Helpful Score: 7
A nice romance - no smut. A book you could share with Gramma! First in the series
Helpful Score: 7
Very enjoyable book. Good characters. Easy and fun read. Made me want to pick up the next one in the Cedar Grove series right away.
Helpful Score: 4
When I first started reading Macomber's books, I remembered reading a review that said she was clearly a writer out of ideas. I've read most of her Blossom Street series and decided to start reading Cedar Cove and now I totally understand what that reviewer was talking about.
"16 Lighthouse Road" was almost the same book as "A Turn in the Road" in regards to the characters. They are basically the same people, almost the same plotlines, with just a difference in names. There might be some minor changes in back story but essentially it is the same. I think one of the later books in the Cedar Cove series Olivia (which is the same person as Bethanne in Blossom Street) actually have to face the decision of her husband wanting her back after his second marriage fail. That's basically "A Turn In the Road for You." As a reader I find this practice really insulting. If you don't have any new ideas or characters, don't write. It makes me think that this is all about Macomber making a buck. In a way it's unfair that I'm writing this review here since this book and series came out before the Blossom Street series I think. But since I am reading Cedar Cove second, I can do nothing but put this review here.
As for the book itself, I was hesitant to read this one because of the premise. I really have a hard time with people trying to make decisions for others thinking they are too dumb to make choices for themselves. Here Olivia, due to what happened in her marriage and because she thought she knew better, decided to deny a couple their divorce. But I thought I would give this book a try anyway.
It was really hard for me to read at first because I didn't like any of the characters. Maybe if Macomber really tried to develop their backstory a little more instead of just repeating the same information over and over again. I have no understanding of why Justine had so much relationship issues other than that her twin drowned. When reading this, I had to take some emotional and mental assumptions in order to bridge the gap of the characters' behaviors. Sometimes that left me feeling a little cheated.
Cecilia and Ian in my opinion should have stayed divorced because all they did when they were physically together were fight and blame. It is easier to get along on paper when you get edit things out before you blab them. Reading their stories was frustrating and I wanted to skip their them all together. It was the typical miscommunication and assumptions between two characters that makes me hate romance novels. It was childish and I could have cared less what happened to both of them.
I think out of all the characters I liked Grace's story the most. I admired her strength and her character kept me reading. I loved the scene when she finally snaps.
Jack and Olivia story was pretty good as well. I am not a prude at all but I just feel like if you are going to be kissing someone you are definitely more than friends. It was a good story and by the end I think I liked Olivia a little more.
Charlotte's story was intriguing. When I first open the book, she was the only one I liked. It's not a romance story but I thought it was very touching. Macomber usually has one story that is slightly idyllic in her books where everything works out a little too smoothly. This one was it.
Overall, this book would have received a higher rating from me if I had read it before the Blossom Street series. The book was entertaining and easy to read. But I have come to realize that I would never spend money or credits on a Macomber novel.
"16 Lighthouse Road" was almost the same book as "A Turn in the Road" in regards to the characters. They are basically the same people, almost the same plotlines, with just a difference in names. There might be some minor changes in back story but essentially it is the same. I think one of the later books in the Cedar Cove series Olivia (which is the same person as Bethanne in Blossom Street) actually have to face the decision of her husband wanting her back after his second marriage fail. That's basically "A Turn In the Road for You." As a reader I find this practice really insulting. If you don't have any new ideas or characters, don't write. It makes me think that this is all about Macomber making a buck. In a way it's unfair that I'm writing this review here since this book and series came out before the Blossom Street series I think. But since I am reading Cedar Cove second, I can do nothing but put this review here.
As for the book itself, I was hesitant to read this one because of the premise. I really have a hard time with people trying to make decisions for others thinking they are too dumb to make choices for themselves. Here Olivia, due to what happened in her marriage and because she thought she knew better, decided to deny a couple their divorce. But I thought I would give this book a try anyway.
It was really hard for me to read at first because I didn't like any of the characters. Maybe if Macomber really tried to develop their backstory a little more instead of just repeating the same information over and over again. I have no understanding of why Justine had so much relationship issues other than that her twin drowned. When reading this, I had to take some emotional and mental assumptions in order to bridge the gap of the characters' behaviors. Sometimes that left me feeling a little cheated.
Cecilia and Ian in my opinion should have stayed divorced because all they did when they were physically together were fight and blame. It is easier to get along on paper when you get edit things out before you blab them. Reading their stories was frustrating and I wanted to skip their them all together. It was the typical miscommunication and assumptions between two characters that makes me hate romance novels. It was childish and I could have cared less what happened to both of them.
I think out of all the characters I liked Grace's story the most. I admired her strength and her character kept me reading. I loved the scene when she finally snaps.
Jack and Olivia story was pretty good as well. I am not a prude at all but I just feel like if you are going to be kissing someone you are definitely more than friends. It was a good story and by the end I think I liked Olivia a little more.
Charlotte's story was intriguing. When I first open the book, she was the only one I liked. It's not a romance story but I thought it was very touching. Macomber usually has one story that is slightly idyllic in her books where everything works out a little too smoothly. This one was it.
Overall, this book would have received a higher rating from me if I had read it before the Blossom Street series. The book was entertaining and easy to read. But I have come to realize that I would never spend money or credits on a Macomber novel.
Diane P. (KentuckyReader) -
Helpful Score: 4
"Cedar Cove -- people love it and sometimes they leave it, but they never forget it!"
This is the 1st book in the Cedar Cove Seris, and I know I will be reading the rest...The writing draws you in and has you wrapped up in the characters from the first chapter. It is uplifting to watch these characters develope and grow in a way that has you cheering then on! Cedar Cove is a town where everyone wants to be.
This is the 1st book in the Cedar Cove Seris, and I know I will be reading the rest...The writing draws you in and has you wrapped up in the characters from the first chapter. It is uplifting to watch these characters develope and grow in a way that has you cheering then on! Cedar Cove is a town where everyone wants to be.
Helpful Score: 4
Perennial favorite Debbie Macomber does what she does best in 16 Lighthouse Road, introducing fans to the scenic Pacific Northwest town of Cedar Cove, Washington, and its panoply of characters, including family court judge Olivia Lockhart who makes news when she denies the divorce petition of Cecilia and Ian Randall. Decreeing that the young couple had not tried hard enough to make their relationship work following the tragic death of their newborn daughter, Olivia's decision brings her to the attention of recent Cedar Cove arrival, newspaper editor Jack Griffin. And Jack's attentions are not entirely unwelcome for the long-divorced Olivia. In addition to her continued involvement in Cecilia and Ian's ongoing negotiations, Olivia's life is further complicated by her mother, Charlotte, her daughter, Justine, and her best friend, Grace, as they struggle with the difficult situations life tosses their way. Charlotte becomes enmeshed in trying to solve a mystery left to her by a mute stroke victim she befriends just before he dies. Justine has found the perfect man for her, one who shares her ambitions and thoughts on relationships, but why does she keep thinking about the boy she knew in high school who has grown into quite a man? And Grace's husband, Dan, has disappeared--again--and Grace has no idea where he is and when or if he'll be back. The multiple story lines and numerous relationships make reading at times challenging, but Macomber fans, old and new, will stand up and cheer as the prolific author lodges her protest against the disposable personal relationships all too common today.
