Review: Beach Lane by Sherryl Woods

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Mira; Original edition (May 31, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0778329895
• ISBN-13: 978-0778329893

Product Description

 

In the close-knit community of Chesapeake Shores, Maryland, Susie O'Brien and Mack Franklin's "not dating" claim befuddles everyone, especially since the two spend every spare minute together. Susie's thrilled when their friendship finally heats up. Then, just when happily-ever-after seems within reach, Mack loses the job he loves and Susie faces a devastating diagnosis.

 

But O'Briens always unite in a crisis. Even her cousin Jess, Susie's rival for most of their lives, becomes her staunchest supporter—especially when Mack's former lover comes to town. The stakes are higher than ever before, but Susie's definitely up to the challenge…as long as Mack's right there by her side.

About the Author

 

With her roots firmly planted in the South, Sherryl Woods has written many of her more than 100 books in that distinctive setting, whether her home state of Virginia, her adopted state, Florida, or her much-adored South Carolina. She's also especially partial to small towns, wherever they may be. A member of Novelists Inc., Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America, Sherryl divides her time between her childhood summer home overlooking the Potomac River in Colonial Beach, Virginia, and her oceanfront home, with its lighthouse view, in Key Biscayne, Florida.

My Review

This delightful novel, which is the seventh in Sherryl Wood's Chesapeake Shores series, will be released on May 31, 2011.   Beach Lane features the story of Mack Franklin and Susie O'Brien who we have met in the earlier Chesapeake Shores books.  Mack and Susie are "just friends" who have been spending time together for years.  Everyone seems to know that they are in love and perfect for each other except them.  As you can guess, this book follows their love story.

Their lives are thrown into turmoil from the beginning of the book.  Mack loses a newspaper sports columnist job that he loves due to the economic downswing and lack of newspaper readership due to the internet.  He takes it badly and decides against moving forward with a romance with Susie due to his changed circumstances.  At the same time, Susie is diagnosed with ovarian cancer, which is of course devastating to her.  They decide to move ahead with their lives despite the uncertain future.

This is a beautiful love story between two mature adults.  They overcome all the roadblocks thrown in their paths as they work through these obstacles together.  It is not necessary to have read the previous books in the Chesapeake Shores to enjoy this novel however I believe that you will enjoy the book more if you have.