Another heart-warming Scottish Highland story by Kennedy Kerr! The third instalment of the Loch Cameron series The Diary from the Cottage by the Loch is beautifully rendered within its gorgeous setting and offers a huge dose of encouragement for those facing curve ball challenges. I absolutely enjoyed this novel from start to finish.
This series is a wonderful escape to the beautiful landscape of Loch Cameron. Each book can be read alone but get them all if you can. Wonderful, warm uplifting stories about characters who are dealing with injury, heartbreak and loss hoping to find peace and purpose in this quaint little village with generous caring neighbours. Yes, this is a place where everyone knows everyone and no secret lasts long but the community spirit is endearing and welcoming.
The Diary from the Cottage by the Loch is like a warm hug for the hurting. For it reminds us that no man or woman is an island and we are meant to share, commune and be part of something bigger than ourselves. So, when the curve balls hit hard, the much needed support is already there, as back up, to offer hope and healing. Loch Cameron resonates with a kinship where kindness, love and happiness blossom. Of course, it is not a perfect town (as none can be) because all its dwellers make mistakes and will judge unfairly at times. But the beauty is in the fact that when these characters get to know each other, they learn the story behind the frown, the rude word or other negative reaction. It is then they begin to work together and real growth happens. And this wonderful story has it in spades!
Carrie Anderson comes to Loch Cameron after a terrible car accident to heal and to regain a connection with her sister. It is a place they visited frequently as children and created many happy memories. But her beautiful sister is gone now. She died in the crash and Carrie lives. First off, we know the effect this will have on the sister left behind. Carrie suffers heavily from survivor guilt issues (one of the novel’s themes). She blames herself for the accident but also for the deterioration in the sibling relationship. They were very close until her sister got a serious boyfriend, Graham, and then became engaged. This made Carrie feel as though she was losing her sister’s love and attention—even though that was not the case. On top of this, and the feeling she is to blame for the accident, Carrie grieves their last moments. Her spoiled behaviour toward her sister haunts her. How can she forgive herself and move forward?
Carrie meets Rory, ex-Navy officer turned chef, at the start of her escape get-away to Loch Cameron. He is handsome and initially comes across as rude but when he offers her a job at his restaurant, she gets to know him and why he is sometimes that way. They share each other’s burdens and she feels less alone. Their connection and relationship slowly bloom, as there are a few bumps along the way.
As for Carrie, since her sister’s death, a real void magnifies in her heart—the need for family. Her father is alive but absent. Her mother has passed on. Her aunt Maud once had a cottage in Loch Cameron where her sister and her used to visit. But she has passed away. There are still many in the village who knew this woman and share their memories. But when Maud’s journal is found and given to Carrie, it allows her to get to know her aunt better. What she discovers within its pages is quite surprising. It seems Maud carried a few hefty secrets. This leads to some interesting revelations about her family: some of which will shape Carrie’s own future.
Lines from songs run through this novel. They carry good memories and bad ones but in the end it is music that provides some healing, in unexpected ways. Carrie even joins a local choir and finds that singing provides much needed relief from her grief. This story is a lot about facing fears, rather than continuing to avoid the things that cause us hurt.
There are many wonderful positive messages in this novel with hope, encouragement and healing at its core. Kennedy once again handles graciously emotional traumas such as PTSD and survivor’s guilt and how people deal with the after-effects. Although, puffs of sadness drift across the pages sometimes like dark clouds on the horizon, the sun breaks through, and fears and inner storms abate. There are second chances for both Carrie and Rory. Carrie has always wanted to become a nurse and when the desire rises up again, opportunity meets her and she is welcomed through that door. Rory has known hurt from his childhood and adulthood and therapy has helped but meeting Carrie opens windows of healing for him. He, too, has a fresh beginning.
There are some reoccurring faces or names from the previous two novels which were nice to see. This weaves the past stories into the present and provides a lovely cohesiveness. In many ways, this is a realistic view of communities that continue to grow and add new members.
All in all, I loved this inspiring novel with its gentle approaches and tender resolutions. It’s a beautiful story, eloquently spun from the author’s heart of gold. I highly recommend The Diary from the Cottage by the Loch! 5 glowing Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my review copy.
