Review: The Cafe at Beach End by RaeAnne Thayne

 

The Cafe at Beach End (Cape Sanctuary #5) by RaeAnne Thayne

Publication Date: June 13th 2023 by Canary Street Press

Pages: 336

Source: Publisher 

Rating: ★★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Meredith and Tori, once as close as sisters, are estranged since Meredith left for what seemed to Tori a life of privilege. Meredith has lost everything and became embroiled in the scandal where her now dead husband bilked millions from unsuspecting investors. Now she’s back home. Meredith owns 49% of the small beach café now run by Tori as well as one of the beachside cottages her grandmother owned. Tori is not happy about this, but things are not as they seem.

I loved Meredith! She’s sad and feels partially responsible for the pain and financial ruin her husband caused, but I loved that after leading a privileged life she had no qualms about rolling her sleeves up, digging in and working hard. She didn’t make excuses, but she had plenty! It broke my heart.

I felt for Tori, as she felt abandoned. She was hurt, especially since Meredith didn’t even attend their grandmother’s funeral, but she didn’t have the full story. I felt she was pretty tough on Meredith, but this was a journey of forgiveness, healing, moving on from your mistakes, and embracing those important to you.

There’s a romance for both Meredith and Tori and I rooted for each of them! Liam disguised his identity and motives from Meredith, and I wasn’t too happy with him at first, but I understood as all was revealed. Tori has feelings of attraction for Sam, the brother of her dead husband, and the guilt she feels about that as well as the worry over what others think is a bit of a hinderance. They each have a teenage daughter, cousins, who get up to some teenage drama. Thankfully, they had each other for support.

As usual in this series, Ms. Thayne brings the Northern California coastal setting to life with her beautiful descriptions! It’s such a gorgeous area, sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean that take your breath away! There’s a spot I visit at least yearly, close to the Oregon border that I pictured in my mind as I read.

 

The Café at Beach End brought out all the feels for me! I loved this emotional story so much!

4.5 Stars

Book Description:

When Meredith Collins was a child, the little beach town of Cape Sanctuary lived up to its name. Spending summers there with her grandmother, Meredith finally felt safe and loved.

Now she’s returning in disgrace. Her late ex-husband swindled investors out of millions of dollars and made Meredith a figure of scorn—though she knew nothing about his scheme. But she still has the beach cottage she inherited from her grandmother and half ownership of the local café. It’s a place to work and earn a little money. That’s if her cousin, Tori, will let her through the door. Once, Tori and Meredith were as close as sisters—until Meredith chose her neglectful parents’ expectations over their bond. Now widowed with a teenage daughter, Tori isn’t setting out a welcome mat for the woman who let her down so badly.

While Meredith tries to make a fresh start, she is drawn to a mysterious writer renting the cottage next door. Liam Byrne’s kindness is a balm, though she worries he might not be so friendly if he knew who she was. But Liam has his own secret and a mission that will help Meredith confront her past—and maybe, claim a surprising future…