Helpful Score: 11
I really enjoyed this book! I loved the way all of the characters' lives were described before they all met and how their lives meshed afterwards!
A great read! Didn't want it to end!
A great read! Didn't want it to end!
Helpful Score: 10
Sometimes it's just really nice to read a book that doesn't require a great deal of concentration and the ending ties everything up neatly. This is just such a book! Leap into the lives of all of these characters thrown together on the island of Nantucket for the summer - I promise you will feel like you have made new friends and will want to book your own oceanside get-a-way when you are done! Enjoy!
Helpful Score: 8
The Beach House has the perfect title, because it is the perfect beach read. Not very deep, easy to read, characters you enjoy and a general feel good read.
Nan Powell has lived in her big rambling house, Windmere, on Nantucket for over 30 years. She is a bit of an eccentric, well known around the town. When it becomes clear that Nan is facing some serious financial problems she decides to take in boarders as she tries to figure out what to do with her home as some neer to do developers are longing to get their hands on the property.
The mix of people who come together at the house all bring some baggage; Daniel recently separated and hiding a secret; Daff, a recent divorcee and mother of a spoiled 13 year old; Michael, Nans son who has come back home after ending an affair with his boss. Then there is Bee, Daniels wife who takes a house nearby so she and Daniel can work on a reconciliation; Michaels lover who shows up and makes a shocking announcement and a man from Nans past who throws everything into tumult, reveling some startling secrets.
Lots of story lines intersect and a lot of it is predictable, some of it a bit preposterous and you can figure out how everything will end, but the storytelling is fun and it is a great escape book.
Nan Powell has lived in her big rambling house, Windmere, on Nantucket for over 30 years. She is a bit of an eccentric, well known around the town. When it becomes clear that Nan is facing some serious financial problems she decides to take in boarders as she tries to figure out what to do with her home as some neer to do developers are longing to get their hands on the property.
The mix of people who come together at the house all bring some baggage; Daniel recently separated and hiding a secret; Daff, a recent divorcee and mother of a spoiled 13 year old; Michael, Nans son who has come back home after ending an affair with his boss. Then there is Bee, Daniels wife who takes a house nearby so she and Daniel can work on a reconciliation; Michaels lover who shows up and makes a shocking announcement and a man from Nans past who throws everything into tumult, reveling some startling secrets.
Lots of story lines intersect and a lot of it is predictable, some of it a bit preposterous and you can figure out how everything will end, but the storytelling is fun and it is a great escape book.
Helpful Score: 7
A great casual summer read with a few unexpected twists. Thoroughly enjoyable with no sex or violence.
Helpful Score: 6
I enjoy Jane Green, however i found this book to be slow moving and a little boring. not one of my favorites, a pleasant read but not a MUST read in my opinion.
Helpful Score: 4
My 1st Jane Green book. I read it all in one day. I liked how we really got to meet all the characters 1st, and then they all show up at the Beach House. It was a well outlined story, then BAM she throws in a twist, I went "What"? and had to re read that page. I wasnt expecting that. Good twist.
I do think if she wrote the phrases:, "it felt like coming home," and "felt comfortable in her own skin" and "Living a lie" one more time I was going to scream. I am not gay, and her handling of the gay people in the book seemed different that other authors, it seemed as if something was missing or watered down about that part. But maybe it was even more accurate than I realize, That part was just bland, I didnt find him believable or that I could ever root for him to find love.
I do think if she wrote the phrases:, "it felt like coming home," and "felt comfortable in her own skin" and "Living a lie" one more time I was going to scream. I am not gay, and her handling of the gay people in the book seemed different that other authors, it seemed as if something was missing or watered down about that part. But maybe it was even more accurate than I realize, That part was just bland, I didnt find him believable or that I could ever root for him to find love.
Helpful Score: 3
Wow!!! I love Jane Green. I will be reading many more of her books!!!! And I look forward to her next book coming out....
Helpful Score: 3
Wonderful! Loved every second.
Helpful Score: 3
This book is wonderful. The characters are so well developed. You will fall in love with all of them. The story revolves around an older home and its eccentric owner. I wish I knew someone just like her.
Helpful Score: 3
Loved this book! Great summer read. Lesson in "things happen for a reason". First Jane Green book I've read and she's an easy read.
Helpful Score: 2
Cute book, sort of like a Lifetime movie...holds your interest even though it's something you wouldn't normally find extraordinary.
Liked the character development and few twists that were added, however everything happened to "fall into place" a little too much for reality. And I agree with another reviewer who mentioned the over-usage of phrases such as "coming home" "finding peace" "living in one's own skin" a little annoying. The point was clear without throwing it down your throat.
That being said, this was definately a light and breezy read that I would definately recommend to anyone looking for such!
Liked the character development and few twists that were added, however everything happened to "fall into place" a little too much for reality. And I agree with another reviewer who mentioned the over-usage of phrases such as "coming home" "finding peace" "living in one's own skin" a little annoying. The point was clear without throwing it down your throat.
That being said, this was definately a light and breezy read that I would definately recommend to anyone looking for such!
Helpful Score: 2
Somewhat predictable, but enjoyable, read. Revolves around a widow living on Nantucket who is on the verge of losing her lovely, but aging, beach house. Her solution: open the house up to boarders. The friendships and connections that ensue are interesting and one was quite unexpected. Good entertaining summer read!
Helpful Score: 1
CONTAINS SPOILERS.... I generally like Jane Green books and think they are great Chick Lit beach reads. I was expecting great things from the Beach House, but was disappointed. There were too many characters to keep track of and I spent the first half of the book waiting for everyone to get to finally get to the Beach House. Once they finally got there I found the plot lines to be very predictable. I think Jane Green does better when she develops only one or two characters.
Helpful Score: 1
Really enjoyed this book. There was a great twist in the plot that I didn't see coming. I love it when that happens. The mix of characters kept my interest.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was such a disappointment . . . predictable and hokey. The author depicts 'Nan Powell' her main character, as an aging woman at the end of life . . . she's about my age and I'm FAR from near the end of life! Green didn't push out much with this book. Her shallow character development and weak story line had me yawning.
If you want witty, well written, entertaining novels read Jennifer Weiner's books.
If you want witty, well written, entertaining novels read Jennifer Weiner's books.
Helpful Score: 1
I really liked this book a lot. I couldnt put it down! It has lots of twists and turns too. For me it is her best book to date.
Helpful Score: 1
Absolutely great read! I suggest it to everyone. This book will make you laugh and put you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next.
Helpful Score: 1
The Beach House by Jane Green has a lot going on. It may also make you want to move to the beach.
This book has so many issues it is perfect if you love lots of drama. It has a divorced couple dealing with a moody teenage daughter, a wife whose marriage falls apart when her husband reveals a lifelong secret, a guy who has an affair with his married boss, and a shocker at the end that you probably won't see coming.
The story is set in beautiful Nantucket and the characters are all pretty well developed and likable. All the drama and story lines keep you coming back for more. Even though I read this a little too early for the beach or pool, it is the perfect waterside read.
This book has so many issues it is perfect if you love lots of drama. It has a divorced couple dealing with a moody teenage daughter, a wife whose marriage falls apart when her husband reveals a lifelong secret, a guy who has an affair with his married boss, and a shocker at the end that you probably won't see coming.
The story is set in beautiful Nantucket and the characters are all pretty well developed and likable. All the drama and story lines keep you coming back for more. Even though I read this a little too early for the beach or pool, it is the perfect waterside read.
Helpful Score: 1
I always love Jane Green's books and this was another great read. Her books make for a wonderful weekend get-a-way!
Helpful Score: 1
A gentle yet perfectly satisfying book about an aging woman trying to save her home by renting rooms to boarders for the summer. Sounds dull? Not a page of it. Because Nan is wonderful, inspiring and bright. Because the old family home is in Nantucket. Because the disparate people that rent her rooms are fascinating. I loved this book!
Helpful Score: 1
This book was ok. I thought it rambled on a bit unnecessarily, but overall it was a decent read.
Really enjoyable; looked forward to picking the book up again which is a way I can judge for myself if I would recommend a book. The main character, Nan, was a hoot with her sarcastic and witty ways.
Good red about island life
Definitely good chick-lit. It took me 100 pages to get into the story. She really confused me with too many characters in the beginning.
I didn't like how she jumped to different people without a break.
Overall typical Jane Green enjoyable read.It was mostly predictable but sweet.
I didn't like how she jumped to different people without a break.
Overall typical Jane Green enjoyable read.It was mostly predictable but sweet.
It's a pretty good summer read with a fairly decent storyline. Not great, but also very easy to just sit back and relax with. Nothing violent, complicated, or sexual, it doesn't require much concentration, which makes it a good choice for many situations. Concentrating on the various events in multiple people's lives, and how those events end up bringing these complete strangers together and changing all their lives forever, it's a good read for the genre.
What I thought was going to be a "fluffy" beach book turned into entirely something else. So many unforgettable characters in addition to the unsinkable Nan. Very engaging plot lines. Lovely writing, so descriptive. A most enjoyable piece of fiction.
This book was not my favorite. It's story line was very predictible.
This was a fast summer read! It has some interesting twists.
Sweet, albeit maybe too perfect, tale of people at a crossroads in their lives and how a stay at a Nantucket beach house changes the course of their lives. The characters are really interesting and the reader grows to care what happens to them. The only thing better would have been reading it on a beach in Nantucket!
I really enjoyed this book about a lovely and interesting older woman who has fallen on some hard financial times and decides to rent out rooms in her lovely old beach house. The characters were very interesting and the story came together very unexpectedy at the end. Each character had their own story and the overall book blended them all well. I'm going to read some more of her books as this was my first.
I have read other books by this author and this was a twist for me. It was not like the others I have read. Most of the others were about finding love. This one is about finding family. When I started reading I wanted to stop. I hated it. I always give a book a 100 pages. I still could not get through it. So I went and read reviews of the book hoping I was not wasting my time. The reviews were positive and they painted a picture of a nice summer read. So I kept on reading. Im glad I did. As you meet the different characters and their stories, you start to see truths around you and that this story is not full fiction that some of this could happen.
There are so many characters and it would be hard to describe the book and characters without giving away the story. The story takes place on Nantucket an island off of Cape Cod, MA.
Meet some of the characters:
Nan: widow, has a home on the bluffs overlooking the Beach.
Michael: Nans son, jewelry designer, works for Jordana and Jackson Jewelers
Daniel and Bee: Troubled Marriage, need a place to get away from it all
Daff and Richard: Perfect Marriage, Perfect Daughter
This book has many characters and many twists and secrets. I think the book would have flowed better if she wrote each chapter from a different character and not blended the characters thoughts into one chapter. Sometimes it was confusing who was now talking.
There are so many characters and it would be hard to describe the book and characters without giving away the story. The story takes place on Nantucket an island off of Cape Cod, MA.
Meet some of the characters:
Nan: widow, has a home on the bluffs overlooking the Beach.
Michael: Nans son, jewelry designer, works for Jordana and Jackson Jewelers
Daniel and Bee: Troubled Marriage, need a place to get away from it all
Daff and Richard: Perfect Marriage, Perfect Daughter
This book has many characters and many twists and secrets. I think the book would have flowed better if she wrote each chapter from a different character and not blended the characters thoughts into one chapter. Sometimes it was confusing who was now talking.
Just a nice book to read, not boring, not a book that you have to analyze, just enjoy it.
Pretty good story. Light, easy summer reading.
Loved this book. Ms. Green has a great way of intertwining the lives of people! Very fun, entertaining and more than just surface. A good read - whether on the beach or sitting by the fire!
I enjoyed the style and story of this quick read.
Nice summer read. Several story lines come together at Nantucket. Some of it guessable, one part quite a surprise. Easy read
Another quick read from Jane Green. Different characters become family when they rent out rooms from an eccentric (or not) woman who binds everyone together with her warm welcomes. I couldn't put this book down. Well written and good character development.
I loved this book and didn't want it to end. The author did a great job of telling each of the characters' stories and then bringing them together, etc. Loved the Nantucket setting too. Really a great story. Definitely recommend!
its my new favorite book by her. it doesnt top jemima j but i did love it!!!!
Excellent Book!
I really liked this book.
I liked this book. It didn't really grab me though.
