Sea La Vie

The Outer Banks Series, Book 1

De: Kelsey Whitney

Narrado por: Casey Montgomery

Lainey Adams, a master at people-pleasing, can’t remember the last real job she’s held. Between filling in at the general store and waiting tables at her brother’s diner, she’s always adapted to meet everyone else's needs, forgoing her own career. When an unexpected injury leaves her dad’s fishing boat without a captain, she bears the weight on her shoulders to save the family business.

When she spots a sports car stuck in a ditch, she’s intrigued because newcomers are a rarity in this small town. Upon realizing it’s Tate, the boy, now man, she hasn’t spoken to in ten years, she’s filled with mixed emotions. After all, he’s the boy that stole her heart every summer for twelve years only to leave it broken in the end.

Tate Matthews thrives on order and predictability. When he catches his girlfriend cheating on him on the day he was planning to propose, it uproots his plans for his future. Feeling aimless, he returns to his grandfather’s seaside cottage in the eccentric town of Widow’s Wharf, the town that holds the glistening summers of his youth and the one girl who has always remained at the forefront of those memories.

Armed with a plan in place to fix the wear on the family cottage from being a seaside rental over the last decade and a newfound purpose, Tate begins renovations. When he finds a faded letter with a vague message to meet at a lighthouse that no longer exists,his interest is piqued.

Will Tate be able to solve the mystery of the letter? Will it be enough to bring Lainey and Tate together again? And most importantly, will Tate be able to help Lainey see her true worth?

©2023 Kelsey Whitney (P)2025 Kelsey Whitney

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This was such a heartfelt, small town story and I really enjoyed it. Lainey was such a strong and relatable female character. I think so many women will see themselves in her. She has spent so much of her life putting her own dreams aside to keep her family happy, and watching her grow and slowly start to recognize her own worth was really encouraging.

I also really liked Tate. His personality felt genuine and I loved how willing he was to adapt back into the Outer Banks lifestyle for Lainey. Their second chance connection was sweet, emotional, and full of that nostalgic summer feeling.

One of my favorite parts of the story was the mystery note and the 1960s backstory told from the grandpa’s point of view. It was such a sweet side story and made the book feel like two stories woven together, which I absolutely loved.