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Emerald Isle, NC #1
Beach Rental
On the Crystal Coast of North Carolina, in the small town of Emerald Isle…
Juli Cooke, hard-working and getting nowhere fast, marries a dying man, Ben Bradshaw, for a financial settlement, not expecting he will set her on a journey of hope and love. The journey brings her to Luke Winters, a local art dealer, but Luke resents the woman who married his sick friend and warns her not to hurt Ben—and he’s watching to make sure she doesn’t.
Until Ben dies and the stakes change.
Framed by the timelessness of the Atlantic Ocean and the brilliant blue of the beach sky, Juli struggles against her past, the opposition of Ben’s and Luke’s families, and even the living reminder of her marriage—to build a future with hope and perhaps to find the love of her life—if she can survive the danger from her past.
Juli Cooke, hard-working and getting nowhere fast, marries a dying man, Ben Bradshaw, for a financial settlement, not expecting he will set her on a journey of hope and love. The journey brings her to Luke Winters, a local art dealer, but Luke resents the woman who married his sick friend and warns her not to hurt Ben—and he’s watching to make sure she doesn’t.
Until Ben dies and the stakes change.
Framed by the timelessness of the Atlantic Ocean and the brilliant blue of the beach sky, Juli struggles against her past, the opposition of Ben’s and Luke’s families, and even the living reminder of her marriage—to build a future with hope and perhaps to find the love of her life—if she can survive the danger from her past.
434 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 9, 2011
7599 people are currently reading
2104 people want to read
About the author
Grace Greene
77 books953 followersGrace Greene writes fiction with romance, suspense and inspiration ~ The Emerald Isle, NC Stories Series includes Beach Rental, Beach Winds, Beach Wedding, along with the Christmas novellas, Beach Christmas and Beach Walk. Her Virginia books are Women's Fiction with romance, suspense and mystery. Most are set in rural Cub Creek and include her bestselling The Memory of Butterflies and The Happiness In Between which were released in 2017. Three new Cub Creek books were released in 2019 - The Wildflower House Series: Wildflower Heart, Wildflower Hope and Wildflower Christmas, and Wildflower Wedding, A Light Last Seen was released in Feb. 2020. A Barefoot Tide and A Dancing Tide brought a new character from Cub Creek to the beach at Emerald Isle with beloved crossover characters from both settings. Beach Heart and Emerald Heart are single titles set in Emerald Isle, NC. Grace's newest, A HEART BEYOND, will be released on September 3rd, 2024.
Grace is also an artist and photographer and these interests show up on the pages of the stories. She lives in central Virginia. You'll find Grace here:
Website: http://www.gracegreene.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GraceGreeneB...
Author Central: http://amazon.com/author/gracegreene
Grace is also an artist and photographer and these interests show up on the pages of the stories. She lives in central Virginia. You'll find Grace here:
Website: http://www.gracegreene.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GraceGreeneB...
Author Central: http://amazon.com/author/gracegreene
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 691 reviews
April 1, 2015
2.5 Stars
This is the year I'm determined to make a dent in my TBR pile:). I have several Women's Fiction on my list and since I love Emerald Isle, NC I was anxious to begin. While there were many aspects I enjoyed, I never fully connected with the MCs and also wished for a smoother flow to their story as well as more descriptive details of the beach setting. The elements of cancer and death are touched upon and there are some heartbreaking moments, however the message of faith throughout is done well and the epilogue wraps things up nicely.
This is the year I'm determined to make a dent in my TBR pile:). I have several Women's Fiction on my list and since I love Emerald Isle, NC I was anxious to begin. While there were many aspects I enjoyed, I never fully connected with the MCs and also wished for a smoother flow to their story as well as more descriptive details of the beach setting. The elements of cancer and death are touched upon and there are some heartbreaking moments, however the message of faith throughout is done well and the epilogue wraps things up nicely.
August 6, 2011
Juli Cooke works hard at two dead-end jobs, yet she’s getting nowhere. Then, a chance meeting with a dying man opens an opportunity to change that. Can she afford the risk?
Juli spent her life shuttling from one foster home to another, so she has low expectations, but when she meets Ben Bradshaw at a fancy party where she works as a server for the caterer, things change. Ben is ill and asks her to drive him home, then offers to pay for a cab to take her to her apartment. The following day she’s at her day job, checking at a grocery store, when Ben invites her to lunch and has a proposition: marry him, and he’ll settle a sum of money to help her financially when he’s gone.
Ben, c the co-owner of a couple of art galleries with his cousin Luke, has terminal pancreatic cancer. He wants companionship with someone who won’t grieve for him while he’s still alive and who won’t be emotionally invested in him when he dies. He considers himself a good judge of character, and he likes what he sees in Juli. Wary, Juli considers the offer, and finally decides that Ben is a kind man and she can make both their lives better by accepting his generous offer. What she doesn’t count on is the love that follows. She’s not in love with Ben, but she grows to love the wonderful person that he is, even though Ben’s family consider her a golddigger. Especially Luke Winters, his cousin, who warns her off hurting his best friend.
When Ben dies, everything changes. Can Juli cope with her new-found status, with the resentment of Luke and Ben’s family, and with her past?
I loved Beach Rental. Long after I finished this superbly written story, the characters remained in my mind. Ms. Greene’s debut novel is stunning in both depth of content and characterization. Juli has some hard edges when the story opens, but her kindness and humanity soon have you rooting for her, and Ben is simply wonderful, a man of faith in the nicest way. Luke is edgy and exciting, and has to find his own transformation. Maia, Anna and the other secondary characters are three-dimensional and well defined. Then there’s the Carolina coast, itself a character of comfort and drama. This is a sweet romance, but packed with emotion. Faith plays a major role in bringing the protagonists to their own thrilling fulfillment, yet it’s done in a delightful, non-preachy way. Author Grace Greene has developed multiple layers in her wonderful story: a tender romance, emotion, great pacing and superb characterization. Kudos to Ms. Greene in her stunning debut. She is an author to watch.
Juli spent her life shuttling from one foster home to another, so she has low expectations, but when she meets Ben Bradshaw at a fancy party where she works as a server for the caterer, things change. Ben is ill and asks her to drive him home, then offers to pay for a cab to take her to her apartment. The following day she’s at her day job, checking at a grocery store, when Ben invites her to lunch and has a proposition: marry him, and he’ll settle a sum of money to help her financially when he’s gone.
Ben, c the co-owner of a couple of art galleries with his cousin Luke, has terminal pancreatic cancer. He wants companionship with someone who won’t grieve for him while he’s still alive and who won’t be emotionally invested in him when he dies. He considers himself a good judge of character, and he likes what he sees in Juli. Wary, Juli considers the offer, and finally decides that Ben is a kind man and she can make both their lives better by accepting his generous offer. What she doesn’t count on is the love that follows. She’s not in love with Ben, but she grows to love the wonderful person that he is, even though Ben’s family consider her a golddigger. Especially Luke Winters, his cousin, who warns her off hurting his best friend.
When Ben dies, everything changes. Can Juli cope with her new-found status, with the resentment of Luke and Ben’s family, and with her past?
I loved Beach Rental. Long after I finished this superbly written story, the characters remained in my mind. Ms. Greene’s debut novel is stunning in both depth of content and characterization. Juli has some hard edges when the story opens, but her kindness and humanity soon have you rooting for her, and Ben is simply wonderful, a man of faith in the nicest way. Luke is edgy and exciting, and has to find his own transformation. Maia, Anna and the other secondary characters are three-dimensional and well defined. Then there’s the Carolina coast, itself a character of comfort and drama. This is a sweet romance, but packed with emotion. Faith plays a major role in bringing the protagonists to their own thrilling fulfillment, yet it’s done in a delightful, non-preachy way. Author Grace Greene has developed multiple layers in her wonderful story: a tender romance, emotion, great pacing and superb characterization. Kudos to Ms. Greene in her stunning debut. She is an author to watch.
December 11, 2025
3star bumped up to 4 because the narration was so good.
August 2, 2011
I love this story. Grace writes the Carolina shore so accurately even the locals are going to love it. I swear you'll feel the spray and hear the gulls calling along the shoreline. It's a beautiful story with twists that will surprise you.
January 28, 2012
This book was fabulous. The author surprised me on several occasions when things happened that I didn't expect. They weren't minor surprises, either, they were major emotional pulls. If you want a good read for a quick escape to the beach, definitely pick up Beach Rental by Grace Greene.
March 24, 2018
A Nice Romance
An uplifting story that kept me captivated An easy read. Nice detail about the North Carolina shore. I will read more books by this author
An uplifting story that kept me captivated An easy read. Nice detail about the North Carolina shore. I will read more books by this author
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September 5, 2019DNF@40%
I thought this was going to be a pretty good book but at 40% I’m bored.
I thought this was going to be a pretty good book but at 40% I’m bored.
January 8, 2020
Ok. Rich, sick, and dying Ben meets distraught caterer, Juli at a party. He asks for a ride home. Decides to marry her for companionship. She can have all his money when he dies. His family hates her. She has no family. They end up loving each other but not in love. There’s a difference. Oh...and he reads the Bible. Throw in a shady character who sneaks around and harasses Juli because he has hidden stolen stuff in her backpack she is unaware of. Ben dies trying to save a drowning child who wasn’t really drowning....wasn’t even in the water. She finds out she’s pregnant. She paints a lot. They catch the shady character and send him to jail. Juli marries Ben’s rich cousin, Luke. They all join the church and live happily ever after.
Nah. This story wasn’t corny at all. 🌽 🌽 🌽
I gave it 2 stars instead of one because the setting was in Emerald Isle, NC. I’ve actually been there and it’s a beautiful place.
Nah. This story wasn’t corny at all. 🌽 🌽 🌽
I gave it 2 stars instead of one because the setting was in Emerald Isle, NC. I’ve actually been there and it’s a beautiful place.
February 11, 2012
I loved this book!!! It reminded me of a Kristin Hannah or Luanne Rice book. The author threw in surprises that had me reading until I was done with the entire book. I read it in less than 12 hours.I cant wait to read her newest book!!!
April 4, 2021
Wonderful romance!
March 28, 2012
Beach Rental by Grace Greene grabbed my attention right away! I love that Grace Greene wasted no time in beginning the story and introducing the characters. I loved Juli, Ben and yes, even Luke. Maia was so sweet and endearing! The characters were developed well and felt like real people to me. When I had to set aside my reading, I found myself thinking about the story. Why would Juli decide to take such a leap of faith with a practical stranger? Why was Ben so taken with Juli? All of these questions had me itching to pick the book back up! I did and finished it in a day!
Grace Greene weaves a story of second chances, friendship, love and faith. A wonderful inspirational love story, Beach Rental will have you crying, cheering, and smiling! It is set in the beautiful Crystal Coast of North Carolina and is so well written that you will feel like you are right there with them! Join Juli, Ben and Luke as they find out where they should turn when things get tough. Find a cozy chair and get comfortable, because when you start Beach Rental, you won't be able to stop!
I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
Grace Greene weaves a story of second chances, friendship, love and faith. A wonderful inspirational love story, Beach Rental will have you crying, cheering, and smiling! It is set in the beautiful Crystal Coast of North Carolina and is so well written that you will feel like you are right there with them! Join Juli, Ben and Luke as they find out where they should turn when things get tough. Find a cozy chair and get comfortable, because when you start Beach Rental, you won't be able to stop!
I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
May 17, 2012
I loved this book. It was a wonderful glimpse of summer in the middle of winter. I especially loved that it took place on Emerald Isle - the beaches of my childhood. Grace Greene has nailed that elusive sense of peace we look for while making a life. This is the perfect beach read.
Juli Cooke has been tossed about by life's waves. Dying Ben Bradshaw offers her temporary harbor(and a financial settlement) when he asks her to marry him. She surprises herself by accepting his offer. Suspicious Luke Winters, Ben's best friend, assumes that Juli is taking advantage of the dying man and lets her know that he is watching her very closely.
When Ben dies, everything changes. As she comes to grips with losing the man who became her dear friend in the short time they had together, she also comes to like the woman she has grown into by knowing him. And her temporary harbor becomes more permanent as she discovers that gifts Ben left her are more than monetary and that real love comes in many forms.
Grab a glass of tea, curl up on a porch rocker and ride the waves as hard-working Juli Cooke finally gets a taste of the healing power of the ocean.
Juli Cooke has been tossed about by life's waves. Dying Ben Bradshaw offers her temporary harbor(and a financial settlement) when he asks her to marry him. She surprises herself by accepting his offer. Suspicious Luke Winters, Ben's best friend, assumes that Juli is taking advantage of the dying man and lets her know that he is watching her very closely.
When Ben dies, everything changes. As she comes to grips with losing the man who became her dear friend in the short time they had together, she also comes to like the woman she has grown into by knowing him. And her temporary harbor becomes more permanent as she discovers that gifts Ben left her are more than monetary and that real love comes in many forms.
Grab a glass of tea, curl up on a porch rocker and ride the waves as hard-working Juli Cooke finally gets a taste of the healing power of the ocean.
September 17, 2011
I loved this book, it was so unusual and so sweet. Juli and Ben had such a lovely relation, and the sexual tension with Luke after was also nice. The process thru which Juli went through felt very real, it touched my heart and I felt so very much for her and what she went through.
July 8, 2023
This book was so cool because it is set in my favorite place - Emerald Isle NC. I found it at a local book store when I was there with my family this summer. This is the first of a 3 part series and Grace Greene has many other beach style books. The book talks about the emerald green waters, families coming in for weekly beach rentals, and the joys of being on vacation. It was such a special read for me! It’s a super cute, quick, easy read with lovable characters and a Hallmark movie storyline. I can’t wait to read the others!
March 17, 2023
So, like, I really wanted to love this story. However religion is VERY heavily based as a foundation for the story line. I understand that when people, like Ben, is sick and dying that they turn to faith and the church for comfort and acceptance. And it is perfectly normal to turn your back on God when life ‘isn’t fair’.
I am not a super religious person so reading this gave me a bit of a ‘cringe’ factor. If you are able to look past it the story itself is very feel good and unique. I have been to Emerald Isle once in my lifetime so the location of the story is what drew me to read it.
I am not a super religious person so reading this gave me a bit of a ‘cringe’ factor. If you are able to look past it the story itself is very feel good and unique. I have been to Emerald Isle once in my lifetime so the location of the story is what drew me to read it.
August 12, 2011
Originally posted at: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
To Ben Bradshaw, who is terminally ill, Juli is like a diamond--brilliant, beautiful, and strong. But Juli tells him she is more like a “junkyard dog”. She stands against all odds to protect Ben as they share life at Sea Green Glory, their beach home. They strive for the ordinary life, not allowing his illness rule their world.
Juli, the foster child who felt invisible even in adulthood, finds a gentle happiness with Ben, a caring and giving companionship, but death will not be denied.
Juli, with her stubborn independence, has always known everything is temporary and plans to move on “alone again” after Ben’s death. The surprise in his will leaves her financial secure but entangled with his family and friends. She is no longer the “invisible help”.
Luke, Ben’s cousin, saw Juli before she met Ben. It wasn't a positive meeting, as the instant forceful awareness each felt triggered a panic attack in Juli that sent her running into the garden. There she met Ben. He sees and pursues the woman he feels would make his last days meaningful and full of good, ordinary living. His family and friends are already grieving for him and he does not want his last days to be full of sadness.
Luke disapproves of what he sees as a mercenary arrangement, but he stays in touch, determined to protect Ben. The ensuing conflicts take the reader along on a vicarious experience with a compelling group of characters.
The antagonists, Frankie, the sleazy, sneaky acquaintance from Juli’s past and Adele, Ben’s hateful, unreasonable sister cause Juli a heap of grief creating an undercurrent of tension that surfaces periodically throughout the story.
Maia, who works at the art gallery, and Anna Barbour, the artist, prove to be real friends to Juli through the good and the bad—something Juli never experienced before. Pastor Herrin is a new experience for Juli also. He nurtures her spiritual awakening with a gentle touch.
Beach Rental is about two very different kinds of love. Yet both are genuine and rewarding. Each of these loves shepherds Juli into a place where she blooms with each of her accomplishments. As the hard, protective shell she’d built around herself to survive in an unconcerned world, melts away, Juli flourishes and gives the reader a lovely surprise.
Grace Greene, with a captivating style, writes a compelling story about coping with the worst and enjoying the best of life, making it easy for the reader to empathize with the characters. Ms. Greene’s descriptions and her ability to create vibrant characters makes Beach Rental a book one wants to read non-stop. The strong heroine and the two very different but truly remarkable heroes lift one’s spirit and showcases the depth of caring that reinforces the reality of how valuable faith, hope, and love are in life.
To Ben Bradshaw, who is terminally ill, Juli is like a diamond--brilliant, beautiful, and strong. But Juli tells him she is more like a “junkyard dog”. She stands against all odds to protect Ben as they share life at Sea Green Glory, their beach home. They strive for the ordinary life, not allowing his illness rule their world.
Juli, the foster child who felt invisible even in adulthood, finds a gentle happiness with Ben, a caring and giving companionship, but death will not be denied.
Juli, with her stubborn independence, has always known everything is temporary and plans to move on “alone again” after Ben’s death. The surprise in his will leaves her financial secure but entangled with his family and friends. She is no longer the “invisible help”.
Luke, Ben’s cousin, saw Juli before she met Ben. It wasn't a positive meeting, as the instant forceful awareness each felt triggered a panic attack in Juli that sent her running into the garden. There she met Ben. He sees and pursues the woman he feels would make his last days meaningful and full of good, ordinary living. His family and friends are already grieving for him and he does not want his last days to be full of sadness.
Luke disapproves of what he sees as a mercenary arrangement, but he stays in touch, determined to protect Ben. The ensuing conflicts take the reader along on a vicarious experience with a compelling group of characters.
The antagonists, Frankie, the sleazy, sneaky acquaintance from Juli’s past and Adele, Ben’s hateful, unreasonable sister cause Juli a heap of grief creating an undercurrent of tension that surfaces periodically throughout the story.
Maia, who works at the art gallery, and Anna Barbour, the artist, prove to be real friends to Juli through the good and the bad—something Juli never experienced before. Pastor Herrin is a new experience for Juli also. He nurtures her spiritual awakening with a gentle touch.
Beach Rental is about two very different kinds of love. Yet both are genuine and rewarding. Each of these loves shepherds Juli into a place where she blooms with each of her accomplishments. As the hard, protective shell she’d built around herself to survive in an unconcerned world, melts away, Juli flourishes and gives the reader a lovely surprise.
Grace Greene, with a captivating style, writes a compelling story about coping with the worst and enjoying the best of life, making it easy for the reader to empathize with the characters. Ms. Greene’s descriptions and her ability to create vibrant characters makes Beach Rental a book one wants to read non-stop. The strong heroine and the two very different but truly remarkable heroes lift one’s spirit and showcases the depth of caring that reinforces the reality of how valuable faith, hope, and love are in life.
May 22, 2012
Posted on Romancing the Book's blog
Reveiwed by Angie
Review Copy Provided by the Publisher
Right from the get go I was intrigued by this book. A marriage based on a business arrangement? Interesting!
Juli is a great female lead character as she’s very strong and very independent. That may seem weird considering that she married for money, but don’t let that fool you – she knew exactly what she was doing and what she was doing it for; to provide a better life for herself.
Ben is a sweet male lead, something I very, very much appreciated. He doesn’t try to push himself on Juli, but he very much feels compelled to want to be with her, to provide a better life for her.
Ben’s family are the quintessential overprotective busybodies who want to chase away the supposed gold digger. But as I said above, Juli doesn’t scare easily.
You can guess where the story is going, but it takes a few unique turns that I enjoyed. There is some suspense in the form of a former coworker of Juli’s kind of stalking her, but it’s pretty tame.
I definitely recommend this book if you have an afternoon free with no kids, no husband, nothing to do but read ’til your heart is content curled up on the couch.
Reveiwed by Angie
Review Copy Provided by the Publisher
Right from the get go I was intrigued by this book. A marriage based on a business arrangement? Interesting!
Juli is a great female lead character as she’s very strong and very independent. That may seem weird considering that she married for money, but don’t let that fool you – she knew exactly what she was doing and what she was doing it for; to provide a better life for herself.
Ben is a sweet male lead, something I very, very much appreciated. He doesn’t try to push himself on Juli, but he very much feels compelled to want to be with her, to provide a better life for her.
Ben’s family are the quintessential overprotective busybodies who want to chase away the supposed gold digger. But as I said above, Juli doesn’t scare easily.
You can guess where the story is going, but it takes a few unique turns that I enjoyed. There is some suspense in the form of a former coworker of Juli’s kind of stalking her, but it’s pretty tame.
I definitely recommend this book if you have an afternoon free with no kids, no husband, nothing to do but read ’til your heart is content curled up on the couch.
August 2, 2011
Contrary to what I thought when I picked it up, this is not "light beach reading" - at least not by my definition. This book is full of heavy subjects and complicated emotions. Ben is a simply fantastic character who is so sad and yet full of faith and optimism. Juli is a confused but strong character who grows in so many wonderful ways. Luke is a little shallower in depth, but still a really really good character. All together it was a good book with unexpected plot twists and a deep understanding of love and faith. The Christian feeling is there, but not overpowering or obsessive. Juli's lessons on different kinds of love and what unexpected blessings you can receive is a great, uplifting story despite some of the other sadder aspects of the tale. This book is very well written, pulling you in and never letting go. You'll want some tissues for this one, but it's one I'd recommend!
October 25, 2012
I really enjoyed this book - as my first by this author. (purchased two others on NOOK after reading this one). The setting on the NC coast was beautiful--a lovely story about faith and love---You never know what the future may bring or what fate has in store.
On the Crystal Coast of North Carolina, in the small town of Emerald Isle. Juli, a hard-working and getting nowhere fast, marries a dying man, Ben, for a financial settlement, not expecting he will set her on a journey of hope and love. The journey brings her to Luke Winters, a local art dealer, but Luke resents the woman who married his sick friend and warns her not to hurt Ben—and he’s watching to make sure she doesn't. Lots of good things learned along the way and characters you will fall in love with--(would love a sequel) for more about Luke and Juli and the others!
On the Crystal Coast of North Carolina, in the small town of Emerald Isle. Juli, a hard-working and getting nowhere fast, marries a dying man, Ben, for a financial settlement, not expecting he will set her on a journey of hope and love. The journey brings her to Luke Winters, a local art dealer, but Luke resents the woman who married his sick friend and warns her not to hurt Ben—and he’s watching to make sure she doesn't. Lots of good things learned along the way and characters you will fall in love with--(would love a sequel) for more about Luke and Juli and the others!
October 17, 2011
My Reviewer Natasha’s Thoughts:
I was so pleasantly surprised by this book. I was not expecting the deep emotional connection that I ended up having for these characters. Grace Greene is a genius in my opinion. The way she wrote these characters, how their lives developed and the unexpected twists and turns that took place was so captivating! I thought I knew how this story was going to play out and was not expecting things to turn out how they did. There are Christian references, but the book is not consumed by them; which makes for easy reading for anyone. Having tissues nearby is a necessity, but this book is definitely a must read and worth it! I absolutely cannot wait for another book by this author, I’m so hooked!!
I was so pleasantly surprised by this book. I was not expecting the deep emotional connection that I ended up having for these characters. Grace Greene is a genius in my opinion. The way she wrote these characters, how their lives developed and the unexpected twists and turns that took place was so captivating! I thought I knew how this story was going to play out and was not expecting things to turn out how they did. There are Christian references, but the book is not consumed by them; which makes for easy reading for anyone. Having tissues nearby is a necessity, but this book is definitely a must read and worth it! I absolutely cannot wait for another book by this author, I’m so hooked!!
October 20, 2011
I really liked Beach Rental and think it is the perfect book for anyone looking for a sweet romance.
I loved so many of the characters and enjoyed watching their relationships change and grow over the course of the story. I especially loved the main character Juli. She went from a rather insecure and shy young girl to a strong and independent woman who is no longer willing to be looked down on again because of her background.
I also really loved Ben, Luke, and Maia and liked how each of them became such an important part of Juli's life. There was a touch of mystery in the story too, but nothing that took away from the development of the relationships between the main characters.
I look forward to more books from Grace Greene in the future.
I loved so many of the characters and enjoyed watching their relationships change and grow over the course of the story. I especially loved the main character Juli. She went from a rather insecure and shy young girl to a strong and independent woman who is no longer willing to be looked down on again because of her background.
I also really loved Ben, Luke, and Maia and liked how each of them became such an important part of Juli's life. There was a touch of mystery in the story too, but nothing that took away from the development of the relationships between the main characters.
I look forward to more books from Grace Greene in the future.
November 27, 2011
Beautifully written story of sweet but deep love. I was intrigued by the premise of the story (a modern-day marriage of convenience), and I wondered how Ms. Greene would pull it off (keeping it realistic without making it hokey), but she did! It's a story of hope and grace (no pun intended) that left me feeling good long after I clicked the last page on my Kindle. Greene has an amazing and lyrical writing voice that made me feel like I was reading poetry. Wonderful job. Can't wait for her next novel!
April 27, 2020
2.5⭐
This is one of those books that could have been SO good! But it fell short in so many ways. I'm still giving it 2.5⭐ because I loved Ben's character and was emotionally invested in him. The story line was choppy and very rushed through parts. I wasn't able to connect to the relationships because they happened so fast. As a reader I want to experience first hand the situations that bring people together. In this book it felt more like I was just told what happened and then I was supposed to feel the connection. This book had great ideas, it was just poorly executed.
This is one of those books that could have been SO good! But it fell short in so many ways. I'm still giving it 2.5⭐ because I loved Ben's character and was emotionally invested in him. The story line was choppy and very rushed through parts. I wasn't able to connect to the relationships because they happened so fast. As a reader I want to experience first hand the situations that bring people together. In this book it felt more like I was just told what happened and then I was supposed to feel the connection. This book had great ideas, it was just poorly executed.
December 1, 2012
This book amazed me. This is the kind of book where you start reading it and you get so engrossed in the story that the next time you look up it's 2am and you have a pile of tissues beside you and you are a total emotional wreck and you're exhausted. You know you won't be able to read those last 75 pages because you're so tired but you turn out the light and cry in the dark for another 20 minutes because you can't stop thinking about it. That's what kind of book this is. Beautiful.
October 11, 2012
Beach Rental, by Grace Greene, is simply a very sweet read! While a romance, at is essence, is predictable, this author caught me off-guard in her ability to create two romances in one! Okay, that sounds kinky, but honestly, this is anything but. How often does your heroine have the chance to fall in love twice in the same book? This novel will not disappoint the die-hard sweet romance fan!
February 20, 2015
This book had more emotional depth to it than I expected. Juli's development as a person hooked me into this story. In face of a difficult childhood, a need to be independent in order to take care of herself I found her transformation into a mature young woman to be inspiring. A good change of pace read.
February 5, 2013
This story touched my heart. It will be a long time before I forget Ben. The characters are very real and the pain and devastation of losing a loved one is on target. This book shows how a cancer diagnosis can change everything. Albeit fiction this book conjures surreal images of thoughts of What if this was happening to you?
August 3, 2013
Good read! Needed to read something that was good and simplistic, not overly detailed when compared to the "recommended" trashy dramatic books...which by-the-way I like! Just needed something different. Loved the location where the story takes place as I'm native to coastal NC. If you like N. Sparks, then you'll like this one!;)
August 10, 2013
Great beach read.. The author nailed it with her main character Juli foster child when young gets the chance of a life time. She meets a man who only wants someone to share his remaining days of his life with. This story has a little romance, a little suspense and some words of wisdom and faith.
August 22, 2013
Excellent read for summer or anytime! If you like the NC Coast you will love this novel. Beautiful and accurate descriptions of Emerald Isle, NC and the surrounding areas. I did not want to put it down! Held my interest to the very last page. Sad story with a happy ending. That's the kind of stories I love. Defintely a "must read".
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