The Beach House - Jane Green

I like to read books from various genres and sometimes there is nothing more appealing than a nice, easy-to-read chick-lit book, especially if I am going on holiday. It was searching for holiday reading that had me in Tesco, perusing the shelves for something light and entertaining. I spotted The Beach House by Jane Green and thought it would probably be ideal. It was part of an offer, 2 for £7. The cover design is simple with the title set against a metallic turquoise background with small nautical illustrations.

The Author

Jane Green is an English born author who now lives in America. She is synonymous with the chick-lit genre and I have often seen her books about. I only recall reading Mr Maybe and Babyville and both of those were a long time ago but I was sure I had enjoyed them so had not qualms about buying another one.

The Plot

Nan is a rather eccentric old lady who lives in a delightful but run-down property called Windermere in the exclusive beach island area of Nantucket. She has financial worries that may lead her to leave the home she has loved since the day she first saw it. Her son, Michael, knows that he owes her a visit but his life as an artistic jeweller keeps him busy. Elsewhere other peoples lives are falling apart. Thoughtful Daniel has realised that life with his beautiful wife and sweet daughters is not as idyllic as it appears. Stroppy teenager Jess is finding the break-up of her parents marriage hard to cope with and her mother, Daff, feels like a failure. Everybody feels that a change of scenery will help heal the problems in their lives and as they gradually find their way to Nantucket Nan finds that she, too, benefits from the influx of new people. As their stories unfold will they find the peace they are seeking or are they just running away from their problems?

Worth reading?

At 440 pages this is a reasonable length book but it certainly did not take me very long to read. Although I actually liked the basic storyline I felt that some of the characters were lacking in real personality.
Nan was well created but definitely a little too good to be true, I am not sure that she would have developed the relationships described so quickly, especially considering what we learn of her past.
Daff was likeable and also believable but her ex-husband was portrayed as ridiculous in the way he could not see through his daughter’s excessive behaviour. Daniel and his wife Bee just stayed too two-dimensional for my liking. When reading a book I like to feel that I really get to know the central characters and can almost predict their behavioural quirks, with these two I just couldn’t work them out. Michaels turmoils were better described and you could understand his relationships with most people but I felt that the relationship with his mother was never particularly explored.

I did like the general descriptions of Nantucket and it certainly came across as a place of tranquility and beauty as well as money!

As I said I did read some Jane Green a few years ago but I really can't remember them particularly well so I don't know how this compares. However I would happily pick up another of her books if it was on offer.

Considering everything I still found this a good read and I have passed it on to a friend who I am sure will enjoy it too. For holiday literature there is nothing to beat delightful descriptions of sunny days exploring new areas with new people. The storyline was reasonably predictable but Jane Green managed to throw in just enough twists to make it enjoyable rather than boring. If you are looking for complicated plots and serious dram then this genre will not be for you. However if you want an absorbing read that will have you smiling and dreaming of summer then pick yourself up a copy!

ISBN 978-0-141-02203-1
RRP £7.99 but always available much cheaper!