I was invested in Brid and her story at our first meeting when she described her journey to Orkney (with the constant threat of seasickness) and her reasons for going there. I liked the honesty and the humour she projected, and I wanted her to find something good there. The story progresses with her first sighting of the island cottage she is going to sell, and it has many secrets to reveal, some of which prove to be life-changing for her. I like the folklore and witchy elements woven into the story and the complex characters she meets on Orkney. It's an adventure and a journey of self-realisation for Brid, with lovely community, friendship and gentle romance enhancing it. I like the balance of humour, poignancy, vibrant community, and setting. It's a lovely escapist read with a touch of fantasy amid the realism.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

This was such an easy book to dive into, I loved stepping onto Orkney. It's a place I've always wanted to go because of all that history, and this book has made me want to go even more! I loved all the visits to the historical sites that Brid and Magnus did and it kind of helped solidify the setting as Orkney rather than just any other Scottish island. All of the characters were so solid in this book, even the ones that weren't physically there(I'm looking at you there Jennet) felt like someone you could bump into just wandering around town. I loved getting to watch Brid learn to be the Orkney Witch, even if it wasn't by choice, and I especially loved how she learnt the witchyness (which I won't say how because I don't want any spoilers for you all) it was a very clever twist to it. I found Magnus so easy to fall for, I could easily see why Brid found him so charming.
Another thing I loved (aside from Magnus) was the humour throughout the book, I had quite a few chuckles at Brid's quips at the townsfolk when they decided she was the Orkney Witch, and to be honest her quips in general, she's defiantly full of spirit and more than capable of fighting her corner.
I absolutely loved reading this and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more by Jane Lovering in the future.

At first I was attracted to the cute cover, but as soon I started reading, I was gripped by the story. All the depictions of the beautiful setting of Orkney, life there, that touch of mysticism, and even the goose made me turn pages and read. All in all, an enjoyable read with a good writing style by the author. I will read her past and future books.
Thanks to #Netgalley and the publisher #boldwoodbooks for an advance review copy of #TheIslandCottage

The Island Cottage is a magical charming romance and I adored everything about it.

This book was exactly what I needed to read on a snowy winter's day. Jane is a master at creating books that just make the world disappear around you. I adored everything about this book and was sad that I had read it so quickly because I didn't want to leave the world that Jane created. The Island Cottage is a heartfelt, magical romance with this wonderful soft pacing. It's a nice, easy read you can sit down and enjoy while having a cuppa tea. I always love how thoughtful Jane is when creating her stories. She knows how to include just the right amount of detail, emotion, and drama to make a fabulous and entertaining story that is hard to put down.

I loved the setting in this book. The little island of Orkney comes to life through Jane's writing. She weaves that small-town charm with this magical folklore that makes the legend of the Orkney witch feel real. I just devoured all the folklore bits in this book; it was so interesting and captivating. Jane made sure that magical folklore had this human element to it. Many of the locals believe that Brid is the new island's witch. This belief often leads to bizarre and sometimes comical interactions that are entertaining to read. But I loved watching those who might have been skeptical in their belief (mainly Brid, who thinks everyone is a bit nuts) start to realize that something magical might be happening on this island.

Brid is an interesting and different kind of heroine. She is more prickly, and social interactions don't often come naturally to her. But underneath that slightly prickly exterior is a kind-hearted woman hiding from the world. Caring for others, whether her clients at work or her parents, consumes her life. She doesn't set aside any time to have fun with friends. I loved watching her grow and open up in this book. Magnus, who is the gorgeous hero in this book, surprised me. I had imagined that he would be this grouchy and broody Highlander, but he was this sweet cinnamon roll of a man with an accent that had me melting the entire time. Magnus was perfect for this book and for Brid. He complimented her prickly nature and helped her come out of her shell. They just clicked.

The Island Cottage is a unique love story that is filled with oodles of charm and heart.

On arrival in Orkney, Brid finds that Great Aunt Jennet’s cottage is going to need rather more than some coats of on-trend grey paint and a few cushions to turn it into a saleable property – and she’d been rather hoping that the proceeds would provide the money she needed to get her foot on the property ladder in York. One room that’s been used as a feed store, a bed in a cupboard, no bathroom (hey, but there is a flush toilet – and wifi!), and the approach means picking your way across the boggy land that surrounds it – and the goose and goslings that have taken up residence in the pantry might just be a little off-putting for potential purchasers too. And then there’s the cottage’s reputation as the home of the resident witch – and when the locals look to her for the same healing Jennet used to dispense, how can she possibly let them down?

But York is home – there’s her work as an accountant, she has friends there (or does she, really?) and her parents need increasing support (although they seem to be managing just fine in her absence). The farming family who’ve been looking after the cottage show her warmth and friendship, she finds herself embraced by the community, the cottage is beginning to feel more homely – and then there’s the enigmatic Magnus, a helpful friend with real potential to become more as his depths are slowly revealed. And then there’s Orkney itself – that wild scenery (wonderfully described, but shame about the rain…) really is balm to the soul. But no, she’s there to sell up, and it looks as if that might just happen – but, with a touch of real magic, plans might just be made for breaking.

Brid is one of those characters that the author always draws so wonderfully – a little broken, an ever present sense of humour and wry take on life, and an essential loneliness and vulnerability that immediately made me take her to my heart. And Magnus, he’s just so thoroughly lovely – kind and sensitive, definitely a case of still waters running deep – and I became really invested in the developing relationship between them. The supporting cast is just wonderful – including Cushie the goose and her family, making themselves increasingly at home despite the streaks they leave on the flagstones – and there are some lovely twists and turns to the story, and a few moments of drama and a bit of villainy that kept me pinned to the seat with the pages turning faster. As always, the author’s emotional touch is just perfect – but with those lovely laugh-out-loud moments that she always introduces so well. And then there’s the witchcraft – beautifully woven into the story, nothing in the least uncomfortable if it’s not really your thing, but I really loved it, a touch of real Orkney magic.

So, a heroine I adored, a developing romance I entirely believed in, such an engaging story, and the Orkney setting was simply perfect (and immediately added to my travel bucket list…). Can I say – as I do with every book she writes – that this is my new favourite? Well, I think it just might be – I really loved it, and I’d highly recommend you add this fantastic book to your reading list.

Jane Lovering is an author that never fails to disappoint. A lovely book with a fantastic setting, which made me feel as though I was looking through a window and part of the story.

The Island cottage is set in Orkney, which is not a place I knew very much about. It sounds quite bleak and windswept, but beautiful. The story is about Brid who inherits a cottage in Orkney, which turns out to be a witch's cottage. According to local lore, the person who lives in the cottage is the witch.

So Brid turns up in Orkney and she's trying to kind of gussy up the cottage a little bit so that she can sell it as a holiday home. Except the cottage is less 'cottage' and more 'hovel' and has a family of geese nesting in the pantry.

People keep turning up and asking her advice as the witch and she keeps doing your best and it keeps working. She's very much a witch from the headology school of witchcraft, but there's a hint of something more, perhaps. And there's this local guy, Magnus. He's actually a jewellery maker, but he helps out with the farm and does things for people when there isn't a tourist boat visiting. He there helping her out with the house a little bit and she can't help noticing that he's quite hot. I liked Magnus. He's just adorable.

I like Jane Lovering's books anyway, and I absolutely love this one. I received an advance review copy through Netgalley.

One thing I love about the author's books is their association with cottages. As someone who lives in the US, I associate cottages as being a UK thing. Yes, we have them here but not the same way as I see them over there. In my mind the cottages there are magical, cozy, maybe a bit small but perfect for a couple and maybe throw in a few fairy lights.
I just love books with cottages.
A fifty-year vacant cottage sits on Orkney Islands, in the far reaches of Scotland. Inherited by Brid Harcus's mother she doesn't want it, so Brid knows she'll pop in make quick work of the repairs and make a nice turn around profit quickly. When she arrives, it's vacant alright except for the goose and her goslings that she's super protective of. Woe is anyone who dares to go near them.
Brid hasn't counted on having such a handsome neighbor as Magnus. Lifelong resident Mangus knows the cottage called Midness Cottage is known to outsiders as the "Witches' Cottage, as Brid's great Aunt Jennet was known as while living there.
Can Brid fix the cottage quickly with Magnus's help and not scare off the tourists who've heard rumors? Will Brid be able to open up to Mangus even though she's planning on leaving soon as the fix up is done? I loved Magnus's character; he reminded me of a big bumbling guy that finally gets seen for his compassionate and genuine side. Fun, heartwarming, a true joy to read. I loved it.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

This is set beautifully in Orkney and tell a wonderful story. Everything about this book is worth a read. 5 stars and I recommend this to all.

Thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for this ARC

Reading this book brought back memories of a long ago holiday in Orkney. It must be about twenty years since I’ve been there but reading familiar place names like Kirkwall, Evie and Stromness made me think how much I would love to go back. As one of the characters says, it’s a place with a lot of weather but very special nonetheless and I think Jane Lovering has captured something of its magic in the pages.

I immediately warmed to Innis, her husband Torstein and his brother Magnus. Their gentle teasing of Brid about her lack of knowledge of the Orkney way of life made me smile. Midness Cottage wasn’t exactly the cosy cottage Brid had envisaged. It even came complete with a resident nesting goose! I was amused as she quickly downgraded her ambitions to use proceeds from its sale to buy a house in York.

What Brid didn’t know was that local legend said that Midness Cottage was the home of the local witch and many seemed to believe that since she was now living there, however temporarily, she was obviously a witch. Despite her protestations, that she was not a witch, people sought out her help and advice. With the help of her great-aunt Jennet’s old book of remedies and advice, sometimes it was just easier for her to go along with it.

As soon as I start a Jane Lovering book, I am instantly caught up with the story. She has such a warm and engaging style of writing. Brid is a quirky and very likeable main character, one of the trademarks of Jane’s writing I would say. The Island Cottage is funny, has a gorgeous romance at its heart. and is just such enjoyable read. I always fall a little in love with Jane’s leading men myself! A real treat, this is definitely one of my favourite Jane Lovering books.

Absolutely adored this one. A beautiful reminder that sometimes you get stuck in life without realizing it, and that nobody is truly indispensable. So, join Brid on a visit to Orkney, filled with romance, frustrations, miscommunication, funny moments, and a stubborn goose. All with a little sprinkle of magic.

I got this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I would like to thank Rachel's Random Resources, Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the E ARC of this book.

We meet Brid Harcus as she is on the boat to Orkney, at the request of her parents to clean out her Great Aunt's cottage and get it ready to sell. Brid has ideas of the cottage that Brid has in her head are not what she finds. She had envisioned Country Homes type cottage, whereas the cottage her Great Aunt lived in was a one room, with an added on toilet and larder. She also has to deal with the local belief that the cottage is home to the Orkney Witch, ever tenant is the witch and with Brid living there - sharing the larder with a goose and her goslings - that qualifies her as the witch.

Brid makes friends and one in particular Magnus is more special than the others. Brid begins to find herself feeling at home in the cottage, the more she does it up for sale the more it has a pull on her. She also loves the open landscape of the island and the wildlife. People start coming to see her as the witch, she has found a book in the cottage that was her Great Aunt's that helps, but she keeps trying to tell people she is not the witch but they don't believe her.

Things come to a head and Brid has to decide whether to stay or go back to York, which will she choose?

I like the story but felt it went on too long, it could have been wrapped up quicker. I did enjoy the descriptions of Orkney, an island I want to visit. I liked the majority of the characters, there was one in particular I did not like. Brid was a good main character and I liked seeing her growth and finding her place.

Orkney was a surprise setting for this book as I am used to Jane’s books being set in the Yorkshire area, but while the protagonist hailed from Yorkshire, the entire story took us on an adventure in the remote Scottish area. I got an immediate feel for the area and could imagine the vaguely unwelcoming terrain. I’ve never been but have watched films that have used the location. There’s a certain wildness that truly captures the imagination.
Brid Harcus – pronounced Breed – is a really interesting character, and I thoroughly enjoyed following her determined path as she set about restoring the isolated cottage to a saleable standard. She was certainly of hardier stock than me as I couldn’t imagine not having access to a bath or shower! Despite the lack of creature comforts, Brid had a definite vision, and I was definitely invested in seeing her work her interior design magic.
Of course, Jane writes wonderful romantic fiction, so I knew that there would be a love interest and was certainly not disappointed to meet Magnus. As each element of his description and character emerged, I also started to fall for him. There’s no doubt that he has the makings for a wonderful book boyfriend. I’m not so shallow that it was his physical description, it was definitely his kindness and genuine sensitivity that had me hooked.
As the synopsis explains, there’s an element of witch magic but I will simply acknowledge the fact and leave you to decide whether you believe in that or not. Whether you are drawn to the witchcraft element or simply looking for a stunning romantic trip to the Orkney Islands, this book is much bigger than magic alone. I absolutely loved everything about it and am already excited to see what treats lay ahead for her summer offering.

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for access to this arc.

Bravo/a to whoever did this cover. There’s Brid’s (pronounced Breed) cottage, Brid, and Cushie and her three goslings. Of course they must be there as Cushie, at least, isn’t just a plot goosie but is an integral part of the story. But is she Brid’s familiar? Hmmm, maybe.

Since Orcadian accents, scenery, points of interest, and houses are mentioned so often, I had to go looking online to “see” this new world that Brid has been sent to in order to sell the loch cottage that has been in the family for generations. Great-Aunt Jennet was the local witch but after Brid finds a handwritten book of “practical information” that had been left in the cottage, Brid is convinced that all Jennet probably did was listen to people and offer common sense. There is no such thing as a real witch, right?

It’s understandable that Brid’s mother doesn’t tell her daughter everything about the cottage before sending her off with visions of something fit for “Country Life” dancing in Brid’s head. It’ll be easy, mom said. The sale will be quick and you can use all the profits for a place of your own. Ha! At least the roof is in good shape. But Brid is nothing if not determined and with handsome Magnus’s help with a paintbrush (though he does question if this isn’t just making it look like a “pig in a wig”), it’s not looking too bad although nothing near as good as the cottages for sale that Brid has seen on local estate agent’s office boards.

At first I wasn’t sure about the idea of Brid being a witch but then what she does is mainly what Jennet writes about which is listening to people and letting them feel they’ve been heard. Common sense approaches to their concerns are easy for Brid to do and the Orcadians are definitely prepared to believe in her skills. Orkney is almost another character in the book and I loved this. So much is discussed and shown but it’s done with love and a need to know instead of being a travelogue plunked down to show research

Brid has her reasons for not wanting to stay in Orkney. She’s got a good job, is respected for her knowledge (love a heroine’s competence), helps her parents a lot, and yes dammit, she doesn’t mind letting the people who made fun of her height and weird liking for numbers know that she’s made something of herself. I loved most of the romance between Brid and Magnus. Yay that he doesn’t try to guilt Brid into staying because, you know, he’s a man so his reasons are better. When Brid makes her decision, sure Magnus is a part of it, but it’s mainly her choice and for her. It’s strange though that once she decides, everybody already seems to know it would happen and that they’d finally have a witch again. B+

What a lovely book. Set in Orkney it describes the scenery and most importantly the weather. I loved this story and at times found it amusing. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Brid goes to the Orkney islands in order to clear out and put the cottage that she inherited from her Great Aunt Jennet for sale.

But, when she arrives at the cottage, she sees that it’s not as she was expecting it to be. Brid also learns that there is a rumour that it was the place of the Orkney witch.

The story was well-written and keeps you reading to know what happens next.

I recommend this book.

A quick read. I thought the ending was predictable, and wondered why the main character hadn't figured things out ahead of time. I felt that the descriptions of the main character were harsh and might be a turn off to anyone struggling with weight issues. Some more body positivity would have helped.

I highly recommend this book about Brid Harcus, who travels to the Orkney islands to prepare a cottage inherited from her Great Aunt Jennet to sell. However, upon arriving, she finds that the cottage is semi-derelict and also rumoured to be the home of the Orkney witch. The characters are well-developed, the writing style is engaging, and the story is thoroughly entertaining. The author's descriptions of Orkneys, an island off the coast of Scotland, are vivid and picturesque.

I 100% enjoyed the Island Cottage with its whimsy, witchy touches with some very strong, fuss free characters. The goose and her goslings were adorable too.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read The Island Cottage by Jane Lovering. This was a fun read and quite the twist I didn't see coming