Cottage by the Sea
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Synopsis
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 longed for. 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.
Details
First Published: 2018/07/17Publisher: Random House
ISBN: 9780399181252
Reading Guide:
Download Guide1. After losing her family, Annie is guilt ridden, often recalling her final conversation with her mother. Have you ever experienced regret or a sense of loss? What helped you to overcome it?
2. Seeing Annie for the first time in thirteen years gives Keaton quite a shock, as he never thought he would encounter her again. Have you ever reconnected with someone from your past, intentionally or by chance? Did anything about him or her surprise you?
3. Annie comes to see Keaton as something of a gentle giant. Though Annie is more extroverted, she grapples with secrets of her own. Discuss how and why Annie and Keaton both struggle to open up to each other. Do you agree that opposites attract?
4. Oceanside becomes Annie’s safe haven, a peaceful place where she slowly begins to rebuild her life. Is there a place—a vacation spot, perhaps—that holds similar meaning in your life?
5. Gardening is a way for Annie to feel close to her mother, while also allowing her to share her bounty with the community. Do you have a particular hobby or interest that you find therapeutic? How does it make you feel?
6. Annie has a gut feeling that Britt’s home life is volatile. Though she knows it may be dangerous, she visits anyway, but falls into hostile territory when Carl arrives. How could she have approached the situation differently to minimize the damage? Have you ever had a hunch about something that you were not sure how to deal with?
7. Was Annie right to tell Gabby, Steph, and Trevor about her conversation with Dr. Bainbridge before telling Keaton? Do you think Keaton responded appropriately when he learned the truth?
8. Mellie’s agoraphobia (fear of the outdoors) and hoarding are ways for her to hold onto the past in order to protect herself from future heartbreak. Do you identify with Mellie in any way?
9. Why do you think Mellie and Preston are so compatible, regardless of their shared stubbornness?
10. Britt and Jimmy eventually choose Becca and Lucas, who have struggled to have a child, as Grace’s adoptive parents. The four agree that the adoption may remain “open,” so that Britt and Jimmy can be a part of their daughter’s life. Discuss the decisions made by both couples.
11. Annie is ultimately able to make Oceanside her home, despite the fact that she has lost her family. How do you
define “home”? What makes your home special?
12. How do you envision Annie and Keaton’s future together?
Praise
"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." - Publishers Weekly
"Romantic, warm, and a breeze to read—one of Macomber's best." - Kirkus Reviews
"Macomber’s patented recipe of idyllic small-town life with a touch of romance is sure to result in a summer best-seller.” - Booklist
"A novel that warms like the summer sun." - People
“Fans of Debbie Macomber and contemporary romance, hold on to your hats! I think this is one of the best romance novels I’ve read in a long time!”
“This book was SO beautiful and raw and I loved it from beginning to end. Keaton is the sweetest main male character I have read (since Rocco) and I love his and Annie's relationship.”
“The first chapter told me this book was going to be a winner. I was a crying fool. When an author can have me so attached to the characters like that, you can’t miss.”
“Trust me when I say this book will be difficult to forget. Cottage by the Sea has left a deep impression on me as well as a longing to find my own happiness by the sea. This is definitely a book you will read again and again.”
“This story is about love, loss, and healing, and nobody does these things better than Debbie Macomber.”
This book was amazing! One can hear the waves reach the shore and smell the salt air within the pages!
“I have read Debbie Macomber's books before, and I love them all! This one has touched me like no other.”
“I enjoyed this novel immensely, and I finished it in one day. I laughed, cried, and cheered as I followed Annie's journey to following her dreams.”
“If ever a Debbie Macomber book was destined to be a Hallmark movie; it is Cottage By the Sea.”
“I believe this may be the best Debbie Macomber book I've ever read.”