contact with had passed in her sleep and Tara needed to return to Seagrove to settle her estate

This audiobook is read beautifully by Becky Brabham who reflects the gentle nature of the storyline yet reads ach character with great accuracy and continuity for the genre. Wonderful narration

Rachel Hanna writes a heartwarming, immersive and vivid storyline that captures the soul and curls it up an a soft blanket of comfortable narrative that makes you feel like you are in the community, a part of the quaint small town she describes so well, even down to the warm air. Despite all of the cozy, Tara must decide what to do with her grandmothers house, and if she will stay, or leave

A lovely listen and one I really enjoyed. It's quite far on in the series but a perfectly capable standalone. There were a lot of characters within that I am intrigued by so it's likely I will be returning to the Seagrove books

Thank you very much to Dreamscape Select, Rachel Hanna and the great narrator Becky Brabham for this lovely ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Title: Sea Glass Summer
Series: South Carolina Sunsets #11
Format: 🎧
Author: Rachel Hanna
Narrators: Becky Brabham
Publisher: Dreamscape Select /Rachel Hanna
Genre: Women’s Fiction/ Romance
Audiobook Pub Date: March 19, 2024
My Rating: 3.5 rounded up
Pages: 200


Tara Lawson is only thirty years old but her life has reached rock bottom. She just broke up with her fiancé, lost her job as a broadcast journalist (worked on a big scoop that turned out to be ‘fake news’ and she was fired) and now just received word that her beloved grandmother who raised her since she was young has died. She is called back to her childhood home in Seagrove, South Carolina, to settle the estate.

In the midst of her grief, Tara unexpectedly reconnects with Noah, her childhood best friend. Ara and Noah would search the sea shore for sea glass and now he is a successful sea glass artist,

This is the eleventh book in the South Carolina Sunsets series. However, it is my first!
However, It wasn’t difficult connecting with the recurring realistic characters.
As you might guess there is a romance blossoming with Tara and Noah.

If you are a romance reader, you know a romance story it is one that gives readers the sense that something is going to get better; something to look forward to.
As Romance Author, Katherine Center tells us non romance fans describe a romance story as predictive but Romance fans know they are stories that satisficed our positive anticipation.

This was a quick, light enjoyable read.

I want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Select/Rachel Hanna and for this audiobook..
Audiobook Publishing Release Date scheduled for March 19, 2024

[Jodie (That Happy Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Sea Glass Summer” transports readers to the serene beach town of Seagrove, South Carolina, where Tara Lawson’s life takes an unexpected turn at forty. Amidst a flurry of challenges including divorce, job loss, and the passing of her grandmother, Tara finds herself drawn back to her childhood home, seeking solace and closure.

What I found particularly captivating about this book was the genuine connection between Tara and Noah, her childhood best friend turned successful sea glass artist. Their rekindled bond, intertwined with the soothing rhythm of sea glass hunting, serves as a beacon of hope and healing amidst Tara’s turmoil.

While I wished for a deeper understanding of the backstory from earlier books in the series, Tara and Noah’s journey stands firmly on its own, offering readers a heartwarming second chance romance that resonates with authenticity.

In essence, “Sea Glass Summer” is a captivating tale of love, loss, and resilience set against the backdrop of a charming coastal community. With its blend of romance and the healing power of sea glass, it’s sure to leave a lasting impression on readers.

The Narration:

Becky Brabham’s narration in the audiobook format enhances the experience, infusing the characters with warmth and depth. Her soothing tone and expressive delivery make it a compelling choice for those who prefer to immerse themselves in the story through audio.

I received a DRC of this book from the publisher but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tara Lawson’s professional and personal life has hit rock bottom. When she hears that her beloved grandmother has passed away and she needs to return to her childhood home in Seagrove, South Carolina, to settle her grandmother’s estate, she’s shocked. She had thought her grandmother was in great health.

She unexpectedly runs into her childhood best friend, Noah, who she had a major crush on but could never admit it to him. As they spend more time together, the old feelings come back but she’s sure Noah could never feel the same about her. She’s thrilled to find out otherwise. However, when she hears something about her grandmother’s passing, she feels betrayed. When offered a job back in Atlanta, Tara decides it’s best if she accepts it and leaves before she opens herself up to even more heartache. But is that the right choice or would she be making a big mistake leaving Noah, their budding romance, and the town she’s grown to love all over again?

A clean, fun, heartwarming story about loss, struggles, second chances, friendship, family, new beginnings, forgiveness, and a few other stories going on. I got a few tears in parts of the book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Reeca Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tara has just lost her job. She is reeling and just can’t believe it. Then she gets the call that her grandmother, who raised her, has passed away. This totally knocks her off her feet. She goes back to her childhood home, Seagrove, South Carolina to deal with her grandmother’s estate. She ends up connecting with her best friend from when she was a kid, Noah.

I have not read a book by this author before. And, of course, the whole point of reading this, for me, is because it is predictable. However, I expected a bit more.

I was not a big fan of Tara. The reason she gets mad with Noah is a bit childish. And so are some of his reactions. I had to think how old they were while reading this. I was beginning to think they were teenagers.

All of that being said, I did enjoy parts of it. I loved the setting…I mean who doesn’t enjoy a beach read!

The narrator, Becky Brabham, is ok. She is a bit dramatic, but it could have been the writing. Lord! It sounds like I didn’t like this book. But I did finish it and it has a good many 5 star reviews…read it yourself to decide!

Need a sweet tale for a beach read…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

[Jennifer Ritter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sea Glass Summer is the 11th book in Rachel Hanna’s South Carolina Sunsets series. Tara Lawson grew up with her grandmother who raised her after losing both parents at a young age. Seagrove, SC, has always been home, although her broadcast journalism job in Atlanta has kept her from visiting for a while. However, she and her grandmother stay in constant contact with texts, emails, phone calls, and video chats.

If bad things come in threes, then Tara is experiencing a very bad time. First, a very difficult break up with her fiancé. Next, an error at work cost Tara her job and perhaps her career. And then, Tara receives a call from her grandmother’s attorney informing her that her beloved grandmother passed away in her sleep. Unfortunately, Tara did not know about the disease that had taken her away.

Returning to Seagrove was like a walk back in time except for missing her beloved grandmother. But Tara was able to make some new friends and connections with those she had known, in particular with her childhood best friend Noah. When they parted ways as Tara headed to college they had lost touch. New opportunities, rekindled relationships, and unexpected outcomes lead to a satisfying story. I enjoyed this book and recommend it for people following this series and genre.

[Cheryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

Perhaps this book would be more enjoyable if I'd read any others in the series. It seemed somewhat choppy, with a couple of different stories that never really intersected.

Tara Lawson has just lost not only her job, but also her fiancée and her grandmother. She leaves Atlanta and returns to South Carolina to settle her grandmother's estate where she once again connects with her childhood best friend, Noah. Noah's now a successful artist with a gallery of his own sea glass creations. As children, Tara and Noah spent house searching for sea glass on the beach and they revived the practice upon meeting again.

Julie has written a book and self-published it to sell in the family book store. This plot line didn't seem to have much of anything to do with the Tara and her story. I kept waiting for them to be tied together but they were not.

This audiobook was narrated by Becky Brabham. It was often difficult to tell who was speaking as narration was a bit uneven. With either too long of too short pauses between chapters, it made it difficult to keep track of which character was meant to be speaking.

Note: I reviewed the audiobook ARC from NetGalley.

[Rosie Trzewik · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet read that is very typical of short romance stories. This was my first read of the series and being the #11th, I was missing out on a running storyline of characters that must have been in previous books. That main character is Tara who returns home to Seagrove, SC. Her life has been in turmoil, loss of her job, failed marriage and now her beloved grandmother has passed. Coming home to settle her grandmother estate and reconnecting to life in a small town is just what she needs. And rekindling a childhood friendship has its benefits but there is a secret that could tear them apart.
The audiobook is short and great for a road-trip that’s only a few hours. I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the previous books. I guess I need to backtrack. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #SeaGlassSummer

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I cannot understand how this book has a 4+ rating in GoodReads because 2.5 stars would be charitable. Are bots rating books now? Sea Glass Summer was exemplified by weak writing, weak characters and further compounded by horrible reading.
This audiobook was narrated terribly by Becky Brabham. Her tone is silly and young, not that of a 40 year-old career woman. Her voices for other characters are painfully off-base--the dutiful husband of the young mother sounded like an 80+ old man; the friendly woman sounded like a stereotypical Black woman. The narrator's unfortunate cadence paused at the end of printed lines where a sentence didn't end so it was very choppy; she struggled with mispronounced words (the word is "fruition" not "frutation"). The audio editing was terrible too--every "'apter" started with a dropped syllable, and many of those chapters started with the name of the character, so the listener can't understand who it is. Just an all-around mess.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read any previous books by Rachel Hanna nor anything in this series about South Carolina Sunsets, I was able to follow the story line although further back information would be helpful to be fully vested in the story. At the death of her beloved grandmother, Tara ends up back in Seagrove at her grandmother’s house. She is grieving the loss of her grandmother, and her job, when she and her childhood best friend Noah, unexpectedly see each other on the sidewalk by her grandmother’s house. They spent much of their growing up years collecting sea glass on the beach. Now Noah is a sea glass artist. The characters are interesting and relatable, the storyline and the idea of never giving up on your dreams resonates with many. This is a light, fun and clean summer read.


Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select/Rachel Hanna

[Theresa Glass · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book a disappointing. Even though Tara and Noah’s story was nice, it was not well thought out and integrated into the other character’s stories, despite the fact that Tara was raised in the town. What really took this book down for me was that Julie going through a hard time by not getting her book published. What about the author that came through town a few books ago that read some of her book and told her to get in touch when she was finished? I really hate disconnects like that and this was not the first by this author. I’m surprised that she has introduced so many new characters book by book instead of developing some of the core characters. What about Meg? She had a bright start going to school abroad which was interrupted by here pregnancy, but why didn’t she finish her degree or find a new career?