First, I have to say that Opal is just plain adorable. As Lincoln said, “The woman practically vibrated kookiness…” but she also exudes so much joy that you can’t help but love her. She in equal turns drives Linc batty and draws him in, until she’s worked her way behind his defenses and captured his heart. I loved how unpredictable & creative Opal is as a romance heroine; her quirkiness is offset by her perceptiveness, and discovering all the layers that make up her character is truly enjoyable.

Linc also avoids sliding into a stereotype. The wounded former Marine at first appears exactly as you’d expect – brooding, stubborn, anti-social. But the author beautifully weaves rich dimension into this hero, quickly taking him far beyond what you initially expect. In fact, his story – and his character growth throughout Beach Haven – may cause a lump in your throat and a few tears in your eyes along the way.

Don’t mistake this for a heavy story, though. Lowe’s southern charm (and a bit of sass) is evident on every page, and between Opal’s relationship with her two best friends (the Sand Queens), her cooking misadventures, and her banter with Linc (i.e. her effervescence and Linc’s return grumpiness lol), there are plenty of opportunities to chuckle too. And did I mention opportunities to swoon? Have mercy, be sure to take appropriate safety measures (fan, fainting couch, maybe a freezer) when reading these books. Because between Opal’s passion for life and Linc’s suppressed (and intense) emotions, once these two figure a few things out, cue all the readerly swooning.

Perhaps my favorite part of the story, though, is the message of restoration. Opal’s shop Bless This Mess and the work she does there is a brilliantly written object lesson to parallel Linc’s journey. “…nothing was too far gone to be restored, even though its new purpose might be different from its original one.” The way Lowe presents this truth throughout the novel never strays into preachy but is organic to the story and adds that extra element that takes a book from good to fabulous.

Bottom Line: Beach Haven was my first read by T.I. Lowe but it most definitely will NOT be my last. I am evermore a fan of this author and can be seen stalking the internet for her backlist and future releases. Opal’s pure & enthusiastic open heart and Linc’s firmly entrenched walls are a formidable match but, in the age-old tradition of masterful romance authors, Lowe skillfully makes it crystal clear that each is exactly what the other needs. An absolutely exquisite story in every way!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. In the interest of full disclosure, I also received compensation from the publisher to coordinate an instagram tour for this series with JustRead Tours, a company I partially own. All views expressed are still only my honest opinion & were not in any way influenced by compensation for coordinating the tour.)

Towns people gather around to help restore Sunset Cove community from the aftermath of a hurricane. The shop owner of Bless This Mess, Opal Gilbert is a staple in the community. Wounded soldier, Ex-Marine Lincoln Cole doesn’t want anything to do with Opal and/or Sunset Cove community. He’s in a tailspin and is physically dealing with a recent loss. But as time goes on Opal helps Lincoln restore more than just a building, he has the opportunity to heal his soul and the relationship with his family.

I enjoyed the setting, the small-town feel, the strong personalities of the leading characters Opal and Lincoln and the caring community. I enjoyed Opal’s strong but non-preachy faith message, as the characters struggle with situations, and how God works in the big scheme of things. Loved this authors’ well-timed humor and the appearance of the Knitting Club ladies.

I liked how this author does not shy away from tough topics but deals with them in a loving, graceful way as former Marine suffers from PTSD and family drama. Lincoln is angry, tough but doesn’t want to stay that way. He’s met his match with Opal who is a strong independent, quirky, creative, free spirited woman who is smarter than she appears on the surface. She has the gift of seeing through people’s hard exterior to the real person inside. Lincoln notices this about Opal and is intrigued. He hasn’t met a gal like her before. She’s an inspiration. “…underneath her flamboyant exterior…”Opal is one wise soul who sees everything and loves it.” Like God does for us.

Lincoln realizes that his past doesn’t have to define him. That God can restore and bring hope to his future.” Nothing was too far gone to be restored, even though its new purpose might be different from it’s original one.” …“Sometimes things happen. They change us, life leads us to other paths.”

I enjoyed this message of re-purposing things and a course correction in life. Bad things do not define us. Other themes running through this story is one of hope, healing, forgiveness, and new beginnings. I enjoyed hanging out with these flawed characters that are messy, real, and beautiful.

This is a great story to get lost and found in. I want to be part of Sunset Cove community as they rebuild, regroup, and repurposed things and lives. Bravo to this author that leaves readers with healing and hope in their hearts. I highly recommend this for your next book club pick.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

A wonderfully written, refreshing story of friendship and faith. Well developed characters. Read this novel on your front porch or back deck. You will not be disappointed. Five stars.

Beach Haven by T.I. Lowe is the first book in the California Coast series. Lincoln Cole is a veteran in need of a job and finds employment at the Bless This Mess boutique, a store that specializes in the revitalization of dilapidated furniture and goods. Its store owner, Opal Gilbert, sees another project in Lincoln Cole with his injured leg and outbursts of anger. T.L. Lowe has crafted a story of love, redemption, and forgiveness involving these two characters that is perfect for a beach read.

I love Christian southern fiction, and T. I. Lowe has become one of my favorite authors in that genre. The characters in her stories have plenty of depth, and by the time I finished reading this book, they almost seemed like friends. Opal, Josie, and Sophia are life-long friends who, since their younger years, have had the nickname of “The Sand Queens”. Their close friendship is well known in Sunset Cove, and this series
is based on their friendship and support for each other.

This book revolves around Opal’s story. Even though she gives the impression of being breezy and free-spirited, she’s actually quite perceptive, compassionate, and a woman of strong faith. She also likes to fix things that are broken. When Lincoln first comes to work for her, he’s recovering from not only the physical pain of an injury he received during his military service, but also the memories of everything that went wrong during that time. Opal and Lincoln’s story has several highs and lows, and I loved every minute I spent reading it. This is a clean, sweet story with an emphasis on faith and a theme that God specializes in restoring our broken lives, if we’ll only turn to him.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

This book was a breath of fresh air. It contains not only romance, but friendship, the trials of life, and faith. Most readers might see Lincoln as an unlikeable character in the beginning with his gruff attitude and the way he reacts to Opal..... at first. Like all heroes, he does redeem himself, but the progression is in stages and believable. The romantic moments between Opal and Lincoln have just enough spice to keep them interesting and amusing. The book also introduces other characters in the small community from the quirky to the kind to the swoony. This is part of a trilogy, so readers will be introduced to most of the love interests in the next couple of titles. I listened to the audiobook.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-galley. My reviews and opinions are my own.

I’ve long been a TI Lowe fan, and this title was another win for me. Opal is the epitome of the quirky heroine. She could be a stereotypical Christian fiction heroine, right down to the red hair and green eyes with all that quirky goodness, if not for her heart and perceptiveness. One minute she’s meddling, the next she backs off and waits patiently. She’s truly unpredictable, which blows away any chance of her becoming a type. She’s open, creative, and goes after life with such passion and intensity that the reader, like Linc, can’t help but love her.

And then there’s Linc. Whoa, Linc. An injured former Marine, almost made captain until his world was blown to smithereens. And again, he could easily have been a two dimensional wounded veteran hero, except in her masterful way, Ms. Lowe gives true depth and complexity to this hero. The son of a Marine colonel, he’s been raised to suck it up and act like a man his whole life, which really just means to stuff down his intense myriad of emotions until he blows up at the object of his pain, his father, which sets him on the path he must travel for this story. He has to heal his relationship with both his earthly and heavenly fathers, navigate the depth of feelings Opal sparks inside him against his will, and deal with the ongoing pain of his knee injury.

Ms. Lowe has always known how to tell a good story with incredible characters. I can’t wait to dig into the next book in this series! Thank you, NetGalley for granting my review request. Opinions are my own and freely given.

“Isn’t the sound of the ocean the sweetest lullaby ever composed?”

A sweet, seaside read with a message of hope, healing, and forgiveness. The characters are messy, raw and beautiful. There is beautiful imagery and deep friendships that have me looking forward to more of this series. In “Beach Haven” Lincoln comes in with a chip on his shoulder that makes relationships difficult. He is in a world of hurt from a military injury and just can’t seem to get his head together. Opal sees through his attitude and wants to help him overcome his pain. Her quirky ways annoy, and yet draw him. I loved the rawness of Lincoln’s character as he battles his injuries. Opal is truly the heroine and I love how her shells represent prayers. She is a very inspiring character filled with devotion, tenacity, and love for anyone close to her.

“Opal may be dressed in a ditzy flamboyant package, but that’s a mere disguise. Underneath is one wise soul who sees everything and loves it all. Good or bad.”

Her beautiful spirit, heart, and sassy ways, draw him out and makes him hope for a better future. As their friendship grows, the romance percolates and makes for a budding romance. Their were some swoony moments that almost made my heart stop…

“so he reached out and gathered her hand in his. And just like that, the goodness and rightness of Opal Gilbert overtook him. He didn’t ever want to let go.”

Though they desire a relationship, they both recognize his past is a huge barrier. As he works toward his healing, physically, spiritually, and emotionally, he finds a greater hope. He realizes his past doesn’t have to define him. That God can restore and bring about a hope for his future.

“nothing was too far gone to be restored, even though its new purpose might be different from its original one.”

This was my first book by Lowe and I look forward to more from her. “Beach Haven” was a beautifully written and inspiring read. I recommend it for anyone that loves a deeper message with a beachy community feel. If you enjoy Toni Shiloh or Melissa Tagg, you will love T. I. Lowe.

I received a copy of the book through NetGalley by the publisher. All opinions are my own and have been given honestly.

This was my first book by this author, and it for sure won't be my last.

Lincoln and Opal are two very different people. Opal is a quirky, free spirit with a strong faith in God. Lincoln is an ex-Marine who is broken physically and mentally. Opal hires Lincoln to help her in her shop. It doesn't take her long to see Lincoln's brokenness, so she sets out to help him heal. Lincoln gets annoyed at Opal's often pushy ways at first but soon finds himself leaning on her.

This was an entertaining, inspirational romance. I loved the setting and enjoyed the secondary characters. This story is about healing, forgiveness and finding peace. I can't wait to read the next two books in the series.

Love’s healing hand

I have been absorbing as many beach themed reads as I can over the last couple of weeks. Warmer weather, sandy beaches, and big water are all I long to experience right now. When I saw that another one of my favorite authors was releasing a beach read, I knew it would make its way to my hands.

Beach Haven is a breath of fresh air with “a hint of honey.” The rawness of the characters made the story believable and intriguing.

Opal is such a fun, quirky character. Her hippie style pains her as an odd ball, but she just doesn’t care. She is who she is and no one, not even the gruff Thor look alike can change her mind. But she sees people differently, and that seems to bug some people. If only we could be as open as Opal.

Lincoln is difficult on his good days but his past has put him in a terrible spot. A place of self loathing and constant pain seem to keep him in the shadows. He wants to have a good life but feels ashamed to want it. I have to think T.I. Lowe for shining a spotlight on what it’s really like for a wounded warriors when they come home. I would have to say that Lincoln is the perfect example to the phrase, “The war isn’t over just because their home.”

I can’t wait to read more from the series because T.I. Lowe always takes us on a fascinating and thought provoking ride.

** I was given a copy of this book from the publisher so that I may share my views. Favorable review was not required but freely given.

BEACH HAVEN was a rocky start for me. In this novel, the enemies to lovers trope feels too forced. Lincoln is too gruff - and for no discernible reason. And Lowe tries really hard to convey Opal's quirkiness, rather than letting it flow organically through the narrative. However, I will say that I'm glad I kept reading. The faith angle is strong, the story moves well, and Lowe has a deft touch with dialogue. Also, the sweet moments between Lincoln and Opal made up for the troubling beginning. Recommended for fans of inspirational romance.

My first book by author T.I. Lowe and I wasn't disappointed. Great story! I look forward to reading more from this author!

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

'The goodness and rightness of Opal Gilbert overtook him. He didn't ever want to let go.'

I am somewhat hesitant to try a new author, but when I took a chance on this one, I was certainly very glad I did. I loved absolutely everything about this book. Lowe has crafted characters that grabbed me right away. I love when that happens: you just immediately have a feel for them and they seem so real to you as you read. That's what happened here. Opal and Lincoln are two characters that I will not soon forget. They came alive in my heart more with each chapter I read. I can't wait to read the next two books in this series! This author has managed to put such a depth of emotion into these folks, even the secondary ones. I read this in less than a day, just couldn't seem to tear myself away from it. Well done! I highly recommend this book.

*My thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinion in this review is entirely my own.

I could not connect with the multitude of characters, and the story was moving very slowly. If you like a more drawn out story then this may be for you.

I received a complimentary eARC from Netgalley. This is my honest review.

Beach Haven by T.I. Lowe

It is the first in the Carolina Coast series and also my first from this author. The cover looks so cozy so I picked it up. It makes me want to go to the beach.

“That young man is a teddy bear, pretending to be a grizzly.”

I don’t really like people who give out hurtful words so I am not a fan of Lincoln Cole at the beginning. I know he is suffering from leg injury and PTSD but it doesn’t mean it is okay to hurt others. He has a hurricane like attitude with Opal on the opposite end with the same force. Opal is deemed quirky with her Bless This Mess business but she helps in the community and a positive person. She is meddlesome too!

I was definitely surprised by Opal’s family. Oh this book made me laugh a time or two. Opal is funny. Lincoln’s friend, Carter, is a mischief. I like how the main characters are well developed. Like Opal, it is nice to see Lincoln smile. He actually knows how to do it! It’s a good #quarantine read and I look forward to the second book. If you like enemies to lovers' stories, this one's for you. 4/5 stars

Thank you #netgalley and Tyndale for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

A cute, clean romance about two people thrown together in a small town. A soldier recovering from a war wound and a woman who owns her own business. Both are two stubborn to realize they are meant for each other. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series to find out what happens in the lives of Opal and Lincoln.

Quirky and spunky with a large enough heart for anybody who comes along not only describes Opal Gilbert but the whole of Beach Haven. The first book in T.I. Lowe’s Carolina Coast series has a sweet humor while simultaneously tackling personal demons—Opal’s fear of rejection and the battles Lincoln Cole carries after his time serving as a Marine. In time, both find that they need each other to move beyond their problems.
I loved how Opal used shells from the coast as wishes for each person who purchased a piece from Bless This Mess, her coastal boutique where she took old furniture and created something new. That is what this story is truly about. Taking the old and making it new. Healing. With a nod to the Prodigal Son. Each shell Lincoln received from Opal was another wish—or prayer—for his healing, for his heart, for his family.

The relationships in the story were genuine, from the main characters to the Sand Queens as well as the Knitting Club. No two people were exactly alike, and the author went above and beyond to show it. There was also, in my opinion, the right amount of romantic tension between Opal and Lincoln. Fiesty, flirty. Opal knew how to melt a hole in Lincoln’s cold facade, yet she never went further than she should with her prying and meddling, poking and prodding.

I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next two in the series as they explore the stories behind Opal’s two friends from the Sand Queens: Josie and Sophia.

I totally enjoyed this book by this author. I like the plot and her writing style. Will definitely be checking out other books written by her in the future.

MESMERIZING!

Hurricanes come in all shapes, sizes and categories. When you read, BEACH HAVEN, you will quickly understand T.I. Lowe has given her two main characters Linc and Opal hurricane force personalities. That’s what makes Lowe’s beautiful book so MESMERIZING! She has woven a story that shows that nothing is to far gone to be restored.

Bless This Mess, a vintage boutique in Sunset Cove, has felt the wrath of a series of hurricanes and has survived to be exactly as God intended it to be - restoration at its finest. The boutique is owned by Opal Gilbert. She would be described as a free-spirited, pixie, effervescent, fun-loving, loyal to her family and friends, committed Christian and strong in her beliefs. She has been asked to help out a friend of friend, a Marine veteran Lincoln Cole, who is recovering from a career ending severe knee injury. Little did she know she would be helping out Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome - but with the sourest attitude of anyone she’d ever met!

Hurricane Number One really does hit Bless This Mess and leaves the store and Opal’s future in a tailspin. Linc comes to his senses and offers to help. Hurricane Number Two is Linc’s relationship with Opal that stems from the way he deals with the chronic pain in his knee. He comes from a family where complaints are not allowed, pain medicines are considered a crutch and you just “suck it up” and deal with it no matter how bad the pain level. He can be a pretty decent guy to be around until his pain becomes unbearable and then he strikes out at the person closest to him. Linc also finds himself caught in the hurricane because he has such intense feelings for Opal but he cannot deal with his past, find forgiveness and ask her to be a part of his life. Hurricane Number Three is Opal. Opal is amazing! She is the quirky girl everyone made fun of all through school (and still do) but she actually made something of herself. In the process, she managed to endear herself to the entire town by in involving herself in the lives of those around her. When she meets Linc, she is able to see beyond all of his tough guy veneer to the strong man who is desperately crying for help. She slowly but surely nurtures him to a point where he is able to finally make positive life changing decisions.

Lowe has written a brilliant story that illustrates how kindness, patience, lots of prayer and love can change even the hardest of hearts. She takes two characters who both have vacant places in their hearts and finds their perfect match. Their story is not an easy love story but it certainly is a beautiful one!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.

Lincoln Cole is the ex-soldier struggling to heal from a career-ending injury and find a way to rebuild his life. Working for Opal Gibson--the free-spirited owner of Bless This Mess--could be the answer to prayers he's afraid to pray. If she doesn't drive him crazy first.

With Beach Haven, Lowe has given readers a story of redemption and renewal that is at once quirky and deeply meaningful. Her characters are richly drawn, her details delightful, and the journey to the ending is well worth the taking.