The Seahorse Cottage, Part 3

Cape May #3

by Coral Harper

The Wellington family is ready for another sun-kissed summer at their treasured beachside cottage. That is until the family's world is turned upside down following the unexpected death of the father, Benjamin. Things seem to go from bad to worse for his widow, Bethany, and her three young children when they find out that their beloved second home no longer belongs to them.

The Seahorse Cottage, located on the beautiful shores of Cape May, had been in the Wellington family for generations. But unknown to Bethany, her late husband had lost the cottage as a result of his secret life and the cottage is put up for sheriff sale after his sudden passing.

In a surprising turn of events, The Seahorse Cottage is purchased by the Wellington’s estranged neighbor, who seemingly knew about Benjamin’s secret life. This would only be the beginning of the journey for the Wellington's.

The family is left to mourn Benjamin’s tragic passing, and only later do they come to truly understand the lasting consequences of his secret life. Through it all, the Wellington’s grow closer than ever, ready for whatever troubles come their way.

The Seahorse Cottage is a touching feel-good beach novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat and fill your heart with warmth and love.

65 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2020

About the author

Coral Harper is the author of feel good beach reads along with other clean and wholesome fiction. When not publishing books, Coral enjoys soaking up the sun with family and traveling the world. Be sure to check out The Seahorse Cottage, Trip of a Lifetime, Stargaze Island, The Nantucket Estate, and Lighthouse Letters.

Reviews

[Sherri Fontanez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great series!

[Donna Kale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now #4,

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book three of the Cape May series and continues the story of the Wellington family and their family cottage, The Seahorse Cottage, in Cape May, and the tragic events that occurred that summer. They lost their father Ben and days later found out they had lost the family cottage that had been in Ben’s family for three generations., and Beth was left in loads of debt from her husband Ben’s secret gambling. A lovely neighbour purchased the cottage and gave it back to the family. Once back at home, her three children Hudson, Reese and James have to try to get used to life without their dad and now returning back to school. Hudson has problems on his very first day, but won’t speak to Beth about it initially. When she is called into school, the new headteacher explains he has been getting badly bullied by a group of other boys and had been for over a year. Her husband had normally dealt with this and neither Ben nor Hudson had ever mentioned it to her.

Now the other parents want her son expelled from the school, even when it is quite clear he suffered the most injuries and defensive ones at that. They maintain that all of their sons are innocent of any blame and only Hudson seemed to have been suspended, when he was the clear victim. When the school doesn’t expel Hudson, the parents threaten to sue her and the school board. Luckily Beth has the support of the headteacher and even a doctor who had already treated Hudson on previous occasions and could confirm his severe concussion from this latest attack. A court case is quickly set up by the other parents and Beth hasn’t even had a chance to look over her husband’s papers at home to see if there are any further issues she may have to deal with. Hudson is at home, on suspension and suffering from his concussion, when Carol calls to tell her their cottage has been broken into and the police need to speak to her. Due to the problems happening with Hudson and his school, she can’t afford to take the kids to the cottage and back.

The lawyer she meets to defend her son in the bullying case is called Quinton Blake and runs a local law firm. The court details she shows him are with a very unfavourable judge, who always sides with one of the rich boys who he has seen in his court before. He tells Beth he will take the case pro bono, having seen many of this sort of case going to court and going the wrong way, and commending her for her forceful attitude. Now she needs to try and dig through her late husband’s atrocious filing system. The break-in at the cottage doesn’t seem to be the end of the matter, as a strange car keeps casing the cottage at all times of the day. It seems her husband’s debt was much larger than first thought and someone is still looking to collect! After a great conclusion to the court case, her lawyer Quinton asks her out on a date and they take it at her pace for months, well into the next year. The first time he comes to their house, Hudson doesn’t take it well and by the next day, all three boys are in agreement in their decision of what to do, if she is going to continue to see him! A shocking end, just as life was getting back to near normal, in their new way of life. One battle won, now another has begun, so will have to wait and read the next book to find out what. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of this book above.

[Theodene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book focuses a lot on Bethany and her son Hudson and their lawsuit to prevent him for being expelled from his school as the victim of bullying. It’s so sad that it came to a lawsuit to prove that Hudson was the victim. How many students are out there who are victims being accused of starting fights?

Bethany is a strong and courageous business owner, mother of three school-aged boys, and now a widow. She’s confident and not afraid to speak up for her boys. I love her bravery to stand up for Hudson and show him that she’ll go to bat for him to prevent more bullying.

Bullying is something I’ve often been concerned about bullying at my son’s school. Bullying is more than just physically at school. It can also be at home or online. With our children spending more and more time on the internet these days, it’s important that we remain vigilant for our children!

The Seahorse Cottage Book 3 by Coral Harper was on Kindle Unlimited. I give this book 5 out of 5 tiaras because I was so engrossed in Hudson and this lawsuit. It gives me hope that even someone like me could stand up to more powerful and influential people.

[Lori R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 3 continued with more drama.  The bully case and school suspension was ready to be heard by the judge and Bethany finds herself wanting to date again,  Unfortunately Bethany always seems to take two steps forward and one backwards in Part 3 of The Seahorse Cottage.  I could not wait to read this book and wondered where the last chapter would take me.  The author did not disappoint.  I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful series! Each books continues where the previous one left off so you'll want to read them in order so you're not lost. The story line captivates you, heartwarming and endearing and grabs your attention. Amazing characters you love getting to know, are relatable and you can't help but fall in love with them.

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

[Terri Parry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wellington family is tasked with more obstacles in order to keep the Cottage. Though the kids are back at school, they experience another hardship, but it appears that Bethany may be ready to settle down after her husband's death. The only problem? Her kids haven't quite recovered from their father's unexpected death. I look forward to book 4!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another interesting chapter in the lives of the Wellingtons. These are very short episodes but they are longer than chapters though. This one deals with the bullying case of Hudson and more shady things at the cottage.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marichus Real · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bethany fights for his son like only a mother can do it. Strange news comes from the Seahorse Cottage and Bethany has no idea what’s going on. When one problem is solved, another one arises.
I would like to read what she is going to do next.
I received a copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story with some twists, turns, and drama thrown in. Interesting and entertaining characters. Good addition to the series. Good read.

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

[Petra Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

And the Wellington family saga continues and just when things start to get better, a new heartbreak occurres.

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

[Marie Lapointe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Storyline And Characters

I enjoy the storyline but it's lacking any type of emotions. These are short books in a series of six total that could have been condensed into one book.

[Jaclyn Mattison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this read. This was the best of the three so far and can't wait for the next one!

[Noami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bethany overcomes more adversity and it looks like she MIGHT have found TRUE LOVE! Great read :)

[Cathy Cottrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! This is one of the best series I've read in a very long time. I feel as if I know Bethany and her boys. Can't wait to see what happens in book 4.

[Rosann Comstock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sons:

This is a story that keeps going on this family on how a parent deals with situation that come on life changes.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bethnay and the boys lives start to come to normal

[Susan Kupperblatt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read 3 in series hoping it would get better. It didn't.

[Mary Jane Letoha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is much too short! I just got started and it ended. I was very disappointed.

[Barbara J. Stepens · Rating 4 out of 5]

More soap!

First, I never watch soap,!
The story continues, !more challenges thrown, good things/not so good things happen ing.
Not too bad of a story

[Dawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Short

Poorly written. Each book is not much more than a few chapters. Glad it is free on Amazon. Save your time.

[JoAnn Schaltenbrand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading

Enjoyed reading about Bethany life after the death of her husband. She has to adjust to raising her children alone.

[Kristi A Risnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't stop reading

This book just kept moving and I couldn't put it down until I finished it. Now onto the next one.

[Shirley P. Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad how things change after death

I know it is hard for children to accept a new man in their lives. They just don't realize their parent need adult friendships too.

[Nadine Gunsaulus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story line Cozy read.

[Dee Gurganus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series of stories. It is the first time of have read a series like so it was sort of adjustment. At times I felt like I was reading a nighttime TV drama with a cliffhanger at the end of every book. The main character of the story, Bethany, was developed over the series. We saw how she grew through every challenge of her life. I am looking forward to reading more of Ms Harper's stories.

[Barbara Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a little more than two hours to read this family-friendly third installment of the series, which was not as well plotted as the previous two. I had an ARC and this voluntary review is my own opinion.