Being from New England I have always lived within 30-45 minutes from the Ocean. I am a nature girl to my core, from hiking the mountains in New Hampshire, the Lobster towns of Maine, to the shores of Cape Cod. Being able to wake up to the sound of the waves, seeing the sun rise and reading a good book is my idea of a perfect day.
When I was asked if I would like to review Joanne DeMaio’s follow up to Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans I jumped at the chance. You can read my review of the first book here. **NOTE: I received a free Advanced copy of the book, in return for an honest review. I am opinionated, I tell it like it is, all opinions are my own.
When Maris discovers Neil’s long-lost journal, its passages reveal a heartbreaking secret. Can truths be found within its timeworn pages? Can this leather-bound journal unite the friends as their lives begin to fray? A bittersweet family reunion, a surprising encounter from a devastating accident, a shocking confession leaving one marriage shattered–all will test the once close-knit circle. Suddenly this safe haven on the tranquil Connecticut shoreline churns with emotional turmoil, threatening even the beach wedding just days before it is to happen.
Yet like a silver cap on a breaking wave, love and friendship wash ashore with hope, ever shimmering, in The Denim Blue Sea.
My Thoughts: Picking up just about a year after the first book ended we catch back up with the characters of Stony Point. Maris the denim designer is in the midst of planning her wedding while trying to create new denim designs. She is inspired by the waves of the ocean, and the breaks in the waves.
Her fiance Jason struggled in the first book to move forward after losing his brother in the same accident that took his leg. Walks on the beach and talking into the ocean with the hopes of his brother answering helped him stay connected. Finding his brothers lost journal is important, so he can continue his brother’s vision in the restoration business they started together.
My favorite couple from the last book Lauren and Kyle return with their relationship stronger than ever, but secrets shared and found in the journal have the power to destroy what they have worked so hard to repair.
This book makes you feel like you are at the beach, that you could be friends with this group. It reinforces that good friends and family are all that matter. It reminds you that people are flawed and they make mistakes, but they try. It left me in tears and touched my heart. This is a feel good happily ever after that leaves you dreaming for a vacation on the beach.
Find The Denim Blue Sea on Amazon.
Does this sound like a book you want to read?
Nice that you lived so close to the ocean. I prefer that to lakes. Very cool picturing where scenes from books take place!!
We can get to the ocean in a little over an hour, but the beaches I prefer are about 2 hours away.
I would love to pic up my home and my pool and plop it oceanfront with no damage and minimal
upkeep. A girl can dream!!
Love, SMD’s Momma
Yes, the author is from Connecticut so she lives near the beach too! If only we could pick up houses and move them beachfront that would be amazing!! Keep the dream alive, maybe one day!
i grew up near the ocean too–not that close but about 90 min away–so it holds a special place in my heart. that alone piques my interest for this book!
I hope you give it a read. The characters are flawed but realistic. The beach life practically jumps off the page.
Any book that makes me feel like I’m at the beach is worth reading!! Thanks for sharing the review!! xo, Biana
Absolutely, it is so entwined with beach living. Thank you!
Oh, I’d give so much to be at the beach right now. In the warmth!
I know it is so cold and windy today, and life is always better at the beach!
I grew up in an ocean town and could never imagine not living near one. One of my favorite things to do is walk the beach. Thanks for the honest book review. Will need to add this book to my ever growing book list.
I couldn’t imagine not being able to feel sand between my toes. So very welcome. Read one book, add 5 books. Right?! It is worth adding for sure.
I have always wanted to visit New England! It’s so picture-esque!
It is and there is so many different terrains from beach, to the mountains. It is really beautiful.
living near the ocean is life to me. i feel like a part of me is missing without it. i took it for granted for the first 24 or so years of my life. sigh.
these books sound interesting, i will definitely add them to my list 🙂
The Ocean just has a way of drawing you in and calming you down. It’s magical. I didn’t want the books to end, even though I cried a little at the end.
I can’t focus on anything but Maine and lobsters! I’ve always wanted to go. I need to make it happen this year!
The book sounds like a story you can def get lost in.
Haha! Maine is one of my favorite places! You can, I wanted to just stay home and finish it in one sitting.
Always wanted to visit New England. Looks Beautiful!
It is so beautiful here and this story really had a New England feel.
adding these to my to-read list!
Hope you like them both. Many real life struggles and support of friends made the stories resonate with me.
I still have Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans on my to read list, I wish my library would stock it! I love follow up books!
That is a bummer they don’t have it yet. It was nice to see how the characters are doing and what happened to them.
Oooh I just finished my last book and I’ve been looking for a good read. I will definitely need to check out this and the one before it! Thanks so much for the info 🙂
Very welcome. Hope you pick them up, both are great reads I didn’t want them to end.
this sounds like such a great beach read!
The setting is the beach so it’s a perfect beach read! haha! So much drama, but also lots of love and friendship.
Ok I actually have Blue Jeans on my list to read. Now which should I read first because this one sounds really good. Love the review as usual.
I think you should read them in sequence so Blue Jeans first, then this one. The characters are flawed but that only makes them seem more real.