October 25, 2025 – My Sanctuary

Review Card & Book Review- The Forever Cottage By Jill Steeples

🌿 It’s never too late to follow your heart… 🌿

Tess Alexander lives an enviable life with her husband Charles, at Hollyhocks Cottage in the idyllic Cotswold village of Lower Leaping. Dreaming of their early retirement, Tess’s plans are dashed when Charles shares some devastating news and suddenly she’s left alone with only Barney, her adorable Beagle dog, for company.

Facing an uncertain future, Tess tries to reconnect with her old self. She begins to transform the neglected garden office into a beautiful retreat, the perfect spot for her to indulge in her long-forgotten creative passions.

However, a chance encounter with charming but down on his luck, Rob Templeton, soon puts pay to her plans, when she offers him the place to stay, sensing a kindred spirit.

With the support of old friends, Gina and Suzy, Tess must now step out of her comfort zone and embrace a different way of life, one that is filled with secrets, possibilities and second chances, if only Tess is prepared to take them.

With so many demands on her attention, will Tess find a way to follow her heart and discover her own happy ending?

About The Author

My Review

This is a heartwarming, uplifting tale of new beginnings, personal growth, and the quiet power of friendship. When Tess’s husband unexpectedly leaves her and her daughter is off travelling, she finds herself suddenly alone—save for the comforting presence of her loyal dog, Barney. What follows is a beautifully written journey of rediscovery. Tess begins to shift her focus from the needs of her ex to her own passions, interests, and the life she wants to build for herself. As she tends to her charming garden—described in such vivid, serene detail you can almost smell the flowers—Tess also nurtures something deeper: self-worth and happiness on her own terms.

The supporting characters are a delight, particularly her neighbour Dilly and her two best friends, who bring warmth, humour, and authenticity to the story. Their evolving friendships add real heart to the narrative, reminding readers of the importance of a strong support network during life’s upheavals. Set in a picturesque village that feels like a character in its own right, this book is the perfect escape read.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Happy Publication Day – 25 October 2025

For One Moment With You By Debbie Howells

What if you met the one a week before your wedding to another man?

When Tilly meets Adam, just a week before she’s about to marry Gareth, she knows it can never be. She’s made a commitment, and it’s one she knows she has to stick with, however strong the pull is between them.

Tilly and Adam’s paths will cross, again and again, over twenty years. But Tilly’s a wife now, a mother too, not to mention a person looking after her ailing parent… Sometimes it feels like she’s forgotten how to be herself. It’s only when Gareth drops a bombshell about their marriage, that she decides to put herself at the centre of her own story.

So she books a one-way ticket to San Jose – a place she’s only heard about in a song. But fate seems to be leading her in another direction… and perhaps to exactly the place she’s meant to be, and to the person she’s meant to be with.

Review Card & Book Review- Dancing Under The Moon By Celia Anderson

Forty-something Molly is starting to realise – with growing horror – that life isn’t just passing her by, it has completely gone without her. Her husband, four children and large collection of animals are chaotic and demanding, and her job as a playgroup assistant has lost its power to inspire her.

When temptation strikes and Molly is desperately attracted to the charismatic village headmaster, she is outraged to discover that her husband Jake has beaten her to a fling, and even worse, has done this with one of Molly’s closest friends!

With the whole family plunged into turmoil for a variety of reasons, Molly is forced out of her comfort zone to make decisions that will affect her marriage, her children, her parents and her friends. Can she reclaim her life, and learn to love it again as she does so?

About The Author

My Review

This is an uplifting, heartwarming tale that effortlessly blends romance, friendship, and second chances into a story that’s as cozy as it is inspiring.

At the heart of the story is Molly, a woman in her forties who suddenly realizes that life hasn’t just passed her by—it’s all but vanished without her truly living it. Her journey of self-discovery is touching and relatable, reminding us that it’s never too late to chase joy, love, or personal growth.

From the very first chapter, the story grabs hold and doesn’t let go. Anderson’s writing is fluid and full of heart, making the book both easy to devour and hard to put down. The blend of romance, life reflection, and the beauty of unexpected friendships creates a feel-good read that lingers long after the final page.

Dancing Under The Moon is more than just a romantic escape—it’s a nudge to embrace life’s moments, take chances, and never stop believing in new beginnings.