Beach Plum Lane: Romantic Women's Fiction

by Ellen Joy

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Beautiful Start to a New Series. "Wow—now that's the way to start a new series. Beach Plum Lane by Ellen Joy pulled me in right away. From the very first page, I was completely drawn into Sophia and Crissy's world. Their childhood friendship, once so strong, made me reminisce about my own and how life can take people in different directions. Their decades-long rift added so much depth to the story, making their journey toward healing feel incredibly real. Sophia's struggle with grief and new beginnings, combined with Crissy's unraveling perfect life, kept me hooked. Throw in an old flame moving in across the street, and I knew I wasn't putting this book down.
The mix of friendship, forgiveness, and second chances made this one of those rare reads that I devoured in a single sitting. Ellen Joy has a way of creating characters that feel like old friends, and I loved how naturally the emotions unfolded—nothing felt rushed, and every moment mattered. The small-town island setting was the perfect backdrop, making the story feel even more immersive. I found myself rooting for both women, hoping they'd find their way back to each other and to the happiness they deserved. I'm already so invested in these characters and can't wait to see what's in store for them in future books. If the rest of the series is anything like this, we're in for something truly special. Beach Plum Lane is a great addition to any book lover's collection.
Happy reading…enjoy!" - Amazon review 3/26/25

Genres: Fiction

222 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2025

About the author

Ellen lives in a small town in New England, between the Atlantic Ocean and the White Mountains. She lives with her husband, two sons, and one very spoiled puppy princess.

Ellen writes in the early morning hours before her family wakes up. When she's not writing, you can find her spending time with her family, gardening with her puppy and chickens, or headed to the beach. She loves summer and flip-flops, running on a dirt country road, and a sweet love song.

All of her stories are clean romances where families are close, neighbors are nosy, and the couples are destined for each other.

Join Ellen Joy's newsletter to connect with Ellen and receive updates!

http://www.ellenjoyauthor.com

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow—now that's the way to start a new series. Beach Plum Lane by Ellen Joy pulled me in right away. From the very first page, I was completely drawn into Sophia and Crissy's world. Their childhood friendship, once so strong, made me reminisce about my own and how life can take people in different directions. Their decades-long rift added so much depth to the story, making their journey toward healing feel incredibly real. Sophia's struggle with grief and new beginnings, combined with Crissy's unraveling perfect life, kept me hooked. Throw in an old flame moving in across the street, and I knew I wasn't putting this book down.
The mix of friendship, forgiveness, and second chances made this one of those rare reads that I devoured in a single sitting. Ellen Joy has a way of creating characters that feel like old friends, and I loved how naturally the emotions unfolded—nothing felt rushed, and every moment mattered. The small-town island setting was the perfect backdrop, making the story feel even more immersive. I found myself rooting for both women, hoping they'd find their way back to each other and to the happiness they deserved. I'm already so invested in these characters and can't wait to see what's in store for them in future books. If the rest of the series is anything like this, we're in for something truly special. Beach Plum Lane is a great addition to any book lover's collection.
Happy reading…enjoy!

[Roxy Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good read. It's a sweet story about friendship & raising teenagers. I like Ellen Joy's books because they have heart. It's a different vibe than my own books, but they leave me with that same uplifting feeling. Maybe it's that her characters are more...refined...than mine. My characters have rougher edges, and rougher life experiences. When I read Ellen Joy, it's definitely like visiting a world that'd very different from my own.

Editor me did trip over one little thing. Overall, the scene involving the medical emergency was great...poignant & powerful. However...heart attacks and cardiac arrest are not the same thing. Many people equate the two as synonymous. They're not, nitro isn't given for cardiac arrest, and a person suffering cardiac arrest won't be awake to be told that's what's happening to them. Heart attack, yes. One little hot fix word change will solve the problem since the term 'cardiac arrest' is only used once. :)

Pretty sure I'll be returning to Isabel Island soon for Book 2.

[Lori R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this beautiful, touching story of best friends being reunited through anguish and heartfelt tears. The past and their grudges seemed to disappear as life caught up with Sophia and Crissy and they found they needed each other's strengths to move on and forge ahead into the unknown and it was an exciting unknown for Sophia because her first love, Patrick, had not only moved back to Isabel Island but he had moved across the street from Sophia. I liked how Crissy and Patrick filled Sophia's home with friends and laughter and opened up Sophia's heart once again to friendship and second chances. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Barb Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Ellen Joy's writing. This book is about friendship and chosen family. Sophia and Crissy are best friends in high school until a boy comes between them. Fast forward to today and Crissy's husband, the boy from high school is arrested for stealing from his clients. His family is devastated, humiliated and shunned by the town. Sophia also dealt with loss and shut people out. When Crissy was in need, Sophia decided that being a friend was important. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it highly.

[Julie Angstadt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophia is a doctor who is practicing on the island where she grew up. She is a widow living with her daughter Nora. Peter, her high school crush, has moved into his aunt’s house next door with his stepson Jason. And then there is a shocking news broadcast—Sophia’s high school friend Chrissy is married to Scott, a local politician. Suddenly, his picture is all over the news. He’s been arrested for fraud. Even though Sophia and Chrissy drifted apart, Sophia feels she should reach out. Can she help Chrissy? What about Chrissy’s children? Can they reunite and help each other?

[Kathy Breaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this first book!

This story was interesting and fun. It didn’t take me long to get into it. I loved the characters and the setting. I sure hope Chrissy has a new story in book 2. Thank you Ellen Joy.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wholesome Love Story About Family & Friends

Loved the easy reading story line with true life emotions and circumstances, full of life lessons in forgiveness of self and others. Highly recommend! I will be reading all her books!

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beach plum Lane was fantastic

Loved the storyline of two best friends finding their way back into each other's lives after so long and how they helped teach each other about true friendship.

[Jyl Guessregen · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book faced

Friendships can stand the test of time when fractured and those involved pick up as if that fracture was never there. Loved the characters and the struggles that they are facing.

[Mary Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old hurts new joys

This was a lovely second chance at being a friend a maybe more. The story has sad events but friends jump in to make so much better. A nice story with a bit of a romance.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming

I love how the characters we able to put their issues aside and find forgiveness in their hearts to support each other.

[Donna colwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beach Plum Lane 1

Beautiful story of friendship, hard ache and family- I look forward to to reading book 2 In this series to see how Chrissy makes out in the end

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

friendships

Friendships are important to help you stay strong in difficult and challenging situations which this story shows. Very good book!!

[Gwen Hight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beach Plum Lane

A story of friends that unite after years in time of trouble and two start a romantic renewal and new road to life