The winds of change are sweeping through the idyllic Cotswold village of Lower Leaping.
After a tumultuous few months, Tess Alexander is ready to welcome her first guests to The Garden Retreat, a beautiful lodge in the grounds of Hollyhocks Cottage.
With her daughter Hannah home from her travels in Australia and her mother, Marjorie, acting out of character, Tess has to juggle many demands on her attention. Even her flourishing relationship with dashing Rob Templeton is put to the test when he faces an emotional dilemma from his past and Barney, her beloved beagle, has her at her wits end.
Tess can weather most storms with the unbridling support of her close friends Dilly, Gina and Suzy but when a passing remark in the local pub causes her to question one of those friendships, she wonders who can she really trust?
Can Tess overcome the obstacles in her path to find the happy ending she truly deserves?
About The Author
My Review
This book is about returning home, rebuilding relationships, and discovering that healing is rarely a straight path. In Healing Hearts at The Forever Cottage, Jill Steeples brings readers back to the charming Cotswold village of Lower Leaping, where Tess continues to rebuild her life surrounded by family and loyal friends.
Time has passed since the first installment, and it’s lovely to see Hannah settling after her Australian adventure, adding a sense of growth and continuity. Tess’s relationship with Rob deepens in a natural, comforting way, especially as he establishes a home of his own, symbolising stability and fresh beginnings. Meanwhile, Marjorie’s unexpected behaviour adds emotional intrigue and a touch of mystery that keeps the story engaging.
The return of Dilly, Gina, and Suzy reinforces the strong theme of female friendship, while new characters Danny and Michael inject fresh energy and hint at future storylines.
Although the novel occasionally feels like it could have explored certain emotional threads more deeply, it remains a warm, heartfelt continuation filled with community spirit, second chances, and hope.
My Rating
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