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The Sweeney House Series #1

Cocoa Beach Cottage

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Samantha Parker is picking up the pieces of her life—and a pen to sign divorce papers—after she finds out her husband has been cheating on her, and the other woman is expecting his child. While the idea of leaving town and starting over is appealing, Sam's only option is to head back to her childhood home of Cocoa Beach, Florida, to help her recently-widowed mother run their family inn. Can she go home and start her whole life over at forty-three?

Sam decides to spend the summer living in the beachfront cottage where she was raised, bringing her twenty-four year old daughter for moral support and laughter, and her teenage son, in the hopes that the change will help him heal, too.

Finding peace on the sunwashed island, Sam finally spreads her wings, gets her first real job, and reconnects with the siblings she’s kept distant for far too many years. She helps her daughter navigate a new romance, guides her mother through a widow’s grief, and supports her sister as she faces an unexpected challenge. But when the pain of the divorce becomes too much for her fragile son to handle, Sam wonders if she can ever really escape her past.

The Sweeney House Series

The Sweeney House is a landmark inn on the shores of Cocoa Beach, built and owned by the same family for decades. After the unexpected passing of their beloved patriarch, Jay, this family must come together like never before. They may have lost their leader, but the Sweeneys are made of strong stuff. Together on the island paradise where they grew up, this family meets every challenge with hope, humor, and heart, bathed in sunshine and the unconditional love they learned from their father.

Cocoa Beach Cottage – book 1
Cocoa Beach Boardwalk – book 2
Cocoa Beach Reunion – book 3
Cocoa Beach Sunrise – book 4
Cocoa Beach Bakery – book 5
Cocoa Beach Cabana – book 6
Cocoa Beach Bride – book 7

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 26, 2022

4200 people are currently reading
1002 people want to read

About the author

Cecelia Scott

84 books140 followers

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5 stars
1,762 (51%)
4 stars
1,113 (32%)
3 stars
458 (13%)
2 stars
70 (2%)
1 star
24 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
Profile Image for Sarah.
53 reviews29 followers
August 30, 2022
Those who know me know that I am rather picky about my reads — but in this new series, I’ve found an absolute treasure! Let me explain…

Not only is Cecelia Scott’s writing beautiful and expressive, her characters lively and lovely, and this captivating story perfectly paced, but this first book of the Sweeney House series has that special essence I always look for that separates the ‘fine’ from the ‘fantastic!!!’: true authenticity of setting and emotion.

This is the kind of book that not only sweeps you away to a charming new world in all its wonderful detail, but that also EMOTIONALLY sweeps you off your feet, dazzling you with characters that just feel real… like members of your own family. I adore every single one of the Sweeneys and love being able to enter their story, to walk alongside them in this sun-kissed world of brand new beginnings and surprising twists and turns. I come away from this book with my heart full to bursting... it is special indeed.

Your writing is a gift, Miss Scott, and I am your newest dedicated fan! I am so delighted there are going to be six more books in this series…I simply can’t wait for the next releases.

Until then, bless you and yours ❤️
Profile Image for Julie Booklover.
2,108 reviews104 followers
August 30, 2022
4.5 Stars

Healing and Finding Passion

A debut and a doozy! We are introduced to the Sweeney family by Samantha or Sam as she is making some changes in her life. As we meet more of her family, it turns out there are a lot of changes happening. Her mom, sister Erika, her daughter Taylor and her son Ben are all working through personal struggles. But, conversations are healing, friends are made, and things do not look so bleak. A secret that brings the family closer, a fresh start.

As we get swept up in the magic of Cocoa Beach, the words of this author pull you in. Samantha could be someone I know and would love to be a friend. I am going to enjoy whatever this author writes in the future.

Thank you to the Booksprout and the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Profile Image for Jackie.
471 reviews32 followers
August 20, 2023
The beginning of a new series. Interesting start and I will at least read the next book. Lots of family drama for a little variety.
Profile Image for Mandy.
337 reviews2 followers
April 19, 2024
A nice story, easy to read, hallmark like but not too fluffy
51 reviews3 followers
August 15, 2023
I enjoyed this book. It has romance, beautiful location, teens and kids, and some relationship issues. But it is the interactions between the characters, the importance of intercommunication, and the thinking outside the box that I loved. I'm going to read the next book in the series soon. My only complaint is that it needed a last look over before publishing, as there were some cross-throughs in one section. Otherwise, it's a great story that left me wishing for more.
Profile Image for Fleur.
3,731 reviews29 followers
August 31, 2022
I absolutely loved this and for being the debut for the author she has hit it out of the park, we first meet Samantha Parker (soon to be back to Sweeney) after she decides to move her and her two children back to her families home in Cocoa Beach. I loved how the family is full of greatly different personalities and we start to see they are all going through different struggles that start to come to the surface for others to learn about after they all start to come together more after Sam arrives. We not only get issues with the adult Sweeneys, but also teenage angst from Sam's son Ben (which at times brings you almost to tears) and young adult problems with Sam's daughter Taylor.
There are plenty of times you want to scream (mainly at Sam's douche of an ex husband) cry as well as laugh and cheer this family and when you get to the end you are left counting down until the next book needing to know what will happen with the latest arrival to the family!!
Profile Image for Sue Negrillo.
637 reviews9 followers
March 16, 2024
Cocoa Beach Florida

Sam and her kids need a new start after Taylor, Sams daughter walks in on her dad with another woman.
They head to cocoa Beach where Sam grew up. Dottie Sams mom runs an Inn with a cottage and that’s where they stay. It’s right on the beach. Taylor never a morning person, started going out at sunrise for a walk. She Mets a surfer from Hawaii Kai. They began meeting every morning. She even gets Ben, her reclusive brother to come with her. Kai teaches him how to surf.
Sam gets a job at her brother’s ad comp. She’s never had a job. Kai has to leave and go back to Hawaii to help his family.
Erica finds out she can’t have children. So they start the adoption process. They bring a girl to them she’s a teenager that’s pregnant. Didn’t expect that!
Max, Sams ex gives Sam all the money for the divorce all at one time so she is able to help her mom do the renovation on the Inn needed.
691 reviews2 followers
August 21, 2023
A wonderfully great book!!!!

I just started this series, never read this author before, and I absolutely love this start of the series and can't wait to read the second book!!!!
Samatha was thinking she had the perfect life with a husband and two beautiful kids, until it all blew up in her face. The story tells you how she and her children bounced back in the most amazing way. I felt I was right there with them.
I love the characters development, and how they come together as a family when even things go wrong.
It is a new chapter for Samatha (Sam) and Taylor her daughter and Benjamin (Ben) her son.
Now get this book and sit with your favorite beverage. You won't be disappointed!!!!!
594 reviews
February 9, 2024
Despite the Crash Don't Give Up

Taylor walks in on her adulterating father, and is in shock as her, her mother and brothers lives disintegrate right before her eyes. Max as most of Samatha's family knew and felt that he was only selfish and ungrateful. Sam didn't realize how badly he had gradually isolated her from family and friends, until she got away from him. With no other choice but to return home as her own mother Dorothy was fighting to regain stability from the death of her husband seven months prior. Through time and love Sam, Tay, and Ben who has felt completely left to flounder until Tay makes it clear that he is loved and cared about. An excellent book that you will definitely need tissues for as you read
1,838 reviews18 followers
September 2, 2022
All Taylor wanted to do was surprise her parents by coming home from college only to be the one surprised when she walked in on her father cheating with another woman.

Sam and Max are now separated and Max is starting his new family with the other woman leaving his old family to pick up the pieces of their lives and starting over. Sam decides to go to her Moms cottage in Cocoa Beach and back to her family. She decides that they would spend the summer at the beach. What better place to heal than the beach.

This is the first book that I have read by this author and it certainly will not be the last one. I enjoyed this book alot and think you will too. Check it out.
3,221 reviews4 followers
September 16, 2022
I just fell in love with this book, and know that I will read the rest of the series that the author has planned. This is not so much the traditional romance story that I was expecting. It's more of a women's lit type of book, a saga surrounding an extended family. Sam moves to the family home with her children, while in the midst of a divorce. Life isn't perfect for any of the family members, but they come together to support each other, no questions. The author has done an amazing job of describing the locale, and the characters are real and (mostly) likable. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Nan Christine  Borton-Smith.
557 reviews12 followers
November 2, 2022
Sweet & heartwarming

Sweet & heartwarming
This is not my typical genre but either because I grew up in on multi generational working farm or because it is now gone, when I'm looking for something outside of the psych suspense genre - these are the stories I tend to grab.
Families are messy, when infidelity and
divorce hits Sam - she takes her children home to an Gulf coast town where most of her family lives to help her and her children heal over the summer.
Lots of characters and multiple storylines that show a but about the heart of each character.
Fun & quick- a nice beach read!
Profile Image for Nancy.
1,587 reviews
August 29, 2022
This book was such a great read! The author did a good job of making Samantha someone I would like to be friends with. She knew that where she should be in life, and she knew it was going to be a transition not only for herself but for her children.
The story felt real and was easy to follow the different experiences and emotions. I am looking forward to ready the next books in the Sweeney House series.
The location of the story is excellent! It makes me want to head to Cocoa Beach, Florida.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
29 reviews
November 25, 2023
Family

Sam, Taylor, and Ben are trying to find a new normal, Sam's husband Max dropped a bombshell. He has started a completely new family and he wants to raise his new baby in their old family home. Sam decides to go back to Coco Beach and !I've in the family cottage for the summer where she was raised, since her mom moved over to the family inn. Her brother John and his family live close by and also her youngest sister and her husband. Family that Max has always isolated her from. Heart warming book with lots of family intricacies.
41 reviews2 followers
August 28, 2022
If you are a fan of Hope Holloway’s series of books (Coconut Key and Shellseeker Beach) you will love Cocoa Beach Cottage! It is warm and genuine and deals with issues a lot of women experience as we journey through life. There is grief and divorce and infertility but there are new beginnings, love, and family. Like with Hope’s books, I want to go to the beach and spend time with this family. So, so good!
Profile Image for Jacqueline Johnston Cotton.
2,218 reviews38 followers
September 18, 2022
This is an amazing beach read with heartbreak, a touch of humor, satisfying twists and hopefully happy endings. I enjoyed the story line and the writing style. The characters are so real in this emotional and charming book. There is a strong focus on family and I love how they all support each other. I am so glad there are more books in this wonderful new series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Brittany.
29 reviews1 follower
July 3, 2023
I have to admit when I started reading this book it was a little rough to get into. I kept putting it down and didn't reach for it. I figured I would give it another try and finally it picked up some steam. The story was ok. It was more of a building the stage for the books that followed so nothing really exciting went on in this. Not sure I will read the next book due to not wanting to reach for it. Not terrible, but not great.
Profile Image for Lynne Spreen.
Author 24 books225 followers
December 24, 2023
Samantha is a SAHM who just got dumped by her philandering surgeon husband. She takes her family back home to Cocoa Beach, where her mother still lives, along with other family members in the area. Sam, her young-adult daughter Taylor, and her teenaged son Ben must recover from their father's perfidy and find joy in life again. Uplifting, clean, and kind, the world of Cocoa Beach offers the family a new start, and I'm looking forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Sharon Heaverly .
426 reviews24 followers
August 4, 2025
COCOA BEACH COTTAGE is the first in the Sweeney House series by Cecilia Scott.
I loved the characters and the setting on Cocoa Beach.
This is a great summer read.
One thing I found unsettling is that the ending left you with many loose ends.
I realize that this is one way that author's get you to continue with the books in their series.
I look forward to reading Cocoa Beach Boardwalk next, hoping to tie up those loose ends.
10.8k reviews125 followers
September 19, 2022
This is the first book I've read written by Cecilia Scott; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the first book in the Sweeney House Series; it is the beginning of a new series. The story continues in the next book and needs to be read in order.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Christina Bowling.
1,600 reviews15 followers
September 25, 2022
This was a pretty interesting book. The characters were likable and it kept me entertained for the most part. There were some sad taints about it that I didn't like, mainly the part about Jay, that kept me from fully enjoying it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Rose Grabowski.
1,806 reviews17 followers
August 15, 2023
After the unexpected destruction of her family Samantha heads to her hometown of Cocoa Beach for the summer to reset. The family has a 10-bedroom inn and she'll be staying in the cottage on site. Much to her surprise it is a time of changes and drama for the family, and they band together to help each other. This was a great start for the series, and I enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Debbie Odachowski.
491 reviews
August 23, 2023
Wow! I didn't see this ending!

I really liked this book. What an interesting group of characters. This is not your usual suspects. The Hallmark channel wouldn't know how to deal with this collection of issues. I can't wait to see how Ms. Scott deals with the many issues that have developed in book 1. Enjoy!
Profile Image for Robin.
1,176 reviews14 followers
August 31, 2023
This was a very pleasant surprise. Samantha really had her life kicked out from under her and her kids, but it’s how they handle the trauma that was surprising. The human spirit is resilient.

This author writes an emotional tale without being overly dramatic. I really enjoyed it. This novel is about dashed dreams, family and hope.

I’m off to start book 2.
Profile Image for Mindy.
1,234 reviews15 followers
November 1, 2023
I wanted to read this book because it takes place in Cocoa Beach and I live very nearby. Unfortunately, I felt like it could have been written about any FL beach as there weren't really factual details specific to the area. (For example, the high school mentioned doesn't exist and never did.) The story itself was fine. As a local, I was just hoping for more.
16 reviews
February 11, 2024
(Kindle edition) It started out great but about three quarters through, I started seeing grammatical errors, punctuation, strike through and I think someone uploaded the “in progress “ version of the book I read of the edited. It ruined the story for me and I finished the book quite unhappy about it. I will not attempt to read the rest of the series. Maybe the paper version is better.
Profile Image for Carrie.
211 reviews
March 31, 2024
how to triumph

Thus story started out almost too sad form me, but having Beach in the name of the book intrigued me and kept reading. The Sweeney family have fairly normal life changes but it is how the family dynamics play out that moves this story along. Look to start next book soon
Profile Image for Deanna Milford.
516 reviews1 follower
May 29, 2024
Such a heartwarming read. It gave me “Sweet Magnolias-Gilmore Girls” vibes. It was a perfect palette cleanser for this thriller girl and am looking forward to reading the next “Sweeney House” book.
On a personal note, my Daughter got this book for me for Mother’s Day because we love Cocoa Beach and thought I might like it. She nailed it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews

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