'A wonderful timeslip, a tale of love across the centuries, in an exquisitely described setting. I loved every page!' Kathleen McGurl, author of The Girl from Bletchley Park
'Kate's storytelling has a rare magical quality that carries you away. I was genuinely bereft when the story ended' Nicola Cornick, author of The Winter Garden
'A real find of a book. I stayed up half the night to finish it . . . A gorgeous read, highly recommended' Elena Collins, author of The Witch's Tree
Ellinor lived for adventure, always travelling from one place to the next - until tragedy struck and turned her world upside down. Needing to escape, she accepts an invitation to stay with relatives at their remote Cornish farmhouse.
As Ellinor settles on the outskirts of Calstock, it's not long before the land and its history have her itching to explore once more. Her search takes her far and wide when an unexpected encounter with an enigmatic, handsome stranger stops her in her tracks.
From the moment they meet, Ellinor knows deep in her soul they share a connection like no other. It's as if they've known each other forever. But no one else has heard of William... Is he all that he claims to be?
Could their love story be written in the stars? Or will past secrets threaten to alter the very future Ellinor has begun to let herself hope for?
A gorgeously heart-warming and romantic timeslip novel that will sweep you off your feet from bestselling author of Into a Cornish Wind . A love story that stands the test of time, perfect for fans of Diana Gabaldon, Susanna Kearsley and Nicola Cornick.
Kate Ryder is an international bestselling author of romantic suspense and timeslip/magic realism. Represented by the Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency, she is published by Embla Books and Aria Fiction, and is also a member of the RNA and SoA.
BENEATH CORNISH SKIES - a beautiful romance with a shimmer of ghostliness - achieved #1 eBook in the Amazon Australia Kindle Store, peaked at #83 in the Amazon UK Kindle Store and was shortlisted for the RNA Romantic Novel Awards 2022.
SECRETS OF THE MIST - a mysterious timeslip romance set in Dorset - not only reached #49 in Amazon UK Kindle Store but also #1 bestseller in various categories in the UK, Canada and Australia. In its original, self-published version as 'The Forgotten Promise' it was awarded the first Chill with a Book "Book of the Month" and shortlisted for Choc Lit's 2016 "Search for a Star"..
SUMMER IN A CORNISH COVE - a contemporary romantic suspense set on the beautiful and wildly rugged Lizard Peninsula - was nominated for the RNA’s 2018 Joan Hessayon award. Readers begged for a sequel and Kate duly obliged with (standalone) COTTAGE ON A CORNISH CLIFF, which peaked at #2 in Kindle Literary Sagas.
INTO A CORNISH WIND - a contemporary romance with a sprinkling of otherworldliness - published September 2022.
Originally from the South East of England, today Kate lives on the 'jam-first' Cornish side of the beautiful Tamar Valley with her husband and a rehomed Bengal-cross cat. When not writing she gravitates towards the coast, theatre, music and art, although the latter always makes her yearn to pick up a paintbrush. But - as there are only so many hours in a day - instead, she paints pictures with words!
Echoes on a Cornish River is my third outing with Kate Ryder and, I have to say, my favourite so far. I love timeslips and this one draws you in with the benefits of a beautiful backdrop and a haunting love affair. I quickly settled into the story of Ellinor, who experienced a traumatic event while on a flight to Dubai. She has been off sick ever since, away from the job of flight attendant that she loved, and receiving regular counselling sessions. When her cousin Ian and his wife Pippa invite her and husband Simon for a weekend break at his farm in Cornwall, Ellinor is keen to go. The counselling is not working and her relationship with Simon is suffering. Maybe a change of scenery will help. Gradually Ellinor learns to relax, but returning to the ruins of a cottage she saw while out walking with Pippa, something unexpected happens. This is a wonderful story. It’s well written, and for me, the reader, it conjured up everything I remember about the lush green Cornish countryside. It was also a book which involved two stories; present day and 15th century England at the time of the War of the Roses. Ellinor’s movements from present day to past and back were well handled, as was the historic detail. There’s magic and romance – although the latter isn’t central to the story. It’s more about healing and the way Ellinor’s experiences took her in a different direction with different choices. Ian and Pippa were not only farmers, they were business people. They saw opportunities and capitalised on them. Neither were under any illusions that their new lifestyle was an easy one, but they were both committed to their new way of life. It was something that soon had Ellinor reassessing her own life plan. There is a lot of detail in this book which clearly took a lot of hard work and research. The end result is a magical summer read. Highly recommended. My thanks to Kate Ryder, Embla Books and Netgalley for an ARC of Echoes on a Cornish River in exchange for an honest review.
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Ellinor lived for adventure, always travelling from one place to the next - until tragedy struck and turned her world upside down. Needing to escape, she accepts an invitation to stay with relatives at their remote Cornish farmhouse.
As Ellinor settles on the outskirts of Calstock, it's not long before the land and its history have her itching to explore once more. Her search takes her far and wide when an unexpected encounter with an enigmatic, handsome stranger stops her in her tracks.
From the moment they meet, Ellinor knows deep in her soul they share a connection like no other. It's as if they've known each other forever. But no one else has heard of William... Is he all that he claims to be?
Could their love story be written in the stars? Or will past secrets threaten to alter the very future Ellinor has begun to let herself hope for?
My Opinion
Even having read the blurb for this, this was not what I expected. This was my first book by Kate Ryder but I am sure that I will be back for more. This was such an enchanting read and the timeslips were surprisingly easy to follow. This would make for a lovely holiday read especially if you are a fan of historical fiction.
This is a light romance, with a timeslip in the beautiful Cornish countryside. I really enjoyed the setting and learning more about the history of the area. The PTSD that Ellinor faced after the plane incident was handled very sensitively, and I thought that seeing her recovery play out over a number of months helped its legitimacy. The timeslips were never explained - I'm not sure if that's common in this kind of read as I've never read one before, but I wish I knew more about why it happened, especially after the final few lines. The characters and relationship between them, especially Ellinor, Simon, Ian, and Pippa, were lovely, and I enjoyed seeing them together. Overall, it was a lovely read.
What a breathtaking book!! This is a perfect blend of romance, historical fiction, and time travel. After being traumatized while working as a flight attendant, Ellinor is still suffering, keeping her husband at arm’s length. A trip to Cornwall changes the trajectory of her future, helps to heal her in the present, and gives her a glimpse of her past. She was an amazing character, wounded but yearning to recover; Simon and William were equally wonderful! This is an enchanting book that is sure to touch the heart of its readers.
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 was intensely stirring, mystical and fascinating. I was glued to the pages and definitely recommend this atmospheric novel. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Many thanks to Embla Books and Netgalley for my review copy.
Ellinor used to love her job as a flight attendant, always ready for a new adventure as she travelled the world, but then a traumatic incident in the air shattered her confidence. Six months after her last flight, she is still plagued with nightmares and unable to bear the thought of anyone coming close to her, even her husband Simon.
Desperate to pull herself out of the dark place she is in, she accepts an invitation to stay with her cousin and his wife at their Cornish farmhouse on the banks of the river Tamar. Almost as soon as she and Simon arrive, Ellinor feels the pull of the beautiful landscape and its history, and she cannot escape the feeling that she has been here before. As she begins to dig into the history of the area, the past and the present begin to blur. Ellinor finds herself drawn to a love that echoes through the years, but what does this mean for her own happiness in the present?
Echoes on a Cornish River is an enchanting timeslip novel that blends present day Cornwall with the era of politcal unrest during the Wars of the Roses, linking the two through nicely wrought themes of fate, magic, and romance -with lovely Outlander vibes.
At its heart this is all about the romance that develops between Ellinor and William, a man who lived hundreds of years ago, and who looks remarkably like her husband. As Ellinor moves back and forth between past and present, the power of her connection with William drives the story, and ultimately leads her towards hope and healing.
At the same time, Ryder does a great job of bringing the past alive, connecting present day Cornwall to the wealth of history tied to the Tamar area. By weaving together fact and fiction she covers a lot of history in a really engaging way, filling out the broad strokes of what the history books tell us about the time when Henry Tudor and his supporters were plotting to overthrow Richard III. I particularly enjoyed the way she incorporates bags of social history too.
As well as being a compelling historical tale, this book is a love story to Cornwall that celebrates the area around the Tamar, rather that the sights and sounds of further west that normally appear in stories set in this beautiful county. It has made me want to revisit Cotehele House in Saltash, which features prominently in this story, and look at it with fresh eyes too - I highly recommend a visit if you have never been.
This is perfect summer reading for those of you who like to be swept away by a historical romance, especially one that cleverly blends contemporary themes with an atmospheric love story!
Echoes on a Cornish River is another great time-slip novel by Kate Ryder. I have enjoyed her other books but this one is my favorite after Secrets of the Mist.
Ellinor is a flight attendant who is injured during an attempted high-jacking on one of her flights. The incident causes extreme PTSD.. Her relationship with her husband Simon suffers and she feels that she will never get her old life back. To help her recover, Ellinor and Simon visit her cousin Ian and his wife Pippa at their apple farm in Cornwall, a farm that used to be part of the Cotehele estate, While staying with her cousin Ellinor stumbles upon a dilapidated cottage that seems eerily familiar. Ian asks Simon to help him with marketing the farm, and their apple cider business and so Simon and Ellinor decide to purchase the cottage and renovate it as a holiday home. Then Ellinor finds herself drawn into another time. She meets William who looks exactly like Simon. At first Ellinor thinks that the visions are a manifestations of her trauma and PTSD, but slowly she realizes that she is stumbling through time to 1483 and Buckingham’s rebellion against Richard III. As she slips back and forth in time she keeps meeting William and falls in love with him, but how can their love be? They live in different time periods and she is married to and loves Simon very much. As she tries to warn William of Buckingham’s rebellion and the tragic fate of the rebels of which William will be one, she tries to find out what happened to him in her future,
I enjoyed the history and time-slip element of this book. The PTSD was handled well and I felt the ending was a satisfying way to tie up the story. I highly recommend for fans of Barbara Erskine and Susanna Kearsley.
Thanks to Netgalley, Embla publishing and the author for the chance to read and review this book
BLURB: Ellinor lived for adventure, always travelling from one place to the next - until tragedy struck and turned her world upside down. Needing to escape, she accepts an invitation to stay with relatives at their remote Cornish farmhouse.
As Ellinor settles on the outskirts of Calstock, it's not long before the land and its history have her itching to explore once more. Her search takes her far and wide when an unexpected encounter with an enigmatic, handsome stranger stops her in her tracks.
From the moment they meet, Ellinor knows deep in her soul they share a connection like no other. It's as if they've known each other forever. But no one else has heard of William... Is he all that he claims to be?
Could their love story be written in the stars? Or will past secrets threaten to alter the very future Ellinor has begun to let herself hope for?
MY REVIEW: The blurb drew me in, I thought it hinted at paranormal elements. However, the book didn’t really capture my attention. There was so much information dumped on the reader, told and not shown, that I skipped over a fair amount of it. Some parts were so bogged down in the history and lore of ravens in Cornwall that it was almost staid.
This was more women’s fiction than romance, and I liked how the main character Ellinor dealt with her past throughout the book.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest review.
This is the first book I have read that is by Kate Ryder, I chose it as one of my holiday reads as I wanted something different to my usual books.
The opening line, our main character is attacked by a crazy person onboard the flight she is working that day……. this was my current reading position…..
Yep, Im on a plane!!
I really felt for Ellinor in the first few chapters, trying to recover from her horrific ordeal, her Husband got on my nerves to start with, I felt suffocated by him myself! I thought the way that Kate handled what Ellinor was going through after the attack was written so well, it definitely pulled on my emotional strings. I enjoyed the flip between the present and the past, they were woven together perfectly (personally I enjoyed the past sections of the book more, I totally fell in love with William).
I love Kate’s writing style, every easy to settle into and get lost along the way. Kate has put so much detail into the writing of this book, I have never been to the Cornish county side but her attention to detail had me whisked off in a flash.
Echoes on a Cornish River has a wonderful mix of History, trauma, love, betrayal, and time travel. Let Kate whisk you away on a stunning must read for 2023.
Never read any books by Kate Ryder, but this one was okay. The story revolved around Ellinor, who is a flight attendant, after a terrifying event at work, which puts her on long term sickness, she finds her place in Cornwall where her and her husband visit her cousin and his wife's farm. There strange things begin to happen and she is felt drawn to move there.
This book is in a split reality between the past and the present, where Ellinor seems to pass between. Although the premise of the story could be great, I don't think it was executed well. Too much irrelevant information to build the word count, for example, huge section on what ravens are important, I don't see how this added to the story, and I skipped the majority of this bit. There was no explanation of why Ellinor was going back and forth between the timezones, which left the ending a bit flat. All that said it wasn't a bad book but I don't think I would invest my time in other books written by Kate.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
At first, this book is very much a contemporary story - the prologue is edgy and particularly gripping. When the book begins we find Ellinor, six months on, struggling to recover from the act of violence she unwittingly became part of, its aftereffects impacting her mental health, her ability to function, and threatening her marriage. She finds considerable solace in nature, and welcomes an invitation to spend a weekend with her cousin and his wife at their fifteenth century Cornish farmhouse - where she finds she has a particular affinity with the area, enjoying the history, the lifestyle, the walks, and visits to the nearby National Trust property at Cotehele. The prospect of her husband making a financial investment and helping with the marketing of the different enterprises they're getting underway raises the possibility of them moving there permanently - and there's a dilapidated cottage on the estate that they might be able to purchase and turn into their future home.
Still fragile, she's nervous in the presence of strangers - builder Jake is a gentle giant, but she's terrified when she unexpectedly finds him in the farmhouse kitchen. And her relationship with her husband remains badly in need of repair - he's loving and patient (such a lovely man!), but she still can't bear his touch or any closeness. But the setting does bring some slow healing, as she feels increasingly at home around her new home under construction and at Cotehele itself - until she finds herself alone in the kitchens, and witnesses a scene from the past with echoes in the present day. And that proves to be the first of the book's timeslip elements - quite perfectly handled, the historical setting and every interaction as real as the present day.
There's a real art in constructing a successful time slip story, and I thought the author absolutely nailed it. The mechanics are difficult to get right, the triggers, the transitions - there needs to be a degree of spookiness, a little discomfort and sense of dislocation, and it certainly helps in terms of believability when the main character is more susceptible because of the trauma she's experienced. Not only are the time slip scenes handled with absolute perfection - especially those sometimes difficult transitions, and the clever mirroring of key characters - but the historical content made for compulsive reading too, the context being pre-Tudor with Buckingham's rebellion against the reign of Richard the Third, supported by the then owners of Cotehele. And as Ellinor researches the outcome of that rebellion, she learns about its failure - and faces the understandable dilemma of how she can share enough to save the person she's grown particularly close to without impacting the course of history.
The research required for this book must have been immense, but it wears it lightly - I became happily immersed in the moments of historical politics, much of it unfamiliar, but also enjoyed the vivid recreation of the fifteenth century settings. And it's not just the history that required research - I was equally fascinated by the recurring motif of the raven, real or imagined, supportive or ominous, and enjoyed the background detail the author included but didn't allow to slow down the narrative. Another aspect I really liked was the setting, both present day and in the past - the author has a clear love for her county and the beauty and continuity of its natural world, and makes experiencing it a joy. And I haven't even mentioned the romance, which is always such a strong element in the author's writing - no details in case I spoil the story in any way, but I found it both intensely moving and entirely convincing. Drawing the threads together and the story to a satisfying close in the present day must have been a particular challenge - I thought it was quite perfect, satisfying and believable, and with an emotional touch that certainly had me wiping away a tear or two.
If you've read other books from the author, you might just find this one a little different, and perhaps not quite what you were expecting - the suspension of disbelief needed to enjoy a well-written timeslip, I know, isn't for everyone - but I really don't think the author's writing has ever been better. I entirely loved this book without reservation, and would recommend it really highly.
Wonderful new book from Kate Ryder!! Absolutely loved reading this!! Ellinor lives an exciting high flying life as a flight attendant when a traumatic experience stops her world. Recovery is hard, slow with no end in sight, so when her cousin invites her and her husband Simon for a weekend in Cornwall to their farmhouse and new business, it’s a visit that brings a whole new perspective and hope to her life. The book is written across the two worlds of now and the latter part of the fifteenth century old Cornwall. The history within is fascinating, the links to the story are brilliantly set in. Beautifully put together and crafted, this book flows well, with a unique poignant love story at the centre of some bleak experiences. There is love, hope, survival and endurance. This book is warm, sensitive and a great read, I was hooked from the first page to the last!! Loved the spirit animals and birds!!! In my top books of the year!! Thank you to NetGalley and Embla books for the early read.
A wonderful story spanning across time, perfect for fans of historical romance time travelling tales, such as Outlander or The Time Traveller's Wife. Ellinor is a captivating heroine - an adventurer, but following a personal trauma, her life has taken a downward turn, and she seeks escape and healing. Ellinor travells to a remote Cornish farmhouse to recuperate, where her explorative nature returns whilst she enjoys checking out the area. Ellinor's adventures see her collide with the handsome William, but who is this elusive man? No one seems to know this man who has made such an impact on her. What does her connection with William mean for her marriage? The Cornish landscape is beautifully captured and provides lots of opportunities for nature's healing, allowing Ellinor to face aspects of her past, present, and future. A heartwarming and thoroughly enjoyable read. #echoesomacornishriver #kateryder #embla #netgalley
We start off with an eventual prologue which then has effect Emilla mental health the way this is written shows that the author has researched and thought about causes and the effects of day to day life .Elli is helped by a number of bizarre events as she slowly begins to recuperate, in part because of a recently discovered interest for a building project in Cornwall. She travels back in time to the 15th century and encounters a man with whom she clicks right away. Ellinor's adventures have brought her into contact with a handsome William, but who's that elusive man? The man who has had such an impact on her, it doesn't look like anyone knows him. What's the meaning of her relationship with William for her marriage? The landscape of the Cornish has been beautifully captured and offers many opportunities for nature's healing, which gives Ellinor a chance to reflect upon her past, current state or future. This is an excellent book, a heartwarming and very entertaining read.
I’ve deliberated over how to rate this book, and there were elements that I quite enjoyed, but it felt like the two parts were written by two different people. I thought the time slip sections were more skilfully written and enjoyable overall and these sections carried the story. The ‘present’ lacked the narrative content to give it equal weight with the past and the relationships between the characters were a bit superficial. I’m not keen on books written in the present tense and there didn’t seem a good reason for this, but it wasn’t a deal-breaker. However, the heavy reliance on one particular sentence structure in the present just became an irritation.
That said, the historical sections were more enjoyable: the setting description gave a sense of time and place and I was interested in how the story was to end. Elli was a more well-rounded character in the past, I felt. Overall, not bad but could have been so much more.
Perhaps my rating is low, but I was bored through many parts of the story. The setting was beautiful-both modern day and middle age settings- but the plot was not believable. I understand that there was a romance with Eleanor and William (1400s) and a glitch in her with Simon (present days). The issue in the marriage was a result of a traumatic experience that occurred when she was almost killed on an airplane. This event did not have any involvement at all with Simon who was extremely patient, attentive, and generous with his understanding of her fear of physical contact after the “incident”. However, I could not understand how she was romantically and sexually involved with William who looks like and acts like Simon, but she could not stand to have Simon touch her. It made no sense, so I had no respect for her, and felt badly for Simon who, in my opinion, was second place to William. I enjoy historical fiction, but this was too much romance for my tastes.
The story begins with a violent event that shocks the reader. Six months later, mental health problems and emotional damage plague Ellinor, affecting her daily life and relationships. Her husband is a lovely, loving, understanding character, trying to find ways for his wife to regain her vivre for life. The chance to visit family in Cornwall is the starting point for her recovery and an unusual supernatural experience. Believably created timeslip with well-researched historical detail brings the setting and time to vibrant life. It's an emotional, immersive story with lyrical writing and powerful sensory imagery. The gentle love story and connection with the present keep the reader engaged in this escapist read. I enjoyed the complex characterisation, the supernatural ethos and the epic romance. I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I really enjoyed this time slip novel, the plot and characters were well thought out and beautiful sensitively thought out. The environment was so well described it really brought me closer to the nature, are and history where I currently live (only ten minutes from Cothele, near to where this story takes place). I couldn’t put it down and really touched me and I even crowed a few times it was so beautiful. I loved the ending - such a cheeky high. What a great and slightly mind bending concept.
Thank you so much for your time that you poured into this, and I learned quite a bit. I never liked or found history interesting in school, but with novels like these can find it fascinating as history and the story becomes alive. That is such a skill. Can’t wait to read more of Kate’s writing in Cornwall!
Overall, I did enjoy this, but it needs some serious editing. There is too much detail. The prologue starts with Ellinor's job. She is a flight attendant but gets held at knife point. This causes some drift from her husband Simon. She goes to Cornwall to stay with her cousin Ian and his wife Pippa. When Ellinor is shown around their land and the old cottage, she is pulled back into the past. I loved the history part of the story and was drawn in. It was fascinating. A different way of life. Ellinor was certainly drawn to William. I found the bit about the Raven boring and long winded, I skimmed over that bit. If you like history, then you will probably enjoy the story. Thanks to Netgalley and Embla Books for the invitation to read this in return for an honest review.
I have loved all of Kate Ryder's books so far, but Echoes on a Cornish River is in my opinion her best work yet. It is a wonderful time slip romance, a lesson in Cornish history, a travel guide and a nature trek through Cornwall and so much more.
Elli is a flight attendant who is the victim of a terrifying incident in mid flight which leaves her with PTSD. She has become a person she no longer recognises, no longer able to relate to her husband and terrified of strangers.
When Elli and her husband go on a weekend trip to visit her cousin in Cornwall the story becomes atmospheric and creepy especially when the raven she has seen at home appears in Cornwall. The descriptions of the timeslip incidents are so realistic that some had the hairs on the back of my neck standing up and I could really picture what Elli was seeing.
As more and more elements from the past are brought to the present and the story of Henry VII's fight for the throne and how it involved people from Cornwall is fascinating especially as Elli knows the truth but cannot reveal it except to William.
It is apparent early on in the story that Elli has been drawn to Cornwall for a reason, and Kate has done an exceptional job to weave an intricate and beautiful story of a woman who is a person lost in the present and becomes a person able to find herself in the past, especially through her love for William. I was on the edge of my seat wondering how the story would end, would Elli try and make it in the present with Simon or would she want to stay in the past with William. Kate gave us an absolutely perfect ending which I have to say I was not expecting.
I love timeslip novels and books set in Cornwall and this latest novel by Kate Ryder lived up to her usual high standard. It’s the perfect balance of historical fiction, modern day trauma, a touch of magic and a love story that movingly spans hundreds of years, all set against the beautifully described backdrop of the Tamar and surrounding area. I particularly loved the raven (not usually my favourite bird, but I will look at them differently from now on) The author has obviously undertaken a great deal of research and it shines subtley from every page – in both the modern day and fifteenth century elements of the story. Readers who enjoy books by Susanna Kearsley and Barbra Erskine, will love this one. A great summer read!
I have always enjoyed books by Kate Ryder. Most of her books are set in Cornwall so when I saw this one I didn't bother to read the synopsis but went straight for it, my mistake I know. Ellinor had a job she loved but when things go horribly wrong she and her husband decide Ellinor should go and stay with relatives in Cornwall for a while, and Simon would join her at weekends. They soon discover an old cottage and decide to buy it and renovate it but each time Ellinor visits it, she is drawn back to a time long ago and meets William. The book was well written as always but I don't particularly enjoy time travelling so I ended up skipping quite a lot of the book. I will still read books by this author though.
Ellinor, a dedicated flight attendant who once adored her job, faced a terrifying event while in the air, that left her grappling with long-term sickness. Seeking a change to help with her healing, she and her husband go to visit her cousin's farm in Cornwall and she feels drawn to move to that area.
The story then unfolds on two timelines, present day and 1843, with Ellinor moving back and forth between them.
The characters were well-developed, but I didn't fully connect with them, making it a slightly challenging read. Nonetheless, the beautiful location and historical elements added enjoyment to the story.
Thank you to Netgalley and Embla Books for the ARC.
I was totally transfixed by this spellbinding story! I couldn’t put it down, my everyday life was completely forgotten whilst I was immersed in this wonderful book! It’s beautifully written, vividly descriptive, and extremely well plotted. The characters are all highly engaging, and the writing flows seamlessly. I loved the concept of the story, love the merging of modern and medieval times, and was completely captivated by the journey of Ellinor and William.. There is so much in this book - history, romance, love, and of course beautiful Cornwall. I love time-slip novels, and this one certainly didn’t disappoint! Highly recommended.
My initial thoughts was that I found it very welcome that this wasn't a stereotypical Cornish read with beaches etc.
Elinor suffers a difficult encounter and this takes up a key thread of the book. which is dealt with well.
However, the volume of information this brings with it, did switch me off a bit. Lots of raven and history information told to the reader which I didn't see as necessary. I'm a total history geek but this didn't for me.
A far fetched and not believable storyline that I'm not sure worked for me either sadly.
Ellinora and Simon live in a Surrey suburb... both with good jobs, Ellinora is attacked while working as an air steward, and suffers a neck wound. She is traumatised from the event and won't let her husband near her.
Her cousin Ian and his wife have left their stressful IT roles and bought a cider farm in Cornwall and invite Ellinora and Simon for a weekend.
I'm not a fan of time warp novels as I find it difficult to comprehend, saying that the book is well written and lots of historical facts
The beginning of the book left me slightly confused, as it read as if it was going to be a thriller or suspense story. Once Ellinor moved to Cornwall, the story settled down into something akin to the cover’s promise. It’s a good premise, and some of the scenes of the past and attraction are done well. It felt as if I was plodding through history to get to the story. I received a copy of the book through Net Galley. All opinions are my own.
Loved this mystical, time travel story. Makes you question the veil between different times, look for signs and deeper meaning.
Ellinor badly needs a fresh start after a traumatic incident at work. She soon becomes caught up in the history of a Cornish farmhouse and an intriguing man from the past who begins to help her recovery. Even the dogs in this story are great characters.
Great for those who question the possibilities of our existence.
I wish I could be more encouraging about this title - it sounded like a great read. Echoes on a Cornish River turned out to be a fair time slip novel. The most interesting part was the history though it was not ideally integrated with the story. Major editing and revision would be needed before I could recommend the book. Others may find it more to their liking.
Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is my first novel from this author, after reading this stunning book, I am now going to read her other books. The author’s writing was just so beautiful, the description are so well thought off, that she creates the perfect vision for the reader. The story is so magical, characters are charming, and you just can’t help feeling a bit sorry for certain ones. Echoes on a Cornish river has so much in it from love to time travel, I would 100% recommend this to readers.