Review: Rosemary Cottage by Colleen Coble

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

About the Book

The cottage by the sea offers Amy a refuge to mourn her brother’s death and perhaps even discover a new love. But what if Ben’s death was no accident?
 

Rosemary Cottage on the Outer Banks of North Carolina has been in Amy Lang’s family for generations and offers her a haven within its peaceful walls. There she hopes to discover what really happened to her brother, Ben, even as she tries to come to grips with his death in the ocean months before.
 

She hopes the Coast Guard team will help her find closure, but they are quick to dismiss her concerns of foul play. Everyone in Hope Beach regards the suspicious e-mail she received as a vicious prank. When it seems discovering what happened to Ben will take longer than she expected, Amy moves her midwifery practice to Hope Beach.
 

Coast Guard officer Curtis Ireland may hold the key to many of her questions, but he also hides a secret that will change her world forever. And her own secrets could tear apart the fragile love developing between them. Will Amy have the courage to put down her mask and let Curtis love her for who she is? And can they both weather the danger that threatens to destroy the most precious thing in their lives?

My Review

I really struggled with the first part of the book because the author dives right into the plot and several characters, jumping scenes and I felt like in each scene I was only getting half the information I needed in order to understand what was going on. I kept going despite feeling lost amid the vague information, and even after things began settling into place, I wasn't feeling connected to the emotions of the characters and almost didn't finish the book. There are various themes of family dynamics- dysfunction & secrecy, loyalty & sacrifice. I was intrigued by Curtis and Amy's occupations, but their work lives somehow seemed disconnected from their life and investigation on the island. Amy and Curtis alternate feeling attracted and pushing each other away, especially when accusing and judging the mysterious choices of Gina and Ben. About 2/3 through I knew I needed to find out whodunit, and gave up on the "romance" between Amy and Curtis. The book is definitely more plot driven that character driven. Some unexpected twists made the last quarter of the book and the ending satisfying, and I'm glad I finished it.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

The Hope Beach series