"Beach Lane"

by Sherryl Woods, AF, 2011, Playaway digital audio, 10.5hrs, rating=3

In the close-knit community of Chesapeake Shores, Maryland, Susie O'Brien and Mack Franklin's "not dating" claim befuddles everyone, especially since the two spend every spare minute together. Susie's thrilled when their friendship finally heats up. Then, just when happily-ever-after seems within reach, Mack loses the job he loves and Susie faces a devastating diagnosis.
But O'Briens always unite in a crisis. Even her cousin Jess, Susie's rival for most of their lives, becomes her staunchest supporter—especially when Mack's former lover comes to town. The stakes are higher than ever before, but Susie's definitely up to the challenge…as long as Mack's right there by her side. (Goodreads)

A nice romantic novel.  Two friends on the road to being more, but then future plans were stalled because of personal troubles so the relationship goes to limbo.  The secrets they kept from each other seemed such an unhealthy way to have a future together so it was hard for me to root for them.  But as the story continued, I couldn't help but wish for the couple's success.  I'm a sucker for love that way!

The supporting characters functioned well here. The O'Brien family was a hoot. It was also nice to read Jess's turn of character. It's always a treat to read family working things out. 

My only qualm was that Mack was too perfect (except in the beginning).  Once the secrets were out, Mack did a 360 and everything fell in line.  Nothing rocked the boat for him from then on.  He was supportive, loving, thoughtful, sexy, and just did and said everything right.  Every girls dream!  I guess I just couldn't believe it ... too good to be true kind of thing.  No wonder men are lost.  When they give us perfection, we still question (I'm not the only one, right?).  Anyway, maybe Ms Woods will rattle some bones in the family trip to Ireland in the next installment?

"Home in Carolina"

by Sherryl Woods, The Sweet Magnolias book #5, AF, 2010, Playaway audio, 10hrs, rating=2.5
*Spoiler alert?*

"There's no place like home, especially if it's Serenity, South Carolina. For Annie Sullivan, though, the homecoming is bittersweet. She'd always envisioned a life there with her childhood best friend, Tyler Townsend. But Ty's betrayal has cost her the family and the future they'd once planned.  For Ty, losing Annie was heartbreaking. Still, he can't imagine life without the three-year-old son whose mother left him for Ty to raise. Ty wants it all—Annie, his child and the future he'd dreamed about—and he's back home in Serenity to fight for it. But getting Annie to forgive and
forget may be the hardest challenge he's ever faced. With the stakes so high, this is one game he can't afford to lose." (audio book flap)

I like books set in the South so I picked up this audio book ... again oblivious to the fact that it's the fifth book to a series.  There was nothing in the case/cover stating so (I only found out when I plugged it in at Goodreads), hence, this review reflects my thoughts of this book as a stand alone. 

It was an all right read.  The plot was not particularly original but the emotions was palpable.  I could understand Annie's reservation to distance herself from Ty and Ty's urgency to try to get Annie back.  Of course, Ty had to work hard to convince Annie that he really loves her but just got caught up in the life of a major league baseball player and doing the honorable thing in its consequences ...after all, having groupies was part of that life.  In Ty's case, he had a son to show for it and before he knew it, a child custody battle was ensuing just in time when Ty was trying to woo Annie back.  Thanks to a small town setting, Annie's employer happen to be Ty's mom and it's part of a mom's job and community of friends to butt in ... in a good way of course.  And so you guessed it, ... a chick lit that ends abounding in love.