I have to admit, for about the first third of the book I struggled to keep track of characters and plot lines - perhaps they weren't developed enough to make any one character stand out. Once I had everyone sorted in my head, the book picked up speed.
Nice beach read, but not one that I would reread.
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This was my first read by Joanne DeMaio and loved it! I so look forward to reading her other books which I plan to start next.

There are so many stories within this charming read and great takeaways. Each character brings a unique part to the novel –each of the characters are dealing with demons of their own and the soothing seas of this quaint beach town of Stony Point help them all face their fears and begin healing.

A story of real life and connections, friendships, family, loss, secrets, regrets, and love. A captivating story which was hard to put down. You will fall in love with the characters and the writing style of seamlessly joining the past with the present.

Maris is a fashion designer from Chicago who travels back to her favorite beach town to tie up loss ends from her father’s death, while considering a marriage proposal from a corporate attorney in Chicago.

Jason is still guilt ridden after his brother’s death-a successful architect who returns home to this same beach town to deal with his demons. Could he have a life with Maris-something started years ago?

Eva, her oldest friend, is someone to whom Maris feels a very close connection. The others, like Lauren, Kyle, and especially Jason Barlow, whose life has tragically taken its toll on him....their connection also tugs at her, and as she extends her time at the beach, she begins to believe that there is more in this town for her. This sea environment is inspiring her as she completes her designs.

While Eva is looking for her real mother, Maris finds out she has a sister out there somewhere, Lauren and Kyle fight for a life outside of Neil who died in an accident years ago. This books holds so many mysteries and lives begin to come together.

Each of the friends has a secret they are carrying around from their past. One by one, they reveal the tragedy that keeps them from the life they are seeking. Life throws us curves and sometimes what does not kill us makes us stronger. A must read and highly recommend!
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WOW! That is very first word that came to mind after I finished Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans by Joanne DeMaio. This is the second book I have had the pleasure of reading by Ms. DeMaio and let me tell you I enjoyed it just as much as the last. As I was reading this story the descriptions of the beach and the water are so detailed that I swore I heard the waves crashing on shore and felt the sand between my toes. Not only can Ms. DeMaio transport us to the beach, she has created characters that are memorable, charismatic, compelling, and personable. I wouldn't mind sitting down with these folks for a visit. This is another one of those very emotional books that takes you along for the ride. This story revolves around a group of friends that knew each when they were young. It is a nice story of a reunion of friends that still have a connection all these years late.

Maris Carrington has returned to her hometown to take care of her fathers estate. While she is cleaning and packing she finds questions that she has to answer before she goes home. Maris has some life decisions to make and longs for some time at the beach. She decides to extend her stay and try to work out her life. She meets up with some old friends while at the beach. She starts her search to uncover the mystery she longs to understand. I really liked Maris she is s strong, independent woman that I truly admired.

Eva is Maris best friend and has been for years, she helps Maris find a cottage by the beach to rent for a few weeks. Eva has some family problems of her own. She longs to find her birth parents. She gets so caught up in her search that it's putting a strain on her husband and daughter. Eva has a wonderful husband Matt who feels a little abandon when Eva goes on her searches. Eva has a great life but feels like she is missing something. There is a huge mystery here that unfolds that left me speechless for a few moments. I'm not going to do tell you more then that. I'll let you read this wonderful story to find out for yourself.

Jason Barlow went through a tremendous loss and is struggling to find his way back to life. He not only lost his brother but part of his leg as well. Jason is carrying a lot of emotional baggage around. Maris just may be the one person that can help him deal with his past. I really enjoyed learning Jason's story. If you have a box of kleenex handy you might want to grab it here when he's explaining what happened. I cried and hurt for him. His is a very emotional story.

Matt & Lauren's marriage is suffering the impact of financial insecurity due to job loss and the economy. Matt is doing his best to keep his family a float but feels he's losing his wife and doesn't know how to get her back. Lauren has suffered a great loss and is living in the world of "WHAT IF" things had been different. These two pulled at my heart. What they need most is each other and their children. They just have find their way back together.

Over all, this was one fabulously written story full of drama, friendship, love, a nice reunion, and lots of emotion. Ms. DeMaio has a wonderful way of telling a story that pulls you right in and touches you so deep you can feel the pain, the sorrow and the joy of each of her delightfully fascinating characters. I truly felt a bond with each character. I was so engrossed in this story that I hated to set the book down to do other things. I couldn't wait to pick it back up to see what in the world as going to happen next.

Now that I have had the pleasure of reading two sensational stories by Ms. DeMaio, I will certainly be looking forward to her next release. I enjoy her unique writing style and way of transporting you to the beach with her phenomenal details.

If you are looking for a great summer time read that you can read at the beach or just imagine you are at the beach, check this one out. But don't leave the Kleenex behind. I hope you find this book as enjoyable as I did.

I had the delightful opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review. As always it has been a great pleasure to share my thoughts on this story with you.

Had some trouble at the beginning keeping all the characters straight and adjusting to the flashbacks, but once I got into the book, the characters pulled me in and I had to keep reading to see what happened to the group of friends. I live in a landlocked state so I also enjoyed the beach and water descriptions. Thank you for chosing me for this free book via GoodReads. ( )

Just like the ebb and flow of the tide, life brings issues and changes to one's life, but the bonds of friendship, sea air and salt water are cleansing, they cure what ails you.

For a group of old friends, a summer reunion spent together on the shores of Long Island Sound in the idyllic seashore town of Stony Point, Connecticut, will bring them a chance to strengthen the bonds of friendship and provide a healing balm as they each deal with a variety life issues: love, relationships, loss, secrets, private demons, seeking redemption and second chances.

Maris Carrington is a top denim fashion designer living in Chicago, who comes back to her hometown in Connecticut to settle the estate of her late father. Old memories of summers spent in Stony Point linger, it has been twelve years since her last summer at the Connecticut shore. Maris faces an indecision of what she really wants in life: an engagement/marriage to her corporate attorney boyfriend Scott in Chicago, or the peace and tranquility of living in Stony Point. While viewing old home movies a family secret is revealed and a chance to rekindle an old love keeps Maris from wanting to return to Chicago.

Eva Gallagher is a Stony Point Realtor and is married to her childhood sweetheart Matt, a State Trooper. They have a teenage daughter named Taylor. But a happy marriage and family life isn't enough for Eva, she was adopted at the age of one and is haunted with not knowing who her birth parents are or her true identity. The wondering never goes away and her obsession with online searching of adoption websites causes issues and tension with her husband and daughter.

Jason Barlow is an architect who owns Barlow Architecture, a small design and construction business specializing in renovating beach cottages that he started with his deceased brother Neil. Seven years ago, Jason and Neil were in a motorcycle accident that took Neil's life and left Jason with a prosthetic left leg. Wracked with guilt over the loss of his brother, he is consumed with grief, Neil is now but a shadow and a whispered voice in his head. Trying to heal and move forward with his life and business, perhaps a rekindling of old friendships and an old love may be just what he needs to quiet his private demons.

Kyle Bradford is an unemployed shipbuilder who works part-time as a cook in a diner. He is married to his childhood sweetheart Lauren, and they have two children: Evan (six) and Hailey (four). Cooking is his passion, but it is also his downfall, as his continued unemployment stands in the way of maintaining a happy marriage. Lauren is unhappy with the constant financial struggle in their marriage, she longs for a lost lover and a time when she used to paint seascapes on driftwood.

For this group of old friends, a summer in Stony Point will strengthen their bonds of friendship and provide a healing solace that will help rebuild their lives.

Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans is a poignant story of rebuilding friendships and dealing with life's issues that tug at your heartstrings. In her second novel, author Joanne DeMaio weaves an emotional tale written in the third person narrative that alternates between five character perspectives, and is set in the present with flashbacks to the past. The reader is transported to the tranquil seashore town of Stony Point, Connecticut, where they follow along with Maris, Eva, Matt, Jason, Kyle and Lauren as they reconnect and deal with challenges of real life, secrets and personal demons. Each has a story to tell, they come alive as their hopes, regrets, love, loss, choices and memories are revealed to the reader.

Author Joanne DeMaio easily captivates her readers' attention with this beautifully written and emotional tale through a seamless and flowing storyline, and with a wonderful description of a tranquil beach setting that wraps itself around the reader like a sun-warmed beach towel. The characters draw you into their lives with a strong emotional pull, their complexities and flaws are true-to-life, it is easy to relate to each of their stories with compassion, empathy and hope.

Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans is an intricate story of interweaving friendships and real life challenges that is both heart wrenching and inspirational. It is a powerful and compelling story that will have you feeling the full gamut of emotions while soothing your soul, it is a story that will resonate with you long after the last word has been read.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

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