What an inspiring story of love, courage and redemption! Rebecca has once again captured the spirit and heart of a people living on an island. She tells us in her notes that her imaginary setting of Morwen is based on a village where she lives in the southwest of England and it reflects the many islands off that coast. This ideal landscape for this dual time line story certainly provides a rich tapestry with its stunning views and deep, profound history. Yes, ‘the cobbled alleys, narrow roads and tiny cottages’ are bursting with memories and exciting stories waiting to be discovered and re-told. For this ancient land has seen many faces and changes over the centuries.
In our present timeline, we meet Charlotte Kingston: a teacher who has just experienced a painful break up from a long term relationship. To put some distance between her and her surfer boyfriend, Zach, she snatches an opportunity to take up a temporary position at Morwen. Their island school must close and she has been given the difficult task of preparing for this event.
This is not Charlotte’s first visit to the island but it has been a long time. She has not been there since her summer holidays with her grandparents. Memories and echoes from the past come flooding back to her mind as she crosses over on the ferry. I must declare that the opening passages of Present Day, 16 March are quite moving, and pulled my heart immediately into the story. My senses were heightened by the wonderfully written descriptions Rebecca offers.
During the onset of this challenging task of cleaning up the school and preparing it for the worst case scenario, Charlotte encounters two boys who are in need of her assistance when their grandmother falls ill and they have nowhere to go. As she becomes closely connected to their lives, the experience opens her heart to new feelings and a new purpose. She also meets Ash, a man who has a past with the boys and their mother. Can she trust him with their care and her heart? Is what they say about him true? Charlotte must make some difficult choices in her personal life but also for the children and the school and whether she should believe in second chances.
The historical timeline was intriguing. The distant past enters the present, when Charlotte attempts to decode her grandmother’s letters from WW2. This action reveals some surprising truths. And a secret. How will that revelation affect her own decisions? The second timeline is well played out in separate chapters and Jenny’s story is a moving one of sacrifice and courage. We are always conscious of the trials many people faced when Hitler invaded their lives.
Memories of the Cottage by the Sea is a story of family and what that means, not only of those who are blood bound but also those who were once strangers but have been adopted into our lives. The characters show how the latter can have just as strong a connection. A heart of love can often stretch beyond its regular boundaries. Sometimes it can motivate or inspire us to choose the unexpected option. Sometimes those feelings arise from a need to be connected to another human being and can bring new ‘bloodlines’ into our lives. This story shows both the blood and adoptive. And how the latter can offer beauty, freshness and healing in relationships. Fierce and protective instincts may arise, too, just as it did for Charlotte with her surprising love for these two boys. In fact, Charlotte's need for love and family awakens on the island in the arms of these tender boys and with their past step parent.
Even though at times, loss fills these pages and reveals the emptiness that it brings, it also demonstrates how love moves in like spring sunshine into aching hearts and delivers positive results by the story’s end. This is a rich and uplifting journey where a woman draws strength from the villagers. You get to see a real sense of community on this island where everyone knows each other. In many ways, the islanders are like a big family with all their various personalities learning to work and live together.
The journey through this novel was satisfying and inspiring. Past and present are carefully executed. Charlotte ends up in places she never dreamed. And the past storyline with Jenny, renders surprises and relief, too. The ending left me uplifted on all accounts. Memories of the Cottage by the Sea has touched my heart and will not be forgotten. I highly recommend it. And if you have not read book 1 of the series, you must! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a review copy.
