Book Description
Dreams of the Cottage by the Sea: A totally gripping and emotional page-turner (The Island Cottage Book 3)
As the waves crash against the boat, Nicole wonders if the island will be as magical as she remembers… Will it offer her the new beginning she’s been searching for?
When Nicole finds herself in need of a new start, she instantly thinks of Morwen Island. She remembers the beautiful, remote place from her student days and, as she thinks of its cobbled streets and salty sea air, she wonders if this might be the place where she can begin again…
As she settles into island life, Nicole begins to feel like her old self. And when a knock on her cottage door brings handsome local Josh, who she remembers from her time on the island, she is instantly attracted to his charming smile. With their shared passion for the island’s wildlife, they spend more time together, and soon Nicole finds it hard to ignore her growing feelings. But is her fragile heart ready to embrace the possibility of love once more?
When Josh suggests they investigate the supposedly haunted old house where Nicole lived as a student, she is forced to put her feelings for him to one side. She recalls the past heartache she felt there all too well and, as she looks up at the crumbling old building, she wonders whether the locals are right. Does the house still have secrets to hide?
As she explores, Nicole learns about the women who lived there during the Second World War, a long-forgotten family secret, and a loss that will break her heart…
As Nicole pieces together what really happened during the war, she feels a stronger pull to the island than ever before. Will she be able to uncover what became of the women who lived in the old house? And, if she does, will she learn from their story, and open her heart to a new life with her one true love on Morwen Island?
An absolutely heartbreaking and unputdownable read, perfect for fans of gripping family dramas, and for those who enjoy the novels of Debbie Macomber, Fiona Valpy and Nancy Thayer.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Dreams Of The Cottage By The Sea' by Rebecca Alexander.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Rebecca Alexander, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 4th April 2023.
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY REBECCA!!
This is the second book I have read by this author. It is also the third book in 'The Island Cottage' series but can be read as a standalone. I have also read 'Memories Of The Cottage By The Sea' which is the second book in the series and I would also recommend that one.
I was originally drawn to this book by its stunning cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'An absolutely heartbreaking and unputdownable read, perfect for fans of gripping family dramas, and for those who enjoy the novels of Debbie Macomber, Fiona Valpy and Nancy Thayer.' I am a huge fan of Debbie Macomber so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Rebecca and if this is half as good as' Memories Of The Cottage By The Sea' it is guaranteed to be a page turner. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue, 50 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based on the fictional Morwen Island.
This book is written in third person perspective and the protagonists are Nicole and Lily Granville. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
'Dreams Of The Cottage By The Sea' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Rebecca discusses/includes war and a car accident.
WOW!!!! What can I say?!?! One thing I have got to say before getting into my review is clear your schedules and grab the tissues as you will need them!!!
This book is beautifully written with vivid descriptions setting the picture perfectly in the readers mind. The title, description and cover works perfectly with the storyline.
This book is devastatingly heartbreaking and beautiful. It is an absolute rollercoaster ride of emotions filled with heartbreak, family, love, loss, secrets, friendship, war, caring, moving on, and so much more. Rebecca's writing and descriptions are so evocative I really felt I was write next to both Nicole and Lily during the present and past. Reading this book really does make you feel that you are standing with them and going through their pain, love, struggles and suffering. While you are reading this you are going through a journey of love and loss, heartbreak, secrets, love, and forgiveness and so, so much more. It really is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I was utterly glued to the pages and I could not bring myself to put it down. I was carrying my phone to read it on kindle every chance that I got and I had tears absolutely streaming down my face by the time the gorgeous, heartbreaking and heartwarming ending(s) came. I was completely mind blown at the end and just when I thought I had run out of tears they started pouring out again. Rebecca has clearly done her History research. Well done Rebecca as there's nothing much worse that reading a novel filled with silly errors as the author hasn't done any research.I also think it is amazing how Rebecca weaves the topics of disabilities and PTSD into an absolutely addictive storyline is amazing. It opens readers eyes to the suffering, confidence loss and so much more to those in these positions. It also shows that we take so much for granted and where the majority of people can do one thing without thinking, to another person they may struggle so much both physically and mentally. Well done Rebecca on bringing these struggles to life in am absolutely beautiful and addictive storyline. I absolutely adored the atmosphere of Morwen and the community spirit in the village. Rebecca made the Island come alive and living in a village myself she portrayed the life perfectly, especially the no secrets part as everyone knows everyone else and their business!! The two stories are woven together perfectly and each of the chapters ended in a way I just HAD to know what was going to happen next!! You need to clear your schedules and get the tissues at the ready because you will not be able to put this book down and it had me in tears by the end and I do not cry easily!!! This is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time and I cannot wait to jump straight into the next book in this stunning series 'Coming Home To The Cottage By The Sea'!
Although this is the third book in the series I had would have had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
The characters are strong, realistic and I became completely invested in both Nicole and Lily. I felt each of their pain, heartbreak, betrayal, guilt , anger, sorrow and so much more My heart broke for each of them who went through so much change and more (but I can't say more as I don't want to spoil the storyline for anyone) . Both women were such strong protagonists and being female myself I live seeing strong kick butt women fighting for what they believe in and trying to make the most of life. Although it was mainly through Nicole and Lily's eyes that the story unfolds there are several many other characters that were affected by all the changes and the emotions charging through the characters and I was completely invested in Josh, James, Bernie, Oliver, Emma and many of the other characters who all came to life every time I turned a page. Rebecca does an absolutely amazing job of bringing the community of Morwen Island to life and creates a perfect village life community with a vast arrange of characters and personalities. I won't say anymore about the characters as I don't want to go into too much detail at the risk of spoiling it for other readers but yet again Rebecca has done another amazing job at bringing each of the characters to life. Well done Rebecca !!!
Congratulations Rebecca on yet another absolutely gorgeous, heartbreaking beautiful book!!! I am looking forward to reading more of your previous and future books especially the rest of the books in what promises to be a stunning series. I would absolutely love to see this book and series turned into a movie!!! This is exactly why you are in my favourite historical author list and here's to your next success 🥂
Overall an absolutely unputdownable, thought provoking, addictive and compelling devastatingly beautiful, heartwarming and heartbreaking book!!!
Genres covered in this book include Women's Friendship Fiction, Women's Contemporary Fiction, Women's Domestic Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Women's Romance Fiction, Romance, Women's Sagas, Historical Fiction, Romance Novel, Family Drama, Sagas, General Fiction, Spiritual & Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Contemporary Women's Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Literary Fiction, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Romantic Comedy, Women's Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, and Contemporary Romance Fiction and amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Fiona Valpy, Lucinda Riley, Barbara O’Neal, Jojo Moyes, Debbie Macomber, Susanne O’Leary, Pamela Kelly, Nancy Thayer. Amanda Prowse, Diane Chamberlain and anyone who loves a page turner.
320 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle, free on kindle unlimited and £8.99 in paperback at time of review, via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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Author Bio
Rebecca Alexander was born in Malta and grew up on the south coast of England, becoming a psychologist. She escaped parenting six children to study writing in 2011, and the Secrets series of novels was published in 2013. A Baby’s Bones and sequel followed. Rebecca lives in a haunted 300-year-old cottage in Devon where she grows fruit, paints, and bakes. She reads and writes all sorts of genres, from women’s fiction to fantasy to crime. She is married with four chickens, two grandchildren and a cat.
Author social media:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/rebalexander1
Email sign up: https://www.bookouture.com/rebecca-alexander/
Purchase Link
Amazon: https://geni.us/B0BRQKDZCZsocial
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