Customer Reviews

16 Lighthouse Road

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I've been reading lots of romances lately. Some have been so awful that after 50 pages, they go to the used bookshop. So it is was pleasure to find one that was so readable and enjoyable. Of course, with Debbie at the keys, this is not surprising.

While there is some fragmented areas, like the transition between characters, it didn't matter. I just could not stop. The little town of Cedar Cove is charming and the people are real people, doing things that most of us do each day. Work, workout with a friend, shop and run to the cleaners. And none of us live in a fairy tale world. These women don't either. However, Jack's friend Bob does seem to have the one stable marriage in the book. And at least Olivia and Stan have a civil relationship.

The approach to the solution for Cecilia's and Ian's marriage allows for much growth in their maturity level. Actually we see alot of growth in the book. The grandson of Tom Harding overcoming his reluctance to take his grandfather's mementos, Grace developing some independence and Justine, looking past the glitter of a superficial relationship and finding true love in someone crystal clear and wholesome.

I think that some loose ends were left at the end intentionally and that in the next book ( which is hinted at), we will probably find out what happened to Grace's husband and see Jack and Olivia weather some ups and downs. Of course, I am just guessing, but that is what I would like to see.

This one is a keeper and I will read it again.

This is a wonderful book read it in 3 days couldnt put it down! Left me wanting continuation this would make an excellent triology.

Debbie Macomber is a good writer and I've read quite a few of her books. This one has way too many characters to keep track of. Although I didn't dislike this book, I finished it feeling vaguely unsatisfied. It seemed like there were many loose ends to be tied up. From reading the other reviews, I am not alone in my opinion.

16 Lighthouse Road is a unique compilation of stories about friends and acquaintances of Olivia Lockhart, Family Court judge, in the Pacific Northwest town of Cedar Cove, Washington. With her usual writing skill, Debbie Macomber takes chords of real life circumstances (divorce, a child's death, alcoholism, strained familial relationships, disappearing spouses, and military service separation) and entwines them with love, hope, and reconciliation. Unfortunately, all of them can't be fully developed in one 377 page paperback.

Macomber paints wonderful and evocative word pictures of the Washington landscape and the personalities of her characters. The dialogue and honest interaction of the characters draws you immediately into the storylines and keeps you reading in spite of the fragmented structure of the book.

Ian and Cecilia Randall, the young newlyweds struggling with the death of a child and separation because of his Navy career, appear in her courtroom. Jack Griffin, newly arrived editor of the Cedar Cove Chronicle, and love interest. Her busybody mother Charlotte Jefferson, who collects recipes at funeral wake. Tom Harding, stoke victim and mysterious new resident of Cedar Cove Convalescent Home, who gives a key to her mother. Grace Sherman, the best friend whose husband keeps disappearing; and Justine, her daughter, in a relationship with a man twenty years her senior. All endearing characters that capture your heart.

Switches between the stories and her believable, engaging characters will keep you turning the pages to see how each saga ends, but you do long to spend more time with them. Or, perhaps re-visit with them in a sequel. After all, we never do learn what happened to Grace's husband!

I picked this book up in the airport waiting for a flight. Let me tell you that I didn't want to stop and eat dinner because I was so into the book and its characters. While I will admit that the book did not really bring about any resolution to the main character, Olivia, it did introduce a whole host of characters that I can't wait to follow in the next book. I did think the transitions between when different people where the focus could have been better and the whole story could have been tied more. But on the whole I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one

I should have known, by reading the blurb on the backcover, that this book was more into events happening rather than characters developing. In fact, Olivia, who I think may be the main character, but can't say for sure, is never described. You never know what she looks like! Her daughter Justine, whom is never developed either, is so irrational and selfish you have to wonder why she is like that. Give me a break - she keeps saying she wants to marry Warren - 20 yrs older than her, and impotent - over Seth who is gorgeous and loves her very much. Where's the reasoning in this? Because she thinks she will have to live in a boat? Isn't she the manager of the bank, I am sure she can afford a house. I also felt Grace and Dan's story needed closure, how is she supposed to get a divorce and get on with life if he never shows up again. I honestly believe he wouldn't have left all of his clothes. He seems too stingy to spend money on a new wardrobe, or let his girfriend do so. Charlotte would have been a nice character, in fact we know more about her - the way she looks and acts and why - than anyone else in the story, however she was too much of a busybody for me. I don't enjoy reading about busybodies. All in all, I felt like I was reading an article out the Star newspaper rather than a book. Books are supposed to draw you in, develop characters, make you feel what they feel and move you towards a conclusion that make sense, not give just the events. This author must have gotten good grades in her newswriting class.

I usually am a big fan of Debbie Macomber books, But this book was sad. There were too many characters and they were so poorly developed that you could care less what happened to them.I had this book on reserve for a couple of months and couldnt wait to read it, but when I finally got it, I could barely finish it. Dont waste your money!!!

I usually am a big fan of Debbie Macomber but this book really was sad, not only were there too many characters but she didnt even develop them to where you would care what happens to them.I had this book on reserve for a couple of months and could not wait to read it but when I did finally start it, I couldnt even finish it. Save your money.

16 Lighthouse Road is the story of the citizens of Cedar Cove, Washington. Cecilia and Ian Randall are a young, married couple having problems. They are in court seeking a divorce. Here we are introduced to Olivia, the judge. She doesn't grant them their divorce. Jack Griffin, the new editor of the local paper is in court that day writing an article for the paper. An article that will get people talking. There is also Charlotte, Olivia's mother. She is a busybody to say the least. Yet a very charming character. We also meet Grace and her husband Dan who seem to have a good marriage but then he just disappears. 16 Lighthouse Road was a good book except it jumped around to too many characters. It would have been better if it would have just focused on a few characters, like Cecilia and Ian, Olivia and Jack for instance. Instead the reader is introduced to many of the townspeople and it begins to get a little overwhelming. The storylines were good they just didn't get to develop because there were too many. I really like Ms. Macombers books but this book just seemed to focus on too many people and didn't build a good solid story around any two characters. The story of Cecilia and Ian was good but again it would be nice if more time had been spent on them. The storyline with Grace and her husband was excellent. I would liked to have seen one whole book dedicated to their story. Ms. Macombers other books, such as the Texas series and Buffalo Valley series, are better in that one book is dedicated primarily to one or two sets of characters and their stories. The other townspeople are in the story but they don't play such a big part like these in Cedar Cove. This book had a lot of potential but didn't expand on it. The characters were all people one could like and were again everyday people that everyone can relate to. There were just too many of them. Still, this was still a good book and passed away the hours in an entertaining way.

Judge Lockhart had difficult
relationships of her own. Her daughter Justine wanted to marry a
man of which she didn't approve, her best friend Grace had been
abandoned by her husband, and Olivia's mother Charlotte enjoyed
attending her court if as a casual observer.
Debbie Macomber portrays an interesting slice of life
in a small coastal town through her characters, but not all of
the subplots are resolved right away. This can be disappointing
for a reader who enjoys a quick resolution. 16 Lighthouse Road is only the first of
a series which readers will enjoy.