Summer at Firefly Beach

This is a cute story, but it's not really a "page-turner". I found myself wishing at least one character had a sliver of a dark(ish) side or something truly interesting about them. Everyone is sugary-sweet, wielding surface level Hallmark-esque qualities (which makes sense given the author's genre, I know). But things feel too far removed from reality when they're overly wholesome. It got tiring being in the head of this oblivious and basic protagonist, constantly on the verge of tears or struggling to grasp her reality or exhibit emotional intelligence. I get that we're supposed to side with her vulnerability, but she reads more like a sheltered 14-year-old. We get repeat explanations of how wholesome and ~good~ everyone is, it gets a bit suffocating and chops up the flow of the story. The romantic elements are delayed and, when they arrive, feel pretty underwhelming and vanilla. I wish the characters exhibited more passion or that someone did something unexpected! That would have brought this vivid setting to life and made it more engaging. The writing is good, it just leaves something to be desired in terms of actual entertainment.

Almost halfway through this book and I'd have loved to have thrown it out the window of the plane. If I wasn't stuck on a transatlantic flight without another book I wouldn't have gotten this far. The whiny self-centered main character apparently has some terrible secret but shes so annoying I dont even care what it is. That combined with overly sweet and unrealistic dialogue makes me not want to finish it. I get that its supposed to be light summer fluffy reading, which is why I bought it for vacation, but still I at least expect some halfway decent writing. If you're looking for cotton candy on a beach then go for it. It's too sweet for me.

Author Jenny Hale has written another superb, thought provoking novel probing the depth of family dynamics and love. Hallie and Ben, best friends since childhood, have an ongoing “best friend forever” relationship that became more complicated as time and events occurred. Both have had romantic relationships that just did not make the grade for a permanent commitment even though the other party seemed to fulfill the attributes they were looking for in a forever mate.Sometimes other people see what seems to be so obvious but the person actually involved cannot see for the “fog of life” obscuring the person’s clarity. How does that person get clarity? In Hallie’s case her Aunt Clara provided a unique way of helping Hallie after she died. Aunt Clara was a dynamic force in the family and community but particularly in Hallie’s life. She was a person who just understood people and in particularly individuals in her family, especially Hallie. How does one know how one will impact people after their earthly life? Aunt Clara certainly constructively impacted her family after her death through unique ways.Besides Ben and Hallie, which is who the main plot of the story revolves around, Jenny Hale weaves a poignant sub plot involving their Uncle Hank and his brother who the family did not know existed. Other family dynamic side plots are woven into this wonderful family story as well. The reader cannot help but see familiar characters and events that will remind them of their own family members and remember those who helped put clarity and guidance in their life.To say more about the plot would take away from the enjoyment of the individual reading this wonderfully written novel

I get it; a close (?), much loved relative died, (no spoiler), and the one who should grieve the most should be the person who lived with her day in and day out. That everyone else feels pain and sorrow is to be expected, but come on.... The main character is whiney and clingy to someone who is involved with someone else, and she doesn't realize that she depends on this person WAY TOO MUCH! Seriously? Who out there would appreciate a clingy woman hanging all over your boyfriend, calling him day and night to sit and hold her, and it never occurs to her this this might be inappropriate. Okay if the guy doesn't have a life and can deal with this, but how can anyone move forward like this? I don't like this book at all! I really don't get the 4 and 5 star reviews. I try to finish all the books I read, but I am getting better at closing the chapter on this one. Too bad it wasn't free! My loss!

Liked this latest Jenny Hale book have all of this authors as I love the story's. Ben was lovely and Haille had a lovely friendship with him and realising she loved him as much as he loved her was sweet. The sadness at Clara's passing was so much part of the story as looking after Uncle Hank who felt it deeply. I was not surprised by the intruder or the fact Lewis was his brother as I did think he'd tried something with Clara and he annoyed me with his seemingly smug attitude but I loved Robby and how he looked upto Ben and how Sydney and Mama also cared for the family. Glad Ben and Haille got their happy ending and Beau the dog of course

Such a heartwarming book, I absolutely adore books about families and the love they share. This particularly struck a cord with me as I had a very close relationship with my aunt. So emotional, at times I did have tears in my eyes, but the whole story was ultimately uplifting and positive.Such a lovely book, and I will certainly be reading more from this author soon ❤️

This is very light reading. As light as an eggwhite omelet. I bought this with audio, which exacerbated the problem, the readers whiney voice and exaggerated style failed to anchor the story.This book irritated me.

The storyline was a bit predictable from the off in terms of the boy/girl long term friendship. I felt some parts of the story were overly stretched out. Saying that, it was certainly a feel good storyline and I could easily imagine being in the beach home with them all as I was reading thanks to the descriptive text.

Jenny Hale doesn’t disappoint...another fabulous read.