Looking for the perfect seaside read for your next vacation? Look no further! The Sands of Sea Blue Beach is the perfect lighthearted novel for a summer day.
This was the first “then-now” romance I’ve ever read, but wow, it certainly set a high standard! The characters are lovable and relatable when they’re 16, and even more so when they’re 32. Watching Emery and Caleb fall in love during Emery’s summer vacation in the quaint town of Sea Blue Beach is absolutely adorable. It’s so sad when family tragedy tears them apart, but so rewarding when they happen to move back to Sea Blue Beach at the same time years later. They’re both focused on their careers, but discover that their love for each other never really died.
A Divided Town
Sea Blue Beach is struggling. As a historical town, it’s starting to feel its age, as well as the effects of deep rivalry between the older East Side and the modernized West Side. Wealthy businessmen would rather see the historic homes in the East Side destroyed and the land turned into a golf course. The East Side wants to preserve their roots and the history that makes their town special.
Emery, as the new editor-in-chief for the town’s newspaper, finds herself caught in the middle of the drama. She wants to stay objective, but the East Side holds so many precious memories from her vacation there when she was a teenager. She hates the thought of all those sentimental buildings being bulldozed.
Caleb, who is trying to get his architect business off the ground, is even more torn than Emery. He’s offered lucrative deals by the upper-end West Side corporations, but it would mean working for men he despises and agreeing to tear down the town he grew up in. He loves Sea Blue Beach and hates to see it divided like this.
Progress Versus Conservation
That really is the question at the heart of the town’s politics. Is it more important to expand their sporty tourism business, which primarily benefits the wealthiest West Side entrepreneurs? Or is it more important to maintain the historical aspects of town, which would include renovating the small homes to become affording housing for young families or older couples?
People certainly have their opinions. Emery and Caleb love working as a team to try to find middle ground and bring the town together again, but it seems impossible at times.
Immanuel, God With Us
The Christian elements are not as pronounced in this novel as some other ones on FamilyFiction, but there are strong biblical themes of forgiveness, second chances, reconciliation, and strong family love.
Both Emery and Caleb wrestle with broken families. Emery’s mom died shortly after their vacation to Sea Blue Beach, and she’s struggling to feel included in her dad’s new marriage…which came with three new sisters. Caleb’s only sister in a deep rebellious season and leaves a wake of heartache wherever she goes. He longs for her to come home.
During these times of struggle and healing, Emery and Caleb find themselves turning more and more to Immanuel for comfort and hope. Some things in life call for divine help, and the main character slowly begins to realize that.
There is an old legend in the town about “Immanuel, God with us”, who is referenced frequently as a rescuer. One character shares her powerful testimony with Emery of chasing a wild life, until she realized that Immanuel (God) was the only one who could give her real satisfaction and peace.
The Symbolism of the Pearls
The symbolism in this book is really beautiful. Emery’s mom gave her a gorgeous pearl necklace to wear at her wedding one day, which Emery closely guards from her adopted sisters. After all, the pearls are hers, and who are these other girls that they would get to wear them? As the story progresses, the pearls show up again and again as Emery learns that her heart has enough love in it to hold both her deceased mom and her new family close.
Sea Blue Beach itself is a delightful symbol of the balance between treasuring memories and looking towards a bright future.
Want to experience the magic of Sea Blue Beach for yourself? You can get your own copy of The Sands of Sea Blue Beach HERE!
CLICK TO BUY