Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
I didn't particularly enjoy 'The dressmaker's secret', this author's previous work but this novel is purely historical rather than a dual timeline. The romance which develops between Cordelia and Isaac is somewhat predictable but creates the wonderful atmosphere of a 'forbidden' love separated by money and class. The gentle affair, accompanied by the restrictions of the time (e.g. chaperones and maintenance of 'reputation') is described beautifully. The separation caused by war is expected, but inability to maintain contact in current days of mobile phones, immediate media reports and online information searches is highlighted as an ever-present worry as it forms an important part of the plot. I particularly appreciated how the author handled Tabitha's story, her parents were completely credible for that time. The whole tale is accompanied by wonderful detail about Cordelia's interest in gardening and how she uses this through the war years.
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I absolutely loved this book. A real old-fashioned love story, told slowly and tenderly.. From different classes and with a war looming, Cordelia and Isaac have to keep their love a secret.. there is passion, romance, tragedy and hope all wrapped up in this book. Beautiful!

It spans the years from 1914 through 1921, before, during and and after WW1 in Cornwall. The main characters are Cordelia and Issac. Cordelia is from a well to do family and she's been raised with strict and yet loving parents, along with her older brother, Edwin and younger brother, Clive. She's used to having maids, attending social high society parties and dared not dream of getting dirty in the garden and not falling in love with someone beneath her station in life. As a dutiful daughter, she obeys her parents, until Isaac comes along. Isaac is a true gentleman except in title and breeding, which brings the question if that matters in the years of war and following. This reminds me on some level of Downton Abbey themes. I enjoyed the tension created by love across the social divide. It's a beautiful treasure of a story about love, courage, family, friendships and discovering a new way of life after the war. It's wonderfully written and flows flawlessly between each chapter to the next. Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity.

Loved this story which kept me reading in one go as could not put down. This was so beautifully written

Set before, during and after World War 1. Cordelia gets wrapped up in her family estates garden, she is really unsure what she wamnts out of life but is restricted due to social standing, A garden landscaper by the name of Issac arrives to redesign the garden and due to family accident brings the two of them together and a bond begins as he teaches Cordelia the art of gardening.

Not only does her brother sign up as well as male staff but Issac does also. A love that is forbidden yet Issac writes to Cordelia and the hope for love at trhe end of this time.

Meanwhile war is looming and we learn about the imminent recruitment of soldiers with her brother worrying he may miss the action as all may be over by Christmas ( of course history tells the dreadful story of war)

Will Issac come back and if he does will this be a different world without the predudice of social standing?

The author captures this time beautifully and is well researched also.

I loved this story.

Cordelia lives a life of luxury and forges an unlikely romance with her father’s landscape gardener Isaac. When he goes to war she continues to tend to the family garden and maintains contact with Isaac through letters. When these stop, she is faced with the horror of never seeing him again.
This is a slow burn novel that highlights that no matter your position in society, war can remove everything you care about.

Set during world war 2. Cordelia lives in a grand house. She befriends the family's gardener. When he is sent to fight in the war, they continue to write. For fans of historical fiction.

Thank you Netgalley, publishers, and Lorna Cook for gifting me a copy of The Hidden Letters in return for my honest opinion.

3.5/5 stars

On the eve of a world war, a forbidden love will blossom in the garden of a stately home and one young woman will make a choice that will change her life forever… As the storm clouds of war gather, Cordelia seeks refuge in the grounds of her family estate. Isaac has recently arrived to tend to the gardens, and the connection between him and Cordelia is as immediate as it is forbidden.

Isaac begins to secretly teach her how to cultivate the gardens, so when he and all the young men are called away to war, Cordelia takes over. From the battlefields of Europe, Isaac sends her letters, that give her hope for a future in peacetime. But when these messages abruptly cease, Cordelia must face up to the worst and take her future – and the fate of the garden they both loved – into her own hands…
An epic, sweeping tale of love, war, and the strength of the human spirit.

Cordilia was an interest character, the growth she showed was wonderful to read about. She started off as a spoiled and ignorant to the problems in the world, she grew to become and strong and independent thinker. I wish Cook had gone a little more in-depth when exploring her feelings and how she reacted to some of the situations she finds herself in.

I enjoyed watching her feelings grow for Issac, but I enjoyed her interactions with some of the other minor characters in the story more. Take Tabitha and Millicent for example, they were such strong presence for Cordilia to look up to and use as a role model. I loved reading about their interactions and seeing how they all help each other.

This was such a fascinating story that at times were really well done while others felt rushed and like details were glossed over. While I did really like the aspect of the gardening and how she improved with how her character grew the storyline was predictable and boring at times. While this is a good historical fiction book and I would recommend its not one I would pick up for a second time.

Set against the tumultuous backdrop of an impending world war, The Hidden Letters invites readers into the world of Cordelia, a young woman seeking solace within the confines of her family estate. The arrival of Isaac, the estate's new gardener, sparks an immediate and forbidden connection between them. At this moment, the stage is set for a poignant love story that transcends the boundaries of class and society.

One of the first things that struck me about this book was the depth of emotion it conveys. Lorna Cook deftly weaves a tapestry of emotions throughout the narrative, taking readers on a rollercoaster ride of love, hope, sadness, and reflection. The impending war adds an extra layer of tension and urgency to the story, making every interaction between Cordelia and Isaac all the more meaningful.

What sets The Hidden Letters apart is its ability to strike a delicate balance between being plot-driven and character-driven. While the overarching narrative is compelling and filled with twists and turns, the characters themselves are given ample room to breathe and evolve. Cordelia, the main character, undergoes significant growth throughout the story, transforming from a sheltered young woman into a strong and determined individual. However, it's not just Cordelia who experiences this transformation. Minor characters also receive attention and development, bringing them to life and adding depth to the narrative.

Cook's prose flows effortlessly, making it a delight to immerse yourself in the world she creates. The historical setting is richly detailed, transporting readers to Britain on the cusp of war. The author's meticulous research is evident in the vivid descriptions and atmospheric elements that perfectly capture the essence of the time.

Another noteworthy aspect of the book is its cast of characters. They are not only lovable but also highly relatable, despite the historical setting. Cook has a unique talent for creating characters that resonate with readers, drawing you into their world. What's particularly refreshing is that the flaws of the characters are not the central focus of the story; rather, they serve to add authenticity and depth to their personalities.

The Hidden Letters is an engaging and evocative read that offers a window into a bygone era. Lorna Cook's storytelling prowess shines through in this historical romance, and fans of the genre will undoubtedly find it a valuable addition to their collection. It's a testament to the author's ability to craft emotionally charged narratives that resonate with readers long after they've turned the final page.

A brilliant read and one I really enjoyed. The characters are loveable and varied, the plot is one that is engaging and medium paced. I found myself completely drawn into the story and enjoyed the writing style.

I loved Issac from the beginning. Cordelia took a little longer. Still, their attraction to each other was easily understood. Surrounded by the beauty of nature and the boundaries of the garden and society, their path was not easy but real.

Lorna cook always brings tears and smile. The Hidden Letters did not disappoint. 3.5 stars showing as a 4.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

We start this amazing book in 1924 in Cornwall just before WW1. A forbidden romance between Cordelia and the gardener Isaac.

Cordelia wants to learn how to look after the gardens. Isaac spends time showing her how to cultivate, incase the gardeners are called away to war.

This beautifully written story is told from two POV Isaac and Cordelia.

When Issac enlists he sends Cordelia letters full of hope for the future, but when the letters stop coming Cordelia fears the worst.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

A poignant love story of a debutante and a landscape architect set against the backdrop of WW1. I liked the historical detail, the descriptions of the gardens and the characters. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

It took me a couple of attempts to get into the swing of reading the book, but I am glad that I battled on, it was a wonderful story with many different twists and turns. The author took us on a journey written around WW1, and the impact the war had on us at home in the estates of Cornwall and in the trenches in France. As the story unfolds it makes you very aware of how lucky we are in the modern world with communication now at our fingertips in an instant. The horror of having to scan the casualty lists in the newspaper's is unthinkable now, and how long it took for news to filter through in letters.
A beautifully written book that deals with the morals and expectations of the time beautifully.

This book captures what happened to quite a few women and the young men who went to war. Often young men think war will be a great adventure then find out it is anything but. To be a young woman in love waiting for letters that never come must be absolutely heart rendering. This story captures all that and more. It does have a happy ending but it is not a perfect recapturing of their innocent young love. Men who go to war seldomly return untouched by their experiences and many suffer from ongoing traumas. The men in this book are no exception. WWI caused the death and wounding of far more men than WWII and PTSD was not recognized, men were shot when they just could no longer continue to fight... they were considered cowards. Self righteous young women handed out white feathers to young men that they thought should have enlisted. Highly recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh wow wow wow! This book was wonderful! Set in the First World War this is a story about love, war and hope. I adored this book from start to finish and was on the edge of my seat towards the end. I cannot even begin to imagine what it must have been like to watch all the men in your life go off to war not knowing if they were going to come back.

Would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves romantic novels that are set in times of war.

I cried my eyes out while reading this book and I still think about it now!

The Hidden Letters by Lorna Cook is a beautiful story of forbidden love set in Cornwall during the 1940s. I read Cook’s The Girl from the Island in 2021 and loved it to bits. Am thrilled that this book lived up to my expectations.

Unlike most historical fiction novels, this story is set in a single timeline and revolves around a few characters. The language and character sketch are perfectly suited for the setting.

The first part of the story is a build-up of the romance but unfortunately, it is very slow. I struggled through it. Most of the story, especially the second part, is in an epistolary form. The letters are an honest portrayal of the war and its impact on people. I loved the second half of the book much more than the first.

It was heartwarming witnessing Cordelia grow as an individual through the pages. Her transformation is remarkable and touched my heart. Tabitha is my other favourite character in this book.

Cook delves into the class divide in England, the strain of war on people, strict censorship of letters, and parental control and expectations. Her descriptive writing took me to Cornwall, where I walked in the garden and swam in the lake, and even went to war-torn Europe and witnessed the heartbreaking devastation.

The Hidden Letters is an engrossing and emotional read. The well-developed characters, beautiful narration, and unexpected twists made this a memorable experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest review. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys WW1 romance stories.

Wordsopedia Rating 4.5/5

I found this a really emotional read. I love historical fiction and gardens so it was a given I would like this but it surpassed all expectations. Highly recommended

This was a beautiful story set around WWI in England. I have loved all Lorna Cook’s historical fiction books. This was pulled me and was engaged as I flipped the pages.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Set around WW1, the feeling was just right. I really liked the way parts of the story were told through letters. The characters were both like able and believable. Definitely recommended.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

Right from the gorgeous cover to the captivating words within, I really enjoyed this book. The main characters were written so well; I was instantly taken with Cordelia and Isaac, right from the first chapter. I enjoyed following their story and found I was so involved that it was way past my bedtime when I finished reading but I just couldn't put this book down until I knew what happened. The author did a wonderful job, the descriptiveness of this book was lovely, you could almost smell the flowers in the garden.

I always enjoy this author's book and cannot wait until the next one.