Having grown up in the foster system, Sarah Hargreave wants very much to adopt Leila, a foster child she is caring for. When Leila’s biological mother, an addict who has already unsuccessfully tried to get Lelia back twice, petitions the court to get Leila back, Sarah’s and Leila’s worlds are turned topsy-turvy. Sarah tries to hire a barracuda lawyer known to be the best, Ilona Cartwright, but Ilona refuses to become involved, for some strange, unknown reason. Years before, Sarah and Ilona had been inseparable friends themselves in the foster system, but, when Ilona is adopted by a politically important couple, their friendship falls apart due to unknown interference and well-intentioned, but actually unfair, actions. In addition to her relationship with Leila, Sarah has an on-going relationship with Wyatt, though both of whom side step around the commitment they know is coming.

Looking at the cover, any reader might pick this book up as a quick, flighty beach read, but it is anything but. This is a strong, serous story about friendship, faith, love and family. The characters are well developed and very real in everything they say and do. The story will pull at a reader’s heartstrings, as he/she follows Sarah and Leila’s in their often difficult journey to become a real family. The story definitely brings home the reality of abused children and how they go through the “system”. I was pulled into the story from the beginning, though getting through some of the earlier chapters was not as easy as getting through the story, once I was immersed in it. This is a book that will stay with a reader for a long time. In fact, some may even want to re-read it at some point to see again how the system can hamper a child and how someone, who is determined and has good support, can break out and live a good life, filled with happiness, love, family and friendship. I highly recommend it to anyone. I received this from Library Thing to read and review. ( )

Forever Beach is a touching story of a former foster kid (Sarah) who has made it through the system and into adulthood with the help of Sam, an elderly man who owns a clock repair shop. Sam helps her learn to trust, and gives her the start of a new life, and she now wants to help another kid out of the 'system' that caused her such heartache. She is on the brink of obtaining the adoption when her little foster child, Leila, is forced to go through another round of visits with her biological mom, who is a 'former' addict who has relapsed multiple times already. The child has already been traumatized by previous attempts at reuniting the family, and is finally learning to trust and to thrive....only to go through it all again. Sarah still has trust issues from what she went through as a child, including the loss of her best friend who was adopted by a wealthy family. This adds another whole wrinkle to the story, as this former friend comes into Sarah's' life again. The story, while fiction, is a good portrayal of the Child Protective Services...of the overwhelming work loads they carry, the tragic cases of abuse they deal with, and the burnout suffered by so many caseworkers. It is also a story of how frustrating it is to deal with a bureaucracy with so much red tape, whose mission it is to protect children, but often ends up putting them back in harms way in their attempt at keeping family's together.
This was a good read, the characters and the storyline interesting.....a little gritty at times, but so is life. I liked the characters well enough to read another book about them to see what happens in their future!! ( )

Forever Beach by Shelley Noble is a 2016 William Morrow publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

As other reviewers have pointed out, this book cover suggests this novel is one you might pack up for a day at the beach. This story is not a typical ‘beach read’, as the subject matter is much weightier.

However, one I finished the book, I understood why the cover was perfect for this story and how important the beach outings became for Sarah, Leila, Reesa, Karen, Stu, Wyatt, and eventually ‘Nonie’.

Sarah was put into ‘the system’ as a child by protective services due to her mother’s many issues. Her best friend and ‘sister’, ‘Nonie’, was adopted by a nice wealthy family, but the girls vowed to always stay in touch. However, they soon lost track of each other, each blaming the other for letting the relationship go.

Now, as an adult, Sarah is adopting a little girl named Leila, but the very system she knows all too well is working hard to make that adoption impossible.

Reesa works in social services and is terribly burned out with her work, and fed up with her husband, who has refused to recover from a work related injury, sitting around the house all day eating pizza, drinking beer, and watching television.

Ilona Cartwright is a lawyer who fights for children’s rights, so Reesa decides to put Sarah in touch with her, never dreaming the two women once shared a sisterly bond. However, Ilona still harbors resentment toward Sarah, even after all these years, and refuses to help her, even going so far as to work against the best interest of the child in order to make Sarah pay for the hurt she caused.

Will Sarah lose Leila again? Can her friends and the love of a good man to help her let go of her anxieties and live in the moment? Can Sarah and ‘Nonie’ move away from their painful past and forge a new friendship?

While everyone knows the foster care and adoption system has many flaws, the author did a terrific job of showcasing the many aspects to be considered when a parent relinquishes their parental rights, then changes their minds. The goal of keeping a child with the birth parent is a priority, but is the child’s best interest really at heart?

This book doesn’t come off as preachy, nor is it some kind of scathing portrait of the system and its many issues and bureaucratic red tape, but does show the flawed thinking these case workers are forced to adopt, and gives the reader a nice peak into all the heartbreak and trauma these kids end up having to endure as a result of that.

But, the main theme throughout the story is the bonds of friendship, and Sarah’s inability to let go of her worries and just enjoy life, to stop pushing Wyatt away, and accept help and support from her friends.

I really struggled with Ilona’s character, and her vindictiveness sent a chill down my spine, I have to tell you. While childhood hurts do leave scars behind, I felt that holding a grudge that long was ridiculous and it certainly had no place in her heart when it came to doing her job objectively. I never forgot her initial cruelty, but she does manage to redeem herself nicely.

This is a very emotional story, and I have to admit I felt a lump forming in my throat a time or two, and ran through many of the same emotions Sarah must have felt, ranging from frustration, anger, sadness, and fear.

But, in the end, as I read the last paragraph, I was left with a feeling of contentment, knowing that this great group of people, who have gone through so very much, will be happy and healthy, will help each other through the good times and bad times, and will always be like family to each other.
4 stars ( )

A good story, with many layers. The storyline is a bit too gritty for me. I thought this would be more of a heart-warming, light beach read, but there are tough and sensitive situations. That's not to take away from the story or the author. I just prefer softer, more feel-good tales. ;) ( )

A story of a foster child awaiting adoption, and the trauma that ensues when the birth mother comes back into the picture ( )