Tender Mercies: A Blueberry Beach Novel
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- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2022-07-30 13:21:36
- Update Date：2025-09-07
- Status：finish
- Author：Jessie Gussman
- ISBN：B09D2B8GWS
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
Reviews
Barbara
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Have tissues handy， but that is all I can say without risking a spoiler for this wonderful， family-friendly， older second-chance Christian romance set in Blueberry Beach， Michigan， and opening on Christmas Eve。 I had an ARC via Bookfunnel and this voluntary review is my own opinion。
Karen
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I loved this book about the peace and love that Iva Mae shared with her two best friends， Bill and Bev， and her daughter， Kim， after telling them a secret she kept hidden for forty years。 She revealed that secret to Bill and Bev on Christmas Eve as well as telling them that she was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer and had six months or less to live。 She told her daughter， Kim， the same thing the next day on Christmas。 She wanted a clear conscience so she could die peacefully in her home u I loved this book about the peace and love that Iva Mae shared with her two best friends， Bill and Bev， and her daughter， Kim， after telling them a secret she kept hidden for forty years。 She revealed that secret to Bill and Bev on Christmas Eve as well as telling them that she was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer and had six months or less to live。 She told her daughter， Kim， the same thing the next day on Christmas。 She wanted a clear conscience so she could die peacefully in her home under Hospice care。 The secret was a shock but was welcome news as the three gave Iva Mae loving care during her remaining days of life。 Her dying wish was that Bill and Bev would give the love they shared as teenagers a second chance and get married。 Did that happen？ You will have to read the book to find out。 I highly recommend this heartwarming love story。 The author gave a tender explanation of the final days of Iva Mae that brought me to tears of joy as a Christian。 I received an ARC and this is my voluntary and honest review。 。。。more
Margie
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Wow， Jessie Gussman certainly jumps into tough topics with both feet and understanding。 Iva May’s words of wisdom certainly hit my heart with arrows I needed。 When you reach a certain age （78）， dying is something you think about more often than you did at 20 or even 50。 I would love to think I could have the wisdom and peace that Iva May does， but I’m still a work in progress。 Thank you， Jessie， for this sweet， insightful and inspirational story。 Keeping secrets had to have been hard but I love Wow， Jessie Gussman certainly jumps into tough topics with both feet and understanding。 Iva May’s words of wisdom certainly hit my heart with arrows I needed。 When you reach a certain age （78）， dying is something you think about more often than you did at 20 or even 50。 I would love to think I could have the wisdom and peace that Iva May does， but I’m still a work in progress。 Thank you， Jessie， for this sweet， insightful and inspirational story。 Keeping secrets had to have been hard but I love that she kept her faith that God was in charge。 Looking forward to visiting in Strawberry Sands Beach。 。。。more
Bernadette Cinkoske
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Tender Mercies is a faith filled， later in life， second chance romance。 This entire series has dealt with tough topics。 Ms。 Gussman handles them in an uplifting manner。 This thought provoking， well written book kept my interest as a forty year old secret is revealed and several lives are impacted。 The best gift of all that this book gave me is the peace with which our main character faces her death。 This is an outstand novel。！
Rhonda Sledge
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This book by Jessie Gussman will grab you by the heartstrings from the very first page。 How do you say goodbye to an icon？ And how do you deal with the bombshell she drops just before her death？ This is not your normal everyday sweet romance。 It deals with some very hard topics like secrets， teen pregnancy， bad choices， romance after fifty and a double mastectomy， learning to trust and to love again。 This was very well written and will keep you turning the pages。 The only thing better than readi This book by Jessie Gussman will grab you by the heartstrings from the very first page。 How do you say goodbye to an icon？ And how do you deal with the bombshell she drops just before her death？ This is not your normal everyday sweet romance。 It deals with some very hard topics like secrets， teen pregnancy， bad choices， romance after fifty and a double mastectomy， learning to trust and to love again。 This was very well written and will keep you turning the pages。 The only thing better than reading the book is listening to Jay Dyess narrate it！ He does the voices so well you would almost swear the characters are just in the next room talking。 。。。more
Linda Lee
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This book is more than a well written beautiful romance。 The characters have meaningful conversations and deep discussions about life， it's purpose and the direction God wants us to follow。 The story reminded me of the important things in life， how I am here to serve and love with all my being。 A wonderful storyline of faith， hope and the blessings we all have。 This book is more than a well written beautiful romance。 The characters have meaningful conversations and deep discussions about life， it's purpose and the direction God wants us to follow。 The story reminded me of the important things in life， how I am here to serve and love with all my being。 A wonderful storyline of faith， hope and the blessings we all have。 。。。more
Janene
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Rating: 4。5 starsMy thoughts about this book:• There were a lot of Christian references about forgiveness， keeping commitments， and seeking the Lord's will in your life。• An exceptional thought from the book: "I think， more than making mistakes， it’s how we react to them after we’ve made them， the choices we make when we’re down， that show our wisdom。"• I really enjoyed how Bev and Bill communicated with each other。• I liked the descriptive quality of the author's writing style。I was given an ad Rating: 4。5 starsMy thoughts about this book:• There were a lot of Christian references about forgiveness， keeping commitments， and seeking the Lord's will in your life。• An exceptional thought from the book: "I think， more than making mistakes， it’s how we react to them after we’ve made them， the choices we make when we’re down， that show our wisdom。"• I really enjoyed how Bev and Bill communicated with each other。• I liked the descriptive quality of the author's writing style。I was given an advance copy of this book。 My review was voluntary and my opinions were my own。 I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy Christian romances。 。。。more
Karen Brasher
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Tender Mercies Wow！ This is such an inspirational book full of emotion。 It deals with difficult subjects that a lot of people do not want to talk about。 The main characters are older and wiser。 There is more than a romantic relationship involved in the telling of this story。 It also seems to me that this might be setting up a new series by this author。 I sure hope it is because she is a great author。
Joyce Marion
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Iva Mae is dying of cancer。 She has a "secret" that she feels she should tell。 She asks Bev and Bill to come to her house where she tells them that she thinks her daughter， Kim is actually their daughter。 Bev and Bill were teenage sweethearts。 The hospital told Bev that her baby had died。 Iva Mae always wondered if maybe the babies had been switched。 So now， she wants them to know。 She wants her daughter to have "parents" since she is dying。So sweet and tender。 Just warms you all over as you rea Iva Mae is dying of cancer。 She has a "secret" that she feels she should tell。 She asks Bev and Bill to come to her house where she tells them that she thinks her daughter， Kim is actually their daughter。 Bev and Bill were teenage sweethearts。 The hospital told Bev that her baby had died。 Iva Mae always wondered if maybe the babies had been switched。 So now， she wants them to know。 She wants her daughter to have "parents" since she is dying。So sweet and tender。 Just warms you all over as you read。 。。。more
Victoria
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Yay！ We finally got to read Bill’s story in this eighth book of the Blueberry Beach series and it was worth the wait。 Bill is the older man who runs the surf shop and he has always been an encourager and a willing helper to other business owners; he was someone likable， quiet， and notable but never the central character until now。 Bev grew up in Blueberry Beach but she moved away to make her fortune and now she is divorced and trying to figure out where she belongs。 Iva May， one of the the town Yay！ We finally got to read Bill’s story in this eighth book of the Blueberry Beach series and it was worth the wait。 Bill is the older man who runs the surf shop and he has always been an encourager and a willing helper to other business owners; he was someone likable， quiet， and notable but never the central character until now。 Bev grew up in Blueberry Beach but she moved away to make her fortune and now she is divorced and trying to figure out where she belongs。 Iva May， one of the the town pillars has known Bill and Bev since way back。 Now that Iva May has terminal cancer， she is trying to set her affairs in order and she has a secret to reveal that will change Bill’s and Bev’s lives forever。 I thought it was thought-provoking and it kept me turning pages late into the night。 Some parts of the book were a little too stream-of-consciousness and were a bit hard for me to follow but the story and it's message were outstanding！ You don’t want to miss it！ I received an advance review copy and this voluntary review contains my honest opinions。 。。。more
Mary Jane McLeod
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Wonderful Christian Series As I finished this book， I was feeling all kinds of emotions and had so many thoughts in mind。 Jessie Gussman always writes a story that makes me think and touches my heart。 I hope to read more about Kim in the future。 I enjoyed reading about Bill and Bev and all they have gone through as they aged。 I look forward to more books in this series。
Michal Sullivan
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I enjoyed this book just like all of the others that I have read from Jesse。 This one is unique as it is a story of love over 50…Which definitely is a different perspective than finding love in your 20s。 It was great to see Bill and Bev reconnecting after so many years and regrets- But refinding a true spark of love from the beginning。I received this ARC and I am willingly giving a review。
Lori R
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I have always liked the stories in this series and this one did not disappoint me。 It was a beautiful， tender， touching， emotional story of love， life， and faith。 I admired Iva May and how she lived her life。 She was amazing。 I liked that even though the story was sad， it wasn't。 When you read the book you will know what I mean。I also liked that Iva May brought Bill and Bev back together。 It was quite a story。 I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest revie I have always liked the stories in this series and this one did not disappoint me。 It was a beautiful， tender， touching， emotional story of love， life， and faith。 I admired Iva May and how she lived her life。 She was amazing。 I liked that even though the story was sad， it wasn't。 When you read the book you will know what I mean。I also liked that Iva May brought Bill and Bev back together。 It was quite a story。 I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review。 。。。more
Cathy R Morgan
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Bill and Bev were sweethearts back while she was still at school， until they took things too far， she got pregnant and her baby died soon after birth。 Their relationship could not survive the combination of this and the lies that were spread about Bill。 However， Bev went on to build her own company and make millions， while Bill stayed in Blueberry Beach and married。 Now， forty years later， each looks back on life with some regrets。 When Iva May confesses a secret she's kept for forty years and a Bill and Bev were sweethearts back while she was still at school， until they took things too far， she got pregnant and her baby died soon after birth。 Their relationship could not survive the combination of this and the lies that were spread about Bill。 However， Bev went on to build her own company and make millions， while Bill stayed in Blueberry Beach and married。 Now， forty years later， each looks back on life with some regrets。 When Iva May confesses a secret she's kept for forty years and admits that she's dying of cancer， they're given a second chance。 The question is， what have they each learned about what is really important in life？It's been clear for several books that Iva May has a secret she's been hiding for a long time， but I can't say I guessed what it was。 However， I did suspect that there was something between Bill and Bev， and it's great to see them get their long-awaited happy ending。 Having said that， this book is a standalone story - but when once you visit Blueberry Beach， you're sure to want more。 Like the rest， this is a well-written and enjoyable read， with an inspiring message and characters I loved getting to know。 It was sad to see the end of Iva May， but I appreciated the joy that was there too - it's a good reminder that death isn't the end of things。 All in all， a delightfully satisfying story。Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author。 I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book。 。。。more
Rebmay
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The title of this book fits the characters and storyline perfectly。 Bill and Bev have known each other for years， but for forty years now they have acted as passing acquaintances rather than the young lovers they once were。 Lies and a tragedy drove them apart then， leading them to different people in attempt to move forward in life and forget the love they once had for each other。 Neither were successful in their attempts with other relationships and both have decided that they were meant to be The title of this book fits the characters and storyline perfectly。 Bill and Bev have known each other for years， but for forty years now they have acted as passing acquaintances rather than the young lovers they once were。 Lies and a tragedy drove them apart then， leading them to different people in attempt to move forward in life and forget the love they once had for each other。 Neither were successful in their attempts with other relationships and both have decided that they were meant to be alone。 Their lives have intersected time and again in Blueberry Beach， but Bev especially has done her best to avoid contact。 Now， it is their mutual friend and a beloved Blueberry Beach citizen， Iva May， who has brought these two together to share a couple of secrets that will force them to confront their pasts， air their regrets， examine their hearts and perhaps give love a second chance。 This story also illustrates a strong faith in God’s guidance and love， as well as faith in God’s promise of life after death。 This book is beautifully written and provided me with inspiration， happiness and a sense of peace。 It is a gift from Jessie to her readers with a storyline and wonderful characters that are true to life and relatable。 This is definitely a book that I will cherish and recommend to others。 I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review。 。。。more
Vandy Dodge
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Jessie Does it again！ Tender Mercies grabs your attention， captivates you， touching emotions and feels from real life。 Touching on forgiveness， Death， long held secret and facing past heartbreak and healing with hope。 Then she leaves you ready and wanting the next book。 Which I think will be the beginning of a new Series。 “ Strawberry Sands” is my guess。 Definitely worth the time to read。 I can’t wait to read the next adventure these characters go on。 I had the privilege to ARC for my honest tho Jessie Does it again！ Tender Mercies grabs your attention， captivates you， touching emotions and feels from real life。 Touching on forgiveness， Death， long held secret and facing past heartbreak and healing with hope。 Then she leaves you ready and wanting the next book。 Which I think will be the beginning of a new Series。 “ Strawberry Sands” is my guess。 Definitely worth the time to read。 I can’t wait to read the next adventure these characters go on。 I had the privilege to ARC for my honest thoughts。 。。。more
Mimia The Reader
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3。5 stars
SJ Garrison
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I've been so looking forward to this book and it did not disappoint。 Finally， Bev and Bill's story， plus the secret Iva Mae had kept for 40 years。 I did fuss at Bev when she talked about too old to start something with Bill， and I cried when one of my favorite characters passed。 Life goes on， but tears must flow to make room for happiness。 If you like clean inspired stories with real purpose and second chances， you can't go wrong with 'Tender Mercies'。 I highly recommend it。 I received this book I've been so looking forward to this book and it did not disappoint。 Finally， Bev and Bill's story， plus the secret Iva Mae had kept for 40 years。 I did fuss at Bev when she talked about too old to start something with Bill， and I cried when one of my favorite characters passed。 Life goes on， but tears must flow to make room for happiness。 If you like clean inspired stories with real purpose and second chances， you can't go wrong with 'Tender Mercies'。 I highly recommend it。 I received this book from the publisher。 The thoughts and comments are my own。 。。。more
Nancy
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This is such a special series with each story handling some pretty heavy topics。 Blueberry Beach seems to draw people back after they have left with many of them getting a fresh start。 This story reveals secrets that are forty years old as the one holding the secrets is facing terminal cancer。Bev grew up in Blueberry Beach and made some terrible decisions as a teenager。 She became pregnant at fifteen and the baby died shortly after birth。 Believing a lie about her boyfriend caused her to break u This is such a special series with each story handling some pretty heavy topics。 Blueberry Beach seems to draw people back after they have left with many of them getting a fresh start。 This story reveals secrets that are forty years old as the one holding the secrets is facing terminal cancer。Bev grew up in Blueberry Beach and made some terrible decisions as a teenager。 She became pregnant at fifteen and the baby died shortly after birth。 Believing a lie about her boyfriend caused her to break up with him 。 She left Blueberry Beach and became a successful business woman。 But now she's decided to come home after a failed marriage - she just needs to avoid her former boyfriend Bill who still lives in Blueberry Beach。Bill had stayed behind in Blueberry Beach and eventually married and had some children。 His feelings for Bev had never died and when he married he wasn't really in love with his wife。 She wanted to travel and he was happy to run his surf shop and help out people in the town。 She finally left him taking his children with her。 He knows that Bev is uncomfortable around him so he tries to avoid her。When their good friend Iva May asks to meet with both of them- they never imagined the secret she had been keeping from everyone。 A secret that involved both of them。 Iva May was dying from cancer and she wanted to make sure her secret was revealed。 Now her one desire is to see Bev and Bill reconciled。Would Bev and Bill get a second chance as they helped care for Iva May？ Would they decide to make Iva May’s wish come true？I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest unbiased review。 。。。more
Bonnie Theel
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I love all of Jessie's books， but this is one of the best！ It is tissue worthy but also very inspiring。 The secret that was revealed， and the way the characters handled it was amazing。 If you only have time to read one book this week， make this you first choice。 You won't be disappointed。I received a free ARC， and this is my honest opinion。 I love all of Jessie's books， but this is one of the best！ It is tissue worthy but also very inspiring。 The secret that was revealed， and the way the characters handled it was amazing。 If you only have time to read one book this week， make this you first choice。 You won't be disappointed。I received a free ARC， and this is my honest opinion。 。。。more
Demi
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What a heartwarming yet heart wrenching book！ Ivy Mae being the central character。 She brings together Bev， Bill and Kim。 There are secrets revealed and lives transformed！ What a lovely， book full of faith and love！
Tracey Wert
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Even though the books in the Blueberry Beach series can stand alone， we have seen from other stories that Iva May has had a secret。 I have dearly loved her character since the first time we met her because of how she pours into the people around her！ Not to spoil anything， but the secret is a doozy！ However， it is handled with tender mercy just like the book’s title describes。 This is my favorite in the series so far！
Michelle Custer
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 Very good book loved how bev and bill were able to reconnect 40 years later。
Ellen
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4。5 Stars This is a really good ending to this series。 Bill and Bev finally get their chance and we learn a lot more about Iva May。
Sandra Hartzel
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I had an ARC for this book， but this is my voluntary and honest opinion。 Bev， a successful business owner has returned to Blueberry Beach。 Bill runs a local store， but has family money he uses to help people。 Bev and Bill secretly dated as teens。 Iva Mae is dying of cancer and has secrets to share before she goes that directly affect both Bill and Bev， and Iva Mae’s daughter。 A touching and engaging story by Jessie Gussman that explores relationships， cancer， and dying gracefully。 I’d definitely I had an ARC for this book， but this is my voluntary and honest opinion。 Bev， a successful business owner has returned to Blueberry Beach。 Bill runs a local store， but has family money he uses to help people。 Bev and Bill secretly dated as teens。 Iva Mae is dying of cancer and has secrets to share before she goes that directly affect both Bill and Bev， and Iva Mae’s daughter。 A touching and engaging story by Jessie Gussman that explores relationships， cancer， and dying gracefully。 I’d definitely recommend reading this one。 。。。more
Sandy
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Not what I expected as the book was more serious than others of the author’s books。 It showed that we all make mistakes and God uses them for good even 40 years later。 A dying mother， best friends negotiating relationships， and a daughter who made a huge mistake all work together to illustrate that our past mistakes don’t need to repeat themselves in our present or future。 Heartwarming and well worth the read。Received ARC and this is my honest review。
Sharon
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I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review。 A very thought inducing book ， makes you look back at your life and think out the rest you have left。 I thought a lot about my relationship with people and with God。 Definitely recommend！
Lana Burton
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Oh， Jessie Gussman， I believe， may have written one of the most tender books ever！ I literally could not put it down！！ This book is so touching and yes， it is a little bit about death， but more about being joyful to go to Heaven and celebrating the life of the one who is passing away。 This book starts off with a bang and it’s a secret that Iva May has held on to for forty years。 And， if I tell you anything more， I’ll be giving away the book and I don’t want to do that！ It is sooo good， you will Oh， Jessie Gussman， I believe， may have written one of the most tender books ever！ I literally could not put it down！！ This book is so touching and yes， it is a little bit about death， but more about being joyful to go to Heaven and celebrating the life of the one who is passing away。 This book starts off with a bang and it’s a secret that Iva May has held on to for forty years。 And， if I tell you anything more， I’ll be giving away the book and I don’t want to do that！ It is sooo good， you will love it！ You must buy it at once and see what it’s all about; even a later in life romance。 😍😍 I am an ARC reader for this author to read， review， and give my honest opinion。 。。。more
J Young
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It had me crying with sorrow and joy！Iva May is the matriarch of Blueberry Beach; loved and respected by all and in her last days she must put the record straight and reveal a secret that has the power to change lives。 Bill has never wanted more than to be a scuba shop in his beloved town and spend his money and time helping those in need。 His marriage had ended in divorce and he is estranged from his daughters。 His life might have been different if he had married his first and only love。Bev is It had me crying with sorrow and joy！Iva May is the matriarch of Blueberry Beach; loved and respected by all and in her last days she must put the record straight and reveal a secret that has the power to change lives。 Bill has never wanted more than to be a scuba shop in his beloved town and spend his money and time helping those in need。 His marriage had ended in divorce and he is estranged from his daughters。 His life might have been different if he had married his first and only love。Bev is a millionaire many times over after building after business empire but she has never forgotten the boy she loved or the baby she lost。 Iva May has been like a mother to her and Bev will care for her， but can she grant her dying wish？This poignant story of love lost， love found， and God's grace had me crying with sorrow and joy。 I received an advance copy of this book but my review is honest and voluntary。 。。。more
Tamsyn
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