When Zelda Hicks comes to Scotland to do a photo shoot of the castle on loch Cameron she could have o idea what was in front of her. Getting injured, stranded and jobless. Then to keep her entertained is and an attraction to the Laird Hal, who can come across as rather grumpy although his good looks help to soften the blow. And there is Ryan from the bookstore “Page Turners” who becomes a friend!

I found the story to be a bit dragged out, and some of the Scottish terminology was used out of context I.e. drookit for raining, it actually means to describe when you have gotten a soaking in the rain. Grab it for grumpy, the right word is crabbit.
Being Scottish myself and living 50 miles from Inverness I found some of the descriptions confusing.

Give me a storyline by a loch with a handsome Scottish laird and you've got me hooked. So many secrets, so much angst. Losing a parent is difficult and the reader can connect with Zelda's hope to find out who her father was and link the past with her present.

"The Cottage by the Loch" is a lovely book set in the rolling hills of Scotland. It is the kind of novel that comforts and entertains as one snuggles up before a fire with a hot cup of tea.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sometimes life will throw you a curveball and it knocks your feet out from underneath you and other times it turns out to be the best thing to ever happen to you. This book is so easily relatable as many of us are going through life wondering if this is really what we want to be doing with our careers and in some cases our lives. The main character has been well thought out and is so easy to connect with as she is witty, vulnerable and while going through grief is still happy to connect with others. She's from New York and finds herself somewhat stranded in a rural area of Scotland when she finally starts to truly find her footing. Sometimes, you really do need to "shake things up" in order to find the right path. Anyone who has gone through a loss will understand the grief process and this often times humorous story walks through the grief and leaves you hopeful for the future. It doesn't hurt that the setting is gorgeous, there's a handsome fella or two and lots of fun and fabulous women to connect with and become friends with! I really enjoyed this book and it is the first from this author for me, but it definitely will not be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed the writing as the book was plotted well and drew you in and kept you enraptured until the last page!

I really enjoyed this book, and have pre ordered the second in the series.
It was very well written and really added to my love of Scotland. I am hoping to visit the rolling hills and lochs one day and this book just spurred me on even more. I would love to read about the history of Scotland and Scottish stories from years ago of fairies etc. I would definitely give this book a 10/10 and a 5* and really recommend it to others.

An old Scottish Castle, a small cottage by the Loch in a Scottish village and a bundle of old letters. I loved the way Zelda Hicks made the most of her time while stranded in Scotland after breaking her wrist.
Set in Scotland in 2022. Zelda Hicks finds herself stranded in a small Scottish village. She worked for a small New York newspaper and was sent to Scotland to write an article with a Scottish Castle as the background. She stays in a small village pub where she soon starts to relax and enjoy life and starts making friends.
One day while out walking Zelda finds a small cottage on the Loch and befriends Gretchen Ross the elderly woman living in the cottage. Zelda helps Gretchen prepare to move out of the cottage and while cleaning one of the cupboards Zelda finds a bundle of old letters which leads to researching Gretchen’s family history.
I loved the setting, with descriptions of the Loch, standing stones and the old Castle. I loved the interactions between Zelda and the people she met and the simmering romance. Lots of humorous situations and Scottish phrases. A fun easy read.

The Cottage by the Loch is only the second book I have read by Kennedy Kerr as I only discovered her writing late last year. This is a gorgeous, cosy and inviting read that I found ideal to read between some heavy books that I had been reading in order to try and reduce my TBR pile. The story overall doesn’t ask too much of the readers in terms of having to keep innumerable characters straight in their heads and the plot had a lovely flow to it and was very easy to follow. Basically, it provides you with a means to escape from the chaos of the everyday world. For a few hours, you are taken away to the picturesque setting of Loch Cameron in Scotland and you forget everything going on around as you become lost in the story of Zelda as she tries to find her way in life following a deep loss. This is a lovely book that is easy to dip in and out of if only brief bursts of reading time are available to you. It has a relaxing storyline with some great characters -Gretchen in particular, some ups and downs, a mystery to be solved that helps Zelda to realign things in her own life and of course not forgetting some romance which we all look out for when reading books in this genre.

Our main character Zelda is an American living in New York. She has a good job working for a local newspaper but the new boss is determined to give sales a much needed boost. Instantly, I liked Zelda, she had an interesting job yet there was a rawness and vulnerability about her as you could tell that she was lost and adrift. That if she could find her way to where she had been before her mothers illness and subsequent death then things would go her way again and she would feel composed and confident once more. At the moment she is deep in grief and her anchor has gone. It had only been herself and her mother ever since her Scottish father abandoned them when she was just three years old. But her mother left her with some solid advice – to always be strong and independent and to follow your heart. This advice she must trust the further the story develops.

Zelda has a strong sense of being unmoored from reality and her work now feels meaningless as her passion for telling stories is gone. When tasked with organising a shoot in Scotland, you would think that a complete change of scenery would start Zelda off on the right track once more but there are a few tests coming in her direction. The constant crushing sense of grief lingers with her but as she arrives in Scotland, and to Loch Cameron where Hal is the Laird, little does she know the journey of transformation, acceptance and romance that awaits her.

The setting was absolutely perfect for Zelda and for the reader. I mean a Scottish castle with a handsome owner and a cute little village where you have a range of characters.The surrounding countryside was so vividly described and the land on which the castle stood plays a significant role in the story. I could picture so clearly the hills, streams lush green forests, the loch and so much more and it just added to the warm feeling that grew throughout the book.

Zelda feels like she shouldn’t have come to Scotland, even though it was for work, as she is in some way betraying her mother. She wants to get the job done and get out of there but when she falls and breaks her wrist there is no way she will make the return flight home. I felt like it was fate that this happened to Zelda. It gave her no option but to stay and in doing so she was allowed to rest and think although her creative mind is never not on the go both in terms of the writing she does and the subsequent party she goes on to organise. I loved that about her that she was creative and imaginative but at the same time did she do so much so that she didn’t have to think about her own personal situation. This enforced time in Loch Cameron meant she had no other option than to face up to what she had been avoiding and the more time she spends in the village the more its people and the beautiful countryside slowly start to soothe her jangled nerves.

When Zelda is finally recovered and able to return to America she receives news that the paper has been sold and the existing team are being let go. The one constant in her life is now gone and she carefully considers what is she rushing back for? When she meets Gretchen this is where the blurb and the title of the book starts to come into play. Gretchen is elderly although she still has all her faculties and now she is moving into a nursing home she agrees to let Zelda stay in the cottage if she will do it up and redecorate. And whilst she is engaged in this process she finds a secret bundle of letters which opens up a whole new can of worms but in my mind provided the perfect link between the past and the present and through learning more about the contents of the letters and the people mentioned Zelda sees some small similarities in her own life and it helps her in her healing process and what also in deciding what her next steps should be. You could see Zelda getting comfortable and relaxed in her new setting and she really integrated well with the locals. Although herself and Hal rub each other the wrong way countless times. I loved Fiona in the fashion shop and how Zelda had brilliant ideas to move her business forward. The same could be said for helping getting the castle back on the tourist radar once more. Zelda clearly loved a project and getting her teeth stuck into things as I think it didn’t allow her time to sit and ponder what was and what might have been.

Hal was a rough and ready type with his old fashioned dress sense and ways but Zelda finds him handsome and attractive and although the pair often clash the sexual tension and electric energy just oozes off the pages every time they appear together. Hal too was grieving, he had lost his wife to cancer and since then he had let things slide in the castle and the infamous May Day party was no longer held. I loved the tradition around this and the standing stones on the land too. It could have all seemed a bit OTT and far fetched but the author had clearly done her research and this aspect slotted in well to the overall plot of the book. As Zelda offers herself to improve the castle website and get it open to weddings and parties she grows closer to Hal but there are simmering tensions between and she hears things and instantly takes them at face value therefore changing her perception and opinions about him. I think she trusted too much in a certain other character who wasn’t as all straight laced and as nice as pie as they are first made out to be. Zelda I found jumped to conclusions too readily and took gossip on board when perhaps she should have filtered it and subsequently this led to some twists and turns as I neared the conclusion.

The only fault I found with the book was that given there was so much time and effort put into all aspects of the story the ending for me felt a little rushed and up in the air. There wasn’t something really solid cementing what I thought was going to happen at least that’s what I felt. But maybe it was for the reader to decide the long term outcome/resolution for themselves or maybe there will be more from this setting and these characters in the future. I’d love to see Fiona get a book of her own. Despite this, I really enjoyed The Cottage by The Loch and on a cold and damp day it would be an engaging and charming read to curl up on the couch with which is just what I did.

If you're looking for a contemporary Highland romance
This delightful read deserves more than a chance!
With great characters, a beautiful setting and lovely community,
It also involves coping with grief, a mystery and family history!

Get ready for changes galore
New possibilities to explore
Community feelings, new friendships, too,
Mysteries to solve and plenty to do!

NY Journalist Zelda Hicks is sent on photoshoot to Scotland.
A visit to her father's homeland isn't anything she'd planned.
The village of Loch Cameron is quite a surprise,
So are the locals and the Laird, she quickly comes to realise.

Could this be the break (ouch) that she didn't want but yearns?
Maybe this stay will be when her life for the better turns?
Coping with grief is different for everyone
Especially when a loved one is gone.

What a gorgeous read
Now the next in the series is what I need!
I can't wait to return to Loch Cameron once more
To see the community and to explore!

In this wonderfully sweet book by Kennedy Kerr, Zelda Hicks is grieving her mother and desires to get to know her extended family. A work assignment that takes her to Scotland just might serve her well. Now she is in the village of Loch Cameron, and not only will she have a chance to possibly get to know her family, but she might even possibly find hope for the future.

She soon meets people that end up having an immediate affect on her life. One of these people is the mysterious Hal Cameron, the laird, or property owner of the village. Finding a cache of old letters seem to connect to Hal and her past. Aside from meeting Hal, Zelda meets an older lady named Gretchen. She also befriends a local bookstore owner named Ryan. She gets time to find out what those letters consist of because her stay in Scotland is extended after an injury that she sustained. An even longer stay ends up happening because she soon discovers her job as a journalist has been lost due to a company buyout.

Zelda’s life has completely changed. What will her future bring? As this endearing story is told, we see the changes that happened with Zelda, especially as she grows closer to close to her new friends. It is wonderful to see what happens when it comes to her finding a happy future. I love how this is first book in a new series, and if this book is any indication, the other books in this series will be fabulous.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/-sGcHWRPj4Q

BLOG TOUR REVIEW


Review for 'The Cottage By The Loch' by Kennedy Kerr.


Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Kennedy Kerr, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous


Publication date 24th January 2023.


This is the fifth book I have read by this author. It is also the first book in the 'Loch Cameron' series. I have previously 'The House At Magpie Cove', 'Secrets of Magpie Cove', 'Daughters Of Magpie Cove' and 'Dreams Of Magpie Cove' all from the 'Magpie Cove' series and all of which I would also highly recommend reading.


I was originally drawn to this book by its stunning eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'Fans of Susanne O’Leary, Debbie Macomber and Pamela Kelley will adore this page-turning read set in the Scottish Highlands about family secrets and starting over, from USA Today bestselling author Kennedy Kerr.' I am a huge fan of Debbie Macomber so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Kennedy and if this is half as good as 'The House At Magpie Cove', 'Secrets Of Magpie Cove', 'Daughters Of Magpie Cove' and 'Dreams Of Magpie Cove' it is sure to be a gorgeous read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).


This novel consists of a prologue and 39 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!


This book is based in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. I have actually visited and had holidays in Scotland on several occasions so am looking forward to seeing if I recognise anywhere that Kennedy has based the book on.

This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonist is Zelda Hicks . The benefits of third person perspective with are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.



Aww yet another stunner from the extremely talented Kennedy!!! Well done Kennedy on yet another absolutely beautiful and perfect read!! This is the ideal beach read where you could sit there and turn around and just imagine Loch Cameron and Loch Cameron Castle.


The book is extremely well written with beautiful descriptions that completely drew me in. I could feel the sun on my skin and the sea on my toes. The synopsis and the cover match the storyline perfectly!!


The storyline itself completely swept me away. It is filled with love, friendship, romance and drama. It kept me turning the pages late at night. I really enjoyed having the insights into Zelda's life and her journey into the stunning Loch Cameron. I absolutely fell in love venturing into Loch Cameron and Kennedy portrays life in a small village absolutely perfectly, bringing the neighbours to life and showing that when you live in a small place everybody knows everybody else's business. Living in a small village myself and, ironically enough, one that also has a castle Kennedy's descriptions are perfect. In a way I became so invested in this book that it actually felt like going on a holiday and I absolutely dreaded coming to the end where I had to unpack my suitcase and get back to reality. I don't want to say much more about the book as I don't want to give it away but I love the fact that Kennedy doesn't just write the one storyline but there are always several going on and just the right amount so you don't get confused. It was an absolutely compelling and addictive heart lifting read that kept me turning the pages until late at night. I loved discovering the pasts of many of the characters and I was absolutely swept away in the story lines. The Castle and Loch Cameron came to life around me and I cannot wait to return in the next book in what promises to be an absolutely stunning series. The ending was absolutely perfect as always with Kennedy and this stunning series. This book would make a beautiful movie!! I really do love this series and I cannot wait to jump into the next book and visit the beautiful Loch Cameron again. I also loved the fact that Kennedy gives us lots of information in the acknowledgment section so please make sure you read that. It was fascinating to read more information on the May Day celebrations along with further information on Gaelic songs, translations and information on areas that she based these books on. I haven't been to Scotland for a long time but my son keeps asking to go and this book has tempted me even more. Thanks to Kennedy when we do go I have her recommendations to visit Inveraray Castle, the seat of the Duke of Argyll and Eilean Donan so thank you so much Kennedy. Congratulations on the fact that you have done your research and that fact absolutely shines through during the story. There is not much worse than when an author does not do any research into their chosen topics and locations which leads to needless mistakes throughout the book but you don't have to worry about this in this book or any of Kennedy's stunning books.


Do not turn a single page of this book until you have cleared your schedules and when you do get ready to go on a stunning holiday you will not want to leave!!

It is always worrying when starting a new series as you have no idea who the characters are. It is very important for me to bond with not only the lead protagonists but also any characters that may make repeat appearances during the series too.

I became completely invested in the characters, along with the storyline, who were all absolutely fantastic with their own individual personalities and quirks. They have all started feeling like friends so quickly having got to meet so many of them so well. Whenever I finish any of Kennedy's books I feel like I am leaving amazing people and friends and I always feel a bit sad about it but am happy in the knowledge that Kennedy is hopefully writing her next book and bringing them alive as I write this (hint hint Kennedy 😉). I really enjoyed learning some Scottish slang and Gaelic songs along with Hal's war cry and loved that Kennedy explained some words. I loved watching how Zelda's character and personality developed and went from strength to strength from the first page to the last. My heart went out to her at times but I must say that at others I wanted to knock some sense into her in regards to how she was brining Hal's previous wife Maggie up (Maggie had passed away). Considering Zelda had lost her mum not so long ago herself I did find that she was being insensitive at times but I will say that she did realize some of her mistakes herself so I will give her that. I adored Hal Cameron from the start and thought that he was very handsome, rugged and romantic although he was definitely miserable and gruff at times, but I must say that is typical men for you lol. There so many characters that I loved and cannot wait to meet again including Gretchen who made me laugh several times and I loved how feisty she was plus her attitude, Dotty, Myrtle and Anna were all lovely women who were great friend's and a good support network for Zelda. I also adored Emery who is only in Loch Cameron for a short time but is an excellent friend to Zelda and I hope we see him more in the rest of this gorgeous series . I was not a fan from Ryan from the start and although he seemed nice and friendly and even romantic at times there were a few warning bells for me but I wont go into further details as I don't want to spoil it for future readers. There are many more characters I loved meeting but I shall leave it there for this review as I'm sure we will meet them again in the next books and I will speak more about them then but as it is the first book in this series I like to concentrate mostly on the main characters. Regardless of whether you love them or hate them these characters all work perfectly together to make an addictive storyline and are realistic of a small community. I cannot wait to meet most of them again in the next book in this series which I really, really, really hope is not going to take too long to come out!!!This is one of those series which could go on and on and I wouldn't get bored. Here's to meeting them all again along with the next new faces of Loch Cameron!!


Congratulations Kennedy on another gorgeous success!!! Looking forward to my next holiday to Loch Cameron!!! This is exactly why you are one of my favourite authors!! If you have never read this book or any books in the Magpie Cove series (which I also absolutely LOVE!!!) pick one up today, you won't regret it and you are definitely missing out if you don't!!


Overall this is a perfect, stunning, page turning beach read with a great gang of characters that will sweep you away to Loch Cameron from the very first page to the end!



Genres covered in this novel include Women's Romance Fiction, Women's Contemporary Fiction, Romance Novel, Domestic Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy, Women's Literary Fiction and Holiday Fiction amongst others.


I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of as well as fans of Fiona Valpy, Lucinda Riley, Barbara O’Neal., Jojo Moyes, Debbie Macomber, Susanne O’Leary, Pamela Kelly, Nancy Thayer. Amanda Prowse, Diane Chamberlain, Shari Low, Veronica Henry, Heidi Swain, Nicholas Sparks and any lovers of a book that you can float away with at the beach!!!



321 pages.


This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle (at time of review) via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!


Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.


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Lovely setting with some wonderful characters. Being stuck in Scotland with a broken wrist proves to be life changing for Zelda. Still grieving the death of her mother, she finds herself part of a community that helps to heal her heart.

The Cottage by the Loch by Kennedy Kerr was a fantastic story that I enjoyed very much. Zelda Hicks has recently lost her mother and she doesn’t know much about her father. What she does know is that he is living in Scotland. Zelda has a trip for work approaching and it happens to be in the little village of Loch Cameron. The timing is perfect and it gives her an opportunity to get away, have a change of scenery and see if she can find out anything about her father. While strolling through the Loch she comes across an dilapidated cottage. She meets Gretchen Ross and the owner of the cottage. They quickly become friends and Zelda vows to help Gretchen save her cottage. While cleaning out an antique wardrobe at Gretchen's cottage, Zelda finds a stack of old letters, and that discovery gives her the idea to uncover her own family history.

I immediately fell in love with Loch Cameron as soon as Zelda arrived. The vivid description of the quaint village had me hooked from the very beginning. The friendship that developed between Gretchen and Zelda was heart-warming and completely delightful. This story was a rapid read and a wonderful escape that I found to be inspiring and uplifting. Thank you Kennedy Kerr story that swept me away, and made me feel as if I was walking among the Scottish Highlands. I loved this story and I highly recommend it.

Zelda has been having a tough time of it after losing her mother. Then her boss sends her and colleague off cover a story on Scottish Castles. Zelda isn’t too sure about this as her father whoa bonded her an d her mother is from the area she’s being sent to.

After their work is done, Zelda gets stuck in Scotland and her personal life starts becoming a bit more into focus as she has two suitors. What’s girl to do when she’s stuck in Scotland and can’t head home? Make the most of it and live life to the fullest!

I love the setting and it seems Scotland is in far more books as of late…and I’m happy about that. While this seems more of a romance/literary fiction than a mystery, I’m good with that too. This book was just what I needed and took me away to Scotland for awhile. Being the first book in a new series is always a challenge. I’m coming back for the next book..because I think this series has potential!

I loved reading The Cottage by the Loch. Zelda, grieving for her mum, finds herself on a work trip to Scotland where she unfortunately had an accident and can't fly back home. She tbrows herself into village life, meeting all the locals including, Fiona and Gretchen; I was delighted to meet Myrtle McGarry - I've never read a book where some had my surname!! Someone else also has my first name! A light- hearted, amusing novel with a touch of romance.

A sweet story with a happy ending. I enjoyed it but did find it a bit predictable. But that's quite alright....it was a lovely, light, positive read.

3.3 Stars
One Liner: Got its moments but hit the mark

Zelda Hicks reaches Scotland (much against her wishes) to complete a work-related project. She is grieving her mother’s death and doesn’t want anything to do with Scotland as it reminds her of her father’s abandonment and his roots.
However, a couple of unexpected events extend her stay in Scotland. Zelda begins to make friends and use her professional expertise to help the friendly local people. She isn’t short of admirers either. The super-friendly Ryan and the grumpy Laird Hal seem to like her.
When one of her projects reveals a hidden connection to the past, Zelda has to decide if she is ready to embrace her past and heal her wounds or if she wants to ignore them and walk away. And what about her love life?
The story comes in Zelda’s first-person POV.

My Thoughts:
I’m glad I didn’t reread the blurb before starting the book. Though it does talk of the plot, it also creates a very different impression of what to expect. The said incident doesn’t happen until after 55%. I’d have been disappointed if I focused on the blurb. (Someone rewrite it, please!)
The book is primarily women’s fiction with a good dose of romance. Zelda isn’t bothered to find her Scottish father. Quite the contrary, in fact. She has her reasons, so the focus is on her life (career and the two love interests with secrets of their own).
The setting is beautiful. I loved reading about the landscape, the unpredictable weather, and the beauty of the looming castle. The descriptions are vivid without feeling OTT.
The side characters are sweet and friendly and display the small-town charm with ease. Dotty, Fiona, and Gretchen’s personalities stand out throughout the book. Emery is another sweet character, Zelda’s friend from NY (where she lives & works).
The theme of grieving a lost dear one takes different angles in this book. It shows how people react in their own ways when faced with heartbreaking situations.
I’m not fond of a love triangle (which, again, is not mentioned in the blurb). Zelda is annoying in this aspect. The number of times she says she doesn’t trust one of them based on what the other said got a little too much. And yeah, her first-person POV sounds immature and whiny in this aspect.
A simple rule: when you keep your options open, you don’t get annoyed when you see one of them with another woman and make assumptions.
I do like that her character is not perfect. She has good and not-so traits. Fortunately, her good traits include a great eye for detail, enthusiasm to take up projects, and a helpful nature. She uses her expertise to promote the castle and help a couple of others. Her character shines in such scenes. Also, she establishes boundaries well and doesn’t hesitate to put people in place if they try to take advantage.
Hal Cameron is probably the typical hero with a grumpy exterior and a gooey heart. He isn’t insulting or demeaning, which is a plus. In fact, I like him more than Zelda (hey, no judging!).
There’s one totally unnecessary sentence that I dislike (hate) in the book. It does nothing for the plot. It could have been better presented.
The book has an HFN ending, and the story will continue in book two. I will give it a shot, mainly for Hal and Scotland.

To summarize, The Cottage by the Loch is a decent contemporary romance if you enjoy love triangle plots and the beautiful Scottish setting.
Thank you, NetGalley, and Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

I am going to be in the minority here but I found this book not to be funny or uplifting but boring. The description promised a bunch of letters being unearthed leading to a journey of discoveries. But at over 40% in and the flipping letters are still MIA...no sight of them and all that seems to be happening is Zelda going all gooey at the gruff but hunky Scottish laird, Hal Cameron, to denying an attraction to the affable bookshop store owner Ryan. I came her for the mystery into Zelda's family not a will she/won't she romance.

The story starts off in New York, which was something of a surprise as the description didn't mention anything about that, and I was expecting to dive straight into the Scottish countryside and lochs. It was only for one chapter which didn't endear me to the tale from the beginning in the busy world of magazine features editing and the uncompromising boss who demanded nothing but perfection from her staff yet was fickle about what she chose to publish at the last minute. Never mind her writers and editors worked tirelessly on their features.

We meet Zelda who is still grieving the loss of her mother and losing herself in her work. Her uncompromising boss relented to give her one weeks compassionate leave but didn't show any understanding for her loss. Zelda grew up wit only her mother as her father had left when she was just 3 years old and she has very few memories of him.

Then her boss lands her and her colleague Emery with an impromptu visit to Scotland for some feature she was wants to highlight in the next issue featuring Scottish castles in all their atmosphere. Zelda is reluctant and reveals to Emery that her father is Scottish and that presumably it is where he no lives since it was from where he hailed when he met her mother. The last thing Zelda wants is to be anywhere near where her father may be...even the same continent!

So they arrive in Scotland, photograph their feature and are preparing to leave when Zelda has an unfortunate accident which thus keeps her there far longer than planned. So while her colleague returns to New York, Zelda remains behind to enjoy some well earned time off...the first she's had in over two years. She makes friends with the locals, even the laird of the castle where they photographed their feature. But then she manages to offend him with her opinions on the castle's outdated decor and lack of online presence which could thrust the castle into the 21st century and bring in more money for the estate that obviously takes a fortune to run.

She befriends her landlady Dotty and her husband as well as Fiona from the local fashion store in Loch Cameron to Myrtle who has the most quirky little teashop she has ever seen. And then of course is Ryan from the bookshop.

And then there is Gretchen. She meets Gretchen on a walk by the loch one morning, who lives in a delightful little cottage on the banks of the loch. And this is where I expected it to start to get interesting...but those promised letters still haven't come to light and by now, I don't really care what they entail or secrets they hold or how it ties into Zelda's family history. I'm guessing it is something to do with her father...but I've no idea what and by this stage, I don't particularly care. She's too busy making eyes at, or having fantasies about, Hal Cameron or bookish Ryan. Honestly the only thing I found interesting was the beautiful Scottish scenery with it's charming character buildings, loch and atmosphere.

Needless to say, it's at this stage I gave up. But please, don't take my word for it for I am in the minority here. Plenty of other readers have enjoyed it as it is probably more their genre. I'm not a women's fiction fan which this leans more towards. So I gave up around 45%. If by that stage it fails to hold my interest, then I move on.

As I always says...life is too short to read (or endure) books you don't enjoy. Reading is subjective and what may be one's cup of tea may not be another's.

I would like to thank #KennedyKerr, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheCottageByTheLoch in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

This is the about Zelda, who goes to Scotland to do a photo shoot.

Whilst there she has an accident which means see can’t travel back home and has to stay longer than she wanted. She meets the laird, and is interested to find out more about him.

I loved this story, which was funny and had a little bit of mystery too. The characters were lovely. The village of Loch Cameron is described beautifully, a place you’d want to visit and see all the places mentioned throughout the book.

I recommend this book.

🏰Finding connections in a new place: inspiring!

This novel lived up to and surpassed my expectations. I was drawn to the Scottish setting but soon found Zelda, the NYC journalist at the book's heart, to be the real attraction. It's a tale of her journey from grief over her mother's recent passing to making new friends, getting involved in the small Scottish community where she ends up in convalescence, and finding new inspiration and loving connections. And, of course, there's a handsome Scottish laird and castle in the mix. The novel does an excellent job of skirting the line between romance and women's fiction.

I loved Zelda's ready friendliness and charm as she weaves her way into local village life, helps restore some traditions and provide a boost to the local economy. She's resourceful, good-hearted, energetic and even finds herself considering opening the door to a side of her family that she has purposefully ignored. As doors in her New York life closed she embraced new opportunities wherever she found them. A really positive role model and excellent lead character.

And the setting is just what an armchair traveller would want. Not preachy, but informative about local jargon, cuisine, traditions, landscapes and Scottish village life in general. Just enough detail in the descriptions without going too far and a truly easy-to-read and immerse yourself writing style.

Definitely recommended.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

What a delightful, funny story about a young woman, Zelda, who goes to Scotland for a photo shoot. She finds more then she expecting when she ends up hurting herself and has to stay longer then she anticipated. Is there a small perk to staying longer? After meeting the handsome laird, Zelda is very intrigued with learning more about him.
The small village of Loch Cameron sounds like a lovely place I’d love to go visit.
The story is a cozy romance with a beautiful setting and wonderful characters.
Perfect story for the readers who love stories about a small village in Scotland with a handsome laird.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.