What do you think?
Rate this book
Pilgrim Cove #3
Reluctant Housemates
You can go home again...
Rachel Goodman never thought she'd return to Pilgrim Cove. Too many unpleasant childhood memories. But she's no longer an awkward, defenseless kid, so when the one person who'd been kind to her needs her, she gets ready to face the past.
What she's not ready for is the challenge of working with Jack Levine. The man doesn't follow rules or take advice. Which makes being his boss very difficult. And being his housemate downright impossible.
Until the stormy night Jack and his boat go missing, and Rachel realizes how much she needs him. Her home— Sea View House—
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published February 8, 2005
283 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Linda Barrett
56 books142 followersLinda's emotional stories of contemporary romance have earned many industry awards through Romance Writers of America chapter contests. In 2011, Quarterback Daddy took first place in the Write touch Reader's contest while in 2010, Summer at the Lake did the same. Previously, she's garnered the Holt Medallion and The Award of Excellence among others. With laughter and tears, she touches the hearts of her readers by writing stories they'll remember long after the book is finished.
This year, Linda is publishing her first women's fiction novel. Family Interrupted will be available in the spring of 2013.
This year, Linda is publishing her first women's fiction novel. Family Interrupted will be available in the spring of 2013.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 22, 2019
It took a tornado destroying her Kansas high school to get Rachel Goodman to return home to Pilgrim Cove. She has painful memories of her failure as a student but she excelled after leaving town. Rachel is an assistant principal, and a very good one at that, but has her work cut out for her when her old reputation precedes her return. Jack Levine is a marine biologist whose middle name is travel (his boat is named The Wanderer) but has agreed to teach science for the next year. Both view their assignments as temporary and end up renting the Sea View house, which seems to have some magical qualities.
This series is my go to place in between all those suspense and mystery filled thrillers I read so frequently. There’s something really lovely about the Pilgrim Cove community and its seaside location makes it even more appealing. While I experienced that again, I also got to see its uglier side with Rachel’s return. She’s in a tough job where it’s her responsibility to get the school’s scores raised which means she has to make tough calls that unsettle the norms. There are those who constantly remind her that she was a lousy student. Jack is an extremely interesting man with unconventional approaches to teaching and as they grow closer this becomes an issue. The dynamics are thorny and the resolutions are uneasy. The climatic ending was inspiring.
I really enjoyed the story and the narrator has become synonymous with Pilgrim Cove. I particularly like how she handles the male voices so effectively and distinctively. It was the soft place to land that I was looking for and the story had more edges than I’d expected, making it an even more satisfying reading experience. And, all the earlier characters show up here, too. It’s what I love in series reading.
(Thanks to Tantor Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
This series is my go to place in between all those suspense and mystery filled thrillers I read so frequently. There’s something really lovely about the Pilgrim Cove community and its seaside location makes it even more appealing. While I experienced that again, I also got to see its uglier side with Rachel’s return. She’s in a tough job where it’s her responsibility to get the school’s scores raised which means she has to make tough calls that unsettle the norms. There are those who constantly remind her that she was a lousy student. Jack is an extremely interesting man with unconventional approaches to teaching and as they grow closer this becomes an issue. The dynamics are thorny and the resolutions are uneasy. The climatic ending was inspiring.
I really enjoyed the story and the narrator has become synonymous with Pilgrim Cove. I particularly like how she handles the male voices so effectively and distinctively. It was the soft place to land that I was looking for and the story had more edges than I’d expected, making it an even more satisfying reading experience. And, all the earlier characters show up here, too. It’s what I love in series reading.
(Thanks to Tantor Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
March 18, 2019
I wasn’t sure about this one when it started. I was iffy on both Jack and Rachel, Rachel especially. She came off as having a chip on her shoulder and not in a good way. It was only after you realized why Rachel hated Pilgrim Cove that things started to make sense. As Rachel started her job I liked that she made an effort to get to know everyone and wanted to truly help all the kids, to make sure that they didn’t have the same bad experience she had. But with that being said I wondered if she was going about it the wrong way, that if there was a softer way to approach things. My feelings changed when a few students went after her car. I realized she was only enforcing the rules that where there, not making new ones and she was really trying to find a way to do the right thing.
I was so so on the romance between Jack and Rachel. Jack came off as a bit of playboy, only looking for a good time, Rachel didn’t need that. However by the end I was rooting for them and glad that they found their HEA.
I was so so on the romance between Jack and Rachel. Jack came off as a bit of playboy, only looking for a good time, Rachel didn’t need that. However by the end I was rooting for them and glad that they found their HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2025
Pilgrim Cove—where love can be as powerful as the ocean next door.
On the surface, Pilgrim Cove seems like any other coastal town. Picturesque and peaceful with long stretches of unspoiled beach, fresh ocean breezes and the sense of time passing slowly.
However….
…only in Pilgrim Cove live a group of friends called the ROMEOs whose sole aim to take care of the town.
…only in Pilgrim Cove stands a unique house right on the beach. Sea View House. A very special place—some say magical—to the people who reside there each season.
…and only in Pilgrim Cove are strangers welcomed, while everyone else takes a front row seat as a love story unfolds.
Reluctant Housemates is the third of the four-book Pilgrim Cove series.
Pilgrim Cove native Rachel Goodman has come home for one good reason: to prove to the town and her family that she’s not a loser. She’d graduated from high school—barely—and gone to college on a swimming scholarship. And now the swimming jock is the new assistant principal for academic studies at Pilgrim Cove High. Her uphill battle to win over the teachers and improve test scores might have gone well except….
Marine biologist Jack Levine has a woman in every port and his boat, The Wanderer, is his most prized possession. When he winds up teaching science in Pilgrim Cove, he finds that he likes the small town very much. So what if he doesn’t follow the rules at school? So what if his boss finds him difficult to work with? As for being housemates at Sea View House…? Well, that’s nearly impossible. Except for the sparks that fly whenever they’re together.
And then Jack and his boat go missing…
My comments:
I have really enjoyed this series so far, Seaview house is an amazing place and I love the Romeos Jack and Rachel were very funny characters. I really loved the way they clashed with each other a lot and how the relationship gradually developed between them. Really looking forward to the final book next month when my amazon Audible book renews and looking forward to Jason and Lila's story. This is a lovely easy series to read.
On the surface, Pilgrim Cove seems like any other coastal town. Picturesque and peaceful with long stretches of unspoiled beach, fresh ocean breezes and the sense of time passing slowly.
However….
…only in Pilgrim Cove live a group of friends called the ROMEOs whose sole aim to take care of the town.
…only in Pilgrim Cove stands a unique house right on the beach. Sea View House. A very special place—some say magical—to the people who reside there each season.
…and only in Pilgrim Cove are strangers welcomed, while everyone else takes a front row seat as a love story unfolds.
Reluctant Housemates is the third of the four-book Pilgrim Cove series.
Pilgrim Cove native Rachel Goodman has come home for one good reason: to prove to the town and her family that she’s not a loser. She’d graduated from high school—barely—and gone to college on a swimming scholarship. And now the swimming jock is the new assistant principal for academic studies at Pilgrim Cove High. Her uphill battle to win over the teachers and improve test scores might have gone well except….
Marine biologist Jack Levine has a woman in every port and his boat, The Wanderer, is his most prized possession. When he winds up teaching science in Pilgrim Cove, he finds that he likes the small town very much. So what if he doesn’t follow the rules at school? So what if his boss finds him difficult to work with? As for being housemates at Sea View House…? Well, that’s nearly impossible. Except for the sparks that fly whenever they’re together.
And then Jack and his boat go missing…
My comments:
I have really enjoyed this series so far, Seaview house is an amazing place and I love the Romeos Jack and Rachel were very funny characters. I really loved the way they clashed with each other a lot and how the relationship gradually developed between them. Really looking forward to the final book next month when my amazon Audible book renews and looking forward to Jason and Lila's story. This is a lovely easy series to read.
April 12, 2019
The 3rd book in this delightful series set in Pilgrims Cove with Sea View House at its centre.
Rachel Goodman moved away from the town to teach, she didn't do that week at school, preferring to swim but she got the grades and qualified as a teacher, she comes back home to take a new position at the school she attended as a child. Jack Levine has been employed at the same school as Rachel, he's also a Marine Biologist and spends time out on his boat. Jack rents the top apartment at Sea View House, and Rachel rents the bottom.
Will the magic of Sea View House happen again? Bart Quinn, the local Realator is hoping so....
Rachel's hoping that her time at home will ease the strained relationship between herself and her brother too.
A very enjoyable read and I'm already looking forward to the next installment!
Rachel Goodman moved away from the town to teach, she didn't do that week at school, preferring to swim but she got the grades and qualified as a teacher, she comes back home to take a new position at the school she attended as a child. Jack Levine has been employed at the same school as Rachel, he's also a Marine Biologist and spends time out on his boat. Jack rents the top apartment at Sea View House, and Rachel rents the bottom.
Will the magic of Sea View House happen again? Bart Quinn, the local Realator is hoping so....
Rachel's hoping that her time at home will ease the strained relationship between herself and her brother too.
A very enjoyable read and I'm already looking forward to the next installment!
February 12, 2019
Eddi in Florda
This is the third book in the Pilgrim Cove series. Like the previous two , it is a well developed story with very strong characters. However, unlike the first two this story was obviously not spell checked or proofread. There are more than 25 occurrences where two or more words are run together with no spacing between the words. A simple spell check would have found all these errors and for sure a proof reader would have discovered them. I can't believe no one checked the first proof. It gets annoying and distracts from this very moving and romantic story. For ages 15 and older.
This is the third book in the Pilgrim Cove series. Like the previous two , it is a well developed story with very strong characters. However, unlike the first two this story was obviously not spell checked or proofread. There are more than 25 occurrences where two or more words are run together with no spacing between the words. A simple spell check would have found all these errors and for sure a proof reader would have discovered them. I can't believe no one checked the first proof. It gets annoying and distracts from this very moving and romantic story. For ages 15 and older.
August 25, 2020
Wow. Three strikes ... wait no! Three home runs!
Ok. Let’s skip the whole ride and true sports analogies. This book ... the last couple chapters had me teary eyed. I paid damn good money to sob over a wonderful story of the prodigal daughter. Tbh, that’s not entirely true.
Only in her own mind was she the prodigal child. Watching familial relationships develop, watching self esteem bloom, watching love grow; this is the book for you.
Ok. Let’s skip the whole ride and true sports analogies. This book ... the last couple chapters had me teary eyed. I paid damn good money to sob over a wonderful story of the prodigal daughter. Tbh, that’s not entirely true.
Only in her own mind was she the prodigal child. Watching familial relationships develop, watching self esteem bloom, watching love grow; this is the book for you.
February 10, 2019
Beautiful and Heartwarming
Rachael and Jack, the rule follower and the “sees the world from all sides” professor. I have so many things in common and yet are so unlike him anyways. Thankfully, they get through it all and became yet another bride and groom, all part of the Sea View House luck.
Rachael and Jack, the rule follower and the “sees the world from all sides” professor. I have so many things in common and yet are so unlike him anyways. Thankfully, they get through it all and became yet another bride and groom, all part of the Sea View House luck.
February 18, 2020
A wonderful read! Page during to the end just like books 1and 2. I can't wait to read book 4. I feel like I'm part of the Pilgrim Cove family.
I would highly recommend this book. The flow of the story was breathtaking and a page turned for sure. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
I would highly recommend this book. The flow of the story was breathtaking and a page turned for sure. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
May 3, 2018
I bought the first book of the series and, within finishing it, purchased the other 3 books of this series. I loved the Reluctant Housemates. The characters were realistic, especially as this reader is a former teacher.
June 30, 2018
So in love with Pilgrim Cove
So in love with the series and characters that I can’t stop reading the books,sadly I will be reading the last one next. My only complaint is some of the editing, words are spelled wrong and run together.
So in love with the series and characters that I can’t stop reading the books,sadly I will be reading the last one next. My only complaint is some of the editing, words are spelled wrong and run together.
July 30, 2018
Great reading
I loved the characters and their families. The challenges for Rachael and Jack were great. This is a great series and I have enjoyed reading the first three books. Linda Barrett is an excellent author and I look forward to many more of her books.
I loved the characters and their families. The challenges for Rachael and Jack were great. This is a great series and I have enjoyed reading the first three books. Linda Barrett is an excellent author and I look forward to many more of her books.
October 8, 2019
Wanderer
This book moved right along combining high school students and university research. Being in Pilgrim Cove again was a delight as was seeing what the ROMEOs were up to this time.
Posted by Pam H.(Mike H. wife)
This book moved right along combining high school students and university research. Being in Pilgrim Cove again was a delight as was seeing what the ROMEOs were up to this time.
Posted by Pam H.(Mike H. wife)
April 25, 2020
(Pilgrim Cove) 3. Reluctant Housemates
Not being able to keep the lines between being professional and wanting a personal life was difficult in Pilgrim Cove, where everyone knows you.
Not being able to keep the lines between being professional and wanting a personal life was difficult in Pilgrim Cove, where everyone knows you.
May 14, 2017
Enjoyed
Great read would and recommend this book and other two, really enjoy the home and family. Can't wait to see what's next
Great read would and recommend this book and other two, really enjoy the home and family. Can't wait to see what's next
August 13, 2017
Loving this series.
March 4, 2019
Don't even remember reading it, immediately after finishing. Never caught my attention.
July 26, 2019
Great book
I couldn’t put it down. Loved Rachel and Jacks story. I have been hooked on the series. Sad to know it’s ending in the next book. On to rad that one.
I couldn’t put it down. Loved Rachel and Jacks story. I have been hooked on the series. Sad to know it’s ending in the next book. On to rad that one.
October 13, 2019
Wonderful
A wonderful story. It took me a bit to get into it but after a while I could not put it down.
A wonderful story. It took me a bit to get into it but after a while I could not put it down.
April 21, 2020
Good story.
I really enjoyed this book. It held my interest the entire time. I would recommend this author and this series of books by Linda Barrett.
I really enjoyed this book. It held my interest the entire time. I would recommend this author and this series of books by Linda Barrett.
December 7, 2020
Makes me so HAPPY this the 3rd in this series
Please read if you need a smile on your face.they are well written and very entertaining and loving.lots of love to everyone.😀xxxxx
Please read if you need a smile on your face.they are well written and very entertaining and loving.lots of love to everyone.😀xxxxx
September 23, 2021
Just finished book 3 of the Pilgrim Cove series. Can't get enough of them! Such precious, heart-warming, feel-good stories. On to the next one! Keep it up, Linda!
April 3, 2022
A good story grateful for the continuing saga of the Seaview house.
April 14, 2022
I love a good ending!!
March 6, 2023
Another unique plotline in a small town romance series. Nice addition of high school antics. Really thought this story ends with a nice hook entering into the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2023
This should be a movie!
This book is great! It has such a good storyline. But the ending….. the light. I can only hope the fourth in this series is as good.
This book is great! It has such a good storyline. But the ending….. the light. I can only hope the fourth in this series is as good.
March 1, 2017
Good story
Good follow on looking forward to the next one . . . . . . . . . . .
Good follow on looking forward to the next one . . . . . . . . . . .
February 7, 2017
Linda Barrett has quickly become a favorite of mine. Her characters are so diverse, whether in their personalities or their occupations or their conflicts. No carbon copies with her stories. In this book we meet Rachel who grew up in Pilgrim Cove. Her older brother, Alex, excelled at everything he did and growing up in his shadow wasn't easy. Her grades were average, her teachers tended to make comparisons, and she couldn't seem to gain her parents approval no matter what she did. She found her niche in swimming but in spite of her skill in the sport, she left town believing she was a disappointment to those around her. She ended up in Kansas working in the school system there until a tornado flattened the school, forcing her to look for another job. When an opening for an assistant principal of academics opens up in Pilgrim Cove, Rachel sees it as an opportunity to prove herself to her parents, her former teachers, and the town in general.
Jack is a marine biologist in his first year of teaching in Pilgrim Cove. He's also working on his first book and doing research along the coast. He and Rachel strike sparks off one another from the start. Rachel wants everything done by the book while Jack's methods are more unconventional. This causes friction between them. Then there's their attraction to each other. Neither one wants a relationship, or so they say, but they're drawn together from the first time they meet. Things are just beginning to heat up between them when Jack is caught in a storm while out in his boat and feared missing.
This one kept me turning pages, unable to put it down. When Jack is missing and Rachel realizes she loves him, there's a scene that tore me apart and made me cry. It was heartwrenching yet heartwarming all at the same time. I wanted to grab a box of tissues yet a part of me was rejoicing in the power of this couple's love for one another and how it kept them going in some of their darkest hours. Just a really good romance and one I would definitely recommend.
Jack is a marine biologist in his first year of teaching in Pilgrim Cove. He's also working on his first book and doing research along the coast. He and Rachel strike sparks off one another from the start. Rachel wants everything done by the book while Jack's methods are more unconventional. This causes friction between them. Then there's their attraction to each other. Neither one wants a relationship, or so they say, but they're drawn together from the first time they meet. Things are just beginning to heat up between them when Jack is caught in a storm while out in his boat and feared missing.
This one kept me turning pages, unable to put it down. When Jack is missing and Rachel realizes she loves him, there's a scene that tore me apart and made me cry. It was heartwrenching yet heartwarming all at the same time. I wanted to grab a box of tissues yet a part of me was rejoicing in the power of this couple's love for one another and how it kept them going in some of their darkest hours. Just a really good romance and one I would definitely recommend.
December 23, 2016
Once again, Ms Barrett displays what a talented writer she is. Reluctant Housemates is book 3 of her series titled, Pilgrim Cove. A coastal town in the NE filled with interesting characters, the ROMEOs ( a group of older men who feel it’s their responsibility to make the town safe and wonderful), and beautiful scenery.
In this story we have Rachel Goodman and David Levine. Rachel has been away from the town for 13 years. Her adolescence years were not happy ones .She always felt unwanted, and discouraged. Now, due to a job offer , after she was laid off from her assistant principal job in Kansas, brings her back to town. David, is a marine biologist. Due to funding cuts, he has taken a job as a science teacher at the same school Rachel is working. He also is working a couple of other jobs .
These two have chemistry, but also a lot of differences. She wants to do everything by the book, not only to excel but to prove she is no long the loser the town had labeled her as a youngster. David is a free spirit and goes with the flow.
The storyline is interesting but it’s also a book about the effects others’ opinions can have on people. Especially the children and adolescents. This is a time when what peers , teachers , siblings, parents etc say and think of us, can affect how we perceive ourselves as adults. Hurtful feeling are lasting, and forgiveness is hard to come. But also, it’s a story of hope and love.
I am looking forward to book 4 of the series. I have high expectations .
I was gifted this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
In this story we have Rachel Goodman and David Levine. Rachel has been away from the town for 13 years. Her adolescence years were not happy ones .She always felt unwanted, and discouraged. Now, due to a job offer , after she was laid off from her assistant principal job in Kansas, brings her back to town. David, is a marine biologist. Due to funding cuts, he has taken a job as a science teacher at the same school Rachel is working. He also is working a couple of other jobs .
These two have chemistry, but also a lot of differences. She wants to do everything by the book, not only to excel but to prove she is no long the loser the town had labeled her as a youngster. David is a free spirit and goes with the flow.
The storyline is interesting but it’s also a book about the effects others’ opinions can have on people. Especially the children and adolescents. This is a time when what peers , teachers , siblings, parents etc say and think of us, can affect how we perceive ourselves as adults. Hurtful feeling are lasting, and forgiveness is hard to come. But also, it’s a story of hope and love.
I am looking forward to book 4 of the series. I have high expectations .
I was gifted this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
January 7, 2017
Another great book by Linda Barrett. “Reluctant Housemates” tells Rachel and Jack’s story beginning which began at the Sea View House. The Sea View House has a history of healing and love. This is the third book in the series. When Rachel returns home to Pilgrim Cove after her high school is devastated by a tornado, she finds herself living in the downstairs part of the Sea View House. Her housemate, Dr. Jack Levine, is a Marine Biologist that is renting the upstairs portion of the Sea View House. They are thrown together as co-workers (Rachel being the assistant-principal and Jack being a teacher) and housemates. While Rachel attempts to increase the state test scores and overcome her less-than-stellar educational past, Jack attempts to overcome tragedy in his life. When the beacon is relit, can the two meet on common grounds and realize what they have? A wonderfully romantic story!
February 11, 2017
Excellent book
5 star, book was very fun to read, exciting and practical with today's issues, as I. School testing, and bullying
5 star, book was very fun to read, exciting and practical with today's issues, as I. School testing, and bullying
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews