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Hideaway Bay #1
Coming Home to Hideaway Bay
When Lily Ford returns to her lakeside hometown of Hideaway Bay for her grandmother’s funeral, the reunion with her estranged sisters is anything but easy as old wounds surface quickly. Recently widowed and still reeling from the secrets her late husband left behind, Lily finds herself at a crossroad, questioning everything about herself and the people she thought she knew.
Hideaway Bay was the childhood summer playground and eventual home of her late grandmother, Junie, and her best friends. Lily’s heart is tugged by the strings of memories, having spent so much of her own childhood along the beaches there with family and friends. Having believed for years that she was content with the fragile peace she’d made with the past, Lily is as surprised as any when she begins to question whether she wants to return to her life in California. Maybe you can go home again.
A generational saga about sisters and friends.
Books in the Hideaway Bay Series:
Coming Home to Hideaway Bay
Meet Me at Sunrise
Moonlight and Promises
Hideaway Bay was the childhood summer playground and eventual home of her late grandmother, Junie, and her best friends. Lily’s heart is tugged by the strings of memories, having spent so much of her own childhood along the beaches there with family and friends. Having believed for years that she was content with the fragile peace she’d made with the past, Lily is as surprised as any when she begins to question whether she wants to return to her life in California. Maybe you can go home again.
A generational saga about sisters and friends.
Books in the Hideaway Bay Series:
Coming Home to Hideaway Bay
Meet Me at Sunrise
Moonlight and Promises
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 19, 2022
1545 people are currently reading
683 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
April 26, 2023
good story, but…
I wanted to wait a little bit before writing this to think about how to say what I think. This was SUCH a nice read almost to the very end. I was interested, I was invested, I was really emotional, and wrapped up in it.
And then it just got totally dropped!! It jumped right to a few short pages more than a year in the future and just ended. It’s like the author lost interest in the story. But I hadn’t! I wanted more. Characters and storylines were left hanging. And I get that’s partly because it’s a series, but even the main character in this one just got put on a shelf with us having no idea how she got there.
So I’m sorry, I don’t want to be mean, but it really just felt lazy and I was left sorely disappointed. I won’t even read the rest of the series because I don’t want to get invested again and left. It’s too bad. It was really enjoyable up till then!!
I wanted to wait a little bit before writing this to think about how to say what I think. This was SUCH a nice read almost to the very end. I was interested, I was invested, I was really emotional, and wrapped up in it.
And then it just got totally dropped!! It jumped right to a few short pages more than a year in the future and just ended. It’s like the author lost interest in the story. But I hadn’t! I wanted more. Characters and storylines were left hanging. And I get that’s partly because it’s a series, but even the main character in this one just got put on a shelf with us having no idea how she got there.
So I’m sorry, I don’t want to be mean, but it really just felt lazy and I was left sorely disappointed. I won’t even read the rest of the series because I don’t want to get invested again and left. It’s too bad. It was really enjoyable up till then!!
April 22, 2022
This is a wonderful read. I found myself settling down for the afternoon as once I picked this up that was it, I could not put it down! It made me laugh, it made me cry, it just has all the feels from the past and the present. There’s plenty of drama and even some mystery and intrigue and I just the characters and cannot wait to visit hideaway bay again in book two.
January 5, 2025
I picked this one up because I live in the area that the author based this fictional town on. Reading it felt like coming home and I really enjoyed the story. Overall a cute read with a setting that felt so familiar to me, which made it comforting to read. I loved reading about Lily, her sisters, and her grandmother Junie. I liked the time lines jumping back and forth and seeing the similarities and differences in their lives and the reasons why they both loved Hideaway Bay.
I felt like the ending was rushed which is why I dropped a star from the rating, but I am hoping that later books in the series might expand on Lily’s story more. I’m looking forward to picking up the rest of the series when I’m looking for a light easy read.
I felt like the ending was rushed which is why I dropped a star from the rating, but I am hoping that later books in the series might expand on Lily’s story more. I’m looking forward to picking up the rest of the series when I’m looking for a light easy read.
December 22, 2022
Lily's grandma died and she was leaving California with her great dane Charlie to drive the three days to Hideaway Bay. She just became a widow and she was so young and broke because of his gambling. She hadn't seen her sisters in years. What a great book.
February 28, 2023
This was a clean novel. The book is about three sisters who meet up at their grandmother's house, after she passes away. At first, one notices the anger, then discord between them. This book flips back and forth between the past, and current time periods. All in all, I felt that this was a sad book that never really found happiness.
December 28, 2022
I liked the plot but thought the book was rather slow. I found myself quite bored at times. The author includes so much minutiae of the characters’ lives that I found myself skimming a lot of pages.
December 24, 2022
Family Connections
I liked this little book as it was an easy read but sent such good messages. While it might be considered “chick lit,” it offered so much more. We have a family with the story basically told in a dual timeline with mother and daughter as the central characters.
Following their grand,other’s death, sisters ( Izzy, Lily, Alice) are brought back to their hometown. Unfortunately, the sisters are not close, which they realize is unfortunate. When the lawyer explains they are all to receive their grandmother’s house but cannot sell it for a year, they are forced together. For a couple weeks, they once again learn to know each other.
Lily, having recently lost her husband, found peace at home and with her life situation, wonders about staying in Hideaway Bay. Alice, unhappy with her law practice, finds joy in cooking while the three are home. Izzy, the wanderer, enjoys being with her siblings but cannot let herself set down roots.
After making their individual decisions, Lily decides to stay for a year while her sisters go back to their lives. She falls into her life there and through the narration of her grandmother’s story, we almost can see life beginning to repeat itself.
What I liked: 1) a story of lifelong friends with Junie, Thelma, and Barb, something I was never fortunate enough to have, 2) a true love story in Junie’s life; 3) sisters reconnecting as adults and possibly keeping that connection; and 4) a new life for Lily, something I would wish for myself sometimes.
I believe there are more books in this series….hope so.
I liked this little book as it was an easy read but sent such good messages. While it might be considered “chick lit,” it offered so much more. We have a family with the story basically told in a dual timeline with mother and daughter as the central characters.
Following their grand,other’s death, sisters ( Izzy, Lily, Alice) are brought back to their hometown. Unfortunately, the sisters are not close, which they realize is unfortunate. When the lawyer explains they are all to receive their grandmother’s house but cannot sell it for a year, they are forced together. For a couple weeks, they once again learn to know each other.
Lily, having recently lost her husband, found peace at home and with her life situation, wonders about staying in Hideaway Bay. Alice, unhappy with her law practice, finds joy in cooking while the three are home. Izzy, the wanderer, enjoys being with her siblings but cannot let herself set down roots.
After making their individual decisions, Lily decides to stay for a year while her sisters go back to their lives. She falls into her life there and through the narration of her grandmother’s story, we almost can see life beginning to repeat itself.
What I liked: 1) a story of lifelong friends with Junie, Thelma, and Barb, something I was never fortunate enough to have, 2) a true love story in Junie’s life; 3) sisters reconnecting as adults and possibly keeping that connection; and 4) a new life for Lily, something I would wish for myself sometimes.
I believe there are more books in this series….hope so.
April 18, 2022
My favorite part of this book was the unique telling of the story from the present day with Lily and her sisters, to going back in time to learn about Junie, Lily's grandmother. The chapters alternated between the two and sometimes left a cliffhanger.
The characters of Lily and Junie especially pulled me right into the tale and gave such a depth to the story. I really felt I knew the women and all that they had been through.
I admired how Junie wanted her three granddaughters, Izzy, Lily, and Alice to become close and to truly remember the importance of family and being there for each other. I found it interesting that the book took place in a cottage on Hideaway Bay which seemed so idyllic even though their lives were not, I liked that because it added to the story. I also liked that Junie remained friends with Thelma and Barb since childhood and Thelma helped the granddaughters after they lost Junie. The theme of family played throughout the story and it was so nice how important Junie had been to her three granddaughters. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
The characters of Lily and Junie especially pulled me right into the tale and gave such a depth to the story. I really felt I knew the women and all that they had been through.
I admired how Junie wanted her three granddaughters, Izzy, Lily, and Alice to become close and to truly remember the importance of family and being there for each other. I found it interesting that the book took place in a cottage on Hideaway Bay which seemed so idyllic even though their lives were not, I liked that because it added to the story. I also liked that Junie remained friends with Thelma and Barb since childhood and Thelma helped the granddaughters after they lost Junie. The theme of family played throughout the story and it was so nice how important Junie had been to her three granddaughters. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
April 18, 2022
I would highly recommend this book. When I first started reading the book, I was a bit taken back because the author was writing in present day, and then it would switch to the past. Which was telling you the story of the Grandma Junie while also telling the story of Lily, and her sisters-the granddaughters. There was clear visual clue that it switched, but the first time it happen, I was a little confused. But, after the first switch, I really loved learning/reading two different stories and how they all intermingled. It definitely help me to see how the past influenced the future for this family.
It was a really good story that I couldn't put down and I was really sad when it ended. I wanted to keep reading about Lily and how her life was going as well as Isabella, and Alice's lives. I can't wait to read the books that will allow me to learn about Isabella and Alice.
It was a really good story that I couldn't put down and I was really sad when it ended. I wanted to keep reading about Lily and how her life was going as well as Isabella, and Alice's lives. I can't wait to read the books that will allow me to learn about Isabella and Alice.
April 19, 2022
loss and gain
I just love this author, her books always give me cozy feelings but still inspire me to think about life. Our lives tend to take turns in directions we wouldn´t choose actively but in hindsight it turned out to be the right path we were led to. As far as siblings are concerned: we might share the same ancestors but still we are individuals and often don´t agree, but as soon as we accept each others´ opinions and let each other live the life we choose, conflicts lessen and mutual support and understanding makes our lives richer. Still sometimes it´s not family but the help of good friends that tides us over when times get rough.
Reading this book was not only entertaining but reminded me to keep an open minded view on things.
I received this book as a review copy.
I just love this author, her books always give me cozy feelings but still inspire me to think about life. Our lives tend to take turns in directions we wouldn´t choose actively but in hindsight it turned out to be the right path we were led to. As far as siblings are concerned: we might share the same ancestors but still we are individuals and often don´t agree, but as soon as we accept each others´ opinions and let each other live the life we choose, conflicts lessen and mutual support and understanding makes our lives richer. Still sometimes it´s not family but the help of good friends that tides us over when times get rough.
Reading this book was not only entertaining but reminded me to keep an open minded view on things.
I received this book as a review copy.
August 23, 2023
Well crafted story of every day family situations with evidence of welcomed family healing. After Lily is pulled back to her hometown she finds a way to connect to her past through her Grandma Junie's BFF, Thelma. There are many similarities between Lily's past and present.
I had not heard this saying, but love the truth in it..."Joy shared is doubled and sorrow shared is halved."
One of my FAV parts was when Junie gets "the dime" out of her change purse and hands it to Paul.
No Spoilers, you have to read the book to get this!
Sometimes you have to go on the adventures, sometimes you even enjoy a part-time job when you are already full-time busy and sometimes it all works out for the best in the end!
I had not heard this saying, but love the truth in it..."Joy shared is doubled and sorrow shared is halved."
One of my FAV parts was when Junie gets "the dime" out of her change purse and hands it to Paul.
No Spoilers, you have to read the book to get this!
Sometimes you have to go on the adventures, sometimes you even enjoy a part-time job when you are already full-time busy and sometimes it all works out for the best in the end!
May 4, 2022
This book has two timelines that come together in the end. Many authors cannot write in two different times and keep the reader's interest, but Michele does it quite well. The characters are likable and the action is easy to follow. You want to keep reading to find out how Junie will influence Lily and her two sisters. The tension in the book is just enough to keep your interest but not so much that it leaves the reader feeling uptight. The resolution for Lily is quite pleasant. The characters and action are such that you want to revisit Hideaway Bay.
Thank you to Michele Brouder for an ARC for an honest review.
Thank you to Michele Brouder for an ARC for an honest review.
July 31, 2025
Lovely Story
Lily and her dog Charlie return to Hideaway Bay after the death of her Grandmother. There she is reunited with her sisters Isabelle and Alice. Lily has some decisions to make in her life and Hideaway Bay is the perfect place to start. The book is split between modern day with Lily and the 59s through the 80s with Junie, her grandmother. The stories of their lives are beautifully written, leaving me wanting more of their stories , yet the story is complete and satisfying. The characters are so alive and interesting you just can’t help but want a little more. I look forward to reading more from Michele Brouder.
Lily and her dog Charlie return to Hideaway Bay after the death of her Grandmother. There she is reunited with her sisters Isabelle and Alice. Lily has some decisions to make in her life and Hideaway Bay is the perfect place to start. The book is split between modern day with Lily and the 59s through the 80s with Junie, her grandmother. The stories of their lives are beautifully written, leaving me wanting more of their stories , yet the story is complete and satisfying. The characters are so alive and interesting you just can’t help but want a little more. I look forward to reading more from Michele Brouder.
April 23, 2022
Lily and her sisters, Isabelle and Alice, return to Hideaway Bay for their grandmother’s funeral. The three have never really been close, but maybe the time they spend together now can change that. We’re taken back and forth in time to the lives of their grandmother, Junie, and her friends Thelma and Barb, and to the present lives of the three sisters.
A story of loss, grief, healing, memories, new friendships and new beginnings. I look forward to reading more about the sisters.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A story of loss, grief, healing, memories, new friendships and new beginnings. I look forward to reading more about the sisters.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 25, 2022
A book that took me on a journey. Well, two journeys, to be more precise!
Lily’s journey. What a journey it was! Emotional and I felt all of the emotions that Lily felt! That is what I want in a good book, to be fully immersed in the story, to really be able to escape. And that sure was the case here! It wasn’t only Lily’s journey though, because we also get the story of Junie, in the past. That may sound confusing, that the story switched from past to present and back, but for me, it worked perfectly. A well-written book that deserves to be read!
Lily’s journey. What a journey it was! Emotional and I felt all of the emotions that Lily felt! That is what I want in a good book, to be fully immersed in the story, to really be able to escape. And that sure was the case here! It wasn’t only Lily’s journey though, because we also get the story of Junie, in the past. That may sound confusing, that the story switched from past to present and back, but for me, it worked perfectly. A well-written book that deserves to be read!
April 29, 2022
Wonderful new series!
I have been a fan of Michele's books for a while and this one doesnt dissapoint!
Although is a "new" genre for her, she masterfully goes through the story, stirring feelings in the reader through the pages. She has a especial sensibility in her writing that shows in the emotions the characters feel. The settings are very well descripted and the characters construsted in such a good way.
I fully recommend to read this book, the prequel, and all of Ireland series from Michele, which those last ones are between my favorites in my personal librarte.
I have been a fan of Michele's books for a while and this one doesnt dissapoint!
Although is a "new" genre for her, she masterfully goes through the story, stirring feelings in the reader through the pages. She has a especial sensibility in her writing that shows in the emotions the characters feel. The settings are very well descripted and the characters construsted in such a good way.
I fully recommend to read this book, the prequel, and all of Ireland series from Michele, which those last ones are between my favorites in my personal librarte.
December 25, 2022
A Good Read
It’s a nice story that flips back and forth from present to past.
Present is 3 sisters for some reason are like strangers and don’t know how to act around one another.
Past is the coming of age of Junie and her 2 best friends.
The characters and their lives are very real. There is some sadness but that’s life.
I would especially recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a story that you feel like you know the characters or have known someone like them in your life.
It’s a nice story that flips back and forth from present to past.
Present is 3 sisters for some reason are like strangers and don’t know how to act around one another.
Past is the coming of age of Junie and her 2 best friends.
The characters and their lives are very real. There is some sadness but that’s life.
I would especially recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a story that you feel like you know the characters or have known someone like them in your life.
August 3, 2023
Through The Years
This book takes the reader through 3 generations of women. Junie, Thelma & Barb were adolescent friends. The story tells of their families & them getting married. It then goes through them having children & then Junie’s daughter’s 3 daughters. Junie dies & her 3 granddaughters go back to Hideaway Bay for the funeral. The sisters are somewhat estranged. The book tells their story - 3 sisters, 3 different personalities, & 3 different lifestyles. I had a difficult time putting this book down
This book takes the reader through 3 generations of women. Junie, Thelma & Barb were adolescent friends. The story tells of their families & them getting married. It then goes through them having children & then Junie’s daughter’s 3 daughters. Junie dies & her 3 granddaughters go back to Hideaway Bay for the funeral. The sisters are somewhat estranged. The book tells their story - 3 sisters, 3 different personalities, & 3 different lifestyles. I had a difficult time putting this book down
August 6, 2023
Sometimes tragedy helps heal old wounds
Lily, Isabelle, and Alice return to Hideaway Bay for their Grandmothers funeral. Over the years, the sisters have drifted farther apart, and each have issues that are stopping then from being happy. Lily is at a crossroad in trying to get over the death if her husband and the large gambling debt he left her owing. Her time at the beach brings perspective and a chance for a fresh start if she wants to. So will Lily stay and start over? Will her short term job with Simon open new doors? Can she have a new beginning?
Lily, Isabelle, and Alice return to Hideaway Bay for their Grandmothers funeral. Over the years, the sisters have drifted farther apart, and each have issues that are stopping then from being happy. Lily is at a crossroad in trying to get over the death if her husband and the large gambling debt he left her owing. Her time at the beach brings perspective and a chance for a fresh start if she wants to. So will Lily stay and start over? Will her short term job with Simon open new doors? Can she have a new beginning?
April 19, 2022
That family is everything!
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2022
This is the very best book I have read this year. It tells of the friendships and lives of Junie, Thelma and Barbara through their pasts. Also the story of grief and how sisters grow closer through sharing their grief. Finally, it is Lily's story of love lost and finally finding her place in Hideaway Bay. This book was so beautifully written it brought me to tears.
I would absolutely recommend it to everyone!
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2022
This is the very best book I have read this year. It tells of the friendships and lives of Junie, Thelma and Barbara through their pasts. Also the story of grief and how sisters grow closer through sharing their grief. Finally, it is Lily's story of love lost and finally finding her place in Hideaway Bay. This book was so beautifully written it brought me to tears.
I would absolutely recommend it to everyone!
April 19, 2022
I fell in love with this generational saga which is a very heartbreaking and heartwarming story, I loved the way Michele goes back in younger times of the principal characters which is filled with lots of memories, good and bad. Life is full of up and downs, misunderstandings, misquoted the list is infinite. Well written you will fall for all those characters that get to your heart. I highly recommend it. Thanks to the author for providing me with my review copy.
April 21, 2022
I truly loved this story of Junie, Barbara, and Thelma and the era in which they grew up. The description of the times back then was fantastic! Their friendships, family struggles, and finding love really drew me into this story.
Junie's granddaughters gather at her house to say goodbye and find themselves forming a stronger bond with each other. I truly enjoyed this story and can't wait to read the next story in this series.
I received this book as an ARC.
Junie's granddaughters gather at her house to say goodbye and find themselves forming a stronger bond with each other. I truly enjoyed this story and can't wait to read the next story in this series.
I received this book as an ARC.
January 20, 2023
I didn't want it to end!!
This is my first book from this author. I loved it!! Each chapter is from Lily's point (present) or Junie's (past). Characters were so believable and real that I wished I was in Hideaway Bay! I think my emotions ran the whole gamete; laughter, tears, heartbreak, excitement, hope, etc. I would have liked a more tidier ending, bringing more things together but that might be addressed in the next books.
This is my first book from this author. I loved it!! Each chapter is from Lily's point (present) or Junie's (past). Characters were so believable and real that I wished I was in Hideaway Bay! I think my emotions ran the whole gamete; laughter, tears, heartbreak, excitement, hope, etc. I would have liked a more tidier ending, bringing more things together but that might be addressed in the next books.
March 16, 2024
A bore
There were 2 stories essentially and nothing spectacular about either. The writing failed to produce any emotion or connection to the characters. It was a nice magazine read but not a good book. There were no secrets. There was no reconciliation. There as nothing hopeful or uplifting about the book and it ended with everything magically winding up in the positive for the main protagonist.
There were 2 stories essentially and nothing spectacular about either. The writing failed to produce any emotion or connection to the characters. It was a nice magazine read but not a good book. There were no secrets. There was no reconciliation. There as nothing hopeful or uplifting about the book and it ended with everything magically winding up in the positive for the main protagonist.
March 22, 2024
Enjoyable story
This book tells the story of two generations of women. Junie and her husband Paul move to Hideaway Bay. They raise their daughter Nancy there. Nancy has 3 daughters--Isabelle, Lily and Alice. When Junie dies, the granddaughters return to Hideaway Bay. Each girl has a different challenge. Will they be able to become closer? How will their lives change? Quite a pageturner
This book tells the story of two generations of women. Junie and her husband Paul move to Hideaway Bay. They raise their daughter Nancy there. Nancy has 3 daughters--Isabelle, Lily and Alice. When Junie dies, the granddaughters return to Hideaway Bay. Each girl has a different challenge. Will they be able to become closer? How will their lives change? Quite a pageturner
April 18, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. The book focused on women and their relationships: friends, mothers, daughters, sisters. I liked the way the story went back and forth between Junie, the matriarch of the family and Lily, her granddaughter. The book spanned decades of the characters’ lives. I smiled and cried as I read this book and look forward to the next books in the Hideaway Bay series.
April 18, 2022
In Hideaway Bay you either come for the summer or you live there all year round, either way it is a special place to be. Reading about the families that have come to Hideaway Bay, grew up there, grew old there and died there was very emotional. I enjoyed reading about the friendships and the relationships that these very entertaining residents had.
June 20, 2022
A huge fan
I'm completely hooked on Hideaway Bay. After chapter one the page's kept turning and I couldn't stop reading. What a powerful story , the characters so vivid and down to earth people with real life issues. This is a clean wholesome romance . I highly recommend this book for you next summer read.
I'm completely hooked on Hideaway Bay. After chapter one the page's kept turning and I couldn't stop reading. What a powerful story , the characters so vivid and down to earth people with real life issues. This is a clean wholesome romance . I highly recommend this book for you next summer read.
March 31, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I felt the characters were complex, yet so very relatable. The way the story alternated between the current time period and the past was especially interesting. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that there were a few grammatical errors... and those are always a distraction for me.
April 14, 2024
Quiet and unremarkable but oddly satisfying
The characters are well drawn but the pacing and premise are slightly off. So much time is pointlessly spent on the main characters sister and then the end is a rush,cas if the writer got bored or ran out of ideas. I still enjoyed the book but it could have been so much better
The characters are well drawn but the pacing and premise are slightly off. So much time is pointlessly spent on the main characters sister and then the end is a rush,cas if the writer got bored or ran out of ideas. I still enjoyed the book but it could have been so much better
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews