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Coral Sands #1
The Birchwood House
Escape to Coral Sands, a charming seaside town where second chances, sweet romance, and family ties are waiting for you!
A vanished husband. A devastating secret. A chance for three generations of women to start over.
When Audrey Lowe’s husband disappears without a word, she’s frantic, certain something terrible has happened to him. But worry turns to shock when she finds out the truth: he’s run off with a younger woman. Even worse, he secretly stopped paying the mortgage, leaving Audrey heartbroken and facing foreclosure.
Her adult daughter Michelle is also reeling from an upheaval after losing her job. So when Audrey’s mother, Elaine, offers them a place to stay in the large waterfront mansion she inherited years ago, they pack up and move to the small Maine town of Coral Sands.
Together, grandmother, mother, and daughter work to restore both their family bonds and the historic old house. As they do, an ambitious idea begins to take shape: what if they turn the mansion into a local hotel that they can run together?
As she takes on that daunting project, Audrey reconnects with childhood friends and has a clumsy run-in with Evan McBride, the town’s handsome mayor. His charming grin leaves her flustered in a way she never expected to feel again—but despite the way he gets under her skin, she’s wary of risking her still-healing heart.
Will she ever be able to move past the loss and betrayal that brought her to Coral Sands? Or do some things follow you no matter where you go?
Leave your worries behind and pay a visit to Coral Sands, a picturesque small town on the coast of Maine filled with a cast of characters you’ll come to love. This warm and uplifting women’s fiction story is a reminder that it’s never too late to start over, and that everything is sweeter with family and friends by your side!
A vanished husband. A devastating secret. A chance for three generations of women to start over.
When Audrey Lowe’s husband disappears without a word, she’s frantic, certain something terrible has happened to him. But worry turns to shock when she finds out the truth: he’s run off with a younger woman. Even worse, he secretly stopped paying the mortgage, leaving Audrey heartbroken and facing foreclosure.
Her adult daughter Michelle is also reeling from an upheaval after losing her job. So when Audrey’s mother, Elaine, offers them a place to stay in the large waterfront mansion she inherited years ago, they pack up and move to the small Maine town of Coral Sands.
Together, grandmother, mother, and daughter work to restore both their family bonds and the historic old house. As they do, an ambitious idea begins to take shape: what if they turn the mansion into a local hotel that they can run together?
As she takes on that daunting project, Audrey reconnects with childhood friends and has a clumsy run-in with Evan McBride, the town’s handsome mayor. His charming grin leaves her flustered in a way she never expected to feel again—but despite the way he gets under her skin, she’s wary of risking her still-healing heart.
Will she ever be able to move past the loss and betrayal that brought her to Coral Sands? Or do some things follow you no matter where you go?
Leave your worries behind and pay a visit to Coral Sands, a picturesque small town on the coast of Maine filled with a cast of characters you’ll come to love. This warm and uplifting women’s fiction story is a reminder that it’s never too late to start over, and that everything is sweeter with family and friends by your side!
212 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 7, 2026
About the author
Fiona Baker
23 books36 followersLibrarian Note: This profile contains multiple authors.
See also: Romance author Fiona Baker
See also: Romance author Fiona Baker
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 13, 2026
Simplistic Formulaic Style
This book reads like a middling Hallmark film—and I don't say that lightly. I'm sure many readers will find it engaging, but after spending several hours with a book, I want something with more depth.
As a devoted historical fiction reader, I gravitate toward emotionally resonant stories. I genuinely hoped for a breezy summer read, yet the character dialogue felt forced and unconvincing. Michelle especially came across as a high schooler rather than a young professional who'd graduated and entered the workforce.
Take this moment: when one character suggests converting the mansion into a hotel, the scene lacked weight. A stronger exchange might have shown them researching the building's history first, or ideally, the grandmother proposing a girls' trip to tour a nearby inn. After speaking with the owners and learning what they discovered, they could have turned to each other and said, "We can actually do this"—rather than jumping straight to "Let's open a hotel" and rushing off to shop for decorative baskets and blankets.
I've never written a review quite like this one, but it needed to be said. have read other books by Fiona baker That seem to have more depth And so I was saddened by the fact that this book was so mediocre
This book reads like a middling Hallmark film—and I don't say that lightly. I'm sure many readers will find it engaging, but after spending several hours with a book, I want something with more depth.
As a devoted historical fiction reader, I gravitate toward emotionally resonant stories. I genuinely hoped for a breezy summer read, yet the character dialogue felt forced and unconvincing. Michelle especially came across as a high schooler rather than a young professional who'd graduated and entered the workforce.
Take this moment: when one character suggests converting the mansion into a hotel, the scene lacked weight. A stronger exchange might have shown them researching the building's history first, or ideally, the grandmother proposing a girls' trip to tour a nearby inn. After speaking with the owners and learning what they discovered, they could have turned to each other and said, "We can actually do this"—rather than jumping straight to "Let's open a hotel" and rushing off to shop for decorative baskets and blankets.
I've never written a review quite like this one, but it needed to be said. have read other books by Fiona baker That seem to have more depth And so I was saddened by the fact that this book was so mediocre
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September 19, 2026see note
Amazon synopsis:
A vanished husband. A devastating secret. A chance for three generations of women to start over.
When Audrey Lowe’s husband disappears without a word, she’s frantic, certain something terrible has happened to him. But worry turns to shock when she finds out the truth: he’s run off with a younger woman. Even worse, he secretly stopped paying the mortgage, leaving Audrey heartbroken and facing foreclosure.
Her adult daughter Michelle is also reeling from an upheaval after losing her job. So when Audrey’s mother, Elaine, offers them a place to stay in the large waterfront mansion she inherited years ago, they pack up and move to the small Maine town of Coral Sands.
Together, grandmother, mother, and daughter work to restore both their family bonds and the historic old house. As they do, an ambitious idea begins to take shape: what if they turn the mansion into a local hotel that they can run together?
Amazon synopsis:
A vanished husband. A devastating secret. A chance for three generations of women to start over.
When Audrey Lowe’s husband disappears without a word, she’s frantic, certain something terrible has happened to him. But worry turns to shock when she finds out the truth: he’s run off with a younger woman. Even worse, he secretly stopped paying the mortgage, leaving Audrey heartbroken and facing foreclosure.
Her adult daughter Michelle is also reeling from an upheaval after losing her job. So when Audrey’s mother, Elaine, offers them a place to stay in the large waterfront mansion she inherited years ago, they pack up and move to the small Maine town of Coral Sands.
Together, grandmother, mother, and daughter work to restore both their family bonds and the historic old house. As they do, an ambitious idea begins to take shape: what if they turn the mansion into a local hotel that they can run together?
September 29, 2026
It was a cute, easy read, however, I was expecting more from this book. I feel like the storyline was way too rushed, like all the characters are driven by their impulses, and they're constantly on the go. I get it if there is one character, or two at the most, like that, but all of them is unrealistic.
I would have loved to see more depth in Audrey's emotional processing. It felt very superficial, as if it was put in the story just because it would feel too fake without it. Michelle needed more depth too. I constantly forgot that she is an adult. The way she's written feels like she's a teenager, and her treatment of Theo is very childish.
There were also several basic grammar and spelling mistakes throughout the book, so I think it needs more careful editing.
In summary, it's a good read to take a break from heavy books, but it lacks the depth needed to make it a great story.
I would have loved to see more depth in Audrey's emotional processing. It felt very superficial, as if it was put in the story just because it would feel too fake without it. Michelle needed more depth too. I constantly forgot that she is an adult. The way she's written feels like she's a teenager, and her treatment of Theo is very childish.
There were also several basic grammar and spelling mistakes throughout the book, so I think it needs more careful editing.
In summary, it's a good read to take a break from heavy books, but it lacks the depth needed to make it a great story.
August 7, 2026
After learning of her husband's cheating, Audrey Lowe and her daughter Michelle move to Coral Sands, where her mother Elaine lives in a large mansion. The divorce has soured Audrey on dating and finding love again, but the little town is full of wonderful surprises. Mayor Evan McBride is intrigued by the feisty Audrey, and helps her with some of her plans for the mansion. It was wonderful focusing on all three generations of strong women who plan to turn Birchwood House into a museum and small hotel. This opening book draws us in, awaiting for more adventures of the Lowe family.
August 17, 2026
The Beachwood House
This story was a breath of fresh air. A new beginning with a new endeavor and romance. I can't wait to see what happens. I hope you find this helpful. Enjoy
This story was a breath of fresh air. A new beginning with a new endeavor and romance. I can't wait to see what happens. I hope you find this helpful. Enjoy
September 26, 2026
Boring! Waited for story to get interesting but it never did.
October 1, 2026
Kindle unlimited
October 4, 2026
Hmmm
Not one of the best I've read by this author. Was a bit boring. Only one star for this one.
Not one of the best I've read by this author. Was a bit boring. Only one star for this one.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews