The Inheritance

by Heidi Hostetter

When three estranged sisters inherit a dilapidated beach house from a relative they don’t remember, they reluctantly agree to restore the property before selling. However as the sisters gather for the first time in twelve years, they realize more than the house is in need of repair.

The oldest sister, Maureen, yearns for a private retreat for her family before her children leave for college. The middle sister, Lydia, see the proceeds from a quick sale as the only solution to her overwhelming debt. Tyra, the youngest, longs for redemption after her drug conviction broke the family apart.

Over the course of a crisp Pacific Northwest spring, these three women who think they have nothing in common will try to once again become what they once were to each other: a family.

Genres: Fiction

188 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 16, 2015

About the author

I love books, always have. There’s just something about the way a story unfolds that seems magical to me. I remember riding my bike down to the public library when I was a kid. I'd filling my basket with anything that looked interesting - fairy tales, detective stories, mysteries. Then I'd pedal home and spend hours lost in story.

So, when I began writing my own stories, I made sure to weave together immersive description, characters you'll root for, struggles that reflect real life, and always –– always –– a happy ending.

THE GIRL I USED TO BE is the newest book in the New Jersey Shore collection. It asks "how much of yourself are you willing to give up for a comfortable life?" And "how hard are you willing to fight to find your way back?"

THE SHORE HOUSE is the first in the Dewberry Beach collection. A story of misunderstanding, forgiveness and the power of second chances, it’s a heartfelt summer read. Perfect for fans of Elin Hilderbrand, Pamela Kelley and Nancy Thayer.

THINGS WE SURRENDER is the first book in my Lowcountry collection, novels set in Charleston, South Carolina. Three generations of strong Southern women share an ancestral home and not-quite-forgotten secrets. Can they learn to forgive past betrayal for a second chance at becoming a family? THINGS WE KEEP, the second book in the collection, is Eudora’s story and shows how she salvaged an fractured beginning to became a strong family matriarch.

If you like Gilmore Girls’ Stars Hollow, you’ll love my Inlet Beach series. A small beach town on the coast of Oregon, Inlet Beach is the kind of place where everyone knows everyone else, and they all have an opinion. THE INHERITANCE begins the collection, with three estranged sisters staking a claim to what looks like a dilapidated beach house but is actually a landmark beloved by the residents. A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW revisits Inlet Beach for Christmas, with a runaway teen desperate for help. Can the community come together in time to give a boy a home for the holidays?

Reviews

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting into this book but once I did I liked it. A story of three estranged sisters from different life styles who are brought together years later by inheriting a house together.

[Jenny Moreno · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book frustrated me. I wanted to love it...I really did. The major distraction was the severe lack of editing. I’ve never read a book that has the spelling of the name Gregg spelled differently in THE SAME PARAGRAPH. Gregg in the beginning of it and Greg in the end. That in of itself would be odd, but the jumbling of timelines, the sudden edition of characters out of nowhere and the repetitive descriptions were driving me to distraction. The story had great potential but one of the major story lines leaves one wondering “where’d she get the money for THAT?!”, and it is never revealed. I give the idea of the story a 4, the execution a 2 and the editing a -3.

[Karen Liever · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love books that are about family struggles and redemption. The sisters, Maureen, Lydia and Tyra are estranged and I must say that mostly through the book I couldn't stand Lydia. She was a self centered brat who emanated a certain snobbish air and self importance. However, I changed my feelings about her after she saves a dog who was abandoned. Anyway, this book is just the kind of book I love to read in the summer. This author creates characters who are likeable and a setting that you can picture in your mind.

[KDRBCK · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shore House by Heidi Hostetter, published by Bookouture, is a stand-alone romance novel with a twist and the story made it difficult for me to rate it. An emotional and uplifting pageturner, promised in the blurb - and I wholeheartedly agree. It's a complex story, spans a family and all her members.
Meet Kaye Bennett, her husband Chase, their children Brad and Stacy, a sil and grandchildren. That's a lot of plottwists, believe me.
Kaye is the matriarch and she handles/rules her family with an velvet fist - annoying nearly everyone. And I wasn't her biggest fan too.
Only the secondary characters made her bearable to me. Stacy, Chase and the sil are great characters and I loved to connect with them.
The Shore House is a slow burn, with great writing and a captivating storyline. 4,5 stars.

[Janet Friesner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a wonderful surprise. I stumbled across it on Amazon the other day, the blurb sounded good and it was inexpensive so I bought it. Started reading it yesterday and had a hard time putting it down. It's the story about three sisters who are so totally different. They are notified that they have inherited a beach house on the Oregon coast and because of totally different reasons they reunite after many years at this falling down old house. Turns out to be wonderful story. Totally worth reading.

[Sue S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, if you like Hallmark movies, you will like this. Overall, this was a good story; just not my thing. It was just a little “too perfect.”

Describing the breakfast scene in detail right off the bat, was quite boring…bread in the toaster, taking it out, putting it on a napkin, putting jam on it, etc. Many chapters contained detailed explanations of what the character was doing. Describing scenery too…flower beds, ocean views, etc.

Again, a Hallmark movie – no twist, no turns, no mystery, no drama.

[Donna Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding a place for family, love and peace.

This book had a core of exceptional characters who truly came to life on these pages
I just wanted to snuggle with Milligan and play tennis ball with him on the beach. Getting to know the characters strength and their hearts was a treat as was seeing the bad guy getting his just rewards for his greed and cold heart. Would've to sort Dilly, Joey, Zachary and the rest of the children grow to be blessed adults.

[Robert K. Greene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given this book a better rating if there had not been so many typos and words left out. It certainly needed a better proofreader before publishing. I find it very annoying when there are typos and this book had quite a few. Having said that, it is a nice story about three sisters even if it is a bit unrealistic. I did enjoy reading it though and I have purchased another book by this author. Hopefully, the next book will not be fraught with typos!

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the story and overall plot, though there were quite a few grammatical errors that I found just by casually reading it. The only other issue I had was that the uncle that the sisters called at the beginning seemed to know of the Jensens, but they found out later that they weren't related to them, so I'm not sure how the uncle would have known about them. Other than that though, it was a good book.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book grew on me after a shaky start. In the beginning, there were too many unlikeable characters with unhappy stories. However, as these three estranged sisters gather and find the right road, it became much more enjoyable. Themes of understanding, not judging and eventual forgiveness are strong. I truly appreciated that the author did not throw in any profanity as there were many places where other authors would have done just that.

[ROXANNE McCracken · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Inheritance

I enjoyed the story very much. There are a few editorial mistakes which were annoying. Typos, words left out etc. i found a few characters were not introduced fully so that was a bit unsettling. It is worth reading as it is entertaining and the characters are interesting.

[Shelly Boltz-Zito · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true family through and through

A family comes in all sizes, colors, lifestyles, memories, etc. A family is not only made up of biology, it's also the family you make by people who live by you and helping you. This is such the story. Twists and turns and years makes this a worth while read.

[Nikki Spoerer-olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I really enjoyed this book. The development of the different characters lives was felt through the book. I’d love to read more on the folks of Inlet beach. The Light in the Window is a great little follow up on Zachary. I’d like to know more about Tyra’s past and how she became as successful as she is.

[Dick R. McCart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fine read when you need the ocean

The story of three sisters, divided by time and strife, is a easy and enjoyable book. I was engaged right away and read it in two days. The writing takes you right to the Oregon coast. I want to live there.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

This was a very good story of three different sisters each with very different lives but the author did a fabulous job bringing their personalities out and on paper. I would revi mend this book

[Allison Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was set on the Oregon coast, yet could have made better use of that setting. I liked the characters even though the whole thing was a big set up. This book reminds me of other books I have read set on the Oregon coast, but I can't remember the author's name.

[Patti Duron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

This is a story of hope and faith. Reading this story made me feel good and the ending left me smiling! I can't wait to read more of these wonderful, entertaining and heart tugging tales! Loved it!

[Michelle Norton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story was fun, had an overall bringing together feel that everyone hopes for their family.
Some obvious typos and grammatical issues that I was surprised an editor didn’t catch.
Very fictional, but a light summer read for the beach. Took 150 pages to start to make me want to read!

[caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book started out pretty good (despite some GLARING typos) but it was pretty easy to figure out the "mystery" before i read it, and as i got further along, the storyline sort of tanked. it was a nice read, but i have to wonder if it was published before it was ready.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Good Editor is needed

While this book was an enjoyable read, there were too many errors. Words were left out of sentences and at times even a wrong word was used.

Nice story but it never revealed what job Tyra actually had.

[rhett byrd smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful summer read!

Heidi weaves a story of family renewal. I could hardly out the book down. Characters are so interesting. Ready hated finishing as I want to know what happens next.

[Kether Foisel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many editorial errors.

A pleasant, easy read for an afternoon. However, there were far too many editorial errors. There were many grammatical mistakes, typographical errors and wrong word choices.

[Katherine Fairbairn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Families, imperfect as they may be, are still worth fighting for and always worth a second chance.

I loved the characters and the story. The story unfolds with ease and a few surprises thrown in. I can't wait to read more by this author.

[Karyl M. Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Families can be wonderful -- if nurtured

I love a story that tries to bring people together. The family in this story needed lots of help, but they got trouble too! It all worked out okay in the end.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed

I easily gave this a 5 because it was an enjoyable read. Anything that includes house restoration, family and the beach is enough to keep me reading.

[Nancy Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This book was a real page turner.....made you want to keep Reading to find out what was going to happen next

[Nancy Knox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story

I really enjoyed reading this story. Really kept my attention. Good storyline and characters. I recommend this book for anyone .

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

I enjoyed this story. There is a good back story introducing the characters. With twists and turns and a bit mystery brings a page turning end.

[Gina Clower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Read

Loved this story of coming together and rebuilding. I would love to visit Inlet Beach and meet the members of this quirky town.

[AnneMarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet - easy read - nice story of how a broken family comes back together - fantasy but lovely descriptions of the rainy coastline of Oregon.