Review of 'The Cottage by the Loch' - by author Kennedy Kerr
Review of The Cottage by the Loch by Kennedy Kerr
Release date: January 24, 2023
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REVIEW
I absolutely adored this heart touching, uplifting story of secrets, family roots and new beginnings. The Cottage by the Loch is beautifully set in the scenic countryside of Scotland. Even though it was my first Kennedy Kerr novel, I do have another one of hers waiting for me on my Kindle app! And I definitely will be exploring even more of her works as time allows.
From the cover (which is gorgeous) to the last page, I was totally charmed by The Cottage by the Loch. Its well-rounded characters, stunning landscape and intriguing plot swept me away. The author’s gentle writing style pulled me in so quickly and with such ease I completely forgot my own environment. This story is pure delightful escapism for sure but it has depth with a strong message of love and the importance of finding your place in the world. It is such a well written tale that satisfies the romantic heart. Besides, who doesn’t love an ancient castle, a handsome Scottish Laird and an atmospheric scene of stone circles? Along with a lass who is trying to figure out where she belongs and who should she be with? Real magic in the earthly sense emanates from The Cottage by the Loch.
Zelda Hicks lives in New York City and has recently lost her mother. Her loss is deeply felt and her job is all she has left to keep her feet on the ground. But she is asked to travel to Scotland on assignment. Her father is actually Scottish so venturing overseas could stir up some unresolved feelings. He left early on so she has never really known him, nor thought of pursuing him while her mother was living. Of course, now that she is alone, a need for family rises in her heart and she wonders what to do about it.
After arriving in Scotland, an unfortunate accident occurs that keeps Zelda there for far longer than planned. Is this a blessing in disguise? Maybe so as it provides an opportunity to explore more of her family’s roots and to practice her other talents. As she begins to build new friendships with some very special town’s people, events occur that will affect and change her life in unexpected ways. She will learn the beauty of a close knit community but see its negative aspects, too, such as being under the scrutiny of watchful eyes. But for the most part, Zelda’s experiences are positive and the kindness of others flow her way. Though it takes some getting used to as being in a place where people care, treat you like family and offer a helping hand, is quite foreign to someone coming from the big city of New York.
A major example is one shining moment when Zelda is out on a walk and meets elderly lady Gretchen. A woman she connects with instantly and who invites her into her cottage for tea. They become fast friends and this friendship opens exciting doors to new beginnings. And when a bundle of old letters surface from the back of Gretchen’s antique wardrobe, it leads Zelda on a journey of restoration and discovery. This intriguing thread plays out magnificently with its ups and downs and lovely surprises.
Of course, there is more than one love interest on the table for Zelda. Besides Hal Cameron (the Scottish Laird), the other male vying for Zelda’s affections is Irish Ryan, a bookstore owner. The author paints a colourful palette of these two very different rivals but are either men as they appear? There’s a lot of backstory that unveils the truth and then current events to give us a chance to decide who we think is best for Zelda.
Intriguing details rise, too, from the mist of her father’s background. By the end of the story, we learn much about tender love, family roots, where the heart feels at home and lasting happiness. It is a story about connection and the importance of remembering the past. How history must be woven into the present to provide strength for the future. I loved this story and highly recommend it. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a review copy.
