Cottage by the Sea: A Novel

Cottage by the Sea by Debbie Macomber is by far one of the best books I've read from her. I was intrigued by the synopsis and was hooked after only reading the first page. It is captivating and engaging; heartbreaking as well as heartwarming. I cried my way through sections of it, laughed through others and overall cherished the wonder of such a deeply moving, beautiful story.

I'm adding this book to my favorite's bookshelf and I will be re-visiting it time and again. This is the highest praise I can give a book and author - the feeling as if their book is a dear friend of mine and one I will cherish throughout my lifetime.
Mrs. Macomber, thank you for sharing your gift with the world. It's a brighter place because you are in it!

5 + show more Stars

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Ms. Macomber, Ballentine Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. show less

Cottage by the Sea is the latest novel by Debbie Macomber. Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, and Annie Marlow’s mother wants her to come home to Seattle, Washington for the holiday. She is unable to change her schedule and Annie knows she will be home for Christmas. Annie regrets her decision when she receives a call from Aunt Sherry on Thanksgiving that the continual rains have caused her parents home to slide off the hillside. Annie has lost her entire family in one day. Sixteen months later, Annie has spiraled into intense depression and is suffering from survivor’s guilt. A counselor suggests Annie go somewhere that made her happy. She remembers family vacations in Oceanside and decides to visit. Annie feels at peace in the show more small town and decides to make a change. With the help of local painter, Seth Keaton, Annie is able to rent her family’s old vacation cottage and obtains a job. Annie wants to make a difference in people’s lives and starts with her curmudgeon of a landlord. In Oceanside, Annie finds a way to heal along with new friends and an unexpected romance. What happens, though, when Annie is presented with a wonderful opportunity?

Cottage by the Sea is an engaging and emotional novel. My attention was captured right away, and it was held until I finished the story. Annie is devastated when she loses her parents, brother, sister-in-law and niece all in one day. She feels guilty for not joining them for Thanksgiving and sinks into a deep depression. Grief is a terrible thing and it is something a person can understand unless they experience it themselves (unfortunately). Cottage by the Sea is not your typical romance novel. It is a story of healing. Be prepared for your emotions to go on a roller coaster ride while reading Cottage by the Sea (you will need a hanky nearby). There is love, heartbreak, joy, hope, grief, guilt, humor and despair. Debbie Macomber created realistic characters who have real world problems. I enjoyed the small-town setting in the Pacific Northwest and the various animals in the story. Mellie Johnson is Annie’s landlord whose past continues to haunt her. Annie decides to befriend Mellie and her collection of romance novels help get her foot in the door. The secondary characters along with their story are as captivating as the main characters. Cottage by the Sea is different from this author’s other works (in a good way) and it does not end as you would expect. I was left with an unanswered question at the end of Cottage by the Sea (which I find frustrating) and the pacing could have used work in the second half. My rating for Cottage by the Sea is 4 out of 5 stars. If you are looking for a compelling new novel to read, pick up Cottage by the Sea. show less

Debbie MacComber gives her readers well developed characters with realistic flaws & issues that engage our hearts & sympathies from the beginning. Keaton is considered an oddity because of his height, large build & extreme shyness. He doesn't like being put on the spot & stumbles over his words if he is. Annie is a wonderfully energetic teenager when we first meet her, an annoyed young woman next & last a depressed sad young woman fighting her way out of grief & trying to survive. These two are drawn to something in each other from the beginning. Annie also manages to bring secondary characters into her circle with their own flaws that she is able to help them with. I enjoyed going on Annie's journey back to life & happiness with her. show more Her character managed to draw Keaton & Mellie out of their respective shells & help them. There were several times I struggled to fight back tears, bite back laughter, & smile while reading. Ms. MacComber has managed to touch my heart with another terrific book. show less

4.5 stars.

Cottage by the Sea by Debbie Macomber is a heartfelt novel of healing and love.

Growing up, Annie Marlow and her family enjoyed one carefree week every summer as they vacationed in Beachside. Having difficulty moving past a terrible tragedy, she decides to return to Beachside in an attempt to restart her life. In a stroke of luck, she is hired as a physician assistant in the town's small health clinic. Annie then appeals to Seth Keaton to convince Mellie Johnson to allow her to rent the quaint cottage where she and her family stayed during their yearly summer vacation. Settling quickly into her new life, Annie is finally recovering from her loss. Her endearing friendship with Keaton gradually evolves into a heartwarming show more romance, but will an unexpected opportunity destroy Annie and Keaton's future together?

Annie is quite surprised to rediscover happiness when she relocates to Beachside but she embraces every part of her life. She immediately feels comfortable with Keaton and she cherishes their time together. She is disappointed as her attempts to befriend Mellie are continually rebuffed, but tiny victories help her remain optimistic that she and her gruff, rough around the edges landlady will eventually become friends. Annie also strikes up an unlikely friendship with teenager Britt McDuffee, but her attempt to help the family backfires and their tenuous bond is threatened.

Keaton is a gentle giant who is the epitome of the strong, silent type. He is quite caring and compassionate and aided by Mellie and his close friend Preston, they rescue abused and abandoned animals. His relationship with his father is practically non-existent due to his father's antipathy toward his only child. Keaton is enthralled by Annie and despite his usual discomfort with strangers, he is surprisingly at ease when they are together.

With a sweet and understated romance, Cottage by the Sea is an emotionally compelling novel of recovery. Annie is a lovely woman whose survivor's guilt is misplaced but understandable. Keaton is very protective but his harsh childhood has definitely left a mark on him. Oceanside is an idyllic setting and its inhabitants are warm and welcoming. Old and new fans of Debbie Macomber are sure to love this uplifting and engaging novel. show less

“Cottage by the Sea” is a routine romantic novel in which the primary characters all find someone to love and, after overcoming difficulties that threaten to scuttle the romance, the couples wind up together. The unstated implication is that they will live happily ever after.

The primary female protagonist and a secondary female character were depicted as saints. The female sidekick has an irascible personality that is seldom bothersome because it allows the female protagonist to demonstrate her saintly qualities. As you can guess, the saint and the irascible curmudgeon become BFF.

The treatment of the male characters is chauvinistic and superficial. The villains are unfeeling and hateful. The romantic targets of the saintly women show more are psychologically damaged, lack self-confidence and self-esteem, and are incapable of expressing their deeply held emotions.

The primary problems the women had to overcome is the hyper sensitivity of the men to any hint of rejection. The men were able of move past these misunderstanding only after extensive begging and pleading, during which time the women demonstrate the patience of Job. If you’re looking for greater realism I suggest you visit the local cinema and take in a movie featuring one of the plethora of superheroes.

The story would have been more interesting if Macomber had portrayed the men with greater nuance. Nevertheless, I found “Cottage by the Sea” to be enjoyable. It is a quick read, and the sunny, positive outlook on life is refreshing for the most part. The few setbacks the saintly women encountered are quickly and skillfully overcome. It’s a good book to curl up with by the fireplace on a dreary winter day. show less

I've read Debbie Macomber in my Daily Guideposts for years. I think this is the first time I've read one of her romances. Lovely sweet story. I enjoyed watching the growth of the characters. She really makes you want to keep in touch with the whole cast. Nice escape to a world where people care, though the real world lurks outside.

Annie Marlow, living in Los Angeles and working a s a physician's assistant, has plans with her cousin and some friends for Thanksgiving day. When her mother calls just a few days before wanting her to come home for Thanksgiving instead, Annie stands her ground, and refuses to change her plans at the last minute. For a variety of reasons, I am cheering her on at this point, but I also know that this is a precursor to major guilt.

Early on Thanksgiving morning, she is awakened by a phone call from her aunt. A mudslide has swept her parents' home, and entire neighborhood, into the river. Her parents, brother and sister-in-law, and toddler niece, are all dead.

She has to return to Washington to deal with awful aftermath, painfully drawn out show more because of the class action lawsuit that follows. Annie can't deal with that from Los Angeles, so she stays in Washington, struggling with guilt and depression as well as the legal complexities.

Finally, prodded by her cousin, Gabby, she gets away from Seattle, to the seaside town where her family rented a cottage every summer when she and her brother Mike were growing up. She manages, with some difficulty, to rent the same cottage, and lands a job at the local medical clinic.

Annie also meets Keaton, whom she met just once, the last summer her family vacationed there. Keaton is big, silent, and hard to get to know, yet they are drawn to each other.

Her landlady, Mellie Johnson, is even harder to get to know--a complete recluse, prickly, far more withdrawn than Keaton ever dreamed of being.

These three, plus Keaton's friend Preston, head of the local animal shelter, shouldn't be the start of a wonderful friendship, yet they are.

This is a very character-driven novel, and the characters, both the protagonists and the problem people in their lives, are complex and interesting. I was completely drawn in and needed to keep reading.

Recommended.

I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. show less