Book review of My Great-Aunt’s Diary by Laura Sweeney. Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

This book felt like a warm, quiet weekend in a place you didn’t know you missed until you returned. From the first page, My Great-Aunt’s Diary swept me into the world of Dovecote—a charming seaside village that feels both timeless and familiar. Laura Sweeney has such a comforting, inviting style of writing. It’s not just about painting a picture—it’s about building a feeling. I could hear the sea through the open windows, feel the creak of the floorboards in the old cottage, and smell the roses in the overgrown garden. The setting isn’t just background—it breathes with every page, becoming a kind of character in its own right.

Emily is someone I connected with instantly. She’s not dramatic or flashy. She’s quietly heartbroken, uncertain, and so deeply human. Her journey home to Violet’s cottage felt like the kind of personal reset we all dream about when life overwhelms us. There’s a softness to the way she moves through her grief that made her feel real. I appreciated that she didn’t arrive with everything figured out—she was searching, not just for answers about Violet’s past, but for a way forward in her own life. It made every small choice, every rediscovered memory, feel important and earned.

The emotional core of the story really deepens when Will reappears. Their shared history hums beneath every interaction. I loved how Sweeney didn’t rush them—there’s space for hesitation, for awkwardness, for old wounds to surface naturally. Their chemistry is low-key but undeniable, like two puzzle pieces finally fitting back together after years apart. Will is patient, kind, but not perfect. Their second chance at love feels more like a slow rekindling than a grand gesture, and that made it so much more believable—and honestly, more satisfying.

And then there’s Violet’s diary, which completely stole my heart. The moment Emily discovers it, the story begins to open in a new direction. The dual timeline added so much richness, and Violet’s voice was so distinct—strong, romantic, and quietly brave. Her wartime love story had all the emotional depth I could’ve hoped for. It made me think about how many stories—especially women’s stories—go untold or forgotten, and how powerful it can be when someone finally listens. “Sometimes love waits in the quiet places, until someone is brave enough to remember.” That line nearly brought me to tears. It’s simple but profound, and it lingers long after the last page.

This book isn’t flashy, and that’s its strength. It’s thoughtful and comforting, like long conversations over tea, or digging through old letters in a forgotten attic. The themes—grief, healing, love, memory, and home—are explored with care and honesty. It reminded me that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is return to the place that broke you and try again. Emily isn’t just rebuilding a house—she’s reclaiming her story, and her family’s, too.

My Great-Aunt’s Diary is the kind of book I’ll reach for again when I want to feel wrapped up in something gentle and true. It’s a beautiful second installment in the Dovecote Cottages series, and I already can’t wait to return to this little village by the sea. Laura Sweeney writes with such warmth and understanding—like she’s been where her characters are and is gently guiding them, and us, toward hope.