🍯 Book Review: The Honey House by Amy Rafferty (Kindle Edition, A Cocoa Beach Romance Series #6)
A tender, coastal romance steeped in mystery and emotional healing—Amy Rafferty’s sixth installment in the Cocoa Beach series continues her signature blend of heart, hope, and seaside secrets.
🧠 Overview
Published on August 5, 2025, The Honey House follows Dr. Melissa Moore, a 65-year-old woman returning to Cocoa Beach after a painful chapter in her life. Seeking solitude and a place to paint, she inherits her late aunt’s seaside cottage—only to discover it holds more than just dust and memories.
Inside the Honey House, Melissa uncovers a hidden compartment, a missing woman named Margaret, and a trail of old letters that hint at a long-buried family mystery dating back to 1948. As she digs deeper, she’s joined by Fuzz, a lovable St. Bernard, and Police Captain Travis Hanson, a gruff but magnetic presence who challenges her grief and stirs something unexpected.
✨ Key Themes & Highlights
- 🏖️ Later-in-life romance – A refreshing love story featuring mature characters with rich emotional histories.
- 🕰️ Historical mystery – The disappearance of Margaret adds intrigue and depth to the narrative.
- 🐾 Animal charm – Fuzz the St. Bernard brings levity and warmth.
- 💞 Emotional healing – Melissa’s journey is one of rediscovery, forgiveness, and second chances.
- 🌊 Coastal atmosphere – Cocoa Beach’s breezy charm infuses every scene with serenity and nostalgia.
“She came home to heal. She didn’t expect to uncover a mystery—or fall for the man she couldn’t stand.”
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 4.73/5 from over 75 ratings
- 📖 Readers praise the book’s gentle pacing, uplifting tone, and multi-generational appeal.
- 🧾 Many highlight Rafferty’s ability to weave romance and mystery into a clean, emotionally satisfying narrative.
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Short format – At 81 pages, it’s a novella best enjoyed in one sitting.
- 📚 Series continuity – While it works as a standalone, reading earlier books enhances the emotional depth.
- 🧠 Clean romance – No explicit content; ideal for fans of sweet, heartwarming love stories.
🏁 Final Verdict
The Honey House is a gentle, emotionally rich coastal romance that offers mystery, healing, and the quiet magic of second chances. Perfect for readers who enjoy mature protagonists, small-town charm, and stories that celebrate love at any age.
