Mendocino Island Dream

by Nellie Brooks

A new beginning, an island full of possibilities, and an inheritance with a condition—can three strangers discover what truly makes a family?

When Alli inherits one of three neighboring seaside cottages on Mendocino Island, she knows it’s her chance for a new beginning. But there’s a she must stay for at least three years—and build a family.

With a baby in her arms and a wounded heart, Alli isn’t sure if she’s ready to trust again. But Mendocino Island, with its breathtaking beauty and charming coastal small-town community, might just be the perfect place to start over and find a second chance at love and happiness.

As three sisters—each with her own hidden struggles—settle into their new homes, they find that new love, old secrets, and unexpected friendships await. Can they heal and form the bond they were meant to share, or will the past keep them apart?

Genres: Womens Fiction

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2025

Reviews

[Judy Meierhofer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Address Mendocino

In this heartwarming tale, three sisters discover each other's existence after their father's passing. Brought together by their wealthy grandmother, they are offered a unique opportunity to connect and heal. Unaware of one another's lives until now, the women are invited to spend three transformative months in neighboring cottages, giving them a chance to unravel their shared history and forge unexpected bonds. As they navigate this emotional journey, readers will be captivated by the potential for sisterhood, understanding, and personal growth that lies ahead.

[Lucia Valenzuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great first book in a new series. Three sisters that didn’t know each other and a grandmother that wants them to become a family. Alli is all in to stay on the island with her baby boy. Charlotte and Harper agree to try for the first week, but no guarantees. Very interesting interaction among the sisters and the residents of the island. Wonderful characters that I look forward to learning more about. Really enjoyed reading this.
I received this book from the author and this is my voluntary, honest review.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing feel-good story, and a great start to this spin-off of the Mendocino Beach series. We get to reconnect with Alli and her baby son, Tommy. Alli finds out she has two sisters after unexpectedly meeting her grandmother on her father’s side. Grandma is a fairy godmother in fabulous disguise who does what she can to help her three granddaughters. Alli, Harper, and Charlotte are three very different young women with different kinds of baggage, and it’s so heartwarming to see them navigate a new life and sisterhood on Mendocino Island. Alli is desperate to give her son Tommy a good start in life, a stable and loving home. A cottage on Mendocino Island is her dream come true. She’s glad to be near her friends in Mendocino Cove, but the best is yet to come when she unexpectedly reconnects with someone from her past. The setting of the story is idyllic and makes you crave a visit to the beach. The cast of secondary characters is wonderful as always and really helps to create a sense of community around Alli and her sisters. Absolutely recommend anything by this author.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Allie's mother passes away she is forced to accept that she no longer has a home or any family except her little boy Tommy. When an old woman tells her that she has half sisters and that she can offer her a home, on certain conditions, Allie jumps at the opportunity. I loved the idea of these women getting to know each other and becoming a family. I enjoyed reading about life on Mendocino Island and about the people that live there.

[Barbara Miscoi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyable but....

I can't give great reviews to books that leave me hanging. Apparently I will need to buy the whole set, and while some series have a decent ending for each book, this one doesn't. The book itself, the story of three half-siblings who didn't know of each others' existence, is delightful. The women are all so different but engaging and the story line is fascinating. I am hooked but still frustrated with not having closure at the end of the book.

[Merilee Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hallmark movie in book form

This is a really fun and quiet read. It’s about 3 sisters who learn they are sisters when their Grandma buys them houses. Their father wanted them to become a family although they each had different Moms. Their Grandma tells them the houses are theirs if they commit to first a week, then 3 months and then 3 years. This is the story of their beginning living on Mendicino Island.

[Deborah K DeLaVina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dream

What an amazing place. Three strangers who are brought together by their grandmother of their wayward, unfaithful father is truly a sweet story. Loved it and can’t wait to read more.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

After her mother's funeral, Alli meets her paternal grandmother for the first time. She in turn, introduces Alli to the 2 half sisters she didn’t know about. Grandmother has a proposition: she would like the girls to become a real family, so has bought 3 cottages on Mendocino Island for them.

[Cynthia Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mendocino Island Dream

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and enjoyed some other books by Nellie. She is good storyteller. While reading this book it made me want to live on Mendocino Island. Looking forward to the next book.😊

[Roxanne Rickman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book

Nellie Brooks never disappoints, fun, light and romantic as always. I really love how she ties in characters from her other series, it was like meeting up with old friends again. On to book two in this series, can wait to continue the story of the the sisters.

[Ruth Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprising story

I loved that these three sisters got acquainted as adults and were able to bond at all. Things could have turned so easily if they blamed each other for their dads actions.

[Heidi Foil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice read!

I like the three sisters. The author did a very good job of bringing out the different personalities, a little at a time. Definitely leaves more to be learned about them, in order to continue reading the series.

[Kathy Breaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun story.

I enjoyed every minute and I can’t wait for the next book in this series! I loved the 3 sisters. Thank you Nellie Brooks.

[Barbara Dosemagen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this story was the best as each character was so different and yet it blended.

[NAomi davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Give me more

I loved the book. I hope you continue to tell the story .I can hardly wait to see the story continue.

[Betty Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Great!

Another Mendocino Island story! Every character fun to read and get involved in their lives. Read it, you’ll enjoy it so much.

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!

[louise smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the vivid descriptions and the fact that it took place by the sea. It was a nice easy going, positive story . Book one of a series.