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Starting Over at Acorn Cottage
Buying a thatched cottage in the country may not be the usual cure for a broken heart. But after Clara Maxwell finds out her boyfriend and best friend have been sneaking around behind her back, packing her bags and leaving everything in London behind feels like it's the only way forward.
Clara knew Acorn Cottage would be a fixer-upper... Yet in person, the cottage is less charmingly ramshackle and more a real health and safety concern. When Henry Garnett, her (rather handsome) new contractor, turns up with his little daughter Pansy and a van shaped like a cottage in tow, she isn't sure whether to laugh or cry. What on earth has she gotten herself into?!
Still, there is something strangely lovable about the people in the little village of Merryknowe, from Rachel Brown, the quiet, lonely girl who bakes magical confections for the tearooms, to Tassie McIver, a little old lady with a lot of wisdom and a penchant for reading tea leaves. And Clara can't deny that Henry and Pansy are quickly worming their way into her heart...
With all the heartbreak of the year behind her, could Acorn Cottage be the fresh start Clara so desperately wants?
A heartwarming, uplifting village romance for fans of Holly Martin, Tilly Tennant and Cathy Bramley.
Clara knew Acorn Cottage would be a fixer-upper... Yet in person, the cottage is less charmingly ramshackle and more a real health and safety concern. When Henry Garnett, her (rather handsome) new contractor, turns up with his little daughter Pansy and a van shaped like a cottage in tow, she isn't sure whether to laugh or cry. What on earth has she gotten herself into?!
Still, there is something strangely lovable about the people in the little village of Merryknowe, from Rachel Brown, the quiet, lonely girl who bakes magical confections for the tearooms, to Tassie McIver, a little old lady with a lot of wisdom and a penchant for reading tea leaves. And Clara can't deny that Henry and Pansy are quickly worming their way into her heart...
With all the heartbreak of the year behind her, could Acorn Cottage be the fresh start Clara so desperately wants?
A heartwarming, uplifting village romance for fans of Holly Martin, Tilly Tennant and Cathy Bramley.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2020
1800 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 379 reviews
April 4, 2020
Favorite Quotes:
Clara had found the evidence in Judy’s kitchen while looking for a bowl for nuts, and she had wanted to put Giles nuts in the container there and then.
‘I knew the woman who lived there. Sheila Batt. Like name, like person. She was an old bat. Died in her bed upstairs. I am surprised they didn’t find her hanging from the eves by her toes.’ Clara made a face of horror but Tassie shrugged. ‘We all have to go sometime. Better to be in your bed than on the toilet like Elvis.’
‘I did think something was in the air today, as I had a very itchy left eyebrow.’ Clara peered at Tassie’s eyebrows, which were drawn on with an eye pencil. ‘What if the right one was itchy?’ she asked. ‘Left is a lady visitor, right is a gentleman visitor. I don’t think the right one is even functioning anymore.’
You don’t get to choose if you have a baby or not really. The baby chooses you. Some women aren’t ready to have them and that’s fine and some yearn for them so much they scare them away. I yearned. Still do sometimes, even though my insides are now pickled and George has been dead for thirty years.
My Review:
How have I not read this talented scribe’s work before? I adore her! Goodreads reports twenty-six different books to her credit, where have I been? I am kicking myself for not noticing her stand-out skills sooner as I was an instant fan and an ardent devotee of her clever humor shortly after sinking into page one, and will also confess to savoring every perfectly chosen word and wittily written storyline ALL the way through. I giggle-snorted and gleefully wiggled in my chair with uncontainable delight at the unexpected nuances, captivating characters, and thoughtful little touches and perceptive insights that made this fabulous little tale a sublime and magical read. It was divine.
Clara had found the evidence in Judy’s kitchen while looking for a bowl for nuts, and she had wanted to put Giles nuts in the container there and then.
‘I knew the woman who lived there. Sheila Batt. Like name, like person. She was an old bat. Died in her bed upstairs. I am surprised they didn’t find her hanging from the eves by her toes.’ Clara made a face of horror but Tassie shrugged. ‘We all have to go sometime. Better to be in your bed than on the toilet like Elvis.’
‘I did think something was in the air today, as I had a very itchy left eyebrow.’ Clara peered at Tassie’s eyebrows, which were drawn on with an eye pencil. ‘What if the right one was itchy?’ she asked. ‘Left is a lady visitor, right is a gentleman visitor. I don’t think the right one is even functioning anymore.’
You don’t get to choose if you have a baby or not really. The baby chooses you. Some women aren’t ready to have them and that’s fine and some yearn for them so much they scare them away. I yearned. Still do sometimes, even though my insides are now pickled and George has been dead for thirty years.
My Review:
How have I not read this talented scribe’s work before? I adore her! Goodreads reports twenty-six different books to her credit, where have I been? I am kicking myself for not noticing her stand-out skills sooner as I was an instant fan and an ardent devotee of her clever humor shortly after sinking into page one, and will also confess to savoring every perfectly chosen word and wittily written storyline ALL the way through. I giggle-snorted and gleefully wiggled in my chair with uncontainable delight at the unexpected nuances, captivating characters, and thoughtful little touches and perceptive insights that made this fabulous little tale a sublime and magical read. It was divine.
January 19, 2020
Every once in a while I read a book that I have the most difficult time putting down. It consumes me and sucks me into its chapters and prose to the point where I have to force myself to be a productive member of my household and actually function. And then, comes the moment when I realize that it’s over. Not only is it over, but the ending has left me so satisfied that I wish there were more pages to explore.
Kate Forster managed to accomplish all that with this book.
From page one, I felt like I was truly invested in Clara’s story. She is the kind of heroine one can really root for. You hope good things for her and cheer her on throughout the story. And when you see obstacles for her, well, it kind of leads to an anxiety that all will go well in the end–even though you’re pretty sure it will.
I absolutely adore stories that not only tell a narrative of people’s lives, but also are so rich with the setting that I more than anything wish I could visit these quaint, amazing, little places.
The small town of Merryknowe, and all it’s quirky inhabitants tell an amazing story of friendship, strength, courage, and moving beyond a traumatic past into a beautiful future.
This really is one heck of a story.
Kate Forster managed to accomplish all that with this book.
From page one, I felt like I was truly invested in Clara’s story. She is the kind of heroine one can really root for. You hope good things for her and cheer her on throughout the story. And when you see obstacles for her, well, it kind of leads to an anxiety that all will go well in the end–even though you’re pretty sure it will.
I absolutely adore stories that not only tell a narrative of people’s lives, but also are so rich with the setting that I more than anything wish I could visit these quaint, amazing, little places.
The small town of Merryknowe, and all it’s quirky inhabitants tell an amazing story of friendship, strength, courage, and moving beyond a traumatic past into a beautiful future.
This really is one heck of a story.
October 1, 2025
Three and a half stars
On a whim Clara Maxwell leaves London and buys a thatched cottage in the country village of Merryknowe, after she finds out her boyfriend Giles and her best friend, Judy have been carrying on behind her back. She buys the cottage sight unseen. Not an advisable plan to follow one would suggest. However, Clara has plans for Acorn cottage to fix it up and solve some safety concerns. So when Henry Garnett, a contractor turns up with his gaily coloured van and a young daughter with him, she isn’t sure what to make of him. But he seems happy to accommodate her ideas for the cottage and add some of his own. An attraction develops between Clara and Henry. But he is constantly on the move and still carrying round the ashes of his dead wife, Naomi. So, is there any hope of a future for them? Can he be trusted?
I nearly stopped reading this when I found this was another book featuring abuse. This time by parents, both with Clara and her father in her past and currently with Rachel at the tea shop and bakery in Merryknowe. Clara is carrying the burden of that past and a secret regarding her father, which is why she is quick to spot what is happening with Rachel and her mother. Clara aims to help her. 89 year old local woman Tassie McIvor is also trying to help both Rachel and Clara. Tassie is aware she will die shortly but she has things she needs to sort out first.
Tassie and reading her tea leaves etc is not my kind of thing, but she is a caring character and one a lot of people will like. Pansy is a precocious and yet charming six year old, old beyond her years due to her lifestyle and being taken on jobs with her father. Both Clara and Henry are clueless and frustrating at times. But I did care about them. Tissues might be needed in this book and definite triggers for any one who has been the victim of abuse.
From the cover which suggested a feel good read, it was not the light book I was expecting,given the abuse, but it was worth reading. There were certainly some aspects of the story I could have done without. Time to try and find a light read.
On a whim Clara Maxwell leaves London and buys a thatched cottage in the country village of Merryknowe, after she finds out her boyfriend Giles and her best friend, Judy have been carrying on behind her back. She buys the cottage sight unseen. Not an advisable plan to follow one would suggest. However, Clara has plans for Acorn cottage to fix it up and solve some safety concerns. So when Henry Garnett, a contractor turns up with his gaily coloured van and a young daughter with him, she isn’t sure what to make of him. But he seems happy to accommodate her ideas for the cottage and add some of his own. An attraction develops between Clara and Henry. But he is constantly on the move and still carrying round the ashes of his dead wife, Naomi. So, is there any hope of a future for them? Can he be trusted?
I nearly stopped reading this when I found this was another book featuring abuse. This time by parents, both with Clara and her father in her past and currently with Rachel at the tea shop and bakery in Merryknowe. Clara is carrying the burden of that past and a secret regarding her father, which is why she is quick to spot what is happening with Rachel and her mother. Clara aims to help her. 89 year old local woman Tassie McIvor is also trying to help both Rachel and Clara. Tassie is aware she will die shortly but she has things she needs to sort out first.
Tassie and reading her tea leaves etc is not my kind of thing, but she is a caring character and one a lot of people will like. Pansy is a precocious and yet charming six year old, old beyond her years due to her lifestyle and being taken on jobs with her father. Both Clara and Henry are clueless and frustrating at times. But I did care about them. Tissues might be needed in this book and definite triggers for any one who has been the victim of abuse.
From the cover which suggested a feel good read, it was not the light book I was expecting,given the abuse, but it was worth reading. There were certainly some aspects of the story I could have done without. Time to try and find a light read.
March 18, 2020
A super cute book which was simply perfect between my poicr procedurals.
Having been betrayed by her boyfriend and best friend, Clara needed a change of scene. Off she went to the country after buying a ramshackle cottage in dire need of repair or a do-over. Entered Henry and his daughter Pansy who was hired as the contractor. Then came Tassie and the story simply exploded with colors.
My first book by author Kate Forster, the writing was warm and filled with emotions. The characters had depth; they were intriguing and felt real. Love blossomed between Clara and Henry as expected. After all, it was the time of starting over for both. But it was Tassie and Pansy who who stole the show. They were a delight to be around. And I loved their conversations. The story simply sparkled with them.
I loved the almost magical aura that Tassie brought to the story. The book was the perfect pick-me-up when the world outside was tense. I was smiling and cheering them on as I turned the pages. Some scenes were clichéd and expected, but I didn't mind that. I found comfort in them. Sometimes we need the expected in an unexpected viral pandemic.
All emotions were felt in the words, and I could forget everything for those couple of hours. Simply wonderful.
Having been betrayed by her boyfriend and best friend, Clara needed a change of scene. Off she went to the country after buying a ramshackle cottage in dire need of repair or a do-over. Entered Henry and his daughter Pansy who was hired as the contractor. Then came Tassie and the story simply exploded with colors.
My first book by author Kate Forster, the writing was warm and filled with emotions. The characters had depth; they were intriguing and felt real. Love blossomed between Clara and Henry as expected. After all, it was the time of starting over for both. But it was Tassie and Pansy who who stole the show. They were a delight to be around. And I loved their conversations. The story simply sparkled with them.
I loved the almost magical aura that Tassie brought to the story. The book was the perfect pick-me-up when the world outside was tense. I was smiling and cheering them on as I turned the pages. Some scenes were clichéd and expected, but I didn't mind that. I found comfort in them. Sometimes we need the expected in an unexpected viral pandemic.
All emotions were felt in the words, and I could forget everything for those couple of hours. Simply wonderful.
March 26, 2020
I made the mistake of judging this book by it’s cover. I was looking for lightweight escapism in a cosy, country setting but I got so much more.
Protagonist, Clara Maxwell, made me smile from the beginning with her dramatic pronouncement that her “love life was in the bin”. And so it was, literally. Clara tosses any reminder of cheating ex-partner, Giles, in the bin and leaves her job as a bank manager to cash in on her retirement plan “fifty years early.”
Clara buys a cottage in the sleepy town of Merryknowe and learns the hard way that drinking and online real estate purchases don’t mix. She is literally in tears when she sees the place, but then mobile handyman Henry Garnett comes along. He’s a man who can fix anything, including Clara’s broken heart.
As the relationship between Clara and widower Henry develops, Clara becomes more involved in the life of the town. She forms close relationships with abused young woman, Rachel Brown and elderly tea leaf reader, Tassie McIver. Together, the women join forces and overcome their tragic personal histories to build lasting relationships and revive the dying town of Merryknowe.
The overall tone of the novel is light and genuinely funny, but as the backstories of the main characters evolve, it delves into the more serious issues of abuse and domestic violence.
Starting Over at Acorn Cottage is a story of hope, forgiveness and redemption. It shows that no matter how bad things are, it is always possible to start over.
Protagonist, Clara Maxwell, made me smile from the beginning with her dramatic pronouncement that her “love life was in the bin”. And so it was, literally. Clara tosses any reminder of cheating ex-partner, Giles, in the bin and leaves her job as a bank manager to cash in on her retirement plan “fifty years early.”
Clara buys a cottage in the sleepy town of Merryknowe and learns the hard way that drinking and online real estate purchases don’t mix. She is literally in tears when she sees the place, but then mobile handyman Henry Garnett comes along. He’s a man who can fix anything, including Clara’s broken heart.
As the relationship between Clara and widower Henry develops, Clara becomes more involved in the life of the town. She forms close relationships with abused young woman, Rachel Brown and elderly tea leaf reader, Tassie McIver. Together, the women join forces and overcome their tragic personal histories to build lasting relationships and revive the dying town of Merryknowe.
The overall tone of the novel is light and genuinely funny, but as the backstories of the main characters evolve, it delves into the more serious issues of abuse and domestic violence.
Starting Over at Acorn Cottage is a story of hope, forgiveness and redemption. It shows that no matter how bad things are, it is always possible to start over.
June 3, 2020
Just ok. For those with triggers, there are many mentions throughout the book of physical abuse. I almost didn’t finish it but I did.
February 24, 2020
Rating edit: 4.5 stars
'There was always something to look forward to in life, if you looked hard enough and blocked out all the bad news that you couldn’t change.'
What a delightful read! Heartwarming, intriguing, full of warmth, and dark and sad, at times. It's about love, bondings, betrayal, destiny, and most importantly, letting your past/secrets/guilts go.
'Secrets and guilt get very heavy to carry after a while.’
I loved the setting ___a cosy and charming village, with endearing characters. There's a touch of superstitions and the 'tea leaves symbols, which I found unrealistic but I still liked it, as they build a mysterious aura.
The writing style is very engaging. And what a pretty cover!
If I have to nitpick, I would say, the last chapter or epilogue was unnecessary. I loved how the story ended, before the epilogue, on a satisfying note.
Overall, a lovely, engrossing read.
Thank you, Netgalley for the ARC.
'There was always something to look forward to in life, if you looked hard enough and blocked out all the bad news that you couldn’t change.'
What a delightful read! Heartwarming, intriguing, full of warmth, and dark and sad, at times. It's about love, bondings, betrayal, destiny, and most importantly, letting your past/secrets/guilts go.
'Secrets and guilt get very heavy to carry after a while.’
I loved the setting ___a cosy and charming village, with endearing characters. There's a touch of superstitions and the 'tea leaves symbols, which I found unrealistic but I still liked it, as they build a mysterious aura.
The writing style is very engaging. And what a pretty cover!
If I have to nitpick, I would say, the last chapter or epilogue was unnecessary. I loved how the story ended, before the epilogue, on a satisfying note.
Overall, a lovely, engrossing read.
Thank you, Netgalley for the ARC.
February 12, 2020
Hm, I seem to be the odd man out here but I did not enjoy this book overall. The beginning was cute and I enjoyed reading about Clara moving to Acorn Cottage but then the book went downhill fast at high speed.
Everything happened way too quickly, Clara meets Rachel and then is the person Rachel calls in an emergency? Clara meets Henry and then shazaam! they are ready to be set for life? And all of this after she is on the rebound from a long term relationship.
Just messy overall. And also a sticking point for me was the flashback portion of the book which states Clara is 29 years old but when she is 10 years old she is watching Strictly with her Mother. Strictly debuted in 2004/2005 but Clara would have been 10 in 2001.
My copy was provided by NetGalley for review but all opinions are my own.
Everything happened way too quickly, Clara meets Rachel and then is the person Rachel calls in an emergency? Clara meets Henry and then shazaam! they are ready to be set for life? And all of this after she is on the rebound from a long term relationship.
Just messy overall. And also a sticking point for me was the flashback portion of the book which states Clara is 29 years old but when she is 10 years old she is watching Strictly with her Mother. Strictly debuted in 2004/2005 but Clara would have been 10 in 2001.
My copy was provided by NetGalley for review but all opinions are my own.
May 28, 2020
I absolutely loved this book. It normally takes me about three months to read a book but I’ve completed this in 9 days (with a bit of help from Lockdown) which shows how much I enjoyed it. I
I spent my days when I was working thinking about when I could read the book again. It had everything I love in it, tea, cakes, cottages in the country.
It is a lovely story and my only criticism of the book is the huge amount of mistakes (missing words, incorrect words) I’ve never seen so many in one book!
I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.
I spent my days when I was working thinking about when I could read the book again. It had everything I love in it, tea, cakes, cottages in the country.
It is a lovely story and my only criticism of the book is the huge amount of mistakes (missing words, incorrect words) I’ve never seen so many in one book!
I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.
Read
April 6, 2024DNF I thought this was going to be a sweet cozy book but so far it’s not. The mother is so abusive and I don’t want to read about that.
February 9, 2020
Buying a thatched cottage has always been the dream of Clara, roses around the door, children, husband and complete contentment.
However dreams are life very rarely match.
When Clara finds her boyfriend and best friend have been goign behind her back - discovered all thanks to cottage pie! Clara realises she cannot live in the shadow of their relationship and buys a thatched cottage, in Merryknowe unseen called Acorn Cottage.
So the dream suddenly becomes a reality without the roses, the children, the husband and actually not much more else than a roof over the four walls. It is not really a dream more a disaster.
Enter Henry and his daughter Pansy, in their little van. Looking for a place to stay and also Henry is looking for a place to work - what better place than Clara's cottage.
Rachel has walked past Acorn Cottage for almost all of her life and it was her dream to be in there too. She initially resents Clara taking away that but actually Clara is the catalyst in helping Rachel follow her dream after a disastrous start in life.
Add into the mix, Joe the good looking butcher, Tassie McIver a elderly lady with a penchant for tea leaves and predicting life and the story starts weave together some magic which kept me turning the page and wanting to know if Acorn Cottage was the place for Clara to heal and start all over.
Kate Forster weaves a lovely romantic tale into the renovation of a cottage, of the start of moving on for Clara, Henry and Rachel as well as the pull of a community in difficult times. What more could you want from a book - a cottage, a village, a bakery full of cake and romance.
A lovely read and well worth losing yourself in.
However dreams are life very rarely match.
When Clara finds her boyfriend and best friend have been goign behind her back - discovered all thanks to cottage pie! Clara realises she cannot live in the shadow of their relationship and buys a thatched cottage, in Merryknowe unseen called Acorn Cottage.
So the dream suddenly becomes a reality without the roses, the children, the husband and actually not much more else than a roof over the four walls. It is not really a dream more a disaster.
Enter Henry and his daughter Pansy, in their little van. Looking for a place to stay and also Henry is looking for a place to work - what better place than Clara's cottage.
Rachel has walked past Acorn Cottage for almost all of her life and it was her dream to be in there too. She initially resents Clara taking away that but actually Clara is the catalyst in helping Rachel follow her dream after a disastrous start in life.
Add into the mix, Joe the good looking butcher, Tassie McIver a elderly lady with a penchant for tea leaves and predicting life and the story starts weave together some magic which kept me turning the page and wanting to know if Acorn Cottage was the place for Clara to heal and start all over.
Kate Forster weaves a lovely romantic tale into the renovation of a cottage, of the start of moving on for Clara, Henry and Rachel as well as the pull of a community in difficult times. What more could you want from a book - a cottage, a village, a bakery full of cake and romance.
A lovely read and well worth losing yourself in.
March 23, 2020
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley.
A beautiful cover for a beautiful story, STARTING OVER AT ACORN COTTAGE by Kate Forster is the kind of book that you can lose yourself in and travel to a place that is as interesting as it's characters.
Clara has always been sensible but when she discovers that her long-term partner was having an affair with her so-called best friend, she had enough. So she walked away from her career, her flat, and her past, and bought a cosy cottage in the country where she hoped to lick her wounds. But the cottage isn't exactly cosy and needs some work, and the locals aren't exactly the picture of happiness and joy. As Clara settles in and begins to get to know everyone and their sometimes complicated lives, she may just find out what happiness truly is ...
The setting in this book is as fascinating and compelling as the characters which always makes a story just that little bit more special for me. Clara is a wonderful character who instantly felt like a close friend and I loved watching her face every challenge head-on and never give up. Tassie is a gem and my heart broke for Rachel, and there are plenty of others to warm your heart - but not them all!!
STARTING OVER AT ACORN COTTAGE by Kate Forster is a story about new beginnings and being brave enough to let go of the past and reach for something different, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
A beautiful cover for a beautiful story, STARTING OVER AT ACORN COTTAGE by Kate Forster is the kind of book that you can lose yourself in and travel to a place that is as interesting as it's characters.
Clara has always been sensible but when she discovers that her long-term partner was having an affair with her so-called best friend, she had enough. So she walked away from her career, her flat, and her past, and bought a cosy cottage in the country where she hoped to lick her wounds. But the cottage isn't exactly cosy and needs some work, and the locals aren't exactly the picture of happiness and joy. As Clara settles in and begins to get to know everyone and their sometimes complicated lives, she may just find out what happiness truly is ...
The setting in this book is as fascinating and compelling as the characters which always makes a story just that little bit more special for me. Clara is a wonderful character who instantly felt like a close friend and I loved watching her face every challenge head-on and never give up. Tassie is a gem and my heart broke for Rachel, and there are plenty of others to warm your heart - but not them all!!
STARTING OVER AT ACORN COTTAGE by Kate Forster is a story about new beginnings and being brave enough to let go of the past and reach for something different, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
March 6, 2020
Clara discovers that her BFF and her boyfriend are doing the deed, so she packs up and packs it in, buying herself a little cottage to start life anew. The plot is the standard affair. She finds a new love interest, Henry, who outshines Giles in all manner of manhood and a new BFF, Rachel.
A couple of issues that stood out: there were a few typos throughout the text which hopefully will be caught prior to publication; the final confrontation between Giles and Clara seemed random and out of place. Why did he go to visit Clara? He said he didn't want her back. Why would he care if she knew about his relationship with Judy? Clara didn't care one lick about him. Although meant to create tension and conflict, the scene came across as awkward.
I did like Henry but wasn't overly fond of Clara or Pansy. At times, their characterizations came across as over-the-top. Overall, it was a pleasant read with some mild angst along the way.
Thank you to NetGalley, Head of Zeus/Aria, and Kate Forster for an ARC of 'Starting Over at Acorn Cottage' in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
A couple of issues that stood out: there were a few typos throughout the text which hopefully will be caught prior to publication; the final confrontation between Giles and Clara seemed random and out of place. Why did he go to visit Clara? He said he didn't want her back. Why would he care if she knew about his relationship with Judy? Clara didn't care one lick about him. Although meant to create tension and conflict, the scene came across as awkward.
I did like Henry but wasn't overly fond of Clara or Pansy. At times, their characterizations came across as over-the-top. Overall, it was a pleasant read with some mild angst along the way.
Thank you to NetGalley, Head of Zeus/Aria, and Kate Forster for an ARC of 'Starting Over at Acorn Cottage' in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
February 8, 2020
*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley*
I went into this book expecting just a sweet romantic story - and it is that, but it's so much more. I was surprised by the depth of the characters and their backstories. I loved Clara from the very start - she's the person we all wish we could be. Following her story as you learned more and more of her history was heartbreaking, but getting to see her learn to move past it was inspiring and made me love her just a little bit more than I already did. I also really liked Rachel and getting to see her go from quiet mouse to confident woman. Both woman are stronger than they think and it was so rewarding as a reader to get to be with them on their journeys. The mystical aspect Tassie brings to the story adds just the right amount of whimsy to keep the story from getting too dark. This is definitely a book I will pick up many times to reread over the years.
I went into this book expecting just a sweet romantic story - and it is that, but it's so much more. I was surprised by the depth of the characters and their backstories. I loved Clara from the very start - she's the person we all wish we could be. Following her story as you learned more and more of her history was heartbreaking, but getting to see her learn to move past it was inspiring and made me love her just a little bit more than I already did. I also really liked Rachel and getting to see her go from quiet mouse to confident woman. Both woman are stronger than they think and it was so rewarding as a reader to get to be with them on their journeys. The mystical aspect Tassie brings to the story adds just the right amount of whimsy to keep the story from getting too dark. This is definitely a book I will pick up many times to reread over the years.
March 16, 2021
I thought I was getting a light, fluffy romance interspersed with some humor, but it was much more than that. There were some very humorous moments as well as romance, but it was a little darker than I anticipated. Ultimately I was left charmed by the story, the heartwarming label is correct.
Clara's a fixer, she can't help herself from getting involved in everyone's life, but she uses her busybody forces for good. Clara, Rachel, Henry, Pansy and Joe were all great characters, but Tassie stole my heart. I loved her! Made me want to move to this little village and befriend these people.
Clara's a fixer, she can't help herself from getting involved in everyone's life, but she uses her busybody forces for good. Clara, Rachel, Henry, Pansy and Joe were all great characters, but Tassie stole my heart. I loved her! Made me want to move to this little village and befriend these people.
February 11, 2020
What a fabulous story, everything about this novel is great I can't praise it enough. When it came to an end I wanted more, much more and I hope we see another book to follow this through. Acorn Cottage and its characters have so much more to give. This is a keeper and I wish I could give it 10 stars but I am only able to give it 5.stars. Well done Kate Forster for a brilliant novel and I wait to see if there is to be more to follow. I highly recommend this to be read.
Read
May 8, 2020Dnf at 14%
Severe physical and emotional abuse isn’t my cup of tea in what is supposed to be a heartwarming and uplifting story, neither is Clara’s ongoing hatred of her ex boyfriend. I ended up despising Clara for her ineptness. Who really buys a cottage ‘unseen’ like that, unless you are buying it at auction. Only a complete and total idiot buys a property unseen without at least getting a basic survey done. I like more realism in my stories.
Severe physical and emotional abuse isn’t my cup of tea in what is supposed to be a heartwarming and uplifting story, neither is Clara’s ongoing hatred of her ex boyfriend. I ended up despising Clara for her ineptness. Who really buys a cottage ‘unseen’ like that, unless you are buying it at auction. Only a complete and total idiot buys a property unseen without at least getting a basic survey done. I like more realism in my stories.
January 24, 2022
Probably should have dnf this one. It was so not my type of book.
February 8, 2022
I just couldn't waste any more time on this book. It's not a bad book - just predictable, and has become boring. There are just too many great books out there that I want to read!
March 19, 2020
Starting Over at Acorn Cottage is the first book I have read by Kate Forster. Judging by the cover and title I presumed it would be a typical read of a young woman having a tough time and in turn starting over again creating a new life for herself somewhere nice. To some extent this was the main plot of this book but behind the initial layer there was an awful lot more going on with some serious and heartbreaking issues being explored in this book. When we first meet Clara Maxwell she has reached breaking point and is packing her bags ready to flee from the apartment she had shared with her boyfriend Giles. The ultimate betrayal has happened to her, Clara being the innocent party.
How can one cope when they discover their best friend has been secretly seeing their boyfriend and it's you who have been left in the dark moving blissfully along in what you presumed was an OK relationship? Clara is bursting with anger, she is a responsible, sensible adult who likes order in her life and to have this trauma befall her sets in motion a series of events which will change her life. Before she even realises what she is doing she has bought a beautiful cottage in the countryside that she has seen online. But when she arrives Clara's retirement dream, being fulfilled a little earlier than planned, of owning a beautiful cottage surrounded by fields and nature is shattered as the cottage is more a wreck than anything else with lots of work needing to be done to it. Can Clara come back from the bitter disappointment of being sold something that couldn't possibly live up to her expectations and find a way to have some purpose in her life and maybe even some romance? The reader certainly hopes so as the story really began to get going once Clara makes some decisions that see her set the wheels in motion to help herself and those around her whom she meets in the little village of Merryknowe.
Clara was a person who seemed to want to help those around her in any way she could and it was almost as if she was using this as a distraction technique in order to put her own worries firmly to the back of her mind. We knew her initial life problems, and yes you do feel great sympathy for her, but you can't help thinking as you progress through the book is there actually a lot more going on with Clara than at first meets the eye? Is there something that she is keeping to herself and therefore she needs to keep busy in order to not let her thoughts travel back to what she is keeping covered?
I enjoyed that the book didn't focus too much on Clara and Giles, in the way that the break up occurred at the beginning and she was steadfast in her determination to keep him out of her life. Yes she wore her heart on her sleeve and you could see how upset she was but we weren't constantly told about this which was refreshing. I also thought it was great that Merryknowe, despite being a beautiful little village, wasn't without its problems as well. It could be the picture perfect, idyllic place to live but it was falling on its knees with it calling out for new life to make it great once again. Would Clara be the one to bring a little bit of hope and sparkle back to the village? Well if the eldest resident Tassie McIver had anything to do with it than Clara surely would be.
Tassie brought a sort of magical element to the book in that she loved reading tea leaves and knew every little suspicion or sign that nature offered her. She could see and feel things with regard to the future that others couldn't. To be honest, I find all this just a little bit too hard to believe but I enjoyed Tassie's strand of the story and her abilities for what they were. Simply, a ways and means to bring about little subtle changes and to push different characters in directions they hadn't realised they needed to venture in. Clara being one of those and with a little nurturing and advice from Tassie she sets about bringing about positive changes to people she will come to call dear friends and perhaps with one she may or may not venture further than friendship.
Henry is a thatcher by trade but could be classed as an all rounder as he can turn his hand to many things. He was widowed several years ago and now brings up his young daughter Pansy by himself. They live in a specially converted van that can be brought anywhere and as luck would have it Clara is in need of a thatcher as well as someone who can do many other jobs in order to get Acorn Cottage up to standard and looking like the cottage of her dreams. Again as with Clara, I felt Henry was hiding things and that he was lingering in the past. You couldn't blame him for it but perhaps this was going on for too long. He was prohibiting both himself and Pansy from establishing a future and I know it is difficult to let go of hurts and sorrows but there comes a time when you have to do so. Of course, there was chemistry between himself and Clara and they do get closer as renovations begin on the cottage but as with another strand of the story I wondered was everything just happening to fast for Clara?
No sooner had she arrived in the village to start over then she has developed feelings for someone and also become best friends with Rachel practically overnight. For the majority of the book I thought things like that just happened too quickly, too readily and easily. But when I finished reading my opinion slightly changed and I realised all that did need to happen and that Clara was meant to meet these people, that it didn't matter how fast everything occurred as really they were waiting for her arrival all along but they didn't know it.
In my mind the strongest aspect of the book was Rachel's storyline. It will really hit a nerve with many readers and based on the nice, colourful cover you wouldn't think such a serious and hard hitting storyline like that would be present in this kind of read. This storyline was the best by miles in the book and I thought it was very well written. Rachel is a young woman who for all her life has been told what to do, how to do it, when to do it and to never stray from instructions. The bakery and tearooms she works in and which are owned by her mother are nowhere near reaching the potential they could be because Rachel is never given any freedom to express her self and the creative ideas she has bubbling away beneath the surface. Rachel knows she may never deviate from instructions or she will face severe punishment.
Rachel has become unaccustomed to acting in a normal way around people but yet things we all say and do and take for granted seem obscure to her. She really is a damaged character and even though other villagers could see things weren't right, they could or would do nothing about it. To be honest I thought this was a bit of a cop out. Rachel was crying out for help and why did it take until Clara coming along and seeing something in Rachel for change to begin to come about?
The characters in this book all need a solid purpose in their life and it was as if Clara was the catalyst that was going to make them realise it. She came to Merryknowe looking for a slower pace of life but she ends up being busier than ever. She feels the need to improve people's lives and she does so in a joyful way. But when help has been offered, received and some good things in place then maybe it is the time for Clara to look to herself and perhaps work on what has been more than niggling away at her for a very long time.
Starting Over at Acorn Cottage was a nice, pleasant read which balanced well the serious with the light. Yes this story does have some darker elements but overall if you want a quick easy read that will take you away from everything going on in the world that this may just be the book for you.
How can one cope when they discover their best friend has been secretly seeing their boyfriend and it's you who have been left in the dark moving blissfully along in what you presumed was an OK relationship? Clara is bursting with anger, she is a responsible, sensible adult who likes order in her life and to have this trauma befall her sets in motion a series of events which will change her life. Before she even realises what she is doing she has bought a beautiful cottage in the countryside that she has seen online. But when she arrives Clara's retirement dream, being fulfilled a little earlier than planned, of owning a beautiful cottage surrounded by fields and nature is shattered as the cottage is more a wreck than anything else with lots of work needing to be done to it. Can Clara come back from the bitter disappointment of being sold something that couldn't possibly live up to her expectations and find a way to have some purpose in her life and maybe even some romance? The reader certainly hopes so as the story really began to get going once Clara makes some decisions that see her set the wheels in motion to help herself and those around her whom she meets in the little village of Merryknowe.
Clara was a person who seemed to want to help those around her in any way she could and it was almost as if she was using this as a distraction technique in order to put her own worries firmly to the back of her mind. We knew her initial life problems, and yes you do feel great sympathy for her, but you can't help thinking as you progress through the book is there actually a lot more going on with Clara than at first meets the eye? Is there something that she is keeping to herself and therefore she needs to keep busy in order to not let her thoughts travel back to what she is keeping covered?
I enjoyed that the book didn't focus too much on Clara and Giles, in the way that the break up occurred at the beginning and she was steadfast in her determination to keep him out of her life. Yes she wore her heart on her sleeve and you could see how upset she was but we weren't constantly told about this which was refreshing. I also thought it was great that Merryknowe, despite being a beautiful little village, wasn't without its problems as well. It could be the picture perfect, idyllic place to live but it was falling on its knees with it calling out for new life to make it great once again. Would Clara be the one to bring a little bit of hope and sparkle back to the village? Well if the eldest resident Tassie McIver had anything to do with it than Clara surely would be.
Tassie brought a sort of magical element to the book in that she loved reading tea leaves and knew every little suspicion or sign that nature offered her. She could see and feel things with regard to the future that others couldn't. To be honest, I find all this just a little bit too hard to believe but I enjoyed Tassie's strand of the story and her abilities for what they were. Simply, a ways and means to bring about little subtle changes and to push different characters in directions they hadn't realised they needed to venture in. Clara being one of those and with a little nurturing and advice from Tassie she sets about bringing about positive changes to people she will come to call dear friends and perhaps with one she may or may not venture further than friendship.
Henry is a thatcher by trade but could be classed as an all rounder as he can turn his hand to many things. He was widowed several years ago and now brings up his young daughter Pansy by himself. They live in a specially converted van that can be brought anywhere and as luck would have it Clara is in need of a thatcher as well as someone who can do many other jobs in order to get Acorn Cottage up to standard and looking like the cottage of her dreams. Again as with Clara, I felt Henry was hiding things and that he was lingering in the past. You couldn't blame him for it but perhaps this was going on for too long. He was prohibiting both himself and Pansy from establishing a future and I know it is difficult to let go of hurts and sorrows but there comes a time when you have to do so. Of course, there was chemistry between himself and Clara and they do get closer as renovations begin on the cottage but as with another strand of the story I wondered was everything just happening to fast for Clara?
No sooner had she arrived in the village to start over then she has developed feelings for someone and also become best friends with Rachel practically overnight. For the majority of the book I thought things like that just happened too quickly, too readily and easily. But when I finished reading my opinion slightly changed and I realised all that did need to happen and that Clara was meant to meet these people, that it didn't matter how fast everything occurred as really they were waiting for her arrival all along but they didn't know it.
In my mind the strongest aspect of the book was Rachel's storyline. It will really hit a nerve with many readers and based on the nice, colourful cover you wouldn't think such a serious and hard hitting storyline like that would be present in this kind of read. This storyline was the best by miles in the book and I thought it was very well written. Rachel is a young woman who for all her life has been told what to do, how to do it, when to do it and to never stray from instructions. The bakery and tearooms she works in and which are owned by her mother are nowhere near reaching the potential they could be because Rachel is never given any freedom to express her self and the creative ideas she has bubbling away beneath the surface. Rachel knows she may never deviate from instructions or she will face severe punishment.
Rachel has become unaccustomed to acting in a normal way around people but yet things we all say and do and take for granted seem obscure to her. She really is a damaged character and even though other villagers could see things weren't right, they could or would do nothing about it. To be honest I thought this was a bit of a cop out. Rachel was crying out for help and why did it take until Clara coming along and seeing something in Rachel for change to begin to come about?
The characters in this book all need a solid purpose in their life and it was as if Clara was the catalyst that was going to make them realise it. She came to Merryknowe looking for a slower pace of life but she ends up being busier than ever. She feels the need to improve people's lives and she does so in a joyful way. But when help has been offered, received and some good things in place then maybe it is the time for Clara to look to herself and perhaps work on what has been more than niggling away at her for a very long time.
Starting Over at Acorn Cottage was a nice, pleasant read which balanced well the serious with the light. Yes this story does have some darker elements but overall if you want a quick easy read that will take you away from everything going on in the world that this may just be the book for you.
January 31, 2021
I really got a kick of this one. Just a really solid romance with some memorable characters. I enjoyed it from beginning to end and would have happily kept reading to see how the little village that Clara Maxwell moves to, ends up changing through the years. This book also has me wanting to get my garden together/ready for the spring. I didn't do a winter garden because I was so burned out, but now I wish I had.
"Starting Over at Acorn Cottage" follows Clara Maxwell. Clara finds out that her longtime boyfriend has been cheating on her with her best friend. Clara blows up her life and decides to quit her job, and move away to a cottage she bought unseen after having a lot of wine. Aside: I totally feel Clara here. When Clara arrives she realizes that the cottage is a whole disaster. When she reaches out for handyman services, she meets widower Henry and his little girl Pansy. Exploring the village, Clara then meets elderly widow Tassie McIver and baker extraordinaire Rachel Brown. The three women seem to be just what the other ones need.
Clara we find out slowly is hiding a secret (a huge one at that) but it takes a while to come out. I was able to put the pieces together because Forster occasionally goes back and shows Clara at different ages and we get to see what she and her mother were dealing with. We also see why Clara is so immovable about anyone talking crap about her mother and why she's so protective of her. I loved her slow burn romance with Henry too. I also loved the characters of Henry and Pansy. Henry loved his wife and I loved seeing him realize he needed to move on but also wanting permission from his wife to do so. The whole arc with him and Clara I thought was well done.
Tassie is a woman who is wondering what is the point of life anymore due to not being able to eat what she wants and unable to do much. But Clara moving there brings a need in her and she manages to be a font of wisdom for not only Clara but Rachel. I loved the little things she seemed to know about and thought she did a great job of being the village's wise woman.
Rachel's story-line was a surprise. I thought that Forster handled it with a deft hand. No spoilers.
The writing really worked together I thought and Forster manages to move things along so you are spending about equal time with all of the characters.
The cottage being renovated and coming slowly together was fun to read about too.
The ending I thought was wonderful and as I said above, I would have happily read several hundred more pages about all of the characters.
"Starting Over at Acorn Cottage" follows Clara Maxwell. Clara finds out that her longtime boyfriend has been cheating on her with her best friend. Clara blows up her life and decides to quit her job, and move away to a cottage she bought unseen after having a lot of wine. Aside: I totally feel Clara here. When Clara arrives she realizes that the cottage is a whole disaster. When she reaches out for handyman services, she meets widower Henry and his little girl Pansy. Exploring the village, Clara then meets elderly widow Tassie McIver and baker extraordinaire Rachel Brown. The three women seem to be just what the other ones need.
Clara we find out slowly is hiding a secret (a huge one at that) but it takes a while to come out. I was able to put the pieces together because Forster occasionally goes back and shows Clara at different ages and we get to see what she and her mother were dealing with. We also see why Clara is so immovable about anyone talking crap about her mother and why she's so protective of her. I loved her slow burn romance with Henry too. I also loved the characters of Henry and Pansy. Henry loved his wife and I loved seeing him realize he needed to move on but also wanting permission from his wife to do so. The whole arc with him and Clara I thought was well done.
Tassie is a woman who is wondering what is the point of life anymore due to not being able to eat what she wants and unable to do much. But Clara moving there brings a need in her and she manages to be a font of wisdom for not only Clara but Rachel. I loved the little things she seemed to know about and thought she did a great job of being the village's wise woman.
Rachel's story-line was a surprise. I thought that Forster handled it with a deft hand. No spoilers.
The writing really worked together I thought and Forster manages to move things along so you are spending about equal time with all of the characters.
The cottage being renovated and coming slowly together was fun to read about too.
The ending I thought was wonderful and as I said above, I would have happily read several hundred more pages about all of the characters.
September 6, 2025
Pure play English fantasy, but somehow very one dimensional? Not sure how to describe this other than saccharine.
I do recommend it as it is interesting to see how Kate writes. It’s certainly well done for what it is.
I do recommend it as it is interesting to see how Kate writes. It’s certainly well done for what it is.
March 17, 2021
Cute book. Makes me want a pink cottage. For this kind of book 5 stars.
March 19, 2020
Clara has had a series of bad things that happened: raised with an alcoholic and abusive father until she and her mother finally escaped, finding her best friend and boyfriend having an affair, realizing that every relationship she has turns sour. A night of wine-fueled browsing on the internet brought her to Acorn Cottage, bought sight unseen in the little village of Merryknowe, and she’s finally thinking she can fulfill the dream she and her mother had of a cottage in the country. But the house needs major work, nothing quite seems as it should, and the only place she stopped to grab some food had a very harassed younger woman serving her: and set all of her senses on high alert. Meanwhile, traveling thatcher and all-around handyman Henry and his young daughter Pansy have arrived in town just to give Clara an estimate, and have found a place to park their camper-van conversion.
This story brought all of Clara’s issues to the forefront – her relationships never worked because she has always held something back: in blaming herself for issues in her childhood, she has consigned herself to a ‘quick in, quicker out’ history with relationships, and never quite shares all of herself with anyone. Meanwhile, Henry is still mourning the loss of his wife to cancer, and has kept Pansy close, the fear of losing someone again has him unable to see any vision of the future. With Rachel in the bakery being the only reason that any traffic comes through, and her unique and clever twist on her baking, the micromanagement and abuse from her mother has her insecure and lacking confidence: always waiting for the next shoe to drop. Overseeing it all is Tassie, nearing ninety, she’s a former schoolteacher, with the ability to ‘know things’ whether from her tea leaves, her experience or what she sees. Tassie sees Rachel’s struggles, notices Henry and his daughter, and is intrigued by Clara and the energy she emits.
Soon personal histories and struggles are shared, quietly at first, then in huge rushes as Rachel’s lack of confidence and shy nature speak to Clara and she starts to work to bring Rachel to see her worth. The relationship between Henry and Clara, and even little Pansy with her childlike way of explaining the world and being wholly honest bring them both to recognition of their attraction, and with a bit of a nudge from Tassie, the whole of both their stories come out. A lovely story of finding what you need to heal yourself while finding a way to enrich the lives of others – there were issues of trust, abuse, guilt, grief and hope all wound together to bring a smile at the end.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
This story brought all of Clara’s issues to the forefront – her relationships never worked because she has always held something back: in blaming herself for issues in her childhood, she has consigned herself to a ‘quick in, quicker out’ history with relationships, and never quite shares all of herself with anyone. Meanwhile, Henry is still mourning the loss of his wife to cancer, and has kept Pansy close, the fear of losing someone again has him unable to see any vision of the future. With Rachel in the bakery being the only reason that any traffic comes through, and her unique and clever twist on her baking, the micromanagement and abuse from her mother has her insecure and lacking confidence: always waiting for the next shoe to drop. Overseeing it all is Tassie, nearing ninety, she’s a former schoolteacher, with the ability to ‘know things’ whether from her tea leaves, her experience or what she sees. Tassie sees Rachel’s struggles, notices Henry and his daughter, and is intrigued by Clara and the energy she emits.
Soon personal histories and struggles are shared, quietly at first, then in huge rushes as Rachel’s lack of confidence and shy nature speak to Clara and she starts to work to bring Rachel to see her worth. The relationship between Henry and Clara, and even little Pansy with her childlike way of explaining the world and being wholly honest bring them both to recognition of their attraction, and with a bit of a nudge from Tassie, the whole of both their stories come out. A lovely story of finding what you need to heal yourself while finding a way to enrich the lives of others – there were issues of trust, abuse, guilt, grief and hope all wound together to bring a smile at the end.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
March 20, 2020
This is such a lovely read! Just the ticket if you need a light, bright uplifting book to raise your spirits.
Clara Maxwell is a sensible young woman; she has her life well under control. Her job as a bank manager means she has stable finances with investments; a boyfriend who she thought she loved and who - she thought - loved her in return until one evening when the relationship crumbles as she discovers he's been sleeping with her best friend. So Clara packs up and heads off to the cottage she has bought, sight unseen, to start a new and hopefully better life . . .
There is a lot going on between the covers of this one; Clara begins to make acquaintances from the moment she arrives. Every person in life has their own history, problems and dreams and the author has spun a wonderful tale of individuals who slowly get to know each other. It's a beautifully created story with well-drawn characters and plenty of ups and downs along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and it's well worth taking a good look at the cover - just perfect in relation to the contents and one which should draw plenty of attention from readers. A truly satisfying read which I'm very happy to give 4.5*.
Clara Maxwell is a sensible young woman; she has her life well under control. Her job as a bank manager means she has stable finances with investments; a boyfriend who she thought she loved and who - she thought - loved her in return until one evening when the relationship crumbles as she discovers he's been sleeping with her best friend. So Clara packs up and heads off to the cottage she has bought, sight unseen, to start a new and hopefully better life . . .
There is a lot going on between the covers of this one; Clara begins to make acquaintances from the moment she arrives. Every person in life has their own history, problems and dreams and the author has spun a wonderful tale of individuals who slowly get to know each other. It's a beautifully created story with well-drawn characters and plenty of ups and downs along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and it's well worth taking a good look at the cover - just perfect in relation to the contents and one which should draw plenty of attention from readers. A truly satisfying read which I'm very happy to give 4.5*.
March 29, 2020
"Starting over at Acorn Cottage" by Kate Forster has a little bit of everything; drama, despair, baking, renovations, love and a touch a magic.
Clara's life is a mess. On discovering that her partner has been having an affair with her best friend, she throws caution to the wind, buys a rural property sight unseen, and chucks in her job in to start a life at Acorn Cottage. After a few minor setbacks, Clara forges new friendships with local baker Rachael, retired teacher Tassie, and the handsome handyman, Henry.
The characters are wonderful, flawed, believable and relatable. The plot flows smoothly, making it a hard book to put down. This is more than a simple romance novel, through the tales of three women and their interconnecting lives, it examines coming to terms with past mistakes and wrongs, managing emotions and rebuilding lives.
In the current world climate, it is wonderful to read such an uplifting and enjoyable piece, "Starting over at Acorn Cottage" is a light, engaging and delightful piece of escapism.
Clara's life is a mess. On discovering that her partner has been having an affair with her best friend, she throws caution to the wind, buys a rural property sight unseen, and chucks in her job in to start a life at Acorn Cottage. After a few minor setbacks, Clara forges new friendships with local baker Rachael, retired teacher Tassie, and the handsome handyman, Henry.
The characters are wonderful, flawed, believable and relatable. The plot flows smoothly, making it a hard book to put down. This is more than a simple romance novel, through the tales of three women and their interconnecting lives, it examines coming to terms with past mistakes and wrongs, managing emotions and rebuilding lives.
In the current world climate, it is wonderful to read such an uplifting and enjoyable piece, "Starting over at Acorn Cottage" is a light, engaging and delightful piece of escapism.
April 16, 2020
A woman moving to the countryside after a breakup is not an unusual theme for a book, however Kate has done an excellent job on making this a story that stands out.
In this case Clara has bought a cottage without actually viewing it and when she arrives is downhearted due to its run down state. She employs Henry to do up the cottage and he stays in his van with his daughter, Pansy, whilst doing this work.
With side stories including Rachel, a downtrodden daughter in her mother's bakery and tearoom, and Tassie, an older woman taken to reading tea leaves. There are dark undertones with domestic abuse, so this isn't an easy read, but the story kept me gripped from the start to the finish, which was very emotional. Highly recommended.
In this case Clara has bought a cottage without actually viewing it and when she arrives is downhearted due to its run down state. She employs Henry to do up the cottage and he stays in his van with his daughter, Pansy, whilst doing this work.
With side stories including Rachel, a downtrodden daughter in her mother's bakery and tearoom, and Tassie, an older woman taken to reading tea leaves. There are dark undertones with domestic abuse, so this isn't an easy read, but the story kept me gripped from the start to the finish, which was very emotional. Highly recommended.
January 8, 2020
Every once in a while a book takes my breath away, the reason why? It was written with an insight into a strong woman who isn’t afraid to share her opinions and speak her mind. At long last a character I can relate too and not be disappointed by the decisions she makes. Despite her secrets, Clara has a good heart and after a terrible secret is found out she escapes to the country to start again. Here we meet some amazing people that become important to Clara. Her kindness, compassion and willingness to help others shine through and you cannot help but like her. You will be drawn into a great story and hopefully enjoy it as much as i did.
March 16, 2020
This is an enchanting story of love, life, and starting afresh. There are a host of great characters, some tasty baking, and a thatched cottage just waiting to be transformed. It's set in a little village just waiting for someone to come in and revitalise it, and our heroine Clara is just the perfect woman for the job. There are revelations, there is romance, and there is a touch of magic.
Truly delightful, I wish I could give it 6 stars.
Truly delightful, I wish I could give it 6 stars.
March 5, 2020
With thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review Gosh what a total delight of a book fast paced intriguing soul searching EXTRAVAGANZA never once was there a dull moment in this outrageously thought provoking book
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