Series Review: Rosemary Beach by Abbi Glines

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

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SERIESous’ Top Book Series: Favourite New Adult Series, Favourite Author
Series: Rosemary Beach + Too Far; Perfection; Chances Series
Author: Abbi Glines
# of Books: 14 (See All Books + Reading Order Here)

There are also a number of novellas. See the reading order and list here.

Book Order: Chronological but connected
Complete?: Yes
Genre: New Adult, Romance, Drama, Contemporary
Heat Rating: hot
Point of View: First Person, Single (The Too Far Series), Alternating (Twisted Perfection onwards)
Publication Dates: December 2012 – ongoing
Source & Format: Own–eBooks + Public Library–eBooks & Paperbacks

I decided to create one homepage for this series because I realized that there are quite a few more books that are going to be published (yay!) in this series that are technically classified as “Rosemary Beach” and not by a spin-off series title.
That being said…

This review post will begin to review books 9+ in the Rosemary Beach Series (so anything after You Were Mine). If you have not read books 1-8 this page may have some spoilers.

Read reviews for books 1-4 (Too Far Series) here

Read reviews for books 5-6 (Perfection Series) here

Read reviews for books 7-8 (Chances Series) here

Alrighty, now that that is all out of the way…

–December 17, 2014– Book 9: You Were Mine

You Were Mine is probably a novel that readers of the series have been waiting for since Fallen too Far–I know I have. And my anticipation for this book increased incrementally after Simple Perfection and the CRAZY twist we get. And after reading it, I have to say that it is the perfect answer to all fans’ wants. Thankfully, the story isn’t dragged out into two books and sticks to the one. It’s heart-breaking, sweet and just a great addition to the series.

–April 22, 2015– Book 10: When I’m Gone

I walked through rain, hail and sunshine to get When You’re Gone–I’m not lying! We had the weirdest weather when I left to go pick this book up! So despite it being in the thick of exams AND already having 2 books on the go, I finished this book in day. It was really addicting because it was a such a sweet romance! I loved Reese’s story and how she was trying to find herself after years of abuse and working with her learning disorder. And her hero (I don’t want to give away exactly who he is for those not yet reading the series) was the perfect compliment for her. Though I don’t love the alpha male tendencies it wasn’t overwhelming and he really did let her work through her issues on her own when it came down to it. Of course, there were some dramatics but they weren’t anything new (ie unexpected) to the series–it’s your regular antics but it was still fun to read! I’m looking forward to their story wrap up in the next book, When You’re Back.

–August 1, 2015– Book 11: When You’re Back

When You’re Back has to be my least favourite book in the series. I was expecting a completely different plotline with this book given how the previous book ended

–one that emphasized character growth and not just jealous inducing situations. I’m tired of sequel books where the leads are the most desirable people in the world that everyone wants to bang, regardless of the fact that they are in a committed relationship with someone. Because when that is the case, the leads to communicate and the entire plotline becomes something that could have been prevented if they had just SAID THEIR FEELINGS!

I just felt like this book went in the wrong direction. I felt like I had been there, done that with this book so I was really disappointed in it. It was a good bridge for the next two books–and I will admit there was one great twist–but overall, it was sub-par at best.

–January 23, 2016– Book 12: The Perfect Goodbye

I was really curious to see what would be in store Captain in this book. He definitely isn’t a favourite character of mine but the bits and pieces I knew about him had me more than a little anxious to see what Abbi had in store for him.

I have to say that I enjoyed this book a lot more than When You’re Back. The execution and flow was simply much stronger than the previous instalment. I liked the back story we got for each character and how it made me love their characters even more. They were also stronger characters individually can while I found myself frustrated with them at times, knowing their past and what was happening, I found it easier to understand and look past it.

However, I thought the ending was rushed. Everything wrapped up too quickly but at the same time, I’m glad it won’t be dragged into a sequel book. At the same time, I made me excited for the very last novel, Up in Flames by dropping a few little hints…I can’t wait for this grand finale!

–August 11, 2016– Book 13: Up in Flames

The grande finale is here! I’ve been waiting for this story since book 1…and it wasn’t entirely what I was expecting.

I gotta give Glines credit here: this story is unlike anything else we’ve seen in this series. It’s perhaps a bit of a risk but it kept me curious to see how everything would fall into place. I’ve found the last few novels to be very similar to each other, and while enjoyable, I wasn’t overly impressed.

But this one was different. It grew on me as I read and I got into the story more and more. And by the end, it had won me over.

I dunno how else you could have concluded this story–and this series–but Glines does a great job! I’m going to miss this series!

–March 28, 2024– Book 14: Going too Far

I went into this cautiously. I was content with the way the series wrapped up in Up in Flames (#13) but I was curious about our lead for this one. It was a nice bonus story of sorts.

This book encapsulates the emotional vibes and drama of the Rosemary Beach series: innate connections, lusty attraction and forbidden romance. This romance for me didn’t completely win me over. I liked parts of it but other parts just didn’t fully add up for me by the end.
But I enjoyed watching these two find the balance in each other.

Series Rating: 4/5

One the best and one of my personal favourite New Adult Series. Full of swoon-worthy guys, drama and great heroines–a must read for any New Adult fan!

Read if You Like: soap opera like drama, hot new adult romances
Avoid if You: don’t like some alpha male tendencies, new adult novels

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Synopsis of Fallen too Far (from Goodreads.com):
To want what you’re not supposed to have…

She is only nineteen.

She is his new stepfather’s daughter.

She is still naïve and innocent due to spending the last three years taking care of her sick mother.

But for twenty-four year old Rush Finlay, she is the only thing that has ever been off limits. His famous father’s guilt money, his mother’s desperation to win his love, and his charm are the three reasons he has never been told no.

Blaire Wynn left her small farmhouse in Alabama, after her mother passed away, to move in with her father and his new wife in their sprawling beach house along the Florida gulf coast. She isn’t prepared for the lifestyle change and she knows she’ll never fit into this world. Then there is her sexy stepbrother who her father leaves her with for the summer while he runs off to Paris with his wife. Rush is as spoiled as he is gorgeous. He is also getting under her skin. She knows he is anything but good for her and that he’ll never be faithful to anyone. He is jaded and has secrets Blaire knows she may never uncover but even knowing all of that…

Blaire just may have fallen too far.