Beach Glass

by Suzan Colon

Finding love means taking risks, letting go, and believing in second chances . . .A devastating break-up--Yes, I'm ready to be your wife after five years together. I'm ready to marry you, to do laundry together, to have kids with you and wake up in the middle of the night when they cry, and try to find time for sex, and laugh about it when we can't. I'm ready for all of it, Daniel.Katy McNamara is ready, but Daniel, her devoted but commitment-wary boyfriend, isn't. When her thirtieth birthday comes and goes without a marriage proposal, she leaves the dull safety of an east coast freelance job for an assignment in Costa Rica, hoping the distraction of writing about yoga and surfing in a tropical paradise will help her heal.Enter Carson Richardson--tanned, tall, and handsome, a world-class surfer who also happens to be smart, wealthy, and a very nice guy. A breathtaking new love--Carson the surf god teaches me how to ride the waves. Carson sits with me on a surfboard, and we kiss as the sun sets behind us. Carson looks on with approval as I send a postcard home with one sentence that I'm not coming back. Loving Carson opens a world of adventure for Katy, though the dangers of his sport always lurk at the edges of their happiness. If the unthinkable happens, will the fantasy be enough?Falling in love means trusting, hoping, sharing--and learning to live for today. Falling in love means realizing that life is as fragile and as beautiful as beach glass.Suzan Colón is the author of young adult novels based on the TV series Smallville. Suzan has contributed to O, the Oprah Magazine, Good Housekeeping, and many other publications. She has been practicing yoga for nearly twenty-five years, is a twice-certified yoga instructor, and has taught at the world-renowned Integral Yoga Institute in New York City. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, Nathan. Visit the author at SuzanColon.net.

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Adult

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 21, 2014

About the author

I'm the author of Cherries in Winter: My Family's Recipe for Hope in Hard Times, published in hardcover by Doubleday in November, 2010; normally a happy holiday time of year, but that particular November was one of the worst in this economic downfall--kind of timely, since my book was part Recession therapy, part comfort food recipes. Cherries in Winter is out now in paperback with added chapters and recipes.

I've written for O, the Oprah Magazine, Jane, Harper's Bazaar, Details, Rolling Stone, and tons of other magazines. I love magazines; I hope they don't go away.

I've also written three young adult novels based on the Smallville TV series, and a few children's books based on Batman.

I live in New Jersey with my husband, two cats, and an occasional beagle. I am not a great cook, but I try.

Reviews

[Ash Wednesday]

DNF at 15%

I can tolerate insta-lust.
I can tolerate cardboard dialogue.
I can tolerate overplayed tropes.

But I just can't tolerate a heroine whose sole reason for existence is to get married. Katy is heartbroken that her boyfriend of five years does not propose to her on the night of her 30th birthday. She's already tired of looking at their married friends and gorgeous babies with frustrated longing, so she gives him an ultimatum that she will leave him unless he marries her.

He lets her leave.



Ha! Good on you, hipster Daniel with your Mighty Mouse tattoo and skinny jeans!
Run! Run free and wild from the crazy, emotional blackmailer!

I'm quite unclear how these two managed to be in a 5-year relationship when all Katy wants is to get married while Daniel has commitment issues having witnessed his parents go through a painful divorce. I mean, what were they doing in all those five years? Do they even talk? Adding insult to the injury is Katy's unhealthy obsession to get engaged to someone when she's pretty much jobless (she's a freelance writer). I'm sorry but I can't fathom a person who lets herself be defined by her marital status, personal fulfilment be damned. And it must be romantic for some people to see someone like Daniel sacrifice his own happiness to save her... eggs but the pragmatist in me can't help but be offended on his behalf.

So Katy is given the opportunity to live a life so different form what she's used to after the break-up, writing an article about surfing in Costa Rica. She continually references her failed relationship with Daniel at ever opportunity she can. Which is actually familiar territory to anyone who has tried to recover from a bad breakup. Then she meets the cute surfing instructor and immediately dreams and imagines white lace and promises with the unsuspecting guy.



Perhaps that's what the book is supposed to be about, how this heroine evolves and finds her own worth instead of just finding herself a groom. But the way this was written held no reassurances that it will be headed towards that direction. Much as I hate not finishing books this early, I hate a pathetic heroine even more. I'm trying to save what little sanity I have for books that won't give me the urge to punch the next random person I come across at work.

ARC provided by BellBridge Books thru Netgalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

[Hope Tarr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A romance for grownups! A heroine to whom I could really relate plus not one but TWO swoon-worthy heroes. As Kate/Katy struggles to choose between long time love, Daniel and smoking hot Carson, I found myself struggling along with her. Several plot twists make this poignant read a real page turner. I very nearly missed my train stop racing to finish.

[J-Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book today, and I read it all it all in one sitting. For majority of the book, I was smiling and laughing, but I reached the worst part ever! Obviously, I won't spoil anything, but that part messed me up to the point of cursing the author for a solid minute. However, once I finished the entire book, I was okay with everything that happened. In the end, I think she found her happy ending because I bet the other ending was gonna end badly.

[Marguerite G. Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get your tissues

Loved this book! Truly beautiful love story filled with moments of joy, sadness and redemption. I loved the characters and their personal growth. 5 stars.from me!

[Katie(babs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beach Glass by Suzan Colon is a tearjerker with a bittersweet ending that will make you smile. I can see this has a Hallmark or Lifetime movie that shows how a woman can love two men in different ways and still end up with a wonderful HEA. True love heals all wounds here regarding the heroine, Katy.

Katy is a freelance writer who has just turned thirty and wants marriage and kids. You could say her biological clock is ticking. She has the best boyfriend of five years- Daniel, who’s a few years younger than her. She thinks he’s going to propose on her 30th birthday, but he doesn’t. She then gives him an ultimatum or she’s out the door. Daniel doesn’t believe in marriage and isn’t ready for kids because of his parents’ horrible divorce. Katy feels time is ticking away and needs more of a commitment from Daniel. He refuses to give her that. Heartbroken, Katy ends things with Daniel even though she adores him and he adores her. But they are at a standstill in regards with what both wants from one another.

Katy is offered a job from a travel magazine to report about a surf camp in Costa Rica. She meets the carefree and handsome Carson, her surfing instructor. They bond over the week and soon Katy can’t deny her attraction to Carson. Daniel is always in the back of her mind, but she has to move on from him. Carson helps her embrace a new way of life, and in turn she falls in love with him. He also falls for her and they decide to make it work even though Caron’s outlook on life is very different from her own. Plus Carson has been keeping a few secrets from Katy that puts a few bumps in their relationship. Daniel wants a second chance with Katy, but by then it’s too late because she has moved on with Carson.

And then disaster happens.

I won’t give away what that disaster is, but it’s heartbreaking for Katy. She has to learn to deal with the loss, and because of it, she becomes a stronger person. She also has to deal with a sudden surprise while she experiences a horrible trauma. But this surprise is a blessing in disguise and gives her hope and the promise of a great future. The ending is awww worthy and what I exactly want in my romance.

Beach Glass is like a smooth tropical breeze that wraps you up in a big hug, and one book I recommend romance fans, especially those who like contemporary (with a semi-chick lit feel) try. A very uplifting read that makes you want to embrace life and live each day as if it’s your last.

More at Booklikes: http://katiebabs.booklikes.com/post/8...

[Sue Toth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make sure you have a good block of time when you pick up this book to read, because you won't want to put it down until the last fantastic page.

Beach Glass is beautifully written. Katy, the main character, is easy to relate to. I felt like she could be my best friend. Her dilemma of wanting to be married and having a boyfriend that wasn't on the same page is one that so many women can relate to. And being in love with two different men? I'm sure many of us have been in that situation as well, although we may not want to admit it. All these struggles make Katy someone I'd want to get to know. She may not be perfect, but she's human, and what human is perfect? Her choices aren't always easy, and she goes through the same sleepless nights and agony that all of us do when we have tough decisions to make. That is what makes her so likable.

The author's stunning descriptions of Costa Rica--beaches, flowers, blue-green water, wild surf--show amazing attention to detail and impeccable research. You'll feel like you've been there after you've read this book.

I'd also recommend having tissues nearby when you read this, because you'll need them to wipe away the tears of laughter and those of sadness.

With summer coming and the beach calling, this book is a must-have in your beach tote. Don't miss it.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review can also be found at TheChiqBlog.com

Wow oh wow, my emotions seriously ran through the entire spectrum while reading this book. I was happy, sad, angry, frustrated, crying, confused... You name it, I was feeling it.

I adore when books surprise me. I received this book as an ARC, and the blurb had me feeling a bit meh about it. But holy cow, this was SO much better and different from what I was expecting!

Katy (or Kate) is our main chica, and she's expecting a proposal from her boyfriend of five years. When it doesn't come, she flips and leaves. She gets a writing assignment in Costa Rica where she meets beautiful Carson who changes EVERYTHING about her and what she thinks and how she sees the world. But of course drama ensues, and this book takes turns so quickly and surprisingly, my head was swimming (no pun intended haha) but in a good way! If that's at all possible.

I'm still not sure if the book ended the way it should've. I struggled just as much as Kate in her decisions as she did. It's definitely a full, complete ending, but for spoiler sake, I won't go into too much more detail. HOWEVER, check this sucker out NOW! Oh, and bring tissues. You'll definitely need them.

*Received an ARC for honest review.*

[Mariel Hoss · Rating 2 out of 5]

***ARC from NetGalley in Exchange for an honest review***


I’m all for second chances. I’m good with moving on to bigger better things. I’m a fan of cutting your losses. Katy does all of the above and yet somehow I could not relate nor sympathize with her. After FIVE years with a slightly younger man (no conflict whatsoever – uh, wishful thinking much?) she decides to let go because he couldn’t come up to snuff and get her an engagement ring. Okay…FIVE years is a long time and no, hinting is not an appropriate avenue for something this big. You discuss it, A LOT. Together. You do the pros and cons. Together. You find a middle ground Together. And then you wait for the big reveal. She runs away (I mean, what else can you call it) to Costa Rica and falls for the handsome, free-spirited, really rich Carson. And after THREE WEEKS, this is IT! He gives up his freedom to be with her forever. Of course, Carson tragically dies, leaving her with a child (AND STILL SINGLE). I have a feeling that if Carson lived, they would have been divorced within a year. She grows up (I’m still a skeptic) and finds Daniel again who apparently has not stopped loving her. HEA around the corner tied up in neat “let me adopt your child” before the wedding scene bow.

[L.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first review on Goodreads and I'm so excited that it's about such a fabulous book. 'Beach Glass' is sweet... funny... a page-turner... it's a very real story, but surprising and unpredictable... You don't have to like the "romance genre" per se to love it, although it hits all its marks in that regard, too.

The way the author gets into the head of her main character makes it a fantastic work of fiction; it's so believable, it almost reads like an autobiography. And yet the insights and experiences of the protagonist, Katy, are incredibly intimate--you see her work out so much throughout the course of the novel--it's more like being inside someone's head than reading their memoir.

Which is all a way of saying you won't be able to put it down as you join Katy on her journey, which is not just about romantic love, but about familial love, self-regard, joie de vivre... you may shed tears, but ultimately it's an empowering, gorgeous read. Can't wait to see Colon's next book!

[Elizabeth Vest · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story!

I enjoyed reading this book a lot better than I thought. The jury was out for me at the beginning of this story. Katy came off as a demanding beotch. I was pleasantly surprised as the story got underway. Beach Glass was real to me and believable. I'm not the best at writing reviews, I don't want the next reader to see what's coming, so I want to be careful what I write. I only rate books that I liked reading. So, as you can tell, I liked this book. If I don't like a book, then I choose to say nothing. Authors spend a lot of sweat and tears writing what might not be everyone's cup of tea. I never want to be responsible for making someone avoid a book. Happy reading. This is a beautiful love story.

[Shar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoiler Alert

When I finished this book I only gave it a four because I was still so upset about Carson dying. I was going along loving this book and then was heartbroken when he was the only one not rescued after the surfing contest. I found myself thinking about the characters often, for well over a week after I'd finished it and moved on to my next book. But I've come back and now that the sting of Carson's death has lessened, I have to admit that I truly loved this story. Suzan's writing style was easy and had such a nice flow to it.

[Avid Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an enjoyable book. You begin reading thinking this will be a lark and before you know it you're grabbing the Kleenex. This book would be great for film. I found myself casting the characters and framing the scenes so much I had to read some parts twice. This was one of my favorite beach blanket books. Really, really good.

[Christa MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complex, well-written, and moving. Yep - bring the tissues. Totally worth your time. I loved the characters and the evocative settings, but it's the story itself that pushes this one into 'great' territory for me. It's not the most original story line ever, but it twists just enough to keep you turning pages, but gives plenty of time to emotional development and a satisfying end.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wished this book ended earlier, why cant they have just been happy and lived a carefree life. Overall i enjoyed the book was just disappointed with the ending.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A romance that explores the question "Who Am I?". Full review at http://rannthisthat.blogspot.com/2014...

[Christy Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good

I cried, laughed and loved each minute! Such a good read! I recommend this to someone looking for beautiful love story

[cris Sison · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was a good start for me. 5 stars! i so want this book.

[Vivian]

Read it once, then re-read it again. Just in case I finished it to fast to get to the end & missed some of the details. Enjoyed it!