I knew I was going to enjoy this book from the first few pages. The descriptions of the characters immediately brought them to life and weaving the story around the immense task of turning a ruin into a fabulous home that was sensitive to its environment seemed impossible. The clashing of Owen and Saskia’s strong wills coupled with family conflicts and constant obstacles threatening to derail the project added to the tension and suspense right until the last pages.

There are quite a few books out there that fit into this genre. Some of them are horribly predictable, and this isn't. While there is one element that ends up exactly where you expect it to there are also many themes that are either unexpected or which explore important contemporary issues in quite an artful way. There are a few frustrations regarding the main characters tendencies (wanting to avoid spoilers here) and her endless willingness to expect different behaviour from those who have always been one way that were perhaps realistic but annoying. But that may say more about me than anything else. The Forest Hideaway is well written, nicely paced, engaging and with novel and unexpected elements. I would recommend it.

I really looked forward to starting this book and it didnt let me down at all. The front cover design really caught my eye with its bright and bold design. Saskia our main character has skill and a dream about a castle, equipped with talent and creativity, Will it all work out as she expected ? The reader is plunged into the technicality of making a dream work and become real, but there are many challenges ahead of the road.
The forest hideaway is a fantastic read and deeply emotive at times to show the struggles of a family and how people who face adversity manage to get their life back to where it should be. The scene setting was just the escape you need in a book, i really got into this and found myself not wanting to put it down. Lots of different elements written into this book , i felt compelled with the strong family relationships that were in this book and could relate alot with Saskia when she went back down memory lane. I felt a real twinge of grief although its not as a deep as other books, it still gives the underlying message of the importance of family and how we want to make our families proud no matter what. But still Saskia is her own individual in this book and has to follow what she thinks is the right path. Thanks to netgalley for this ARC.

A lovely, atmospheric read from Sharon Gosling. Saskia is the architect who wants to restore a castle that means a lot of her because of the link with her father; Owen is the builder she employs to turn her dream to reality. As they deal with various obstacles they become closer, but does Owen really trust her? Saskia is a former addict and keeps part of herself hidden. The writing is beautiful, descriptive and intriguing. I loved the descriptions of the forest and I definitely want the tiny home that Saskia lives in! A great read with warm characters that I enjoyed meeting.

I feel like Gosling's books get better and better, which is maybe unfair on the ones I read earlier, but I think this is my favourite so far.

Saskia Tilbury-Martin has spent ages looking for the right person to help her make her lifelong dreams about Gair Castle come true. Owen Elliott is unconvinced he is that person. But he needs the money and if an idiot rich woman's going to pay him he'll make the best of it, or try to. Unfortunately his personal life is unravelling which makes him a less-than ideal colleague for a woman who has overcome a lot more than it might appear on first impressions.

A lovely book full of beautiful scenery and well-drawn characters with plenty of convincing depth.

Saskia is trying to build a new life for herself in the wilds of Cumbria at Gair Castle - somewhere she visited as a child and which has such positive attachments for her. She has inherited a trust fund from her grandparents, has planning permission and has managed to secure the services of a local builder - Owen Elliott. They fail to gel to start with until faced with the opposition of the local historical society and a judicial review.

Forced to work together, Owen learns more about her background and comes to respect her motivations. She, in turn, helps him to care for his daughter and manage his marital difficulties.

Saskia is forced to face her memories of her father and his involvement with Gair and realise that her dreams to rebuild the castle were not his. She is helped to see a new way forward for her and Owen.

A delightful story - lovely setting and convincing characters.

This was a powerful and at times a frustrating story to read. The MC has been through a lot in her past, and treated with no respect by members of her so called family for her well being. How she managed to overcome the obstacles in her life is truly amazing but having a great friend really helps. I mentioned frustration, but only because the writer wanted us to feel how the MC felt and I can tell you I really did. Manipulation of the law is abominable and we all know how often it happens!
Some great characters, beautiful descriptions of the land upon which the ruins of an old castle was built many years ago and a beautiful dog which all makes for a great read and I assure you, you will not be disappointed.

The Forest Hideaway by Sharon Gosling

Saskia is building a home for herself out of the ruins of an old castle. Surrounded by forest, hidden away from everyone and everything, the place is special - it’s the only connection she has left to her father and it’s a hard-won chance to escape from her difficult past and create a new future. She’s spent her whole life trying to find a way to make this project work and finding someone to help her realise her dream has been almost impossible.
Coming from Cumbria myself I am always drawn to a fiction book that is set there . Throw in a mysterious setting and a bit of romance and I am in .
I enjoyed the book , but clicked from quite early on where the story was going but this did not detract from the enjoyment of it .
Great idea for a plot and likewise for the characters enough to want Saskia to get her happily ever !

I liked the tone & pace along with the character & landscape descriptions.
The story is a lovely, whimsical idea but I found the plot dragged a bit - I felt it took a long time to get to where you knew it would go early on, with not much actually happening in between.
That being said, I didn't mind too much as it was lovely to have some escapism with a light-hearted read!