No Beach Like Nantucket

Sweet Island Inn #2

by Grace Palmer

The Benson family needs a fresh start. Can they find peace and happiness on the beaches of Nantucket?

Last summer, a storm blew the Benson family’s lives to bits. It’s been almost a year since that fateful day, since they learned that life at the beach isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. They are doing their best to pick up the pieces.

Widow Mae Benson is running the Sweet Island Inn. Her daughter Eliza is learning what it means to be a mother. Sara is rediscovering her passion in the wake of heartbreak. Holly is searching for stability in her marriage. And her son Brent is—well, Brent isn’t doing so great. Despite these challenges, they just might make it—if they can stick together.

But right when it seems like they’re going to be okay, terrible news strikes. A call from Aunt Toni changes everything. And suddenly, Nantucket doesn’t feel quite like home any more.

Come book your stay at Nantucket’s Sweet Island Inn—where the water is warm, the sun is shining, and everyone welcomes you like family—in this heartwarming, inspirational women’s fiction beach listen from author Grace Palmer.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Romance, Family, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

350 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 16, 2020

About the author

Grace Palmer grew up in the Northeast but moved down south to Charleston, South Carolina to escape the brutal winters. Her and her husband run an Airbnb on the beach and have 2 sassy cats, Mickey and Mousy, who boss around a golden retriever named Taco.

She writes feel good romances that are clean, wholesome, and inspirational. Cozy up by your fireplace or lounge out on the beach and settle in because her books are un-putdownable.

Follow her on Amazon and at fb.com/authorgracepalmer

Reviews

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This takes place in the spring after the previous book. The story is told by all of the Bensons, same as the previous book, but Mae is the main focus in this one. Each of the characters is facing difficult decisions about the present and the future. For most it is about love and relationships and work. For one it is about moving and finding a new normal in the new location. There is a happy ending and a few surprises. It also left some things open for the next book.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

💞Sweet Nantucket tale of family, healing and second chances🌅

👍👍🌊⛅
I found this second book in Grace Palmer's ⚓Nantucket Island-based series just as compelling as the first in the series. The Benson family, from matriarch widow Mae to her youngest, Brent, all go through ups and downs as the anniversary of Henry Benson's sudden death crops up. With sweet romance and career choices, villains returning to disturb their peace and new possible romantic interests popping up, there's a bit of drama for each lead and some happy surprises too.

The individual stories of love, loss and restarts for the five main characters is told by alternating point of view between Mae, daughters Eliza, Holly and Sara, and Brent. Maybe one less character to follow would have been fine or even better than the breaks and starts to keep five separate stories going simultaneously, but don't ask me which character could be left out! They all have great storylines😊.

I really liked the author's writing style and the warmth leant by each family member's continued feeling of closeness to Henry's spirit and the love and support, even laughs, he brought to their lives. This is not an inspirational novel per se but his lasting presence in their thoughts in times of stress was touching. The hurdles and uncertainties each of the five deal with are realistic and make all of them relatable, sympathetic characters. I can't wait to read the next book in their family saga!😍

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review and opinions expressed are completely my own.

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace Palmer is an amazing author. In book 2 of the Sweet Island Inn series, the family continues on their journey after losing their husband and father. As I read the first book and have finished the second, I kept thinking she is writing what I went through when I lost my Dad. I think when you read this series, you are going to say, this book is my story.
There are ups and downs, and sometimes getting on each others nerves and making that decision that you have to find a way to go on. Whether you have lost a father, a loved one or just struggling in your own life this is a book you should read. It isn't telling you what to do, she is showing us how one family made it through. There was so much insight that many are going to see and say, I remember going through this. She also shows us that when we think all is lost that when we choose to move on, things can be all right once again.
I am going to end my review by one thing that stood out for me in the book. Dominic is a writer and he and Mae were on a boat and was talking about his book.  His reply, I do find the ending almost always writes itself.  Sometimes, there is just a certain way that things go.  The world falls into place in exactly the right pattern.  It is beautiful, in my opinion when everything is exactly where it is meant to be. That is how life should be and Grace captures life in a way that just amazes me.
I received an ARC from the author and she is a new author but you really need to give her a chance and read this series. There is so much to this series.

[Adora · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Benson Family saga continues in "No Beach Like Nantucket" Book#2 in the Sweet Island Inn Series by Grace Palmer. In Book#1 "No Home Like Nantucket" tragedy stuck & totally changed the
lives of each family member, Mae lost her devoted husband of many years & had to start anew. In book #2, Mae takes over running the Inn next door that her sister-in-law Toni previously ran on the popular island. She keeps herself busy & socializes with the guests & is managing to cope with her grief & slowly move forward. Her daughters, Eliza, Holly & Sara all move through their lives with several twists & turns along the way. Eliza (once a NYC Professional) is a new mother & is basking in the newfound joys of motherhood while Holly, mother of two is fighting to rekindle her once happy marriage. Sara, seems lost in direction & yet a whole new adventure is there for the taking if she would only let herself "take the plunge". Brent is dealing with a broken heart & is fighting his way back from going through major depression & the loss of his true love. Can they mend? Can they ever find happiness & fulfillment once again?

Ms. Palmer brings the reader into the Benson Family story & allows the reader to experience all the joys & sadness of a family torn apart while learning to pick up the pieces & move forward. No Beach Like Nantucket is well written, I highly recommend reading this series where you can almost feel the coastal breezes & experience the sand between your toes as you read the engaging novel of No Beach Like Nantucket.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first book of this series and thought it was extremely well done. I was looking forward to this second book of the series to find out how this family would continue as they got past their grief caused by the main event of the first book. Like that first one, I loved that this one felt like a slice of life, looking at multiple generations and how their lives were a year after the seminal event. As one might imagine, some are doing better, some are doing worse, and some are struggling to hold on to a decent normal. I like that this book is told from multiple generational perspectives, including the matriarch of the family and her children. I was happy to see that Mae and Eliza were doing well at the beginning of the book, with Mae settled into her role running the inn and Eliza throttling back from her go-go Manhattan lifestyle to settle into motherhood in Nantucket. Holly and Brent certainly were not doing as well; Holly's marriage still isn't the best, and she struggles with her son while son Brent still suffers from the big event in the last book. As the book progresses, things shift and change, of course, yet again. The author handles all of this beautifully. Even if the subjects aren't always easy, she handles them with sensitivity and grace. I enjoyed watching the events in this family's life unfold, and I look forward to the next book.

I received a gift of this book from the author, but that did not affect my review.

My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Beach Like Nantucket: A Sweet Island Inn Book 2 is by Grace Palmer. Book 2 begins a year after the first book ends.
Mae has taken over the Inn while Aunt Toni is traveling to handle her grief over the death of her brother, Henry. The Inn takes up Mae’s time and energy so she can deal with Henry’s death only when she wants to. However, she sees this as a new start to her life.
Eliza has given birth to her daughter, Winter and has become partners with Oliver. Oliver gets a chance to play as an opening act for a tour group and decides to try it. He asks Eliza to go with him and bring Winter. She is really divided. Should she take a risk and go with Oliver or play it safe and stay home while he is gone for eight months?
Sara has finally decided to open her own restaurant with money her Mother gives her from what she got from her Father’s death. She and Brent are working very hard to get the building looking like the restaurant Sara sees in her mind. Brent feels put upon when Sara yells at him, after all, he is doing all the work for no pay. Can they get everything done by Opening Day?
Holly is working on stabilizing her marriage. Pete comes home with a surprise for her that he hopes will help her.
Brent is helping Sara and others when he has time. He dated a client’s daughter until Ally decided she wanted to just travel. He has seen Rachel again and decides to try again. If either of the girls decide to leave, he isn’t sure he can control his drinking.

[Rebecca Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Sweet Island Inn series, No Beach Like Nantucket by Grace Palmer, tells about the lives of the Benson family after a year has passed since losing their loved one. The first book, No Home Like Nantucket, told about the family during this grieving time a year ago. Now each member of the Benson family tries to find happiness again!
Mae Benson, the mother, finds enjoyment while running the Sweet Island Inn, but alas, will she find love again. Sara, a daughter and chef, has a dream of owning a restaurant! Will she get her wish? Eliza, a daughter and a mother now, trying to take care of her daughter on her own! Can she find happiness and a father figure for her daughter? Holly, a daughter and a wife with a rocky marriage, decided to move back to Nantucket and find a dream home. Will she and her husband, Pete, and her children find this home and hall agzin? Brent, a son trying to over one his guilt over his father's death. Will be succeed and will be fine happiness a a new romance? You'll have to read the book to find out the answers to these questions!
Grace Palmer is an amazing writer, who adds flair to family life with its up and downs , laughs and sorrows, trials and tribulations. A saga that keeps this reader entertained till the last page. Now looking forward to reading the next book, No Wedding Like Nantucket!
This is my voluntary review and honest opinion of an advanced reader copy of this ebook by Grace Palmer!

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly there is a bit of a time jump and we are almost at the one year anniversary of Henry's death, Mae, Eliza, Holly, Sara and Brent have started to move on with life after taking stock of what they really want after last years tragedy. There are still plenty of ups and downs for them all and you want to wrap them up in big hugs, there are some surprises I didn't expect as well as some great things that occur, people from their past that turn up again both good and bad, frustrations and the hints of other things to come..... The balance of everyone in the family getting the right amount of time in the book was great and ran smoothly between each and can not wait to see what happens in the next installment.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really loving this series so far! This is book 2 of the series and it's just as great as the first. The story picks up where the first one left off so it's definitely better if you read book 1 first. It's such a heartwarming story that's filled with so much emotion, it really pulls at your heartstrings. Ms. Palmer does an excellent job of creating the scenes in such a way that you feel as if you are right there with the family, experiencing it all for yourself. A beautifully written story that focuses on family and the tragedies they go through and the hardship of healing afterwards. I really loved all the feeling and emotion in the story. I am really looking forward to the next book. I most definitely recommend!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Sweet Island Inn series a well written story with a very good storyline, it flows smoothly across the pages. The Benson family are all trying to make the most of their lifes. Mae is running the Sweet Island Inn. Eliza is learning what it means to be a mother. Sara is rediscovering her passion in the wake of heartbreak. Holly is searching for stability in her marriage. And Brent is—well, Brent isn’t doing so great. I enjoyed seeing the choices each of these people make as they move forward, I liked the surprise Mae gets at the end. I want to read the next book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BigGirl BigBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Book, Sweet Island #1, was beautiful but sad. This installment shed light on the members of the family as individuals and as a family as they get through their new normal after the father's death. Brent is still blaming himself and not dealing with things well but his mom and sisters are making strides this time around. Grace Palmer excels at giving each character their time in the spotlight while keeping the focus on the family. You can smell the salt water in the air and catch the scent of the flowers in vases at the inn. I'm was already anxious for number 3 before I was half way done with this one.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as good as book one in the series, maybe even better! A story line that pulls you in and you feel like you're right there with the characters. In book 2 we continue following the story of the Benson Family as they go through the trials of life after tragedy. There is so much story between the covers of this story that you'll find it hard to put down and you won't want to stop turning the pages. An excellent book to have on your summer reading list.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, here is the thing… I am enjoying this series but I do not think I am enjoying it enough to spend more on audible credits. If I could get the books in an audible sale, or from the library, I would definitely continue reading. This book is different in that it jumps from family member to family member and tells all of their stories. This was difficult for me to follow in the beginning but I am starting to be able to keep track of who is who. I’m going to move on to a different series but I am hopefully I can catch these audiobooks on sale so I can read the rest of the books

[reader 1085 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. Continuing saga of the Benson family. Almost a year has passed since patriach's death and life goes on in hiccups, not smoothly but moving. Enjoyable read but feel that there are still some loose threads dangling, hopefully gets picked up and tightened in the next book. Also feel that Mae moved on a bit too quickly. Will definitely read next book

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joan Westgate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read reviews that stated this book was "cheesy," but sometimes you gotta' do the cheese! It's light, and each chapter is divided by the names of the main characters of the book: Mae, the widowed mom, and her 4 grown children. The only irritant I found was switching from one character (one chapter), and then going onto a different character--sort of destroyed the flow of the story. Sometime this summer, I'll get to the #3 edition!

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed each member of the family's story, the trials, the joys and the sad things. At one point life is exactly how each member of the family wanted it and then came the twist, the bad things. I loved how the author dangled the carrot and then took it away. There is still so much story to be told.

[Val Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written series so far (book 2) with complex, yet relatable characters living a real life. Not the type of book I usually read, and probably would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't stressed from working during a pandemic - this is not my type of read to escape.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Beach Like Natucket picks up with the stroy from the previous book in the series. This is a very well-written and heartfelt story. I felt like I was there and part of the Benson family. I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:

[Fanny Grote · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liven' The Life on Nantucket

This is an interesting series. The characters are well-developed and the problems they encounter cover many that come up during the life of a family. They're easy to like and cheer for when troubles arise. The family comes together to help each other. It's a good look at a family loving each other and realizing how important family is.

[Patricia M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely series

My review of this book is simply that I loved it. I loved the characters, and how they realized how important it is to nurture and protect their family. All the different personalities of the children made for a very interesting read. I’m off to read the next book in the series.

[SEng · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story that just pulls you in. It feels so real and I just get caught up in their lives. I look forward to the next one to continue with these endearing Bensons. I received an arc of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie McKinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read

The intertwining of family stories is very believable and keeps the reader riveted the entire time. This is the second book of the series that I’ve read and I can’t wait for the next one!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story continues

And it continues very well. As the first, I enjoyed this one muchly. The continuation of this Benson family story is filled with more laughter, more tears, more realness. I look forward to book 3.

[susan suydam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet

Family dynamics, with well developed, likeable characters. the sweet Island Inn is just the place to disappear into and enjoy the beauty of Nantucket and this intriguing novel.

[Christine Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inn for sale? Restaurant to open?

Drama at its finest. Will Mae have to find another job if the inn sells? Will Sara take the step and open her own restaurant? Will Brent figure out which girl is his destiny?

[Monique Laramee muise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoying this series!

So many characters & it's fun to read about each of them, they all make the story & want to keep reading about them! I love how the inn keeps the family together! Now on to the next story!

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m enjoying this series very much. Looking forward to books 3 and 4. I hope Grace Palmer writes more in the series. Very readable. Fun books.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

[Lois White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking forward to #3

Well written. Kept me wanting to keep reading. Number 3 is a definite read. Good series for a vacation read.

[Jeannie Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second of a series of a close knit family in Nantucket. Lots of tries and tribulations that get resolved quickly. I’m about to start book number 3.