What do you think?
Rate this book
Shellseeker Beach #1
Sanibel Dreams
When 53-year-old Eliza Whitney loses both her beloved husband and her high-powered job in the same month, she’s uncertain what the next chapter of her life will look like. Then her estranged father’s widow contacts her and asks her to come to Sanibel Island to help settle his affairs. Eliza sees the trip to a place called Shellseeker Beach as a distraction from her loss, and maybe a way to get some closure on the difficult relationship she'd had with her father.
For seventy years, Theodora Blessing’s sole purpose on this earth has been to heal the hurting, and to run Shellseeker Cottages, a cozy beachfront resort that has been in her family for decades. But Teddy no longer owns the gorgeous property, and Eliza is her only hope to get it back. Will Eliza help Teddy and save the family business…or claim it as her own and sell it to developers?
Together, the two women begin to unravel the mystery of Eliza’s father, the late, great “Dutch” Vanderveen, an enigmatic pilot who led multiple, secretive lives. With the help of Teddy’s healing heart, Eliza discovers a family she never knew she had, a purpose she never knew she needed, and a life she never dreamed was possible.
Come to Shellseeker Beach and fall in love with a cast of unforgettable characters who face life's challenges with humor, heart, and hope. For lovers of riveting and inspirational sagas about sisters, secrets, romance, mothers and daughters…and the moments that make life worth living.
For seventy years, Theodora Blessing’s sole purpose on this earth has been to heal the hurting, and to run Shellseeker Cottages, a cozy beachfront resort that has been in her family for decades. But Teddy no longer owns the gorgeous property, and Eliza is her only hope to get it back. Will Eliza help Teddy and save the family business…or claim it as her own and sell it to developers?
Together, the two women begin to unravel the mystery of Eliza’s father, the late, great “Dutch” Vanderveen, an enigmatic pilot who led multiple, secretive lives. With the help of Teddy’s healing heart, Eliza discovers a family she never knew she had, a purpose she never knew she needed, and a life she never dreamed was possible.
Come to Shellseeker Beach and fall in love with a cast of unforgettable characters who face life's challenges with humor, heart, and hope. For lovers of riveting and inspirational sagas about sisters, secrets, romance, mothers and daughters…and the moments that make life worth living.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 11, 2022
4399 people are currently reading
1344 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 199 reviews
March 30, 2022
Sanibel Dreams is the first book in a new series. It gets the series off to a great start! There are plenty of questions, twists, turns, wonderful characters, an idyllic location, and lots of emotion! Teddy, Eliza, Olivia, and all of the delightful characters discover the meaning of family in this story of forgiveness, love and second chances. I loved it, highly recommend it, and eagerly await the next book in the series!
March 10, 2022
Loved this book! As soon as I binged the Coconut Key Series by Hope Holloway I put the Release date of Sanibel Dreams on my calendar! I was really excited to receive an ARC of this book and it didn’t disappoint.
The main character, Eliza who I really like in the Coconut series decides to accept her late father’s wife’s invitation to visit her in Sanibel Island. There she finds a unique and close-knit community who experienced a whole different side to her father from whom she was estranged.
She develops a close relationship with her stepmother,
Theodora Blessing.
There are lots of surprises and twists and turns that surprised me.
I don’t want to give away the plot but I highly recommend this book and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
The main character, Eliza who I really like in the Coconut series decides to accept her late father’s wife’s invitation to visit her in Sanibel Island. There she finds a unique and close-knit community who experienced a whole different side to her father from whom she was estranged.
She develops a close relationship with her stepmother,
Theodora Blessing.
There are lots of surprises and twists and turns that surprised me.
I don’t want to give away the plot but I highly recommend this book and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
February 9, 2023
Reading this for a book club and really must say I wouldn’t have picked it but soooo glad it was. At first glance I thought this was going to read like a romance but instead it was an in depth look at family, love, loss and hope. Reading the next one right away!
February 27, 2022
What a great start to a new series! I didn't want to put this book down. Meeting Teddy, Eliza, and Olivia and all the other people on Shellseeker Beach was so interesting. Eliza was in Coconut Key series a bit, but now we get her full story.
What a great start to the new Sanibel series! Hope Holloway has another great story here. Teddy lives on Sanibel and has been taking care of and loving Dutch for two years when he was only supposed to live for a few months. Eliza we met in Coconut Key series and Dutch is her dad, but she hadn't seen him since she was a little girl. She travels to Sanibel Island after her husband has passed away fighting his own battle and meeting Teddy who had informed her of her father's passing 6 months ago. We also meet the interesting people of Shellseeker Beach that Teddy has helped and meet Eliza's children. Olivia comes to check in her mother after having a lot of drama at her job. This book just flows so easily and is so captivating. I didn't want to put it down I was offered an ARC of this book for an honest review and cannot recommend it highly enough! So good!!
What a great start to the new Sanibel series! Hope Holloway has another great story here. Teddy lives on Sanibel and has been taking care of and loving Dutch for two years when he was only supposed to live for a few months. Eliza we met in Coconut Key series and Dutch is her dad, but she hadn't seen him since she was a little girl. She travels to Sanibel Island after her husband has passed away fighting his own battle and meeting Teddy who had informed her of her father's passing 6 months ago. We also meet the interesting people of Shellseeker Beach that Teddy has helped and meet Eliza's children. Olivia comes to check in her mother after having a lot of drama at her job. This book just flows so easily and is so captivating. I didn't want to put it down I was offered an ARC of this book for an honest review and cannot recommend it highly enough! So good!!
March 6, 2022
Another great start to a new series! I wasn’t sure if Ms Holloway could keep up with writing a new series with interesting and compelling characters. But, she proved me wrong! I don’t give 5* often but so far, the books that I’ve read, deserve them. I can’t wait to learn more about Eliza, Teddy, Deeley, Olivia, and everyone else at Shellseeker Beach. It doesn’t hurt that the locale is a beautiful place to visit and a dream to live. The writing seems to flow and it’s hard to put down. The next installment can’t come fast enough!
March 10, 2022
After pouring through the Coconut Keyes series, i was ready to start the Shellseeker series. Hope’s characters are so engaging, genuine, and they grab your heart. Immediately. I found myself wanting the best for these characters, worrying for them when there are no certainty’s for their future. One thing is for certain, they live in paradise and will work together to protect the life that Teddy has always loved.
May 3, 2023
Wow, not what I had expected!! Even though it’s May, this is a fun Summertime beach read!! But it’s not only just fun, it’s full of emotion and surprising twists and turns! The characters are lovable!! It was a page turner!! Now I can’t wait to read the next one in the series!! I had a list lined up, but now I’ll be fitting in the rest of this series in between those!!
June 2, 2023
Slow as molasses in January and sappy as a sugar maple tree in March, this story focuses on two women coping with grief and pondering painful relationships. While the author's intention of creating a heartwarming narrative on beautiful Sanibel Island is lofty, this tale is as flat as sea glass.
October 12, 2023
I really did love this. AND first book I ever read on a Kindle. ☺️
December 22, 2023
Boring. First of all we learn of an old man dying who now realizes how awful his womanizing was and the children he left behind. Then you start to meet his last wife and one of his children. Theo and Eliza. Just no!
February 16, 2023
A sweet read. I loved Sanibel, and this showcases it nicely. I love the metaphysical slant from Teddy. I’ll be continuing the series.
June 22, 2023
A great beach read! Lovely characters in beAutiful Sanibel!
May 4, 2023
A good, beachy read. I really enjoyed it. It’s the first in a series, and it’s pretty obvious that you will have to read them all to get the answers to problems happening in the first book.
March 6, 2022
Hope Holloway delivered another home run!! I couldn’t put this book down!! The plot twist and turns will keep you wanting more!!! Can not wait for the next book in this series!!!
February 26, 2022
After finishing Hope Holloway’s Coconut Key series, I thought I’d never find another series with characters to draw me in so quickly. But I was wrong! The characters in Sanibel Dreams are vibrant, and raw, and real…and I’m already hooked after the first book!!! Genuine characters, relatable feelings, and I absolutely can not wait to find out what happens next!!! A mix of family, friendships, and finding our place in the world…it’s all in this book! Five stars!
January 14, 2023
She is one of my favorite authors, and she did not disappoint! A fabulous story that left me tingling. She has given us a tantalizing start to what will be another wonderful series. So much she has to offer in women's literature, and I will be there to enjoy her every last word.
March 16, 2022
This story is a spin-off from the wonderful Coconut Key series by Hope Holloway. After ignoring many invitations, Eliza finally decides to visit her estranged father’s widow, Theodora on Sanibel Island, fully expecting to only stay a few days at most. Eliza’s grandfather, Dutch had gone to Sanibel Island to visit his investment property two years prior to die from advanced cancer. There, he met and fell in love with Theodora Blessing, a natural healer, whose nurturing powers extended Dutch’s life from the projected two weeks to two additional years. His death left Teddy uncertain of her future on the ancestral land that had been her family’s, as Dutch’s will had not turned up. Eliza, who has just been through the pain of losing her own husband, falls in love with the place and ends up teaming up with Teddy to solve the mystery of Dutch’s past and to learn the fate of the Shellseeker Beach property, against the cynical advice of her daughter Olivia who is sure that Teddy is just another gold digger out to stake her claim on the valuable beachfront property and steal her mother’s inheritance. This is a story of hope in the face of uncertainty as two strangers team up to locate the missing will and discover the fate of a little slice of paradise. I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
July 27, 2022
love the location!
As a child I visited Sanibel and Captiva so I loved the location of the story. The plot’s twists and turns kept me reading and there are so many different characters, I can tell why this book is part of a series. I finished this book not feeling like it ended, which is likely how the author does it to get you to read the next. I will be continuing to the next book because I love where the story takes place and want to see what happens next with the people of Shellseeker beach.
As a child I visited Sanibel and Captiva so I loved the location of the story. The plot’s twists and turns kept me reading and there are so many different characters, I can tell why this book is part of a series. I finished this book not feeling like it ended, which is likely how the author does it to get you to read the next. I will be continuing to the next book because I love where the story takes place and want to see what happens next with the people of Shellseeker beach.
July 9, 2022
Sanibel is my happy place so I had to try this series. It really doesn’t have much to do with Sanibel. Yes the author mentions a major grocery store and street but not much more than that. The story is ok- I’m not into new age and crystals so I kind of roll my eyes while reading a lot of it- but I do like the characters and the overall story of a bunch of misfits fitting together like family so I will probably keep reading the series to find out what happens.
September 3, 2024
Dreams Come True at Shellseeker Beach!
Hope Holloway begins her amazing Shellseeker Beach series with a Coconut Key spin-off. Eliza, TV star Nick Frye's former agent, has been staying in the guest house of Nick's Coconut Key mansion since being fired after Nick retired. She's also been avoiding multiple invitations from her father's widow to visit her on Sanibel Island. Finally, Eliza endures a "party barge" ferry ride from the Keys to Sanibel, where she stops at a Welcome Center and asks for directions to Shellseeker Beach. Mistaking her for a hotel spy, the desk employee rudely tells her to go away, but her cousin shares factoids about the beach's history, such as the owner, Teddy Blessing, being the third generation to live on the Gulf-front beach, and her grandfather working for Theodore Roosevelt, for whom Teddy is named. The gift shop at the end of the property, Sanibel Treasures, has a message in a bottle written by Roosevelt himself! Eventually, Eliza escapes the "Unwelcome Center" and its employees, who sing the praises of Dutch and warn her about sneaky hotel spies, and finds Teddy.
Theodora Blessing is Dutch's partner, not his widow, and only knew him during the final two years of his life, after he moved to Shellseeker Beach to spend the last few months of his life with an inoperable brain tumor. Teddy, with her crystals, teas, and positive energy, gave him 27 months beyond what "conventional western medicine" predicted. She invited Eliza because Dutch told her the property, which he purchased from her cash-strapped parents, would go to his closest living heir, and Teddy assumed that was Eliza. But Eliza notices a photo of Dutch with a woman and child he'd told Teddy were his wife and daughter. Eliza doesn't recognize either of them, and a French inscription on the back identifies the woman as Camille, the stewardess Eliza's bitter mother blamed for breaking up their marriage.
Olivia, Eliza's career-driven daughter, comes to Shellseeker to lick her wounds after being passed over for a deserved promotion and catches the eye of Connor Deeley, the blond, muscled, tattooed owner of the kayak and surfboard rental cabana. She dismisses him as a slacker and "not her type", ignoring her lack of success with the stable, ambitious men who ARE her "type".
Eliza, meanwhile, has hired private investigator Miles to track down Camille. She captures his eye, too, but she captures the whole soul of his fat terrier mix, Tinkerbell. Tink goes into a love-frenzy every time Eliza shows up for a meeting, which happens often for reasons clear to Teddy and readers, but not Eliza herself. Maybe Miles's Sanibel dream will come true, maybe not...
With no Sanibel kin, Teddy has created a "found family" of Deeley, housekeeper Katie and her child Harper (whose shyness melts when she sings show tunes), and George and his wife, who manage the gift shop. At a "family dinner", George announces that their daughter Asia is approaching her due date, so they'll go to Ohio to stay with her until her baby's born. Olivia sees an opportunity and calls her boss, who's so embarrassed at being fooled by the new buyer's presentation--stolen from Olivia--that she agrees to a "sabbatical" during which Olivia will manage the gift shop and retain her current salary and benefits without needing to face the coworkers who stole her presentation and promotion. Another Sanibel dream come true!
Stopping by the "Unwelcome Center" before Olivia's planned return to Seattle, Eliza and Teddy hear the employees gossiping about the French women who asked for Shellseeker and Teddy. They hurry back and meet Camille, a dramatic self-centered woman who brought four bags for a two-night trip. Eliza, originally planning to stay overnight, brought one bag! Camille's daughter Claire, a lawyer who's widowed herself, eagerly greets her half-sister and establishes a fond relationship. Yet another Sanibel dream come true!
However, Camille is mysterious, though Eliza identifies her as the unknown woman walking with her in a recurring dream. (That's a literal dream come true, albeit solved unsatisfyingly.) Teddy, who can usually "read" people, is frustrated by her inability to read Camille. It could be that Camille is so full of herself there's no room for anyone else, not even Teddy, but there could be something else going on...
Sanibel Dreams ends on a happy note, with Eliza finally singing with Harper and Teddy content with her life, but there are too many unanswered questions to earn it five stars. How will Olivia manage the store--and Deeley, who keeps coming to mind despite her efforts to forget him? Will Miles find an answer at the end of the trail he's secretly following, and how will it affect Teddy and Eliza? What will happen with Camille and Claire, if and when they return? Most importantly, who will inherit Shellseeker Beach, and will it be sold to a hotel chain or kept in its existing state?
Those issues aside, I loved Sanibel Dreams and Shellseeker Beach's residents. Highly recommended!
Hope Holloway begins her amazing Shellseeker Beach series with a Coconut Key spin-off. Eliza, TV star Nick Frye's former agent, has been staying in the guest house of Nick's Coconut Key mansion since being fired after Nick retired. She's also been avoiding multiple invitations from her father's widow to visit her on Sanibel Island. Finally, Eliza endures a "party barge" ferry ride from the Keys to Sanibel, where she stops at a Welcome Center and asks for directions to Shellseeker Beach. Mistaking her for a hotel spy, the desk employee rudely tells her to go away, but her cousin shares factoids about the beach's history, such as the owner, Teddy Blessing, being the third generation to live on the Gulf-front beach, and her grandfather working for Theodore Roosevelt, for whom Teddy is named. The gift shop at the end of the property, Sanibel Treasures, has a message in a bottle written by Roosevelt himself! Eventually, Eliza escapes the "Unwelcome Center" and its employees, who sing the praises of Dutch and warn her about sneaky hotel spies, and finds Teddy.
Theodora Blessing is Dutch's partner, not his widow, and only knew him during the final two years of his life, after he moved to Shellseeker Beach to spend the last few months of his life with an inoperable brain tumor. Teddy, with her crystals, teas, and positive energy, gave him 27 months beyond what "conventional western medicine" predicted. She invited Eliza because Dutch told her the property, which he purchased from her cash-strapped parents, would go to his closest living heir, and Teddy assumed that was Eliza. But Eliza notices a photo of Dutch with a woman and child he'd told Teddy were his wife and daughter. Eliza doesn't recognize either of them, and a French inscription on the back identifies the woman as Camille, the stewardess Eliza's bitter mother blamed for breaking up their marriage.
Olivia, Eliza's career-driven daughter, comes to Shellseeker to lick her wounds after being passed over for a deserved promotion and catches the eye of Connor Deeley, the blond, muscled, tattooed owner of the kayak and surfboard rental cabana. She dismisses him as a slacker and "not her type", ignoring her lack of success with the stable, ambitious men who ARE her "type".
Eliza, meanwhile, has hired private investigator Miles to track down Camille. She captures his eye, too, but she captures the whole soul of his fat terrier mix, Tinkerbell. Tink goes into a love-frenzy every time Eliza shows up for a meeting, which happens often for reasons clear to Teddy and readers, but not Eliza herself. Maybe Miles's Sanibel dream will come true, maybe not...
With no Sanibel kin, Teddy has created a "found family" of Deeley, housekeeper Katie and her child Harper (whose shyness melts when she sings show tunes), and George and his wife, who manage the gift shop. At a "family dinner", George announces that their daughter Asia is approaching her due date, so they'll go to Ohio to stay with her until her baby's born. Olivia sees an opportunity and calls her boss, who's so embarrassed at being fooled by the new buyer's presentation--stolen from Olivia--that she agrees to a "sabbatical" during which Olivia will manage the gift shop and retain her current salary and benefits without needing to face the coworkers who stole her presentation and promotion. Another Sanibel dream come true!
Stopping by the "Unwelcome Center" before Olivia's planned return to Seattle, Eliza and Teddy hear the employees gossiping about the French women who asked for Shellseeker and Teddy. They hurry back and meet Camille, a dramatic self-centered woman who brought four bags for a two-night trip. Eliza, originally planning to stay overnight, brought one bag! Camille's daughter Claire, a lawyer who's widowed herself, eagerly greets her half-sister and establishes a fond relationship. Yet another Sanibel dream come true!
However, Camille is mysterious, though Eliza identifies her as the unknown woman walking with her in a recurring dream. (That's a literal dream come true, albeit solved unsatisfyingly.) Teddy, who can usually "read" people, is frustrated by her inability to read Camille. It could be that Camille is so full of herself there's no room for anyone else, not even Teddy, but there could be something else going on...
Sanibel Dreams ends on a happy note, with Eliza finally singing with Harper and Teddy content with her life, but there are too many unanswered questions to earn it five stars. How will Olivia manage the store--and Deeley, who keeps coming to mind despite her efforts to forget him? Will Miles find an answer at the end of the trail he's secretly following, and how will it affect Teddy and Eliza? What will happen with Camille and Claire, if and when they return? Most importantly, who will inherit Shellseeker Beach, and will it be sold to a hotel chain or kept in its existing state?
Those issues aside, I loved Sanibel Dreams and Shellseeker Beach's residents. Highly recommended!
February 8, 2023
This book was our February book club read. While I thought that it was going to be a romance (which I kind-of reached my yearly limit with Runaway by Heather Graham), it was NOT. This was definitely chick lit, feelgood at its finest… Anddddd, I truly wasn’t mad about that!! I gave this little gem 4 stars! In today’s constant “woe” society, this was actually a breath of fresh air!
This is the story of …. Sanibel Island, and a little non-commercial resort town called, Shellseeker Beach.
The quant storyline, cast of characters and their friendships (or should I say, family) was just delightful! I tend to veer toward heavy laden reads (historical fiction, mystery, suspense and thrillers). So, I absolutely loved this diversion for a change! Great reason number !,!!! to be in a book club! It opens your mind to books and stories you otherwise might not read.
Teddy was my favorite personality! Where I am in my yoga and mindfulness practice…her kindness, spirituality, crystals and home grown, healing teas were intriguing and uplifting! She was a kind, caring, hippie-grandmotherly type and I couldn’t get enough of her sincerity and compassion!
This is going to be a SEVEN book series…and I can’t say that I won’t visit Sanibel Island again in the future.
This is the story of …. Sanibel Island, and a little non-commercial resort town called, Shellseeker Beach.
The quant storyline, cast of characters and their friendships (or should I say, family) was just delightful! I tend to veer toward heavy laden reads (historical fiction, mystery, suspense and thrillers). So, I absolutely loved this diversion for a change! Great reason number !,!!! to be in a book club! It opens your mind to books and stories you otherwise might not read.
Teddy was my favorite personality! Where I am in my yoga and mindfulness practice…her kindness, spirituality, crystals and home grown, healing teas were intriguing and uplifting! She was a kind, caring, hippie-grandmotherly type and I couldn’t get enough of her sincerity and compassion!
This is going to be a SEVEN book series…and I can’t say that I won’t visit Sanibel Island again in the future.
July 17, 2022
A Very Excellent Writer Writes Another Must Read!
Hope Holloway is an excellent writer, all her books draw you right in. This series is no different. I can't wait to see what happens in book two. You will be captivated by the main characters, each in their own way very different from each other as most families are, but they are not related. Sometimes in life if our families are gone or let you down horribly, you get to choose your own family. That is what happens in Sanibel Dreams. You will be delighted to read about the beautiful area that Sanibel is located in. You will also see that each person you meet, came to Sanibel for varied reasons. I am sure you will root for Teddy and Elisa to find healing from their grief and the unexpected reason they need to fight for what is theirs. I know you will enjoy this wonderful clean,cozy book as much as I did....on to Sanibel Treasures, the next book in the series.
Hope Holloway is an excellent writer, all her books draw you right in. This series is no different. I can't wait to see what happens in book two. You will be captivated by the main characters, each in their own way very different from each other as most families are, but they are not related. Sometimes in life if our families are gone or let you down horribly, you get to choose your own family. That is what happens in Sanibel Dreams. You will be delighted to read about the beautiful area that Sanibel is located in. You will also see that each person you meet, came to Sanibel for varied reasons. I am sure you will root for Teddy and Elisa to find healing from their grief and the unexpected reason they need to fight for what is theirs. I know you will enjoy this wonderful clean,cozy book as much as I did....on to Sanibel Treasures, the next book in the series.
November 7, 2022
This is a story about families. Families we are born into and families we make for our life.
When Eliza becomes a widow, she decides to go in a search to find out who her father really was. Her travels take her to Florida to find the last woman in his life.
That woman is Teddy. She has a complete world on the beautiful beach of Sanibel Island. It is an area settled by her ancestors. And now, there is a good possibility it wil all be lost.
Eliza is drawn into life on the beach and she falls in love with the area as well as the people she meets. Then it may all be lost.
I liked Eliza and Teddy and all the other characters who populate this sandy paradise. If I could find this place in the real world, I would be packing bags and hoping to find all the characters.
Ms Hollowell has created a wonderful story populated by charming and warm characters. I have the next book ready to read.
When Eliza becomes a widow, she decides to go in a search to find out who her father really was. Her travels take her to Florida to find the last woman in his life.
That woman is Teddy. She has a complete world on the beautiful beach of Sanibel Island. It is an area settled by her ancestors. And now, there is a good possibility it wil all be lost.
Eliza is drawn into life on the beach and she falls in love with the area as well as the people she meets. Then it may all be lost.
I liked Eliza and Teddy and all the other characters who populate this sandy paradise. If I could find this place in the real world, I would be packing bags and hoping to find all the characters.
Ms Hollowell has created a wonderful story populated by charming and warm characters. I have the next book ready to read.
November 12, 2022
I really loved this series - Could NOT put it down, read til almost 4 a.m., until I got to the last book and frustrated that the final book in the series is released in a few days.
This is the story of 'found families' -- something that is pretty common, but not identified much in today's society. Teddy Blessing, an empath and healer to the hurting, opens her heart and her arns, as she settle people into the cottages of Shellseeker Beech. One by one, throughout the series, people become snared by the magic and love of Sanibel Island. They come to Shellseeker Beech fleeing from problems and pain, angst and loneliness, hoping for life changes. It is Teddy's gentle kindness and caring, draws people out and opens their eyes to their own foibles and fears.
Take my word for it - if you wonder the worth of a 'found family' - pick up this series, open your heart, and read on, my friends, you need to see meet the people who live on Shellseeker Beach.
This is the story of 'found families' -- something that is pretty common, but not identified much in today's society. Teddy Blessing, an empath and healer to the hurting, opens her heart and her arns, as she settle people into the cottages of Shellseeker Beech. One by one, throughout the series, people become snared by the magic and love of Sanibel Island. They come to Shellseeker Beech fleeing from problems and pain, angst and loneliness, hoping for life changes. It is Teddy's gentle kindness and caring, draws people out and opens their eyes to their own foibles and fears.
Take my word for it - if you wonder the worth of a 'found family' - pick up this series, open your heart, and read on, my friends, you need to see meet the people who live on Shellseeker Beach.
January 15, 2023
Found family and healing
I was thoroughly invested in Eliza and Teddy and their journey through their mourning aided by the ones Teddy has gathered together to make a family. Teddy is an empath with the ability to heal. Eliza comes to her a recent widow who has lost direction after losing her husband and her job. She didn't know the father who abandoned her owned the property where Teddy lives and it might now belong to her if the will can be found. As the story advances the situation has many twists and turns. The ending was unexpected and left things up in the air. The second in the series should answer the questions remaining.
In spite of the issues with the ending I wouldn't call it a cliffhanger. I enjoyed everything about it.
I was thoroughly invested in Eliza and Teddy and their journey through their mourning aided by the ones Teddy has gathered together to make a family. Teddy is an empath with the ability to heal. Eliza comes to her a recent widow who has lost direction after losing her husband and her job. She didn't know the father who abandoned her owned the property where Teddy lives and it might now belong to her if the will can be found. As the story advances the situation has many twists and turns. The ending was unexpected and left things up in the air. The second in the series should answer the questions remaining.
In spite of the issues with the ending I wouldn't call it a cliffhanger. I enjoyed everything about it.
July 22, 2023
If you love woman's fiction, this is the book for you. I can't wait to read all this authors books. This was a heartwarming story with lots of twists and turns. I can't wait to read the rest of this series. The characters are so warm and loving. Teddy is an empath who draws people in with her warmth and love. This is filled with intrigue and one person shows up who she can't read the woman's emotions making Teddy uneasy, along with this woman's identity. I'm totally intrigued, aren't you? I can't wait to read the rest of the story. Great summer read or should I say reads as this is a series that you can enjoy throughout the summer. Well back to book 2 in the Shellseeker Beach series. Enjoy and happy reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
November 3, 2023Intriguing Story of Human Brokenness and Love
This story sounded like it could come out of my mother's life. Vietnam War pilot husband who cheated on her with so many women. Who knows how many children he has out there? For that reason alone it intrigued me.
Add in characters who form a family simply out of need and love, and I'm hooked. Great story.
The only downfall is the numerous places where the sentence structure was confusing -- I'm guessing she rewrote but missed a word or two here and there. Not sure who edited, but they could have done better. Trying to figure it out was disruptive to the story too many times.
Still a four star for me, and I'd recommend it.
This story sounded like it could come out of my mother's life. Vietnam War pilot husband who cheated on her with so many women. Who knows how many children he has out there? For that reason alone it intrigued me.
Add in characters who form a family simply out of need and love, and I'm hooked. Great story.
The only downfall is the numerous places where the sentence structure was confusing -- I'm guessing she rewrote but missed a word or two here and there. Not sure who edited, but they could have done better. Trying to figure it out was disruptive to the story too many times.
Still a four star for me, and I'd recommend it.
March 11, 2022
Hope didn't disappoint. Another amazing start of her second series.
Hope did her research when writing Sanibel Dreams. Not only did mention teas and crystals, but she told names and healing powers of them.
Sanibel Dreams is about grief, loss, friendships new and old, families new and old and coming together at a time if need.
Just when you think you have it all figured out there are twists and turns.
Although Sanibel Dreams is book 1 of the series, its finished like a stand alone. Doesn't leaving you hanging but wanting more. And I for one am waiting PATIENTLY for book 2. Sanibel Tresures.
Hope did her research when writing Sanibel Dreams. Not only did mention teas and crystals, but she told names and healing powers of them.
Sanibel Dreams is about grief, loss, friendships new and old, families new and old and coming together at a time if need.
Just when you think you have it all figured out there are twists and turns.
Although Sanibel Dreams is book 1 of the series, its finished like a stand alone. Doesn't leaving you hanging but wanting more. And I for one am waiting PATIENTLY for book 2. Sanibel Tresures.
March 22, 2022
I love Hope Holloway's breezy but far from lightweight writing. She tells a story straightforwardly and honors her temporarily challenged but appealing characters and beautiful settings from book to book, series to series. Many are are alike in the goodness of their heart, but never in their circumstances, the unique situations they find themselves in. They always have a mystery to solve, imminent loss, much to gain. On this first in a new series, will the heroine find her sister and inherit the resort?
We're asked to accept stunningly fortunate coincidences and people. if that's a flaw, I want more of it!
We're asked to accept stunningly fortunate coincidences and people. if that's a flaw, I want more of it!
February 6, 2023
Great beach read
This is a new author for me and I will be reading more. This is a great story of how people can become family without being actual blood kin. Teddy runs shellseeeker beach and the people who work for her are people who have become her family. Dutch, Teddy love has just died and she has been trying to get his grown daughter to come to Sanibel Island. When Eliza finally comes, there is can immediate connection and a healing for both women begin. But all is not roses, because Teddy thinks Eliza owns Shellseekers. The truth about the true ownership of shell seekers will surprise everyone
This is a new author for me and I will be reading more. This is a great story of how people can become family without being actual blood kin. Teddy runs shellseeeker beach and the people who work for her are people who have become her family. Dutch, Teddy love has just died and she has been trying to get his grown daughter to come to Sanibel Island. When Eliza finally comes, there is can immediate connection and a healing for both women begin. But all is not roses, because Teddy thinks Eliza owns Shellseekers. The truth about the true ownership of shell seekers will surprise everyone
Displaying 1 - 30 of 199 reviews