An Invitation to the Cottage by the Loch

Loch Cameron #5

by Kennedy Kerr

High on the hills above the wide blue loch, Deb pulls the torn, sepia photograph out of her pocket, tracing her thumb over the girl pictured playing happily amongst the heather. Her grandmother hid this secret for decades…

After losing her sense of self recovering from a serious operation, event planner Deb Sutherland is desperate to reconnect with her family and start living again. So, when an email arrives from the Laird of Loch Cameron asking her to plan his annual Spring Fling, Deb packs her life into her car and makes for the rolling hills of the Highlands. This could be her chance to explore the Scottish roots her beloved grandmother refused to speak about. Auditioning bands and designing decorations at the Laird’s grand castle, Deb runs into property developer Kyle Abernethy on the edge of the manicured gardens. Kyle is maddeningly arrogant, but Deb can’t deny how his icy blue eyes make her stomach flip. And as they share a bottle of wine overlooking the glittering loch, Deb finds herself laughing like she hasn’t in years. But when Deb finds an old map of tumbledown worker’s cottages in the castle archives, her heart stops. She remembers how tearful her grandmother would get when asked about her childhood. Was Loch Cameron her home before her family was tragically torn apart? Has Kyle been hiding this truth from her all along?

As the Spring Fling approaches, should Deb run from Loch Cameron for good? Or will confronting her heart-breaking family history mean she can finally move forward with Kyle by her side?

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Womens Fiction

250 pages, Paperback

Published May 23, 2024

About the author

Kennedy Kerr is the author of the Lost Maidens Loch witch-themed cozy mystery series. She is from a Scottish family and adores the magic and mystery of Scotland and all the Celtic lands: cairns, misty mountains, stone circles and misty lochs are her particular favourite things. She is the proud owner of a cuddly black cat called Twinkle, who evidently believes she is a princess.

Kennedy also loves cooking and baking all types of food, which is almost as much fun as eating it.

Reviews

[Robin Loves Reading]

Deborah Sutherland experienced painful reproductive problems and has had to have a hysterectomy. This is heartbreaking for her as she always wanted to have a family. This sensitive story by Kennedy Kerr brings a spotlight to the painful condition of endometriosis, a condition that affects just about 10% of the world’s population. Just reading about this has opened my eyes a bit more and that was before I even got into the meat of the story.

Making that permanent decision was perhaps the hardest thing Deb had ever done, and this did not help the success of her current relationship with her partner Dan. She takes the opportunity to get away for a while, and heads to Queens Point in Loch Cameron.

Having been asked to plan the annual Spring Fling in Loch Cameron further cements Deb’s decision to go. This not only affords Deb a break, it has other advantages. For one thing, she gets to enjoy the beauty that is Loch Cameron, but more importantly, she gets to explore her grandmother’s roots. Deb never understood why her grandmother always refused to share her past, and perhaps now she can get answers that she always desired.

This must be the right place for Deb because she immediately feels right at home. The sense of community is second to none, and she experiences a warmth she did not expect. Also, she has met the property developed named Kyle who gets on her last nerve, despite the fact that she irritatingly finds herself drawn to him.

Despite being busy planning the Spring Fling, she is determined to break open the vault of family secrets. Hoping to land with her feet on the ground, Deb just might find herself in Loch Cameron for good.

From the first book in this series, The Cottage by the Loch, as well as each successive book, readers are treated to thoroughly heartwarming stories, and this latest book certainly proves that. Despite the emotional punch that comes from Deb’s experience with endometriosis, the book is quite touching, and this includes a sweet love story.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Micky Cox]

If you go back a few generations in your family, you'll often find reasons for the attitudes and behaviors that have been taught or passed down to the current generation. This book brings that clearly into focus. Deb's grandmother was evicted from her family home when she was only 11 years old. Shortly thereafter, her parents died and she ended up in foster care with her brother. In the 1930's foster care wasn't exactly a well-managed system and often the children were severely abused as is the case in this story. Those experiences from the grandmother's childhood were solidly in place when she raised Deb's mother who in turn raised Deb with the same disillusionment with other people. Add in dealing with endometriosis and it quickly becomes obvious that Deb has been dealing with a lot. The story is both revealing, informative and inspiring as Deb works her way through her grandmother's past, her own health issues and relationship issues while healing and working in a beautiful setting. I absolutely love this series as it is sweet, funny with touches of sadness which make the plots all that much more real. The way the author weaves real issues, both past and present, through each book is absolutely phenomenal. The characters are created with a unique personality and realness that makes them endearing and engaging thus drawing you further into each story! Each time I finish a book in this series, I am left with a craving for more, more, more! I can't wait to come back and visit Loch Cameron very soon!

[Caroline’s Page~Turners]

Deb Sutherland is an event planner that is recuperating from a hysterectomy. She receives an email invitation from the Laird of Loch Cameron asking her to plan the annual Spring Fling. Without hesitation she packs up as many items she can fit in her car and heads for the Highlands. She is anxious for the opportunity to find out everything she can about her Scottish roots. While working around the beautiful castle she runs into Kyle Abernathy a property developer. He is very arrogant but she enjoys the walks and talks that they share, along with sipping wine while gazing over the beautiful loch. Deb finds an old tattered map among the cottage archives and looking at it she gasps in awe. Did Deb just discover a long lost family secret about the cottage, did it really belong to her family all those years ago and was Kyle hiding the truth from her all along?

An Invitation to the Cottage by the Loch written by author Kennedy Kerr is an absolutely lovely story. I enjoyed this story from cover to cover and felt heart-broken for Deb. I was saddened by her medical issues and having to go through it alone. But as the story went on I really enjoyed the mystery of the tale. When she found the old map I was rapidly flipping pages anxious to see what she discovered. I am always happy to return to Loch Cameron, as the beautiful description of the Highlands always makes me feel like I have returned home. This cozy romance story with family history and a little mystery was exactly what I needed. I have loved this wonderful series and look forward to the next installment. I highly recommend this book.

[Emma Crowley]

An Invitation to the Cottage by the Loch is the fifth instalment in Kennedy Kerr’s Loch Cameron series and I am enjoying it just as much as ever. Don’t worry if you haven’t read any of the previous books as they are all standalone stories and it’s the location that connects them. These are such lovely stories with a gentle and relaxed pace that makes you feel at ease and you quickly settle into the story. There are a few familiar faces that make a reappearance some of which we haven’t seen since book one so I was delighted that they featured again as I had been wondering how things had been going for them since their stories concluded. But this time around the focus is on Deborah (Deb) Sutherland and her story particularly the medical aspects will resonate with a lot of women readers. For lots of people have been through what Deb has undergone and who knows what may lie in the future for others. Here the issues that Deb faces on a personal level and has done so for many years were dealt with in a careful and considered manner and I feel readers will take an awful lot from it.

Deb’s life has been lacklustre for several years because of her endometriosis. This condition has meant she has had limitations in her life and everything has really worn her down and knocked her confidence. But now she has finally gotten the hysterectomy she so badly needed she feels that things are at last on the up for her and she can start afresh with her life. Deb is a feminist and raised by a strong woman to be independent and to know that she can do anything that she wishes in her life. But her wings have for too long been curtailed and now she knows she has the strength to move forward. But will that be with her boyfriend Dan? Well that is a completely different kettle of fish. Since her operation he has shown his true colours complaining that he has had to care for Deb while she recovers. He makes her feel worthless while she is incapacitated and accuses her of things that she hasn’t done and is so disrespectful. The wool is pulled from her eyes and she knows that any trust she had with him is broken. I was so delighted that she kicked him to the kerb and came to understand that he was never going to be someone that she could share her insecurities, pain, love and laughter with.

Deb has been through a lot personally and certainly needs to get some distance between herself and Dan. On a professional level she needs to get back into the swing of work especially as she is self-employed. She is an events organiser and very good at her job and when Hal Cameron, Laird of Loch Cameron, gets in touch with her in the hopes that she can organise the annual May Day celebrations. Well a golden opportunity to get that distance she craves has fallen into her lap. Soon, she finds herself transported to Scotland and to Queen’s Point on the shores of Loch Cameron where she will stay in a beautiful cottage where Gretchen Ross once lived. She is now in a care home but she does feature again and she is like the stalwart of the series. Someone that newcomers to the village and specifically to the cottage can always rely on. Loch Cameron is a world away from Deb’s former life. It’s a close knit community where most people know everyone else’s business but there is always someone on hand to offer a shoulder to cry on or give some helpful advice. This may very well be what Deb’s has been searching for unbeknownst to herself.

I adored how the story unfolded from that point on and I always love the historical element that Kennedy Kerr adds in also. This time it connects to Deb’s family history and I thought it was all worked so perfectly into the overall story. There was the perfect balance between this, the details of the preparations and plans for the party and how things develop on the personal side for Debs and all this careful balance made for an engaging, heartwarming read. One that to be honest I read in two sittings. A: because it was a quick read and B: because I became so absorbed in Debs journey whilst she worked in Loch Cameron. I felt the longer that she was there the more she started to put her demons to rest and find her confidence again. Being in Loch Cameron and exploring the surrounding countryside makes her feel connected to the land and she feels her strength and resistance starting to return. Finding local links to her own family history also help her work through things with her mother, who herself is in need of help though she is loath to admit it.

Of course, there had to be some romance and a bit of angst along then way also. This is always welcome in a story in this genre and in this case it comes in the form of property developed Kyle Abernethy. He is not that popular with the local residents especially the members of the ‘coven’ a women’s group whom Deb befriends. They start protests when he plans to build a housing development on what is considered protected land which if he gets the go ahead will destroy habitats for precious animals. When Deb first encounters him the pair really don’t get off to a good start but who said true love ever did run smooth? But yet there is a connection/chemistry between them and given Debs longs for a life of love and ease without ever having to fight or struggle Kyle could very well be the one for her. Should she just focus on organising the best May Day celebration Hal and the locals have ever seen and not pursue anything with Kyle? Or can she find the balance between the two? Or perhaps she’s not ready for romance quite just yet?

There is definitely a simmering attraction between the pair but Kyle comes across as being very hot headed and arrogant but perhaps that just a façade. Soon they get more comfortable in each other’s presence and she can tease and argue with him and the banter flows back and forth but given all the troubles Debs has had physically and emotionally is she really read to let go or will past hurts and anxieties continue to hold her back? At times I found that Debs was brilliant on a professional level at her job organising and getting everything ready for the celebrations but on a personal it was a different kettle of fish altogether. You could sense the vulnerability that surrounded her and that she was afraid to 100% let go and to be honest I couldn’t blame her for this at all. If you’ve been damaged emotionally by past experiences and then a medical condition has also held you back than of course you are going to be wary and want to take tentative steps into the future. I just hoped the more I read that being in Loch Cameron, doing well at her job, trying to bring closure to some family history, making new friends and meeting Kyle would be enough to bring the real Debs out from the layers of protection that she had put around herself and that a new and improved Deb would embrace all that life was throwing in her direction.

An Invitation to the Cottage by the Loch was a gorgeous read and an ideal read for this summer whether you are sat in the garden or by the pool. I do hope Kennedy continues on with this series because the setting is magical and I am not growing tired of it all. Just keep bringing new characters with new stories to Loch Cameron and I will be very happ

[Cindy Spear]

When I started reading An Invitation to the Cottage by the Loch, I was so enthralled by the story I could not stop until I had turned the last page. I always connect with Kennedy Kerr’s stories and this one touched me deeply and brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. She always covers sensitive health concerns which are entirely relatable. Even if we have not experienced some of these topics she writes about, we know someone who has. Loch Cameron #5 explores what it is like to deal with the horrors of endometriosis and its severe solution of a hysterectomy. Of course, for anyone who has gone through the former, whatever relief they can get from the excruciating pain and other effects, is a welcomed treatment. But, this type of drastic medical action can also cause sadness as it means a woman will not being able to have children afterwards. For some, as in Deb’s case, it is not a big loss, but who knows if her feelings will change? Regardless, getting her life back pain free is the main focus. Kennedy handles the dealing of this disease with top respect and wisdom, and realistically covers both the physical and psychological trauma of it and after surgery.

But how does a man react to a woman who has just had this procedure? You’d hope with love and support. Because recovery can take a fair while as Deb found out. In the meantime, she needs to take care of herself and is unable to perform household and other personal tasks. Unfortunately, her partner makes light of her temporary limitations and loses patience very quickly. This situation certainly exposes the holes in their relationship. And his lack of understanding and hurtful comments become untenable. To the point, Deb decides she has had enough of the ill treatment, packs her bags and heads for the Highlands to take up an events job at Loch Cameron.

Everything begins to change while Deb is on the new job. She meets new people, including property developer Kyle who initially comes off in a negative way. Partly due to the treatment he receives from many of the villagers who are not happy with his building plans. But Deb strikes up a friendship with him that leads to heated sparks. An attraction is evident and she begins to feel things she never felt before. He is full of surprises, too. And as the plot thickens and unfolds, much is revealed.

It was wonderful to see some of the old faces from the previous books. Hal and Zelda, of course, play an important part in the story. And then there is dear old Gretchen who is always full of wisdom and humour.

Another important segment of the story is dealing with a parent who has kidney disease. My father had this so I can certainly relate to the fears and debilitating effects of yet another life altering condition. Deb’s mother suffers with this and the strict dialysis routine. Through it, we get to see the dynamics of the mother daughter relationship. Deb is very devoted and her concerns are genuine. She learned her fierce independence from her mother who brought her up as a single parent. Deb also had a grandmother whose life was quite hidden. But Deb’s mom gives her a diary that explains her grandmother’s challenges and she is shocked. For she lived in this village but was removed from her home and this caused psychological damage.

Sincere, kind Hal tries to make amends for what happened in the past, done by his ancestors (which he only just learned about through Deb’s discovery) and although he cannot turn back the clock and fix the damage, I think it is admirable he tries to help the future generations with his generous offerings.

This is a wonderful heart squeezing story that addresses many relationship, health, environmental and social issues that deserve to be noted. I loved all the characters past and present, the community quirks, the romantic gestures and blossoming unions, the attempt at restoration for past residents and welcoming of new ones like Deb who actually had a local connection through her grandmother. I was very happy with the ending. I also got the impression of a potential story coming for Deb’s grandmother’s brother! Regardless, this is an uplifting tale, beautifully told, tender and truthful, that captured my heart and filled my eyes with tears once again! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC.

[Carla]

An Invitation to the Cottage by the Loch is the 5th book in the Loch Cameron series and I enjoyed this one as much as the last one. Although they are set in the same place, and several of the characters are recurring, each book can be read as a standalone. Deb Sutherland is an event planner and has been hired by Hal, the Laird of Loch Cameron to plan the May Day Party. She has recently been recovering from an hysterectomy, as well as a breakup with her boyfriend that she has lived with for several years. Once she arrives in Loch Cameron, she feels refreshed and at home. Deb and her mother don't have the best relationship, but do love each other. Her mother has secrets and she won't share them with Deb. Shortly after she has arrived, Deb's mom sends her her grandmother's journal and Deb finds out why she feels at home. There is also a handsome property developer in the village and he has the villagers up in arms. He purchased land from the Laird and is putting up affordable housing, but that seems to be information that the villagers don't have. When Deb and Kyle meet, there is chemistry, but can she move into another relationship so soon? She isn't planning on staying in Loch Cameron, so that is another obstacle in their way. Will Deb find her new beginning?

This is a great story that deals with several issues, but they are all set in a wonderfully written story. Deb is a strong character that had to make some tough decisions. Suffering from endometriosis, she has to make a decision that means she will not able to have children, but she will be done with the pain. She also has to decide if she will leave her boyfriend, who really treats her terribly. At times she frustrated me, but I could understand her reasoning. Kyle made a perfect male interest to her. He was also a strong character, who had also had some issues in his past that he has to face. There are secrets in Deb's family that have to be revealed to mend the relationship between Deb and her mom. This is a story of family, friendship, health, past secrets, making amends, developments vs environment, and some romance. I really enjoyed this story and read it in less than a day, as I couldn't put it down. Another great visit to Loch Cameron.

[Linda]

Tragic backstory drew me in😢

For me, there were a few major parts to this story about Deb, her family and the men in her life that I really found moving. The romance was fairly backburner and had very slight heat here compared to everything else the story brings up. It was a good book and easy to read but probably not my favorite in this Kennedy Kerr series that weaves romance into women's fiction and glimpses into the past.

Deb's gynecological issues were an eye opener for me as I had never previously thought very deeply about the profound psychological as well as physical effects of endometriosis or having a hysterectomy. I can only surmise that Deb's experience with both was very well recounted and true to life.

Deb's frustrating dealings with her mother Janice were another good element that I related to. Janice just can't break out of the lessons taught by her mother Elise/Elsie and her fierce independence and wariness of sharing her burdens with her daughter wears on her relationship with Deb until a breakthrough moment.

But the clincher part of the storyline for me was grandmother Elise's tragic history. No matter the manner that Deb's contemporaries try to make up for it, Elise's sad childhood and the privations she faced are just so life-altering that they made me tear up and I felt "too little, too late!". I wish the story had included more of Janice's memories of her mother, Elise's diary and glimpses into her and her brother's life.

I also wish there had been more to the romance. Kyle, Deb's new romantic interest, had little depth.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[loopyloulaura]

Deb is recuperating from a hysterectomy and has an epiphany about the state of her relationship with Dan. She accepts a role as events planner for May Day at Loch Cameron and is soon welcomed into the small community. But she also discovers a family secret that overshadows her experience of the loch...
An Invitation to the Cottage by the Loch is the 5th book in the Loch Cameron series.
Ooh poor Deb! Dan is selfish and I loathed his behaviour, desperate for Deb to realise her value and make the break. I felt so sorry for Deb as she attempts to adjust to her hysterectomy and the associated joy at the release from pain but also the fear of pushing her body and emotions. Then she makes a discovery about her grandmother's past that links her to the loch and explains the generational pain the family has experienced.
There is a huge amount of emotion in this book. The hysterectomy is dealt with sensitively and I felt that Deb's physcial and emotional response was authentic. I can't really imagine a man reading this book due to the female reproductive health emphasis. Deb's family history and the layers of generational pain gradually comes to the fore. I liked the idea of breaking the cycle and atoning for the past. In contrast though, I thought Deb treats Kyle quite badly and his emotional journey is barely explored until the final chapter.
An Invitation to the Cottage by the Loch is an emotional book set in a wonderful Scottish community.

[Allyson]

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

This is the fifth book in the Loch Cameron series, this is a great series of books, that are easily read as stand-alone books, but after reading them all, it is nice to pop in and visit with characters from previous books.

Deb has had a hysterectomy and her boyfriend, Dan is not very sympathetic, he is pretty terrible at looking after her and doing his fair share. Deb realizes that Dan and she have been coasting along and that she doesn’t even now if she really likes him, let alone loves him, it was just easier to stay with him and accept him flaws and all that risk moving on with her life. This situation makes her see things clearer and she gets a sudden opportunity to go to Loch Cameron to set up for a big May Day party at the castle. She jumps at the chance and thinks this will give her time to see what she really wants to do with her life. She then runs into a man, who sends shivers down hr spine and she wonders if maybe she was missing more than she thought all along.

Deb learns a family secret while she in Loch Cameron and it explains a lot about her mother and grandmother’s relationship. Is this tied to the dreams that have been plaguing Deb since she went to Loch Cameron.

I look forward to more books in this series, they always leave me with a smile

[Dee Groocock]

When Deb recovers from major surgery, she soon realises that her partner, Dan, isn’t the person she thought she was.

Deb is an events planner and is asked by the Laird of Loch Cameron, to plan his yearly spring fling. Deb decides to take the job, to give her time to decide whether she still wants to be with Dan or not.

When Deb arrives, she soon falls foul of Kyle Abernethy, a property developer and promptly tells him what she thinks of his rude attitude!

When Deb discovers some truths about her grandmother, Elise Sutherland, she feels hurt, and especially betrayed for her grandmother.

This was a nice read that had good characters and plenty of beautiful scenery to capture my imagination.

Deb was an exceptionally strong character who took after her mum, Janice, who in turn, took after her mum, Elise. I loved the parts with Elise’s diary, which explained so much about the characters in the story.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Carol Standish-Leigh]

Deb Sutherland is an events organiser. She has just had a hysterectomy after suffering from endometriosis for years. Her live in partner is found sadly lacking in either the help or support she needs. So when she has the opportunity to organise the annual May event for the Laird of Loch Cameron, she jumps at the chance. It will give her time away from Glasgow to consider her future. Deb is offer a beautiful cottage in the village for the duration of her stay. She meets an interesting array of local characters. The Crochet Coven are a group of local ladies who are protesting about a new housing development and property developer Kyle Abernethy. Despite a frosty first meeting between Deb and Kyle, the sparks between the two. Deb discovers a tragic link with the village when she receives her late grandmothers diary.

I enjoyed the novel, it was an easy read with a lovely cast of characters. For me the downside was that it felt a bit rushed. However, it was a welcome return to Loch Cameron.

[Hannah Paley]

Lovely engaging Scottish fiction. This was a really easy quick read. Full of family tension and relationship drama.

I enjoyed the focus on women’s health and how gynaecological issues can cause such severe effects on physical and mental health. Despite this I didn’t particularly vibe with Deb as a main character.

Other than one scene with Deb near the beginning we aren’t particularly introduced to the “arrogant” side of Kyle’s character. He mostly seems like a pretty nice guy.

I found Hal’s Scottish accent a little jarring when written although I usually love this. I’m not quite sure why it felt jarring. Thankfully he’s not in this book very much.

This book doesn’t set the world alight but it was a nice gentle read.

[Sams_Fireside]

I love a book set in beautiful, scenic countryside, and so when the opportunity arose to read Kennedy Kerr’s recent novel, set in the Highlands of Scotland, I couldn’t turn it down. An Invitation to the Cottage by the Loch is slow to begin with, but as soon as I become familiar with the characters (some of who are loveable and some who grow on you), the story picked up speed and I soon became immersed in Deb’s new challenge at Loch Cameron and invested in her story.

The author deals with several challenging issues alongside the lightheartedness of planning a party and forming new friendships, and I enjoyed the contrast between the two.

Although this is the fifth book in the Loch Cameron series, it’s the first I’ve read and I don’t think it matters that I haven’t read the others and can definitely be read as a standalone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review An Invitation to the Cottage by the Loch by Kennedy Kerr.

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme”]

I love the setting in author Kennedy Kerr’s books. Who doesn’t enjoy imagining being in the Highlands of Scotland!
The beginning of the story was a bit slow going but as I read on, the pace did pick up.
There is quite a bit of family drama and relationship issues in the story.
All in all, a heartwarming and heartfelt story. The characters are quirky and engaging.

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own,

[Chris]

This was an enjoyable read. It is a story of making changes and finding the courage to do hard things, including letting go of what no longer works, in order to create the life you want. This is part of the delightful Loch Cameron series and familiar faces and places appear in this book. No worries if you haven’t read the other books in this series, it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone. I recommend this for your summer reading.

Thanks to Bookoutere and NetGalley for providing a copy for my honest review.

[Mary Barrett]

Five stars

I love reading Kennedy's books! Her vibrant descriptions of Scotland encouraged me to travel there ten months ago to visit my great grandfather's homeland. I fell in love with Scotland and her people and plan to go back again, God willing.
The characters in this novel face losses from the present and the past. They work together as a community and heal. Kennedy writes beautifully and draws her readers into the stories. I definitely recommend this series, but start with the first book.

[Nolwenn]

This is the first book I read by this author, and I really enjoyed it very much. This was a realistic, heartfelt and touching story, both with Deb's personal life, (I could relate on some points that really hit home), and with her grandmother's. I love books set in Scotland, and I'll definitely read the previous four books from this series.

Thank you to the publisher who provided me with an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Margaret lee]

an invitation to the cottage by the loch

Every now and then you read a storyline that you can totally feel you know exactly what the main character is going through as you have also worked through the same thing I found this totally on point , that being said I loved the book always uplifting and good to read all the characters are brilliant I highly recommend this series a well deserved 5 stars

[Kathy Servello]

Excellent storyline encompassing romance conflict when a woman has gyn health issues. The understanding of this problem woven into family history that influenced decisions and interactions creates a page turning, suspenseful story that I really connected to.

[Sally Coles]

I love this series and this one definitely didn't disappoint. Debs is a great character and it is lovely to revisit the characters from the previous books, add this to the glorious backdrop of the Scottish Highlands and you have a perfect beach read

[Brad Hellman]

Invitation to the cottage

Was a fun quick read. I found myself thinking about the characters as I worked around the house. Excellent story I recommend!

[Tracy Fraley]

Great book!

[Claire Turkington]

I loved this book! A beautifully written, compelling, heartwarming cosy read that completely swept me away. It’s absolutely brilliant.
I was hooked from beginning to end. It just completely pulls you in. This is book #5 in the Loch Cameron series but can also be read as a standalone but it is lovely to catch up with characters from previous books in the series.
It’s filled with community spirit, romance, family tension, friends and relationship drama. The plot twists and turns kept me totally engrossed. I couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed the storyline, it just flowed page to page.
The characters are well written and realistic and they just come to life on the page. Debs is a strong character who I liked very much.
I loved the descriptions of the scenery as you can just imagine yourself right there. It’s so vividly written.
Overall, a brilliant intriguing escapism read. Definitely recommend. If you enjoy women’s fiction and romance you’ll like this book.
With thanks to #NetGallery @bookouture for an arc of #AnInvitationToTheCottageByTheLoch in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 28 May 2024.

[Pam]

This was a wonderful book! I have loved every book in this series. The characters are delightful and the setting is gorgeous! You feel like you are there. I can only hope there will be more in the series.


Amazon synopsis:
After losing her sense of self recovering from a serious operation, event planner Deb Sutherland is desperate to reconnect with her family and start living again. So, when an email arrives from the Laird of Loch Cameron asking her to plan his annual Spring Fling, Deb packs her life into her car and makes for the rolling hills of the Highlands. This could be her chance to explore the Scottish roots her beloved grandmother refused to speak about.

Auditioning bands and designing decorations at the Laird’s grand castle, Deb runs into property developer Kyle Abernethy on the edge of the manicured gardens. Kyle is maddeningly arrogant, but Deb can’t deny how his icy blue eyes make her stomach flip. And as they share a bottle of wine overlooking the glittering loch, Deb finds herself laughing like she hasn’t in years.

But when Deb finds an old map of tumbledown worker’s cottages in the castle archives, her heart stops. She remembers how tearful her grandmother would get when asked about her childhood. Was Loch Cameron her home before her family was tragically torn apart? Has Kyle been hiding this truth from her all along?