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Nantucket Love Story #3
Seaside Letters
Their letters could lead to lasting love . . . or expose Sabrina's mortifying secret.
Sabrina Kincaid didn't intend to fall for Nantucket native Tucker McCabe, the man she serves coffee to every morning-a man tied deeply to a past she deeply regrets. But she has. And she's fallen hard.
But she's kept this a secret from her handsome customer. And now Tucker wants to hire Sabrina to help locate his friend "Sweetpea"-the mysterious woman he's falling in love with online. Sabrina is not inclined to help, but if Tucker hires someone else, it could spell disaster. Because if someone else sifted through the emails and figured out the truth-then Tucker would discover that the person he's trying to find is . . . "her."
Sabrina Kincaid didn't intend to fall for Nantucket native Tucker McCabe, the man she serves coffee to every morning-a man tied deeply to a past she deeply regrets. But she has. And she's fallen hard.
But she's kept this a secret from her handsome customer. And now Tucker wants to hire Sabrina to help locate his friend "Sweetpea"-the mysterious woman he's falling in love with online. Sabrina is not inclined to help, but if Tucker hires someone else, it could spell disaster. Because if someone else sifted through the emails and figured out the truth-then Tucker would discover that the person he's trying to find is . . . "her."
320 pages
First published October 13, 2009
About the author
Denise Hunter
74 books3,557 followersDenise Hunter is the award-winning author of more than 40 novels, three of which have been adapted into Hallmark movies.
Denise writes heartwarming, small-town romances, peopled with layered characters who have real-life issues. Her readers enjoy the vicarious thrill of falling in love and the promise of a happily-ever-after sigh as they savor the final pages of her books.
In 1996, Denise began her first novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books contain a strong romantic element, and her husband says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!
Denise and her husband live in Indiana, where they raised three sons, and are currently enjoying an empty nest.
Denise writes heartwarming, small-town romances, peopled with layered characters who have real-life issues. Her readers enjoy the vicarious thrill of falling in love and the promise of a happily-ever-after sigh as they savor the final pages of her books.
In 1996, Denise began her first novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books contain a strong romantic element, and her husband says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!
Denise and her husband live in Indiana, where they raised three sons, and are currently enjoying an empty nest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews
January 27, 2015
I've read alot of Denise Hunters books and some appeal to me more than others, I would like to note one thing, that while I appreciate there needs to be some suspense when it comes to the main characters, and I love that its usually the male character that has the persistence to not bail on the never ending cycle of doubt and self-criticism the leading lady usually has, I would love if the deep dark troubles holding her back weren't over come in the last couple of pages. I really would love a slower acceptance and then get to enjoy a little more of their open acceptance of the happiness they are now enjoying than the final paragraph. It ends so suddenly for me it's getting a little weary. That said, I love the plots and they keep me hooked, just a little more happiness would be nice at the end!!
May 23, 2010
Sabrina never intended to fall in love with Tucker McCabe, the man she serves coffee to every morning at a Nantucket cafe - especially since he's unwittingly tied to a past she deeply regrets. But she's fallen hard, though she keeps her feelings a secret.
When Tucker learns Sabrina is the research assistant for a local mystery writer, he asks Sabrina to help him with a little sleuthing of his own... locating an elusive woman he's fallen for online.
If Sabrina accepts the job, she'll spend her evenings in close proximity to a man who can never be hers. If she turns him down, he'll hire someone else - and that would be a disaster. Because if someone else sifts through all those letters and finds out the truth, Tucker will discover her secret...
That the person he's trying to find is her.
Like most of these romances, you can usually guess the ending. The characters will get together. There will at least be a declaration of love, and sometimes there will be a wedding as well.
I'll be honest, neither of these characters are particularly likeable. They spend most of the book lying to each other, in the guise of worrying they'll scare off the other person. If more blame has to be placed on one than the other then I'll place it on Sabrina. She takes the job and resorts to additional subterfuge. Tucker wants to get to know her better, and draw her out of her shell. Regardless of who is more to blame, this is a relationship built on lies.
Sabrina does not come across as a Christian. We're not really sure on her spiritual state. Even after she supposedly experiences a transformation, she continues her deceit. She knows she hurt someone during that regretful past, but there is no mention of her wanting to ask forgiveness. Instead it is presumed that the other person will "come around."
Personally, I can't call this Christian fiction and won't be adding it to my Christian fiction bookshelf. God is rarely mentioned, and I don't recall if there is a mention of Jesus.
I read the first two books in the series over a year ago, and don't recall much about them. It's probably because each book is about completely unconnected characters. You can read each book on its own without having read the others. I'm presuming that format will continue with the next one which is due out this summer. Sadly, however, after reading Seaside Letters, I won't be making it a priority on my to-read list.
When Tucker learns Sabrina is the research assistant for a local mystery writer, he asks Sabrina to help him with a little sleuthing of his own... locating an elusive woman he's fallen for online.
If Sabrina accepts the job, she'll spend her evenings in close proximity to a man who can never be hers. If she turns him down, he'll hire someone else - and that would be a disaster. Because if someone else sifts through all those letters and finds out the truth, Tucker will discover her secret...
That the person he's trying to find is her.
Like most of these romances, you can usually guess the ending. The characters will get together. There will at least be a declaration of love, and sometimes there will be a wedding as well.
I'll be honest, neither of these characters are particularly likeable. They spend most of the book lying to each other, in the guise of worrying they'll scare off the other person. If more blame has to be placed on one than the other then I'll place it on Sabrina. She takes the job and resorts to additional subterfuge. Tucker wants to get to know her better, and draw her out of her shell. Regardless of who is more to blame, this is a relationship built on lies.
Sabrina does not come across as a Christian. We're not really sure on her spiritual state. Even after she supposedly experiences a transformation, she continues her deceit. She knows she hurt someone during that regretful past, but there is no mention of her wanting to ask forgiveness. Instead it is presumed that the other person will "come around."
Personally, I can't call this Christian fiction and won't be adding it to my Christian fiction bookshelf. God is rarely mentioned, and I don't recall if there is a mention of Jesus.
I read the first two books in the series over a year ago, and don't recall much about them. It's probably because each book is about completely unconnected characters. You can read each book on its own without having read the others. I'm presuming that format will continue with the next one which is due out this summer. Sadly, however, after reading Seaside Letters, I won't be making it a priority on my to-read list.
June 8, 2016
Unrequited love, the power of shame and a lot of bottled up romantic tension all builds to a sizzling conclusion. Sort of a twist on You've Got Mail. Have to admit that this frustrated me to the point of wanting to quit reading about halfway through, but glad I didn't. Wanted to shout at the main characters, "Would you tell each other the truth already!" The ending was totally worth it. Keep reading. You'll be glad you did.
November 23, 2016
Engaging and gripping; just how I like my novels.
January 11, 2023
Quite honestly if it wasn't for a reading challenge, I would have quit this long ago.
The characters are past the point of irritating, lie, and, deceive each other through the whole book in one way or another.
I get she's running from hurt and wrongs but other authors have written this type of characters better. And he just keeps saying he loves her through the whole book. Ugh grow-up and man-up.
For Christian fiction, God is sprinkled in the first half and then all of a sudden heaped on at the end of the book to qualify this genre?
I just could not get in to this Denise Hunter and hope for better writing in her later writings.
The characters are past the point of irritating, lie, and, deceive each other through the whole book in one way or another.
I get she's running from hurt and wrongs but other authors have written this type of characters better. And he just keeps saying he loves her through the whole book. Ugh grow-up and man-up.
For Christian fiction, God is sprinkled in the first half and then all of a sudden heaped on at the end of the book to qualify this genre?
I just could not get in to this Denise Hunter and hope for better writing in her later writings.
July 15, 2013
I really wanted to read this book. The premise looked cute, and I got it for next to nothing, so I figured it would be a fun light read. Let's just say this book didn't at all deliver on that.
My biggest issue with the book would be with Tucker himself. I get that most reviewers seem to love him, but I honestly don't get it. He's kinda creepy, a borderline stalker, and happily uses deception to try to win over a girl who's repeatedly told him no. I mean seriously, she's repeatedly turned him down for dates already, but just because she can laugh with her coworkers or enjoy a nap on the beach gives him the okay to intentionally stalk her on a forum just to trick her into an online relationship? Yuck. It really doesn't help that some of his methods of trying to get her to fess up were downright malicious, such as temporarily taking in a cat with the serious intention of triggering her allergies, or trying to force her into eating food he knows she finds repulsive. I think one of the other reviewers nailed it when they commented that the only reason he's not universally considered a creep is because he's a romantic hero/representation of God.
In fact, that last bit sums up the main reason I decided to give this book only one star. I didn't mind the author's writing per se (even if it did get melodramatic at times), and sure Tucker isn't quite the dedicated stalker that Edward Cullen is, but I was highly disturbed that the author seriously intended Tucker to be a type of Christ. Sure he forgives the protagonist and all that, but I know my God would never resort to deception and downright malicious behavior like I see from Tucker, and honestly this makes me lose any possible desire to try any of the author's other books.
Sabrina I didn't mind so much. She wasn't so great (I mean, she's lying through the whole book for starters), but she was also a damaged character who had a (relatively) great personal story of redemption, so I could forgive her her faults (okay, not so much her slight stupidity, but you know what I mean). I feel like I should also comment that I didn't particularly mind the inclusion of multiple affairs in a Christian novel like this, even if the protagonist was partially responsible for one of them. These things do happen in the real world, as bad as they are, neither scene was particularly explicit, and both were presented as Very Bad Things, not to mention were both very integral to the story.
The writing itself was fine. It wasn't particularly amazing, but I honestly think I could have enjoyed it had Tucker not been such a horrible representation of who God is (since again, this was seriously the author's intention, even though I still have a hard time believing it). Also while I wasn't a particular fan of the main characters, the supporting cast overall seemed like a lot of fun, and I wish we'd gotten to know Renny better. She seemed like she could have been interesting, but she barely even shows up. Arielle was also pretty fun while she was around, and I wish the coworkers and regulars had been fleshed out a bit more (surely Oliver has more to his character than "that guy who like testing Sabrina's vocabulary." So in short, I wish I could have liked this book more, but the negatives simply outweighed the rest far too much.
My biggest issue with the book would be with Tucker himself. I get that most reviewers seem to love him, but I honestly don't get it. He's kinda creepy, a borderline stalker, and happily uses deception to try to win over a girl who's repeatedly told him no. I mean seriously, she's repeatedly turned him down for dates already, but just because she can laugh with her coworkers or enjoy a nap on the beach gives him the okay to intentionally stalk her on a forum just to trick her into an online relationship? Yuck. It really doesn't help that some of his methods of trying to get her to fess up were downright malicious, such as temporarily taking in a cat with the serious intention of triggering her allergies, or trying to force her into eating food he knows she finds repulsive. I think one of the other reviewers nailed it when they commented that the only reason he's not universally considered a creep is because he's a romantic hero/representation of God.
In fact, that last bit sums up the main reason I decided to give this book only one star. I didn't mind the author's writing per se (even if it did get melodramatic at times), and sure Tucker isn't quite the dedicated stalker that Edward Cullen is, but I was highly disturbed that the author seriously intended Tucker to be a type of Christ. Sure he forgives the protagonist and all that, but I know my God would never resort to deception and downright malicious behavior like I see from Tucker, and honestly this makes me lose any possible desire to try any of the author's other books.
Sabrina I didn't mind so much. She wasn't so great (I mean, she's lying through the whole book for starters), but she was also a damaged character who had a (relatively) great personal story of redemption, so I could forgive her her faults (okay, not so much her slight stupidity, but you know what I mean). I feel like I should also comment that I didn't particularly mind the inclusion of multiple affairs in a Christian novel like this, even if the protagonist was partially responsible for one of them. These things do happen in the real world, as bad as they are, neither scene was particularly explicit, and both were presented as Very Bad Things, not to mention were both very integral to the story.
The writing itself was fine. It wasn't particularly amazing, but I honestly think I could have enjoyed it had Tucker not been such a horrible representation of who God is (since again, this was seriously the author's intention, even though I still have a hard time believing it). Also while I wasn't a particular fan of the main characters, the supporting cast overall seemed like a lot of fun, and I wish we'd gotten to know Renny better. She seemed like she could have been interesting, but she barely even shows up. Arielle was also pretty fun while she was around, and I wish the coworkers and regulars had been fleshed out a bit more (surely Oliver has more to his character than "that guy who like testing Sabrina's vocabulary." So in short, I wish I could have liked this book more, but the negatives simply outweighed the rest far too much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2020
I first read this book about ten years ago, and I recently picked it up again as part of a reading challenge. It was just as great the second time around :-)
This book is too cute! Overall, the book is simply delightful, slightly unexpected, and wholly romantic. And I loved the way Tucker wooed Sabrina both online and in person. It's a lovely, clean rom-com with depth, and I highly recommend it. 5 stars.
This book is too cute! Overall, the book is simply delightful, slightly unexpected, and wholly romantic. And I loved the way Tucker wooed Sabrina both online and in person. It's a lovely, clean rom-com with depth, and I highly recommend it. 5 stars.
February 23, 2010
A young woman running from poor judgement, a young man falling in love, searching for the woman he know is hidden under the tough exterior layer.
The last thing Sabrina Kincaid wants to do is find the woman Tucker McCabe has fallen in love with through an Internet chat room. But to refuse is to put herself in a worse bind- because that woman is her! And Tucker holds the key to her worst secret, a secret if revealed will ruin their "relationship" for eternity.
I don't even have words to truly praise this book. It was simply incredible! I finished the story in a matter of days and left hungry for more. This story has it all. Romance, intrigue, memorable characters, who have trials, ones you pray will overcome. Denise Hunter has done a marvelous job on this novel, you can tell she poured her whole heart into the story. The action between hero and heroine is believable and alive, filled with strife and the slow growth of love. The book is rift with conflict, the kind that pulls you to the edge of your seat and won't let go There are times you don't think it will ever turn out, but when you reach the last page, you are satisfied and sad the story is over. I can't say enough good things about this book, it has quickly become my favorite of 2009 published novels! Highly recommended!
The last thing Sabrina Kincaid wants to do is find the woman Tucker McCabe has fallen in love with through an Internet chat room. But to refuse is to put herself in a worse bind- because that woman is her! And Tucker holds the key to her worst secret, a secret if revealed will ruin their "relationship" for eternity.
I don't even have words to truly praise this book. It was simply incredible! I finished the story in a matter of days and left hungry for more. This story has it all. Romance, intrigue, memorable characters, who have trials, ones you pray will overcome. Denise Hunter has done a marvelous job on this novel, you can tell she poured her whole heart into the story. The action between hero and heroine is believable and alive, filled with strife and the slow growth of love. The book is rift with conflict, the kind that pulls you to the edge of your seat and won't let go There are times you don't think it will ever turn out, but when you reach the last page, you are satisfied and sad the story is over. I can't say enough good things about this book, it has quickly become my favorite of 2009 published novels! Highly recommended!
December 27, 2016
This is Christian fiction??? I did not finish reading the book because of all the lies, deceit and then blatant promiscuity I ran into when I finally got to the explanation of how her engagement broke up. REALLY very disappointing that this author thinks that the hero's manipulation, deceit, and malicious behavior is somehow "Christ-like" (the author makes a direct comparison of the hero to Christ in her Discussion questions.) Yes, Christ is forgiving but both of these main characters show no Christian relationship, just shallow, selfish and juvenile behavior. This is one author I do not plan to read again.
October 3, 2011
It was cute, that being said...with most of her books the main character seems to have some HUGE deep dark secret that reveals itself at the end. I wish she'd change it up a bit. But cute.
Moral Note: Drinking & infedility in marriage.
Moral Note: Drinking & infedility in marriage.
October 24, 2016
Sappy, overwrought, and illogical.
Read
June 21, 2016I have read several Denise Hunter books over the last few months and I really liked some while I found others a little ho-hum. I liked the idea of this book, but not how it was executed. We find out almost right away that both characters know who they are writing to, but Sabrina doesn't know that Tucker knows. I just can not take a whole book of it - It's too much obvious lying. Sabrina (like most of Hunter's leading female characters) is super unlikable. I also read a review that spoiled what her "big secret" is and it really turned me off from wanting to finish the book. It should honestly be a deal breaker in my opinion. I'll still read other Hunter books, but this one was just not for me.
January 18, 2013
Loved it!
August 15, 2023
Seaside Letters is the third book in the Nantucket Love Stories series. It can easily be read as a standalone novel. Kathryn Lynhurst is a wonderful narrator. Her tone and pacing are just two reasons I continue to listen to books she narrates.
I love Denise Hunter's writing and books. However, this one fell short for me. The premise is fun, but the execution did not work. I quickly got over that Sabrina and Tucker had an online relationship, they knew who each other was, but the other person didn't know they know. When Sabrina's cousin comes for a visit, Sabrina takes the deception to another level and Tucker let her. I was pretty much over it. The ending is quick, once all is revealed.
I love Denise Hunter's writing and books. However, this one fell short for me. The premise is fun, but the execution did not work. I quickly got over that Sabrina and Tucker had an online relationship, they knew who each other was, but the other person didn't know they know. When Sabrina's cousin comes for a visit, Sabrina takes the deception to another level and Tucker let her. I was pretty much over it. The ending is quick, once all is revealed.
November 26, 2020
Thanksgiving prep more enjoyable with a sweet romance audiobook. This may be close to the 10th Denise Hunter title I've devoured this year, I need to slow down and pace myself. I love the idea of getting to know a person through words instead of physical shared time to start a relationship, but the backstory of redemption make these characters realistic with depth and emotion. ♡
February 10, 2023
I’ve liked some of this author’s other books but this and Surrender Bay had main characters that bothered me! I hated how the MC would get drunk to avoid their problems and it lead to them sleeping around 🙄
Co’mon women! Show some strength and backbone in the face of adversity!
Co’mon women! Show some strength and backbone in the face of adversity!
March 26, 2012
I was looking mindless reading when I picked this book. It overdelivered.
It's the story of a guy who is madly in love with the waitress at a cafe. He doesn't actually know her, and she's cold and jerky whenever she sees him and wants nothing to do with him, but he will not be deterred, so he strikes up a conversation with her online. When she doesn't want to meet or reveal who she is, he hires her as a pseudo-private-detective to help him try to find... her.
Let's leave aside for the moment that fact that if he was anything but the hero of this story, he would be considered a creepy stalker.
The fact that anyone outside of junior high really thinks this plot is worth hanging a story on, and someone actually published it!, was blowing my mind. It was like the asshole impulse to turn and look at the car wreck as you're driving by, even though you know that when you do that, you've just become part of the problem. It was obvious how it would end, but I just had to know: would this book really drag on for over 300 pages with nothing to support the conflict but two people too stupid to tell each other the truth? And if so, what _would_ finally get them to tell it after all that b.s.'ing around? (If only I had checked the back cover and discovered it was Christian fiction, I could have saved myself hours of my life I'll never get back.)
Well, karma is a bitch, because what finally happens is far stupider than I could have envisioned. After 200+ pages of "oh, I love him so! but I can't let myself feel this because I might get hurt again. No, despite everything, I must remain an ice queen!" and "oh, I love her so! despite no encouragement whatsoever and no evidence of anything appealing in this chick really, I know can't live without her and will stop at nothing!"--repeat, ad nauseam, with a stupid cousin pretending to be her thrown in for good measure--what finally ends it is the discovery that it was his sister's husband she slept with the one and only night she got too drunk to remember anything and got taken advantage of. And she holds herself responsible for breaking up the marriage because having sex with someone who buys you a drink and seduces you is so horribly whorish and unforgivable, she couldn't possibly ever be worthy of love--or even like--ever again!!!11one!!!!
OMG, seriously?!?!?!
I find it very disturbing that there are still people running around with the warped, simplistic view of the world presented by this book. This is the kind of shit I used to read as a kid, and absorbing this kind of bullshit message caused me all kinds of screwed up problems later in life. As far as I'm concerned, books like this should be taken out and shot.
Lesser complaints:
- This is another author trying to add color to her stories by creating characters with amusing quirks like the main character playing with the end of her ponytail when she's nervous, and one of the cafe patrons bringing in a new big word every day to try to stump her. Ooh, how unique and clever.
- In a flashback, we see how the main character met Jared, the guy who broke her heart and caused her to lock herself away from love forevah. They met because she was afraid of a guy in a truck who offered to try to help her jump start her car or give her a ride home. She was totally convinced he wanted to rape her, but then Justin came along and saved her from this menace! ...Yet, after they break up, she decides to drown her sorrows alone in a bar far from home, gets totally plastered, and goes home with a strange man, with no qualms whatsoever? Did this chick somehow get all through college (with her English degree that we're apparently supposed to be very impressed about!) without hearing horror stories and learning you should never drink alone in public?
- Everything is so fucking overblown in this story. I really hate books where the whole thing would be over by page 2 if anybody would just stop acting like a total moron for 5 minutes.
- I'm so over the glorification of relationships in which someone doesn't know the other person at all, yet will pursue her to the ends of the earth, come hell or high water. She's on his pedestal, and no matter what she does, he's keeping her there! That is, until such improbable day as they have an actual relationship and he actually gets to know her. How about some reality? Please???
It's the story of a guy who is madly in love with the waitress at a cafe. He doesn't actually know her, and she's cold and jerky whenever she sees him and wants nothing to do with him, but he will not be deterred, so he strikes up a conversation with her online. When she doesn't want to meet or reveal who she is, he hires her as a pseudo-private-detective to help him try to find... her.
Let's leave aside for the moment that fact that if he was anything but the hero of this story, he would be considered a creepy stalker.
The fact that anyone outside of junior high really thinks this plot is worth hanging a story on, and someone actually published it!, was blowing my mind. It was like the asshole impulse to turn and look at the car wreck as you're driving by, even though you know that when you do that, you've just become part of the problem. It was obvious how it would end, but I just had to know: would this book really drag on for over 300 pages with nothing to support the conflict but two people too stupid to tell each other the truth? And if so, what _would_ finally get them to tell it after all that b.s.'ing around? (If only I had checked the back cover and discovered it was Christian fiction, I could have saved myself hours of my life I'll never get back.)
Well, karma is a bitch, because what finally happens is far stupider than I could have envisioned. After 200+ pages of "oh, I love him so! but I can't let myself feel this because I might get hurt again. No, despite everything, I must remain an ice queen!" and "oh, I love her so! despite no encouragement whatsoever and no evidence of anything appealing in this chick really, I know can't live without her and will stop at nothing!"--repeat, ad nauseam, with a stupid cousin pretending to be her thrown in for good measure--what finally ends it is the discovery that it was his sister's husband she slept with the one and only night she got too drunk to remember anything and got taken advantage of. And she holds herself responsible for breaking up the marriage because having sex with someone who buys you a drink and seduces you is so horribly whorish and unforgivable, she couldn't possibly ever be worthy of love--or even like--ever again!!!11one!!!!
OMG, seriously?!?!?!
I find it very disturbing that there are still people running around with the warped, simplistic view of the world presented by this book. This is the kind of shit I used to read as a kid, and absorbing this kind of bullshit message caused me all kinds of screwed up problems later in life. As far as I'm concerned, books like this should be taken out and shot.
Lesser complaints:
- This is another author trying to add color to her stories by creating characters with amusing quirks like the main character playing with the end of her ponytail when she's nervous, and one of the cafe patrons bringing in a new big word every day to try to stump her. Ooh, how unique and clever.
- In a flashback, we see how the main character met Jared, the guy who broke her heart and caused her to lock herself away from love forevah. They met because she was afraid of a guy in a truck who offered to try to help her jump start her car or give her a ride home. She was totally convinced he wanted to rape her, but then Justin came along and saved her from this menace! ...Yet, after they break up, she decides to drown her sorrows alone in a bar far from home, gets totally plastered, and goes home with a strange man, with no qualms whatsoever? Did this chick somehow get all through college (with her English degree that we're apparently supposed to be very impressed about!) without hearing horror stories and learning you should never drink alone in public?
- Everything is so fucking overblown in this story. I really hate books where the whole thing would be over by page 2 if anybody would just stop acting like a total moron for 5 minutes.
- I'm so over the glorification of relationships in which someone doesn't know the other person at all, yet will pursue her to the ends of the earth, come hell or high water. She's on his pedestal, and no matter what she does, he's keeping her there! That is, until such improbable day as they have an actual relationship and he actually gets to know her. How about some reality? Please???
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2018
I quit reading early on. I just couldn't get into what seemed like a real dumb story.
October 11, 2009
I read Seaside Letters straight through in one day, and as busy as I am that is no small feat. Every time I pick up a romance by Denise Hunter I know I will get an awesome allegory about God's love for us. This story did just what I expected. It showed how we try to hide the truth about ourselves when all along Jesus knows who we are and he's just waiting for us to be real with Him and trust Him. And like Sabrina in the story, we don't understand how we can be forgiven. Yet, Christ woos us and tries to show us by his gentle love that He longs for a relationship with us. He understands our weaknesses and reaches out to us despite the barriers we often erect to surround our hearts.
Like Tucker, the hero, Christ knew us long before He reveals Himself to us. He sought us out because He loved us first and just wants us to love Him back. Despite her past, Sabrina longed to be loved for who she was even though she'd never felt good enough or pretty enough to deserve it. And being betrayed by her fiance right before their wedding was more proof that she was unloveable, in her estimation. I loved how this story showed occasional pain-filled situations from the past and did so in the "moment" as if it was happening right then. Wow.
I found the conflict and tension very enjoyable and loved how the relationship between the characters slowly developed. I kept wanting her to just let him love her the way Jesus wants us to let Him love us. But because this is a romance, the kind of love is different in this story...it's romantic. And as expected, there are some heartpounding moments that seem so real that I was pulled totally into the setting and the moment. I have to say that Denise is one of the best romance writers when it comes to setting up the situation for the perfect romantic first kiss. Heavy sigh. That was so awesome.
Bottom line, if you enjoy allegories with spiritual depth and meaning, you'll love the Nantucket series. If you are just looking for a romance without the underlying message, you will probably miss it in this story. But because I'm a Believer, it really warmed my heart. I highly recommend it.
July 9, 2015
At first this book reminded me of the movie, You’ve Got Mail, with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. It’s similar because it talks about an online relationship but brings in so many more twists and turns—it’s great!
Denise Hunter has a note to her readers, it says, “I’m so thankful to have a God who seeks me out, one who persistently pursues me—despite my efforts to hide and build walls—and lavishes love on me like I’m his only child.” What a insight into this creative story.
Sabrina is a waitress and Tucker is a customer at her café. Sabrina knows Tucker really well under the identity of Harbormaster. Tucker knows Sabrina by her computer name Sweet Pea. Neither of them realizes that they know the others secret identity. The only live conversation they have is Tucker asking for breakfast and coffee and Sabrina bringing it to him.
Sabrina has been hurt deeply and wants to keep the relationship at a safe distance—online safe. An internet relationship is easy, she could be accepted at face value; her opinions mattered and she could talk to her friend anytime. All was right with the world until Tucker wanted to meet her face to face. It had been a year and he wanted to take their on-line relationship to the next level.
Denise grabbed my attention from the very beginning and did not disappoint. With every page the plot thickened. I had no idea how this thing could end. Denise is a master at weaving a complicated but simple story with very colorful characters, she makes you root for and have compassion for them. It’s a delightful, fun, soul searching, redeeming love story—you won’t soon forget.
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
Denise Hunter has a note to her readers, it says, “I’m so thankful to have a God who seeks me out, one who persistently pursues me—despite my efforts to hide and build walls—and lavishes love on me like I’m his only child.” What a insight into this creative story.
Sabrina is a waitress and Tucker is a customer at her café. Sabrina knows Tucker really well under the identity of Harbormaster. Tucker knows Sabrina by her computer name Sweet Pea. Neither of them realizes that they know the others secret identity. The only live conversation they have is Tucker asking for breakfast and coffee and Sabrina bringing it to him.
Sabrina has been hurt deeply and wants to keep the relationship at a safe distance—online safe. An internet relationship is easy, she could be accepted at face value; her opinions mattered and she could talk to her friend anytime. All was right with the world until Tucker wanted to meet her face to face. It had been a year and he wanted to take their on-line relationship to the next level.
Denise grabbed my attention from the very beginning and did not disappoint. With every page the plot thickened. I had no idea how this thing could end. Denise is a master at weaving a complicated but simple story with very colorful characters, she makes you root for and have compassion for them. It’s a delightful, fun, soul searching, redeeming love story—you won’t soon forget.
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
May 30, 2016
Girl who has lied, cheated, rejected all family and friends, isn't pretty, isn't kind, isn't talented, forsaken any faith (she might've had), is allergic to everything and isn't even interested in making herself or her situation better...? Is the object of affection for a kind, talented, gentle, handsome, loyal man. Why? We don't know. She's just rude to him from moment one. He apparently likes being treated like crap. This is my second Denise Hunter book, and the same was true with the last one, too.
Oh, but it gets better. He follows her on-line and has a year-long anonymous correspondence friendship with her, while scoping her at the diner IRL, every morning. But because she slept with his BIL and broke up his beloved sister's marriage, she can never tell him who she is. (!?) She sent him her cousin's picture, and refuses to meet him. He resorts to hiring her to find... well, herself. This because she researches mysteries (according to the author - most of the book we're told she's between projects until the author needs her busy, and then there's vague and fabricated 'last-minute work'. It pitiful. Truly.).
Then her cousin comes to town, and everything gets just *PAINFUL*.
I'm finding myself having a problem. I've always loved correspondence books... but now that I have a daily correspondence friend of my own - in real life - I'm finding that any attempt at a fictional version of it falls so badly, horribly short... they're done in a way that could never play out, realistically.
Further, they're 'emailing', but the messages are done text style. Which just doesn't work, either. There aren't nicknames or userIDs involved in e-mail.
The whole thing just... was problematic for me.
Oh, but it gets better. He follows her on-line and has a year-long anonymous correspondence friendship with her, while scoping her at the diner IRL, every morning. But because she slept with his BIL and broke up his beloved sister's marriage, she can never tell him who she is. (!?) She sent him her cousin's picture, and refuses to meet him. He resorts to hiring her to find... well, herself. This because she researches mysteries (according to the author - most of the book we're told she's between projects until the author needs her busy, and then there's vague and fabricated 'last-minute work'. It pitiful. Truly.).
Then her cousin comes to town, and everything gets just *PAINFUL*.
I'm finding myself having a problem. I've always loved correspondence books... but now that I have a daily correspondence friend of my own - in real life - I'm finding that any attempt at a fictional version of it falls so badly, horribly short... they're done in a way that could never play out, realistically.
Further, they're 'emailing', but the messages are done text style. Which just doesn't work, either. There aren't nicknames or userIDs involved in e-mail.
The whole thing just... was problematic for me.
April 28, 2010
Sabrina Kincaid (Sweetpea), a server at the Cobblestone Café, finds herself in a tangled web when she strikes up an internet relationship with a regular customer, Tucker McCabe (Harbormaster).
What Sabrina doesn't know is that Tucker intentionally initiated contact via "Nantucket Chat" in an effort to get closer to Sabrina, after overhearing she was a member there.
Reminiscent of Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks in “You’ve Got Mail”, this love story incorporates modern technology with old fashioned romance and makes for an enjoyable read.
As the plot thickens, Sabrina discovers that Tucker is “Harbormaster” and Tucker knows that Sabrina is “Sweetpea”……but neither of them let on to each other. Sabrina thinks she is being very careful at covering her tracks, yet Tucker knows who she is all along and develops “Operation Sweetpea” in an effort to force Sabrina into revealing her true identity.
In an effort to spend time with the woman he's falling for, Tucker approaches Sabrina about working for him and playing the role of private eye in tracking down Sweetpea. Sabrina reluctantly agrees thinking she can stall for time and throw Tucker off the trail. An unexpected visit from her cousin throws a huge wrench in the plans and Sabrina finds herself scrambling for cover as she feels herself falling for Tucker McCabe, and attempting to hide a dark secret that could end their relationship forever.
I could almost hear the waves beating the shore and smell the salty ocean air from the descriptions Denise Hunter uses for her Nantucket setting in Seaside Letters. This was a heart warming, fast paced read and I highly recommend it.
January 4, 2010
***I received this book from the Amazon Vine program***
Sabrina Kincaid has been left too many times. She's given up on finding love and is settling for a comfortable email relationship. Tucker McCabe wants a relationship, so he enlists Sabrina to find the woman he who he is emailing. He has fallen in love with her and wants to meet her in person. Sabrina only agreed because she is that woman and doesn't want Tucker to know.
This is not the first Denise Hunter book in the Nantucket series I have read, so I was looking forward to this one. I was a little disappointed. I got bored in the middle with the repetition in the book. There just didn't seem to be much plot movement through the middle 150 (or so) pages of the book. God was mentioned quite a bit, but I also didn't feel like too many Christian principles were followed--too much deceit. I would have liked a little more follow-through on the Christian principles. Too many things seemed to be left open-ended
Maybe I am being overly harsh because I expected more, but "Seaside Letters" was a little less than what I would have liked. I'll still pick up more Denise Hunter books, but I am hoping for a little more plot development.
Sabrina Kincaid has been left too many times. She's given up on finding love and is settling for a comfortable email relationship. Tucker McCabe wants a relationship, so he enlists Sabrina to find the woman he who he is emailing. He has fallen in love with her and wants to meet her in person. Sabrina only agreed because she is that woman and doesn't want Tucker to know.
This is not the first Denise Hunter book in the Nantucket series I have read, so I was looking forward to this one. I was a little disappointed. I got bored in the middle with the repetition in the book. There just didn't seem to be much plot movement through the middle 150 (or so) pages of the book. God was mentioned quite a bit, but I also didn't feel like too many Christian principles were followed--too much deceit. I would have liked a little more follow-through on the Christian principles. Too many things seemed to be left open-ended
Maybe I am being overly harsh because I expected more, but "Seaside Letters" was a little less than what I would have liked. I'll still pick up more Denise Hunter books, but I am hoping for a little more plot development.
May 21, 2011
Did you love the movie "You've Got Mail"? If you did you will love this book even more. Story of a young woman whose parents die when she is 5 and is sent to live with her aunt, uncle and two beautiful cousins. She feels ugly next to her beauty pagent winning cousins and only blooms when she goes to college and meets a young man. They become engaged but when she takes him home he falls for one of her cousins and 6 days before their wedding she catches them together. Heartbroken she decides to go on their honeymoon trip alone, likes the Nantucket Island town,gets a job as a waitress there and falls for one of her customers. Not trusting herself to love again she begins a safe anonomyous online relationship with him. On the internet she is Sweetpea and he is Harbormaster. She know who he is, but he doesn't know who she is--or so she thinks! Wanting to get her to admit who she is he hires her to find his "Sweetpea". But she has a secret of a night spent in a drunken one night stand with a stranger during her "single honeymoon" stay--a secret that would end any hope of a real life relationship with her "Harbormaster." Touching, sad, funny--the twists and turns of "she knows but doesn't know he knows, too" create a charming and unforgetable love story.
July 21, 2015
Are you in need of a wonderful love story? How about a love story of unconditional love and forgiveness? How about a story of not only unconditional love and forgiveness, but a dash of humor as well? In Seaside Letters, it is an online romance taking the wrong turn of mistaken identity, or is it? Sabrina has a past, one that Tucker is tied to, and she is hopeless in love with Tucker. Every morning she serves him coffee. Every morning he tries to muster up the nerve to talk to her. When he meets a woman online, he wants Sabrina to help him find this elusive love. Sabrina is now in a dilemma, because that woman is her but the picture she sent is her cousin's. Sabrina has had her heart broken before and had committed a great sin in response. Now she is afraid. Afraid that Tucker will find out about what she had done and her heart will be broken again. Can she truly believe that Tucker's love for her is unconditional? Is forgiveness really in her heart and in his?
Wonderfully told as a subtle parable to Jesus' love for us,Seaside Letters leaves you teary-eyed and keep you dreaming of happily-ever-afters.
Wonderfully told as a subtle parable to Jesus' love for us,Seaside Letters leaves you teary-eyed and keep you dreaming of happily-ever-afters.
February 23, 2017
This book had a good premise but the execution was rather poor. All the subterfuge kept the story in neutral for too long, the emails were only excerpted so we never really got to see why they fell in love, and Sabrina's return to God takes up maybe two pages. All of that made the story feel maudlin and the ending was abrupt and not at all satisfying. This whole series has been way too light on the romance- and no I don't mean love scenes. Denise Hunter has and can do better.
March 12, 2017
Parts of what I enjoyed in this book was that cute online relationship they sort of had going and maybe a little bit of what went on at the cafe too but come on, just ask the girl out already. Why hide behind deceit and manipulation? I understand having a past you're not real proud of, and I'm fine with how typical romantic novels end, but where is this guy's loyalty to family? I felt like the book ended abruptly and the author wrapped up the ending under 5 pages. I was expecting a chapter solely on how Tracey processed the discovery and came to forgave Sabrina and found peace in the grace and mercy Tracey would extend her. I was also expecting they come full circle somehow. I felt like I really needed that support because there is no way it would've forebode well knowing the girl your twin brother loves is one of the reasons that tore your marriage apart.
July 6, 2017
Not my favorite Denise Hunter
I've read a number of Denise Hunter's books. This one seems to take a long time to develop and then the story ended very abruptly.
Content: Clean. There's mention of a fling, but this is handled very well.
Language: Completely clean.
Religious: Yes. This is a Christian book. The ending focuses on forgiveness.
Overall story: As I mentioned, the story seemed to take forever to get to the main characters getting together and then it was abruptly over. A lot of the story focused on a dreaded wedding that was coming up, but then the book is over and that part of the story is just left hanging. It just seems like there's so much left unresolved. I also felt like the cousin showing up was a little weird and the friendship with the cousin and the main character wasn't well developed.
Happy reading!!
I've read a number of Denise Hunter's books. This one seems to take a long time to develop and then the story ended very abruptly.
Content: Clean. There's mention of a fling, but this is handled very well.
Language: Completely clean.
Religious: Yes. This is a Christian book. The ending focuses on forgiveness.
Overall story: As I mentioned, the story seemed to take forever to get to the main characters getting together and then it was abruptly over. A lot of the story focused on a dreaded wedding that was coming up, but then the book is over and that part of the story is just left hanging. It just seems like there's so much left unresolved. I also felt like the cousin showing up was a little weird and the friendship with the cousin and the main character wasn't well developed.
Happy reading!!
May 31, 2010
Definitely not as good as the first two books in Denise Hunter's Nantucket series.
Another reviewer stated how she disliked how the two main characters lie to each other through the entire book and I couldn't agree more. Tucker's scheme to get know Sabrina was borderline stalker-ish and juvenile. The whole "I know who she is but she doesn't know that I know who she is " got old really quickly. These were supposed to be adults but they acted like teenagers.
This is labeled "Christian fiction" but it's full of lies and deceit - not exactly "Christian"!
I also felt that the end was rushed. I think the issue with Tucker's sister would have taken a lot of time to work through but it all just seemed to wrap up perfectly.
Another reviewer stated how she disliked how the two main characters lie to each other through the entire book and I couldn't agree more. Tucker's scheme to get know Sabrina was borderline stalker-ish and juvenile. The whole "I know who she is but she doesn't know that I know who she is " got old really quickly. These were supposed to be adults but they acted like teenagers.
This is labeled "Christian fiction" but it's full of lies and deceit - not exactly "Christian"!
I also felt that the end was rushed. I think the issue with Tucker's sister would have taken a lot of time to work through but it all just seemed to wrap up perfectly.
July 20, 2016
I had a hard time with this one. Overall, I felt it was just too unbelievable. Sure, the e-mail communication makes sense, but the fact that a woman who appears to have no history of making questionable choices decides to cope with her fiance's betrayal by getting drunk and sleeping with a random man in a bar seems like a stretch. I'm not saying it's impossible, it just seems like the author created the most sensational thing for this woman to do in order to create more drama within the story. I also think the whole premise was a little unbelievable. I think she was trying too hard to create a "You've Got Mail" situation.
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