When celebrity chef Cliff Whitman is killed in a car crash, his ex-wife Joanna does not know whether to be sad or relieved. He'd betrayed her so many times over the years, leaving her open to the scorn of the world, and the press still hounds her constantly. So when she flees to her family home on the Pacific Ocean to escape the media's renewed attention, why does she offer sanctuary to Ashley, the young woman who was in the car with Cliff when it crashed? Especially knowing she is pregnant?
Meanwhile, at Surf Cafe in Silver Point, joint owner Melanie wonders anew why her one-time friend turned her back on her to run away with Cliff all these years ago? Especially when she was dating Melanie's twin, Nate, leaving him broken-hearted? As the story progresses, both women must examine the past before they can look to the future.
Although there is a mystery to be solved as to Ashley's role in the story, the narrative here relies more on character than plot, and there is a lot of soul-searching from the characters. It is their internal and external dialogue that moves the tale towards a resolution rather than any real action. Can Joanna especially recover from what she sees as a series of bad life choices?
The background is lovely - who wouldn't want to visit Silver Point with its gorgeous cafe, bookstore and gift shop, all set against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean.
But I have to confess I'd have liked a little more action.

Ah if I was to look up feel good fiction in the library this is exactly the book I'd like to find! Funny, emotional, heartfelt with a fantstic setting, it's all I look for in a book - yet another triumphant success.

An easy read with a mixture of joy, happiness and deceit. It tells the story of two women with a common link and how they are intertwined with one another providing real support to each other. It also tells of the importance of real friends and how they will provide genuine support. It is an easy read which once you get started becomes addictive.

Sarah Morgan is my go to author when I want a fun, easy, heart warming read and I knew this would live up to expectations. Thank you so much

"Beach House Summer"is even more emotionally charged than most of Sarah Morgan's books. We are reading about family, friends, childhood influences, good and bad marriages, celebrity, ... The main character is Joanna, who was married for about 20 years to a celebrity chef, but divorced him a year before the action in this novel. When Cliff, Joanna's ex, is killed in a car accident she is once again the target of journalists and paparazzi. This is the story of her survival strategy.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

I really enjoyed this book and despite it being a bit predictable in parts, in others, it was very different. It was a wonderful tale, told from 3 women's perspectives, and showed forgiveness and how you can change a situation that you don't expect yourself to be in, it's possible to start again (even if it means going back home) and that it's not always the people you expect to look out for you!

I would recommend anyone to read this book!

An enjoyable chick lit which is a lovely easy read. Makes you feel happy and summery. Perfect holiday read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an Arc in exchange for an honest opinion

Another brilliant Sarah Morgan book!
Such a happy read. Joanna becomes a huge inspiration to me. Would buy this book to have on my bookshelf

This was another great read from Sarah Morgan. This authors stories are more than just romantic reads they get to the heart and soul. This story followed the lives of Ashley and Joanna and the events which led to them being put in the same place together and showed how love and friendship and community spirit can save the day and can help people to find a purpose and happiness again and that events and secrets of the past can be unravelled to make for a brighter future and that life is for living and not hiding from the past behind closed doors. It also shows how it really is possible to have a chance at second chances and that things will work out so much better the second time around.

I would love to have a sequel to this book to find out how the characters lives progress and what the future holds for them.

This book was a lovely summery, feel good novel.
Celebrity chef Cliff Whitman’s death in a car accident sparks a media frenzy. Who was the woman with him in the car? What does his ex-wife think about it? Realising that reporters will not give up on any possible story, Joanna Whitman decides to escape by returning to her childhood home. She offers the mysterious passenger in the car refuge with her.
The growing relationship between Jo and Ashley is delightful as Jo realises that although she intended to help Ashley, she needs Ashley’s help just as much. The story shows us how celebrity culture is not always good for those involved and how you can go back and begin again.
The setting of the book is an idyllic seaside town in California making this the perfect holiday read. The cast of characters are really likeable. I especially loved Mel, whose determination to help everyone is affecting the relationship with her daughter. The book is great on female friendships as Sarah Morgan’s books always are. My only quibble with this is that Ashley seemed to grow up too quickly. At one moment she is almost helpless but then she is offering life advice beyond her years.
Apart from that single jarring note, this is another brilliant novel from Sarah Morgan.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

Although I felt it was a little slow to get started, I ended up enjoying this story. I liked the characters and I was rooting for them. I’d love to visit Silver Point, sounds lovely! Worth a read. 3.5 stars from me!

Another wonderful read from this author. It is a classic chic lit/romance but written mainly about a forty year old woman. It highlights her biggest mistakes/life experiences but also shows how these can be overcome. The other characters are great and fairly normal although they each have their own issues. Nice to read a chic lit/romance that isn’t just about people in their 20’s. Perfect beach read

A totally engrossing way to spend an afternoon; perfect for the poolside read. As always, Sarah Morgan has created engaging and likeable characters that pull you into their world. I love all of her books but the relationship that she created between Johanna and Ashley felt particularly special; both characters exudes warmth and were brave and strong. I also loved the focus on the negative aspects of fame in a world where it seems everyone wants their bit of fame - totally gripping. Sarah - you’re worth every one of this 22 million books you’ve sold as x it was a pleasure to read your latest book.

Frivolous and fun! It’s not going to set the book world alight, but it was a pleasure to read and was fairly uplifting overall. A good little lazy afternoon read when you are looking for a lovely happy ending to a story.

A lovely summer read perfect for those of you who love a good chic lit. It isn’t ground breaking but it’s a perfect light read and would be perfect to take on holiday.

When Joanna's ex, a celebrity chef, dies in a motor accident she finds out that a young pregnant girl who was a passenger in the car survived. To protect herself and the young girl, Ashley, from the press they escape to a secluded beach house that Joanna owns in her old home town to me low until things die down. As the story develops old secrets come to light and new ones are revealed.
This book shows the positives of living in a small, friendly community and the downsides of being famous. The story is told from the different character's viewpoints which allows you to see it unfold from their point of view with some surprising revelations along the way. Ultimately a feel good book ideal for reading by the pool or cosying up with a drink in front of a fire.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

Another 5* by Sarah Morgan. Following the life of Joanna the ex wife of a Cliff a rich chef and Ashley the newly announced daughter of the ex husband. The press love a good story and so the storyline follows their relationships in Silver Point the childhood home of Joanna. Great characters and great plot. Thanks Sarah and your publisher. Also thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

A quick, easy, fun and uplifting read that was engaging and full of really well developed characters. I will definitely be reading this again when I am able to get to a beach.

A really great story, charming, atmospheric, great characters. Filled me with warmth and spirit. Well written and flowed nicely, was romantic and funny, charming and full of fun. A great read, i really enjoyed it.

I wasn’t sure where this one was going. It took a while to get into but once I connected with the characters I enjoyed it. A good summer read. The storyline explored the relationships between friends that reconnected but it also showed how relationships are damaged through miscommunication.