The Beach House

The Beach House #1

by Georgia Bockoven

The beach house is a peaceful haven, a place to escape everyday problems. Here, three families find their feelings intensified and their lives transformed each summer.

When thirty-year-old Julia, mourning the death of her husband, decides to sell the Santa Cruz beach house they owned together, she sets in motion a final summer that will change the lives of all the families who rent it year after year. Teenaged Chris discovers the bittersweet joy of first love. Maggie and Joe, married sixty-five years, courageously face a separation that even their devotion cannot prevent. The married woman Peter yearns for suddenly comes within his reach. And Julia ultimately finds the strength to rebuild her life—something she once thought impossible.

With equal measures of heartbreak and happiness, bestselling author Georgia Bockoven's unforgettable novel tells of the beauty of life and the power of love, and speaks to every woman who has ever clung to a child or loved a man.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Womens Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Beach Reads

432 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 4, 1997

About the author

Georgia was a Army child, who after a successful career as a freelance photo journalist before she turned to fiction writing. Published since 1983, she is an award-winning author whose books have sold more than four million copies worldwide. Her romance novel, A Marriage of Convenience, became a CBS movie in October of 1998 starring Jane Seymour and James Brolin.

Married wich John Bockoven, she is the mother of two, and resides in Northern California. When her husband retired from the fire department, she decided to take a break from writing and spend more time together. The result was a nature photography business that is both challenging and filled with creative energy.

Reviews

[Sarah-jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. For some reason, I could not put this book down-- BUT, it definitely wasn't a favourite by any means. I was intrigued by each story, but felt as though each was pretty long-winded and then bam! Either the story just ended, without much to it, or the ending was so super cheesy I couldn't help but cringe. It's as though the author got tired of writing. Sweet stories in many ways, and I definitely got all choked up at times, and it was nice to get back into this kind of relaxed/romantic read for a change-- now back to my series and adventure!!

[NATUI · Rating 3 out of 5]

I blew threw the first three-quarters of this book loving it. I had such high praise that a friend wanted to borrow it when I was done. Then, I finished it. It almost as if the author ran out of steam and just cobbled things together at the end. That's why I can only give this book three starts because it fell apart for me at the end. I'm almost embarrassed to give it to my friend, now, after all my gushing. Still, I'm not sorry I read it, and I would love to read a follow up novel on the characters.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I needed a lighter read to offset the heaviness of a book I just finished and this book was just right. It's set at a beach house in the Santa Cruz, CA area and each chapter is a month and focuses on the owner or the person renting the house that month. I liked all of the different stories and the way the story of the owner of the house was weaved throughout the book. It's a light, fast read that is perfect for summer. I'm reviewing the author's sequel to this book so am looking forward to seeing how the story continues!

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, romantic novel to read at the beach.

[Margie]

I Did Not Finish this audio book. The narrator just got under my skin, sorry to say.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a series of inter-related stories surrounding the tenants and neighbors of a beach house in Santa Cruz, CA. After the death of her husband, Julia decides to have one more visit to the beach house before putting it up for sale. She is surprised to find that she has some feelings for a man renting one of the nearby cottages from a friend, a former doctor making an attempt to become a writer. The following tenants are a mom and teenager son, along with a family friend who brings teenager daughter and friend. The boy deals with his long time crush on the spoiled girl, finds new love, and possibly a new career. The next tenants are a long term married couple with no children of their own, who befriend the children of the divorced writer. They are dealing with their own sadness due to the wife's terminal illness. The last tenant is a preacher's wife, hiding her impending divorce from a long time resident, Peter, who has had a feelings for her for a long time. The story winds back and forth with Julia's struggles to make a life of her own, coming to a point of deciding which path she wants to take forward. Fitting with its title, this would be a good beach read, not too fluffy, but not too heavy, even at its darker moments.

[Meredith Schorr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novel with several sub-stories all connected to a single beach house. I cared about all of the characters and wanted to see them happy. The stories were romantic without being overly sappy or angsty. I was especially touched by Maggie and Joe's story, especially, the interaction between the two elderly folks and young Jason and Sarah. I absolutely adored young Chris and wish there were more grown men like him! I appreciated the addition of a few antagonists like Tracy and Brandon to stir the pot. And although I was engrossed by both Eric and Julia's and Paul and Katherine's stories, I did find the characters a bit similar in personality. I would have liked to see what happened with Chris's mom but perhaps that gets followed up in the sequel. In sum, a very enjoyable read. A bit slow to start, but kept my interest the entire time.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book; different stories going on between several different sets of characters, but not so much that it was confusing to keep up with everyone. The story of the elderly couple left me literally in tears ........ very few books have made me actually cry, but this one did.

Will definitely read more from this author.

[Kristen Quarles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I've read. I am so glad I picked it out of my stash to take to the beach. I read it in half a day! The basic format does not usually appeal to me; it's basically 4 intertwining stories that really captivated me. It was so fun, and sometimes sad to watch each story unfold. It was just a wonderful book - don't miss it!

[Judy Churchill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an easy summer read with a bit of substance. I liked the characters and the writing style was simple and readable. There was some wisdom concerning relationships, loss, and new beginnings.

[azul · Rating 3 out of 5]

some sections were good but some sections were bad but the section with the old couple made me sad ngl

[Laura B · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my first, and last novel, by GB. I bought this novel as a Kindle deal for $2 and I am glad I spent no more than that. From the blurb I thought I would like it; I like stories set on the beach, but this novel had two sex scenes with body parts detailed (and one without any graphic detail) and I do not care for that in books I read. I know this is a mainstream author, but I have read many books from mainstream genre of Women's Fiction without graphic sex scenes. I wish the blurb stated outright this was in the book. There was some language, but it wasn't too bad.

As for the writing style, I've read better. I did not care for the point of view hopping from one character to the next from sentence to sentence. Overall, the story was just okay, nothing great, and it was completely predictable, and the ending wrapped up too neatly.

If graphic sex scenes or bad language do not bother you, you might want to read this if you're bored over the summer. I personally do not recommend it.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just what I was looking for, a light summer read! Enjoyed the characters but wanted more. The story would just start getting good then would move to the next story with new characters . I cried at Joe and Maggie's story, very touching.

[Nancy G. Murdoch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just ok

I had never read this author before, but from the reviews I expected someone like an American Rosamunde Pilcher. I was seriously disappointed. This seemed more like a cheap romance novel. Occasionally the author hit the right note, but more often she was flat.

[Peter Gantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

My views about Georgia Bockoven's books are captured best in my review from 1998 of The Way it Should Have Been, which in reprint is now titled Carly's Gift. Which I added here on Goodreads just a moment ago.

I haven't re-read any of Georgia's books in quite awhile. Not because I've changed my mind about how good they are, or even simply that my tastes have changed. No, after just re-reading The Beach House, I still love her books--and far more importantly, I am still just as captured, just as invested in her amazing, soul-touching storytelling as ever. I simply have been reading in my usual genres, and busy with life, I guess.

But re-reading The Beach House brought home just how good her books are, but also just how re-affirming it is to read about love and happiness mixed with love and sorrow. Georgia didn't shy away from the reality that life sometimes sucks, but she spoke to love and sadness equally with a gift for connecting you to your emotions and the emotions of the characters. That re-affirmation is needed now, in these dark days, more than ever.

I spoke in the past tense. When I wrote that 1998 review referenced above, back in the days before a certain online giant's reviews were over-crowded with fakes and scams, Georgia took the time to send me an email via the review. It was a neat thing to me, something I still treasure, as silly as that little email exchange we had might seem to anyone else. When I got married, I told her about it, and she wished me well. So when I finished re-reading The Beach House, I looked up Georgia. And found, sadly, that she passed away in 2017.

So, I now have a sense of loss I will carry around for a few days, as I continue re-reading a number of her books (I planned to read the whole Beach House series when I re-read the first one). I am not of course mourning as her family and friends must have, probably still do. I exchanged a few emails with her...I didn't know her. But I do mourn the loss of a wonderful storyteller. And I'm glad she went back to the Beach House one more time, years after retiring from writing. Thank you Georgia for the gifts you gave us via your books, and RIP.

[Claire Barfell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads Giveaways and I loved it. It is the story of three families who live at the beach house and their friends and families. There is grief over the loss of loved ones, there is romance and love. The characters are so real that I felt that I knew them and all their hopes and fears. The book was so good I did not want it to end. I loved the story about Maggie and Joe and how they loved each other for so many years. I felt sorry for Julia and hoped for a better future for her. Katherine's story was very captivating and it was so good to see her change her thoughts and beliefs. So, without giving away the plots and spoiling the book, I just have to say it is very interesting and I am so glad I got to read it.

[Liz Destefano · Rating 3 out of 5]

The saddest part of the book was about Joe And Maggie who were married for 65 years and he thought Maggie was so beautiful and they acted like they were still young but founding out that Maggie had cancer and was going to end her life on her birthday but delayed it when they met Jason and Susie kids that were so cute and acted like Maggie and Joe were their grandparents
She got to spend time but her time with as coming short and when she took her life Joe did too for he did not want to go on without her
The rest of the story was just ok with the rest of the different lives that were in the book

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was a roller coaster of emotions and I loved it. Loss, hope, frustration, love and growth all wrapped up during the summer months in a nice beach house. I found myself close to sobbing with the July story and feeling as though we all deserve to have a lasting love such as Joe and Maggie's.

This was an easy read, just what I needed to refresh my brain from my usual dark reads. I am now looking for the next in the series, as I am hoping to learn more about the paths each of the families have taken.

[Rita Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading "The Beach House" by Georgia Bockoven which was a Goodreads giveaway. This is not the usual sort of book I read but I have to say I enjoyed it. The book was broken down in five stories of different people or couples who occupy a beach house for a month at a time. I found it easy to read one section at a time and come back to pick it up and read the next. I found the people in this book to be well fleshed out and totally believable! I do recommend this book and give it a 4 star rating. Good job Georgia Bockoven. ( I feel you must know some of these people.) :)

[Amanda McReynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. I usually don't like short stories because I like to get attached to one set of characters and stay with them, but although this was written sort of in short story format switching between different lives, it was all centered within the same house and storylines intertwined in beautiful ways. The dialogue was believable and made me love (or hate) each character, connecting me to them through their obstacles and celebrations along the way. I'm excited to read the next book in the series and hope the rest of the series is just as enjoyable.

[Natalie Doll · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 A cozy feeling book: there was something about this writing or the setting or maybe even the characters that gave it a comforting feel. Split into 4 sections spanning the entire summer, each focuses on the main characters finding themselves and growing, which makes me happy. Each section also touched on differing themes that felt realistic and tangible, which made me feel sympathy and connection to them. My favorite section was with Maggie and Joe. Seeing the connection with Eric’s children was so bittersweet.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three families, one setting

Not great literature, but a very enjoyable, and not too light read. The story is organized by months, May through September, at a beach house in California. Each month features a different main character or family, each facing some type of life transition, and each having some relationship with the other. Mostly happy endings, though not all, and some predictability, but overall just a nice, enjoyable book.

[Stephanie Gilbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a collection of stories of different people that ended up with their lives being interwoven. It was enjoyable to read - the stories and characters were interesting. I felt the male love interest characters were a little unrealistic, but I was able to suspend my disbelief and enjoy each family's story. However, I will say the somewhat graphic sex scenes (I think there were 2) seemed TOTALLY out of place and were really unnecessary.

[Jeanne (love2cook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! This is one of the best romance stories I've read in a long time. The characters seem so real that they could come off the pages. Each of the couples depicted was different, and yet the love was palpable in each of them. There was love, devotion, sadness, strength, joy, peace, heartbreak, and happiness all brought together in a lovely story. Ms Bockoven is a new author to me, but I'll be looking for more of her books. What an excellent writer and book.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now author to me and I just fancied something summery and light to read.

I thoroughly enjoyed the separate family stories in the book, which all blend beautifully together.

Be sure to have a box is tissues ready for the Joe and Maggie section - beautifully, sympathetically written. I couldn't get to sleep last night, I was so bunged up from crying!

Truly the mark of a good book :)

[Eileen Shankle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the sequel first,and was curious what I missed in the first story. My typical beach,family,relationship story that I enjoy to pass the time. Several stories linked together about families who for years have been staying at the same beach house. I like her style of writing. Each story tugged at my heart, especially the ne about the older couple.

[Melanie Eckert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable Story

I enjoyed the stories and characters in this novel, but I was left wondering what happened with all but two of them. I didn't feel their stories were finished. I gave this book 4 stars because I didn't get a sense of closure. I was not expecting such an abrupt ending.

[Macy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story. This book is a lovely tapestry of people who come i need and out of each other's lives. Love, life, changes, death, friendship, divorce, expectations are some of the topics explored through a group of people in a wonderful community. The narration and production are not great, but it is worth listening anyway. Grab a pack of tissues!!

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this sweet book. While it was predictable, I really didn't care. The characters were interesting and likable and I just wanted to spend time with them. What I didn't know when a friend lent me this book was that it was the first of a series. When I'm in the mood for a sweet book, I'm sure I will read more.

[Edie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book that I have read by Georgia Bockoven but it won’t be the last. It is a great summer read with a few short stories of a few families spun together. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about each of the characters and felt their happiness as well as their sadness. Will be looking for the next book in this series!!