Title: Summer at Firefly Beach
Author: Jenny Hale
Publication: June 17, 2019
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Romance
Pages: 294
SYNOPSIS: (From Goodreads)
Hallie Flynn’s favorite place in the world is her great Aunt Clara’s beautiful beachside house, with its inviting wraparound porch and enchanting views across the sparkling turquoise ocean. For Hallie, going to Firefly Beach, filled with magical memories, feels like coming home, but in one moment Hallie is left broken-hearted when her adored Aunt Clara passes away…
As always, Aunt Clara has thought of everything. In her last letter she included a bucket list Hallie wrote as a child, for Hallie to complete. Leaving her dead-end job and predictable schedule, Hallie returns to Firefly beach and embraces Aunt Clara’s words. All the time her childhood best friend Ben Murray, with his golden charm and infuriating ability to be right all the time, is by her side.
Spending the summer with Ben, as they enjoy drinks on the pier and endless talks stretched out in the soft sand, Hallie begins to remember the things that matter most to her. But following the bucket list isn’t an easy journey. It forces her to face the pain of her past as she starts to fall for the person who has been there for her all along…
Just as her heart is healing, an encounter with a newcomer to the beach town, wealthy and talented photographer Gavin Wilson, leaves her questioning her future and shows her she has to make a difficult decision that could mean losing everything.
Will Hallie be able to fulfill Aunt Clara’s last wish and change her life? Or will a secret she’s been keeping destroy her new beginning—and the chance to experience true love?
REVIEW:
Oh my gosh. This book was exactly what I needed in the middle of February. A tug-at-your-heartstrings beach read!
Author Jenny Hale crafts a great story that follows the lives of Hallie and her family. Hallie’s relative, Aunt Clara, dies, and her death significantly impacts the family – Uncle Hank, Mama, Sydney, Ben, and more. Hallie’s best friend Ben, who is like family to her, really supports her through it all. But there comes a time for both of them when they have to decide if their closeness is platonic, or if something more is brewing.
Hallie also has to complete Aunt Clara’s list – a bucket list of sorts – before she can receive her inheritance. She is the only one in the family who has to do this, and she seems a little put off by it at times, but knowing Aunt Clara, she ultimately understands that there must be some greater reason for it all. Hallie and Aunt Clara were always super close. This bucket list sends her on a journey where she questions what she believes about herself and her future. Her journey of self-discovery is one that I’m sure many readers could relate to.
Additionally, there are many other minor storylines to follow that help keep you engaged as a reader. The plot development was great, and the characters were all super enjoyable. I loved everything about this book, and I already have two more on my TBR list by Jenny Hale! If you like beach reads, pick this one up, and you likely won’t be disappointed! 5 out of 5 stars for Summer at Firefly Beach!
