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Bachelors of Blueberry Cove #3
Sandpiper Island
Ford Maddox was running from his past when he came back to Blueberry Cove, Maine, where he'd tasted both heartache and comfort. With feisty Delia O'Reilly there to cheer him on, he couldn't have picked a better place to start over—even if he's determined to do it alone in his island tree house, working to save endangered seabirds . . . and himself.
But when he finds Delia fighting to hold on to her local diner, and all that's best about their little seaside town, Ford has to lend a hand. Suddenly two fiercely independent people are building something sweeter than they ever imagined . . . together.
DIY is so much better with two...
Includes an easy do-it-yourself restoration project!
But when he finds Delia fighting to hold on to her local diner, and all that's best about their little seaside town, Ford has to lend a hand. Suddenly two fiercely independent people are building something sweeter than they ever imagined . . . together.
DIY is so much better with two...
Includes an easy do-it-yourself restoration project!
336 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2014
252 people are currently reading
874 people want to read
About the author
Donna Kauffman
147 books1,798 followersUSA Today bestseller and award winning author of the Cupcake Club series and the Blueberry Cove series, DONNA KAUFFMAN has been gratified to see her books get rave reviews in venues ranging from Kirkus Reviews and Library Journal to Entertainment Weekly and Cosmopolitan. She lives in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in southwestern Virginia, where she is happily working on the next book in her brand new Blue Hollow Falls series, set right in her mountain home area. When she's not writing, she can be found recapping the popular tv show NCIS for USA Today, or escaping into her garden to play in the dirt. Donna also works as a volunteer wildlife transporter for two local sanctuaries, giving orphaned and injured wildlife a second chance at survival. You can catch up on all of her adventures via her author page on Facebook, or on Twitter, or Instagram @writerchick. Donna loves to hear from readers!
Donna Kauffman passed away on April 9, 2020 of pancreatic cancer.
Donna Kauffman passed away on April 9, 2020 of pancreatic cancer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
October 7, 2014
My reviews of the first two books in this series are similar, this one remains the same. I liked the characters and the setting but those inner dialogues! By the time I got to this book (I'm reading all 3 books back to back) I started just skipping the inner dialogues and quite frankly I don't think I missed much of the story. I like this author's characters and story lines, it will take some consideration whether or not I continue to read her books. It's not a bad style of writing, I can see how some people may like all the details. It's just not a style of writing that I enjoy right now.
June 6, 2022
After reading Half Moon Harbor, the story of Ford's sister Grace, I couldn't wait to delve into Ford's book. Ford made his first visit to Blueberry Cove many years earlier when he accompanied the body of his friend and battle-buddy home after Tommy was killed. He and Tommy's sister, Delia, shared a night of passion fueled by their mutual grief. Then Ford returned to duty.
When Ford left the military, he was looking for someplace where he could be alone and at peace. He was drawn back to Blueberry Cove and specifically to Sandpiper Island. He earned his doctorate and became a bird biologist, working with endangered seabirds. Haunted by the memories of his past, Ford keeps his emotions locked down, refusing to care for anyone to protect his heart. Ford spends most of his time on the island, where he lives in an awesome treehouse complex and devotes his time to the birds. Then Grace calls to tell him that Delia's diner is in trouble and asks him to help her. Try as he might to ignore the request, telling himself that it's none of his business, Ford's protective instincts kick in, and he heads for the Cove.
Delia has lived in Blueberry Cove all her life. She spent hours at the diner with her grandmother while growing up and worked there as she grew older. Over the years, Delia has lost everyone she ever loved and has walled her heart away in fear of losing someone else she loves. The diner and her customers are the closest things she has to family. Now a local millionaire wants the land her diner occupies for his yacht club, and she is in danger of losing everything. She doesn't know what she'll do without the diner, but she doesn't know what she can or should do about it.
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Ford and Delia develop. They've been friends of a sort for thirteen years, ever since Ford's return. They never speak of that night and ignore the attraction that still exists between them, though Delia can't claim she never thinks about it. In fact, it pops into her mind at inconvenient times. When Ford shows up unexpectedly, offering to help, her pride kicks in, and she sends him away. She brought the problem on herself and will deal with it, whatever she decides to do. Ford has trouble accepting that and goes looking for help on how to help her. I loved his visit to Eula and her shop. Her advice to Ford is spot-on, as are her eye-opening comments about his attitude. I laughed out loud at her remarks about him and her tree.
I loved the interactions between Ford and Delia, as he fought to help her, and she fought to keep him at a distance. I loved how Ford eventually accepted her refusal of help but still managed to be there when she needed him. He comforted and cared for her when she needed it and stood behind her when that was all she would allow. My favorite part is when Delia goes with Ford to rescue a baby puffin. Not only did I love their teamwork and seeing their walls begin to dissolve, but I also learned a few things about the Atlantic Puffin. Dropping their walls also gave the sparks between them the opportunity to ignite and their hearts to open. I liked how those few hours away from her troubles helped Delia identify her needs.
Their stay on the island ended abruptly with distressing news from the diner. Delia has been at a disadvantage because millionaire Brooks Winstock has more money and an in with the town council. Though the initial problem with the lease is Delia's fault, Winstock shows no care for town traditions. I still don't like him and his daughter and son-in-law, who are all entitled creeps. When the mayor and council pull an incredibly sneaky move, one of Delia's employees rallies the troops. I liked the ending scene, as Delia does some rallying of her own to force accountability. Fortunately, Grace comes up with the perfect solution to Delia's problem.
When Ford left the military, he was looking for someplace where he could be alone and at peace. He was drawn back to Blueberry Cove and specifically to Sandpiper Island. He earned his doctorate and became a bird biologist, working with endangered seabirds. Haunted by the memories of his past, Ford keeps his emotions locked down, refusing to care for anyone to protect his heart. Ford spends most of his time on the island, where he lives in an awesome treehouse complex and devotes his time to the birds. Then Grace calls to tell him that Delia's diner is in trouble and asks him to help her. Try as he might to ignore the request, telling himself that it's none of his business, Ford's protective instincts kick in, and he heads for the Cove.
Delia has lived in Blueberry Cove all her life. She spent hours at the diner with her grandmother while growing up and worked there as she grew older. Over the years, Delia has lost everyone she ever loved and has walled her heart away in fear of losing someone else she loves. The diner and her customers are the closest things she has to family. Now a local millionaire wants the land her diner occupies for his yacht club, and she is in danger of losing everything. She doesn't know what she'll do without the diner, but she doesn't know what she can or should do about it.
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Ford and Delia develop. They've been friends of a sort for thirteen years, ever since Ford's return. They never speak of that night and ignore the attraction that still exists between them, though Delia can't claim she never thinks about it. In fact, it pops into her mind at inconvenient times. When Ford shows up unexpectedly, offering to help, her pride kicks in, and she sends him away. She brought the problem on herself and will deal with it, whatever she decides to do. Ford has trouble accepting that and goes looking for help on how to help her. I loved his visit to Eula and her shop. Her advice to Ford is spot-on, as are her eye-opening comments about his attitude. I laughed out loud at her remarks about him and her tree.
I loved the interactions between Ford and Delia, as he fought to help her, and she fought to keep him at a distance. I loved how Ford eventually accepted her refusal of help but still managed to be there when she needed him. He comforted and cared for her when she needed it and stood behind her when that was all she would allow. My favorite part is when Delia goes with Ford to rescue a baby puffin. Not only did I love their teamwork and seeing their walls begin to dissolve, but I also learned a few things about the Atlantic Puffin. Dropping their walls also gave the sparks between them the opportunity to ignite and their hearts to open. I liked how those few hours away from her troubles helped Delia identify her needs.
Their stay on the island ended abruptly with distressing news from the diner. Delia has been at a disadvantage because millionaire Brooks Winstock has more money and an in with the town council. Though the initial problem with the lease is Delia's fault, Winstock shows no care for town traditions. I still don't like him and his daughter and son-in-law, who are all entitled creeps. When the mayor and council pull an incredibly sneaky move, one of Delia's employees rallies the troops. I liked the ending scene, as Delia does some rallying of her own to force accountability. Fortunately, Grace comes up with the perfect solution to Delia's problem.
November 19, 2014
Title: Sandpiper Island
Author: Donna Kauffman
Publisher: Kensington
Series: Bachelors of Blueberry Cove # 3
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4.5
Review:
"Sandpiper Island" by Donna Kauffman
Book Description....
Ford Maddox was running from his past when he came back to Blueberry Cove, Maine, where he'd tasted both heartache and comfort. With feisty Delia O'Reilly there to cheer him on, he couldn't have picked a better place to start over—even if he's determined to do it alone in his island tree house, working to save endangered seabirds . . . and himself.
But when he finds Delia fighting to hold on to her local diner, and all that's best about their little seaside town, Ford has to lend a hand. Suddenly two fiercely independent people are building something sweeter than they ever imagined . . . together.
DIY is so much better with two...
Includes an easy do-it-yourself restoration project!
What I liked about this novel....
This novel may have started out somewhat slow but it does pick up here in Blueberry Clove where you will not want to put it down until the end. Ford and Delia were in their 40's and I liked the couples being of a older bunch of folks for this romantic read setting in the small town of Maine called Sandpiper Island.
Ford had met earlier while in the military and he had the 'unenviable task of bringing back Delia's brother after he was killed in service to his country. It was then when after one night of passion they had shared then Ford returns to the military service. After much time as passed Ford (ex -Military) is now working for a conservation projected in Sandpiper Island which really brought out to this island regarding the study of the species of birds in this contemporary romance read. All of this was brought out so well by this author in the read and especially with Ford being so 'stoic and self contained' living in a 'tree house' on this island. Would Ford and Delia be able to get passed what had happened in the past that it was only one night when they were just helping each other during such a trying time in their lives? Will Ford live his hibernation on this island to help his sister and Delia's diner from this developed who was after Delia's land even though she didn't want his help? This storyline will keep you reading as this author gives us such well developed, defined, colorful and believable characters as many twist and turns come forth. I loved how these two main characters were finally able to 'rediscover things about themselves while experiencing the magic that was in Sandpiper Island.'
"Sandpiper Island" was definitely one of those 'Bachelors of Blueberry Cove' series that I wasn't able to put down due to the fact I wanted to find out what had happened and I am so glad I did. In the end one of my favorite parts was the 'Atlantic Puffin' rescue scene which proved to be quite a interesting read giving the reader a real breathtaking scenes along with some wonderful people with some realistic issues and yes, even struggles lived with from day to day. It was very interesting seeing Ford and Delia become friends again, then lovers and in the end true love was showed...wow what a read! After the novel this author has put at her ...how to "Create Your Own Indoor Miniature Water Garden" that I found most fascinating!
August 2, 2014
I received a copy of this book for review from NetGalley .
Ford works for a conservation project - ensuring that the breeding birds get the best chance at survival. He has constructed a WONDERFUL sounding tree house complex with living quarters, offices and 'sick bays' for the birds.
Dee runs the local diner that is in danger of closure because a yachting club wants the land it is built on. She receives an eviction notice and isn't sure where her future will lead her. She can't afford to take on the yachting club and local dignitaries- but she's built up a loyal customer base over 20 years and doesn't want to have to move.
After a brief relationship as youngsters Dee and Ford are struggling to deny their feelings and this book follows their new romance. She goes over to his tree house complex and helps save a fledgling puffin.
I absolutely loved the characters in the book and was willing them to get together and find a happy future for the diner. I will definately look for more books in this series and others by this author. They transport you to the beautiful setting.
Ford works for a conservation project - ensuring that the breeding birds get the best chance at survival. He has constructed a WONDERFUL sounding tree house complex with living quarters, offices and 'sick bays' for the birds.
Dee runs the local diner that is in danger of closure because a yachting club wants the land it is built on. She receives an eviction notice and isn't sure where her future will lead her. She can't afford to take on the yachting club and local dignitaries- but she's built up a loyal customer base over 20 years and doesn't want to have to move.
After a brief relationship as youngsters Dee and Ford are struggling to deny their feelings and this book follows their new romance. She goes over to his tree house complex and helps save a fledgling puffin.
I absolutely loved the characters in the book and was willing them to get together and find a happy future for the diner. I will definately look for more books in this series and others by this author. They transport you to the beautiful setting.
March 6, 2015
I wanted to like this book. It seemed like a book I would like. Instead, I muddled through the first two chapters and then decided to put it down. For reference, I rarely stop in the middle of a book. Even if it's terrible. The writing in this book was pretty unbearable and I will not be reading this author again.
June 5, 2020
Delia O’Rielly, a natural caretaker, and Ford Maddox, a natural protector, help heal each other’s souls in more ways than one in Sandpiper Island, the last of the Bachelors of Blueberry Cove series.
Ford, living off-the-grid in a sustainable tree house on a remote island dedicated to providing a safe habitat for seabirds and other animals, has embraced a loner’s lifestyle for the past thirteen years. With over a decade of detachment from emotions and human beings he cares for, he returns to the mainland to help longtime friend Delia rescue her diner from the greedy hands of Brooks Winstock. A staple to Blueberry Cove and it’s residents, Delia’s Diner occupies prime waterfront property, and the building of an upscale yacht club threatens everything Delia has ever known. Historic Half Moon Harbor, home to hard-working residents like fishermen and shipyard workers, is an unlikely spot for such a luxurious place. Despite three centuries of humble town history, the Winstocks are relentless for change, and Delia’s Diner remaining open would supposedly be a hinderence to their plans for “growth” in the town.
Not only did Kauffman incorporate politics into the story, but we also received some science lessons as we learned about the Atlantic Puffin (Google them immediately, they are ADORABLE) and their migratory and mating patterns. Reading Ford and Delia’s story was not only heartwarming, but wholesome, and the ending certainly filled me with warm fuzzies.
“...seeing as the only way she’d ever keep Ford Maddox from invading her dreams now was quite simply to never go to sleep again.”
“He’d seen her at so many levels of awful by now, crazy hair was the least of her worries.”
“She laughed outright at that and, as her laughter always did, it caught at that place in his heart that was hers.”
Ford, living off-the-grid in a sustainable tree house on a remote island dedicated to providing a safe habitat for seabirds and other animals, has embraced a loner’s lifestyle for the past thirteen years. With over a decade of detachment from emotions and human beings he cares for, he returns to the mainland to help longtime friend Delia rescue her diner from the greedy hands of Brooks Winstock. A staple to Blueberry Cove and it’s residents, Delia’s Diner occupies prime waterfront property, and the building of an upscale yacht club threatens everything Delia has ever known. Historic Half Moon Harbor, home to hard-working residents like fishermen and shipyard workers, is an unlikely spot for such a luxurious place. Despite three centuries of humble town history, the Winstocks are relentless for change, and Delia’s Diner remaining open would supposedly be a hinderence to their plans for “growth” in the town.
Not only did Kauffman incorporate politics into the story, but we also received some science lessons as we learned about the Atlantic Puffin (Google them immediately, they are ADORABLE) and their migratory and mating patterns. Reading Ford and Delia’s story was not only heartwarming, but wholesome, and the ending certainly filled me with warm fuzzies.
“...seeing as the only way she’d ever keep Ford Maddox from invading her dreams now was quite simply to never go to sleep again.”
“He’d seen her at so many levels of awful by now, crazy hair was the least of her worries.”
“She laughed outright at that and, as her laughter always did, it caught at that place in his heart that was hers.”
August 29, 2022
Life really got in the way of this one for me. I was supposed to start it on 08/22 but never even picked it up until 08/24 and then it took me five days to finish.
It isn't the books fault, mostly.
Life is just good and crazy and I am going through these spurts of tons of reading time, squeezing some in here and there to no reading time at all.
I definitely had to squeeze this one in. Like I said, good and crazy life, but I also feel like the story was just kind of meandering on and nothing was really happening, story wise or romance wise so it was easy to fill my time with something else, well, exciting.
The story, at its core was good. I get it. Former Soldier and all that comes with it and a business owner who never saw a life aside from that. All of that was good and it was lovely to see these two lonely people overcome fears and become new, but that was so much of the story it took away from what I thought the story was about. I wanted to know about the diner. What was going to happen. I wanted a little more in the romance department sooner than the end. I just didn't want so much time in their heads. Really, it seemed that everyone else was doing something except the two main characters.
Oh, oh. I love birding and I loved that part of this story. Even if it took up a a lot of the space too.
So yeah, life was in the way but I think the story also got in its own way too.
I do love how it turned out and once the two of them got together it was super sweet and yes, super hot.
So, good stuff, it just took me a long time to get through.
I'm sorry this was the end of the series and when I looked that up, I am even more sorry to see that Donna Kauffman is not with us any longer. Very sad to hear that news.
It isn't the books fault, mostly.
Life is just good and crazy and I am going through these spurts of tons of reading time, squeezing some in here and there to no reading time at all.
I definitely had to squeeze this one in. Like I said, good and crazy life, but I also feel like the story was just kind of meandering on and nothing was really happening, story wise or romance wise so it was easy to fill my time with something else, well, exciting.
The story, at its core was good. I get it. Former Soldier and all that comes with it and a business owner who never saw a life aside from that. All of that was good and it was lovely to see these two lonely people overcome fears and become new, but that was so much of the story it took away from what I thought the story was about. I wanted to know about the diner. What was going to happen. I wanted a little more in the romance department sooner than the end. I just didn't want so much time in their heads. Really, it seemed that everyone else was doing something except the two main characters.
Oh, oh. I love birding and I loved that part of this story. Even if it took up a a lot of the space too.
So yeah, life was in the way but I think the story also got in its own way too.
I do love how it turned out and once the two of them got together it was super sweet and yes, super hot.
So, good stuff, it just took me a long time to get through.
I'm sorry this was the end of the series and when I looked that up, I am even more sorry to see that Donna Kauffman is not with us any longer. Very sad to hear that news.
May 11, 2022
Ford Maddox and Delia O'Reillyhave both had tragic lives and are loners despite their roles in the Blueberry Cove community. Delia runs the local diner and is a fixture in the community for the fishermen, tourists and everyone in the area serving them comfort food and offering a friendly atmosphere. Ford was in the military with Delia's brother and came home with his body after he perished in battle. He made a connection with Delia that brought him back to the Cove when he left the military. He got a doctorate degree and settled on Sandpiper Island as the resident scientist of the birds that lived there. When Delia's livelihood is threatened, Ford reaches out to help and they open their hearts to new possibilities.
September 9, 2020
Bachelors of Blueberry Cove #3
I read the spinoff series – Brides of Blueberry Cove – before discovering this series, which is actually its predecessor. Had I known I would've read them in the correct order. These are fun and enjoyable reads. Nothing too heavy, and eventually they all get their happily ever after… Though it may not be the one they initially thought they'd get.
I'd also like to say that even though these books will not go on my reread shelf, they were still worth the read. Enjoy!
Read:
September 8-9, 2020 – Audible Premium Plus
I read the spinoff series – Brides of Blueberry Cove – before discovering this series, which is actually its predecessor. Had I known I would've read them in the correct order. These are fun and enjoyable reads. Nothing too heavy, and eventually they all get their happily ever after… Though it may not be the one they initially thought they'd get.
I'd also like to say that even though these books will not go on my reread shelf, they were still worth the read. Enjoy!
Read:
September 8-9, 2020 – Audible Premium Plus
December 3, 2017
I loved this story in this series of Blueberry Cove. Ford has issues he is trying to work through and with the help of family and friends of the small town he is learning how to cope. Delia has dealt with
some tragic of her own but the small town helps her in getting her life back on track. It is a stand alone read so you don't need to read the first two in the series to enjoy Ford and Delia's story.
some tragic of her own but the small town helps her in getting her life back on track. It is a stand alone read so you don't need to read the first two in the series to enjoy Ford and Delia's story.
June 30, 2019
This was a great book! I loved the details about the birds on the island that Ford is helping, and his tree house sounds amazing! Being the loner he is, it was quite a big step for him to go into town and offer to help Delia save her diner from the shady business man who has his sights on the property. They have a one-night history, but haven’t had much contact in the 20 years since. Opening up to each other, then the townspeople rallying around Delia, made for an interesting story, and Ford’s sister Grace found the solution to save the day.
July 27, 2019
The hero is the reclusive bird biologist brother of an earlier heroine. The heroine is the scrappy owner of the local diner. The bad guy wants to take her diner property for a yacht club, which really doesn't suit the blue-collar fishing town Blueberry Cove has always been. Much of the story is angst about their issues. It's good stuff. I liked it.
February 14, 2025
This book was Amazing. It was so touching and heartwarming. The township and backup Delia had to save her diner was Awesome. Again... Cami, her husband and her father...... They are a piece of work. Delia and Ford were soul mates. They were brought together by her brother for sure. I really enjoyed this book. I'll keep reading.
January 16, 2018
This is the third in the Bachelors of Blueberry Cove and like the Brides and other Bachelors books I quite enjoyed it and all of the different characters. I did read the series is the wrong order as the Bachelors series comes first.
May 27, 2018
Good read
I enjoyed reading this book. The friends and family members who have been at work for everyone to see. Enjoyed the thoughts and feelings of the town. They sure came out for a good cause helping one of their own.
I enjoyed reading this book. The friends and family members who have been at work for everyone to see. Enjoyed the thoughts and feelings of the town. They sure came out for a good cause helping one of their own.
August 21, 2017
Best of the series. So much more took place than the first two books. Interesting characters, surprising story line. Good guys and bad guys (and girl).
December 14, 2017
Do not wish to revew.
A b c d e f g h I k l m n o p q r s t u v
A b c d e f g h I k l m n o p q r s t u v
February 3, 2018
Ford and Delia
This was a great romance where two people who had known each other were relying only on themselves. When a situation occurs they eventually need to help each other.
This was a great romance where two people who had known each other were relying only on themselves. When a situation occurs they eventually need to help each other.
March 10, 2018
Loved the ecological bent of this novel.
April 3, 2018
Enjoyed. Goodwriting reading next book
October 2, 2019
This was my favorite of the Bachelors of Blueberry Cove. Dee and Ford are perfect for each other. Rescuing the baby puffin just sealed the deal.
July 25, 2020
This one took a really long time to get its sea legs ( like half the book.) It ended with the kind of quality writing that has kept me reading her books.
October 3, 2020
A sweet and enjoyable wrap up to the "Bachelors of Blueberry Cove" trilogy.
January 7, 2021
Not as good as the others in this series but still good. Audible
April 12, 2021
Pretty good read. I liked the characters, but I was glad when it came to an end.
April 29, 2021
Sweet & loved the ending but not my favorite in the series.
I do love the treehouse, city banding together, Puffin fledgling, and of course the ending.
I do love the treehouse, city banding together, Puffin fledgling, and of course the ending.
June 1, 2024
Will post the review soon
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2025
Hard to get started, but it got better and better. Good Read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews