Simona's Corner of Dreams: Summer at Firefly Beach

The blurb:

Hallie Flynn’s favorite place in the world is her great Aunt Clara’s beautiful beachside house, with its inviting wraparound porch and enchanting views across the sparkling turquoise ocean. For Hallie, going to Firefly Beach, filled with magical memories, feels like coming home, but in one moment Hallie is left broken-hearted when her adored Aunt Clara passes away…

As always, Aunt Clara has thought of everything. In her last letter she included a bucket list Hallie wrote as a child, for Hallie to complete. Leaving her dead-end job and predictable schedule, Hallie returns to Firefly beach and embraces Aunt Clara’s words. All the time her childhood best friend Ben Murray, with his golden charm and infuriating ability to be right all the time, is by her side.

Spending the summer with Ben, as they enjoy drinks on the pier and endless talks stretched out in the soft sand, Hallie begins to remember the things that matter most to her. But following the bucket list isn’t an easy journey. It forces her to face the pain of her past as she starts to fall for the person who has been there for her all along...

Just as her heart is healing, an encounter with a newcomer to the beach town, wealthy and talented photographer Gavin Wilson, leaves her questioning her future and shows her she has to make a difficult decision that could mean losing everything.

Will Hallie be able to fulfill Aunt Clara’s last wish and change her life? Or will a secret she’s been keeping destroy her new beginning—and the chance to experience true love?

My Opinion:

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

When Hallie Flynn’s great aunt Clara dies, she leaves her a bucket list to complete. Hallie wrote this list herself as a child. Hallie and her whole family are heart-broken when Clara dies. They all return to Firefly beach, where they go every year and also take care of her great uncle Hank.

The group includes Sydney, her sister, and Sydney’s son Robby, her mama and her best friend Ben. They have been friends since childhood and he is part of the family. Back in her favourite place, Hallie starts completing her list. It’s not easy and there are a lot of ups and downs on the way.

Ben is always there for her and understands her so well. They seemed like the perfect couple from the beginning, but he has a girlfriend and she had someone too. The sparks between them were flying, even though they didn’t always see it. And then there is also Gavin Wilson, a very talented photographer living in town.

Hallie is also hiding a secret, which adds a lot to the drama and the storyline.

I absolutely loved the location in this book. Jenny Hale captured it beautifully and with so much detail. I also think that the family atmosphere she created is wonderful. I felt like being one of them.

This is a beautiful and fantastic story, perfect for summer. There were moments when I wanted to shake Hallie, because I just didn’t understand her actions and thoughts. I still liked her as a character though. Ben was my fave, I think I fell in love with him a little bit. He was adorable with Robbie and he is just so caring and sweet. All the characters played an important part in this story and I think they were all very well lined out.

This story covers grief, loss, but also friendship, family and love. Just lovely!!!

Rating: