Gulf Coast Reunion

Blackbird Beach #3

by Maggie Miller

Escape to the Gulf Coast of Florida with Georgia Carpenter as she gets a second chance at life, love, and happiness.

Georgia Carpenter is hard at work on rehabbing her inherited inn with the goal of reopening as soon as possible. A goal that seems very attainable with the help of handsome handyman Travis Taylor and her family.

But she wasn’t counting on her estranged sister, Lilly, showing up. Georgia and Lilly have never really seen eye-to-eye about anything, and Georgia worries that Lilly will cause trouble when she realizes their great aunt didn’t include Lilly in her will.

That is until Lilly shares some devastating news and Georgia is forced to make a hard decision. Keep her difficult sister in her life or lose her forever?

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

255 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 26, 2021

About the author

Time off is time best spent at the beach, don't you agree?

The beach is my happy place. The sound of the waves are my favorite background music. And the sand between my toes is the best massage I can think of.

When I'm not at the beach, I'm writing or reading or cooking for my family. You know, life.

I hope you enjoy my books. Drop me a line and let me know what you think of them! You can find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MaggieMiller... or at my website, https://www.maggiemillerauthor.com. Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter!

Reviews

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been a while since I have read books 1 and 2 but I was able to catch up with a few refreshers from the author. I am continuing to enjoy this series that is a good family saga in a wonderful beach setting. Work is continuing on the inn while Georgia, her adult children, grandbaby, and handyman Travis grow closer. Now, a surprise call from Georgia's estranged sister Lilly stirs the pot. Will it be good or bad? Lots happening in this lovely series.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in the continuing story of Georgia Carpenter and her family. Georgia has inherited an Inn and two cottages on the Florida Gulf Coast from her aunt. It was perfect timing since Georgia was wondering where she would live after leaving her cheating husband. Now Georgia, along with her adult children Mia and Griffin, are working at getting the inn back in shape so they can open as soon as possible. They have the help of handyman Travis Taylor who is helping them navigate the ins and outs of living in a construction site. Everything is on track until Georgia's sister calls to say she is coming to see her. Georgia and Lilly have never got along. Georgia worries that Lilly will want part of her inheritance.

This story picks up where book to left off. I liked the initial introduction of Lilly and the baggage she brought with her. After that, the story slowed to a crawl. There was too much talk about how to replace the floors and plant the flowerboxes. I'm hoping the next addition to the series is a little more interesting. My rating: 3 Stars.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cute installment. Restoration continues on the inn and estranged, hoity-toity, aunt Lily enters the scene. I love that these books are short and sweet, and I look forward to the next.

[Vi's Reviews in One Line · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75
Mom, why is Aunt Lilly a cold, heartless bitch?
Because she could never have children, obvs

[Raquel Shah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I probably made a huge mistake by picking this book up not realizing it was book 3 of a series. It was completely lost of a while and by the time I caught up...poof! It was over. Very short and easy listen. My interest was slightly to go back and start from the beginning, at some point.

[FictionalFlings · Rating 5 out of 5]

The adventure continues!
An estranged family member visits Georgia and her family. Continued struggles with getting the Inn back to its original splendor. Travis past meets Georgias future……
This is a really good series!
I really enjoy book series that continue on from book to book with the same characters. The books are centered around Georgia and her family. Every character is active in each book.

[Cecly Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the opening of the Sea Glass Inn draws closer Mia, Griffin, Georgia, and Travis are working round the clock to get the Inn ready but Georgia gets an unexpected call that portends a visit from her sister, Lilly who does not know that Aunt Norma has died.

[Biggest Little Book Talker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Families are fighting and reuniting!
On top of everything going on around town and in the family.. everything they have worked so hard for could be on the verge of ruin.
We are waiting on an update from the divorce, until then life and remodeling goes on.
No spice.

[Denise B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great discovering this light and airy series. An ongoing story with more rich characters every book.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

this one was SO good too !!! i felt like i was there with the characters in the location of this book the entire time, because of how well written it was

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gulf Coast Reunion: Blackbird Beach Book 3 is by Maggie Miller. This book continues the story of Sea Glass Inn and the Carpenter family. Taking a break from reading the book is almost impossible. You want to keep reading until you are finished and then you want to go on to the next book. Unfortunately, I have to wait on it to come out before reading it. I will be on pins and needles until I find out where Clyde is.
Georgia Carpenter is surprised by a phone call from her sister Lilly. Lilly is at her former home and her ex-husband, Robert, had told her about the divorce; but nothing else. When Lilly finds out she is at Aunt Norma’s at the beach, she headed that direction. Georgia went to warn her daughter and son of her coming. When Lilly does arrive, she drops a bombshell on the family. Lilly has cancer and is dying. Even she isn’t sure why she had come to see Georgia. Lilly insults Mia and Griffin and Georgia throws her out of the house. Of course, Georgia feels guilty of doing that and Travis convinces her to give Lilly a second chance. The next morning, the two have a confrontation at the diner in town and Georgia holds her ground. That was what Lilly needed to open up and talk to Georgia. Lilly is given a second chance and sincerely changes almost immediately. She decides to stay in Georgia’s cottage with Griffin and Chloe when Georgia and Mia move to the hotel. She wants to be close to her family while she waits. Andre, her husband, agrees with her plan but lets her know he will be there whenever she needs him.
Meanwhile, work on the inn continues as Diego paints the exterior; Travis and Griffin take up the kitchen linoleum and put down tile, Mia continues to clean upstairs, and Georgia helps on every job while Lilly cares for Chloe. Travis gears up for his run for the City Council. Meanwhile, a hurricane heads their way.

[Shirley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m enjoying reading the storied in this series. However, I am very annoyed by two things. One is how each book just ends. There’s no conclusion as we teach writers to do. Here’s the last paragraph of this book:
She shook her head. “We have to find him. Let’s get to work.”

The other issue that annoys me is the number of grammatical and spelling mistakes along with sections that aren’t in chronological order. In chapter 30 there’s a long discussion about their inability to watch TV news. Then, Georgia asks Travis if he has an update about the storm. It just felt out of place in my mind.
In chapter 24 there’s a sentence that reads, “…there wasn’t no real reason.” One sentence must have been dictated because the word period is typed where a period should be. Why isn’t the editor catching these errors? Or is there an editor?
I like the stories but the writing is lacking some professionalism.

[Carolyn Morales · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nope, nope. I thought I needed to see how the characters fared, but they certainly do not develop. Lily throws away a lifetime of pain, secrecy and grudges after one pancake breakfast?! Gimme a break. And they sit down to watch a family movie and Griffin says the movie has to be family friendly for his new born? And no one questioned that? They all need to watch Babe because the new born baby might look up at it? I had been rolling my eyes at the simple dialogue and everyone gets along so well and the problems are miniscule. Also, overuse of the word 'snorted.'

[Frida Dillenbeck · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is easy while driving. Nothing happens, it’s just days in the life of a family. Lots of sentences like “she took out two jars of spaghetti sauce from the pantry, put it on the counter then pulled out the defrosted protein from the refrigerator to make the spaghetti dinner” - there is no reason we need to know this type detail but it is throughout the book. It’s easy listening while driving.

[Toni Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Golf Coast Reunion: A Heartfelt Return to Blackbird Beach (Book #3)
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
"Golf Coast Reunion," the third book in the Blackbird Beach series, is a charming escape to sunny Florida. We rejoin Georgia Carpenter as she diligently works on her inherited inn, aided by the handsome handyman, Travis Taylor, and her supportive family. The audiobook beautifully captures the promise of new beginnings, with a comforting rhythm that will draw you in.
However, Georgia's past arrives in the form of her estranged sister, Lilly, creating immediate tension. Georgia worries about Lilly discovering she's been excluded from their great aunt's will. Yet, the story takes a poignant turn when Lilly reveals devastating news, forcing Georgia to confront a difficult choice: embrace her sister or lose her forever.
This shift from inn renovations to profound family reconciliation is where "Golf Coast Reunion" truly shines. The emotional depth of Georgia's struggle to mend ties with Lilly, and the sisters' genuine vulnerability, is handled with sensitivity. The narration perfectly conveys these nuanced emotions, making their journey impactful.
While the plot has familiar elements, the strong character development and emotional authenticity elevate this installment. "Golf Coast Reunion" is a touching tale of second chances, not just in love and career, but most importantly, in mending the fragile bonds of family. It's a perfect listen for a heartwarming story with coastal charm and genuine emotional resonance.

[January · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gulf Coast Reunion by Maggie Miller
5h 49m narrated by Lisa Flanagan, Pamela Almand, Ryan West, Stephanie Einstein, and Nick J. Russo 255 pages
Blackbird Beach #3

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction > Chick Lit, Family, Clean & Wholesome

Featuring: Divorcée, Florida, Inheritance Trope, Multiple POVs, Last Book Wrap-up, Sisters, Renovations, Drama, Politics

Rating as a movie: PG-13

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

My thoughts: 📱80% 4:39:49 Ch. 25 - Even in the previous book, the 3-4 month old baby acts 5-6 months old, and now I'm starting to think the inn won't open during this series. 😭 I want to see it open with guests. It's book 3, and I think we're still in October.

This story was great. I'm already missing it because I know I only have 5 books left, and it seems like each one is only 2 weeks of storyline.

Recommend to others?: Yes. This series is great if you like Winter in Paradise, Rose Harbor Inn/Cedar Cove.

[Jennifer G · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the Inn secure, work has started back up. Georgia and her kids are looking forward to a bright future when Georgia receives a call from her estranged sister saying she is coming for a visit. Lily has never been close with Georgia and her kids, so no one is happy about this visit. Their first reunion goes worse than anticipated. Lily comes with bad news and is still the condescending woman she has always been. After throwing her out, Georgia feels remorse and makes amends the next day, leading to a new level of friendship between the two. What started as a dreaded visit, blossoms into the closeness they should have always shared.

Three books in and I feel like a member of the family. I love the expanding circle of friends and family Georgia is collecting. I know Aunt Norma is happy. I am enjoying the simplicity of the day-to-day lives of the inhabitants of Blackbird Beach and look forward to more.

[Jeff Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book enough that I immediately jumped into listening to all 8 books in series. These are fun short Audiobooks that I got from Audible Plus catalog.

The plots developed characters and story lines with the ending of one book leading directly to the next book.

In book 1 Georgia inherits a Gulf coast cottage, just as she was needing a fresh start in middle of divorce from her cheating husband, nd we meet Travis the handyman. Then we meet her daughter Mia, who is also looking for a new start after her fiancé is caught cheating with her future brides maid.

In this book we are introduced to new characters and secrets. The major one is visit by her estranged sister and her health secret.

Earlier we learned that in addition to inheriting the Gulf Coast Cottage there was a small beachfront inn. So Georgia et al are refurbing the inn in preparation to reopen it.

I'm not sure how I'm going to separate the reviews or if I will.

[Phylis Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is Wow. As I read each book in the series I think this one is the best and then Maggie Miller puts out the next one which is even better than the last one. This book is no exception. I just can't seem to put it down. I love how Mia, Griffin, Georgia and Travis are all working on getting the Inn ready to reopen when Georgia gets a call from her sister that she is coming to visit. She finds out that Georgia is at the Inn and Lilly doesn't know that Aunt Norma has passed.

Lilly has a big attitude and when she gets to the Inn she has a complete attitude change thanks to Georgia. It really is a good story about family and especially about two sisters being close at a time when they need to be.

Check out the story I think you will love it. If you haven't read the other two books in the series you need to check them out too.

[Shilo Goodson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another fun book in the series. In this one, Georgia's sister, Lilly, shows up unexpectedly. This book is the beginning of reconciliation and the rebuilding of a relationship between the two sisters. To me, it was pretty obvious what had gone wrong in their relationship. I will say that I felt like Lilly's attitude took a 180 a little too quickly. I would have preferred for it to be a little slower of a transition, even if it was about wanting to change but taking a little while to make that change.

As was the case with the other books in the series, this is a clean novel. You won't find any swearing, sexual content, or violence. Also, as has been the case with every book in this series thus far, this does end on a bit of a cliffhanger. Unlike the other books, I felt like I had to start the next book ASAP. I really wanted to know how the problem was resolved.

[Julie Booklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are getting closer to opening the Sea Glass Inn! In continuation to the fantastic family, the author has created. The kitchen is almost finished; Griffin and Travis are working on the floor! Mia is cleaning, and thanks to Aunt Lilly, an extraordinary discovery is made.

The anticipation of Aunt Lilly’s arrival has everyone on edge, and you will need to read the book to find out how this works out.

I love how the community is coming together to help Georgia get the Inn looking in top shape for her opening. There is a storm on the way. How much damage will Blackbird Beach get? Can Travis take on his ex-wife’s family and win.

Thank you to Booksprout and the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

[Sunshyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Georgia Carpenter is hard at work on rehabbing her inherited inn with the goal of reopening it as soon as possible. A goal that seems very attainable with the help of handsome handyman Travis Taylor and her family.

But she wasn’t counting on her estranged sister, Lilly, showing up. Georgia and Lilly have never really seen eye-to-eye about anything, and Georgia worries that Lilly will cause trouble when she realizes their great aunt didn’t include Lilly in her will.

That is until Lilly shares some devastating news and Georgia is forced to make a hard decision. Keep her difficult sister in her life or lose her forever?

Oh my, this was a plot twist I did not expect. Lily is a hand full, to say the least, and with trouble already brewing on the horizon.

[D.G. Driver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been enjoying this series of books. The audiobooks are part of my Audible membership, and I've listened to three already. They are what you would expect from a series that has the same photo for each cover with the only difference being the coloring of the sky. They are fluffy and light with kind, engaging characters. Problems keep arising for them, but then they are swiftly settled and the story progresses. There are a couple overarching dilemmas that are bigger and will have their conclusions later in the series, I imagine. I find these to be nice filler books while I wait for my next credit to arrive. I do like that they center primarily around Georgia, who is a divorced woman of a certain age, and she is an admirable woman.

[Barbara Marie Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3: Gulf Coast Reunion (Blackbird Beach Series Book 3)

Book 3: Gulf Coast Reunion (Blackbird Beach Series Book 3) ~ By now, I feel like Blackbird Beach is my second home. Gulf Coast Reunion brings even more depth to Georgia’s story as she works to restore the old inn she’s inherited. The mix of nostalgia, hard work, and hope made this one feel especially touching.
There’s a warmth in this story that just makes your heart happy — the perfect blend of small-town life, determination, and a little romance. I would definitely recommend this book and series and can’t wait to start on the next book. If you want to know what happens next, you’ll just have to read this series yourself — you won’t regret it. 

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the characters, as well as the entire series. It is such a fun series to read. These books are available on Kindle Unlimited and I had a 2-month special offer, so I tried to read and listen to solely KU books. I ended up reading the first 3 books of this series and had I not read a different book between each of them,I would have read more. Since I know that I love the series, I will be buying a couple very soon, since my library does not have then either physically or digitally and they are addictive

[KindleAddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another heartwarming story by Maggie Miller. While Georgia, her adult children and Travis the handyman continue to work hard getting her late great Aunt’s Inn to it’s former glory, her estranged sister shows up on the door step. The sisters find a way to put the past behind them to cherish the little time they have left together. Meanwhile, Travis’s life gets more complicated when he decides to run for town council against his ex mother in law and is estranged daughter finds more reasons to enforce that wall she’s build around herself and son.

[Karen Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished book 3 Gulf Coast Reunion. I loved this book. Georgia was so worried about her sister's visit. Her sister had some sad news to share with Georgia. After the sisters had a big argument, the next day Georgia and Lilly met for breakfast and seemed to reach a compromise. Georgia, Travis, Lilly, Griffin and Mia all worked on the inn. Now a hurricane is approaching. Will the inn and the family be okay? Time to read book 4, Gulf Coast Sunsets.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blackbird Beach #3
This book was similar to the first 2 & and adds another new character & another new narrator… It also and in a cliffhanger stopping the book where you would least expect it to be stopped. This is still a personal peeve of mine, however since the books are free to listen to in the Audible Plus Catalog, I'm still continuing the series.

Read:
January 12, 2023 – Audible Plus Catalog

[Sheila Dailie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As work on the Sea Glass Inn continues, after resolving the injunction battle, Georgia's estranged sister Lilly arrives at the cottage. Lilly reveals that she has been diagnosed with cancer, yet she still lashes out with snide comments about Georgia and her adult children.
After throwing her sister out of her house, Georgia feels guilty and attempts one more time to address the many long-term issues between the sisters.

[Tina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series keeps getting better I love the family dynamic Lilly I so wanted to not like but ended up figuring out her situation before it was mentioned and then I fell in love with how she loves that baby, And someone needs to kick Travis daughter in the ass and tell her to get off her butt stop listening to hear say and go see for herself and maybe she will see what amazing dad she really has cant wait for the next one ready to weather a storm