204 Rosewood Lane

Cedar Cove #2

by Debbie Macomber

an alternate cover edition can be found here

Olivia Lockhart
Cedar Cove, Washington

Dear Reader,

If you've been to Cedar Cove before, you've probably met my friend Grace Sherman. You can usually find her at home--she lives at 204 Rosewood Lane--or at the public library, where she works. Like me, she grew up in this town and she's raised two daughters here. But did you hear that about six months ago, her husband disappeared? Just...disappeared. Where's Dan? Why did he go? Who's he with? Will Grace ever find out?

I hope that all of us, her family and friends, are bringing her comfort during this difficult time. Comfort and a sense of shelter. I'm continually reminded that life can and does go on. For instance, everyone's been discussing weddings and babies lately. Justine, my daughter, rather impulsively got married a little while ago. Grace's daughter Kelly recently had a baby. Unfortunately, she refuses to accept that Dan might not return to see his first grandchild. Grace's older daughter, Maryellen, is more realistic. Grace thinks she's seeing a new man but for some reason won't say who it is.

Then there's Jack Griffin, our local newspaper editor, the man I've been seeing. And...well, I have lots to tell you. Come on over and we'll talk!

Olivia

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Adult

284 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

Reviews

[Suz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another delightfully sweet and saccharine serving from Cedar Cove. The positives to this series is that they are very wholesome and non challenging reading. Not all reading needs to be of the literary type! It takes all types to make the world go round’.

There were a couple of characters I wasn’t loving in this one, Zach and Rosemary, who were divorcing and this scenario wasn’t realistic to me, at all.

These stories are a little humorous to me in the simplistic way they weave from one family to another, they are very predictable.

Debbie Macomber has splashed some mystery into this one, an answer from book number one and a new one for this offering.

What is Olivia up to, considering her ex again, or just playing hard to get?! I’ll find out soon. A nice way to spend a couple of days light reading is nothing to complain about!

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Cedar Cove marathon continues!

Book Two of the Cedar Cove Series: 204 Rosewood Lane is the address of Grace and Dan Sherman. This book follows a lot of the same characters we met in Book One and we also meet a new handful of characters here.

So far, I find the Cedar Cove series to be very entertaining and it has a soap opera-esque feel to it. There is a lot happening in Grace Sherman’s life in this book! It was easy to get immersed in her story and all the other Cedar Cove residents.

Onto the next Cedar Cove address I go!

[Lisa Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

The above map was taken from Debbie Macomber's web site and can be seen better at this hyperlink: Cedar Cove Map PDF. Warning: Don't study the red legend too carefully, there are spoilers there. In fact, maybe I should just tell you a few locations critical to the story. ➀ is Olivia Lockhart’s house. ➁ is Grace Sherman’s house. ➂ is the home of Zack and Rosie Cox, and ➃ is the bed and breakfast/home of Peggy and Bob Beldon. If you just click on the pic instead of the hyperlink, it should take you to a larger pic where the legend is still too blurry to read.

This is a review of the audio version of this book. The narrator, Sandra Burr, again does a wonderful job of bringing Ms. Macomber’s characters of Cedar Cove to life in this second book of the series. Sometimes it is difficult for a female to do the male voices, but Ms. Burr is great, putting a different inflection on each voice in a nice way and adding a touch of subtle humorous tone in the appropriate scenes.

There are various storylines in the book and a few of them are unresolved at the end; it is a small-town-life-romance-chick-lit-soap series, after all! Nevertheless, the good news is that librarian Grace Sherman gets answers to her husband of thirty-five years, Dan’s, disappearance that had us wondering in 16 Lighthouse Road. Grace has her new golden-retriever, sweet little “Buttercup” (isn’t that a Gilbert and Sullivan song?), and interested Cliff Harding to help her through it all.

We are updated on Justine and Seth Gunderson’s marriage weeks after their elopement, as well as on her grandmother, Charlotte.

The skittish divorcée, Maryellen Sherman, an art gallery manager and Grace’s oldest daughter, has a love interest in Joe Bowman, a chef by vocation and photographer by avocation. Oh what a tangled web we weave…and that’s all I’m going to say on that.

Judge Olivia Lockhart and newspaper reporter, Jack Griffin, are discovering their feelings for one another and their relationship. Both are worrying over the same thing - about not being with each other enough; however, they both have so much on their crowded plates. And they are about to get even more crowded when Jack’s previously estranged son, Eric, stops by…for how long? And how about Olivia's ex, Stan?

Then there is Zack and Rosie Cox, accountant and stay-at-home-mom respectively; married seventeen years, they are stumbling toward a split. Their arguments and disagreements are doozies, as both parties have valid points. Ms. Macomber does a wonderful job of conveying how an argument can spiral out of control. I had to wonder if DM is going to be a bit cliché here and lead us down the "neglected man" path - comforted by the ever efficient office assistant. I do like the author’s comment on the fact that once couples become financially secure, they can drift apart – pulled by varying interest and demands - and lose that sense of being partners against the world.

There is plenty of life going on in this little town: babies, secrets, arguments and romance. Some of it will have to be resolved in 311 Pelican Court. I'm ready for a listen!

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Macomber's Blossom Street books and I've enjoyed many of her others as well. Unfortunately, I can't say that this book was a particularly good read for a number of reasons:

1. Inconsistencies. In one scene, it is mentioned that it's nearly 9 p.m. at night. One page later, the two characters are watching the sun setting over the water. At 9 p.m. at night? That would not happen in the Pacific Northwest. I'm from there, the sun sets much sooner than that.

A lot of time lapses between events and we're never given details. She tells us things rather than shows us.

2. There are way too many characters in this book. She needed to dial it back and concentrate on a few. Instead, we had Grace, Maryellen, Kelly, Olivia, Stan, Justine, Seth, Olivia's brother, Olivia's son, Charlotte, Jack, Jon, Eric, Shelly, their twin boys Todd and Tedd, Zac, Rosie, and their kids Allison and Eddie, Janice and her son Chris, Bob and Peggy Beldon, Troy Davis the sheriff, Roy and Corrie...I'm probably missing a few. It was an insane number of characters for one book. I realize this is a series, but everyone does not have to be introduced in one book.

3. The situation with Rosie and Zac was totally ridiculous. I was rooting for Zac all the way there. Rosie was neglecting her family and not once do we see her think about that. Zac had issues with communication for sure, but he was in the right about her volunteerism. Never once did she consider cutting back on her volunteering though. Why not? Seems she might have given it some thought at least once. But no. Instead she decided that he was wrong to expect her to cook a meal once in awhile and she decided with zero evidence that he was cheating on her. OK. Insanity, party of one.

4. Maryellen and the situation with the baby. Really? Get a grip woman. So you were hurt in your first marriage, so you have regrets. We all do. Suck it up and live life.

5. Olivia and Jack. How old are you two? 12? There's no reason Eric moving in with Jack should have come between you. Keep your regular Tuesday night dates, learn to schedule your lives for God's sake. And learn to pick up the phone and talk to each other.

I will continue reading the series, but I really hope Macomber gets a grip on her characters and dials it back a bit as the series continues.

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this is the second book from the Cedar Cove series and I must say this is a great series of books. I love the way that you aren't just tied up with one heroine/hero. You have several (just in case you aren't thrilled with one of their lives, turn the page and there's a new story line).

Starting off in the beginning, the book pretty much starts off where 16 Lighthouse Road left off. You have most of the same characters as well to follow from the previous novel. I loved the stories and interactions between all of the characters in the book. I love how they live in this small town and everybody pretty much knows everybody and no one's business is a secret.

I can't say much more of I'll give too much away, but definitely pick this read up after you read the first one!

[Sharon Mariampillai · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read. The second instalment to the Cedar Cove series and I really enjoyed it. It is nice to see how the characters from the first book are doing, while also being introduced to a new couple, Zachary and Rosie. Out of all the characters, my favourite is Charlotte. She is awesome and I love her so much. The story made me laugh, and I am glad that we find out what happened to Grace’s husband. I thought it was funny and witty. Debbie Macomber really has a way with her stories, and I can’t wait for 311 Pelican Court. Overall, a great read.

[Typicalkiki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book because I read the first one in the series and was left hanging wondering about Dan's disappearance. I will read the next one in the series too, because this one leaves you hanging as well.
I'm seeing a trend in these books that will probably make me stop reading after the next if it continues.
What really bothers me is Macomber's portrayal of all the female characters. It seems like every single female fights with herself over feelings for men and pushes men away, and they all appear to be naive and childish with their emotions. It's becoming really annoying, From the first book, Olivia pushing away Jack, Justine pushing away Seth, Cecelia pushing away Ian and in this book, Olivia still pushing away Jack, Grace pushing away Cliff, Maryellen pushing away Jon. It's so unrealistic, is anyone capable of having a mature relationship without game playing in these books?
And the men are portrayed even worse, as big love struck saps that follow around the women like puppy dogs. No matter how many times the women reject them or push them away, they just keep coming back for more swooning over everything the woman does. It's getting to be annoying.

[Karschtl · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 Sterne

"Rosenträume" führt uns einmal mehr in die beschauliche Kleinstadt Cedar Cove im Nordwesten der USA. Obwohl die Original-Buchtitel immer auf eine spezielle Adresse einer der Protagonisten verweist, geht es im Buch dann nicht hauptsächlich um diese eine Figur sondern zu gleichen Teilen um mehrere. Somit werden in den folgenden Teilen dann auch die Geschichten mehrerer Figuren weitererzählt, was ich sehr begrüße. Der 'neue' Trend bei solchen Reihen ist es ja, Standalone-Romane zu schreiben, und da kommen die anderen Figuren (fast) immer viel zu kurz. Da gefällt mir Debbie Macombers Herangehensweise viel besser.

Die Geschichten an sich drehen sich im Grunde immer um Beziehungsfragen. Werden aber keineswegs nur rein aus der weiblichen Sichtweise geschildert - auch die Männer kommen hier 'zu Wort'. Für mich am interessantesten war tatsächlich die Geschichte um 2 neue Figuren: Rosie & Zach, und ob sie ihre Ehe nochmal auf die Reihe kriegen oder nicht.
Auch das Verschwinden um Graces Ehemann Dan wird aufgelöst - diese hat mich allerdings etwas enttäuscht, da hätte ich mir mehr erwartet.

Insgesamt ist es eine Buchreihe, die ernste Themen anspricht und keineswegs voller Jubel, Trubel, Heiterkeit ist aber dennoch eine gewisse Behaglichkeit vermittelt. Das geht allerdings auch ein bisschen auf Kosten der Spannung.

[Alaina]

RTC

[Tammie · Rating 3 out of 5]

After finishing 16 Lighthouse Road I had put this series on hold for a while because I wasn't sure if I would ever want to revisit it. But a few days ago when I was between books I was feeling the need for something that was completely an escapist read, especially since I've got a Sanderson book going on audio right now. I saw these on my Kindle so I decided to give the series another try and I ended up completely engrossed this time.

Most of my same complaints about Macomber's writing are still there, like the amount of telling instead of showing, the way the books skip over weeks and months at a time, and the fact that too many of the characters are just too afraid to commit to the person they are interested in romantically. And also once again there is the couple who is having marital problems. They were not really that fun to read about. I just wanted to hit them both over the head! Also Maryellen, I can hardly stand her right now. But despite all of that I liked this book for what it is, an easy read about people in a small town. Some of them are endearing and others are annoying. I got my escapist read and I'm satisfied.

This book ended kind of abruptly with more than one story line unfinished Maryellen's pregnancy and her relationship with Jon is the one I really wanted to see a conclusion to. Poor Jon, she really mistreated him! and that annoyed me a little, but it also drew me right into the next book, which I'm sure the author did by design.

Review also posted at Writings of a Reader

[Shell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book reminds me of a reading soap opera. I read the first book, 16 Lighthouse Road and enjoyed it, but I wanted to know more about Grace and her family which lead me to read this novel. I had hoped that things would be cleared up about Dan and why he left, but nope. I am as unclear as before. All I know is that Dan is dead.

Several story lines were continued & begun throughout this novel which keeps me curious, but the stories were not interesting enough that I have to read the next one in the series right away. I'll pick up book three eventually, maybe when I need to take a break from the intense paranormal novels that are my usual reading.

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light easy book to read. Four stars only due to the fact that it was a little too much on the "romance novel" side for me. Good to read after a long involved read.

[Obsidian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought about giving this one 4 stars, but the mess with Zack and Rosie made me drop it one. Sorry, bickering couples are not my favorite thing to read about in romance novels. Another reason why I gave this one 3 stars, is that this one reads a bit like filler since you don't find out the resolution with a lot of things in this one until book #3, "311 Pelican Court".

One thing you can say about these books is that there is not a lack of characters. In "204 Rosewood Lane" we turn to Grace Sherman and her family. Grace's husband Dan has been missing for 6 months and she finally decides to go through with divorcing him. She has her two daughters, Maryellen and Kelly to lean on. Also she has a potential love interest too.

The good:

I liked seeing Grace become more sure of herself. From what we read about in book number one and here, she hasn't had a happy marriage. She also has managed to not shake the life out of her daughter Kelly who acts like a brat and her histrionics since her father has gone missing made me tired.

Macomber does a good job with juggling multiple people. Besides Grace, we have her daughter Maryellen as the focus, her relationship with a man named Jon, Olivia, Jack, and Olivia's ex husband Stan, Olivia's daughter Justine and Seth, along with Jack's son Eric, and Rosie and Zach Cox with their two kids. As I said in one of my other reviews, Macomber always introduces the couple who will be the focus in the next book in the preceding one. This time it's going to be Rosie and Zach. Problem was that the whole book felt weighted down with their acrimony.

Cedar Cove always feels lively and interesting and it feels like a real life place you can visit.

The bad:

I thought the nonsense between Olivia and Jack dealing with her ex and his son was boring to read about. Just have a conversation and stop playing games. They are both in their early 50s and I didn't have any patience with it at all.

Maryellen and Jon, I could not get over Maryellen and what she decides to keep a secret. Those that know me remember that my two most loathed romance plot lines are love triangles and secret babies. So guess which one this is.

Rosie and Zach, good grief. I didn't know who I wanted to shake more.



Rosie was acting like a martyr, but Zach acted like a throwback to the 1950s expecting a home cooked meal ready for him every night. Neither one of them really respected the duties the other one had during the day. And neither of them had any sense since they didn't seem to give their two kids chores which would help keep down the animosity about the cleanliness of the house and getting dinner together.

The book ends pretty abruptly and you have to read the next book to finish up some of the story-lines.

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Welcome back to Cedar Cove :) The gang's all here with a couple new additions... decisions of the heart aren't easy, and there a few unexpected surprises in store, not all of them happy. A couple things leave more questions than answers and a couple break your heart for the characters involved.

It's hard to not spoil the storylines by talking through them... you want everyone to be happy and carefree but life isn't always that way. I continued to root for them, groaning at a couple things certain characters did and wishing I could smack or shake them.

Couple of times in the case of Maryellen and Kelly, I tried to be understanding since I had no idea of what they were going through but at times I was so exasperated with one or both of them. We do get some insight into why Maryellen is the way she is about her current situation and I could understand her a bit better.

Jon and Maryellen's part felt a bit rushed at first, I didn't 'feel' the attraction between them and wasn't excited by the storyline for most of the book but towards the end I began to warm up to them. Hopefully more will be explored in the next one, though I don't foresee an easy road for the two of them.

Rosie and Zach's part in the book... this one I felt more emotion for than Maryellen and Jon at first, even though it was mostly annoyance at times. The marriage is failing and each blames the other, I felt for the kids being caught in the middle. Both of them were guilty of bad behavior.

Their inclusion in this felt out of place to me the whole time... even though I knew where they would end up and what person from the first book they would meet, I still couldn't see why she included them out of the blue. There wasn't interaction with anyone else in Cedar Cove nor a minor mention of them from the first one.

Even at the end of the book, I was still wondering how Rosie and Zach would fit in in the long term. Perhaps it'll make more sense in the next one? *shrugs* We shall see I guess, intrigued to see what happens next with them all.

There's a love triangle sort of hinted at with Olivia/Stan/Jack in this one, with a hint of more to come in the next one. Not sure how I feel about that yet...

We get to see more of Bob, Peggy, and Roy in this as well... hoping for more of them next time as well :)

Not as good as the first book but still enjoyable in it's own way, would recommend. Can't/Won't say much more about the other lovely people so go and see for yourself *waves*

[M J · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book after reading The Shop on Blossom Street, to see if I just really liked the author or just that series. It really wasn't my type of book. While there were somewhat interesting plots, I had a really hard time keeping track of the characters and their involvement in the stories. Most of the stories reminded me of Lifetime movies and soap operas. I can handle that type of story if there's something else keeping me involved, but this didn't really have that for me. I don't plan on reading the rest of this series.

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an ok book, but there was so much still unresolved. In fact, looking at the major plot points, some of them progressed a little, but only one or two had any kind of closure. That's ok I guess, so that is what I rated the book :) 2.5 stars.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A little of everything cozy. Good series!

[Kara Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars for this light and easy read. The second book in the Cedar Cove series, this story is centred around Grace Sherman. Grace’s marriage of 35 plus years has suddenly dissolved after the disappearance of her husband Dan. As she attempts to put her life back together we become the observer of several other characters in Cedar Cove- some who are a carry over from the first book. These characters tend to be two-dimensional, and when a problem arises their attempt to deal with it is stubborn and block-headed.
Despite that, I still enjoyed the book and look forward to the happenings on Pelican Court in book three.

[Eve]

Its book two in the Cedar Cove series but I already feel lost and tired by all those numerous characters and storylines. Author just jump from one person to another, then another, and another. Switches are random, disjointed and story seem to be all over the place. There's no flow or clear storyline to it.

I wouldn't mind large cast of characters if they and their lives were all interesting and nicely twined together. But no. One dimensional characters are lifeless, superficial, lack depth and never grow. I want personality. I want some life, emotions, passion. It is quality that count, not quantity!! If this was supposed to be Grace's story (or wasn't it?), then why author won't try to spend time getting to know and develop her? Let side characters to wait for their turn. Now its just load of disjointed ramblings with no clear plot, no resolution by the end.

Dissapointed! 2 Stars.



Try Susan Elizabeth Phillips or Nora Roberts instead!

[Terri Lynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like this as much as the first book in the series. This has become pure drivel, soap opera, chick lit fodder. Apparently nothing goes on in the town that is worthwhile except for all the women trying to hook men and get knocked up. Even menopausal women like Olivia who is a judge with a law degree is whining about Jack the editor not calling her and honestly, it is just like a bunch of silly high school girls. Nothing of interest happens in the town. Olivia's daughter Justine marries a fisherman on a whim and is knocked up. Both of Grace's daughters get knocked up (Kelly is married, MaryEllen is not), and even Jack's son who thought he was sterile has managed to knock up his girlfriend with twins. Oh please. Is there no sign of intelligent life anywhere in the town?

[Kasey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read the first book in this series and always like to see how things continue on for the characters. There were several storylines flowing at the same time and little reference to two main characters from the first book. But ultimately, I felt like maybe the author hadn't decided yet which way she wanted things to go and thus basically left every single character hanging.....why not just write a big TO BE VERY MUCH CONTINUED at the end. Aargh. Yes, I'll be reading the next book but I was very disappointed in what I see as sitting on the fence writing.

[Kristal Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives you so much from the beginning. It got a lot more suspense in this edition of her series with two mysteries that falls over Cedar Cove.

[Sarah Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

204 ROSEWOOD LANE, the second novel included in the Cedar Cove series, is the second novel that I have read by Debbie Macomber. After reading the first novel included in this series, 16 LIGHTHOUSE ROAD, only a few days ago, I knew that I had to continue the series. Debbie Macomber creatively fashioned some rather strange circumstances throughout the lives of some Cedar Cove residents throughout the course of 16 LIGHTHOUSE ROAD, and she purposely chose not to answer and/or resolve them by the end. Therefore, under such circumstances, a curious reader -- like myself -- must learn the answers to such questions left dangling. So... Having said that, I definitely had high expectations for 204 ROSEWOOD LANE. And, I am pleased to say that this novel satisfied almost all of those expectations well. Sadly, I found a couple flaws -- one just a minor, personal pet peeve; whereas, the other flaw actually effected my view of the plot. So... Taking the happy, heartwarming moments into consideration alongside those flaws, I awarded 204 ROSEWOOD LANE a rating of 4.5 stars. And, before I forget... Once again, I would like to thank my sweet friend, Meleah Jensen, for recommending the Cedar Cove series by Debbie Macomber.

I enjoyed reading 204 ROSEWOOD LANE. Just as I did in the previous novel, 16 LIGHTHOUSE ROAD, I found the town of Cedar Cove, Washington, to be a charming, lovely, picturesque, and slow-paced place. And... Just as I did in 16 LIGHTHOUSE ROAD, I found the people who live in the community of Cedar Cove, Washington, to be good-matured, interesting, and kind-hearted. Once again, I enjoyed catching up with these following principal characters whom Debbie Macomber introduced in 16 LIGHTHOUSE ROAD: Judge Olivia Lockhart; Stan Lockhart, Olivia's ex-husband of 15 years; Marge Lockhart, Stan's second wife of 15 years; Jordan Lockhart, Olivia's older son who died in a drowning accident at 13; Justine Lockhart Gunderson, Olivia's daughter; Seth Gunderson, Justine's newlywed husband and Jordan's long-ago childhood friend; James Lockhart, Olivia's younger son; Selina Solis Lockhart, James's newlywed wife; Isabella Delores Lockhart, James's infant daughter; Charlotte Jefferson, Olivia's mother; Grace Sherman, Olivia's best friend and head librarian at the Cedar Cove Library; Daniel Sherman, Grace's husband of 35 years; Maryellen Sherman, Grace's older daughter; Kelly Sherman Kelso, Grace's younger daughter; Paul Kelso, Kelly's husband; Tyler Daniel Kelso, Kelly's infant son; Jack Griffin, newspaper editor of The Cedar Cove Chronicle and Olivia's recent on-again/off-again boyfriend; Eric Griffin, Jack's son; Shelly Larson, Eric's significant other with whom he has been living for 2 years; Bob Beldon, owner of Thyme and Tide Bed and Breakfast; Peggy Beldon, Bob's wife of 30 years; Roy McAfee, retired police officer and private investigator; Corrie McAfee, Roy's wife and business assistant/secretary; Troy Davis, sheriff of Cedar Cove; Zach Cox; Rosie Cox, Zach's wife of 17 years; Allison Cox, Zach's 15-year-old daughter; Eddie Cox, Zach's 9-year-old son; Janice Lamond, Zach's new office assistant, Cliff Harding, the grandson of Tom Harding (a.k.a. Tom Houston) who had pursued a career as an actor in the 1940's-1950's, as well as became a friend of Charlotte Jefferson before he passed away in Cedar Cove's nursing home; and John Bowman, a local artist and chef. Because I read 16 LIGHTHOUSE ROAD, I could not wait to get to know the majority of Cedar Cove's residents better. I especially enjoyed watching all of the newfound relationships grow between the couples who are either recently married or dating. That growing love provided many "bright spots" through the plot of 204 ROSEWOOD LANE. Also, I enjoyed meeting the majority of the principal and minor characters whom Debbie Macomber introduced in this second novel. Most of those new characters who were introduced in 204 ROSEWOOD LANE were interesting, likable, and pleasant. They added dimension and growth to the plot. But... Having said that, I experienced mixed emotions concerning the mystery that surrounded Dan Sherman's disappearance, which occurred in 16 LIGHTHOUSE ROAD. Honestly, I felt utter relief once the numerous questions that Grace, Maryellen, and Kelly had been asking for the past 6 months or so. However, I was saddened by the cruel, tragic reason that Dan actually disappeared.

On the other hand, though... I was upset by the flaws that I found throughout the course of 204 ROSEWOOD LANE. First, I noticed the fact that Debbie Macomber changed the names of ONE of the principal characters. Debbie Macomber changed the name of James Lockhart's infant daughter from Isabella Delores Lockhart in 16 LIGHTHOUSE ROAD to Isadora Delores Lockhart through 204 ROSEWOOD LANE. This flaw of changing the names of character/characters in a book series is one that I categorize as a minor, albeit personal pet peeve. After all, I consider myself to be the kind of detail-oriented reader who truly appreciates and grows attached to the characters. So... Having said that, I consider myself to be the kind of reader who believes that the names that an author chooses for her characters in the FIRST novel of a series SHOULD remain the names of those characters throughout the entire series. Second, I realized early on during the plot of 204 ROSEWOOD LANE that I did not like Zach Cox; Rosie Cox, Zach's wife of 17 years; Allison Cox, Zach's 15-year-old daughter; and Eddie Cox, Zach's 9-year-old son at all. The extreme dislike that I felt toward this family effected my view of the portions of the plot that pertained to them, their life, and their situation. Honestly, I found all four members of this everyday, ordinary Cedar Cove family annoying. In fact, in my humble opinion, I felt that this family's involvement in 204 ROSEWOOD LANE to be pointless. Therefore... Having said that, I can only hope that the Cox family's involvement in the next novel will improve. Also, I can only hope that Zach Cox; Rosie Cox, Zach's wife of 17 years; Allison Cox, Zach's 15-year-old daughter; and Eddie Cox, Zach's 9-year-old son will learn to communicate in a healthy manner and will embrace the true meaning of being a family who cares for one another, no matter the circumstances. May the Cox family's involvement in the next novel be positive.

So... I look forward to reading the next novel included in the Cedar Cove series. I can not wait to find out what will happen to each one of the principal characters whom Debbie Macomber introduced in 204 ROSEWOOD LANE. I can not wait to discover the other secrets that each character possesses; however, Debbie Macomber did not chose to reveal in the plot of 204 ROSEWOOD LANE. Most of all, though, I can only hope that I will enjoy reading the next novel included in the Cedar Cove series as much as I enjoyed reading both 16 LIGHTHOUSE ROAD and 204 ROSEWOOD LANE up to this point. Therefore... I will say farewell for now. That is, of course, until we meet again, my new friends...

[Barbalata Mirela · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Speranțe renăscute" este o carte caldă, uşoară, o carte ce te transpune în mijlocul unor evenimente mai puțin plăcute dar care te face să îți pui câteva întrebări esențiale. Sunt prezentate mai multe poveşti de viaţă, reîntâlnim personaje din primul volum, facem cunoştință cu noi personaje dar ideea de bază este aceeaşi: nu poți să ştii ce îți aduce ziua de mâine, nimic nu este ceea ce pare dar nici întâmplător.
Este o carte despre noi înşine, despre familie, despre decizii, despre speranță şi puterea de a o lua de la capät.
Personal, mi-a plăcut mai mult primul volum, mi s-a părut mai intens iar poveştile mai credibile. Acum, ceva a scârțâit ;) . Plus că finalul m-a lăsat debusolată :( . Îmi venea sä intru în carte şi să o iau la rost pe Olivia, judecătoarea: oi fi tu fată isteaţă, sufletistă, foarte bună în carierä dar acum ai dat cu bâta-n baltă 🤔🤔😞😞......hmmmm, dacă în primul volum mi-a plăcut personajul ei, acum m-a enervat maxim. Sper să mi-o "trântească" autoarea în volumul următor şi să îşi primească lecția.......prea perfecta se crede 😬😬 . Da, ştiu sunt rea 😂😂😂 .

[Loraine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Debbie Macomber's books are often hit or miss especially some of her earlier ones. I just finished Rose Harbor in Bloom and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to reading another of her Cedar Cove books. The premise of this story sounded very good, but after getting halfway through and coming across several sexually explicit scenes. I had had enough.

I do NOT recommend this book and only gave it a 2 because it did have a chance of being a good story if the author had excluded the objectional parts.

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't read anymore of this series. I loved the show. The characters in the book are so much different. I tried to like Grace and her family but, ugh, I just couldn't.

[Leane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Sabine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Die Rose Harbor-Reihe der Autorin habe ich ja sehr gerne gemocht, weil es eben nicht einfach nur eine „Heile Welt“ war, die die Autorin dort erschaffen hat. Es gab Charaktere mit Ecken und Kanten und in der Geschichte Höhen und Tiefen. Halt so, wie das Leben eben spielt. Gleiches hatte ich mir auch von der neuen Reihe „Cedar Cove“ versprochen – doch schon Band 1 hat mich nicht richtig packen können, Band 2 leider noch viel weniger.

Mittlerweile hatte ich nicht mehr das Problem mit den unzähligen Charakteren, denn die kannte ich ja schon aus dem ersten Teil; außerdem gibt es diesmal ein Personenverzeichnis, wo man dann auch kurz nachgucken konnte, wer eigentlich wer ist. Dazugekommen ist lediglich ein Ehepaar, Rosie und Zach, bei denen sich eine Ehekrise abzeichnet. Alle anderen bekannten Figuren begleitet man weiter bei ihren Auf und Ab‘s ihrer Liebesgeschichten.

Und mehr passiert eigentlich auch nicht. Was hat mir überhaupt nicht gefallen, dass man immer nur in die einzelnen Leben hineinschaut und dort einzelne Szenen verfolgt, immer aber geht es nur um die Liebschaften, niemals um anderes, was noch passiert – dabei hat doch jeder auch Freunde und Bekannte, einen Job, Hobbies; aber es bleibt bei dem Thema Liebe und Beziehung.

Es ist ein ewiges Hin und Her zwischen Olivia und Jack, Jack und Eric, Grace und Cliff und Dan, Justine und Seth, Maryellen und Jon. Meist ist es so, dass die Frauen aus unterschiedlichsten Gründen vor einer neuerlichen Beziehung zurückschrecken, die Männer aber nicht aufgeben und immer und immer wieder bei ihnen „vorsprechen“. Mit Realität hatte das für mich nichts zu tun – und dazu kommt noch, dass mich kaum einer der Charaktere irgendwie so sehr interessierte, dass ich gefiebert habe, wie es weitergeht. Nein – das stimmt nicht: Das Verschwinden Dans aus Band eins war natürlich auch jetzt wieder Thema und tatsächlich wird das auch aufgeklärt. Und ein Mann, der zu seinem Kind steht, dass aber erst noch geboren werden will (wer es ist, möchte ich nicht sagen, um nicht zu spoilern), hat mich neugierig gemacht – wie geht es mit ihm und seinem Kind weiter. Aber alle anderen? Ich habe sie so wenig verstanden in ihrem Verhalten, dass sie mir sehr fremd sind und damit leider auch eher gleichgültig.

Der Schreibstil ist wieder leicht zu lesen und das Buch ist auch rasch beendet. Gefehlt haben mir aber Atmosphäre und Charme, einfach das gewisse Etwas, was die Menschen in Cedar Cove besonders macht, oder liebenswert. So kann man das Buch lesen, muss man aber nicht. Ich gebe gutgemeinte 3 von 5 Sternen.

Mein Fazit
Ich bin enttäuscht, wie es weitergegangen ist in der Reihe, weil es nur um Beziehungen und vor allem um die Probleme darin zu gehen scheint. Die meisten Charaktere kann ich in ihrem Handeln überhaupt nicht verstehen, so dass sie mich auch nicht fesseln konnten; dafür ist das Buch schnell gelesen, weil der Schreibstil leicht und locker ist und die Seiten rasch dahinfliegen. Ich bin noch unschlüssig, ob ich die Reihe weiterlesen soll – diesem Band gebe ich gutgemeinte 3 von 5 Sternen.

[TinaNoir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life trundles on in the small town of Cedar Cove in Washington State.

Olivia's husband Stan, who divorced her 16 years ago, is now having martial problems and wants Olivia back. Zach and Rose Cox are having marital problems. He's tired of he incessant volunteerism which he feels is making her neglect the family. She thinks he's having an affair with his assistant. MaryEllen Sherman has a one night stand with a guy who is obviously smitten with her, bit she has trust issues. And her mother, Grace, is still grappling with the fact that her husband of 35 years simply walked out the door one day and did not return.

I generally love these big cast of character stories with lots of intermingling between the plots and characters. And I generally love soap operatic elements in a story. So I should be sopping this book up with a biscuit!

Alas, I am not. For some reason this book isn't sucking me in like I think it should be. Part of the problem could be because of the storytelling style. Macomber seems to lurch from one person, one event to the next. There is very little emotional connection being made between these people and the reader.

She probably manages the best with the divorcing couple. The bitterness and rancor in their exchanges ring very true. Their lack of communication and perspective is well written. Although the way this series is being written, I wouldn't be surprised if they were to somehow make up later on.

Probably the least satisfying is how Grace's husband disappearance is going. It is such an intriguing plot idea but the execution is lacking. It should be fraught with emotional tension and terror. But it seems really emotionally bare.

Also, I am disappointed that although this series seems to ostensibly be about a community, you get very little feel of the town itself. The town should be a character but it isn't.

Not loving it like I think I should. But I'll continue to read. Maybe it'll get better.

[Kaye · Rating 2 out of 5]

After enjoying the first book in the Cedar Cove series, I expected to like this one too. How disappointing.

The book picks up where the first leaves off, with the introduction of a couple of new faces. Unfortunately the writing is so bad it is embarrassing and frustrating. The book has very little by way of a plot, and many of the characters are shallow and empty, with most incredibly one-dimensional. The women are so simpering and weak, and any problems they have are "magically" cured by finding a perfect man and having a baby...

The story jumps all around the place and there is no flow. For example, one character arranges dinner with another, and the reader is anticipating that scene with interest. However on the next page, that character is having a coffee at home thinking about the dinner that happened three weeks ago... That's it! No detail! No description! In academic-speak, this is called 'telling' not "showing", and is a writing no-no.

So are there any redeeming features of this book? Not many, but the setting and scenery are delightful, and makes the reader want to visit, if not live, in Cedar Cove. And I like some of the characters, namely Grace and Jack, who are both likeable but more complex and have more depth than many others.

I am hoping the writing improves in the next book, or I won't be finishing the entire series.