REVIEW
Echoes on a Cornish River is a magical, intriguing and descriptive historical timeslip that kept me mesmerised! The love fleshed out on these pages reminds me a bit of the couple in Outlander as their beautiful connection spans centuries. Also, the woman knows the future yet longs to remain in the past with the man she adores.
Elli is a woman who has experienced the worst trauma imaginable. She is a flight attendant who has been deeply affected by a high jacking. Her mental health is in a fragile state as a result. This terrible violation has affected her relationships, including the one with her husband, Simon. I found the depiction of the event and its after-effects realistic. It was easy to imagine how horrible this situation would be.
Although the airline has provided therapy counselling, and Elli attends the meetings, it appears not to be very effective. But a weekend away at her cousin’s and his wife’s home in the Cornish countryside starts to work its magic on Elli. She not only begins to relax and heal through her encounters with nature but she experiences some out of this world experiences. She is transported to the distant past where she meets a number of people who mirror those closest to her in the present. These movements through time come and go seemingly at random and are quite unnerving but these encounters begin to change her in ways she would never have imagined. Especially her visits with William, a man who looks just like her husband.
Echoes on a Cornish River is filled with wonderful history, some of which we learn through Elli’s own study. This new passion arises once she and her husband decide to purchase a portion of her cousin’s land to restore a cottage on the premises. Elli’s curiosity gets the better of her and she wants to know more about those who once lived there. This new hunger drives her deeper into extensive research with the intention of helping those she has met in the past. Particularly to see William remain safe from all the battles that will surround him. But how can she make a difference? Everyone knows trying to change history is impossible. Or is it?
There are some interesting and persuasive characters, including the dogs and a raven! The raven becomes a very important protector and connection to that ‘world between times.’ The information Elli gathers provides incredible insight on the raven’s purpose and the symbolism and Celtic beliefs surrounding them. These impressive creatures add supernatural elements to the story along with more shades of mystery, colour and intrigue.
This is truly a very romantic story, well-written with stunning descriptions, a moving message and an eternal heart-beat that will keep the reader flipping the pages and remembering it for a long time. I loved everything about Echoes on a Cornish River. It is intensely stirring, mystical and fascinating. I remained glued to the pages and definitely recommend this spell-binding atmospheric novel. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Many thanks to Embla Books and Netgalley for my review copy.
