By Debbie Macomber

Book Blurb

Two sisters must learn from each other’s strengths and trust in the redeeming power of love in a touching new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.

The Lakey sisters are perfect opposites. After their mother died and their father was lost in grief, Willa had no choice but to raise her sister, Harper, and their brother, Lucas. Then, as an adult, she put her own life on hold to nurse Harper through a terrifying illness. Now that Harper is better and the sisters are living as roommates, Willa has realized her dream of running her own bakery and coffee shop, bringing her special brand of caretaking to the whole Oceanside community.

Harper, on the other hand, is always on the go. Overcoming a terrible illness has given her a new lease on life, and she does not intend to waste it. When Harper announces her plan to summit Mount Rainier, Willa fears she may be pushing herself too far. Harper, for her part, urges Willa to stop worrying and do something outside of her comfort zone—like taking a chance on love with a handsome new customer. 

Sean O’Malley is as charming as he is intriguing—a freelance photographer whose assignments take him to the ends of the earth. Soon Willa’s falling for him in a way that is both exciting and terrifying. But life has taught Willa to hedge her bets, and she wonders whether the potential heartache is worth the risk. 

Life has more challenges in store for them all. But both sisters will discover that even in the darkest moments, family is everything.

Blurb taken from Goodreads

Book Cover photo from https://debbiemacomber.com/

My Review

Debbie Macomber’s A Walk Along the Beach is a poignant story of family, love, friendship, and heartache.  Willa Lakey, at the young age of thirteen, became the caretaker of her younger brother Lucas and sister Harper after their mother’s untimely death.  Their grieving father couldn’t handle the loss and sank into alcoholism. Harper is a cancer survivor having contracted leukemia a few years earlier.  The two sisters are close and share an apartment. Willa is quiet and serious, while her sister is happy-go-lucky and lives life as if there were no tomorrow. Harper works as a yoga instructor when she isn’t preparing to climb Mount Rainier and Willa owns Bean There, a local coffeeshop, in the small town of Oceanside, Washington. But when Harper’s cancer returns, the whole family pulls together to face whatever may come.

Sean O’Malley has become a regular at the coffee shop, even though he doesn’t care for coffee. Harper believes that Sean and Willa belong together and convinces Willa to go talk to her customer. When Willa realizes she has feelings for Sean, her love is threatened by his job as a photojournalist, which takes him to far off, remote places, often so remote there is no way to contact him.

A Walk Along the Beach has wonderful and rich characters, as well as, a plot that will make you laugh and then bring you to tears.  My only complaint is it ended too soon. This is my favorite Macomber novel by far. I read it in one sitting. Books that have sisters among the main characters are high on my “to read” list. This one certainly did not disappoint me. 

I received an arc of this book from Net Galley in return for my honest review.

About the Author

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Thirteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2020, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publications include A Walk Along the Beach (July) and Jingle All the Way (October). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, an adult coloring book, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and five have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

Author photo and biographical information taken from https://debbiemacomber.com/.

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