I have always loved dual-time narratives, but most times it is always the past that holds my interest rather than the story in the present, but Rebecca Aleander’s writing is such that both timelines are utterly captivating. The story of Patience and a lone young boy Dutch saved from the seas during WWII and then the story of Elowen finding herself on the Island and her love with Bran holds the readers' interest magnificently. The island and its inhabitants and the whole lot of lovely characters residing there feel like our own. The reading experience was so immersive that I wanted Morwen Island to be somewhere nearby where I can walk around and experience the island in all its glory. Many thanks to Net Galley, Bookouture, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.

Cottage by the Sea Series by Rebecca Alexander - Goodreads Cottage by the Sea Series by Rebecca Alexander - Goodreads

Shower room: corner shower unit with rain and power shower head, wash hand basin, WC, washing machine. Will the secrets of Cottage Two lead Tamzin to make startling discoveries that will help her shape her own future? Or is she destined to repeat Stella’s mistakes and end up haunted by regrets and heartbreak many decades down the line? As the layers become more exposed we find another woman has lived in this cottage fifty years ago with the same hopes and dreams, she's newly married makes dinner for her husband and sews curtains for the kitchen. Her story is not to be a happily ever after though as we see when the story progresses. In summer, you can feel your pulse racing as the garden throbs in a tidal wave of colour, none more spectacular than the amazing vermilion-coloured flowers of Crocosmia Lucifer in tandem with the indispensable Dahlia Bishop of Llandaff.The ending. It was fitting, real, raw, and optimistic in the promise and hope of the future and for things to come, despite the dark past. The wonderful descriptions of the cottage, landscapes, scenery, the way of life, and just the Yorkshire location in general. The author has a real talent in placing the reader into a stunning location. Tamzin arrives at an isolated cottage on the Yorkshire moors, that she bought sight unseen, to a very unfriendly welcome from her next door neighbour. We immediately want to know why she has made the long journey from Cornwall to this remote place. With only a three-legged rescue fox cub for company, she rolls up her sleeves and sets about making the cottage into a home (with a bit of help from handywoman Jill). A Cottage Full of Secrets is a dual timeline contemporary romance that follows the story of two women who have made a tiny Yorkshire Cottage their home. I want to let readers know that this book has some trigger warnings around physical and emotional abuse. Stella’s story is grim at times, and there are scenes where her husband is very physically abusive towards her. If the topic of abuse is not something you are comfortable with, I would not recommend reading this book.

Secrets of the Cottage by the Sea - Goodreads Secrets of the Cottage by the Sea - Goodreads

In spring, the plants are low, but they generously fill the beds so that, everywhere, fat cushions of flower and foliage sprawl and spill over paths, lending a generous and romantic luxuriance. Drifts of yellow helianthemum, scarlet geum and bright orange trollius are punctuated with swathes of dusky tulips and just enough foliage from columbines, irises and daylilies to knit the whole thing together. Tamzin is recovering from a long period of time as a victim of emotional abuse and gaslighting at the hands of her partner. After finally summoning the strength to leave him and start a new life, she moves to a remote cottage in Yorkshire with her pet fox, who she is rehabilitating. Upon moving in she meets her mysterious neighbour Euan and doesn’t quite know what to make of him. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Fifty years ago, newly-wed Stella is relishing making the little cottage a happy home. But for all the lovingly handmade curtains, and the hot dinners ready on the table for her husband, Stella’s dreams of married life jar painfully with the truth. I enjoyed the descriptions of the Yorkshire countryside, very peaceful and relaxing. I also enjoyed seeing Tazmin and her mysterious neighbour Euan help each other heal from past hurts and come alive again.

Frankly, I don’t think I would’ve enjoyed this book nearly as much in better times. Now, though, I’m still fairly deep in, still fearful, still walking on eggshells, even though the immediate danger is over (still kind of struggling to internalise that last one). Hence, I did enjoy it. I’d be lying if I said the book was especially deep or subtle, but I still liked how Lovering portrayed different forms of abuse and coping strategies. What’s more, the narrative made me inexplicably hopeful and optimistic. Kitchen/diner: electric oven and 4 ring hob, large fridge/freezer, microwave, dresser, table with seating for 8. Stable door to garden. Furthermore, Lovering’s novels are far more realistic than what most erotic and romance narratives offer us. Too often do romance writers make the first meeting between the lovebirds a bombastic, unforgettable event.

A Cottage Full of Secrets by Jane Lovering | Goodreads A Cottage Full of Secrets by Jane Lovering | Goodreads

I loved the character of ‘handywoman’ Jill who provided much needed practical DIY advice and help to Tamzin as well as becoming an empathetic and supportive friend. Finding friendship in unexpected places was quite a theme in the book for several of the characters. Moving to the wild and vast Yorkshire countryside is a dream come true for Tamzin she has a lovely little cottage there and her rescue fox who she's nurtured since he was a kit. I've only read one of Jane's other books in the past, The Cottage Escape, and I'll be honest it wasn't my favourite read (although it certainly wasn't bad). So if I'm being totally honest, I was a little apprehensive about starting this one and went in with an open mind. Stella’s story is the most prominent one, since a huge chunk of the novel revolves around Tamzin’s attempts to discover more about the woman in the pictures she finds stashed around the house. Stella’s life is presented as a mystery for Tamzin and the readers to solve, but the plot never really commits to this format. The characters do some research now and then, but mostly wait around for handywoman Jill’s mother to return from Greece to tell them more about Stella. The older woman must be trope-savvy, since she waits until the end of the book to return to Yorkshire. And, when she does, she straight up tells everyone what became of Stella. Playroom/teenage den : 2 beanbags, sofa, armchair, bookcase, large Smart TV with DVD and access to Netflix if you have your own Netflix account.Essentially, A Cottage Full of Secrets is all about how these different characters cope with the trauma of having abusive partners. My favourite is the story of Euan, since it sheds light on the seldom-discussed topic of men who suffer emotional and physical abuse at the hands of women. We never learn too much about Euan’s former marriage, but we know his wife enjoyed her petty torments and even hit him on the head with a heavy skillet, which led to his stroke.

The Cottage of Secrets by Roger Tapley | Waterstones

A second storyline is presented, where a young woman, 50 years prior, is trying to escape an abuse relationship. It may be simply that other romantic novels have spoiled me and made me forget the fact that adult novels can still be adult without being explicit. So, while I still prefer my steam to be steamy and like voyeuristically intruding on the characters’ sex life, at least now I know I can always turn to Lovering’s books when I’m in the mood for something less XXX. Tamzin is escaping a very bad relationship in the South of England by fleeing to an isolated cottage adjacent to the Yorkshire moors. In that same cottage, 50 years earlier, a young newlywed, Stella, is bright eyed at the beginning of her marriage, a marriage that everyone around her questioned her about (Are you sure?), but she loves Andy and he loves her and everything will be wonderful. But sometimes things don’t turn out so wonderfully.As Ellie stood on the boat, watching the small island come into view, she wondered what awaited her on shore. What secrets would she uncover in this place? The rehabilitation of the fox was heartwarming as we see him playing and digging for bugs in the yard. Fifty years ago, newly-wed Stella is relishing making the little cottage a happy home. But for all the lovingly handmade curtains, and the hot dinners ready on the table for her husband, Stella’s dreams of married life jar painfully with the truth. Fifty years later, the cottage is a new beginning for Tamzin. Determined to get away from her previous life, she makes the move to the wild and vast Yorkshire countryside. This book touched on so many important topics including domestic abuse. It was well written and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it as we learned more about each of our heroines.