An entertaining story, this is part 5 of the Miramar Bay series. You do not need to read the others in the series first, although having done so will enhance your enjoyment of this book as you recognize characters from previous books.
This instalment features two engaging but different main characters. Billy is a wonderful hero. He is a hardworking actor who, at heart is a very simple and honest man. The heroine, Mimi, has such a powerful and devastating backstory which gives depth and substance to the character and makes her so interesting.
There are two distinct plots at first, but they finally come together about halfway through the story. The weaving together was well written and engaging.
Sometimes though, the dialogue sometimes felt forced and I would have liked some sort of closure where Mimi’s sister is concerned.
I loved the kindness between Billy and Mimi but I would have liked also a little more romantic interaction.
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington books for an e ARC of The Cottage on Lighthouse Lane in return for an honest review.

THE COTTAGE ON LIGHTHOUSE LANE – DAVIS BUNN

PUBLISHED BY – KENSINGTON BOOKS

PUB DATE – 27TH APRIL

PLOT –

Billy walker a small town not so famous Hollywood actor comes to an Idyllic seaside town – Miramar Bay following a on set accident to rest and recuperate.

Mimi who is still overcoming her tragic childhood in eastern Ukraine has this incredible ability to comfort others and somehow gives them the closure or answers they need. And this is what Billy actually needs as he too is haunted by his past.

Both rely on each other to heal?? But can they have a future together??



MY THOUGHTS

This is a book which deals with loss and healing.
This book is a part of Miramar Bay series with some recurring characters...and the older books have got great reviews.
The story began really well and was fast paced with short chapters but it took a different turn when both Mimi and Billy’s stories merge and then it felt a bit forced going in a completely different direction. (Can't explain more without revealing too much of the climax)

It’s a clean story but it did mention about the romantic interest between the MC s but in my opinion it was very limited and it could have been better shaped.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington books for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

A novel of loss and healing. I found this a hard book to follow. Two different stories merge into one about half way through the book. I like Mimi's story and found it much more interesting than Billy's. This is the fifth book in the Miramar Bay series.

An entertaining and well written story, “The Cottage on Lighthouse Lane”, by Davis Bunn (Kensington Books), features two different from the norm main characters, both unique in their singularity.
Billy is a wonderful hero, a hardworking actor who, in his core, is a very simple, modest, and honest man. He handles the accident with an admirable stoicism.
The fact that the heroine, Mimi, has such a powerful and devastating backstory gives depth and substance to the character and makes her so interesting. I also liked how the author wrote her gift.
I liked the matter-of-fact, direct writing style, the short sentences, the suggesting more than telling and explaining. It makes the reading process easy and engaging.
Yet, even if the characters are intense and there are hints they might be passionate some parts seem a bit flat or dispassionate, the dialogue sometimes felt forced and I would have liked some sort of closure where Mimi’s sister is concerned.
I loved the kindness between Billy and Mimi but I would have liked also a little more romantic interaction.

This book was so good! It's full of emotions and you can feel every one of them. It's a beautifully written story that will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. A joy to read. Thank you Kensington Books via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Cottage on Lighthouse Lane by Davis Bunn is a heartwarming read told from two different perspectives. Apparently, it is the fifth book in the Miramar Bay series. I did not realize this and do not feel I missed any major insights by only reading this one.

Billy Walker is an up and coming actor who is doing all he can to make it to the top, He has an incredible set of ethics and values that are all to rare in the age of Hollywood. Perhaps it is due to his small town roots, but you will absolutely fall in love with Billy. He suffers an unexpected accident that requires rest and therapy and he meets the other main character, Mimi, during his recovery.

Mimi has quite a few extraordinary gifts that might make a bit more sense had I read the other books in the series, but it is clear that she also has a beautiful spirit about her. Mimi works as a counselor and Pilates instructor in addition to her outside pursuits to support others experiencing trauma. When Billy and Mimi meet tension and drama ensue.

The side stories of the other characters and their struggles were intriguing. They were shared in snippets, but made for interesting character arcs. Their tales of escapades, love, family, grief, and friendship were enlightening. Knowing now that this is a television series makes this more understandable. I can clearly envision numerous characters on the small screen as Bunn portrays them with such accuracy.

As mentioned, the book has an enjoyable cast of characters who add to the emotional dynamics in an amusing way, This book has a fantastic mix of joy, connection, and dramatic interest. The main story fell a bit flat but overall the book had multiple redeeming qualities. No spoilers, but the end of the book seemed a little far fetched to me. However, the strong characters helped make what was a bit unbelievable more acceptable.

I was provided a free advance reader copy from Kensington in exchange for my honest review on Net Galley. The opinions shared in this review are my own.

I really enjoyed this fast-paced emotional novel. Both of the main characters’ stories were richly detailed and fascinating. And now I want to go to Miramar!

Set against an idyllic seaside town, Davis Bunn’s fifth novel in the Miramar Bay series, “The Cottage On Lighthouse Lane,” explores the bumpy route to hope and redemption for two lost souls.

With eyes set on Hollywood, Billy Walker, the handsome guy from North Carolina is willing to do whatever it takes to realize his dream. He’s even willing to risk poor choices. Once he’s made it in Hollywood, he has second thoughts about his road to success and has difficulty confronting his troubling past. His nightmares return with a vengeance and he can’t seem to dig his way out. After tripping on a cord before a love scene on set, he is persuaded to recuperate and is given the chance to spend time in a getaway cottage on Lighthouse Lane in Miramar Bay.

Mimi is experiencing refuge in the beautiful Miramar Bay, California, too, and crosses paths with Billy Walker. Mimi has also had a tragic past in the Ukraine but has been blessed with a gift of ‘seeing’ answers to problems. When she meets hunky Billy, there’s chemistry between the two, but Mimi knows that unless they both confront their past, there’s no point in building a future together. The two team up in an effort to help each other and find comfort.

This was a difficult read. I was aware of the direction the author was heading; however, I found it difficult to follow his route to get there. I know he’s an accomplished writer, so perhaps it was my inability to appreciate this for what it was, but I didn’t find the writing fluid nor could I connect to any of the characters. I understand the theme of loss and the path to healing and I love the setting of this romantic drama but couldn’t understand his choice for the cast of characters and their role in the plot. I had difficulty when the two sections of the story became one. Up to that point, it was enjoyable. Perhaps I missed a page or something, because, from then on I had to force myself to finish reading.

I understand Davis is under contract to write a new television/streaming series based upon his bestselling series, Miramar Bay. Perhaps seeing it on-screen will help clear up any difficulty I had with understanding book 5. Readers Digest has also acquired worldwide rights to his latest series, Miramar Bay. Perhaps an abridged version will straighten out any plot issues I experienced.

Thank you to Davis Bunn, Kensington Books and NetGalley for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Billy Walker a NC boy gets injured on a movie set - meets Mimi a refugee from the Ukraine. Together they overcome each others problems. Powerful Story!! Surprising romance. Must read!

This has potential, and it is beautifully written. There is a lot of detail and a lot of setup. I can't put my finger on exactly what it was, bit something just didn't resonate with me, but I do think this book will succeed! Just not quite my cup of tea.
Thank you NetGalley for my ARC.

This one is definitely not for me. The writing style isn't something I want to read. It's way too descriptive and slow for my liking.

I really enjoy this book. I enjoy this author books. They are clean reads. Story was great. Read in 2 days. Thank you

A new Davis Bunn book in the Miramar Bay series! You do not need to read the others in the series first, although having done so will enhance your enjoyment of this book as you recognize characters from previous books.

As usual, Bunn drew me right in to the story, and I ended up staying up way too late to finish reading it! There are two distinct plots at first, but they finally come together about halfway through the story. The weaving together left me breathless. Dealing with loss is a prominent theme, with insights on which ways of dealing are healing and which are not. I really hope the main characters show up in future Miramar Bay books because I’d love to find out more details on how their healing develops.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #TheCottageonLighthouseLane #NetGalley

Billy Rose is an actor who has not achieved stardom as yet, but it is coming. He WILL be able to open a movie. While waiting to film a love scene, he is severely injured on the set by a cord from a Klieg light. After treatment at a local hospital, he recuperates at a cottage in Miramar. He meets Mimi who has a talent for helping people - sensing answers to their questions - a talent she shares with others only by recommendation. Both Billy and Mimi have had childhood traumas that continue to influence their lives. When Mimi thinks she has found her long lost sister,, Billy and she pull out all the stops to find her. A marvelous, thoughtful book that takes the reader to unexpected places..

Billy trying to make it as a star, when it does happens, then an on set accident and needing time to heal. Nightmares again have returned and darker than before. Meeting a stranger Mimi escaping a tragic past, meets Billy, will a love come or will the call of being a star come again.
The plow didn’t flow for me, actions at times seemed forced.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion by Kensington and Net Galley.

I really wanted to like this book. I loved the cover and the first few chapters but about midway it starts to drift away and gets disjointed. The new characters introduced do not flow into the story and are not as well developed. One of them really likes Billy when he arrives then because of her brother's opinion she doesn't like him? Odd. The international travel and circumstances seemed forced and fractured from the original story. Difficult to explain without giving any spoilers. Just say it sort of goes off the rails! It is an okay read, just didn't have a flow that endeared any of the actions or characters except possibly the main character.
I was provided an advanced reader copy of this book and was under no obligation to provide a review. The opinions expressed are my own. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.