Member Reviews

Thank you to Simon and Schuster/Books and the City and Netgalley for this ARC, which I have reviewed voluntarily and honestly.

Coming Home to Cuckoo Cottage is the 4th book by bestselling author Heidi Swain (Find out about her other books over on Heidi's website here).
We return to the beautiful town of Wynbridge and some familiar faces from Heidi's previous books, which of course means you will be reaching for cakes and cider as you read!

Lottie has been left Cuckoo Cottage by Gwen, who was Lottie's Grandmother's best friend. Lottie had no idea of Gwen's plan until David Miller (Gwen's solicitor) tells her after Gwen's funeral. Lottie decides to leave her flat share and move into Cuckoo Cottage. She soon meets her neighbours Maggie and her son Ed with whom she immediately clicks. She meets Will - the local vet - under rather tense circumstances. Lottie had been taking a shower when the hot water had cut out, showering her with arctic water. Will hears her screams and bursts into the bathroom. Will throws her a towel and sorts out the fuse box.
Surprises keep on coming when Will presents Lottie with Gwen's dog Minnie who by all accounts comes with the cottage and Lottie also finds three vintage caravans in one of the barns, which Gwen had purchased with the help of the Cherry Tree Cafe girls as a project for Lottie. It would appear that Gwen was trying to steer Lottie towards a brighter path from beyond the grave.

Lottie begins to worry that she has made a huge mistake after local builder and good looking chap to boot Matt informs her that the cottage is practically falling down and needs a massive amount of work doing to it. He also puts a spanner in the works when Lottie comes up with a brilliant idea for making money with the caravans.

Has Matt really got Lottie's best interests at heart? Is Will all that he seems?
This is another wonderful book from Heidi. The descriptive writing makes you think that if you were dropped into Wynbridge you could definetly find your way round with no problems. A trip to the market, then a cake at the Cherry Tree Cafe would be divine, not to mention some cider and bacon from Skylark Farm.

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Hurrah! Heidi Swain has taken us back to Wynbridge for another absorbing tale involving characters who now feel like old friends as this is the fourth book revolving around goings on in this lovely village; if only it were real. I was delighted to have the chance to read and review this new one.

Central to this story is Lottie, who has been left Cuckoo Cottage by an elderly friend she has known since childhood. She meets some resistance from a few of the suspicious locals, although she's not clear why, but finds instant friends in places such as Cherry Tree Cafe and Skylark Farm, both locations that will be familiar to Heidi Swain fans like me. There is a bit of a mystery regarding some of the other things bequeathed to Lottie in the will, and she tries to work out the message from her dear friend. The story features budding romance for Laura involving two equally handsome and rugged men - Will the vet and Matt the handyman. Which one will win her heart and what is the suspense going on in the background? All of this will keep you turning the pages.

As you might gather, I really enjoyed this visit to Wynbridge. The story is filled with strong and engaging characters and a really good plot that keeps you guessing. It would be a really good book to slip into your case or add to your e-reader as you set off on holiday, or, alternatively, just to settle down with in a comfy chair. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

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When Lottie Foster’s gran’s best friend Gwen dies, she leaves Lottie Cuckoo Cottage in Wynbridge, with the stipulation that she has to live in the cottage for a year, so Lottie moves her life to Wynbridge. Lottie finds four vintage caravans hidden in the barn behind the cottage and an idea for a business begins to form.

Lottie meets Will, the local vet, who brings Gwen’s dog home, she also meets Matt a local builder who informs her that Gwen had hired him to renovate the cottage as it is all but falling down. Lottie is unsure about Matt but feels that as Gwen trusted him she should to, however, Will and Matt dislike each other intensely, and Lottie wonders why. Lottie is immensely enjoying being part of the community and her time in Wynbridge, but before she can get comfortable, she must figure out who to trust.

This is the first Heidi Swain book I have read, characters from Summer at Skylark Farm and the Cherry Tree Cafe pop up in this story and I am looking forward to reading these books also. This was a lovely enjoyable read with some excellent characters. A good summer read which I would recommend.

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When a surprise inheritance, from her late Grandmothers best friend Gwen, sees Lottie Foster as the brand new owner of a cosy cottage in the Fens she can barely wait to get herself moved in. Immediately falling in love with the charming Cuckoo Cottage, Lottie is ready to embrace her new life in Wynbridge, and when she makes a shocking but thrilling discovery in the cottage barns a plan for her future begins to unfold.

Unfortunately, Matt, the charming local builder, has some news that may find Lottie’s dreams crumbling around her ears. It turns out Cuckoo Cottage may have more flaws than assets but luckily Matt is always on hand to sort them out.

When local vet Will’s reckless driving gets Lottie into a spin, she swears to her friends she will never get along with her closest neighbour, but when nature and a fear of thunder pushes them together Lottie sees a different side to the ex-army soldier.

With village gossip running rife, a moody Yorkshire Terrier and two men vying for her attention, can Lottie manage to save Cuckoo Cottage and carve out the new life she craves for herself in Wynbridge?

Firstly, I have to say that since I learnt this book would be coming out in July I had been checking in on NetGalley daily with anticipation of requesting an ARC. Finally there and sent to my Kindle I had to finish a previous title, like any dedicated bookworm i can’t put a book down halfway through, before i could make a start. This, quite frankly, was torture! I so longed to return to Wynbridge, but the wait only served to make it all that sweeter.

Once again Swain’s characters pop off the pages with their eclectic styles and personalties, even Minnie the Yorkshire Terrier was a real treat! However, I did find Lottie’s naivety rather frustrating at times but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story. It was wonderful to read about the progression of Amber and Jake’s life and I really relished this connection.

As is typical of Swains’ novels there was again a thin veil of mystery and a few twists in the plot along the way. It always pleases me that this authors works aren’t always boy meets girl plain sailing into the happy-ever-after, and that there are realistic faults within the story and often the characters themselves.

All in all another great addition to the Wynbridge collection. They’re never dull and always leave me desperate for more!

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'Coming Home to Cuckoo Cottage.' By Heidi Swain.

Lottie Fosters grandmothers, best friend Gwen, has died and left Lottie her beautiful home, Cuckoo Cottage. Lottie falls in love with the house and even Minnie the dog who is known around the town for her feisty personality.

But when Lottie finds out from Matt, the charming builder that Cuckoo Cottage is in need of attention she starts to wonder if her bubble is about to burst. How will she afford all the jobs Matt feels the house needs? Luckily Matt is always on hand, maybe a little too on hand. Well, Will the gorgeous Vet and Lottie's closest neighbour seems to think so.

Lottie plans to set up her own business renovating vintage caravans but things don't go quite as planned. Lottie has to learn who to trust and who she should avoid, especially with rumours of her are making their way around the town and with two men pinning over her, will Lottie find love as well as a new home and new beginning?

What a Beautiful summer read, that captures the heart. The characters are engaging and you fall in love with them from the minute you start reading. A lovely story that will leave you feeling warm, happy and want to live in Wynbridge. I love all of Heidi's books and this was just delightful. I sat there and read every page like there was no tomorrow soaking up the atmosphere. One thing that I always love is Heidi brings her characters back from her other books and just having that tiny glimpse of what they have been up to really touches the soft spot of my heart, it's great hearing about them.

Truly a gorgeous and uplifting read which will leave you wanting to bake, drink cider and relax in the comfort of happiness and love.

5 out of 5. 

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Another fantastic book by Heidi Swain!

This is a truly beautiful book set in lovely Wynbridge the place we all know and love with the familar wonderful characters from previous books.

Lottie Foster is the main character is this book. She inherits Cuckoo Cottage from her grans best friend Gwen.

She is planning to set up business in the facilities at Cuckoo Cottage but is being led astray by local builder Matt.

Lottie also catches the eye of her neighbour Will who seems the perfect man.

There is a hint of mystery with a few of the charcters throughout the book which keeps you guessing right until the end what really is going on.

It is a really lovely and enjoyable read from start to finish and from the opening pages the book grabs your attention and you just cannot put it down!

A spectacular 5 stars from me!

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A well written, heartwarming story. I have only 1 problems with the book. Through out the book we are told that Lottie has a hard time trusting anyone yet she instantly takes everything Matt tells her as the truth. Why would she trust instantly trust someone she has just met?

In all this was a good read. I enjoyed it.

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I have loved Heidi's previous books based in Wynbridge and I really enjoyed reading this one too, They are lovely heartwarming stories with great characters. I would love to live somewhere like Wynbridge!

Lottie inherits Cuckoo Cottage with the stipulation she must live there for at least one year. There are surprises for Lottie to find and it seems her inheritance may lead to a new business but there are trials and tribulations along the way. I loved the friendships Lottie makes and it is lovely to catch up with characters from previous books - although you would not have had to read the previous books to enjoy this one.
My heart went out to Lottie as she was unsure who she could trust - should it be the charming builder Matt or handsome vet Will?
There are funny moments, romance and cake.

Highly recommended - a charming cosy book perfect for a summer holiday read. I can't wait for my next visit to Wynbridge!

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I really enjoy Heidi Swain's writing and it was great to revisit Wynbridge. This book is a great summer read - it features the countryside, vintage caravans, handsome neighbours, village life and lots more too. The main character, Lottie, is sweet and you are rooting for her from the off. The only thing I would say is she is quite naive at times and this can get frustrating. Also, the ending felt a little rushed - it would have been nice to meander towards the ending rather than have it suddenly sprung upon us in the epilogue. These are only minor concerns though. I really enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it as a summer read.

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I adored this book! Couldn't put it down! Love a soppy romance book and this was perfect ! Wonderfully written

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