Book your visit to the Beach Plum Cove Inn today.....meet widow Lisa Hodges and her four adult children, friends, and visitors to the newly opened waterfront bed and breakfast. In the first book, The Nantucket Inn, Lisa learned that her deceased husband had a hidden gambling addiction and had blown through their retirement savings. Since she'd been raising four children and hadn't worked in years, she had no employable skills. Her only option if she wanted to stay on the island near her loved ones, was to rent out her second floor rooms.
And she's loving it so far. Lisa's first guest, restaurant owner Rhett Byrne quickly became a close friend and then something more. In her early fifties, it sounds strange to her to call him her boyfriend, but that's what he is.
Her daughter Kristen, finally ended things with Sean, the separated man that no one in the family was excited about. It wasn't until she was beginning to move on, that he filed for divorce, and then begged her for another chance. So she gave him one, much to everyone's dismay. But then the cottage next door is sold, and she discovers who her new neighbor is.
Chase, the only boy in the family, has never been serious about anyone before. But he's suddenly withdrawn and has been secretive about who he's seeing, which only makes everyone that much more curious. When they learn who it is, the concern grows as no one wants to see Chase hurt, again.
Lisa's best friend, Paige, has a new neighbor too and it's one she is most decidedly not enthused about. Violet was one of the women who stood up at town meeting and protested against Lisa's inn being approved by the selectman. Because the house is right next door, Paige can't help but notice the steady stream of traffic. Violet seems to be very popular with a lot of people.
The inn is doing well and bookings are up, but then one Friday night, a guest that prepaid for the weekend never shows up. And quite a few people, including the police, come asking questions.
Pamela M. Kelley is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of women's fiction, family sagas, and suspense. Readers often describe her books as feel-good reads with people you'd want as friends.
She lives in a historic seaside town near Cape Cod and just south of Boston. She has always been an avid reader of women's fiction, romance, mysteries, thrillers and cook books. There's also a good chance you might get hungry when you read her books as she is a foodie, and occasionally shares a recipe or two. :)
This is a great story. I couldn't put this book down. I just had to hear what was going on in Lisa and her 4 children's lives. I was so happy to see there will soon be a book 3.
I'm so glad I didn't give up on this series by just reading the first book. The first book was like when you're first introduced to someone but, don't know them yet. This book is like you've known them and it's a very comfortable friendship. They have become almost like family. Do yourself a favor and don't read this book while hungry. Everyone except for one of the daughters is a good cook and, they eat a lot of quiche and meatballs with sauce. When they talk about the food ordered at the restaurant my mouth watered. I ended up with a craving for bacon. The daughter that does not enjoy cooking does enjoy baking though, so, cookies are the tease there. Lisa is definitely someone that I wish I could know in real life. I diagnosed what she had right away so, felt very satisfied when I was correct. (Admittedly it was not difficult) It is an easily passed over disease so, I'm glad it was given a spotlight in this book. If there were a pet peeve that I have with the writing it would be that I wish another descriptive word could be used besides "great" ("that would be great") it just feels a little simple and a bit too repetitive for me. Another topic that I appreciated being touched upon is alcoholism and AA meetings. Having been married for a brief time to an alcoholic it was nice to see it handled along with ALNON meetings with such sensitivity. All in all I really enjoyed this book and have moved on to the 3rd in the series. I hope you read and enjoy it as much as I did:)
What a treat to get to go back to Beach Plum Cove. I love this family and all that is going on Chase and his new found love was so exciting to read about. I can't wait to dive into book three. This is a a must read series.
Okay, I did it guys. I finally finished the first two books in the Nantucket Beach Plum Cove series. I feel like I accomplished a marathon or something but at least the audiobooks were somewhat easy to listen to.
In Nantucket Neighbors, you are still following the same family from the previous book. If I thought things were going to become magically better.. I would be completely wrong. It doesn't mean that this was more horrible then the other two books I've read. It just means that I'm not really invested in anyone or anything that was actually happening.
I would, however, say I'm jealous of their cottage life at this place because this girl is needs a vacation desperately. I'm also sure one day the romance and drama will somehow sweep me off my feet but for now - it's not happening. I'm basically halfway through the series and if I can find the rest of the books in audio form. Well, I just might listen to them.
Who knows? Maybe something will click with my black heart and I might actually start liking someone or something. For now, I will dream that I'm living in the cottage by the beach and forget that I'm working at home, in my living room, while my dogs snore next to me.
I am really enjoying following this family through their lives. A very easy read, and a joy to spend time on Nantucket with them. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
While I love reading anything and everything about my old home of Nantucket, sometimes the books don't live up to my hopes. In this case I had the same problem I usually do with serials - I can't remember the backstory of all the characters unless there is a full recap. Philippe?! Never did figure out who he was from the last book. And why was Abby's husband Jeff, who played a big part in the last book, relegated to one sentence at the very end of the book? I also felt that there was a subliminal push to go eat at either Millie's or Blackeyed Susan's because the characters seemed to go to those two restaurants above any other.
As for editing, the author either needs to get a better editor or use how and when (and not) to use commas. And the store is called Murray's, not Murry's. Anyone from Nantucket should know that.
I’m a big fan of book series, especially when they are set in one of my favourite locations. To those of you who follow my blog, you will know that Nantucket is one of these places. Nantucket Neighbors by Pamela M. Kelley is the second book in the Plum Cove series, but could easily be read as a stand-alone. If you’re feeling like Spring just can’t come soon enough, this book is the perfect escape to Summer read.
This second book focuses on two of Lisa’s children, Kristen and Chase as well as her best friend Paige. Kristen ends her current relationship, much to the relief of her family, and is surprised to see who the new next door neighbour is. Chase, who has never really had a serious relationship, becomes very interested in someone who his family fears will only hurt him. Paige also has a new neighbour, and is dismayed to see it is Violet - the woman who caused Lisa some unnecessary grief when she started the Inn. Paige can’t help but see an unusually heavy stream of Violet’s guests comings and goings which has her wondering what is really going on with her new neighbor. What she learns may surprise you.
I enjoyed this book and I appreciated how well the story picked up from the first book. I really appreciated getting to know more about some of the characters from the previous book, and I loved catching up with the Lisa’s storyline which was central in the first book. The book flowed nicely and was pleasantly paced. This is a book that wraps everything up in a nice bow, but I appreciate those kinds of reads, particularly if I’m also reading something heavier. I appreciate the author’s writing style and I look forward to reading the third book in the series.
Yes I know… I said I wouldn’t read another one of these. I couldn’t listen to anything dark for a couple of days and boy is this the opposite of dark. It’s pure fluff.
The author did a bit better with this one but she still thinks she’s a cookbook author and travel agent. If you want to visit Nantucket, you should read these. Purely for cultural information- not entertainment.
I’ve got to say this- Nantucket is a place that the overly wealthy live and one thing is for certain it’s that way to keep certain people out and others in. I KNEW that this author would write a Black person as the help. I kept wondering why wouldn’t the author include at least one Black person and when the idea of house cleaning kept getting thrown around I expected that she would include a Black servant one way or another. I didn’t like it. If you read the next one in the series you’ll see that she possibly tried to make up for it, but eh… not in my opinion. Why couldn’t your black characters be a gallery owner or one of the snarky neighbors ? I digress.
This one was some better but it s what it is. If you want a bunch of fluffy goodness with a bow on top this is your author. It surprises me that with such a Hallmark writing author a lot of her characters like to shack up. In fact nearly all of them and it’s like a right of passage for the relationships to be official.
This is the kind of feel good book that you need every once in a while. In the second book of the series we get to know the characters on a deeper level. There’s no mystery or intrigue here but I’m enjoying it just the same. The location is quaint and the characters are likable and fun. I read this book at the same time I was reading a thriller about a serial murderer so it was a nice contrast and a good escape when I needed it. I will definitely continue on with the third book, Nantucket Christmas.
I've loved both books in this series! The characters are well developed and their interaction is superb. Ms. Kelley has created a world that I would love to visit. I'd love to stay in the B&B and sit down and have something to drink with Lisa or maybe some ice cream with a few of her grown kids. Reading this was such a great experience. I can see why it was a best seller!
Another feel good book from the Nantucket Beach Plum Cove. Being in the midst of the misery of the 2020 pandemic and otherwise disturbing year, this "good read" is appreciated!
I enjoyed visiting Nantucket with Lisa Hodges and her family. Each member of the family's story is evolving and they are interesting characters. I can't wait to read what happens in the next book.
I thoroughly enjoying reading Nantucket Neighbors by Pamela Kelley! A widow, Lisa Hodges runs a bed and breakfast inn, due to circumstances described in The Nantucket Inn, the first book in this series. Nantucket Neighbors continues telling about the lives of the widow and her four children. Her daughter, Kristen, has a relationship with a married man, Sean, that isn't going anywhere for her. She notices a neighbor who peaks her interest. You'll have to read the book to find out what happens. Chase the son, is very secretive about who has his interest, which concerns his co-worker and his family. The other two children have interesting lives that keep a reader guessing. Another character in this book, Paige, Lisa's best friend, has a neighbor who has a steady stream of men visitors which Paige can't help but notice. The inn boarders bring about suspense with police asking questions. Nantucket Neighbors is cozy, suspenseful, enjoyable small town must read!
The second in the Nantucket Plum Cove Inn series picks up with Lisa, her children and the Inn shortly after the end of the first. Some relationships are evolving slowly and steadily, others founder and a new possibility starts. Chase, Lisa's only son struggles with both an infatuation he thinks I'd forever love and a high profile construction opportunity offered by a Trumpish developer. All comes right at the end over a family Thanksgiving meal. Again no actual recipe but enough info that a certain roast lemon chicken with potatoes is going on my menu soon. These are not sophisticated either in plot or writing, and very closed door clean, but the kind treatment of Violet's story and her reliance 'on the kindness of strangers' and the overall warmth of the story makes this a perfect short rainy afternoon read.
Book 2 of the Nantucket series. Interesting, tho there were a couple of small things that left me wondering why they were included, but will most likely come to the fore with explanation in a later story. I enjoyed the audiobook version all day while working around the house.
I read the first book awhile ago , so had to get reacquainted with everyone once again, but it did not take long This series is so easy to read, that I have already finished it :)
Another delightful read set on the story book island of Nantucket. I am so fascinated with this island and read almost anything set on the island.
We continue with the lives of Lisa and her four grown children. Lisa deals with a health scare, Abby continues to grow a tiny human and eat anything with sugar, Kate is happy with Jack, Kristen makes a life change and spreads her wings, and Chase makes the biggest change of all.
The next book is set at Christmas and while fall is just beginning I am going to dive right in.
Just meh, really. Much the same info repeated from #1. But what can I expect from a summer beach read. I do need the silly, predictable Inn stories right now. Nantucket stuff is lovely to read. I also enjoy the Carolina’s coast/island stuff too. I’ve never been to either area but having just retired I’ll be heading that way to visit.