Nantucket Beachfront Inn

by Ainsley Keaton

She's 54, broken-hearted, and starting over....

High-powered New York attorney Ava Flynn finds herself without a job or a future. Unemployable at her age, and broken-hearted by a husband who left her in the lurch, she desperately needs a Plan B. Her prayers are answered when a wealthy benefactor wills her a large house in the 'Sconset Beach area of Nantucket. She heads out to the picturesque New England island with her two best friends, Quinn and Callie, going along for the ride.

One catch...her estranged daughter also lives there. Charlotte Killeen, Ava's daughter, is battling a crisis of her own. Her new husband, Matthew, wants a divorce, even though the couple have a newborn baby. Charlotte needs her mother more than ever, but the two have never seen eye to eye. Her marriage on the rocks and with few prospects for income, Charlotte is near the end of her rope. Then a life-threatening illness brings into focus what's important after all.

Callie, Ava's best friend, is battling a devastating illness, information that she hasn't shared with Ava and Luna. She never wants to be a burden, so she just doesn't ask for help. But she's going to need all the support she can get. She finds this support in a very surprising place, and, in doing so, gets closer to her own destiny.

Ava busies herself with fixing up her beautiful new beach home, so that she can open up a bed and breakfast. Contractor Deacon Cromwell, whom Ava hires to do the renovation, is the man who might thaw Ava's cold heart, if only she'll let him. However, he's almost 20 years her junior and, Ava believes, out of her league. Can Ava overcome her insecurities and allow herself to love again?

In this feel-good beach read with a touch of magick, Ava and her friends and family will become your best friends. Come and share their joys and heartbreaks, their tragedies and triumphs. For fans of Susan Mallery, Jude Devereaux Nantucket Bride series and Elin Hilderbrand!

300 pages, Paperback

Published November 8, 2021

Reviews

[Arlena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Nantucket Beachfront Inn
Author: Ainsley Keaton
Publisher: Independently Published
Series: Sconset Beach Book One
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
The Nantucket Beachfront Inn" by Ainsley Keaton

My Opinion:

'The Nantucket Beachfront Inn' was quite a story of how 54-year-old Ava Flynn had been a Manhatten Lawyer. It seems as though Ava's life was going badly for her... as her first husband dies, leaving her with three children, her second husband leave-taking money from her, then losing her job. However, Ava gets a life-changing gift when a former client bequeathed her a large mansion in Nantucket. That did give her a fresh start where she would pick up her life and start a new endeavor as a Nantucket inn owner. Ava's two best friends, Quinn and Hallie, come with her and help her move in as she decides to make this mansion into bed and breakfast. There will be many issues along this journey.

As the story continues, Ava's three children will appear, which will bring some havoc with them in one form or another. One of the daughters is not getting along with her husband and has come with her daughter...[the granddaughter] to stay at the mansion. Ava's sons me from the L.A. area to help her move. Ava's mom [Sairse] I in the picture too. Oh, and by the end o the story, the second child Sam comes into the picture. Just one powerful family dynamic will come into play and have one shake their heads.

Along with all of that, there will be a healing witch that will come into the story. So now I will stop here, and you will have to pick up the good read and see how well the author brings it all out to the reader.

There will be many characters that will come in the story to fit this all together. So be ready for a read that will have a lot going on that you will have to keep up. Some you will like more than some others!

Be ready for a story that isn't only about Ava, her inheritance, her friends, family, and healing witch, but will leave us wanting more as the story end in a cliffhanger where we will be left wanting more. From whom will this be?... Deacon, Samantha, Quinn, Jackson all lay at the feet of Ava.

Thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ava Flynn, an attorney in Manhattan, had finally had enough of her prestigious position where she was defending cheats and liars. At 54, Ava had raised her triplets alone after the untimely death of her husband when she was eight months pregnant, and she had worked punishing hours all while never feeling successful at either motherhood or her career. After being fired, she discovered that her second husband had a gambling addiction and had completely emptied their savings account, leaving her with nothing. Fortunately, a former client had been impressed with her work, and as a reward, left her a beautiful home on Nantucket. With the help and support of her best friends Hallie and Quinn, Ava relocated and decided to open an upscale Bed & Breakfast. Her daughter Charlotte and her family lived there, her son Jackson came out from Los Angeles to help with the move, and during the renovation the family is able to strengthen their bonds while also forging new ones.

I loved the loyalty the three ladies had for one another, and they were willing to expand their circle to include Hallie’s nurse, Maria; Willow, who is the local Wiccan healer; all three of Ava’s children, and Deacon, the contractor who renovated the inn. The Nantucket Beachfront Inn is a welcoming place, inviting and safe, in a beautiful setting, and after an ending with several surprises, I can honestly say I am waiting anxiously for the sequel.

My thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher and author for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

[BookwormishMe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ava has raised her triplets on her own. Sadly, their father was killed in a drunk driving accident before they were even born. So Ava takes her law degree and becomes a standout defense lawyer for a firm that specializes in white collar crime, notable tax evasion. But Ava loathes most of her wealthy clients who prefer to pay exorbitant lawyer’s fees rather than pay taxes.

One day with a particular client, Ava has simply had enough. Once she starts speaking the truth, she can’t seem to talk. When called before the partners of the firm a few days later, her fate has been sealed - after 23 years of excelling, they are letting her go. With a ridiculous mortgage on a New York City apartment, and no savings due to her second husband’s gambling problem, Ava has no idea what comes next.

With the support of her two best friends, Quinn and Hallie, and a surprise inheritance of a large home on Nantucket, Ava starts her next chapter.

Love the concept and story of this novel. Because the story was pretty engaging, it kept me reading and will likely have me reading the following sequels (as promised by the author.) What I didn’t enjoy was some stilted dialogue and forced scenarios between some of the characters. Though as I said, I did enjoy this and want to continue to read the rest of the stories of these people on Nantucket Island.

[Sherri Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from #Netgalley for my honest opinion.
At first I was confused when I was a few chapters in, because the story line was almost the same as another book I had finished (while sidelined with a horrible cold), that I had also gotten from Netgalley but with a different title and author name. I thought there may have been some plagiarism happening, but after doing some research I came to the realization that the first book was written by the same author.
That said, I think the author or publisher should make sure to note somewhere that she had changed the story line, and characters, from the first book to the second. Goodreads should be taken care of also.
Now on to my review of this book…
Ah, the changes a person goes through in their life. This story shows that no matter our situations in Life, there are always ways to make Life a little bit better. But, most importantly, it’s the people we encounter in our lives that help us get to a better, more fulfilling position. Even though there were a lot of characters (Willow’s my favorite!), their parts in the story all eventually meld together and work out in the end. There will be parts where you might think “Umm, what the what?”, but these parts do get worked through. And, there will be more books in this series according to the author.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for the preview of this book.

I was looking forward to a fun fluffy beach vacation book, and thought this would fit the bill. Started off that way- middle-aged women friends, one trying to reinvent herself after hard luck on life, and twists and turns take her to island life. Then it got frustrating.

The first half was strong, and I was reading quickly. Then too many characters with too many problems that got solved way too easily without any background. There was a lot of editing that needed to be done to the book, and it was distracting. Portions of this book read like the author wanted to prove she did research on topics, and wanted to tell you everything she learned. Without any spoilers, the last 2 pages were irritating and only served the purpose of setting up for the rest of the series. I am still questioning why some characters were in the book at all, why others got so much time, and yet still what happened to one after a starring role in the first half. Sigh. Could have been, but just wasn't.

The book was messy, which eventually became distracting. I was looking forward to reading it, enjoyed the beginning, and it was almost like someone else finished the book. Did not do it for me.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nantucket Beach Front Inn by Ainsley Keaton

Ava is a high powered attorney who quits her job because she's tired of defending jerks who blatantly disobey the law.

Ava is also in financial constraints due to her ex husband cleaning her dry with his gambling problem and debts.

She's then gifted a beach house by one of her previous clients, whom she really adored but there are several conditions.

She moves to Nantucket, decides to open a BnB, hopes to get back in good graces with her daughter and determined to make something of this gift

Charlotte, her daughter, is separating from her husband, shows up on her moms doorstep with their baby, and begins repairing their relationship, all while Ava throws Daniel and Charlotte together, forcing them to reconcile.

Callie, Ava's bff, has something she's not telling - because she doesn't want to ruin good news and she thinks she can handle it all by herself.

All their lives intertwine and make one great story .

I received this book in exchange for a review from NetGalley

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the authors debut novel. I’m going to round up; especially because this is a debut novel. Evidently this is the first in a series; I would read a subsequent novels by Ainsley Keaton.

The main character is let go from a very male attorney office; but subsequently inherits a mansion, as she had saved one of her clients a boatload of cash. I easily identified with this character, as we are similar in age.

One of the most interesting characters is a practicing “witch”; initially I wasn’t sure I was comfortable with that as a topic, but everything was well within my comfort zone and I think this is one of my favorite characters. I’m looking forward to seeing where the author takes the series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ainsley Keaton the author and the publisher Debra Moore (possibly self published?) for the opportunity to read the advance read copy of Nantucket Beachfront Inn in exchange for an honest review.

[Lori R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful tale of friendship among three women.   It was also about family, work, love, and dealing with life.  I really liked all of the connections to the different characters and learning about their lives.  It was quite interesting how Ava came to own the Nantucket beachfront house which she later named the Sconset Inn. I was so excited to learn this is book one in a seven book series because I did not want the story to end as I had gotten attached to the characters and their interesting, dramatic lives.  I want to find out what happens next.This is the first book I have read by this author and I enjoyed her writing a lot.  I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

First in an intended series of a high-powered attorney that finds a more suitable second career as a B&B owner in a seaside town alongside her formerly estranged mother, daughter, assorted friends and customers. Everything falls into place fairly quickly for our heroine but the story is nonetheless appealing and charming. While there are no great surprises, the characters are winning and hold enough interest for a series. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Marla · Rating 4 out of 5]

After 23 years as a lawyer helping big hot shot males get out of paying taxes Ava had it. After letting one of her clients know how she felt she was then out of a job. It then she was left a gift of a house on the beach from a former client. Now after convincing her two best friends to join her she headed for big changes. The lives of her family and friends play out through this book and makes for an enjoyable read and leaves you wondering what’s going to happen next on the beach.

[Kris McPeake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drastic life changes and starting over are instore for Ava as she loses her job as an attorney in the city and inherits a beach front property. Her friends and even her adult children are making changes. The author writes of loss, heartache, love, finding oneself and happiness. The surprise is a little magic of the good kind. But the story doesn't end at the end and I'm looking forward to read the next book in this series.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 rounded up to 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
To me, this was a very predictable book. This was a book that was an easy read, but it was also a feel good book that you knew would end happily. It’s a book about friendships, families, and potential losses. I am excited to see about the next books in the series to see how exactly the storyline progresses. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually 2.5 stars, but rounded up. The story had some really great elements, but the author just tossed way too many storylines into this first book of the series. In addition, there were numerous factual issues with the book, and needed a good editing. For example, there are only 30 days in April, not 31.
I thank #NetGalley for chance to review this book.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

The initial premise of this book sounded good. But, an attorney inherits a $7 million mansion and there's no talk of taxes? Ava quits her job as an attorney and remodels a house to make it into a B&B. There was no discussion of a business plan of any sort, which a supposed high power attorney would probably want to do. Or she would hire someone to run the business. I'm not sure I'm going to be in line to read the next book in the series.

[Kati Berman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable chick flick. I didn’t care for a lot of it, especially the witchcraft.

[Lynette Burnett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Synopsis: Attorney Ava Flynn, who works with wealthy people who have tax issues, suddenly loses her job when she loses her patience with a client and tells him to just pay his taxes! Her soon to be ex- husband has wiped out her savings account, too, leaving Ava unemployed and almost broke. As she struggles with her next steps, she obtains an unexpected bequeathment from another client: a large house on Nantucket. So Ava sets out with her 2 best friends to Nantucket for her “next chapter.”
What I liked: The friendship between the three women. Ava’s friends go with her, one relocates to Nantucket herself. The other has a thriving business in Manhattan and doesn’t feel able to go, but she takes a month off to help her friends set up their new homes.
The relationship between Ava’s children. Ava has three children (triplets), and though we only really meet two of them, they all seem to have a really great bond.
The relationship between Ava and her mother. While it does seem that Ava’s mother is very harsh with her, at heart, she has Ava’s best at heart. And she loves her grandchildren.
I also liked the location. I love a book set in Nantucket.
What I didn’t like: There was a lot going on in this book! I believe I read in the author’s note, or in her bio, that Ainsley Keaton is a big fan of other authors such as Elin Hilderbrand and Nora Roberts. That was very apparent after reading this book.
There is also a lot of weird language used in this book. By weird, I mean old language. For example, “Every so once in a while, I can hear people walking by with a boombox”, “in high cotton”, “big shindig happens”. I don’t think anyone in 2022 still says any of these things. It was weird. I did look up the author at that point to see how old this woman was because the name Ainsley infers a young author. I discovered a woman more my age (50). The use of this outdated language was very distracting to me.
Lastly, I did not enjoy the witch storyline at all. That’s when I thought Ms. Keaton was channelling too many authors she reads. While Nora Roberts can pull off a book with characters who use magick, the use of it in this book was just off and not necessary.
Thank you to #netgalley and #sunrisebooks for the advanced e-copy of #nantucketbeachfrontinn. This is the first book in a planned series, and while I did like the book overall, I don’t plan to pursue the remaining books in the series.