As always Debbie Macomber has given us a dependable romance read. If you are a fan of hers you will not be disappointed with Cottage by the Sea. It is an easy read with conflicted characters who find their happy ending by the time you are finished with the story. This one reminds me of the highly predictable yet loveable Hallmark channel movies. So grab your favorite drink and popcorn, curl up, and enjoy this book!

Annie is a typical 20 something year old, living a carefree life, enjoying her job and friends, seeing family occasionally. After a tragedy pulls the rug from under her, she regroups and redefines what is important. This process takes time and Annie finds herself falling into a deep depression, worried she won’t emerge. As a result, she kick starts her life by moving to an ocean community where she vacationed as a child, as the memories are happy ones and the beach/water help revive her soul. Along the way she meets some influential people who become her closest friends and allies, helping her recover and be able to move forward.

I liked the premise of the story and that Macomber was addressing difficult topics in the book, such as grief, domestic abuse, hoarding, and teen pregnancy. Macomber handled these with delicacy and respect for the varying situations. That stated, most of the topics were addressed in a shallow, surface level manner and at times, seemed to wrap up fairly easily/quickly. She gave conclusions to these subplots in fewer pages than I might have expected. In addition, for the main plot of Annie’s grief, Macomber addressed some of the points repeatedly, though the ideas had been clearly established from the beginning.

Overall, I like how Macomber is tackling tough topics. I do think though there could be a deeper level of exploring these concepts than she currently does.

After suffering a loss that was beyond devastating Annie tries to find peace in the last place she remembers being truly content. The cottage by the sea from her childhood is still there and so are some of the people she remembered from all those years ago, including Keaton who she may not remember but he has never forgotten her.

A sweet romance with so much tragedy to overcome, but this one will end up leaving you feeling all warm and happy. Cottage by the Sea was a great way to escape on lazy Sunday.

Another Hallmark movie for Debbie Macomber? I would hope so. Her most recent release, Cottage by the Sea, is one of her best and certainly deserving of that honor. Far more emotionally involving than many of her books, I was hooked from page one.

Annie Marlow spent many happy childhood days with her family vacationing at a peaceful seaside cottage. She flees there again for comfort after a horrible tragedy leaves her reeling. As she tries to deal with her grief, she meets other local residents, most of whom, like her, are dealing with serious issues in their personal lives and have gone there to try to heal. She forms a special bond with a painter, Keaton, who has spent his life dealing with a dysfunctional family. Can they rescue each other as their relationship flows gently from friendship into romance?

The characters are very strong and well-written in this novel. The two main characters are very believable, and I cried with them as they rode the rollercoaster of emotions. The many secondary characters, all with issues of their own, gave the story a family feel as they helped one another to get through difficult times.

The storyline has as much depth as the characters and was far more complex than a typical Debbie Macomber book. Her books are usually very light-hearted, and while there were light-hearted moments, the overall mood was much darker but with a sense of hope.

Cottage by the Sea is definitely a 5-star read and is suitable for all audiences.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

A beautiful story about a young woman who finds herself living under unthinkable circumstances and the only place she thinks she can find happiness is in an Oceanside cottage by the sea where her and her family spent many summers together. Little did she know that her move to Oceanside would awaken a family of friends she never knew she needed or that needed her. This well established community opened thier arms to Annie, with the exception of Mellie - but she didn’t welcome anyone ... at least not yet...
Debbie Macomber tells this poignant story that makes you imagine you are walking alongside the people of Oceanside. This story was so beautifully told that even when I knew I was nearing the end of the book, I was silently hoping that there would be many more chapters left. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

I'm a long-term Debbie Macomber fan who has been disappointed in some of her recent works. Luckily, this one was not a disappointment. Annie was charming and the story was not overly sweet. I cheered for her and her friends as they learned to make life go their way.

Thanks to the publisher for making a review copy available via NetGalley. Grade: B.

Enjoyed this book very much, I have read all of Debbie's book and recommend all of them to friends.
Debbie Macomber makes all her stories enjoyable and inspiring.

Cottage by the Sea by Debbie Macomber is a sweet romance that would be perfect for a weekend trip. It is a simple, charming, and clean read, but full of content. The book begins with a horrible tragedy that would be just about everyone's worst nightmare come true. While the book has this sad element to it, there is much joy in relationships that are formed, friendships that are made, and adversities that are overcome, not all by the main character. The book focuses on four people that you get to know pretty well, I felt invested in what they were going through and had to have tissues handy a few times.

I loved this book and Debbie never fails to deliver. I connected with almost every character and felt their triumphs and tragedies. I would recommend this book with 5 stars.

Ballantine Books and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Cottage by the Sea. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given,

After a tragedy effectively destroys Annie Marlow's life, she makes a decision to go to the place where her family vacationed when she was younger. Renting a cottage in Oceanside, Annie starts to mend with the help of new friends. Will Annie be able to open her heart to the possibilities of a future with someone new or will she squander the opportunity? Will someone who noticed her from afar when they were teenagers finally summon some courage?

All of the Debbie Macomber books that I have read thus far have the same formula. The main character has something that has thrown her off her axis and ends up having the courage to find a new path. Cottage by the Sea is no different, as Annie's life is turned upside down by tragedy. This beach read, literally as it takes place in a fictitious seaside town, has a smooth pace and good characters. The problem with Cottage by the Sea is that the characters are not all that memorable, nor is the plot. Not only that, but I was not really convinced of the realistic nature of the story.
Too many plot points were easy, with problems solved at the drop of a hat and to total satisfaction of the parties involved. That being said, readers who like to read about women facing difficulties head on, hoping to find some hope and meaning in their lives, may like this novel.

3 stars. This book was not for me. But, Debbie Macomber is a very good writer and I have liked other books by her much more. This is a story of loss, grief, healing, second chances and love. There are some characters that could be great, but I didn't really like them. The setting. a small seaside town called Oceanside, is somewhere I'd love to vacation or live so high points for that. Well described and beautiful. The premise of the story, a tragedy involving Annie losing her entire family to a mudslide, is really good too and what appealed to me when I took the offer from the publisher to read the novel.; because that part is based on a true event.

I was so excited to find one of the main characters. Keaton (and Annie's love interest), is a rescuer of animals. He is good friends with Preston, who runs the animal shelter. But, I would have liked it if the author had done a little more research on that part of it. Not to nit pick, but as a rescuer of cats myself, it is not advised to give cats dairy/milk at all. It can make them very sick. And it certainly is not advised to go 24 hrs without feeding a rescued kitten anything more than milk in your fridge. Keaton gives Annie a just found kitten and she is happy to give it a little milk from her fridge until she can make it to the store sometime the next day. Uh...no! I became very upset about this and other instances. I won't give away more bc that would get into spoiler territory. But, there are other rescues gifted to people who are not even asked first, just dropped off. That angered me. I am sorry...but, I am someone who has been involved in animal rescue most of my adult life and this was not even realistic.

The protagonist, Annie, is too pushy and has no boundaries when it comes to her agoraphobic landlord and hoarder neighbor. I felt she needed to mind her own business more and I was horrified at some of her intrusive behavior. This was just not the sweet, feel good book for me that it was probably meant to be and clearly was for others. I am odd man out here when I see other reviews from Goodreads friends. Some of it just not very realistic at all and bothered me too much to enjoy the book.

Thank you Ballantine Books via NetGalley and Debbie Macomber for a digital ARC to read in exchange for a review.

WOW! I read this book in one sitting. I couldn't put it down!

If you're looking for an inspiring read that is filled with love, hope and survival this is the book for you!!!
I loved the character/s development and what she did for everyone as much as what happened for her and the transformation that took place in her own heart as well.

This is a clean, sweet read filled with wonderful characters.

Another amazing book by Debbie Macomber!!!

4.5 stars from me!!!

This is another wonderful book from Debbie Macomber. I love her characters with their flaws and how they work through their problems. This is a story of loss, grief, friendship, love and finding your way. When you read one of Ms. Macomber's books you know that things will work out in the end and that's what I love about her books.

Cottage by the Sea by Debbie Macomber was an awesome story! I loved it and would highly recommend it. Thank for another excellent book Debbie Macomber.

I adored this story. Take a local boy who only speaks when its necessary and a tourist teenage girl and fast forward a while. The local boy has dreamed of this girl for years, hoping she would return while living his life in a small town. Tourist teenage girl returns looking for a place of peace after a tragic accident left her needing to find herself again. They meet again and form an awkward and healing relationship that blossoms. It is of course not without its twists!

Debbie Macomber is great at writing a book about turning a tradegy into a way for love to grow. Cottage by the Sea is a story of how three people who have been hurt by life find love and a new family in each other.

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 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.

When Annie moves to the Pacific Northwest, she’s just looking for a safe place to grieve, a comforting and uplifting place. What she finds is a cottage that needs some love, a garden that needs all that love and a bowl of cereal, and a couple people from her past who she can’t quite put her finger on.

Macomber does a great job tying together Annie’s new friendships with the experiences from their pasts. Though the characters don’t dwell on their youth, we see how it colored their behaviors as adults – and how grief and trauma in childhood or adolescence can be debilitating for the long-term.

I found compassion for Annie’s friend Mellie, who seemed so unstable and isolated until she was surrounded by love. I was in awe of Keaton, who shed no tears over how badly he was treated by family and community for decades, but came to the rescue in a heartbeat for those who needed his help or protection.

Macomber created a story of hope and belonging out of a medley of troubled folks. This book could have been depressing – but it wasn’t. It opened my eyes to the hurt people may be walking around with, and showed that people put their mark on the world in varied and unexpected ways.
https://randombookmuses.com/2018/08/29/review-cottage-by-the-sea-by-debbie-macomber/

Debbie Macomber's latest book, .Cottage by the Sea is a lovely story about family and friendships. In typical Macomber style, the characters are very likable and develop nicely through the plot. Fans of this author will thoroughly enjoy this one. Perfect for a weekend at the beach. I hope there is a sequel, it was a pleasure to read.

Debbie Macomber is such a feel good, heartwarming writer. She manages to wrap you up in a warm blanket no matter what or who or where she writes about. This was a familiar but happy read from a writer than really is a treat.