Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Summer by the Sea

Top positive review

Absolutely wonderful!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 23, 2023

Such an awesome story about a sweet family who all learn what is one of the most valuable things in life, your family. After you spend the two weeks of summer vacation with them, your heart is also breaking when it is time to say goodbye to your family and the special place at the beach that means so much to you all!

One person found this helpful

Top critical review

All critical reviews›

Holly Treaster

I Really Want to Like this Author

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 23, 2018

I read one Jenny Hale book and really enjoyed it. Since then I have rad a couple of more and really want to like her but I am just struggling. The premise for her stories sound promising, but ends up falling short. I read other authors who have similar stories and that doesn't always bother me, but I am sort of over the insecure woman meeting and falling in love with some super rich guy. There was just a level of immaturity in the character development that seems lacking. In this story you have a character who has past issues to deal with but she was just hard to connect with emotionally. The author seems to do a great book of writing interesting supporting characters such as the grandmother in this book. There are also some interesting parts to the book; but it feels unrefined and lacking at the end.

Overall it was a fine read, but its not the kind of book that spoke to me. It is not something I woudl recommend or read again.

2 people found this helpful

4,170 total ratings, 506 with reviews

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

From the United States

Becky J.

Absolutely wonderful!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 23, 2023

Verified Purchase

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Moucheron

Love Perfected

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 26, 2023

Verified Purchase

Jenny Hale writes so beautifully about people that I just wish all I had to do is read. I keep the book close at hand so that I can steal moments in time to read a few words until I have longer moments with a cup of tea...my perfect peace.
I loved watching two people, Faith and Jake, fall in love bit by bit while working through their insecurities. At times Faith annoyed me with her criticism of Jake's choices but in the end she was right although I was afraid her words would turn him away. This book, beautifully written is about family, hope and dreams. Enjoy!

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Kindle Customer

Summer by the sea.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 21, 2023

Verified Purchase

Jenny Hale's book, made me want to head to North Carolina , and the cabin!
The characters had their share of problems, but were nicely resolved, in the end. I was sad to see them, go.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

A Funny Girl

Jenny Hale gets Better & Better

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 14, 2015

Verified Purchase

One of the best things to happen to readers with the explosion of the Internet is the increase in little known authors and self published authors we might never have had the privilege to read before, now are given much needed breaks. Thank goodness for the $2.99 deals, I've discovered some fantastic gems in this surprising price range.

I suppose it's been over a year since I first read a Jenny Hale book, and was an instant fan. However, she seems to be perfecting her craft with each book she turns out. Summer by the Sea is definitely a book that is on par with some of her more popular contemporaries, like Carole Matthews, Ruth Saberton and other fab authors. And the best thing, she's an American with the writing style of a quaint Brit (I'm obsessed with Brit chick lit).

In Summer by the Sea we meet Faith as she is about to go and spend the summer at her families old summer spot (the previous cottage was destroyed and now has been rebuilt). Faith while happy to be reconnecting with her family, is also quite distraught at the thought if being around her sister Cassie after an event years ago left the two sisters at odds.

Her first stop is to visit the old cottage site (at this point it's unknown that she will be spending her summer at her old family home), where she encounters a handsome handyman in Jake Buchanon. Jake and Faith hit it off from the start and begin conversing about deeper subjects than two strangers would normally start discussing.

When Faith and her family realize that they are to spend their summer at their old family home, they are all thrilled beyond words. Faith and Cassie try to make amends, Faith is especially thrown off guard when she discovers that Cassie and Scott are headed for turbulent times and what seems to be an eventual divorce. Unsure of how this news makes her feel, Faith does so,e soul searching.

Jake it seems is popping up everywhere and Faith is drawn to this handsome handyman, but she fears that Cassie has her eyes set on him too.

This was such a delicious book that kept me hanging on to every word. Jenny Hale weaves a beautiful story and creates vibrant characters in which her readers feel an emotional connection to almost immediately.

7 people found this helpful

Helpful

ann wilson

Good Read anytime.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 8, 2015

Verified Purchase

There is the drama of the two sisters who have avoided each other because one married the man the other loved. However, the conflict barely reaches the spat level, as both are working toward a reunion as they share one last summer at their old beach haunt. This story rumbles along beneath the romance of Faith, the younger, unmarried daughter with the man who built the new cabin to replace the original. Jake, said builder, is torn between his attraction to Faith and his absolute certainty that he will do anything to avoid another commitment like his first marriage. Meanwhile, a third story runs beneath the other two with the matriarch of the clan directing the story line. At ninety, she knows her days are limited and she strives to hand down as many traditions and as much knowledge as she can. Faith is a willing and apt student. This book will please anyone who enjoys reading light, romantic fiction, minus the anatomically and excruciatingly correct sex scenes. I'd give it a fifth star, but it lacks enough contrasting emotion to make it a real page Turner. Still, I recommend it
For a good, light read.

15 people found this helpful

Helpful

rory

awesome summer read

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 15, 2016

Verified Purchase

Summer by the Sea is the story of Faith and her family on their vacation to the Outer Banks. Faith hasn’t seen her sister, Casey, for some years, as she has never been able to forgive her for breaking her heart when they were younger when Casey hooked up with Scott and then married Scott who Faith had a crush on.
Their Nan’s 90th birthday finds the family together in one place that used to hold such wonderful memories for them all. So much has passed, and there’s so much they’re still going through, but Faith still doesn’t know if she can truly forgive Casey, or if Casey is really even sorry.

On her first day, Faith meets Jake and can not help falling for him. They have some differences to work out and will they get through it.
Faith is so guarded, so affected by her past that she had built walls around herself, and she was scared of getting hurt. Jake too is haunted by his past, and doesn’t want history to repeat itself. It is also a wonderful story about the love of families, and the need to be there for one another.

Just an awesome summer read. I could not put the book down.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Family Reunited Beach Vacation

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 16, 2020

Verified Purchase

Another enjoyable summer beach story.
The main character, Faith, returns to the Outer Banks for her grandmother Nan's 90th birthday. Faith has a hard time reconnecting with her sister, Casey, and gets acquainted with her young niece Isabella.

Prior to going directly to the cottage, Faith stops along the beach road at hot dog stand to get something to eat and collect herself. It is there that she sees Jake for the first time and he sparks her interest. She officially meets Jake, the "handyman" , at the cottage. Over time, he brings out in Faith feelings that she thought would never surface again.

This story is about how important family is and creating memories with each other that will last a lifetime.

Helpful

Holly Treaster

I Really Want to Like this Author

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 23, 2018

Verified Purchase

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Sophi Frost

Summer by the Sea a story about a life transforming vacation

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 24, 2015

Verified Purchase

Every summer I pick one book that I hope will be a relaxing summer read. I prefer books that take place at the beach. Summer by the Sea made that promise. For the most part this book delivered. The story is well written, the characters for the most part are believable, and the tale of a reunion and reconciliation was well constructed.
What I found missing was the 'relaxing.' The dysfunctional relationship between Faith and Casey was intense and full of angst. Overall I liked the book very much, I just didn't like being on the edge of my chair worrying about Casey repeating history that Faith has yet to get over and stealing Faith's new boyfriend.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Asheley

Great summer story!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 3, 2018

Verified Purchase

This is my first book by Jenny Hale and I loved it. I was drawn to the Outer Banks setting but ended up loving the way the relationships were written into the story more than anything else. The setting was fantastic though: the sand, the water, the wind felt tangible to me. Faith's relationship with her sister, mother, and grandmother are stand-out. There is also a lovely romance. Just a great book-I'll definitely be rereading this one when I read from my "summer books" list in the future.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Questions? Get fast answers from reviewers

Need customer service? Click here

‹ See all details for Summer by the Sea

5 star		56%
4 star		26%
3 star		12%
2 star		3%
1 star		3%

Amazon Music Stream millions of songs	Amazon Advertising Find, attract, and engage customers	6pm Score deals on fashion brands	AbeBooks Books, art & collectibles	ACX Audiobook Publishing Made Easy	Sell on Amazon Start a Selling Account

Amazon Business Everything For Your Business	Amazon Fresh Groceries & More Right To Your Door	AmazonGlobal Ship Orders Internationally	Home Services Experienced Pros Happiness Guarantee	Amazon Ignite Sell your original Digital Educational Resources	Amazon Web Services Scalable Cloud Computing Services

Audible Listen to Books & Original Audio Performances	Book Depository Books With Free Delivery Worldwide	Box Office Mojo Find Movie Box Office Data	ComiXology Thousands of Digital Comics	DPReview Digital Photography	Fabric Sewing, Quilting & Knitting

Goodreads Book reviews & recommendations	IMDb Movies, TV & Celebrities	IMDbPro Get Info Entertainment Professionals Need	Kindle Direct Publishing Indie Digital & Print Publishing Made Easy	Amazon Photos Unlimited Photo Storage Free With Prime	Prime Video Direct Video Distribution Made Easy

Shopbop Designer Fashion Brands	Amazon Warehouse Great Deals on Quality Used Products	Whole Foods Market America’s Healthiest Grocery Store	Woot! Deals and Shenanigans	Zappos Shoes & Clothing	Ring Smart Home Security Systems

eero WiFi Stream 4K Video in Every Room	Blink Smart Security for Every Home	Neighbors App Real-Time Crime & Safety Alerts	Amazon Subscription Boxes Top subscription boxes – right to your door	PillPack Pharmacy Simplified	Amazon Renewed Like-new products you can trust

Summer by the Sea

›

Customer reviews

Customer reviews

Summer by the Sea

Top positive review

Top critical review

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

From the United States

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

Questions? Get fast answers from reviewers

Summer by the Sea › Customer reviews

Customer reviews

Summer by the Sea

Top positive review

Top critical review

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

From the United States

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

Questions? Get fast answers from reviewers

Summer by the Sea

›

Customer reviews