I loved stepping into RaeAnne Thayne's world. This is currently the eighth book in the Haven Point series. If you are familiar with the series, or the Hope's Crossing series, readers will find many of the characters from previous novels. If you aren't familiar with either series, it's absolutely fine, this can be read as a standalone.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the novel, is the close community that exists in the small town of Haven Point. The families all know each other and are friendly and helpful. The scenery sounds idyllic and it makes for a cozy romance.
In The Cottages on Silver Beach, you meet Megan Hamilton and Elliot Bailey. Megan owns the Inn in Haven Point and Elliot Bailey is an FBI agent and true crime author. The two have a complicated history. Megan feels like, FBI agent Elliot is tight laced and rigid, keeping his emotions and feelings tightly guarded. Elliot, secretly has had feelings for Megan for years. Elliot had also once heard Megan and her friends refer to him as "Mr. Roboto" , which had stung Elliot. Megan noted that Elliot always seemed closed off and stand off-ish towards her, and assumed that he thought she wasn't good enough. All of this leads to the two denying their true feelings for each other.
Until Elliot rents the cabin next door to Megan. Elliot plans to attend his sister's wedding reception, work on his latest true crime novel, and get some rest after a possible career ending incident with the FBI, which left him injured. While there, Elliot decides to take a look at a seven year old case that involves Megan's brother, Luke and his missing wife.
While Megan doesn't appreciate Elliot's snooping into the case that's taken her brother and his children several years to recover from, she's hoping that Elliot can finally prove Luke's innocence in the case. Megan and Elliot soon discover that their feelings are undeniable. No matter how much Megan wants to push Elliot away - she can't get over how wrong she was about him. Elliot is caring and thoughtful and everything she wants in a man, but she's not sure how Elliot fits into her future plans, or even if he wants to be in her future.
To avoid any major spoilers I'll leave it there. This book had a lot of heart and made small town life sound idyllic, filled with starry nights and long walks. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves small town romance and a touch of mystery. Looking forward to reading more about Luke and Elizabeth's story!

I reviewed another of Thayne’s Haven Point novels, Sugar Pine Trail, last fall, and really enjoyed the way she mixed a cozy small town environment with equal parts of romance and light suspense, so when I was offered the opportunity to review The Cottages on Silver Beach this spring, I was delighted to accept.

In this novel, we see Haven Point during a shoulder season – it’s not the height of summer or winter, when most tourists visit – and we are introduced to inn owner and fine art photographer Megan and her dog Cyrus. Megan has lived at the inn since childhood, and run it for most of her adult life, and it’s not just a job to her, it’s truly her home. In fact, she lives in one of the eponymous rental cottages that are part of the inn.

We also meet Elliot, FBI agent and popular crime writer, as well as the childhood best friend of Megan’s brother. He’s in town for a family wedding, and rents the cottage next door to Megan’s.

The romance that follows is very much the story of two adults who are attracted to each other, but have baggage they need to deal with before they can act on that attraction. It’s alternately sweet and frustrating, which is proof that author Thayne writes believable, dimensional characters: sometimes you’re rooting for them, sometimes you want to shake them so they come to their senses, and most of the time, it’s a combination of both.

I also like the way Thayne’s created setting of Haven Point feels like a real town. It’s just cute enough to be a tourist destination, but neither the town nor its citizens are without flaws, and that lends to the feeling that this is a place you could visit, if you just knew where to turn.

Overall, this is an enjoyable book, neither to sappy nor too suspenseful, but a perfect balance of both, making it the perfect summer escape.

The Cottages on Silver Beach is the eighth book in RaeAnne Thyne’s Haven Point series, and it’s another wonderful addition to the series. In fact, it has left me extremely eager for book nine – there is such build up for Season of Wonder, and I really cannot wait to dive into it.

The Haven Point series builds upon each prior book, introducing us to more and more of the characters, allowing us to watch the stories unfold as we get to know each individual. It is possible to read each book as a standalone novel, but you do get a better understanding if you read the books in order – I’ve only read Serenity Harbor and Sugar Pine Trail, books six and seven, and even I still find myself a little bit confused by the cast due to having missed the first few books. It does not lessen your enjoyment of the stories if you just dive into the books that interest you the most, but having all the knowledge certainly helps.

With The Cottages on Silver Beach, we’re given another story that grips you from the very first page. In fact, these books are ones I can complete in no time at all – once I’m pulled in (which happens within pages), I find it is near impossible to put the book down. You’re sucked into the story, you fall in love with the characters, and the details leave you desperately turning the pages at a rapid pace as you hunt for your answers.

Anyone who knows my reading habits will know I’m an eclectic reader, yet most of my romance reads tend to be on the steamier side of things. The Haven Point series, however, is one of the exceptions to my usual romance reads – this is a super sweet series, one where the adorable story sucks me in, and the gorgeous romance keeps me hooked throughout. There is always emotion to be felt with these books, we’re always given something more than just a love story, and it keeps me hooked throughout.

As I’ve mentioned, this book does build a lot into the next book. In many ways, I would consider this book and the next book an unofficial duology within the series, as they link together so much. In fact, this was part of the reason why I gave this a four-star rating and not something higher – I felt as though the ending came together much too quickly, that we were never quite given the depth I would have liked, and I still have too many questions for a book that can be read as a standalone.

Overall, though, I adored this one. Without a doubt, The Cottages on Silver Beach is another strong addition to the Haven Point series.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy. I was not aware that this book was book 8 in a series, but I will definitely go back and read the other books in this series. Megan is running her family's inn and cottages along a beautiful lake and is helping her brother raise his twins. Along comes Elliott, whom was previously her brother's best friend. As a writer, Elliott can not overlook the mystery of what happened to Megan's sister in law. Along with solving the mystery, Elliot and Megan fall in love. This is another great book by RaeAnne Thayne.

First of all, the story bears almost no resemblance to the blurb. That doesn’t mean it isn’t a good story or a lovely romance, because it’s both. But the story as written is only tangentially similar to the blurb.

The romance is between Megan Hamilton and Elliot Bailey. And he does come to stay at her family’s inn. But does the story ever diverge from those points!

Once upon a time, Megan Hamilton was dating Elliot’s younger brother Wayne. We’ve met the rest of the Bailey family in the course of the Haven Point series. But Megan and Wayne’s romance never went anywhere because Wayne was killed while helping a stranded motorist during a blizzard.

So she never officially became part of the Bailey family, but in tiny Haven Point, where everyone’s lives are intertwined, the Hamiltons and the Baileys have remained close. Then again, pretty much everyone in Haven Point is close.

Megan and Elliot also remember each other from growing up in Haven Point. Megan and her friends called Elliot, Mr. Roboto. The name was not intended to flatter. Elliot was a bit older, very, very serious, and did everything by the book.

Those tendencies have made him an absolutely stellar FBI agent. But are a bit ironic for the other side of Elliot’s life, because he is also a best-selling true-crime author. And he seems to invest all of his caring and understanding into his books.

Megan is even a fan of his writing – in spite of the fact that she never believed that Elliot thought she was good enough for his brother. And particularly in spite of the fact that when her brother’s wife disappeared 7 years ago, leaving him to raise their two children, Elliot was one of many people in Haven Point who believed that Luke Hamilton had murdered his wife and hidden her body.

When Elliot returns to Haven Point, he’s on leave from the FBI. He disobeyed orders, got himself shot, killed an informant, messed up a DEA case and is now on suspension while he heals from the bullet wound.

He’s also working on his next book. And he’s booked himself into Megan’s inn to work on it. He’s not quite willing to admit to himself that he’s staying at the inn in the hopes of running into Megan – and he’s surprised to discover that she’s living in the cabin next to his.

And that the undercurrents between them are as strong as ever – in spite of all the skeletons in their respective closets.. The question is whether they can lay those bones to rest, or whether the past will continue to stand between them and the future they might have – together.

Escape Rating B+: The Cottages on Silver Beach feels like its about two things. One is trust, and the other is about just how much the baggage of the past holds you back from your brightest future.

The baggage that both Megan and Elliot carry from their birth families is pretty heavy. Megan’s father was both physically and emotionally abusive. While he reserved his physical abuse for his wife, he doled out the emotional abuse to everyone in the house. All Megan ever heard from her dad was that she was plain, dumb and useless. The bastard is long dead, and good riddance to bad rubbish, but she still hears his voice in her head whenever she steps outside her comfort zone.

And it’s that disparaging voice that has kept her from realizing her dream of being an art photographer. She has the skill, but lacks the confidence to put her work out there.

Elliot, on the other hand, is hyper-responsible. In a big family of drama kings and queens, Elliot was expected to take care of everyone and everything – and he’s internalized that message to the point where he suppresses his own emotions and personality.

They can help each other get past their fears, but only if they can get rid of the elephant-sized baggage that’s always in the room with them. Seven years ago Megan’s sister-in-law disappeared after a fight with her husband, Megan’s brother Luke. Neither she nor her body were ever found, and there are many in town who believe that Luke got away with murder.

As a law enforcement officer, Elliot feels duty-bound to admit that it is entirely possible that Luke killed his wife. He may not want to believe it, but it is possible as far as the evidence shows. Megan believes in her brother unconditionally, and as long as they are on opposite sides of this fence, they have no future. Even though they can’t seem to trust themselves when they’re together, as long as Elliot has even a glimmer of an idea that Luke might be guilty, Megan can’t trust him with her heart.

But resolving the issue may reveal Luke’s guilt. Or it may reveal that the previous police chief, Elliot’s late father, mishandled his last big case. That’s a lot of real, painful stuff to get in the way of a romance.

It’s up to Elliot to find a way for all of them to move forward, not just his romance with Megan, but his former friendship with Luke, closure for Luke’s kids, and finally removing the dark cloud over the town. If he can. If he should.

In the end, it’s that dilemma that drives the story much more than the romance. And it felt right.

RaeAnne Thayne has done it again with her latest instalment in the Haven Point series and I will even go as far as saying that this novel is my favourite one so far!!

Megan Hamilton didn't dream of owning and running her grandmother's inn after her granny passed away but she loves Haven Point and her family needs her now more than ever. When her sister-in-law disappeared seven years ago, the cloud of suspicion hung over her brother Luke and has followed him and his two beautiful children around ever since. But Megan knows more than anyone that Luke would never hurt anyone, especially after the horrific childhood they had both endured but some people just don't want to see the truth. And one of those people is Elliot Bailey, a former friend of Luke's, and noted FBI agent and author.
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When he rolls back into town and stays at the inn, Megan is determined to avoid him at all costs which shouldn't be hard as he doesn't seem particularly fond of her either. But when he starts looking into Elisabeth's disappearance, Megan wants to make sure that he doesn't stir up more trouble for her brother. But as they spend more time together it seems that neither of them really know each other and what they discover is so much more than either one expected ...

I loved Megan and her protective relationship towards her family, and Elliot is a little mysterious but such a good guy who wants to help people and I love watching them get to know each other.

With stunning settings that will take your breath away, engaging and likeable characters and a gripping plotline, THE COTTAGES ON SILVER BEACH by RaeAnne Thayne is the perfect read this Summer and a must for romantic and general fiction fans everywhere.

We are back at the inn that burned down in the first Haven Point book. It has been rebuilt and Megan Hamilton is managing it. Elliot Bailey is an unexpected guest. While we know the two will eventually have a HEA there are two things we do not know. What will Megan decide about the inn and what will Elliot decide about his career in the FBI. Both decisions are important in the story line and both add a bit of tension. There is also Luke, Megan's bother, whose wife disappeared 7 years ago. What will Megan and Elliot find when they try to discover what really happened. Great ending and great set up for the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of the book.

RaeAnne Thayne continues to invite readers to cozy Haven Point where the people are real and their lives are constantly expanding in family and love. I jumped into the series at book five, Snowfall on Haven Point, and haven't looked back since!

Megan Hamilton, owner of the Inn at Haven Point, finally confronts the brother of her dead boyfriend, Elliot Bailey. FBI agent and successful author of crime thrillers, Elliot once stood against his best friend, and Megan's brother Luke, during an investigation when his wife disappeared mysteriously. The suspicion in the aftermath continues to plague Luke and it may spiral out of control if Elliot decides to dig into the case. Megan comes to realize that there's more to Elliot than the robotic law enforcement agent persona he dons around her when he convinces her that knowing the truth could set her family free.

Each time I open up a Haven Point novel I kind of know what to expect. So far in the series each character has a dream they're working towards and an emotional set back. Along the way they might clash heads with a romantic interest that eventually provides a shoulder to lean on or opens their eyes to a truth hidden just below the surface. The set up is always different, but the endgame is more or less the same. I'm waiting for the one storyline that takes me by complete surprise whether from the character type or overall theme of the novel. It came pretty close in The Cottages on Silver Beach with the fiery dynamic between Megan and Elliot. They weren't overly friendly with each other initially and when it was awkward between them I could feel it radiate from the pages. I liked seeing them discover things about each other that they were previously ignorant of because it showed the progression of their relationship. There was tension that stemmed from an active cold case involving Megan's sister-in-law. I'd definitely be interested in Luke's story, because I just can't pass up a mystery like that!

The Cottages on Silver Beach gives readers a little mystery heavily dosed with sizzling romance. Don't miss the next Haven Point novel, perfect for fans of Brenda Novak and Jen Gilroy!
*ARC provided in consideration for review*

This is my second RaeAnne Thayne book that I have read and I absolutely loved it. My plan is to now go back and read the rest of the series.. I loved the underlying pull of attraction between the two main characters that neither one wanted to admit to. You wanted to read the book quickly so you could see that these two finally figured off they would be great together. Both main characters were strong people who knew what they wanted and what their goals should be, but I liked that they both had their vulnerabilities (Megan her doubt with her photography and Elliot his embarrassment when people loved his writing). Right from the start their story grabs you and you want to quickly get to the end to hopefully see them get together, however when the book does end you find yourself looking for more! I can't wait for the next book in this series to come out!

Loved it! These characters had me intrigued from the beginning. The family issues and relationships added greatly to the story. There is a mystery that is solved, but as in life, more to be revealed in the next book. I am eager to read it.

The Haven Point series has become one of those saga's that I get excited just knowing there is a book from it waiting for me at my TBR list. The stories are well written with a smooth flow and are filled with intriguing characters, living in the small town, love for family and friends, and the sweetest, kindest, most tender, and clean romance stories that always manages to make me smile and sigh. The Cottages on Silver Beach is an uplifting story about forgiveness, daring to open your heart to love, and encouraging to follow our dreams, where ever they might take us.
Elliot Bailey is the perfect mix of serious, straight-laced FBI agent and endearing, caring, protective man who is used to hide his feelings, to take care of others. He has a deep, dry sense of humor, as deep as his sense of duty. He has passion, fierceness, and the ability to see the details, to pay attention, and will do anything in his power to make the people he cares about happy and content. I just adored him and his feelings for Megan Hamilton were so deep-rooted they took my breath away.
Megan's relationship to Elliot had always been a bit awkward. And after Elisabeth, Megan's troubled sister in law vanished without a trace, Megan felt that Elliot turned his back on her family for not blindly trusting Megan's brother's innocence. I thought that was a very tricky situation, there was a lot of obstacles in the way for Megan and Elliot to be able to make it, a serious amount of work to be done for a relationship to work between them.
And I loved how they talked so much, how they had the opportunity for those long, meaningful conversations that people need to go through, to get to truly know each other. The feelings they had for each other were palpable, the connection was obvious, and I loved the chemistry between Megan and Elliot. There were several moments that made me smile, rooting for those two to find a solution in the very sensitive situation.
Because of the disappearance of Elisabeth played such a big role in the story and the little open-ended, happy for now, ending of the book, I felt like this story was a prelude to the next one, laying down the groundwork for what is to come, and not hitting all the deep, raw, angsty emotions it could have had. But despite that, or maybe because of that, this is perfect summer reading - a story that will make you smile, will warm your heart, and eagerly look forward to the next installation in the series. Addictive and endearing, sweet and tender, suitable for all ages
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

This series just keeps getting better and better. Elliot seems so much like a robot to most people. But, he has hidden depths. He just keeps his emotions in check. When he comes home after being shot, he just wants a quiet place to heal and work on his book. But, that is not to be. Megan is living right next door to his rental cottage. She has always been a big distraction for him, even when she was dating his brother. Megan is so full of life and artistic. The opposite of Elliot. But, Megan has some hidden depths too. They both show one thing to the world, but there is so much more inside. When Elliot starts digging into the old mystery of the disappearance of Megan's sister-in-law, it drives a big wedge between the them. Can either of them let go of the past to think about a future together?

Megan Hamilton is a talented photographer and owner of the Inn at Haven Point. She’s also quite adept at guarding her feelings. When FBI agent Elliot Bailey comes back to town she’s on high alert knowing he could bring down her brother, the prime suspect of a cold case, as well as capture her heart. What she doesn’t know is that Elliot is on leave having disobeyed a direct order. He’s nursing a physical wound and now he has to deal with the re-opened wound of loving Megan from afar but never being able to act on it. What will happen when the two are thrown together?

I love a good road trip and really enjoyed the one that put Megan and Elliot together for several hours. You’ll want to read the latest in the Haven Point series to see if they’ll be able to work through misunderstandings and perceived personal offenses to find their chance for love. As expected, I enjoyed The Cottages on Silver Beach and look forward to the promised follow-up story of Luke and Elizabeth – Megan’s brother and sister-in-law.

Reading a Haven Point book is like returning to your favorite "beach" rental house year after year. Once you return, there's new friends to meet, but there's always mention of old favorites and a chance to catch up on life's ongoings.
This new Haven Point book has more mystery and intregue than books past thanks to FBI agent Elliot and a mysterous disappearance.
All of the Haven Point books can totally be read as standalone. The first one I ever read was book 5, and I never remember all of the cast of characters. However, RaeAnne does a fabulous job of giving just enough of an introduction in each book that it either refreshes your memories or is enough to introduce you to someone new.

An exceptionally good read! ! Ms Thayne is an excellent writer who creates characters that you will fall in love with. If you are looking for a really well written book that is not only has a great story line but a build up of romance, then get this book you won't be disappointed.

I was sent this book by the publisher. My ratings and reviews will be my own personal opinions and are in no way influenced by publishers or authors who may have sent me books to review.

Have you ever picked up a book and knew within the first few pages you were going to love it? That is how it was with The Cottages of Silver Beach. I had no idea that this was part of a series, but by the time I was on page 12, I was curious about some of the things mentioned. I looked it up and realized it is actually book 8 in the Haven Point series. When Megan mentions Wyatt I knew that I was missing some information. However; this can be read as a standalone and everything comes together in the end.

Anyway, like I mentioned by the time I hit page 12, I was enthralled into this story. I was loving Megan and Elliott. Even though you knew this was going to be about two characters who have a love/hate relationship, it did not take away from the story for me. There was so much more going on around their relationship as well. I do not want to give anything away, but you need to go pick this up if you love a good romance.

I really loved the writing style and the pace of the story. This was my first book by RaeAnne Thayne, but I will be picking up more soon.

Years after betraying her, he’s back in Haven Point…and determined to uncover the truth

For the sake of her brother’s children, innkeeper Megan Hamilton has put her entire life on hold to become their guardian. The last person she wants to ever see again is Elliott Bailey, who she feels is responsible for her brother’s current predicament. But the heat between them is undeniable, and she agrees to help Elliott investigate the cold case that tore their family apart…as long as they keep their attraction under control.

Back home was the last place “temporarily” retired FBI agent and crime writer Elliott Bailey thought he’d end up. But until the Bureau calls him back, he’s got no place else to go, and nothing but time on his hands to write the true-crime book calling his name. Time to really find out what happened to Megan’s sister-in-law, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances, leaving Megan’s brother—Elliott’s former best friend—under a cloud of suspicion. Time to prove to Megan once and for all that they belong together, but first they’ll have to survive the secrets that someone wants to keep buried…

--My thoughts. Like coming home, that is exactly what every single one of Thayne's books make me feel like. Get curled up and ready to spend a few hours with family. I love the tension between Elliot and Megan. Both wounded and trying to not let anyone know. We all know that how is that attraction going to NOT grow? And so begins the story!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

One of Haven's Point's sons who made good is back in town, but is he here to stay? What secrets will he unearth this time on this visit, and will they finally bring peace? Megan has never left her hometown, but she made herself a life worth living. With Elliot back in town, all of that is about to change. Megan will need to balance her heart with what she believes is best. A winner in this series!

Right from the first pages I am into this book, letting it take me away. I have read the earlier books in this series and feel like I know Elliot’s family. Both Elliot and Megan’s characters are so well written I feel like they are real, and I get them.
The book has me turning the pages in hopes Elliot can solve the cold case of the disappearance of Megan’s missing sister-in-law , and I cannot wait to read her story.
I have enjoyed every Rae Anne Thayne book I have read and this one to, so I highly recommend it.

There was something about this book, it's sort of a quiet romance. For much of the book it doesn't seem like anything is happening, yet you know that isn't true. Elliott and Megan talk and there is a lot to talk about, but they don't talk about the important thing, how each had a crush at the other. When it finally came out I was glad that they realized what the other thought.

I also find myself intrigued by Megan's brother and what happened to him. Looks like we will find out in the next book.