Review of 'Secrets at the Cottage by the Sea' by Caroline Young

Review of 'Secrets at the Cottage by the Sea' by Caroline Young

Release date: March 6th, 2023

Publisher: Storm Publishing

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REVIEW

What an inspiring story! I was overwhelmed with emotions while reading Secrets at the Cottage by the Sea. Once I dove into this novel, I could not stop. My heart was caught in its grips until the end and beyond.

I felt such compassion for Jude (and her animals) and was torn by the choices this woman had to make. She was trapped in a cycle of grief and fear haunted by the memory of her late husband, Alex, who was the love of her life. When trying to move forward with all the reminders surrounding her (including her husband’s Harley Davidson motorcycle), it seemed an impossible task. So, she fled to Anglesey, a special place they had shared for their honeymoon a few years earlier. She needed to heal and figure out how to go forward.

Jude has some wonderful support, including her husband’s best friend. He tries to help but there are complications. He has carried a torch for her for many years and this creates some awkward moments: especially now that Alex is gone. Yet, knowing this, Jude still turns to him for comfort as he is a kind shoulder to cry on. But we learn he has his own lessons to learn and what he thinks he wants, may not be right for him at all. His journey is an interesting one with many twists and turns. But the truth will make itself known while rendering some unexpected emotions and outcomes.

It is easy to see that this beautiful and sensitively written heart-jarring novel was created with great insight and care by the author. She covers some difficult topics such as infertility through incompatibility and grief from loss of loved ones to cancer. This is not a light story as there are many psychological and emotional layers built into it. There are numerous sad and anguished moments but also joyful and uplifting ones. Especially when Jude experiences freedom and learns to trust in her instincts. She also realises another kindred spirit can come into her life, if she’s open to the possibility.

This is a story about relationships—romantic ones, parent and child types and friendships. There’s also a healthy dose of community spirit. And we get to see the differences between city and country life. But at the start, it is about a husband and wife torn apart by cancer. Yet the story does not end there. In fact, it just begins at this point and carries us through the trauma, the indecision, the ‘figuring out what to do now’, making mistakes and how to rectify them. It offers a pathway back to happiness, wholeness and new beginnings— presenting second chances with substance. Wrong couples paired initially, eventually find their way to the right partners for them but only after much trial and error.

Relatable characters (all excellently portrayed), realistic scenarios, authentic problems and challenging decisions fill this life-affirming story. And I cannot forget the exquisite setting that shines like gold as a backdrop on these pages. I felt I was there walking on the beaches, admiring the sunsets and breathing the salt air. I could even feel the damp cold and soaking rain at times. This atmospheric location played such a vital part in this story: it became a character of great influence on the actions and reactions of the humans and animals involved. The natural elements felt totally intertwined and inseparable from the human story.

I have to say my heart really ached for the little dog (and you will see why) and I relate to the love Jude had for him plus the longing she had for children. I was so happy things worked out positively, as it should have. True to the quote from Ecclesiastes: “For everything there is a season, a time under heaven” which is the heartbeat of this novel. This woman, like many of us, have entered the tomb of grief and battled some horrific things but managed to grasp on to the lifeline of hope. In Secrets at the Cottage by the Sea we learn that from the ashes of loss, love can blossom. When Jude begins to heal and embrace her new life, wonderful things happen.

I won’t ever forget this beautiful story that moved me to tears and then made my heart sing. It left quite an impression on me and even entered my dreams. I totally recommend this exceptional novel. 5 Exquisite Stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for a review copy.

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