A Cottage Full of Secrets: Escape to the country for the perfect uplifting read

An uplifting story about second chances and three legged foxes. Well, there's just one fox, but it adorable and I want to adopt him. I might pop up to Yorkshire and sneak him away at the dead of night. He might pee on me though, as he would be a bit surprised, me popping up like that. He likes to pee on soft furnishings, as Tamzin is well aware and she's not sure the cottage she's bought is really fox house material. Tamzin is the character who has started again in the aforementioned old cottage with the three legged fox and a heart full of hope. There's a strange man next door calle Ethan who seems a bit creepy, but she soon gets used to him. There are lots of laugh out loud moments, but there's also a very serious thread running through it too, which tends to wipe the smile of your face a bit. Having said that, it's addressed with sensitivity and care, so its conclusion, while sad, is realistic. A great story - highly recommended.

The book opens with our introduction to Stella. It’s 1973 and she’s making plans to escape from her violent, controlling husband. This first chapter is heartbreaking as he has messed with her mind so thoroughly that she’s convinced she is useless and to blame for everything.Tamzin arrives at an isolated cottage on the Yorkshire moors, that she bought sight unseen, to a very unfriendly welcome from her next door neighbour. We immediately want to know why she has made the long journey from Cornwall to this remote place. With only a three-legged rescue fox cub for company, she rolls up her sleeves and sets about making the cottage into a home (with a bit of help from handywoman Jill).A Cottage Full of Secrets is a dual timeline story about two troubled young women inhabiting the same house five decades apart. The theme of controlling and abusive relationships runs through the narrative as their stories gradually unfold. We find out why wildlife artist Euan prefers his own company, and what caused Tamzin to run, but instead of dwelling on the past, the focus here is about the healing power of nature and learning to trust again. Tamzin and Euan are not as strange as they first appear. Once you know what they’ve been through, their behaviour is entirely understandable.Jane Lovering’s vivid descriptions of the landscape, flora and fauna of the Yorkshire moors enhances the narrative. There is a lot of humour in the dialogue that helps to counteract the dark and disturbing subject matter. I would have liked a bit more about Stella, as the ending felt incomplete. Ultimately, this is a hopeful book about new beginnings and moving on from the past. I will definitely be looking out for more books by this author as she writes such wonderful, believable characters.

I came home from work to find this new book delivered a day earlier than expected & I sat down to read. I couldn't put it down; I was enthralled with Brack, the beautiful fox & the unfolding story of Tamzin and the older story of Stella, not forgetting Euan the enigma. It was so well written and so Yorkshire. I loved the descriptions of the countryside I know so well. A truly wonderful, wonderful story. Thank you Jane, if this book isn't a hit then I want to know the reason why! Just fantastic.

This is the fifth book I have read by Jane and I have loved them all.This is a different tale altogether as a 3 legged fox was one of the main characters. Everything changed for Tamsin when she moved to Yorkshire to get away from her controlling and abusive husband. Euan is her next door neighbour and it takes quite some time getting to know him but we eventually find out exactly what he does with his time. I certainly enjoyed reading this book. It made me laugh at times and I also felt the tears forming at others. 👍👏💖

Jane Lovering's books are very much about real people, with insights into their behaviour and the reasons that not all relationships are healthy ones. In this book she tackles domestic violence with sensitivity, writing against the stereotypes of victims and reminding us that it's not only women who experience abuse. And despite the seriousness of the subject-matter, there's lots of gentle humour here too.Lovering's writing is excellent and her love of the countryside - earthy and smelly and full of wonders - is very evident, even if the sun does seem to shine rather more often than my own corner of it suggests. This is the second of her books I've read and I'll be looking for more.

I did pick this as a Prime Read but due to tragic family events never read it at the time I got it. However, this has now been remedied and I completed this book.I have to agree with those who said it shows the wonderful healing effects of nature (and Jane Lovering does describe this well) on the two main protagonists as both deal with their problems and start to regain some trust in others around them, but especially each other. The dual timeline in the book does distract at times but also gives an extreme example of the main theme of domestic abuse in as gentle a way as possible without relishing in abject detail.A very readable book despite the theme and the author deals with her subject in a sympathetic way rather than voyeuristic. My rating is probably influenced by personal family details but don't let it stop you from reading this, I do not think you will find a more balanced gentle view on this subject.

I enjoyed this very much kind of whimsical with an important story to tell. Great for the romantic and animal lovers.

I was so captivated by this story. I so much enjoyed the back and forth time line. Abuse is so hard to escape from even when your no longer in in that situation, it still impacts your life. The characters are so positive and inspiring and interesting. I was hoping that Stella ... I can't wait for you to read this book. As always happy reading.

This was a lovely story, thoughtful and heartfelt. There’s sadness within the story and characters, but it does end hopefully. I love the writing too. I can’t wait to read another book by Ms Lovering!

I look into the lives of those affected by controlling and abusive behaviours, finding yourself and your worth after.Calming and beautiful.

Enjoyed this book, reading it on an Easter weekend. Interesting story line. Loved the fox as a pet. Well written, with believable characters and will look for more from the author.

A story of survivors. Be warned,could possibly be a trigger for people that have experienced trauma, but hopeful at the same time.