I’ve been a fan of Sharon Gosling’s writing since her first foray into adult fiction with The Lighthouse Bookshop, a book which will always have a place in my top books ever. It was simply phenomenal and it’s one that I must reread at some stage (I say at some stage because with so many new books coming out that I wish to read rereading moves down on my reading priority list). Now comes a new book, The Forest Hideaway, which has the most gorgeous, inviting cover perfect for these last few days of summer as we then slip into autumnal mode. This is a lovely, relaxing read about fresh starts with a wonderful and magical woodland setting with both the woods and the castle that feature almost becoming characters themselves in the story. The pacing of the story is perfect. It’s not action packed with shocks and twists and turns at every corner because it didn’t need that at all. Instead, there is a lovely, leisurely tempo where we get to know the characters, their strengths and weaknesses and how they all connect through a beautifully written story all centred around Gair castle.

There are two main characters Saskia and Owen with several more minor characters who over time do have their own significant roles to play. But it is Saskia and Owen that the plot weaves and entangles itself around and I found them both equally as intriguing as the other. There are many differences between them but also striking similarities and as they work together to restore the castle, connections begin to appear although these are tested and thwarted at several points. The pair don’t get off to the best of starts upon their initial encounter with Saskia arriving late to their first meeting to formulate plans for the restoration of Gair castle. Initially, Saskia gave the impression of a well-heeled, money laden young girl who picked the castle hidden in the forest on a whim. A project that would pass some time for her. That was the impression that she wished to give as so many builders had declined to take on such an imposing project. She wanted Owen to think that she had everything together and that her ambitious architectural plans could be pulled off whilst remaining sympathetic to the history of the castle and the surrounding environment.

Owen himself is in a bit of a bind. His marriage is to Tasha is very unstable but he wants to keep pressing on for the sake of his little girl Hannah. Finances aren’t good and he knows that if he took this job then that would be one element of stress alleviated from his life. Finding Saskia so unorganised and unreliable he questions whether taking on such a challenge is the right thing to do but he decides to forge ahead with it.His marriage ends and he finds himself staying with a workmate but beginning work on the castle with his team he slowly starts to get to know Saskia better and discovers there is a lot more hidden beneath the surface than what she first portrayed to him.

Saskia has a history, both her personal and family life have been through the ringer and she is doing her best to remain stable and focused. To continue on with this quest/journey of hers. The reader wonders what has her so driven that she will do anything to overcome any obstacle placed in her path? She has spent several years meticulously meeting all planning requirements and designing something in line with where the castle is but yet there are those out to get her who feel Gair castle should be left the way it is. I wondered why she doesn’t give up but it’s during the course of the book that Saskia reveals titbits about herself and as these are revealed to the reader, Owen too gets to know the real her although I always felt there were certain things she was never going to disclose about herself until she felt fully confident in Owen.

Saskia came from a privileged background but as she knows herself her trajectory took a different path that led to heartbreak, isolation , anxiety and alienation. When we learn the true extent of her trauma and why Gair means so much to her we see the real Saskia starting to emerge and I came to admire her spirit, determination and why her little cabin with her dog was her safe space and nest whilst Gair was rebuilt. That’s all she had and all she wanted and if her plans couldn’t come to fruition her attempts to preserve the past and construct a new future would utterly fail. Would she be strong enough to survive that? Her connection to Gair and the forest around it where strange things happen according to local folklore unfolded very well at just the right junctures in the story. It wasn’t too dominant nor was her up and down relationship/working friendship with Owen. This was all subtly under played and instead the forest, nature, history and becoming one with the world were allowed to come to the fore and were explored in an interesting and visceral way.

I adored the scenes set in the forest. Saskia seemed very much at one with nature and was so in tune with the land she had bought. It was her haven and she wished to prove to all concerned especially those who were determined to see construction on the castle halted that nature and humanity can live alongside one another in harmony and could thrive in the same space. There is a prime example of this when a discovery is made and initially I thought oh the author is hinting at some sort of magical realism and I hate that kind of thing having to believe in something that is not real or there is no concrete evidence provided. I am being purposefully vague here as I do not wish to ruin this element of the book. But given what I have just said I was so relieved that this didn’t turn out to be the case and in fact this subplot was so touching and proved a pivotal turning point in the story. It didn’t seem off track or just plonked in the book for the sake of it instead it highlighted the themes being explored in a realistic and heartrending way.

The last quarter or so of the book the pace picked up slightly and I was all for it. Given I said there wasn’t huge amounts of twists and turns there were a few towards the end but they all worked brilliantly. Yet, things weren’t rushed and Saskia and the setting continued to share their story in a real and engaging way. Reconciling with the past and discovering things mean moving on can begin to occur but does she want elements of the past still present in her future or will she take what she has met with learned in the present into a new and exciting future? Will Owen be by her side or is there too many reservations, misunderstandings and confrontations be too much to overcome? Will the forest and the castle work their magic? You’ll have to read this wonderful book to discover the answers and so much more.

The Lighthouse Bookshop will forever be my favourite Sharon Gosling novel and I really don’t think anything will change that but The Forest Hideaway has coming roaring up to take second place. It’s a fabulous, cosy read that I hope finds its way too many readers both old and new. The strong sense of place combined with characters that you connect with and root for make this a compelling story you will readily lose yourself in.

🌳🦌🍁🏕️ The Forest Hideaway — Sharon Gosling 🏕️🍁🦌🌳

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

📖 Blurb: Set on the wild edge of Cumbria, close to the Scottish border, The Forest Hideaway promises a remote and romantic autumn escape, full of hope, friendship, and new beginnings. Saskia is rebuilding her life—and her home—out of the ruins of an old castle, hidden deep in the forest. But when local builder Owen finally agrees to help, sparks fly, secrets surface, and both soon discover that sometimes second chances come when you least expect them…

💭 My thoughts: This one was a mixed bag for me. I struggled with the very slow burn pacing—it wasn’t until around 60% that I felt fully invested 🫣. That said, I loved the setting; the remote woodland and castle ruins gave off such a cosy, atmospheric vibe 🍂🏰. It’s also an easy, gentle read—perfect if you’re after something relaxing rather than fast-paced.

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I love how this author always involves the outside life in her books, it is a real selling point to me. Saskia's back story is very interesting and it is a book about fresh starts, in many ways. I look forward to seeing what she produces next.

Sharon Gosling is a relatively new author for me. I loved what I read. A heart warming and cosy book for the autumn evenings.

Gair Castle in the wilds of Cumbria is a very special place for architect Saskia and she has strong emotional attachments to it for reasons we find out over the course of the novel. Having inherited a substantial trust fund, she is determined to use the money renovate the castle in a sympathetic way, keeping an old oak tree at the heart of the development. Owen is a local builder who desperately needs this project to work for family reasons. They don’t exactly hit it off when they first meet but gradually learn to work together and understand each other.

I particularly liked the emphasis on working with nature and respecting the relationship between people and the natural world. Although many people didn’t appreciate what Saskia was trying to do, she always was determined that she would restore the castle and its surrounds sympathetically while making it a place for her to live. The idea that we can learn about the human past from the castle and the natural world from the oak tree and the was one that appealed to me. “There are two types of history here…[t]he castle ruins, the ancient oak tree. They both hold whole worlds within them.” Such a great way of describing the importance of preserving and learning from the past.

Saskia’s back story was so interesting and I could understand why she wanted to make this project work. She felt it would be a tribute to her beloved father and evidence of her own progress. There were some people who were very determined to sabotage her plans for their own ends and what horrible characters they were.

I also enjoyed the element of mystery within the book. There always seem to be myths and legends surrounding ancient woodlands and trees and Gair forest was no exception. With rumours of hidden Roman ruins and mysterious happenings within the woods, this added an element of intrigue to the book.

The Forest Hideaway is a book about fresh starts in many different ways. It’s a beautifully written story, with a wonderful woodland setting and a gently developing romance. A book about finding where you truly belong, this is another compelling read from Sharon Gosling.

This is a beautifully written book that allows you to feel as if you are there with the ruined castle and the forest but unfortunately, nothing really happens in this book. I was quite happy reading it as it allowed me to escape to the north of England but I wish that there had been more happening that didn’t revolve around architecture and construction. This is a nice, gentle read.

The project of a lifetime incorporating history, nature and what many would think of as impossible architecture. Saskia Tilbury - Martin has the money, drive, skills and ambition to see it through. “The Forest Hideaway” begins with her search for the right team crazy enough to start the build of her dreams. In order to secure a site manager, she omits to mention a few details, the primary one being that she is the architect and that there is local opposition to the project. Owen, keen to start a big project to secure financial security for his family, is just the man for the job. Despite their first impressions of each other being unfavourable, the building work begins and everyone is happy. Until they aren’t! Problems escalate and the mysteries of the forest begin to revel themselves. Romans, fairies, witches, irate historians, family members and archeologists all play their part in creating a magical and emotional rollercoaster of a journey. I loved reading “The Forest Hideaway” it has everything I needed to keep me invested in Saskia’s story. The setting is fantastic a remote, ruined castle with a magical oak tree at it’s centre set in the grounds of a forest full of the glorious mysteries of nature and all the folklore that goes with it.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved this book.

Saskia is back in Gair Forest, the place that holds special memories for her. She wants to build her home here, but it’s not that straightforward. The local residents aren’t happy with what’s she’s planning.

She hires Owen to help with the build, he’s facing a lot obstacles in getting on with completing the build.

There’s some twists that keep you hooked throughout the story and you find out why Saskia wants to build her home in the forest, how she was brought up, as well as the history surrounding the forest.

I highly recommend this book.

Gair Castle is a ruin sitting in the middle of a dense Cumbrian forest, and it holds a special place in the heart of Saskia Tilbury-Martin. She has grand plans for its preservation and conversion into an innovative living space. It’s a deeply personal mission, a vindication of her renewal and her emergence from a troubled past.

Owen Elliott is an ex-serviceman and local builder, pretty much bottom of the list and the last chance for Saskia. Everyone else she approached has dismissed her vision as pure folly, a disaster-in-waiting they wouldn’t want on their résumé. Owen doesn’t have many options himself, weighed down by financial worries and a moribund marriage, and against his better judgment – taking Saskia for a dilettante with more money than sense – he accepts the project.

This lovely book, set in the same Crovie-verse as Gosling’s other novels – with some nice nods to them here – shows the author at the top of her game. Since the community-centered The House Beneath the Cliffs and The Lighthouse Bookshop, Gosling seems to have been narrowing her focus to smaller groups of people, giving her more space to enrich the characters and tell tighter stories.

The Forest Hideaway is a compelling novel, full of warmth and humanity with some nice surprises stowed away. Owen and Saskia make a great will-they/won’t-they pairing, sparking convincingly, with their points of connection emerging in a pleasingly persuasive cadence.

I’m always impressed with the way Gosling salts serious subjects – in this case addiction and family dysfunction – into her stories without sensationalism, making them the natural bedrock of her characters’ motivations and behaviours.

I was rooting for practically everyone.

A joy to read and, I would suggest, her best book yet.

This was such a lovely read and I totally lost myself in the setting! Saskia is at the heart of the story, as she's returned to Gair Forest which is such a special place to her, and she wants to build her dream home here, but is facing some backlash to the scheme from some locals.

Owen is a local builder who she gets to help with the project, so he's thrown in at the deep end too with the many obstacles facing the build, some of which are quite unexpected and really throw you as a reader as I definitely wasn't expecting and really added a different dimension to the story. You really get into the local history, and the past of Saskia and also Owen too who gets so absorbed in the build and history.

you can't help but feel for Saskia and why she has such a pull to this area, and wanting to bring the castle back to its' former glory to find the peace she's been searching for over many years. A really lovely and engaging read!

I had high expectations for this book from reading reviews but felt really let down. It wasn't awful but definitely not a 5star read. I found bits quite boring to be honest and the romance bit felt a bit lack lustre.

Nicholas Sparks meets Cecelia Ahern in this charming and enchanting tale. Unputdownable!

The story follows Saskia, who purchased Gair Castle in Cumbria, with the hopes of renovating it and fulfilling her father’s dream. Her journey is nothing short of tumultuous, full of events that rendered her vulnerable. Saskia’s journey is impeccably written by the author. I loved reading about Sas and Vivian’s friendship, it was wholesome and comforting to the point of ensuring we understand how important found families are.

We also meet Owen, the contractor with a desperate need to save his familial life and take care of his daughter. He takes up the responsibility to build Gair Castle, and we see him get through his past pain, learn from his mistakes, and develop into a well-rounded empathetic person. His inner dialogues and fights with himself are incredibly developed.

Gair Castle was the invisible string that brought Owen and Saskia together. It was a pleasure to read their respective journeys. While romance is not a big plot, I loved the subtle foreshadowing of their blooming love story.

4.5 stars rounded up, what an incredible book. I was transported back to when I was an avid Nicholas Sparks reader. Possibly planning a trip to Cumbria very soon.

An enchanting tale of hope, heart, and home. Saskia’s courageous mission to restore her father’s ruined castle is a beautifully written journey of healing and self-discovery. When gruff but caring local builder Owen enters the picture, their initially rocky partnership blossoms into a tender, believable romance.

This novel shines brightest in its portrayal of family—both blood and found—and the transformative power of love. With its evocative setting of forests and old stone, it’s a warm, uplifting read that feels like coming home. Perfect for fans of heartfelt, slow-burn romance with a strong sense of place.

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.