Lilacs by the Sea

Blue Heron Cottages #5

by Kay Correll

Francine Winters—Frankie to her family and friends—doesn’t know how she got to this point in her life. Her marriage is falling apart. Will moved into the guest bedroom and their marriage is crumbling.

They’re considering a trial separation but haven’t told their grown daughters yet.

Which is too bad because…

The last thing she needs is the surprise family vacation the girls plan.

And to make things worse? They planned it at the very place she and Will had honeymooned. A celebration for their fortieth anniversary.

Frankie is sure she can make it through this. It’s only one week, right? Then they’ll tell their daughters the truth.

But a lot can happen when you come to stay at Blue Heron Cottages…

Lilacs by the Sea is book five in the Blue Heron Cottages series. The book can be read as a standalone or pop back to book one, Memories of the Beach, and binge the series. From a USA Today Bestselling Author. Grab Lilacs by the Sea and dive into this feel-good beach read.



Memories of the Beach

Walks along the Shore

Bookshop near the Coast

Restaurant on the Wharf

Lilacs by the Sea

Genres: Romance

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 13, 2023

About the author

Kay Correll is a USA Today bestselling author of sweet, heartwarming stories that are a cross between women’s fiction and contemporary romance. She is known for her charming small towns, quirky townsfolk, and the enduring strong friendships between the women in her books.

Kay splits her time between the Southwest coast of Florida and the Midwest of the U.S. and can often be found out and about with her camera, taking a myriad of photographs, often incorporating them into her book covers. When not lost in her writing or photography, she can be found spending time with her ever-supportive husband, knitting, or playing with her puppies - a cavalier who is too cute for his own good and a naughty but adorable Australian shepherd. Their five boys are all grown now and while she misses the rowdy boy-noise chaos, she is thoroughly enjoying her empty nest years.

Reviews

[Tammie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was probably my least favorite book of the series, but that doesn't mean it was bad. I was still pretty glued to this one, even though the character Frankie really annoyed me at times. She jumped to some big conclusions and instead of confronting her husband about what she thought she saw, she assumed it was true and wouldn't talk to him. I think what really annoyed me about her is that after she made up her mind it was true, she then went and told her daughter about it and upset her with it. Ugh! Not good! But as I said I was still pretty glued to this book and there were enough good things about it to sort of make up for that part.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is very good because each book has different topics that people go through in life. Frankie, a wife and mother, feels like her marriage is over. She’s in a place of feeling unwanted and unloved. Her grown daughters have no idea what is happening with their parents and plans a surprise party. Life throws Frankie some curve balls and she must decide what she really wants from her marriage. Good read!!

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Francine and Will Winters are going on a family vacation with their two daughters to Blue Heron Cottages, where Forty yrs ago, the couple spent their Honeymoon. Their girls set this all up and have a big surprise for their parents. They have invited their close family friends and are giving them a surprise 40th wedding anniversary party, vow renewal and all. But Frankie and Will have a surprise for the girls. What will happen when the secrets come out and will this family and will this family be able to deal with the fallout. Can Frankie and Will put their lives back together. Can the magic they felt at Blue Heron Cottages 40 yrs ago put the magic back in their marriage??

This was a beautiful and heartfelt book. A marriage that was in trouble and a woman who didn't know how to express her thoughts and desires to a man she loves, but feels invisible in her own life. The characters were great. You also got more of Ethan and Melody and will Ethan finally ask out Melody. And of course Violet is here to greet her guest and give them a great vacation destination and Rose the women who keeps extending her holiday at Blue Heron Cottages. Like Frankie and Will, she has wonderful memories too of time spent there with a loved one. And her advice never steers a guest who asked for her advice wrong. So make sure this is a must read on your TBR list. You will get a warm and happy feeling when you finish and it will make you want to book a reservation at Blue Heron Cottages.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fifth book in the Blue Heron Cottages series is one that I truly enjoyed. I have continued to fall in love with the characters from this series, as well as some new characters in this new story.

Will and Frankie are empty nesters who haven't told their grown daughters that their marriage appears to be disintegrating. Unbeknownst to them, their daughters have organized a family vacation and a surprise celebration for their 40th wedding anniversary at the same location they spent their honeymoon. Even if the cottages have undergone a name change and updates since then, they nevertheless evoke many pleasant memories. How will they get through this week, and will a miscommunication lead to the breakdown of their marriage?

This is a wonderful tale of rekindled love, understanding, and family. It makes me want to travel to Blue Heron Cottages because I adore this series. There are some excellent characters, and the author is skilled at crafting a compelling narrative that keeps you turning the pages. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have loved the prior books in this series but this one fell a little flat for me. It was very predictable.

Amazon synopsis:
Francine Winters—Frankie to her family and friends—doesn’t know how she got to this point in her life. Her marriage is falling apart. Will moved into the guest bedroom and their marriage is crumbling.

They’re considering a trial separation but haven’t told their grown daughters yet. Which is too bad because…The last thing she needs is the surprise family vacation the girls plan.

And to make things worse? They planned it at the very place she and Will had honeymooned. A celebration for their fortieth anniversary.

Frankie is sure she can make it through this. It’s only one week, right? Then they’ll tell their daughters the truth.

But a lot can happen when you come to stay at Blue Heron Cottages…

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

not my favorite

I think because this started off with a LOT of miscommunication, assumptions, and even lies- it was not my favorite. Perhaps also because it was so much more like the real world where, too many times, we do not communicate how we feel, assume, and lie, or simply not tell the whole truth, leading to more miscommunication and assumptions. I skimmed the book mostly because I wanted to get to the next one. I want to keep reading Kay Correll’s writing but I think I could have skipped this one.

[Linda Vermillion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok read

I was not a big fan of the main character. So many times I just wanted someone to smack her upside the head. I am just getting tired of whiny women in these books. I want happy uplifting characters. Where have they gone?

[Diane Morrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read but they all are. I'm really enjoying this series. I liked all the characters and the plot though difficult, was a lesson in communication. Looking forward to reading the next installment.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story but Frankie certainly exhibited jumping to conclusions as an art form. Her character also showed the importance of talking things out with important people in our lives who may not realize how much we are hurting. Loved it!

[Pauline Carnley · Rating 5 out of 5]

this story was spot on!!!!! perfect age story

Bring around this age as well, helps me appreciate the place they were at and how easily you can get there in life. Live in every beautiful moment.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Liked this one the least in the series so far. Didn't like Frankie (the main character) at all. She was too whiney and a total drama queen the entire book. Found her incredibly annoying and unlikeable.

[Margaret Schiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love trumps all

So glad to enjoy another story of older characters. It’s a pleasure to see that misunderstandings can be overcome. 💕💕💕

[Edwina Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book. I enjoyed it. It was a bit depressing at the beginning, but finally started to grow happy. It had a happy ending.

[etta hardin · Rating 5 out of 5]

waiting on book 6

This was a quick read because I couldn’t put it down. Kay Correll did an amazing job keeping her readers on the edge of their seats until
the end of the story! I definitely recommend this series! Thanks Kay Correll

[Karen Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished Lilacs by the Sea. This book touched my heart. I love how the story flowed. Family, love, and forgiveness all come out in this book. Kay, this book was very moving.

[Barbara Bolding · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book

I loved Stacey she reminds me of of my youngest sister. Can not make a decision lol. Can’t wait to get to book number six.

[Donna Peake · Rating 4 out of 5]

2 of my favorite things Lilacs and the beach. I will read another in this series.

[Teresa Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love these quick reads! The characters are all wonderful and I just feel good reading this series.

[Josephine Cardone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A smile on my face

The story of Frankie & Will was great. .ade me think of my own romances and that special person in my life. I can hardly wait to read more from Kay.

[BECKY · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book