Now in My Bookbag: The Beach Bag Boxed Set

This is an entertaining collection of seven books, by seven different authors. These are complete books, not novellas. The books vary in style, but are similar in content. I enjoyed some books more than others. As a whole, this is a cohesive collection of stories that are great for beach reading.
Here are the links to my reviews for each, individual book:

Wet – by Stacy Kestwick
Eversea – by Natasha Boyd
Drops of Rain – by Kathryn Andrews
Diving In – by Gretchen Galway
Undertow – by Elizabeth O’Roark
The Hazards of Skinny Dipping – by Alyssa Rose Ivy
A Stone in the Sea – by A.L. Jackson

My process in determining the rating for the complete boxed set is this: I add the ratings of each book together, divide by 7, and use the average to express my overall enjoyment of the collection. The numerical value of the end result is 3.86 – therefore, the rating is rounded up to 4 stars. I recommend getting a set of your own.

Now in My Bookbag: A Stone in the Sea, (Book #7 in The Beach Bag Boxed Set), by A.L. Jackson

I am very conflicted about this book. I like the plot, and the (mostly) likeable characters. The main characters are very well developed. However, there are many incomplete sentences, run-on sentences, and other grammatical errors. I feel that these problems disrupt the flow of the story. Therefore, my enjoyment is inhibited.

Jackson grabs me with the cliffhanger, so I have decided to purchase the second book in this duet, (Drowning to Breathe). I am drawn to these characters, and I want to follow them to the conclusion of their story.

Taking into account all of these things, I rate this book 3 stars.

Now in My Bookbag: Undertow (Book #5 in The Beach Bag Boxed Set), by Elizabeth O'Roark

I am thoroughly enamored with this story. It is well thought out and well written. Despite being written using flashbacks through the first part of the book, it flows well. The story brings a wide range of emotions and deals with love separated by time because of misunderstanding and others’ machinations.

Should the expectations of your family’s class (inner-circle), dictate behavior? Maura thinks so, especially after she believes her childhood ‘everything’ broke her heart. The truth is, she is afraid of turning her back on the familiar to have no one left. Author Elizabeth O’Roark deftly underscores the fact that the exceptionally wealthy can sometimes play by their own rules and pay their way to anything they want, including an extended sense of entitlement.

As O’Roark delivers Maura’s last summer at the beach, the book is as page-turning as it is frustrating, in a good way. I am compelled to see whether Maura leaves her world of privilege to work things out with Nate, or if she follows the future laid out for her by her family. You don’t want to miss the revelations as truths are uncovered and Maura’s decisions are finally unveiled. 5 stars

Now in My Bookbag: Diving In (Book #4 in The Beach Bag Boxed Set), by Gretchen Galway

This is a nice story with likeable characters. It touches on issues like phobias and family divisiveness. Nikki is driven by the need to heal herself, and Ansel is driven by the need for his father’s acceptance and love. I do have an appreciation for the author’s use of a size 14 heroine, rather than a size 6. It is not often that writers use the type of body types from the real world.

The story follows a standard romance diagram, though the writing doesn’t dig as deep into the romantic elements. I can appreciate Nikki’s drive and Ansel’s insecurities. Overall, I find this book an enjoyable read, though I wish it was more in-depth. 3 stars

Now in My Bookbag: Drops of Rain (The Beach Bag Boxed Set, Book #4), by Kathryn Andrews

I really like this book. It is a great choice for older YA (or NA) readers. In addition to being in the Beach Bag Boxed Set, Drops of Rain is also Book #1 in the Hale Brothers Series.

This book contains a lot of symbolism. Also, it tastefully explores serious topics such as grief, loneliness, self esteem issues, bullying, and domestic violence. I find this story well thought out, yet there are several grammatical errors that hurt the flow of it.

I like the characters very much. They are well developed and relatable. The “bad guys” are truly vile. The “good guys” are loveable. In Drew, Ali, and Beau, author Kathryn Andrews gives me characters that I can figuratively wrap my arms around.

This story gives me a rollercoaster of emotions, and I freely admit that I was brought to tears at times. I recommend this book for readers who are sixteen years old and older. 4 1/4 stars