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Lighthouse Point #1
Wish Upon a Shell
For the first time in her life, struggling bakery owner Julie Farmington has something that is all hers. She’s not interested in any entanglements or anything that takes her mind off her goal—including the handsome stranger who is only in town for a month. But her traitorous heart won’t listen to reason as she starts to fall for the man who is just going to leave when he returns to his own life in Seattle. Just add yet one more name to the list of people who have walked out of her life.
Forced to take time off work, Reed Newman makes a spur-of-the-moment decision and books a trip across the continent to Belle Island, Florida. This choice goes against everything in the rigid, well-planned life he fills with constant activity to keep from dealing with his pain and guilt. As he struggles to make peace with his past—and learn to relax—he finds himself falling for the charming owner of The Sweet Shoppe.
When Reed's past and Julie's present collide and history threatens to repeat itself, will love win?
Wish Upon a Shell is book one in the Lighthouse Point series set on beautiful Belle Island. Three friends—Tally, Susan, and Julie—support each other through triumphs and failures, love and loss. Fall in love with Belle Island and the friendly—or not so friendly—townsfolk on this small southern island.
Forced to take time off work, Reed Newman makes a spur-of-the-moment decision and books a trip across the continent to Belle Island, Florida. This choice goes against everything in the rigid, well-planned life he fills with constant activity to keep from dealing with his pain and guilt. As he struggles to make peace with his past—and learn to relax—he finds himself falling for the charming owner of The Sweet Shoppe.
When Reed's past and Julie's present collide and history threatens to repeat itself, will love win?
Wish Upon a Shell is book one in the Lighthouse Point series set on beautiful Belle Island. Three friends—Tally, Susan, and Julie—support each other through triumphs and failures, love and loss. Fall in love with Belle Island and the friendly—or not so friendly—townsfolk on this small southern island.
270 pages, Paperback
Published April 22, 2018
9602 people are currently reading
2534 people want to read
About the author
Kay Correll
64 books338 followersKay Correll is a USA Today bestselling author of sweet, heartwarming stories that are a cross between women’s fiction and contemporary romance. She is known for her charming small towns, quirky townsfolk, and the enduring strong friendships between the women in her books.
Kay splits her time between the Southwest coast of Florida and the Midwest of the U.S. and can often be found out and about with her camera, taking a myriad of photographs, often incorporating them into her book covers. When not lost in her writing or photography, she can be found spending time with her ever-supportive husband, knitting, or playing with her puppies - a cavalier who is too cute for his own good and a naughty but adorable Australian shepherd. Their five boys are all grown now and while she misses the rowdy boy-noise chaos, she is thoroughly enjoying her empty nest years.
Kay splits her time between the Southwest coast of Florida and the Midwest of the U.S. and can often be found out and about with her camera, taking a myriad of photographs, often incorporating them into her book covers. When not lost in her writing or photography, she can be found spending time with her ever-supportive husband, knitting, or playing with her puppies - a cavalier who is too cute for his own good and a naughty but adorable Australian shepherd. Their five boys are all grown now and while she misses the rowdy boy-noise chaos, she is thoroughly enjoying her empty nest years.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 397 reviews
May 4, 2019
Oh dear. I just let go and wrote a favorable review of a romance novel and then decided to try another. Bad decision.
This book, although light on the flowery sex scenes that usually decorate such fodder, was as predictable as any romance novel could be. Julie is a poor little girl, product of a broken foster care system, who alights on a magical island in Florida that reeks of Mayberry (anyone remember Andy Griffith’s small town?). She makes two life-long friends of the single-women-who-have-given-up-on-men-and-now-own-their-businesses variety and falls in line, opening a bakery of her own.
Everything changes when handsome and wealthy Reed shows up on vacation. He’s everything any woman would want, with the exception of his crippling guilt over the death of his beloved wife and soulmate.
Can Julie and Reed overcome the obstacles in their way? Will friends Tally and Susan allow him to dump his anxieties all over their precious ward? Will lightning strike twice? I hate spoilers, but I think we can all predict what happens even if the author takes the long way to her conclusion.
Done with romances for a while.
This book, although light on the flowery sex scenes that usually decorate such fodder, was as predictable as any romance novel could be. Julie is a poor little girl, product of a broken foster care system, who alights on a magical island in Florida that reeks of Mayberry (anyone remember Andy Griffith’s small town?). She makes two life-long friends of the single-women-who-have-given-up-on-men-and-now-own-their-businesses variety and falls in line, opening a bakery of her own.
Everything changes when handsome and wealthy Reed shows up on vacation. He’s everything any woman would want, with the exception of his crippling guilt over the death of his beloved wife and soulmate.
Can Julie and Reed overcome the obstacles in their way? Will friends Tally and Susan allow him to dump his anxieties all over their precious ward? Will lightning strike twice? I hate spoilers, but I think we can all predict what happens even if the author takes the long way to her conclusion.
Done with romances for a while.
August 5, 2019
Very plesent, warmhearting story. Great holiday reading
July 28, 2021
A wonderful story to get lost in- Julie and Reed make a wonderful couple and I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.
August 2, 2024
What a cute and cheesy summer novel! It was like a happily-ever-after Hallmark movie, which is exactly what I was looking for. :)
July 22, 2019
2.5 stars
This story sounded interesting, the cover was lovely, and the book was free, so I picked it up.
I was a little confused at first because the book starts off with Tally as the main character. Then Julie and Susan. Then Reed comes in. Julie and Reed ended up as the main characters, and Tally really wasn’t in the book as much as Susan, so the beginning felt a bit odd.
I did like the characters and how different and yet alike some of them were. Tally had a story, but it wasn’t told in this book, so I’m guessing you have to read another book in the series to get it. Susan’s story was hinted at and bits of it told.
I wanted to help Julie and offer her support when a certain thing happened. As for Reed, there were times when I liked him, times when he drove me crazy, and times when I just wanted to help him!
The setting had me wishing I could head to a small island like this one and spend a week or more walking along the beach, visiting the shops, and just enjoying the quieter pace.
This was not a Christian book. It was clean besides a few mentions of drinking beer or wine, and some kisses (that didn’t get beyond he kissed her, or their lips met, or they deepened the kiss), and a few minor swear words. Very few. I think I only remember 3-4. But there is no mention of church, prayer, the Bible, or anything that would offer true help. That’s what I felt the story was missing.
Altogether, I enjoyed it for the most part, but probably won’t be reading it again.
This story sounded interesting, the cover was lovely, and the book was free, so I picked it up.
I was a little confused at first because the book starts off with Tally as the main character. Then Julie and Susan. Then Reed comes in. Julie and Reed ended up as the main characters, and Tally really wasn’t in the book as much as Susan, so the beginning felt a bit odd.
I did like the characters and how different and yet alike some of them were. Tally had a story, but it wasn’t told in this book, so I’m guessing you have to read another book in the series to get it. Susan’s story was hinted at and bits of it told.
I wanted to help Julie and offer her support when a certain thing happened. As for Reed, there were times when I liked him, times when he drove me crazy, and times when I just wanted to help him!
The setting had me wishing I could head to a small island like this one and spend a week or more walking along the beach, visiting the shops, and just enjoying the quieter pace.
This was not a Christian book. It was clean besides a few mentions of drinking beer or wine, and some kisses (that didn’t get beyond he kissed her, or their lips met, or they deepened the kiss), and a few minor swear words. Very few. I think I only remember 3-4. But there is no mention of church, prayer, the Bible, or anything that would offer true help. That’s what I felt the story was missing.
Altogether, I enjoyed it for the most part, but probably won’t be reading it again.
August 22, 2022
Julie Farmington is an owner of a bakery and is trying to get her catering business up and running. She meets up with Reed Newman who has taken a month off from work on the island. Both hit it off, but their respective pasts put a spanner in the works. After a catering job with one of the wealthy families on the island, Julie is accused of theft. This threatens to ruin not only her catering business, but her shop as well.
I chose this book because of the title as I'm trying to expand my genres that I read. I would rate this as a 3 1/2 stars as I struggled to get into the story and the plot was a bit weak as well. If you are into romance stories, then I would suggest you give it a go.
I chose this book because of the title as I'm trying to expand my genres that I read. I would rate this as a 3 1/2 stars as I struggled to get into the story and the plot was a bit weak as well. If you are into romance stories, then I would suggest you give it a go.
September 2, 2020
A couple of years ago, I found some books for free through Amazon. While I always read the summaries to pick the book, with Wish Upon a Shell I picked because of the photo of the book cover. It is a clean romance if you are looking for one.
I like the friendship between Susan, Tally, and Jullie. Reed is griefing and doesn't know how to forgive himself, but the trio, and especially Jullie brings him out of his shell.
There were moments I felt that the plot is moving one step to the front, and three backwards. The truth I felt that the author want to write a lot of genres at the same time and for me it is a little bit to much that I had to deduce a star and half.
I like the friendship between Susan, Tally, and Jullie. Reed is griefing and doesn't know how to forgive himself, but the trio, and especially Jullie brings him out of his shell.
There were moments I felt that the plot is moving one step to the front, and three backwards. The truth I felt that the author want to write a lot of genres at the same time and for me it is a little bit to much that I had to deduce a star and half.
January 17, 2020
Love the book! It’s a typical chick flick type of book with many twists. A Beach Read for sure!
March 7, 2021
A sweet romance set on a beach in Florida. Kay Correll I have to agree with your dedication page. Anna Maria Island is the best place! (I read this while sitting on the AMI 🏖️)
March 27, 2021
A cute beach read whose setting is a beach on the southern golf side of Florida. Story follows 3 women, each owning their own company
January 1, 2022
fun quick beach read
Super cute, easy to read and escape reality of COVID :) First book for this author I have read and ready to dive into book two
Super cute, easy to read and escape reality of COVID :) First book for this author I have read and ready to dive into book two
January 19, 2022
This was a cute super fun romance. Two people, one island and four weeks equal ups and downs, soul searching, painful conversations and plain old life. Enjoyable.
August 1, 2023
Characters have potential, location is beautiful but the author didn't use it to describe the beauty of coast, sea, and sunsets (at least! as this is a romance novel, right?). Dull dialogues because they get repetitive after half of the book. Still a good summer read.
September 18, 2021
Lucky wishes
A light romantic story. It kept my interest. Story line was light, but enjoyable.
Typical angle of "happily ever after."
A light romantic story. It kept my interest. Story line was light, but enjoyable.
Typical angle of "happily ever after."
July 9, 2018
Weak
I enjoyed Correll's Comfort Crossing series, but this first book in the next series is a real disappointment. Both the hero and heroine have serious emotional problems that have left them scarred, and this is one of those awful "they need professional help, but let's pretend love fixes everything. Reed in particular has shown himself completely scarred by his past, but has an insta-love transformation. (Although it was good to read a romance where the hero's previous marriage was good--so often earlier love interests have to be discredited, Correll doesn't do that.) In addition there is a faintly ridiculous "mystery" that is thrown in for drama and then solved in the last chapter after not being mentioned for too long. All the tropes that were in earlier books, are used here-- but they don't work. It didn't feel like Lighthouse Point was a real place, nor like the people were real people with real problems that needed solving. I'm all for the soft glow of romance, but this felt like romance tropes thrown in and then discarded as we moved to the next. Another reviewer said that Reed was too pitiful. I'm all for a beta hero, but this went too far. I hope the next one is better.
I enjoyed Correll's Comfort Crossing series, but this first book in the next series is a real disappointment. Both the hero and heroine have serious emotional problems that have left them scarred, and this is one of those awful "they need professional help, but let's pretend love fixes everything. Reed in particular has shown himself completely scarred by his past, but has an insta-love transformation. (Although it was good to read a romance where the hero's previous marriage was good--so often earlier love interests have to be discredited, Correll doesn't do that.) In addition there is a faintly ridiculous "mystery" that is thrown in for drama and then solved in the last chapter after not being mentioned for too long. All the tropes that were in earlier books, are used here-- but they don't work. It didn't feel like Lighthouse Point was a real place, nor like the people were real people with real problems that needed solving. I'm all for the soft glow of romance, but this felt like romance tropes thrown in and then discarded as we moved to the next. Another reviewer said that Reed was too pitiful. I'm all for a beta hero, but this went too far. I hope the next one is better.
June 7, 2019
HARD SLOG! God it was hard to get thru this book. It was boring and flat and depressed and then there was a SLIGHT uptick with the 'badguy', but only lasted a nano second... then draaaaged thru boringly beyond.
The emotions and points of all three leading ladies (I'm guessing the two friends are the next h's) & H are probably reasonable, but it was just dragging juvenile crap with the way it was all written.
I probably wouldn't have kept reading but I needed the the U in the title for a challenge, and the start was just slow and a bit boring... but it had to get better... then it ended up getting worse! How could it get worse!!!?!? I really didn't think it could, but it did.
It got so bad I probably would have been happy leaving it DNF with just a few pages, but I'd already invested so much time in this U, that I wasn't going to let it beat me! Again, if U wasn't one of the last letters I needed for the challenge, I would have tossed it as well.
Anyway, ridiculous, boring, underwhelming overdone drama-lama crap!
0619
The emotions and points of all three leading ladies (I'm guessing the two friends are the next h's) & H are probably reasonable, but it was just dragging juvenile crap with the way it was all written.
I probably wouldn't have kept reading but I needed the the U in the title for a challenge, and the start was just slow and a bit boring... but it had to get better... then it ended up getting worse! How could it get worse!!!?!? I really didn't think it could, but it did.
It got so bad I probably would have been happy leaving it DNF with just a few pages, but I'd already invested so much time in this U, that I wasn't going to let it beat me! Again, if U wasn't one of the last letters I needed for the challenge, I would have tossed it as well.
Anyway, ridiculous, boring, underwhelming overdone drama-lama crap!
0619
March 18, 2021
Hoaky
So corny, a complete waste of time and paper and ink. I’d rather take a nap than read this trash.
So corny, a complete waste of time and paper and ink. I’d rather take a nap than read this trash.
July 7, 2022
This was a quick, easy read with likable characters. I enjoyed the friendship of the 3 main ladies, with a love story too.
September 13, 2019
At this point in my reading…life, I’ve been spending more time listening to audiobooks as opposed to physically reading a book or an ebook; unless it’s one that I’m editing or proofreading. So, this book here was one I got for free on Amazon. Yes, I know the chances of a free book being good are slim to nil, but hey, I couldn’t help but have the thought that “maybe it won’t be so bad.” Yeah. While I wouldn’t describe this story as being “bad” per se, it was very predictable, slow going, and boring. It’s stories like this one that sometimes lead me on a tangent. So, here we go.
I’m all about mistakes (at least finding them), so when I’m reading and finding lots of random mistakes throughout a story, that’s not good, obviously. They take away from the story because, at least for me, they’re very distracting. Whether it was using the incorrect tense, missing a word, or writing a sentence like the following: “He walked along, step by step, along the water’s edge.” Do you see the problem with that sentence? If you took “step by step” out because, technically, it’s not necessary, the sentence doesn’t make sense. “He walked along along the water’s edge.” Yeah. I always say, the more people you can get to read your story prior to publication the better! Although that seems to be common with the freebies on Amazon.
The writing was okay, I guess. It was easy to follow but there were many times (especially toward the end) when I would just skim through looking for something to happen. Stories in which you can do that and still follow the storyline? Bad! The reader should be engaged the entire time, from beginning to end. If they have to skim at all, then there’s writing that needs to be taken out or changed. With this story, there was a lot of “he did this, he did that,” etc. I’m not a fan. If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, here’s an example:
“He set down his phone… He didn’t know why he called the man young… He opened another brochure…” Starting so many sentences with “he” just comes across as poor writing, in my opinion. And, no, I’m not a professional writer. When I edit a story for a newbie writer, I like to suggest changes to areas of writing like the example. Therefore, I would have changed those three sentences around to something like “Setting down his phone, he paged through some brochures… He didn’t know why he called the man young… Opening another brochure, he flipped it open to a photo…” While the “he’s” are still in the sentences, they’re not all starting them. Make sense?
Questions/Comments:
What did Reed and Julie expect to happen with a first date? I mean seriously. Reed was there on vacation, going home in a month, back to another state. Why would either of them have bothered to become anything more than friends? I just didn’t understand that concept.
Why when referring to “the party” would the author have stuck with it being “Camilla’s mother’s party?” I don’t remember what her mother’s name was, but wouldn’t it have been simpler to call it whatever-her-mother’s-name-was party? Maybe I was the only one annoyed by that.
There was really nothing to this story, in my opinion. I knew from reading the blurb that the two main characters were going to fall in love but, at the same time, I had high hopes. Like I thought there would be some surprise(s) or something. But it was like Reed and his wife were out late, got into a car accident, and she died. Then there was Reed and Julie, not out late, but out during a bad time in a storm. Julie falls and hits her head. Both occurrences had Reed blaming himself for them getting hurt. I’m not sure how to phrase exactly what I mean (see, no professional writers here!). Then there were the stupid moments. 1. Julie found out that Reed didn’t drive. Yet, she didn’t ask him why until after he offered her his services as a driver. 2. Julie found out that his wife had died. I can understand not asking specific questions about that though. 3. Lastly, Julie found out that Reed didn’t drink alcohol. Somehow though, she wasn’t able to put the pieces together… I didn’t get that. I know not everyone is smart, but given Julie had told her friends, Susan and Tally, these things and neither of them figured it out? I don’t know…
I’m all about mistakes (at least finding them), so when I’m reading and finding lots of random mistakes throughout a story, that’s not good, obviously. They take away from the story because, at least for me, they’re very distracting. Whether it was using the incorrect tense, missing a word, or writing a sentence like the following: “He walked along, step by step, along the water’s edge.” Do you see the problem with that sentence? If you took “step by step” out because, technically, it’s not necessary, the sentence doesn’t make sense. “He walked along along the water’s edge.” Yeah. I always say, the more people you can get to read your story prior to publication the better! Although that seems to be common with the freebies on Amazon.
The writing was okay, I guess. It was easy to follow but there were many times (especially toward the end) when I would just skim through looking for something to happen. Stories in which you can do that and still follow the storyline? Bad! The reader should be engaged the entire time, from beginning to end. If they have to skim at all, then there’s writing that needs to be taken out or changed. With this story, there was a lot of “he did this, he did that,” etc. I’m not a fan. If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, here’s an example:
“He set down his phone… He didn’t know why he called the man young… He opened another brochure…” Starting so many sentences with “he” just comes across as poor writing, in my opinion. And, no, I’m not a professional writer. When I edit a story for a newbie writer, I like to suggest changes to areas of writing like the example. Therefore, I would have changed those three sentences around to something like “Setting down his phone, he paged through some brochures… He didn’t know why he called the man young… Opening another brochure, he flipped it open to a photo…” While the “he’s” are still in the sentences, they’re not all starting them. Make sense?
Questions/Comments:
What did Reed and Julie expect to happen with a first date? I mean seriously. Reed was there on vacation, going home in a month, back to another state. Why would either of them have bothered to become anything more than friends? I just didn’t understand that concept.
Why when referring to “the party” would the author have stuck with it being “Camilla’s mother’s party?” I don’t remember what her mother’s name was, but wouldn’t it have been simpler to call it whatever-her-mother’s-name-was party? Maybe I was the only one annoyed by that.
There was really nothing to this story, in my opinion. I knew from reading the blurb that the two main characters were going to fall in love but, at the same time, I had high hopes. Like I thought there would be some surprise(s) or something. But it was like Reed and his wife were out late, got into a car accident, and she died. Then there was Reed and Julie, not out late, but out during a bad time in a storm. Julie falls and hits her head. Both occurrences had Reed blaming himself for them getting hurt. I’m not sure how to phrase exactly what I mean (see, no professional writers here!). Then there were the stupid moments. 1. Julie found out that Reed didn’t drive. Yet, she didn’t ask him why until after he offered her his services as a driver. 2. Julie found out that his wife had died. I can understand not asking specific questions about that though. 3. Lastly, Julie found out that Reed didn’t drink alcohol. Somehow though, she wasn’t able to put the pieces together… I didn’t get that. I know not everyone is smart, but given Julie had told her friends, Susan and Tally, these things and neither of them figured it out? I don’t know…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2020
Julie, Susan and Tally are best friends. They all live and have businesses on a beautiful Florida island. Reed has been ordered by his boss to go on vacation. He lives in Seattle and has chosen to spend the one month vacation on the farthest side of the country.
First, Ms Correll is a very talented author. She writes beautifully and has wonderful descriptive skills. But, I felt so bogged down in this story. There were too many times I was given descriptions of things and events which just seemed to add words.
Julie is younger than her two friends. Both women felt it was part of their friendship to tell her what to do and how to live. She was a foster child and that part of her life colored her decision making. She had overcome her past and was a successful business owner. But, her choices apparently were still open to discussion by her two friends.
Reed was a widower who felt responsible for the death of his late wife. He had never addressed his loss and his sorrow. Every time he had a memory, he became rude, withdrawn and generally refused to be around Julie.
It took me some time to get to the point where I liked both Julie and Reed at the same time. And the two friends, Susan and Tally were very difficult for me admire.
The character development is well done. The reader gets to know everyone and who they are. It is just me that I was not sure I cared to know them.
The plot for me moved in fits and starts. At times I came to parts which seemed too wordy. At other times, things moved well.
There is a romance, but it is not overwhelming. I felt that character involvement was more important than the eventual happily ever after.
The island is a place I would love to live. But, I think I might want to be a hermit and not become involved with people who feel so free to interfere in the lives of others.
First, Ms Correll is a very talented author. She writes beautifully and has wonderful descriptive skills. But, I felt so bogged down in this story. There were too many times I was given descriptions of things and events which just seemed to add words.
Julie is younger than her two friends. Both women felt it was part of their friendship to tell her what to do and how to live. She was a foster child and that part of her life colored her decision making. She had overcome her past and was a successful business owner. But, her choices apparently were still open to discussion by her two friends.
Reed was a widower who felt responsible for the death of his late wife. He had never addressed his loss and his sorrow. Every time he had a memory, he became rude, withdrawn and generally refused to be around Julie.
It took me some time to get to the point where I liked both Julie and Reed at the same time. And the two friends, Susan and Tally were very difficult for me admire.
The character development is well done. The reader gets to know everyone and who they are. It is just me that I was not sure I cared to know them.
The plot for me moved in fits and starts. At times I came to parts which seemed too wordy. At other times, things moved well.
There is a romance, but it is not overwhelming. I felt that character involvement was more important than the eventual happily ever after.
The island is a place I would love to live. But, I think I might want to be a hermit and not become involved with people who feel so free to interfere in the lives of others.
June 17, 2019
I enjoyed this book. It is a sweet, contemporary romance. An easy, feel good book. Very predictable boy meets girl kind of stuff, but sometimes that is just what I need... an easy, unchallenging read.
For the first time in her life, struggling bakery owner Julie Farmington has something that is all hers. She’s not interested in any entanglements or anything that takes her mind off her goal—including the handsome stranger who is only in town for a month. But her traitorous heart won’t listen to reason as she starts to fall for the man who is just going to leave when he returns to his own life in Seattle. Just add yet one more name to the list of people who have walked out of her life.
Forced to take time off work, Reed Newman makes a spur-of-the-moment decision and books a trip across the continent to Belle Island, Florida. This choice goes against everything in the rigid, well-planned life he fills with constant activity to keep from dealing with his pain and guilt. As he struggles to make peace with his past—and learn to relax—he finds himself falling for the charming owner of The Sweet Shoppe.
When Reed's past and Julie's present collide and history threatens to repeat itself, will love win?
Wish Upon a Shell is book one in the Lighthouse Point series set on beautiful Belle Island. Three friends—Tally, Susan, and Julie—support each other through triumphs and failures, love and loss. Fall in love with Belle Island and the friendly—or not so friendly—townsfolk on this small southern island.
For the first time in her life, struggling bakery owner Julie Farmington has something that is all hers. She’s not interested in any entanglements or anything that takes her mind off her goal—including the handsome stranger who is only in town for a month. But her traitorous heart won’t listen to reason as she starts to fall for the man who is just going to leave when he returns to his own life in Seattle. Just add yet one more name to the list of people who have walked out of her life.
Forced to take time off work, Reed Newman makes a spur-of-the-moment decision and books a trip across the continent to Belle Island, Florida. This choice goes against everything in the rigid, well-planned life he fills with constant activity to keep from dealing with his pain and guilt. As he struggles to make peace with his past—and learn to relax—he finds himself falling for the charming owner of The Sweet Shoppe.
When Reed's past and Julie's present collide and history threatens to repeat itself, will love win?
Wish Upon a Shell is book one in the Lighthouse Point series set on beautiful Belle Island. Three friends—Tally, Susan, and Julie—support each other through triumphs and failures, love and loss. Fall in love with Belle Island and the friendly—or not so friendly—townsfolk on this small southern island.
January 16, 2020
Sweet, even if predictable, story
This was just a nice little story set in a place most of us would like to visit, if not live. Early on, as characters are introduced, you realize who will be featured in the series....or at least I assume I know who will be featured.
The trio of friends each come from different backgrounds yet have a common denominator of being women who have overcome so,etching in their lives to be the strong women they are now. Their friendship forms a tight bond....one that most women would treasure.
The focus of this story is Julie who keeps a vacationer who has come to Belle Island on a forced vacation from work following the death of his wife. The reader knows his wife has died but it takes a long time to finally explain things. This is okay but it just seems to drop along and constantly be repeated as though we are trying to build suspense. It is obvious he has something which he must overcome but doing this just takes a very long time. Then suddenly, it all comes together.
I think I would like to,read the rest of the series just to see where Susan and Tally will find life-changing events.
This was just a nice little story set in a place most of us would like to visit, if not live. Early on, as characters are introduced, you realize who will be featured in the series....or at least I assume I know who will be featured.
The trio of friends each come from different backgrounds yet have a common denominator of being women who have overcome so,etching in their lives to be the strong women they are now. Their friendship forms a tight bond....one that most women would treasure.
The focus of this story is Julie who keeps a vacationer who has come to Belle Island on a forced vacation from work following the death of his wife. The reader knows his wife has died but it takes a long time to finally explain things. This is okay but it just seems to drop along and constantly be repeated as though we are trying to build suspense. It is obvious he has something which he must overcome but doing this just takes a very long time. Then suddenly, it all comes together.
I think I would like to,read the rest of the series just to see where Susan and Tally will find life-changing events.
April 29, 2019
Quite an interesting read
It was very sweet from the beginning. I wish Julie told more of her story but we didn’t really know about her foster care life.
Reed Newman a man trying to find life while living in guilt, took a trip to Belle Island not hoping for anything more but to bide time and return to his software development life.
Little did he know what fate had in store for him through his friend Julie Farmington.
However Julie had a trouble of her own and great friends in Tally and Susan.
The island was small with a beach and shells where a myth was made about making a wish with the shells and tossing in the beach.
Julie and Reed were not believers of this Wishing with a shell thing but could their belief some day turn around through the challenges they faced?
Beautiful reading but a little unrealistic. However I enjoyed reading it. It kept me reading until I finished. I might consider the next book in the series.
It was very sweet from the beginning. I wish Julie told more of her story but we didn’t really know about her foster care life.
Reed Newman a man trying to find life while living in guilt, took a trip to Belle Island not hoping for anything more but to bide time and return to his software development life.
Little did he know what fate had in store for him through his friend Julie Farmington.
However Julie had a trouble of her own and great friends in Tally and Susan.
The island was small with a beach and shells where a myth was made about making a wish with the shells and tossing in the beach.
Julie and Reed were not believers of this Wishing with a shell thing but could their belief some day turn around through the challenges they faced?
Beautiful reading but a little unrealistic. However I enjoyed reading it. It kept me reading until I finished. I might consider the next book in the series.
May 11, 2019
I didn't dislike this book by any means and I knew what I was getting into by page page twenty. It was incredibly clear where it was headed and what the outcome would be. But hey, I enjoy reading romance and that is often par for the course.
What brought this book down for me was the major issues that both characters clearly have in their lives. Julie not so much as she has seemingly been dealing with them to a degree over the years, but I had such an issue with Reed's. He is broken with guilt over his wife's death (and how nice was it to read that they had a good marriage - this was genuinely lovely) but within the span of a month, poof! Fallen in love, works out how to deal with guilt that has been absolutely crippling and even gets engaged. It was just too fast.
But I did love the idea of him taking a month on the island and I did love the characters, in particular Julie, Tally, Susan and their friendship. 3/5
What brought this book down for me was the major issues that both characters clearly have in their lives. Julie not so much as she has seemingly been dealing with them to a degree over the years, but I had such an issue with Reed's. He is broken with guilt over his wife's death (and how nice was it to read that they had a good marriage - this was genuinely lovely) but within the span of a month, poof! Fallen in love, works out how to deal with guilt that has been absolutely crippling and even gets engaged. It was just too fast.
But I did love the idea of him taking a month on the island and I did love the characters, in particular Julie, Tally, Susan and their friendship. 3/5
May 2, 2021
This book was much as I expected in a summer romance novel. An easy read, idyllic setting, characters with trust and security issues they need to resolve. I like the way the three female friends stick together and help each other. I suppose Tally's and Susan's stories will appear in future books in this series.
It seems unusual that Julie, with trust issues -- the last guy left her -- was so ready to fall for a stranger just here on vacation. Even her friends, looking out for her, didn't seem to think his short stay should hinder their romance. It was mentioned a few times that "he'll soon be gone," but still they urged her to "give this a chance."
Camille appears as the standard selfish, rich, ditzy belle -- not much depth to her character or brain. Would the town people so soon believe her dramatic accusations? And the sheriff was one of those can't-be-bothered-to-investigate stereotypes. For my part, the solving of the crime could have been played out more.
It seems unusual that Julie, with trust issues -- the last guy left her -- was so ready to fall for a stranger just here on vacation. Even her friends, looking out for her, didn't seem to think his short stay should hinder their romance. It was mentioned a few times that "he'll soon be gone," but still they urged her to "give this a chance."
Camille appears as the standard selfish, rich, ditzy belle -- not much depth to her character or brain. Would the town people so soon believe her dramatic accusations? And the sheriff was one of those can't-be-bothered-to-investigate stereotypes. For my part, the solving of the crime could have been played out more.
April 27, 2023
I had never read anything by Kay Correll but I saw a post on Facebook about a series where an "older" woman found love...that and the fact that this series takes place by a beach made my decision to download the entire series of 6 books.
Susan, Julie and Tally are all business owners and best of friends. This book was mostly about Julie, a baker who owns her own Sweet Shoppe and supplies Susan's Inn and Tally's restaurant with her delicious baked goods. When Reed Newman books a room at Susan's inn for a month everyone in town is wondering what is his story. Reed is still grieving his wife's accidental death and he feels responsible. Julie grew up in the foster care system and has trust and abandonment issues. She meets Reed and they strike up a friendship...well you know the rest of the story. But these characters were so likeable and it is rare that an author can capture the friendships between women but Kay Correll does it masterfully.
Susan, Julie and Tally are all business owners and best of friends. This book was mostly about Julie, a baker who owns her own Sweet Shoppe and supplies Susan's Inn and Tally's restaurant with her delicious baked goods. When Reed Newman books a room at Susan's inn for a month everyone in town is wondering what is his story. Reed is still grieving his wife's accidental death and he feels responsible. Julie grew up in the foster care system and has trust and abandonment issues. She meets Reed and they strike up a friendship...well you know the rest of the story. But these characters were so likeable and it is rare that an author can capture the friendships between women but Kay Correll does it masterfully.
September 5, 2020
A good story, too much back and forth, I love her, but I shouldn't. And...what's he thinking? Reed is a compulsive, techno workaholic who lives in Seattle. His boss has just given him a directive: Take one month off, no work at all. While watching TV, he sees a beautiful beach in Florida and books a 4 week stay. Three women who live on the island, run business, the inn, the bakery shop and the cafe. They are also very good friends. The kind of through thick and thin friends. Reed happens to run into Julie, the owner of The Sweet Shoppe. He's definitely not looking to start anything up here. Hell, he'd only be here less than a month. And so it begins. This is a tiny peek into the lives of these three women, their acquaintances and their neighbors. Life is good on Belle Island.
August 22, 2019
I loved the cover, I love the beach, and this book was free so I downloaded it for a summer morning relaxing read—but it was disappointing. Sometimes I find amazing free reads. in this case, I’m glad I didn’t pay for this book. It was ok but I read so many books, and so many great books, “ok” isn’t for me. I almost didn’t finish it because I knew what would happen (1 +2 always equals 3 in romance books.) If you simply want a sweet little romantic story you will probably like this. If you have time to spare and don’t want to challenge your mind, just take a little mental get away, it will be nice beach read type book. Formulaic, predictable, and average.
May 26, 2023
Enjoyable
I have not read any other hooks by Kay Correll, but I have already ordered the next book in this series.
This book is about overcoming your past and making a better life for yourself.
Julie came to the island with nothing but a terrible past, she became best friends with Tally and Susan and together they helped each other get thru life's ups and downs. Susan ran an in and a stranger booked a room for a month, he was coming to get over his own problems. He sees Julie and starts to heal.
They have many bumps in the road but really try to work thru everything.
But will they all be able to get past their pasts?
Er
I have not read any other hooks by Kay Correll, but I have already ordered the next book in this series.
This book is about overcoming your past and making a better life for yourself.
Julie came to the island with nothing but a terrible past, she became best friends with Tally and Susan and together they helped each other get thru life's ups and downs. Susan ran an in and a stranger booked a room for a month, he was coming to get over his own problems. He sees Julie and starts to heal.
They have many bumps in the road but really try to work thru everything.
But will they all be able to get past their pasts?
Er
June 19, 2017
On a small island off the coast of Florida, Julie Farmington and Reed Newman learn to shed the misfortunes of their pasts. The path to trust is not an easy one for either of them. As in any romance novel love triumphs. Correll expertly captures the angst of Julie and Reed's romance. Additionally, the sisterly relationship between Tally, Susan and Julie explores how the support of these three friends can be a catalyst to change lives. I do like Correll's ability to set the scene and recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a light read.
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