cover image Cottage by the Sea

Cottage by the Sea

Robin Jones Gunn. Howard, $14.99 trade paper (288p) ISBN 978-1-4165-8345-5

Sierra Jensen, from Gunn’s series of young adult novels (and the companion Christy Miller series), makes a cameo as the new daughter-in-law of Erin Bryce, who has just started a California wedding-planning business with her best friend Sharlene. Erin’s best-laid plans are interrupted, however, when her father suffers a stroke and is abandoned by his new wife. Erin goes to Oregon to care for her father at his beloved cottage by the sea, where she deals with feelings of betrayal, loss, and responsibility while discovering that people’s motivations, including her own, might not be what they first seem. Erin’s faith is nicely incorporated as a character trait without seeming preachy, and the stoke victim’s frustration at not having control over his body and speech is touchingly portrayed. Unfortunately, a heavy-handed narrative lacking focus or details keeps the plot and characters from developing to full potential. (July)