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The Beach House #4
Sunset Beach
In the popular Beach House series (more than 60,000 copies sold), a worn and comfortable coastal home in San Diego intersects with charming, contemporary stories—Sally John’s The Beach House and Castles in the Sand followed by Trish Perry’s Beach Dreams. In Sunset Beach, Perry delights fans by returning to the beloved backdrop where women gather and lives change.
Meet Sonny Miller, a recent college graduate with plans to get her master’s degree in psychology. With the intention of resolving some family drama and putting her academic interests to the test, Sonny cleverly invites her mother, Teresa, and her mother’s estranged twin, Aunt Melanie, to the quiet and quirky beach house. They both show up...and with surprises of their own. Teresa, a successful classical singer, brings her latest protégé, Irina, and Melanie brings along secrets about Teresa and the identity of Sonny’s long–gone father.
The strong personalities cause some big waves, and Sonny is in over her head. Soon she is drawn to Irina and Irina’s charming brother, Grigori. Her faith is strengthened by their story of being adopted as children from a Russian orphanage by a Christian couple from America.
Readers will love being a guest alongside these characters. Between each sunrise and sunset is another day for healing, laughter, rediscovering the importance of family, and embracing the hope of God’s care.
Meet Sonny Miller, a recent college graduate with plans to get her master’s degree in psychology. With the intention of resolving some family drama and putting her academic interests to the test, Sonny cleverly invites her mother, Teresa, and her mother’s estranged twin, Aunt Melanie, to the quiet and quirky beach house. They both show up...and with surprises of their own. Teresa, a successful classical singer, brings her latest protégé, Irina, and Melanie brings along secrets about Teresa and the identity of Sonny’s long–gone father.
The strong personalities cause some big waves, and Sonny is in over her head. Soon she is drawn to Irina and Irina’s charming brother, Grigori. Her faith is strengthened by their story of being adopted as children from a Russian orphanage by a Christian couple from America.
Readers will love being a guest alongside these characters. Between each sunrise and sunset is another day for healing, laughter, rediscovering the importance of family, and embracing the hope of God’s care.
330 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2009
18 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
About the author
Trish Perry
47 books105 followersAward-winning novelist Trish Perry has written more than 26 inspirational romances and devotionals for Harvest House Publishers, Summerside Press, Barbour Publishing, Winged Publications, Mountainbrook Ink, Summerside, Broadstreet Publishing, and Worthy Inspired. She has served as a columnist and as a newsletter editor over the years, as well as a 1980s stockbroker and a board member of the Capital Christian Writers organization in Washington, D.C. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and holds a degree in Psychology.
Trish’s latest contemporary romance, Why She Never Told Me, released March 2024.
Trish’s latest contemporary romance, Why She Never Told Me, released March 2024.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 4, 2022
Overall, I found this to be a interesting read and it kept me turning the pages
October 26, 2009
Sunset Beach by Trish Perry is as delightful as an ocean breeze. If you want a nice relaxing read with fabulous characters, wonderful surprises, and a delicious plot, then you will love this book. I know I sure did. Trish never fails to delight her readers, and Sunset Beach is no exception.
Trish’s heroine, Sonny Miller, wants answers to her life. Therefore, she invites her mother to Sunset Beach under the guise of wanting to spend time with her. But Sonny has ulterior motives—motives that her mother is not going to be pleased with. And yet, Sonny is willing to take that risk. What is so important to Sonny that she’s willing to jeopardize alienating her mother over? And will her well-laid plans backfire on her?
Grig, aka Mr. Gorgeous, suddenly shows up at Sunset Beach. Why? Is he there because of Sonny, or someone else? If so, who? And why?
Teresa, Sonny’s mother, has a few surprises of her own in store for her daughter. What are they? Can Sonny handle them all, or will Sonny crack under the strain of the past secrets?
Things start disappearing mysteriously. Who’s taking these things, and why?
And who’s this Zeke guy who keeps showing up at the most interesting times? Are his appearances by chance, or by Divine order? You decide.
Either way, if you want to know the answer to these questions and all the others, buy Sunset Beach by Trish Perry to find out. You won’t be sorry.
Trish’s heroine, Sonny Miller, wants answers to her life. Therefore, she invites her mother to Sunset Beach under the guise of wanting to spend time with her. But Sonny has ulterior motives—motives that her mother is not going to be pleased with. And yet, Sonny is willing to take that risk. What is so important to Sonny that she’s willing to jeopardize alienating her mother over? And will her well-laid plans backfire on her?
Grig, aka Mr. Gorgeous, suddenly shows up at Sunset Beach. Why? Is he there because of Sonny, or someone else? If so, who? And why?
Teresa, Sonny’s mother, has a few surprises of her own in store for her daughter. What are they? Can Sonny handle them all, or will Sonny crack under the strain of the past secrets?
Things start disappearing mysteriously. Who’s taking these things, and why?
And who’s this Zeke guy who keeps showing up at the most interesting times? Are his appearances by chance, or by Divine order? You decide.
Either way, if you want to know the answer to these questions and all the others, buy Sunset Beach by Trish Perry to find out. You won’t be sorry.
August 9, 2021
This was a sweet story, and though I did not approve of Sonny's underhandedness in bringing her mother's estranged sister into the plans she and her mom had made for the beach house trip, I do understand the reasoning behind why she did it.
I liked each of the characters. They were quirky, and in most cases, tried to do what they thought God wanted them to do. I also really liked the theme of forgiveness and of having a broken heart before God. The inclusion of Julian and Zeke to provide Godly advice when needed was a lovely nod to the entire series.
I liked each of the characters. They were quirky, and in most cases, tried to do what they thought God wanted them to do. I also really liked the theme of forgiveness and of having a broken heart before God. The inclusion of Julian and Zeke to provide Godly advice when needed was a lovely nod to the entire series.
January 6, 2022
For me at times this story was really slow and dated, it was written about 13 years ago. I did enjoy seeing the family work out their differences and reconcile. It also didn't come together too tiddy in some ways by the end.
November 24, 2017
Wow, what a fantastic read!
July 14, 2019
Good summer read!
September 2, 2009
Sunset Beach A Novel
Trish Perry
2009
Harvest House Publishers
Contemporary Fiction
Reviewed by Cindy Loven
Sunset Beach, A Novel. Oh my what a book, truthfully, this is my first book of Trish Perry's to read and I am a dedicated fan for sure NOW!! This book is amazing, Trish Perry has brought us a wonderful story about life, even with happy endings, and it has some sad endings also. Your saying endings???
There were several things in the life of Sonata (aka Sonny) Miller that she planned on dealing with on her weeks vacation at the beach with her mother. Just graduating from college, getting ready for grad school, Sonny was tired of not knowing her heritage, and she had done some snooping and had a surprise planned.
She hired a beach cottage for the week and asked her mom to spend the week as her graduation present, unknown to her mother, Sonny had also hired a private investigator to find her aunt, and her aunt had been invited to the beach house also.
Teresa Miller, knew Sonny was up to something, but was not sure what, so she brought along a protegee' hoping to defuse the situation.
This story will unfold, returning a lost love to Sonny, allowing her to know her family history and meet family members she never knew about.
Trish Perry has done an excellent job of bringing us a story that deals with more baggage in people's lives, than an airport luggage claim department. I promise this book delivers it all!! Tears, laughter, joy, sadness, it is all in Sunset Beach. The close of the book has discussion questions about the chapters, and also a preview of another of Trish's books. This book was based on a original concept by Sally John and contains a foreword from Sally John. 330 pages $13.99 US
Trish Perry
2009
Harvest House Publishers
Contemporary Fiction
Reviewed by Cindy Loven
Sunset Beach, A Novel. Oh my what a book, truthfully, this is my first book of Trish Perry's to read and I am a dedicated fan for sure NOW!! This book is amazing, Trish Perry has brought us a wonderful story about life, even with happy endings, and it has some sad endings also. Your saying endings???
There were several things in the life of Sonata (aka Sonny) Miller that she planned on dealing with on her weeks vacation at the beach with her mother. Just graduating from college, getting ready for grad school, Sonny was tired of not knowing her heritage, and she had done some snooping and had a surprise planned.
She hired a beach cottage for the week and asked her mom to spend the week as her graduation present, unknown to her mother, Sonny had also hired a private investigator to find her aunt, and her aunt had been invited to the beach house also.
Teresa Miller, knew Sonny was up to something, but was not sure what, so she brought along a protegee' hoping to defuse the situation.
This story will unfold, returning a lost love to Sonny, allowing her to know her family history and meet family members she never knew about.
Trish Perry has done an excellent job of bringing us a story that deals with more baggage in people's lives, than an airport luggage claim department. I promise this book delivers it all!! Tears, laughter, joy, sadness, it is all in Sunset Beach. The close of the book has discussion questions about the chapters, and also a preview of another of Trish's books. This book was based on a original concept by Sally John and contains a foreword from Sally John. 330 pages $13.99 US
July 7, 2009
When Sunset Beach appeared in my mailbox, I had forgotten what it was supposed to be about. I took a look at the lovely beach sunset on the cover, which also features a bright pink pair of flip-flops and figured it was a light beach read, fluffy, fun and not much substance. I was mistaken.
Sunset Beach is about a recent college graduate who, when asked what she wanted for graduation, told her mother that she wanted the two of them to spend the week together in a beach house. Her mother, an accomplished singer, agrees. The daughter, Sonny, a psychology major, has an ulterior motive. Her mother has always been secretive about the rest of her family and Sonny recently hired a PI to locate her aunt. Sonny invited her aunt to spend the weekend with them. Sonny wants to learn the family secrets. Her mother shows up with her protege in tow. This protege is a bulimic kleptomaniac. She is also the sister to the guy Sonny had a summer romance with five years ago. His sister invites him to drop by.
There is a lot of hurt and pain in these people's lives, and of course sharing secrets is the first (but painful) step to healing. The book is Christian fiction and I'd say moderately so. The religious aspects aren't forced, but the book could stand without them. They are explicit, particularly when dealing with forgiveness and redemption. Chastity before marriage is explicitly advocated. I guess what I'm saying is that it is a good story, but if overtly religious messages bother you, this isn't the book for you.
As I said, it was a heavier book than I expected, based only on the cover, but it was an enjoyable read.
Sunset Beach is about a recent college graduate who, when asked what she wanted for graduation, told her mother that she wanted the two of them to spend the week together in a beach house. Her mother, an accomplished singer, agrees. The daughter, Sonny, a psychology major, has an ulterior motive. Her mother has always been secretive about the rest of her family and Sonny recently hired a PI to locate her aunt. Sonny invited her aunt to spend the weekend with them. Sonny wants to learn the family secrets. Her mother shows up with her protege in tow. This protege is a bulimic kleptomaniac. She is also the sister to the guy Sonny had a summer romance with five years ago. His sister invites him to drop by.
There is a lot of hurt and pain in these people's lives, and of course sharing secrets is the first (but painful) step to healing. The book is Christian fiction and I'd say moderately so. The religious aspects aren't forced, but the book could stand without them. They are explicit, particularly when dealing with forgiveness and redemption. Chastity before marriage is explicitly advocated. I guess what I'm saying is that it is a good story, but if overtly religious messages bother you, this isn't the book for you.
As I said, it was a heavier book than I expected, based only on the cover, but it was an enjoyable read.
June 19, 2011
When I first read the back cover I thought this was just going to be another "beach novel." Fluff, chick-lit, whatever you want to call it. Something worth reading while laying out at the pool, but that's it. Surprisingly, it wasn't. The book is about Sonny Miller, 24-year old recent graduate in psychology, trying to find out who she is- literally. Sonny's mom Teresa has avoided any questions about Sonny's past including who her father is, if she has any relatives, and how she came about. The only thing Sonny knows is that her mom has a sister, Melanie; Sonny hires a private investigator who finds this sister and invites her to spend a week at a beach house with Sonny and her mom. Without telling her mom.
The week is full of Sonny doing psychology tests (and play breaks) with her mom and Melanie that she really doesn't know to interpret. But the test results aren't hard to interpret and give you a view into the sisters' lives before they went their separate ways 25 years ago.
I don't want to give you many more details about the book as it has a lot of twists and turns that kept me turning the pages. There is a lot of depth to this book, its theme, and its characters. The writing is great; I laughed out loud multiple times and got teary-eyed at others. It really is just full of surprises, good ones. I'd recommend it to anyone really. There's something for everyone- family drama, romance, friendship, and female bonding.
The week is full of Sonny doing psychology tests (and play breaks) with her mom and Melanie that she really doesn't know to interpret. But the test results aren't hard to interpret and give you a view into the sisters' lives before they went their separate ways 25 years ago.
I don't want to give you many more details about the book as it has a lot of twists and turns that kept me turning the pages. There is a lot of depth to this book, its theme, and its characters. The writing is great; I laughed out loud multiple times and got teary-eyed at others. It really is just full of surprises, good ones. I'd recommend it to anyone really. There's something for everyone- family drama, romance, friendship, and female bonding.
March 1, 2011
Sunset Beach has a cabin that Sonny Miller can’t wait to rent. Her mom has promised her a week anywhere she chooses for her graduation gift. Sonny has plans for more than relaxing though. What Sonny’s mother doesn’t know is Sonny is determined to use her new psychology degree to get answers she’s wanted for years, like who is Sonny’s father?
Sonny has few plans to throw her mom off balance. She’s invited her mom’s sister, Melanie to spend the week too. A sister Sonny didn’t know her mom had until she hired a private investigator. Melanie has a few secrets of her own about Sonny’s mom and the identity of her father.
Sonny’s mom is on to her though, she knows Sonny is going to want something from her this week and she’s not going to give her the chance to uncover secrets. She’s brought along a surprised guest of her own, the charming Irina, her protégé. She’ll have to spend most of her time working with Irina which should protect her from Sonny’s prying into her past.
And if that’s not enough there is a hunk of gorgeous, that shows up from Sonny’s past.
Perry brings this delightfully light yet, serious book full circle by the end. I’d recommend it for a beach read or airplane ride. It has enough of a relaxing setting that you can feel the sand in your toes and yet has plenty of intrigue to make you turn the page.
Sonny has few plans to throw her mom off balance. She’s invited her mom’s sister, Melanie to spend the week too. A sister Sonny didn’t know her mom had until she hired a private investigator. Melanie has a few secrets of her own about Sonny’s mom and the identity of her father.
Sonny’s mom is on to her though, she knows Sonny is going to want something from her this week and she’s not going to give her the chance to uncover secrets. She’s brought along a surprised guest of her own, the charming Irina, her protégé. She’ll have to spend most of her time working with Irina which should protect her from Sonny’s prying into her past.
And if that’s not enough there is a hunk of gorgeous, that shows up from Sonny’s past.
Perry brings this delightfully light yet, serious book full circle by the end. I’d recommend it for a beach read or airplane ride. It has enough of a relaxing setting that you can feel the sand in your toes and yet has plenty of intrigue to make you turn the page.
June 19, 2009
Sonny Miller is a young woman on a mission – to uncover family secrets her mother has kept hidden for twenty-five years. A week at a beach house is just the place to find out those secrets and surprise guests will make for a very interesting week. Sonny hires a private investigator to find her aunt, Melanie, whom she has never met. Sonny’s mom, a successful singer, brings her protégé. As this strained family gathers at a quirky beach house, secrets are revealed, walls start coming down, and romance blossoms. Welcome to Sunset Beach.
There is a lot to like about Sunset Beach. The characters were very likeable, the setting was beautiful, the strong Biblical themes throughout and the theme of forgiveness made this book very enjoyable and very real. This book addresses some difficult topics and situations, but Trish Perry has done an excellent job of balancing those topics with humor and romance. There was a lot of tension between the characters initially, but not once was this book stressful to read. I really admire writing that deals with conflict and reality without feeling too heavy. This book will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired to love and forgive. Sunset Beach is a wonderful summertime story that I highly recommend.
There is a lot to like about Sunset Beach. The characters were very likeable, the setting was beautiful, the strong Biblical themes throughout and the theme of forgiveness made this book very enjoyable and very real. This book addresses some difficult topics and situations, but Trish Perry has done an excellent job of balancing those topics with humor and romance. There was a lot of tension between the characters initially, but not once was this book stressful to read. I really admire writing that deals with conflict and reality without feeling too heavy. This book will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired to love and forgive. Sunset Beach is a wonderful summertime story that I highly recommend.
January 23, 2016
SUNSET BEACH is centered on Sonny Miller, a college student who's ready to confront her mother about her estranged past. But Sonny soon finds out more about her mother than she bargained for.
While I enjoyed SUNSET BEACH, I felt Trish Perry might have tried to tackle too many issues in one story. Teenage pregnancy, adoption, bulimia, kleptomania, betrayal, estrangement, forgiveness, at times it just seemed like too much. Though I liked the character of Irina, I felt she was conjured up just as a way to introduce Grig into the story. I felt her subplots were a distraction to the main vein of the book, Sonny and her extended family.
I enjoyed the chemistry between Sonny and Grig, and was glad to see that Melanie could be a strong Christian character and still have a backbone. On the other hand, Teresa was a real piece of work. I enjoyed watching her soften as the story moved forward. Zeke and Julian were interesting characters. They served as mirrors for each character to gaze into and see what it was they were looking for.
Over all, SUNSET BEACH was a good book. I'm glad every facet of Sonny's discovery didn't end with cookie cutter perfection. It would have lessened the impact of the overall story.
While I enjoyed SUNSET BEACH, I felt Trish Perry might have tried to tackle too many issues in one story. Teenage pregnancy, adoption, bulimia, kleptomania, betrayal, estrangement, forgiveness, at times it just seemed like too much. Though I liked the character of Irina, I felt she was conjured up just as a way to introduce Grig into the story. I felt her subplots were a distraction to the main vein of the book, Sonny and her extended family.
I enjoyed the chemistry between Sonny and Grig, and was glad to see that Melanie could be a strong Christian character and still have a backbone. On the other hand, Teresa was a real piece of work. I enjoyed watching her soften as the story moved forward. Zeke and Julian were interesting characters. They served as mirrors for each character to gaze into and see what it was they were looking for.
Over all, SUNSET BEACH was a good book. I'm glad every facet of Sonny's discovery didn't end with cookie cutter perfection. It would have lessened the impact of the overall story.
June 1, 2009
Sunset Beach is a sweet romance between two young people who are recent college graduates. But it's more than just a romantic tale. It's a story of healing and revealing secrets. It's a story of wounded people learning to love and support each other...and learning to trust and be honest about how they feel. There are many beautiful, Biblical themes in Sunset Beach that make it well worth the read. The hero was yummy, and the heroine was loveable. You couldn't help but want to see things worked out in her family. I found the conflict to be very realistic and well-done. The character arcs were gradual and satisfying as well. I didn't cry my eyes out like I did with Trish's last book, Beach Dreams, but I managed a satisfied sigh at the end of this one. This is a great beach read. For real. Check it out!
June 21, 2009
Sunset Beach is the perfect book for the summer since it's set at a beach house. Even though it's part of The Beach House Series, it stands alone since each book is not connected to previous ones.
Sonny Miller wants to learn about her past so she arranges a surprise meeting between her mother and her estranged sister. The story line is complex enough to be interesting but not so complex that you lose track when interupted by your children (and cooling dips in the pool). A number of the characters' situations (there are a few love stories mixed in) are resolved by the end of the book with a few left a bit dangling so maybe there will be a sequel. I recommend this book to those that want a good story without being overly deep (if that makes sense?).
Sonny Miller wants to learn about her past so she arranges a surprise meeting between her mother and her estranged sister. The story line is complex enough to be interesting but not so complex that you lose track when interupted by your children (and cooling dips in the pool). A number of the characters' situations (there are a few love stories mixed in) are resolved by the end of the book with a few left a bit dangling so maybe there will be a sequel. I recommend this book to those that want a good story without being overly deep (if that makes sense?).
August 17, 2010
Trish Perry’s novel, Sunset Beach, draws the reader into an enticing story about a young woman seeking to find some answers about her past. Sonny Miller secretly invites her Aunt Teresa to join her and her mother at a beach house for a week together. Sonny’s mother and her sister, Teresa, have not seen each other for many years, and the reunion leads to some shocking surprises as secrets from the past are exposed. Fears, mistrust, romance, and God’s grace working to bring a broken family back together make Sunset Beach a great read, offering touching moments, bits of humor and a good supply of hope.
February 16, 2014
A compelling story of betrayal, revelation, and forgiveness, Sunset Beach is filled with surprises. Once again, Perry made me chuckle and in the midst of drama. Rich characters, a quirky beach house, and old friends Julian and Zeke make Sunset Beach a must read. Novel Journey and I give it a very high recommendation.
November 1, 2017
I visited Sunset Beach 5 years ago, and remembered seeing a few beach houses like this one. I wanted to climb inside this book, because my second oldest brother and I are estranged. Really want to read Castles in the Sand and The Beach House, unfortunately none of the libraries in my area carry these books
January 8, 2011
Not bad, not bad! A Christian based book with a decent plot. Add to that a wonderful setting (the beach!) and it got my attention.The characters did not always react realistically and the writing is no Jane Austin but I enjoyed it.
August 24, 2011
Good book, good Christian values incorporated in the story but at times there was just too many boring details. I was ready for the story to move on yet had to read through the details. Still, I'd recommend it.
April 3, 2015
Although not remarkably vivid or fresh in language or style, Sunset Beach is warm and intimate. I enjoyed reading this novel and learning through the characters and their struggles (particularly Irina). The issues could be covered more deeply; regard Sunset Beach as a compelling introduction.
June 20, 2019
Sweet romance in the Beach House series. Newly minted psychologist tries to reunite her mom and her mom's twin who are estranged. Doesn't go as planned.
October 7, 2010
So well written with such amazing characters. Very hard to put down.
July 19, 2012
Really liking Trish Perry's books! I'm impressed and will read more! This was a little churchy but not over the top!
September 8, 2014
I love all the beach house books. Sad to see the series end.
March 4, 2016
Just ok. Thought it wad going to be better. Too much 'stuff' not needed. I liked the general idea of the story though.
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March 13, 2019This was an easy read, geared toward teenagers really.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews