Publication
New York : Ballantine Books, an imprint of Random House, [2018]
Collection
Call number
Fiction M
Physical description
334 p.; 25 cm
Status
Available
Call number
Description
Annie Marlow has been through the worst. Rocked by tragedy, she heads to the one place that makes her happy: Oceanside in the Pacific Northwest, the destination of many family vacations when Annie was a teenager. Once there, Annie begins to restore her broken spirit, thanks in part to the folks she meets: a local painter, Keaton, whose large frame is equal to his big heart--and who helps Annie fix up her rental cottage by the sea; Mellie, the reclusive, prickly landlord Annie is determined to befriend; and Britt, a teenager with a terrible secret. But it is Keaton to whom Annie feels most drawn. His quiet, peaceful nature offers her both comfort and reprieve from her grief, and the two begin to grow closer. Then events threaten to undo the idyll Annie has come to enjoy. And when the opportunity of a lifetime lands in her lap, she is torn between the excitement of a new journey toward success and the safe and secure arms of the haven--and the man-she's come to call home.… (more)
Subjects
Genres
User reviews
LibraryThing member Pam50627
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
Show More
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. 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
LibraryThing member Maydacat
This novel is not what you normally expect from Debbie Macomber. It is filled with flawed and hurting characters. Annie has experienced a devasting tragedy, and relocates to find some peace. In her new surroundings, she meets others who are dealing with their own problems and mistakes. Together,
Show More
they form a community and support each other. But the way is often rocky, and the correct path is not always easy to find. Ms. Macomber has again given her readers a thoughtful and meaningful tale of the human spirit. Show Less
LibraryThing member jbarr5
Cottage by the Sea by Debbie Macomber
#CottageByTheSea #NetGalley
Starts with works by the author. Story starts out with a glimpse of a summer day and Annie is leaving but she's left an impression on the almost 7ft tall Kenton.
Annie is a physician assistant in southern CA and she's supposed to go
Her cousin Gabby would be arriving soon and they'd be spending Thanksgiving together in southern CA. They wake to a call telling them her parents house had slid down a hill and nothing was left-they were all gone, parents, brother and his family. We called our daughter when we saw this on the real news to find out if they were ok as it was in the same area they live-they had driven by the place but the road had been closed and detours were up, devastation had already happened.
..
11 months later and she finds her moving back to Seattle, waiting for attorneys and body remains....they encourage her to envision a happy place til she recalls the summer trip...her first kiss, at the cottage at the sea...
With an opening she nails the job of PA and is able to rent the cottage with Kenton's help. She remembers him and Melly.
Like how she gets others together as they both need help from one another. She finds herself in a heap of trouble by intruding on others...love prescious treasures Keaton has given her.
She is given a chance of a lifetime and you listen to her talk to others to help her decide which path to take...also love how she helps Mellie with her problems...get such good feelings reading this.
Unpredictable, many twists along the way, good all around read.
Received this review copy from the author via NetGalley Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Ballantine Books and this is my honest opinion.
#CottageByTheSea #NetGalley
Starts with works by the author. Story starts out with a glimpse of a summer day and Annie is leaving but she's left an impression on the almost 7ft tall Kenton.
Annie is a physician assistant in southern CA and she's supposed to go
Show More
home to the northwest coast sooner than for Christmas. Her brother, would be there with his wife, Kelly and child, Bella.Her cousin Gabby would be arriving soon and they'd be spending Thanksgiving together in southern CA. They wake to a call telling them her parents house had slid down a hill and nothing was left-they were all gone, parents, brother and his family. We called our daughter when we saw this on the real news to find out if they were ok as it was in the same area they live-they had driven by the place but the road had been closed and detours were up, devastation had already happened.
..
11 months later and she finds her moving back to Seattle, waiting for attorneys and body remains....they encourage her to envision a happy place til she recalls the summer trip...her first kiss, at the cottage at the sea...
With an opening she nails the job of PA and is able to rent the cottage with Kenton's help. She remembers him and Melly.
Like how she gets others together as they both need help from one another. She finds herself in a heap of trouble by intruding on others...love prescious treasures Keaton has given her.
She is given a chance of a lifetime and you listen to her talk to others to help her decide which path to take...also love how she helps Mellie with her problems...get such good feelings reading this.
Unpredictable, many twists along the way, good all around read.
Received this review copy from the author via NetGalley Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Ballantine Books and this is my honest opinion.
Show Less
LibraryThing member alekee
he author grabbed my attention right from the beginning, and what a beginning, have the tissues handy.
Trying to find peace, going to a happy spot, this is what brings Annie Marlow back to Oceanside, and an entirely new start on her shattered life.
I loved these characters and they all seemed so
I do have to admit, I couldn’t put this one down, and now I’m sad that the page turning is over, I wanted even more, even with the epilogue!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Ballantine Books, and was not required to give a positive review.
Trying to find peace, going to a happy spot, this is what brings Annie Marlow back to Oceanside, and an entirely new start on her shattered life.
I loved these characters and they all seemed so
Show More
real, and they meld together beautifully, hurting yes, but so much compassion for those less fortunate.I do have to admit, I couldn’t put this one down, and now I’m sad that the page turning is over, I wanted even more, even with the epilogue!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Ballantine Books, and was not required to give a positive review.
Show Less
LibraryThing member susan0316
You can always depend on Debbie Macomber to bring her readers enjoyable books with great characters and romance. She certainly provided all of those in her new book Cottage by the Sea. Her newer books are more than just romance - in this book she discusses teenage pregnancy and abuse, both physical
After Annie's entire family dies in an accident, she it unable to move ahead with her life. She can't work and she is unable to find any happiness in life. Then she realizes that she needs to find somewhere in her life that made her happy in the past. When she visits the sea side village where she spent time in the summers when she was a kid, she feels the first contentment that she has in months. She gets a job, rents a house and becomes part of the community. She finds that by helping other people with their problems, she is able to find happiness in her life. She realizes that she now has a new family - the people she cares about and who care about her.
This was a quick read and a perfect book for a hot summer day at the beach or pool.
Show More
and mental.After Annie's entire family dies in an accident, she it unable to move ahead with her life. She can't work and she is unable to find any happiness in life. Then she realizes that she needs to find somewhere in her life that made her happy in the past. When she visits the sea side village where she spent time in the summers when she was a kid, she feels the first contentment that she has in months. She gets a job, rents a house and becomes part of the community. She finds that by helping other people with their problems, she is able to find happiness in her life. She realizes that she now has a new family - the people she cares about and who care about her.
This was a quick read and a perfect book for a hot summer day at the beach or pool.
Show Less
LibraryThing member ethel55
Annie Marlow is trying to recover from a horrible family tragedy. She thinks she has found the perfect place, Oceanside, a small beachside community her family spent happy summers at during her youth. As the long awaited Physician's Assistant at the local clinic, she is immediately immersed in a
Show More
lot of the goings on around town. Although the story has a lot of sadness for many characters in the book, overall, it is a hopeful read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Kris_Anderson
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
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 More
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 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
LibraryThing member LisCarey
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
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 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 More
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 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
LibraryThing member Sandralb
I am a Debbie Macomber lover. If I see she has a new book, I want to read it. When I pick up one of her novels, I know I am going to get a clean sweet romance with family values and small town USA. I got that but so much more. Once I started I could not read it fast enough. There were some parts
Show More
where I was either smiling or laughing out loud. Then there were others, let me just say, have your Kleenex handy. One decision can change your life. Annie is a very strong lovable heroine. She gets a second chance at starting over after losing everything. I am afraid to say anything more, I don't want to spoil the story for anyone. I would recommend reading this book. If you like Debbie Macomber and are familiar with her writing, this one is the best I've read. I loved this book. I received this book from Ballentine Publishing through Net Galleys. The opinion expressed in this review is completely my own. Show Less
LibraryThing member Tatoosh
“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
The treatment of the male characters is chauvinistic and superficial. The villains are unfeeling and hateful. The romantic targets of the saintly women 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.
The primary female
Show More
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 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
LibraryThing member SABC
Annie Marlow has to face a family tragedy. She escapes to the coast in the Pacific Northwest where she and her family were happy. There she faces many varied experiences.
LibraryThing member pennykaplan
Macomber never disappoints. Not great writing and predictable but so enjoyable! Annie recovers from personal tragedy in a small town where she once found happiness.
LibraryThing member ErinAyin
Here is a summary of what the book is about. Annie Marlow has been through the worst. Rocked by tragedy, she heads to the one place that makes her happy: Oceanside in the Pacific Northwest, the destination of many family vacations when Annie was a teenager.
Once there, Annie begins to restore her
Then events threaten to undo the idyll Annie has come to enjoy. And when the opportunity of a lifetime lands in her lap, she is torn between the excitement of a new journey toward success and the safe and secure arms of the haven—and the man—she’s come to call home.
In this heartwarming tale, Annie finds that the surest way to fix what is damaged within is to help others rise above their pain and find a way to heal.
I have to been honest I started this book a year ago and forgot about it because I was busy with life.
I enjoyed this book. I thought it was written very well. There are some twists and turns in the story. I just love Debbie Macomber books.
Happy Reqding Everyone!
Once there, Annie begins to restore her
Show More
broken spirit, thanks in part to the folks she meets: a local painter, Keaton, whose large frame is equal to his big heart—and who helps Annie fix up her rental cottage by the sea; Mellie, the reclusive, prickly landlord Annie is determined to befriend; and Britt, a teenager with a terrible secret. But it is Keaton to whom Annie feels most drawn. His quiet, peaceful nature offers her both comfort and reprieve from her grief, and the two begin to grow closer.Then events threaten to undo the idyll Annie has come to enjoy. And when the opportunity of a lifetime lands in her lap, she is torn between the excitement of a new journey toward success and the safe and secure arms of the haven—and the man—she’s come to call home.
In this heartwarming tale, Annie finds that the surest way to fix what is damaged within is to help others rise above their pain and find a way to heal.
I have to been honest I started this book a year ago and forgot about it because I was busy with life.
I enjoyed this book. I thought it was written very well. There are some twists and turns in the story. I just love Debbie Macomber books.
Happy Reqding Everyone!
Show Less
LibraryThing member LoriKBoyd
Totally enjoyable read. Lovable and flawed characters. Misfits that fit together well. Book is just in time for summer, feel good weather.
Annie has dreams and a great group of close friends. As a typical 20-something, she doesn’t necessarily appreciate what she has till it’s gone. Shocking
Macomber doing what she does best. Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC. All opinions are mine.
Annie has dreams and a great group of close friends. As a typical 20-something, she doesn’t necessarily appreciate what she has till it’s gone. Shocking
Show More
turn of events, leads her back to her happy place and a lovable, cast of characters. Macomber doing what she does best. Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC. All opinions are mine.
Show Less
LibraryThing member KamGeb
It is an easy, fast, summer read. Interesting but a bit predictable. Not great literature but fun.
LibraryThing member kbranfield
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
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.
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
Show More
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 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
LibraryThing member lbswiener
Cottage by the Sea is a sad story at times but ends on a very happy note. The story is about broken souls who have found each other. They have worked hard to make new and productive lives for themselves realizing all the time that life is difficult but with time one can heal. The book received four
Show More
stars in this review. Show Less
LibraryThing member NancyLuebke
I really enjoyed this clean, romance. I bought this at a local library sale and I've given it a 5* rating. I've never been disappointed by this author and this was another one with lots of feels and some big issues. I must admit that I needed a couple of tissues. There was plenty of action and some
Show More
touches of humor. Another feel good read long after. Show Less
Language
Original publication date
2018-07-17
ISBN
9780399181252