Driftwood Cottage (Chesapeake Shores, #5)

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Driftwood Cottage (Chesapeake Shores #5)

3.98 of 5 stars 3.98 · rating details · 1,412 ratings · 120 reviews

Single mom Heather Donovan's dreams of home and family are tantalizingly within reach when she settles in Chesapeake Shores. The welcoming arms of the boisterous, loving O'Brien clan embrace her and her son. But accepting their support seems to further alienate her son's father, Connor O'Brien. His parents' divorce and his career as a high-powered divorce attorney have lef...more

Paperback, 384 pages

Published March 29th 2011 by Mira

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Aug 20, 2011 Myla Abujan rated it 3 of 5 stars

It was the kind of book that was in between "it was okay" and "it was good". Basically, it was gokay. Or would it be okad? Either way, it was the kind of book used to fill up some unoccupied time. Honestly, I just skimmed alot of the story. And even with the occasional paragraph ignored, I could still easily know exactly what had happened. This was the 5th installment of the series and it didn't seem like it would have been important to read the previous 4 in order. I admit, it was a bit unclear...more

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Jul 13, 2011 Amy Jacobs rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own

It has been a long time since I have read a book by Sherryl Woods. I remember that she was one of the first authors I started to read in the romance genre back when I was a teen. I remember how this author can create such vivid backdrops for the characters to dwell in. With this new book, I remembered all the reasons why I loved her writing.

While I love the characters and the attention to details, I was a little disappointed at all of the family that was involved in the story. At times, I wanted...more

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Jun 28, 2011 Patti Loves FAB Romance rated it 3 of 5 stars

Heather Donovan has just moved to Chesapeake Shores with her one-year-old son, Mick. She recently left Mick's father, Connor O'Brien. Heather is estranged from her own parents, but is very close to Connor's family, which is part of the reason she moved from Boston, where she lived with Connor, into Chesapeake Shores, where Connor's family lives. She's started a new life and a quilting business, and is surrounded by this surrogate family. The O'Brien clan is a big family, always in each other's b...more Heather Donovan has just moved to Chesapeake Shores with her one-year-old son, Mick. She recently left Mick's father, Connor O'Brien. Heather is estranged from her own parents, but is very close to Connor's family, which is part of the reason she moved from Boston, where she lived with Connor, into Chesapeake Shores, where Connor's family lives. She's started a new life and a quilting business, and is surrounded by this surrogate family. The O'Brien clan is a big family, always in each other's business, but it's obvious they love each other and treat Heather like one of their own.

Well, everyone except Connor that is. He loves Heather; he just won't marry her. His parents apparently went through a bitter divorce, and he is now a high-profile divorce attorney. And although his parents reconciled and are now happily married, Connor just doesn't believe in marriage. And while Heather knew that going into the relationship, her feelings have changed and she feels like she deserves more than just "shacking up".

Connor wants to charm his way back into Heather's life and she won't let him if he's not going to marry her. When gets a glimpse of life without Heather, Connor makes a promise to God that he intends to keep; but Heather wants more than just words.

My Thoughts:
Driftwood Cottage was a sweet, comfortable read. Sweet because the characters were likeable and I loved the "grand gesture" near the end. Comfortable because Ms. Woods' writing is so descriptive that I felt like I was there, and Chesapeake Shores sounds like someplace I'd like to visit on vacation.

Connor and Heather are the hero/heroine, but so much of the story involves Connor's family: The O'Brien family is one of those big families that like everyone stumbling all over each other; Connor and Heather were good at ignoring all the matchmaking by his parents and siblings, but I wanted to holler at them to back off already. This is the fifth book in the series, and while we get some background information on the family members, there are some holes - like why is Connor so angry at his mother? It's obvious he blames her for divorcing his father but we don't know why he's had a hard time forgiving her, especially if his parents are remarried.

It's apparent from the start that Connor and Heather love each other very much, but they are in a position that really has no compromise - either you get married or you don't. Heather has decided she needs the security and commitment that comes with marriage, and Connor doesn't understand why he can't be committed to her and little Mick without signing a piece of paper. In his mind, marriage just leads to divorce, so if you don't get married you don't get divorced. While I understood where he was coming from, Connor's cynicism got old quick. If you took every time he gave his reasons for not getting married out of the book, you'd easily lose a quarter of the story. Because of that though, Heather's reasons for not agreeing to a HEA right away made perfect sense - Connor had a lifetime of marriage phobia to overcome; I loved that she made him work for it and his grand gesture had me awww-ing. I enjoyed Driftwood Cottage and wouldn't mind reading the previous books to get the stories of his other family members.

3 1/2 stars.
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Jun 19, 2011 Farrah rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-reviews, my-books, e-books

Overall, I enjoyed reading Driftwood Cottage but I honestly found myself skimming over parts of the book and I thought the accident would have happened in the beginning to start us off. Course that’s me, I like drama and/or action in the beginning of a story to get me in the mood. It wasn’t until more than half-way through the book that we get to that part. But then the book did share with us how the couple related to one another (along with the other characters) to help us understand them and t...more

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Apr 13, 2011 Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is an invitation to stop by Chesapeake Shores and look in on the O’Brien family. Life-changing things are happening and the O’Briens are all involved in their number one hobby—meddling. Heather Donovan left Connor O’Brien, the high-powered divorce lawyer who lives in Baltimore. She comes to Chesapeake Shores to make a life for herself and her baby, Little Mick O’Brien.

Emotional stress, tension, and upheaval in their families during their childhood influences both Connor and Heather in thei...more This is an invitation to stop by Chesapeake Shores and look in on the O’Brien family. Life-changing things are happening and the O’Briens are all involved in their number one hobby—meddling. Heather Donovan left Connor O’Brien, the high-powered divorce lawyer who lives in Baltimore. She comes to Chesapeake Shores to make a life for herself and her baby, Little Mick O’Brien.

Emotional stress, tension, and upheaval in their families during their childhood influences both Connor and Heather in their adult relationship. Deeply imprinted in their psyches are strong beliefs about marriage. Even though they love each other, they are at odds. Connor says he will never marry and Heather realizes she can no longer find fulfillment in a relationship without a commitment—especially since there is Little Mick to consider.

Heather opens a quilting shop in Chesapeake Shores, where she has love and support from all of Connor’s family. They recognize Heather’s situation and set in to encourage Connor to “do right” by Heather and his son. His little nieces Caitlin and Carrie tell Connor about a boy at school whose mother and daddy aren’t married. Some of the other kids say he is “illegal” and tease him until he cries. They want to know if Little Mick is “illegal” (illegitimate) and will be teased and called hurtful names when goes to school. Their innocent questions are like a dash of cold water in the face to Connor. But he cannot get past his deep abhorrence of marriage. It rules his actions as a divorce lawyer and his personal life.

Connor’s journey is truly a hero’s journey that is heartbreaking at times and maddening at other times. He allows the past to control the future. His mother and father’s divorce when he was a vulnerable age and the divorces he brokers now have embitter him and leave him in a dark, dreary place—he truly loves Heather and Little Mick, but stubbornly rebels when it comes to marriage.

Heather is the first to admit Connor is considerate, a great father, good provider, and smart, but she can no longer live in the dark, gloomy world Connor lives in with his cut-throat attitude as a divorce lawyer. He works diligently to see his male clients give just as little to their wives as possible. She fights her own demons about being rejected by her parents because of her life style. They have never seen or acknowledged Little Mick.

The O’Brien family may be considered dysfunctional, but their ability to love with a love that never gives up is amazing. While they are totally serious about taking care of each other, they also inject a humor into their “doings” that makes the story sparkle. If you met the O’Briens in another Chesapeake Shores novel, it will be great to find out how their lives are unfolding. If you haven’t met them Driftwood Cottage is a perfect place to get acquainted.

Driftwood Cottage teems with heartwarming characters who struggle with their own inner conflicts while reaching out to others. From Little Mick up through the generations to Grandmother Nell, each character has a distinct personality that enriches the story to give it depth and intensity. Their humor and love are like the icing on a cake that makes it even sweeter and more satisfying.

Sherryl Woods has a unique talent and exquisite style for bringing a setting into clear focus and for developing characters that seem like living, breathing people that the reader shares heart-touching experiences with—some so sad they hurt and others so happy they make the heart sing with joy. She creates a memorable tale of love. Driftwood Cottage gives Heather and Connor their happy-ever-after and foreshadows more happy-every-afters to come for other members of the O’Brien family. This one is a keeper.

Originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...(less)

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Mar 18, 2011 Jennie rated it 3 of 5 stars

From Goodreads: Single mom Heather Donovan's dreams of home and family are tantalizingly within reach when she settles in Chesapeake Shores. The welcoming arms of the boisterous, loving O'Brien clan embrace her and her son. But accepting their support seems to further alienate her son's father, Connor O'Brien. His parents' divorce and his career as a high-powered divorce attorney have left him jaded about marriage.

Then everything changes. Will the possibility of a future without Heather make Con...more From Goodreads: Single mom Heather Donovan's dreams of home and family are tantalizingly within reach when she settles in Chesapeake Shores. The welcoming arms of the boisterous, loving O'Brien clan embrace her and her son. But accepting their support seems to further alienate her son's father, Connor O'Brien. His parents' divorce and his career as a high-powered divorce attorney have left him jaded about marriage.

Then everything changes. Will the possibility of a future without Heather make Connor look at love and his career differently? Heather's just about given up on her old dreams—of love, of family and especially of Driftwood Cottage, the home she secretly wishes were hers. It's going to take a lot of persuasion—and some help from the O'Brien family—to make Heather believe that some dreams are worth fighting for.

My Thoughts: The first Sherryl Woods book I ever read was "A Chesapeak Shores Christmas", which was my introdution to her writing and to the O'Brien family. My review of that book (#4 in the series) emphasized the point that it was just such a "nice story". When I saw the chance to read the next in the series, Driftwood Cottage, I couldn't resist. I found that I really liked the O'Brien family, and there had been enough leadin to Connor and Heather's story (the focus of Driftwood Cottage) that I just HAD to find out how they got their Happy Ever After.

Of all the O'Brien kids, Connor is the one who took his parents divorce, and subsequent remarriage, the hardest. A top-notch, tough as nails divorce lawyer, he had sworn never to marry. He even went so far as to hide the fact he had a long-time live-in girlfriend and a son from his family. That secret was blown to pieces in the previous book, and his life is turned upside down when Heather leaves him. In Driftwood Cottage, we see Heather working to begin a life on her own, doing so in Chesapeake Shores, the home of the O'Briens.

There is never any doubt in either of the two Woods books I've read that there is going to be a HEA. Yet how the couples in question get to that point is done in such a way to keep it interesting, and reflects a good amount of emotion and drama and family life that smacks as true. The O'Briens are amazing meddlers in each other's lives, yet there's always the undercurrent of love in all their actions.

Not only did I enjoy Connor and Heather's story in Driftwood Cottage, but I enjoyed getting a sneak peak at the next two couples whose stories are yet to come. Like I said, there's no surprises here about who couples will end up with, or will they end up together, but how they get there is done in a way that keeps the reader interested and leaves you feeling good when the book is done. This is not my typical type of book or author, but I'm looking forward to the next installments of the O'Brien family story.
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Feb 08, 2011 Ruth rated it 3 of 5 stars

As you might guess from the cover, this book is a perfect beach read--light, fluffy, totally devoid of substance, but fun nevertheless. Heather and Connor love each other, but he doesn't believe in marriage--its just a piece of paper after all. She was ok with that until they had a son. When he wouldn't marry her, she moved out. Do you think I ever doubted how it would end?

As noted in the link above, this book is part of a series. I haven't read any of the others, but my guess is that they all i...more

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Jan 30, 2011 Janga rated it 4 of 5 stars

Driftwood Cottage is the first of three 2011 books in Sherryl Woods’s Chesapeake Shores series. This story picks up shortly after the events A Chesapeake Shores Christmas (September 2010). Connor, the youngest of the O’Brien clan and the one most defined by his parents’ divorce, is not pleased when he discovers that Heather Donovan, the mother of his son, has opened a quilt shop in his hometown.

Heather herself also has periods of questioning her decision. She enjoys the warm acceptance of the e...more Driftwood Cottage is the first of three 2011 books in Sherryl Woods’s Chesapeake Shores series. This story picks up shortly after the events A Chesapeake Shores Christmas (September 2010). Connor, the youngest of the O’Brien clan and the one most defined by his parents’ divorce, is not pleased when he discovers that Heather Donovan, the mother of his son, has opened a quilt shop in his hometown.

Heather herself also has periods of questioning her decision. She enjoys the warm acceptance of the extended O’Brien family, and she thinks the love and support they offer are important for her son. But being an O’Brien in all but name means seeing Connor too often for her peace of mind. It’s difficult to create a life without him when his presence vividly reminds her of the feelings she still has for him.

As for the O’Briens, they would like nothing better than to see Connor and Heather reunited, preferably with full legal status. All of them, from the recently remarried Mick and Megan to Connor’s twin nieces, do their part to bring the two together. However, the difference that separates them still looms as large as ever. Connor’s cynicism about marriage is regularly reinforced by his work as a divorce attorney. He is determined never to marry, and Heather is equally determined that the commitment of marriage is necessary for her happiness.

A near tragedy brings Connor to an awareness of what he wants most, but the changes he makes, even his restoration of Heather’s dream house (Driftwood Cottage), may not be enough to see his dream come true.

Fans of the Chesapeake Shores books will be delighted to see Connor come to terms with the past and find his own HEA. The family dynamics, Heather’s as well as Connor’s, add depth and interest to the central love story, and the kids are appealing (and not unbearably precocious). Sherryl Woods is among the best authors writing in the contemporary small-town romance subgenre, and Driftwood Cottage is a welcome addition to an engaging series.

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Sep 09, 2011 Hattie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

sherrylwoods
Most of my life I've heard about men who are afraid of commitment. I've known maybe two or three men with this ailment. Connor in Driftwood Cottage is the epitome of all the men I've known in such a psychological state. Throughout the book I just didn't like Connor. He selfishly wanted to love Heather on his own terms. Heather and Connor have a cute baby son named Mick. He's named after his grandfather on the paternal side. Connor loves Mick and Heather. He just doesn't want to get m...more

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Jun 18, 2011 Tonya rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-reads

What can I say? I am a sucker for Sherryl Woods. Reading the Chesapeake Shores series is always a pleasure of mine. It is like going home. Where everyone knows your name and everything about you, and still loves you anyway. Like an old comfortable blanket.. We know what to expect, we know what is going to happen but the ride is still fabulous.

In this installment Connor and his live-in girlfriend Heather have broken up because Heather wants more now that they have Little Mick. She knew from the v...more

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Feb 28, 2011 Lisa rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, netgalley, sherryl-woods, contemporary-romance

Driftwood Cottage was another nice visit to yet another perfect imaginary town that I wished I lived in, Chesapeake Shores. This is book five in the series but picks up directly where A Chesapeake Shores Christmas leaves off so to get the best feel of this book, it is probably a good idea to read at least the Christmas story, the others you can probably do without but are enjoyable, easy reads as well.

Driftwood Cottage finds the very stubborn Connor O'Brien who became a divorce attorney followin...more Driftwood Cottage was another nice visit to yet another perfect imaginary town that I wished I lived in, Chesapeake Shores. This is book five in the series but picks up directly where A Chesapeake Shores Christmas leaves off so to get the best feel of this book, it is probably a good idea to read at least the Christmas story, the others you can probably do without but are enjoyable, easy reads as well.

Driftwood Cottage finds the very stubborn Connor O'Brien who became a divorce attorney following the divorce of his parents when he was young. His mother walked out on his father and moved away to New York and he hardened his heart towards her and love in general. Connor had had a pretty good life going with his long time, live in girlfriend, Heather. But after the birth of their son, little Mick (named after Connors father) she realizes she wants the piece of paper securing them in marriage even though she has known all along how Connor feels about marriage and she decides to leave him.

Heather moves to Chesapeake Shores to be near Connors large extended family for little Micks sake and to open up her own quilting shop. The O'Briens are a very loving, meddlesome family that do whatever they can, in small, subtle ways to try and get Connor and Heather to reconnect. The love between them has never been a problem, Heather thinks it is just Connors insecurities about marriage. As our story progresses, Connor makes a life changing decision after Heather has a bad accident but their road to happily ever after is still bumpy. They finally do get to their HEA with Connor coming to terms with his fears and Connor helping Heather realizes her own insecurities about marriage.

Overall, this is a sweet, easy book. There is nothing spectacular about it, just something to curl up with on a nice summer day and enjoy. Everything is a bit to perfect...you know, not much money problems, everyone loves everyone and sort through everything it seems with ease. If you enjoy that, this is an excellent book for you. For me, this is about a 3 1/2 stars book. I look forward to more from this large, nosy family when I am in the mood for a light contemporary book to take me away from my own crazy life.
I received this ebook via netgallery.com
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Apr 09, 2011 Donna rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 01, 2011 Julie Barrett rated it 5 of 5 stars

driftwood cottage by sherryl woods
heather has left her boyfriend and took the child with her. his career of a divorce lawyer has made her really think about how things really are.
the family and the extended family all live closeby. she has a quilting shop and that's what keeps her in the Chesapeake shores area. Many family gatherings find them together as they try to work through visitations and getting to know one another again.
Love this series, the big extended family, traditions and keeping u...more

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Jun 13, 2011 Joemmama rated it 4 of 5 stars

Heather Donovan has moved out of the home she shared with Connor O'Brien, taking her son to the charming town of Chesapeake Shores, where his family lives. While they are thrilled to have them nearby, Connor is not so happy. He is not on the best terms with his parents, who have divorced and remarried (each other). As a divorce lawyer, Connor is convinced that marriage is not for him. Unfortunately, Heather wants to marry him, more than anything.

When he finds out that Heather has moved to his ho...more

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May 06, 2011 Jennifer Estep rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-romance

Driftwood Cottage by Sherryl Woods is one of the books in her Chesapeake Shores contemporary romance series.

Heather Donovan has a son with Connor O'Brien. She loves Connor, but she wants to get married -- something that Connor, a divorce attorney, won't even consider. So Heather takes their son and moves to Connor's hometown of Chesapeake Shores where the rest of his large family lives. Soon, Heather is living her dream of owning her own quilting shop, but she can't seem to get over her feelings...more

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Jul 25, 2011 Andrea Guy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-reads, chicklit

If you have read any of Mariah Stewart's Chesapeake Diaries series and loved them, you'll definitely want to read Driftwood Cottage and the rest of the Chesapeake Shores series by Sherryl Woods.

This series revolves around the O'Brien family and this story features Heather Donovan and Connor O'Brien, both show the reader what it means to be stubborn, sometimes a little too stubborn. The two ex lovers are separated but together, with an argument over their belief in the institute of marriage.

That...more

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Dec 08, 2011 Kasey rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-romance, library, audiobook

Overall I really enjoy the whole O'Brien family. I love that they are all imperfect and living through a lifetime of good and bad decisions to find the way to happiness.

I like the basic set up for Heather and Connor's romance. I like Connor having to overcome his jaded view on marriage and the truth about how his past and his career have effected his opinion and keep affecting it now. I like that Heather made a choice on what she deserved and decided it was time for a change. I always swear thi...more Overall I really enjoy the whole O'Brien family. I love that they are all imperfect and living through a lifetime of good and bad decisions to find the way to happiness.

I like the basic set up for Heather and Connor's romance. I like Connor having to overcome his jaded view on marriage and the truth about how his past and his career have effected his opinion and keep affecting it now. I like that Heather made a choice on what she deserved and decided it was time for a change. I always swear this in both sides of a relationship, people will always treat you as badly as you allow them to treat you.

Now on to my big problem with this story. While marriage very well could be important enough to one or both people in a relationship to end it that wasn't the bigger problem to me. And surely one person in that family or town could be accepting of someone who doesn't choose to actually get married. I know lots of couples who just won't get married and that's fine and their choice and they aren't any less happy because of it. Now as I said it could be the problem for a specific couple and maybe was one of the problems for this couple. But really the biggest problem was these two had been together for years and had a child together and yet Heather was Connors big dark secret. He never even mentioned her to his family. That has to be the biggest issue I heard in the whole story. Connor was spending holidays with his family so that means he wasn't with Heather. Plus most couples in that type of long term commitment do consider their partner family. Connor obviously didn't. I just couldn't get past the whole story going by and not a single person telling Connor what a jerk he is for keeping her a secret and making her feel like she wasn't even really a part of his family not necessarily as a whole, but as the immediate part.

After you get past that. Connor and Heather have all the problems you would expect with someone who wants marriage and someone who doesn't believe in it. They have lots to overcome with just that and their story is nice and I'm glad to see another O'Brien HEA.(less)

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Aug 24, 2012 Kate rated it 1 of 5 stars

This novel was one that I put off reading. With zero plot or action, I found that all it was, was Connor and Heather having the same argument over and over again about marriage, in all honesty I got to page 200 and put it down, I actually said " I quit!". This novel was so boring, nothing happened in it, after reading the last page I can pretty much assume what happened in the last hundred or so pages I couldn't bare to read. Typical love story, only Connor didn't want to get married so Heather...more

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Feb 11, 2013 Leya rated it 3 of 5 stars

Reading Sherryl Woods is like having comfort food. Soothing, satisfying and it hits the spot. And Driftwood Cottage definitely hit the spot.

Of all the quirky O'Brien's Connor is the least known. He's a very successful divorce attorney, and his job has left him jaded when it comes to marriage. Heather on the other hand, although she had a bad example for a god marriage growing up, she hasn't lost hope that marriage to the right person is magical and loving. If only Connor could see the light...

Th...more

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Sep 19, 2012 Karen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Heather Donovan got sick of waiting for jaded divorce attorney Connor O'Brien to make an honest woman of her and marry her so she moved out with their son Mick Jr. Setting up Cottage Quilts in the O'Brien built town of Chesapeake Shores. Heather finds herself pulled in by her estranged partners family who thinks Connor is nuts. After Heather is in an accident Connor has a shift in perception but it takes him awhile to convince her he has changed his views.

Driftwood Cottage is a humorous roller...more

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Apr 07, 2011 Jess rated it 3 of 5 stars

Heather wants to get married. Connor loves her but doesn't believe in marriage. They've been living together and have a kid. Heather still loves Connor but decides to leave him because they will never move forward in their relationship. They talk about this a lot. Two hundred pages later, Heather gets in a car accident. Connor realizes he wants to marry her. She doesn't want to get engaged "like this" and refuses. One hundred and fifty pages of discussion later, they get married. I really don't...more

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Apr 21, 2011 Tori smexys_sidekick rated it 3 of 5 stars

Review originally posted at http://www.smexybooks.com/2011/04/rev...

Favorite Quote: “Marriage is just a piece of paper right? If it’s so damn insignificant then why are you fighting so hard to avoid signing it?”

BLURB: Single mom Heather Donovan’s dreams of home and family are tantalizingly within reach when she settles in Chesapeake Shores. The welcoming arms of the boisterous, loving O’Brien clan embrace her and her son. But accepting their support seems to further alienate her son’s father, Co...more

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Apr 19, 2011 Maeleah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-romance, contemporary

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 13, 2013 Patty rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, family, fiction, contemporary-romance, romance, marriage, maryland, chesapeake-shores-series, kindle, overdrive, women-writers, dysfunctional-family

For some reason, I have had trouble adjusting to the time change this month. I do like having light in the early evening, but sleep was elusive.

This is where ebooks from my local library are wonderful. I wanted something light that would be relaxing as I dealt with my insomnia. I looked at the romances that were available and picked out another Chesapeake Shores romance.

This is the sixth romance by Woods that I have read since January 2008. Woods never disappoints. I could fall into Heather's a...more

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Apr 03, 2011 Sebe Abolafia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Welcome back to Chesapeake Shores

Chesapeake Shores always sounds like a great place to live.

Heather Donovan, mother to Connor O'Brien's son little Mick has left him in Baltimore and moved to Chesapeake Shores. Heather opens a quilting shop right next to Megan O'Brien's art gallery.

Megan and big Mick are Connor's parents and they want Heather and Connor to marry. The O'Brien clan are great meddlers and manipulators. Heather and Connor don't have a chance.

Driftwood Cottage is another great book ab...more

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Apr 30, 2011 Hannah M. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-read, fiction, netgalley-reviews, romance

Heather Donovan packed her bags and moved to Chesapeake Shores, Maryland with her one year old son when her boyfriend of several years wouldn’t give her what she wanted, marriage. Both Heather and Connor grew up with parents who experienced marital problems, but Connor’s job as a divorce attorney left him even more weary of marriage. From the get-go Connor made it clear that he would not marry, but after time Heather believed marriage was the only way to further their relationship and Connor was...more Heather Donovan packed her bags and moved to Chesapeake Shores, Maryland with her one year old son when her boyfriend of several years wouldn’t give her what she wanted, marriage. Both Heather and Connor grew up with parents who experienced marital problems, but Connor’s job as a divorce attorney left him even more weary of marriage. From the get-go Connor made it clear that he would not marry, but after time Heather believed marriage was the only way to further their relationship and Connor was not having it.

Heather, with the help of Connor’s family, is able to establish a new life for herself in Chesapeake Shores. She has the entire O’Brien clan behind her back, even if the man she loves is too stubborn to be there as well, the way she needs him. Connor’s family is determined to get him to see what a mistake he is making by not marrying Heather, and though it takes time, Connor starts to see what everyone around him is saying. He realizes, while with a client no less, just what his job is doing to him. When Connor is offered the chance to move back home and practice law locally, he also sees an opportunity to work things out with Heather and being close to son again is a definite plus.

Connor loves Heather, and he knows that he wants to spend the rest of his life with her – that was never the problem – but when he is forced to realize the possibility of losing her, Connor knows what he needs to do. Now if only he can get Heather to agree. Connor does everything he can to show Heather how much he loves her, even buying her her dream house and having it fixed up just the way she wants, but that isn’t what she needs to see to say yes. Finally, gloriously, after doing everything he can think of, it is Connor’s ability to laugh at an unexpected situation that gets Heather to agree to be his wife.

I absolutely loved this book. I was sucked in from the first chapter and read the entire book in two sittings.

Driftwood Cottage is so much more than your run-of-the-mill romance. It is a story of self-exploration, of true love conquering, of second chances – for everyone. I loved the family dynamic, everyone is a part of, everyone has a place with this family. The entire O’Brien clan gets their word in this story.

Now, we all know how much I love real people in my books, people who you can identify with, people with flaws, who make mistakes. Driftwood Cottage was filled with real people. In fact, it was not just Heather and Connor who made mistakes or experienced doubt, but in fact many of the other members of both of their families went through their own trials.

There is only one thing that bothered me when reading this book, the ending. The pace of the novel was great for me, but I noticed the page count getting close and closer to that last page wondering how things would turn out. The final pages wrapped up so quickly I couldn’t believe it. I’m sure this is mostly because I was so wrapped up in the story that I just didn’t want the book to end, but I still wish it hadn’t ended so abruptly.

All in all, Sherryl Woods did an amazing job with Driftwood Cottage, giving all of her characters the chance to speak, and even setting the stage for the next two books in the series. I fell in love with the big O’Brien clan and look forward to meeting them again. I actually didn’t realize until after I started reading Driftwood Cottage that it is the fifth book in the Chesapeake Shores series, but now I definitely have plans to go back and read the predecessors to book five.

*NOTE: I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and have not been influenced in any way.(less)

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May 13, 2013 Mareli rated it 5 of 5 stars

Connor, from the previous book, is a man who didn't believe in marriage (thanks to the failed marriage between Megan and Mick O'Brien, his parents).

He lives with a woman and they have a son. But, suddenly, his fiancèe left him and their children. She cannot live with him anymore. She wants a marriage and he doesn't.

Both of them have a long journey finding themselves again.

Gooooooood!

So far all the stories are good. Sometimes I need more closure, I would like an epilogue here and there... ;)

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Jan 14, 2013 Marina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, romance, sherryl-woods

Good story as always.Love the happy ending.Love this authors writing style. Also, I just like small town series.=0)
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Spoiler
Note to Self:
Connor O'Brien(ex divorce attorney,new law firm partner,younger bro,pal)+Heather Donovan(new quilting shop owner)=Mick(their 1 yo),Mick O.(dad,architect,divorced)+Megan O.(mom,divorced,new gallery owner),Bridget D.(mom,new quilting store assist)+Charles D.(dad),K...more

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Dec 05, 2011 Sherrie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-reading-challenge, already-read

This book is all about Connor O'Brien and his wife, Heather. They are not a happily married couple. They need lots of help and the O' Brian clan is there to help them find the way there. This book wasn't a on the edge of your seat thriller, but a cozy little conversation going on. I enjoyed reading about another member of the O' Brian clan. Do Heather and Connor get back together? Does Heather get Driftwood Cottage? You'll have to read the book to find out. Can't wait to read what happens next i...more

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Jul 04, 2011 Jencey/ rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit

Thank you to Regina and chicklitclub.com for the opportunity to review this series. I had not ever read anything by Sherryl Woods. I very much enjoyed this first book in the series
Synopsis:
Heather and her son little Mick left Baltimore to move back to Chesapeake Shore with the support of Connor O’Brien’s family. She leaves Connor because he refuses to marry her and hopes to start over in Chesapeake Shores, and open a quilting shop. She hopes she will be able to move on from her relationship with...more

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About Sherryl Woods

With two other careers to her credit before becoming a novelist and four states in which she's lived for extended periods of time, Sherryl Woods has collected friends and memories, along with way too much unnecessary junk.

"The friends are the only things I've brought with me through the years that really matter," she says. "I could probably live without one more chintz teacup, another tin-litho sa...more With two other careers to her credit before becoming a novelist and four states in which she's lived for extended periods of time, Sherryl Woods has collected friends and memories, along with way too much unnecessary junk.

"The friends are the only things I've brought with me through the years that really matter," she says. "I could probably live without one more chintz teacup, another tin-litho sandpail or another snowglobe, but I need those friends."

The theme of enduring friendships and families is always central to Sherryl's books, including her latest Chesapeake Shores series — THE INN AT EAGLE POINT, FLOWERS ON MAIN and HARBOR LIGHTS.

Author of more than 100 romance and mystery novels, Sherryl Woods grew up in Virginia. Over the years she had lived in Ohio and Florida, as well as California. Currently she divides her time between Key Biscayne, Florida and Colonial Beach, Virginia, the small, river-front town where she spent her childhood summers.

A graduate of Ohio State University School of Journalism, Sherryl spent more than ten years as a journalist, most of them as a television critic for newspapers in Ohio and Florida. For several years she also coordinated a motivational program for the more than 8,000 employees at the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Medical Center.

Her first book, RESTORING LOVE, was published in 1982 by Dell Candlelight Ecstasy under the pseudonym of Suzanne Sherrill. Her second book, SAND CASTLES, under the pseudonym of Alexandra Kirk, was published later that same year by Bantam. She began using her own name when she moved to the Second Chance at Love line at Berkley Publishing. In 1986, she began writing full-time and also began her long career at Silhouette Books with the Desire title NOT AT EIGHT, DARLING, set in the world of television which she covered for so many years.

In addition to her more than 75 romances for Silhouette Desire and Special Edition, she has written thirteen mysteries — nine in the Amanda Roberts series and four in the Molly DeWitt series.

When she's not writing or reading, Sherryl loves to garden, though she's not at her best on a riding lawn mower. She also loves tennis, theater, and ballet, even though her top spin has long since vanished, she's never set foot on a stage, and she's way too uncoordinated to dance. She also loves baseball and claims anyone who's ever seen Kevin Costner in "Bull Durham" can understand why.
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“Relationships are never static. They have to evolve over time as the individuals in them change.” — 12 people liked it

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Driftwood Cottage (Chesapeake Shores #5)

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