I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Tess and particularly loved her independence, which she didn’t ask for but was embracing. Her slimeball husband had created an impossible situation when he cheated on her with his colleague, and Tess was determined to rise above and come through this latest hiccup without any regrets. What she doesn’t envisage is meeting Rob Templeton and then revisiting her friendship with her ex's colleague, Nico Brunswick.
She was left with a fractured relationship with her nosy neighbour, Dilly, since Tess and her ex had excluded her from their social circle for years. Her beloved dog, Barney, who was the apple of her eye, and her daughter, Hannah, who was enjoying life in Australia, as she had taken off on a gap year adventure before enrolling on her university course. However, on hand, she had the unwavering support of her two best friends, Gina and Suzy.
I loved how Jill created a new community which immediately felt like old friends. She imagined the best of people and didn’t treat Charles very well. In honesty, he didn’t deserve any better. As Tess emerged from the shadow of her former life, she was able to spread her wings and discover her identity as a woman rather than as a wife and mother. The whole transformation was reaffirming.
I’m hopeful that this will be the start of a new series, as I would love to revisit Lower Leaping and learn more about Dilly, Gina and Suzy. Each character is perfectly imagined and relatable. I’d be delighted to read and review them all.

This is a heartfelt story about rediscovering oneself following the collapse of a marriage. The protagonist, Tess, is shattered when her husband, Charles announces he is leaving her for a younger woman after 30 years of marriage. Determined to navigate her grief, Tess resolves to decorate her beautiful garden office, transforming it into a personal retreat. However, a chance meeting with the charming yet struggling Rob Temple disrupts plans, as she offers him the space to stay, sensing a kindred spirit. With the support of her long-time friends, Gina and Suzy, Tess must venture outside her comfort zone and embrace a new way of life filled with secrets, opportunities, and second chances if she is willing to seize them.

This is a delightful read, ideal for a cozy afternoon spent curled up on the sofa. The picturesque setting of a charming Cotswold village and the enchanting Forever Cottage makes it an inviting escape. It is evident that this marks the beginning of a series, and while the story concluded somewhat abruptly, it leaves one eager to discover if Tess attains her happy ending. With thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2 ⭐️ The Forever Cottage by: Jill Steeples is Publishing June 19, 2025 with Boldwood Books

This one was a miss for me. It felt long and that it dragged on. I did enjoy the growth with some characters but also some I found to be irritating which is good as it fit with the story for the individual. I loved the small village scene and vibe brought to mind some personal memories for me with a few similar. I did find it harder to read though. In the end this one wasn’t my cup of tea. Even though I personal don’t think it was the best book I believe it could be a fantastic tv show.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read before publishing and shares my honest thoughts.

I really enjoyed this book, the characters were well written and very relatable, it kept me wanting to read more and it was more than the typical romances you can get, it’s a wonderful summer treat

The first book of what is set to be a charmingly heartwarming series. Tess has suddenly found her life has been turned upside down and she is all alone without a husband. What I really appreciated was watching Tess thrive and flourish on her own, as she became her own person and discovered what she really enjoyed and doing what she wanted without being influenced by someone else. I particularly liked Dilly who is Tess's neighbour and I am hoping to see more of Dilly in future instalments of the series. The garden sounds absolutely beautiful and I could easily picture myself curled up with a book amongst the flowers and of course the gorgeous dog Barney curled up by my side. The plot is simple and easy to follow while getting to know the characters. It is the perfect blend of women's fiction and anyone can enjoy it anywhere.

A charming story. Tess is devastated when her husband Charles leaves her she thought they were happy in their beautiful idyllic cottage but with the help of two close friends and a neighbour she didn't have much to do with when Charles was around she suddenly starts to get her life back on track. She transforms the garden office into a Beautiful retreat which she decides she might rent out in the future but when she runs into the charming Rob who is practically homeless she puts her faith in him and tells him he can move in until he gets himself sorted out, It's a lovely easy reading book, a story of friendships family and love full if warmth and charm but also finding an inner strength to finally search for the happiness she deserves. A really enjoyable read

Pleasant easy read, I enjoyed it even though it's not the usual genre I read
I've not read this author before but will look out for more books

A perfectly nice, gentle book. Everything is a bit predictable but sometimes that is just what you need. It isn’t ground breaking but it is a good break from your own reality.

it makes me quite emotional when certain authors find there way to me. this new book from Jill gave me all those tingly feelings again. certain authors also have my whole heart. and Jill is right up there on that list. there are no stars or justice i could give them on just how superb her books are. they are delight. they are everything you could ever ever want or need. the only problem is when they have to end.
this book gives us wonderful Tess. she thought she had it all. she was at the time of life where life seems to have found it place for her. that is until her husband tells her and makes it all so very very different and completely pulls the rug from under her.
and so her husband leaves. and she is left feeling ever so alone in the world. oh apart from her dog. and of course we adore the dog!
so Tess can either bend, fall and not get up. or she can find who Tess is once again. she can think about what will make Tess happy right now.
she's not alone though. as once again the friendships in this book are just beyond lovely. they are there for her. they are all characters of their own which i loved getting to know more of.
so Tess starts to find her fun and interests again. she starts to feel stronger perhaps even like she might be beginning to blossom again?
Lower Leaping is a wonderful place to immerse myself into for this book. and Tess's house and garden has me all in a fizz with the descriptions of it.
of course we also have a chance meeting one day. which will lead Tess in perhaps an altogether new direction. but one that could bring her all the joy back to her life too. watching as these two interact is just gorgeous.
this book is so much about love. of all kinds. for ones self, for others, for the heart. and i loved every second of this.

The Forever Cottage by Jill Steeples

Tess is in her 50s and living alone for the first time - her husband Charles has left to go and live with the woman he'd been having an affair with, and her daughter Hannah is travelling in Australia before she starts her teacher training. As Tess negotiates this new phase in her life with the help of friends new and old, and her beloved dog Barney, she gradually begins to enjoy her independence and look to the future.

What a lovely book, I thoroughly enjoyed it. A beautiful setting in a Cotswolds village, great characters, and a heartwarming story - I was cheering Tess on all the way! Very highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Started thinking of it as a 4 ⭐️ but I might bump it to 5⭐️ since it’s the start of a series and I’m genuinely looking forward to the next books. Whatever comes next imo determines this one.

At times it felt a bit of slow pace but given the characters maturity, life experience, etc. I thought it was best probably for the story line for it to be more slowly paced than the ‘average romance’ we see on booktok etc.

Nice read!

This is my first book by Jill Steeples, and it was a lovely read. As I was finishing it, I kept thinking, I would love to read more about these characters. And when I looked at the book’s description again, discovered it’s the beginning of a new series. Tess is a woman in her 50’s that’s been happily married for about a 30 years when her world is turned upside down by her husband leaving her. Tess has a grown daughter Hannah (who’s off on a gap year trip), a sweet mother, and two longtime best friends. The setting is a picture perfect cottage (surrounded by a garden) in the village of Lower Leaping in the Cotswolds, (Not sure if this is a real or fictional village).

I don’t typically read books featuring the break up of a a marriage but this was very well done, It felt true to life, but didn’t focus on her failed marriage but on the new life Tess was creating for herself and the old and new friends who support her along the way. There were some unexpected happenings that added to the fun of the book. It is a perfect summer read, It takes you along for a lovely ride and you’ll wish you were living in the annex in Tess’s garden and part of her group of friends. If you’re longing for a getaway to the Cotswolds or a girls’ night out, this is the next best thing.
I’ll definitely be reading more books by Jill Steeples. I’m always glad to find a new author who writes well and whose stories feel authentic.

#TheForeverCottage #NetGalley

What a lovely start to a new series. When Tess Alexander finds herself and the life she has known for the past three decades completely changed she decides to reconnect with who she once was. She transforms the home office at the end of her garden and starts to embrace her new found freedom and single life. A chance meeting in a coffee shop with Rob then sends her new life in another direction. One thing I really liked was how the main characters were slightly older and had had plenty of life experience. I loved how husband Charles is portrayed and think the way the relationship between Tess and him is brilliantly written. This is such a heartwarming story and there is enough background information about those who are in Tess’s support network to give an overall insight into Tess’s life. Really looking forward to reading the next one in the series. Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

This is a heartwarming, uplifting tale of new beginnings, personal growth, and the quiet power of friendship. When Tess’s husband unexpectedly leaves her and her daughter is off travelling, she finds herself suddenly alone—save for the comforting presence of her loyal dog, Barney. What follows is a beautifully written journey of rediscovery. Tess begins to shift her focus from the needs of her ex to her own passions, interests, and the life she wants to build for herself. As she tends to her charming garden—described in such vivid, serene detail you can almost smell the flowers—Tess also nurtures something deeper: self-worth and happiness on her own terms.

The supporting characters are a delight, particularly her neighbour Dilly and her two best friends, who bring warmth, humour, and authenticity to the story. Their evolving friendships add real heart to the narrative, reminding readers of the importance of a strong support network during life’s upheavals. Set in a picturesque village that feels like a character in its own right, this book is the perfect escape read.

First visit in a new series from the wonderful Jill Steeples. The book draws you in from the first page.
Tess is experiencing a blip in her idyllic Hollyhocks cottage when her long term husband trades her in for a younger model.
With the support of her friends and an encounter with a new one she is clawing her way back to the world.
Brilliantly written and can’t wait to get to know these characters in this new village looking forward to more in this series,

Such a lovely book to read. I really enjoyed the characters and the atmosphere of this book. So relaxing and it felt like I was being cuddled in a warm duvet. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Another wonderful read from Jill. I loved how the story unfolded keeping the reader reluctant to put the book down. Tess was a wonderful character and together with her friends and their trip. It kept you guessing on how the story would unfold with her meeting with Rob. she certainly was a lady to take chances. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I have read other books by Jill Steeples and 'The Forever Cottage' didn't disappoint. Thank you to Netgalley for my ARC copy. Tess' world is turned upside-down when her husband, Charles, announces he is leaving her. Their daughter is away traveling and Tess is left to pick up the pieces of her life by herself whilst supporting her elderly mother. Tess then meets Rob, who is has lost everything following a messy divorce and is also trying to get his life back on track. Charles adds to the drama with his selfish attitude, e.g. expecting Tess to tell their daughter about his decision to leave, and also allow his new partner to look after her dog. A nice escapist read, Tess is at times unrealistic with her expectations e.g. she hasn't worked since her daughter was born and has been completely dependent financially on Charles, yet she sets about redecorating her home with no thought as to where the money is coming from (nor is this spending done as revenge). That said, as a cosy beach read this does fit the bill.

Tess has the perfect life. A beautiful cottage in a village which she has renovated over the years of her marriage to Charles. Her only daughter is now touring Australia before university starts and although Tess misses her she knows she has to let her do her thing.
Out of the blue Charles announces that he is leaving her for a younger woman from his office. This is the story of Tess picking up the pieces of her life.
I really enjoyed this book. Tess is completely lost until she bumps into a man who is sleeping in a tent after his divorce.
The friendship which developed between these two is lovely.
Tess two friends and her neighbour bring some light relief from what Tess is going throw. I must say she is well rid of Charles. I think this is a new series so I look forward to reading more about Tess and friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

This is book 1 in the Lower Leaping series, and it starts with Tess Alexander, 54, having thrown out cheating husband Charles from her beloved Hollyhocks Cottage in the Cotswolds. It's a typical village where everyone knows everyone, and neighbour Dilly promptly comes over to offer condolences and strike up a closer friendship. Tess has always had an active social life in the community, incorporating her friends Gina and Suzy, her beagle Barney, mother Marjorie and daughter Hannah who is currently travelling in Australia, but now she needs to adjust to her new freedom and opportunities.

Tess loves her cottage and colourful garden and decides to transform the garden annexe, previously used by Charles as an office, into her personal crafting retreat, but after meeting down on his luck Rob, she offers it to him instead as a temporary place to stay until he gets back on his feet. She experiences an attraction to him but at the same time lawyer Nico starts courting her, and Charles is still throwing his weight around, finding fault with everything Tess does.

This is an undemanding and predictable, yet gentle and light-hearted holiday read about friendship, hope, personal growth and second chances. All the characters except Charles are lovely and it reads fast. If you like warmhearted and uplifting stories about middle-aged women getting their mojo back, carving out a new future and finding new friends and fulfillment, you will love this.

3.5 stars