Book Review: Dreams of the Cottage by the Sea by Rebecca Alexander

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?

AMAZON US          AMAZON UK

Having read the previous books in The Cottage by the Sea series, I couldn’t wait to dive into Rebecca Alexander's latest instalment, Dreams of the Cottage by the Sea; the third title based on the Atlantic island of Morwen.

Recovering from devastating injuries sustained after a horrific car crash, Nicole is slowly trying to piece together her life. She rents a cottage on an island where she lived during her student days and hopes, a complete change of scenery will help her heal and regain strength whilst deciding what she wants to do with her life.

Readers are instantly confronted with the challenges Nicole faces as soon as she arrives on Morwen. Those who are familiar with the series will quickly recognise familiar characters as she settles into her new home for a year. It isn’t long before her passion for nature conservation leads to a meeting with Josh, the local wildlife warden.

Ms. Alexander’s beautiful island descriptions draw the reader quickly into this duel timeline novel. The overall feel of the narrative is uplifting; exploring the power of community support, the beauty of the natural world, and the resilience of the human spirit. The protagonists are both mourning their losses, creating empathy and an unexpected connection. All this is artfully interwoven with the history and secrets of the cottage during WWII. The characters are relatable and inspiring, and their stories remind us that even in the face of adversity there is hope.

Overall, Dreams of the Cottage by the Sea is a must-read for anyone seeking a heart-warming and uplifting story. I also highly recommend the other novels in this tremendous series; all are stand-alone.

***arc generously received courtesy of the publisher Bookouture via NetGalley***

Book Review: Memories of the Cottage by the Sea by Rebecca Alexander

Charlotte Kingston is at a crossroads in her life. After ending a long-time relationship, she's sent to Morwen Island, a place she hasn't visited since her grandmother's funeral. As a school inspector, she's there to write a report, to see if the small school should be kept open. It's a straightforward job, as the school has two pupils. However, when Charlotte meets the children, and their families and uncovers secrets from her grandmother's past, is closing the school the right decision to make, or is there more than one reason for it to remain open and for her to stay on the island she loves?

Jenofeve "Jenny" Huon lives in Usant at the time the Germans invaded and occupied France. As someone who speaks the native language of Breton, French, as well as English and some Cornish, she is quickly recruited to translate messages for the resistance movement by Laurie Byers. However, as she falls under the radar of Kriminaldireftor Wolfgang Albrecht, she is in danger, as are others on the island…

This is another beautifully written novel by Ms. Alexander with this one triggering so many emotions, as the narrative flows effortlessly between 1940 and the present. In the past, we are confronted with the fear of the unknown versus the anticipation of the unexpected as we hold our breath as Jenny and the Keller family attempt an escape from Ushant under the noses of the German occupiers of the small Breton Island. Equally, the present is emotionally charged, as Charlotte's daily routine becomes more complicated, as her life takes on a new direction.

The author does a tremendous job of building these emotions, keeping the readers’ adrenalin flowing and causing an occasional tear to fall. The result is a stunning blend of the past and the present set against two beautiful backdrops.

This is the second novel in the Cottage by the Sea series and can be read as a stand-alone. As someone who has read The secrets of the Cottage by the Sea, I heartily recommend that one too.

***arc generously received courtesy of Bookouture via NetGalley***

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?

AMAZON US               AMAZON UK

New Publication Spotlight and Review: SECRETS OF THE COTTAGE BY THE SEA by Rebecca Alexander

Secrets of the Cottage by the Sea: An absolutely gorgeous and emotional page-turner

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?
When Ellie Roberts inherits a cottage on a remote Scilly Isle, she’s shocked. She’s never heard of the previous owner, Patience Ellis, so why did she leave Ellie her legacy?
Overwhelmed with unanswered questions, Ellie travels to the isolated island. Windswept from the boat, salt spray still on her skin, she searches for Patience’s whitewashed cottage, hidden behind overgrown ivy. But when she steps inside, the house feels strangely familiar, and she has a memory of laughing as a child with her beloved mother in the window seat overlooking the sea… The mother she lost when she was only a child.
Determined to find out more, Ellie meets enigmatic local Branok Shore. While at first he seems uninterested, he believes he can help. Charmed by his green eyes, and curious about his past on the island, he and Ellie grow closer, but Ellie knows she needs to understand her own story before she can embrace the future. And when Branok prises open Patience’s dresser, filled with letters from the Second World War, Ellie discovers the shocking secret Patience was forced to hide – and the truth that will change her own life forever.
The letters tell the story of a brutal storm on a dark night in the depths of war, and of an injured soldier who begged Patience for help, and asked her to make an impossible choice…
But the letters don’t hold the answers Ellie so desperately needs. Why did Patience leave her home to her? And how can Ellie have memories of the cottage, when she’s never been there before? When Ellie finally uncovers the truth, will she be strong enough to put the fragments of her life back together?
An absolutely heartbreaking and unforgettable read, perfect for fans of gripping family dramas, and for those who enjoy the novels of Debbie Macomber, Fiona Valpy and Nancy Thayer.

A heartfelt dual timeline romance, set on a remote Scilly isle.

When Elowen "Ellie" Roberts learns she is the beneficiary of a will, she's stunned to find out she has to live in a remote cottage for one year before she can inherit it. Despite objections from her father, along with her own reservations, she's determined to meet the terms of the will. During her time at the property, she uncovers secrets from the past and discovers her connection with Patience Ellis, the woman to who the cottage belonged.

Patience Ellis was a force to be reckoned with and a woman determined to live her life as she saw fit. She made mistakes, yet managed to find workable solutions to her problems. She was a risk taker but somehow juggled her life on the remote island she called home.

Set in the present and beginning during WWII, the narrative tells the fascinating story of how these women are connected. It reveals secrets and family deceit but also, the overwhelming pull the island has on them. The historical aspects are both intriguing and heart-wrenching, as we learn about young Patience's "Patsy's" life and the impact the war had on herself and her family. Eighty years later, Ellie realises the rundown cottage is more than a renovation project.

The author is new to me and I'm impressed by how smooth the narrative is as it alternates between the past and the present. The descriptions of the island and the life there conjure up images of how life exists both then and now. It creates both heartbreaking emotions yet is also injected with humour. A true reflection of how life is, with its ups and downs. Ellie and Patsy are endearing characters, surrounded by an equally warm, and friendly cast and community. Collectively, they create a delightful page-turner, set against a stunning backdrop.

Overall, this novel comes highly recommended.

***arc received courtesy of Bookouture via NetGalley***

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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. 

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