What do you think?
Rate this book
The Beacon
After surviving years of abuse at the hands of her ex-husband, Tatum Campbell is ready to move on. Unfortunately, the scars from her past won’t let go. With her ex finally behind bars, she’s focused on one thing—protecting her daughter and rebuilding their lives.
When her job offers the chance to relocate to Maine, Tatum is faced with a difficult decision—stay in the only home she’s ever known, or leave everything behind for a fresh start. Encouraged by her best friend, she chooses to embrace the unknown and start over.
But healing isn’t as easy as she thought. In Maine, she meets Alec, a man who is determined to make sure she never has to face anything alone. With patience, kindness, and a quiet determination to help her heal, Alec begins to tear down the walls Tatum has spent years building.
As their connection deepens, Tatum must confront a hard truth—can she truly leave the past behind, and open herself up the love he’s offering? Or will the weight of her trauma keep her from trusting Alec and accepting the life she deserves?
When her job offers the chance to relocate to Maine, Tatum is faced with a difficult decision—stay in the only home she’s ever known, or leave everything behind for a fresh start. Encouraged by her best friend, she chooses to embrace the unknown and start over.
But healing isn’t as easy as she thought. In Maine, she meets Alec, a man who is determined to make sure she never has to face anything alone. With patience, kindness, and a quiet determination to help her heal, Alec begins to tear down the walls Tatum has spent years building.
As their connection deepens, Tatum must confront a hard truth—can she truly leave the past behind, and open herself up the love he’s offering? Or will the weight of her trauma keep her from trusting Alec and accepting the life she deserves?
Paperback
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 19, 2025
The series that started in The Echoist continues in this book as Tatum learned to heal and trust again, and gets the love she so deserves. She and Reece had so much healing to do after being traumatized by her ex. A fresh start in a new place was exactly what they needed.
This book had me in tears so many times, but it also had hilarious moments between the main characters. Alec’s inner monologue had me laughing out loud. And the banter he and Tatum had was great. She was understandably guarded at first, but he was patient and never rushed her. I loved how the universe kept throwing them together. The more they spent time together, the closer they became.
Of course, this is Eliza Anne, so keep the tissues nearby for beautiful and emotional moments throughout. They are all necessary and needed though! You will be elated by the end.
I could write paragraphs on Alec. This man was emotionally mature, he knew what he wanted, and he was as solid as rock. Acts of service was his love language and he provided plenty to all the girls in his life. He treated Tatum like she was the most important thing to him, in his words and actions. New book husband for sure!
I loved seeing (some) other characters and knowing how they are doing after everything. And the found family aspect of this book was phenomenal. The friends and family that showed Tatum and Reece love, welcomed them, and never judged them was so good to see.
This is easily my favorite book of the month and right now my top book of the year. Many, many thanks to author Eliza Anne for the arc to review. I loved it so much!
Ratings:
♾️⭐️
.5🌶️
Tropes:
💕Healing
💕Love after trauma
💕Found family
💕Single mom
💕Blue collar MMC
💕Golden retriever MMC
💕Slow burn
This book had me in tears so many times, but it also had hilarious moments between the main characters. Alec’s inner monologue had me laughing out loud. And the banter he and Tatum had was great. She was understandably guarded at first, but he was patient and never rushed her. I loved how the universe kept throwing them together. The more they spent time together, the closer they became.
Of course, this is Eliza Anne, so keep the tissues nearby for beautiful and emotional moments throughout. They are all necessary and needed though! You will be elated by the end.
I could write paragraphs on Alec. This man was emotionally mature, he knew what he wanted, and he was as solid as rock. Acts of service was his love language and he provided plenty to all the girls in his life. He treated Tatum like she was the most important thing to him, in his words and actions. New book husband for sure!
I loved seeing (some) other characters and knowing how they are doing after everything. And the found family aspect of this book was phenomenal. The friends and family that showed Tatum and Reece love, welcomed them, and never judged them was so good to see.
This is easily my favorite book of the month and right now my top book of the year. Many, many thanks to author Eliza Anne for the arc to review. I loved it so much!
Ratings:
♾️⭐️
.5🌶️
Tropes:
💕Healing
💕Love after trauma
💕Found family
💕Single mom
💕Blue collar MMC
💕Golden retriever MMC
💕Slow burn
January 29, 2026
Eliza Anne tackles an incredibly difficult subject and handles it with so much care and intention. I went into this series with no real idea of what to expect, but it absolutely exceeded my expectations. I’m always drawn to stories that confront real-life issues because they shine a light where it’s so often needed and this one does exactly that. Tatum’s journey from rock bottom to finally seeing the light was powerful and heartbreaking. It’s nearly impossible to imagine yourself in the place of a victim, but this story brings you uncomfortably close. What I appreciated most was Tatum’s realistic internal dialogue, which perfectly captured how deeply victims can be gaslit, manipulated, and conditioned to carry blame and shame that was never theirs.
February 26, 2025
The Beacon, isn't just a book; it's an experience. It's a raw, unflinching excavation grief, trauma, finding your identity Prepare to be emotionally decimated, because Eliza doesn't shy away from the darkest corners of the human experience.
This book duet is a gut punch, a tear-jerker, and at times, a scream into the void.
From the opening page, the narrative grips you in a vise, squeezing out every vulnerability you possess.
It demands your full attention, your vulnerability, and your willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. But if you're brave enough to embark on this journey, you'll find something profoundly healing within its pages. It's a reminder that even after being shattered, we can be pieced back together, stronger and more resilient than before.
This is a book that will stay with me for a long time. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to not only break us down but to help us rebuildl.
This book duet is a gut punch, a tear-jerker, and at times, a scream into the void.
From the opening page, the narrative grips you in a vise, squeezing out every vulnerability you possess.
It demands your full attention, your vulnerability, and your willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. But if you're brave enough to embark on this journey, you'll find something profoundly healing within its pages. It's a reminder that even after being shattered, we can be pieced back together, stronger and more resilient than before.
This is a book that will stay with me for a long time. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to not only break us down but to help us rebuildl.
March 13, 2025
This book is a work of art. I cried so much and felt like I was healing right along with Tatum. Her past is so traumatic but man does she have a village with her now. This brought so many emotions out of me. I have been rooting for Tatum since The Echoist. She is just such a beautifully flawed FMC. I relate to her so much. Her strength goes beyond even what she is aware of. Her support system in Addie is a friendship that is like no other. The side characters in this book are above and beyond fantastic. I can't even begin to explain how much I feel about this book and just how exquisitely it was written. I know Eliza has a way with words and I did not think she could top The Echoist but she really outdid herself with this one.
I have not been able to stop thinking about this book for days now. Alec, the MMC, has created a whole new level and literally is in his own category of book boyfriends. Like do men like this even exist? At some point he even tells Tatum that she will not find a dark past from him because he doesn't have one is top tier. He is the perfect balance of support to Tatum and letting her learn and grow on her own.
This book made me want to be a better person for this world. Even saying, you get what you give to the world, good and bad karma. I firmly agree with this and and am so in love with this phenomenal piece of work. This is exaclty what we needed after The Echoist even if some parts were difficult to get there I was here for it!
꧁𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼꧂
“𝐵𝓊𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓈𝑒 𝓂𝑒𝓂𝑜𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓈 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓃𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝒽𝓊𝓇𝓉 𝒶𝓈 𝒷𝒶𝒹𝓁𝓎 𝒶𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝒹𝒾𝒹 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓂𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉.”
“𝒯𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝐼 𝓈𝓊𝓅𝓅𝑜𝓈𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝑔𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈𝑒𝓁𝒻 𝓉𝓌𝑜 𝑜𝓅𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈: 𝓁𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝒾𝓃 𝓅𝓊𝓇𝑔𝒶𝓉𝑜𝓇𝓎 𝑜𝓇 𝒸𝒽𝑜𝑜𝓈𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝑜𝓌𝓃 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓈𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝑜𝒻 𝒽𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝓃.”
“𝒲𝒽𝓎 𝓂𝑒? 𝒲𝒽𝓎 𝓂𝓎 𝑔𝒾𝓇𝓁𝓈? 𝒴𝒶 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌? 𝐵𝓊𝓉 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓊𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎, 𝐼 𝒻𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓃𝑒𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓈𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝑔𝓇𝒾𝑒𝒻.”
I have not been able to stop thinking about this book for days now. Alec, the MMC, has created a whole new level and literally is in his own category of book boyfriends. Like do men like this even exist? At some point he even tells Tatum that she will not find a dark past from him because he doesn't have one is top tier. He is the perfect balance of support to Tatum and letting her learn and grow on her own.
This book made me want to be a better person for this world. Even saying, you get what you give to the world, good and bad karma. I firmly agree with this and and am so in love with this phenomenal piece of work. This is exaclty what we needed after The Echoist even if some parts were difficult to get there I was here for it!
꧁𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼꧂
“𝐵𝓊𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓈𝑒 𝓂𝑒𝓂𝑜𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓈 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓃𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝒽𝓊𝓇𝓉 𝒶𝓈 𝒷𝒶𝒹𝓁𝓎 𝒶𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝒹𝒾𝒹 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓂𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉.”
“𝒯𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝐼 𝓈𝓊𝓅𝓅𝑜𝓈𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝑔𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈𝑒𝓁𝒻 𝓉𝓌𝑜 𝑜𝓅𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈: 𝓁𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝒾𝓃 𝓅𝓊𝓇𝑔𝒶𝓉𝑜𝓇𝓎 𝑜𝓇 𝒸𝒽𝑜𝑜𝓈𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝑜𝓌𝓃 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓈𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝑜𝒻 𝒽𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝓃.”
“𝒲𝒽𝓎 𝓂𝑒? 𝒲𝒽𝓎 𝓂𝓎 𝑔𝒾𝓇𝓁𝓈? 𝒴𝒶 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌? 𝐵𝓊𝓉 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓊𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎, 𝐼 𝒻𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓃𝑒𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓈𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝑔𝓇𝒾𝑒𝒻.”
February 25, 2025
This series is one of the most emotional, trauma filled pieces I have ever read, but honestly, it is the most rewarding series I've ever read, too. In book one, your heart breaks for everything Tatum has to go through, but in this book, you're able to watch her healing journey. The emotional pulls you constantly feel throughout these stories is unlike anything else I've read. It almost feels like I'm feeling every single one of those things in real time, and it's gut-wrenching. Eliza, you have an incredible way with words with how you pull readers in! I can not even put into words how much I have enjoyed being along this journey with Tatum, Reece, unfortunately Bryce 🙄, Addie, James, and now Alec and his family!
Alec is everything and more, and honestly, he couldn't have been a better fit for Tatum and Reece! The love and patience and gratitude and support that man shows to those girls is the most beautiful thing ever!
I am so beyond proud of you, Eliza! Being a part of your writing journey since The Echoist has been nothing short of an amazing privilege. Watching your writing grow, but more so, YOU as an individual. I'm so incredibly proud and happy to have you in my life!
Alec is everything and more, and honestly, he couldn't have been a better fit for Tatum and Reece! The love and patience and gratitude and support that man shows to those girls is the most beautiful thing ever!
I am so beyond proud of you, Eliza! Being a part of your writing journey since The Echoist has been nothing short of an amazing privilege. Watching your writing grow, but more so, YOU as an individual. I'm so incredibly proud and happy to have you in my life!
February 25, 2025
Eliza, Eliza, Eliza!
You have done it again my friend! Eliza Anne, ma’am!
The book that started this all is called “The Echoist”, it is the first book of this series. So please read that before you read this novel “The Beacon”. The way this book has destroyed yet healed so much from the first novel.
I didn’t think anything could top “Seventeen Minutes”, but man was I proven wrong. This novel had me screaming, crying, laughing. All the emotions all over the place! We got to meet Alec, our new MMC. We love him, we adore him. So much better than that guy in the first novel without a doubt!! Alec is our golden retriever. Tatum is our FMC from the first novel, she’s learning to heal from lots of trauma. Alec helps her with that as well.
The way this novel had me in a chokehold, I couldn’t put it down and I have read it about 3 times now. That’s how good it is! Our tropes for this novel? Healing From Trauma, Slow Burn, Golden Retriever MMC, Love After Trauma. I definitely recommend this novel! Eliza Anne you have wrote yet another amazing novel, I’m so beyond proud of you! Keep shining and going ma’am!!
You have done it again my friend! Eliza Anne, ma’am!
The book that started this all is called “The Echoist”, it is the first book of this series. So please read that before you read this novel “The Beacon”. The way this book has destroyed yet healed so much from the first novel.
I didn’t think anything could top “Seventeen Minutes”, but man was I proven wrong. This novel had me screaming, crying, laughing. All the emotions all over the place! We got to meet Alec, our new MMC. We love him, we adore him. So much better than that guy in the first novel without a doubt!! Alec is our golden retriever. Tatum is our FMC from the first novel, she’s learning to heal from lots of trauma. Alec helps her with that as well.
The way this novel had me in a chokehold, I couldn’t put it down and I have read it about 3 times now. That’s how good it is! Our tropes for this novel? Healing From Trauma, Slow Burn, Golden Retriever MMC, Love After Trauma. I definitely recommend this novel! Eliza Anne you have wrote yet another amazing novel, I’m so beyond proud of you! Keep shining and going ma’am!!
February 24, 2025
This book. This. Book. Did things to me.
First and foremost, Eliza is a phenomenal writer. The flow and storyline was so well developed, I devoured it in one day. Picked it up and did not put it down until I was finished. It totally pulled me in.
Second, I am so happy that this is the end of Tatum’s story. My heart broke for Tatum in The Echoist and to see her come out of the situation she was in tore me apart in the best way.
During this story, I cried happy tears, I cried sad tears, I sat and stared at the wall, I yelled, I kicked my feet, and giggled like a girl. I felt the full spectrum of emotions. I also thought that James Foster was my favorite MMC Eliza has ever written, and then I met Alec Faro! I’m crowning myself as the founder of both the James Foster and Alec Faro fan clubs.
Thank you again Eliza, for continuing to write about the hard things and to tackle the issues that matter and focus on healing your inner self. Someone has to do it, and I tend to think you do it beautifully. If I did infinity stars, this would be the one!!!
February 27, 2025
ARC Review of The Beacon by @elizaanneauthor
4/5 stars
0/5 spice
I waited for so long for this book, and it was worth the wait. The Beacon is the final installment in the Echo and Narcissus series. In it we see Tatum begin to truly start to move on with her life after doing the work to begin to heal from all the abuse.
This book was well executed from the point of view of a mother whose been abused but also has a child. Everything about this book didn’t feel like a romance, but more like it was holding space for those who have walked or are walking through the storm of domestic violence and its aftermath. There is romance in it sure (and Alec is an ooey gooey fresh out of the oven cinnamon roll), but every single word was about acknowledging the very real truth that there are good days and there are bad days. One does not negate the other. And both are valid.
I love when a book can speak to a part of my soul, and this book did just that. #ElizaAnne #TheBeacon #domesticviolence #echoandnarcissus #domesticviolenceawareness
4/5 stars
0/5 spice
I waited for so long for this book, and it was worth the wait. The Beacon is the final installment in the Echo and Narcissus series. In it we see Tatum begin to truly start to move on with her life after doing the work to begin to heal from all the abuse.
This book was well executed from the point of view of a mother whose been abused but also has a child. Everything about this book didn’t feel like a romance, but more like it was holding space for those who have walked or are walking through the storm of domestic violence and its aftermath. There is romance in it sure (and Alec is an ooey gooey fresh out of the oven cinnamon roll), but every single word was about acknowledging the very real truth that there are good days and there are bad days. One does not negate the other. And both are valid.
I love when a book can speak to a part of my soul, and this book did just that. #ElizaAnne #TheBeacon #domesticviolence #echoandnarcissus #domesticviolenceawareness
February 27, 2025
*Thank you to Eliza for providing me with an ARC for an honest review!
💫The Beacon is a book that brings hope and a fresh start. This series has been so emotional, heartbreaking, and beautiful. Eliza brought such a raw and honest story of the trauma and healing that comes from abuse.
Tatum and her daughter Reece are trying to move on and make a new life for themselves, and this little town in Maine was the perfect place for that. My heart hurt constantly for Tatum, but it was so wonderful to see her and her daughter finally find the place where they could rest and feel safe.
Alec will steal your heart. He is such a kind and sweet soul, and I could not have pictured a better man for Tatum to fall for. He held so much space for her and let her guide them. Eliza also brought a lightness and laughter that truly heals your heart.
I feel so honored to have been a part of this journey with Eliza and this series. It holds such a special place in my heart that I won't forget.
💫The Beacon is a book that brings hope and a fresh start. This series has been so emotional, heartbreaking, and beautiful. Eliza brought such a raw and honest story of the trauma and healing that comes from abuse.
Tatum and her daughter Reece are trying to move on and make a new life for themselves, and this little town in Maine was the perfect place for that. My heart hurt constantly for Tatum, but it was so wonderful to see her and her daughter finally find the place where they could rest and feel safe.
Alec will steal your heart. He is such a kind and sweet soul, and I could not have pictured a better man for Tatum to fall for. He held so much space for her and let her guide them. Eliza also brought a lightness and laughter that truly heals your heart.
I feel so honored to have been a part of this journey with Eliza and this series. It holds such a special place in my heart that I won't forget.
February 25, 2025
This is the second book of the series and you have to read the first to understand the storyline and the healing process Tatum is going through in this book.
Let me start first by saying that there is book 1.5 that made me think James was everything but after this? I’m pretty sure Alec has taken that spot.
Alec is a walking green flag. He is funny, awkward, handsome, handy, great with kids, and absolute perfection wrapped up in a green flag package.
Exactly what Tatum needs.
She and Reece still have their struggles in this book but it is a beautiful sight to watch them heal with Sarah and Alec by their side.
Let me start first by saying that there is book 1.5 that made me think James was everything but after this? I’m pretty sure Alec has taken that spot.
Alec is a walking green flag. He is funny, awkward, handsome, handy, great with kids, and absolute perfection wrapped up in a green flag package.
Exactly what Tatum needs.
She and Reece still have their struggles in this book but it is a beautiful sight to watch them heal with Sarah and Alec by their side.
March 12, 2025
Emotional, heartbreaking, and yet at the same time Eliza takes those pieces that shattered in book one that still feel like fresh heartache and stitched each piece together to put your heart and hope back together. Each piece put back intricately with a purpose to Tatum and Reese and Alec’s heal. While the book focused on Tatum and her healing it really hit all three and how they heal from their own traumas some current and some in the past. The way Alec stood beside Tatum and took his time slowly approaching Tatum instead of expecting the world from her right off the bat made him desirable. He was connected to her from the start and it was a beautifully written book.
February 1, 2026
Wow, this book will live with me forever. If you want an emotional read, but can make you laugh and smile too, I highly recommend. This book we get to see Tatum’s healing, and what she and Reece truly deserve. I truly the relationship in this book as Alec is such a perfect man. He was slow moving into a relationship with Tatum, built trust, and truly loves Reece. I fell in love with him. I also loved the friendships throughout this book. I caught myself giggling and smiling a lot. With that said, keep some tissues by you as this is definitely an emotion read too. Now I need this author to write another emotions book asap!!!
February 22, 2025
I feel emotionally wrecked by this book. I think I read the entire book with teary eyes and I am not a crier. When the opportunity to move to Maine for work comes up Tatum and her daughter Reece move there to start over. There she meets Alec and his sister Sarah. While there is a love story between Tatum and Alec who gives only green flags, I love that this book focused on Tatum’s healing journey. This book was such a good read. I highly recommend this series and author
March 10, 2025
A beautiful and emotional story! I absolutely loved the journey that Tatum went through to become a whole person again. She is a brilliant woman who is strong and courageous. Alec is such a sweet and compassionate person, the best person for Tatum to lean on. Eliza knows how to write astounding love stories that make me feel something deep inside. This story will rip your heart out and put it right back together again. A must read! ❤️
January 30, 2026
This was so healing from book 1!
Ok but to start I was so confused because of the ending in book 1! I had to go back and almost re-read the last chapter to make sure I didn’t read it wrong!
Bryce’s chapter or any of his appearances gave me a visceral involuntary reaction because what an absolute POS.
Also Alec is an absolute angel, protect that man at all costs.
Ok but to start I was so confused because of the ending in book 1! I had to go back and almost re-read the last chapter to make sure I didn’t read it wrong!
Bryce’s chapter or any of his appearances gave me a visceral involuntary reaction because what an absolute POS.
Also Alec is an absolute angel, protect that man at all costs.
February 19, 2025
I’ve never loved a golden retriever as I have Alec!!!! This book mended my broken heart from book 1 and I’m obsessed with it! How soon is too soon for a reread? Well done Eliza! Easily one of my top reads EVER!
February 24, 2025
Eliza Anne has RUINED ME 💔❤️🩹
This book was well worth the wait. The perfect send off for Tatum and Reece.
Thank you for writing this story Eliza! This series will stay with me forever.
ALEC 4EVER XXX
This book was well worth the wait. The perfect send off for Tatum and Reece.
Thank you for writing this story Eliza! This series will stay with me forever.
ALEC 4EVER XXX
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews