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Oceanside #1
Cottage by the Sea
A seaside town helps one young woman rediscover hope and healing in a brand-new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.
After tragedy strikes, Annie moves in to the summer cottage where her family vacationed when she was a child. Soon Annie finds herself making new friends, even developing a romance with a quiet and mysterious painter. And as she becomes part of the community, Annie learns that the surest way to heal is by making a difference in the lives of those around her.
After tragedy strikes, Annie moves in to the summer cottage where her family vacationed when she was a child. Soon Annie finds herself making new friends, even developing a romance with a quiet and mysterious painter. And as she becomes part of the community, Annie learns that the surest way to heal is by making a difference in the lives of those around her.
400 pages, Paperback
First published July 17, 2018
9177 people are currently reading
15899 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Macomber
894 books20.6k followersDebbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,790 reviews
August 4, 2018
4.5 heart Warming Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Debbie Macomber! We’re not on Blossom Street anymore! This book had all the feels... it touched on every single emotion you have! Wow... just wow!
I picked up this book expecting a sweet fluffy love story and what I got was so much more... this was a book about loss, heartbreak, friendship, family, second chances, and so much more... at times during this book I was reaching for a tissue and at other times I couldn’t get the big smile off my face... what a beautiful story about resilience and peoples need for one another...
Annie has suffered a major tragedy... so to heal her wounded heart she returns to a favorite vacation spot from when she was a kid...Annie was a tremendously likable character and you really felt for her and wanted her heart to heal...Keaton was a big strong insecure man who made you want to reach through the pages to give him a big hug and tell him he is a good person! The relationship between these two was so lovely and so much more than a simple romance... it was a healing love... The secondary characters in the story added even more emotion to this book.... The book touched on some pretty serious subject matter, but it handled it with grace and thought....
I think this is Debbie Macomber’s best book yet! So if you are a fan of this author I cannot encourage you enough to pick this one up and if you have not read anything from her yet... what are you waiting for? This is a book about the power of love, but it is so much more than a romance! The love in this book is not only romantic love, but the love between friends... so as much as I adored the romance between Keaton and Annie, I loved the friendship that bloomed between all these characters in this book!
Absolutely recommend... you will want to find your own cottage by the sea💕
*** many thanks to Valentine Books for my copy of this delightful book ***
Debbie Macomber! We’re not on Blossom Street anymore! This book had all the feels... it touched on every single emotion you have! Wow... just wow!
I picked up this book expecting a sweet fluffy love story and what I got was so much more... this was a book about loss, heartbreak, friendship, family, second chances, and so much more... at times during this book I was reaching for a tissue and at other times I couldn’t get the big smile off my face... what a beautiful story about resilience and peoples need for one another...
Annie has suffered a major tragedy... so to heal her wounded heart she returns to a favorite vacation spot from when she was a kid...Annie was a tremendously likable character and you really felt for her and wanted her heart to heal...Keaton was a big strong insecure man who made you want to reach through the pages to give him a big hug and tell him he is a good person! The relationship between these two was so lovely and so much more than a simple romance... it was a healing love... The secondary characters in the story added even more emotion to this book.... The book touched on some pretty serious subject matter, but it handled it with grace and thought....
I think this is Debbie Macomber’s best book yet! So if you are a fan of this author I cannot encourage you enough to pick this one up and if you have not read anything from her yet... what are you waiting for? This is a book about the power of love, but it is so much more than a romance! The love in this book is not only romantic love, but the love between friends... so as much as I adored the romance between Keaton and Annie, I loved the friendship that bloomed between all these characters in this book!
Absolutely recommend... you will want to find your own cottage by the sea💕
*** many thanks to Valentine Books for my copy of this delightful book ***
July 4, 2018
Debbie Macomber has quickly become for me an author that when picking up one of her books I have some pretty high expectations having enjoyed the previous titles I’ve read. Thankfully when finished with this new novel I can say that she completely met all my expectations and gave me a bit more.
Cottage by the Sea begins by introducing Annie Marlow as young and carefree with a bright future ahead of her. But for Annie things come crashing down in her world when she gets some devastating news and finding her way out of the despair seems like an impossible task.
Taking some advice from a friend Annie begins the task of picking herself back up by finding someplace that once made her happy. This triggers the move from California to the Pacific Northwest to a place that her family had once visited with the intention of trying to bring back those memories.
The ups and downs in Cottage by the Sea are safely categorized as an emotional roller coaster ride that readers may want to have some tissues handy. The book falls in the contemporary romance genre but it certainly isn’t your typical two beautiful singles meeting and falling in love cookie cutter read. Instead what you find within the pages are characters that mirror real people with real problems and the struggles to overcome them.
Not only are grief and tragedy addressed but so many other issues with not only the main character but many other secondary characters and the small town charm begins to work it’s magic and bring everyone together to build their strength and bonds to last a lifetime. A beautiful story that is sure to capture readers hearts.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Cottage by the Sea begins by introducing Annie Marlow as young and carefree with a bright future ahead of her. But for Annie things come crashing down in her world when she gets some devastating news and finding her way out of the despair seems like an impossible task.
Taking some advice from a friend Annie begins the task of picking herself back up by finding someplace that once made her happy. This triggers the move from California to the Pacific Northwest to a place that her family had once visited with the intention of trying to bring back those memories.
The ups and downs in Cottage by the Sea are safely categorized as an emotional roller coaster ride that readers may want to have some tissues handy. The book falls in the contemporary romance genre but it certainly isn’t your typical two beautiful singles meeting and falling in love cookie cutter read. Instead what you find within the pages are characters that mirror real people with real problems and the struggles to overcome them.
Not only are grief and tragedy addressed but so many other issues with not only the main character but many other secondary characters and the small town charm begins to work it’s magic and bring everyone together to build their strength and bonds to last a lifetime. A beautiful story that is sure to capture readers hearts.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
September 25, 2021
Yes, this is a Romance. Sort of. Well, I'm sure that is where it would be shelved in a bookstore. But I am not a genre snob. I don't proclaim that I read only Fantasy. Or only SF. Or only books by (choose a category of human.) I love to walk through a library or book store, picking up books here and there, Romance, Mystery, Young Adult, Picture book, Science Fiction . . . I don't limit myself. It's like Forest Gump's box of chocolates.
Oh, and a small caveat. I meat Debbie Macomber once. I was at a book fair, far from home. And she introduce herself, and was very kind and friendly and just engaging. So from that one encounter, I have a warm feeling when I see her name on the spine of a book.
Cottage by the Sea was a lovely read. Yes, there is a romance in it. But it's also the story of people facing hard pasts, and living past trauma to find new and wonderful things in life. It's about unlikely friendships and persevering in a difficult friendship. There is just a lot of life in this book.
If you'd like to read a book with a bit of romance and the slow growth of optimism, I think you'll like this one. It's a nice weekend read.
Oh, and a small caveat. I meat Debbie Macomber once. I was at a book fair, far from home. And she introduce herself, and was very kind and friendly and just engaging. So from that one encounter, I have a warm feeling when I see her name on the spine of a book.
Cottage by the Sea was a lovely read. Yes, there is a romance in it. But it's also the story of people facing hard pasts, and living past trauma to find new and wonderful things in life. It's about unlikely friendships and persevering in a difficult friendship. There is just a lot of life in this book.
If you'd like to read a book with a bit of romance and the slow growth of optimism, I think you'll like this one. It's a nice weekend read.
August 22, 2018
I wanted to like this book, I really did.
Unfortunately, there never came a time where I was able to truly connect with the characters and their emotions.
The premise of this story and the real-life events it is based upon drew me in immediately. It was gut-wrenching from the start, but that emotion slowly leaked from my heart as the characters in Oceanside were presented to me. I appreciate the struggles and history of characters like Keaton and Mellie, but his clipped conversation and her brusque tone left me... disconnected.
The manner in which events were detailed in one paragraph, and then repeated almost verbatim in subsequent paragraphs and chapters began to weigh on my patience as a reader. I fully accept responsibility for this dislike, as I am obviously in the minority based upon the landslide of positive 5-star reviews for this novel. Told from a 3rd person point of view didn't help the forming of my opinion as I've grown accustomed to and enjoy the more intimate storytelling from a 1st person perspective.
Ironically, the person I connected with (but didn't necessarily like) the most was Keaton's father. His character flaw was real and understandable. It showed his human side with a rawness that was genuine. I empathized with what he felt, even if it was unreasonable, cruel, and unjust to Keaton.
The most important part of a book for me is connecting with the main characters and feeling what they do in a relatable and realistic way. I wish I could have accomplished that with Annie, Keaton, Mellie, and Preston. Unfortunately, that never occurred for me. But, this is why there are so many books in the world.
There is a book out there for everyone, one that will impact them in a positive and inspiring way. I hope this book is that to many, it just wasn't that one for me.
Unfortunately, there never came a time where I was able to truly connect with the characters and their emotions.
The premise of this story and the real-life events it is based upon drew me in immediately. It was gut-wrenching from the start, but that emotion slowly leaked from my heart as the characters in Oceanside were presented to me. I appreciate the struggles and history of characters like Keaton and Mellie, but his clipped conversation and her brusque tone left me... disconnected.
The manner in which events were detailed in one paragraph, and then repeated almost verbatim in subsequent paragraphs and chapters began to weigh on my patience as a reader. I fully accept responsibility for this dislike, as I am obviously in the minority based upon the landslide of positive 5-star reviews for this novel. Told from a 3rd person point of view didn't help the forming of my opinion as I've grown accustomed to and enjoy the more intimate storytelling from a 1st person perspective.
Ironically, the person I connected with (but didn't necessarily like) the most was Keaton's father. His character flaw was real and understandable. It showed his human side with a rawness that was genuine. I empathized with what he felt, even if it was unreasonable, cruel, and unjust to Keaton.
The most important part of a book for me is connecting with the main characters and feeling what they do in a relatable and realistic way. I wish I could have accomplished that with Annie, Keaton, Mellie, and Preston. Unfortunately, that never occurred for me. But, this is why there are so many books in the world.
There is a book out there for everyone, one that will impact them in a positive and inspiring way. I hope this book is that to many, it just wasn't that one for me.
June 25, 2019
now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
June 17, 2018
Cottage by the Sea
Debbie Macomber
Wow, all I can say is, this story blew me away! Keep the tissues close by as you are reading COTTAGE BY THE SEA by Debbie Macomber. She will have your emotions all over the place. Once I started reading, it was very hard to stop! The twists and turns made it impossible to put down, as I had to know what was going to happen to Annie after so much heartache! What an awesome story. All of Debbie's characters feel genuine and relatable and put your emotions on one heck of a roller coaster ride. As you are reading, you will find yourself cheering for all of them, praying they can work out their problems and be happy once again. You will also wonder how much heartache a person can stand before they completely break down and shatter.
COTTAGE BY THE SEA is all about family and the past and the secrets that come out are heart tugging. It had me flipping through the pages like a woman on a mission. I had to know what was going to happen to Annie and Keaton and all the secondary characters. Annie is shattered after a family tragedy that leaves her all alone in the world. How will she ever get over her grief? She decides the only place she can be happy is at the cottage her family rented every summer. Maybe she can find the meaning of her life once again. COTTAGE BY THE SEA is a heart tugging story that will hold you hostage until the very last page. Once you start reading, it will be very hard to put down!
COTTAGE BY THE SEA is without a doubt one of the best books I've read in 2018 so far. I was instantly emotionally invested in all of the characters. My heart broke for Keaton and Annie and for all they were dealing with but Keaton shredded me. He had such a lonely and loveless childhood and no one deserves to grow up like that. His Dad blamed him for his mother leaving them. Who puts that kind of guilt on a child? Debbie Macomber really knows how to write about family drama, heartbreak, and forgiveness. I can not wait to read more by this wonderful and heart tugging author. I have many of her older books to read and that brings me so much joy and happiness to know they are waiting for me!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Ballantine Books through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Debbie Macomber
Wow, all I can say is, this story blew me away! Keep the tissues close by as you are reading COTTAGE BY THE SEA by Debbie Macomber. She will have your emotions all over the place. Once I started reading, it was very hard to stop! The twists and turns made it impossible to put down, as I had to know what was going to happen to Annie after so much heartache! What an awesome story. All of Debbie's characters feel genuine and relatable and put your emotions on one heck of a roller coaster ride. As you are reading, you will find yourself cheering for all of them, praying they can work out their problems and be happy once again. You will also wonder how much heartache a person can stand before they completely break down and shatter.
COTTAGE BY THE SEA is all about family and the past and the secrets that come out are heart tugging. It had me flipping through the pages like a woman on a mission. I had to know what was going to happen to Annie and Keaton and all the secondary characters. Annie is shattered after a family tragedy that leaves her all alone in the world. How will she ever get over her grief? She decides the only place she can be happy is at the cottage her family rented every summer. Maybe she can find the meaning of her life once again. COTTAGE BY THE SEA is a heart tugging story that will hold you hostage until the very last page. Once you start reading, it will be very hard to put down!
COTTAGE BY THE SEA is without a doubt one of the best books I've read in 2018 so far. I was instantly emotionally invested in all of the characters. My heart broke for Keaton and Annie and for all they were dealing with but Keaton shredded me. He had such a lonely and loveless childhood and no one deserves to grow up like that. His Dad blamed him for his mother leaving them. Who puts that kind of guilt on a child? Debbie Macomber really knows how to write about family drama, heartbreak, and forgiveness. I can not wait to read more by this wonderful and heart tugging author. I have many of her older books to read and that brings me so much joy and happiness to know they are waiting for me!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Ballantine Books through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 6, 2018
Pretty much all the characters needed serous counseling for their mental health issues but instead it was glossed over and they were just "cured". I know this is a fluffy romance but if you're not going to do this justice, keep it all fluff instead of throwing in serious themes!
July 22, 2018
An extremely benign, wholesome, superficial, lacking in conflict lifetime movie. I can’t tell if it’s 1 or 2 stars. Was it ok? Probably. Though, there are other books that I’ve given two stars that I enjoyed more. One side character (male) calls women girls constantly. Another character has serious PTSD from childhood—a situation was alluded to that was never discussed again. It may have explained things, but oh well. Might as well drop that thread since it might cause the book to have real conflict as opposed to pretend conflict. It was difficult to read the last 20%.
June 25, 2019
I was listening to this as an audiobook. Halfway through I sped it up to 2x speed and I still couldn't finish it quickly enough. It was just awful. I couldn't get past the sheer number of abandoned and abused animals they were able to find in this tiny, tiny town on a DAILY basis. They were also surprising people with the needy animals as their new pets, which is literally a horrible idea in every way. The love interest (really, him?) struck me as being of very very low intelligence, and his stunted way of speaking was cringeworthy. There was no description of him other than HUGE, which didn't sound attractive at all. He's not the strong and silent type at all. He is described more like a giant doofus that also likes to hurt people, while simultaneously 'rescuing' animals and forcing people to take them in as pets..... I just can't relate to any of this at all.
September 12, 2021
I absolutely tore through this book and got it all read in one day, which shows how quickly it got and kept my attention. After a devastating tragedy, Annie moves to her childhood family vacation cottage, where she begins to heal. Really all of the characters in the story are scarred by their pasts in one way or another, and this was a sweet story of connection and friendship. The romance was there, certainly, but the several friendships (including the romantic one) were what resonated with me.
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for letting me read this book early. It was just what I needed for a stressful week!
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for letting me read this book early. It was just what I needed for a stressful week!
May 28, 2018
Awesome story of loss and love.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When you pick up a book by a favorite author like Debbie Macomber, you tend to know what you’re going to get. Similar themes and that warm sweet romance that we love.
However, this book was something so much more than that. It literally grabbed me from the beginning and never let me go. I feel like I was either crying or smiling throughout the entire story.
We all have heartbreak in our life but not the type of heartbreak that this book is about. However, the author took a deep and highly emotional story and created a main character that was barely living and breathed new life into her.
The author also created a big, strong man who could bear the weight of her brokenness and pain and give her strength, love, and caring. And she also gave him the same. The connection these two characters had was amazing.
Trust me when I say this book will be difficult to forget. Cottage by the Sea has left a deep impression on me as well as a longing to find my own happiness by the sea. This is definitely a book you will read again and again. Fabulous story.
* Copy received for review consideration
* Full Review - http://amidlifewife.com/cottage-by-th...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When you pick up a book by a favorite author like Debbie Macomber, you tend to know what you’re going to get. Similar themes and that warm sweet romance that we love.
However, this book was something so much more than that. It literally grabbed me from the beginning and never let me go. I feel like I was either crying or smiling throughout the entire story.
We all have heartbreak in our life but not the type of heartbreak that this book is about. However, the author took a deep and highly emotional story and created a main character that was barely living and breathed new life into her.
The author also created a big, strong man who could bear the weight of her brokenness and pain and give her strength, love, and caring. And she also gave him the same. The connection these two characters had was amazing.
Trust me when I say this book will be difficult to forget. Cottage by the Sea has left a deep impression on me as well as a longing to find my own happiness by the sea. This is definitely a book you will read again and again. Fabulous story.
* Copy received for review consideration
* Full Review - http://amidlifewife.com/cottage-by-th...
July 25, 2025
Heartfelt, Healing, and Beautifully Human! 💕This was exactly the comforting, emotional read I needed. From the very first page, I was pulled into a world of richly drawn characters who felt like neighbors and friends 🏡. Their struggles, joys, and imperfections made them incredibly real, and my heart ached and healed right along with them.
The story touches on some heavy topics: grief, hoarding, abuse, and complicated love 💔, yet it’s written with such grace and compassion that it leaves you with a warm sense of hope and healing 🌈. I found myself having so many “ahhhh” moments throughout, the kind that make you pause and reflect on life, love, and second chances.
If you’re someone who believes that everything happens for a reason ✨, this one will speak to your soul. And when I’m in the mood for something that feels like a Hallmark movie in the best way: comforting, meaningful, and full of heart 💖, Debbie Macomber is always my go-to.
Highly recommend if you’re looking for a tender, emotional read with depth, warmth, and a satisfying dose of love and redemption 📖💫.
⭐️ 4.7 stars
The story touches on some heavy topics: grief, hoarding, abuse, and complicated love 💔, yet it’s written with such grace and compassion that it leaves you with a warm sense of hope and healing 🌈. I found myself having so many “ahhhh” moments throughout, the kind that make you pause and reflect on life, love, and second chances.
If you’re someone who believes that everything happens for a reason ✨, this one will speak to your soul. And when I’m in the mood for something that feels like a Hallmark movie in the best way: comforting, meaningful, and full of heart 💖, Debbie Macomber is always my go-to.
Highly recommend if you’re looking for a tender, emotional read with depth, warmth, and a satisfying dose of love and redemption 📖💫.
⭐️ 4.7 stars
September 23, 2020
This is the third book in my #atozchallenge! I'm challenging myself to read a book from my shelves that starts with each letter of the alphabet. Let's clear those shelves and delve into that backlist!
After a horrible tragedy alters her life forever, Annie Marlow picks up and moves to Oceanside, a beach town in the Pacific Northwest. It's where her family vacationed once a year--a place that contains her happiest memories. Staying in the same cottage her family once rented, Annie tries to heal. She meets Keaton, a large and often silent man, who helps Annie fix up her cottage; Mellie, her abrasive and reclusive landlord; and Britt, a troubled teenager. Annie feels like she belongs in this town, but when she's offered the chance of a lifetime for her career, she must make a decision with life-altering consequences.
"All he could say was that deep down in a part of him that he couldn't explain, he believed Annie Marlow needed to be in Oceanside. It was where she was meant to be."
Well, this was a lovely little romance that took me by surprise, but in a good way. It's sweet and touching, and I found myself completely enamored by the characters, especially Annie and Keaton. Oh who am I kidding? And Mellie and Keaton's best friend Preston and Britt and her mother and... you get the picture.
I chose this book because I miss the beach terribly, and Macomber did a great job of portraying this little seaside town and its fiercely protective townspeople. Could I see most of the plot coming a mile away? Sure. Did I care? Not at all. There's lots of depth here, between Annie's grief; Keaton's stoicism, which can be attributed to his own difficult past; Britt and her family, who are struggling in their own way; and Mellie, who has traveled her own troubled road. But there's plenty of heartwarming moments, and I won't lie, I might have shed a tear or two along the way.
Overall, this is a book about love, family (wherever you may find it) and healing. It's a quick read, but a very sweet one. 4 stars.
You can read more about the #atozchallenge here.
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After a horrible tragedy alters her life forever, Annie Marlow picks up and moves to Oceanside, a beach town in the Pacific Northwest. It's where her family vacationed once a year--a place that contains her happiest memories. Staying in the same cottage her family once rented, Annie tries to heal. She meets Keaton, a large and often silent man, who helps Annie fix up her cottage; Mellie, her abrasive and reclusive landlord; and Britt, a troubled teenager. Annie feels like she belongs in this town, but when she's offered the chance of a lifetime for her career, she must make a decision with life-altering consequences.
"All he could say was that deep down in a part of him that he couldn't explain, he believed Annie Marlow needed to be in Oceanside. It was where she was meant to be."
Well, this was a lovely little romance that took me by surprise, but in a good way. It's sweet and touching, and I found myself completely enamored by the characters, especially Annie and Keaton. Oh who am I kidding? And Mellie and Keaton's best friend Preston and Britt and her mother and... you get the picture.
I chose this book because I miss the beach terribly, and Macomber did a great job of portraying this little seaside town and its fiercely protective townspeople. Could I see most of the plot coming a mile away? Sure. Did I care? Not at all. There's lots of depth here, between Annie's grief; Keaton's stoicism, which can be attributed to his own difficult past; Britt and her family, who are struggling in their own way; and Mellie, who has traveled her own troubled road. But there's plenty of heartwarming moments, and I won't lie, I might have shed a tear or two along the way.
Overall, this is a book about love, family (wherever you may find it) and healing. It's a quick read, but a very sweet one. 4 stars.
You can read more about the #atozchallenge here.
Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ PaperBackSwap ~ Smashbomb
March 29, 2019
I had to read something by Debbie Macomber. She seems to be so successful and popular, that I just had to check it out myself. I do have to admit that she reminded me very much of Nicholas Sparks, which means romantic romance novel. Simple, straight to the point, perfect to people who love that style. But a little bit less my cup of tea.
Annie lost all of her family in a mudslide near Seattle on Christmas. She was also supposed to be there, since her mom begged her to come, but she deferred to have her own plans. Actually, there was a real mud slide near Seattle, and 49 people got killed, but it wasn't near Christmas as all. So at least I learned one historical detail that was new to me, and so sad.
Annie is trying to cope with this tragedy, and I have to mention that the characters to me were not deep at all, and hard to connect with. I didn't feel anything about her tragedy, and didn't feel I care about her, Keaton or anyone else mentioned in the story.
So, Annie decided to go and live in a cottage by the sea, that her family rented in the past for a summer when she was 14. Surprisingly, she can now rent the exact same cottage for a year, more surprisingly the dude that she met for about 1 minutes is in love with her since she was there, and she was the only nice person to him probably since ever. And maybe even more surprisingly, the lady that rents the cottage to her also knew her when she was younger, but she is a hurt adults that has spikes towards others. And probably Annie is going to fix this too.
Keaton himself as well as Mellie behave like children. He completely stopped talking to Annie when she gets an offer, after he is in love with her and in full relationship. Mellie is harsh in every case, because she is hurt, so no question would get any nice response.
So overall, Annie is too perfect, the story is really not that very believable, and the overall characters miss depth. It is still a sweet story for people that like the genre. 2 stars for me.
Annie lost all of her family in a mudslide near Seattle on Christmas. She was also supposed to be there, since her mom begged her to come, but she deferred to have her own plans. Actually, there was a real mud slide near Seattle, and 49 people got killed, but it wasn't near Christmas as all. So at least I learned one historical detail that was new to me, and so sad.
Annie is trying to cope with this tragedy, and I have to mention that the characters to me were not deep at all, and hard to connect with. I didn't feel anything about her tragedy, and didn't feel I care about her, Keaton or anyone else mentioned in the story.
So, Annie decided to go and live in a cottage by the sea, that her family rented in the past for a summer when she was 14. Surprisingly, she can now rent the exact same cottage for a year, more surprisingly the dude that she met for about 1 minutes is in love with her since she was there, and she was the only nice person to him probably since ever. And maybe even more surprisingly, the lady that rents the cottage to her also knew her when she was younger, but she is a hurt adults that has spikes towards others. And probably Annie is going to fix this too.
Keaton himself as well as Mellie behave like children. He completely stopped talking to Annie when she gets an offer, after he is in love with her and in full relationship. Mellie is harsh in every case, because she is hurt, so no question would get any nice response.
So overall, Annie is too perfect, the story is really not that very believable, and the overall characters miss depth. It is still a sweet story for people that like the genre. 2 stars for me.
April 20, 2021
Wow! Ms. Macomber writes such amazing books. This one didn't fail to amaze me. How do you write so many books, and all of them are amazing?
Annie Marlow loses her family to the mudslide in Washington. Just like the real one that happened in 2014. Annie slips into depression, and then one day... her therapist suggests she thinks of somewhere she was happy. Of course, Oceanside was one of the places she was most happy in her childhood.
Seth Keaton is a man of many secrets. A man who feels only one love. Love for the girl who saw him all those years ago on the beach. So, he paints her, years after she is gone. He prays to see her again. And then one day, she does.
As paths cross, this amazing book tells a story of healing. A story of love. A story of the brightness that, if you only let it, can make a way into your life.
Changing you forever.
AGE RECOMMENDATION/CONTENT: This book is pretty clean, though it deals with abuse, having children (in little depth), and some side characters have a child before marriage. If you have any concerns about the content, please read this book before handing it to someone under 13-14 years old.
I hope you enjoyed my review! Happy Reading! -Ruby Rose
Annie Marlow loses her family to the mudslide in Washington. Just like the real one that happened in 2014. Annie slips into depression, and then one day... her therapist suggests she thinks of somewhere she was happy. Of course, Oceanside was one of the places she was most happy in her childhood.
Seth Keaton is a man of many secrets. A man who feels only one love. Love for the girl who saw him all those years ago on the beach. So, he paints her, years after she is gone. He prays to see her again. And then one day, she does.
As paths cross, this amazing book tells a story of healing. A story of love. A story of the brightness that, if you only let it, can make a way into your life.
Changing you forever.
AGE RECOMMENDATION/CONTENT: This book is pretty clean, though it deals with abuse, having children (in little depth), and some side characters have a child before marriage. If you have any concerns about the content, please read this book before handing it to someone under 13-14 years old.
I hope you enjoyed my review! Happy Reading! -Ruby Rose
August 31, 2018
Annie Marlow has lost her entire family in a tragic mudslide that destroyed their home. Rocked by grief and guilt, she is struggling to move on with her life. She returns to the place from her childhood where she felt true happiness, Oceanside in the Pacific Northwest. Her family rented a cottage there during the summer as she was growing up. There she meets some fellow broken souls who quickly find their way into her heart. Together they find, with the support of one another, they can move past the challenges of their past, and redefine the meaning of family.
In Debbie Macomber's signature style she has once again written a touching, thoughtful story of family, romance and finding hope in new beginnings.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
In Debbie Macomber's signature style she has once again written a touching, thoughtful story of family, romance and finding hope in new beginnings.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
March 27, 2023
Yeesh
This really didn't work well. I think the main issue is that the characters in the book are in their late 20s but everybody talks like they're in their 50s. I mean who says hush now to another person?
And also two of the men in this book were kind of awful at different times, I was not rooting for them.
Full review:
This was not very good. I don't know what is happening with Macomber. But her latest offerings are not moving me at all. I honestly think that she should have made the main characters older in this one since it would have read better. Annie, Keaton, and others are late 20s and everyone reads late 40s. It kept throwing me anytime any of these people "talked" to each other and others. Also, due to Annie's job as a physician assistant (PA), I had a lot of time with her being naïve about things (suspected domestic abuse) and how to go about them. I just shook my head a few times.
"Cottage by the Sea" follows Annie Marlow who is still left reeling after the death of her immediate family in a mudslide that took the lives of about 20 other people as well. Annie has regrets for not going home to see her family one last time. More than a year later she is still struggling until her cousin tells her to go someplace that makes her happy. For Annie, that was the ocean, and specifically a cottage she and her family stayed in during vacations there. She goes and feels refreshed. And when she finds out the local doctor is looking for a PA, she jumps to go there and give herself time to heal. While there she deals with her prickly landlord (Mellie--once again another character who acts like she's 40 or 50) and the ever silent Keaton who she feels a connection to.
Eh. No one really works here. Annie talks about having therapy and being on anti-depressants, but once she moves to Oceanside it's not brought up again. I have zero idea why she is pulled to Keaton. He did nothing for me at all. Some other reader mentioned that maybe he was meant to be autistic, but honestly I don't see that. Just someone who is very tall and large who tries to make himself invisible. Until of course Annie needs something then he somehow has a voice.
I also call BS on the other characters in this book and their "help" to Mellie who suffers from agoraphobia. I actually got really annoyed about that.
Don't get me started on the fact that both Annie and Mellie's love interests were both jerks at certain parts of this book. They both retreated to, if a woman does something or does not do something that I want her to, my solution is to stop talking to them and refuse to have any other contact with them. Except for the one whose solution was, she has to prove that she loves me in only this one particular way, because if she doesn't, she's dead to me.
The writing wasn't that great. The flow was pretty off too. I realize at one point the last couple of chapters before the epilogue jumped like 2 months or so.
The ending, eh. I just didn't care enough about anyone or their HEA.
This really didn't work well. I think the main issue is that the characters in the book are in their late 20s but everybody talks like they're in their 50s. I mean who says hush now to another person?
And also two of the men in this book were kind of awful at different times, I was not rooting for them.
Full review:
This was not very good. I don't know what is happening with Macomber. But her latest offerings are not moving me at all. I honestly think that she should have made the main characters older in this one since it would have read better. Annie, Keaton, and others are late 20s and everyone reads late 40s. It kept throwing me anytime any of these people "talked" to each other and others. Also, due to Annie's job as a physician assistant (PA), I had a lot of time with her being naïve about things (suspected domestic abuse) and how to go about them. I just shook my head a few times.
"Cottage by the Sea" follows Annie Marlow who is still left reeling after the death of her immediate family in a mudslide that took the lives of about 20 other people as well. Annie has regrets for not going home to see her family one last time. More than a year later she is still struggling until her cousin tells her to go someplace that makes her happy. For Annie, that was the ocean, and specifically a cottage she and her family stayed in during vacations there. She goes and feels refreshed. And when she finds out the local doctor is looking for a PA, she jumps to go there and give herself time to heal. While there she deals with her prickly landlord (Mellie--once again another character who acts like she's 40 or 50) and the ever silent Keaton who she feels a connection to.
Eh. No one really works here. Annie talks about having therapy and being on anti-depressants, but once she moves to Oceanside it's not brought up again. I have zero idea why she is pulled to Keaton. He did nothing for me at all. Some other reader mentioned that maybe he was meant to be autistic, but honestly I don't see that. Just someone who is very tall and large who tries to make himself invisible. Until of course Annie needs something then he somehow has a voice.
I also call BS on the other characters in this book and their "help" to Mellie who suffers from agoraphobia. I actually got really annoyed about that.
Don't get me started on the fact that both Annie and Mellie's love interests were both jerks at certain parts of this book. They both retreated to, if a woman does something or does not do something that I want her to, my solution is to stop talking to them and refuse to have any other contact with them. Except for the one whose solution was, she has to prove that she loves me in only this one particular way, because if she doesn't, she's dead to me.
The writing wasn't that great. The flow was pretty off too. I realize at one point the last couple of chapters before the epilogue jumped like 2 months or so.
The ending, eh. I just didn't care enough about anyone or their HEA.
July 25, 2023
The story starts shortly after the MC, Annie suffers a huge personal loss affecting her entire family. It prompts events that bring Annie to a small tourist driven coastal town on the Washington peninsula.
This book had the interesting position in my reading order to directly follow a book that was about as horror as a horror novel can get.
Yet the majority of Cottage by the Sea was entertaining and sweet. Lots of people to root for. It dealt with love and what we do to foster it, hold on to it, and what it can make us do.
That being said, especially after my last book, the amount of sugar-coating it put on caused a substantial amount of eye-rolling, I must say. It was sort of artificially idyllic. But that's okay. I knew going in it was likely to be that. And why not? Sometimes a story just needs to be sweet and good and wholesome.
And it was entertaining with HEAs for all relevant characters involved.
This book had the interesting position in my reading order to directly follow a book that was about as horror as a horror novel can get.
Yet the majority of Cottage by the Sea was entertaining and sweet. Lots of people to root for. It dealt with love and what we do to foster it, hold on to it, and what it can make us do.
That being said, especially after my last book, the amount of sugar-coating it put on caused a substantial amount of eye-rolling, I must say. It was sort of artificially idyllic. But that's okay. I knew going in it was likely to be that. And why not? Sometimes a story just needs to be sweet and good and wholesome.
And it was entertaining with HEAs for all relevant characters involved.
September 10, 2018
I had been so looking forward to reading this book. The description and cover made me desperate to read it. It started off well and I was really enjoying it but it quickly became mundane and hard to read. This kind of book puts me off reading. Typical romance boy falls out with girl and won’t speak to her. Sadly I didn’t enjoy as much as anticipated
December 19, 2018
Oh. My. Word. Is this a typical Debbie Macomber? Is this how her books usually are? Because yikes. She's a popular author, and I have never really read anything from her, so in the interest of reader's advisory for work, I picked up one of her newer books. And yikes.
(To be read in the voice of Bill Hader's Stefon) Debbie Macomber's hottest new book has everything: a Mary Sue, busybody protagonist; a strong, silent man; teenage pregnancy; domestic abuse; friendly small-town folks; an agoraphobic, hoarding, cranky neighbor/landlord; animal rescue; characters with fertility issues; a character who has lost her entire family (surprisingly, see the Mary Sue character); men who have held torches for their love interests since they were teenagers.
(return to normal voice) Am I missing anything? I feel like I am. But, mercy, there was a lot happening in this novel, and it was just too much.
Spoilers Ahead!
I had some issues with the Keaton character--our strong, silent man. As a child he was teased for his size (as an adult, he's described as about 6'8") and his father did not love him (because, as revealed near the end of the story, ). I'm not sure about ages here, but when he was a young man (maybe still a teenager?), he saw Annie on the beach surrounded by her friends and it was apparently crush at first sight, which grew into obsession (because, really, I think that's what it was. How many of us can remember the cute boy or girl we saw on the beach almost twenty years ago?). He paints Annie in his murals--murals that he has painted as a grown adult, years after the fact, for goodness sake, but Annie doesn't seem too weirded out by this. So, we've got an emotionally stunted man who is obsessed with a girl he briefly saw years ago.
Which brings me to Annie, the object of his obsession and our resident Mary Sue. Annie lost her entire family on Thanksgiving (mother, father, brother, sister-in-law, and baby niece) and in her grief (I suppose, because Macomber really glosses over the immediate aftereffects of this trauma), she decides to move back to the little seaside town where her family spent their summers. She rents the same cottage they stayed at...and meets her cranky landlord Mellie, whom Annie is determined to befriend no matter what, regardless of Mellie's feelings.
Additionally, Annie promptly starts butting into everyone's business--and buckle up for the spoiler ride--
OK, off my soapbox now. I think Macomber would have had a decent story in there somewhere if her editor had gotten the Macomber $$$ stars out of their eyes and told her to whittle down all of the everything.
(To be read in the voice of Bill Hader's Stefon) Debbie Macomber's hottest new book has everything: a Mary Sue, busybody protagonist; a strong, silent man; teenage pregnancy; domestic abuse; friendly small-town folks; an agoraphobic, hoarding, cranky neighbor/landlord; animal rescue; characters with fertility issues; a character who has lost her entire family (surprisingly, see the Mary Sue character); men who have held torches for their love interests since they were teenagers.
(return to normal voice) Am I missing anything? I feel like I am. But, mercy, there was a lot happening in this novel, and it was just too much.
Spoilers Ahead!
I had some issues with the Keaton character--our strong, silent man. As a child he was teased for his size (as an adult, he's described as about 6'8") and his father did not love him (because, as revealed near the end of the story, ). I'm not sure about ages here, but when he was a young man (maybe still a teenager?), he saw Annie on the beach surrounded by her friends and it was apparently crush at first sight, which grew into obsession (because, really, I think that's what it was. How many of us can remember the cute boy or girl we saw on the beach almost twenty years ago?). He paints Annie in his murals--murals that he has painted as a grown adult, years after the fact, for goodness sake, but Annie doesn't seem too weirded out by this. So, we've got an emotionally stunted man who is obsessed with a girl he briefly saw years ago.
Which brings me to Annie, the object of his obsession and our resident Mary Sue. Annie lost her entire family on Thanksgiving (mother, father, brother, sister-in-law, and baby niece) and in her grief (I suppose, because Macomber really glosses over the immediate aftereffects of this trauma), she decides to move back to the little seaside town where her family spent their summers. She rents the same cottage they stayed at...and meets her cranky landlord Mellie, whom Annie is determined to befriend no matter what, regardless of Mellie's feelings.
Additionally, Annie promptly starts butting into everyone's business--and buckle up for the spoiler ride--
OK, off my soapbox now. I think Macomber would have had a decent story in there somewhere if her editor had gotten the Macomber $$$ stars out of their eyes and told her to whittle down all of the everything.
October 2, 2018
3 stars. This book was not for me. But, Debbie Macomber is a very good writer and I have liked other books by her much more. This is a story of loss, grief, healing, second chances and love. There are some characters that could be great, but I didn't really like them. The setting. a small seaside town called Oceanside, is somewhere I'd love to vacation or live so high points for that. Well described and beautiful. The premise of the story, a tragedy involving Annie losing her entire family to a mudslide, is really good too and what appealed to me when I took the offer from the publisher to read the novel.; because that part is based on a true event.
I was so excited to find one of the main characters. Keaton (and Annie's love interest), is a rescuer of animals. He is good friends with Preston, who runs the animal shelter. But, I would have liked it if the author had done a little more research on that part of it. Not to nit pick, but as a rescuer of cats myself, it is not advised to give cats dairy/milk at all. It can make them very sick. And it certainly is not advised to go 24 hrs without feeding a rescued kitten anything more than milk in your fridge. Keaton gives Annie a just found kitten and she is happy to give it a little milk from her fridge until she can make it to the store sometime the next day. Uh...no! I became very upset about this and other instances. I won't give away more bc that would get into spoiler territory. But, there are other rescues gifted to people who are not even asked first, just dropped off. That angered me. I am sorry...but, I am someone who has been involved in animal rescue most of my adult life and this was not even realistic.
The protagonist, Annie, is too pushy and has no boundaries when it comes to her agoraphobic landlord and hoarder neighbor. I felt she needed to mind her own business more and I was horrified at some of her intrusive behavior. This was just not the sweet, feel good book for me that it was probably meant to be and clearly was for others. I am odd man out here when I see other reviews from Goodreads friends. Some of it just not very realistic at all and bothered me too much to enjoy the book.
Thank you Ballantine Books via NetGalley and Debbie Macomber for a digital ARC to read in exchange for a review.
I was so excited to find one of the main characters. Keaton (and Annie's love interest), is a rescuer of animals. He is good friends with Preston, who runs the animal shelter. But, I would have liked it if the author had done a little more research on that part of it. Not to nit pick, but as a rescuer of cats myself, it is not advised to give cats dairy/milk at all. It can make them very sick. And it certainly is not advised to go 24 hrs without feeding a rescued kitten anything more than milk in your fridge. Keaton gives Annie a just found kitten and she is happy to give it a little milk from her fridge until she can make it to the store sometime the next day. Uh...no! I became very upset about this and other instances. I won't give away more bc that would get into spoiler territory. But, there are other rescues gifted to people who are not even asked first, just dropped off. That angered me. I am sorry...but, I am someone who has been involved in animal rescue most of my adult life and this was not even realistic.
The protagonist, Annie, is too pushy and has no boundaries when it comes to her agoraphobic landlord and hoarder neighbor. I felt she needed to mind her own business more and I was horrified at some of her intrusive behavior. This was just not the sweet, feel good book for me that it was probably meant to be and clearly was for others. I am odd man out here when I see other reviews from Goodreads friends. Some of it just not very realistic at all and bothered me too much to enjoy the book.
Thank you Ballantine Books via NetGalley and Debbie Macomber for a digital ARC to read in exchange for a review.
July 26, 2018
Debbie Macomber does such a wonderful job at capturing human emotions. This book tackles grief, and what it’s like to lose those closest to you in the blink of an eye. It deal with regret, and what it’s like to live with the what if’s and ‘I should’ve been theres’ You experience anger caused by seeing someone innocent grapple with abuse. So many things take place in this book and you see these wonderful, realistic characters navigate these tough situations. The romance in this story is one of my new favorites by her. Such a well written story.
November 16, 2025
Cottage by the Sea was a great, clean, heart-warming, hometown story with more than one romance. I love how Macomber takes a bunch of emotionally scarred people and brings them together to make a family. Amazing protagnosit!
I received this ARC copy of Cottage by the Sea from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books. This is my honest and voluntary review. Cottage by the Sea is set for July 17, 2018.
I received this ARC copy of Cottage by the Sea from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books. This is my honest and voluntary review. Cottage by the Sea is set for July 17, 2018.
April 26, 2018
Great novel about survival, hope, love and healing. The best part of this book is the young woman’s discovery of helping others is how to heal, grow and move on. The romance is a plus.
March 14, 2019
I must say reading a Debbie Macomber book is like comfort food to me.
August 14, 2018
My emotions were all over the place with this book. I loved it and I loved the characters so much! I will admit that I shed some tears while reading. I felt that heartbreak and sorrow from these characters. It may be focused more on Annie as the main character, but let me tell you that she is not the only one in this book who has heartbreak or the need for healing. This is one of my favorite books I've read by Debbie Macomber and one I won't be forgetting anytime soon. I think it and the characters will be in my thoughts for a long time.
When I saw the setting for this book and the title, I thought, yay a sweet beach read. Many years ago, I lived close by Oceanside, where this book is set. So of course, that and loving this author's books, I had to read it. Let me tell you that I loved reading about this quiet little town. The author did such a great job describing it and the quietness of it during the off season for visitors. The little movie theater, the coffee shop, the doctor's office, the kite store...all places that I'm familiar with. I actually saw one of the Twilight movies on opening night at that movie theater. Ha! Crazy right?! The movie theater where I lived was all sold out and I had debated about going for opening night with my friends until too late to get a ticket. But my friend's family lived in Long Beach/Oceanside and snagged several tickets for us when that movie theater was able to show the movie last minute. It was kind of a big deal too because we weren't that far from Forks, WA.
Ok, little tangent there. But all my memories helped connect me to this book. Annie was a beautifully written character. A woman who has everything going for her, and thinks that nothing is coming her way, when suddenly everyone she loves deeply are gone from her life. Trying to survive and not be emotionally overwhelmed is not working. Annie finally remembers a place she loved and has great memories of her family. When she moves to Oceanside, her scars are hidden and she becomes connected to many others who don't hide their scars (figuratively) beneath the surface.
I absolutely loved Annie and watching her befriend this group of characters in this book. The slow healing. The connections that come, as well as the small connections from Annie's youth. The older I get, the more I see how interconnected people are (and many times without even realizing it themselves). My husband had a college professor who could make a connection with anyone, within 6 people. It was pretty amazing to see him do that with every and any student. Absolutely amazing. I thought about that a few times while reading this as these characters are returning to each other's lives. I love connections and feel that they are so important. Especially in helping us as individuals in our healing, and we all have many moments when we need to have healing and peace.
Without saying too much more because it really would spoil this story, the sweet love story was really just that, sweet. I loved it! Ok, I might keep saying 'I love it,' but it's true. I did, I do! If you are a Debbie Macomber fan, or need a beach read that's a beach read but so much more, grab this gem. And I will recommend tissues. Especially for the beginning of the book. I didn't have any and was riding in the car with tears streaming down my face. I was a mess. Grab it and fall in love with this quiet, quaint little town. And then go visit there if you haven't.
Content: Clean. A tragedy, loss of family members, talk about physical abuse and children with bruises/broken bones, a minor character who threatens Annie, and a character who refuses to leave her home. Some kissing and mild innuendos but no sex scenes.
I received a copy from the publisher, Ballantine Books, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
When I saw the setting for this book and the title, I thought, yay a sweet beach read. Many years ago, I lived close by Oceanside, where this book is set. So of course, that and loving this author's books, I had to read it. Let me tell you that I loved reading about this quiet little town. The author did such a great job describing it and the quietness of it during the off season for visitors. The little movie theater, the coffee shop, the doctor's office, the kite store...all places that I'm familiar with. I actually saw one of the Twilight movies on opening night at that movie theater. Ha! Crazy right?! The movie theater where I lived was all sold out and I had debated about going for opening night with my friends until too late to get a ticket. But my friend's family lived in Long Beach/Oceanside and snagged several tickets for us when that movie theater was able to show the movie last minute. It was kind of a big deal too because we weren't that far from Forks, WA.
Ok, little tangent there. But all my memories helped connect me to this book. Annie was a beautifully written character. A woman who has everything going for her, and thinks that nothing is coming her way, when suddenly everyone she loves deeply are gone from her life. Trying to survive and not be emotionally overwhelmed is not working. Annie finally remembers a place she loved and has great memories of her family. When she moves to Oceanside, her scars are hidden and she becomes connected to many others who don't hide their scars (figuratively) beneath the surface.
I absolutely loved Annie and watching her befriend this group of characters in this book. The slow healing. The connections that come, as well as the small connections from Annie's youth. The older I get, the more I see how interconnected people are (and many times without even realizing it themselves). My husband had a college professor who could make a connection with anyone, within 6 people. It was pretty amazing to see him do that with every and any student. Absolutely amazing. I thought about that a few times while reading this as these characters are returning to each other's lives. I love connections and feel that they are so important. Especially in helping us as individuals in our healing, and we all have many moments when we need to have healing and peace.
Without saying too much more because it really would spoil this story, the sweet love story was really just that, sweet. I loved it! Ok, I might keep saying 'I love it,' but it's true. I did, I do! If you are a Debbie Macomber fan, or need a beach read that's a beach read but so much more, grab this gem. And I will recommend tissues. Especially for the beginning of the book. I didn't have any and was riding in the car with tears streaming down my face. I was a mess. Grab it and fall in love with this quiet, quaint little town. And then go visit there if you haven't.
Content: Clean. A tragedy, loss of family members, talk about physical abuse and children with bruises/broken bones, a minor character who threatens Annie, and a character who refuses to leave her home. Some kissing and mild innuendos but no sex scenes.
I received a copy from the publisher, Ballantine Books, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
January 31, 2019
I've read a lot of Debbie Macomber's books and loved her Cedar Cove and Blossom Street series. Since then, her standalone books have been kind of hit or miss for me. This one, unfortunately, was a miss. I found "Cottage by the Sea" to be repetitive, predictable and, frankly, not very romantic for a romance novel. Also, the people of Oceanside must have very floppy heads. Every time there was a kiss, one character had to cup their hands around the other character's head. This must have happened at least 5 or 6 times in the book. It would have been a good drinking game.....every time someone goes in for a kiss with the hand cupping technique, drink a glass of wine. I might try this game for the next Debbie Macomber offering. If it works, I might add an extra star to the next review, although I might be inebriated when I write it!
March 9, 2019
A beautiful and poignant story that even managed to get a few tears out of me near the end!
Annie has spent happy, carefree summers at Oceanside with her family. An overly tall, shy, lanky boy had admired her on the beach and I would say, had then fallen in love with her, from afar. They briefly meet - she and her family leave their rental cottage and go home; the large young man goes about his life, never forgetting this girl who impacted him so deeply, so quickly. It is unfortunate to learn he has always been made fun of and grew up without knowing his mother, and at the hands of an unloving, abusive father. Keaton’s lack of communication comes from his father’s hatred towards him and telling him not to speak, as his words are worthless.
Annie returns to the small beach town of Oceanside after a very tragic family accident. It is here she returns; her one happy place; after experiencing deep depression, and a lack of joy and happiness. Counseling and medication is not helping. So it is coming back here to Oceanside where she is able to breathe again, get peace and actually sleep through the night.
Annie runs into Keaton, the man, who was once the boy she met at the beach. He is still shy but he remembers her; man, does he remember her. ❤️ It is here where she decides to stay for a while, and wants to rent the same cottage where her family used to stay in during their vacation summers.
Keaton and Annie are developing a relationship without them even knowing they are developing a relationship. And that’s pretty neat. There are compliments and smiles and small acts of kindness and thoughtfulness and learning more-about each other. There is the landlord next door who’s a hoarder and a rather inflammatory woman, but we find she has a heart that can be warmed, if given time and the right push and surrounded by the right people.
There are other people who come into play in this small town and we see the effects Annie, especially, has made on everyone with her presence. This place is where she is meant to be, but there’s a lot everyone has to go through to get themselves settled and situated. It’s comical and sad and compassionate and cruel at times. Its about second chances, love, trust, hope, and having your dreams come true. There are also some animal rescue parts, with Keaton doing the finding, and Mellie, Annie’s landlord, doing the tending, with the help of the town vet, Preston. Preston happens to have an up-down, off-on relationship with Mellie, for years.
It’s a story plot unlike any I’ve read before. I thought it was very well done - it took me through the emotional turnstile and spit me back out at the end having to go get some tissues before I finished the last chapter. 😢 Whether it was the actual story and/or my emotional reaction to it, I’d say this is probably the best Debbie Macomber I’ve read yet.
Annie has spent happy, carefree summers at Oceanside with her family. An overly tall, shy, lanky boy had admired her on the beach and I would say, had then fallen in love with her, from afar. They briefly meet - she and her family leave their rental cottage and go home; the large young man goes about his life, never forgetting this girl who impacted him so deeply, so quickly. It is unfortunate to learn he has always been made fun of and grew up without knowing his mother, and at the hands of an unloving, abusive father. Keaton’s lack of communication comes from his father’s hatred towards him and telling him not to speak, as his words are worthless.
Annie returns to the small beach town of Oceanside after a very tragic family accident. It is here she returns; her one happy place; after experiencing deep depression, and a lack of joy and happiness. Counseling and medication is not helping. So it is coming back here to Oceanside where she is able to breathe again, get peace and actually sleep through the night.
Annie runs into Keaton, the man, who was once the boy she met at the beach. He is still shy but he remembers her; man, does he remember her. ❤️ It is here where she decides to stay for a while, and wants to rent the same cottage where her family used to stay in during their vacation summers.
Keaton and Annie are developing a relationship without them even knowing they are developing a relationship. And that’s pretty neat. There are compliments and smiles and small acts of kindness and thoughtfulness and learning more-about each other. There is the landlord next door who’s a hoarder and a rather inflammatory woman, but we find she has a heart that can be warmed, if given time and the right push and surrounded by the right people.
There are other people who come into play in this small town and we see the effects Annie, especially, has made on everyone with her presence. This place is where she is meant to be, but there’s a lot everyone has to go through to get themselves settled and situated. It’s comical and sad and compassionate and cruel at times. Its about second chances, love, trust, hope, and having your dreams come true. There are also some animal rescue parts, with Keaton doing the finding, and Mellie, Annie’s landlord, doing the tending, with the help of the town vet, Preston. Preston happens to have an up-down, off-on relationship with Mellie, for years.
It’s a story plot unlike any I’ve read before. I thought it was very well done - it took me through the emotional turnstile and spit me back out at the end having to go get some tissues before I finished the last chapter. 😢 Whether it was the actual story and/or my emotional reaction to it, I’d say this is probably the best Debbie Macomber I’ve read yet.
July 28, 2018
Wow, Debbie Macomber! I just found myself a new favorite author. After a devastating tragedy, Annie moves back to her childhood family vacation home. Where she slowly begins to heal. This book was about loss, heartbreak, friendship, family, second chance and more. I highly recommend this book, it was a wonderful summer read!!!
May 25, 2018
♥♥ 4 Healing Stars ♥♥
After unspeakable tragedy, Annie is left reeling and trying to find a way through her grief. She's been barely making it through everyday life for over a year when she decides to get out her haze and find her "happy place". Remembering her childhood vacations to a cottage in a sleepy beach town, she decides to see if she can find meaning in her life again there. Annie insinuates into her new town and slowly ingrains herself into the lives and hearts of those around her.
While this story definitely has romance going on, it's all very PG. I haven't read that much by Ms. Macomber, so I'm not sure if this is part of her writing style or not, but I was really hoping for at least a couple hot sex scenes. I think Keaton had the potential to be a really hot brooding alpha male type guy, but he was much more reserved and gentle than expected. That being said, he still gave me those gooey feelings and was super sexy when he got all protective of Annie. I felt that while the story focused more on Annie's journey to healing more than the romantic development between Annie and Keaton, Annie didn't seem to address her past basically at all. The tragedy is what brought her to the town and allowed her to connect with so many others, but it's not until almost the end of the book that she talks about her past with someone, and it's not even with Keaton! And when Keaton finds out, he's so blasé about it and they don't even talk about what happened. For this to be the whole premise of the book, I felt like it was basically just a sidetone by the end of the book.
Overall, I thought this was a fairly easy and light read (with the exception of the first couple chapters). It's not often that I find myself interested in the lives of the secondary characters, but I found myself almost caring more about the others' development than the main characters'!
After unspeakable tragedy, Annie is left reeling and trying to find a way through her grief. She's been barely making it through everyday life for over a year when she decides to get out her haze and find her "happy place". Remembering her childhood vacations to a cottage in a sleepy beach town, she decides to see if she can find meaning in her life again there. Annie insinuates into her new town and slowly ingrains herself into the lives and hearts of those around her.
While this story definitely has romance going on, it's all very PG. I haven't read that much by Ms. Macomber, so I'm not sure if this is part of her writing style or not, but I was really hoping for at least a couple hot sex scenes. I think Keaton had the potential to be a really hot brooding alpha male type guy, but he was much more reserved and gentle than expected. That being said, he still gave me those gooey feelings and was super sexy when he got all protective of Annie. I felt that while the story focused more on Annie's journey to healing more than the romantic development between Annie and Keaton, Annie didn't seem to address her past basically at all. The tragedy is what brought her to the town and allowed her to connect with so many others, but it's not until almost the end of the book that she talks about her past with someone, and it's not even with Keaton! And when Keaton finds out, he's so blasé about it and they don't even talk about what happened. For this to be the whole premise of the book, I felt like it was basically just a sidetone by the end of the book.
Overall, I thought this was a fairly easy and light read (with the exception of the first couple chapters). It's not often that I find myself interested in the lives of the secondary characters, but I found myself almost caring more about the others' development than the main characters'!
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