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Coconuts #1

Thursdays at Coconuts

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As the go-to wedding planner, Suzy can't find her own wedded bliss and has one shocker of a wedding day. It doesn't help that she's still pining for her high school sweetheart, the one who got away. Handling neurotic brides is the best part of Suzy's day until her son brings home a bombshell from Europe. Alexandra, a beautiful marketer with a "touch" of OCD, falls for a bad-boy cop who's married and possibly stalking her. But he sure is sexy. Alex tries to stay at arm's length after she puts her job-and life-on the line for the officer who isn't always a gentleman. Hope hates her name, looks, and frizzy hair. As a high school counselor, she dishes out sage advice to students, yet can't see she's enabling her deadbeat, stuck-in-the-seventies hippie parents. After tragedy strikes, she reexamines their relationship and discovers a secret that almost went to the grave. Friends since high school, the thirty-something women meet every Thursday at Coconuts for their own form of friendapy.

330 pages, Paperback

First published August 12, 2014

307 people are currently reading
681 people want to read

About the author

Beth Carter

42 books172 followers
Formerly a bank VP and hospital marketer, Beth Carter shed her suits and heels at mid-life to pen novels, nonfiction books, and children's picture books. The author doesn't miss the 8 o'clock meetings, nor heels, whatsoever.

Author of the popular six-book Coconuts series beginning with THURSDAYS AT COCONUTS, Carter has also penned standalone novels including BRIDE SWAP, BRIDE GAMES (Book 2), SLEEPING WITH ELVIS, MIRACLE ON AISLE TWO, and THE CHRISTMAS FIB.

During Covid, the author created THE QUARANTINE COOKBOOK which benefitted charity and features nearly 200 delicious recipes. This cookbook received a gold medal from the Readers' Favorite International Book Awards. Carter is also the author of I WROTE A BOOK. NOW WHAT? for beginning and aspiring authors, which received a bronze medal in 2021.

In addition, Carter writes kids' books and can't think of anything more important than encouraging reading from a young age. She is the recipient of multiple awards including gold, silver, and bronze medals in the 2020 & 2021 Reader's Favorite Awards, a coveted RONE Award for best Women's Fiction/Chick Lit for THURSDAYS AT COCONUTS and was named Best Debut Author in 2015 by BTS Books. Carter has also received multiple Raven Awards.

The author writes from Missouri and Florida. She loves dancing, board games, shopping, some reality TV, observing nature, reading, pickleball, and of course, storytelling. Follow her at www.bethcarter.com or find her on Facebook, X, or IG where she spends far too much time. Join her private group, Beth's Book Babes, on FB!

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5 stars
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411 (29%)
3 stars
361 (25%)
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160 (11%)
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63 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
Profile Image for Marnie Ide.
56 reviews1 follower
July 19, 2015
It started off great. 3 long time friends and their crazy lives. about half way through it got to be over the top and had too many undeveloped story lines. the plot strayed far away from the neat and fun start. by the end it felt much too rushed to be tied up like a pretty package with a bow on it.

In all, the characters were great. I loved Mrs. Bitchmore (best nickname ever).
Profile Image for Tina.
733 reviews10 followers
December 8, 2016
Man, this book bored me half to death:( It was such a relief when I finished it.
Profile Image for Cara Bristol.
Author 108 books940 followers
June 27, 2021
This book has been on my radar screen for years. Why the heck did I wait so long to read it? I loved it!

Thursdays at Coconuts is a friendship story about three women with messy personal lives who get together every Thursday at a little bar for commiseration and support. There’s wedding planner Suzy whose own wedded bliss has proven elusive, there’s bank marketing director Alexandra who falls for a married cop, and lastly, high school counselor Hope who struggles to raise her hippy parents.

At times I wanted to shake the characters for their poor decisions, yet I found them so likable, I wished I they were real and I knew them in real life. Thursdays at Coconuts is such a warm, engaging story, you’ll get hooked on the series.
Profile Image for Suanne Laqueur.
Author 28 books1,575 followers
September 29, 2014
This was a well-written, fun read about three longtime friends who gather weekly at a bar for "friendapy" over drinks. Might have been formulaic and clichéd circumstances except the characters and situations were so strongly developed.

I appreciated that although each woman had issues in her romantic/personal life, every one of the three was an expert in their particular career field. Seriously, it was a breath of fresh air to read about women not searching for their niche, but already established as competent, crack professionals. And only one of them had kids. Ha. Lean into that.

Two things that gave me pause (no spoilers): the whole situation with the Montgomery brothers had such hairpin plot turns, that by the end of the book I trusted neither of them. And the way Suzy's plot line wrapped up with her old flame was not believable or realistic at all to me. I confess I rolled my eyes there.

HOWEVER, those things aside, the characters and their circumstances saved it for me, and made this a worthwhile read over the weekend. I enjoyed it over many cups of tea.
Profile Image for MaryNell.
99 reviews
August 29, 2016
Don'bother

Horrible editing and blatant errors. Too much on what they were drinking &eating all the time. Awful stereotypes of gay men "sashaying". What a mess.
Profile Image for Pam.
4,625 reviews67 followers
September 9, 2016
Thursdays at Coconuts is a cute novel by Beth Carter. It is the story of three ladies who went to high school together and are reunited as adults. Best friends then, can they be best friends now?
Suzy is a wedding planner and planned her own wedding. At the last minute, she told her Dad she wanted to walk down the aisle by herself. Confused, he let her. She walked down the aisle and told the congregation there was no wedding and she wanted to thank her sister and her groom for having slept together and causing the breakup. Suzy then rushed back down the aisle and away to her house to grieve in solitude. Her son, Jon, leaves for Europe the next day so she can come to terms with what happened in peace.
Alex works as a marketing director for the local bank. On her way to a called meeting, she bumps a police car. Luckily there was no damage to either car so no ticket. However, there was an attraction between the two of them. Is there romance in the air or is that a wedding ring he is wearing?
Hope had come back to town but hadn´t called her friends. Instead she is working as a high school counselor. She is also supporting her ¨hippie¨ parents. When they runout of money, they visit Hope and raid her cabinets and fridge. Hope is fed up with them. However, her ¨good daughter¨ side can´t cut them off yet.
When the three of them get together, they begin to solve all their problems together or at least talk about them. Will things work out for the three of them? The book is both funny and sad.
Profile Image for  ~Teresa.
158 reviews30 followers
September 1, 2016
This is a book about friendship. Suzy, is a wedding planner and owns her own business and Hope is a high school counselor while Alex works for a bank and is a marketing specialist. They have been friends forever, graduated high school together and meet weekly at Coconuts a bar/restaurant to share life's up and downs. Each one is successful in her chosen field, but not as successful in romance. It was a fun read, although a little far fetched in places. The characters were each well rounded and likable with interesting back stories thrown in. There was suspense and interesting side plots all rolled into the main theme of the three friends. A couple of things had me shaking my head ... I have nothing against a glass of wine or a cocktail, but these three drank a lot, making me wonder how they got home and/or arrived to work on time!! Secondly, I felt the ending was a little scattered and rushed. Overall I thought this was a great read and I will definitely recommend it.
Profile Image for Susan James.
Author 3 books134 followers
October 28, 2014
Three very different heroines, - a wedding planner, a marketing expert, and a high school guidance counselor, each with her own compelling story. What binds the story together is Best Friendship and their Thursday meetings at Coconuts.
I loved the way the stories intertwined. Thursdays at Coconuts is a very hard book to put down. I kept going way past my bedtime because I needed to know what happened next. The ending was most satisfying and I look forward to Beth Carter's next book.
Profile Image for WiLoveBooks.
865 reviews59 followers
April 17, 2018
Loved. About three friends who keep having unexpected things happen to them. There are funny moments, sad moments, and crazy moments. Alex, Suzy, and Hope are there for each other through it all.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Edwards.
5,546 reviews9 followers
March 6, 2019
we all know Beth has a interest in reading all things related to Beth, Elizabeth, Betty ... any other name that come my real name Elizabeth ... i have always been that way .. no clue why ...i recall naming all my toys Beth ... why ... r u a person who knows? it was just easy? no remembering names ... just Beth ... i mean it just rolls of your tongue. well some folks ... anywho .. i won a FB giveaway and Beth Carter was super kind of gift this book to me ... love that ...what a sweetie!! this is on KU. emotional read for sure. so amazing. love her style. love that book cover. newbie fan here!! i must admit i am jealous of folks who have close knit friendships that have last this one ... can u imagine?? God Bless ya!! that is just amazing, u r blessed to be so lucky in that opportunity!! well done. i can not imagine ... sadly all of my close friends have moved on ... and as they say God brings folks into your life and moments when u need them ... maybe he (or if God is a women, which i don't think so... he is a man for sure) anywho ... he took those friends to be with someone who needed them more than i did... i guess?? will read more from Beth ... wish her all the best and please keep writing ...this book warmed my heart and i love that ... we all need to feel warm ... do u ever have a book do that? warm ya up ... in a great way!! loved it!! Beth rocks, not me, Beth Carter, silly u ...
Profile Image for Eldarwen.
581 reviews72 followers
March 31, 2020
So so much wrong with this book. Barely any plot, so many wrong views on people, characters do not stick to their personalities, the supposedly ugly female doesn't get a happy ending while the two supposedly pretty ones do, pills are the only way to get through grief, and and and...

I think Mrs B was the highlight, even though she made Suzy look like a complete and utter doormat, which is not an attractive quality at all in a main character.
Profile Image for Mary.
340 reviews50 followers
August 18, 2017
Coconuts is a restaurant/bar where three good friends gather every Thursday to keep each other apprised of their doings.

Suzy, the wedding planner, has canceled her own wedding at the ceremony shortly after she was given evidence that her sister slept with her soon to be groom. While Suzy was supposed to be off honeymooning, her son was off backpacking through Europe. Instead of honeymooning, Suzy is home pining over her high school boyfriend that she hasn't seen in 20 years.

Alex works for the bank as Marketing Manager, and she is ALWAYS running late. She was supposed to be at Suzy's wedding, but her boss called her in for a last minute urgent board meeting. While on the way to the meeting, she accidentally rear-ends a police car. This is where she meets the very married Sgt Tony Montgomery.

Hope has recently returned to her home town as a school counselor. Her parents are hippies. They smoke pot, drink a lot, and never have any money, and no jobs. Hope is embarrassed about her parents and is reluctant to let her friends know she is back in town. But, they have found out, and the three girls meet regularly.

Someone tried to scare Alex by calling and hanging up on her, leaving her notes that make her feel as though she is being stalked. Tony got in trouble because Alex was in his car when he was involved in a high speed police chase. As a result, he is not to have contact with Alex.

Suzy's son meet the love of his life while in Europe and is anxious to introduce them to his mother.

Hope's parents die tragically, and a stranger approaches her at their funeral.

You'll have to read the book to see what happens.

The book is a great escape from reality. It's well written and you'll want to read it from start to finish without putting the book down once.
Profile Image for Kat (chocoholicreads).
93 reviews1 follower
Read
June 2, 2018
I read a lot of books and it's not often that I feel so strongly about one either way that I am compelled to write a detailed review. However, I found this book so painful to read, for several reasons. I literally couldn't wait to finish it and skim-read the last few chapters to get it over with. Overall I feel like the concept was great and I've read similar stories many times that I've enjoyed. Maybe this one was a bit too familiar and predictable but nothing surprised me. The characters were likable enough but I felt there was no great depth to them. The way the book is written is tedious and there's way too many superfluous details. I don't want to know exactly what each character is eating or wearing at any given moment. I also found plot holes that I couldn't ignore (spoiler alert!), for example Suzy jilts her groom at the altar, a few days after that it's mentioned she was meant to be on her honeymoon, yet she's got a wedding for someone she's planned for the weekend after her own wedding. That just doesn't add up. Also at the end Suzy gets spontaneously married to her high school sweetheart at their reunion (vomit) and everyone conveniently forgets the need for a marriage license! There was also far too much drinking and driving going on; I'm sorry but if 3 women finish off 2 bottles of red wine between them none of them should be driving. The "gay son" storyline was so cringey and the reactions of the characters seemed so outdated and stupid. Overall I found the plot and language used way too childish to be enjoyable and there was too much monotonous dialogue. Also use of "could care less" grated on my nerves. Note to author: if you could care less about something it means you still have the capacity to care about it. If you couldn't care less then you don't give a damn. /rant over
Profile Image for Books.
510 reviews45 followers
October 6, 2018
Three friends from high school and their lives become entwined within this beautiful story of life’s ups and downs. First there is Suzy, a wedding planner. Though she is a wedding planner she can’t seem to find her own happily ever after. Her son comes home from Europe with a bombshell of a surprise that completely catches her off guard. In the meantime she still pines for the one that got away. Her one true soulmate. Next is Alex, a marketing director with the community bank. She is excellent at her job and loves it. She becomes involved with a rogue cop, but is he all he seems to be? Next is Hope, the high school guidance counselor. Hope has two parents that can’t seem to move out of the 60’s and the 70’s. They rely on her for everything. When there’s an accident, Hope’s life get turns upside down with an unexpected twist. They meet Thursday’s at their favorite place Coconuts to talk each other through the happenings in each other’s lives.

Beth Carter has written a page turning story of friendship, love and life’s unexpected happenings. The story is beautifully written and leaves you wanting for more. You can’t help but care about the characters.

I loved this story! I very much enjoyed the twists and turns the story took and how while reading I couldn’t help but smile as things continued to develop. I highly recommend reading this wonderful story!
247 reviews7 followers
June 27, 2018
Best Friends Forever!

Loved this great little romance about the reunion of three "30 something" women, who were best friends in high scbool, but their lives had taken different paths after college. Suzy, a busy wedding planner, is a divorced single mother whose son has just graduated high school. Alex is a successful marketing executive for the local bank who is uneasily dating a married cop. Hope is the school guidance counselor struggling to support her aging, irresponsible, free-thinking, free-loading, hippie parents. After reconnecting, they vow to meet every Thursday at their favorite restaurant, Coconuts, to unwind, share their hopes, dreams, and problems, and provide moral support for each other. The rest of the book follows each woman as they deal with their individual problems, both personal and professional, while helping each other remain strong and grounded in reality. Great little romantic escape to read on vacation!
Profile Image for Chick Lit Shop.
8 reviews20 followers
July 18, 2017
"Friendapy" at its finest! Bring the wine! :)

As I mentioned in my Beth Carter's Sleeping With Elvis review, I love Beth Carter's smooth writing style. These are easily 4-5 Stars books which whisk you away from your troubles for a few hours. I love this unique story of three past high school friends in their thirties and how they group together to help each other through their most recent crises as their 20th high school reunion approaches. Alex, Suzy, and Hope are about as different as different can be, but the author lets you feel the genuine love. Excited for the sequel!

One caveat: I wish the author had gone in depth a little more on their motivations. I felt Suzy was the hardest to understand or perhaps the most underfocused. However, maybe this will be resolved in the sequel! :)
Profile Image for John Gratton.
Author 28 books3 followers
July 31, 2017
Gone Coconuts

Three fine stories expertly intertwined with several surprises and plenty of action. I enjoyed the read and cared about the characters, which makes me glad there is a volume two coming soon to a Kindle near me. The girls could be a little too girlie at times but that may just be me. I enjoy dialogue when it is done well, and this sounds mostly genuine most of the time. Maybe that's because I don't know how girlfriends really talk to each other but more likely I don't know how friends talk to each other, never really having had one myself. There are lots of interesting characters here who add color and life to the adventure, and as seems to be part of Ms. Carter's milieu, lots of references to good music. 
Profile Image for Traci Westling.
424 reviews9 followers
March 20, 2018
I don’t think there is any one thing that could have made this story more perfect or entertaining to read! What a wonderful fun read with plenty of action,humor , suspense, romance , drama & heartbreak! Most of all it was a great read about true friendships lasting & enduring ! So much fun, angst & heartbreak & of coarse our favorite little HEA comes through for all our gals! The unexpected twists and turns were clever & the fluency of the multiple storylines messed perfectly ! I do love a storyline that dabbles with issues & I’ll add you must have done good research with the medical recovery aspect as I learned additional information & it wAs easy to visualize a particular scene with understanding & ease ! Well done Beth !
Profile Image for Zari Reede.
Author 3 books19 followers
August 1, 2018
Thursday’s at Coconuts, is a book about three best friends chatting over drinks, sharing the best pieces of their lives, and indulging in happy hour therapy. The best kind of book! This romance has a surprising amount of intrigue, drama and even a few tears. I love the way the author keeps the readers interest by moving from one woman’s crisis to the next and I could identify with their very real problems. I adored Alex’s penchant for TJMaxx and Starbucks, and I love that all three women are smart and independent. This is the perfect read for any getaway, vacation or even a way to make a rainy day brighter. I look forward to reading the rest of the series and can’t wait to read, Sleeping with Elvis... I just love naughty parrots.
Profile Image for Cyrene Olson.
1,412 reviews16 followers
June 30, 2017
A tale of three friends, and how they’ve stuck with each other over the years, all with their own issues and their friends to lean on in good times and bad. This book actually takes you through three different story lines that all intersect because of the connection between the friends. Once I hit the half way point, I couldn’t put this down. It was funny, intriguing, and I couldn’t wait to find out how this would all wrap up. The author even managed to surprise me a couple times – which can be quite hard to do. This is a solid read and a good choice to take to the beach this summer. Reviewed by Cyrene

Full review at UncagedBooks.com
Profile Image for Mikki Cober.
52 reviews5 followers
February 13, 2015
Very much enjoyed "Thursdays at Coconuts", a novel about three best friends who are experiencing very different personal crises. Their lives are separate yet intertwine and their stories are uniquely funny, tender, wistful, and romantic. The support they provide to each other is heart warming and makes every woman wish for friendships like these. Their stories are believable and the solutions that the friends pursue to resolve their problems are based in reality. "Thursdays at Coconuts" is a fun and enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Jenna.
160 reviews3 followers
August 24, 2018
Awful. Stilted dialog . Predictable cliches.

I simply don't understand the four and five star ratings. The writing was full of cliches. All through the book. Was thinking, "Oh for crying out loud! Stop telling me and start showing!"

"Thrilled," was overused. So was "tears ran down her cheeks." So many word and phrase repetitions. I just didn't care about the characters. And the fear described in one scene I just didn't buy it.

I'm in marketing and was pretty insulted by the description of her job. So simplistic.

A waste of two days. Glad it was free!
Profile Image for Carly Jordynn.
Author 10 books20 followers
July 3, 2015
I really enjoyed reading this book. I could so relate to the characters and what they were going through in their lives. I liked their tradition of meeting at Coconuts each week. I also liked that their friendship had survived all those years. I love the way the support one another in adversity and cheer each other on when things are good. In short, they've got each others backs. This is a terrific read from author Beth Carter.
Profile Image for Kim.
95 reviews16 followers
September 10, 2016
CHARACTERS SO REAL I CRIED!

As soon as I finished SLEEPING WITH ELVIS, I knew I'd have to read THURSDAYS AT COCONUTS. The characters, their interwoven stories, and the ending had me feeling for them as though they had flesh and bones. I'm glad I bought Beth Carter's books, as I expect to read them again!
Author 3 books9 followers
Read
March 3, 2016
Fell in love with this book. It reminds me of my own group of close friends. A very heart warming and exciting book that will keep you laughing and smiling the while way through. DO NOT PASS THIS BOOK UP!
832 reviews7 followers
October 12, 2016
Thrilling story

In this story you anticipate what will happen next. It kept me interested until the very end. I recommend this book as it has t three touching lives intertwined in the story.
Profile Image for Grace Augustine.
Author 38 books189 followers
January 24, 2017
Delightful

I loved this book about 3 close friends and the life issues that, at times, overwhelmed them. Thank you, Ms. Carter, for a very well written warm fuzzy story. I highly recommend this book!
Profile Image for Martyk.
291 reviews1 follower
September 3, 2014
This was a fun story about three friends. I could relate to all three ladies! I enjoyed this book.
14 reviews
August 31, 2016
MORE PLEASE!

I loved this book. It was attention grabbing and had a few surprises to capture my interest. Really fun to read!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews

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