A month-long sabbatical at a luxury beach villa...
It would sound like heaven to anyone else, but Tabitha Parker is at the peak of her career as an attending trauma surgeon. Work provides her mind—and her heart—the distraction she needs now that her grown son has moved out and her amicable divorce has been finalized. Reluctantly, she packs her bags for the beach, ready for the sand, surf and relaxation that awaits. But a chance encounter with her ex-husband has her wondering if the sacrifices she made to climb to the top came at too high a price.
Tabitha’s sister, Camille, is doing a little second-guessing of her own. One thing she’s sure of—she won’t let tabloid images of her ex and his new trophy wife distract her from enjoying this beach vacation. The handsome silver fox that catches her eye while poolside, however, can distract her all he wants. But secrets about his past come to light and Camille wonders if she’ll ever be ready to risk her heart again.
For Edie, Camille and Tabitha’s lifelong friend, this ocean retreat serves as the perfect backdrop for her new photography hobby. Her confidence behind the camera grows, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that the much younger, irresistible owner of the local art studio is suddenly her biggest fan.
One unforgettable month at the Villas of Seascape Shores proves to each woman that age is only a number, broken hearts can be repaired, and that mid-life doesn’t have to be the time for a crisis, but a beautiful new beginning.
(The Seascape Retreat is the first book in a new series filled with later-in-life romance, strong female friendships, and a touch of oceanside mystery. Many of the storylines/relationships continue throughout the series, and several plots from book one will be continued into book two.)
This was a 6ish hour read. That had several parts that were so slow. And the story didn’t even finish! It ends at the worst part, but have no fear! There’s ANOTHER book. Of these absolutely ridiculous women.
We have Tabitha, who might as well be a robot. But literally everyone simps for her because she’s just so brilliant and talented and not arrogant at all! No, her ex husband isn’t allowed to be resentful of her for her complete inability to use words. Like, “honey, I need a minute to decompress after my shift. Let me run, unwind, and I’ll be able to focus on family time.” It does not take anyone with half a brain cell to say those words. It doesn’t take therapy and years and years of experience. It’s really very simple. But for the robot, she can’t be bothered. Everything and everyone is insignificant to her and her super gift. Am I supposed to believe she isn’t the stereotypical arrogant god complex surgeon? Because that’s exactly how she comes across. She talks about how she just has a hard time expressing herself and mothering and whatever. Yet she spent years training to be a surgeon and refining that skill. So why couldn’t she apply that drive to her family? Practice until she got better. Oh, it’s because they all excuse her poor behavior. If she just wanted to be the best surgeon in the history of surgeons, be honest. She doesn’t need anybody else since she’s just so good at her job. Her ex should stay away. Be with the girl who seems to actually like him. Not the Ice Queen of a wife who is basically a robot.
Edie is also ridiculous. First, how could she stay at home and parent if she was single and didn’t have an income. THAT needs some further explaining. Also, it’s not ignorant to say kids suffer when their parents aren’t around to look after them. Ana may have been rude but she was right. And the way Edie treated Cal at the end was abysmal. “You’re not the man I thought.” Pure garbage! They did not start dating immediately so who cares that he was engaged when they met. They were colleagues of sorts first. Her reaction was pure idiocy, yet no one called her out in it. They let her to it, which she’s entitled to feel what she feels. But the least her friends can do is not enable her. But that’s all they seem to do! Also, she doesn’t get to tell Cal how he gets to feel. He’s entitled to his feelings too. And we leave off with her being heinous to him when he was stating how he felt. She doesn’t get to gatekeep his feelings.
Camille was the least bit offensive. She overreacted hard about Foster. She could have been an adult and asked him. Heck, she also should have warned him that his future in laws were intending to sabotage his daughter and her wedding. His daughter didn’t deserve that. Instead, she behaves like a teenager. But at least Camille realized she made a mistake, got off her high horse, and rectified it. Her biggest fault in enabling the robot to be a robot.
After all this nonsense, we don’t even get a conclusion. Or a happy ending. There’s no growth here. (Well, maybe Camille.) Tabitha is still the robot surgeon. (Ben should stay away.) Edie is still ridiculous and hiding behind excuses instead of living. Like, what even was the point of this book? A means to read the next?
What started as a forced vacation for Tabitha turned into a bonding retreat with her sister and their friend. Camilla needed to know her own value and what she could bring to the world, away from her ex-husband. Edie, the budding photographer, was grappling with a new popularity with her art and younger admirer. Although the women learned about themselves they also found strength in some new relationships while at the retreat. Women in the forty plus age group should be able to relate to these ladies, whether married or not. It was a soul searching trip for a month, but I believe we only read about the first week. They were busy! I got to read an early copy and have written my review voluntarily.
This is my first book by Megan Squires and it was absolutely beautiful.
A well written heart-warming book about three women who take a month-long sabbatical, to sole search. The three women reflect on their past to discover where in their careers, love and life could go. I loved the strong bond between the women, The book had me laughing and crying throughout.
I really enjoyed and would defiantly recommend reading The Seascape Retreat it reminds every woman that age is only a number, broken hearts can be repaired, and that mid-life doesn’t have to be the time for a crisis, but a beautiful new beginning.
I look forward to reading more of this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A lovely and touching novel that threads together the lives of three friends who spend a month at a seaside pampering retreat, Tabitha is a consummate trauma surgeon ordered by her boss to take some time off and go to the retreat. She invites her sister, Camilla, and their friend, Edie, to join her. Each has a definite need for a time of rest and relaxation. There is a man for each of them to add romance to the mix. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a heartwarming story showing the beauty of friendship! Such a lovely book!
Tabitha is a trauma surgeon who has been "encouraged" to take a month long sabbatical. Her sister Camille offers to go with her of the advised retreat at a luxury resort. They convince their friend Edie, a photographer, to join them.
All three women are rediscovering themselves and forging new relationships. Highly recommend!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a fantastic debut to a new series from an author who has become an absolute favorite of mine! This story pulled me in immediately and I am completely invested in these characters. I really enjoyed the storylines of each of the characters especially Camille, Forest and Skip. I can’t wait for the next story in this series. I need it now!
I received a copy of this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
What an amazing tale. I'm very happy Tabitha, Camille, and Edie were able to hang out at the retreat for a whole month. Tabitha was overworked and, I believe, still in mourning over her marriage's breakdown. In addition, Edie was still grieving the loss of her husband, and Camille was struggling with her divorce. I am eagerly awaiting this book's continuation. Megan Squires' novel is highly recommended.
I loved this story of 3 friends and how they help each other navigate life & love! Really enjoyed that the women were older, and each had been previously married (divorced or widowed). I loved watching them grapple with work issues and learning to believe in themselves. Sweet, fun, heartfelt story! I'll be picking up book 2!
I don't normally go in for "sweet" love stories. I grew out of them years ago. At least I thought I had. But this is not one if those sickening sweet books that make you feel you need to check your blood sugar levels. This one was always throwing a surprise or two when you least expected it. Kudos to the author!
Seascape Retreat was a wonderful read and a great start to a new series! I loved Tabitha, Camille, and Edie so much. Each woman was complex and interesting. Loved the story and how each woman grew during their time together at the retreat. Looking forward to reading more Seascape Shores books!
Lovely book about middle age in life and the challenges faced. 3 great characters and a story woven together concerning all three. Could hardly set down so anxious to find out what happens next!!
Great book about three friends who mid life have to reshape their futures. Tabitha, Edie, and Camille go for a month long retreat and find more then they bargained for in love and jobs.
1st time reading Megan Squires, I received a free copy of this book, looking forward to reading the next in the Seascape Shores series. Great book about middle age, anxious to find out what happens next!
I enjoyed this small-town story about friendship and family and love. I would have liked an ending, but you have to read the second book to know how it ends. Book 2 is not on Audible, and I don't know if it will be. I am very impressed with the virtual voice. Not once did I even notice it.
Such a wonderful read. I'm not new to Megan Squires and I happened acrossed this book by accident and it looked so good I had to read it. Of course, we were in the middle of a snowstorm and the cover was so inviting, I couldn't resist.
Tabitha, who is a trauma surgeon, has had a few bad outcomes lately so she is called into the chief of staff's office and ask to take a sabbatical. Tabitha doesn't want to but pretty much told she had to take time off. How long? A month but the perk of it was that the hospital was sending her to a seaside retreat paid by the hospital.
Tabitha asks her sister, Camille and their friend Edie to join her at the retreat. Each woman needing something different from the retreat. The author did an excellent job with the story and it pulled me in from the first page. I didn't want to put it down. I would love to go to The Seascape Retreat just to find myself again like Tabitha, Camille and Edie did.
A wonderful story with great characters. I would like to see another book with Tabitha, Camille and Edie in it...I really liked them.
Can a retreat invigorate and refresh 2 sisters and a friend in this fun get away novel to Seascape? All kinds of things may happen. Megan is new to me and I truly enjoyed this book of hers.
When Tabitha, an attending general surgeon, is asked by her boss to take a one month long sabbatical at the luxury villas of Seascape Shores, she is not happy about it and does not want to go. Since it seems as though she doesn’t have a choice, she ends up going and taking her sister Camille and best friend Edie along.
At the retreat, we accompany them on a women’s journey of friendship, adventure, laughter, healing, self discovery, romance, and growth.
I laughed, I cried, and I felt a connection with Tabitha, Camille, and Edie as I could see a little of myself in each one of them.
I really loved this book and was sad to put it down when I was finished reading it. I am excited to see what is next for these amazing women and cannot wait until book 2 of this series.
A wonderful page turner story about three best friends figuring out their lifes, past, current and future. Tabitha is forced to take a month long sabbatical from her high pressured job as trauma surgeon. She is joined by her two best friends at the luxury retreat villa. The author has done a very good job in describing each women's story, capturing their emotions, anxieties and insecurities while they explore new paths and relationships. Looking foward to the next book in the series. I received a free advance copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.