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Willow Beach Inn # 1
Just South of Paradise
Georgia Baldwin is just south of paradise, and just shy of a happy ending. Can she find the love she’s looking for?
Georgia had the perfect life—until her husband of nearly forty years leaves her for their inn’s much younger housekeeper.
Starting over at fifty-eight is a terrifying prospect. And that’s not all.
Her oldest child, Melanie, is trying to pick up the pieces of her broken heart after a difficult break-up.
Georgia’s other daughter, Tasha, left Willow Beach to make it in Hollywood, but she’s having an awfully hard time coping with failure.
Golden child Drew thought he was headed for the baseball Hall of Fame. But when he’s unexpectedly cut from his minor league team, he is forced to take a long, hard look in the mirror.
Running the Willow Beach Inn, helping her grown children navigate the choppy waters of life, and rediscovering her own passions is no easy feat. Is there hope for Georgia to find happiness in the wake of heartbreak?
Georgia had the perfect life—until her husband of nearly forty years leaves her for their inn’s much younger housekeeper.
Starting over at fifty-eight is a terrifying prospect. And that’s not all.
Her oldest child, Melanie, is trying to pick up the pieces of her broken heart after a difficult break-up.
Georgia’s other daughter, Tasha, left Willow Beach to make it in Hollywood, but she’s having an awfully hard time coping with failure.
Golden child Drew thought he was headed for the baseball Hall of Fame. But when he’s unexpectedly cut from his minor league team, he is forced to take a long, hard look in the mirror.
Running the Willow Beach Inn, helping her grown children navigate the choppy waters of life, and rediscovering her own passions is no easy feat. Is there hope for Georgia to find happiness in the wake of heartbreak?
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2020
1378 people are currently reading
420 people want to read
About the author
Grace Palmer
26 books102 followersGrace 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
February 3, 2021
An easy breezy read but a little disappointing. I thought the children were selfish and the ending was rushed and unsatisfying. Even so, I want to read the next book.
June 15, 2021
Rating: 1.5
The book tells the stories of four characters. The thing is, they all read like Act 1 of each one of their narrative arcs, so we don't know what happens to them in the end. This is Book 1 in the series, so maybe their stories continue. However, I'm not going to find out.
June 12, 2020
I received an ARC from Grace Palmer for an honest review. I fell in love with this book. Being from Maine and Willow Beach Inn series is based in Maine was wonderful, plus she captured the true spirit of Mainers.
We have all learned that life is unpredictable and once again Grace has captured life in the story about Georgia Baldwin. There is a saying when it rains it pours and you could definitely see that in this book. But the rain doesn't last forever and neither does the pain that not only Georgia has to go through, but her 3 children are home dealing with their own pain.
Grace has a way of making the people in her books come alive and that is still true here. As she said, Georgia Baldwin is just south of paradise, and just shy of a happy ending. Sometimes that is life, so grab a copy of Just South of Paradise and welcome to a small town in Maine, where you can see how one family copes with learning the life you think you have isn't that life after all. So what do you, you will have to read this wonderful book to see how it is done. You won't be disappointed.
Thank you Grace for the ARC and this is a book that will remind you of childhood places and hidden treasures. Whether you're from Maine or really where ever you live, I think we all have childhood memories that have been forgotten for a while, and reading this book reminded me of some of those places and hidden treasures of my childhood. There is so much to this story that as I was reading it, I thought Grace shows us not only the, what is happening now but things under the surface of what is going on.
We have all learned that life is unpredictable and once again Grace has captured life in the story about Georgia Baldwin. There is a saying when it rains it pours and you could definitely see that in this book. But the rain doesn't last forever and neither does the pain that not only Georgia has to go through, but her 3 children are home dealing with their own pain.
Grace has a way of making the people in her books come alive and that is still true here. As she said, Georgia Baldwin is just south of paradise, and just shy of a happy ending. Sometimes that is life, so grab a copy of Just South of Paradise and welcome to a small town in Maine, where you can see how one family copes with learning the life you think you have isn't that life after all. So what do you, you will have to read this wonderful book to see how it is done. You won't be disappointed.
Thank you Grace for the ARC and this is a book that will remind you of childhood places and hidden treasures. Whether you're from Maine or really where ever you live, I think we all have childhood memories that have been forgotten for a while, and reading this book reminded me of some of those places and hidden treasures of my childhood. There is so much to this story that as I was reading it, I thought Grace shows us not only the, what is happening now but things under the surface of what is going on.
February 13, 2021
Entertaining but unrealistic. All family members are single but somehow find a perfect someone else within a few days or weeks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2021
Georgia Palmer woke up one morning in the lovely home/inn that she owned with her husband and he was gone. He just left a note on her pillow saying that he needed some changes and he was leaving, with all their money. She was dumbfounded because it was something she never saw coming. Could she handle being left with the whole place to run?
Tasha thought she was making it in California in the celebrity scene being an assistant to a big actress and having a boyfriend. But it wasn’t going that way at all and suddenly it came to a screeching halt when she truly found out why her boyfriend was involved with her. Would going home actually help her remember why she tried to make it big?
Melanie’s husband had left her years ago but she never truly go over him. All because she didn’t want to leave the area at all. She was scared to start dating again and just focused on running her veterinarian clinic. That was until a late night knock on her door that made her realize maybe she did need to open her mind and her heart again.
Drew was trying to make it big in baseball, he thought he was heading in the right direction, especially after he hit a home run in his last game. But when he got called into the manager’s office he didn’t expect at a young age to be looking for a new career because baseball wasn’t going anywhere anymore. He headed for home, hoping to find some answers.
In all honesty the book was disappointing that is why I am giving it 3 stars and glad I didn’t pay full price for it. This is the reason, it is a great plot line but it fizzled in the way it was written. When you read the plot line you would think it would be about the struggles of Georgia trying to overcome being left by her husband suddenly and still running the Inn they own. It isn’t an easy process when you have been married for a long time. You would think when her children are all home suddenly she would offer advice and help them overcome things. But none of that happened at all. The few scenes with Georgia were her being upset and crying over memories or fawning over Joel the guy that was staying there who offered to help out on a few things. You never were told how she handled the business, especially since her husband left her high and dry without money or a maid (who he apparently ran off with) or if they got a divorce or anything else. I mean you can’t be married for that long with a business and kids then in less than 2 months be with someone else, then throw in that magically all your kids are fine and dandy after being fired/dumped and unemployed or facing someone from the past.
Tasha thought she was making it in California in the celebrity scene being an assistant to a big actress and having a boyfriend. But it wasn’t going that way at all and suddenly it came to a screeching halt when she truly found out why her boyfriend was involved with her. Would going home actually help her remember why she tried to make it big?
Melanie’s husband had left her years ago but she never truly go over him. All because she didn’t want to leave the area at all. She was scared to start dating again and just focused on running her veterinarian clinic. That was until a late night knock on her door that made her realize maybe she did need to open her mind and her heart again.
Drew was trying to make it big in baseball, he thought he was heading in the right direction, especially after he hit a home run in his last game. But when he got called into the manager’s office he didn’t expect at a young age to be looking for a new career because baseball wasn’t going anywhere anymore. He headed for home, hoping to find some answers.
In all honesty the book was disappointing that is why I am giving it 3 stars and glad I didn’t pay full price for it. This is the reason, it is a great plot line but it fizzled in the way it was written. When you read the plot line you would think it would be about the struggles of Georgia trying to overcome being left by her husband suddenly and still running the Inn they own. It isn’t an easy process when you have been married for a long time. You would think when her children are all home suddenly she would offer advice and help them overcome things. But none of that happened at all. The few scenes with Georgia were her being upset and crying over memories or fawning over Joel the guy that was staying there who offered to help out on a few things. You never were told how she handled the business, especially since her husband left her high and dry without money or a maid (who he apparently ran off with) or if they got a divorce or anything else. I mean you can’t be married for that long with a business and kids then in less than 2 months be with someone else, then throw in that magically all your kids are fine and dandy after being fired/dumped and unemployed or facing someone from the past.
June 22, 2020
Another Good Family Drama
Having recently read and thoroughly enjoyed this author's Nantucket series, I was happily anticipating her next book. Like the Nantucket series, this is a complex, well-drawn family drama focusing on middle-aged parents and their adult children. Like the Nantucket series, this one is sparked by difficulties with the patriarch that affect the parents' marriage, their business, and the lives of their grown children. Of course, the children have issues of their own, one with relationship troubles and two with professional problems, all of which lead to some soul-searching. The book’s perspectives alternate between the mom, the two daughters, and the son, giving us a glimpse into each life and their particular ups and downs. Someone annoyingly—and this is a “me” thing—the book is written in the third-person present. Because I’ve read thousands of books in the past tense over the course of my 50 years, the present tense sticks out to me like a sore thumb, making itself known instead of fading into the background like the past tense does. I think authors believe that it creates a certain level of immediacy and intimacy, but for me, it is quite the opposite. But that was the only thing about the book I didn't like. The author has done an excellent job creating an engrossing family drama.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
Having recently read and thoroughly enjoyed this author's Nantucket series, I was happily anticipating her next book. Like the Nantucket series, this is a complex, well-drawn family drama focusing on middle-aged parents and their adult children. Like the Nantucket series, this one is sparked by difficulties with the patriarch that affect the parents' marriage, their business, and the lives of their grown children. Of course, the children have issues of their own, one with relationship troubles and two with professional problems, all of which lead to some soul-searching. The book’s perspectives alternate between the mom, the two daughters, and the son, giving us a glimpse into each life and their particular ups and downs. Someone annoyingly—and this is a “me” thing—the book is written in the third-person present. Because I’ve read thousands of books in the past tense over the course of my 50 years, the present tense sticks out to me like a sore thumb, making itself known instead of fading into the background like the past tense does. I think authors believe that it creates a certain level of immediacy and intimacy, but for me, it is quite the opposite. But that was the only thing about the book I didn't like. The author has done an excellent job creating an engrossing family drama.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
June 18, 2020
A brand new series by the very talented Ms. Palmer. Please excuse me if I let out a little squeal of delight. Ms. Palmer is one of my all-time favorite authors and I am always excited when one of her books comes my way! I fell in love with this book from the moment I started reading it. I was completely pulled in to the beautiful coastal town and setting of Willow Beach Inn and the lives of the Baldwin family. Ms. Palmer has a unique way of making the story and the characters come to life. You see what they see, feel what they feel. It is almost as if you are in the story yourself. This is a beautifully written story with so much emotion and depth, that I became invested in the story from the beginning and could not put it down. The characters all face their own struggles and challenges which Ms. Palmer portrays very well through her writing. It's a beautifully crafted story of strength, dealing with pain, and healing. And through it all, family is key. I'm excited to see what more stories Ms. Palmer brings us from Willow Beach Inn!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 22, 2021
2021
I really enjoyed the book. I probably would have enjoyed it more if it hadn’t been divided up like it was with what was going on with each person at the time being a new section instead of the book just flowing like a normal book. I don’t know what her reasoning for this was but it made it a little hard to keep up with. Also she had the brother & the ex-husband’s name so close I couldn’t figure out who was who there for awhile. I was confused! Other than that it was a good story with a VERY MIX-UP FAMILY!! They had all kinds of problems. It sure kept you on your toes at all times. It started out about a wonderful life at a B&B on the Beach & two of her kids going off to make their dreams come true & one stays home in Willow Beach to be a Vet & then her husband decides he doesn’t want to be married any more. Then her dad decides to take off with the maid from the B&B. Her sister gets fired from her job & her brother gets kicked off his team after making the winning home run! Can you believe that? Now want else can happen? I guess you’ll have to buy the book to find out. That is just the beginning of the fun.
I really enjoyed the book. I probably would have enjoyed it more if it hadn’t been divided up like it was with what was going on with each person at the time being a new section instead of the book just flowing like a normal book. I don’t know what her reasoning for this was but it made it a little hard to keep up with. Also she had the brother & the ex-husband’s name so close I couldn’t figure out who was who there for awhile. I was confused! Other than that it was a good story with a VERY MIX-UP FAMILY!! They had all kinds of problems. It sure kept you on your toes at all times. It started out about a wonderful life at a B&B on the Beach & two of her kids going off to make their dreams come true & one stays home in Willow Beach to be a Vet & then her husband decides he doesn’t want to be married any more. Then her dad decides to take off with the maid from the B&B. Her sister gets fired from her job & her brother gets kicked off his team after making the winning home run! Can you believe that? Now want else can happen? I guess you’ll have to buy the book to find out. That is just the beginning of the fun.
June 14, 2020
I absolutely loved this book from the minute I started reading it. The storyline, the setting of Willow Beach Inn & the entire Baldwin famiy all brought me in to their beautiful little coastal town & into their lives & I was completely reeled in.
Usually I read only before bed, but with this book "Just Short of Paradise" by Grace Palmer I did not want to stop reading. I read the entire book in 2 days.
Georgia is shocked & torn apart by her husband who cowardly leaves a Dear John letter on her pillow telling her he is leaving with the housekeeper from the beautiful beachside inn that they manage & taking a heaping part of their bank account with him as he goes to parts unknown.
They have three grown children together & their lives are in chaos as well. When it rains it pours!! Miss Palmer's telling of their stories captivate you & bring you in to experience & share their joys & their sorrows.
I highly recommend "Just Short of Paradise" as well as her 3 book series set in Nantucket.
Usually I read only before bed, but with this book "Just Short of Paradise" by Grace Palmer I did not want to stop reading. I read the entire book in 2 days.
Georgia is shocked & torn apart by her husband who cowardly leaves a Dear John letter on her pillow telling her he is leaving with the housekeeper from the beautiful beachside inn that they manage & taking a heaping part of their bank account with him as he goes to parts unknown.
They have three grown children together & their lives are in chaos as well. When it rains it pours!! Miss Palmer's telling of their stories captivate you & bring you in to experience & share their joys & their sorrows.
I highly recommend "Just Short of Paradise" as well as her 3 book series set in Nantucket.
June 13, 2020
Let me say right away why I didn't give this a 5star like I have all of Grace Palmer's other novels. The reason? I was hoping for a slight veer off the familiar road. Not a whole lot. I love the comfort of the novels that Palmer delivers. I know I will be able to picture the sand, feel the wind, and smell the salty air of the East coast BUT having read her Nantucket series I found this to be too similar. This novel is the Willow Beach Inn and is about the Baldwin family apart while everyone is on vacation in their seaside town. Mom, Georgia, has to be there for her kids scattered all across the country and be there for her guests as she deals with being divorced right when her golden years should start. If you love the beach, a strong female driven novel, and the comforts of home you will love ALL of Grace Palmer's novels whether you stay at the Willow Beach Inn or the Sweet Island Inn.
January 17, 2021
I liked this book and while it was basically formulaic - husband leaves wife who runs an inn on the beach and she ends up falling for a guy visiting the inn. Her 3 adult kids are all around by happenstance and they all have a “thing” to deal with and help each other.
Despite that - this is a popular genre bc there are tons of readers who love it when it’s fine right. Way to go, Ms Palmer...a delightful take on the genre and I am interested in reading about the further exploits of the Baldwin family.
Despite that - this is a popular genre bc there are tons of readers who love it when it’s fine right. Way to go, Ms Palmer...a delightful take on the genre and I am interested in reading about the further exploits of the Baldwin family.
June 12, 2020
The author knows how to capture your attention when you start reading this book. The way she writes the story you feel like you're actually at the location and the characters feel like family. The story flows smoothly from page to page grabbing your attention and holding it until you read the last words. A perfect read while you sit on the beach or relax in the shade.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 13, 2020
Book one in the Willow Beach Inn series a well written story of the Baldwin family from Georgia the mother and her children Melanie, Tasha, and Drew. I enjoyed seeing each of them find room in their lifes from the men and the one woman for Drew that comes into their lifes. I wonder what is going to happen next for this family. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 14, 2021
Devastation to Joy
With all the craziness of Vivid and the Presidential election of 2020, I needed a book I get get lost in and sense some joy. This book did it. It is a story about Georgia who runs an Inn and gets a letter her husband has left her for the maid. As if that is not bad enough, all three of her children are going through major crises at once. This will grip you and keep you holding your breath to see what happens next. A great read!
With all the craziness of Vivid and the Presidential election of 2020, I needed a book I get get lost in and sense some joy. This book did it. It is a story about Georgia who runs an Inn and gets a letter her husband has left her for the maid. As if that is not bad enough, all three of her children are going through major crises at once. This will grip you and keep you holding your breath to see what happens next. A great read!
January 15, 2021
Willow Beach
This is the first book of a series. The Baldwin family has just gone through a shake up from mother Georgia to her two daughters Melanie and Tasha to son Drew. They’re a good family and the way it’s written you are routing for the family to come out happier on the other side.
This is the first book of a series. The Baldwin family has just gone through a shake up from mother Georgia to her two daughters Melanie and Tasha to son Drew. They’re a good family and the way it’s written you are routing for the family to come out happier on the other side.
January 16, 2021
Entertaining read about a slightly disfunctional family who come together during their life events. I found myself routing for this entire family and enjoyed their happy ending. I also found the southern character of Alma making me smile. She brings her southern charm to the Maine environment. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
March 30, 2021
while I like how the family is able to pick up pieces after various personal situations, I would have liked to have seen Richard get his comeuppance for leaving things as he did - abandoning his wife, etc. (don't want to say more because it would contain spoilers). Perhaps he'll appear in other books in the series so things can be firmly resolved in that regard.
June 19, 2020
Entertaining and interesting characters. Witty and charming story with characters that have to journey to happiness and romance. Wonderful read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 16, 2021
I love this book though it's heartbreaking what the family went through. Georgia, the owner of the Inn and mother of three grown-ups was left by her husband with a note that he left with the maid and almost wiped out their bank account. Their children at the same time was going through their love and life break-ups. At the end I really felt they deserved to be happy. Georgia and the children found someone who will love and appreciate them.
January 24, 2021
Unexpected journey
Life can throw you for a loop when something that you don't expect happens. Fate brings people in and out of our lives. Sometimes the unexpected can take us on a journey that will make it all worthwhile. This story was surprising and entertaining.
Life can throw you for a loop when something that you don't expect happens. Fate brings people in and out of our lives. Sometimes the unexpected can take us on a journey that will make it all worthwhile. This story was surprising and entertaining.
January 26, 2021
This story takes place in an appealing setting and has likable characters. It’s outside what I normally read but is clean and wholesome reading. If you’re a romance reader you’ll enjoy this book. You get more than one romance in this story.
January 26, 2021
Not a book I would recommend to a friend.
This book made me feel like I was in junior high, I think it should be rated as a book teens. Sorry but I felt I wasted me time on this read.
This book made me feel like I was in junior high, I think it should be rated as a book teens. Sorry but I felt I wasted me time on this read.
February 25, 2021
I would have liked to have this book carry on about this family. Maybe have the ex husband return briefly so his wife & family could get some kind of closure. But it seems Book 2 is going to be about someone new coming to town & her story.
August 27, 2021
Lovely Read
I loved everything! This story has it all; heartache, love, family, and friends. I wanted to keep reading about their lives.
I know I will enjoy the rest of the series as much as this one!
I loved everything! This story has it all; heartache, love, family, and friends. I wanted to keep reading about their lives.
I know I will enjoy the rest of the series as much as this one!
March 18, 2022
Great storyteller
Like the premise and characters. They were very well developed and engaging. I am inspired to read the sequels and see how their stories pan out.
Could use a little better proofreading as the spelling errors were pretty glaring in some spots.
Like the premise and characters. They were very well developed and engaging. I am inspired to read the sequels and see how their stories pan out.
Could use a little better proofreading as the spelling errors were pretty glaring in some spots.
July 25, 2023
Quick read perfect for the Beach. This drug a little at times for me and then kind of wrapped up a little quickly. I enjoyed it and want to read more books in the series to see what the town and characters have to offer.
November 5, 2023
A very good series
This was a fun book to read and I really enjoyed it. It really dealt with alot of lives miseries and how you have to keep moving on. The love of family, friends, and community was so very good. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
This was a fun book to read and I really enjoyed it. It really dealt with alot of lives miseries and how you have to keep moving on. The love of family, friends, and community was so very good. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
July 6, 2020
I enjoyed the book. Light summer read - easy going and a nice "get away"! I will wreathe rest of series just to see if it ends as I am sure it will!
January 11, 2021
Too tidy
Georgia's husband walks out on her, her son's career crashes, and her daughter's life is in shambles. This is a quick read novel of the Baldwin's summer saga.
Georgia's husband walks out on her, her son's career crashes, and her daughter's life is in shambles. This is a quick read novel of the Baldwin's summer saga.
January 11, 2021
I Don’t Get It....
This story is flat for me. It is scattered stories of Georgia and her adult kids. So the lead character? I can’t really tell you. Very disappointed...
This story is flat for me. It is scattered stories of Georgia and her adult kids. So the lead character? I can’t really tell you. Very disappointed...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews