Lighthouse Beach

I went to Maine for the first time last year. It was beautiful and rugged and remote feeling. And it could definitely be the perfect place to escape to when you need to reexamine your life and change direction or if you are hiding from a hurt. Perhaps that's exactly why Shelley Noble chose to set her latest novel, Lighthouse Beach, in a small ocean side town in Maine. Her characters certainly have a lot to figure out in this summer beach read.

Lillo Gray inexplicably agrees to attend an old friend's high society wedding in Kennebunkport. She hasn't seen or spoken to Jess in many years and she doesn't quite know why she's been invited. But when Jess needs to run away from her awful, cheating fiance and her nasty, controlling parents, it's show more a good thing Lillo is there. She, Jess, and Jess' college friends, Diana and Allie, flee the debacle in the battered van Lillo drove there and head back to Lillo's small cottage at Lighthouse Beach. None of them bargained on spending a week together, hiding out from Jess' unpleasant parents and starting the slow process of facing the issues that each carries with her as baggage. Initially the women think that they are there to help Jess but in fact, they are all on a journey to self-discovery and to breaking free of the things that hold each of them back. As they examine the painful parts of their lives, they slowly start weaving into the life of this struggling small town and of the people who live or serve there, becoming a part of the community.

The characters do not all get equal time with Lillo and Jess being the main focus of the story. In particular, Allie's problems seem to be less detailed and the healing she does in Lighthouse Beach is far less touched on than the other women's, being more of an aside than anything else. Jess' long time inability to stand up to her parents is remarked on repeatedly so that her backbone, when she discovers it, feels a little bit unearned. After all, she was willing to let her parents steamroll her into a marriage she didn't want and to direct her entire life just one week prior and had dithered about allowing herself to be sucked back into their orbit even less time ago than that. Lillo's story remains a mystery for quite a long time although there are multiple cryptic hints along the way as to why she abandoned her promising medical career, the thing she once wanted most in the world. She spends much of the story self-flagellating over this mysterious incident. Mainers do have a reputation for being taciturn or closed-mouthed but knowing her story earlier might have made her a more sympathetic character, especially initially, to the reader. And there were places where it seemed some backstory or plot thread was missing from the novel. For instance: why on earth would Diana lie to Jess about where her former fiance might have gotten Diana's cell number? Was this originally meant to be a piece of the story that got cut? It never turned into a plot thread, despite priming the reader for something significant. Most of the novel was unsurprising but sometimes it's okay (and even desirable) to submerse yourself in the predictable and familiar. Despite my criticisms, I did enjoy the book as an easy read about female friendships and the support the characters (female and male alike) gave each other as they faced fears and found the courage to stand up for their needs and wants. The ending of the novel was fairly open-ended, just as in life, leaving the possibility of someday revisiting these characters again. Readers looking for an easy and satisfying read to tuck into their beach bag would do well to consider this one. show less

What started out as the story of a runaway bride, turns into a tale of four women repairing wounds they didn't know existed, and discovering the true selves they want to be.

Women's Fiction stories, or even Contemporary Romance novels for that matter, can be fickle creatures. More often they follow a formula of certain character types, storylines, issue parameters, and the eventual TADA, happily-ever-after moment....not so much here, but in the BEST way possible! I was never quite sure where the story was going to take us, and though I knew all the characters more deeply by story's end, it didn't make it any easier to predict...or say goodbye. (~tear~) Sound daunting? Ah, but it really wasn't...it was actually refreshing. It kept me on show more my toes in the most delicious way, and spiked my curiosity when things went left when I was anticipating right...and let's not forget about the laugh out loud moments because there are quite a few! Honestly, this group of gals, along with the whole of Lighthouse Beach really, were rather memorable.

In short, it was a wonderful adventure filled with loss, laughs, and most importantly love...not necessarily of the romantic type, but of the kind that matters most; that which comes freely and is good for the soul.


**copy received for review show less

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review as part of a TLC Book Tour.

This was a great beach read about 4 women who flee from a wedding and head to Lighthouse Beach. There’s a little bit of everything: romance, friendship, self-discovery, and secret pasts.

The best part of the book was the setting of Lighthouse Beach and the role that it played in their lives. Lighthouse beach felt like a character and that gave the book that special something. You could feel the power of Lighthouse Beach through the pages.

I liked the 4 main characters and their story arcs, however, I definitely felt that Allie got the short end of the stick. Her character didn’t get the same level of attention that the other 3 received. show more Especially in the first half of the book, Allie was there but her presence wasn’t really known. More could have been done with her. At times her character felt like an afterthought.

One of the characters in this book is a biker doctor (appropriately nicknamed “Doc Harley”) which I found to be such an interesting combination. I’ve never seen that in a book before and I really liked that. You see bikers in books, but never one who is also a respected doctor.

The ending leaves you wanting a bit more, but I was glad it was left more open-ended. It felt natural since the book took place over a span of just 1 week. I would love to see a sequel and what happened afterwards. Perhaps a return to Lighthouse Beach (*hint hint* to the author) could happen.

Overall, if you’re looking to start off your summer with a beach read, then look no further than Lighthouse Beach. show less

For this review and others visit Carlene Inspired.

We've all heard of the runaway bride, but this time she's accompanied by her three best friends and the loneliness they all find they have in common. Lillo, Jess, Diana and Allie take off on an impromptu road trip to Lighthouse Beach, where fond memories still live for Jess, but haunt Lillo as she tries to escape her own losses. What's meant to be a beach escape to help Jess turns into an escape that changes each of the women.

Lighthouse Beach, by Shelley Noble, features a large cast of main characters and a handful of secondary, each taking turns with the novel focusing on their personal battles. Lillo, Jess, Diana, and Allie weren't all friends in the start, but by the end they've show more trusted one another with matters of the heart and learned to rely on others to carry them through high tide times. Then there's Mac, the wise lighthouse keeper, and the biker doctors, as handsome, smart, and rugged as they sound. The women are unique, their friendship formed as youth and still strong in the present despite their living distances apart and in careers as opposite as they come. Lighthouse Beach, with a role as large as a character, makes the women find a way to embrace themselves and each other in a way that they weren't able to when apart. Together, with sand between their toes and the Maine rain drizzling down, they discover a way to embrace what they truly want and find ways to let go of the past they've each held onto. Of course, the small town charm and the docs help things along.

Lighthouse Beach is, exactly as described, a women's lit beach read. It's lengthy and complex with an overarching storyline of friendship. There's a bit of romance, humor, heartache, and self growth, everything a chick lit lover seeks out in their reads. As the four women find their way we are left with the power of Lighthouse Beach, aware that the imprint it left on Jess and Lillo as youth is the same left on them today. Shelley Noble delivers a heartfelt story that makes for a perfect beach read with Lighthouse Beach.

ARC provided. show less

Lighthouse Beach by Shelley Noble is a beautiful novel of friendship and healing.

Although Lillo Gray has not heard from her childhood friend Jess Parker for several years, she reluctantly decides to attend Jess's upcoming wedding. Barely recognizing her formerly overweight friend, Lillo senses all is not right with the bride-to-be. Her instincts prove to be correct when she, Jess, Jess's friends Allie Lusano and Diane Walters catch Jess's fiancé in flagrante delicto in the parking lot of the hotel. Defying her overbearing father, Jess cancels the wedding and runs off with Lillo, Jess, Allie, and Diane to Lighthouse Beach, Lillo's small hometown on the coast of Maine. Lillo is a reluctant hostess who gradually come to enjoy the new show more friendships she is forging as she reconnects with Jess. With their departure date fast approaching, the women support one another as they face their problems head on. But will Jess continue to resist her controlling father's extreme efforts to bring her back into the family's stranglehold?

Lillo's family unexpectedly provided her with the opportunity to fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor. On track to become a surgeon, she returned home, heartbroken, devastated and unwilling to talk about what precipitated her decision to leave her residency. Feeling overwhelming guilt about her parents' sacrifice to pay for college and med school, Lillo avoids talking to them now they have moved to Florida. She leads a very solitary life and ekes out a paltry living as she works a variety of odd jobs. Having Jess, Allie and Diane stay with her in her cozy cottage is at first a huge inconvenience yet oddly enough, their presence slowly forces her to confront her demons.

Jess's wealthy family has eroded her self-worth as they bullied her into her agreeing to marry a man she does not love or particularly like. She lets them walk all over her and finds it easier to give in their demands. Allie and Diane are shocked at the change in her behavior and they, along with Lillo, give Jess the courage she needs to reclaim her life. But will Jess remain firm about her decisions when confronted with her father's wrath?

Diane is the CEO of company that develops phone apps and she is confident and outspoken. A chance encounter with Ian Lachlan, the town's brooding and troubled veterinarian, provides her with the chance to reconnect with her love of horseback riding. Diane is not put off by Ian's taciturn and moody company as she mucks stalls in return for riding his horses. Diane is taken off guard by her unexpected attraction to Ian but will she break through the walls he has erected to protect himself from further pain?

Allie is a bit of an enigma since she is a bit reticent, shy and intent on keeping the peace. At first planning to leave Lighthouse Beach, she changes her mind although she is rather uneasy about extending her time away from home. She begins to come out of her shell and in the process, Allie begins to heal from a heartbreaking loss. The future for Allie and a man she is smitten with is rather murky as her vacation draws to a close.

Lighthouse Beach is a delightfully engaging novel with a wonderful cast of eclectic characters. The women's newly formed friendships are believable and their interactions are endearing. Shelley Noble brings the beach setting vibrantly to life and her descriptive prose makes it very easy for readers to picture the beach, lighthouse and tight-knit community. An uplifting and heartwarming novel that will appeal to readers of contemporary women's fiction. show less

One week together in Lighthouse Beach has a major impact on the lives of Lillo, Jess, Diana and Allie.
When Jess catches her fiancée with another woman, she and her friends flee the wedding weekend.
Jess decides they should go to Lighthouse Beach where she and Lillo met as kids. They hadn’t seen each other in a decade but Jess knew she needed Lillo’s strength to leave her fiancée. Because it turns out Jess never wanted to marry him. The cheating was the final straw but she’s almost relieved that she has a reason to go.
Unfortunately Jess’ parents are controlling and want her to get married anyway. She finally puts her foot down and she leaves town with her friends.

All of the women are emotionally hurt in someway.
Lillo is living show more in Lighthouse Beach again after her dreams of being a doctor have changed. Something traumatic happened that made her change her mind but her friends don’t know why.
Jess is struggling for her independence. Her father has tried to control every aspect of her life since she was a kid.
Allie is a widow with a small child. Allie’s storylines got the least attention.
Diana is twice divorced but extremely successful at work.

Add in the locals:
Ian is possibly dealing with PTSD. He is the town vet. He’s amazing with animals and especially horses. He’s kind to children. But he pushes almost everyone else away.
Ned is a traveling doctor, trying to encourage Lillo but mainly managing to get on her nerves.
Mac is the keeper of the retired Lighthouse. Her storyline was given a few interesting details but didn’t result in a lot of character development or closure for her character.

Also, I’m really not sure why the storyline was that Jess and Lillo met at her parents’ “fat camp”. It was only referenced a couple times and I don’t think it made much sense to the story.

I enjoyed the story. I loved the setting, it was such a cute little town. I liked how the characters had some issues of their own but banded together to support each other. show less

When 3 women attend the wedding of a friend, little did they know that within 24 hours, everything would have changed! But that is exactly what happened to Lillo, Jess, Allie, and Diana.

I have to say, that when I started out reading Lighthouse Beach, I thought it was going to be a funny, light-hearted book, but it is more than that! It's inspiring, funny, heartbreaking, confidence building story about new and old friendships, hidden pasts, secret, passion, and community, and that is truly what it feels like when you read it, like your apart of its community.

So let's get to the basics, the story is a new approach to adult sisterhood; the writing has that melodic rhythm, which draws you in, and you never want to let it go. I'm hoping that show more the author doesn't leave the story there, that this book is just the beginning for Lillo, Jess, Allie, and Diana, and whether or not the town slogan of "Once you visit Lighthouse Beach, Life will never be the same" is true for this quartet.

I give Lighthouse Beach 5 stars show less