When I recently agreed to read this book, I’ll admit I was more than a bit skeptical. I saw the 2017 Hallmark movie by the same name (which is the source material for this book), and since I only somewhat liked the movie, I was not sure I’d like the book much at all. However, when I finished the last paragraph and turned off my Kindle last night, I realized that I liked the book very much and quite possibly might like the movie even more should I ever see it again.
The book-jacket description is typical romance fare:
Jenna, a single mom and successful author, has five weeks to deliver her next young adult novel to the publisher. This year’s summer getaway with her kids will be a working vacation.
The only problem? Lucas, the devil-may-care surfer in the beach rental next to hers. He cranks up his music at night, hosts loud volleyball matches, and allows his dog to run around at will.
Jenna often blames him for her writer’s block. But before long, she begins to see a new side of her neighbor at the shore. Maybe opposites do attract…but will that attraction fade like a sunset once summer is gone?
The book very closely follows the movie (which makes sense since the movie came before the book), but what I liked was that rather than create a strict re-telling, author Teri Wilson more than ably fleshed out the characters, their mindsets, their thought patterns, and their internal reactions/struggles in each scene. As such, I found that I gained a better understanding of the characters (and liked them more as a result). I understood why Jenna was rigid and protective of her two young children. I understood why Lucas just wanted to chill out and do a job he loved. I understood why they would initially resist becoming friends but be drawn to each other despite their differences.
I don’t know how close the dialogue from the movie is quoted in the book, but I found myself smiling many times while reading, enjoying the witty repartee between characters – notably when casual Lucas just wanted to take the mick out of strident Jenna. Even Jenna’s kids had a few good lines – including at least two responses that I could absolutely hear my own son caustically throw my way if given the notion.
All in all, Love at the Shore is a perfect sweet, summer beach read, made even moreso because it so heavily featured the beaches of Tybee Island, GA! If you are looking for light reading this summer, this book is for you. I give it 4 lighthouses out of 5.
I received an advanced copy from Hallmark Publishing via BookFunnel in order to provide an honest review of the book. All opinions in this review are my own.
