I would have given this one 3.5 stars if I could. I liked it, but not as much as I usually like easy summer reads, if only because it felt a bit formulaic and repetitive at times. Also, I wasn't particularly fond of the ending. Nevertheless, it was still an inspiring read that, in my opinion, actually works quite well as a stand-alone novel. I will likely not continue on in the series but enjoyed nevertheless.

The Summer Guest
Mary Alice Monroe

This books setting takes place in North Carolina, with an approaching category 5 hurricane .
MAM Intriguing insight into the world of equestrian jumping and dressing .
This is my first book written by this author. Well written dialogue and good character building makes for a fast paced and enjoyable book

Thanks NetGalley for this complimentary copy for an honest review.

A bit of a change up with MAM in this one, but still a peek in at our old friend, Cara, and the beach house. This book opens up new things with the equestrian world of jumping and dressage. A great location in the rolling hills of North Carolina where friends come from Florida to escape a Cat 5 hurricane. Interesting characters from all walks of life come together with old and new friends and end up finding themselves and goals for their futures. As always, MAMs writing makes you feel you are right there with the characters and the horses and can feel the pelting of rain and wind from the storm. A very beautifully written book. Thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books for the ARC

I loved the feeling of being an insider in the world of raising and training horses for competition in dressage and jumping. Mary Alice Monroe's characters are well developed and feel like real people I just have not yet met. I enjoyed the chapter updates on the coming hurricane and appreciated that the hurricane is what brought a diverse group of people together at Grace and Charles's home, but I also thought that the ending sewed up too many romantic ends too neatly.

Mary Alice Monroe tells stories with the perfect words and gives each of her characters perfect grace. I always feel sad to leave when I reach the end of that last page. Give stars for The Summer Guests.