WW2 dual timeframe romance

Secrets of Foxglove Cottage is a well-written dual timeline romance with lots of interesting characters with secrets. I enjoyed learning about the Polish aviators fighting from Britain during WW2. There are love interests and love misfires. The ending seems to suggest that the 2nd volume in this series will be released soon, I sure hope so because there's lots more to learn about the characters and their stories.

Thank you to the publisher who lent me an e-arc via Netgalley with no obligation. This review is optional and my own opinion.

Cosy, fast paced, and likeable characters - this was a pleasant read and the world building really bought the characters and location to life’!

What a wonderful story set over two timelines following the story of Zosia and of Casimir of Rosie. I love the way each chapter on Casimir and Rosie started with Cas's book entries and that this all tied together and connected with the story of Zosia, Hazel and Leon. Each had their own unique story but in the end they were all in some way interconnected.

This is truly a story about family, love, friendship and hard times. It is emotional, heartfelt and wonderfully written. I love the characters as they are so real and the story is one you can imagine happening but more than anything I love the way people connect in this book. People from different walks of life, different places yet they are there for each other and love each other. It really is a story about life and what it throws at you! I enjoyed it from start to finish.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

4* A compelling read

Dual time, between wartime 1940 and present day.

Present day. Escaping from an abusive and violent marriage, Zosia Armitage and her small son Krystof travel to Devon where she finds employment with Hazel Wojcik. Hazel who's in her seventies and recovering from a hip operation, needs general help to reopen her cafe at Foxglove Cottage and rescue the garden. Zosia is also able to translate Hazel's father's dairies who was a wartime pilot.

Back to 1940, Casimir Wojcik, crash lands his plane in Dartmoor after escaping Poland and is pulled to safety by Rosie Duke. What follows is their love story and how they barely survived the war, him as a RAF pilot and Rosie working in a munitions factory.

Not a lightweight read, the alternate dual time chapters frequently end with a dramatic situation or thought provoking circumstances.

The author should be acknowledged for the massive amount of research required in writing this book. Recommended.

eARC generously supplied by Jess at Bookouture and NetGalley, this review is my personal, unbiased opinion.

This was an easy to read book with dual timelines.
Both deal with some emotional issues with romance thrown in. I enjoyed the story and will definitely be looking for more in this new series

"Secrets of Foxglove Cottage" by Rebecca Alexander is a beautifully crafted emotional story that intertwines contemporary women’s fiction with rich historical depth. Set against the lush landscapes of England, the story unfolds across two compelling timelines: present-day and World War II. Each timeline is filled with unique challenges, poignant losses, triumphant moments, hope for a better future, and enduring loves that kept me captivated and eagerly turning the pages. It's a truly enchanting and emotional read.

In the present timeline, we delve into the life of Zosia and her spirited six-year-old son, Krys, as they embark on a hopeful new adventure. Fresh from the finalization of her nasty divorce, Zosia yearns for a fresh start and the chance to redefine her life. As she rolled up her sleeves to help Hazel breathe new life into the garden and the café, I couldn't help but admire her resilience. Zosia often reflects on how her Polish heritage may have influenced Hazel’s decision to hire her to transcribe her late father's poignant papers, adding layers to her journey of self-discovery.

The historical narrative, set against the backdrop of World War II, unfolds the extraordinary story of Hazel's parents, Casimir and Rosie. Their romance is not just a love story but a breathtaking adventure, as Casimir's daring escapades as a war pilot collides with Rosie’s essential work in an ammunition factory. Casimir, a brave Polish man, literally crash-lands into Rosie’s life in the UK, forever changing the course of both their destinies.

This beautifully honest and evocatively written tale enveloped me from the very first page, holding my heart in a tender grasp until the very last sentence. The pacing of the dual timelines is executed with finesse, and the intricate interplay between the physical and emotional landscapes is profoundly moving, making this novel a must-read.

This was such a beautiful book!

Zosia arrives at Foxglove Cottage for a job interview for the position of cleaner, gardener and general assistant. Zosia falls in love with Foxglove Cottage almost immediately. Hazel, the owner of Foxglove Cottage, quickly reveals that Zosia is the only applicant she wanted to interview because she wants someone who can translate her father's papers from Polish to English.

The story also flashes back to the 1940s, beginning with Rosemary witnessing a plane crash. The pilot is a Polish man called Casimir Wojcik - Hazel's father.

I loved the dual timeline aspect. I really liked the way the two stories unfolded and then connected to each other.
I also loved the setting of Foxglove Cottage, it was so magical and I would love to visit the fairy café!

Secrets of Foxglove Farm is the first book in a new series called Wildflower Secrets from Rebecca Alexander. This is the first time that I have read anything by this author and it’s always great to discover someone new. Both the cover and title caught my attention and upon reading the blurb I expected it would be a story that I would enjoy. I presumed a lot of the focus would be on Zosia establishing a new life for herself and helping Hazel get her fairy café at Foxglove Cottage up and running again but there was a lot more between the covers of this story than I had bargained for. I was pleasantly surprised that this was like a dual timeline book as it moved back and forth between the past and the present with each chapter alternating between Zosia and Hazel in the present and Rosie and Casimir during World War Two. I will admit I did find the chapters just that bit too short. I felt I was settling in to reading about one time period and then the chapter would be over and then back we went to the past or vice versa. Longer chapters would have been a better option in my opinion.

Zosia is originally from Poland and has a 6 year old son named Krys. She has arrived for an interview with Hazel at Foxglove Cottage in Devon and is desperately hoping that it will go well. Zosia has a troubled recent past that she is still very much affected by as is Krys. She is never fully able to relax and be present in the moment. She is always on edge, anxious and keeping an eye over her shoulder. Bit by bit and ever so slowly over the course of the story of her circumstances are revealed and it’s evident that she has been through a harrowing time and all because of her ex-husband Declan. Without going into specifics it’s safe to say she is much better off without him but still his shadow is ever present and although she is always on high alert in case she has to run maybe Foxglove Cottage will work its magic on her and she will find the happiness, peace and contentment that she richly deserves.

Hazel has recently had a hip replacement and needs help around the cottage. I felt Hazel saw something in Zosia that she could help with and she took her under her wing and became like a surrogate mother to her and a grandmother figure to Krys. She was kind, caring, empathetic and not afraid to confront issues. Zosia takes on the role of gardener, cleaner and general assistant to Hazel and sets about clearing out the house and bringing it back to its former glory as it once was under the direction of Hazel’s parents Rosie and Cas. I enjoyed all the descriptions of the garden and flowers and how fairies played a big part in Hazel’s childhood and also her memories of the little café that her parents had once run. Hazel wants to start this all again and as Zosia settles in the home and the family she was searching for start to become apparent and this all occurred very naturally and at a relaxed pace.

There were dark undercurrents throughout the book which I hadn’t expected at all to be honest given the cover. It’s great to come across the unexpected in a book when you are expecting the usual tropes from certain genres. But here at times I felt it was just that bit out of place. I questioned should it have been omitted altogether or else should there have been more of a focus on it because I felt it too fleeting in that hints and clues were given but it deserved a deeper exploration. I know in some ways it connected back to Zosia’s experiences and it allowed her to gain some strength and share an understanding with some of the people involved in the situation but still I thought it needed to be dealt with more prominently than it was or else not have it there at all. In a book of this nature and genre it’s challenging to strike the balance and for me it didn’t quite hit right. Perhaps there was too much going trying to keep the dual timeline going. Should it just have focused on Zosia and then the past element and omitted the darker threads running through the story? I’m not 100% sure but I do think slightly too much was taken on with regards to the overall story.

Leon is the local vicar who was once in the police. He too had a troubled past and there was a bit of will they won’t they with regards to himself and Zosia. Again, I felt this was underplayed and there was nothing concrete. He did step in in times of need but I would have loved more communication between them as he seemed to blow very hot and cold. Friendly one minute and then like an altogether different person the next. Even towards the end I wasn’t sure did this storyline get the attention it deserved.

What I did thoroughly enjoy was Rosie and Casimir’s (Cas) story in the past. It was very well written and a real eye opener into love in the time of war and how so many barriers and turbulent times kept people apart. As Zosia translates Cas’ memoirs for Hazel their life story became apparent and I looked forward to their chapters. I felt I really got to know the pair and see how they love they felt for each other was real and genuine right from the moment when Cas crashed onto the road near the farm where Rosie lived. He was a Polish air pilot who had fled his country and been through some disturbing and harrowing times. He harbours one secret close to his chest but is reluctant to tell Rosie about it even though he deeply loves and respects her.

Rosie went against her parents wishes and secretly married Cas. This took a lot of guts but it showed her dedication to Cas and that in times of war one just has to go for it because you have to live for the now and worry about the future when you hit that point. I really enjoyed reading about Rosie’s experiences working in the factory around chemicals and gunpowder etc. It brought home the dangers of the time that so many women were involved with and they did their bit for their country when required to do so. Rosie and Cas’ love story was inspirational and a joy to read.

All in all Secrets of Foxglove Cottage was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I loved the storyline set in the past but felt the aspect set in the present had too much going on and therefore it didn’t allow for a deeper focus and exploration of aspects that needed further development. The ending was quite abrupt. I was upon it before I knew it and would have loved to have read a bit more. Saying all that there was a good story here waiting to be discovered. A nice mix of history with some romance, second chances, family and friendship. I will be back for book two Memories of Heather House when it publishes in July when new characters will feature. I will be interested to see how it compares to Secrets of Foxglove Cottage.

SECRETS OF FOXGLOVE COTTAGE by Rebecca Alexander is a beautifully written, emotional roller coaster ride dual timeline women’s fiction/historical fiction read. Both timelines, present day and WWII, are set in England with each having their own dangers, losses, triumphs, and loves that pulled me in and kept me turning the pages.

Foxglove Cottage has been Hazel Wojcik’s family home her entire life. Now, seventy and after hip surgery she is looking for help to restore her home and reopen the café portion of Foxglove Cottage. Zosia Armitage is a Polish immigrant fleeing an abusive marriage with her six-year-old son, Krys. Hazel hires Zosia not only to help with Foxglove Cottage, but to translate the papers left by her Polish born father. As Zosia begins to trust again, danger comes from an unknown source.

At the start of WWII, Casimir Wojcik, a Polish pilot, makes his way across Eastern Europe to escape the Nazi’s. He is able to fly a plane to the Moors of England where he crashes and is pulled from his burning plane by Rosie, Hazel’s mother. Their love grows as Casimir joins the English pilots facing peril everyday over England and Rosie faces her own danger working in an explosives plant. With pilots and planes lost every day and horrible accidents occurring in the munitions factories full of female workers, Casimir and Rosie cling to each other and pray to get through the war.

I am so glad I gave this new-to-me author a try. Both timelines evoke so many emotions and the author’s writing was able to put me right in the middle of the danger and action, which comes from different perils in each timeline. Each timeline has a suspense sub-plot and heartwarming love stories that kept me rivetted from start to finish. All the characters are believable, fully developed, and left me feeling fully invested in their lives. The historical timeline is especially descriptive with interesting facts and dangers.

I highly recommend this wonderful women’s fiction/historical fiction book and will be looking for more books from this author.

This book sucked me in from the very beginning. I’ve enjoyed all of Rose’s books that I’ve read and this one was no exception. I loved the dual POVs, the history of Hazel’s parents and Zosia’s present day. Zosia and Hazel form a great bond, something born out of need. Hazel needed help around the house and getting her cafe back up and running after her hip surgery, and Zosia was fluent in Polish, and Hazel had letters from her father that she wanted translated. Zosia needed a safe place to live for her and her young son after leaving her abusive husband.

We get the romance of Hazel’s parents and the budding relationship between Zosia and Leon. Wartime relationships are always so fast paced for me, they barely know each other, but the fear of the soldier not returning from battle pushes them into quick marriages. Zosia is the opposite. After being burned so badly by her ex, she’s terrified to let Leon in. I don’t blame her at all. It amazes me that women who suffer through domestic violence are able to ever be comfortable enough to let someone in again.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC of this book.

Zosia and her six yearly son, Krys begin a new adventure. With Zosia and her husband’s divorce being final, she could definitely use a fresh start, a new beginning. Zosia takes a job in the U.K. She helps Hazel renovate her crumbling cottage. But that’s not all, Hazel also needs help fixing up and re-opening her café.

It’s not long before Zosia meets Leon who insists on helping her restore the café. Zosia desperately needs the help with but she must keep her heart in check. She has been heartbroken recently and the timing of falling for Leon is not good. But Zosia is consumed with translating an old diary that belongs to Hazel. Written among the pages is a beautiful love story. It takes place during World War Two, and it begins to repair Zosia’s broken heart, giving her the hope of finding love forever.

Secrets of Foxglove Cottage, written by author Rebecca Alexander, is an amazingly written heartwarming story of the past meets the present and gives hope to the future. I absolutely loved Hazel and her story along with Zosia and Krys. Leon a former policeman turned Vicar was so great at weaving the past to present day.

I love time slip novels and Rebecca Alexander is a true master at weaving the past, romance, and suspense into her novels. I was totally submerged into this story from cover to cover. This emotional, unputdownable page turner, brought tears to my eyes while leaving me filled with hope. I highly recommend this wonderful book.

Secrets of Foxglove Cottage by Rebecca Alexander is a moving dual-timeline novel of resilience and love. Zosia, escaping an abusive marriage, finds refuge with Hazel, who enlists her help restoring a café and translating her father’s wartime memoirs. The past timeline follows Casimir, a Polish pilot, and Rosie, a munitions worker, navigating love and war. Blending history, romance, and healing, this heartwarming story celebrates courage, second chances, and the bonds of found family.

What a beautiful, moving read this proved to be,
With a mother escaping, new friendships and past history.
Zosia has taken the role of helping Hazel restart
Not anticipating a mystery and healing her heart!

Zosia and her lovely son have escaped before
She's hoping she won't have to run any more.
She's helping repair Hazel's home and café
And hoping there they'll get to stay.

Leon's helping with the work to do
He's rugged and helpful, too good to be true?
Zosia is wary, is she in danger once more?
Is a new romance something she dare to explore?

A wartime diary proves the distraction she needs
As she translates for Hazel, what she now reads.
Uncovering secrets from Hazel's family past
Helping interpret events at last.

But there's danger and mystery
As well as wartime history.
But who is it from and why?
Who might want Zosia to die?

A gorgeous story about heartbreak healed
And secrets from the past slowly revealed.
There are great characters, too,
No wonder I highly recommend this to you!

For my copy of this book I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

I loved getting the perspective of the women working for the war effort and of the Polish pilot’s. The relationship’s depicted, past and present, warmed my heart.

Can love be found again?
Can past hurts be overcome?
Can one learn to trust others?
This is a beautiful present and past story about discovering past secrets and letting new beginnings come into your life.
I loved the magical folklore element in the story.
It was lovely to meet the main characters and watch their relationships grown.
The history about the women working in the munitions plants in London was eye-opening. Also, the information about the Polish Pilots was quite interesting and informative. Honestly, the authors writing paints a picture of a terrible time in our history…a picture that I keep playing over and over again in my head.
Overall, a heartbreaking, heartwarming and engaging story that will definitely pull on your heartstrings.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This one is a like/dislike review type of book. so here are my thoughts :

like :
- the setting, a cute rundown cottage with a lot of potential to build it up again
- the characters ( especially Hazel, Krys and Leon )
- the storyline from Cas and Rosie - this one was such a great part of the book and I really enjoyed it!

now to my dislikes :
- Zosia, I just didn't like her character at all - she kept quiet a lot when she just should have spoken up - could have avoided a lot of grief!
- a lot of Drama for nothing? Declan, those stupid neighbors, stupid Harriett - everything was thrown in and somehow just *poof* that's it. I was really expecting some big showdown especially with Declan and the neighbors.. but just nothing.

Overall it was a cute story about love in war times, trying to escape a violent past and to trust people again.

Thank you Netgalley!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early arc.

I am thinking I'll go with a 3.5 but rounded down to a 3. This book is a very quick read, although it does have a lot going on that makes me feel like bumping it down to a 3.5 as it felt a little like it was trying to do too much at once.

TW: domestic violence, child abuse, attempted murder, human trafficking, drugs, burn victims, mentions of sexual assault and rape. Along with things that come with war times.

Zosia flees her ex husband with her child after he harmed them both and ends up moving into the home of Hazel, an older woman who hires her to help clean and get her parent's old cafe up and running again. The new neighbors are doing very shady things next door as well. Which is part of why I feel as though it was trying to do too much. I didn't think this added anything to the story other than a bit more drama and trauma.

To introduce the past timeline, they are also attempting to translate Hazel's father's old papers. I think I would have liked more of this in the story as it felt a bit light. It was more in the brief sections before the beginning of the past timeline and not in the present timeline enough.

It also just felt a bit weird to me that Hazel is very focused on learning more about his father and the things he didn't want to tell her in person, but the past timeline is from her mother’s perspective. Yes, it did add more to the story, but I think it would have made so much more sense if it was her father's perspective. Hazel didn't talk about her mother as much, definitely not as much as she talked about her father, and this choice just didn't make much sense to me.

if i ever run away may someone like Hazel please scoop me up and take me in?
what a tender and delicate story. it seemed to have everything in it. certainly everything you need for a giant hug in a book. i could happily escape into this book for days.
its such a brilliant talent to be able to weave the timelines like this and the characters are woven together too.
i love how it depics strength and trauma from both eras. how it depics love and support from both. how we all go through things that may not be the same but that doesnt mean in our own world they dont teach us something or arent something we have to fight for.

in our present time we have Zosia who is fleeing from her own life. and her horrid husband. i felt for her immediately and how the author portrays such a broken spirit by domestic abuse was fantastic. she has with her her son Krys. she arrives for a new life on the doorstep of our (immediately loved) Hazel our elderly fairy godmother. she offers her a job to help restore the family cafe/cottage and help translate her father wartime notebooks.
the immediate little family these three create was so lovely. and how they all give something and receive exactly the same tender heartedness back was warming to read.
the notebooks reveal a wartime story which features Hazels fathers who has his very own traumas and challenges to tell. mainly about how he crashes and is rescued and then loves his rescuer Rosie. they both face terrible challanges in their lines of work. him in the air, her in the factory for which she works. these parts were so vivid and so well written i could almost feel the danger and imagine the imagery around these two characters.

back in the present we also have our own love story of possibility. and i love how it portrays this in the dual timelines.
an excellent book from a clearly excellent talent.

Rebecca Alexander does a great job in writing this book, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed from the genre. It was everything that I was hoping for and was glad I was able to read this. The characters felt like real people and worked with the family secrets being told in this.

What a lovely love story and general story. Set between Devon and London. I like Rebecca Alexander as an author .You move between the Second World War and present day. Sad parts but true love too. The descriptions of the ammunition factory were very moving. A really good read. I read in one night. Perfect ending