[1] Based on author Debbie Macomber's book series of the same name[broken anchor], Cedar Cove focused on Municipal Court Judge Olivia Lockhart's professional and personal life and the townsfolk surrounding her.

Regardless of her being the focus for many in town, Olivia's life has not been issue-free, she long ago had gone through a divorce from her physician husband; the dissolution of their marriage largely was due to the accidental drowning death of their son, Jordan, when he was 13, an incident from which they as a couple could not recover.

Although filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, the setting for the series (both book and television) is based on Port Orchard, Washington, producer/writer Debbie Macomber's summer residence.

[13] The Wall Street Journal's Nancy DeWolf Smith called the series "relaxing," adding that it is "as burden-free as a day on the beach with an umbrella, a book, and a breeze.

'"[15] The New York Times's Neil Genzlinger commented that the "able" cast "makes it stand out from the stream of interchangeable Hallmark movies that aim for the same tone and audience.

"[17] The New York Post's Linda Stasi stated, "It ain't brain surgery and nobody's going to win any Emmys, but that's not why fans watch Hallmark.

"[19] The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Rob Owen called the series "comfortable, uncomplicated, unchallenging entertainment," adding, "which makes it ideal for Hallmark's brand.

"[20] Brian Lowry of Variety stated,"There's still a distinction to be drawn between 'light' and 'weightless,' which is roughly where this new show registers—in part because the Olivia-Jack relationship is the only aspect with any resonance.