The Sandcastle hurricane

Ellie Mae and Tabby are cousins who have inherited an old beachfront Victorian bed-and-breakfast in Texas, known as the Sandcastle. Both women come to the B&B grieving and hoping for a fresh start. That plan is up-ended when an approaching hurricane turns the Sandcastle into an evacuation site for, among others, four assisted-living residents, the handymen Alex and Ricky, other assorted locals, and a bevy of animals. The assisted-living residents (Cleo and Maude, who do nothing but bicker, and lifetime friends and war veterans Homer and Frank) add dimension, but it's the handymen who spark the romance. The unfolding events weren't what Ellie and Tabby imagined when they agreed to take over the B&B, but the situation turns out to offer them a chance at healing and a better future. This contemporary romance with a dash of humor is a light read that still doesn't shy away from heavier topics, such as grief and racism. VERDICT Both longtime fans of Brown (Riverbend Reunion), as well as new readers, will enjoy her latest.--Judy Garner