On Ocean Boulevard by Mary Alice Monroe – a Review

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Description:
It’s been sixteen years since Caretta “Cara” Rutledge has returned home to the beautiful shores of Charleston, South Carolina. Over those years, she has weathered the tides of deaths and births, struggles and joys. And now, as Cara prepares for her second wedding, her life is about to change yet again.

Meanwhile, the rest of the storied Rutledge family is also in flux. Cara’s niece Linnea returns to Sullivan’s Island to begin a new career and an unexpected relationship. Linnea’s parents, having survived bankruptcy, pin their hopes and futures on the construction of a new home on Ocean Boulevard. But as excitement over the house and wedding builds, a devastating illness strikes the family and brings plans to a screeching halt. It is under these trying circumstances that the Rutledge family must come together yet again to discover the enduring strength in love, tradition, and legacy from mother to daughter to granddaughter.

Like the sea turtles that come ashore annually on these windswept islands, three generations of the Rutledge family experience a season of return, rebirth, and growth. “Authentic, generous, and heartfelt” (Mary Kay Andrews, The New York Times bestselling author), On Ocean Boulevard is Mary Alice Monroe at her very best.

Review:

On Ocean Boulevard by Mary Alice Monroe is the 6^th book in her Beach House series.  This is the first book I have read in this series, but it read very well as a standalone.  This story revolves mostly around two women, Linnea Rutledge and her aunt, Cara Rutledge taking place near Charleston, South Carolina.

Linnea returns home after losing her job, as well as breaking up with her boyfriend. She plans to stay with her parents, but stops to see her Aunt Cara, at Primrose Cottage, which has been a mainstay during Linnea’s childhood, and the memories of her grandmother, Lovie.

Cara is not home when Linnea arrives, as she is busy with her friends planning on her upcoming fancy and expensive wedding, which she privately prefers to be a simple small one.  Cara is 55 years old, and after being widowed for many years, she is happily in love with David, as well as having a young child, Hope, who David also loves.  When she finally comes home, she is thrilled to see Linnea, and together they talk about each of their own issues; Linnea always seeks Cara for advice.  What I loved about this story was the close relationships between most of the women, whether it be mother and daughter; aunt and niece, friendships- old and new and how when things get tough, these people will always find a way to be there for each other.  Beautifully done. 

What follows is following Cara’s life as things fall apart, when a terrible illness brings everything to halt, with her questioning the decisions she has made, including her upcoming marriage. We also get to see Linnea’s life changing for the better, as with some help from her aunt, she finds a temporary job that could lead to permanent employment, and a boyfriend she never expected to find. I also loved when Linnea also found two new friends upon returning home. 

On Ocean Boulevard also revolves around Cara’s Primrose Cottage on the Isle of Palms, which has so much meaning to her, as well as to Linnea, who always visits.  Again, since this is the 6^th book in this series, the meaning of this cottage beach house is little lost since I have not read the earlier books, but I do see how much it means to everyone.  Monroe has created some wonderful characters, besides Cara and Linnea; such as Hope, Emmi, Flo, David, Palmer, Julia, Annabelle, just to name a few. I enjoyed the insights to the loggerhead turtles nesting, and the conservative groups to prevent plastics into the oceans.

On Ocean Boulevard was a sweet wonderful story, with fantastic characters, friendships, family, love; as well as various issues pertaining to environment or important home issues. Mary Alice Monroe has written a wonderful story that you will enjoy.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher