The Last Beach Bungalow: A Novel

By Jennie Nash

FOR SALE
The last beach bungalow
The owner of this 1928 original bungalow is seeking a buyer with
heart. What would you give – besides money – to live here? Bring
your offers, your stories, and a promise to preserve and protect.
Winner will pay $300,000.
Open house, Saturday 1 to 4

When April Newton sees the beautiful craftsman style cottage mentioned in this ad, she falls completely in love with it. The first problem is that she is not the only one; hundreds of families are vying for a chance to own this bungalow, with its attractive below market asking price, an enormous stone fireplace with Catalina tiles, and a gorgeous ocean view of Redondo Beach. The second problem is that April’s husband is already working on a dream house that he began remodeling five years ago when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Now, April’s cancer is in remission, maybe gone for good, and their new home is nearing completion. How can she tell him about the bungalow? April and Rick have been drifting apart for some time now, partially because of the stress of the move and remodel, and this could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Even if she can persuade Rick to forget the dream house and buy the bungalow instead, how will she convince the owner to choose them over hundreds of other families? Soon, the cozy bungalow begins to represent the kind of life that April dreams about and the dream house is everything she doesn’t want. An interesting story about family, love and choosing not just a house, but a home. The premise is intriguing and the writer uses her own experiences for much of the novel, but the writing is just okay for me.