Book Description
The cottage stood alone on a rocky outcropping at the edge of the loch. Standing in the garden amongst the wildflowers, she felt the weight of the tattered envelope in her hands. Maybe there was something keeping her here in Scotland, a secret waiting to be uncovered…
New Yorker Zelda Hicks has just lost her mother, and the only thing she knows about her father is that he was from Scotland. So a work trip to the Scottish village of Loch Cameron couldn’t be better timed. Maybe a break in the beautiful rolling hills of heather will help her reconnect with her roots and recover from her grief.
Then, on a walk around the loch one bright morning, she comes across a tiny, tumbledown cottage, nestled on the edge of the forest. The elderly owner, Gretchen Ross, invites her in for buttery shortbread, and after learning that Gretchen might lose the cottage that has been in her family forever, Zelda vows to help her. She didn’t bargain on butting heads with the handsome, blue-eyed laird Hal Cameron in the process. Zelda can’t seem to forget Hal’s shy smile and she soon learns they might have more in common than she first thought.
But when Zelda discovers a bundle of old letters hidden in the back of an antique wardrobe at the cottage, they lead her back to the mysterious Hal. Pushing Zelda to examine her own family history, the letters reveal a secret that the community has kept hidden for over a generation. Hal says he wants to help Zelda, but just as she begins to open up, she learns he isn’t being entirely honest either… Can Zelda trust him, and finally come to terms with her own past, or will uncovering this secret force her to leave Loch Cameron for good?
Fans of Susanne O’Leary, Debbie Macomber and Pamela Kelley will adore this page-turning read set in the Scottish Highlands about family secrets and starting over, from USA Today bestselling author Kennedy Kerr.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Cottage By The Loch' by Kennedy Kerr.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Kennedy Kerr, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 24th January 2023.
This is the fifth book I have read by this author. It is also the first book in the 'Loch Cameron' series. I have previously 'The House At Magpie Cove', 'Secrets of Magpie Cove', 'Daughters Of Magpie Cove' and 'Dreams Of Magpie Cove' all from the 'Magpie Cove' series and all of which I would also highly recommend reading.
I was originally drawn to this book by its stunning eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'Fans of Susanne O’Leary, Debbie Macomber and Pamela Kelley will adore this page-turning read set in the Scottish Highlands about family secrets and starting over, from USA Today bestselling author Kennedy Kerr.' 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 Kennedy and if this is half as good as 'The House At Magpie Cove', 'Secrets Of Magpie Cove', 'Daughters Of Magpie Cove' and 'Dreams Of Magpie Cove' it is sure to be a gorgeous read. 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 and 39 chapters. 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 Scotland 🏴, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. I have actually visited and had holidays in Scotland on several occasions so am looking forward to seeing if I recognise anywhere that Kennedy has based the book on.
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonist is Zelda Hicks . The benefits of third person perspective with 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.
Aww yet another stunner from the extremely talented Kennedy!!! Well done Kennedy on yet another absolutely beautiful and perfect read!! This is the ideal beach read where you could sit there and turn around and just imagine Loch Cameron and Loch Cameron Castle.
The book is extremely well written with beautiful descriptions that completely drew me in. I could feel the fresh Scottish air blowing through my hair and hear the Scottish dialect throughout. The synopsis and the cover match the storyline perfectly!!
The storyline itself completely swept me away. It is filled with love, friendship, romance and drama. It kept me turning the pages late at night. I really enjoyed having the insights into Zelda's life and her journey into the stunning Loch Cameron. I absolutely fell in love venturing into Loch Cameron and Kennedy portrays life in a small village absolutely perfectly, bringing the neighbours to life and showing that when you live in a small place everybody knows everybody else's business. Living in a small village myself and, ironically enough, one that also has a castle Kennedy's descriptions are perfect. In a way I became so invested in this book that it actually felt like going on a holiday and I absolutely dreaded coming to the end where I had to unpack my suitcase and get back to reality. I don't want to say much more about the book as I don't want to give it away but I love the fact that Kennedy doesn't just write the one storyline but there are always several going on and just the right amount so you don't get confused. It was an absolutely compelling and addictive heart lifting read that kept me turning the pages until late at night. I loved discovering the pasts of many of the characters and I was absolutely swept away in the story lines. The Castle and Loch Cameron came to life around me and I cannot wait to return in the next book in what promises to be an absolutely stunning series. The ending was absolutely perfect as always with Kennedy and this stunning series. This book would make a beautiful movie!! I really do love this series and I cannot wait to jump into the next book and visit the beautiful Loch Cameron again. I also loved the fact that Kennedy gives us lots of information in the acknowledgment section so please make sure you read that. It was fascinating to read more information on the May Day celebrations along with further information on Gaelic songs, translations and information on areas that she based these books on. I haven't been to Scotland for a long time but my son keeps asking to go and this book has tempted me even more. Thanks to Kennedy when we do go I have her recommendations to visit Inveraray Castle, the seat of the Duke of Argyll and Eilean Donan so thank you so much Kennedy. Congratulations on the fact that you have done your research and that fact absolutely shines through during the story. There is not much worse than when an author does not do any research into their chosen topics and locations which leads to needless mistakes throughout the book but you don't have to worry about this in this book or any of Kennedy's stunning books.
Do not turn a single page of this book until you have cleared your schedules and when you do get ready to go on a stunning holiday you will not want to leave!!
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.
I became completely invested in the characters, along with the storyline, who were all absolutely fantastic with their own individual personalities and quirks. They have all started feeling like friends so quickly having got to meet so many of them so well. Whenever I finish any of Kennedy's books I feel like I am leaving amazing people and friends and I always feel a bit sad about it but am happy in the knowledge that Kennedy is hopefully writing her next book and bringing them alive as I write this (hint hint Kennedy 😉). I really enjoyed learning some Scottish slang and Gaelic songs along with Hal's war cry and loved that Kennedy explained some words. I loved watching how Zelda's character and personality developed and went from strength to strength from the first page to the last. My heart went out to her at times but I must say that at others I wanted to knock some sense into her in regards to how she was brining Hal's previous wife Maggie up (Maggie had passed away). Considering Zelda had lost her mum not so long ago herself I did find that she was being insensitive at times but I will say that she did realize some of her mistakes herself so I will give her that. I adored Hal Cameron from the start and thought that he was very handsome, rugged and romantic although he was definitely miserable and gruff at times, but I must say that is typical men for you lol. There so many characters that I loved and cannot wait to meet again including Gretchen who made me laugh several times and I loved how feisty she was plus her attitude, Dotty, Myrtle and Anna were all lovely women who were great friend's and a good support network for Zelda. I also adored Emery who is only in Loch Cameron for a short time but is an excellent friend to Zelda and I hope we see him more in the rest of this gorgeous series . I was not a fan from Ryan from the start and although he seemed nice and friendly and even romantic at times there were a few warning bells for me but I wont go into further details as I don't want to spoil it for future readers. There are many more characters I loved meeting but I shall leave it there for this review as I'm sure we will meet them again in the next books and I will speak more about them then but as it is the first book in this series I like to concentrate mostly on the main characters. Regardless of whether you love them or hate them these characters all work perfectly together to make an addictive storyline and are realistic of a small community. I cannot wait to meet most of them again in the next book in this series which I really, really, really hope is not going to take too long to come out!!!This is one of those series which could go on and on and I wouldn't get bored. Here's to meeting them all again along with the next new faces of Loch Cameron!!
Congratulations Kennedy on another gorgeous success!!! Looking forward to my next holiday to Loch Cameron!!! This is exactly why you are one of my favourite authors!! If you have never read this book or any books in the Magpie Cove series (which I also absolutely LOVE!!!) pick one up today, you won't regret it and you are definitely missing out if you don't!!
Overall this is a perfect, stunning, page turning beach read with a great gang of characters that will sweep you away to Loch Cameron from the very first page to the end!
Genres covered in this novel include Women's Romance Fiction, Women's Contemporary Fiction, Romance Novel, Domestic Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy, Women's Literary Fiction and Holiday Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of 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, Shari Low, Veronica Henry, Heidi Swain, Nicholas Sparks and any lovers of a book that you can float away with at the beach!!!
321 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle (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.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#MemoriesOfTheCottageByTheSea #RebeccaAlexander #TheIslandCottage #Bookouture #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour #Goodreads #NetGalley #Amazon #AmazonKindle #Bookstagram #Bookblogger #KindleUnlimited @MemoriesOfTheCottageByTheSea @RebeccaAlexander @TheIslandCottage @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86 @Goodreads @Netgalley @Amazon @AmazonKindle @Bookstagram @BookBlogger @KindleUnlimited
Author Bio
Kennedy Kerr is a USA Today Bestselling fiction author. She adores beaches, lochs and stone circles, and loves writing about small communities, mysteries and family secrets. She has a very cuddly cat called Twinkle who spends her days sleeping: Kennedy aspires to having Twinkle's nap schedule one day.
Kennedy also loves cooking and baking all types of food, which is almost as much fun as eating it. Her favourite foods include (but are not limited to) Indian food, Victoria sponge, breakfast pastries with coffee and sushi. The only thing she's not particularly keen on is artichoke, and she'd eat it, anyway.
Social Media
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KennedyKerr5
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennedykerrauthor/
Bookouture Email Sign Up: https://www.bookouture.com/kennedy-kerr
Purchase Link
Amazon UK: https://geni.us/B0BLT2XHKZsocial
Comments