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Blackbird Beach #1
Gulf Coast Cottage
Escape to the Gulf Coast of Florida with Georgia Carpenter as she gets a second chance at life, love, and happiness.
In the middle of an awful divorce, fifty-three-year-old Georgia Carpenter finds herself out of luck, time, and money. Then her phone rings with the news that her great aunt has died and left her a cottage in the Gulf Coast town of Blackbird Beach.
Georgia has no idea what awaits her on the other coast of Florida. All she knows is that she has nowhere else to go. And no reason to stay where she is.
Fortunately for her, life has far more interesting plans than she ever could have realized. Including making the acquaintance of a handsome handyman and getting the chance at a brand new start.
In the middle of an awful divorce, fifty-three-year-old Georgia Carpenter finds herself out of luck, time, and money. Then her phone rings with the news that her great aunt has died and left her a cottage in the Gulf Coast town of Blackbird Beach.
Georgia has no idea what awaits her on the other coast of Florida. All she knows is that she has nowhere else to go. And no reason to stay where she is.
Fortunately for her, life has far more interesting plans than she ever could have realized. Including making the acquaintance of a handsome handyman and getting the chance at a brand new start.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2021
1638 people are currently reading
1135 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Miller
42 books341 followersTime off is time best spent at the beach, don't you agree?
The beach is my happy place. The sound of the waves are my favorite background music. And the sand between my toes is the best massage I can think of.
When I'm not at the beach, I'm writing or reading or cooking for my family. You know, life.
I hope you enjoy my books. Drop me a line and let me know what you think of them! You can find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MaggieMiller... or at my website, https://www.maggiemillerauthor.com. Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter!
The beach is my happy place. The sound of the waves are my favorite background music. And the sand between my toes is the best massage I can think of.
When I'm not at the beach, I'm writing or reading or cooking for my family. You know, life.
I hope you enjoy my books. Drop me a line and let me know what you think of them! You can find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MaggieMiller... or at my website, https://www.maggiemillerauthor.com. Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 348 reviews
March 3, 2022
This is a great beach read with likable characters and a wonderful setting of Blackbird Beach on the southwest Florida coast below St. Pete Beach. Georgia Carpenter is going through a nasty divorce when she inherits her great aunt's beach cottage, so she travels across the state to her new home. Her daughter joins her after finding her fiancé and maid of honor together. They are soon thrown into a new project when finding there is not only a cottage but two and a large house between them that was once an inn. And Georgia owns it all. And a handyman living in the second cottage is there, ready to help with restoring the house. Hard work is a great way to keep one's mind off problems along with the promise of new beginnings. But the divorce is not final, and Georgia's son is not responding to texts in his normal way. The story ends on a cliffhanger but luckily, I already have book 2.
April 17, 2022
Only 3⭐'s but I do recommend this book if your a fan of light, easy-reading beach reads.
Literary genius, this is not. It's your typical, down on her luck woman inherits a cottage on the beach and the hunky handyman who comes with it, kinda book.
Cute, short book that is only part of the story. We need to read book two for the continuation.
Literary genius, this is not. It's your typical, down on her luck woman inherits a cottage on the beach and the hunky handyman who comes with it, kinda book.
Cute, short book that is only part of the story. We need to read book two for the continuation.
December 1, 2023
Georgia Carpenter is going through a messy divorce and can no longer afford her apartment. She is packing up her belongings when she gets a call from an attorney telling her that she has inherited a beach cottage in Florida from her aunt. This is a Godsend for Georgia who didn't know where she was going to live. It is also good news for her daughter Mia when she calls to tell her mother that she has broke her engagement and needs a place to live. Both Georgia and Mia travel to Florida to see what Aunt Norma has left them. Along with a cottage near the beach, Georgia is surprised to learn that she has inherited the Seaglass Inn which sits right next to it. Georgia has also inherited hunky handyman Travis Taylor who now works for her.
This is a pleasant, contemporary romance narrated by Lisa Flannigan, Ryan West, and Stephanie Einstein. Most of the story is Georgia getting to know Travis while they work to reopen the Seaglass Inn. Mia has a degree in hotel management that will come in handy when the business is back up and running. There is a lot of details about what work needs to be done to the inn. I even learned how to replace the guts of the toilet step by step. Yes, it sounds boring; but it's a nice way to listen mindlessly while I'm doing my own housework. This is the first book in a series. This story ends in a cliffhanger that I didn't see coming. I will most likely continue the series, but these books are not the "must read now" type. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
This is a pleasant, contemporary romance narrated by Lisa Flannigan, Ryan West, and Stephanie Einstein. Most of the story is Georgia getting to know Travis while they work to reopen the Seaglass Inn. Mia has a degree in hotel management that will come in handy when the business is back up and running. There is a lot of details about what work needs to be done to the inn. I even learned how to replace the guts of the toilet step by step. Yes, it sounds boring; but it's a nice way to listen mindlessly while I'm doing my own housework. This is the first book in a series. This story ends in a cliffhanger that I didn't see coming. I will most likely continue the series, but these books are not the "must read now" type. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
August 20, 2022
Nice, light read with family tensions, etc. Like a Hallmark movie. Beginning of a series.
December 5, 2022
Way over-detailed and slow progression to an annoying cliffhanger. It still didn’t explain why Griffin was so aloof for so long, his new baby is young enough that she couldn’t be the cause of him ignoring them for so long.
The unnecessary details annoyed me because they were spelled out like they would be important and nothing came of them. The step by step instructions on how to prune a crepe Myrtle, wonder about the color of the blooms it will have, mental note to ask Travis about the blooms, talk to Travis very specifically about the pruning of the trees two separate times after that and still no thought to bring up the color of the damn blooms.
There wasn’t much else exciting going on so it made me focus on the stupid trees and the potential colors of the blooms when there was absolutely no point to it.
Side note: a pet peeve of mine when reading/listening to books—when it says a character shook her head in response I interpret that as a “no”. If it was a “yes” response she would have nodded her head. Two different times Georgia shook her head in response to a question and it confused me because I thought she would’ve agreed; it turns out that she did agree, but apparently it required an actual explanation so the reader would understand.
She could’ve just written that “she nodded her head in agreement”…and then progress the conversation instead of “she shook her head.” …and then more sentences repeating what we already know and assume.
Anyway, it definitely is like a Hallmark movie. Almost exactly. And I really dislike Hallmark movies.
Also, I’m annoyed with myself because I’m going to keep listening to the next book (only because it’s free with Audible) just because I like a good home (inn) makeover.
The unnecessary details annoyed me because they were spelled out like they would be important and nothing came of them. The step by step instructions on how to prune a crepe Myrtle, wonder about the color of the blooms it will have, mental note to ask Travis about the blooms, talk to Travis very specifically about the pruning of the trees two separate times after that and still no thought to bring up the color of the damn blooms.
There wasn’t much else exciting going on so it made me focus on the stupid trees and the potential colors of the blooms when there was absolutely no point to it.
Side note: a pet peeve of mine when reading/listening to books—when it says a character shook her head in response I interpret that as a “no”. If it was a “yes” response she would have nodded her head. Two different times Georgia shook her head in response to a question and it confused me because I thought she would’ve agreed; it turns out that she did agree, but apparently it required an actual explanation so the reader would understand.
She could’ve just written that “she nodded her head in agreement”…and then progress the conversation instead of “she shook her head.” …and then more sentences repeating what we already know and assume.
Anyway, it definitely is like a Hallmark movie. Almost exactly. And I really dislike Hallmark movies.
Also, I’m annoyed with myself because I’m going to keep listening to the next book (only because it’s free with Audible) just because I like a good home (inn) makeover.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2022
The story (however much there was of it) was predictable, fluffy and simple, which was kind of what I wanted. But! So. Many. Pointless. Unnecessary. Details. Incessant, repetitive and completely gratuitous. Every tiny movement, action and word, however insignificant, is documented with careful cold diligence of a book-balancing accountant threatened by an audit. And about the same level of entertainment value... This is the book version of watching paint dry. Even if the paint job is nice, there is no reason that could justify the hours wasted being the captive audience of the drying process.
However, the worst part is that this "book" isn't really a book, it's just a first interminable chapter in what is promising to be an endless insufferable slog of a story (see the pointless repetitive detail catalog mentioned above). Hell, no.
However, the worst part is that this "book" isn't really a book, it's just a first interminable chapter in what is promising to be an endless insufferable slog of a story (see the pointless repetitive detail catalog mentioned above). Hell, no.
February 8, 2021
i thoroughly enjoyed this book. BUT, it is half a story, not even! a dubious move by the author to get you to read/buy the next book. it stops dead, where it should continue. it is a short read because it is half or 1/3 a book. because of this, i gave it a low rating, and refuse to read any more of this "series." it starts out prepping you for the story, then, when it should FINALLY starts, it ends. buy the next book, it says. this was a total waste of my time, i am unhappy that i was duped into thinking this was a real book. it's chapter one with no ending, and even this "chapter one" prepares you for the eventual romance of characters mentioned, that we all know will take place. pretty sappy, but i was prepared to suck it up. i do not recommend, unless you are prepared to keep shelling out $$$ for the rest of the story, short stories, to see how things worked out.
March 31, 2024
Was that really 5 stars? YES
The mom and daughter aspect in this book is everything I didn’t know I needed. No spice so not my typical read but sweet and draws you in to each character more and more. Running off to the next book see ya soon❤️
The mom and daughter aspect in this book is everything I didn’t know I needed. No spice so not my typical read but sweet and draws you in to each character more and more. Running off to the next book see ya soon❤️
January 9, 2024
Obsessed with this new found series! A delight! Bring on the next in the series.
September 8, 2022
This book is the first of three books. Kind of la la land book. Really? Does this actually happen? But it’s easy reading and I got caught up in it enough to read the second book and now I started the third. Oh, well.
April 5, 2021
Gulf Coast Cottage: Blackbird Beach Book 1 is by Maggie Miller. This starts a new series which if this book is an indication should be fabulous. It is so fun to read and makes great light reading of an evening. However, it is addicting and you will want to keep reading.
Georgia Carpenter never imagined she would be in this position. She had to be out of her small apartment by five after having lost her house, her job, and her initiative in an acronymous divorce. After raising two children, her husband decided to divorce her after having an affair and was making it difficult. That wasn’t getting the apartment boxed up. Where she would go was the next problem. Then, the phone rang and a lawyer, Mr. Gillium, told her that her Great-Aunt Norma Merriweather had left her the beach cottage where she lived. That was all Georgia needed to hear. She picked up the package she had just received and found a set of keys. Now, she knew where she was going. Thank you, Aunt Norma!
Packed up and on her way, she received a phone call from her daughter, Mia. It seems Mia’s fiancé had been caught in an affair with Mia’s best friend and maid of honor! She now had no where to go, so Georgia told her to meet her at the beach cottage. They would figure out something.
Upon arriving at the cottage, Georgia found out that her aunt had left her two cottages and an abandoned inn along with a gorgeous handyman, Travis Taylor. Travis was taking care of the cottages and the inn; but Aunt Norma hadn’t wanted him to do anything to the inn so it was in rough shape. However, it was nothing a lot of hard work wouldn’t fix. Could Georgia really run an inn?
Georgia Carpenter never imagined she would be in this position. She had to be out of her small apartment by five after having lost her house, her job, and her initiative in an acronymous divorce. After raising two children, her husband decided to divorce her after having an affair and was making it difficult. That wasn’t getting the apartment boxed up. Where she would go was the next problem. Then, the phone rang and a lawyer, Mr. Gillium, told her that her Great-Aunt Norma Merriweather had left her the beach cottage where she lived. That was all Georgia needed to hear. She picked up the package she had just received and found a set of keys. Now, she knew where she was going. Thank you, Aunt Norma!
Packed up and on her way, she received a phone call from her daughter, Mia. It seems Mia’s fiancé had been caught in an affair with Mia’s best friend and maid of honor! She now had no where to go, so Georgia told her to meet her at the beach cottage. They would figure out something.
Upon arriving at the cottage, Georgia found out that her aunt had left her two cottages and an abandoned inn along with a gorgeous handyman, Travis Taylor. Travis was taking care of the cottages and the inn; but Aunt Norma hadn’t wanted him to do anything to the inn so it was in rough shape. However, it was nothing a lot of hard work wouldn’t fix. Could Georgia really run an inn?
December 31, 2022
Well, if you want a manual of how to renovate an old inn, this is it. It is boring, and not much is happening at all. All is nice, except ex-husband…. Just a total anticlimax. Did HomeDepot sponsor this book? I did learn about how to replace toilet flushing flappers.. i felt there was so much potential but zero character in the characters. Nothing actually happens…
June 22, 2025
As someone who enjoys a good escape, Maggie Miller's Gulf Coast Cottage (Book 1) certainly delivered on the promise of a Florida getaway. Following Georgia Carpenter as she flees a messy divorce for a surprise inheritance in Blackbird Beach had its charming moments, and it definitely provided a gentle backdrop for some light listening.
The premise of a fresh start for a woman in her fifties is always appealing, and Georgia's initial desperation felt relatable. The descriptions of the Gulf Coast were pleasant enough, and I could almost feel the sea breeze. The introduction of a "handsome handyman" also offered a touch of predictable, yet comforting, romance.
However, while enjoyable, the story felt a bit like floating along on calm waters without much in the way of a compelling current. The challenges Georgia faces, while present, didn't always feel particularly weighty, and the resolutions often seemed to unfold a little too easily. I found myself wishing for a bit more depth in the character development or a few more unexpected twists to truly draw me in.
Overall, Gulf Coast Cottage is a perfectly fine listen if you're looking for something low-stakes and comforting. It's a sweet story about second chances, but it didn't quite capture my full attention or leave a lasting impression. A pleasant listen, but not one that will likely stick with me long after the final chapter.
The premise of a fresh start for a woman in her fifties is always appealing, and Georgia's initial desperation felt relatable. The descriptions of the Gulf Coast were pleasant enough, and I could almost feel the sea breeze. The introduction of a "handsome handyman" also offered a touch of predictable, yet comforting, romance.
However, while enjoyable, the story felt a bit like floating along on calm waters without much in the way of a compelling current. The challenges Georgia faces, while present, didn't always feel particularly weighty, and the resolutions often seemed to unfold a little too easily. I found myself wishing for a bit more depth in the character development or a few more unexpected twists to truly draw me in.
Overall, Gulf Coast Cottage is a perfectly fine listen if you're looking for something low-stakes and comforting. It's a sweet story about second chances, but it didn't quite capture my full attention or leave a lasting impression. A pleasant listen, but not one that will likely stick with me long after the final chapter.
November 3, 2022
Pensaba que no iba a ser una lectura apropiada para esta época pero resulta que sí. Transcurre después del verano.
Hay que tener en cuenta, tambi��n, que termina en cliffhanger (de los exagerados) no es un libro autoconclusivo, y que, además, es muy corto.
Me ha gustado la ambientación, lo satisfactorio de leer cómo van saliendo del atolladero en que estaban metidas madre e hija y todo lo que tenía que ver con la reforma y puesta en funcionamiento de la "casita" que hereda.
El personaje de la tía abuela, Norma, es un personaje muy interesante. Me ha caído genial y eso que solo sabemos de ella por otros personajes.
He escuchado el audiolibro, incluido en la suscripción de Audible Plus así que no me molesta tanto que me haya dejado a medias. Las narradoras y el narrador, me han gustado mucho. Buena narración y buena diferenciación de los distintos personajes.
Voy a seguir con esta saga porque veo que tiene libro navideño, aunque para este año no me de tiempo a leerlo, seguro que para el siguiente sí.
Hay que tener en cuenta, tambi��n, que termina en cliffhanger (de los exagerados) no es un libro autoconclusivo, y que, además, es muy corto.
Me ha gustado la ambientación, lo satisfactorio de leer cómo van saliendo del atolladero en que estaban metidas madre e hija y todo lo que tenía que ver con la reforma y puesta en funcionamiento de la "casita" que hereda.
El personaje de la tía abuela, Norma, es un personaje muy interesante. Me ha caído genial y eso que solo sabemos de ella por otros personajes.
He escuchado el audiolibro, incluido en la suscripción de Audible Plus así que no me molesta tanto que me haya dejado a medias. Las narradoras y el narrador, me han gustado mucho. Buena narración y buena diferenciación de los distintos personajes.
Voy a seguir con esta saga porque veo que tiene libro navideño, aunque para este año no me de tiempo a leerlo, seguro que para el siguiente sí.
October 25, 2022
Gulf Coast Cottage by Maggie Miller
5h 52m narrated by Lisa Flanagan, Ryan West, Stephanie Einstein 253 pages
Blackbird Beach #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction > Chick Lit, Family
Featuring: Divorcée, Florida, Inheritance Trope, Multiple POVs
Rating as a movie: PG-13
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
My thoughts: 📱24% 1:23:10 Ch. 8 - I love it! It's giving me a little Rose Harbor vibe but in a completely different setting. I love beachy books.
This may not be an amazing story, but it was fantastic to me. The only issue is that I feel like I read the beginning of a book; there was no resolution, so I'm jumping into the next book immediately.
Recommend to others?: Yes! This story was sweet without being cheesy.
5h 52m narrated by Lisa Flanagan, Ryan West, Stephanie Einstein 253 pages
Blackbird Beach #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction > Chick Lit, Family
Featuring: Divorcée, Florida, Inheritance Trope, Multiple POVs
Rating as a movie: PG-13
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
My thoughts: 📱24% 1:23:10 Ch. 8 - I love it! It's giving me a little Rose Harbor vibe but in a completely different setting. I love beachy books.
This may not be an amazing story, but it was fantastic to me. The only issue is that I feel like I read the beginning of a book; there was no resolution, so I'm jumping into the next book immediately.
Recommend to others?: Yes! This story was sweet without being cheesy.
August 16, 2024
Was this a totally cheesy heartfelt light read? Yes.
Did I still love it and will I be picking up the next one immediately? Yes.
Reminders me of a soup opera; I’m not sure why but I’m getting Golden Girls Vibes because of the beach.
A mother and daughter leave their cheaters and end up in a cottage on the beach form a recently deceased aunt.
It seems as good as any place to start new!
There maybe or maybe not be romance in the air, there is some drama with divorce lawyers, a missing son, and a house that needs fixing.
I would recommend as a very relaxing read for a porch sitting to beach day.
No spice.
Did I still love it and will I be picking up the next one immediately? Yes.
Reminders me of a soup opera; I’m not sure why but I’m getting Golden Girls Vibes because of the beach.
A mother and daughter leave their cheaters and end up in a cottage on the beach form a recently deceased aunt.
It seems as good as any place to start new!
There maybe or maybe not be romance in the air, there is some drama with divorce lawyers, a missing son, and a house that needs fixing.
I would recommend as a very relaxing read for a porch sitting to beach day.
No spice.
February 1, 2024
Got me from the very beginning!
Couldn’t put it down, I am so vested in these characters. Can’t wait to see what happens next!! What a great writer, and she makes me laugh, extra points for that!
Couldn’t put it down, I am so vested in these characters. Can’t wait to see what happens next!! What a great writer, and she makes me laugh, extra points for that!
April 3, 2024
3.5 stars - cute book, sweet story. Very Predictable. Likable characters. Some scenes feel like they could be foreshadowing, then nothing connects, which makes them feel unnecessary. Ends on cliffhanger so glad to have the rest of the series — thanks Audible Plus :)
October 23, 2024
Slowest story line ever. This first book ends just where it began basically. Literally nothing happens. Now if I want to know if anything ever happens I’ll have to read the second book- why split it into more than one book when one book can’t stand on its own at all?
January 23, 2023
So cute, love Georgia & Mia.
January 13, 2024
Super cute, mindless read! Didn’t expect to like as much as I did! ☺️
January 17, 2024
3.5 stars
June 7, 2024
Light and average. Nothing too exciting.
What I didn’t like the most is the fact this is not a stand alone book, it’s not even complete as a part. It’s just the first chapter 😕
What I didn’t like the most is the fact this is not a stand alone book, it’s not even complete as a part. It’s just the first chapter 😕
January 30, 2025
2.75 because I can sleep to it
Middle-aged handyman thinks zoomer half his age is hot, but “prefers the tree the apple came from,” so it’s totally fine. #itsfreeonaudible
Middle-aged handyman thinks zoomer half his age is hot, but “prefers the tree the apple came from,” so it’s totally fine. #itsfreeonaudible
April 23, 2025
A great little story. It was an easy read with interesting characters and plot line, fun, yet serious and believable.
The only thing that could make it better, is if I was reading it on the beach!
The only thing that could make it better, is if I was reading it on the beach!
August 7, 2024
Do not recommend. Snooze fest. I listened to it and I think it would have been even worse if I read it lol
December 8, 2022
Not a single thing in the entire book is resolved at the end. The ending could’ve been just the middle of the book. Instead of covering specific paint colors on the walls and the exact type of new light fixture they are going to install, just advance the plot a little.
This wasn’t the worst fluffy book I’ve ever read, but it still sucked.
This wasn’t the worst fluffy book I’ve ever read, but it still sucked.
November 14, 2024
A true feel-good hallmark movie in a book. A great filler and free item on Audible! I’m definitely listening to the next in the series.
July 7, 2022
This was the first in the Blackbird Beach series and this was exactly what I wanted and needed at the time. Just a sweet and fumitory, where I didn't have to think too much or suspend disbelief. I can't wait to continue with this series. I have another month of Kindle Unlimited at a special rate and hope to get 1 or 2 more books of the 8 book series read.
December 30, 2022
I listened to all but the last hour of this audiobook, and was struggling so much with it that I stopped to read reviews. When I learned that this book stops abruptly with no ending and you have to read more in a series, I stopped. The mom and daughter with cheating partners miraculously inherit a dreamland resort from an aunt that they hadn’t visited in years. The land, buildings come with a live in handyman who hasn’t done repairs in years (because the aunt didn’t like noise). There is no explanation as to why he couldn’t pull weeds or work on the upkeep of the buildings the aunt wasn’t residing in. Therefore the entire story seems to contain endless details about changing rotten toilet flaps, pulling weeds, accessing deteriorating structures, and even checking for termites. Since when did checking for termites make loud noise? I just can’t imagine how this handyman let everything go to waste and still lived there. I just didn’t enjoy the characters or the content.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 348 reviews