What do you think?
Rate this book
Hubbard's Point/Black Hall #1
Firefly Beach
Under the summer sky, anything is possible....
Author of the acclaimed novels Cloud Nine and Follow the Stars Home, Luanne Rice returns with another moving portrait of a family in crisis -- as three sisters come face-to-face with the past and find in each other the courage to go on.
Coolly sophisticated and steadfastly single, Caroline Renwick has always been the sister everyone could count on. As she and Clea and Skye gathered at Firefly Hill, their childhood home, Caroline thought that they had all put the past behind them. But as summer gets under way, a mysterious man arrives -- a man who has the power to bring it all back....
Joe Connor was only six when his father died at Firefly Hill. Though he and Caroline had never met, the five-year-old girl reached out to him. They became pen pals and friends, until a teenaged Joe finally learned the truth about what had happened to his father that night. Now, after years of silence, Joe is suddenly here ... and Caroline still feels a connection. But she can't help but wonder if this handsome man holds the key to her family's healing -- or its destruction. And in his presence, how long will she be able to guard her heart?
Author of the acclaimed novels Cloud Nine and Follow the Stars Home, Luanne Rice returns with another moving portrait of a family in crisis -- as three sisters come face-to-face with the past and find in each other the courage to go on.
Coolly sophisticated and steadfastly single, Caroline Renwick has always been the sister everyone could count on. As she and Clea and Skye gathered at Firefly Hill, their childhood home, Caroline thought that they had all put the past behind them. But as summer gets under way, a mysterious man arrives -- a man who has the power to bring it all back....
Joe Connor was only six when his father died at Firefly Hill. Though he and Caroline had never met, the five-year-old girl reached out to him. They became pen pals and friends, until a teenaged Joe finally learned the truth about what had happened to his father that night. Now, after years of silence, Joe is suddenly here ... and Caroline still feels a connection. But she can't help but wonder if this handsome man holds the key to her family's healing -- or its destruction. And in his presence, how long will she be able to guard her heart?
378 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2001
1228 people are currently reading
6561 people want to read
About the author
Luanne Rice
109 books3,145 followersLuanne Rice is the New York Times bestselling author of thirty-eight novels, translated into thirty languages. Rice often writes about love, family, nature, and the sea. Most recently she has written thrillers, including one based on a murder that affected her family. She received the 2014 Connecticut Governor’s Arts Award for excellence and lifetime achievement in the Literary Arts category.
Connecticut College awarded Rice an honorary degree and invited her to donate her papers to the College’s Special Collections Library. They are archived in the Luanne Rice Collection.
Rice has also received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from St. Joseph University in West Hartford, Conn.
Several of Rice's novels have been adapted for television. Her monologue for the play Motherhood Out Loud premiered at Hartford Stage and has been performed Off-Broadway in NYC and at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.
Rice is a Creative Affiliate of the Safina Center. She lives in southeastern Connecticut.
Connecticut College awarded Rice an honorary degree and invited her to donate her papers to the College’s Special Collections Library. They are archived in the Luanne Rice Collection.
Rice has also received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from St. Joseph University in West Hartford, Conn.
Several of Rice's novels have been adapted for television. Her monologue for the play Motherhood Out Loud premiered at Hartford Stage and has been performed Off-Broadway in NYC and at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.
Rice is a Creative Affiliate of the Safina Center. She lives in southeastern Connecticut.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews
July 14, 2015
This was one of the most boring books I have ever read. I didn't care for any of the characters. The only reason I suffered through the entire book was because I really wanted to try this author and my husband got it for me as a gift. Otherwise I would have put it down about a quarter of the way in. I kept hoping that in the end I would find I'd grown to love it but no, I couldn't care less about anyone in this book. The story was just ridiculous and boring.
March 27, 2011
What a great story about sisters who actually love each other and take care of each other.
It is hard to believe that in real life they would all be still living in the same town where
they grew up and one even living with their mother. A beautiful story. I loved reading.
With a couple of "bad" men thrown in just like real life.
It is hard to believe that in real life they would all be still living in the same town where
they grew up and one even living with their mother. A beautiful story. I loved reading.
With a couple of "bad" men thrown in just like real life.
July 10, 2011
this book is not perfect, however, the mature, intense, powerful, story superseded all the criticism i could bestow. The author is sensitive to her characters feelings. None are portrayed as perfect or evil. All have their weaknesses and strengths exposed.
Its a completely absorbing book, very tragic but also blooming with hope. A beautiful family tale combined with intense, sparkling romance so full of chemistry that you'll be completely engrossed. I read it within 2 days. Loved it.
Its a completely absorbing book, very tragic but also blooming with hope. A beautiful family tale combined with intense, sparkling romance so full of chemistry that you'll be completely engrossed. I read it within 2 days. Loved it.
June 3, 2010
I am a long time fan of this author, I have read about 9 or 10 of her other works, and she brings me into her characters world quickly and fully. I find myself totally emersed in their feelings, and story, their pain, and anger, and their happiness too. Her character descriptions are full and leave you with no questions as to who these people are, making the reading experience very enjoyable.
I anticipate enjoying more of Luanne Rice's works in the future.
I anticipate enjoying more of Luanne Rice's works in the future.
April 13, 2023
I was hoping a couple of deaths would be enough to keep me engaged but no….
March 4, 2017
'Firefly Beach' is not my first Luanne Rice novel and I seriously doubt it will be my last. Truth is I know it won't as there are more sitting on my bookshelf right now waiting for me to choose one. I really enjoyed the story, liked the characters and at times wanted to beat their heads, or mine, into a wall. Set in New England three sisters live their adult lives in the shadows of the past. Being the children of a famous artist just adds flavor. Three separate women living three separate lives all in the shadow of each other. While living under a cloud of the past that they, and their mother, cannot seem to spread beyond.
At times I literally wanted to bash heads. Someones. Anyones. I got so frustrated with everyone alluding to and talking around these horrible things that had happened to shape who each sister had become. Rarely did they actually talk about it. Work through it. They talked around it. And that made me want to bash heads. But it also made me actually think. Not something you expect from what you picked up and anticipated to be a beach read. How often does each and every last one of us tiptoe around our own stories. How often do we talk around, walk around, think around those big things that helped to create who we are, flaws and all? Instead of dealing with it, moving past it, and filing it into the bin of done and over with thanks for the experiences and the knowledge. I am just as guilty as the next person of letting the big stuff continue to dominate my choices and decisions instead of learning from it and then moving forward. We are all guilty at some point of letting our pasts dictate our futures. Rice did an excellent job of telling the story so the reader knew what was going on while also playing out these all to human circumstance. I think of all the girls, Skye and their mother gained the most throughout this novel. They gained self-respect, they gained a sense of self and in the mother's case she gained a sense that she was enough for her daughters in the best way she could be at any given moment. Not necessarily what they wanted or even needed but she was enough.
I'm glad I own this book because it is one I would read again. I also think that it is one that in re-reading you will pick out more things that were missed the last time around. I have to apologize for thinking that 'Firefly Beach' was just a beach read, and not because of the title. It's a book that makes you want to bash heads but also makes you think. If you really think you can find the parallels, in thought process if nothing else, to yourself and others you know. Hopefully through the characters' growth you might just find a little bit of growth for yourself as well.
Originally published at https://fizzypopcollection.blogspot.c....
At times I literally wanted to bash heads. Someones. Anyones. I got so frustrated with everyone alluding to and talking around these horrible things that had happened to shape who each sister had become. Rarely did they actually talk about it. Work through it. They talked around it. And that made me want to bash heads. But it also made me actually think. Not something you expect from what you picked up and anticipated to be a beach read. How often does each and every last one of us tiptoe around our own stories. How often do we talk around, walk around, think around those big things that helped to create who we are, flaws and all? Instead of dealing with it, moving past it, and filing it into the bin of done and over with thanks for the experiences and the knowledge. I am just as guilty as the next person of letting the big stuff continue to dominate my choices and decisions instead of learning from it and then moving forward. We are all guilty at some point of letting our pasts dictate our futures. Rice did an excellent job of telling the story so the reader knew what was going on while also playing out these all to human circumstance. I think of all the girls, Skye and their mother gained the most throughout this novel. They gained self-respect, they gained a sense of self and in the mother's case she gained a sense that she was enough for her daughters in the best way she could be at any given moment. Not necessarily what they wanted or even needed but she was enough.
I'm glad I own this book because it is one I would read again. I also think that it is one that in re-reading you will pick out more things that were missed the last time around. I have to apologize for thinking that 'Firefly Beach' was just a beach read, and not because of the title. It's a book that makes you want to bash heads but also makes you think. If you really think you can find the parallels, in thought process if nothing else, to yourself and others you know. Hopefully through the characters' growth you might just find a little bit of growth for yourself as well.
Originally published at https://fizzypopcollection.blogspot.c....
May 25, 2021
SO much bad stuff: alcoholism, domestic abuse, car wreck, diving accidents, and on and on. I did love the sister closeness and I envy that. Would have loved to have a sibling. Anyway, the story wove in and out and in some places got really boring. The mother of the 3 sisters was a real piece of work, which made at least 2 of the sisters turn out the way that they did. Loved the hero's brother Sam and the elderly dog, Homer. Went on for FAR too long.
January 10, 2015
This was recommended to me and once I started reading I couldn't put it down. I loved the story and the characters, and I was rooting for them all by the end.
August 15, 2019
I took my time reading this. It took me a few days to really get into the story. Right from the beginning there was an intense and powerful situation. It was a flashback, which was scary. Then in the next chapter goes to the present time. These 3 sisters - Caroline, Clea and Skye have a very close sisterly bond. They've been through a lot together. Their father is gone and their mother hasn't been a very good mother up to this point. In this story, there's hunts for treasures, an encounter with someone from their past, and mystery. There was one character I did not like. But I like the closeness the sisters have. Good story, but wish it didn't leave me with questions.
August 23, 2025
Ich hatte das Buch schon sehr lange im Regal stehen und habe mich sehr lange dagegen gesträubt es zu lesen, da mich der Klappentext nicht mehr so abgeholt hat als am Tag des Kaufs.
Aber ich bin froh es gelesen zu haben. Es war besser als erwartet und eine interessante Geschichte über das Leben dreier Schwestern die unterschiedlicher nicht sein können. Nett geschrieben und eher oberflächlich gehalten und geht nicht so in die Tiefe aber für Zwischendurch ein gutes Buch.
Aber ich bin froh es gelesen zu haben. Es war besser als erwartet und eine interessante Geschichte über das Leben dreier Schwestern die unterschiedlicher nicht sein können. Nett geschrieben und eher oberflächlich gehalten und geht nicht so in die Tiefe aber für Zwischendurch ein gutes Buch.
September 2, 2017
Story of 2 families destroyed by violence one evening in 1970. 2 of the children become pen pals trying to get to know each other better. For those who like romance and things tied up neatly with a velvet bow, this is the book.
June 12, 2017
I loved this book!!! Sisterly love, family tragedy. The beach setting❤️❤️❤️❤️. I heart beach books.
November 7, 2024
Way too long and convoluted plot. Just couldn’t finish.
February 21, 2019
4.5 at least. Wish half stars were available but since they're not it gets a 5.
August 27, 2024
Loved these complex characters. I think this author may be one of my new faves!
September 11, 2014
This was a very interesting character driven book.
When Caroline was 5, she was present when her father's lover's husband came to Firefly Hill and threatened her mother and her family. He was despondent and out for revenge. He did not harm the family, in fact he did irreversible harm to himself as he committed suicide in front of the 2 children and their pregnant mom. You would think this would be enough to throw the husband bum out, wouldn't you? Not to be, Caroline's mother was obsessively in love with her husband, to the exclusion of everything, his infidelity, his alcoholism, and their children. Caroline grew up as the cornerstone of her family, the one always to be depended upon and turned to in times of trouble and indecision. Indeed they need her, her mom is almost unconscious, her oyoungest sister Skye a tortured alcoholic, her other sister has a successful marriage. They all depend on Caroline to make their decisions.
When Joe Connor was 5, his father died at Firefly Hill. He had never met Caroline but they struck up a correspondence that was to last through their adolescence until Joe found out the truth about what happened to his father and cut Caroline off from all communication with no explanation.
Joe is back, in fact he's in Caroline's small town and the bond they formed is stronger than ever. They have work to do if they are to fix the mistakes of the past.
When Caroline was 5, she was present when her father's lover's husband came to Firefly Hill and threatened her mother and her family. He was despondent and out for revenge. He did not harm the family, in fact he did irreversible harm to himself as he committed suicide in front of the 2 children and their pregnant mom. You would think this would be enough to throw the husband bum out, wouldn't you? Not to be, Caroline's mother was obsessively in love with her husband, to the exclusion of everything, his infidelity, his alcoholism, and their children. Caroline grew up as the cornerstone of her family, the one always to be depended upon and turned to in times of trouble and indecision. Indeed they need her, her mom is almost unconscious, her oyoungest sister Skye a tortured alcoholic, her other sister has a successful marriage. They all depend on Caroline to make their decisions.
When Joe Connor was 5, his father died at Firefly Hill. He had never met Caroline but they struck up a correspondence that was to last through their adolescence until Joe found out the truth about what happened to his father and cut Caroline off from all communication with no explanation.
Joe is back, in fact he's in Caroline's small town and the bond they formed is stronger than ever. They have work to do if they are to fix the mistakes of the past.
March 15, 2019
One of my favorite Luanne Rice books. Read it years ago. Still remember the traumatic opening & the intermittent short postcard letters that wove through the book like a thread, connecting the past to the present.
Currently reading 'PRETEND She's Here,' and hoping to finish this weekend.
Luanne's books deal with grief, loss, recovery, hope and learning to love again, against all odds...
I love that.
The newest YA book does, too, but with suspense and a darker edge that frames the characters.
Currently reading 'PRETEND She's Here,' and hoping to finish this weekend.
Luanne's books deal with grief, loss, recovery, hope and learning to love again, against all odds...
I love that.
The newest YA book does, too, but with suspense and a darker edge that frames the characters.
April 11, 2021
Unlike other comments, I was pretty disappointed with this book. Not my first Luanne Rice book, and definitely not my favorite. The story is essentially about an emotionally damaged family coming to grips (not very well) with death & their lifetime of complicated dynamics. More than once I felt like, 'ok enough!' - it was very depressing at times, and I was frustrated with them floating through their messed up lives without moving forward. One minor character, Sam, brought some lighthearted moments & surprising wisdom - one of the 2 stars is for him & his brother Joe.
July 26, 2021
A snoozer and tedious. Skipped forward (audio) frequently without losing story. Main characters were not at all sympathetic. Joe was a jerk, although he was supposed to be a hunky hero. Joe cut the Firefly family off years before because a young girl did not tell him (when he was a boy) that his father killed himself in front of her. Pretty flimsy for the way he acted, considering most people would likely do the same. Didn't help that the voice artist whispered the book in a low voice. I kept waiting for something to happen, but it never did.
April 9, 2013
Awful. Totally predictable. The ending was excruciatingly long and drawn out. The characters were hackneyed and stereotypical. An anti-alcohol diatribe. Even the poor dog was a weak character. Maybe I'd feel differently about this book if I'd have sisters, but this was just awful. My book club meets in two days to talk about this, and I'll be afraid to open my mouth, fearing someone actually liked it. Yuck.
October 12, 2020
I am 37 minutes in to the audiobook and cannot listen for another minute. Alexandra O’Karma has the most boring voice imaginable, but even worse, her mic picks up every swallow and lip licking. It is like ASMR after every sentence, but makes me completely nauseous. I am writing this in hopes that adjustments are made to the mics in the future so that I can listen to other books by this author without feeling sick.
March 30, 2010
I expected more than what was delivered in this book. It was very predictable and boring at times. I found myself only wanting to read the dialogue so that it would go faster. But then I thought, I might actually miss something. I liked the letters, but that was about it. I was surprised because Luanne Rice novels are usually better than this one.
December 7, 2011
This was a terrible book. I listened to it on CD, and why I listened for as long as I did I am not sure. I was unable to even finish it. The book was annoyingly descriptive. "Her heart ached with love," etc. And the same phrases were used over and over again. There was very little depth to the plot of the story. It wasn't even a good "shallow" book. Not recommended.
October 10, 2014
This is the second book by Luann Rice I have read and I enjoyed it greatly. I'm a sucker for love stories and enjoyed the way this one evolved. All families have some dysfunctions and this story brought many common issues into the story line.
July 18, 2019
I usually am glad I read this author when I am finished with the book. But sometimes I think the storylines are a bit heavy and depressing. I fell in love with Homer and was rooting for Caroline and Joe.
May 12, 2008
I really like Luanne Rice but this was not one of her best.
July 14, 2010
I'm done with this book. I tried! I really tried, but I couldn't keep forcing myself to read it. I may pick it up later, but I doubt it. The dialogue was pitiful and the cliches were ridiculous. Ugh.
March 13, 2013
this book had its moments, but not enough to make me really like it a lot. Most of Rice's books I have liked, not so much this one.
August 23, 2014
Waste of time...
August 5, 2017
I couldn't connect. Characters drove me crazy. The angst and over and over description of the angst of Caroline, Skye, Joe, etc... was overboard.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews