The Southport Secret Book Five

Autumn Beach #5

by Sage Parker

Lacey and Robert McNeil are the perfect couple. Or so everyone thought.

Lacey has spent the past 21 years being the perfect housewife to Robert, raising their two sons into bright young men. But now that they're off at college, she's been left all alone in their small beach town of Southport, North Carolina. With her nest now empty, Lacey has to get used to life without them around.

She is excited about the next chapter - a simple life in her cottage by the sea.

Until a manilla envelope appears on her doorstep.

The photo inside shows a smiling young family - time stamped July 4th, 2018 - with two words written on the The McNeils.

Only, the photo isn't of her. Or her sons. Who are these people, and why is her husband's arm draped around the young woman? She can't help but feel like somebody is trying to sabotage her marriage. Is the photo a fake? Who better to ask than the charming photographer next door?

With the help of her new and handsome friend, Lacey and Thomas work together to uncover her husbands long-buried secret. As they discover more clues and get closer to the truth - it becomes clear that someone doesn't want them finding answers, and is willing to do anything to stop them.

They'll need to act careful, and fast, if Lacey ever wants her cozy life in Southport again.Breeze through this small town romance, filled with love, mystery, and friendship as you uncover family secrets that will keep you guessing. If you enjoy clean romance and later in life women's fiction, then this series is the one for you!This is Book 5 of 6 in the Autumn Beach Series

Genres: Fiction, Suspense

65 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2022

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. This story is about Lacey and how her life has changed since she found out her husband Robert was cheating. They got a divorce without her knowing a thing about it. She has been living on the edge since he blew her world apart. Her best friend Thomas has been spending lots of time with her now that Robert is out of the pictures. He kinda has a thing for her, and she feels the same way about him. Her friend Julie who she has been friends with for years is feeling left out, she misses her good friend. They catch up for coffee at Julie’s cafe and shoot the breeze for awhile. Lacey has been spending time helping Barbara get ready for the Fall Festival. She is keeping busy to keep her mind occupied with all the strange things happening with Robert. Lacey received another note that she thinks is from Robert, a threat letter.

Lacey arrives at Julie’s house and sees Thomas’s car in the driveway and she wonders what is going on! Maybe they are having a fling! Thomas comes running out of the house with Julie not far behind. Apparently they had been sending texts and calling Lacey but she ignored them both,so they were very worried. Lacey apologies to them both and they head to her house to pick up the letter to drop at the police station. Then the 3 of them head to the Fall Festival and have a wonderful time until Thomas and Lacey are dancing and she gets a call from Robert….what will happen next? I can hardly wait to find out.

I absolutely love reading Sage’s books, I’m never disappointed they are all so good! Take a chance on this series, you won’t be disappointed!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angieleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the penultimate book in the Autumn Beach serial, this book delivered on typing up some loose ends and finally solidifying how Thomas and Lacey feel about each other to a point.

Why to a point? Because it was bound to happen that Julie would get jealous of their time together, and the fact that Lacey was all wrapped up in finding Robert & trying to solve the mystery of why he had turned to a life of crime (did she even actually know this dude to begin with?!), and turning him in after all that he had done.

But, on the other hand, she's been vindicated, almost the entire town is on her side in finding him, especially after some were able to find their items that had been long missing.

Alas, Julie's whining got on my nerves and I kept getting annoyed with Lacey for not thinking straight. She could have probably figured out some thing if she had sat down and wrote some more notes, or had Thomas or Julie (who would have felt needed, maybe) write things down for her. That just freakin' bugged me the most.

The best part? Her spending time with Barbara while decorating for the Fall Festival. As older women tend to do, Barbara put things into perspective for Lacey that made her start to realize there was more out in the world than what Southport could offer her.

POSSIBLE SPOILER AHEAD! I did find myself muttering at times -WHERE ARE THE TWINS? HAVE YOU CHECKED ON THE TWINS YET?! WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER WIFE?! WHY AREN'T YOU THINKING ABOUT HER AND WHAT HER ROLE IS IN ALL THIS?! - and have already started on the final installment.

I've really liked this serial and can't wait to read more by Parker.

[Holly Doyal · Rating 3 out of 5]

So apparently Robert and Lacey got a divorce even though Lacey never signed any paperwork. Very odd, but maybe that will come back to be an issue in the next two books.

This book was really about how Lacey was embarrassed to go out in her little town because everyone wanted to be nosey and ask her questions about her divorce and she didn't think she was strong enough to handle it. But then suddenly she figured out that Robert stole things from her house so she naturally assumed that he stole things from everyone in town. She holds a town hall meeting to ask everyone and wouldn't you know it, she is able to find many of the items at an abandoned lighthouse. Again, very strange. Why would Robert steal stuff that he wouldn't sell? And why keep it at the lighthouse?

But then at the end the police show up with a few questions for Lacey ... I guess we won't know anything else until next time.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Colleen N · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the journey and mystery continue, I found myself not enjoying this book at all. I felt like this particular book focused more on Julie, and the fact that she whines and throws fits like a teenager especially where Lacey is concerned instead of a grown adult. I disliked that Julie acted more like a "high school" bestfriend who was jealous and didn't know how to handle her feelings. This book also didn’t have much more to the mystery until the last couple of pages. I’m hoping that the author will redeem herself in the sixth and final part. I do like the budding relationship of Thomas and Lacie.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

In book four after asking around the town Lacey has discovered that she thinks Roberts stole items from the townspeople. She is also having a hard time with the newspaper daily writing about her life with Robert and their divorced that he managed to get without her day in court so she ask the town to search for the items that are missing and they are able to find some of the items in the lighthouse. What other mysteries will we find in book five?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carmela Dimattia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some very interesting developments in this book which has left us reeling at the end. Lacey is finding some semblance of normalcy back in her life and she is even considering leaving Southport and starting over in a new place but can she leave her friends. Julie's reactions to developments between Lacey and Thomas leave me to believe she may be jealous. I wonder? Cannot wait for the last book to discover the secrets that Robert has been hiding.

I received an arc copy via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰

Another will written romantic family and friends relationships adventure thriller short story by Sage Parker (Autumn Beach 🌴 book 5). Lacey keeps trying too live her life in Southport with Thomas and Julie. Robert sends a threatening note which she takes to the police. He makes a threatening phone ☎ call. Continued in book six. I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of romantic mystery novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading or listening to books 📚. 2022 👒☺🏡😯

[Margaret Fraleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lacey has received another letter from an anonymous person
threatening her - telling her to stop talking to the police.

Lacey is helping Barbara with the decorations for the
fall fair.

Lacey mentioned to Barbara that she was thinking of leaving
Southport and Julie overheard her. Julie because angry
with Lacey. Lacey apologies to Julie and all is well again.

Lacey decides to take the letter to the Detective.

While Lacey is at the far fair she gets a phone call.
Who is it from????

The mystery continues.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the fifth book in the series, it’s still getting your attention on what exactly Robert is doing and where he is. The book also tells a story about Lacey, Thomas, and Julie and what circumstances can do with friends. Is a possible budding romance taking the place of a long-time friend? Once again, an envelope arrives at Lacy’s house and this might possible lead us to where Robert is and what he has done.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lacey is trying to move on from the divorce and disappearance of her ex. She is spending a lot of time with Thomas. She has a lot to work through. Someone is sending her notes telling her to stop looking into Robert (her ex). It is a mystery as to who is sending the threats. The answers will come in the next book. I really enjoy the mystery and suspense in each book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Megann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally got a copy of the book and we are shown that while Lacey is trying to redeem herself with her town (which she should not have to do since Robert is the evil one) she is growing closer and closer to Thomas. We have watched their relationship grow but really do we know that much about Thomas? He has been a help to Lacey even traveling to different areas with her and Julie but not sure that we should really be totally trusting him. And, now Lacey has had to stand before the community and admit everything that has gone on in her life. Book 6 is next and last and I for one can't wait to read the end of the story and have Sage rap everything up like she so wonderfully does.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lacey and her crew come back to Southport to confront the hometown news about her and her husband. She and Thomas go in search of missing items from around town and believes that she has found them. The story is picking up and I can't wait for book five!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful continuation of the story. Two entertaining characters that are trying to solve a mystery that has several twists and turns in it. Unexpected things happen in this story. Keeps you reading until the end. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara Labbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lacey receives a mysterious note to stop looking for Robert just like the mysterious photo at the beginning. She knows she has to give it to the police but she procrastinates and shuts Thomas and Julie out. Lacey is at a crossroads, what should she do….

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe this book finished so fast. I liked this part of the book where we read through the relationships around Lacey and how she was figuring out what's next for her. But the last two pages. I need to read the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Coffeenbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story and part of the Southport Secrets series. It ends with a cliffhanger and you should read the other books in the series for full enjoyment of this book.

This installment finds Lacey back in Southport trying to move forward after her marriage to Robert ends. She also finds herself the subject of her local newspaper, chronicalling her activities and the fact that she is spending time with Thomas. Lacey discovers a few items missing and, upon talking with some of her friends, finds they have lost small objects over the years. Could she have uncovered yet more secrets about Robert?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this series. The storyline continues to be mysterious and interesting. It's so well written and entertaining. I love the characters. I'm ready for the next book and hopefully some answers.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debi Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery Continues

The mystery continues. In this one Lacey received a letter but who could it be from. These books will draw you into the mystery. Has me wondering what is going on. Looking forward to reading the next book to finally get some answers

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Then, Now, Next

The range of feelings and the unsure thoughts about her life, is causing Lacey to become so unsettled. It’s all so hard to figure out. Lucky for her she has support of friends . Can hardly stand learning what’s next.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

No spoilers. A fantastic series that's enjoyable, has strong characters and keeps you wanting more. The suspense keeps you turning the pages waiting to find out what happens.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now her friend, Julia is jealous. These serial novels are getting more outlandish with each episode.

[Dorothey Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Southport Secret

More of trying to find Robert. Things have slowed down, now the police are still trying to find him but no more clues.

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sage Parker took me on a crazy ride with this book.

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great series!

I keep saying that over and over as I read each series by this author but for me it's always true! What a ending this one has! I want the recipe for the corn!

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mystery continues to reveal more surprises as Lacey tries to find herself. The divorce was made final without any action on her part. She doesn't know how to react or find closure. Julie and Thomas are concerned and worried about her. Looking forward to finding out how it's all resolved.
I received a free copy of this book as an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Baby Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sure is a mystery. What is going on with all the mysterious ongoings regarding Robert!! Is Lacey and her friends any closer to finding the answers that will shed light on what is really going on? I cannot wait to see how all of this comes together in the end. I am sure it is going to be interesting to say the least!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharon S · Rating 4 out of 5]

The next segment.
Lacey is trying to keep her head down so nobody sees her after the story broke. Now that her divorce has gone through without her signature, her life is so confusing. She started to lose track of time and items. She’s also starting to have feelings for Thomas.
Was Robert responsible for things going missing around town for years?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of books written by Sage Parker; she is one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the fifth book in the Autumn Beach Series; the story continues from the previous book and needs to be read in order.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This installment is a page turner. I can't wait to see how this series wraps up. Great read that ends with a cliffhanger.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[B E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lacey returns home as the entire town is aware of what’s going on. They discover who has been telling the media about her every move and solve part of the mystery.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.