Cover Image: The Cliff House

The Cliff House

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Member Reviews

Three women—two sisters and their aunt—and the cliff house on the northern California coast that served as a beacon to them all…

After the death of their mother, sisters Daisy and Beatriz Davenport found a home with their aunt Stella in the beautiful and welcoming town of Cape Sanctuary. They never knew all the dreams that Stella sacrificed to ensure they had everything they’d ever need. Now, with Daisy and Bea grown, it’s time for Stella to reveal the secret she’s been keeping from them—a secret that will change their family forever.

My thoughts:
I love this authors books! I've read a few of them and they are always a hit with me. Love the characters and the plot. I love her writing style and the small town vibe.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

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An aunt and two nieces find new ways to navigate life when old secrets finally come to light. Fans of Debbie Macomber will enjoy this book of women's fiction by Thayne.

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I am not up to date on this series unfortunately, I wish I had time to get caught up! I love RaeAnne Thayne books and I'm sure this series is amazing.

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This story had so many wonderful elements. It has heart, and was also heartbreaking in some ways. Daisy and Bea were raised by their Aunt Stella in Cape Sanctuary after the death of their mother. They are all grown up now and still living close to each other, but their lives are complicated. Each one is holding on to a secret that they know they must share, but are afraid of the consequences when they do. This book was so touching. The descriptions of the town and the characters made them come alive in my mind. I hated for this book to end!

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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3.5/5

This is a solid women's fiction story. I've only read RaeAnne Thayne's romances before this one, and I adore them so much. The Cliff house was also good but I wish I had more from pretty much every character. There are multiple POV's, particularly Aunt Stella and her two nieces Bea and Daisy, and each one of these characters had a romance story. They were all good, but I wouldn't have minded a deeper dive into these relationships.



I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you, Harlequin Books!

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Two sisters and their aunt find their lives are in flux as they reveal secrets that have been hidden for years. When their mother died, Daisy and Beatriz Davenport moved in with their aunt Stella in Cape Sanctuary. They never realized Stella put her dreams on hold to be the parent they needed and as now the girls are grown and gone, Stella realizes its time to focus on her dreams, but she has a secret that will rock their little family.

Bea got pregnant too young and her marriage was rocky. As Bea finds love with an old friend and raises her daughter, Marisol, her ex returns to cause havoc in their lives once again.

Daisy always played it safe and when she meets a man who makes her risk so much, Daisy is blindsided by her feelings for him and makes her question everything she thought she knew about life, love and relationships.

Three women are at the crossroads and as true happiness waits for them, it will take the strength of all three to get their hearts desire filled with love and happiness.

I really enjoyed THE CLIFF HOUSE by one of my go to favorite authors, RaeAnne Thayne. This is her first women’s fiction book and I must admit; it took me awhile to get into the book as the main characters didn’t quite connect with me right away. Once I finally got into the characters journey, I fell in love with Bea, Daisy and Stella. The story flows smoothly and the characters are just enjoyable as well as highly relatable. This is an author who can capture her readers hearts with her amazing complex characters and deliver a heartfelt story filled with a few twists and turns you definitely don’t see coming.

THE CLIFF HOUSE centers on Daisy, Bea and Stella. Stella raised the girls after their mother died, putting her dreams off to the side as she cared for the sisters and loved them. But its time for Stella and the girls to figure out where they want to go in life and to realize that love and dreams can happen at any age and at any time. With her trademark writing style, the author delivers a story that steals the heart and never let’s go. The characters are complex, relatable and highly enjoyable to boot. I love the interactions between the sisters and aunt as well as meeting many other characters in Cape Sanctuary. If you haven’t read one of this author’s books before, this is a perfect introduction to her work though I highly recommend her Haven Point series as well. I can’t wait to see where the author goes next in the women’s fiction genre and what else she has up her sleeve for the readers to enjoy.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

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Wow, there was so much going on in this story, I don't really know how the author was able to make it all work! Most would do the 3 different books but nope, Ms Thayne jumped in and went for it! I loved the ladies. Stella, Daisy, and Bea. They were so deep, so many layers to them. I highly recommend this read!

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This is a great book about the bond between sisters and the love that they can share. There is an important message here about the power of secrets, both good and bad, and how they can affect even the strongest of relationships. Love this book and I look forward to more from the author!

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The Cliff House was an enjoyable book about two sisters and the aunt who raised them after their mother died figuring out new paths in their lives and taking chances on love. Having read previous books by this author, I really felt like the characters and their stories were underdeveloped compared to what I have read previously. Personally, I think the author took on too much and perhaps it may have been better to focus on one sister, or just the aunt, for this book. There would have been plenty for three books.

I really liked all three women, although it did take a while for Daisy to grow on me as she was a bit surly in the beginning. I also felt like Daisy's character was the least developed and would have liked a longer book, or one devoted to her story line as there was so much going on with her. And you could say that with Bea and with Stella as well. Because of this, I really felt there was not enough time to really develop their stories and tell them properly. And while the story did bounce around quite a bit between the different characters, most of the time it was smoothly done. I do think it would have been better to have left the POVs to the women though, as there was just too much going on. I'm used to big plodding stories and don't typically mind them as I like the development and really getting to know the characters.

The plot was fairly predictable and it wasn't hard to figure out what would happen in the end, but it was still a fun journey. I actually liked Bea's ex-husband and thought he would be a great character for a future book. The setting seems beautiful and I loved the descriptions of Daisy's house. I really felt like Bea got the least amount of attention though, which is why I still think three story lines was too much for this book despite the good writing. I also tend to hate melodrama and there was a point where the book was heading in that direction, but luckily, it stopped. Relying simply on misunderstanding to fuel a plot can be quite irritating. It really, really bothers me when characters can't seem to get their act together and communicate with each other. And to be honest, I still can't quite figure out why the big secret in this one was an actual secret. Seemed a bit childish to me.

The Cliff House was a busy book, but I still enjoyed reading it. While the three love stories left all three characters underdeveloped, it was still interesting to read. I was actually surprised the author did this as she usually tends to take her time with a character and really develop their stories and their personalities, but...oh well. The author's writing style is engaging, so I do recommend this one. If you are new to this author though, I highly recommend some of her other books as well.

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Enjoyed this book about 2 sisters and how the discovered a secret that had been kept and how secrets can affect lives in more ways than originally thought of. Daisy and Bea go through some emotional times during this book.

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3.5 stars

Stella, Bea, and Daisy are all fierce females bound to stay together, stay close and protect what they’ve fought so hard to get. Stella has a heart of gold, she lives through the lives she touches everyday and is an amazing advocate for foster care. She never second guessed her decision to push her life on the back burner to help her nieces, shes longed for the love from her past, until he showed up on her door step. Ed, a doctor returning to the area with a daughter in tow, reaches out to Stella and the sparks fly.

Bea, the ex-wife of a famous musician. Raising their daughter and sorting out some conflicting emotions make Bea’s attempt at moving on harder than she thought. An attack on his life sends Cruz home to try and reconnect with Bea only to find her heart belongs to another. Finding the courage to take her friendship with Shane to the next level will make things more complicated than she imagined with her former husband back in town.

Daisy is very reserved and closed off from most people, a quiet supporter of her families causes. Daisy is holding on to a big secret, playing her cards close to her chest she learns how to breakdown her own walls and reach out to allow love in. Gabe is an adventure lover, never staying in one place for long, earns his living making documentaries. Watching them both heal and figure out how to make each other tick, makes their relationship my favorite.

The Cliff House is a sweet romance that pulls a reader in and allows them to become part of story. The characters are complex and very down to earth, they could easily be approachable. The emotions were fairly steady throughout the novel, not a lot of up and down but a consistent pull towards love, hope, healing and satisfaction. Each couples' relationship builds is sweet and has its own unique way of standing out and shining on its own. If readers are looking for a slow sweet romance, 2nd chance romances check out The Cliff House.

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The Cliff House was amazing! My new favorite by RaeAnne Thayne! I could not put down! Can not wait for her next book!

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A good read about sisters and how they relate to each other while handling their own struggles and secrets. Will make for a good book club selection.

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This is an excellent book. I loved how this book covered the life of the whole family. This book will make you laugh and cry. I highly recommend it.

Thank you Harlequin and Netgalley for allowing me to read this title for an honest review.

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The Cliff House by RaeAnne Thayne was the first book I read by this author. She is well-loved by some of my library's patrons for such series as Hope's Crossing, Haven Point, and Cowboys of Cold Creek which they devour. After having trudged my own way to the end of this novel, however, I have to honestly say I will write Ms. Thayne off any future reading lists.

This is a romance through-and-through. Actually, it is a triple romance. I am, admittedly, not a romance reader, but the cover illustrations and the synopsis reminded me of something I would see from Viola Shipman, an author whose books I adore.

The book's characters consist of half-sisters, Beatriz and Daisy, who were raised by their Aunt Stella after having spent a year in the foster care system. This point of the story deftly raises awareness of fostering, and for this I give the authors kudos. The problems I had with it revolved around the author's need to make every character broken in some way. Not one of the three women, or the four men they were involved with, had a life uninterrupted by some sort of drama. Even the dog that arrives on the scene does so in a similar way. The fact that the town where this is set is called Cape Sanctuary does not have to mean that everyone drawn to it has had issues in their lives and needs to escape to find peace. Also, as I find with all romances, it was painfully predictable. There was never any real question as to who would end up with whom. My final issue was the repetitiveness of the writing style. I'm not sure if Ms. Thayne was attempting to reach her word count or kept thinking she should repeat herself to be sure readers remembered certain things. Whatever the reason, it gave the book a very unpolished feel.

The Cliff House by RaeAnne Thayne is a niche book. It will appeal to romance readers who embrace the happily-ever-after and are drawn to broken characters.

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This intriguing story is filled with very interesting characters, all kinds of secrets they’re keeping, and a lot of love. Three women, and the men involved with them, some new, some past relationships will keep you guessing all the way to the last page.

Daisy and Beatriz, half sisters, and their aunt Stella are the main focus of this story. Stella took in Daisy, eleven and Bea, age nine when they were headed to Foster Care because of Stella’s reckless sister. They were her heart, and having them, she opened her home to other fosters, calling it Open Hearts. Daisy and Bea are now grown up, Daisy is an accountant and financial planner, Bea is a talented artist, the ex wife of rock star Cruz Romero, and mother of a teen daughter Mari, who worships her Dad. Bea was swept off her feet, pregnant and married at age nineteen. After years of philandering, drug use and always being gone, she divorced him. Stella is a teacher longing for a baby of her own.

Shane is Bea’s friend since childhood, they have kept close, but neither admits how close they would like to be. Shane is a former NFL star, now teaching and coaching football in the local high school.

Cruz is back in Cape Sanctuary after a near fatal attack on tour. After his new look at how precious life is, he wants Bea back, at least he thinks he does.

Gabe is the guy who stepped in and saved Cruz from the knife attack, losing a part of his liver in the process. Cruz has taken him home with him to recover and show how grateful he is.

All these stories blend seamlessly to tell us a story of family, lost and found love and second chances. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.

Thanks to the publisher and author for the chance to read and review this story.
Pat Fordyce

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The cliff house was a complicated read for me. I didn't read the synopsis properly so I had no idea I was diving into a book with so many characters. I felt a bit overwhelmed. This one just wasn't my cup of tea.

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*3.5 stars*

The Cliff House was my first book by RaeAnne Thayne, and I would read another book from her any day of the week. The way she wove together three separate romances was very well done.

There is a lot of family drama and angst in the story, but I didn't feel overwhelmed by it all. I'm actually very surprised at how I was able to focus on the love stories with all of the side plots happening, but somehow I was. Part of me wishes the story had one fewer romance so we could have delved even deeper with the other two, and part of me admires the hell out of RaeAnne Thayne for trying something so ambitious.

I liked the small-town romance vibes, and I liked the writing style, though I wish the author had her character's communicate more. A lack of basic communication in romance is always something that irks me, and parts of this story edged towards melodrama and relying on misunderstandings.

Though the story felt a little busy, I enjoyed reading it a great deal. I fell in love with the characters and the scenic seaside town, and I can't wait to read another RaeAnne Thayne book in the future.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

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After the death of their mother Beatriz and Daisy ended up in foster care up until their young aunt Stella came in and but it seems a smidge too late. Its been many years and as adults they are all on separate journeys, where Daisy the ever responsible and secretive one may have finally opened up her heart to find love. Bea is a single mother trying to do right by her daughter but her unpredictable ex seems to be hanging around which she isn't thrilled bout especially since she seems to have her eyes on a old friend. Then there is Stella the aunt that gave up her true love to take care of the girls and finally looking to have a child of her own on her own when an old love shows up.

I loved this book, I always have a hard time following along to books with 3 different perspectives especially since they have their own different journeys that bring it all into one amazing book. But with how this book was written it was easy to follow and I have little to no confusion of what was going on. I think referring back to the description of the book helped as well to separate the three. I loved following each on their journey through this point in their life meeting new loves, seeing friends become more then that and seeing old flames reignite. It was such a sweet book and I loved getting to know each characters.

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Bea and Daisy had a great childhood thanks to their Aunt Stella taking them in after their Mother’s drug overdose. Their Aunts loving care helped overcome some of the trauma from their past but it still impacts their lives.

There are 3 romances to root for in this book. This is a sweet, touching story with a lot of clever dialogue. It is a bit predictable but still an enjoyable way to pass an afternoon. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

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