Brides at Coconuts

Coconuts #5

by Beth Carter

Four best friends. A rushed proposal. A jilted bride. A shocking DNA test. Just another day at Coconuts. Still a virgin at nearly 40, Hope can’t believe a man is interested in her, as in really interested. As nervous as her students before prom, she timidly navigates the choppy dating waters like an awkward teen. Smitten by the guy who seems determined to win her heart, will she allow him to break down her barriers after he drops a colossal bombshell? Socialite Cheri Van Buren came clean—sort of—to a sweet cowboy who stole her heart. But she never had the chance to tell him about her pedigreed, high-society life before it was publicized internationally. Meanwhile, a food critic and arrogant chef attempt to destroy her catering business. After an astonishing, almost-televised birth, Suzy juggles twins and exhaustion, while her beloved wedding planning business appears to be going up in tulle. Her distracted husband regrets allowing his daughter to move to Hollywood while Suzy welcomes newborns. Bank marketer Alex is demoted and the one man who she always thought would be there for her appears to be going, going, gone. To complicate her convoluted relationship, her cop boyfriend gets an unlikely partner. When one of the best friends receives a rushed engagement, after the surprise, the women rally to provide a quick wedding. But the inclement weather has other ideas. Will the winter wonderland ceremony take place or is a wedding sleepover their best bet? As always, Coconuts, their beloved island-themed bar, is the only constant in the frenzied best friends’ lives. Or is it?

319 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2020

About the author

Formerly a bank VP and hospital marketer, Beth Carter shed her suits and heels at mid-life to pen novels, nonfiction books, and children's picture books. The author doesn't miss the 8 o'clock meetings, nor heels, whatsoever.

Author of the popular six-book Coconuts series beginning with THURSDAYS AT COCONUTS, Carter has also penned standalone novels including BRIDE SWAP, BRIDE GAMES (Book 2), SLEEPING WITH ELVIS, MIRACLE ON AISLE TWO, and THE CHRISTMAS FIB.

During Covid, the author created THE QUARANTINE COOKBOOK which benefitted charity and features nearly 200 delicious recipes. This cookbook received a gold medal from the Readers' Favorite International Book Awards. Carter is also the author of I WROTE A BOOK. NOW WHAT? for beginning and aspiring authors, which received a bronze medal in 2021.

In addition, Carter writes kids' books and can't think of anything more important than encouraging reading from a young age. She is the recipient of multiple awards including gold, silver, and bronze medals in the 2020 & 2021 Reader's Favorite Awards, a coveted RONE Award for best Women's Fiction/Chick Lit for THURSDAYS AT COCONUTS and was named Best Debut Author in 2015 by BTS Books. Carter has also received multiple Raven Awards.

The author writes from Missouri and Florida. She loves dancing, board games, shopping, some reality TV, observing nature, reading, pickleball, and of course, storytelling. Follow her at www.bethcarter.com or find her on Facebook, X, or IG where she spends far too much time. Join her private group, Beth's Book Babes, on FB!

Reviews

[Lisa McCombs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four friends couldn’t be any different. Manhattan socialite meets urban cowboy when privileged Cheri finds a connection with cowboy Cole Cash and learns that sometimes a simple life beats the city lights hands down. As Cheri struggles to keep her restaurant business afloat in the city, she finds comfort at Cole’s rustic ranch. Fortunately, her friends approve. When Suzy announces she is pregnant with twins, Cheri is one of the first to offer sincere congratulations, even though her own mother daughter relationship lacks s solid foundation. Banker Alex doesn’t understand the allure of husbands and babies and prefers her life as a career girl. When Hope, the school teacher destined to be an old maid finds her one true love, she’s nervous to share her news and rightly so. She and Tucker aren’t strangers, but their whirlwind romance adds fuel to the paranoid nature that Alex assigns to any affair of the heart. When four close friends meet sporadically at Coconuts Bar they not only discuss day-to-day life events; they dissect one another’s life choices and reassure one another in their undying loyalty and support.
Brides at Coconuts: Coconuts Series Book 5 by Beth Carter is a fun standalone story incorporated in the larger soap opera of four friends looking for love. The quirky dialogue and serious plot undertones make this a wonderful getaway at the end of the day. Coconuts Bar and its friendly bartender Gus offer the perfect amount of familiarity to keep the reader coming back for more. Grab your cocktail of choice and curl up with Beth Carter’s quirky romance.

[Cyrene Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

From a jilted bride, a drunk wedding at Coconuts – to an almost baby delivery in an elevator, the fun continues in the fifth book of this series. You can read these all as standalones, but this is a group of friends that you should start at the beginning with Thursdays at Coconuts to be able to get the full effect and back story. These stories are getting better and better with each book, and I laughed, smiled and was completely engaged from beginning to end. I was thrilled to see Hope get a lot of the spotlight in this book, and I still think Alex needs to dump the cop. The chemistry is long gone with those two, and Cheri and Cole couldn’t be a better fit. Talk about opposites.

I know the author will not go on with this series forever, and she probably has a lot of stories rumbling around in her head, but this series always feels like a comfortable pair of slippers each time a new book comes out and I miss Coconuts and these friends like they were my own when the book is over.

[Traci Westling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Absolutely Wonderful Story& Festive Read!

A true Page turner with this one!! I simply cannot get enough with this Coconuts Series ! These four ladies have such a wonderful bond that’s only enforced ONCE AGAIN as it appears one of them gets their HEA in this story ! I loved getting caught up on the girls lives and the fun gatherings at Coconuts! There are quite a few surprises in this one & I constantly lost myself in the story... during the many suspenseful moments . Beth did such an amazing job with wedding details & capturing all those true moments that happen between family & friends during monumental events & moments! I love this series & I’m SO looking forward to the next book! I simply can’t get enough of this fictional world ! I highly recommend this book and anything that this author has written!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love weddings, so I was SO excited when Beth Carter came out with Book 5, BRIDES AT COCONUTS, came out. I couldn't wait to read it! As with her previous COCONUTS books, each one is, in its own way, unforgettable! I love the way she brings each character to life and weaves scenarios about each one throughout her books. BRIDES AT COCONUTS, so far, is one of my top favorites! Her characters are so true-to-life that I planned to send a greeting card congratulating that character on her wedding! Once again, Beth Carter, you outdid yourself! I can't wait until your next book comes out!

[Amanda Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down, once again I was instantly swept away to Crystal City and Coconuts with the girls.

Lots of twists and turns, some expected and some a complete shock - but a fun read, full of laughter.

My heart is still bursting with joy for the bride! (It is so difficult to write a book review without spoilers)

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, another page turner for sure! I love these four girlfriends and how they all lead very different lives and yet depend on and emotionally support each other. I want to meet them at Coconuts for drinks, food and talk about anything and everything! The new characters are a perfect addition. Great book!

[Corrine Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Leaves you wanting more, now we are in these people's lives what happens nextAlex needs to ditch the Cop brilliant