At times, heartwarming and other times completely heartbreaking. This book had me in tears. Highly recommended..

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Lost Memories at the Cottage by the Loch is the seventh instalment in Kennedy Kerr’s Loch Cameron series. All the books can easily be read as stand-alone stories as it’s the location of Loch Cameron that ties things together rather than the reader having to follow one continual story. Each books focuses on a different young woman and this time around it is Lottie. She is a young woman who tried to be the perfect girlfriend to her partner Tristan but he has thrown it all back in her face and announced that he has chosen someone else over her. Yes, they may have had an open relationship even though Lottie never wanted one but she had hoped that theirs would become a serious relationship with long term potential. Lottie slowly reveals that she had never been her true self with Tristan because she hadn’t wanted to scare him off which instantly had me thinking why should a woman have to change their personality and viewpoints in order to keep a man in their life? She was clearly far better off without him although she doesn’t initially feel like that which of course is natural if you have invested time and effort in a relationship and then all of a sudden that is gone from your life.

Lottie now needs a focus in her life and she channels this into research into her M.A in Sociology where she will record people’s life stories as part of her intergenerational studies. She travels to Loch Cameron where she rents a house with Celine and Fred. She will spend her time interviewing residents in the Apple Orchard Care Home. Little does she bargain on the journey that she will undertake in which the process will allow her to heal and find herself again along with discovering some surprising things. The book as a whole had a lovely relaxed feeling and pace to it and at times I felt that this would be the last in the series given the character of Gretchen that came to have a strong focus throughout the book and also the fact at several points it linked back to previous stories. But I have since discovered that there will be a book eight which I am glad about as I wasn’t ready to leave the setting behind quite just yet.

Lottie starts to interview Gretchen who is 86 and resides in the care home. Gretchen has featured in several of the previous books and she has been like the mother figure to the women that find themselves in Loch Cameron for one reason or another. I was delighted that Gretchen was now finally getting the opportunity to share her story especially after she had helped so many others now perhaps the favour could be returned to her. Gretchen is haunted by the secrets of her past that she has kept close to her chest and although she is willing to share her story with Lottie she is not fully convinced that she will reveal everything. A bond of trust needs to be developed between the pair. Observing, as the story progresses, the relationship that develops between the pair was a pleasure to read about and it all felt so natural. Gretchen starts to recollect her story and this is done through conversations with Lottie but also diary entries and this format worked very well. The reader gets to know a very different Gretchen to the one who is now at a different juncture in her life.

I had always thought from previous books that Gretchen was so wise and worldly and a great confident and advice giver and this is only highlighted as she reveals the struggles she has been through. Highlighting the role of women in the workplace during the 60’s and 70’s was brilliant and the sexism, racism, and inequality that she had to go through was expertly woven throughout the story. A wide and varied picture of her work and home life was established and I felt the reader really got beneath Gretchen’s exterior to deep down within her. She proved to be an inspirational woman, a tour de force and someone who is forthright and confident and who knows her own mind and one who tried to live life on her own terms despite the odds initially stacked against her. But she learned and achieved all these qualities through several hardships which I won’t detail as these link the present and the past and if I said anything it would give away much of the story. I’ll admit things did click with me around the midway point of the book as to what was going on and how things would turn out in the end but they didn’t detract in any way from my overall enjoyment of the story.

Gretchen through the telling of her story tries tries to help Lottie find some perspective in her own life. Gretchen was never pushy at all but she does give sound advice. She tells Lottie never let them tell you that you can’t do exactly what you want to do. All you’ve got to do is want it enough and work hard. I think we could all take those words on board and put them to good use in our own lives. I loved seeing how Lottie was slowly piecing clues together whilst at the same time becoming comfortable in her surroundings in Loch Cameron. I did think she was just on the brink of rushing headlong into a new relationship and I could see the red flags coming from a mile away and I fervently hoped that Lottie would see which was the right path to take in order to secure the happiness she so desperately craved in her life.

Lost Memories at the Cottage by the Loch was a beautiful homage to Gretchen and she got the time she so richly deserved to share her story. Lottie took slightly a back seat at times and I appreciated this because I wanted Gretchen to have the opportunity to truly shine. This was a fabulous and enjoyable read which highlighted a lot of important issues and once again Kennedy Kerr shows how women’s place in history shall never be forgotten. Inheriting the Cottage by the Loch will be published in June and I am already looking forward to returning to this special little village to meet old and new characters.

4.5⭐️

This was blindsiding in a good way. I was expecting a rom com but instead this was a lesson in life, love, hope,equality and everything in between.

It is a beautiful story which celebrates the past, upholds women’s rights and dignity and speaks reassurance to the reader.

It follows the story of Lottie who moves to Loch Cameron after a breakup. As part of her thesis, she has to interview elderly people and is introduced to Gretchen, who has a whole to say.

I enjoyed this from start to finish and doing it in one sitting is a testament to the author’s fine storytelling and the ability to draw readers in and keep them interested.

The book touches on serious issues about what it means to be a woman in a man’s world and how women have to work twice as hard for merger recognition.

There was so much to highlight in this book as Gretchen dishes out advice and build up Lottie’s confidence.

If you want a book on all kinds of relationships (past and present) with life advice still relevant today then I highly recommend this book.

I havent cried over a book in a long time, this was truely heartbreaking moments of two different women, holding secrets, sharing truths and finding each other.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Lost Memories Of The Cottage By The Loch' by Kennedy Kerr.

Yet another stunner from the extremely talented Kennedy!!! Well done Kennedy on yet ANOTHER absolutely beautiful and perfect read!! This is the ideal beach read where you could sit there and turn around and just imagine Loch Cameron come to life right in front of your eyes. This book is the seventh book in Kennedy's stunning 'Loch Cameron' series but each book in the series can be read as a standalone.

I absolutely love returning to Loch Cameron time and time again and this addition to this beautiful series completely swept me away. It is filled with love, friendship, spirit, escapism, family, stunning scenery, drama, amazing characters, tension, friends romance and community and much more!! What else could you ask for in a stunning page turner? It kept me turning the pages late at night. I really enjoyed having the insights into Lottie's life and her journey into the stunning Loch Cameron. I absolutely fell in love venturing into Loch Cameron again and Kennedy portrays life in a small village absolutely perfectly, bringing the neighbours to life and showing that when you live in a small place everybody knows everybody else's business. Each and every time I step foot into one of Kennedy's books it feels like I am coming home after getting to know the area and fantastic people who live there so well. Living in a small village myself and, ironically enough, one that also has a castle, Kennedy's descriptions are perfect. In a way I became so invested in this book that it actually felt like going on a holiday and I absolutely dreaded coming to the end where I had to unpack my suitcase and get back to reality. This book, well every book I have read by this fantastic author, is one of those gorgeous books where you tell yourself just one more chapter but then you keep repeating it until you have devoured it in one sitting as there is just no way you can put it down!! I was carrying my kindle while walking around the house and even bumped into things a few times as I was so absorbed in the storyline. Each and every book in this series will turn a frown upside down and this one is no exception! It is one of those books that is perfect to read everywhere and anywhere whether it is wrapped up in your dressing gown with a hot chocolate and the heating on or on a sunbed on holiday with the sun shining down on you. No matter where you are Kennedy will sweep you off to the stunning Loch Cameron for a beautiful escapism page turner!! Although this book is the seventh book in Kennedy's 'Loch Cameron' series you will have absolutely no problems reading it as a standalone. Any relationships, friendships and cases mentioned are explained in just the right amount of detail so new readers of this gripping series understand what's happened previously but not too much that previous readers get bored by repetition. I would always recommend reading books in a series in order but if you cant resist reading this one before the previous ones, and who would blame you with this stunning cover sucking you in, then there is a silver lining!The silver lining is that after you finished and fallen in love with this book and series you can go back and read the previous 6 while you are waiting for Kennedy's next success to come out!! On that note, I have some amazing news and that is that you will not have to wait too long for it!! The next book in this gorgeous series is already available to preorder on Amazon!! It is called 'Inheriting The Cottage By The Loch' and will be published on the 26th June so preorder it now and mark your calendars!! This series and book truly is an absolutely compelling and addictive heart lifting read that kept me turning the pages until late at night. I loved discovering the pasts of many of the characters and I was absolutely swept away in the story lines. Loch Cameron came to life around me and I cannot wait to return in the next book in this absolutely stunning series. The ending was absolutely perfect as always with Kennedy and this stunning series. This book would make a beautiful movie!! Do not turn a single page of this book until you have cleared your schedules and when you do get ready to go on a stunning holiday you will not want to leave!!

Clear your schedules and get ready to float away to Loch Cameron and fall in love. This stunner is the fifth book in a beautiful series but can be read as a standalone.

I became completely invested in the characters, along with the storyline as I do with each and every one of Kennedy's amazing books! Each of the characters were all absolutely fantastic with their own individual personalities and quirks. They have all started feeling like friends so quickly having got to meet so many of them so well. Whenever I finish any of Kennedy's books I feel like I am leaving amazing people and friends and I always feel a bit sad about it but am happy in the knowledge that Kennedy is hopefully writing her next book and bringing them alive as I write this (hint hint Kennedy 😉). It was intriguing seeing the friendships, interactions and relationships of all of the characters change and develop throughout the book. There are just so many characters that I loved and cannot wait to meet again and I am looking forward to meeting them all again in the next book in this absolutely stunning series. These characters all work perfectly together to make an addictive storyline and are realistic of a small community. I cannot wait to meet most of them again in the next book in this series which I really, really, really hope is not going to take too long to come out!!! This is one of those series which could go on and on and I wouldn't get bored. Here's to meeting them all again along with the next new faces of Loch Cameron!!

Congratulations Kennedy on yet another gorgeous success!!! Looking forward to my next holiday to Loch Cameron!!! This is exactly why you are one of my favourite authors!! If you have never read this book, any books in the Loch Cameron series or any books in the Magpie Cove series (which I also absolutely LOVE!!!) pick one up today, you won't regret it and you are definitely missing out if you don't!!

Overall a perfect, stunning, page turning beach or fireside read with a great gang of characters that will sweep you away to Loch Cameron from the very first page to the end!

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Heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. I haven't cried while reading a book in a long time, and this book ensured to end of that streak. I loved how Lottie and Gretchen found each other in each other's stories, it was really good to read it and I felt so sad at the same time. The mystery element is written perfectly. I read a book like this after a long time and I'm glad I signed up for it, I needed it!

Lottie Fox, in an open relationship with Tristan, accepted that they could date others without any issues. As their relationship blossomed, Lottie began to develop feelings for Tristan, but unfortunately, her feelings were not reciprocated. In fact, he leaves her. To help recover from that deep emotional cut, she travels to Loch Cameron in order to help some of its elderly residents to sort out history from the past. This endeavor will help Lottie towards her Masters degree.

Lottie’s studies have her focusing on elders and intergenerational work, which is a project where she collects life stories from people at a care home. One of these residents is an elderly woman named Gretchen. Gretchen has a story that needs to be told, and Lottie just might be the one that she shares that story with.

The more Lottie hears, the deeper the story goes. She definitely feels a kinship with Gretchen. However, Gretchen’s poor health is a serious factor. Gretchen can be rather circumspect, but Lottie doesn’t give up learning her story.

All while healing from her broken heart, Lottie finds that there are dating opportunities, so she might just decide to broaden her horizons. However, what I really gained from this book is the profound effect that Gretchen had on Lottie. That will stay with me for quite a while. Gretchen’s story was heartbreaking, especially as this book touched on some deep and impactful subjects. Kennedy Kerr’s seventh book in the Loch Cameron series was just as wonderful as the previous books in the series.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Lottie Fox thought she was with the man of her dreams, the one she was going to spend the rest of her life with. But he abruptly left her and she is heart broken. Lottie submerges herself into the elderly residents of the village care home.

It is there that she meets Gretchen. She loves Gretchen’s personality and she has some amazing stories. She bonds with Lottie through the wonderful stories she shares from her past. When Lottie meets Fred Mackenzie in the bookstore, her life begins to change. She adores him and the new found friendship he has discovered with Lottie and also with Gretchen. Once again Lottie experiences the unexpected things that life throws at her. How will she ever survive again?

Lost Memories of the Cottage by the Loch, written by author Kennedy Kerr, is a wonderful story of new beginnings, love and hope. Lottie was such a phenomenal person and she found her place in a world that she felt abandoned in. I loved Gretchen as well, she had so many great stories and each one was such a treasure, and Fred was so kind and really amazing.

This heartbreaking and inspiring book hit all the feels and is full of beautiful descriptions of Loch Cameron in Scotland. I was transported to Loch Cameron and it is a place that feels like home. This is a wonderful addition to a phenomenal series but it can be read as a standalone. I loved this unputdownable story and I highly recommend it.

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

I enjoyed reading this book.

Gretchen realises that she’s, maybe not got much time left as she’s an elderly woman.

She has some things that she’d like to be known, but also worried about how those will be seen by others after she’s said what she wants to.

After her relationship ends with the person she expected would be with her for life, Lottie makes a decision to leave everything behind and move to Loch Cameron, where she can do her MA, for a part of this, she has to speak to women in a local home for seniors about the lives they’ve led.

She meets Gretchen and, whilst talking to her feels as if she’s holding something.

What is that secret, and how will Lottie feel when she hears what it is?

I enjoyed reading this series.

I highly recommend this book.

A woman trailblazer finally ready to tell her tale👵

This realistic story focuses on dual plotlines for Gretchen, a feminist way out ahead of her time, and the present day female student Lottie, hoping to use seniors' reminiscences as part of her graduate studies project. With frail, elderly Gretchen she finds a woman who endured an inhospitable work environment from the moment she decided to become a book editor in a male-dominated industry and a survivor of a toxic relationship who was forced to make a devastating choice.

Gretchen's strength in carving her career and ability to go it alone as a single mother in the 60's and 70's contrasted with Lottie's constant worry about hanging on to the men in her life. In that respect, I found Lottie a weaker, more vulnerable character, though her problems are probably more relatable for a contemporary readership.

I am of an age that I could relate to both women's challenges and I enjoyed the story, particularly the closeness the two women developed. Gretchen's ultimate secret I anticipated, but it did give a touch of pathos, opportunities unrealized, to the ending.

Another good addition to Kerr's Loch Cameron series.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared on 3/4/25 on Goodreads and with Barnes & Noble.

A beautiful, heartwarming story that seemed to evolve very slowly.
Gretchen Ross is an elderly woman that knows her time is coming to an end very soon. She has unresolved issues she would like to share. Her biggest fear is what others will think of her after hearing what she has to share.
Lottie Fox has had a breakup with someone she thought she would spend her life with. She decides to move to Loch Cameron to work on her MA. This means talking to seniors about their lives.
Lottie meets Gretchen and feels a connection. She feels that Gretchen is holding back secrets….will Lottie be able to draw the secrets out?
I enjoyed reading Lost Memories of the Cottage by the Loch. The mystery element was perfect as well as the added bonus of romance.
Each book can be read as a standalone. Though I recommend reading the books in order.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I received a free copy of, Lost Memories of the Cottage by the Loch, by Kennedy Kerr, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book seven in The Loch Cameron book series. Lottie Fox goes to Loch Cameron to escape her memories, after her boyfriend leaves her. In Loch Cameron Lottie meets Gretchen who has her own stories. I really enjoyed this book, sad at times though.

i haven't read any of this series. and this is book 7. so where have i been! call myself a lover of these types of books!? pcht, im highly disappointed in myself. for as soon as i saw the cover, read the blurb, then googled the author and rest of the series i new i was i for a winner. and therefore i feel like ive missed out on the others. for me though, this worked perfectly fine as a standalone. from the blurbs i think Gretchen features at the very start of this series. but having not read this didnt come as a problem. but i shall be remedying this and going back to read the others as soon as i can find them.
like any good book in this genre this had all the feels. and all the right type of things. it has romance. its has light and shade. there are always lessons to be learnt and a cast of brilliant characters. most likely a matriarch or elderly character who you instantly fall in love with.
themes are often discussed with great tenderness which allows some tough subjects to be broached. as is the case in this book. wow woman how are we landed the awful end of things time and time again? its getting harder to read these types of behaviors...from men...and society. especially in the current climate. sadly we seem to be reversing not getting better. so infact, when you get book that cover these things like in this one. it allows you a smidgen of hope. or at least you can live with that hope through the characters for a while.
but more than that, take away the escapism its just a really really delicious read. and these are the genre and plot like books i treasure and every time i get one next in line on my shelf i cannot wait. this one is definitely one of them.
Gretchen in this book is a soul healer. she is strong and feisty and a character to instantly fall in love with. id be going to meet her in her care home as often as i could! but she didnt have an easy life. and this is where we finally hear her tale. as told with the help of new to the village Lottie. who has arrived here from her own heartbreak.
this book through Gretchen covers some heartbreaking topics relating to the treatment of woman. very real but hard to hear all the same. but they arent done without the tenderness ive already come to love from this author.
and what i love is Kerr delivers us some beautiful men. some kind me. and or kind characters. who are those for those who need them. both via friendships and love.
allthough Gretchen has faced such hard abuse by men she quickly wants to heal Lottie and make sure she doesnt lose hope. and doesnt lose a second chance at love. real cherish able love.
these two and their relationship was one we could all have a bit more of please. one i could read about all day. i have to admit when tragedy strikes i wanted to cry out for the ending not to be a certain end for someone! this would not be ok for my heart.
Lottie escaped to the loch to heal. and also to gather resources from those at the care home for her masters. what she learns from Gretchen. others on the island (Fred) and then her own past is something far better than she could imagine. if shes ready. if she can find the strength and bravery.
couldn't recommend this book enough.

I would highly recommend to family and friends. I love author’s that can describe a scene and you are immediately there, you close your eyes and you picture the scene. This author does that for me.

Gretchen Ross knows that her time is coming to an end.

Lottie Fox has moved to Loch Cameron after having her heart broken. As part of her MA, she needs to talk to some of the elderly about their lives. Enter Gretchen, who has had the most wonderful and fascinating, as well as traumatic and difficult life.

Lottie learns a lot about life from Gretchen, and the two become very close over a short period of time. Will Gretchen be able to tell Lottie about her secrets, or will she take them to the grave with her?

I found this to be an emotional read, but also inspiring. Thankfully there have been many people who were, and are very much like Gretchen’s character - refusing to be walked all over due to being female, not letting others look down on her and so much more.

I loved how Gretchen managed to change Lottie’s opinion of herself, showed her how beautiful she was inside and out.

This is a beautifully written story that did bring tears to my eyes at times and made me smile and laugh at others.

There is a lot to learn from this book and I came away with a warm feeling and determined to be more like Gretchen.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book is the seventh in the Loch Cameron book series. However, it works well as a standalone. I haven’t read any of the others and didn’t feel I missed any background.

This book (and most likely series) targets a specific type of reader. Unfortunately, I am not one of them. I didn’t feel there was one plot line that wasn’t predictable. In reading the author'’s end comments, I believe, in addition to crafting a heartwarming story, she intended to raise issues of domestic violence and feminism’s baby steps in gaining traction. But the specific experiences were commonplace. There were no aha moments or I didn’t know that for me. No new ground or new perspectives were revealed.

The story is about a grieving young woman, Lottie, who moves to this lovely, picturesque village after the sudden death of her mother and a romantic breakup. Lottie suffers low self esteem and pushes herself to a new start. She begins graduate school and moves into a house with roommates, Fred and Celine. Instant new friends.. Her thesis will be based on interviews with the elderly.

Lottie has many fresh starts in her new location and new connections that will inevitably involve long held secrets. Gretchen, a character in this series, becomes a pivotal character for Lottie in helping her reshape how she thinks about herself. And, of course, there is a romantic arc. But it plods along until it reaches its expected end.

This would make the perfect Hallmark movie.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Ouverture for the opportunity to read this advanced readers copy and provide and honest review.

What an engrossing and soul stirring read! Without fail, Kennedy Kerr’s novels always leave me with so many emotions and thoughts. They are stories of substance that carry significant messages. And this one, the seventh book of the Loch Cameron series, the Lost memories of the Cottage by the Loch, is no exception. It captured my attention from the first page and held me captive to the very last. Publishing heroine Gretchen Ross’s story left a deep unforgettable mark on my heart. And Lottie’s important role as recorder of her life, brought to light many surprises.

I was moved to experience a whole range of emotions following this incredible cast of engaging characters. This sensitive, gripping story covered some very serious and disturbing topics important to women of the past and present. Through Gretchen, who worked in the publishing business, we learn how tough it was for working women in the 60s and 70s (and even today) dealing with sexual harassment, sexism and lack of respect in the corporate world. Women had to prove themselves and work harder to get the same recognition as men. Then in their private lives, women dealt with (and still do) verbal bullying, physical abuse and a number of prejudices (plus being subjected to stereo-typing). The scenes relating to the graveyards filled with ill-treated unwed mothers and pregnant women made me shudder. It is a reality we are confronted with and Kerr’s novel paints a vivid picture of the injustices.

Relationships are a big part of the story: the failed ones, the abusive ones but also the loving ones. A number of men in the plot treat these lead women badly but Kerr shows us also the caring ones, too (like Fred). We cannot label all men the same but we need to be aware there are as many predators as princes in the world. Although Gretchen has been deeply wounded by the way she was treated in her younger romantic years, she and other characters in the story are quick to point out that not all men are terrible and abusive.

Sadly we realise, as Gretchen does, the ill treatment from those unhealthy relationships when she was younger, left a scar on her heart so deep it caused her to miss out on a second chance at love. Now at the end of her life, she ponders her choices and does not want the same loveless life for her friend, Lottie, and makes this clear in their meetings.

Lottie has had her own heart broken by a man she thought she would be spending her life with. She escapes to Loch Cameron to heal and do some research for her Master’s degree. She visits the care home for the elderly to gather some local history and meets Gretchen who she instantly likes. Gretchen shares her life story and it is a fascinating one with many impressive achievements. But she also touches on the personal challenges she faced romantically and career wise. Their time together is very special and we learn so much about each of them. When Gretchen spots Lottie’s necklace that was given to her by her late mother, Gretchen realises their connection is far deeper than she originally thought. She knows then, she must share a secret with Lottie before it is too late.  

Love, betrayal, secrets and revelations fill these well written pages. My heart was bursting with emotions as I read this touching, beautifully presented story delivered by both Gretchen and Lottie. I actually completed this in one day as I could not set it down until I turned the last page—and even then I kept going back and re-reading moving passages. I highly recommend the Lost memories of the Cottage by the Loch and I guarantee there will be tears! I really did not want this story to end and you will see why. 5 Glorious Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a review copy.

I love these Loch books and this did not disappoint . You have to concentrate a little bit in the beginning as moves around a bit, I love Gretchen story. Gosh being a woman in power in the 60’s and 70’s was not good. I loved how Gretchen chose her secretary . The graves in the Churchyard made me sad . Some very moving parts. Glad Lottie got her happiness in the end. Read it , it is amazing.