4,5⭐ rounded up to 5⭐

First of all, thank you so much to Kennedy Kerr and Netgalley for sending me this ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

This book kept me on my toes! I expected it to be your everyday fluffy romance (which I love), but it was so much more!

Inheriting the Cottage by the Loch is jam packed with mystery, romance, spooky vibes, family drama, and an amazing community. It made me feel like getting on a boat to pay it a visit and experience this amazing place for myself.

Catie is this lovely single mum who works a job as a librarian, barely being able to let ends meet. She has her heart in the right place and does everything she is capable of to help the people surrounding her, even though they don't always treat her the way she should be treated.

Matt seems like he is just struggling a bit with (his past) life. But just as Catie, he has his heart in the right place. I love the way he feels about Catie and how open he is about his feelings and how he sees her.

I wasn't sure if I liked Bridget at first and I didn't understand why she reacted to Catie the way she did. It all made sense after a while though and she did grow on me.

Skye seemed like a lovely girl. A typical teenager, dealing with a the struggles that come with being a teenager. I loved the way the bond she had with her mother changed during the story.

The variation between the romantic and the mysterious/spooky parts was amazingly done and it kept me curious as to what was going to happen next, or what a certain part actually meant for the rest of the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I am curious to see what all the other books in the Loch Cameron series are about.

I was really looking forward to reading this book set in Loch Cameron. However, although I liked the premise, I couldn't completely connect with this book. The mysteries around the inheritance, the sisters and Catriona's daughter felt forced and too much. There was also some romance, but I didn't feel the chemistry between Catriona and Matt.
I read previous books by Kennedy Kerr which I enjoyed very much, but this one isn't my favourite. It's still well-written if you're looking for an easy summer read.

Thank you to the publisher who provided me with an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was really looking forward to this book—the premise sounded right up my alley. But for some reason, it just didn’t connect with me. I found myself struggling to stay engaged, and I really had to push myself to get through the second half. The mystery surrounding the inheritance, the romance, and the family dynamics between the sisters and daughter all felt overly drawn out. That said, it seems to be a hit with many other readers, which is great—it just wasn’t quite the right fit for me.

It is always pure delight to read a new episode in the Loch Cameron series of this close knit community by Kennedy Kerr and Inheriting the Cottage by the Loch is full of charm, wit, mystery, magic and mayhem. And don’t forget family secrets as this one is chalked full, plus relationship dramas! And an unexpected romance.

I love revisiting familiar characters of Loch Cameron and meeting new ones or hearing stories from those who have lived there a while or of those who have recently moved into the area brought in by family connections. The Scottish setting is always breathtaking as you’d expect with such expansive expressive landscape and it usually plays a role in the drama, either for good for bad. Then there are the community issues and individual personal circumstances of characters in distress or in conflicts. These always provide incredible food for thought as I am often left pondering long after the last page is turned.

Kennedy’s books frequently address serious social and psychological issues, physical ones, too, but spirits aren’t left out and this story has plenty. I was fascinated by the fact the Scottish church trains their ministers in exorcism and house cleaning or healing methods. Kennedy in her Author’s Notes tells us when she was a child there was some ‘unsettling’ activity in their home and the local vicar came in and blessed it to clear the bad energy. The vicar told her mother ‘it’s much more common than you think.’ This is a fact about the Scottish culture I was unaware and found fascinating. But not unusual when I thought about the interweaving of the Celtic history of the region. The effects of the mix of Christianity with superstitious beliefs still exist.

As in this novel, the haunted house theme focused on the sadness that seeped into Castle View House from a past inhabitant (family related) and a tragic incident that left them with serious mental distress. It is interesting how these bad vibes affected the current inhabitants, too. Sisters Catriona and Bridget and Skye (Catie’s daughter) are in a state of discord. Catie and Bridget have been estranged sisters. When Catie was very young she had a serious illness. This trauma affected the family dynamics in ways that had lasting effects. Catie felt guilty for being sick and taking up her parents’ attention and little sister Bridget was seemingly neglected and felt very alone when her parents made a difficult decision that affected her deeply. As a result, Bridget held a grudge or bitterness in her heart towards her sister—even though Catie could not help the fact she was ill as a child. This part of the story makes you see how much illness not only affects one member but upsets the whole family unit. The fears, stress and worry create negative environments. Sadness seeps in to the well members, in ways unimagined. In this case, it created distance between two sisters. And possibly the healthy child tried hard to gain the attention of the parents who were doting on the sick sibling. Anyway, this story made me think a lot about this dilemma.

Bullying is also a topic in this novel and its serious effects. And more than one generational member is affected. It is so common today and must be dealt with as it damages children/teens’s self esteem. Tragic things can happen—including death.

This is an interesting story that shows how an inheritance (Castle View House) transforms this family’s lives. Catie, Bridget and Skye go through some harrowing events once they receive a letter from the solicitor that contains a strange stipulation from their late aunt. They must live together in the house for a year before it becomes theirs. If they do not, it is sold and proceeds go to charity. But Catie and Bridget give it a go and the end result of the personal journey they must take, includes unlocking some family mysteries and learning more about their late Aunt. This process brings them much needed healing and a new unity in their family. Probably just what their Aunt wanted.

Catie also finds love when she encounters the local laird’s younger brother. Matt Cameron was given the job to help her sort out the history of the house she inherited. He has a reputation but he goes through his own transformation once meeting Catie. She never expected to be attracted to him and although it is a challenging time for a while with its ups and downs, restoration in the area of romance comes, too. And at the wedding between Laird Harold Cameron and Miss Zelda Hicks at Loch Cameron Castle, there is a surprise waiting for Catie.

The novel ends on a high note with balance and harmony. Hearts are restored and minds freed. This is an awesome uplifting tale that captivated, charmed and mesmerised me. It left me feeling as though I had come out of the bitter cold into a warm cosy room lit by a comforting fire. And I did not want to leave or say goodbye to these wonderful characters who have become my friends. Until next time…5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a review copy.

Another in the Loch Cameron series and better read as part of the series although that is not essential. A family story of two sisters who had been estranged for many years and how they inherited a cottage under the premise that they had to live together for a year. Introduce their parents and a daughter of one of them and the tale is very family oriented. Introduce a love interest and you have an excellent read.

oh my gosh i cannot believe we are back again. this author Kennedy Kerr is someone who words and books i have completely fallen for. this is book 8 though, so my only fear and problem with this book is fearing it might have to be a series that comes to an end soon. please no Kennedy, these book all go to my top tier faves. the way Kennedy writes this new book has me in a new emotional choke hold. its grabs my arms and both wraps me up and shake me. i didnt think i could get as emotional as i did in the last book. being in the care home on book 7 was so so so gorgeous a tale. but i shouldnt have given myself this thinking. because Kennedy has swept me away with this one once again.
i feel like i know the places she has given us. i feel when know these characters. can i go and live in this community soon please? her books and this one is now added to it, are pure old. books i want to be able to have in person so i can look at them on a shelf together every once in a while feeling pride to own them. but alas that would be out my pay limit. so for now i just feel ever so grateful to have read her work. and this one goes right up there. once again making me smile at the true beauty of this book, and then all books and how they make us feel. but also grateful and in awe of talent like Kennedy's.
please read her books and feel like you todays when reading are just that bit better.

I love these books. Gosh some brilliant story lines . Siblings are the stars. As parents we do try to protect our children and we don’t always get it right. Lots of strong characters in this book . You will gripped from page one. You get a lovely ending which I did not expect. Kennedy Kerr never disappoints . Read it .

Estranged sisters, Catriona and Bridget must live together for a year in order to claim a mysterious inheritance. Gorgeous Scottish scenery and a handsome neighbor round out this hopeful, romantic story.