Fireflies & Family Ties

South Carolina Sunsets #3

by Rachel Hanna

When Meg shows up at her mother's door, she has no idea how to break the news to her.

She's come home from France, pregnant. At just nineteen years old, this wasn't where she saw her life going.

Now, trying to hide her growing belly and figure out her next decision, she moves in with her mother, sister and aunt on Seabreeze Island. But, how long can she keep her pregnancy a secret, and what happens if another surprising person shows up at the front door of Julie's house?


In this 3rd installment of the South Carolina Sunsets series, you'll get to read Meg's story and also see more of Dawson and Julie's story unfold. Of course, Janine, William, Colleen and Dixie will be there too!

But, what will happen when a woman from Dawson's past shows up and might just throw a kink in his relationship with Julie?

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Audiobook, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, Beach Reads, Contemporary

204 pages, Paperback

Published January 25, 2020

About the author

Hey there! Before I tell you all about myself, can I invite you to join my private Rachel's Readers Facebook group? That's where my readers hang out, discuss my books, participate in giveaways and learn about new releases.

You can join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Rache...

So who am I? My name is Rachel Hanna, and I am a wife, mother of three incredible kids (maybe I am a BIT biased?), two lovable doggies and one cat that lives outside and thinks he owns the world. Okay, I also have a gecko now too. Don't judge me.

I started writing as a young child, and I went into the field of Journalism for many years as an adult. Now, as a romantic fiction writer, I get to live out my own daydreams every single day and share them with readers around the world!

I'm a Southern chick living near Atlanta, so I say "yes, ma'm" and "ya'll", but I wouldn't have it any other way. :)

Reviews

[Gloria ~ mzglorybe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first two books in this series more than this one. Main character Julie got on my nerves actually, with her hemming and hawing. She loves Dawson, but when she sees him with an old flame assumes the worse, instead of giving him a chance to explain why. She just breaks it off.

In another situation she jumps all over her sister for keeping a secret of her daughters and orders her to move out. Hot headed and irritating as hell. I’m not liking her much. She sometimes seems more immature than her daughters.

These are short segments, about 140 pages each. I’m reading one more and may call it a day after that if the writing doesn’t improve. Seems amateurish at times.

[Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of drama with this bunch and I feel like more
To come. I am here for the ride.

[Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

It was nice to return to Seabreeze Island and continue the story of these characters. Meg never really bonded with me as a character and I did spend about half of the book not really liking or connecting with her. But it was nice to follow along with Julie, Janine, and Colleen's stories.

Meg finally proved herself to me and I was so happy to get her HEA!

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC for honest review with no compensation received from Readerlinks

Fireflies and Family Ties is book 3 in the South Carolina Sunsets series by Rachel Hanna. While a standalone reading them in order give you more background and following the interaction between the characters.

The saga continues with Meg coming home from France, 19 and pregnant. She’s keeping it a secret from those closest to her...her mother, sister and aunt or is she...but when someone shows up unexpectedly things change for everyone…again.

Can’t wait for more in this series…

[Tara Misplay · Rating 1 out of 5]

Julie is the worst character ever! She never develops…never grows…she takes all her insecurities out on all the people who are there for her…only continuing to read forward because the other characters are better and more evolved.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad that I happened across this series. It is very enjoyable and such an easy read.

[January · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fireflies & Family Ties by Rachel Hanna
256-page Kindle Ebook
South Carolina Sunsets #3

Genre: Women's Fiction > Chick Lit; Romance > Contemporary Romance; Family

Featuring: South Carolina, Quadragenarian MC, No Recap, Island Life, Sisters, Mothers, Pregnancy, Stupidity, Adult Tantrums, Links to Other Books

Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult situations

My rating: ⭐️⭐️

My thoughts: 🔖Page 65 of 256 Ch. 4 - I thought Julie was a terrible character, but Meg just stole her spot.

Julie and Meg got on my nerves. Julie isn't growing at all, it was like she went emotionally backward in this book. She acted like a 15-year-old on several topics, instead of 43. Meg made several idiotic choices and then buried her head in the sand, her storyline had major plotholes as well. I was so annoyed the entire time.

Recommend to others?: Nope. I think my journey with Seabreeze Island might end here.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the first 2 books better, but love this series. I am excited to read the next one!

[Merissa Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this series because I like Virgin River and Sweet Magnolias, now they keep leaving me wanting the next book.

[Darlene Foreman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished in a day! Keep 'em coming!!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another sweet story about Julie and her family. I can’t wait to see how all the drama with Meg’s and Colleen’s love lives unfold.

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fireflies and Family Ties the third and final book in the South Carolina Sunsets Series by Rachel Hanna. Ms. Hanna wrote a wonderful story which drew me right in, making me forget everything else and did not let me go until I turned the last page. I could not put this book down. This is a book about relationships how they begin, the troubles they go through and overcoming all obstacles to make a stronger bond. Fireflies and Family Ties is very well written the characters well defined and believable. Ms. Hanna’s descriptions are so vivid you feel you are right there with the characters. This book ties up all the loose ends and is a wonderful ending to a great series. I highly recommend this book and series. I'm excited to see what she has in store for us next!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book and the series. It’s a light, quick read with a simple story. In this installment the story focuses mainly on Meg and her pregnancy. Though it comes to a satisfying end, I grew frustrated with Meg and Julie‘s decisions that seemed silly and immature to me. I had to keep reminding myself to except this book for what it is: a simple light feel good book. If that’s what you’re looking for, this is definitely the series for you but if you want something deeper, keep looking. There are definitely times when this series would fit my mood but that being said, I don’t know when or if I will continue on to the fourth book. For now, I’ve had enough and I’m looking for something more complex to read.

[Maria Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the series & this one I wasn’t a fan of. The main character Julie got on my last nerve with her attitude. I listened to this on Audible and I kept correcting her. How does someone (Julie) get angry with someone for not being honest with her and then do the SAME EXACT thing to someone else?! Ugh!! Very annoying storyline this time around.
I still wish someone else would narrate these as well. There is a French character and the narrator cannot do a French accent at all! And all the men characters sound the same.
I did like a couple of the other characters though and am hoping the next book will give them more of a forefront storyline.

[Patricia Grogan Bugher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small town, heartwarming family

Fireflies & Family Ties is the third in Rachel Hanna’s South Carolina Sunsets series. They are all about the good and the bad in the Pike family and extended family. They live on a small South Carolina Island and there’s a lot going on there. Wonderful characters, interesting stories.

[Darla Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

So predictable..just like a zillion other books, no excitement, no thrill, no surprises. What a bore!!! Rachel Hanna has lost me as a reader!

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fireflies & Family Ties: South Carolina Sunsets Book 3 is by Rachel Hanna. This book is wonderful and keeps you reading until finished. The characters and conflicts are very realistic and true to life. Her writing has few if any distasteful terms and no graphic sex scenes to disrupt the story. There is some repetition for explanation as to what happened in previous books; but it is kept to a bare minimum.
Meg comes to Seagrove Island from Europe. It seems she has broken up with her boyfriend who is somewhat older. Julie is happy that she had broken with him; but very sad that her daughter is so upset and depressed. Luckily, her older daughter, Colleen, has found a job with an attorney in Charleston and has found an apartment close to her work. That leaves room for Meg at the small house. Julie has broken off with Dawson because she thinks he is also in some type of relationship with Tiffany from his graduating class. She saw them together but failed to talk to Dawson about Tiffany so he has no idea why she has broken off their friendship. Meanwhile, Janine who had opened her own Yoga studio, has discovered the truth about Meg’s depression. Meg is pregnant and left Christopher in France because he could lose his job as a professor if the news got out that he had impregnated a student even if she wasn’t in his class. She hadn’t told Christopher she was pregnant and hadn’t told anyone here in South Carolina. Janine realized it when she hugged Meg when she came home.
All the failure to communicate between people really causes problems on Seagrove Island.

[Reina · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book ten stars, I would! I absolutely love the writing style, and the simplicity of the plot. It’s raw, and real, and so easy to connect with each character. Rachel beautifully breaks down each character’s individual path, and being able to form a bond with these fictional characters is what I love in a book!

~~~~~

Meg, Julie’s youngest daughter, has some big news that she is afraid to share with her family. Her life has been turned upside down. Will she be able to tell her family her secret?

Colleen, Julie’s oldest daughter, has broken off her engagement to Peter after coming to the realization that he wasn’t the one for her. Heeding her mother’s words had in fact turned out to be for the best, and now there is a new man in her life.

Dixie is continuing her Parkinson’s treatments and physical therapy, and her relationship with her only son, William, has grown stronger.

William and Janine are taking their relationship to the next level. Meanwhile, Janine has opened up her new yoga studio in Seagrove, and is slowly building a customer base. William is by her side, helping her with the accounting part of her business.

Julie and Dawson have hit a snag in their relationship, she finds herself to be untrusting of a situation she witnessed, and she won’t allow her heart to be broken again.

[Natasha Pacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be one of my favorite books of the series. You get to see Julie come full circle on how she grows and learns about the trust thing with Dawson. Just because her ex husband cheated, doesn’t mean every guy is like that. She really needed to experience it to really understand. Also shows readers that just because you get cheated on, doesn’t mean that all future relationships will be like this. I really loved the support Megs family and her boyfriend gave her about her pregnancy. No one forced her to make a decision that she may not have wanted. Although young, it definitely made me see pregnancy with a different light if you had the right support system, you definitely could achieve it. I also loved seeing Janine and William grow. They are really great for each other. Also helped readers to see a healthy realtionship disagreement they had. I’m also glad to see William and his mom getting along better. So glad to see Colleen finding her own happiness. Also helps readers to see with being a lawyer, how you may have to go through several different types of fields before finding your place. Discovered there is a lot to be done with a law degree. There could actually be a show based on these books. Prob could be clean and wholesome like Chesapeake Shores. Be a great show for faith and family or hallmark.

[Susie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Usually I read a book and just leave a review of how many stars I give it. This time, I cannot do that. While I have enjoyed this series so far, this particular book left a bad taste in my mouth. Without giving away too much of the plot, I will let you know that there is an unexpected pregnancy in this book. That’s okay…that is part of life. But the author and this book did a discredit to unexpected pregnancies.
I am an adoptive mom, and multiple times when the pregnant mother considered adoption, everyone in her life referred to adoption as “ giving away” a child.
Adoption is nothing like that.
Reading this book and repeatedly seeing this phrase was hurtful.
I am not personally hurt, but perpetuating these kind of attitudes about adoption is wrong and hurts the birth parents, the adoptive parents, and most importantly- the child.
There is SO MUCH involved in adoption. Not only the physical paperwork, but the emotional heartache between all who are involved.
To imply that adoption is “giving away” a child is hurtful and wrong.
I have enjoyed this series up to this point. I only hope this was a clueless error and that this series will improve.
Please use your privilege as an author to educate, not move things backwards.

[Meredith Hatchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 1: The Beach House - Julie finds out about her husband’s infidelity, mistress, and 6 month old son. She moves to Seagrove where she has bought a fixer upper, sight unseen. She meets Dawson and hires him to renovate the house. She meets Dixie (an older, eccentric southern lady with no filter who owns a bookstore) and begins working part time in the store.

Book 2: Sunsets and Second Chances - Julie’s sister Janine has come to live with her and starts a relationship with William, Dixie’s estranged son, while he simultaneously works to repair the relationship with his mother.

Book 3: This book sees both of Julie’s daughters come to Seagrove. Colleen, engaged to Peter, brings him to her mother’s house to meet her family and they are not receptive. Ultimately, Colleen decides the relationship is not right for her, breaks it off, and stays in Seagrove, getting a job with a local law firm helping with domestic violence cases.
Meg, comes back from Paris, pregnant. Hides the pregnancy, but Janine, Dixie, and Colleen all know before Julie which cause a rift in those relationships with Julie. Meg considers adoption but ultimately decides to keep her baby.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book three in the South Carolina Sunsets series. It is helpful to have read the first two, Beach House and Sunsets and Second Chances, as one literally picks up where the last leaves off. The books are about Julie, a recent divorcé and her family. In Fireflies and Family Ties, Julie’s younger daughter returns home unexpectedly from her study abroad in Paris. She is acting strangely and Julie is concerned. As different members of the family and friend circle discover Meg’s secret, it creates discord. In the meantime, Julie is invited to accompany her new love interest to his high school reunion. Dawson reconnects with his high school crush at the reunion . Julie lets her insecurities created by a cheating husband get in the way of continuing her relationship with Dawson.
The book is a quick and entertaining read that serves as a reminder that communication is the key to healthy relationships.

[Lisa Hansen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am SO DONE with these books! While decent enough stories, if I hear “she let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding” or some variation of that sentence one more time I think I’ll scream! Seriously, where is the originality with these writers anymore? I read lot of different genres, but I hear it most in psychological thrillers and books like this series. I don’t know who’s copying who, but that sentence is so overdone in books now, authors, you can stop please!🙄. I’m listening to the audiobooks and book 1 had it in there at least once, book 2 I know twice and I just finished book 3 and I think I heard it 3 times! Isn’t that just a little ridiculous? If I could’ve rated it a zero for this reason I would have. This may sound harsh, but this is a series,so logically people are usually reading more than one of them and to hear it or read it in all 3 of the first books is just too much.

[Bookdragon_Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series has grown on me so much. It is not my normal preferred genre, but as I'm reading this series, it's like watching a Hallmark series. I can best describe this series as Virgin River meets Chesapeake Shores. It's just an endearing story, with just a little drama to keep it interesting. This book is the 3rd in the South Carolina Sunset series by Rachel Hanna. This one brings Julie struggling to put her trust in those she loves most. Her adult daughters are both back, living with her, and each bring their own set of struggles that they are keeping from her. Due to a horrible excuse of a cheating ex-husband, Julie questions the loyalty of a new beau. Things finally come to a head when all the secrets are let out of the bag. Will Julie forgive them, or will she cling on to all of her past and present hurt? You will have to read to find out.

[Ksarak Kent]

I absolutely loved Book 1 and Book 2, both 5 Stars for me.
In this 3rd book, Julie's youngest daughter Meg shows up and pretty much takes over the story. These days, I rarely read books wherein the leading female character is a young girl. Meg is 19 and pretty much acts like a 19 year old.
Since Meg is only a part of this series, of course I was going to read this book. I adore all of the other characters and their stories are continuing while Meg's is just starting.
But as the book unfolds the character Meg affects all but one of the characters in some form or fashion - truly making this book a struggle to get through. I will finish this series at some point, but for right now, this character has derailed it for me. Unfortunately, I can only give the 3rd installment 3 Stars.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the South Carolina Sunsets books by Rachel Hanna. Just when you thought these books can't get any better her comes book 3. This is a continuation of book 1 and 2 but this brings more drama with there 2 back at home daughters. Oh the days of empty nests they always find their way back home. Much to Julie surprise this tends to bring her more drama and heartfelt love towards her daughter. Their boyfriends come into the pictures along with Dixie, William and the rest of the characters in the previous books. This was a quick read since I could put it down. I have read her 3 books in 3 days and that is something I never do. Please take the time to read all of these books in these books.......more to come

[April · Rating 1 out of 5]

After reading the second book in the series I honestly had hope that the author was progressing, however, after the third novel I'm assuming the second book was an anomaly.

The main character is probably the most insufferable and unlikeable character ever written. Everyone in the book seems to have peaked in high school. Even the college graduates have the vocabulary of teenagers, including the French expat who is supposed to be a college professor. Honestly, these characters lack any original personality.

I don't think the author has done any research for these books. She just took a tired old trope and mixed in every typical southern stereotype she could think of to produce another unoriginal sappy romance series that should have been compressed into one book.

[Marcie Pomper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is told from the different perspectives of sisters Julie and Janine, as well as from Julie's daughters Colleen and Meg. The various struggles that all of the ladies are grappling with are things that so many of us have all gone through and can relate with. I loved the interactions and in some cases the huge struggles to make life-altering decisions in the case of Meg who comes home unexpectedly from her studies in France and she struggles in trying to decide whether she should keep the baby or give it up for adoption. Loved all the characters and was curious to see how one person's actions impacted others in the family. Highly recommend.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a perfect ending to a heartwarming series. Ms. Hanna has a knack for writing stories utilizing down to earth characters with their own faults & emotions. From the beginning she pulls the readers into the plot & has their emotions totally involved. This story ties several of the storylines together & brings them to a close. Like any story from this author, you are taken on a journey through another’s actions & life. I love the fact that many of these characters can remind you of people you know & love.

[Patricia Lovett]

I enjoyed the rollercoaster ride of the family dynamics of this story. Multiple themes are at play, and the author connected each character's issues with clarity, simplicity, and fulfillment of the ups and downs of family drama. The setting is one of my favorite places - a beach on the Atlantic Ocean, the south, and all things Georgia/South Carolina. The story is filled with surprises and joy, but much of the story is predictable, which makes for an easy read. Yes. I'll buy the next book in the series.