Cottage by the Sea

May 1, 2018
A lonely woman finds love in a charming seaside town in Macomber's (Merry and Bright, 2017, etc.) latest.After losing her parents, brother, sister-in-law, and baby niece in a tragic mudslide, Annie Marlow returns to her beloved cottage by the sea in Oceanside, Washington, to find solace--and begins a whole new life. Soon after arriving, she sees an opening for a physician assistant, the job she held before going on bereavement leave. She's also reunited with painter Seth Keaton, the gentle giant who had a crush on her years ago but was too shy to ask her out. Although Keaton is best known for his intimidating size, he is also soft-spoken and altruistic. In his spare time, he rescues abandoned pets, looks after Annie's curmudgeonly landlord, Mellie, and helps Annie weed her garden. At first, their slow, sweet courtship simmers in the background of Annie's other pursuits. Like other Macomber heroines, Annie is endearingly helpful. She quickly becomes the "Dear Abby of Oceanside" as she befriends a pregnant teen, an abused mother, and an anxious patient. With its colorful locals, ocean breezes, and laid-back lifestyle, Oceanside does seem like a dreamy place to call home. But when an unexpected career opportunity in Seattle beckons Annie away from the community she's grown to love, Keaton must confront his childhood insecurities and tell her how he feels--or risk losing her forever.Romantic, warm, and a breeze to read--one of Macomber's best.

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July 9, 2018
Macomber’s vivid standalone novel focuses on a tragedy that changes one woman’s life. When Annie Marlow loses her parents, brother, sister-in-law, and niece in a mudslide in Washington State, the guilt and pain she feels is almost unbearable. After leaving her job as a physician assistant in L.A., Annie returns to Seattle to help settle her family’s estate. Sixteen months later, Annie is still unable to move forward. Finally, she decides to move to Oceanside, the seaside town where she had vacationed with her family. Annie is hired by the town’s clinic and meets Seth Keaton, a gentle giant of a man who is a talented artist. Seth convinces his friend Mellie to lease Annie her grandparents’ cottage, fulfilling Annie’s dream of returning. Annie becomes invested in Oceanside, helping the town’s residents and embarking on a relationship with the kind, laconic Seth. When faced with the possibility of attending tuition-free medical school in Seattle, Annie must decide whether to leave Oceanside and Seth behind for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Macomber’s story of tragedy and triumph is emotionally engaging from the outset and ends with a satisfying conclusion. Readers will be most taken by the characters, particularly Annie, a heartwarming lead who bolsters the novel. Agent: Theresa Park, Park Literary & Media.

May 1, 2018
Perennially popular Macomber's (Any Dream Will Do, 2017) latest begins with tenderhearted giant Keaton falling in love with a girl on the beach. Years later, Annie Marlow moves to Oceanside, Washington, following a devastating landslide that wiped out her entire family. She sees beyond Keaton's crippling shyness to his good heart, but she's not ready to open hers. Instead, she looks for what she last found on a family vacation in Oceanside: peace. Yet she can't help but get involved in the lives of her agoraphobic landlord, the lovably grumpy Melody, and Britt, a young barista who shows up at Oceanside's tiny medical clinic. Keaton and his dog, Lennon, are a constant presence, coming to Annie's rescue, and the rescue of others, when needed most. Though Keaton is terrified of losing Annie, he is more angry at her for meddling with his dying father. In addition to Macomber's usual legions of readers, occasional mentions of the comforts of church and prayer make this a good crossover for Christian fiction fans. And readers looking for a gentle, sweet beach read will find that this stand-alone is a good place to get introduced to Macomber's charms.HIGH DEMAND BACKSTORY: Macomber's patented recipe of idyllic small-town life with a touch of romance is sure to result in a summer best-seller.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

Starred review from July 1, 2018

Annie Marlow enjoys her life as a physician's assistant in L.A. Her weekends are filled with friends and the occasional visit with her family, and life is good. But one Thanksgiving, Annie loses everyone she holds dear in an unspeakable natural disaster. Broken and alone, she takes the advice of a friend and goes to visit one of the places where she was happy with her family: Oceanside beach in the Pacific Northwest and the little cottage by the sea that holds so many happy memories. The cottage is still there, and when she is offered a physician's assistant job at the local clinic she believes it's a sign she was meant to start over in Oceanside. Little does Annie realize that love was waiting for her to return, and that the lives of the people she soon calls family will embolden her to move beyond the hurt, toward love and a life full of possibility. VERDICT Macomber ("Cedar Cove" series; A Marriage of Inconvenience) never disappoints. Tears and laughter abound in this story of loss and healing that will wrap you up and pull you in; readers will finish it in one sitting. [See Prepub Alert, 1/22/18.]--Jane Blue, Andrews P.L., NC

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2018

Knocked down by tragedy, Annie settles into the summer cottage where her family once vacationed. As she connects with those around her, making friends and even tempting a romance with a soft-spoken artist, Annie learns that helping others is the best way to heal. Big promotion for romance/women's fiction star Macomber.

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.