This is the second book by H. Chamberlin that I bought for the summer. They were both paperbacks from Sams, with a beach theme. I don't care for her writing. It almost seems as if she has some underlying issues that she wants to vent about. Both books talk a lot about homosexual couples, seemingly in a positive light. However, it almost becomes the "underlying" theme of the book. She is married to a guy and has children, so it is almost as if she is threatened by this component of society. Even characters that are mentioned only in passing, like a couple on the beach, she seems to feel the need to discuss the issue of their sexuality. I need to make a mental note not to be taken in by the BEACH themes, the next time I see her work in Sams. It left me almost relieved when the book finally ended, but I am usually stubborn and don't give up on a book, once I begin. I do not recommend her work, it left me tired.... I was hoping this would be a fun, beach book. Instead it was about a family with dynamic characters that got annoying fast. The main character is a widow, still mourning her husband. There is a nasty older brother who is verbally abusive, a gay older sister who cannot seem to commit to parenthood, and a wanderlust brother. The father is in a relationship that his kids feel threatened by. The story follows the family over a few weeks.
What do You think about The Family Beach House (2010)?
Enjoyed this book even though the family was very dysfunctional.Good beach read.
—Linnienoelle
Kind of boring but I stuck with it. The last half of the book got better.
—anita
Love the story and I actually read it twice in a row.
—halloweenc_21
