I requested this ARC to compare the romantic suspense novels written as Mary Burton to the Mary Ellen Taylor contemporary women's fiction. Not sure what I expected of Lucy's story but found it told with the same strong characters and well developed plot I have come to expect. It is told by jumping back and forth from the past to the present. I often find this very annoying. In this case it feels necessary and does not detract from the enjoyment. This will go on my reread pile for when I need to just relax for awhile.

This is a first for me by this author... but certainly not the last. I loved her writing style and the way the dual timeline weaved back and forth was brilliant.

The story starts with an interview... the original owner of the Winter Cottage, Catherine Buchanan, as part of a school project by Beth Jessup and continues with Lucy Kincaid returning to Winter Cottage to claim her inheritance.

Lucy inherits the cottage, which is not a cottage at all, from a woman she has never met in a town she has never heard of that has a direct link to her recently deceased mother.
She travels from Nashville with her mother's dog in the hopes of getting some answers.

The cottage comes with some conditions though...
Lucy has to live there for at least a month.
All of the money attached to it is meant only for renovations to the house.

On top of that, she isn't the only one wanting the house or land attached to it. Hank Garrison, the lawyer handling the house transfer is not exactly thrilled about her getting Winter Cottage. He reveals to her that he is trying to rebuild the town’s standing by expanding his vineyard, and that includes land around the house.
Also, she seems to unintentionally inherit a young girl, twelve-year-old Natasha has lost her mother too, and her ne’er do well father’s violent and drunken behaviour has left the brave little girl with a chip on her shoulder.
Lucy and Hank want to improve Natasha's life. But how will that happen if Lucy decides not to stay in Cape Hudson?
The more Lucy discovers the facts of her past, the more confused she is about her feelings for Winter Cottage.

A story of family, friendships, a mysterious house that will have you hooked until the end.

Thank-You Netgalley for my ARC.

Although this is classed as a romance it is so much more. A very enjoyable read with good characterisation, you are quickly and easily drawn into the story which slips seamlessly between past and present.
My only criticism is it seemed to end rather quickly, I would definitely read more by his author.

Every story needs a little bit of intrigue. Winter Cottage absolutely delivers on that and more. While technically a “romance” novel (published by Montlake Romance) I wouldn’t deem it that. Yes, there are definitely romantic scenes and undertones, but this story is so much more than that.

Ms. Catherine Buchanan is the central figure in this story. The woman who brings it all together. We first meet Catherine in 1988 when she agrees to share her history with young Beth Kincaid, a high school senior. Beth is doing a video project to record Ms. Buchanan’s life history, which is nearing its 100 year mark. Catherine has amazing stories to share, and Beth, who has her own history, is eager to soak them up.

Beth and Catherine live in the small town of Cape Hudson, Virginia. Both women have spent most of their lives in this small town. Beth is dying to get out of it. Catherine has never wanted to live anywhere else. Catherine hooks us right away with her story of Claire and the Buchanan family.

Spin forward thirty years and we meet Lucy Kincaid, arriving in Cape Hudson to who knows what. She brings with her a dog named Dolly Parton, a Jeep on its last legs, and an urn holding her mother’s ashes. She has no idea why she is in this tiny town or her connection to it. Her mother, on her deathbed, revealed that she had inherited a property in Cape Hudson, and Lucy was to go their after her mom’s death. And so the mystery begins.

These characters of Catherine, Beth & Lucy are all such unique and full people. You can truly picture Catherine, elegant and wise at nearly 100 years old. Beth, young and full of life, truly believing that the grass was greener somewhere else. And Lucy, young and tough due to the circumstances of her life. These three women captured my attention and kept me turning pages until I could reach the end of their stories. Taylor masterfully crafts these full characters and weaves each story so beautifully. I was captivated by it.

Again, while classified as a romance novel, and yes, it contains some romance, it is more a story of the three strong women who share a tangible connection to life and love. The romance is secondary to their intriguing stories about life.

Winter Cottage is the first book I’ve read by Mary Ellen Taylor. I found the storyline held my attention and I liked going back and fourth from present to past. I was not surprised to see the main character, Lucy getting involved with Hank. I’d like to read more about these two and was disappointed there was no epilogue. I would recommend this book to fellow readers.
*I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.*

WINTER COTTAGE – Mary Ellen Taylor

Cape Hudson, Virginia – 1916, 1988, 2018

Lucy Kincaid is on a quest her dying mother sent her on. Wild, unpredictable, but loving Beth wants her daughter to return to Beth’s hometown to claim an inheritance. Beth had always kept her past a secret, especially as to who Lucy’s father is. Now, with Beth’s ashes and her young German Shepherd in tow, Lucy is in Cape Hudson to find the house that was left to her mother. The small town is well aware of who Lucy is and the citizens remember Beth very well.

When Lucy contacts Hank Garrison, the lawyer handling the house transfer, she discovers quickly that, as friendly as Hank is, he is not exactly thrilled about her getting Winter Cottage. He reveals to her that he is trying to rebuild the town’s standing by expanding his vineyard, and that includes land around the house. Lucy isn’t sure she’s ready to settle in such an insulated community after growing up in Nashville, but she’ll make that decision soon. Once she is settled in the house, Lucy begins to research its history as well as her own family background. She finds video tapes done by her mother when she was in high school of the woman who owned Winter Cottage, and a saga begins to unfold.

1988 - Catherine Buchanan allows teenager Beth Jessup to video her interview, but she will always keep a secret that she hopes will never be known. Catherine’s past is tied to Winter Cottage and the former owners, her husband’s parents, who never approved of the marriage to their son. And Catherine’s young love for another town member will not be mentioned to Beth either.

Lucy takes in a twelve-year-old girl she finds hiding in her house, knowing exactly how the child must feel. Natasha lost her mother too, and her ne’er do well father’s violent and drunken behavior has left the brave little girl with a chip on her shoulder. Lucy understands Natasha’s vulnerability, and between Lucy and Hank, they want to improve her life. But how will that happen if Lucy decides not to stay in Cape Hudson? The more Lucy discovers the facts of her past, the more confused she is about her feelings for Winter Cottage, her first real home, and the friends she’s making in the small town.

WINTER COTTAGE is a very entertaining and well written story of family, friendships, and a mysterious house. The characters are realistic and honest, and the mysteries are solved eventually. WINTER COTTAGE is an excellent way to end the summer.

Winter Cottage is a story within a story. A young woman loses her wayward mother to cancer and discovers she's inherited a cottage. Along with the hulking edifice comes an intriguing mystery that is slowly told by viewing old tapes her mother made as a high school student. Each segment is revealed by the videos. Illegitimacy, quickie marriages, babies reared by foster parents. Readers will be entranced by the old/new connections.

Winter Cottage by Mary Ellen Taylor is a delight to read. Multiple time periods over 100 years, the early 1900‘s, 1988, and 2018. Mysteries in a small town that involve almost everyone who lives there. Great storylines and realistic characters that kept me guessing to the end. I own every book Mary Ellen Tayor has written and eagerly await each new book. I purchased Winter Cottage as a pre-release in April 2018 but jumped at the chance to read it early for a review. My thanks to the author, the publisher and netgalley for making this book available to me to read and review.

I loved, loved, looooved this book! I adored the characters and the story line was well thought through and written impeccably. I didn’t dislike a single page and literally inhaled the story in only a day. Looking forward to reading many more books from this author.

I loved this book! I was hooked immediately! So captivated I couldn’t put the book down, reading from beginning to end in one sitting. The two main characters Lucy and Claire, generations apart, tell their stories. We visit each era and character’s life simultaneously while being held to the edge of your seat needing to know the answers to the unsolved mysteries. But the story line doesn’t stop there! You find you also need to know who Lucy’s father is, will Claire finally reconnect with the love of her life, and the biggest question…how Claire and Lucy are connected. The author weaves the multiple story lines wonderfully. The story includes history, mysteries, tragedy, and love. It was well written and definitely worth the read!

Winter Cottage is a family drama/mystery set in a small town which everyone knows everyone else. Readers will follow the two main characters by the consequences of their actions and twenty year old video tapes, going back and forth from present time to 1988. Winter Cottage was an enjoyable read with a bit of romance. Recommend to readers of Kate Morton and Jennifer Chiviarini.

This book sadly was not for me. There was nothing wrong with it, it just didn;t capture my imagination and i didnt enjoy reading it sadly

Loved this book! The setting is gorgeous - I am a fool when it comes to old houses and secrets. The characters were endearing and interesting. I think it ended in the perfect spot for a sequel; fingers crossed!

You want to slip the Winter Cottage into your beach bag right away! I loved this book!

The book opens with an interview with the original owner of the Winter Cottage, Catherine, as part of a school project and continues with Lucy returning to Winter Cottage to claim her inheritance. The book is about how these stories collide.

Even though Lucy has most of the storyline, she's a less interesting character (she's kind of shallow) but the supporting small-town cast makes up for that, especially the story of Claire, one of the servants at Winter Cottage in the early (1916) storyline.

Overall, I really enjoyed Winter Cottage and recommend it highly. Very enjoyable!

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was another fantastic read by Mary Ellen Taylor.

I loved the rich background of the Winter Cottage and the melding of the three story lines. Strong female characters and small town living really made this story come alive. I always enjoy Mary Ellen Taylor's books and this was one of her best.

Loved the book! I loved reading about Claire and seeing how everyone was connected. Claire Beth and Lucy's lives were intertwined with each other. Lucy never thought she had any family, except her mom, Beth. Beth always made up some crazy story about who Lucy's father was, so she never knew what to believe. So through Mrs. B's tapes, Lucy got to know her mom a little more and find out where she came from, There were so many characters in this book, sometimes it was confusing.

Lucy finds herself and Dolly Parton(her mom's German Shepherd) in the small town where her mom grew up. A place Lucy never heard of before. It was Beth's dying wish to have her ashes brought home. Lucy also learns she is next in line to inherit Winter Cottage, as long as she remains there for thirty days. Lucy needs to decide if she's going to stay or leave the house and land to the next person. During her short time there, Lucy meets Hank and Natasha. Both will change her life. Plus there's the tapes Beth made of Mrs. B for her senior project. Lucy will learn what caused Beth to leave town and to never peak about it. Many secrets are revealed and very old bones.

Claire was my favorite character and her story was amazing. I enjoyed how it alternated between Lucy and Claire. I loved the story and the writing style. I definitely recommend the book and look forward to reading more books by the author.

Thanks to NetGalley, Montlake Romance and the author, Mary Ellen Taylor, for a free electronic ARC of this novel

I received a copy of this book through netgalley.
Interesting storyline and good development of characters although I do not picture Lucy as the main character,a bit shallow for my liking,moving from a carefree lifrstyle to being responsible fir so many people and places.
The plot is interesting,and I won't go into all the details not to spoil it for readers.
A good relaxing book to read with a glass of wine.

After reading the description for Winter Cottage I had a gut feeling it was to going to be a good read. Well it turns out Winter Cottage was not just a good novel, it was a fantastic novel! I was completely entranced by this book from the beginning and Mary Ellen Taylor had me on the hook until the very end.

I connected with Mary Ellen Taylor’s writing style and thought the way she time hopped throughout the novel worked perfectly with the storyline. The character’s were well developed and by the end I felt as if I really knew all the characters! Winter Cottage is a full 5 stars and I am already searching Mary Ellen Taylor’s prior books on Amazon because I need to read more from her asap! So needless to say, I will most definitely be 1-clicking whatever this talented author comes out with in the future!

Definitely a great read! Mary Ellen Taylor did a fabulous job of weaving interconnecting stories from the past and present.

If you’re a fan out Downton Abbey, then you’ll like WINTER COTTAGE.

The story starts out in the not so distant past as a young girl begins her senior project by interviewing long-time resident and centenarian, Mrs. Catherine Buchanan: owner of Winter Cottage. I was immediately drawn in by these two characters; so very different from each other, but clearly kindred spirits. What tales did Mrs. Buchanan have to tell, what secrets of the rich and powerful did she have to spill?

We then switch to the present with Lucy Kincaid returning to her mother’s hometown, a place she’d never even heard of until her mother was dying, and to a property that no one knows why was willed to her mom and now her. So we have that mystery. Plus, there’s the mystery of why her mom ran away the day before graduation and who is Lucy’s father. If all of that weren’t enough to draw you in, you have wonderful, witty, charming characters like Arlene (Lucy’s mom’s high school best friend), Hank Garrison (I completely fell for this guy with his honestly and a streak of integrity a mile wide…so refreshing), and of course, twelve year-old Natasha.

The story bounces back and forth from the distant past (1916) to the near past (1988), to the present as you learn about these women’s lives and the choices they’ve made. I was totally taken by the story of “Claire,” a seamstress working for the wealthy Buchanans. Oh, how different life was a hundred years ago, and not necessarily for the better. It was a fascinating and believable tale of life and relationships between the upstairs and downstairs residents.

And just as I was captivated by Claire’s story, so was I with Lucy. The characters are well developed and the plot is solid, with good characters that you like, love or in some cases, hate. It’s a tale of home and ties that bind, and of family and one not to be missed.

This was another great read from this author, I loved it and will be recommending it to everyone and will be in our catalogue.