Book Description
Memories of the Cottage by the Sea: An uplifting and emotional page-turner filled with family secrets (The Island Cottage Book 2)
As she inhales the salty sea air, Charlotte glimpses the island on the horizon. Seeing it after all these years still sends a shiver down her spine. Should she be returning to this place?
When teacher Charlotte Kingston is sent to close a school on an isolated Scilly Isle, it is her first time on the island since summer holidays spent there with her grandparents. But with a newly broken heart, she’s desperate to travel as far from her life on the mainland as possible.
Not long after she arrives, two visiting children find themselves in need of a place to stay when their grandmother falls ill. When Charlotte agrees to take care of the boys, she suddenly has a reason to keep the school open a little longer. With a renewed sense of purpose, Charlotte begins to connect with the local islanders who tell her more about her family.
Intrigued, Charlotte decides to decode her grandmother’s old letters from the Second World War. They reveal a story of a forbidden love that defied the darkness of war, and of a beautiful, brave young man who would risk everything for his country, even if meant losing the woman he loved…
Just as Charlotte realises the secret will change her life forever, the children’s handsome, enigmatic stepfather, Ash, arrives to take care of them. But Charlotte doesn’t trust him – he left the boys once before, why wouldn’t he do it again? But as the tension grows between them, Charlotte feels an attraction developing, too. And although she can’t stop thinking about Ash, and his soft, full lips, she’s afraid to open her heart again.
But rereading her grandmother’s story, Charlotte realises there is courage and redemption among the pages. Is this a sign that everyone deserves a second chance, maybe even Ash? And, if she is brave enough to let him in, will she be able to put her fractured heart back together once and for all?
An absolutely beautiful, emotional and unforgettable read, perfect for fans of twisting family dramas, and for those who enjoy the novels of Debbie Macomber, Fiona Valpy and Nancy Thayer.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Memories Of The Cottage By The Sea' by Rebecca Alexander.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Rebecca Alexander, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 16th January 2023.
This is the first book I have read by this author. It is also the second book in 'The Island Cottahe' series but can be read as a standalone.'
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 beautiful, emotional and unforgettable read, perfect for fans of twisting 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 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, 69 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 in the fictional Morwen Island and Paris, France 🇫🇷.
This book is written in third person perspective and the protagonists are Charlotte Kingston and Jenny. 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.
'Memories 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.
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 Charlotte and Jenny 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. It definitely gives you something to think about in regards to the sacrifices many made during the war and shows you how much emotion and strength is involved from both Charlotte and Jenny as well as their families to move from one place that is warm and bustling to somewhere that is isolated and cold and yet your expected to jump straight in to a new community and new lives. 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 absolutely stunning series 'Dreams Of The Cottage By The Sea' as well as the first and previous book 'Secrets Of The Cottage By The Sea'.
Although this is the second 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.
It is always worrying when starting a new series as you have no idea who the characters are. It is very important for me to bond with not only the lead protagonists but also any characters that may make repeat appearances during the series too.
The characters are strong, realistic and I became completely invested in both Charlotte and Jenny. 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. Although it was mainly through Charlotte and Jenny'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 Beau, Billy, Laurie, Aunt Helen, Ash, Madame Boiteux, Lisette,Merryn, Rhiannon and many of the other characters who all came to life every time I turned a page. My heart went out to Beau and Billy especially who was clearly struggling with all the changes and everything that was going on along with being just children. 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 an 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!!! Welcome to 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 Romance Fiction, Romance, Women's Sagas, Historical Fiction, Romance Novel, Family Drama, Sagas, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, 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.
355 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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About the author:
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/B0BH69CTQVsocial
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