Between Opal’s playful, free-spiritedness and Linc’s grumpiness, this book left me smiling anytime the hero and heroine were in the same place. Add to that Opal’s cooking misadventures and her two best friends, and T. I. Lowe welcomes you to Sunset Cove.

Opal is a great heroine—unique in her kookiness but also full of wisdom. And the brooding, injured ex-Marine isn’t at all as stereotypical as he seems on the surface. As you get to know these two, you get to the center of their regrets and their desires.

Beach Haven is a great start to Lowe’s Carolina Coast series and will have you ready for summer, sand, and sun (as well as the next book in the series). ( )

How TI Lowe manages to continue writing such amazing books, I'll never know. Each of her books is a wonderful addition to what she already has out there. This book is no exception. The characters are the perfect combination of southern sass and hospitality and they grabbed my heart from the beginning. Linc and his journey in this book is a thing to behold. Linc and Opal together are amazing. It's hard to put into words just how much I loved them! ( )

Towns people gather around to help restore Sunset Cove community from the aftermath of a hurricane. The shop owner of Bless This Mess, Opal Gilbert is a staple in the community. Wounded soldier, Ex-Marine Lincoln Cole doesn’t want anything to do with Opal and/or Sunset Cove community. He’s in a tailspin and is physically dealing with a recent loss. But as time goes on Opal helps Lincoln restore more than just a building, he has the opportunity to heal his soul and the relationship with his family.

I enjoyed the setting, the small-town feel, the strong personalities of the leading characters Opal and Lincoln and the caring community. I enjoyed Opal’s strong but non-preachy faith message, as the characters struggle with situations, and how God works in the big scheme of things. Loved this authors’ well-timed humor and the appearance of the Knitting Club ladies.

I liked how this author does not shy away from tough topics but deals with them in a loving, graceful way as former Marine suffers from PTSD and family drama. Lincoln is angry, tough but doesn’t want to stay that way. He’s met his match with Opal who is a strong independent, quirky, creative, free spirited woman who is smarter than she appears on the surface. She has the gift of seeing through people’s hard exterior to the real person inside. Lincoln notices this about Opal and is intrigued. He hasn’t met a gal like her before. She’s an inspiration. “…underneath her flamboyant exterior…”Opal is one wise soul who sees everything and loves it.” Like God does for us.

Lincoln realizes that his past doesn’t have to define him. That God can restore and bring hope to his future.” Nothing was too far gone to be restored, even though its new purpose might be different from it’s original one.” …“Sometimes things happen. They change us, life leads us to other paths.”

I enjoyed this message of re-purposing things and a course correction in life. Bad things do not define us. Other themes running through this story is one of hope, healing, forgiveness, and new beginnings. I enjoyed hanging out with these flawed characters that are messy, real, and beautiful.

This is a great story to get lost and found in. I want to be part of Sunset Cover community as they rebuild, regroup, and re-purpose things and lives. Bravo to this author that leaves readers with healing and hope in their hearts. I highly recommend this for your next book club pick.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org ( )

Beach Haven was the perfect read for me and just the escape I needed during this time. As a Carolina girl myself (North Carolina that is ;)...) and wife of a medically retired Marine, I just fell in love with the characters and the beautiful setting. Now if only I could just be as creative and free-spirited as Opal! One can only dream to be as fabulous as her!

Like Lulu's Cafe, Beach Haven made me feel all the feels. It's a story of friendship, family, forgiveness, redemption, moving past the past, adjusting to a "new normal", not giving up on people, surviving disasters, and just the right amount of romance with a swoonworthy former Marine.

Even if you can't escape to the beach for real right now, grab yourself a copy of Beach Haven and you will feel like you are there. Pour yourself a glass of sweet tea, turn up the country music on the radio, sit a spell on your porch, and lose yourself in this fabulous story. ( )

This was just ok ( )