Read by Karissa Vacker
Nantucket Beach Plum Cove Series, Book 1
From the publisher:
Lisa Hodges needs to make a decision fast. Thanks to her dead husband’s gambling addiction, their savings is almost gone. In her early 50s with a large, waterfront home on Nantucket to support, Lisa hasn’t worked in over 30 years, has no in-demand skills and is virtually unemployable.
Her only options are to sell the house and move off-island, or, she could use her cooking and entertaining skills and turn her home into a bed and breakfast. She desperately needs it to succeed because she has four grown children with problems of their own and wants to stay close to them.
Her oldest daughter, Kate, has a fabulous career in Boston – working as a writer for a popular fashion magazine and engaged to a dangerously handsome, photographer, who none of them have met.
Kate’s twin, local artist, Kristen, has been reasonably content with her on-again off-again relationship with an older, separated businessman.
Her son, Chase, runs his own construction business and is carefree, happily dating here and there but nothing serious.
Youngest daughter, Abby, is happily married to her high school sweetheart, and they’ve been trying to have a baby. But it hasn’t happened yet, and Abby wonders if it’s a sign that maybe their marriage isn’t as perfect as everyone thinks.
Come visit Nantucket and see how Lisa’s new bed and breakfast has an impact on almost everyone in her family. It’s the first book in a new series that will follow the Hodges family, friends, and visitors to Nantucket’s Beach Plum Cove Inn.
I was so sad that Elin Hilderbrand decided to stop writing her Nantucket stories, but now that I’ve found Pamela Kelley and this wonderful series, I am sad no more! There is something magical about stories set in Nantucket, and Kelley captures that magic beautifully. This is the first book of a series, and while I haven’t read any of the others yet, I definitely will.
Lisa Hodges is a woman in her early fifties who owns a large, waterfront home on Nantucket that she can no longer afford. After the death of her husband, she discovers that he had a terrible secret; he has left her with no money at all due to his gambling addiction. Lisa hasn’t worked in thirty years and with the scarcity of jobs on the island and her lack of any kind of experience, finding a job is proving impossible. Saddened that she may have to sell her home, a friend suggests she turn her house into a bed and breakfast. At first, Lisa doesn’t think it will work, but the more she thinks about it, she realizes she doesn’t really have any other option if she wants to stay on Nantucket and be near her four adult children.
Lisa’s eldest daughters are twins: Kate and Kristen. Kate lives in Boston, where she writes for a fashion magazine and is engaged to a photographer. Her world is shaken when the magazine is sold, and she uncovers unexpected truths about her fiancé. Kate ends up moving home with her mom.
Kristen, an artist living in Nantucket, is romantically involved with a man who is separated from his wife. They’ve been dating for a while and the divorce has yet to be filed, leaving Kristen unhappy and insecure.
Lisa’s only son, Chase, runs his own construction business. Lisa approaches Chase about doing some renovations on the house so she can maintain some privacy while still being able to rent out some of the bedrooms. He thinks it’s a great idea, and with her only having to pay for materials on a minor renovation, it’s an affordable option.
Her youngest daughter, Anna, is married to her high school sweetheart, Jeff. The couple is struggling with infertility, which may be jeopardizing their marriage.
The book also introduces a variety of local business owners and friends, laying the foundation for future installments in the series. There appear to be nine books in this series, and possibly a spin-off series as well. I will investigate!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the cozy atmosphere it created. The characters are likable, and the story is engaging. I especially appreciated getting to know Lisa’s family, with a particular focus on the women. While Chase’s character plays a smaller role in this installment, I expect we’ll be seeing him and his siblings in the later books. I enjoy stories with strong character growth, and this one delivers. I recommend it to anyone looking for a sweet—if occasionally predictable—read, and I’m looking forward to continuing the series.
I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Karissa Vacker. Her performance was articulate and expressive, and I especially appreciated how convincingly she voiced the male characters. I was pleased to see she narrates other books in the series as well. I highly recommend the audiobook for fans of this format.
5/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE NANTUCKET INN by Pamela M. Kelley. Narrator: Karissa Vacker. Piping Plover Press; August 17, 2019. Listening Length: 6 hours and 19 minutes.
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