I have read several books by this author and this one I have enjoyed the most. For me, the characters were developed and likeable, the setting very calming and I enjoyed the mystery of Stella’s story.

Tamzin is a vulnerable character and over the story we gradually find out why. When her past catches up with her, I was keen to see how she would respond and found the storyline with Katie added an enjoyable complexity to Tamzin’s character. Her reactions to Katie made me warm to Tamzin even more.

It is clear that Tamzin’s move to this remote, Yorkshire cottage has been an attempt to escape someone or something in Cornwall. She initially regrets her decision, especially when it appears that her one and only neighbour is gruff, grumpy and prefers the seclusion. With the company of her rescue fox, Brack, Tamzin is determined to make a success of her move. The discovery of Stella’s photographs adds a mystery to her cottage and one that enables Tamzin to start making friends at last.

Firstly, the one-legged fox was an unusual companion! I thought it was very quirky but could not understand Tamzin’s fascination with Brack, even when we are given the reasons for his rescue adoption. However, I couldn’t stop my skin from crawling at the thought of the fox living inside the cottage: the smell and toileting issues just made me shudder throughout. Couldn’t Tamzin have rescued something a little less pongy?!

I really liked how vulnerable both main characters were. I think it made them more “human” and I enjoyed the journey that both undertake to regrow and recognise themselves as individuals. Furthermore, the fact that it creates parallels with Stella’s story made the novel more cyclical. Whilst I questioned the writer’s decision to tell Stella’s story in reverse throughout the book, I like how it showed all the characters coming together. In my opinion, the reverse order made the conclusion of the main story less climatic, but I realise this also ended on a note of optimism, rather than despair.

This was an easy paced, enjoyable read. Although I didn’t understand Tamzin’s choice of furry friend, I liked her growing connections with those around her. The writer addresses a difficult topic with sensitivity but shows that time period and gender does not prevent victims being made. However, it is the survivors that tell their tale.

With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The book was very well written and flowed well. The plot was great. Everything I thought it would be from the description. Beautiful cover that set the tone of the book

I have been a fan of Jane’s work for a while. I haven’t caught up with everything that she has written, which is something that I hope to rectify fairly soon. I read the synopsis for ‘A Cottage Full Of Secrets’ and it certainly sounded like the sort of read I have come to expect from Jane- a fun, light hearted and ultimately feel good story. I was spot on too because I really enjoyed reading ‘A Cottage Full Of Secrets’ but more about that in a bit.
It didn’t take me long at all to get into ‘A Cottage Full Of Secrets’. As soon as I started reading, I instinctively knew that I wouldn’t be putting the book down any time soon and that I wouldn’t be moving very far from the couch until I had finished reading the last word on the last page. I was spot on too. I became intrigued by the characters of Stella and Tamzin and their histories so I was eager to find out more about them. I warmed to both characters from the start and I had to find out if they were going to find their ‘happy ever after’ endings that they so both deserved. The pages turned over increasingly quickly as my desperation to find out how the story concluded grew and grew. At one point the pages were turning that quickly that it was almost as if they were themselves and the page numbers became a blur. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘A Cottage Full Of Secrets’ and I had to say goodbye to Stella and Tamzin. I found ‘A Cottage Full Of Secrets’ to be something of an emotional read at times but also a fun read. I was gripped by the story from start to finish.
‘A Cottage Full Of Secrets’ is well written. Jane has one of those writing styles that is easy to get used to and the story reads more like a chat between friends rather than reading a book. I hope that makes sense. The story is written from the points of view of Stella and Tamzin. The story mostly takes place in the present day and follows Tamzin with the occasional flashback chapter to illustrate what Stella’s life was like and what happened to her. The chapters interlink really well and the story flows seamlessly as a result. The story hits the ground running and maintains a steady pace throughout. Jane clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. I love the way in which the author makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story themselves and at the heart of the action. That’s how I felt at any rate.
In short, I really enjoyed reading ‘A Cottage Full Of Secrets’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Jane’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.

Told in dual timelines, this story gives perspectives from both Stella and Tamzin. Stella, whose story takes place sometime around fifty years previous. She was the victim of an abusive husband and, I’ll be honest, it was oftentimes really difficult to read about some of the things he said and did to her.

In an effort to make it out on her own and escape the abuse, Stella moves to Cottage Two.

The parallels between Stella and Tamzin are numerous. Tamzin, also coming from a tumultuous relationship, also finds herself at Cottage Two, Bracken Ridge Farm in Yorkshire.

Tamzin finds clues at the cottage that lead her to learn more about Stella and what she went through. What happened to her.

There was so much emotion in this story and the strength of these two women was inspiring. Jane Lovering’s writing is amazing and drew me in from the first page.

The wonderful Jane Lovering has come up trumps yet again with an emotional, uplifting and hilarious tale of new beginnings, second chances and healing I couldn’t get enough of: A Cottage Full of Secrets.

Tamzin’s new home, Cottage Two, which sits at the end of a pitted track with the breath-taking Yorkshire moors behind it, is an opportunity for her to start over. Life hasn’t always been a bed of roses for Tamzin and Cottage Two represents a new dawn for her which will enable her to unshackle herself from the horrors of her previous life. As Tamzin begins to settle into her new home and make friends with her neighbours, she finds herself intrigued by the mysterious and brooding Euan who lives close by. Winning him over might not be as easy as she had initially thought, however, Tamzin soon has other things occupying her mind…

When she finds a sepia photograph of a woman standing in the garden of Cottage Two, Tamzin gets a jolt of recognition. She might never have met the cottage’s previous inhabitant Stella, but Tamzin can recognise the sadness in her eyes and her air of melancholy. Determined to find out more about Stella, Tamzin begins to look into the secrets of her house. Did Stella ever manage to find happiness? Did she ever smile again? Or was she denied a chance at starting over?

Will the secrets of Cottage Two lead Tamzin to make startling discoveries that will help her shape her own future? Or is she destined to repeat Stella’s mistakes and end up haunted by regrets and heartbreak many decades down the line?

Jane Lovering’s books aim for the heart strings and the funny bone and they never miss. In A Cottage Full of Secrets, she tackles difficult subjects with humour, honesty and heart and in this brilliantly written tale of past mistakes, present difficulties and hopeful futures, she effortlessly draws her readers into a beautifully drawn world they will not want to say goodbye to.

Uplifting, thought-provoking and far too good to miss, A Cottage Full of Secrets is another fabulous tale from Yorkshire’s answer to Marian Keyes: Jane Lovering.

A Cottage Full of Secrets is both heart-wrenching and heartwarming. Tamzin escapes to a remote cottage on the Yorkshire Moors to start a new life. When she discovers photographs of a women named Stella dated 50 years ago, she sets out to discover more about her. Set in a dual timeline, we learn about the painful past of both women.

This book is terribly sad.

Told in 2 timelines. The present and 50 years in the past.

In the present Tamzin buys a cottage without seeing it. Ended her relationship because of domestic abuse, she flees to Yorkshire and a ramshackle old farm workers cottage that is in desperate need of doing up. In the course of redecorating she stumbles across an old picture of a beautiful young woman. Determined to uncover who this woman is, she starts to research the history of the owners of the cottage.

Stella is a young woman. Married to a man who is very controlling and violent. Stella was bought the cottage by her parents as a wedding present, but her marriage is not what she thought it would be, and ends in tragedy.

I wont spoil this story by telling you what happens, but it has themes of domestic violence which made me cry.

The story is set around two cottages, which stand alone at the end of track, in remote North Yorkshire. Tamzin has bought one cottage, for herself and her fox Brack to live in. The cottage adjacent to it belongs to the mysterious Euan, who is an artist and (almost) a recluse.
This is a quiet story about two people who are both recovering from being in abusive relationships. Enjoyable story.

What a charming book this is! A Cottage Full of Secrets by Jane Lovering is a lovely story of new beginnings for two women in different time periods. At times truly heartbreaking, it is at its core a story of hope and resilience.

I thoroughly enjoyed the e-arc I received from @bookandtonic @netgalley (thank you so much!) and I couldn’t wait to discover all of the secrets held within the sweet little countryside cottage.

I enjoyed the humor and the descriptive writing in this novel even more than I imagined I would. What a treat!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood books for a free ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily.
I haven't read any other books by Jane yet, but I have signed up to follow her after reading this one. The description refers to the dual timeline and to Tamsin's relationship with her neighbour, Euan; I thought the storylines were linked very cleverly as Stella's relationship goes backwards in time as Tamsin's develops. The narrative includes many lovely descriptions of the local area creating an image of the isolated cottages and the flora and fauna surrounding them and linking the cautious behaviour of the wildlife to human relationships. The ending is not a typical light romantic read so don't expect total happiness but it is very satisfying.
I completely recommend this book as an interesting, captivating read, I found it hard to put down!

Great story of two strong women from present day and the seventies. Heartwarming story but there are also disturbing domestic abuse problems that are well handled and certainly give depth to the story making it far more than chicklit.

Beautifully written in dual timeline format, with some strong female leads, both having been in abusive relationships, wanting to break free. Visually descriptive, with the surrounding areas of the Yorkshire countryside sounding idyllic, and the perfect escape.

Full of friendship, heartbreak, secrets, and a three legged fox called Brack.

Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

This is a dual timeline novel, containing drama, romance and comedy.
It begins in September 1973, with Stella’s first person viewpoint, then moves to the present day where the first person voice is Tamzin Jones. She has just moved from Cornwall to Yorkshire into a cottage she has bought unseen. She arrives with her fox (Yes, fox) called Brack – it was such a joy to read a book with a fox in!
We find out the cottage is Tamzin’s new beginning, though we don’t find out what happened to her before until later on. Her new, miserable next door (and only!) neighbour is Euan McGillan. Their two cottages are the only houses around. Not long after she moves in, Tamzin finds an old faded photo of a woman which says ‘Stella, June 1972’ on the back…
The story piques your interest straight away, with a great opening chapter, which is intriguing and urges you to keep reading. Jane Lovering has a wonderful writing style, and I really enjoyed the touches of comedy straight away in Tamzin’s chapter. Both timelines pull you in and you are rooting for both Stella and Tamzin and want to discover their stories.
Stella’s husband Andy is controlling and violent towards her and some scenes are upsetting, but written very well. The darkness of Stella’s story contrasts well with the humour in Tamzin’s, but she too has had a hard time in a previous relationship.
I really fell in love with this book – with Tamzin, Jill, Euan, Stella and with Brack the fox! It’s a beautiful story with wonderful characters and it’s one I will remember. Highly recommended.
9 out of 10

Stella, in 1973 is packing the leave the cottage she loves. Nearly fifty years later, Tamzin arrives at the same place to start a new life. Two women generations apart but with more in common than is immediately apparent.

The story is set in North Yorkshire and filled with descriptions of picturesque scenery and vibrant wildlife. It's the characters that make this story so engaging. Tamzin running from her former life is wary of others and is determined to live her life as she wants to. Euan lives in the neighbouring cottage. His unfriendliness masks a host of secrets that the story reveals. Jill is the person who helps Tamzin construct a run for her orphaned fox, but she is more critical as emotional support for both Euan and Tamzin and is a lovely character.

The developing friendships, healing and humour keep you turning the pages. The mystery surrounding Stella is heartbreaking, but thankfully Tamzin and Euan's stories conclude in a hopeful way. I love the growing friendships, gentle romance and Euan and Tamzin's emotional recovery facilitated by the cottage and the natural way of life. There are many sad moments, but ultimately it is uplifting.

I received a copy of this book from Boldwood Books via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I’d read a few reviews of this before I started reading and a few people found this a bit slow to start, I didn’t find this to be the case at all! This is a slight dual-perspective book where we start in 1973 with Stella and then flick to the current day, we then spend the majority of the time in the present day with the occasional flick back to the past. I think this gave it something from the off for me, we start with Stella putting her plan in place to escape from her abusive husband and straight away I wanted to know if she managed to succeed, I have to say at first I thought the next chapter was her arriving at her new life but it was soon clear that this wasn’t the case.

We were actually now meeting Tamzin, who, like Stella was running from her past with her *not a pet* three-legged fox called Brack that she’d rescued as a young kit. As Tamzin starts unpacking her things she starts uncovering secrets hidden away in the cottage and it soon becomes clear that this is the cottage Stella lived in as well.

To say I was hooked to this book was an understatement, I was rambling about it to Laura when I was just 20-30% in, telling her how good it was and that she needed to add it to her tbr, then that same evening I was up till the little hours as I just couldn’t put it down – even my husband commented on how hooked I was!

Now, there are a lot of references to abusive partners in this so if that’s something you think you may struggle with then go in prepared, although as with all of Jane’s books you know there is going to be a happy ending so you can read it with a slightly relaxed approach knowing all will be well in the end so don’t let it put you off reading this! It’s actually focused on the escape from abuse and being able to not let the past control you, showing that you can still have a happy and fulfilled life!

I’m not going to say much more but I think this is my new top favourite of Jane’s books and if you’ve not read any of hers yet then I’d recommend picking this one up! There’s just so much content and I’ve got a feeling that these characters are going to stay with me for quite a while yet!

Do not let the idyllic landscape on the cover of this book fool you. There is a huge amount of heart-breaking and emotional depth to this story that I did not forsee.

I was absolutely hooked in to the story from the opening pages as Jane introduces two very different, yet empathetic and believable characters. In some ways their lives are very different, in other ways, their lives carry stark and shocking similarities.

The book continues with a primary focus on the main plot of Tamzin’s courageous move to the countryside, but also continues to develop our understanding of Stella’s story. It is a huge risk, in my opinion, for any other it handle a dual timeline like this but Jane pus it off like an absolute pro. I cannot say that one story drew me in more than the other, nor can I say that one story carries more importance. In fact, it is probably the fact that both can, and are, told together, that carries the most significance and the emotional weight of this book.

There is a wider cast of some likeable characters including Euan, Jill and of course Tamzin’s not so wild companion, Brack. The depths to which the writer goes to really build and explore their connections with Tamzin really brings an unexpected sense of community and strength to the book.

It is very hard to write a review of such an impactful book without spoilers, so I do absolutely feel this is one that you will have to pick up for yourself in order to see what I’m making such a big fuss about.

It is completely gripping, mature and original in style, it beautifully covers all shades of light and dark, and overall leaves you with a heartwarming sense in faith and real vivid reminders of the importance of self belief.

An absolutely stunning spring-time read, I would recommend this book and author to fans of Milly Johnson, Jessica Redland, Jenny Hale and Shari Low.

I was totally brought into the world which Jane Lovering has created in this romcom. Tamzin and Euan are both such interesting characters who have been damaged by past relationships. Although on the surface, this is a gentle and heart-warming romance, there is quite a dark side to some of the issues which are hidden. Tamzin and Euan recognise in each other their vulnerabilities. Nature and the environment seem to have a healing quality which offers them some hope and a chance to connect with what is important.

The secondary characters who come and go all add to the humour of the story and offer a glimpse of a well balanced and hopeful way of life. There is also a very important member of Tamzin's family, Brack the fox, and his story is so touching. He helps Tamzin to heal and gives her focus. At one point, your heart breaks for her. Cottage no. 2 contains an intriguing story which you learn about through flashbacks. The cottage literally hides some secrets and almost feels like a character in the story. This is a thoroughly enjoyable novel which shows that bravery does not have to be displayed in bold but can be an intrinsic part of a much quieter way of life.

In short: second chances, friendships and love with some bitter secrets.

A Cottage Full of Secrets by Jane Lovering

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Cottage Two, Bracken Ridge Farm sits at the end of a pitted track, with the glorious Yorkshire moors stretching behind it.  

Just a simple two up, two down, the cottage holds the promise of a new start for two very different women, but it is also full of secrets. 

Fifty years ago, newly-wed Stella is relishing making the little cottage a happy home. But for all the lovingly handmade curtains, and the hot dinners ready on the table for her husband, Stella’s dreams of married life jar painfully with the truth.

Whilst a slow paced novel I thought that this was a nice relaxing read, Tamzin is determined to make her new cottage feel like home. Whilst learning about Tamzin we also learn about Stella - two different women in two different time lines that seem to be in the same situation. Set in a stunning location with fantastic descriptions this is a great read.

Rating 4/5

I was really enjoying this book and thinking I’d be giving it a great review, but then I came to the part where Katie is ‘researching’ the history of Tamzin’s cottage by looking at the 1971 census…..absolutely impossible! I’m a professional genealogist and the 1971 census will not be available in the public domain until 2072 as the law stands. We have a 100 year rule here in the UK which means that census records cannot be released into the public domain until 100 years have passed to protect the privacy of anyone who could potentially still be living. The 1921 census was released in January of this year, due to WWII the next one taken in 1951 will not be published until 2052. Whilst I was enjoying the story ,,which was well written, this completely ruined it for me.

In A Cottage Full of Secrets we follow in Tamzin's footsteps as she settles into a new life at Cottage Two, Bracken Ridge Farm in the glorious Yorkshire countryside. That she is nursing some secret hurt is obvious but the full extent of her sadness is only revealed as the story progresses. Together with her rescued fox cub, Brack, Tamzin starts to appreciate her surroundings, especially when she gets to know more about her reclusive next door neighbour. Running alongside Tamzin's story is that of Stella who lived at Cottage Two in the nineteen-seventies and whose sad story adds another poignant dimension to this emotional story of love and hurt.

This glorious part of the Yorkshire Dales comes alive with brief glimpses of the wildlife who make the place their home but running alongside descriptions of the glorious landscape is a sensitive and compassionate story about people who have been so hurt by life that they are having to start all over again. The characters who flit into and out of the story are a delight, especially handy-woman, Jill, whose DIY skill is much admired, but it is rescued fox cub Brack who really stole my heart, along with the enigmatic, Euan McGillan whose artistic skill is absolutely magical. I only wish I could have seen his drawings of Brack for myself.

Beautifully written and lovingly described I started to read A Cottage Full of Secrets on a rainy afternoon and it's such perfect escapism that didn't look up except to make cups of tea until I had finished the story in one sitting.