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Sandover Island #3

Sandover Beach Melodies

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She broke her own rules…

...you can’t fall in love when you’re on the run.

After rebuilding her life on Sandover Island, Mercer got comfortable. Too comfortable. She started to believe in fresh starts and second chances. And she made the biggest mistake of all: she fell in love.

Beau wants more. The harder he pushes at Mercer's walls, the stronger they seem to be. She gives him an inch, then steps back a mile. He knows she's worth the fight, if only she will give him her trust.

Mercer knows it's only a matter of time until her past catches her. She isn't safe, not even in Beau’s strong arms. She can’t escape what she left behind and he won't want her if he knows her secret shame.

Can Beau and Mercer build a future or will the past tear it all down?

You'll love this Christian romantic suspense! It's the second in the Sandover Island Sweet Romance Series.


Trigger warning: This book deals with the topic of past domestic abuse. I've handled the topic as carefully and realistically as possible, while keeping graphic details minor.


228 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2019

160 people are currently reading
301 people want to read

About the author

Emma St. Clair

62 books3,870 followers
Emma St. Clair is a USA Today Bestselling Author who loves sassy heroines, witty banter, and love stories with heart and humor. She has an MFA in Fiction and lives in Katy, Texas (go, Tigers!) with her hubby, five children, and Great Dane. Her favorite place to write is tapping on her phone while on the elliptical machine. No Emmas have been hurt in the writing of these novels. (Yet.)

Want a free novella? Grab Upping the Ante here: https://emmastclair.com/ante

You can follow the day-to-day on instagram @kikimojo.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Profile Image for Emma.
158 reviews1 follower
May 26, 2025
This was fine. It wasn’t what I thought it was gonna be which is again fine but that’s all this book was. Now it did have beach in it which was fitting so that helped it. I will now promptly forget this book exists and therefore its plot.
Profile Image for Patty Scott.
Author 17 books93 followers
July 8, 2019
I loved this book!

I have read the other Sandover Beach books before this one (each is a stand-alone story). I was so eager to learn about what happens between Beau and Mercer. In the other stories we meet them and we see that Mercer is reserved and reluctant. In this book we find out the secret behind her hesitancy to pursue love.

This book handles a difficult subject, but with tact and in a way that doesn't make the story less of a clean or sweet romance. I love the way Beau respects Mercer and goes at her pace. There is enough of the typical tension between characters to keep a reader highly engaged, but also enough ongoing connection to keep us feeling the romance is progressing.

What I love about Emma St. Clair's books beyond the way she writes romance is that she included dynamic friendships in each of her books. Her stories are about webs of relationships, not only the two main characters. I love the friendship between Emily and Mercer and how that friendship brings trust and healing in its own way.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves clean romance or women's fiction (as it straddles these genres well). If you haven't read the other Sandover Beach books, I recommend those too.
3,645 reviews17 followers
July 6, 2019
Mercer was such a strong character growing up in foster care and escaping from a physical and psychological abuser who controlled every aspect of her life. Beau was such a sweet guy who sensed that he had to approach Mercer and a relationship with her carefully. She had a lot in common with the dog she adopted Tony, who seemed like she had been abused previously too. I thought it was cool that she was a singer songwriter, who lent such emotion to her music because of all she had been through. I cried when I read about her relationship with Jeff and how evil he was, but I also cheered when she fought back. It was great to catch up with Emily and Jimmy and Jackson and Jenna from the previous stories. Cash stood up for Mercer in this book when her lies caught up with her and I would love for him to have his own story.
Profile Image for Annette.
3,167 reviews9 followers
July 8, 2019
I really like Beau, his faith is strong and focused. I think the author does a good job of making this story relatable to unhealthy relationships. Mercer and her situation is very sad. It was hard for me to relate to her though. To be on the worship team, she seemed to be drowning in negative thoughts and I wish her character would have displayed more faith in what she is singing about. Beau isn’t perfect but he is a great godly catch, he chose her and I am glad they are a happy couple and also glad that Mercer gets another chance to be in a relationship with someone who supports her musical aspirations. I received a copy at no cost and without obligation from the author.
Profile Image for Barbara Seidle.
Author 5 books2 followers
July 8, 2019
This was a fantastic book filled with emotion, suspense, and romance. While this could be read as a stand alone, it was great to read her other books set on Sandover Beach Island. I loved Mercer and Beau's story. The faith aspects of this story that dealt with healing and forgiveness were well written. This story also touched on important real life issues that are often not talked about enough.
160 reviews2 followers
February 19, 2022
WARNING!! Very Triggering Book for Abuse Victims!

This book is well-written, is compelling, disturbing, & gripping. On one hand, I applaud the author for tackling the subject in such an honest way. Especially for the sake of those who know nothing about domestic violence... Because those who don't know anything about it, it's red flags or understand the upside down world of DV are most at risk of being targeted by an abuser... just because they don't know any better.

Statistically, 1 out of every 3 women will be affected by domestic violence in their lifetime in America. You cannot apply conventional logic to domestic violence situations or abusers, it just doesn't work. So I DO NOT RECOMMEND this book to abuse victims.

I am an abuse survivor who happens to be going through trauma therapy right now so this was not a great book for me to be reading during this vulnerable time in my life. I found most of it to be terribly triggering. And somehow I missed the trigger warning for this book in the summary. I would've skipped it had I known before I started reading. But once I started reading it, I think It would've bothered me more if I hadn't finished the book to its resolution.

It was very triggering for me (and not just mildly triggering as the warning suggests) because of the events portrayed and the thought processes of the victim (Mercer) which rang true... I could tell that the author had either done alot of research on the subject or knew about DV from personal experience.

(SPOILERS!!) It wasn't just the graphic violence in the one fight scene that was hard to read either ... it was the language of the abuser (even when we are just told of what he said by Mercer), the depictions of the cruel things he did, the humiliation of the arrest scene in the church, the HORROR when Beau posts her videos on social media compromising Mercer's safety, the messed up shame & guilt ridden thinking of the abuse victim, the total acceptance of all blame by the victim & lack of self-compassion and the general cluelessness of the people around her. Because most people don't know what to look for & wouldn't know a DV red flag if it was hanging off their nose.

When an abuse victim reads a story like this, they may not have had those same exact experiences as the abuse victim in the book but it triggers their own memories of violence, humiliation, cruelty, blaming, being misunderstood, feelings of powerlessness, etc.

And of course, in a book there's the luxury of a happy ending. In real life, Mercer hanging around town and not leaving right away once she knew her safety was compromised would've very likely cost her her life and more than likely the life of her roommate Emily and her boyfriend Beau. 😢

Profile Image for Donna Weaver.
Author 89 books459 followers
December 2, 2019
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
he broke her own rules…

...you can’t fall in love when you’re on the run.
After rebuilding her life on Sandover Island, Mercer got comfortable. Too comfortable. She started to believe in fresh starts and second chances. And she made the biggest mistake of all: she fell in love.

Beau wants more. The harder he pushes at Mercer's walls, the stronger they seem to be. She gives him an inch, then steps back a mile. He knows she's worth the fight, if only she will give him her trust.

Mercer knows it's only a matter of time until her past catches her. She isn't safe, not even in Beau’s strong arms. She can’t escape what she left behind and he won't want her if he knows her secret shame.

Can Beau and Mercer build a future or will the past tear it all down?

MY TAKE
Loved this book so much. It was on my mind while I was doing other things and couldn't read. We met Beau and Mercer in the first book, and it was a delight to see them come together. Tough road though. Mercer's life is a lie, and that's a tough enough in a relationship but especially when you're falling in love with someone who's just been asked to fill in as an interim youth pastor. The story deals with the issue of psychological as well as physical abuse. Know the bad buy was bound to eventually show up added a lot of tension to the story.

I've already started reading the next book, The Sandover Beach Christmas.
Profile Image for Leslie  Bakke.
115 reviews
July 17, 2019
Sandover Beach Melodies is the 2nd book in The Sandover Island Romance Series written by Emma St. Clair. In this book, Ms. St. Clair tackles the subject of abusive relationships and the effects that abuse has on the recipient. She handles the subject with sensitivity and grace. The instances of abuse are described without being overtly graphic. The story is well written and characters are well developed. As Christians, the characters show how faith can help you overcome some awful situations. The primary character in the story, Mercer, lives every day in fear and secrecy. We are introduced to Mercer in the 1st book of the series. She works as an assistant manager in Bohn’s Island Grocery. She’s been on Sandover Island for about 6 months. Unfortunately, no one knows the real Mercer; in fact, not even her real name. Although a Christian, she has lied to everyone she has met. Not out to deceive anyone, Mercer has to hide in plain sight so that her abuser doesn’t find her. The story unfolds as Mercer makes friends and finds a man who could be the “One”. Will Mercer finally find happiness on Sandover Island? How can she undo all her lies? You’ll need to read the book to find out.
Profile Image for Kim Slye.
146 reviews
July 16, 2019
Tough topic handled well

Mercer aka Lisa ran for her life from an abusive relationship. She finds herself surrounded by wonderful people on the coast of North Carolina. People who care about her and want to be friends with her just because they like her! Her co-work and new roommate Emily is full of life and won’t let Mercer hide behind closed doors. Mercer shares her musical talents with the worship group at the local church and meets Beau. Beau is a strong, good looking fireman who is very interested in Mercer. Mercer is learning to trust again; just as she’s ready to make the leap, her old life makes a violent appearance in the form of her former fiancé and abuser.

Trigger warning: If you’ve been abused there are some scenes, while not over the top in themselves, could be triggering. St. Clair shares her own experience in the author’s comments as the end of the book and offers help to those who may need it. Kudos to her for tackling a tough topic in both a sensitive and hopeful romantic context.
2,687 reviews19 followers
July 9, 2019
This is another great story by Emma St. Clair. This one is written tastefully around domestic abuse with the character able to get away and start her life over on Sandover Beach, North Carolina. Mercer has scars mentally to show what she has gone through and how it effects her life and relationships. I really enjoyed seeing her realize how strong she was and how Sandover Beach gave her a place to start over, be herself, and to finally put roots down.

I also liked how religion and the power of prayer were interlaced throughout the story. The characters of Mercer and Beau are perfect for each other and this was the perfect story for them. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
56 reviews1 follower
July 10, 2019
Doomed!

Supper was, that is. Because I couldn’t put this book down.

There is something about the ocean, seeing the tides ebb and flow that speaks peace to me. Watching the waves tumble and toss, sometimes roar, is exquisitely relaxing. So when Mercer finds herself drawn to the water after a most traumatic three-year abusive relationship, I can empathize with her.

But abuse is not easily overcome. Nightmares, aloofness, the inability to trust your own instincts-all add to the trauma. So when love begins to softly approach, what is Mercer to do? Can she love again? Trust again? Can she heal?

Buy the book. Order a pizza.
333 reviews1 follower
October 27, 2019
Angsty

Mercer definitely had it rough. There were several moments where it was hard being in her head. Her growth and push to not live in fear finally won out though.

Beau was a darling. I loved him from Jimmy and Emily's story. It kind of was surprising that he had so many failure dates. But then again, maybe he was just being protected and set aside for Mercer. He's the kind of man she needed.

I also really liked the sneak peek we got at Cash. I liked him the moment he refused to back down.

I do wish there was an epilogue so we can get a brief glimpse of their future, but I still loved there story.
4,589 reviews31 followers
November 5, 2019
Emma St Clair always produces interesting story lines and characters. In this one she has introduced a very tough subject, abuse, mental and physical. She has done an excellent job portraying the emotions mental abuse produces. If you or someone you know has suffered from abuse this might be a tough story to read but it is a necessary one for people to read and understand. Thank you, for tackling this very tough subject. The story line will keep you reading. You will find yourself just waiting for when Jeff will show up and begging Mercer/Lisa to tell her story before he does. I do recommend this book.
Profile Image for Tamra Delasalle Padgett.
377 reviews4 followers
January 26, 2020
Mercer is trying to start over and hopes that the people from her past will stay away forever. Mercer has put up her walls when it comes to love because dealing with emotional and physical abuse will keep you from trusting anyone. Beau has fallen for Mercer and is really trying to be patient and to give her time to know he is a good guy. Can this work between them or will Mercer and her past keep them apart.
Emma St Claire is a wonderful author and writer who let's us with her words become part of the town and the people who live there. Her romance stories open your heart and make you smile as you turn each page and fall in love with everyone and everything. Grab your copy today.
Profile Image for Heidi.
284 reviews12 followers
July 8, 2019
Authentic, raw, vulnerable, romantic, charming, and thoughtfully written. The author writes in such a way that invites the reader into the story and makes it believable. There was one part where she describes a character’s thoughts and they weren’t perfectly polished, yet was completely right for that character and the feeling they were describing. I loved the story, the relationships were relatable, I was a bit anxious through some of it (there were scenes with DV/physical assault), there were messy (like real life) parts, and it ended well. What more could a reader want?
Profile Image for Karolyn .
167 reviews
January 28, 2024
This story on an abusive situation struck a chord with me. Unfortunately, having grown up in a verbally abusive home and then breaking off a manipulative relationship in late highschool/early college, I can identify with some of the feelings Mercer felt. Especially the “stuck” cycle caused by lies and insecurities, unable to get away from the abuser. I loved the redemptive edge and forgiveness of starting fresh and leaning into those who love you the way you are- baggage and all. Having experienced it firsthand, it truly is living freedom in Christ.
Profile Image for Victoria.
4,685 reviews
July 9, 2019
I have been waiting for Beau and Mercer's story, they have become my favourite couple....after Jimmy and Emily of course! Oh wow, what a story they have had, I have laughed, grinned, smiled, cried, sighed and kept reading into a new day, this story is full of so much that I couldn't put it down, it is one that is going to stay with me. I hope Cash gets a story soon. ❤ I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an ARC.
1,832 reviews12 followers
November 2, 2019
This is a book that covers a difficult topic-domestic abuse. The first part is easy to read, flows nicely but near the end there is a bomb shell of abuse that I found hard to read. I've never experienced abuse, know it is very real for a lot of women & have never read a book that gaves graphic details of it. The book is tastefully written but all too true. It is definately worth the read. I received a free copy from the author. This is my voluntary review.
1,436 reviews12 followers
June 1, 2021
In this book by Emma St Clair, Mercer who is hiding her true identity due to an abusive former boyfriend, starts over in Sandover Beach. She and fireman turned Youth Pastor Beau become close, but until she is able to tell him the whole truth, their relationship stalls. This book explores the fallout of abusive relationships, issues of trust, and the meaning of true friendship. I would recommend reading this book.
1,076 reviews
March 25, 2024
I liked Mercer and Beau and their story. However it was repetitive, slow moving and drawn out.

Once everything came out I didn’t like the way Mercer treated Beau as she returned to her apartment and Jeff was there. I then questioned the way Beau handled the situation after what took place in Mercer’s apartment.

It would have been better if the Jeff situation came to a head earlier. Then Mercer and Beau could have worked through everything as a couple. The HEA was too quick at the end.
4,530 reviews38 followers
July 8, 2019
Sandover Beach Melodies is another awesome romance from Emma St. Clair. We finally get to learn Mercer's story. (This book stands alone but Mercer was in the first two books.) I thoroughly enjoyed watching Beau court Mercer and watching Mercer begin to overcome her fears. Of course, the road to love is never smooth. I could not put this book down!
Profile Image for Love.
1,747 reviews5 followers
July 10, 2019
Powerful Love Story

This is definitely powerful love story of love forgiveness and understanding but not only between two characters as they journey towards unconditional love but also friends and community as they learn the true as well as understanding of themselves as friend and family too.
Profile Image for Kara Kaess.
8 reviews
July 14, 2019
Engaging and relatable

Emma does a great job telling Mercer and Beau's story. I can totally picture Beau at one of the Christian camps I grew up going to in high school...Hume lake in California. Beau would be the guy that everyone liked. It was fun to remember back to those days... Now I have two girls of my own and I'm praying they meet their "Beau" one day!
125 reviews1 follower
July 17, 2019
Great story about overcoming life's disappointments.

True lies, true hurts, true heartache, and true love.
Sometimes it hurts deeply to overcome the chains that bind us. There is help and if we choose, there's hope. I couldn't help but feel the deep diwali is and soul wrenching despair that Mercer lived. This story makes you feel but it doesn't leave you depressed.
Profile Image for jj.
292 reviews2 followers
October 20, 2019
Beau, Mercer, Lisa, Emily, Jimmy, Jenna - these are just a few of the characters you will meet on this luxurious beach setting. Would you be able to live here - year round?
This is both a love story and a mystery, who ends up with whom and how - what leads one to this island. Believable? Yes - read this to find out why
Profile Image for Cherie Melbourne.
1,373 reviews15 followers
May 29, 2021
Handover Beach

I got to 32% through this story and had to give it away. There was so much negativity and rehashing the cause of the negativity, it became depressing and excessive. I'm a victim of domestic abuse and it didn't consume my every thought.
A first Emma St Clair read for me & not likely to read more.
Profile Image for Ruth.
442 reviews
July 8, 2019
St. Clair beautifully tackles healing from domestic abuse in her latest romance novel. Engaging characters, setting, some reappearances from past friends from other books made this a great book I couldn't put down.

I received a beta copy from the author--all opinions are my own!
Profile Image for Mary.
635 reviews4 followers
July 10, 2019
Awesome Read

A really great story but be prepared it has a very hard story line of abuse and how it takes it toll on people. MS St.Claire really hit the nail on the head with this one.
Profile Image for Andi.
Author 22 books191 followers
July 11, 2019
A great romance. Perfectly paced and wisely told.

If you enjoy sweet romance, appreciate a story that talks about real people who have lived hard things, and love s beach story, this book is a great choice.
Profile Image for Tamera Westhoff.
1,099 reviews6 followers
December 23, 2019
Sweet Romance with some Suspense

I have loved this series! Mercer escaped from her abusive fiancé, changed her name, and now lives in Sandover where she meets the perfect guy! I love that he’s willing to go incredibly slow! Then, craziness ensues, but there’s a happy ending. Phew!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews

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