What do you think?
Rate this book
Orcas Island #1
Sunset Cove
A six-million-dollar inheritance, and a chance at a new life...
At 52, Claire Cooke gets the shock of a lifetime when she’s named the sole heir of a distant uncle. As a single mom, she’s already had to watch her kids grow up and leave the nest, so Claire decides to keep the money and take a she buys The Grand Madrona Hotel on beautiful Orcas Island and prepares for a new chapter in her life.
Chip Douglas didn’t put in ten years as manager of the hotel just to watch a stranger run it into the ground. So imagine his surprise when Claire turns out to be the exact opposite of what he’d expected. She’s charming, wise, and beautiful – someone he could easily see himself falling in love with. If only his divorce hadn’t convinced him that falling in love again was impossible...
When the FBI shows up at Claire’s door asking questions about a dangerous criminal with close ties to her past, it’s not long before Claire is forced to face her history or lose her potentially happily ever after with Chip. Will she make the right choice?
Sunset Cove is a sweet and wholesome, romantic women’s fiction story with romance, mystery, and the joy of second chances. Jump on the ferry and get ready to fall in love!
At 52, Claire Cooke gets the shock of a lifetime when she’s named the sole heir of a distant uncle. As a single mom, she’s already had to watch her kids grow up and leave the nest, so Claire decides to keep the money and take a she buys The Grand Madrona Hotel on beautiful Orcas Island and prepares for a new chapter in her life.
Chip Douglas didn’t put in ten years as manager of the hotel just to watch a stranger run it into the ground. So imagine his surprise when Claire turns out to be the exact opposite of what he’d expected. She’s charming, wise, and beautiful – someone he could easily see himself falling in love with. If only his divorce hadn’t convinced him that falling in love again was impossible...
When the FBI shows up at Claire’s door asking questions about a dangerous criminal with close ties to her past, it’s not long before Claire is forced to face her history or lose her potentially happily ever after with Chip. Will she make the right choice?
Sunset Cove is a sweet and wholesome, romantic women’s fiction story with romance, mystery, and the joy of second chances. Jump on the ferry and get ready to fall in love!
ebook
First published December 21, 2021
2208 people are currently reading
917 people want to read
About the author
Amelia Addler
27 books195 followersAmelia Addler is an author of feel-good romantic women's fiction stories. Her books focus on the importance of family, love and hope - all intermingled with romance and mystery. Her popular Westcott Bay series takes place on beautiful San Juan Island, just off the coast of Washington State, and offers an escape for readers and arm-chair travelers alike.
Amelia lives in Pittsburgh with her husband and little dog. When she's not writing, she's busy plotting trips to San Juan Island to see the killer whales, or explaining to people on hikes that her dog is not, in fact, a coyote.
You can join her reader's email list for updates, catch pictures of her dog on Instagram, or ask her a question here on Goodreads!
Amelia lives in Pittsburgh with her husband and little dog. When she's not writing, she's busy plotting trips to San Juan Island to see the killer whales, or explaining to people on hikes that her dog is not, in fact, a coyote.
You can join her reader's email list for updates, catch pictures of her dog on Instagram, or ask her a question here on Goodreads!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
December 29, 2021
Claire Cook has taken a huge risk and bought a hotel on Orcas Island after a distant uncle named her the sole heir of his fortune. Claire has spent her life raising her three nieces and now feels it is her chance to do something she has always dreamt of. What she does not count on is that the hotel is in financial trouble and the FBI is knocking on her door asking questions about someone she swears she does not know. Can Claire trust her hotel manager with her secret and with her heart?
Chip Douglas feels slighted that the hotel sold and now he has a new boss to deal with. When he meets her, she is not at all what he expected. When things start to get dicey at the hotel with the FBI on their doorstep, will Chip trust Claire or will he turn them all in?
What a great start to the new Orcas Island series by Amelia Addler. We get to see a few of our old friends from the Westcott Bay series, which I absolutely loved, and we also get introduced to Margie’s three daughters which I am hoping their stories bring them home to Orcas Island too. I thoroughly enjoy how Ms. Addler brings a hint of mystery into her novels, as it is always leaves us guessing what is going to happen and adds such an interesting twist to the story. I also love how the characters evolve throughout the series, and their relationships are not rushed into one book. I am looking forward to seeing what happens next on Orcas Island. Thank you so much Amelia for the advanced readers copy of the book to read and review. A solid five stars!
Chip Douglas feels slighted that the hotel sold and now he has a new boss to deal with. When he meets her, she is not at all what he expected. When things start to get dicey at the hotel with the FBI on their doorstep, will Chip trust Claire or will he turn them all in?
What a great start to the new Orcas Island series by Amelia Addler. We get to see a few of our old friends from the Westcott Bay series, which I absolutely loved, and we also get introduced to Margie’s three daughters which I am hoping their stories bring them home to Orcas Island too. I thoroughly enjoy how Ms. Addler brings a hint of mystery into her novels, as it is always leaves us guessing what is going to happen and adds such an interesting twist to the story. I also love how the characters evolve throughout the series, and their relationships are not rushed into one book. I am looking forward to seeing what happens next on Orcas Island. Thank you so much Amelia for the advanced readers copy of the book to read and review. A solid five stars!
March 22, 2024
The Missus read this in 3 days & for her that means it was a captivating book she had trouble putting down. You can be guaranteed this is a quality read that will keep you turning pages if it is your kind of book by your type of author. She says it was a great read.
October 5, 2025
makes me want to buy and run a hotel on a small and cute island
January 13, 2026
Cute short clean mystery. Likable characters some cross over from Saltwater series. I am planning to finish the series.
September 12, 2023
quite a story
There was a lot going on with a lot of characters in this story. I liked the idea of the main character buying the hotel, and the perks and challenges that come with that were interesting. The story didn’t seem to get too deep into any one character, though. It seemed to be just a lot of a little about many, if that makes sense. Perhaps this is a set up for the next book, where each character’s story continues to evolve, and if so, that could be cool. I’m done reading this author for now, but I will consider returning to this island community again sometime.
There was a lot going on with a lot of characters in this story. I liked the idea of the main character buying the hotel, and the perks and challenges that come with that were interesting. The story didn’t seem to get too deep into any one character, though. It seemed to be just a lot of a little about many, if that makes sense. Perhaps this is a set up for the next book, where each character’s story continues to evolve, and if so, that could be cool. I’m done reading this author for now, but I will consider returning to this island community again sometime.
December 16, 2021
Great intro to the series!
There were several new characters in the story as well as a visit from couple of old friends from San Juan Island.
There's plenty of secrecy and worry for the characters, but not so much anxiety it leaves the reader overwhelmed.
There also is a bit of romance.
It was a fun read!
There were several new characters in the story as well as a visit from couple of old friends from San Juan Island.
There's plenty of secrecy and worry for the characters, but not so much anxiety it leaves the reader overwhelmed.
There also is a bit of romance.
It was a fun read!
Read
August 29, 2024DNF at 49%. Sunset Cove has really high ratings so I was taken aback when I started reading this book because it was not well written.
January 27, 2022
Sunset Cove is a story full of secrets that unfold through the story. Claire buys a hotel on Orcas Island, The Grand Madrona which is not as grand as it used to be. The hotel manager Chip feels she is going to run the hotel in the ground by her knowing nothing of running a hotel. She is determined to learn the running of the hotel by working with Gigi at the lobby desk till she learns how to do check ins on her own. Then she worked as a housekeeper for a week to see what they see. She slept in a different room each night to see the quality of the hotel. This surprised all the employees and Chip seen her as more of a person concerned with the way the guests see the hotel than being the boss. She has raised her sister's three girls for the last 28 years since the plane crash, and being a mom was the most fulfilling thing for her. Now they are grown and on their own and this hotel idea was her way of making herself feel needed again. She wants to lead a life like her friend Margie. And finding a good man to marry would not be bad either. But she is suppose to keep the secret of where she got the money to buy the hotel.
The FBI show up and accuse Claire of being the mother to Marty, a young man they think is trying to commit espionage. They have a photo of who they think is her holding Marty as a baby. Then Marty shows up at her cabin when she goes home. After talking to him she decides to protect him. When her daughter Lucy comes home and finds Marty she is giving him a lecture when Claire comes home. She introduces Marty to Lucy and they become fast friends. They become his means of hiding out from the FBI. Even Chip gets into the plot to clear Marty's name. And after a phone call Margie is on her way to help Claire get her daughter back. Will Claire's efforts fail and Lucy have to stay in prison because of Marty, someone she didn't know exist until just recently?
I received an ARC copy to read and give my honest review.
The FBI show up and accuse Claire of being the mother to Marty, a young man they think is trying to commit espionage. They have a photo of who they think is her holding Marty as a baby. Then Marty shows up at her cabin when she goes home. After talking to him she decides to protect him. When her daughter Lucy comes home and finds Marty she is giving him a lecture when Claire comes home. She introduces Marty to Lucy and they become fast friends. They become his means of hiding out from the FBI. Even Chip gets into the plot to clear Marty's name. And after a phone call Margie is on her way to help Claire get her daughter back. Will Claire's efforts fail and Lucy have to stay in prison because of Marty, someone she didn't know exist until just recently?
I received an ARC copy to read and give my honest review.
July 11, 2025
A good read
This was a pretty good book and for the most part I really enjoyed it, it did get a bit bogged down at one point, but not too bad. Some editing errors, I guess or not proofread properly, as some things didn’t make sense. Like planning on fixing up the hotel a bit, landscaping etc, yet the photographer came & took pictures for the new website before any of it was done! The writer also seemed to forget things that’s she written and never saw it through. The ending was disappointing. Apparently skipped Christmas/ New Year, and said Marty didn’t get to meet his other two cousins until march, so apparently didn’t come home for Christmas? Of which there was no mention. Gigi the receptionist at the hotel was really annoying and disrespectful to her bosses. But on the whole a pretty good story albeit unbelievable at times
This was a pretty good book and for the most part I really enjoyed it, it did get a bit bogged down at one point, but not too bad. Some editing errors, I guess or not proofread properly, as some things didn’t make sense. Like planning on fixing up the hotel a bit, landscaping etc, yet the photographer came & took pictures for the new website before any of it was done! The writer also seemed to forget things that’s she written and never saw it through. The ending was disappointing. Apparently skipped Christmas/ New Year, and said Marty didn’t get to meet his other two cousins until march, so apparently didn’t come home for Christmas? Of which there was no mention. Gigi the receptionist at the hotel was really annoying and disrespectful to her bosses. But on the whole a pretty good story albeit unbelievable at times
February 20, 2024
Surprising Story
Claire inherited a substantial amount of money. She worked as a paralegal to support her three nieces, who she adopted when her sister and brother-in-law were killed in a plane crash. Her parents were killed in the crash also. The girls are now grown, and she has decided to try something different, so she buys a hotel on Orcas Island. The girls got her a DNA test as,a joke. But it's not a joke when the FBI shows up telling her she has a son who is wanted for selling computer secrets to the Chinese. How can this be--she was never pregnant! Then, a young man shows up with a photo of a baby in the arms of her twin sister! Surprises after surprises! A good read.
Claire inherited a substantial amount of money. She worked as a paralegal to support her three nieces, who she adopted when her sister and brother-in-law were killed in a plane crash. Her parents were killed in the crash also. The girls are now grown, and she has decided to try something different, so she buys a hotel on Orcas Island. The girls got her a DNA test as,a joke. But it's not a joke when the FBI shows up telling her she has a son who is wanted for selling computer secrets to the Chinese. How can this be--she was never pregnant! Then, a young man shows up with a photo of a baby in the arms of her twin sister! Surprises after surprises! A good read.
July 8, 2023
An enjoyable easy read with a fun story. Claire is in her 50s and has just bought a hotel on Orcas Island with a very unexpected inheritance. There are some nice characters including Claire who feels somewhat lost after her adopted daughters are all out of the house. One of those daughters, Lucy, is prominent in the book and is a free spirit but with a good heart and a sense of humor. Chip, the manager of the hotel, is somewhat gruff at first but softens as the book goes on. A mystery character shows up and he just seems like a genuinely nice guy. Some of the things that happen in the book are a bit unbelievable but they don't detract from an enjoyable story. No sex or profanity.
August 30, 2023
A time for love
I really enjoyed the story so much! Claire was such deeply caring person who had a twin sister who had, had a baby boy and gave him up for adoption and along with most of the family flying away were all killed in a plane crash. His adoptive parents had kept the fact that he was adopted secret until he was grown. He had a job that he loved, until he was horribly treated and wound up accused as having sold secrets to
China. He began running, being chased by the FBI. He thought he'd found his mother, and then the story really got interesting, really a neat story, I will read it again, will recommend it to everyone!
I really enjoyed the story so much! Claire was such deeply caring person who had a twin sister who had, had a baby boy and gave him up for adoption and along with most of the family flying away were all killed in a plane crash. His adoptive parents had kept the fact that he was adopted secret until he was grown. He had a job that he loved, until he was horribly treated and wound up accused as having sold secrets to
China. He began running, being chased by the FBI. He thought he'd found his mother, and then the story really got interesting, really a neat story, I will read it again, will recommend it to everyone!
July 18, 2025
Reinventing yourself
Claire had been in a dead end job all her life so when received an unexpected inheritance she bought a hotel on Orca Island and started over. She could never have imagined the ways her life was about to change. Chip has been managing the hotel for ten years and is resentful of Claire . She has no experience in running a hotel. His life is about to change to. I admire Claire for making such a change and for how she handled everything that can her way. It kept my attention waiting to see what would happen next. Not at all what I expected and I loved everything about it. I recommend.
Claire had been in a dead end job all her life so when received an unexpected inheritance she bought a hotel on Orca Island and started over. She could never have imagined the ways her life was about to change. Chip has been managing the hotel for ten years and is resentful of Claire . She has no experience in running a hotel. His life is about to change to. I admire Claire for making such a change and for how she handled everything that can her way. It kept my attention waiting to see what would happen next. Not at all what I expected and I loved everything about it. I recommend.
June 23, 2025
First time I was reading this author and fell in love with Claire - who at 52 is left an inheritance and decides to buy a hotel and then finds herself in trouble with the FBI, who tell her that she has had a son that is on their wanted list.
Claire has never had a child of her own, but has brought up her sister's 3 daughters for the last 30 years and she is mystified.
When she did meet the young man (who was her late twin sister's son) she tries to keep him out of the way of the FBI and thinks she can do all of that on her own
Claire has never had a child of her own, but has brought up her sister's 3 daughters for the last 30 years and she is mystified.
When she did meet the young man (who was her late twin sister's son) she tries to keep him out of the way of the FBI and thinks she can do all of that on her own
September 23, 2025
This was a nice story that kept moving pretty well. I wasn't sure I liked the main characters - Claire and Chip - at first, but then they really grew on me and I like them. I love a story about a lovely old hotel, so that was shoe-in, and then Claire's family was interesting when they showed up - not to mention the conflict that I won't give away here. The book was also clean with no profanity -- another plus. There were some interesting twists along with other progressing aspects of the story - so I've given it a generous 5-stars, because I really enjoyed the book.
December 28, 2021
This is the beginning of a new series set on Orcas Island. Claire has purchased a hotel on the island with her unexpected inheritance. Chip, the hotel manager, isn’t sure what to think of the new owner and a surprise in Claire’s life has put a new wrinkle in their relationship. It was fun to have some of the characters from the Saltwater Cove series enter into this one, as Claire is good friends with Margie from the other series. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
December 28, 2021
Sunset Cove has both intrigue and romance. I liked the eventual chemistry between Claire and Chip as well as their working relationship. I loved the FBI wanting the whereabouts of Claire's son when she had never given birth! (You have to read the book to find out more.) It was fun to catch up with Saltwater Bay's Margie, one of Claire's close friends. I love the warmth delivered by Ms. Addler's books. I am always sad when I reach the end because I hate saying goodbye to my new friends!
February 26, 2023
This was an easy read. The beginning was a bit confusing since the narrator kept changing and there was a lot of information to keep straight. However, I do enjoy reading novels that allow you to see events unfold from different character’s perspectives.
Overall, it was sweet and to the point; the character development could have been stronger though..I wanted more history from some of the characters and how their experiences shaped them. It lacked some depth for me.
Overall, it was sweet and to the point; the character development could have been stronger though..I wanted more history from some of the characters and how their experiences shaped them. It lacked some depth for me.
December 26, 2023
I had no idea how to put this book down; it was that exciting. My heart was racing with adrenaline. Marty puts his new family in danger because he is on the FBI's most wanted list. His new family would go to any lengths, even financially, to support him. What an amazing story written by Amelia Addler. I'm already hooked on the next book because of the letter Marty receives at the end of this one. I highly recommend this book and the entire series.
July 28, 2025
Sunset cove
I enjoyed reading this book that left me wondering where the characters will go on from here. The characters were well developed. It is difficult to give praise without giving the story away. I will read book 2. The main character ,Clair buys a hotel a d has no experience. Chip is the ma aged she inherited when she purchased it. There is drama, Fbi, and much more. It is an easy read.
I enjoyed reading this book that left me wondering where the characters will go on from here. The characters were well developed. It is difficult to give praise without giving the story away. I will read book 2. The main character ,Clair buys a hotel a d has no experience. Chip is the ma aged she inherited when she purchased it. There is drama, Fbi, and much more. It is an easy read.
August 29, 2025
This book was okay. A little bit corny, but it was a quick read. It's been a weird last 2 months in my life, so I'm just looking for easy reads lately, and this definitely fits that bill. If you enjoy corny romance novels, you will definitely like this. And it was a gruff guy that takes everything the wrong way and has a bad attitude (like almost every guy in real life) and a woman that acts like she has no idea what's going on.
April 30, 2023
Orcas Island I
I liked the characters. Well, not one or two. Decent plot, well written. Pretty improbable but that is a thing with HEA. I spent almost 15 years in Washington State. Fantastic scenery. Almost unbelievable. Too bad I couldn't handle the gray. Back in the Midwest now.
I liked the characters. Well, not one or two. Decent plot, well written. Pretty improbable but that is a thing with HEA. I spent almost 15 years in Washington State. Fantastic scenery. Almost unbelievable. Too bad I couldn't handle the gray. Back in the Midwest now.
Read
March 19, 2024family
Claire came home from work one day to hear her shower running but it wasn't Lucy. It was a man who turned out to be her nephew that she didn't know about but he had proof and was also on the run from the FBI thanks to his former CEO. Claire's manager Chip inadvertently finds out and hides him until he can sort it out. Chip also loves Claire.....
Claire came home from work one day to hear her shower running but it wasn't Lucy. It was a man who turned out to be her nephew that she didn't know about but he had proof and was also on the run from the FBI thanks to his former CEO. Claire's manager Chip inadvertently finds out and hides him until he can sort it out. Chip also loves Claire.....
April 5, 2024
After a surprise inheritance, Claire buys The Grand Madrona Hotel on beautiful Orcas Island and prepares for a new chapter in her life. Her manager, Chip, is hard to get to know.
Claire finds out she has a nephew from her dead sister. He is on the run from the FBI for a crime he didn't commit.
Great scenery and descriptions were interesting.
Good ending and lead up to the sequel.
Claire finds out she has a nephew from her dead sister. He is on the run from the FBI for a crime he didn't commit.
Great scenery and descriptions were interesting.
Good ending and lead up to the sequel.
October 29, 2024
Sunset Cove
What an interesting, exciting, intense story. Years later, your kids grown, moved out, now you have bought a hotel. Decided to do something different with your life/ future, when you are approached by the FBI saying your son is wanted? You have never been pregnant? What strange story is about to unfold! Read on, things are about to get very interesting!
What an interesting, exciting, intense story. Years later, your kids grown, moved out, now you have bought a hotel. Decided to do something different with your life/ future, when you are approached by the FBI saying your son is wanted? You have never been pregnant? What strange story is about to unfold! Read on, things are about to get very interesting!
June 26, 2025
This was a fun read. A woman’s uncle leaves her a lot of money and she buys a hotel. She has three grown daughters who she adopted after her sisters and parents died in a plane crash. She then gets a visits from a nephew she never knew she had and gets hunted by the FBI. Is her twin sister still alive? Did she survive the crash? It is not answered in the book but there are sequels.
July 26, 2025
Lifetime movie meets Harlequin romance
I finished reading this because I kept hoping the plot would Twist and thicken. But the more I read The more I felt like I was reading a high school romance. Then I felt like I was reading a romance written by a highschooler. I hate to be so cruel in a review but I really did not enjoy this book
I finished reading this because I kept hoping the plot would Twist and thicken. But the more I read The more I felt like I was reading a high school romance. Then I felt like I was reading a romance written by a highschooler. I hate to be so cruel in a review but I really did not enjoy this book
May 28, 2022
We follow Claire on her journey to the next phase of her life. As she embarks on her new life, she is faced with challenges and unexpected surprises. I enjoyed this story as Claire makes a future for herself. I received an arc of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 6, 2022
I adore reading Amelia Addler's stories. The islands sound so beautiful and I would love to visit them. Great to read Margie and Hank were in this story about Claire and her family, can't wait to read the next installment about the new member of her family, Marty and his mysterious letters....
July 7, 2023
Book needs better research
The author claims there is no legitimacy to the star ratings of restaurants. This shows a distinct lack of research regarding Michelin stars, which date back to 1900.
The author claims there is no legitimacy to the star ratings of restaurants. This shows a distinct lack of research regarding Michelin stars, which date back to 1900.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews