Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Blueberry Bay #1

The Cottage on Blueberry Bay

Rate this book
Meredith, a 50-year-old divorcee, embarks on a journey full of self-discovery, healing, and unexpected love. Amazon #1 bestselling author, Ellen Joy, delivers a delightful start to a heartwarming family saga.

Meredith can’t wait to rid herself of the beach cottage she just inherited from her estranged father. But after visiting the charming beach town with her sister, she becomes intrigued as untold details about her family and childhood come to light.

As a kindhearted widower, and other friendly locals, help Meredith discover the missing pieces of her past, she begins to question what she really wants for her future. She can’t imagine not going back home to her life with her step-father and kids. But, the warm embrace of Blueberry Bay has her thinking it’s the perfect place for a fresh start. Is there a way she can have it all?

If you enjoy clean, heartwarming stories with a happily-ever-after, then grab the first book of this beach romance series!

295 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 25, 2023

1313 people are currently reading
341 people want to read

About the author

Ellen Joy

38 books111 followers
Ellen lives in a small town in New England, between the Atlantic Ocean and the White Mountains. She lives with her husband, two sons, and one very spoiled puppy princess.

Ellen writes in the early morning hours before her family wakes up. When she's not writing, you can find her spending time with her family, gardening with her puppy and chickens, or headed to the beach. She loves summer and flip-flops, running on a dirt country road, and a sweet love song.

All of her stories are clean romances where families are close, neighbors are nosy, and the couples are destined for each other.

Join Ellen Joy's newsletter to connect with Ellen and receive updates!

http://www.ellenjoyauthor.com

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
1,203 (64%)
4 stars
483 (25%)
3 stars
157 (8%)
2 stars
21 (1%)
1 star
7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
2 reviews
November 30, 2023
I loved this book!

I feel like Meredith's trials and tribulations are very relatable to many middle aged women. It was difficult to put this book down once I started.
Profile Image for Holly  Bovee.
47 reviews
June 20, 2024
This was a very sweet book. I loved it. All the characters were fantastic and it was just a sweet lovely story. Read it, you'll love it!
9 reviews
January 13, 2025
Wonderful in so many ways!

This book has many twists filling the reader with hope and tears. Fantastic characters that are introduced continue to add more and more to contemplate. Not until the very end are your suspicions to so many problems resolved. Fantastic web of family and friends. Enjoy!!!
Profile Image for Amy.
1,168 reviews7 followers
December 27, 2023
I recently had the pleasure of reading "Cottage on Blueberry Bay" by Ellen Joy, and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed. This book is the first in a new series, and it sets the stage for what is sure to be a remarkable journey.
The story revolves around a community that comes together to heal and find second chances. The author has a unique ability to write in a way that captures your heart and soul. The characters are so well-developed that you can't help but fall in love with them. From the protagonist's journey of self-discovery to the charming supporting cast, every character is written with such depth and care.
But what really sets this book apart is the author's ability to evoke emotions in the reader. As I read, I found myself laughing, crying, and feeling a sense of hope and inspiration. The story is full of warmth, love, and a sense of coming home.
Overall, "Cottage on Blueberry Bay" is an exceptional read that I can't recommend enough. If you're looking for a book to take you on an emotional journey full of heart and soul, then this is the book for you. Ellen Joy is a true master of storytelling, and I can't wait to see what she has in store for the rest of this series.
159 reviews
September 16, 2024
Blueberry Bay

This is the first book I've read by this author, and I absolutely enjoyed it, I couldn't put it down. When I first started reading it, I thought that Meredith was a little immature for her age, but as I continued to read it, I understood her feelings. She gave up her career to become a stay-at-home mom, but was unappreciated by a selfish husband. After finding out her biological father had passed away and left her his estate, and after self discovery, Meredith was finally able to confront her past, begin to heal, and open her heart.

Ellen Joy is an exceptional author. She captivates her audience from page one. Her characters are well developed, and the supporting characters were warm, funny, intrusive sometimes, but caring. Ellen's book takes you through so many emotions, but the end results are inspirational.

I highly recommend this book.
123 reviews1 follower
November 27, 2023
A Wonderful Story Of Finding Oneself

Ellen Joy has outdone herself with "The Cottage On Blueberry Bay". Meredith is struggling with loss. Her sweet mother has passed, her insensitive husband divorced her, her kids have flown the coop of, and now finds out her birth father, whom she knows almost nothing about, has passed, leaving her whatever he had. She's not in a good place, to say the least. Ms Joy's has crafted a story that draws you in, involving you more and more in the wonder and love of the Maine coast and the sea. Oh my gosh, the story is just so good
This is a superb, well crafted book, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I am sure you too will enjoy reading it.
Profile Image for Bookfan36.
434 reviews
September 30, 2025
Brief synopsis from the book cover:

Meredith can’t wait to rid herself of the beach cottage she just inherited from her estranged father. But after visiting the charming beach town with her sister, she becomes intrigued as untold details about her family and childhood come to light.

As a kindhearted widower, and other friendly locals, help Meredith discover the missing pieces of her past, she begins to question what she really wants for her future. She can’t imagine not going back home to her life with her step-father and kids. But, the warm embrace of Blueberry Bay has her thinking it’s the perfect place for a fresh start. Is there a way she can have it all?

My rating:

Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

Recommended for readers of:

Contemporary Fiction
Womens Fiction

Review:

Meredith’s plan is simple: visit the beach cottage she just inherited from her estranged father, then sell it and move on. But once she arrives in the quaint coastal town with her sister, things start to shift. As she uncovers long-hidden truths about her family and childhood, the town—and its people—begin to feel unexpectedly familiar.
With the help of a kind widower and a cast of warm, welcoming locals, Meredith starts to piece together her past and reconsider her future. Torn between her life back home and the possibility of a fresh start, she’s faced with a choice that could change everything.
This story is nicely written, with interesting and relatable characters that bring the town of Blueberry Bay to life. It’s a great read to forget the world around you for a bit—gentle, engaging, and full of heart. Perfect for anyone who loves stories about second chances, family secrets, and finding home in unexpected places.
2,682 reviews20 followers
November 29, 2023
What a great first book in a new series.  My heart went out to Meredith.  She is now divorced. Her ex has remarried and has a new baby. Her children are grown and she is all alone for the first time in her life at the age of 50.  Her large house is too quiet.  She is just going through the motions of living and does not know what to do.Suddenly her world is turned upside down when her estranged, biological father dies and leaves his estate to her.  I liked that the house and property in Maine made Meredith finally confront her past.  Her sister also was able to help her in many ways and so did the wonderful characters who reside in Blueberry Bay.  She was able to learn many things about her mom and her dad and Gordon, her stepfather.  She was also able to open her heart to love as she learned that not everyone would leave.  I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
Profile Image for Joan.
193 reviews
April 13, 2025
Represented as a "clean romance" according to Goodreads. It is right out of a Hallmark movie. It's a light read with characters I could relate to as well. Meredith is the main character. She is dealing with loss in her life (her mom just passed away and her husband left her). She receives a letter from her birth father who she never knew and always felt he was a "no good" man since he never wanted to get to know his daughter (according to Meredith). She also has grown children who are not too interested in their mom's issues. The story begins with this information and a letter that says that Meredith's real father has passed away and left her his cottage on Blueberry Bay. She is angry and doesn't even want to see the cottage. "Just sell it." Meredith wants the lawyer to get rid of it. However, she does have to go to the cottage after all and the story takes off from there. A very relatable emotional journey for Meredith and her family.
222 reviews2 followers
April 15, 2025
Meredith's Blueberries

A 50 year old divorcee living in Andover receives word from a small oceanside town attorney that her real father has died leaving her all of his remains including a large ocean family home, A fishing boat , all of his art work and a large blueberry farm which help to sustain the local community. At first she is eager to sell but slowly the community, her sister, and the attorney convince her she has inherited a life coveted by so many including her children and art lovers from around the state.
The author has captured the spirit of coastal Mainers, the love of ocean side living and the importance of blueberries and ocean fishing n Maine's livelihood. The plot is predictable but it's still pleasant reading to see it unfold. The main character's stubbornness is hard to believe but her sister in real. Overall, the book sets a desire in the reader to vacation or move to a small Maine coastal area.
Profile Image for Lita.
2,538 reviews7 followers
September 14, 2025
This was a delightful story. The FMC is in her 50's, divorced and facing an empty nest when she discovers her birth father has died and left her everything. She harbors a lot of anger towards the man who she never knew and felt he never cared enough to know her. She goes to Blueberry Bay to discover a semi-dilapidated cottage and acres of blueberries that apparently belong to her now. She also discovers a ton of paintings her father painted and simply stored in his cottage and barn. Initially she just wants to sell everything and get back to her old life, but soon she finds the charm of Blueberry Bay and its' residents worming its way into her heart. When her sister shows up to "help" her but then confesses her marriage is falling apart, she finds yet another reason to stay - at least through the summer.
Profile Image for Liisi.
95 reviews3 followers
October 29, 2025
This book is honestly better than any Hallmark show!
The plot is well written and flushed out with enough hidden twists to keep you actively listening or reading until the very end. Each of the characters is drawn to life, both by how the author shows them, as they relate to the plot, but also in the initial description of each of the characters. I found the more you read the more you learn about each of the characters and their lives. I personally find this style of writing very personal and much like watching a show and it sucks me into the story for the whole of it.

I truly look forward to reading other books of Ellen Joy’s to see if this is her style of writing or if this was just a one off book as I have found from other authors.
Profile Image for Melody Tregear.
298 reviews
June 13, 2024
Interesting story

This is an interesting,clean read, but starts off heavy. The MFC is understandably depressed after all that has happened and her dark mood & rudeness comes across. And yes, cutting a person off that is speaking to you, trying to help you, and slamming the phone down in their ear, is rude. She only really started becoming likable later in the story when the story became less heavy. I liked Quinn, the MMC. Some very nice supporting characters, including the sister, Remy. The last few chapters wraps everything up very nicely and ends with several potential HEA's.
Profile Image for Barb Graham.
350 reviews6 followers
November 29, 2023
Meredith's mother has passed away and she learns that she inherited her birth father's (who was not in her life) home and belongings. With her ex-husband married to a younger woman and expecting a baby she is a feeling low. As she learns more about her father (with the help of her wonderful stepdad) and how much he gave back to the town, she is torn by the decision she needs to make. This is an excellent start to what I know will be a great series! Highly recommend this book! I received an advance copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Dianna Peck.
119 reviews3 followers
December 2, 2023
Another masterpiece novel

I love this book, the characters seem so real. The emotional growth of each character is real and envelopes the many phases of life, love, hurt, disappointment and regret, lead to many rewards. The journey through all of these emotions are lessons that leads to strengthen, growth and do, are expressed so well. I also want to eat some blueberry cake!
I can't wait to read the next book in this series. Highly recommend this series and author. I've read all of her books and hope she never stops writing.
348 reviews11 followers
June 19, 2024
A New Start?

Meredith & her husband, Philip, divorced. Her biological father passes away & leaves her his property in Bluberry Bay, Maine. She has mixed emotions about this as she doesn’t remember ever meeting him. As she meets some quirky people in Blueberry Bay, she has to decide whether to keep her bio-father’s cottage or sell it. He was a painter & she finds the cottage looking like a hoarder’s art studio. Read this to meet the lovely, quirky people she meets as well as her other family members!
438 reviews5 followers
April 9, 2025
surprise

I honestly didn’t expect to like this book much, but I got it for free, so it was worth a try. I ended up sitting most of the day reading it. The Cottage is a wonderful story about a woman coming out of losses in her life and “finding herself”. An inheritance gives Meredith an opportunity to start over. She has time and space in a new place to determine what’s important and what isn’t if you’ve had a difficult life, I think you’ll find this book has some important lessons contained within its pages.
Profile Image for Jill Lendahl.
Author 4 books36 followers
April 18, 2025
Did Not Connect

I’m in the same stage of my life as Meredith with similar struggles, but I feel like the author didn’t develop her enough. I felt the same about all the characters, really. The writing style jumped around and sometimes didn’t flow. I’ve been super distracted lately, though, so it could be that too. With so many books I want to read, I’m not sure I’ll read more from this series or author. The positive side to this story is that it seemed like a beautiful setting and it was a feel-good story with a happy ending.
68 reviews
April 28, 2025
Blueberry bay

This was a story about Me ride th who was divorced, adopted and going thru emotional distress after her mothers death. She did not have a relationship with her natural father by her choice. When he dies she gets contacted
by his lawyer. Her father lived in Maine. He was an artist. The story developed from there with learning about his life thru his neighbors and the village people. Her sister comes to Main to help her and tells her of her own marriage problems. It is a heartwarming story. Love, forgiveness and family are very present in this book.
Profile Image for Carole Mckee.
335 reviews7 followers
May 2, 2025
Such a Terrific Story

When Meredith inherits her estranged father's assets, she isn't exactly thrilled. She didn't want anything from a man who refused to be her father. After seeing his home, his life's works, and the rest of his assets, she was ready to sell and go back to her big empty house in Massachusetts. After learning more about him and the people around town, she had a complete change of heart. The inheritance became a gift. Great story. Warmed the heart, and made me want to move there. Loved it.
9 reviews
November 30, 2023
I must admit it was a little difficult for me to warm up to Meredith in the beginning. But watching her develop and grow as she explores her new world of family history and community was like watching a beautiful butterfly emerge from her cocoon. Ellen Joy is masterful at creating a character who develops as a person and she carries you along so that you experience those feelings as well. This one is a must read and I can't wait for the next one!
667 reviews7 followers
June 22, 2024
The Decision

Newly divorced Meredith discovers that her estranged birth father has left her his possessions. She has to decide if she wants anything he has given her. One of the things is a cottage over looking the ocean plus a lot of things that come with it. One being a bunch of older ladies that take care of bees on his property and a town that cared for him. Will she make a change and stay? Good reading!
Profile Image for Joyce Noll.
52 reviews2 followers
April 10, 2025
Wonderful Story!

Never in my life have I found myself yelling (outloud) at a character in a book like I did Meredith in the first half of this book! However the story gets better as she comes to her senses, thankfully. First time reading this author and it won't be the last. Love everything about this book, the characters, the ocean, the beautiful country and homes, but mostly the love.
Profile Image for Debba.
163 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2025
This was my fall asleep read. . .how I survive intransigent insomnia. It's a sweet love story and the characters are interesting, but it is not well written. In the hands of a more talented writer, this could have been a much better book. If somebody like Kingsolver or Patchett had written it, there would have been more depth and it wouldn't have read like a college composition assignment. But Ellen Joy certainly has her fans and they love this book. I'm clearly not her target audience.
Profile Image for Alexis Watson.
15 reviews
July 12, 2025
This book brings the charm of small town coastal life to life in a way that makes you want to pack your bags and move right into the story. The characters are relatable, lovable, & the setting is dreamy. All the talk of blueberry recipes had me drooling and wishing I could sample them. If you love cozy coastal fiction with little romance and personal growth, I highly recommend giving this one a read! 🫐💙
Profile Image for Cindy Cooke.
523 reviews5 followers
December 6, 2023
Great idea for a sweet story

I enjoyed this book. Sometimes it seemed to drag a little, but I always came back to it. Sweet ending!!! I would love to go to Maine and see blueberry fields growing like those described. Wouldn't mind seeing a few recipes in it, either!
Try this book.you will enjoy it!
Profile Image for Laurel .
1,346 reviews5 followers
June 11, 2024
This was a bitter, unhappy story that tries to make sense of a mentally ill father who walked away from his family after a tragic accident while commercial fishing. This is a journey of self love & acceptance by others.

I did not like the ending with the preview. It was a shocking cliffhanger with someone elses's story.
137 reviews
May 7, 2025
The Cottage on Blueberry Bay.

Thus is a story of overcoming life's problems ; abandonment, divorce, giving up on your dreams and death. Meredith has inherited a cottage full of artwork from her late, estranged father. With the help of her sister and the townsfolk, she's able to put her life back together .
169 reviews2 followers
November 27, 2023
This story hit close to home, the tissues were at hand, especially the first half of the book.
It's a really good story with great characters that I want to hear more about. Well written, filled with moments of compassion, humor, action, heartache, joy and romance.
185 reviews
June 5, 2024
The Cottage on Blueberry Bay

This book was so great with all of the emotion of the divorce and Meredith discovery that her father died and left her the property and all the paintings. Everything turned out so good with her family. I look forward to the next of Ellen's next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.