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Lobster Bay #9

Summer Sanctuary

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Her husband framed her. Her career is over. Her life is in ruins.

When her prestigious art career implodes Julia flees to Tides Inn hoping to disappear. But innkeeper Jane Miller has a sixth sense about troubled guests, and this coastal community has its own way of turning things right.

Soon Julia finds herself being adopted by the other guests at the inn, a retired magician, genealogy-obsessed twins, and a bird-watching librarian who see right through her lies—and don't care.

Julia fools herself into thinking she can fit in and make genuine friends, building a quiet new life where no one knows her past—until her secret is exposed and everything changes.

But when she gets ready to flee again, Jane, Maxi, Claire and Andie will haven none of it. Instead, they roll up their sleeves ready to take on corporate lawyers, powerful ex-husbands, and anyone else who thinks they can destroy one of their own, because in this town, lost souls find families willing to fight for what's right.

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 11, 2025

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Meredith Summers

30 books388 followers

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5 stars
1,020 (66%)
4 stars
363 (23%)
3 stars
123 (8%)
2 stars
14 (<1%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for ReadThruTheNight.
99 reviews3 followers
June 19, 2026
Meredith Summers' series is a captivating collection of nine books that explores the complexities of human relationships and the beauty of coastal Maine. With its descriptive language and vivid settings, the series masterfully brings the characters to life, making it easy to become invested in Julia's journey. The author's love for Maine is evident in the descriptions of the rocky shoreline, sunsets, and local cuisine. It leaves readers craving more. As Julia navigates the challenges of rebuilding her life in book 9, she finds solace in the support and friendship of her new community, themes that are expertly woven throughout the series.

This heartwarming series is a testament to the power of friendship, resilience, and community. Book 10 is scheduled to be published in 2027. I’ll be following.
484 reviews3 followers
December 22, 2025
Book 9 of the Lobster Bay series. Wonderful story as art authentication expert Julia arrives in Lobster Bay after being framed and her career destroyed by her ex-husband. can her new friends help her reset the past and prove her innocence? Read and find out!
Profile Image for Debi Paglia .
644 reviews18 followers
September 10, 2025
This is a lovely series. Ms. Summers does a wonderful job of bringing the characters and settings to life. I love Maine. It’s one of my favorite places. The way she describes the pebble-covered seashore, the beautiful sunsets and the Maine lobster rolls take me back to our many visits there. The character of Julia grabs your heart at the very beginning and takes you through her challenges of trying to get her life back. The support that her new friends give her is something we would all cherish. These books can be read as stand-alone, but I suggest that you start with the first book in the series, “Saving Sandcastles,” to get to know the background of this small seaside town and the people that call it “home.”
1,720 reviews36 followers
August 14, 2025
Summer Sanctuary is the 9th book in the Lobster Bay series.
Julia Ashford pulls into the Tides Inn while running from the public disgrace of her former life as an art expert, after her ex-husband dragged her reputation through the mud over a mistake he himself had made.
Unknown to Julia, the observant people who own the inn, along with their friends, will quickly become very important in rebuilding not only her credibility, but also give her a new purpose in life.

These are women's fiction books that all have a purpose of redeeming something that was wrongfully done to someone.
There are developed characters, and a solid plotline.
Profile Image for Kathleen.
1,957 reviews9 followers
September 14, 2025
When I need a change from my regular reading genre, I pick up a book by Meredith Summers. Her women’s fiction is uplifting. She has members in the community helping others. Jane, Maxi, Claire and Andie and their friends come to the aid of Julia. She has lost her self-confidence and has been trying to hide for the last six months.

Welcome to Lobster Bay! This community cares about people.
I love stories about strong women and men doing what’s right.

I highly recommend this book and this series. It is a standalone book. I received an advanced readers copy (ARC). These are my own opinions.
Profile Image for Miss W Book Reviews.
1,919 reviews159 followers
August 17, 2025
Summer Sanctuary is the 9th book in the Lobster Bay series by Meredith Summers.
All books can be read as stand alone books.

I really enjoy this women's fiction series.

The protagonist is Julia Ashford who arrives at the Tides Inn after dealing with a failed public career and a messy divorce.

The women at the Inn have a sense about Julia and that they need her help.

I really enjoy how well the characters are written. The characters are well developed, fleshed out and flawed.

I love the setting of the Inn and Julia's journey.
2 reviews
July 18, 2026
Beach reading material

Definitely light beach read. A saccharine rendition of Julia’s great fortune at stumbling into a cozy group of caring vacationers and townsfolk suddenly interested in restoring her professional reputation. She arrives in a seaside town and immediately finds a whole group of retired professionals that rallies to come to her personal and professional rescue. I ploughed through the same repeated written sentences with each chapter hoping something of interest would develop.
4 reviews
September 20, 2025
Never disappointed

Meredith is a brilliant writer..She has a gift of describing each character, their quirks, and inflections so that you think they are real characters and you are there in person. She has created within a desire so strong to visit Lobster Bay that it is high on my bucket list. I can't wait for her next Lobster Bay book. It is so refreshing to read about characters closer to my own age, in situations close to myself. Thank you, Meredeth!
Profile Image for Joan mooney.
380 reviews4 followers
January 27, 2026
great book with one flaw I truly loved this story.

I have read several books in this series and other of Meredith Summers stories. I find her to be an excellent writer. But one little flaw I found in this one caused me regretfully only give 4 stars. The gratitude Julia feels is justified, but over emphasized. I started thinking every chapter was the end of the book. Otherwise this is a terrific story. I still recommend it.
645 reviews2 followers
September 12, 2025
Sanctuary

What an amazing story of rebuilding a life. Someone running from being accused and brought up on charges of fraud who escapes to a small town in Maine. It’s filled with so many great people who help her find herself. It shows how important it is to work hard together to make things right. Not seeking revenge but justice. It definitely kept me intrigued.
1,413 reviews5 followers
September 16, 2025
Summer Sanctuary

A second chance in life changes your outlook on what you thought you really wanted. The characters of Lobster Bay are on the case to catch the real criminal and vindicate the past. I recommend this book series to anyone who likes beach reads/mystery solving sleuths. Hope you enjoy.
222 reviews
November 11, 2025
Fabulous Series!

Totally believable stories of second chances in a small Maine coastal village.

Each book could stand alone, but I highly recommend reading them in order. Nine books in the series, but I'm hoping there will be a 10th. Just enough mystery at the end that makes you want to know what happens next!
Profile Image for Jennifer Hines Hansel.
229 reviews3 followers
January 24, 2026
I did enjoy this book but found a lot of it unrealistic. A stranger moves into a small town and immediately has a large group of female friends who have her back, build into her and are “like family?” No. Not reality. At all. Not one person in the town dislikes this new woman. Humans just are not like this at all. I wish life was this beautiful but it isn’t.
771 reviews
July 13, 2026
Will the villain get away with his evil deed?

This is my first time to read a book by this author and I really enjoyed it. The story was well thought out. The characters were awesome as they welcomed a visitor to their small ocean-side town. She was in despair and they embraced her in a wonderful way.
4 reviews
October 25, 2025
Summer read

Light breezy read set in Maine. Continuity of characters from previous books was good but not required. I was looking for something that held my interest but wasn't too heavy.
2 reviews
November 24, 2025
Perfect series while I rehab bed my shoulder after surgery.

This was the perfect series for me to read this late summer and going into fall. I'm just sad I've finished the final book. The characters, so real, they seem like friends. Thank you for sharing, Meredith.
2 reviews
June 2, 2026
Great story

I really appreciate the book, all the characters and the twists and turns. No bad language or “questionable scenes “.Thank you for Avery entertaining series of books, now I-want to see the sea shore in Maine!
Profile Image for Eileen Carter.
2,309 reviews10 followers
July 25, 2026
Just because someone frames you for a crime doesn’t mean it will ruin your life. When Julia flees from Boston after her husband framed her for forgery fraud she thinks her life is over. But thanks to her new friends Lobster Bay she might be able to salvage her career and life.
Profile Image for Medenna.
914 reviews1 follower
August 2, 2026
Really enjoyed the book.

What a blessing that she happened to stop in the town she did. This book reminds me of how people used to treat each other and gives hope that people who care still exist.
7 reviews
August 18, 2026
True friendship

The wisdom and help from all of Julia's new friends. Their determination to help prove her innocence and restore her faith in herself. The humor that also had pearls of wisdom.
1 review
October 9, 2025
Good Series

I started the series, looking for a light read - I ended up falling in love with these women.
All nine books are quite enjoyable !
27 reviews
October 16, 2025
Love these Characters!!!

Just love picking up and continuing on with the characters' lives!!!! Can't wait for the next one to arrive for reading!
Profile Image for jackie Simpson.
10 reviews
October 23, 2025
Great book

This series was great I recommend to all please read its nice read but wish its still carried on though.
Profile Image for Jill Dobbins Hendrickson.
4 reviews
October 24, 2025
Love the characters that were added to this book!

Wonderful way to lead into the art world. I enjoyed the characters and plot so much!! I wish I could find a town like Lobster Bay!!
12 reviews
November 11, 2025
Missing my Lobster Bay Characters Already!

This series collection is a light, quick read with amazing characters. I will miss each one, like an old friend that moved away.
Profile Image for Lovviner.
217 reviews5 followers
April 9, 2026
good read

This book was pretty good, but not as good as her other Lobster Bay books. Still worth the tome to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews