Member Reviews
Favorite Quotes:
Marcus’s mates in creative media – and he had a lot – took male bonding to a whole new level… Mostly they swilled back craft beers with odd names and incinerated choice lumps of cow from the craft burger shops while they tried to channel their younger selves.
One of those moments where you wish the world would stop turning, because for this split second I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, or any other way.
But if you’re not ready it’s hard to listen, and even more impossible to hear.
And what the hell did you do to Malcolm while he was there? Since he got back he’s as antsy as an elephant with eczema, yet we can’t get him out at all.
My Review:
I enjoyed this cleverly amusing women’s fiction tale. It was written from the first person POV of Edie Browne, who was a hot mess. She didn’t use to be, but a mild stroke had scrambled her brains leaving her with word finding problems, reduced reaction times, memory gaps, the inability to smell or taste, and horror or all horrors – she could no longer read or drink alcohol - gasp! What a nightmare! Edie was also easily addled as she couldn’t process information as well or as quickly she knew she should, which understandably left her in a frequent state of bewilderment and prone to frustration, irritation, and overreaction.
I admired the author’s creativity in plotting Edie’s gradual recovery and the modifications and adaptations she devised. When she couldn’t remember the correct names or words, her substitutions were often humorous, as were her embarrassing accidents when she became flustered, I laughed aloud several times at this clever author’s colorful and witty descriptions. The storylines tugged at the heart while also entertainingly engaging and were cast with likable yet realistically flawed and multi-layered characters. The writing was insightful, perceptive, and comically detailed and concluding with a highly satisfying HEA, as all books should.
What a breath of fresh air this book felt like. It was as if Summer had arrived and all the sights and sounds of Cornwall came flooding back. It was great to meet up with some of the characters from The Little Cornish Kitchen but Edie herself turned out to be a great central character. Struggling to put her health concerns to one side and to regain her old skills, you really get to see her test herself and push herself way out of her comfort zone.
All the secondary charcters add so much to the story. There is a real feeling of community which seems so inviting. It really is one of those romcoms which gathers you up and gives you a virtual hug. Heartwarming and full of heart- this is one to read with a smile on your face.
In short: Cornwall has never seemed so charming.
Thanks to the author for a copy of the book.
I pounced on Jane Linfoot’s latest novel Edie Browne’s Cottage by the Sea with glee and I was not disappointed. Funny, poignant and as irresistible as a gin and tonic on a warm summer’s day, Edie Browne’s Cottage by the Sea is a compulsively readable romp that is simply outstanding.
When Edie Browne had skydived out a plane, she was on top of the world. If she could risk life and limb and leap out of the skies, then she could do anything and survive whatever life threw her way. However, Edie’s confidence is shaken to its core and her life changed forever when, in the throes of celebration, she trips over a champagne bucket and ends up in a hospital bed a whisker away from death. The last couple of months have been anything but easy for Edie. Although she has support from her family and friends, Edie wants to take some time out to rest, recuperate and recharge her batteries. Stepping out of her own life and starting over is just what Edie needs. The last few months have been a strain on Edie and staying with her Aunt Josie in the picturesque Cornish village of St Aidan in Periwinkle Cottage is just what the doctor ordered. Will Edie find what she has been looking for in Cornwall? One thing is for sure: her stay at Perwinkle Cottage is certainly not going to be boring!
Under Aunt Josie’s watchful eye, Edie begins to learn the basics which she has been struggling with and starts becoming a part of the St Aidan community. As she begins to make new friends and becomes an active member of the village, Edie finally begins to feel as if she has found somewhere to belong. As her ties to St Aidan deepen and she begins to find joy in the most unlikely of places, Edie is stunned when she begins to experience feelings and emotions which she hasn’t felt in a very long time. Is Edie ready to run the risk of taking a leap into the unknown and putting her heart on the line again? Or will she continue to be held hostage by the past?
Jane Linfoot writes irrepressible romantic romps you simply cannot stop reading and Edie Browne’s Cottage by the Sea is certainly no different. Hilarious, emotional, uplifting, joyous and absolutely wonderful, Edie Browne’s Cottage by the Sea is a captivating tale about facing your fears, letting go of the past and finding the courage to jump into the unknown that will touch your heart and make you roar with laughter in equal measure.
A first class romantic read that is perfect for losing yourself into this summer, Edie Browne’s Cottage by the Sea is the latest fabulous novel by the talented Jane Linfoot.
I have read a couple of Jane Linfoot’s previous novels but this one completely blew my socks off!
Edie Browne goes to stay with her Aunt Josie in a small Cornish village. Her Aunt is struggling after the loss of her beloved husband and Edie needs a slower pace of life.
From the first page, I adored Edie Browne, she is warm, funny and brave. Edie is recovering from a health condition which makes her feel vulnerable and self-conscious. The illness affects her memory, dexterity, and ability to taste but she never used her limitations as an excuse and chose not to reveal the problems she faced. I liked that Jane Linfoot attaches a slightly chaotic slant to her writing, to reflect Edie’s lack of mental agility and brain fog.
However, to the incredibly warm residents of St Aidan, it doesn’t matter that Edie can’t remember her aunt’s name, drops almost everything she picks up and struggles to write her own name. They accept her for who she is and as her struggles become more obvious they simply go out of their way to aid Edie’s recovery.
Edie isn’t the only one who needs to heal. Aunt Josie is grieving and comes over as very sad (understandably) but also self-centered and snobbish. Edie is determined to get her aunt out of a massive rut and learn to live independently. The subtle changes in Josie are so heartwarming and you really learn to love a character who was initially selfish and distant. I loved the way that Josie instinctively knows when Edie is struggling to think of a word and she interjects to save her niece’s embarrassment.
There has got to be a heartthrob and he comes in the form of Barney who appears constantly and seems to irritate Edie at first. There are an array of interesting villagers and a little boy called Cam, who completely stole my heart. It is a novel about self-acceptance, adapting to change and moving forward. Life isn’t always what you dream of but that doesn’t mean you can’t be happy.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, uplifting, sometimes heartbreaking but always amazing.
So touching!! This book is my first read by Jane Linfoot. Edie is a strong heroine that takes you on a journey of learning how to live again after a life changing event. She doesn’t let life get her down, she just keeps trying harder to get back up! I love her Aunt Josie’s character, she is so hilarious. This book is so much more than a pretty cover!
This was my first introduction to Jane Linfoot and what a wonderful introduction it was. Thus was a rollercoaster of a read as Edie, this once high flier, tries to reclaim her life after multiple strokes. It had me laughing and crying throughout. Edie Browne's Cottage by the Sea was an absolute gem of a book and I can't wait to delve into other Linfoot books
Edie Browne has decided to make the most of her single life and new job by making a statement – skydiving to get the adrenaline rush. She ends up escaping to the seaside staying with her Auntie Jo and trying to help her make something of the seaside cottage she has found herself alone in. We follow Edie as she rebuilds her life’s foundation with one experience at a time gaining friends and experiences that she would never have thought of doing before, all mortared together with love and laughter. It’s not what you can’t do, but what you can. I ended up with happy tears definitely going to read more of Jane’s books. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
A story filled with hope, bravery and humour as a side effect. It's a holiday read but also good as a pick me up for those nagging, moody days.
4.5 STARS
I knew I was going to enjoy this book and love the main character from the very first pages of the book. Edie had just gotten out of a relationship and was beginning a new job and a new flat. To cap this off, she decided to skydive. The skydive was her epic achievement. However, her life is changed in an instant, and she is on a journey that she never anticipated.
Edie returns to her Cornish village determined to get her life back. She thinks this will help her begin her life anew again. Little did she realize it, but it would be the start of a whole new life, one far better than she ever imagined. She might finally find the happiness she has been looking for, and she might possibly find true love in the process!
I loved the characters as well as the writing. I could tell Edie was a fighter from the beginning. Come on...this is a woman who displayed her independence by jumping out of an airplane. I’m certainly not that brave. When she had her stroke, she worked hard and diligently to reclaim her life. If that isn’t some kind of heroine, I don’t know what is. If ever an individual deserved a HEA, it was her. So, seeing her fall in love and find someone worthy of her was just icing on the cake.
In addition, I loved the other characters as well. They have their own stories to tell, and the author accomplishes that through Edie’s voice. By the way, I thought that was brilliant.
It is very well-written book, and I love the author’s style of writing. It really pulled me into the story through her descriptions. I felt like I was everywhere Edie was, from the skydiving to the beautiful Cornish village!!!! I also liked the way she began each chapter with the date, and the number of days since her accident and her epic achievement which meant so much in her recovery. Jane Linfoot tied that up quite nicely in the very beginning of the book with her definitions of epic and achievements. That really is the crux of the book...epic achievements and their place in our lives.
If you like your romance with laughter and friendship mixed in, not to mention an absolutely beautiful setting, you don’t want to miss reading Edie Browne’s Cottage by the Sea!!! It’s a perfect summer read!!!!!
This is the story of Edie Browne. One day she goes skydiving, falls over a champagne bucket celebrating her successful landing and her life changes forever. She has to learn everything over, so decides to stay with her Aunty Josie in a little Cornish village by the sea. Can she rebuild her life with the help of her new friends and neighbours?
I love this author’s books. They will always guarantee to leave you with a smile on your face and a warm glow in your heart. This one was no exception! I try to avoid finding out too much about a book before I start it so it took me by surprise when after Edie completed her skydive, she suffered a life changing stroke (I’m sure that’s not a spoiler, so I’m allowed to say it!) Many years ago, my late father suffered a stroke which affected his speech, so I could totally empathise with Edie’s frustration at not being able to do or say things that she could before. I’m not ashamed to say I did shed a few tears at Edie’s situation, some for past memories, but also some for the sensitive writing that the author always manages to get just right!
I also loved Aunty Josie and her weird diets and herbal concoctions! Her story also pulls at the heart-strings, but in a different way to Edie’s. Both women obviously need each other to get through their situations, and they both manage to give each other exactly what they need. The other characters from the village compliment Edie and Josie’s stories so well and who couldn’t help but be drawn to each one of them, particularly the lovely Barney and Cam! The location was described perfectly and sounded like somewhere I would love to live, even when the clouds over the sea were grey and gloomy!
This book was captivating! Edie is a lovable character and it was a pleasure to share her journey on the road to recovery! It’s a story of love, friendship and new beginnings. It has moments where you will need to wipe away the tears, and times that are so funny you can’t help but laugh out loud! As with other books by this author, I would wholeheartedly recommend this one! Heart-warming, delightful and simply wonderful!!
I have to admit I’m a big fan of Jane Linfoot, her books have a very special charm that I just love! Let’s just say I wasn’t disappointed at all when I picked up this book it is another great example of Jane Linfoot’s wonderful writing. Edie Browne’s Cottage by the Sea has so much warmth and love that I was pretty much smiling the whole way through.
In a way I guess I was expecting something completely different when I first picked up this book so the fact that I was surprised was such a lovely feeling. Edie is a character who I just couldn’t help but root for and I was willing her along the entire way through. Her strength, determination and personality made for such an engaging character. In fact I loved getting to know all the fun, lively and quirky characters especially as we see certain ones grow in confidence and find themselves taking on new challenges. Jane Linfoot wrote this book in such a wonderful way I was made to feel as if I experienced everything with them. Edie is a character that got under my skin along with the adorable Cam!
There is a thread of romance running throughout but it wasn’t the main aspect of the story. It was just a lovely addition to an already inspiring story about life, love and friendships. Showing both the highs and lows, let’s just say I was taken on quite a journey with Edie and her friends. There are both emotional and heartwarming moments but all with an uplifting and positive edge. What can I say Edie Browne’s Cottage by the Sea is a very special book that charmed me completely with every page I turned!
Let me start by saying that Edie Browne's Cottage by the Sea is much more than what that pretty exterior leads you to believe. Yes, it's a lovely, sweet story as you'd expect, but there's so much more beneath the surface!
One minute Edie Browne is throwing herself out of a plane, the next minute her life is turned upside down when she has a stroke. All of a sudden the person she was feels lost and the things she's never had to think about when doing become the most difficult things in the world; when she reads all she sees are squiggles, she's forgotten words and what things are, she has trouble thinking and concentrating, her sensations have either heightened or disappeared completely... So, grieving for the person she once was she heads to the small village on the Cornish coast of St Aidan, to Periwinkle cottage where her Aunt Josie lives...
Aunt Josie is also dealing with her own tragedy and away from the buzz of a city and with it being out of season in St Aidan, Edie's hoping the quietness and calmness will help her to recuperate, gain back her independence and lead her back onto the road to her well ordered life. But as they soon come to find, there's nothing laid back about this little village, and with the support of the locals they both find themselves starting over again in whole new ways...
I will admit it took me a few chapters to get fully into this story but once I did I really enjoyed my journey alongside Edie. What can I say about Edie Browne, with an E, her BOOMS!! and "Love you, bye's" (you will understand it all when you read for yourself!). Easily likeable, determined and incredibly funny is what she is and someone who you just want all the happiness for. Although, behind her lippy, sunnies and capri pants there's a fear of judgement and she lets her health issues stop her from seeing all the things she's actually good at despite her condition; it's ultimately this wonderfully supportive community that opens her eyes to that. She begins letting herself go, not worrying about what she's lost and when she takes this on board she realises there's many little bonuses and happiness to be found in doing so. I laughed with Edie Browne, felt the struggles she encountered, and her smallest of achievements had me cheering her on from my sofa!
Jane Linfoot has written a story about invisible conditions and unexpected loss in various forms; grieving for the person you once were, grieving for family members and grieving for a past life - it's not just our Edie who is on a journey, it's Aunt Josie, and Barney and little Cam (whose story will do more than tug at your heart-strings). It's this that provides these deeper, emotional layers; the bonds that these characters have are really special and whilst the end of the story may well be what you come to expect, it's a case of it not being about that, it's about the journey in ending up there.
It's easy to appreciate the setting of St Aidan; stunning sea views, cobbled alleys and colourful cottages, not forgetting it's cast of eccentric characters! I really enjoyed the crafty side of this story, too, from the fabric made items, to the wooden plaques, to the shepherd huts, and the barns been turned into working areas. I like to think I have a bit of an eye for interior design and I love choosing colour schemes, designs, adding accessories and seeing rooms transformed and coming to life - it was a lovely little sub-plot to the novel and it was a delight to envisage what it all looked like.
It wouldn't be a Jane Linfoot book without a splash of romance, would it?! From Edie's first encounter with Barney it's hard to resist him. He's a bit of a man of mystery to start off with but as you discover more about him you really take him to your heart. I enjoyed his and Edie's banter that provided some very comical moments, and when Cam was with them, some incredibly moving moments, yet I liked how he never forced things with Edie, he was there but he was always kind of a step back, letting Edie lead the way.
Edie Browne's Cottage by the Sea is a story about friendship, self discovery, happiness and appreciating the small and simple things in life; it's full of heart and is as touching as it is witty!
I….erm….wow. Someone help me? If I’m not too careful, my eyes will start leaking again and my review would end up being a mixture of unfinished sentences, ‘umm’ and ‘wows’. Hell, I have a feeling it might be like that anyway, so I apologise in advance! The reason why I say all of that is because I have no idea how to write a review for this book without bursting into tears. Don’t worry your pretty little head, I’m not crying because it’s bad, I’m crying because I was so moved by Edie’s story, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I read the last chapter of the book through misty eyes because I was sobbing my heart out.
I’m not even being overdramatic, I was literally covering the sleeve of my dressing gown in tears and snot, which then prompted my dog to put his arms around my neck to give me a hug.
You’re probably wondering why, this beautiful looking book, made me sob my heart out, right? Well, do not be fooled by the pretty exterior as ‘Edie Browne’s Cottage by the Sea’ has a lot more going for it than the cover suggests.
Edie’s life changed dramatically overnight when her health took a nosedive and left her having to start again. Reading simple words was no longer a walk in the park. Counting became impossible, and remembering details felt like Edie was doing a degree every time she spoke. She was afraid of the uncertain path before her and had everything crossed that Cornwall was going to help her.
The fact that this storyline tells the story of a character who is living with an invisible condition, makes me feel emotional all over again. As someone who lives with 8 chronic illnesses which make day to day life such a challenge both mentally and physically, watching Edie on her own journey hit home big time. The way that the character opened up about grieving for the person she once was, completely hit the nail on the head. It’s something that people cant understand unless they have been through it themselves, and unfortunately for me, I completely understood where she was coming from as I continue to grieve for the person I once was.
If i had my own pom poms, i would be cheerleading Edie until my throat was raw. She is such a beautiful character who deserves bucketfuls of happiness. She doesn’t deserve to go through life as though shes walking on eggshells. The friendships she made in Cornwall had me in hysterics, and her new found friendship with six year old, Cam, made me overcome with emotion yet again. For such a young boy, Cam had been through his own fair share of heartache – it wasn’t fair, but I was so glad that he had Barney in his corner.
I know I keep going on about the emotion in this storyline, but I really can’t help it, for me it was a large part of the storyline due to how much I was able to resonate with it on a personal level. ‘Edie Browne’s Cottage by the Sea’ had me in hysterics thanks to the brilliant humour of the residents in St.Aidan. I loved the addition of the dogs, Robert and Dustin as well – they both added to the overall vibe of the storyline in their own little way.
It’s safe to say that I absolutely fell in love with Jane Linfoot’s new book. The beautiful storytelling alongside the heartwarming premise and humourous characters, was such a delight to read and definitely one of a kind. This storyline isn’t a typical storyline, nor is it a predictable one. In fact, it couldn’t be more different if it tried. I feel sorry for the author now though as she has set the bar extremely high for herself, and her next book.
I may have finished the book sobbing my heart out, but Edie’s journey filled my heart with such joy and made me feel as though I finally belonged somewhere. Thank you, Jane Linfoot, for being the voice for invisible conditions, and the voice for people who are too afraid to be their true selves in fear of judgement.
‘Edie Browne’s Cottage by the Sea’ is one of my all time favourite reads and is practically perfect in every way. A poignant, emotional read which hit home in a way I never thought it would. I loved it.
I absolutely adore Jane Linfoot's books so I was extremely excited to read this and I cannot begin to tell you how perfect this is!
Everything is just beautiful in this book, the story, characters and location.
Edie is such an inspiration, she has been through so much and she is so incredibly strong. I think so many people will be able to relate to her. I just would love to give her a hug. She has made me think about my life and realise how lucky I am.
Jane has done a fantastic job with writing this story.
This is a beautiful, heart warming story.
A different but good storyline. Very detailed all the way through. and ofcourse it is set in Cornwall. Beautifully written and very enjoyable, i would recommend you read and find out what happens to the characters and how they form the story.. This is the first book I have read by Jane Linfoot but I will be looking for others very soon..
Edie Browne's Cottage by the Sea by Jane Linfoot is set seaside, obviously, in the UK. After some health issues and a break up, our female lead tries to find healing and herself as she stays with her aunt and tackles the renovation of her cottage by the sea. Both Edie and her aunt have some healing to do. The novel is quirky and like other seaside romance novels, makes me want to take a vacation. That being said, while I loved the comradery that developed (because that's what happens in small towns, no?) the book isn't deep or even emotionally engaging. I loved the crafty and creative spin on things because that's my language... and Cam had me won over from the start. Overall, it's a light bit of fluff that'll have you craving ice cream and bonfires, but you probably won't feel like your life has been changed.
ᴄʜᴀʀᴍɪɴɢ. ᴜᴘʟɪғᴛɪɴɢ. ɪɴsᴘɪʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ.
What an absolute gem of a book! I picked this book up just to read a few pages, to see what it was all about, and I could not put it down! Edie jumps out of a plane to celebrate her life, goes to a party to celebrate jumping out of the plane, and soon there after a tragic event changes her life forever. In order to rehab from the tragedy Edie Heads to a small village on the Cornish coast to live with her auntie Josie. Josie is dealing with her own tragedy having recently lost her husband and no longer finding herself capable of leaving the house. Both ladies find themselves starting over in slightly different ways. With the support of a village full of lovable quirky characters. Will Edie and Josie heal?
Edie was such a great character, there was something about her that drew me in completely. Loved her big heart, her kind soul, and her resilience! Each chapter started off with a new milestone that Edie had reached, and I enjoyed watching her grow stronger both physically and emotionally. Her simple victories gave me a new appreciation for all the little things in life. I loved the bond that forms between Edie and Josie as they began to know each other better. There was an adorable little boy in the story named Cam that completely captured my heart, and his dad Barney wasn’t too bad either. Of course the story was filled with plenty of laughs: the craft classes, the baking the renovating.
This was a well told romcom filled with lots of humor and fabulous characters! The perfect book to escape with. I absolutely recommend this to lovers of the genre, Edie will steal your heart!
*** Big thanks to Harper Impulse for my copy of this book ***
Edie following her break up with Marcus partakes in a skydive which is followed up with a supposed unrelated stroke.
Recovery is hard and slow and so Edie sets off to stay with her aunt Jo in Cornwall as she can't drive or work and needs to relearn things from reading, writing, maths skills to even wanting to get her sense of taste back after that vanishes too!
Her arrival causes a stir with a handsome man next door, Barnaby catching her quite literally when she first arrives.
Between crafting classes with her ballet mad auntie Jo and renovating her house too as they need to sell to make money, she finds her career coming in handy as she helps her auntie alongside Barnaby and her new craft club friends to decorate the buildings out back in their yard to make into work accommodation and make them some much needed money.
Barnaby also creates Sheperd's huts and so she also helps him to decorate them and to sell them. Through her time in Cornwall she befriends Cam, whom Barnaby is the guardian of and the boy grows find of Edie as he does her...
She also gets Dustin a service dog to help her and he comes to her rescue and form a good bond together.
However with a potential sale of their house and her ex Marcus showing up too alongside all the drama the stroke left from fainting to learning everything a new agin, what does Edie's heart truly want?
Stay or leave Cornwall?
Go back to Marcus or maybe take a chance on Barnaby?
Edie was a rare character in women's fiction to come across, from being seriously ill and daring too she will leave a mark on you and make you grateful for your life. This book was a fun sweet read and the cakes you read about will have you wanting to get baking or buying too as well as the craft talk make you want to have a go too, it did for me anyway!
Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!
Loved this book my first read by Jane linfoot but definitely going to buy more of her books. So glad Edie got her happy ending but also glad it wasn't straight away.
This was one of those books you can't put down for very long before you want to know how Edie's recovery is going.
I could picture her and aunty Jo decorating the cottage and then the classes they go to kinda wish this book had pictures so I could see the pretty shephards huts when they where finished as well as the garden Room in the cottage as have a clear picture in my mind of what they are ment to be which is how a good book should be
What a lovely book. Perfect for those that like a nice easy light read. I enjoyed the story and I associated with the main character. I also loved the location. A definite recommendation.