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Beach Girls

Beach Girls (Hubbard's Point/Black Hall series)

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3.98 of 5 stars 3.98  ·  rating details  ·  4,070 ratings  ·  150 reviews
Luanne Rice is a rarity among novelists today; she's a true storyteller. Her unique ability to weave together the bonds of love and family with the challenges and rewards of everyday life has garnered her eight consecutive top-ten New York Times bestselling paperbacks. With Beach Girls, Luanne Rice returns to the place that she was born to write about—the Connecticut shore...more
Paperback, 464 pages
Published August 3rd 2004 by Bantam (first published 2004)
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Rhonda Rae Baker
I loved this story and the characters! The word pictures were so vivid I felt she was describing places that I have visited in another life.

Such deep explainations of family emotions and dynamics it was easy to get caught up in what happened to them. I felt their pain, their dreams, their connection with each other.

I'm always surprised by Luanne Rice and the way she paints a picture in words. There were so many details in this story that I was taken away to another place in time or was it to a p...more
Christine
uggh and a pass. A quick mindless beach read for sure. I was heading to the sand and sun and wanted a "popcorn for the mind" book to escape with. I got that...it was pleasant but not life changing. A friend had recommended it. Not a waste of time, but I have too many other books on my list to read so it may be a while before I grab another Rice novel.
Louise
This was a very good read indeed. I have more of Rice's novels here and I think I'll start reading them!

"Twenty-five years ago three friends grew from girls to women on the sandy shores of Hubbard's Point, Connecticut, forging a bond they swore would last always. Then time and distance drew them apart-and one was lost forever. Now her nine-year old daughter has returned to the Point with her widowed father, longing to find the 'beach girls' of her mother's stories.

But after years of heartbreak,...more
Julie
Someone gave me this book to read, so I didn't know what it was going to be like. I guess this is considered a romance, which isn't usually what I read. I liked the story, although I could predict the outcome shortly after beginning book. That being said, I am the type that does like a happy ending. The story takes place in New England, and the author describes the setting in a way that makes me want to visit the beach and surrounding homes. I could envision the books and paintings described in...more
Dianna
This was an easy summer book. Not to in depth :) I watched the tv movie based on it on LIfetime and it was awful. Nothing like the book.
Michelle
Jack Kilvert is running. He's running from his past. He's running from his emotions. He's running from his reality.

Jack and his daughter Nell are spending their summer in Hubbard's Point, Connecticut. Jack is hiding in his childhood vacation spot. Nell is searching for her mother's oldest childhood friend who still lives in Hubbard's Point. In finding Stevie, Nell is trying to feel contected to her mother who died just over one year ago.

In this heart-felt novel there are no surprises. Love conq...more
Laurie
A pleasant easy read about the bonds of friendship and the changes brought about by loss. A teen girl travels to the beach in CT for a summer of discovery. She spends her time searching for the memories of her mother through her "beach girl" friends. The characters in the story were lovely but the development of the plot was slow. I enjoyed this book more for the setting than anything else. It was a rush of hometown delight for me conjuring memories of the New England summers that I spent on the...more
Stacie
I love Luanne Rice' books for many reasons, most of which, the coastal Connecticut setting that puts you on the edge of the sea. The Black Hall series is wonderful because you have the opportunity to see characters grow up and adults mature. People move away, new people move it, and there's always a solid relationship tested. I have read so many, I do not know which one is which until I read the jacket summaries. These books are about family and friends and what makes us tick.

Who doesn't like a...more
Kristy Trauzzi
I love Hubbards Point and I have never been there! This book was a joy to read and I kinda feel bad as I was always happy when my son went for naps so that I could read more of the book. And every time I came out of the book, it was like I had to blink myself back into the real world. I love Luanne Rice, I love this story line, I wish I could read the books on the birds lol. I just get so caught up in her books and I feel like I'm watching over everything, that I am there. Another book well done...more
Nancy
I loved this book. I loved Hubbard's point and the story of the 3 girlfriends: Emma, Nell, and Stevie and what happened to thier lives and friendships over time. This book was much deeper than I thought it would be and I loved it for that. Loved the art in the book as well and the themes of loss and healing, anger and unforgiveness that come in the times of the loss of a parent/partner/friend.
Great book. I am keeping it because I will def. read it again!!!!
Jem  Langford
The story had so much potential, but the way the story was written didn't give the storyline justice. It was really slow and nothing big happened, there was no big climax. I expected more from her since this was the first book i read of hers, but i might still give her a try.
I really like Stevie though and Nell is adorable. The love between Stevie and Jack is really sweet and Jack is a really good brother to Maddie considering he's four years older.
Amy
This was the second time I had read this book; Both times during summer vacation and both times I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a perfect beach book and has just enough going on to make it not just "fluffy" reading. I didn't realize it was part of a series until after finishing the book for the second time and will be busy looking for the previous books before summer is over.
L
The theme of friendship in the lives of women is the foundation of this story. Side stories of each of the women really drew me into the book eventhough it seemed like it could turn into a cookie cutter romance. It did seem like I read it as a end of the summer read because I wanted something quick and easy to just feel over the labor day weekend. Great book for that purpose.
Chris
This was a good story. It started out with a life-ending tragedy and I wasn't sure I was up for this, but Luanne handled it very well and her picture-painting words prompted me on in hope of a better life for this family...especially for 9/10 year old Nell.

I was having a hard time agreeing with the decisions Jack was making for Nell, so I was very encouraged by the people Luanne placed in his path.
Beth Bedee
At first, I really liked this book. I couldn't devote a lot of time to reading it, so I read a few pages here and there. Towards the end, with about 75 pages left, I lost interest. I could see loose ends tying up and could see where the story was going. I knew what was going to ultimately happen, so I stopped reading it. It was a good story though. Touching at times.
Sharon
"How the red flowers attracted hummingbirds, tiny one-and-a-half-inch-long birds with emerald feathers, to be with her mother...and how Stevie loved the birds beyond all reason for keeping her mother company." pg. 9
Hummingbirds are woven all through this novel. Couldn't help but being reminded of Mom everytime I read something about them.
June
A story of loss, filled with love and ending with hope. Centered back at Hubbard's Point, though not as infused with characters from the other 2 books I read. Makes you appreciate family and best, best friends. Might want to re-read eventually, there were a couple lines that struck me to the heart and I would like to find and copy down.
Natalia Miranda
I personally love this book. I would recommend to young adults because there are some really intimate parts. It's very concentrating and easy to read. It keeps you wanting to know what happens next. Nell is just a little girl who lost her mom emma and her dad jack sopped talking to his sister maddie because of the car accident and kept her away for Nell. Emma, maddie and Stevie were three best friends beach girls. Thought they would never separate and then end up going each others way. And at th...more
Helen
A great book for younger ladies. I did read this ( I am in my 40's) but I really think the theme of this story is more appealing to younger readers. I did enjoy the story, but in my opinion, not quite the winner that most of my dear Luann's books are. I do think this is a worthwhile read if you are young at heart.
Tina Samolczyk Mueller
Luanne Rice has a talent for description. She really makes you feel as if you are right there with the characters. I can really visulize every scene of the book. It teaches you that true friendship never ends even if you lose each other for awhile. A little predictable, but all happy endings usually are.
Darcia Cowart
Totally loved this book. the type of book that draws you in and for months leaves you yearning to be part of such relationships and tight friendships/ bonds. Better have the time read when you pick it up, cause it is the type of book you cant put down. Oh yeah, have your tissues ready.
Sofia
Jul 31, 2011 Sofia added it
The story will teach us how we can face truths even if it hurts us and involves our loved ones. Sure time helps ease the pain but it does not set you free from the pain. Only way is to face and confront it. And here it show the power of family bonds, even hurtful events cannot break it.
Maria
I loved this story!!
I just feel in love with all of the characters. Luanne Rice's details allowed me to feel like I was going through everything with them. The story was just so moving to me.
I thought it was a little on the heavy side for a quick beach read but I was very glad I took the time to read it anyway.
KJ Luepke
I didn't have any intention of reading more Luanne Rice air-popped mental popcorn right now but it was at eye level the first row I went through. What the hell.

I got done with this some time ago. It was not so good. The characters were really whiny and can't seem to handle anything. (Ex: "OH GAHWD! My hair dryer broke! I'm going to isolate myself and paint my misery!") The book went on and on and on about why they were miserable. The male character was a shit who took his being a clueless moron...more
Cheryl
Really liked this book and related to some of the characters. I didn't quite get the relationship between the girls, I don't think enough time was spent setting the stage that they truly were best friends. Great book though and loved Nell's character
Jennifer
Apr 15, 2012 Jennifer rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: young reader
I wasn't crazy about this book. I thought it would be more enjoyable but I thought the characters were pretty boring. It took a long time to get to the heart of the story, being the betrayal of Emma, and even then it was a let-down of sorts. I didn't feel too bad for Jack. Nell was a good character, as was Stevie, but I just wanted more from them.
Rmalatesta
Good book an easy read! I have read all of Luanne's books and once I start one I find it hard to put down. She draws the reader in early to the characters and their situations. I like how there are stories within the main story!
Nora Greaves
definitely a "beach book"...easy mindless reading but the characters were well thought out...I would've liked a longer when they were younger section to give you more depth on their characters as young girls...
Melissa
Not my typical book, it was lent to me by a friend. Predictable and very appropriate that Lifetime made it into a movie as it's very much their style. Might recommend this book and/or author to my mother, but I doubt I'll read anything else from her anytime soon.
Jamie
What happened to three girls who were 16 and spent wonderful times on the beach? The arrival of one of their daughters on the same beach brings the tale together. A good summertime read.
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Beach Girls (ebook)
Beach Girls
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Beach Girls (Kindle Edition)
Beach Girls (Hubbard's Point / Black Hall #5)

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Luanne Rice is the author of thirty-one novels including the forthcoming THE LEMON ORCHARD (Viking/Pamela Dorman Books.) Five of her books have been made into movies and mini-series, twenty-two have been consecutive New York Times bestsellers and two of her pieces have been featured in off-Broadway theatre productions. Born and raised in Connecticut, she divides her time between New York City and...more
More about Luanne Rice...
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