6 Rainier Drive

Cedar Cove #6

by Debbie Macomber

6 RAINER DRIVE
CEDAR COVE, WASHINGTON

DEAR READER,

As you may have heard, we've recently had quite a shock. My husband, Seth, and I lost our business, The Lighthouse restaurant --- to arson. The investigation continues. The prime suspect is a young ex-employee named Anson Butler, who disappeared right after the fire.

So Seth and I are trying to sort out our lives. (And let me tell you, this kind of crisis is not good for a marriage.) In the meantime, life goes on for everyone else in Cedar Cove --- with marriages, births, reunions and even the occasional scandal. One of the most interesting pieces of news is that Cal, who works on Cliff Harding's ranch, is now rescuing wild mustangs from Wyoming.

I have to run --- I'm meeting an old friend, Warren Saget, for lunch. Let's talk soon, and I'll fill you in on everything that's happening in town!

JUSTINE

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

489 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

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

[Kati · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like these books, but I wish the author would spend a little less time reminding us of past events from previous books. I realize she does this so people who start in the middle of the series aren't lost, but I'd rather she just assume we'd read the previous books. For those of us who have read the previous books it gets redundant.

[Suz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahh. I've just breathed a little sigh of contentment. The Cedar Cove books are neat. Neat with mostly right and moral characters, neat with just the right amount of angst and tension. Neat with fighting, and with the making up. Neat with wrapping up just so, and so so neat at leading us into the next instalment. Bobby and Teri were my favourite characters here in no. 6, and lucky for me we get to know more about these two in no. 7. There's a splattering of the 'bad guy' element here, when the quirky international chess extraordinaire Bobby is shaken when he realises his nail technician and new wife has been threatened! He doesn't like to lose and will not let this happen! I'm also keen to follow up with Rachel, Bruce and Jolene. I giggle sometimes in Cedar Cove, where the fashion and eating habits seem so straight! I don't know how food can seem that way, but everything in this series does in a way. Even where Teri talked about birth control. It's neat and sweet and all things nice. I'll be back for more. Did I ever tell you about a 'book whisperer' that I know? Thank you Marianne.

[Shelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS

I've read the Cedar Cove series in order so 6 books now and I have to say that I'm really glad Macomber grew as a writer AFTER writing these books. The Blossom Street Series is wonderful, but Cedar Cove has a ton of issues.

1. Justine and Warren Saget. Come on now. Anyone who had been married 5 years and had a child would not allow this guy to continue pursuing her. The first time he mentioned wanting her back, a mature woman would have said "You're insane and don't ever come near me" and would have kept to that statement. Not Justine. She allows him to continue visiting her at the bank, she has lunch with him, etc. Ridiculous.

2. Terri and Bobby Polgar. I have realized that every single woman in Cedar Cove is apparently totally emotionally damaged. ALL of them push away the men in their lives while still hoping they will continue to pursue. WTF?? Get therapy, all of you.

3. Linnette and Cal. Really? So Cal decides he doesn't want to be with Linnette and her solution is to break her lease, break her work contract and leave town?? Again, what is wrong with all the women in this town?? The fact that she's a Physician's Assistant is just disturbing because she's completely stupid apparently. So the guy broke up with you. Get your girlfriends together for a big cry fest, eat some Ben & Jerry's and move on. You don't leave town obliterating your life because of a breakup. What's going to happen when you break up with the next guy in the next town? You're going to leave then too? GET A GRIP.

Sadly, the most mature characters in the town are Allison and Anson and they're teenagers!!

[Debby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read Books 1-6 of this series. I realize that there is a loyal fan base who adores Debbie Macomber, but I'm not as dedicated as they are. The pluses to this series, is that this is good "clean" reading. No R-rated sex scenes, and no blood and gore. The reason I kept downloading the audible books is that I got suckered into wanting to know what happens next... I can't stand having plots that leave you hanging. By the way, the audio book narrator isn't my favorite. I have to speed up the audio, because she narrates in a maddening slow pace. Anyhow, I'll probably listen to the last book, so I can know what happens. I'll tell you what makes my eyes roll so much... why is it that so many of these women are such whiners?! They get mad at "their man" and won't speak up. It seems like they play games, and that strings out the inevitable reconciliation. Still, these books are G-Rated plots and that's not a bad thing.

[Tammie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked 6 Ranier Drive about as much as the rest of the series so far. The negatives for me were that the book repeated itself unnecessarily a lot. I got bored reading about Maryellen being on bed rest and Jon and his issues with his parents. This was the main part of the book that I found to be really repetitive and I'm glad those issues are resolved now. Also I was disappointed in the Cal/ Lynette story line and
thought it ended up being pretty pointless with Lynette acting pretty childish and Cal being a bit of a jerk. Also The Teri/Bobby whirlwind romance was a little weird. Bobby himself is just weird. And I thought Seth was really written out of character just to add drama to the story.

The positives were Olivia and Jack are finally pleasant to read about again, and some long running story lines were resolved. I'm halfway through the series now and still hanging in there

Review also posted at Writings of a Reader

[Jeanine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love reading the Cedar Cove series. This is the 6th book, out of 12, in this series. I can't wait to get book number 7, to find out what will happen next. Each book contains some of the characters from earlier books, & the author also introduces new people & new situations. There is so much drama, but not silly, soap opera-like scenarios. They are very realistic people, which is what makes the stories so enjoyable. I can relate to many of the people & what they go through, in their lives. There are family stories, romances, life & death, mystery & suspense. Whenever I am reading one of Debbie Macomber's books, I hate to put it down.

I love the techniques Ms. Macomber uses. For example, each chapter is about a different person or family. So, at the end of each chapter, which usually has a bit of a cliffhanger, I have to wait a while to find out what happens next. At the end of each book, some issues are resolved, but some are left unresolved. That's what makes the reader want to read the next book, as quickly as possible. Another trick the author uses frequently is the surprise twist. I become complacent, thinking I know what direction one of the stories is going, until I get hit with a genuine surprise. That is one of the reasons her books are so good.

Also, the people are very realistic & endearing. I know that some readers DO feel there is a soap-opera feel to these stories, but I disagree. I have met many women in my life, & there are, indeed, some women who do not speak up when they should, or who push good men away, or who will even leave town when there is a break-up. I have gotten frustrated with some women I have known, but the reality is that not all women are strong & stand up for themselves. There are also women, in real life, who are are "wimpy" &"whiney," & we see some of these types in the books. However, many women, in real life, ARE strong, including myself, & we see women who are strong in this series of books, too, such as Olivia & even the teenager, Allison, for example. We also see a wide range of men in these books. There are some kind, loving men, & there are some not-so-nice guys, too, ranging from being unthinking to being downright mean, though I'm glad this last type is not seen very often.

Also, I'd have to say that, as far as sexuality goes, it is quite G-rated, & I prefer it that way. The author gets across the sensuality & sexuality of the characters very clearly, but leaves the details of their sex lives behind their doors. That makes for a much more interesting story, in my opinion. The intensity of feelings certainly comes across to the reader very well, & sometimes, what's left to the imagination can be more intense than when it's put down in words, in a book.

Anyone can enjoy her books. The people are multi-generational; so, whether you are a teenager, an adult or a senior, there are people to relate to.
Well, it's time to go to the library to get book number seven, of the Cedar Cove series. :)

[Lesr · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 I kept reading so that says something ha ha! But a few things were cheesy and redundant, and that’s from someone who hadn’t read another of her books or this series. If I had I would likely get tired of the repeated updates or background facts or things that were or should have been implied and did not need an explanation. I would have liked to come to some conclusions on my own. I would prefer less people and less repetition to help you remember them all. That’s it. lol! It felt like I was watching Virgen River TV series with like ten more families. lol.

[Drebbles · Rating 3 out of 5]

As "6 Rainier Drive" begins, Seth and Justine Gunderson are still reeling from the loss of their restaurant, The Lighthouse, because of arson. The police suspect their ex-employee, Anson Butler, who ran away, set the fire, but his girlfriend, Allison Cox, is convinced he is innocent. As Seth and Justine disagree about whether or not to rebuild The Lighthouse, other residents in Cedar Cove, Washington also have their own struggles. Mary Ellen Bowman is on bed rest due to a difficult pregnancy and her husband Jon has reluctantly agreed to let his estranged father and stepmother help out. Linette McAfee is dating horse trainer Cal Washburn and is upset when he decides to go to Wyoming to rescue wild mustangs. Rachel Pendergast is dating navy man Nathan Olsen but is aware that his mother doesn't think a nail technician is good enough for her son. And Rachel's coworker, Teri Miller, is in an interesting relationship with chess player Bobby Polgar.

Debbie Macomber's "6 Rainier Drive" is a cozy if unchallenging read. Those who have read the previous five books in Macomber's Cedar Cove series will enjoy this book, but newcomers may be confused with the large cast of characters. The book is almost five hundred pages long, but could have been much shorter with some good editing. The writing could have been tightened up; not only does Macomber have too many characters to begin with, she also adds scenes with miscellaneous characters that aren't necessary and add nothing to the story. Macomber would have been better off developing some of the romances in the book. For example, while the Teri and Bobby romance was a lot of fun (Bobby is a nice, refreshing, and fun character) it would have been better if the romance developed over the course of a few books. It felt rushed to me. However, Macomber is really good at creating characters readers care about for better or worse: I really liked Bobby; by the end of the book I really disliked Linette. Also, the story line with Jon and his father and stepmother was very touching.

Readers who like soap opera type books will love Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove series.

[Sharon Mariampillai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredible read. The series just keeps getting better and better. I love Debbie Macomber writes her stories, and how she develops her characters. 6 Rainier Drive is the six adventure in the Cedar Cove series, and it does not disappoint. I loved seeing the characters again, especially Seth and Justine after the fire that burnt their restaurant down. I thought it was interesting to see how Allison Cox's character has developed. The book had its signature funny moments, and some sad ones as well. However, I think the mystery around the fire that burnt Justine and Seth's restaurant being solved made the book more intriguing as there was suspense as to who had done it. I am excited to see where the series will go. I cannot wait to read book 7. Overall, an amazing read.

[Bingbong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is a constant!!

Each book is as good as the previous.

Number 6 added a bit of a who-dunnit.......it was brilliant!!! I was mostly correct with who i thought burnt down the Restaurant!!

I love this series!! The morals are good, The men all have excellent manners, except for the ones who don't and luckily they never get the girl!!! hahahahah

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five Lighthouses!

This series will always be one of my favorites. It has everything including characters to love and hate, ones to make you cry, ones to make you smile and ones to make you laugh. Well done, Macomber. On to book 7!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤❤❤❤ Loved it! I was totally wrong about who set the fire 😱

[Karen J · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2

[Lisa Cornelius Ashby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in love with the Cedar Cove series. I enjoy the town, the characters, and their intertwined lives within the story. This is Book #6 in this series, and it had some parts that left me elated along with some parts that left me sad. I can’t wait til I dive into book #7 very soon!

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 Rainier Drive is the sixth full-length novel in the Cedar Cove series by Debbie Macomber. Once again, we join Olivia, Grace, Charlotte and all our favourite characters in Cedar Cove to learn what’s happening in their lives: Seth and Justine Gundersen discover what it takes to come to terms with the destruction of their restaurant, The Lighthouse, by fire; Allison Cox finds her faith in her boyfriend, Anson Butler’s innocence of fire setting is tested; Linnette McAfee begins to doubt Cal Washburn’s feelings for her; Ben and Charlotte Rhodes realise that they both have sons who have disappointed them; hair stylist Teri Miller falls for a famous chess player; Maryellen’s pregnancy puts a strain on the Bowman household until Jon’s estranged parents come to help out; Rachel Pendergast is forced to meet Nate Olsen’s disapproving mother; and after renting Grace’s house at 204 Rosewood Lane, Cecelia and Ian Randall find they have a tough decision to make. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments in this novel, as well as a few tears, and the nystery of the fire is solved. This has been aptly described as good-spirited gossipy writing, and fans of the Cedar Cove series will not be disappointed.

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished a reread of 6 Rainier Drive and it was even better the second time around. I love these characters of Cedar Cove and feel so invested in this one!

I felt so much for Seth and Justine and hated the way he turned away from her after the restaurant burned. I really hurt for them and was happy with the way the situation played out. I enjoyed the Allison and Anson parts of the story too.

I loved the Teri and Bobby storyline, and thought it was fun and entertaining.

Maryellen and Jon are wonderful characters, and it was great to have some resolution finally on he and his family.

I felt really badly for Lynette in this one, and wanted to thump Cal.

There was so much going on in this book, and it seemed to fly by. It was a very quick read for me, and I enjoyed every bit of it.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another great addition to the series and each book picks up from where the last one left off and ends with a cliffhanger ready for the next book.
The books read very much like a soap opera but I find most of the characters likeable and want to find out what happens next.

[Nancy A. Norman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprise ending!

More interesting twists in this story. Some not what I expected at all. I did miss Olivia and Jack as their part in the story was smaller.

[Samantha Clysdale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my fave. I really dislike Justine and Cal in this book. Justine having the poor me attitude and having her own way. Cal for not being straight forward.

[Bona Caballero · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gracias al Reto RITA 2.0, acuñé una nueva frase, «hacerse un macomber». Para mí es equivalente a leer algo que es un pestiño, por mucho que el nombre de la autora sea popular.
El mes que tocaba esta autora, cogí esta novela, que no sé si es propia de ella o no. Más me parece sentimental que romántica.

No hay una pareja protagonista, sino un montón de personajes. Sería como una película coral. La cámara entra en una casa, luego retrocede, se fija en otro personaje, luego otro… Y la vieja del visillo te va cotilleando lo que le pasa a cada uno y su historia. Está bien escrita, los personajes suenan muy auténticos, pero… no me estaba contando nada que fuera de mi interés.

Crítica más extensa, en mi blog.

[Nirit · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the first page of this book I thought I knew who the arsonist was. But when I found out who it was, I was completely surprised. It was great how Debbie Macomber managed to blindside the readers up until the end of the book.
I loved the story of Linnette and Cal. I was heart broken with Linnette, and I hope that the next book will bring her a new love.
The romance between Terri and Bobby is interesting and funny. I`m looking forward to find out what is waiting for them in book no.7

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was all right. It was the first Cedar Cove story I have read which I admit was out of turn in the series so I was lost a bit. Different from the show which I watched when it was originally on. I can't say I liked all the characters in this book, felt some of them were a little too contrived and a bit too over the top, but at the same time, that may want me to read at least one more to see if they stay that way.
Interesting.

[GarageNinja1 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty good book. I say pretty good .. because I dislike books with so many different stories going at same time. It’s taken me 8 months to power through and finish reading this book that’s all over the place. Typically I love the authors books. Not this one. Not at all.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy how it goes from family to family and back again. Who would have thought it was who it was that burned the restaurant down. I thought it was Daniel, Ben's son.

[Carol Fellenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who would ever want to hurt people you love???

[Tricia Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this was a good one. Debbie even put a twist in the story. I won’t give it away but I didn’t expect what happened. Now onto the next book . I truly love reading her books.

[Lexi W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could be a little hard to follow with so many different characters (and jumping in mid-series), but it was better than I expected.

[Leane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Really enjoyed this one! Cedar Cove is getting interesting!

[Judy Churchill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t believe there is so much intrigue in such a small community but it is exciting!

[Decia Immers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it once again. But it would be so much better if the author wouldn’t remind us so much about past events. It’s redundant and annoying sometimes. However I really liked the storylines in this one, much more than in the previous book.