Beach Rental: An Emerald Isle, NC Novel (#1) Kindle Edition

Juli Cooke works hard at two dead-end jobs, yet she's getting nowhere. Then, a chance meeting with a dying man opens an opportunity to change that. Can she afford the risk?Juli spent her life shuttling from one foster home to another, so she has low expectations, but when she meets Ben Bradshaw at a fancy party where she works as a server for the caterer, things change. Ben is ill and asks her to drive him home, then offers to pay for a cab to take her to her apartment. The following day she's at her day job, checking at a grocery store, when Ben invites her to lunch and has a proposition: marry him, and he'll settle a sum of money to help her financially when he's gone.Ben, the co-owner of a couple of art galleries with his cousin Luke, has terminal pancreatic cancer. He wants companionship with someone who won't grieve for him while he's still alive and who won't be emotionally invested in him when he dies. He considers himself a good judge of character, and he likes what he sees in Juli. Wary, Juli considers the offer, and finally decides that Ben is a kind man and she can make both their lives better by accepting his generous offer. What she doesn't count on is the love that follows. She's not in love with Ben, but she grows to love the wonderful person that he is, even though Ben's family consider her a golddigger. Especially Luke Winters, his cousin, who warns her off hurting his best friend.When Ben dies, everything changes. Can Juli cope with her new-found status, with the resentment of Luke and Ben's family, and with her past?I loved Beach Rental. Long after I finished this superbly written story, the characters remained in my mind. Ms. Greene's debut novel is stunning in both depth of content and characterization. Juli has some hard edges when the story opens, but her kindness and humanity soon have you rooting for her, and Ben is simply wonderful, a man of faith in the nicest way. Luke is edgy and exciting, and has to find his own transformation. Maia, Anna and the other secondary characters are three-dimensional and well defined. Then there's the Carolina coast, itself a character of comfort and drama. This is a sweet romance, but packed with emotion. Faith plays a major role in bringing the protagonists to their own thrilling fulfillment, yet it's done in a delightful, non-preachy way. Author Grace Greene has developed multiple layers in her wonderful story: a tender romance, emotion, great pacing and superb characterization. Kudos to Ms. Greene in her stunning debut. She is definitely an author to watch.

I've always said that no two people read the same book. I believe that we each bring our own thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and experiences to the table when we read a book, and these things influence how we interpret what we read, what we get out if it. I have to wonder how much of this came into play for me while reading Grace Greene's Beach Rental, or if other folks had the same highly emotional reaction while reading this book. Regardless, I admit to having to stop reading a few times to wipe my eyes, blow my nose, and get myself together - full on ugly cry.This story, the first book in author Grace Greene's Emerald Isle series, is a touching story of hope, faith, and believing in love even when there appears to be no evidence of it.Set on the coast of beautiful Emerald Isle NC, this story introduces us to Juli. Abandoned by her mother at a young age and growing up tossed between foster homes, Juli now finds herself alone. No friends or family, all dreams of finding love or working towards a better life pushed from her mind, every waking hour filled working multiple jobs to simply survive.This all changes one evening while working as a waitress at a catered event. The vacant stare of a wealthy guest pushes her over the edge, sending her outside for air. In her rush to escape the crowd of the party she very nearly stumbles over another guest, also driven outside for fresh air. After several moments of polite conversation he reveals that he is not feeling well, recovering from an illness, and asks if she would consider driving him home. Against all better judgement she agrees - not knowing the decision would change the rest of her life.This was the first book I've read by Grace Greene, but was immediately impressed with the warmth of her story telling. I quickly became invested in each character, caring, wanting to know more, and could envision each location as if I were there. I still hear the waves crashing on the beach through the open window as Juli falls asleep.This lovely, if emotional, story was gifted to me by the author. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can't wait to read more of this series and her others.I highly recommend Beach Rental for anyone seeking a heartwarming story in a beautiful coastal setting - just do have your tissues handy!

This book is one of the best I've ever read! It would make a great movie. It's heart warming and tearful with just a bit of suspense. The characters are so real. I am reading the entire Emerald Isle series. And, if they weren't published in LARGE PRINT, I wouldn't be able to read them.

I liked this book a lot. Kinda corny, in a fun kind if way, especially at the end.I wasn't thrilled with the grammer issues or the complete breaks in sentences(Example: thereseems to be no rush to get to the house.), but that's the way it comes across in the Kindle (although I haven't seen it in any other Kindle books). But, non the less, it was a really good book. Looking forward to reading the next one.

This is the first book that I’ve read by this author and I’m eager to start the next one. Beautifully descriptive and the characters come to life before your eyes. I wish that the changes in time/scenery were a bit more fluid and you can definitely see which characters are the standouts as some of the lesser characters aren’t described with as much detail.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this story but it grabbed me and pulled me under. I felt compassion for Juli and the tough life she was given but it seemed to make her strong and independent.I was surprised at Ben's character. He was such a sweetheart and saw people beyond what their exterior made others believe. He was so kind, caring and sweet.I was also shocked at Luke's character too. He seemed arrogant and a typical rich guy and seemed to judge Juli like the others at first. I'm sure in talking to Ben helped him see Juli for who she truly was but I found it hard to believe that his best friend had just died and his first thought was wanting Juli for himself. Otherwise, great story!!

Beach Rental's cover and blurb appealed to me, so I took a chance on a new-to-me author. So glad I did! This story grabbed me from the beginning and carried me on Juli's unusual journey. Juli Cooke faces difficulties and prejudice with grit and (sometimes forced) grace, and her distrust of Ben Bradshaw's strange proposal rang true. The author brought each character to vibrant life, and I could almost smell the ocean, one of my favorite places. Beach Rental earns five stars, and now I'll look for more of this author's work.

This made me laugh, it also gave me lumps in my throat and tears in my eyes. Full of emotion with a great dialogue. I am looking forward to reading book 2.

I really enjoyed this book. The story line is captivating and I love the characters. Great summer read, or really any time of the year.

Can’t wait for my husband and friends to read it.I am so excited to read book 2. What a great story and a joy to read.

This book starts slowly and takes a time to get into the story. It was a surprise to find a book under this library. When you read it you will find it tells a tender story of several lives without any gory details. Buy it