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Beach House #3
Beach House Memories
Autumn brings haunting beauty to the sun-soaked dunes on Isle of Palms, where Olivia “Lovie” Rutledge lives in her beloved Primrose Cottage. As the seasons change, Lovie remembers one special summer…
In 1974, America is changing, but Charleston remains eternally the same. When Lovie married aristocratic, well-connected businessman Stratton Rutledge, she turned over her fortune and fate to his control. But she refused to relinquish one thing: her family’s old seaside cottage. Precious summers with her children on the barrier island are Lovie’s refuge from social expectations and her overbearing husband’s philandering. Here, she is the “Turtle Lady,” tending the loggerhead turtles that lay their eggs in the warm night sand and then slip back into the sea.
Then, in the summer of ‘74, biologist Russell Bennett visits to research the loggerheads. Their shared interest brings them together, and soon it blooms into a passionate, profound love—forcing Lovie to face an agonizing decision. Stratton’s influence is far-reaching, and if she dares to dream beyond a summer affair, she risks losing her reputation, her wealth, even her children.
This emotional tale of a strong woman torn between duty and desire, between tradition and change, is an empowering journey through the seasons of self-discovery. Until this autumn, this time of winds and tides, of holding on and letting go…
In 1974, America is changing, but Charleston remains eternally the same. When Lovie married aristocratic, well-connected businessman Stratton Rutledge, she turned over her fortune and fate to his control. But she refused to relinquish one thing: her family’s old seaside cottage. Precious summers with her children on the barrier island are Lovie’s refuge from social expectations and her overbearing husband’s philandering. Here, she is the “Turtle Lady,” tending the loggerhead turtles that lay their eggs in the warm night sand and then slip back into the sea.
Then, in the summer of ‘74, biologist Russell Bennett visits to research the loggerheads. Their shared interest brings them together, and soon it blooms into a passionate, profound love—forcing Lovie to face an agonizing decision. Stratton’s influence is far-reaching, and if she dares to dream beyond a summer affair, she risks losing her reputation, her wealth, even her children.
This emotional tale of a strong woman torn between duty and desire, between tradition and change, is an empowering journey through the seasons of self-discovery. Until this autumn, this time of winds and tides, of holding on and letting go…
385 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2012
About the author
Mary Alice Monroe
71 books5,003 followersMary Alice Monroe is the New York Times bestselling author of 27 books, including The Summer of Lost and Found, the latest installment of her beloved Beach House series.
Monroe has also published children’s books which complement the environmental themes she is known for in her adult novels. Monroe’s middle grade series, written with Angela May, The Islanders, debuted #2 on the New York Times Best Sellers List in 2021. The second book in the series, Search for Treasure, debuted #3 on the New York Times Best Sellers List.
Nearly eight million copies of her books have been published worldwide.
Mary Alice has earned numerous accolades and awards including induction into the South Carolina Academy of Authors’ Hall of Fame; South Carolina Center for the Book Award for Writing; the South Carolina Award for Literary Excellence; the SW Florida Author of Distinction Award; the RT Lifetime Achievement Award; the International Book Award for Green Fiction; the Henry Bergh Award for Children’s Fiction; and her novel A Lowcountry Christmas won the prestigious Southern Prize for Fiction.
Mary Alice is also the co-founder of the popular weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction.
The Beach House is a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, starring Andie McDowell. Several of her novels are optioned for film.
Mary Alice has championed the fragility of the earth’s wild habitat. The coastal southern landscape in particular is a strong and important focus of many of her novels. For her writing, Monroe immerses herself in academic research, works with wildlife experts, and does hands-on volunteering with animals. She then uses the knowledge and experiences to craft captivating stories that identify important parallels between nature and human nature. Sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins, monarch butterflies, shorebirds are among the species she has worked with and woven into her novels.
Mary Alice is also an active conservationist and serves on several boards including the South Carolina Aquarium board emeritus, the Pat Conroy Literary Center Honorary Board, and the Leatherback Trust, which she received the Leatherback Trust Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022. She is especially proud to be a state-certified volunteer with the Island Turtle Team for more than twenty years.
Mary Alice splits her time between her home on the South Carolina coast and her home in the North Carolina mountains. When she’s not writing a novel, she is with her family or busy working with wildlife somewhere in the world.
Monroe has also published children’s books which complement the environmental themes she is known for in her adult novels. Monroe’s middle grade series, written with Angela May, The Islanders, debuted #2 on the New York Times Best Sellers List in 2021. The second book in the series, Search for Treasure, debuted #3 on the New York Times Best Sellers List.
Nearly eight million copies of her books have been published worldwide.
Mary Alice has earned numerous accolades and awards including induction into the South Carolina Academy of Authors’ Hall of Fame; South Carolina Center for the Book Award for Writing; the South Carolina Award for Literary Excellence; the SW Florida Author of Distinction Award; the RT Lifetime Achievement Award; the International Book Award for Green Fiction; the Henry Bergh Award for Children’s Fiction; and her novel A Lowcountry Christmas won the prestigious Southern Prize for Fiction.
Mary Alice is also the co-founder of the popular weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction.
The Beach House is a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, starring Andie McDowell. Several of her novels are optioned for film.
Mary Alice has championed the fragility of the earth’s wild habitat. The coastal southern landscape in particular is a strong and important focus of many of her novels. For her writing, Monroe immerses herself in academic research, works with wildlife experts, and does hands-on volunteering with animals. She then uses the knowledge and experiences to craft captivating stories that identify important parallels between nature and human nature. Sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins, monarch butterflies, shorebirds are among the species she has worked with and woven into her novels.
Mary Alice is also an active conservationist and serves on several boards including the South Carolina Aquarium board emeritus, the Pat Conroy Literary Center Honorary Board, and the Leatherback Trust, which she received the Leatherback Trust Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022. She is especially proud to be a state-certified volunteer with the Island Turtle Team for more than twenty years.
Mary Alice splits her time between her home on the South Carolina coast and her home in the North Carolina mountains. When she’s not writing a novel, she is with her family or busy working with wildlife somewhere in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 733 reviews
April 26, 2012
Beach House Memories....what a phenomenal book to follow Beach House and Swimming Lessons. My heart soared and broke right along with Lovie. I adored her character after the first two books but to find out her story...Wow! It is an amazing journey of heartache, love, loss, devotion, and friendship.
Growing up and still going to the beach every summer I've always loved the ocean and all it's marvelous creatures. However, after reading Beach House and Swimming Lessons my love for sea turtles grew. Beach House Memories shines so much more light on Lovie's devotion to them. Not only is it a great read, it's inspiring as well (like so many of Mary Alice's books!). I encourage anyone who has read this book to get involved with the efforts to protect the sea turtles. If you're not lucky enough to live near the beach or be part of a turtle team, you can help by inspiring others, educating them, sharing your love of sea turtles (and these books!) or adpoting a sea turtle! There are many links on Mary Alice's website to guide you!
Coincidentally, the year I met Mary Alice at a bookstore in Emerald Isle, I saw my first turtle nest hatch! It is one of my personal favorite "beach house memories". Thank you Mary Alice Monroe for another wonderful story! I can't wait for your next one!!
**If you loved this book for the turtles, check out The Butterfly's Daughter! Mary Alice will have you planting milk weed, butterfly bushes, butterfly perennials and researching them in no time! Enjoy!
Growing up and still going to the beach every summer I've always loved the ocean and all it's marvelous creatures. However, after reading Beach House and Swimming Lessons my love for sea turtles grew. Beach House Memories shines so much more light on Lovie's devotion to them. Not only is it a great read, it's inspiring as well (like so many of Mary Alice's books!). I encourage anyone who has read this book to get involved with the efforts to protect the sea turtles. If you're not lucky enough to live near the beach or be part of a turtle team, you can help by inspiring others, educating them, sharing your love of sea turtles (and these books!) or adpoting a sea turtle! There are many links on Mary Alice's website to guide you!
Coincidentally, the year I met Mary Alice at a bookstore in Emerald Isle, I saw my first turtle nest hatch! It is one of my personal favorite "beach house memories". Thank you Mary Alice Monroe for another wonderful story! I can't wait for your next one!!
**If you loved this book for the turtles, check out The Butterfly's Daughter! Mary Alice will have you planting milk weed, butterfly bushes, butterfly perennials and researching them in no time! Enjoy!
November 2, 2014
Mary Alice Monroe's follow up to The Beach House takes readers back to Olivia's younger days and gives the heartbreaking romance between Olivia and the true love of her life, Russell Bennett. After getting bits of their tale in the first installment, I had to get the details. Torn between duty and her hearts desire, this journey is very emotional, and at times the despair is palpable.
Love, heartache, loss, friendship, courage, and Olivia's passion to help preserve the loggerhead turtles all make this an absorbing read.
Love, heartache, loss, friendship, courage, and Olivia's passion to help preserve the loggerhead turtles all make this an absorbing read.
April 25, 2012
I have such mixed emotions after reading "Lovie's story!" I loved learning about the Loggerhead Turtle Project! How exciting to witness the miraculous journey of the Mother Loggerhead as well as the babies back to the sea! They have to overcome such adversity and dangers just to survive. It is my sincerest hope that the Loggerhead Turtle Project is still functioning and that many lives are saved as a result. I wish we had Loggerheads on the West Coast. I, too, am a beach girl, having grown up on California 's Central Coast . Many days during my youth were spent running the beaches with my sisters. Such glorious, carefree days! It is, again, quite obvious that Ms. Monroe does her homework! The research that went into writing BEACH HOUSE MEMORIES is immense! I truly enjoy a book written by an author who has become an expert on the subject by research and actual hands-on experience. There is great joy eveident throughout the telling of the tale of the Loggerheads, although, in many ways, the book is actually quite sad. I feel good for Lovie overall, as she took a stand against Stratton and that he abided her wishes when reconciling their marriage. I can relate to her in that we, as women, most often have to give up a part of who we really are when we become someone's wife, someone's Mother, someone's daughter, someone's something or other...our true selves get placed on the back burner for many years and we are often not even aware that this has happened until something or someone, like Russell Bennett, comes along and there is a new dawning within us. I loved this story and already have plans to pass it on to my twin sister who, like me, is a Loggerhead lover! She can't wait to read it.
May 15, 2012
Lovie, Olivia, has spent her grown life being the perfect wife, homemaker and best mother she could be. Her husband shows little appreciation for what Lovie does for his family and business as long as she keeps his cultivated professional appearance. Deciding to further his career goals her husband decides to go to Europe and not spend time with his family this summer.
Lovie takes her 2 children to her beach home, the only place she finds solace and can be herself. The people of Isle of Palm know Lovie as the Turtle Lady, she has been keeping track of the nesting turtles for over 10 years…a love she learned from her father.
This year Dr. Russell Bennett, sea turtle specialist, arrives on Isle of Palm to do an impact study on the development of the North end of the island on the nesting turtles. After a rocky start Dr. Bennett is extremely impressed with Lovie’s journals and information she kept on the turtles and it begins a strong friendship and camaraderie. I once again am not going any further because I don’t want to accidently give anything away, so here’s my thoughts on Beach House Memories...
First off, I have to admit I’m a little bias because I already have a passion for Sea Turtle Conservation. I highly recommend that everyone should experience sea turtle at least once! That being said, Mary Alice Monroe wrote this beautifully vivid story of love, loss, growing up, friendship and life that will touch your heart. Her colorful and expressive story of the South Caroline coast makes you feel like your feet are engulfed in the warm sand and the mosquitoes are buzzing in your ears. Although, at times I wanted to throttle the female character's choices, I do realize I’m living 30+ years in the future and the women back then did have different circumstances. Wonderful story telling, heart-felt read and turtles, what else can I say but I loved it.
This copy was given to me by Goodreads First Reads and Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review.
Lovie takes her 2 children to her beach home, the only place she finds solace and can be herself. The people of Isle of Palm know Lovie as the Turtle Lady, she has been keeping track of the nesting turtles for over 10 years…a love she learned from her father.
This year Dr. Russell Bennett, sea turtle specialist, arrives on Isle of Palm to do an impact study on the development of the North end of the island on the nesting turtles. After a rocky start Dr. Bennett is extremely impressed with Lovie’s journals and information she kept on the turtles and it begins a strong friendship and camaraderie. I once again am not going any further because I don’t want to accidently give anything away, so here’s my thoughts on Beach House Memories...
First off, I have to admit I’m a little bias because I already have a passion for Sea Turtle Conservation. I highly recommend that everyone should experience sea turtle at least once! That being said, Mary Alice Monroe wrote this beautifully vivid story of love, loss, growing up, friendship and life that will touch your heart. Her colorful and expressive story of the South Caroline coast makes you feel like your feet are engulfed in the warm sand and the mosquitoes are buzzing in your ears. Although, at times I wanted to throttle the female character's choices, I do realize I’m living 30+ years in the future and the women back then did have different circumstances. Wonderful story telling, heart-felt read and turtles, what else can I say but I loved it.
This copy was given to me by Goodreads First Reads and Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review.
July 29, 2013
Three and a half stars. I couldn’t help but bring this home from the library as the cover reminded me very much of my favourite beach near where I live in Australia. Plus I like Mary Alice Munroe’s books. This is the third story I have read featuring Lovie Rutledge –The Turtle Lady and I enjoyed finding out exactly what happened to Lovie in 1974.
When visiting biologist Russell Bennett appears on the Isle of Palms, Lovie is prepared to dislike him thinking he does not have the interests of the island and her beloved sea turtles at heart. That changes once she gets to know him more. A difficult marriage with Stratton who expects Lovie to be the perfect Southern wife raising a perfectly behaved and ladylike daughter, and at the same time turn a blind eye to his absences and affairs takes its toll on Lovie. But that is nothing to what happens when she finds herself falling involve with Russell and considering divorce.
I was interested in the way relationships developed in the story though it did remind me a little of Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks. I found the story more interesting when it moved away from feeding me information about the turtles and more onto the relationships. Maybe three books about turtles were too many for this person. Still a very enjoyable story and worth reading.
When visiting biologist Russell Bennett appears on the Isle of Palms, Lovie is prepared to dislike him thinking he does not have the interests of the island and her beloved sea turtles at heart. That changes once she gets to know him more. A difficult marriage with Stratton who expects Lovie to be the perfect Southern wife raising a perfectly behaved and ladylike daughter, and at the same time turn a blind eye to his absences and affairs takes its toll on Lovie. But that is nothing to what happens when she finds herself falling involve with Russell and considering divorce.
I was interested in the way relationships developed in the story though it did remind me a little of Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks. I found the story more interesting when it moved away from feeding me information about the turtles and more onto the relationships. Maybe three books about turtles were too many for this person. Still a very enjoyable story and worth reading.
March 25, 2019
Spoilers for those who have not read Beach House #1 and Swimming Lessons otherwise known as Beach House #2).
I ultimately felt bored and slightly letdown by the third book in the series. I honestly considered just passing it up since I am not a fan of reading about affairs in romance novels. Between that and how Lovie honestly seemed to ignore her two kids for her "romance" I wasn't feeling the plot at all. And when Monroe showed how and why Lovie ended up staying in her marriage I maybe went bah.
So "Beach House Memories" has a present day setting with Lovie and her daughter Caretta (Cara) who are at the beach house. Lovie knows she has cancer and her days with her daughter are numbered. From there Monroe has her reliving her memories from 1974 when she had an affair with a biologist who was in South Carolina reporting on the turtle nests there.
So for me I found Lovie to be a weak character. We are shown as readers that she realizes her husband is cheating on her. Taking her mother in law's advice to ignore it (who does that?) she eventually realizes she is sick of her husband and her living different lives. She is hoping that their annual summer trip to the beach house that was left to her will bring them closer together.
Readers already know that this is a lost cause based on book #1 in the series. So for me I was just beyond bored to read about things. We get to see how Lovie's mother didn't really care to help her. And we see how the long standing family housekeeper was there to support the children and Lovie. And we get to see the man we have heard about for so long, Stratton Rutledge who seems even meaner and less appealing than possible.
Lovie and her "relationship" with Russell Bennett was boring. I didn't see any chemistry, but read a lot of justification for why she was doing what she was doing. The hypocrisy of the whole thing after she rails at her husband for cheating on her just made me roll my eyes.
Things got worse for me as we get to read about characters we have known and loved who in this younger setting are warning Lovie about the trouble she could be bringing upon herself.
I honestly didn't get why Lovie stayed after an explosive incident. We had heard about things from the other books, but this book was long justification that didn't fit.
Other characters are not developed that well as I said already. We get younger versions of Cara and her brother. And most of the book we don't really get to see Lovie mothering her kids. She gets obsessed with spending time with Russell and that's all she wrote. The house and the beach don't have the same appeal as they did in the first and later books.
The writing was up and down. I thought that Lovie sounded ridiculous at times. This book takes place in 1974 and characters were running around saying how disgusting they found "bra burning" and "women's liberation." Didn't that all happen in the late 1960s through the 1970s? I know that the bra burning incident that most people talk about is the one at the Miss America's Pageant in 1968. For Lovie to act surprised by things that are going on in the U.S. makes me think she had her head in the sand and never read a paper.
The flow was awful. I was happy to get to the end. There were no surprises there though Monroe interjects some magical realism that honestly didn't fit what came before.
I ultimately felt bored and slightly letdown by the third book in the series. I honestly considered just passing it up since I am not a fan of reading about affairs in romance novels. Between that and how Lovie honestly seemed to ignore her two kids for her "romance" I wasn't feeling the plot at all. And when Monroe showed how and why Lovie ended up staying in her marriage I maybe went bah.
So "Beach House Memories" has a present day setting with Lovie and her daughter Caretta (Cara) who are at the beach house. Lovie knows she has cancer and her days with her daughter are numbered. From there Monroe has her reliving her memories from 1974 when she had an affair with a biologist who was in South Carolina reporting on the turtle nests there.
So for me I found Lovie to be a weak character. We are shown as readers that she realizes her husband is cheating on her. Taking her mother in law's advice to ignore it (who does that?) she eventually realizes she is sick of her husband and her living different lives. She is hoping that their annual summer trip to the beach house that was left to her will bring them closer together.
Readers already know that this is a lost cause based on book #1 in the series. So for me I was just beyond bored to read about things. We get to see how Lovie's mother didn't really care to help her. And we see how the long standing family housekeeper was there to support the children and Lovie. And we get to see the man we have heard about for so long, Stratton Rutledge who seems even meaner and less appealing than possible.
Lovie and her "relationship" with Russell Bennett was boring. I didn't see any chemistry, but read a lot of justification for why she was doing what she was doing. The hypocrisy of the whole thing after she rails at her husband for cheating on her just made me roll my eyes.
Things got worse for me as we get to read about characters we have known and loved who in this younger setting are warning Lovie about the trouble she could be bringing upon herself.
I honestly didn't get why Lovie stayed after an explosive incident. We had heard about things from the other books, but this book was long justification that didn't fit.
Other characters are not developed that well as I said already. We get younger versions of Cara and her brother. And most of the book we don't really get to see Lovie mothering her kids. She gets obsessed with spending time with Russell and that's all she wrote. The house and the beach don't have the same appeal as they did in the first and later books.
The writing was up and down. I thought that Lovie sounded ridiculous at times. This book takes place in 1974 and characters were running around saying how disgusting they found "bra burning" and "women's liberation." Didn't that all happen in the late 1960s through the 1970s? I know that the bra burning incident that most people talk about is the one at the Miss America's Pageant in 1968. For Lovie to act surprised by things that are going on in the U.S. makes me think she had her head in the sand and never read a paper.
The flow was awful. I was happy to get to the end. There were no surprises there though Monroe interjects some magical realism that honestly didn't fit what came before.
August 2, 2017
Third in the Beach House series. I am ambivalent about the first book, like the second, and actively dislike this one.
Why do I dislike it?
Lovie's husband cheats on her. As readers, we witness her embarrassment and pain. Yet the plot revolves around the married Lovie's affair with the married Russell Bennett. How is it different? Well, I guess I'm supposed to see that Lovie and Russell are good people and meant for each other: it's not a "tawdry" affair. Okay, Lovie's husband is an ass and her marriage is unhappy. But still ...
I felt uncomfortable. Lovie has her children with her at the beach house and her son witnesses something he shouldn't. (Lovie's husband seems more discreet with his philandering - at least give him a point there.) Just seems that two wrongs don't make a right. And I'm not sure Lovie should find Russell Bennett a great catch. He seems to have little problem leaving his family behind.
Why do I dislike it?
Lovie's husband cheats on her. As readers, we witness her embarrassment and pain. Yet the plot revolves around the married Lovie's affair with the married Russell Bennett. How is it different? Well, I guess I'm supposed to see that Lovie and Russell are good people and meant for each other: it's not a "tawdry" affair. Okay, Lovie's husband is an ass and her marriage is unhappy. But still ...
I felt uncomfortable. Lovie has her children with her at the beach house and her son witnesses something he shouldn't. (Lovie's husband seems more discreet with his philandering - at least give him a point there.) Just seems that two wrongs don't make a right. And I'm not sure Lovie should find Russell Bennett a great catch. He seems to have little problem leaving his family behind.
June 5, 2012
This was an amazing book; I'm so lucky I won it on Goodreads! Set in South Carolina, Beach House Memories is a wonderful blend of romance, nature, and women's issues. Lovie, the main character, is a young mother of two with a passion for sea turtles. Some of her struggles are unique to the time period such as the expectation that women should stay at home with the children. But the importance of raising children while trying to maintain some sense of individualism remains the same today. I think women will always have different challenges than men simply because the ties to our children are different.
I have only been to South Carolina as a child so I don't remember a lot, but after reading this book I would love to visit. The description of both the beach town and Charleston are so vivid and enticing. As an animal lover it would be a thrill beyond belief to see a mama turtle climb up the beach to lay eggs or see the hatchlings return to the ocean. This book is a must-read and I'll be passing it along to friends and family so they can enjoy it also. I will also be checking out more books by Mary Alice Monroe.
I have only been to South Carolina as a child so I don't remember a lot, but after reading this book I would love to visit. The description of both the beach town and Charleston are so vivid and enticing. As an animal lover it would be a thrill beyond belief to see a mama turtle climb up the beach to lay eggs or see the hatchlings return to the ocean. This book is a must-read and I'll be passing it along to friends and family so they can enjoy it also. I will also be checking out more books by Mary Alice Monroe.
July 17, 2012
Mary Alice Monroe has outdone herself again! I re-read The Beach House, before reading this pre-quel that was published ten years later to refresh my memory of the characters. I think this novel was even better! The characters are believable, likable and recognizable to those of us lucky enough to live in South Carolina. The coast is a special place, and true to herself, Mary Alice encourages her readers to respect the wildlife in our state. You can genuinely feel Lovie's relief when she escapes her schoolyear schedule to play with her children and friends at the beach for the summer. Having visited Isle of Palms for years, I was also entranced with her depiction of the topography and the natives prior to Wild Dunes development. You will wish you were sitting on the dunes with Lovie, watching a sea turtle nest erupting with new life! Once you walk into The Beach House, you won't want to leave. A great book!
May 28, 2017
~ Third book completed in May #CleanSweepARC Challenge.~
This will not be the first time I've mentioned how much I love the Lowcountry. It will certainly not be the last; it's one of my favorite southern fictional settings. Monroe's love for the Lowcountry is also evident in her stories. This time, she has combined her passion for the beautiful coastal islands and the preservation of loggerhead sea turtles and their hatchlings. Mary Alice tells two stories here really, one of Olivia Rutledge, a woman trying to make a difference in her beloved beach community, who's trying to hold on to her family, love, and memories. Second, and what I found most interesting, a story that revolves around preserving the nests of sea turtles and protecting the defenseless hatchlings from destruction, development, and predators. In the end, Olivia is not much different from the mother sea turtle. Both get their strength from the sea and return year after year to a beach home that's in their blood. As always, Monroe delivers.
E-galley courtesy of xoxoafterdark.com.
This will not be the first time I've mentioned how much I love the Lowcountry. It will certainly not be the last; it's one of my favorite southern fictional settings. Monroe's love for the Lowcountry is also evident in her stories. This time, she has combined her passion for the beautiful coastal islands and the preservation of loggerhead sea turtles and their hatchlings. Mary Alice tells two stories here really, one of Olivia Rutledge, a woman trying to make a difference in her beloved beach community, who's trying to hold on to her family, love, and memories. Second, and what I found most interesting, a story that revolves around preserving the nests of sea turtles and protecting the defenseless hatchlings from destruction, development, and predators. In the end, Olivia is not much different from the mother sea turtle. Both get their strength from the sea and return year after year to a beach home that's in their blood. As always, Monroe delivers.
E-galley courtesy of xoxoafterdark.com.
August 31, 2018
My “ go to” author , my summer reading staple, my teacher of all things “turtle”, has disappointed me with this one,the last in her series of Beach House books.
I was so anxious to finish the series; I had inadvertently skipped this one, so it was slightly out of order, even though I was familiar with all the characters.
This book was sluggish, dare ai say boring, at times, and until the end, not very captivating.
I can’t seem to figure out why; it was a love story; love of family and home, love of the sea and the creatures that inhabited it, and love between a man and a woman, who were caught off guard by the swift progression of their feelings, and the conflict those feelings created for them.
No explanation, just concession that out of all of her books, this one will hold the least “memories” for me.
I was so anxious to finish the series; I had inadvertently skipped this one, so it was slightly out of order, even though I was familiar with all the characters.
This book was sluggish, dare ai say boring, at times, and until the end, not very captivating.
I can’t seem to figure out why; it was a love story; love of family and home, love of the sea and the creatures that inhabited it, and love between a man and a woman, who were caught off guard by the swift progression of their feelings, and the conflict those feelings created for them.
No explanation, just concession that out of all of her books, this one will hold the least “memories” for me.
April 28, 2012
Mary Alice Monroe's descriptions of the life of Lovie Rutledge intertwined with the beloved sea turtles keeps you captivated throughout the entire novel. Lovie was one of my favorite characters in The Beach House. I was very excited that Mrs. Monroe decided to tell her story. Once I started reading, it was very hard to put down.
March 11, 2019
I struggled a lot with how to rate this book. The writing style was good, and I liked the characters. But I couldn’t root for the romance. They were both married. There is no “soulmate” exception for adultery.
That said, I think the presentation of the story was realistic. I think, in all likelihood, every choice that was made was probably what would have occurred in these circumstances. The story did a wonderful job presenting the difficulties women in Charleston face when they are stuck in marriages, and Charleston has definitely not moved forward with the times. Even though the story was set in the 70s, I don’t know that the scenarios the lawyer presented would have been any different in the 90s, and maybe even still (Having been gone from Charleston for over two decades, I can’t speak to how things would turn out now).
And yet, having gotten married and divorced in Charleston, and having had an emotionally abusive and cheating spouse, I simply could not accept the choices she made. The book implied that the abuser was redeemable when, in all likelihood, he was not.
In the end, there may have been simply too much in this book with which I could personally identify for me to really approach it with an open mind. I generally need my books to have a happy ending and, while some may disagree, I didn’t feel like I got one. I was disappointed by everyone’s actions except Flo’s.
That said, I think the presentation of the story was realistic. I think, in all likelihood, every choice that was made was probably what would have occurred in these circumstances. The story did a wonderful job presenting the difficulties women in Charleston face when they are stuck in marriages, and Charleston has definitely not moved forward with the times. Even though the story was set in the 70s, I don’t know that the scenarios the lawyer presented would have been any different in the 90s, and maybe even still (Having been gone from Charleston for over two decades, I can’t speak to how things would turn out now).
And yet, having gotten married and divorced in Charleston, and having had an emotionally abusive and cheating spouse, I simply could not accept the choices she made. The book implied that the abuser was redeemable when, in all likelihood, he was not.
In the end, there may have been simply too much in this book with which I could personally identify for me to really approach it with an open mind. I generally need my books to have a happy ending and, while some may disagree, I didn’t feel like I got one. I was disappointed by everyone’s actions except Flo’s.
August 6, 2012
I enjoyed this novel more with each chapter I read. Not quite a 4 star but certainly a very solid 3 star. There's a lot to this book. Its metaphorical comparisons of the life of a female sea turtle to the main character of the book are really insightful. I like historical and/or educational novels where I can learn something new. However, the heroine, Lovie, in Beach House Memories could have been my contemporary. But what I learned from Lovie's experiences is there are woman who sorely regret past decisions made based on traditions, fears, insecurities, and expectations of others. Although "we've come a long way baby," bittersweet memories, unrequited love, and self-denial will offer a life of regrets and longings that can never be regained. This was a very good beach read.
August 23, 2020
I was looking for a light beach read for my trip to Charleston so I picked up this novel by local author Mary Alice Monroe at the library. The setting for the story is the Isle of Palms, and the heroine is taking part in a research study to determine the effect a new resort will have on the loggerhead turtles that lay their eggs on the island. Coincidentally, we were staying at that now-built resort! Basically a light love story, I thought it was well written with interesting characters. For me, the many Charleston area references and historical tidbits peppered throughout, as well as the environmental theme and the detail about loggerhead turtles, made up for the pleasant but somewhat predictable story line. Everything was going along fine until the way too convenient ending that forced my rating down to 3 stars.
August 7, 2015
I loved reading this book this summer, but my opinion might be a little biased - I read it while at the beach in the Carolinas just after visiting Charleston. The beach where we stay is a turtle nesting site, so I loved reading about the main character's passion for sea turtles. I found myself fully wrapped up in the story and having a hard time putting the book down. The love story and dilemma the main character faced really had me thinking about how different women's options were in the 1970's in the low country as compared to now. My heart ached for the decisions she had to make and I really just fell in love with this story. This is the first book I've read by this author and it won't be the last.
May 8, 2012
Wow! Where do I start? I love this book just as much as all MAM's books. It was wonderful to hear "the rest of the story" . I would love to be a "turtle Lady" ! She did a great job! This is a must read! Thanks Goodreads, Gallery Books and of course Mary Alice Monroe. As soon as I finished it, I went to my bookshelf and got The Beach House and Swimming lessons to read again!
May 3, 2018
Unfortunately I haven't read the preceding books, but I think this one is fine as a stand-alone. A very real and sometimes sad story - wrong goals and priorities going back generations and causing misery, mixed with unexpected temptations . . . and on it goes. The children are the definite winners here, if there are winners. Beautiful prose and a well-thought out story line.
December 2, 2018
Nothing in this book was really a surprise as Lovie told Cara about these events in the first book of the series. I debated even reading the book as I disagreed with some of the choices made. However, I enjoy the series as a whole and the turtle aspect is always interesting. I also liked reading about Isle of Palms during a simpler time before the development of the island.
May 24, 2012
Lovely story bringing the past to the prsent regarding Lovie and her family and life. Poignant love story with factually correct information re loggerhead turtles. If you love the ocean, nature, loggerhead turtles and relationships, you'll enjoy this book.
May 17, 2016
A great addition to the Beach House series. I cried through the other books and this one's ending is no different. The emotions run throughout the book and you just want to keep reading, getting lost in the pages.
June 23, 2015
I enjoyed the first two books in this series, but I found this one kind of boring. It really only rehashed information that I'd already read.
August 5, 2018
Characters tended to be polarized, and plot was fairly predictable. Had some difficulty believing that children, aging beachhouse maintenance, and chores could be ignored for a whole summer.
July 16, 2017
An easy read, though not as predictable as I thought, while half way through. It tells a story of a typical southern bred woman, who sacrifices all for her family and family's reputation. She spends every summer at her beach house where she is known as " THE Turtle. Lady". One summer a study of the Loggerhead turtles is conducted as plans for building condos goes underway. The head of this study is a handsome doctor who is impressed with Olivia's years of tracking the turtles and they become partners in leading this research. Though both married, they are drawn to one another. By the end of the summer they both have decisions to make and decide to wait 6 months to decide.
I have very little knowledge of sea turtles but this book made me want to learn more about it. I will probably pick up another book by this author as I really like the way her descriptions make me imagine that I am right there. I can feel the summer heat, the sweat, the sand, the breeze, the ocean...
I have very little knowledge of sea turtles but this book made me want to learn more about it. I will probably pick up another book by this author as I really like the way her descriptions make me imagine that I am right there. I can feel the summer heat, the sweat, the sand, the breeze, the ocean...
August 20, 2017
This Beach House series is just a delight. I love how she weaves nature into the story and uses it's facts as a metaphor for what is going on in the story. Throughout this series, we get to see all aspects of Loggerhead turtles who nest at the Isle of Palms. It's in each book in this series. This book is so great because we go back in time to an illicit romance that meant so much to Lovie in the mid seventies. It's about Russell Bennett and how he came into her life. He is mentioned in the first book of the series and you wonder about him. Well read this book and wonder no more. The love story does get a bit melodramatic at times, which makes it a little less believable to me. But maybe that's just me. Other than that, I loved this story.
I got to meet the author at my favorite little book shop in Woodstock, GA - FoxTale Book Shoppe. Love that place. Mary Alice is so down to earth and an informed conservationist. She said she researches an animal first then dreams up a story around it. I had read three books in this series when I met her. I asked her what ever happened to "Big Girl" the Loggerhead turtle that is saved in book 2, Swimming Lessons. I asked if she could come back in a later book because don't the turtles keep coming back to nest? Her eyes got really big and she looked off in the distance---thinking. Then she said I never thought of that. She said there will need to be a 5th book in the series, now. She announced to the whole room! Yeh! I hope that happens.
I really like her writing style. She's good with setting, best, and also good with character development. This book and the rest are highly recommended.
I got to meet the author at my favorite little book shop in Woodstock, GA - FoxTale Book Shoppe. Love that place. Mary Alice is so down to earth and an informed conservationist. She said she researches an animal first then dreams up a story around it. I had read three books in this series when I met her. I asked her what ever happened to "Big Girl" the Loggerhead turtle that is saved in book 2, Swimming Lessons. I asked if she could come back in a later book because don't the turtles keep coming back to nest? Her eyes got really big and she looked off in the distance---thinking. Then she said I never thought of that. She said there will need to be a 5th book in the series, now. She announced to the whole room! Yeh! I hope that happens.
I really like her writing style. She's good with setting, best, and also good with character development. This book and the rest are highly recommended.
September 5, 2020
This is book #3 of the Beach house series but I was advised to read it second, after reading The Beach House. I'm a rule follower so this was a difficult decision to make! Soooo many people, even the author, said to read it 2nd, so I did and I'm glad! So far this series is the perfect pandemic read. It's like a Hallmark movie (matter of fact, there actually IS a Hallmark movie of the 1st book). Beach House Memories was written as a prequel to The Beach House and we learn all about Lovie's backstory, her marriage, and her relationship with Russell. It was nice to see Cara and Palmer as children and get further insight into how they became the adults we meet in The Beach House. I'm looking forward to reading Swimming Lessons next (#2 in the series but #3 for me)!
March 9, 2019
Beach House Memories is a prequel to the Beach House series. Beach House provides some insight into Lovie's past but the full depth of her emotions and experiences during the mid-seventies are not uncovered until reading this book.
Cara and Palmer are 10 and 13 years old in this story. Lovie's marriage and personal life are uneasy. But all is well at the Beach House. Her passion for sea turtles becomes strengthened and official. The Turtle Ladies volunteer group is expanded. There's passion, love, uncertainty, and tragedy. But all is constant as the sea turtles nest and hatch.
Cara and Palmer are 10 and 13 years old in this story. Lovie's marriage and personal life are uneasy. But all is well at the Beach House. Her passion for sea turtles becomes strengthened and official. The Turtle Ladies volunteer group is expanded. There's passion, love, uncertainty, and tragedy. But all is constant as the sea turtles nest and hatch.
July 20, 2020
This is a prequel story about Lovie, the mother of the main character in The Beach House. I'm generally not a fan of books about bad marriages and extra-marital affairs, but if you've read The Beach House then you already know that this story is out there in the ether somewhere anyway. So it was probably inevitable for the author to write it down. Mary Alice Monroe is a good story teller and I will continue to return to the beach house as long as there are books to be read. In fact I've already started Book 4 Beach House for Rent.
March 29, 2020
The conservation/ecology history of south carolina/beaches/turtles is interesting and adds to the story. The story of Lovie gets a bit old with the same agony she feels with her terrible marriage and the tragic end to the love of her life. Positively is shows the strength of women
August 23, 2020
I liked this book in the Beach House series more than the first and I really enjoyed the first. This is Lovie’s story and it hits the heart wonderfully. Highly recommend this one as it is an amazing love story and tale of what happens when you meet your soul mate, but if it happens too late.
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