Carolina Home

A Dare Island Novel

By: Virginia Kantra

Narrated by: Sophie Eastlake

Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's Summary

Home to the Fletcher family for generations, Dare Island is a fishing village rocked by changing times - its traditions slipping away like sands of the North Carolina coast. Single dad and fishing boat captain Matt Fletcher deferred his own dreams to support his innkeeper parents and build a future for his sixteen-year-old son. Matt has learned to weather life's storms by steering a steady emotional course...and keeping a commitment-free approach to love.

Newcomer Allison Carter came to Dare Island to escape the emotional demands of her wealthy family. The young teacher aims to build a life here, to make a lasting place for herself. She doesn't want to be another Woman Who Once Dated Matt Fletcher. It's both tempting and dangerous to believe she can be something more.

Then Matt's brother Luke makes a sudden return home, with a child of his own - and a request that will change all their lives. With a child's welfare at stake, Matt must turn to Allison to teach him to let go of the past, open his eyes...and follow his heart.

©2012 Virginia Kantra (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Wonderful story! Carolina Home is an excellent, entertaining, romantic read. Virginia Kantra has created a splendid new island series, this being the first. The characters are so beautifully drawn that I'm now reading the second in the series." (Robyn Carr, author of the Virgin River series)

An endearing winner!

Would you consider the audio edition of Carolina Home to be better than the print version?

I didn't read the print version and wouldn't want to when Sophie Eastlake told the story in technicolor. FYI, Sophie Eastlake is a/k/a Julia Whelan, brilliant narrator of "The Witness" by Nora Roberts, which is what prompted my purchase of an unfamiliar author.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked and admired the two main characters, Matt & Allison equally for their sense of honor, their realism in everyday life and the character growth each displayed.

What does Sophie Eastlake bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

It is apparent to me that in listening to this story recorded under the name of Sophie Eastlake or as Julia Whelan for "The Witness" she does her homework. She understands the story and what motivates the characters and takes you on a fabulous journey. Sophie/Julia gives the romance genre a great deal of class!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I particularly enjoyed the scene when Matt learns from his dad that home is wherever his wife (Matt's mother) is and the rest are just details to iron out. There are two other moving scenes but I don't want to do a spoiler.

Any additional comments?

This book isn't anything that's going to receive brilliant literary reviews and I don't believe that was the author's intent. Get over the fact that the basic plot isn't new because just how many ways can you bend and shape the boy with commitment issues meets nice girl plot. There's something to be said for a story that moves the heart like the gentle rocking of an anchored boat and can still deliver sexy romance without relying on the old he said/she said miscommunication ploy. I look forward to listening to Book 2 in the series this weekend.

Fabulous story...better storyteller...

Where does Carolina Home rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Even if the story was weak Sophie Eastlake would have made this enjoyable to listen to...but the story was compelling and left a warm, fuzzy spot in my heart. The son, the parents, even the obnoxious sister were alive in the telling of this story, I think you'll find you feel you know them when you are done, as I did. If you want a good family feel good story told by a master, you will be glad you selected this book.

What does Sophie Eastlake bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Sophie Eastlake performed this story, she didn't read it. Each character had such a specific feel to them. I'm not sure how she managed it, but I most definitely enjoyed the listen.

Enjoyed my first visit to Dare Island

I have had this audio for awhile and finally got around to listening to it. I really enjoyed it. One of those great family oriented contemporary stories, that I know I just want to keep listening to, to catch up with the family. Loved the plot, the characters and the narrator did a fabulous jobe.

Carolina Home Very Sweeet

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it was a great story, very likable H/H. The beginning brings you in right away. I loved the family interaction with each other. This is a very light romance, not much sex but the love build up is really great.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I loved the ending, I bought book two.

Have you listened to any of Sophie Eastlake’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I love Sophie Eastlake. She gives a great performance.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did listen in one sitting. :-)

Any additional comments?

Enjoy.

Take a vacation on Dare Island

Would you listen to Carolina Home again? Why?

Definitely! Listening to Carolina Home feels like escaping to a vacation spot. The Fletcher Family at the heart of the story is so real that I felt like I could walk into their Inn and meet them all.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Matt Fletcher is a stand up guy with real life issues. He's been there for his family as well as facing tough times with the economy so I found myself rooting for him to find that special relationship for himself.

Which scene was your favorite?

There were so many it's hard to choose one. I liked the contrast of the scenes between the Fletcher parents, the older generation with decades of committed marriage and the new relationship between Matt, their son and the school teacher he's falling in love with. Gives the story depth.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Find your way home to Dare Island

Any additional comments?

The narrator did a great job with all the different voices. She even nails the rare Outer Banks cadence of the locals.

Moved along rather slow with no point.

I looked for a book under romantic adventure, meaning romance mixed with tension. The tension was completely missing from this romance. Boy likes girl, boy gets confused then admits he was confused and gets back girl. Not much tension there. It's the first book I believe, so I know that the second book, like a marriage, may be better the second time around.

5 stars is not enough

What made the experience of listening to Carolina Home the most enjoyable?

I adored this book, the first of Virginia Kantra's Carolina Series. It is not just a romance. It is a story about family.....the bonds between parents, adult children and grandchildren. Besides the appealing love story of the fiesty Allison and the steady, sexy single dad Matt, the author touches on some very relevant issues, such as an absent single parent serving in the military, hints of past child abuse, loss of a parent, and the enduring love between senior adults. I loved the interaction between the children and adults. Honestly, I just really liked this book and would highly recommend it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All the characters.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene where Matt tells Allison that he needs her.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The discussion between Matt and his father Tom, when Tom expresses his devotion and love for his wife Tess by saying that home has been any place where he and Tess are together

Wanna go to Dare Island

I 'stumbled' upon this series searching for books narrated by Sophie Eastlake...one of my absolute favorite female narrators. She was barely into the second chapter when I realized this was going to be a terrific series. It's also my first experience with Virgina Kantra but certainly not my last. What a voice this writer has and what a lovely lovely story this book wove. You all know that I am a visceral reviewer; you can get deets from the bloggers galore but suffice it to say that this a sweet and sometime bittersweet love story between Matthew and Allison. We are introduced to the Fletchers (via Matt, who is a Fletcher) who become the backbone and strength of this beautifully done series. Matt's commitment to his son, Josh, is the structure around which his relationship with Allison is built. Allison is an off islander 'alien' who teaches (Josh, of course). The chemistry is there and the story builds. Don't miss this inaugural Dare Island book...it sets the stage for the rest, which, once you read this one...you'll dive right into.

Good listen

This book was very enjoyable, I like these light hearted books that you can just enjoy. This was one of those. I will listen to the second

relaxing read

sweet book. enjoyed it immensely and I really want to know what happened to Allison so I'll definitely be reading book two.