Driftwood Cottage

Chesapeake Shores #5

by Sherryl Woods

Single mom Heather Donovan’s dreams of home and family are tantalizingly within reach when she settles in Chesapeake Shores. The welcoming arms of the boisterous, loving O’Brien clan embrace her and her son. But accepting their support seems to further alienate her son’s father, Connor O’Brien. His parents’ divorce and his career as a high-powered divorce attorney have left him jaded about marriage. Then everything changes. Will the possibility of a future without Heather make Connor look at love and his career differently? Heather’s just about given up on her old dreams — of love, of family and especially of Driftwood Cottage, the home she secretly wishes were hers. It’s going to take a lot of persuasion — and some help from the O’Brien family — to make Heather believe that some dreams are worth fighting for.

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

376 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 29, 2011

About the author

With two other careers to her credit before becoming a novelist and four states in which she's lived for extended periods of time, Sherryl Woods has collected friends and memories, along with way too much unnecessary junk.

"The friends are the only things I've brought with me through the years that really matter," she says. "I could probably live without one more chintz teacup, another tin-litho sandpail or another snowglobe, but I need those friends."

The theme of enduring friendships and families is always central to Sherryl's books, including her latest Chesapeake Shores series — THE INN AT EAGLE POINT, FLOWERS ON MAIN and HARBOR LIGHTS.

Author of more than 100 romance and mystery novels, Sherryl Woods grew up in Virginia. Over the years she had lived in Ohio and Florida, as well as California. Currently she divides her time between Key Biscayne, Florida and Colonial Beach, Virginia, the small, river-front town where she spent her childhood summers.

A graduate of Ohio State University School of Journalism, Sherryl spent more than ten years as a journalist, most of them as a television critic for newspapers in Ohio and Florida. For several years she also coordinated a motivational program for the more than 8,000 employees at the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Medical Center.

Her first book, RESTORING LOVE, was published in 1982 by Dell Candlelight Ecstasy under the pseudonym of Suzanne Sherrill. Her second book, SAND CASTLES, under the pseudonym of Alexandra Kirk, was published later that same year by Bantam. She began using her own name when she moved to the Second Chance at Love line at Berkley Publishing. In 1986, she began writing full-time and also began her long career at Silhouette Books with the Desire title NOT AT EIGHT, DARLING, set in the world of television which she covered for so many years.

In addition to her more than 75 romances for Silhouette Desire and Special Edition, she has written thirteen mysteries — nine in the Amanda Roberts series and four in the Molly DeWitt series.

When she's not writing or reading, Sherryl loves to garden, though she's not at her best on a riding lawn mower. She also loves tennis, theater, and ballet, even though her top spin has long since vanished, she's never set foot on a stage, and she's way too uncoordinated to dance. She also loves baseball and claims anyone who's ever seen Kevin Costner in "Bull Durham" can understand why.

Reviews

[Geo Just Reading My Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Translation widget on The blog!!!
Împărtășind același vis ne oferă povestea a doi oameni care, în ciuda iubirii imense pe care o simt unul pentru celălalt, nu reușesc decât să producă suferință. Autoarea Sherryl Woods reușește și de data aceasta să exploreze psihicul uman cu meticulozitatea unui chirurg, prezentând cititorului o poveste cu o gamă variată de emoții, o acțiune alertă și plină de energie.
Recenzia mea completă o găsiți aici:
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[Cherie Reeves · Rating 2 out of 5]

All right already. Connor is opposed to marriage the mother of his child wants it all. I usually love Sheryl Woods, but this one was the same thing over and over chapter after chapter. It was a struggle to finish. Maybe I'm just having a bad day and not in the mood for a romance novel, but I was disappointed.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heather Donovan has had it living with her son' father, Connor O'Brien, with no hope of marriage appearing to be in their future. The two met in college and moved in together when Connor was in law school. When she became pregnant, he encouraged her to quit work to raise little Mick. They live in nearby Baltimore where Connor is a big time attorney. Connor carries around baggage leftover from when his mom left the family. Their father and architect, Mick O'Brien, was very busy with his company but their grandmother and family matriarch, Nell O'Brien, was always there for the children. Connor is not interested in marriage because he doesn't believe in them because of his background even though his mom is back in the picture.

But Heather is a wonderful mother and loves Connor. All she wants is a home and Connor to help her raise their son. So, she moves to Chesapeake Shores to be near the O'Brien's. She opened a quilt shop with the help of the O'Brien's, turning a hobby into a successful business. While she lives over the shop, she has always loved the Driftwood Cottage. As she settles in and grows close to Connor's family, how will he react?

This is another sweet story revolving around the O'Brien family in the fictional town of Chesapeake Shores, Maryland.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm usually a big fan of Sherryl Woods, but this book was a disappointment. In a word, boring. The conflict between the lead characters never changed or went anywhere until the last 100 pages & by then it was too late for me to get into the book. I also found the character of Abby very annoying with her clumsy attempts at sticking her nose in where it didn't belong. Hope the next book is better.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Driftwood Cottage was another nice visit to yet another perfect imaginary town that I wished I lived in, Chesapeake Shores. This is book five in the series but picks up directly where A Chesapeake Shores Christmas leaves off so to get the best feel of this book, it is probably a good idea to read at least the Christmas story, the others you can probably do without but are enjoyable, easy reads as well.

Driftwood Cottage finds the very stubborn Connor O'Brien who became a divorce attorney following the divorce of his parents when he was young. His mother walked out on his father and moved away to New York and he hardened his heart towards her and love in general. Connor had had a pretty good life going with his long time, live in girlfriend, Heather. But after the birth of their son, little Mick (named after Connors father) she realizes she wants the piece of paper securing them in marriage even though she has known all along how Connor feels about marriage and she decides to leave him.

Heather moves to Chesapeake Shores to be near Connors large extended family for little Micks sake and to open up her own quilting shop. The O'Briens are a very loving, meddlesome family that do whatever they can, in small, subtle ways to try and get Connor and Heather to reconnect. The love between them has never been a problem, Heather thinks it is just Connors insecurities about marriage. As our story progresses, Connor makes a life changing decision after Heather has a bad accident but their road to happily ever after is still bumpy. They finally do get to their HEA with Connor coming to terms with his fears and Connor helping Heather realizes her own insecurities about marriage.

Overall, this is a sweet, easy book. There is nothing spectacular about it, just something to curl up with on a nice summer day and enjoy. Everything is a bit to perfect...you know, not much money problems, everyone loves everyone and sort through everything it seems with ease. If you enjoy that, this is an excellent book for you. For me, this is about a 3 1/2 stars book. I look forward to more from this large, nosy family when I am in the mood for a light contemporary book to take me away from my own crazy life.
I received this ebook via netgallery.com

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? I am a sucker for Sherryl Woods. Reading the Chesapeake Shores series is always a pleasure of mine. It is like going home. Where everyone knows your name and everything about you, and still loves you anyway. Like an old comfortable blanket.. We know what to expect, we know what is going to happen but the ride is still fabulous.

In this installment Connor and his live-in girlfriend Heather have broken up because Heather wants more now that they have Little Mick. She knew from the very beginning that Connor was against marriages but once she had Little Mick she wanted something more permanent. Unknown to Connor Little Mick and Heather are now living in Chesapeake Shores, Connor's hometown! His heart is broken but he doesn't think he will ever change the way he feels about marriage, doomed! That is until Heather has a serious car accident and Connor is faced with the fact that he might live without her forever.

However, will Heather believe his sudden change of heart? Heather all the sudden doesn't want to get married once Connor does.

The love stories never get old with Sherryl. I love it, even though they are totally predictable, full of fluff, but like an old comforting blanket! I love the way she puts it all together. I don't need a lot of the junk in there, love the books just the way they are!

[Nirit · Rating 3 out of 5]

כמו כל הספרים בסידרה: מתחיל טוב, ולקראת הסוף נמרח ונמאס.
קונור, האח הרביעי במשפחת אובריין, מתנגד לנישואים באופן עקרוני. הת'ר, אם בנו, עוזבת אותו כשהיא מבינה שראיית העולם הצינית שלו לא תשתנה. חצי מהספר קונור עקשן כפרד, וכשהוא משתנה סופסוף, הת'ר מתחילה לפקפק בכנות השינוי, ואז מתחיל החלק הבאמת מנדנד ומרוח של העלילה. חבל, אם הספר היה נגמר בשינוי שקונור עבר, הקוראים היו מקבלים את הקתרזיס שלהם, ומסיימים את הספר עם חיוך ולא עם אנחת רווחה.
ועדיין הספר קל לקריאה וריתק אותי מההתחלה ועד הסוף, ולכן 3 כוכבים.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The marriage issue was annoyingly repetitive. The outcome predictable. A novella padded into a novel. As another Goodreader has already commented, I would have preferred to read more about the cottage.

[e_anne_b · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half I found quite irritating actually. The stubbornness of both characters to this particular love story was a bit too much for me. But the latter half got better and back to the normal OBrien family drama 😌

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really surprised by how bland and uninteresting this was. I was really disappointed in Heather, I don't think her character was ever developed enough for me to connect with. I had much more empathy for Connor, and he was frequently a jerk! I also was unable to find any credibility in Heather's refusal to marry Connor after he finally proposed. She claimed to love him, she explained to him her concerns about his bitter attitude and her concerns about how his job was corrupting him, and then when he was able to see things from her point of view and changed, she refused to believe him! Then she just as abruptly changed her mind and agreed to marry him. It also made absolutely no sense that if she wanted to avoid Connor, she relocated to his small close-knit hometown and moved in next door to hs mother's store,in a building owned by his family! I actually didn't care whether or not Heather found happiness, but I was rooting for Connor!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Driftwood Cottage #5 Chesapeake Shores
4.5🌟

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

From Goodreads: Single mom Heather Donovan's dreams of home and family are tantalizingly within reach when she settles in Chesapeake Shores. The welcoming arms of the boisterous, loving O'Brien clan embrace her and her son. But accepting their support seems to further alienate her son's father, Connor O'Brien. His parents' divorce and his career as a high-powered divorce attorney have left him jaded about marriage.

Then everything changes. Will the possibility of a future without Heather make Connor look at love and his career differently? Heather's just about given up on her old dreams—of love, of family and especially of Driftwood Cottage, the home she secretly wishes were hers. It's going to take a lot of persuasion—and some help from the O'Brien family—to make Heather believe that some dreams are worth fighting for.

My Thoughts: The first Sherryl Woods book I ever read was "A Chesapeak Shores Christmas", which was my introdution to her writing and to the O'Brien family. My review of that book (#4 in the series) emphasized the point that it was just such a "nice story". When I saw the chance to read the next in the series, Driftwood Cottage, I couldn't resist. I found that I really liked the O'Brien family, and there had been enough leadin to Connor and Heather's story (the focus of Driftwood Cottage) that I just HAD to find out how they got their Happy Ever After.

Of all the O'Brien kids, Connor is the one who took his parents divorce, and subsequent remarriage, the hardest. A top-notch, tough as nails divorce lawyer, he had sworn never to marry. He even went so far as to hide the fact he had a long-time live-in girlfriend and a son from his family. That secret was blown to pieces in the previous book, and his life is turned upside down when Heather leaves him. In Driftwood Cottage, we see Heather working to begin a life on her own, doing so in Chesapeake Shores, the home of the O'Briens.

There is never any doubt in either of the two Woods books I've read that there is going to be a HEA. Yet how the couples in question get to that point is done in such a way to keep it interesting, and reflects a good amount of emotion and drama and family life that smacks as true. The O'Briens are amazing meddlers in each other's lives, yet there's always the undercurrent of love in all their actions.

Not only did I enjoy Connor and Heather's story in Driftwood Cottage, but I enjoyed getting a sneak peak at the next two couples whose stories are yet to come. Like I said, there's no surprises here about who couples will end up with, or will they end up together, but how they get there is done in a way that keeps the reader interested and leaves you feeling good when the book is done. This is not my typical type of book or author, but I'm looking forward to the next installments of the O'Brien family story.

[Connie N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/14/23 to 8/18/23 - 4 stars - I liked this one all over again, although not quite as much as the first time through. But I did like the story between Connor and Heather, being together, the breaking up, then coming together again for a second-chance romance. Connor is a divorce attorney, mostly defending male clients, and totally against marriage. Although he and Heather have made a commitment, live together, and even have a son, he has made it clear that he doesn't ever intend to get married (because of the people he sees in his job as well as his parents' debacle). Heather has finally decided that she can't live with that decision, so she moves out, much to Connor's shock. He tries to stick to his guns, but of course his nosy and interfering family gets involved and pushes them together as often as possible. That was annoying. What I liked was that Connor ignored them, for the most part, and made his own decision. Heather was a bit of a one-note--I won't marry you even if you change your mind because I know you don't really mean it--blah-blah. But it all resolved nicely at the end, with some interesting side stories regarding Heather's mother (they haven't been close) as well as a possible romance between Connie (Jake's sister) and Thomas (the O'Brien uncle).

10/1/13 to 10/4/13 - 5 stars - Actually I think I'd rate this 4.5 stars, but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and round up. It's another in the continuing Chesapeake Shores series which focuses on the large O'Brien family and everyone coming into contact with them. The setting is a beach town in Maryland, which seems charmingly small-town and folksy but with all the big-town amenities. This story features Connor O'Brien, disillusioned divorce lawyer, his one-year-old son and the mother of his child. Connor and Heather lived together for years, but Connor's dislike of marriage finally forced Heather to leave him. In this book, however, Heather decides to move back to Chesapeake Shores so Little Mick can see his dad and be a real part of his life, along with all the rest of the family. She opens a quilt shop and becomes entrenched into the community. As the story progresses, we see them both start to grow and make decisions about whether or not they can be a family. Driftwood Cottage is the home Connor purchases in the area and decides to fix up. A feel-good story, with lots of schmaltz. But I like the sense of continuity of the series, with lots of interaction from well-liked characters from previous books. This is a family that is very close-knit, with a warmth and supportiveness that always makes me smile. Looking forward to the next in the series.

[Janga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Driftwood Cottage is the first of three 2011 books in Sherryl Woods’s Chesapeake Shores series. This story picks up shortly after the events A Chesapeake Shores Christmas (September 2010). Connor, the youngest of the O’Brien clan and the one most defined by his parents’ divorce, is not pleased when he discovers that Heather Donovan, the mother of his son, has opened a quilt shop in his hometown.

Heather herself also has periods of questioning her decision. She enjoys the warm acceptance of the extended O’Brien family, and she thinks the love and support they offer are important for her son. But being an O’Brien in all but name means seeing Connor too often for her peace of mind. It’s difficult to create a life without him when his presence vividly reminds her of the feelings she still has for him.

As for the O’Briens, they would like nothing better than to see Connor and Heather reunited, preferably with full legal status. All of them, from the recently remarried Mick and Megan to Connor’s twin nieces, do their part to bring the two together. However, the difference that separates them still looms as large as ever. Connor’s cynicism about marriage is regularly reinforced by his work as a divorce attorney. He is determined never to marry, and Heather is equally determined that the commitment of marriage is necessary for her happiness.

A near tragedy brings Connor to an awareness of what he wants most, but the changes he makes, even his restoration of Heather’s dream house (Driftwood Cottage), may not be enough to see his dream come true.

Fans of the Chesapeake Shores books will be delighted to see Connor come to terms with the past and find his own HEA. The family dynamics, Heather’s as well as Connor’s, add depth and interest to the central love story, and the kids are appealing (and not unbearably precocious). Sherryl Woods is among the best authors writing in the contemporary small-town romance subgenre, and Driftwood Cottage is a welcome addition to an engaging series.

[L. H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's funny that this is the book I've enjoyed the most out of all of them so far, since I was the least eager to read it.

The thing is, I think this one's the most cohesive, in my opinion. I find that the decisions and reasoning behind all of the characters actions made perfect sense, even if they frustated me at times. It was an enjoyable read, and I found myself wanting to know what happens in the short run, even if we all know what happens in the end.

I'd like to add that I liked Heather a lot. Since I didn't really particularly enjoyed Shanna at the beginning of her book, I wasn't expecting much of Heather, but she surprised me. She felt really mature. More than any of the O'Brien sisters, to be honest (Abby was the annoying one in this book).

In the TV show, Kevin is by far my favourite O'Brien brother, but I think Connor takes the crown. Kevin here is too stupid, so I'll forgive Connor's wrongs, and claim him as my fave.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am definitely reading this series out of order. This is not my favotite book in this series but I enjoyed it. Heather breaks up with Connor, a divorce attornet, after years of being in a committed relationship. They have a toddler and Heather wants to be married. Connor is disillusioned about marriage after seeing his parents get divorced and working as a divorce attirney. The O'Brien family tries to get Connor to change his views on marriage. After an accident opens his eyes, he proposes only to be turned down by Heather. Nice love story -predictable but nice reading for a cold winters day.

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a feel good book. The main characters are Connor O'Brien and Heather Donovan who have appeared in other books in this series especially in A Chesapeake Shores Christmas. When this book opens Heather has moved to Chesapeake Shores and opened a quilt store. Connor is still in Baltimore as a divorce lawyer always representing the men. Connor refuses to see marriage as anything good and Heather has decided she cannot remain in such a relationship. This book is the story of how that conflict resolves itself. The book was a quick easy read.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm drawn to this big, meddling Irish family, but this story didn't make sense. Why would someone in such a close family keep a grandchild secret for almost a year? I ended up skimming over most of the "marriage" issue because it was so repetitive. Wish it had focused more on the Cottage.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

How could I not love this book as it is about a young woman who opens a quilt shop in Chesapeake Shores. She's the women who stole Connor's heart but as a divorce attorney he has no intention of getting married.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the relationship of the main characters in this title took a bit longer to resolve than in previous titles, it was a bit frustrating for this reader. As always, though, I enjoy the dynamics of this family and look forward to the remaining few titles.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! Great story!! 2nd time reading this book and still love it!! Love this series!!

[Gawelleb · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nauséabond!
Une emmerdeuse ...
Bref, mauvais!!!

[Agatha Donkar Lund · Rating 3 out of 5]

So predictable and so comforting and everyone is happy at the end. I highly recommend romance novels in these trash ass world on fire times.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate how book blurbs mention something that is so minuscule to the plot...like Driftwood Cottage. It doesn't come into play until the very very end of the book and yet the summary blurb makes it seem like such a big part.

[Marisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Connor is for sure the most stubborn O’Brien, but it was more than worth it in the end. I definitely liked him better in this book than the previous one. Another great addition to the series.

[Carol Webster · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a little dragged out, but loved the way they brought Heather’s mom into the story. Can’t wait for the next one.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything in this seems to follow the same kind if plot

[Lisa Harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened on audiobook, love the narrator!

[Jennifer Hines Hansel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Although the Chesapeake Shores show on Hallmark is so cheesy, the books are not. This has been the best one so far in the series. It’s the story of Conner & Heather and their son little Mick. I got frustrated with both main characters a few times but really liked them both and the ending. I enjoyed the subplots as well. Just a fun read.

[Andréa Lechner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly, my attempt at reading these novels is coming to an end. Much though I loved the Netflix series, these books which inspired the project are nowhere near as good as what was put together for the adaptation. Many of the characters are different, some do not exist in the series, and the increasing pressure of having to cope with trite sentences and generally bad prose is proving too onerous. I am grateful to Sherryl Woods for inspiring the excellent Netflix show, but cannot for the life of me understand why she accepted to have so many of her characters disappear into the sunset as if they had never been created. Of course the answer has to be the obvious appeal of a handsome monetary reward, but the trade-off has not been as appealing for this reader. I have put up with it for a while, but I suspect this is it now.