Today we have an intriguing novel by Rebecca Alexander. Coming Home to the Cottage by the Sea was published by Bookoutre on July 18th.
As Olivia
watches the island grow larger on the horizon, she wonders if returning to this
place was the right decision…
When Olivia Elliott decides to
spend the summer on the remote Morwen
Island where she grew up, she
can’t help but wonder if returning home is a good idea. After all, she still
remembers the heartbreak she left behind on those shores many years ago.
Back on the island, Olivia soon adjusts to life as an islander and rents a
cottage for the summer. But, before long, she runs into her first love, Jory Trethewey, a
handsome local boatbuilder who never left the remote community. And despite the
fact she can still recall their painful breakup, Olivia finds she now can’t
stop thinking about him…
When Jory offers to help Olivia fix up the cottage, the two begin to spend more
time together. And as they renovate, they realise the house has its own secrets
and they decide to put the past behind them and investigate its history.
Soon they uncover a story dating back to the Second
World War, of a wounded airman who came to this island to hide from
the world, and of the woman who fell in love with him, and risked everything to
be with him…
As Olivia tries to find out what happened to the young woman and her airman,
she finds herself frustrated by the lack of answers. What became of their
story? Did risking everything for love work out for them? And, if it did,
should she follow in the lovers’ footsteps, and finally trust her heart?
A totally 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.
My Thoughts
This is a dual timeline novel, which alternated between two generations. Set in the Second World War, we meet a woman working in the Land Army and watch as her secrets are unravelled. You are struck by the attitudes of the time to women and their place in society as they 'do their bit' to keep the farmers producing food. Fast forwards to the present day and a young women, Olivia, who is returning to her childhood island home. The community is as watchful as ever and friends and family welcome her back. There is unfinished business in her background and now she has to address her feelings and reactions to two very different men.
Each story feeds into the other. Whilst the Land Army provides an illusion of security for Nancy, Olivia's family certainly do support her. It seems the Second World War has not finished with her family as we find out. The Cottage stands in both stories, a symbol of love and family. The elements and the coastline have put it in danger but there are other threats as we see. This is a layered story, with some interesting and credible characters. It makes you think about the choices women in Nancy's position had at the time. Can Olivia realise what is important to her?
In short: can love conquer all?
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.
You can follow Rebecca here: Twitter | Email sign up
Buy link
Thanks to Rebecca Alexander and Bookoutre for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.
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