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One house. Two people in need. On a winter night several years before, a young runaway, Kelli, stumbled onto the porch of an oceanfront cottage. The woman who lived there, Margie, took her in and gave her the gifts of safety and security. Twelve years later, Margie dies. Kelli continues living at the cottage until the day the woman’s nephew arrives for a Christmas visit. And he intends to stay. Dylan has been on the road for many years. He calls himself a traveler, but he’s tired of always being on the move. When he arrives at his aunt’s home, he learns that she has died. Who has the better claim? And how far will Kelli go to keep the house that has become her home?

136 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 11, 2015

1407 people are currently reading
258 people want to read

About the author

Grace Greene

76 books953 followers
Grace 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

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5 stars
575 (47%)
4 stars
357 (29%)
3 stars
212 (17%)
2 stars
50 (4%)
1 star
5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
Profile Image for Wade.
750 reviews26 followers
December 6, 2019
“Margie was short, average in features and not much for style, but she did have a superpower. Margie Manning possessed kindness and innocence, cloaked in love.”

“I prefer walking. A beach walk doesn’t sound half bad.”

“To this day, the ocean represented a change in her circumstances. A change for the better.”

This was another pleasant Christmas beach read by Grace Greene. Having just read Beach Christmas by Grace Greene, I must say I definitely enjoyed this one more. Although the main character, Kelli, could be unpleasant at times, I did find her actions realistic and also appreciated that she often tried to do the best thing. Kelli was a teen runaway who found herself sleeping on the porch of a small oceanfront house in Emerald Isle. The owner of the house, Margie, an older woman with a heart of gold, takes her in for a decade until Margie dies. One day soon after, Margie’s nephew shows up on the same porch and thus ensues an interesting story about helping others. Although I felt like the ending might have been slightly rushed, I really liked the story overall and felt it was original.

For more reviews, please check out my blog!
https://wadeurspider01.wixsite.com/we...
3,114 reviews26 followers
August 13, 2018
I liked this until I didn't. Kelli is a runaway who ends up on Margie's porch in EI. Margie takes her in and Kelli stays for 15 years until present day. Margie has died and Kelli can't find a will/legal documents (not that she tried looking) to prove the house is hers.

One day a 30-something yr old man comes to see his aunt. He's a "traveler" or DRIFTER. It's odd but it connects the two of them. She was not particularly an enjoyable character in her actions... which in the beginning I chalked up to her grief, but then I realized she's not truly compassionate.


SPOILER



In what appears to be an effort by the author to be non-judgmental about Kelli's past, I was disturbed about Kelli's past, where she's an unwitting accomplice to an ARMED ROBBER and where someone was clearly severely wounded, if not dead. Even if she were underage, she knew it was wrong. She also knows by now that there may have been family who might want closure for the clerk's death. But then again, her general lack of compassion explains this. I found this all disturbing.
6 reviews
November 16, 2019
A nice little gem

I'm never disappointed with a Grace Green book. This novella is a perfect read, especially this time of year, approaching the holidays. The story is both heartwarming, and heartbreaking at turns. A satisfying read, that leaves you longing to know what the future holds for these two lost souls. Perhaps they'll show up again when Ms. Greene revisits Emerald Isle.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and heartily encourage anyone considering this book to go for it. I'm sure you will enjoy it as much as I did.
350 reviews
August 24, 2022
This was a quick read but interesting. Once again there were places from previous ones and I do enjoy seeing these in the books by Grace Greene. This are just little snips which make me feel like I know the people. And these things seem to have a lasting feel in the book which is read, rather like a community of people. It was a pleasant but quick read and more a novella rather than a fully written book.
315 reviews2 followers
August 10, 2018
Love and Suspense

Driven from her home as a teenager, finds Kellie alone on the porch of what she thinks is a deserted beach house. When the owner finds her the next morning, invites her in ,and befriends her, they become home to one another. We find Kellie, alone when her friend dies, and explore her feelings as she begins this new life.
Profile Image for Beth.
343 reviews5 followers
August 5, 2019
A cute little novella. The main characters were likable. Both characters were mysterious in their back stories and the story shows their trust and friendship growing as they get to know each other. These characters do not show up in the rest of the series, but characters from the series do make an appearance in this story.
1,195 reviews16 followers
December 21, 2017
I have stayed at this beach, so I know the setting. Emerald Isle has the most beautiful water I have ever seen. I really liked the characters, wish I could have known Margie more.

I will read another book of this series for sure.
1,253 reviews
March 13, 2018
Kelli and Dylan

Kelli left home as a teenager and Margie took her in. After Margie died Dylan, Margie's nephew shows up. Keli is not very trusting. I enjoyed this book but not as well as the others in the series.
49 reviews
March 26, 2019
Story with a life lesson

This story reminds us that everyone experiences difficulties in their lives. We have within us the ability, with God's help, to change for the better and to make better choices. I would recommend.
9 reviews
July 31, 2020
Dry heart warming. I loved all the characters in the story,they’re caring and thoughtful of her and Dylan’s needs. I liked Dylan’s character at first you feel he not going to be a bad soul but in only a very short time I felt his goodness was going to bring the story to a great end.
3 reviews
October 9, 2020
Grace gets to the heart of the fear of loneliness!

This touched my heart! I know what being alone is like & all the fear of losing the one place you have that you can call home. I didn’t have the ending she did & this gives me hope someone may still be out there.
Profile Image for Holly.
1,470 reviews11 followers
November 19, 2017
Likable characters, a setting I could almost imagine, and a story that drew me in. It was short but I knew that going in. I enjoyed the other books in this series and didn't want to miss out.
430 reviews1 follower
December 28, 2017
Uplifting

Grace Greene books have all been very uplifting and extremely inspirational! They are a breath of fresh air compared to reality we live.
1,221 reviews2 followers
June 5, 2018
Interesting

Very interesting book. I enjoyed reading this w. The progress of Kellie's life was very interesting. I like the way the book had some suspense in it.
Profile Image for Jill mackay.
12 reviews
July 23, 2019
A sweet story

Very sweet and short story. Not much substance, but a good way to pass time waiting for the doctors appointment.
29 reviews
August 13, 2019
A surprise love story for Christmas.

Kindness rescues 2 people 10 years apart, then sets them on a
Loving path to travel together. I loved it!
5 reviews
September 18, 2019
Clever

Mysterious chance meetings turn into love in the end. Thrilling, touching and heart felt story. A cross continuation of the series but a totally different story.
37 reviews2 followers
October 3, 2019
Am I missing something??

I have read several of Grace Greene's novels and have enjoyed them. This was
an interesting read but I feel like I'm missing something!!??
64 reviews
October 15, 2019
Beach Walk

This was an excellent story. I had never read this author but this series sure has captured my imagination. I truly love the whole series.
Profile Image for Hanau.
321 reviews
November 9, 2019
Nice read

Nice spin off to the Emerald Isle novels. I really liked it.
Makes me wanna visit the beach there. In the winter
75 reviews
March 15, 2020
Loved this book!

My family and I have had a place at Emerald Isle for over thirty years and I love reading stories so relevant to every day life...
Profile Image for Linda K. Cole.
70 reviews
May 6, 2020
Good book

Good story of everyday people who struggle with fears and every day problems. Interesting to see how they solved their problems.
13 reviews
May 12, 2020
Fun Series

Easy to read. Great characters. Love how she blends the characters from one book to the next. Multigenerational read. Looking forward to the next book.
1 review
August 17, 2020
GOOD READ

Good read. I give this book give stars😀I have read several of Grace Greene books.In the process of reading one now. Beach Walk.
7 reviews
October 10, 2020
Review

I good short read, a read that is not to In depth that you have to think about to much.
Profile Image for JERI SULLINS.
162 reviews
October 19, 2020
Sweet and good read.

I like the sad to feeling good stories and this one fit the bill. I am enjoying the series of stories. One more to go.
103 reviews1 follower
November 24, 2020
Another Good Read

I enjoyed this along with all the other stories from Grace Greene. Glad I read it! No worries about whether you will like it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews

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