Gulf Coast Secrets

Blackbird Beach #2

by Maggie Miller

Escape to the Gulf Coast of Florida with Georgia Carpenter as she gets a second chance at life, love, and happiness.

With the full realization of her inheritance before her, Georgia Carpenter is overwhelmed by the generosity of her late great aunt. What lays ahead of Georgia, however, is more work than she’s ever done in her life.

Then another family member arrives unexpectedly, and things change in a way she never imagined possible. But what’s another curveball in the crazy game of life?

She thinks she can handle everything being thrown at her, along with the help of Travis Taylor, the handsome handyman she inherited from aunt. That is until her cheating husband does something that could destroy her chance to start over.

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

251 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 26, 2021

About the author

Time 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!

Reviews

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story continues as Georgia, her son, daughter, and handyman work on getting the house she inherited from her great aunt ready to be opened as a B&B. but the obstacles pop up along the way. Frustrating and stressful. You have to rIt is fun to imagine what the house looks like and what it will look like. I am enjoying the characters and how they interact with each other and those in the town as they establish roots. Obstacles pop up along the way to hinder progress, but Georgia is stubborn to get those issues straightened out. Of course, there is another snafu already coming up in the next book. Great setting on the Gulf side beach of southwest Florida is an added plus. Of course, there is another snafu already coming up in the next book. Fun read.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Georgia Carpenter is shocked when she receives word that she has inherited a cottage on a beautiful Florida beach from her aunt. And it's another shock when she learns that she now owns the hotel sitting right next to it. Georgia and her children work, along with her sexy handyman, to fix up the hotel. But it is not without conflict when someone tries to stop them from reopening.

This is the second book in the Blackbird Beach series. These are short stories that have the feel of a soap opera with many characters and story threads. This book picks up right after the cliffhanger in Book No. 1. It's a nice way to pass the time, since you don't have to listen closely to get the story. This book ends in another cliffhanger, so I'll be listening to the next book in the series soon. My rating: 4 Stars.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gulf Coast Secrets: Blackbird Beach Book 2 is by Maggie Miller. This is a fitting sequel to Gulf Coast Cottage. It gives a fresh look at life after what Georgia thought was the end of the world- a contentious divorce, losing her house, her job, her pride plus her daughter having her fiancé cheat on her with her best friend. Maybe bad things are over now that she inherited Aunt Norma’s cottages and the inn. As she and Mia settle in to getting things in shape for the future, new people and shocks are in order. Travis Taylor, handyman, is helping them revitalize the inn; but he may have just caused them problems when his mother-in-law begins making trouble with the City Council’s allowance for Norma to build a third story onto the inn. It was only for her lifetime! Her son appears with a new baby! And her ex-husband wants part of her property. Will she ever get out from under her problems?

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are incredibly mellow to fall asleep too. Decent, not too exciting plot with lots of cozy talk of cats and home repairs and family life.

[Julie Booklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Ms Miller’s Blackbird Beach series is must read. It is a story of a family pulling together in to get their family Inn reopened, and the community that supports them.

Book 1 set us up with Georgia’s Divorce and move. Gulf Coast Secrets introduces us to more family, and adding the locals. Forces are joined against the town bully. I love a good strong female lead, and this story gives us more than one. The next book can not get published fast enough.

Thank you to Booksprout and the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

[Chanda Scobee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am actually so invested in seeing what they do with the inn, I love learning tidbits about Aunt Norma, and each of the character plots has me hooked. The dialogue still bothers me here and there, and again, there are details the author could’ve just left out that make the book almost too realistic (we don’t need to know how you calm the baby down, how the painters plan to do their job, etc.) but it’s not enough to really make me dislike the story. I’m onto #3 today!

[January · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gulf Coast Cottage by Maggie Miller
5h 32m narrated by Lisa Flanagan, Ryan West, Stephanie Einstein, Nick J. Russo 251 pages
Blackbird Beach #2

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction > Chick Lit, Family, Clean & Wholesome

Featuring: Divorcée, Florida, Inheritance Trope, Multiple POVs, Last Book Wrap-up, Baby, Drama

Rating as a movie: PG-13

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

My thoughts: 📱31% 1:43:45 Ch. 10 - It has slowed down a little, but I'm still in love with this series. The drama they are cooking up isn't even an issue in the real world, but they tweak things in fiction.

This was fun not as awesome as the first one but close enough. I was actually starting to believe it wouldn't end on a cliffhanger, but of course, it did.

Recommend to others?: Yes! This is great for a palate cleanser.

[Phylis Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome book by Maggie Miller. The second book that I have had the pleasure of reading. Thank you for allowing me an ARC and here is my honest opinion of the book.

The characters are awesome. The story line is amazing. I can't wait to hear more about the Sea Glass Inn and Georgia, Travis, Mia and Griffin and Chloe. If you want a really good romance book that discusses hardship, rough times and a little magic at the beach thrown in, then you really need to check these books out. And a community that supports each other when needed.

Georgia inherited her Aunt Norma's Inn and is now in the process of trying to get it restored and operational again. Throw in a little misfortune that has left her two grown children to the Inn to help her get things going and to get their lives back on track.

Once I started it I just could not put it down. A must read. I can't wait for the next book.

[Biggest Little Book Talker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ya I’m eating these books up, it’s like watching a tv show but I’m reading a book.
I can’t wait to see how the inn will turn out, or what will happens with the divorce and the baby!
The lawyer is so good and now we have people starting to couple up and some good old fashion black mail.
I’m to the next good with their sleepy because town!
No spice.

[Dasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Este el segundo libro de esta saga. También termina en cliffhanger, como el primero. Son, además, muy cortos por lo que se tiene la sensación de que podrían ser muchos menos libros. Y más si tenemos en cuenta que la autora parece irse por las ramas a menudo.
Esta vez me ha aburrido un poco. Hasta el punto de que no sé si continuaré leyendo esta saga, la verdad. Lo que me llamó la atención en el primer libro parecía haber desaparecido en esta historia. Creo que también me ha afectado, para mal, el inicio. Me parece que la autora podría haber sacado más partido a la aparición de cierto personaje y su "pequeño problema" 🤭
Tal y como lo desarrolla, me ha resultado poco creíble y anticlimático.
Pero bueno, imagino que le daré otra oportunidad porque son historias muy sencillas, sin complicaciones y muy cortas. No están mal para un rato.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun follow up to the first book in this series. Again, it’s a simple, sweet, lighthearted summer read. And I’m rating this one a little higher then the last one because it had a little more substance to it. On to the next one!

[Jan Martinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just an OK beach read. Writer is hardly a literary genius. I don’t need to know when someone puts her coffee cup in the dishwasher, or sprays Windex on her window. Six hour story could have been told in two or less. Great mindless book to listen to while walking!

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The story continues as the characters work together to save the Sea Glass Inn.

Cute, short beachy read. Enjoyable. 😊

[Jay Desjardins · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's basically a Hallmark movie wrapped in book form. After many large series it's nice to take a break and read something light and fluffy

[Denise B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving this series.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series ❤️

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

such a good listen !!! picked up exactly where 1 left off, loved this from start to finish. SO good

[Lizzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to listen to, but I don’t know if I could get through it as a read (free on audible). There’s nothing juicy to this story at all.
It’s a cute story and all the characters are extremely positive in life and toward each other, so it’s a feel good book. They are also extremely productive and constantly ticking things off their to-do lists which is oddly satisfying to me.
My only gripe is that the issue they bring up about Georgia’s nemesis is antiquated and judgey but I think it sort of works in this story because of the age of the character and the people of the town.

[Miranda · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing and dialogue was painful. The book is supposed to be a light escapist read, which it achieves. But the premise is cliche and unbelievable. The plot is foolish. I’ve read two, but can’t bring myself to read the third—if you can even call it that. These aren’t separate novels. It’s the book equivalent of a run-on sentence, they don’t have enough structure on their own.

[Toni Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
38/50 bools read for the year

- A Refreshing Escape
Maggie Miller's "Gulf Coast Secrets: Blackbird Beach" (Book #2) is a delightful audiobook that offers a much-needed escape to the sunny shores of Florida. Perfect read for June and just coming back from Florida.
Following Georgia Carpenter as she navigates a fresh start, this audiobook delivers on its promise of second chances, a touch of romance, and plenty of unexpected turns. I'd give this audiobook a solid 4.5 stars.
Georgia's journey, inheriting her great aunt's legacy, is immediately engaging. You feel her initial overwhelm, which quickly shifts into a relatable determination as she realizes the sheer amount of work ahead of her. It's a satisfying arc to witness, and Miller does an excellent job of portraying both the challenges and the quiet joys of Georgia building something new.
The arrival of an unexpected family member throws a perfect curveball into Georgia's meticulously planned (or rather, just started) new life. This twist adds a layer of complexity and intrigue, preventing the story from becoming too predictable. The dynamic with the handsome handyman, Travis Taylor, is a definite highlight. Their evolving relationship provides a warm and comforting undercurrent, developing naturally and without feeling rushed. It's the kind of charming, supportive partnership you root for.
However, just when Georgia seems to be finding her footing, her past rears its ugly head in the form of her cheating husband. This plot point amps up the stakes considerably, creating a believable external conflict that threatens to derail all of Georgia's progress. It's this moment of heightened tension that truly pushes the narrative forward and keeps listeners hooked.
Overall, the narration of the audiobook is well-paced and engaging, bringing Georgia's internal struggles and external interactions to life. While some minor character interactions felt a touch predictable at times, they didn't detract from the overall enjoyment. "Blackbird Beach" is a perfect listen for anyone looking for a heartwarming story of resilience, new beginnings, and finding love in unexpected places. It's a charming continuation of the Gulf Coast Secrets series, leaving you eager for more of Georgia's Florida adventures.

[Shilo Goodson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series. If you haven't read the first book, I'd recommend reading it first. Each book continues right from where the previous book left off. There are minor explanations about what happened previously, but it's minimal. While that's nice if you've read the previous book, it might be mildly confusing if you haven't read the previous book.

The book is clean, There's no swearing, sexual content, or violence. Georgia and Travis are definitely attracted to each other. Georgia makes a big deal about them not pursuing things until her divorce is final. In this book, they get a little snugglier than they did in the previous book, though.

As was the case with the first book, this one ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. I usually don't like when an author does that. Somehow, it feels like it works for this series. Each book is about a specific problem, and that problem is dealt with in the book. Then the ending just introduces a new problem. Overall, this book, and the series as a whole as far as I can tell, is adorable. There are a few plot points that aren't completely plausible, but they don't feel so outrageous that they ruin the story. I plan to finish the whole series.

[Keren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun series that is just dessert for my brain, and I do enjoy the characters and following their journey in making a new start in Blackbird Beach.

That said, this series could probably be one big book. I feel that the author is able to stretch these smaller bits of the story into whole books by including a lot of minutia, like "she entered through the door, which was unlocked, just as she expected" after the painters told her that Travis was already inside. She stretches very small moments into longer moments. I will admit, though, that she does it well. The small moments are not dull or boring; it just feels like you're hanging out with these people, so you see everything. And of course, the book ends with another cliff hanger, but at least this second book does kind of resolve one plot line, however silly the plot line was.

[Jennifer G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Georgia, Mia, and their handyman Travis are restoring the Sea Glass Inn to its full glory. Work has started when Georgia gets a surprise. Her son Griffin arrives at her doorstep and he's not alone. But along with the good news is bad. Aunt Norma's nemesis Lavinia has filed an injunction to stop work at the Inn, and it will take all of Georgia and Mia's new friends with a little help left from Aunt Norma to get the better of Lavinia.

I am enjoying these sweet short stories. Each book introduces new citizens of the town and gets us closer to the re-opening of the Inn. These are clean stories but they don't come across as preachy or trite; they are simply feel-good. I've been listening to them on audio and they make my drives and chores so much more enjoyable. I find myself looking forward to clicking on the audiobook each chance I get.

[Jeff Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book enough that I immediately jumped into listening to all 8 books in series. These are fun short Audiobooks that I got from Audible Plus catalog.

The plots developed characters and story lines with the ending of one book leading directly to the next book.

In book 1 Georgia inherits a Gulf coast cottage, just as she was needing a fresh start in middle of divorce from her cheating husband, nd we meet Travis the handyman. Then we meet her daughter Mia, who is also looking for a new start after her fiancé is caught cheating with her future brides maid.

In this book we are introduced to new characters and secrets.

I'm not sure how I'm going to separate the reviews or if I will.

[Barbara Marie Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2: Gulf Coast Secrets (Blackbird Beach Series Book 2)

Book 2: Gulf Coast Secrets (Blackbird Beach Series Book 2) ~ This second book pulled me in even deeper. Georgia’s life at Blackbird Beach starts to take shape, but of course, every small town has its secrets — and some of them hit close to home. I loved the way Maggie Miller layers the story with friendship, forgiveness, and a few surprising turns.
The writing is cozy but still emotional, and you can see Georgia growing stronger with each challenge she faces. I found myself rooting for her every step of the way.
I would definitely recommend this book and series and can’t wait to start on the next book. If you want to know what happens next, you’ll just have to read this series yourself — you won’t regret it.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving these book.

I choose this rating because this book and the first one is fantastic, I'm really enjoying this adventure that the families on and can't wait to see hoe the inn and 5ge family comes out. Poor Georgia has been thought heck and back but she staying strong and dealing with life as its set in front of her. If you not read these books I would and will highly recommend and encourage you to read.

[Sheila Chisholm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series. Both ended in little cliffhangers. It could have all been one book except for the multitude of useless details the author used constantly. I wish I could remember some, but basically totally unimportant stuff that added nothing to the story. I’m not sure if I’ll get the third book because there are so many others out there. I like the characters, and the premise, though not new, still makes a decent story.

[Karen Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished Book 2, Gulf Coast Secrets. This book was so engaging. I loved that Georgia has both her children and her grandchild with her. Her children are so supportive of her. Travis is a great help. As with every book there has to be a dilemma, and sure enough a big one arises. A councilwoman with a grudge against Georgia's aunt files an injunction to stop remodeling of the inn. Can they overcome this hurdle? How can they stop this woman's revenge? MUST READ TO FIND OUT!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the CLEAN book many of you seem to want. No bad language or sex scenes. It’s too bland for my taste. I got the first two books because they had been recommended by another reader and popped up on my suggested reading list.

The storyline is ok and the characters are nice. It isn’t my kind of book but seems like what a lot of readers want (especially considering some of the reviews of my favorite books). I’m probably going to abandon the series at this point.

[Judy Buchanan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the characters and the plot of restoring the inn while overcoming pitfalls along the way. The downfall for me is the unnecessary details the author writes in. Such as, she went to the cabinet, got the can of cat food out, opened the can and scooped it into the cats bowl. Really? I’ll probably continue the series because I am interested in the outcome and using my kindle unlimited trial. I agree with one reviewer that this story could be told in one or two books.