6 Rainier Drive

I tell ya', I just love this series. I picked up 6 Rainier Drive after a break from the Cedar Cove Series, and it was better than I remembered. This series tells the story of so many different lives, all connected through the small town of Cedar Cove.
I love the characters and the way that Debbie Macomber introduces new characters and then builds on them in later installments, all the while keeping the original characters so alive. Unfortunately, I was not fond of the Teri/Bobby story line that was developed in this installment. I found Bobby far too cliche. They are more of a focus in the next book, 74 Seaside Avenue. I am just hoping that the couple grows on me.
If you try this series you can expect clean romance, family drama, and a show more dose or two of mystery. Very good stuff indeed. show less

Can I just say I hated this from the first? It immediately strikes a note of strained melodrama. The book is set in small town Cedar Cove, Washington and starts after a restaurant, The Lighthouse, owned by the Gundersons is burned down. We learn that Justine Gunderson is still traumatized by her brother literally dying in her arms. The restaurant's chef Jon spent time in prison for a crime he didn't commit. Can we say soap opera?

Anson, Allison's boyfriend, is suspected of setting the fire. He has a record of arson, was recently laid off from the restaurant because he was suspected of theft--and the night of the fire he shows up on her doorstep smelling of smoke, but she's sure he's innocent. OK, so was I, because that's what happens in show more novels like this, but it still made her come across as stupid.

But really, it's the writing that put me off and made it unbearable to spend hundreds of pages reading this. No cliche is left unused: "by his side every step of the way" "You can't go on like this." "head-over-heels crazy about him." Just such tired language. And when I turned to the end I saw the resolution was exactly what I had guessed by page 20--and the last paragraph is an unforgivable cliffhanger designed to make you go on to the next book in the series. I'll definitely pass. show less

I tell ya', I just love this series. I picked up 6 Rainier Drive after a break from the Cedar Cove Series, and it was better than I remembered. This series tells the story of so many different lives, all connected through the small town of Cedar Cove.
I love the characters and the way that Debbie Macomber introduces new characters and then builds on them in later installments, all the while keeping the original characters so alive. Unfortunately, I was not fond of the Teri/Bobby story line that was developed in this installment. I found Bobby far too cliche. They are more of a focus in the next book, 74 Seaside Avenue. I am just hoping that the couple grows on me.
If you try this series you can expect clean romance, family drama, and a show more dose or two of mystery. Very good stuff indeed. show less

I love getting to know the people living in Cedar Cove. It is as if they are friends of mine. Ms. Macomber writes with style and grace. I am looking forward to reading more of the Cedar Cove series. It was an easy, uncomplicated read.

As "6 Rainier Drive" begins, Seth and Justine Gunderson are still reeling from the loss of their restaurant, The Lighthouse, because of arson. The police suspect their ex-employee, Anson Butler, who ran away, set the fire, but his girlfriend, Allison Cox, is convinced he is innocent. As Seth and Justine disagree about whether or not to rebuild The Lighthouse, other residents in Cedar Cove, Washington also have their own struggles. Mary Ellen Bowman is on bed rest due to a difficult pregnancy and her husband Jon has reluctantly agreed to let his estranged father and stepmother help out. Linette McAfee is dating horse trainer Cal Washburn and is upset when he decides to go to Wyoming to rescue wild mustangs. Rachel Pendergast is dating show more navy man Nathan Olsen but is aware that his mother doesn't think a nail technician is good enough for her son. And Rachel's coworker, Teri Miller, is in an interesting relationship with chess player Bobby Polgar.

Debbie Macomber's "6 Rainier Drive" is a cozy if unchallenging read. Those who have read the previous five books in Macomber's Cedar Cove series will enjoy this book, but newcomers may be confused with the large cast of characters. The book is almost five hundred pages long, but could have been much shorter with some good editing. The writing could have been tightened up; not only does Macomber have too many characters to begin with, she also adds scenes with miscellaneous characters that aren't necessary and add nothing to the story. Macomber would have been better off developing some of the romances in the book. For example, while the Teri and Bobby romance was a lot of fun (Bobby is a nice, refreshing, and fun character) it would have been better if the romance developed over the course of a few books. It felt rushed to me. However, Macomber is really good at creating characters readers care about for better or worse: I really liked Bobby; by the end of the book I really disliked Linette. Also, the story line with Jon and his father and stepmother was very touching.

Readers who like soap opera type books will love Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove series. show less

Must read in order as author does continue each story line. Cal/Linette surprised me with stutter getting fixed but him falling for vet. Photographer Jon finally lets his parents help when another baby on the way, like how he eventually accepts them. Justine/Seth got too much of each wanting their own way - not happy with Justine's tea house solution nor her behavior with former BF Warren. Happy for Allison with her continued support for Anson who disappears when thought to be fire arsonist. Teri/chess Bobby starts next book with threat by gangster.

As you may have heard, we've recently had quite a shock. My husband, Seth, and I lost our business, The Lighthouse restaurant --- to arson. The investigation continues. The prime suspect is a young ex-employee named Anson Butler, who disappeared right after the fire.
So Seth and I are trying to sort out our lives. (And let me tell you, this kind of crisis is not good for a marriage.) In the meantime, life goes on for everyone else in Cedar Cove --- with marriages, births, reunions and even the occasional scandal. One of the most interesting pieces of news is that Cal, who works on Cliff Harding's ranch, is now rescuing wild mustangs from Wyoming.
I have to run --- I'm meeting an old friend, Warren Saget, for lunch. Let's talk soon, and show more I'll fill you in on everything that's happening in town! show less