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attytheresa's review against another edition
4.0
I am happy to report that RaeAnne Thayne is back! After her last few series entries which were intensely disappointing (thinly plotted, repetitive, half-hearted series continuations), she has delivered a lovely engaging stand-alone.
Set in a small town, Cape Sanctuary, on the Northern California coast, it is narrated by 4 principle characters: Sisters Daisy and Beatriz, their young Aunt Stella, and Gabe, a famous documentarian who took a knife in the gut saving Bea's rock star ex from a crazed stalker. Each has healing to do of one kind or another. Daisy, a CPA and financial advisor, hides behind structure, control, and order, terrified of giving her heart and trusting anyone. Bea is an artist and single mother struggling to both stand up to her ex and with stong emotions towards her best friend who does not seem to reciprocate. Stella is a teacher who has fostered many children including Daisy and Bea, but now wants to have a baby all her own. Gabe's own unconventional childhood and rolling stone lifestyle make it difficult to accept the string sense of homecoming he is feeling around Daisy and Cape Sancturary. And into the mix are thrown the mystery of the identity of the artist creating gorgeous whimsical painted furniture, a cute French bull dog named Louie, and Stella's long lost love.
Lots of healing happens here in Cape Santurary, with a few new trials and losses along the way before all reach their happy ever afters. This is a story of family and friendship, of healing, and of all the different loves that come into one's life.
My one serious criticism is that Thayne still, as in her recent series additions, too often repeats the same almost identical background summary sentence several times through the book. Here it was most evident in Stella's chapter, describing what happened with the love of her life. Both she and her editors need to be more alert to this crutch.
Set in a small town, Cape Sanctuary, on the Northern California coast, it is narrated by 4 principle characters: Sisters Daisy and Beatriz, their young Aunt Stella, and Gabe, a famous documentarian who took a knife in the gut saving Bea's rock star ex from a crazed stalker. Each has healing to do of one kind or another. Daisy, a CPA and financial advisor, hides behind structure, control, and order, terrified of giving her heart and trusting anyone. Bea is an artist and single mother struggling to both stand up to her ex and with stong emotions towards her best friend who does not seem to reciprocate. Stella is a teacher who has fostered many children including Daisy and Bea, but now wants to have a baby all her own. Gabe's own unconventional childhood and rolling stone lifestyle make it difficult to accept the string sense of homecoming he is feeling around Daisy and Cape Sancturary. And into the mix are thrown the mystery of the identity of the artist creating gorgeous whimsical painted furniture, a cute French bull dog named Louie, and Stella's long lost love.
Lots of healing happens here in Cape Santurary, with a few new trials and losses along the way before all reach their happy ever afters. This is a story of family and friendship, of healing, and of all the different loves that come into one's life.
My one serious criticism is that Thayne still, as in her recent series additions, too often repeats the same almost identical background summary sentence several times through the book. Here it was most evident in Stella's chapter, describing what happened with the love of her life. Both she and her editors need to be more alert to this crutch.
marieg11's review against another edition
3.0
I've never read any books by RaeAnne Thayne before, but I enjoyed this one. It was a sweet story that followed 2 sisters and their aunt through their different romances. I liked all the characters and I loved the setting. I did feel like there was too much going on though. The story is written through 4 characters' POVs and I wish she had condensed it to two, even though I enjoyed reading them all. I just didn't feel like there was enough time devoted to each of the separate stories. But, it was an easy, cute read. Almost like 3 Hallmark movies pushed into 1 book, which is not necessarily a negative thing. Sometimes you need a book like that to balance all the intense novels out there
belinda31's review against another edition
4.0
A good book with likeable characters. Its told in chapters that alternate which character its being told from which I like.
meagansbookclub's review
1.0
DNF
Disconnected from the characters and storyline. Such a disappointment after being mildly obsessed with her Haven Point series.
Disconnected from the characters and storyline. Such a disappointment after being mildly obsessed with her Haven Point series.
bowlergirl81's review against another edition
5.0
The Cliff House is a wonderful standalone novel by RaeAnne Thayne. I've been a fan of RaeAnne Thayne's series for years, but this is the first stand-alone novel of hers I've read.
The Cliff House follows the ladies of the Davenport family, Bea, Daisy and their Aunt Stella. They are a family with secrets, yet still very close. Things are about to change for them though.
It was fun to follow the family on their journey, I laughed and I also cried at their troubles. I enjoyed the different viewpoints that were used to tell the story.
I received a copy of the book from Harlequin through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. #TheCliffHouse #NetGalley
The Cliff House follows the ladies of the Davenport family, Bea, Daisy and their Aunt Stella. They are a family with secrets, yet still very close. Things are about to change for them though.
It was fun to follow the family on their journey, I laughed and I also cried at their troubles. I enjoyed the different viewpoints that were used to tell the story.
I received a copy of the book from Harlequin through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. #TheCliffHouse #NetGalley
theaudioauditor's review against another edition
3.0
Audio book review.
Interesting while reading, and I was very into the characters and their arcs, but it took so long for me to have an understanding who the characters were. For the first 1/3 of the book, I was so confused every time it switched. Yes, they have distinct storylines on their own, but their personalities and mannerisms and overall presence on the page wasn't strong enough to really craft that strong image in my head. A fine generational family drama, but not super memorable. I can tell this one is not going to stick with me. Would recommend, if you enjoy the genre.
Interesting while reading, and I was very into the characters and their arcs, but it took so long for me to have an understanding who the characters were. For the first 1/3 of the book, I was so confused every time it switched. Yes, they have distinct storylines on their own, but their personalities and mannerisms and overall presence on the page wasn't strong enough to really craft that strong image in my head. A fine generational family drama, but not super memorable. I can tell this one is not going to stick with me. Would recommend, if you enjoy the genre.
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
I'm very happy I got this heart warming and entertaining book.
I loved the style of writing, the fleshed out characters and how the author develops the plot and talk about feelings and emotions.
It was a very good reading experience and I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all opinions are mine.
I loved the style of writing, the fleshed out characters and how the author develops the plot and talk about feelings and emotions.
It was a very good reading experience and I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all opinions are mine.
allingoodtime's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
I’m designating this book as Chick Lit as well as contemporary romance. This story is about the women, and to a certain extent their relationship with one another, as much as it’s a romance for any one of them.
Stella raised her nieces Daisy and Bea when their mother died although she wasn’t much more than a child herself. The three of them always support each other and have had many ups and downs. Since the first few years after Stella got them out of foster care and took them in, most of their times have been up. It seems these three women have it all together and are all happy and content with their lives. As we all know, things aren’t always as they seem.
I don’t mean that in any ominous way. This is truly three stories in one so I’m going to try to break it down here for you…
After the girls grew up, Stella realized she could help so many more children and started taking in foster children. She’s also a middle school teacher. But Stella has always yearned for a baby so decided to take that upon herself to do with the help of her doctor. After all, she’s still only 40 and has a lot of love to give. Imagine her surprise when her college boyfriend, the love of her life she walked away from to raise her nieces, shows up in town. The story of Stella and Ed, as well as Ed’s young daughter, is very sweet. I don’t feel their relationship gets a very deep dive, but it’s enough for me to be rooting for them. Stella goes through a lot in this story and the author handles it well.
Daisy is the oldest and has always viewed herself as the protector of her little sister, even now as adults. She likes order and rules and has always kept herself a little removed from those around her. Even those she loves the most. Daisy and Bea ended up in separate foster situations until their aunt found out and got custody and the experience really changed Daisy. While her sister had a good experience, Daisy did not. Due to her protective nature, there’s a lot of hidden secrets that Daisy holds. Because of her nature, she feels these secrets are important so as not to burden anyone else. Above all other things, Daisy is a caretaker. When Daisy accidentally ends up fostering a little dog and meeting a kind and gorgeous man, her regulated and orderly life takes a turn. I feel Daisy’s story is the deepest one told in this book. I love her and Gabe separately and together. They help each other to grow as adults and to see the world through a wider lens. Most of my butterflies while reading this story were due to this couple.
To be honest, I wasn’t usually thrilled with Bea. She is pretty oblivious and doesn’t make the greatest of decisions. She seems to be a wonderful mom and a caring person. Yet, for all of the thoughts of others of her being vibrant and fun-loving, she seemed a bit suggestible. In her mind she had a lot of set ideas and thoughts, but somewhere between her brain and her mouth those ideas would get muddled. Then she’d wonder why nobody was “listening” to her. They actually WERE listening to her…she wasn’t clearly or concisely saying what she meant. I had high hopes for the romance that was obvious brewing between Bea and Shane, but we didn’t get as much of them as I had hoped. (I’m a sucker for friends to lovers!) I’m happy with the outcome, but wish there would have been more of these two together.
All in all, an extremely enjoyable story that I would certainly recommend to fans of stories about family and women and love.
This review can also be found at All In Good Time.
I’m designating this book as Chick Lit as well as contemporary romance. This story is about the women, and to a certain extent their relationship with one another, as much as it’s a romance for any one of them.
Stella raised her nieces Daisy and Bea when their mother died although she wasn’t much more than a child herself. The three of them always support each other and have had many ups and downs. Since the first few years after Stella got them out of foster care and took them in, most of their times have been up. It seems these three women have it all together and are all happy and content with their lives. As we all know, things aren’t always as they seem.
I don’t mean that in any ominous way. This is truly three stories in one so I’m going to try to break it down here for you…
After the girls grew up, Stella realized she could help so many more children and started taking in foster children. She’s also a middle school teacher. But Stella has always yearned for a baby so decided to take that upon herself to do with the help of her doctor. After all, she’s still only 40 and has a lot of love to give. Imagine her surprise when her college boyfriend, the love of her life she walked away from to raise her nieces, shows up in town. The story of Stella and Ed, as well as Ed’s young daughter, is very sweet. I don’t feel their relationship gets a very deep dive, but it’s enough for me to be rooting for them. Stella goes through a lot in this story and the author handles it well.
Daisy is the oldest and has always viewed herself as the protector of her little sister, even now as adults. She likes order and rules and has always kept herself a little removed from those around her. Even those she loves the most. Daisy and Bea ended up in separate foster situations until their aunt found out and got custody and the experience really changed Daisy. While her sister had a good experience, Daisy did not. Due to her protective nature, there’s a lot of hidden secrets that Daisy holds. Because of her nature, she feels these secrets are important so as not to burden anyone else. Above all other things, Daisy is a caretaker. When Daisy accidentally ends up fostering a little dog and meeting a kind and gorgeous man, her regulated and orderly life takes a turn. I feel Daisy’s story is the deepest one told in this book. I love her and Gabe separately and together. They help each other to grow as adults and to see the world through a wider lens. Most of my butterflies while reading this story were due to this couple.
To be honest, I wasn’t usually thrilled with Bea. She is pretty oblivious and doesn’t make the greatest of decisions. She seems to be a wonderful mom and a caring person. Yet, for all of the thoughts of others of her being vibrant and fun-loving, she seemed a bit suggestible. In her mind she had a lot of set ideas and thoughts, but somewhere between her brain and her mouth those ideas would get muddled. Then she’d wonder why nobody was “listening” to her. They actually WERE listening to her…she wasn’t clearly or concisely saying what she meant. I had high hopes for the romance that was obvious brewing between Bea and Shane, but we didn’t get as much of them as I had hoped. (I’m a sucker for friends to lovers!) I’m happy with the outcome, but wish there would have been more of these two together.
All in all, an extremely enjoyable story that I would certainly recommend to fans of stories about family and women and love.
This review can also be found at All In Good Time.
si0bhan's review against another edition
3.0
I have read and enjoyed a few RaeAnne Thayne books and was eager to dive into The Cliff House when I heard there was a new standalone for me to jump into. Although I have given this one a three-star rating, know I had a big debate with this one. A part of me wanted to round my three-point-five-star rating up, and I almost did, but the part of me that compared it to my other RaeAnne Thayne reads had me rounding down.
I did have a lot of fun with this one – as always, RaeAnne Thayne sucked me in deep and I was happy to devour the book in a single sitting – but it is not my favourite read from the author. It dealt with plenty of topics, it had some great characters, but I feel as though some of the things were never dealt with as deeply as they could have been. In some ways, I believe I would have enjoyed this one more as three individual books, allowing us to go even deeper into each of the characters stories.
As it was, The Cliff House was an addictive read with plenty packed into it. We have wonderful characters and individual stories that tie together so well. We get to see so much throughout, experience many facets of life, and everything that happens leaves you unable to put the book down. It’s a story that dealt with a lot more than I expected, one that packs a punch on many fronts.
If you’re a fan of any RaeAnne Thayne series, I certainly recommend giving this standalone a read.
I did have a lot of fun with this one – as always, RaeAnne Thayne sucked me in deep and I was happy to devour the book in a single sitting – but it is not my favourite read from the author. It dealt with plenty of topics, it had some great characters, but I feel as though some of the things were never dealt with as deeply as they could have been. In some ways, I believe I would have enjoyed this one more as three individual books, allowing us to go even deeper into each of the characters stories.
As it was, The Cliff House was an addictive read with plenty packed into it. We have wonderful characters and individual stories that tie together so well. We get to see so much throughout, experience many facets of life, and everything that happens leaves you unable to put the book down. It’s a story that dealt with a lot more than I expected, one that packs a punch on many fronts.
If you’re a fan of any RaeAnne Thayne series, I certainly recommend giving this standalone a read.