Even though this is the second book in this series, I never felt lost or feel that you need to read the first in order to enjoy this one. Each book will follow a different set of people at Joy's Acre. In this book we follow Tom who is a thatcher at Joy's Acre and Isobel, who is visiting for six weeks to hone in on her music. Tom is sweet. He's got is own set of issues: he drinks a lot and is a womanizer but his intentions are good. I liked him as a character. He sets out to help and befriend Isobel but she makes it hard at first. Isobel is very guarded to the point where she's almost an ice queen. She makes it clear from the start that she doesn't want to be bothered by the good people of Joy's Acre. She wants to spend all her time working on her music because she's out to prove something. She does thaw out after awhile but I still had trouble liking her. We do get to understand why she is like the way she is but I still just didn't bring myself to care about her. The other workers from Joy's Acre bring kindness to the book and I would like to read more about them. So I will definitely check out the next book. I did like that the romance wasn't over the top but just something that slowly happened. It was little more believable that way--loved that it wasn't insta-love!!!! If you're looking for just a nice summer romance than I would recommend giving this a try.

*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the Publisher, Bookouture for this review copy given in exchange for an honest review. Also thank you to Kim from Bookouture for organising the Blog Tour and finding me a space on it!

This is Book #2 in the Little Cottage series. It can be read as a standalone novel, but does have some references to the previous book, The Little Cottage on the Hill.

Shy and timid Isobel is the first paying guest at the Joy’s Acre holiday cottage lets. She has booked the cottage for 6 weeks, for complete and utter privacy to work on a music project which could save her career. The people who work and own Joy’s Acre know that she doesn’t really want to be disturbed, but that doesn’t stop them keep knocking on her door! Tom, the local Thatcher and folk band member hears Isobel playing the violin and is instantly transported back to happier times. He thinks Isobel is absolutely beautiful and a brilliant violinist, but also seems to recognise her from somewhere. Somehow, they (particularly Tom) manage to bring Isobel out of her shell a little bit, but when Tom remembers where he recognises her from this threatens everything she has been working on.

My second book by this author. My first was, obviously, the first book in this series. This one picks up on the story but with one of the main characters being Tom, the Thatcher. I really enjoyed the first book, but absolutely loved this one. The setting was beautiful, and the cottages sound perfect for letting out (I’d rent one!). I love the way that Trixie was always cooking up something and the picnic they had certainly made my mouth water! Tom, being one of the main characters came across as particularly pleasant and pleasing on the eye…..who am I kidding? Tom was absolutely wonderful and as hot as a hot summer’s day! He was obviously holding back a big personal secret which gets to be revealed as the book moves on.

I didn’t warm as much to Isobel to begin with though. I took her to be the rude and self-centred ‘artistic type’ but as I moved through the story you began to see that she was nothing like that at all. By the end, I loved her and loved what she had become. Her story was quite a sad one though and this helped to drop the arrogant impression that she gave off initially, with the first wedding being a huge turning point (you’ll know the bit when you get to it!)

Overall, this book had everything you could need. There was, of course, some sad parts but also plenty of fun parts as well. I loved the visions of folk bands and violins, putting pictures in my mind of the dance scene below decks in the film, Titanic (the fast, toe tapping tempo of the violin, banjos and drums!) I also loved the sadder parts of the story, which were all done so sensitively. But the thing I was really impressed with was that the author could write this book which conjured up so many feelings without having to resort to sex scenes or bad language, certainly becoming a rarity these days!

Such an easy to read book and perfect for losing yourself for a few hours on a sunny day! A lovely heart-warming story of friendship, love and music. Wonderful!

They often say that you don't have to judge a book by it's cover and they are right. But I do feel that a cover reflects the emotions of the story and you can deduct more or less the general feel of the story that the author has in store for you.
Here I felt I was in for romance but with a deeper meaning to it as well.
I had not read part 1 and of course I missed some of the background of the characters, but I had no trouble picking up this one.
It was beautiful and one particular moment, I felt like Tom : tears in my eyes and goose pimples galore.
It does not matter how many problems you have, when the right people are by your side, you can accomplish anything.
While I am waiting for part 3, I will keep myself busy reading part 1.
Thank you, Emma Davies, Bookouture and Netgalley.

A lovely story of hope and finding happiness. Tom and Isobel are drawn together. They help each other amongst the sadness they have both endured.
A heartwarming, feel good tale that will have you staying up all night to finish. Many lovely characters, I hadn’t read the first book about Maddie and Seth’s story but the essence of their story is there. A wonderful read.

A fantastic second book from Emma.. beautiful, heartwarming and funny. Can’t wait for book 3 I’m sure it will be just as fantastic as the last!

Summer at the Little Cottage on the Hill Is the second book in the Little Cottage Series by Emma Davies. In this book the folks at Joy’s Acre have their first cottage, the Garden Cottage, let for the summer. Violinist Isobel Hardcastle has come to use the cottage as a retreat to work on her music composition. Somewhat socially awkward, Isobel seems unfriendly, particularly in Tom’s eye.

When a dozing Tom is awakened by Isobel’s presence as she plays her heart out in the meadow behind the cottages, initially she is angered by his presence. But when he follows her back to her cottage to straighten out what had happened Isobel makes the first step toward a friend.

As Isobel continues to settle in at Joy’s Acre, she also becomes friendly with the rest of the crew, Maddie, Seth, Clara, and Trixie. As a cloistered child prodigy, friends are something very new to Isobel. What else is new to Isobel are the feelings that seem to envelop her as the magic of Joy’s Acre seeps in.

This is a delightful tale of healing and helping each other as Isobel and Tom find old hurts healed and the promise of a lovely future lain before them. It is a well worked story with unexpected surprises that will truly bring the reader a satisfied smile when it’s finished and an eagerness for Book 3 in this series. I am one of such readers and I do recommend this book!

Isobel is the first guest to the newly refurbished cottage in the secret garden that is Joy’s Acre. Everybody is trying their hardest to make her stay exceptional including impromptu picnics with fantastic homemade spreads that she just doesn’t seem to appreciate. The only thing that seems to move her is playing her violin when she thinks no one is listening. Tom can’t help being entranced by her music whilst working on the thatching of the next cottage refurbishment but his reputation means he needs to keep his distance from their paying guest. Emma Davies once again transports us with the colours and scents of an English summer garden laced with hope and dreams.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really couldn't wait to read more in the second book from emma and she didn't disappoint at all it was simply brilliant and got me hooked from the first page and wanted to give it far more than the five stars I could give as so heartwarming and romantic and uplifting and such a delight to read I so highly recommend this book. It's an easy read with excellent characters and has you in tears at time such a feel good book and wants you reading more. You feel as if while you are reading it you escape to the summer and the cottage and you are there with them.
Lovely to go back and see how the cottage has come on and Isobel is the first person to hire the cottage on the hill and only finds it by chance but as soon as she arrives she shuts the door and the curtains and wants to hide away from everyone. She has her violin to practice and is on a top secret project so clearly doesn't want to see anyone. Tom who is working on the roof next door as he's a thatcher and whenever he hears Isobel playing it reminds him of happier times the new when he does see her she reminds him of someone but he can't remember who. He's determined to get her involved but she won't but he will not give in. Slowly he gets round her and they get talking and he opens up to her about his past but she will not open up to him but when he thinks he's getting somewhere with her her past I still back to threaten her as her mum turns up. Isobel makes it clear she will not leave and when she's says he's father is dying she does leave has she made a mistake or not. Tom is devestated can he find her and be happy or has he lost her for good.
Tom needs to find a way of unlocking his emotions can he do it and move on or not and can what Isobel has learnt while at the cottage make her face her music and move forward.
An amazing read and so uplifting I highly recommend I couldn't put it down at all.

Solid chick lit…doesn’t take itself too seriously! You’ll laugh, cry, and say “Oh! No!” Definitely a fun weekend read :c)

The story of Ben the thatcher and Isobel, a guest at the holiday cottages. Both have pain in their pasts and are trying to deal with it in different ways.
An emotional read at times, but we'll written.
Looking forward to the next book in this series.

Fabulous. A second great tale from Emma Davies in the Little Cottage series. The characters are complex until their stories are revealed and everyone and everything seems to alive in this book. A lovely well written romance and description of friendship too. I look forward to the next book in this series

In a small English village, Tom, the local roof thatcher, is intrigued by the woman who has moved in near him. He thinks he’s seen her before, but can’t recall where. Isobel wants nothing to do with Tom or anyone else. She has just a little over a month to save her career, and she needs to do it in complete solitude and anonymity. Of course, she never figured on finding love in the process and that fact will change everything. A lovely story to ease away the stress of everyday life.