This novel is a well written, very descriptive book about a widow who is trying to find a way out of her depression after the loss of her husband. She sells her house in Oxford, England and rents a cottage by the sea in Anglesey, Wales. Her description of the cottage the beach, and surrounding areas really make you see just what she is experiencing as she makes new acquaintances and falls in love with the run down cottage. She is also struggling with the memories of a difficult childhood and has to come to terms with that. Thank you Storm Publishing for this enthralling novel.

This is the moving, and ultimately uplifting, story of a woman dealing with the loss of her husband and finding a way to deal and try and move on. She is surrounded by so many memories in Oxford of the life they should be leading, that she decides to upsticks and move to Anglesey, a place that meant so much to her husband, to see if she can heal in new surroundings.

So she moves with her cat, Tuna, and begins a quieter life full of walks and solitude and soon finds herself amongst the locals who begin to make her feel at home. She also still has contact with old friends back home, so it's nice to see that bridge being kept with them and watching on as they deal with their own issues. People she thinks have it all together show their vulnerability too which connects with her to show that everyone has something to deal with.

There are romantic avenues explored as she tries to dip her toes back in to the dating scene, and I think it's well explored especially with the ups and downs that ensue, and still show that battle she has after being widowed of missing her husband but knowing that she needs to let people in. I really enjoyed the setting of Anglesey and the fact she found strength in the surroundings and it was a really absorbing read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. This was not what I expected- in a very good way!

Jude is a recent widower. The story begins with Jude deciding to honor her late husbands request that she go back to Wales and visit the place that was special to them. She decides to go spend 6 months there.

A lot happens, and it focuses on her growth as an artist and person. It is also a very relational book. I love that the author showed us how Jude grew in confidence, but also stayed in touch with her close friends back home. We get to see their lives, struggles and growth throughout Jude’s journey.

The author did a wonderful job writing about Jude’s grief. This was not a “meet cute guy in Wales, fall in love, get married” type of love story. Jude makes slow progress in dealing with grief. Along the way there are challenges, surprises. She makes decisions based on how her childhood affected her- but even then, there is growth. And her new relationships are quite complicated!

I loved her new friends set that she made in Wales, and the support and love they continued to give.
Her relationship with her mother brought me to tears a few times!

I highly recommend this book. If you are looking for a deep, multilayered story, with a heroine you can relate to and root for., and writing that is poetic and beautiful at times- this is the book for you! I plan on getting other novels by this author! I was completely immersed in this story!
This is my honest review.

I absolutely loved this book and couldn't read it quickly enough, its so absorbing. Set mainly on the beautiful island of Anglesey, the descriptions of the place are so vivid, you can actually imagine yourself there. This is certainly a story that will test your emotions, love,loss,grief,friendships & family dynamics, heartwarming & at times heartbreaking but an absolutely thoroughly enjoyable read that I heartily recommend. Thank you netgalley and publishers for an advanced copy of this book for my review.

Such a cute story about a woman grieving after a loss and finding a way to rebuild her life, making new friends, learning to forgive, and finding love again. I do wish the love story was expanding on more towards the end instead of it being abrupt, but still enjoyed reading this. 3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Surviving and thriving after grief is nearly impossible for Jude. She has traveled to the island of Anglesey,on the coast of North Wales, where she and her dead husband spent their honeymoon to find refuge. What she finds is more than she could have imagined. The author brings the island to life in the descriptions of the people who become true friends of Jude and their hard way of life. Even the angry waves and constant winter rain to its soft breezes and the smell of honeysuckle of spring were easily pictured in my mind. No, Jude could never have imagined that in this emotional journey, an island and a cottage could become a home of peace and perhaps even a second chance for her.
Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an early copy of this heart wrenching, heartwarming, emotional book. Review and comments are my opinion. 4.5stars.

This book took me by surprise, within the first few pages i admit i shed a few tears and really felt Jude's loss and grief. I enjoyed her story arc as she dealt with her grief after losing her husband and reconciled other aspects of her life. It wasn't rushed or drawn out and I liked the way the story wound in her friends as they helped her to move on and she in turn helped them in their lives. It was very much a friendship story as well as Jude's grief arc and nothing was contrived. Everything was plausible and real,
Thank you for letting me read this, i will definitely be looking out for more from Caroline Young.

I enjoyed reading this book. Its a story of love, loss, and finding your place in this world. Jude Goes through some trying times, but meets some wonderful people along the way to help her find her way. This is my first book by Caroline Young. I look forward to reading more of her books.

3.5⭐️- whew, this one got me. A story of a young widow and her journey to move forward. While some parts were slow, you feel for Jude and her uncertainty along the way. Not quite a “light read” like you might expect, but it gives a more realistic story of life with grief. The description of Wales was wonderful, it makes you want to visit and see Anglesey for yourself.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm publishing for sending an ARC of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This was a wonderful read from beginning to end. I was captivated by the characters and the settings in Anglesey. Jude was such a lovely character despite the hardships and sadness that she experienced. She was also very brave to go to Anglesey on her own but how she made that place her own. Brilliant.

A wonderful heartwarming story of love and loss, new beginnings and friendship. A lovely summer read, perfect for holidays.

I read this in one day. This was an inspiring story about picking up the pieces when your life is turned upside down. A lovely setting had me googling pictures of the area, and even sweeter were the friendships Jude made along the way and the things she learned. The dogs in this story were an added bonus . I hope to read the first book in the series, but this works as a standalone book. Many thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC to read and freely review.

A beautiful story of love, loss of that love and finding a reason to keep pushing and and move on from the love of your life. Jude Fitzgerald has lost her beloved husband Alex, the love of her life and Jude just does not know what she will do. How do you move on this great loss? Even though their life wasn't perfect because they were unable to have children Jude is left in a terrible state. What will she do? Even with the help of her wonderful friends Jude is just falling to pieces.

Jude has decided to sell her home because it is so hard to live there without Alex she decides to go to Anglesey. The beautiful place where Jude and Alex spent some time a place they loved. Upon arriving in Anglesey Jude has no idea of what she is doing, especially when the winter sets in. Did she make a mistake coming here? Not knowing anyone, living in a cottage which needs many repairs. What was she thinking?

With the coming of the warm weather and her beautiful surroundings Jude decides she must embrace her new community if she intends to survive here. That Jude does, she meets many new friends who seem to take the place of her Oxford friends. She starts getting her artistic juices again and starts making a real life for herself. Can this last or does she have to run back to Oxford where everything is familiar to her.

I really enjoyed this book. It was filled with love, friendship, and starting over. It was beautifully written and I loved the character of Jude. She started off as this grieving women with no direction. She made the decision to leave everything she knew behind and explore a place that once brought her much joy. She grew stronger and became not a grieving woman but of a strong women taking the reins of her life and hoping that also means a new love. A love other than her love of Alex.

Thank you Caroline Young for a beautiful story of love and hope. Wonderful characters, scenery and story. Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. So enjoyed this book and will recommend it.

A beautiful read which tells the story of Jude and her late husband and their love for Anglesey. The story moves back and forth between Anglesey and Oxford. It definitely makes me want to visit Wales.

Ynys Môn (Anglesey) holds a special place in my heart so I was immediately drawn to this book when I read it was set on the island. I was overwhelmed with how this atmospheric and stunning island is portrayed in the book, all its beauty and wild appeal is summed up perfectly and I now only earn to return again soon. I loved the complexity of the different characters, their secrets and their imperfections, it seemed at times some of the characters including Jude and her mum seemed older than their years which felt a bit jarring; it meant I struggled to warm completely to Jude which took some of the enjoyment out of reading the book. There were a few plot gaps that I didn't quite understand, however overall this is a story worth reading especially if you love emotional storylines, Wales or coastal settings for your books.

When Secrets at the Cottage by the Sea by Caroline Young begins, the main character Jude is mourning her husband's death. Struggling to get past the deep grief, she goes to one place she had promised him that she would return - Anglesey by the sea. The story is full of sorrow, recovery from grief, struggles with facing the future, and hope. Very realistic characters, imperfect, and struggling to find happiness in lives that have left them discouraged. There are some intimate scenes in the book. A copy was provided for my review, but all opinions are my own.

Gosh a very moving story. Set between Anglesey and Oxford. Jude lost her husband and needed to escape. A great read kept your interest all the way. You had true friendship , some deep sadness, beautiful descriptions of Anglesey, making up with parents. This is an emotional read at times but a perfect ending. Jude definitely been through the mill .. I loved it. Read it

A young widow returns to an island off the coast of Wales. The place holds memories for her as this was where she and her late husband had their honeymoon. Detemined to get a fresh start on he life, she rents a small cottage where she hopes to begin anew. Meeting new friends and trying to move forward, she does so with the exception of one friend who will change her life again.


Going back forth from the island to Oxford England (where she is from and still has friends ) to her life on the island, the widow will grow stronger with friends from both places.

This book drew me in to the world of Jude. As a recent widow, we experience her grief and her healing as she finds respite at Anglesey - the sea, the fresh air, eventually the people - it all heals her slowly and surely.

I felt such a sense of peace and calm reading this even while there was turmoil in the lives of the characters. A rather predictable storyline but the writing was so descriptive that it didn't matter. I cheered for people and frowned for other people. I wanted only the best for Jude and her peace and happiness. In turn, she gave me the same thing.

I highly recommend reading this book if you have your own outer stress and inner turmoil - you will feel the sense of beauty and calm and family.

I was given this by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Jude arrives back on Anglesey. She hasn't been back since the death of her husband. Jude hopes it can give her back her life. Lovely book