Review of A Gift From 'A Cottage By The Loch' by Kennedy Kerr
Release Date: February 28th, 2023
Publisher: Bookouture
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REVIEW
Another gorgeous, intuitive and tender delivery by Kennedy Kerr! A Gift From The Cottage by the Loch is a beautiful heart-warming story. It flows from page to page and kept me totally engaged in eager anticipation. In many ways, returning to this setting of Loch Cameron in Scotland was like re-visiting an old friend or a number of them! As there are many familiar faces in book four that I met in the earlier renditions. This picturesque village offers a heavenly escape, where nature surrounds and lures its guests into a sympathetic embrace. It is a perfect place to heal and for new beginnings. Something our protagonist desperately needs.
Bel is a warm trusting person dedicated to a job she does not like and to a partner who really is not the best choice for her. At the opening of the novel, life takes some wicked turns. She discovers on the same day she has lost her job and her partner. For when she comes home early, she learns Andy is not alone in their home. The betrayal hits her hard and she flees the scene with a few belongings and heads to her sister’s place in Scotland. Even though they have not seen each other in a while, older sister Sally welcomes her with open arms. Since her home is under construction, she sets Bel up in a cottage owned by the Laird—a kind man we have met in previous books of the series. How long will she stay? She is unclear. She just needs somewhere quiet to figure out her next steps.
The village of Loch Cameron contains lots of breathtaking beauty, fresh air and gossip. Yes, small towns usually have a few good juicy stories they pass around. But Bel is not expecting her cottage to come with a gardener, especially one that has an attractive man. Christian, seems kind enough but we discover he is in a motorcycle ‘gang, though he and this group are not what they seem. In fact, his name somewhat reflects his actual extra-curricular activities more appropriately than the gossip flying around about him. But Bel is attracted to him and not sure why. Is it that she is drawn to bad boy men? To add a bit more conflict in the mix, a man from Bel’s past arrives. And tries to rekindle a passion they had. But Bel is not sure whether she can trust him again as he really broke her heart. Has he sincerely changed or is he a manipulator, putting on the praise in thick dollops to get what he wants?
There is a touch of spiritualism in the story with Bel having dreams about her late father who is like a guide for her, providing advice. She misses him terribly and he leads, reassures and comforts her during her darkest, most confusing moments. How long will these visions last? Long enough to set her on the right path.
This story is about finding yourself, gaining confidence, getting past the striving for acceptance, being who you are, going after your dream job—one that makes you happy. And in the romantic realm? Learning the difference between base attraction and lasting love—learning to trust and finding your true match. Bel’s awakening to love, building new romantic relationships, sifting the good from the bad comes after the failing of her long term relationship. A relationship faulty from the start so when the cracks appeared and outside influences trickled in— the worst happened— leaving Bel exposed and blindsided by her partner’s infidelity. She vowed never again to be fooled or repeat such an experience.
Once Bel removed herself from her home setting, away from the wrong man and job, she is able to blossom in Loch Cameron. She is offered her dream business opportunity, in a glorious location with a close knit community. Then temptation comes long (as previously mentioned): two men appear on the scene, one from her past— all stars and sparkle— and the other— an earthy toned man connected to gardens and a motorcycle ‘gang’. In both cases, things are not as they appear and the ‘true’ man wins out.
Yes, this novel at its core is a story of female friendships and sisterly connections— where women support each other through thick and thin. It covers relationships that have been misunderstood, too. But it is also about love—what is the real deal and what is just smoke and mirrors. And through it all, wonderful Bel blossoms in herself with some help from her father, sister and sister-in-law, friends and a wad of ‘old letters’ between two women found in her salon. This village echoes with the cries of broken hearts. But healing comes when past stories are uncovered and the persons involved are honoured in the end. Something bright, bold and beautiful springs from the thorns of chaos—as all good things do in Loch Cameron. This is lovely, lingering romantic fiction with a positive outcome. The very best kind. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my review copy.
