Seabreeze Inn: an unexpected chance to start over

Seabreeze Inn is the first book in the Summer Beach series by Jan Moran. After discovering her late husband drained their life savings on a beach house in California, Ivy Marin’s life seems to implode. Desperately needing cash, she decides to sell the house. Only after arriving, she realizes that the historical home would be a hard sell. Along with her sister, Shelly, Ivy decides to renovate the house and open an inn. The only problem is her late husband left a sour taste in the mouths of the residents of Summer Beach. Bennett Dylan is the mayor of the tiny town and he, along with the resident, led a campaign to block Jeremy Marin’s original plans for a high-rise resort. He’s determined to fight Ivy as well. Butting heads is the least of their troubles when a cache of stolen artwork is found hidden deep in the house. Ivy must now deal with the FBI, the media and the residents that haven’t yet accepted her. She’s determined to make the house a successful business and build a new life in the community she has come to love. 

Seabreeze Inn is a fun, dramatic story with a dash of romance. The book is set up for a series. I could tell as I read that certain plotlines would be carried over into future books. As well as the introduction of a large cast of characters, some that are only introduced and then never seen again. Most likely to be brought back for future books. Ivy is a woman scorned, betrayed and left reeling after her husband’s sudden death. While I understand Ivy’s harshness, I found her to be rude and often jumped to conclusions even after learning the ugly truth about her husband’s activities in the town. I would think she would have treaded lightly with the town as she learned her husband’s original plans. My favorite character was Bennett, an honorable man who tries to do right by the community he loves. He seems gruff with Ivy; however, my defenses would be up too if the widow of the man who wanted to ruin their small town showed up. Overall, I enjoyed Seabreeze Inn and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I recommend Seabreeze Inn. 

Seabreeze Inn is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.