A lovely story set in an amazing location with believable characters in the village . I have enjoyed reading books in this series and look forward to reading more.

A Gift from the Cottage by the Loch is the fourth book in the Loch Cameron series by Kennedy Kerr, I hadn't realised this when I downloaded the book however, as each book follows a different characters story, I am confident they can be read as a standalone without missing too much back ground information. I didn't feel like I missed anything, just the mention of characters I guess have appeared earlier in the series.

I have read a few books by the author in another series she has written, and I love how she writes, small village/town life so well. Where family, friends and community all come out to support each other. This book was no exception.

Our main character Bel Tipton is literally having the day from hell, not only has she been fired from her job as the company she works for has gone into liquidation. She then goes home to find her husband in a compromising situation with another woman. Needing an escape Bel goes to stay with her Sister Sally and her partner, in the beautiful village of Loch Cameron. The village sounds like an idyllic place to try and relax and put some distance between her and her problems. But Bel soon realises that she likes it here. However, the last thing she needs is romance in her life and she didn't bargain on Christian McDougall the local gardener. He encourages Bel to go after the things she wants this time around in her life and hopefully make a fresh start well away from Andy her ex. As sparks start to fly with Christian, Bel tries her best to ignore them but sometimes things are just meant to be. The chemistry between the two is intense and made for a really enjoyable read. I will definitely look out for the other books in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Bel is made redundant and when she arrives back home she finds her partner with another woman. She leaves immediately with no plan except to head for her sister in Scotland...
A Gift From The Cottage By The Loch is the fourth book in the Loch Cameron series (I have previusly read and reviewed the third book, The Diary from the Cottage by the Loch).
Bel's day goes from bad to worse. But on reflection, she realises that she didn't like her job or her boyfriend anyway! Loch Cameron provides a tranquil background to heal her heart and consider the future. She has lost sight of herself, her dreams and ambitions. I felt sorry for her but also thought she was making excuses by blaming others for her lack of strength.
The book is full of warmth despite the big issues of infidelity and unemployment. Bel's sister Sally and her wife Bess were my favourite characters, full of love for each other but always willing to help out and care for others. There is an instant and obvious chemistry with gardener and biker Christian. I enjoyed their first meeting and how it set up the antagonism and humour that then continues to define their friendship with the possibility of romance.
A Gift From The Cottage By The Loch is a warm and sweet book about fresh starts and self discivery.

I really enjoyed this book. It was different than anything else I've read recently. I couldn't put it down! I will keep an eye out for this author's future work!

This was a did not finish. I mistakenly asked for it not realizing it was part of a series, a series of which I have not read. I will need to go back and read the others.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

Bel has had a spectacularly bad day; first she lost her job due to a copany takeover, then she goes home to find her common law husband, Andy, whom she spent the last eight years of her life with is cheatng on her. She stuffs some belongings in a bag and leaves, not even knowing where she is going but knowing she can't stay there. She calls her sister, Sally and her partner, Bess and they tell her to come there but since they are renovating she is being put up in a cottgae by the Loch in a neighbouring village. As Bel tries to sort her life out, she meets residents of the village and slowly starts to wonder if this is where she could make a new life. She realizes she may not have really loved Andy after all and wonders when she will meet her forever after.

A lovely book, even though I was frustrated with Bel at times, I just wanted her to see what was there in front of her and trust herself, but that comes with getting to know yourself. The location was wonderful, I could picture myself walking through the fields and enjoying the sights and smells of rural Scotland.

Bel Tipton has just had the worst day ever. She has been downsized from her job and when she arrives home midday, she finds her husband with his mistress. She is a mess and all she can think of is to call her sister Sally to help. She hops in her car with very little of her possessions and heads to the small but beautiful village of Loch Cameron. Sally has rented her a small cottage to live in while she sorts her life out. She isn't planning on staying, but when she sees the closed Hair Salon on the main street, and when her handsome gardener, Christian finds out she used to work as a hair stylist, he convinces her to rent the shop and open her business. With the proceeds from her half of the house, and a loan from Sally and her partner, she takes a chance at a new life. Will there be romance as well?

This is the 4th book in the Loch Cameron series, but only the second I have read. I very much want to go back and read the first two. Each book can be read as a standalone, so I'm not worried. I loved the characters in this book, especially the hunky Christian McDougal. When he and Bel meet up, you can feel the heat come off the pages. There is so much chemistry, but Bel is fighting it, tooth and nail. She is worried that he is a bad boy and she doesn't need that. He is tight lipped, so that doesn't help. Bel and Sally don't have the best relationship, but they have help from Sally's partner to fix that relationship. This is a great story about starting again, following your dreams, friendship, community, helping others and of course romance. I definitely recommend A Gift from the Cottage by the Loch, it is a wonderful feel good story.

After losing her job and finding out her husband is cheating on her on the same day, Bel heads for Scotland to visit her sister and escape the heartbreak. Determined to make a fresh start, she returns to her first career as a hairdresser to open a much-needed salon in the village of Loch Cameron. A growing attraction to her neighbour, Christian, is threatened when Bel finds an old letter while renovating the salon.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'A Gift From The Cottage By The Loch' by Kennedy Kerr.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Kennedy Kerr, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 28th February 2024.

This is the seventh book I have read by this author. It is also the fourth book in the 'Loch Cameron' series but can be read as a standalone. 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, 'The Cottage By The Loch' (book 1 in this series) and 'The Diary From The Cottage By The Loch (book 3 in this series). All of these books can be read as standalones and I would also highly recommend reading them all.

This novel consists of a prologue and 35 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!

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 storyline itself completely swept me away. It is filled with love, friendship, escapism, healing, heartbreak, second chances, romance and drama. It kept me turning the pages late at night. I really enjoyed having the insights into Bel's life and her journey into the stunning Loch Cameron. I absolutely fell in love venturing into Loch Cameron again 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. Each and every time I step foot into one of Kennedy's books it feels like I am coming home after getting to know the area and fantastic people who live there so well. 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. This book, well every book I have read by this fantastic author, is one of those gorgeous books where you tell yourself just one more chapter but then you keep repeating it until you have devoured it in one sitting as there is just no way you can put it down!! I was carrying my kindle while walking around the house and even bumped into things a few times as I was so absorbed in the storyline. Each and every book in this series will turn a frown upside down and this one is no exception! It is one of those books that is perfect to read everywhere and anywhere whether it is wrapped up in your dressing gown with a hot chocolate and the heating on or on a sunbed on holiday with the sun shining down on you. No matter where you are Kennedy will sweep you off to the stunning Loch Cameron for a beautiful escapism page turner!! 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!! 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!!

Although this is the fourth 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.

I became completely invested in the characters, along with the storyline as I do with each and every one of Kennedy's amazing books! Each of the characters 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 😉). In this stunning addition to this gorgeous series we meet and get to know Bel who is our main protagonist this time. My heart went out to Bel especially after what her husband did to her and I absolutely loved watching her grow in strength throughout the pages. However, as much as I liked her there were times I found myself shouting at her through the pages when she frustrated me with being unable to make up her mind but to see the other side there is also nothing wrong with asking for advice or opinions from others but there were times I just wanted her to see the strength that she had previously and understand it was still there she just had to relight it. I also liked meeting Bel's sister Sally who also became frustrated with Bel's attitude. It was intriguing seeing their relationship change and develop throughout the book along with the friendships and relationships that developed and changed between them and other "family" members as I like to call them now after getting to know them all so well. Christian is another amazing character that I enjoyed meeting and getting to know and I was rooting for him from the start to the end. There are just so many characters that I loved and cannot wait to meet again and I am looking forward to meeting them all again in the next book in this absolutely stunning series. 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 yet 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, any books in the Loch Cameron series 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 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!

272 pages.

This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle, free with Kindle Unlimited and £7.99 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.

Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews

#AGiftFromTheCottageByTheLoch #LochCameron #KennedyKerr #Bookouture #BookoutureAnonymous #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour #Goodreads #NetGalley #Amazon #AmazonKindle #Bookstagram #Bookblogger #KindleUnlimited

@AGiftFromTheCottageByTheLoch @LochCameron @KennedyKerr @Bookouture @BookoutureAnonymous @Netgalley @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86 @Goodreads @Amazon @AmazonKindle @Bookstagram @BookBlogger @KindleUnlimited

https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?ref=bookmarks

https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__tn__=%2As-R

https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhitlock86/

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/34299953-kirsty-bookworm86

https://mobile.twitter.com/kcmw86

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/profile/amzn1.account.AFZ2XZBSFHIHXBXGZLBQ666XVK4A?ie=UTF8&ref_=ya_mb_l_prf

Kennedy Kerr's newest book, A Gift from the Cottage by the Loch, had me completely captivated from the start.

The story introduces Bel, who escapes her unfaithful husband and seeks refuge with her sister in the picturesque setting of Loch Cameron. She embarks on a new journey by opening a store on the high street.

I guarantee you'll enjoy it as much as I did!

This was a really good read. Just what was needed when the skies are grey and a little escape is needed. Great characters once again and it really was difficult to put down. I loved how the area felt so familiar giving a sense of comfort at the same time introducing new characters. A great story beautifully written.

Bel has had the Day From Hell. Her life is falling apart. She has lost her job of eight years and she caught her husband red-handed having an affair. On the same day. And it wasn’t even noon yet.

Bel left as soon as she could. She had to go somewhere so she headed north. After hours of driving, she ended up in the small village of Loch Cameron in Scotland, and to her sister Sally.

Having visited the village before, Bel had appreciated the calm serenity it held. She feels that now, especially since life as she knew it was over. She had hoped to stay with Sally and her wife Bess, but due to renovations, Bel will be staying in a small cottage that is owned by the elderly, Gretchen. The cottage is beautiful and Bel starts to relax almost immediately.

Meanwhile, her partner keeps trying to contact her. However, having been unhappy for years, Bel is determined to ignore him and begins to think about which direction her life will go in. Bel's relationship with Sally isn't the greatest, but Bel needs her. More than that, Bel truly misses their father, someone she had a very special relationship with.

This fourth book in the Loch Cameron series is just so sweet. I loved Bel and her desire to start anew. There were other enjoyable characters in this book, like the gardener, Christian. Then there are recurring characters from previous books in the series, which gives it a very homey feel. Not sure whose story is next in this delightful series, but I am eager to continue.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

A Gift from the Cottage by the Loch is the fourth book in the Loch Cameron series by Kennedy Kerr. All the books have been lovely, gentle, relaxing reads that are perfect to dive into when you want a break from more serious reads. By now the setting is very familiar to me and there are brief reappearances from familiar characters but always with each new book we are introduced to a new main female character and therefore it makes each book very easy to read as a standalone.

This time around we meet Bel, who when we are first introduced to her is having the day from hell, quite literally. She has been made redundant from her job as the company she worked for, Handy Phones, has gone into administration. To be honest this is not the worst that could have happened as she detested her job as a services manager. But it’s when she arrives home and finds her partner Andy at home and not at work and out walks a woman wrapped in a towel from her bedroom well that just takes the biscuit altogether and her world falls apart. What do you do when your life comes crashing down? Well, you escape to those who can offer comfort, solace and support and in this situation it’s her sister Sally who lives with her partner Bess in Loch Cameron in the Scottish Highlands.

Loch Cameron is a calm and serene place where everyone knows everybody and not much can be kept private but yet there is a strong community feel and visitors are always welcome. Bel realises that life can change on the tiniest of moments and that though she has been struck down by misfortune, upset and angst she has to try and whether the storm and emerge out the other side. Maybe the two big events that occurred in her life happened for a reason and now she has to make the most of the opportunities that may come her way. Andy continues to beg for forgiveness and I wanted Bel not to waver and go back to him as he seemed to be such a creep who had dominated her and that if she had pulled the wool from her eyes much sooner she would have seen this instead of remaining in a relationship that did nothing for her physically or emotionally.

Bel rents a cottage at Queen’s Point which has stunning views that overlook the loch and the space gives her the time and clarity she needs to breathe once again and recalibrate.The cottage, as is most of the land buildings in the village, is owned by Hal Cameron but it’s the old lady Gretchen Ross who manages the lettings of the cottage. She is now in a home but Bel strikes up a friendship with her which was lovely to read about. Bel is a complex character who I have to be honest about in that I swayed back and forth as to whether I liked her not and I think that was because I found her quite frustrating at times as did her sister Sally. Theirs was a relationship which was very much up and down and it did go back to their childhood and their parents.

I could see both women’s point of view and appreciated where Sally was coming from as Bel at times I found her to be very unsteady. In that she didn’t have the courage and strength to make decisions for herself or navigate her own path. It was like she always needed back up and support which of course anyone would give but I think she relied too heavily on others. As she said herself before her father had passed away she was excitable, bossy, argumentative and pouty but she had lost that spark with him gone and dove straight into a relationship with Andy who certainly didn’t spark anything within her although she remained far too long in the relationship which only served to dim any hopes of igniting any spark or fire within her.

Being in a relationship which was dead, restrictive and boring meant that now Bel was free she had the chance to start a whole new and exciting life for herself. If only she was willing to take that risk and just go for it. Loch Cameron may very well be the place that will inspire her and make her come to understand that you should never compromise yourself for anyone. Andy agrees to buy Bel out of their house and when Bel sees an empty shopfront on the high street that was once a hairdressers an idea starts to take root in her mind. She had previously trained as a hairdresser and knows she has the talent to make a go of it. But is she willing to take a leap and set up a new business in a town very new to her? Has she the confidence to do so given the recent knocks she has suffered?

I thought this was the very opportunity where she could take her life into her hands and steer herself onto a path that would be beneficial to her in the long term. At times up until this point she did come across to me as a bit of a day dreamer. Someone who needed grounding and a bit of a shake and wake up call. I had my fingers crossed that things would work out with setting up her own salon and that long term she could make a real go of it but of course there had to be some trials and tribulations along the way which to be honest only added to my enjoyment of the story as life can’t always be smooth sailing.

As with any book in this genre there has to be some romance in the story and it’s always very welcome. Yes, the outcome can be pretty formulaic and there aren’t a mountain of unexpected twists. I mean you can easily sense where the plot of the book is going but half the time I don’t mind because it’s the kind of read I want at the time of reading. If I wanted something that was nitty gritty I’d have chosen something very different. The main male character comes in the form of the rather handsome Christian and I could see the electricity flowing between himself and Bel even if they didn’t get off to the best of starts with Bel showing her rather cantankerous side.

Christian was a fabulous character who I felt that there could have been so much more of in the story. I thought we got to know a bit about him and that he had many sides to him but I wanted more exploration of him as a person on a deeper level. There seemed to be so many assumptions about him seen as he was part of The Warriors, a motorcycle gang, and Bel herself forms opinions of him rather too quickly and harshly. He had such a lovely side to him that Bel needed to wake up and not believe everything that she hears on the grapevine. Rather ask people straight up and they will either tell you the truth or shield themselves which I think Christian did at certain times. It was interesting to see how the Bel/Christian angle of the story was going to be developed but truthfully it felt too rushed towards the end and I would have preferred more of a balance between this and the other plot within the story.

All in all A Gift from the Cottage by the Loch was a really enjoyable read and I hope there will be several more books to come in the series. Bel for me was a divisive character but by the end I had really come to like her and I appreciated the journey she undertook. It’s the perfect feel good romance read that you will glad you spent a few hours lost in.

This is a story of life and love and figuring out what is really important in life. When Bel's world falls apart she heads to the Highlands of Scotland to be near her sister. But her sister's house is a construction zone so Bel is staying at a cottage in the village of Loch Cameron. As Bel settles in she starts to figure out what she wants in life. She also discovers a bundle of old letters that contain a secret. Will the secret help Bel figure out her life? Or will she be too easily swayed by others?

I enjoyed this sweet romance about Bel who comes to visit her sister in Scotland from Essex when her life is turned upside down in one day. What starts as her trying to find some peace and space soon sees Bel settling down in Scotland and creating a new life and finding love where she least expected it. Her story revolves around some letters from 1960 that she finds hidden in her shop and the story behind those letters follows her around. This was the first book I’ve read by the author and I did enjoy it. This was the 4th book in the series.

Bel Burns is in much need of time away and heads to Loch Cameron to visit her sister Sally. Looking forward to spending the time with her sister, while enjoying the beauty of Scotland that surrounds her. While staying at the cottage in the quaint little village she meets gardener Christian McDougal. He encourages her to rent the perfect little space in the village and start a business. As appealing as it sounds, she wonders if doing so will give her the fresh new start she needs.

A Gift from the Cottage by the Loch written by author Kennedy Kerr is a wonderful and emotional read. I love the tiny village of Loch Cameron with its amazing surroundings and wonderful residents. The author does a great job of transporting the reader to picturesque Scotland. I enjoyed the story of Bel and Christian and Sally was a breath of fresh air. The completely delightful characters felt like close friends. If you are ready to vacation to Loch Cameron, pack your bags because this little gem of a story will transport you from where ever you are. I love this wonderful series and I highly recommend it.

This is the first book I have read by this author and Kennedy certainly doesn't disappoint. Very enjoyable and will be looking out for more.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it’s a beautiful heartwarming, sweet read. I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading more from @kennedykerr
It completely swept me away, and being book #4 in the Loch Cameron didn’t dull my enjoyment as it’s easy to follow along without having read any previous books from this series.

Bel loses her job and finds her husband cheating, all on the same day. She’s left feeling devastated and heads off to her sister Sally, who lives in the village of Loch Cameron. Bel rents a cottage overlooking the loch and unexpectedly meets the handsome gardener Christian, who encourages Bel to open up a store on the high street. While cleaning she finds a collection of letters, which reveal a secret from many years ago. Will Bel get her happy ending with Christian in Loch Cameron.

The twists and turns kept me engrossed, it just flows from page to page. I loved the descriptions of the scenery. You can imagine yourself there. The characters are engaging, warm and welcoming and also believe as they come to life on the page.
I enjoyed the story behind the hidden letters, even though it was sad.
Overall, it’s a brilliant escapism read. If you like women’s fiction/ romance you will enjoy this book. Definitely recommend.

With thanks to #NetGallery @bookouture for an arc of #AGiftFromTheCottageByTheLoch in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 28 February 2024.

Book Review: A Gift From the Cottage by the Loch.. Loch Cameron Book 4
Stars: 4 X 5
Author: Kennedy Kerr @kennedykerrauthor
Publisher: Bookouture @bookouture
Thank you @netgalley for this ARC

In book 4 we return to Loch Cameron in Scotland. Bel has one hell of a day. She loses her job and finds out her “husband” is having an affair. Bel is devastated and heads off to her sister Sally’s in Scotland. Bel has been to Loch Cameron before and she knows that this place will help her heal. Once Bel arrives at Sally’s she realized that Sally’s house is undergoing major renovations so she ends up renting a small cottage nearby. After being in Loch Cameron for a while Bel comes to a realization that she has been unhappy for years and decides to figure out what she is going to do with her life now. While at the cottage she finds out there is a gardener who is quite easy on the eyes. The gardener is a kind person but has a reputation for being in a “biker gang” but things are not what they are rumored to be. Bel is attracted to him but who wouldn‘t be. Bel is also missing her father and is really feeling his absence so much that she starts dreaming of him. When she dreams of him she also getting some guidance for what she should be doing.
Thing slowly start getting better and Bel ends up being offered a job that suit her very well. Bel also finds a new romance and gets much support from this new community she is now calling home. Even Bel and Sally’s relationship is mending.
Bel is starting to learn what love is again. A nice little side story injected in the story are these letters she finds about the town and the people of the town. As she read these letters they seem to help her in the healing process.

I enjoyed this story even more then Book 3. It brings to mind that one needs to do what make them happy and the ending of this book was such heartwarming and wonderful. It was a great romance to read.

#CottageByTheLochDiary #CozyCottageChronicles #RusticRetreatNotes #LakesideDiaryTales #SereneLochsideLife #CottageDiaryAdventures #WhispersFr
#reading #booknerd #booksofinstagram #readingtime #bookphoto #readabook #totalbooknerd #getlit #bookrecommendations #greatreads #iread #fortheloveofreading #booksaremagic #idratherbereading #currentreads #bookblog #goodreads #booksofinsta #bookstagram

Another gorgeous, intuitive and tender delivery by Kennedy Kerr! A Gift From The Cottage by the Loch is a beautiful heart-warming story. It flows from page to page and kept me totally engaged in eager anticipation. In many ways, returning to this setting of Loch Cameron in Scotland was like re-visiting an old friend or a number of them! As there are many familiar faces in book four that I met in the earlier renditions. This picturesque village offers a heavenly escape, where nature surrounds and lures its guests into a sympathetic embrace. It is a perfect place to heal and for new beginnings. Something our protagonist desperately needs.

Bel is a warm trusting person dedicated to a job she does not like and to a partner who really is not the best choice for her. At the opening of the novel, life takes some wicked turns. She discovers on the same day, she has lost her job and her partner. For when she comes home early, she learns Andy is not alone in their home. The betrayal hits her hard and she flees the scene with a few belongings and heads to her sister’s place in Scotland. Even though they have not seen each other in a while, older sister Sally welcomes her with open arms. Since her home is under construction, she sets Bel up in a cottage owned by the Laird—a kind man we have met in previous books of the series. How long will she stay? She is unclear. She just needs somewhere quiet to figure out her next steps.

The village of Loch Cameron contains lots of breathtaking beauty, fresh air and gossip. Yes, small towns usually have a few good juicy stories they pass around. But Bel is not expecting her cottage to come with a gardener, especially one that has an attractive man. Christian, seems kind enough but we discover he is in a motorcycle ‘gang, though he and this group are not what they seem. In fact, his name somewhat reflects his actual extra-curricular activities more appropriately than the the gossip flying around about him. But Bel is attracted to him and not sure why. Is it that she is drawn to bad boy men? To add a bit more conflict in the mix, a man from Bel’s past arrives. And tries to rekindle a passion they had. But Bel is not sure whether she can trust him again as he really broke her heart. Has he sincerely changed or is he a manipulator, putting on the praise in thick dollops to get what he wants?

There is a touch of spiritualism in the story with Bel having dreams about her late father who is like a guide for her, providing advice. She misses him terribly and he leads, reassures and comforts her during her darkest, most confusing moments. How long will these visions last? Long enough to set her on the right path.

This story is about finding yourself, gaining confidence, getting past the striving for acceptance, being who you are, going after your dream job—one that makes you happy. And in the romantic realm? Learning the difference between base attraction and lasting love—learning to trust and finding your true match. Bel’s awakening to love, building new romantic relationships, sifting the good from the bad comes after the failing of her long term relationship. A relationship faulty from the start so when the cracks appeared and outside influences trickled in— the worst happened— leaving Bel exposed and blindsided by her partner’s infidelity. She vowed never again to be fooled or repeat such an experience.

Once Bel removed herself from her home setting, away from the wrong man and job, she is able to blossom in Loch Cameron. She is offered her dream business opportunity, in a glorious location with a close knit community. Then temptation comes long (as previously mentioned): two men appear on the scene, one from her past— all stars and sparkle— and the other— an earthy toned man connected to gardens and a motorcycle ‘gang’. In both cases, things are not as they appear and the ‘true’ man wins out.

Yes, this novel at its core is a story of female friendships and sisterly connections where women support each other through thick and thin. It covers relationships that have been misunderstood, too. But it is also about love—what is the real deal and what is just smoke and mirrors. And through it all, wonderful Bel blossoms in herself with some help from her father, sister and sister-in-law, friends and a wad of ‘old letters’ between two women found in her salon. This village echoes with the cries of broken hearts. But healing comes when past stories are uncovered and the persons involved are honoured in the end. Something bright, bold and beautiful springs from the thorns of chaos—as all good things do in Loch Cameron. This is lovely, lingering romantic fiction with a positive outcome. The very best kind. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my review copy.