Coral Cafe

The Coral Cottage at Summer Beach #2

by Jan Moran

When Marina Moore decides to expand her farmers market and pop-up dinner business, the next step is a cafe on the shores of Summer Beach. But challenges loom, and Marina must quickly become more creative than ever, especially when her children need help. Her sister Kai's position with a musical theater troupe forces more changes. Their sister Brooke is having marital challenges, while grandmother Ginger continues to contribute her advice on the life well-lived—if only her granddaughters will listen.

Meanwhile, writer Jack Ventana stumbles onto more old secrets in Summer Beach, and his overgrown Labrador retriever puppy Scout manages to dig his way into more trouble. When the status quo changes between Jack and Marina, their budding romance is threatened.

Join the fun once again in Summer Beach, where the bonds of friendship and love prove unbreakable.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Audiobook, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Womens Fiction, Contemporary Romance

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 16, 2021

About the author

Hi there, and welcome! If you like fun beach reads or romantic sagas that whisk you off to places like sunny beaches or Italy, Paris, and Napa Valley, then come on in. I write clean and wholesome feel-good novels.

Never miss a sale or new release! Tap "Follow" on Goodreads. Join my Readers Club and get a free read to download now, The Summer Beach Welcome Kit: https://www.janmoran.com/newsletter

If you like to binge read, visit my new online bookshop for special ebook, audiobook, and paperback bundles: https://store.janmoran.com/collection...

Join me in my Facebook Readers Group, too, where we celebrate good books and cheer each other on: https://www.facebook.com/groups/58425.... That's where I share sales, ARCs, and lots of fun times.

Here's where you can find all my books: https://viewauthor.at/JanMoranBooks.

So what's new? Look for the new SEABREEZE GALA, which earned a spot (thanks to readers!) on the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists, so we've been celebrating. Besides my women's fiction beach series (Summer Beach, Coral Cottage, and Crown Island series), I also write 20th-century historical sagas with a touch of romance. THE WINEMAKERS is my latest re-launch, and HEPBURN'S NECKLACE, set against the Audrey Hepburn film, ROMAN HOLIDAY, is my latest dual timeline historical.

If you enjoy Mary Kay Andrews, Elin Hilderbrand, Brenda Novak, and Mary Alice Monroe's beach reads, then you'll want to start with SEABREEZE INN. If you like to escape to another time with Danielle Steel, Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, or Fiona Davis, then check out THE CHOCOLATIER, a sweet read set on the shores of Amalfi, Italy, HEPBURN'S NECKLACE iN Lake Como, Italy, or THE WINEMAKERS, which will whisk you to 1950s Napa Valley and Tuscany.

If you're an audiobook aficionado, you're in luck! Most of my books are available in audio on my store: https://store.janmoran.com/collection..., and on Audible, Apple, and Amazon, read by the super-talented Erin Bennett (Elin Hilderbrand, Debbie Macomber, etc), an award-winning narrator.

My SUNSHINE & SECOND CHANCES series (aka LOVE CALIFORNIA) is also a lot of fun. It's a linked series of six best friends that I based on some of my favorite travel destinations. Each book is a mini-vacay, starting with Paris in FLAWLESS, Spain in BEAUTY MARK, Malibu and Ireland in RUNWAY, and three more fun locales. These are also widely available on audio Audible, Apple, and Amazon, as well as Kobo, and Barnes & Noble.

Let's keep in touch! Here's how:
- Follow me on Bookbub to learn of all my sales, new releases, and preorders: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jan-m...
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- And...get a free read when you join my newsletter group: http://www.janmoran.com/contact-jan.

If you're a library patron and prefer to borrow from a library, simply ask your local library to order copies for you and other patrons. Library ebooks are also available through Libby, Overdrive, and CloudLibrary, so your librarian can purchase ebooks through these services to make them accessible to you. Just ask; many of my books are there.

My books have also been translated into German, Polish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Turkish, Russian, Lithuanian, and other languages. Most titles are also available in audiobook and large print formats.

Thank you all for your support on this amazing writing journey. I love to hear from readers--that's how your beloved Seabreeze Inn has kept growing new books. And thank you for sharing my books with your friends. If you have book club meetings and would like to connect with me by Zoom, please reach out through my website at https://www.janmoran.com/contact.

Happy reading!

Reviews

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars
I enjoyed the first part of the series as a pleasant summer read but was a bit disappointed by part two. The pace seemed to be more slow and the drama between Jack and Marina was a bit too much for my taste. I’ll still continue reading part 3 just because I’m not ready to say goodbye to the loveable characters. I also hope to learn more about Ginger’s intriguing past. As in the first book the food descriptions are very appetising and I also enjoyed that the female characters are all strong women that are resilient and able to take care of them selves.

[Lisa Malmquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marina Moore opens the Coral cafe in Summer Beach. Her sisters and fiesty grandmother are all helping her pull off a new business.
Her sister Brooke is having some problems with her family, Her other sister Kai the broadway star is in an abusive relationship and everyone in the family knows it but her.
Jack Ventana, Marina's romantic interest is till adjusting to fatherhood, which he didn't know about until recently.
A good series which has some realistic problems and solutions that could come up. BUt has a great family to help them through it and love the characters!

[Doni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed reading this book!
Coral Cafe, is a feel-good, fun,
intriguing & moving romance.
Delightful characters & small town
charm make it the perfect read.
It will steal your heart from the very
first page to the last.
I loved everything about it.
A Must Read Story!!

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Sometimes, when your world blows up, you discover sparkly bits among the debris."

"Jack and Marina...sitting in a tree..." (go ahead....I'll wait while you finish). But what happened? When this second book opens, we're left wondering if their budding romance fizzled. Marina's farmers' market-slash- pop-up dinner venue has become so popular she's thinking about opening The Coral Cafe as an expansion of the patio venue...bur where is Jack in all of this? The cottage was made roofless and basically uninhabitable and he's vacated to The Seabreeze Inn, but has he run from Marina too?

Jack is being forced into adulthood with the presence of Leo and his ill mother. His work with Ginger is fulfilling, but is it enough to keep him grounded in Summer Beach? When he tries to re-connect with Marina, more than seasickness makes them both feel queasy. Marina's on a faster track than he is right now. Can she ever catch a break? And what about Kai; will she give up her heart's desire for security, or will she continue to work towards her dreams?

I had literally given up on contemporary women's romance before I came across Jan Moran's "Scent of Triumph"....and I have read every.single book she writes. These 2 Summer Beach series, especially these Coral Cottage ones are marvelous works of art and highly recommended! 5/5

[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second installment of the Coral Cottage at Summer Beach series. I fell in love with the series with the first book and this one definitely did not disappoint and was just as wonderful. As always, the characters were well-developed and relatable and had realistic qualities and you can't help but fall in love with them. There are recurring characters from the previous book, so it was fun to catch up with them - like catching up with oId friends! If you've read book 1, you've already met Marina. This book continues her story. Her dream is to open her own cafe someday and she is working hard to make that dream come true. Jack is facing a dilemma and needs to figure out what he really wants. He has been offered a job in another country and needs to decide if it's worth taking, or if he belongs here in Summer Beach. The budding romance between Marina and Jack we saw in Book 1 has hit a bumpy patch and it seems their walls have been built higher and stronger. True to Ms. Moran's style, this is a heartwarming and touching story about love, friendship, and family. The story will warm your heart and have you coming back for more. Highly recommend the book and the series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, the second in the Coral Cottage series. The descriptions of the beach and the food are so appealing. There are a lot of characters and it took a few chapters to remember how they all fit and their back story. The main story describes opening a new cafe on the beach but there are some side stories as well - romance and even a mystery. I had to ignore the editing errors along the way - it seems to be so common now - does no one have editors or proofreaders any more? But it is distracting. Overall a solid enjoyable book and I look forward to the next in the series.

[Kathryn Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this beach read! The characters are so fun and there is a lot of talk about delicious food! 😍

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book two of the Summer Beach: Coral Cottage series and the main character is widowed mother Marina Moore, who has nineteen year old teens off at college and wants to expand her farmer’s market stall and pop-up dinner business into a café along the beach. She thought she was finally having a spark of a romance with investigative writer Jack Ventana, but he hasn’t’ called her after they had a romantic moment in the pool of the inn and even a kiss. She decides to concentrate on her new business idea, getting a construction crew headed by a man called Axe, to come in and fix the damage caused to the cottage next to her Grandmother Ginger’s home, which she wants to change into a café. Her sister Kai is home visiting her sister and gran, whilst on break from the theatre touring company she works for. She is engaged to an older man called Dimitri, but he is always travelling and she hasn’t spent much time with him since they started going out and he hasn’t even met her gran, who is an important person in her life.

Marina’s other sister Brooke, turns out to be having problems with her husband Chip and her sons, who have been treating her as pretty much a slave and after an out of hand wrestling session which caused loads of damage, only one son was left in the house to help her clean up. They refused to help her with chores, wash up or even pick up their laundry and she has had enough! Jack is collaborating with Ginger to help her edit some children’s stories she wrote years ago, doing some illustrations based on her writing and getting them ready to be published. He is sticking around Summer Beach after finding out he had a son, Leo, with a former fellow correspondent, Vanessa, after a night together when they didn’t know if they would survive another day. Only when she became seriously ill did she tell him about his son and now he has to get used to the idea that he is a father, but that Leo will be relying on him, once his mother dies, which is likely to be fairly soon. Jack needs to find a suitable home for him, Scout his stumbling but cute puppy, and his son, and as soon as possible. Marina gets a chance for a big catering gig on a huge yacht at the dock and gets Kia to help her, but there is something dodgy about the supposed owners of the huge yacht and why they are in such a small town.

A complex storyline of family issues, attraction and a lack of follow-up, overbearing partners and a dissatisfied housewife and mother. Ginger is one who holds much of the story together, from old stories of her past and that of adventures with her husband Bertrand, to contributing her advice to her granddaughters on life and love and good food! Jack is faced with life changing issues which will need him to reconsider what he does for a living and learning how to be a good father to the son he never knew he had. Marina has huge ideas for her café and a foodie festival to get Summer Beach better known for its variety of food, cafes and restaurants, to catch the tourists passing through, rather than the huge chain restaurants in the towns nearby. Add in a couple of famous people and no doubt it will be a success. Jack picks up a lead to some suspicious people in town and wonders if he has a story there, as it leads to old secrets held by someone in Summer Beach. A family full of strong women and a beach community who help look after each other and there are plenty of links to people you have read about in other books by the author. A great continuing storyline of the area and its people, with lots of food and a good bit of romance. A good addition of some recipes from the story are listed at the end of the book, so you can try out some of the dishes you got to read about and imagine! I can’t wait for another book in this series or any others by this author. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[SOS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet and wonderful read, filled with great characters. It’s the characters that really sell this story. Mariana, a former news anchor, her sisters Kai and Brooke, her grandmother Ginger, Jack, Leo, Vanessa, and more. They’re all delights. I also like how this series melds so beautifully with the author's Seabreeze Inn books. Combined, they create an excellent image of a thriving seaside resort community.

In this book, Marina is finally ready to open her oceanside café. Construction is quickly completed on the former guest house at Corall Cottage. Things with Jack are iffy, but everything else seems to be going well for Marina. Kai’s fiancé shows up, surprising everyone in many ways. Opening night is set. As always though, something has to go wrong. Can it all be straightened out before the end of the book? Of course, it can. These are such wonderful, feel-good books.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It took me to a happy place, with no pandemic or heaping piles of snow. It made me feel warm and cozy. Speaking of cozy, the mystery in this book was a little lacking. While there is a mysterious situation, it’s never really dealt with despite Jack realizing that something was amiss. I wonder if it will make another appearance in the next installment?

This is a great read if you want to feel all warm and happy by the end. I do recommend reading the books in order though. It will help you understand the characters and what they’ve been through.

I received a copy of this book from that author through BookFunnel. I thank her for her generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marina Moore is settling into a new life in Summer Beach after an embarrassing and career ending incident as television reporter. She is now living with her eclectic grandmother Ginger and is opening a new café to use her skills as a chef. Her two sisters along with her two grown children are more than ready to support her and help the café become a success. The only thing Marina must decide on is her relationship with Jack, can they be more than friends with everything going on in both their lives?

This story takes us a journey of friendship, family and love. Marina is starting a new career, her sister Kai’s life is about to change, and her sister Brooke is trying to repair her marriage. The one thing they can count on is the support and wisdom of Ginger their grandmother, who always has their backs. For Jack, he is learning to be a father to his newfound son Leo and making hard decisions about his future. Throw in a new café, a mystery aboard a yacht and you have a fabulous novel to get lost in.

I absolutely love this series. This is the second book in the Summer Beach Coral Cottage series and is a companion series to the Summer Beach books. The characters are recurring which I love as I got to catch up old friends and meet some new ones. Jan Moran is a brilliant author and I love how she invites you into a story that just warms your heart. If you have not read her books, you should definitely give this author a chance, you will love her! Thank you so much to Jan Moran for an advanced copy of the book to read and review. My opinions in this review are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Pamela Duarte · Rating 4 out of 5]

After leaving her job as a news anchor in San Francisco under less than favorable circumstances, Marina Moore moves to Summer Beach on the Southern California coast to live with her Grandmother Ginger. She’s been operating a pop-up dinner and farmers market business, but now she wants to follow her dream and open a restaurant. Her plan is to convert the guest house on her grandmother’s property into the restaurant. She’ll use products from local vendors and base her recipes on the one’s Ginger taught her from Ginger’s close friend, Julia Child.

Marina will need to resolve her feelings for Jack Ventana a journalist who is working with Ginger on writing children’s books. And Jack has some issues to address before he can commit to a relationship.

This is the second book of a series and, while the author gives quick recaps of some of the events from the previous book, I think I would have enjoyed this book even more if I had read the first book in the series first. (I have it on hold at Libby.) Having said that, this was still an entertaining read. The characters are complex and interesting – I would love to learn more about Ginger’s story. She sounds like a fascinating woman. The relationship between the 3 sisters reflects their personalities spot on. Marina’s recipes and ideas for the Café would appeal to me. I loved the idea of having the recipes at the back of the book since reading about them made me hungry. I see a third book in the series will be released later this year and I look forward to reading it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nina Sollorz-Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

In " Neuanfang im Coral Cottage (Coral Cottage Deutsch 2) " ist Marina Moore mit Eifer dabei, ihr Cafe am Strand mit Hilfe ihrer Familie, allen voran Großmutter Ginger Devalie zu eröffnen und gleichzeitig Pop-up Dinners zu generieren.
Auch setzt Marina mit Hilfe der Summer Beach Restaurantbetreiber das angedachte Food-Festival um, damit Summer Beachs Restaurants und Lokale weiterhin Geschäftsfähig bleiben.
Allerdings hat das ganze auch eine Schattenseite und diese ist ausgerechnet Marinas Gefühle zu Jack.
Denn auch wenn Jack Summer Beach als seinen neuen Wohnort auserkoren hat, hat dieser mit seinen eigenen Problemen zu tun, um an eine Beziehung jeglicher Art zu denken. Ganz egal was das Herz vielleicht möchte.
Dazu kommt, dass Jack eine Story in Summer Beach wittert, die zur Gefahr für die Moore-Devalie-Family werden könnte.
Aber auch Kai, die jüngste der Schwestern von Marina hat mit ihrem derzeitigen Leben zu kämpfen und stellt alles Infrage. Ebenso wie Brooke, die mittlere der Schwester, deren Leben auf dem Kopf steht und deshalb in Coral Cottage Unterschlupf sucht.
Wird es Marina mit Hilfe ihrer Familie gelingen, ihre Vorhaben erfolgreich umzusetzen und mit ihren unerwiderten Gefühlen zu Jack zurechtzukommen? Und ist Jack bereit sich für seinen derzeitigem Wandel im Leben anzupassen?
Die Story hat mich sofort wieder mit nach Summer Beach ins Coral Cottage genommen, dabei bleibt sie abwechslungsreich sowie spannungsgeladen. Man darf mit Marina, ihren Schwestern sowie Jack und dessen Anhang mitfiebern und die verschiedesten Emotionen erleben. Es gibt einiges zum schmunzeln bis herzhaft zu lachen, so manche mitfühlende, tragische wie auch brisante Momente und das ein oder andere Tränchen zu vergießen.
Ich konnte das Buch kaum noch aus der Hand legen, da ich erfahren wollte, ob Marina mit ihrem neuem Leben im Coral Cottage auf dem richtigen Weg ist.
Wie es um Marina, Kai, Ginger sowie Jack weitergeht erfahren wir im nächsten Band der Coral Cottage Reihe.
Das Buch bekommt von mir eine Lese / Kaufempfehlung und 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sterne.

[Sara Beneventi · Rating 4 out of 5]

⚠️  ATTENZIONE SPOILER ⚠️

"Un nuovo inizio a Coral Cottage" di Jan Moran
Genere: narrativa contemporanea
Pagg. 283

Questo è il secondo libro della serie. Ritroviamo tutti i personaggi così come li abbiamo lasciati nel primo volume. Marina, dopo l' insuccesso della sua relazione e la perdita del lavoro, ha avviato la sua attività, che va alla grande e ora si butta in una nuova sfida. Vuole rilanciare i ristoranti del territorio, che sono in crisi dopo l' arrivo delle grandi catene nei paesi vicino. Quindi vuole organizzare "Taste of summer" un evento dove poter far partecipare tutti i ristoratori della zona. Questo non è facile e soprattutto la parte economica è quella che pesa di più. Ma grazie all' aiuto della sua rete di conoscenze e amicizie riesce a organizzare tutto con tanto di sfida in modalità Masterchef con un grande chef e cantanti famosi. Nel frattempo non mancano le storie intrecciate degli altri personaggi, come sua sorella Kai. Faremo la conoscenza anche dell' altra sorella, Brooke, che in crisi con il marito arriva anche lei a casa di nonna Ginger. Quest' ultima sta continuando a lavorare assieme a Jack, per pubblicare libri per ragazzi. Così anche lui ritorna nella vita di Marina, non senza intoppi ovviamente! Lui infatti, deve fare i conti con i sentimenti che prova per lei e ciò che vorrebbe costruire con Vanessa e Leo, il figlio che ha appena scoperto di avere. Inoltre Jack e Ginger scopriranno traffici loschi in quel di Summer Beach. Finale scontato, ma piacevole. Lettura estiva scorrevole, ci si affeziona ai personaggi. Rispetto al primo l' ho trovato un po' ripetitivo, però questo permette di leggerlo anche singolarmente e capire la storia anche se non si è letto il primo. Personaggio preferito: la nonna Ginger, donna forte in tutti i sensi. Sicuramente proseguirò nella lettura dei successivi.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always excited when Jan Moran releases a new book. She never disappoints. As always, this was a fun read with wonderful characters. The women in her books are intelligent businesswomen and loyal to their families and friends. These are “feel good” sweet romances. Always the perfect beach or weekend read.

I love how the characters from all her (“Coral Cottage at Summer Beach”, “Love, California” and “Sea Breeze Inn at Summer Beach”) are intertwined. (Note: Each series can be read on their own, but why not read them all for the full “experience”?)

In this second book in the series, Marina Moore is juggling dinner parties and a stall at local farmers’ market. But with the help of her sister Kai and her delightful, 80ish grandmother Ginger she is ready to make her dream of a café become reality. Both Marina’s and Kai’s romances are being tested. Jack is torn by conflicting feelings for the mother of his son and Marina. I love the tender moments between Jack and his son Leo. Kai’s Broadway producer boyfriend shows up at Summer Beach forcing her to choose between him and local contractor Axe. And Scout, with silly grin and wagging tail, is a true delight. The storyline is engaging and perfectly paced. My only negative is that I would prefer fewer comments regarding Julia Child. And the mystery involving Charles and Anne seemed to add nothing to the story and just fizzled out. But, overall, it is a very enjoyable read. You are sure to relate to these characters.

I received this book as a gift from the author. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book two in The Summer Beach: Coral Cottage Series and it continues Marina's story. Marina is now doing supper and dinner parties and a food stall to try and make money so that she can make her dreams come true of openings her own cafe and with the help of her family that seems to be within her reach. Jack is writing a book with Marina's grandmother Ginger and he was also trying to spend as much time as he could with his son Leo but when Jack gets a phone call to go and do a report from another country he has to decide what to do, take the assignment or stay and make a lot here at summer beach and what will be do about his job in New York. What will happen with Marina and Jack as they seem to have there walls built high even after what they shared. I love how all the residents support each other and it is really good to have them all connected in this book. Wow I just love this story so much and I can't wait to read the next and as Jan Moran is an amazing author and writer and she certainly knows how to keep her reader's attention and you have to keep turning the pages to see what would happen next. I definitely recommend you read this book and others by Ian and you will definitely not be disappointed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deena · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the temperatures outside below zero, this was a great time to visit Summer Beach. Lots of new things are happening in this little beach town — Marina is starting a new business, Kai is finding herself and Brooke is facing a family crisis. Of course, the family “rock,” Ginger is still there to lend her wisdom and support to her three granddaughters. Jack is facing his own dilemma and will have to come to terms with what he really wants out of life.

All of the characters are relatable and realistic, although I am always astounded at the amount of different foods Marina is able to prepare for the various events. It’s fun to see the characters evolve and interact with the Seabreeze Inn characters. The storyline with Anne and Charles didn’t seem very well developed. There is a hint of something mysterious, but nothing really happens until close to the end.

There are a lot of characters in this book, so it would be helpful to have read the first book in this series and even the Seabreeze Inn series. I’m sure there are more adventures awaiting in the next book and I’m looking forward to it.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Anne Whiting · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the Coral cafe and would have loved a coffee and lunch there. Marina Moore seems such a lovely lady and with the help of family and friends I'm glad she was able to start her new venture. She had had bad setbacks in her life with Stan's death and her job loss and deserved some luck.

Ginger, Marina's mother was a real trouper and had some very interesting tales to tell about her experiences and people she'd met along the way .
Poor Brooke seems to have made a bad choice of husband .. a name chauvinist! She deserves better!

Kai wasn't my favourite sister I think it's her name! Sounds like a boy's name to me but maybe it's an American one and I'm in the UK.

And then there's Jack, oh such a conflict of emotions for him. But he still sounds lovely.!

I hope there is a Book 3 in the series. Jan is such a versatile writer, from the Summer Beach books to Hepburn's and the Wine books, all different!.

Thank you Jan for all the pleasure you bring to your readers.

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coral Cafe is a feel good romance story that has all the characteristics of being a great read, love, family, terminal illness, and great food.
Why did I give it only three stars you may ask? Well, it is entirely my fault, I didn’t read the first book of the series, the Seabreeze Inn, so I was completely overwhelmed with the amount of characters in the book, too many to not feel confused with all the names that the book throws at you, although I have to be honest, the main characters, namely Marina, Jack, Ginger, Kai are very likable and relatable.
The story with Charles and Anne needs a little more explanation and depth, in some points of the book it feels like it is there just to fill the pages and not contribute to the story, and the ending of that story feels rushed.
All in all the main story in the book is very reliable and enjoyable to read.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange of an honest review.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in the series. These characters are so relatable and real you want to call them up and invite them over!

Marina Moore, one of Ginger's 3 granddaughters, decides to expand her farmer's market. They refurbish the guest house, Coral Cottage, and make an amazing outdoor/indoor dining experience right on the beach. There are any challenges in creating this dream, compounded by her sister Kai's acting future & questionable fiancé and sister Brooke's family issues.

Grandmother Ginger is priceless - once a code breaker and more during the war and now a fabulous chef, raconteur, hostess and expert on a life well-lived.

Writer Jack (working with Ginger on a series of children's books) is an inveterate investigative reporter who still follows clues and issues. His Lab puppy manages to create chaos and Jack's newly discovered young son creates different life goals for Jack. Read it and see how all this complicates the developing relationship of Jack and Marina.

[Janet Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Business and New Love
In this episode, our heroine opens her new cafe and her heart. I think that this series needs to be read in order. I also think that you should read the Seabreeze Inn series first as this is a spinoff. The 2 series interact so much that the reader will get a complete view by reading both sets. It also sounds like there will be new books in each as the different characters grow. This is a fun women's fiction series that has all the right stuff. There is terminal illness, fiesty octagenarians, mature new love, young love, teenagers and collage age kids, and even a dog. This is the type of story that most people could identify with someone in the story and truly enjoy it. I know that I have. I received this ARC book for free from Booksprout and this is my honest review.

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s not all fun in the sun at the shore – not when you have to establish your business and compete with others. Marina is expanding her business to include a café, and she has to make it special somehow. Meanwhile, her kids are making some serious changes in their lives, and one sister is having romance issues and another is having marriage problems. Marina herself is coping with her growing feelings for Jack, but Jack is coming to terms with being a “new” father to his young son. This tale has it all, and it is well handled by the author. Not too sweet and not too unhappy, things will (hopefully) work out for everyone. In this second installment in the series, the characters are becoming more defined and interesting. It’s a great read for the beach, or really, anywhere when you want to lose yourself in an entertaining story.

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up and changing is good for the soul

Coral Cafe is the second book in the Summer Beach: Coral Cottage series and continues the story of Marina Moore and Jack Ventana. In this book Marina has decided to capitalize on her success and open a cafe. Thus is born the Coral Cafe in Summer Beach. Jack in the meantime is busy with his work with Ginger, but is he really busy enough. At the same time it seems that Jack and Marina have gone in two different directions but will they be able to find their way back to each other again?
I enjoyed this second book in the series. The characters are once again wonderful and the story-line has both Marina and Jack growing and their lives changing.

I received a copy of this book for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.

[Karen Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seaside shennanigans

This nook is a fantastic addition to the whole Summer Beach collection. They all have wonderful things that happen and always leave me with a happy and hopeful feeling but this one was did especially. The characters are well described but Jan Moran is a master story teller and creates a masterpiece where all the overlapping stories meet to blend in together seamlessly. Add in the unique and inspiring stories of strong women like Ginger and it couldn't be more perfect. Marina opening the Coral Cafe is a huge accomplishment but I also love how she tries to help the Summer Beach community as well as those around her. This is another book you just can't put down.

[Debbie Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book continues the story of Marina as she settles into Summer Beach, a small beach front town in California. After an embarrassing fall from the world of television, Marina has landed on her feet and is ready to open her own small restaurant. With her family’s support, the restaurant gets its start and like all new places to eat, struggles to get started.

In this book, we continue with sister Kai and her love life as well as Jack and his 10-year-old son whom he recently met. His son is the result of a one-night stand with a fellow reporter who upon learning she was ill, decided to let Jack know about his son. More things occur making the story fun and interesting.

Again, the author has tied this series into the Seabreeze Inn series which does make for an interesting read as the reader sees so many familiar characters. Moran does a good job reviewing characters without going through the entire story line of either series.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful visit to Summer Beach! This time we get to see Marina in action making her dreams come true. She's enlarging the Coral Cafe via the guest house and spearheading an event to bring more customers to all of the restaurants of Summer Beach. All this while her daughter is back for the summer, her sister is back due to marital strife and Jack is lurking on the fringes of her emotions. Throw in a shadowy couple with an awesome yacht and you have a great summer! Lots going on with romance and intrigue and wonderful characters. You can't ask for more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[linda murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect beach read

As always Jan Moran weaves a delightful story that you don't want to end! Her Summer Beach series continues with her Coral Cottage books where we meet Marina, a tv anchor who has made a huge lifestyle change! We get to meet her, her enigmatic grandmother, sisters and children, and continue to keep up with friends from the Summer Beach Inn. If you haven't read The Summer Beach series do that ! This Coral Cottage series continues the people we met earlier, like Ivy, her sisters, brothers, Ivy's parents, Mitch and Bennett! I hope Jan continues to write about Summer Beach and the characters I've grown to love!

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Not many of us realize that we truly only live one day at a time. So live today.”

I enjoyed the “human-ness”of this story. There were comments made by various characters (especially the wise grandmother)) that could be interpreted as good rules to live by:

“I will welcome this day with optimism and excitement. I will approach this day with the intelligence, wisdom, and talent that I know I possess, even when doubt creeps into my mind. I will seize this day with all the energy I have within me, and I will radiate enthusiasm to light the path of those who follow me.”

And,”Sometimes, when your world blows up, you discover sparkly bits among the debris.”

[Birgit Offenhammer Geb Beckmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Die beiden sind ein unglaubliche Protagonisten, man muss sie einfach gern haben.

Werden Marina und Jack sich nun endlich näher kommen?

Diese Frage beschäftigt einen seit dem ersten Teil und doch ist nichts in Stein gemeißelt, was die beiden betrifft.

Ein Neuanfang, was das berufliche betrifft und ob das auch so wird, wie man es sich denkt oder gar wünscht, muss man selber herausfinden.

Zumindest geht es hier wieder spannend weiter auch wenn am Ende doch noch so ein paar Fragen übrig bleiben.

Ich bin schon sehr auf den nächsten Teil gespannt.

Eine ganz klare Kauf-Leseempfehlung.

Auch hier gibt es 5 Sterne.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read 2 from Jan this time. i got this from my local library leaning program. i love these book covers. so fun!! check them out. i think i can read both winter, fall & 0ther season reads any ole' time. so fun. i will read more soon. i see this is a nice ole' series, i gotta check out more of them. gotta read. jet. bye.
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Seabreeze Shores - Jan Moran
Coral Cafe
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Lighthouse Cove - Rachel Hanna
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Summer on Sag Harbor - Sunny Hostin
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Shell Beach - Davis Bunn
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Nantucket Threads - Pamela M. Kelley

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable story about reinventing yourself. Summer Beach is a community where I would like to live. Neighbors pulling together to help each other along with romance. I wished that the mystery surrounding the yacht and Anne and Charles had been fleshed out more.

Though this is a stand alone novel, I recommend you read the books in order so the details mentioned briefly are fully known.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.