I listened to this audiobook of Cottage by the Sea via an audible.com download. I liked that the concept and inspiration was explained right at the beginning of the audiobook. If I remember correctly it may even have been Debbie Maccomber herself reading that section. The book is narrated by Karissa Vacker who did a great job. Her voice was really perfect for the heroine.
This story has an overabundance of quirky characters. It is a good contender for my personal book of the year for Bibliotherapy book. Although not overtly Christian there is a strong faith element in this novel. A lot of healing happens. The backstory provided by Maccomber and also by the heroine, Annie Marlow, helps the relationships make sense. Honestly, as a former psychologist, I would have objected to the way the relationships unfolded were it not for the heroine's traumatic background and personal history. So Maccomber masterfully ties the whole package together for the reader. It has a bit of a slow element to it, an unfolding of the story. I'll admit I fell asleep while listening to it (I wasn't feeling too well at the time). But it is well worth the listen and I went back to what I missed and listened though the remainder of this Five Star Listen!
Publisher's Summary
A seaside town helps one young woman reclaim the light after darkness in a brand-new novel from number one New York Times best-selling author Debbie Macomber.
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.
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.
©2018 Debbie Macomber (P)2018 Random House Audio
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