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Camden Cove #4
The Christmas Cottage by the Cove
Her fiancé dumped her right before Christmas. Can an old flame help her find more than just holiday cheer? Grab this second chance Christmas romance!
Previously published as, "Merrier with You."
Kate O'Neil is convinced true love is as real as Santa Claus when her fiancé breaks off their engagement right before the holidays.
Now, she wants to avoid the festivities altogether, so she takes their planned holiday vacation, alone, and flies to Camden Cove to wash away the pain.
When she lands in Maine during a nor'easter, she doesn't think her life could get much worse, until the heavy snow, and fate, cause her to slide off the road into a ditch.
Matt can't believe his eyes when he sees Kate is back in town. The girl who stole his heart fifteen years ago. The sight of her sweeps up memories and feelings he thought had drifted away long ago. When he finds out she's alone for the holidays, he's determined to make her forget the guy back home.
When mishaps lead to adventures, Kate has to choose between a life that's safe and familiar or take a plunge into the unknown.
Previously published as, "Merrier with You."
Kate O'Neil is convinced true love is as real as Santa Claus when her fiancé breaks off their engagement right before the holidays.
Now, she wants to avoid the festivities altogether, so she takes their planned holiday vacation, alone, and flies to Camden Cove to wash away the pain.
When she lands in Maine during a nor'easter, she doesn't think her life could get much worse, until the heavy snow, and fate, cause her to slide off the road into a ditch.
Matt can't believe his eyes when he sees Kate is back in town. The girl who stole his heart fifteen years ago. The sight of her sweeps up memories and feelings he thought had drifted away long ago. When he finds out she's alone for the holidays, he's determined to make her forget the guy back home.
When mishaps lead to adventures, Kate has to choose between a life that's safe and familiar or take a plunge into the unknown.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2021
722 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Joy
40 books113 followersEllen lives in a small town in New England, between the Atlantic Ocean and the White Mountains. She lives with her husband, two sons, and one very spoiled puppy princess.
Ellen writes in the early morning hours before her family wakes up. When she's not writing, you can find her spending time with her family, gardening with her puppy and chickens, or headed to the beach. She loves summer and flip-flops, running on a dirt country road, and a sweet love song.
All of her stories are clean romances where families are close, neighbors are nosy, and the couples are destined for each other.
Join Ellen Joy's newsletter to connect with Ellen and receive updates!
http://www.ellenjoyauthor.com
Ellen writes in the early morning hours before her family wakes up. When she's not writing, you can find her spending time with her family, gardening with her puppy and chickens, or headed to the beach. She loves summer and flip-flops, running on a dirt country road, and a sweet love song.
All of her stories are clean romances where families are close, neighbors are nosy, and the couples are destined for each other.
Join Ellen Joy's newsletter to connect with Ellen and receive updates!
http://www.ellenjoyauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
October 26, 2020
Yeah for Matt! Finally!!!
January 4, 2026
Another great book in the series.
This one brings us the story of Matt and Katie. A story of love lost and found again. A story of a journey, of the long way around to get where you are supposed to be in the end. I love the small town setting, the large family of Williams members and their dynamic. I recommend this book and the series.
This one brings us the story of Matt and Katie. A story of love lost and found again. A story of a journey, of the long way around to get where you are supposed to be in the end. I love the small town setting, the large family of Williams members and their dynamic. I recommend this book and the series.
July 2, 2024
Very cute continuation of the Camden Cove series. I loved the characters, each getting a second chance at finding each other. These aren’t great literature but they don’t need to be - who doesn’t want to escape for a few hours to a little coastal town in Maine?
April 28, 2021
The Christmas Cottage by the Cove
Matt met Kate as children. Kate would come spend the summers with her aunt Vivian. When Kate was 16 she never came back to visit. Matt wrote to her and called her, but finally moved on when she didn't seem interested anymore. Now she's back and Matt realizes he still loves her.
Matt met Kate as children. Kate would come spend the summers with her aunt Vivian. When Kate was 16 she never came back to visit. Matt wrote to her and called her, but finally moved on when she didn't seem interested anymore. Now she's back and Matt realizes he still loves her.
December 7, 2023
The problem with Christmas romance books is that all of the problem has to start and end during the season. It doesn't allow for months of plot points. You can't epilogue with six months later. So a failed engagement and a crime has to get wrapped up pretty quick.
And Christmas happens in this story before most of the story even happens.
Kate ends up at the Cove because she planned to spend Christmas there with her fiancee to relive childhood memories. Eric tells her "he can't do this" right before the trip. So she goes anyway broken hearted.
When her rental car ends up in a ditch, she is surprised to be towed out by her former childhood love Matt.
Matt who has been through a messy divorce. His ex has already moved on and is newly reenaged. But here in front of him is the one who got away.
This book does a superb job of creating a community. I fell in love with the residents of the cove. I loved David and Frank as much as Katie did. I wanted to take a trip there myself.
But the then the crime. Matt is a lobster fisherman and lines are being cut of other guys. Then his. Then his boat is sunk. All in a week. Its a little rushed. But not enough to annoy me.
But Eric breaking things off on like the 23rd of December and her being totally over him to the point of not even thinking of taking him back before January 1st seems rushed. She obsessively checks her phone for his message and has healed from the hurt in 7 days. Maybe you don't notice how much time passes in other romances in other books because they aren't centered around major events.
Anyway, it's a nice story that just feels a bit rushed. I wish that Katie had planned a fall trip to the cove and that the drama played out over a couple months that culminated in the Christmas season. I still really love the characters rushed or not.
And Christmas happens in this story before most of the story even happens.
Kate ends up at the Cove because she planned to spend Christmas there with her fiancee to relive childhood memories. Eric tells her "he can't do this" right before the trip. So she goes anyway broken hearted.
When her rental car ends up in a ditch, she is surprised to be towed out by her former childhood love Matt.
Matt who has been through a messy divorce. His ex has already moved on and is newly reenaged. But here in front of him is the one who got away.
This book does a superb job of creating a community. I fell in love with the residents of the cove. I loved David and Frank as much as Katie did. I wanted to take a trip there myself.
But the then the crime. Matt is a lobster fisherman and lines are being cut of other guys. Then his. Then his boat is sunk. All in a week. Its a little rushed. But not enough to annoy me.
But Eric breaking things off on like the 23rd of December and her being totally over him to the point of not even thinking of taking him back before January 1st seems rushed. She obsessively checks her phone for his message and has healed from the hurt in 7 days. Maybe you don't notice how much time passes in other romances in other books because they aren't centered around major events.
Anyway, it's a nice story that just feels a bit rushed. I wish that Katie had planned a fall trip to the cove and that the drama played out over a couple months that culminated in the Christmas season. I still really love the characters rushed or not.
April 2, 2024
"The Christmas Cottage by the Cove" by Ellen Joy is an enchanting tale that beautifully captures the essence of not giving up and the enduring power of first love. Set against the backdrop of our favorite charming small town, this story takes readers on a heartwarming journey of starting over and discovering that sometimes, first love is indeed your forever. This story is a captivating narrative filled with warmth, hope, and the magic of the holiday season. The characters are deeply relatable, each navigating their own challenges and setbacks, yet finding strength and resilience in the face of adversity. The theme of new beginnings resonates throughout the story, reminding us that even the most painful endings can lead to beautiful transformations. My favorite quote of the book will stay with me long after finishing the book: "new beginnings are often disguised as painful endings." This profound insight encapsulates the central message of the story, highlighting the power of resilience and the potential for growth and happiness beyond difficult times.
"The Christmas Cottage by the Cove" is a must-read for anyone seeking a heartwarming tale of love, hope, and second chances. Ellen Joy's storytelling is both uplifting and inspiring, making this book a perfect addition to your holiday reading list, it will be going on my favorites shelf to read time and time again.
Happy Reading...enjoy!
"The Christmas Cottage by the Cove" is a must-read for anyone seeking a heartwarming tale of love, hope, and second chances. Ellen Joy's storytelling is both uplifting and inspiring, making this book a perfect addition to your holiday reading list, it will be going on my favorites shelf to read time and time again.
Happy Reading...enjoy!
November 20, 2024
Outside Portland Maine
Katie has planned to go to Camden Cove for Christmas with her fiancé. At last minute he tells her he can’t do this she’s like what, take this trip. No marry you. So she leaves and comes by her self. Heartbreaking torn up, she runs her van in to a ditch, it’s Matt…her first love. And she left him 15 yrs ago. He’s glad to see her… she’s crying.
She heads to the bakery and Mets Frank and David-they help her talk it out. Matt comes in and talks to her. She comes to Matt’s house for a party, then they go out on the boat. They go to dinner and a show. Growing close and all the feels from the past came back big time.
Kate comes back to Matt’s apt and finds him with he’s ex hugging. She leaves. She blows up. How could he. But the ex came to warn him, the next day his boss was sunk. Kate is ready to leave. But Vivi said she is coming back to Kate is happy.
Well Eric shows up at Kate’s door she tells him to leave, but he wants to talk to Matt told her they needed to talk. Eric leaves and she wants Matt cause she’s not the Kate she use to be now she is Katie.
She goes to pack up her stuff, Matt takes he’s first ever flight.
Katie has planned to go to Camden Cove for Christmas with her fiancé. At last minute he tells her he can’t do this she’s like what, take this trip. No marry you. So she leaves and comes by her self. Heartbreaking torn up, she runs her van in to a ditch, it’s Matt…her first love. And she left him 15 yrs ago. He’s glad to see her… she’s crying.
She heads to the bakery and Mets Frank and David-they help her talk it out. Matt comes in and talks to her. She comes to Matt’s house for a party, then they go out on the boat. They go to dinner and a show. Growing close and all the feels from the past came back big time.
Kate comes back to Matt’s apt and finds him with he’s ex hugging. She leaves. She blows up. How could he. But the ex came to warn him, the next day his boss was sunk. Kate is ready to leave. But Vivi said she is coming back to Kate is happy.
Well Eric shows up at Kate’s door she tells him to leave, but he wants to talk to Matt told her they needed to talk. Eric leaves and she wants Matt cause she’s not the Kate she use to be now she is Katie.
She goes to pack up her stuff, Matt takes he’s first ever flight.
January 3, 2020
Kate, or Katie for those who know her really well, was a complex character with some serious stuff to work through during the Christmas holiday. I found her determination to keep moving, through all the muck trying to keep her down, a personal motivation for my own struggles. We each struggle in different ways and the holidays add more stress to our lives but with a sweet book like this teaching us to overcome difficulty and find our own internal happiness there is certainly light in even the darkest of places (Thank you, Dumbledore). I would spend my life in Camden Cove, not only during the holidays. This picturesque and idyllic town had a beautiful spread of wonderful supporting characters who I would love to call my neighbors and friends. The set up of the town based on Kate’s descriptions made me feel like getting in my car and driving up to Maine today!
May 2, 2021
Again & Again
This story was situated in Camden Cove & involved the Williams family again. I don’t know what I’ll do when I’ve read all the Camden Cove books! This story centers around Katie O’Neil & Matt Williams. Katie left Minneapolis to visit the Cove for the Christmas Holidays. She was supposed to be with her fiancé, but Eric broke up with her right before she was to leave MN! Once she got to the Cove, her rented mini van got stuck in a snow drift & it needed to be pulled out. That’s when she sees Matt, who she had fallen for at 16 when she was visiting her aunt in Camden Cove. After several ups & downs between Katie & Matt, Katie’s estranged fiancé, Eric, shows up unexpectedly at her aunts house begging her forgiveness. Will Eric worm his way back into Katie’s life or is she ready to start a new life again with Matt?
This story was situated in Camden Cove & involved the Williams family again. I don’t know what I’ll do when I’ve read all the Camden Cove books! This story centers around Katie O’Neil & Matt Williams. Katie left Minneapolis to visit the Cove for the Christmas Holidays. She was supposed to be with her fiancé, but Eric broke up with her right before she was to leave MN! Once she got to the Cove, her rented mini van got stuck in a snow drift & it needed to be pulled out. That’s when she sees Matt, who she had fallen for at 16 when she was visiting her aunt in Camden Cove. After several ups & downs between Katie & Matt, Katie’s estranged fiancé, Eric, shows up unexpectedly at her aunts house begging her forgiveness. Will Eric worm his way back into Katie’s life or is she ready to start a new life again with Matt?
August 14, 2023
This is Matt and Katie's story. Katie and Matt were a couple back when they were teens but life intruded and at the end of the summer Katie's parents divorced and she never saw Matt or Camden Cove again. Then she planned a Christmas visit with her fiancé but he broke it all off while they were packing for their trip. Desolate and alone Katie went back to Camden Cove by herself. Beset by a terrible snow storm she ends up in a ditch in Camden Cove. Matt just happens to be the tow truck driver who tows her out and gets her safely to her aunts house. And so begins the sweet romance between the two as well as a story of Katie's personal growth as she bounces back.
November 8, 2023
This sweet and clean contemporary Christmas story with a singular plot surrounds Kate whose five year fiancee dumps her right before their trip to Camden Cove. She goes by herself to spend time at her aunt's cottage where she visited as a teen. Nearly there, she finds herself in a ditch and lo and behold who pulls her out but her first teen love, Matt. Soon, they both experience deja vu, enjoying one another's company but they now live 1000s of miles apart. A good bedtime read for those into a seasonal story.
January 1, 2020
I read this holiday book a little late. It was an okay sweet romance. The drama felt a little repetitive and the book dragged in parts - hence the 3 stars.
I was really excited for Matt to get his own book. After what happened with Justine in book 2 I really hoped he would. I love a good second chance romance and this one was an average read. Katie annoyed me a bit. Nothing spectacular, but not horrible either. Will check out the 4th book later this month when it's released.
I was really excited for Matt to get his own book. After what happened with Justine in book 2 I really hoped he would. I love a good second chance romance and this one was an average read. Katie annoyed me a bit. Nothing spectacular, but not horrible either. Will check out the 4th book later this month when it's released.
November 11, 2023
Enjoyable read
This was a book of romance set in Maine on the ocean. The descriptions of the area really made me want to visit there in the summer not the winter season. A story of 2 people they met as young kids and got together many years later. I think you will enjoy reading about their journey.
This was a book of romance set in Maine on the ocean. The descriptions of the area really made me want to visit there in the summer not the winter season. A story of 2 people they met as young kids and got together many years later. I think you will enjoy reading about their journey.
December 22, 2023
This is a fun, heart-warming story. Kate and Matt, the leads, were great character and the chemistry between them was amazing. The author really excelled at not only writing a good romance, but also making the community of Camden Cove feel authentic. It was a sweet romance and I'm a sucker for feel-good stories this time of the year.
January 14, 2020
Small town charm at its best
This series is small town, big beautiful meddling family at its absolute best. It just gets better with each book and I certainly hope there is many more books to come.
This series is small town, big beautiful meddling family at its absolute best. It just gets better with each book and I certainly hope there is many more books to come.
June 12, 2020
Merrier with You: Is a beautiful story set in a picturesque little town on the coast. The characters of the people are great through the books you get to know them better and I really fell in love with the series. I can't wait for the next book to read.
June 16, 2020
When The Past Returns
Having just been jilted by her fiance, Kate decided to keep her vacation set in Camden Cove. When she runs into Matt Williams, her teenage love, all she wants to do is all around. As those feelings begin to change, Eric shows up and asks for another chance ~
Having just been jilted by her fiance, Kate decided to keep her vacation set in Camden Cove. When she runs into Matt Williams, her teenage love, all she wants to do is all around. As those feelings begin to change, Eric shows up and asks for another chance ~
June 20, 2020
Just as good as 1 & 2in this series!
Loved this book, could almost feel the cold snow! Loved how she handled Eric the Jerk and managed to start a new life! Fitting end for Freddie too! Great storyline!
Loved this book, could almost feel the cold snow! Loved how she handled Eric the Jerk and managed to start a new life! Fitting end for Freddie too! Great storyline!
October 19, 2022
this entire series is 5 star goodness!
Ellen Joy sure knows how to tell a story! This one brings the past back to the future giving this couple what they didn’t know they needed. It just leaves you feeling good!
Ellen Joy sure knows how to tell a story! This one brings the past back to the future giving this couple what they didn’t know they needed. It just leaves you feeling good!
November 13, 2023
A wonderful read!
A soft, gentle, and very interesting story with surprises that kept me eager to return to the story each evening. The book flows easily and is well written. I highly recommend it as a cozy book to read after a long day.
A soft, gentle, and very interesting story with surprises that kept me eager to return to the story each evening. The book flows easily and is well written. I highly recommend it as a cozy book to read after a long day.
November 29, 2023
Second chance romance is not really my thing. I was confused over Matt having to get married. I had to assume there was a miscarriage or a fake pregnancy. This was one of many holes in this story. When jumping back and forth between past and present consistency and continuity are important.
February 9, 2021
Loved it!!!
Ellen Joy writes feel good book's that you don't want them to end! Keep writing about the Williams family, please!!!
Ellen Joy writes feel good book's that you don't want them to end! Keep writing about the Williams family, please!!!
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November 17, 2021Old love
Charming story about young love that was never realized until meeting again. Understanding how one person is believed to be your forever until occurrences open your eyes.
Charming story about young love that was never realized until meeting again. Understanding how one person is believed to be your forever until occurrences open your eyes.
September 10, 2022
Kate and Matt
Matt has a ruff time in this book an old love comes into town, his ex wife is still causing trouble.
Matt has a ruff time in this book an old love comes into town, his ex wife is still causing trouble.
October 14, 2022
Back in Camden Cove, this story is about Kate and Matt over Christmas.
Kate's fiancee has broken off their engagement just before they were due to stay in Camden Cove for Christmas, so she goes on her own to work out what to do. She meets Matt, who she spent Summers with as a teenager, can they rekindle their friendship?
I really enjoy this lovely romance series set in Camden Cove, a fishing town outside of Boston.
The books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.
Kate's fiancee has broken off their engagement just before they were due to stay in Camden Cove for Christmas, so she goes on her own to work out what to do. She meets Matt, who she spent Summers with as a teenager, can they rekindle their friendship?
I really enjoy this lovely romance series set in Camden Cove, a fishing town outside of Boston.
The books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.
December 26, 2022
Sad Circumstances reunite Katie and Matt. They haven't seen each other since childhood. This is a moving story of love, heartbreak, family and starting over. It will melt your heart.
November 8, 2023
This is a wonderful story. I enjoyed it so much. It is a Christmas romance. It is clean. It has a happy ending.
November 19, 2023
Kate and Matt
Kate used to come to Camden Cove in the summers. She and Matt used to hang out. Now they are both grown, she with a broken engagement and he with a broken up marriage.
Kate used to come to Camden Cove in the summers. She and Matt used to hang out. Now they are both grown, she with a broken engagement and he with a broken up marriage.
November 22, 2023
Loved the book.
September 9, 2025
Listened to the audiobook of the story. I enjoyed the story and can picture the town and the scenery.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews