The Cottage in the Highlands

Leonie a journalist finds herself out of a job. She then goes to work for Goddess even though owner is horrendous. She then comes across a story that changes her life. Haven't read this author before but will be looking our for more of her books.

I was lucky to receive an advanced copy of this book for writing an honest review. We meet Leonie, a young journalist, recently separated from her boyfriend & about to lose her much loved job. Leonie decides she needs a head clearing walk, so sets of with her still in training puppy dog. So when she lets the dog off the lead & it decides to run off into some woods in chase of a fox, Leonie gives chase herself, its here she stumbled across a mysterious house hidden away by the trees in the woods. In journalistic mode & curiosity taking over,Leonie has a little snoop about the property, noticing it's still fully furnished but definitely looks uninhabited. An elderly lady suddenly appears near her enquing as to just what she's up to & this is where the whole fabulous story really starts to begin. This is quite a page turner of a book and certainly one I would recommend reading.

I was given an advance copy in exchange for a honest review. I couldn’t read this one fast enough! I loved it so much. A romance like no other. I can’t say enough about this book. I felt the story stayed tightly written.and the characters each seem important in their own way and essential to the overall story. It’s a bit of a journey to have everything payed out in front of you but well worth the ride including a couple of detours.i would like to especially thank #NetGalley, #HarperCollinsPublishingInc., #JulieShackman and #TheCottageInTheHighlands,,a thanks for the opportunity to review early. I love books based in Scotland. So I was hooked from the start. I did want to know more about the characters immediately. Yes, i woulrecommend this fun romance to everyone especially those looking for a second chance. Nothing better than that or a new love. This book has it all.

I absolutely adored The Cottage in the Highlands, the latest romantic mystery instalment of the Scottish Escape series from Julie Shackman! I love stories that include lost letters and this novel has a very special one that sets everything in motion—which gives the charming narrative an exceptional edge.

Once I started reading The Cottage in the Highlands, I found it hard to put down. From the first page to the last it held my interest, made me care about the characters and sparked some creative thinking. The pacing was perfect—no lulls or empty spaces or tapping my fingers. Rather, my eyes were glued to the pages as I followed each intriguing character through their tumultuous dramas. The plot was excellent and offered some wonderful twists making the journey even more exciting. Julie’s wit and unique writing style never lets her down and this story is filled with delightful images, clever dialogue and charming scenes. The Scottish Highlands always offer an inspiring setting and the author makes good use of it.

The lead, Leonie Baxter, is a most likeable character. She is a journalist who finds herself soon to be out of work but to no fault of her own. The unexpected changes in her industry leave her in a bad position but she is not one to give up and begins searching for another job and finds one. But this new adventure is full of surprises and not quite what she was expecting. Yet, she appreciates the opportunity and is up for the challenge so makes the best out of a difficult circumstance (making lemonade from lemons so to speak).

The Cottage in the Highlands gives us some very interesting story leads. The inquisitive characteristics of being a journalist, though great for Leonie’s job, finds its way into her personal life and causes havoc in ways she is not anticipating. It all begins on a walk with her dog when she stumbles over an abandoned furnished cottage and a grumpy older lady living next door. This encounter leads to more surprises and twists as the threads from the past intertwine with the present to create an intriguing future for all involved.

I really did not want to say goodbye to this wonderful cast of characters and this beautiful story filled with secrets, love and second chances. I must add, it also addresses some negative aspects of human nature which I will not reveal as I do not want to give anything away. But it just makes this story even more relevant and how to turn negative experiences into positive ones. Good hearts triumph and the ending is very satisfying. But I wanted to keep reading because the journey was so enjoyable and uplifting! Please do yourself a favour and get this novel when it comes out in December as there are enchanting touches of Christmas in it, too. I highly recommend The Cottage in the Highlands. It is mesmerising, magical and moving. 5 Glorious Stars!

Many thanks to HarperCollins One More Chapter and Netgalley for a review copy.
Review will be placed on Amazon when novel is released.

Best read of the year so far. I was given an advance copy . Absolutely brilliant . A mystery house, abuse partners, hidden love, New love. You learnt lots about journalists and how magazines and papers work. . A brilliant read and a perfect ending. . Loved all the twists.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Harper Collins One More Chapter
for an ARC of this novel.

The Cottage in the Highlands is a intriguing story of a young journalist’s nose for a good story with a heart. Within a year, investigative journalist, Leonie, has had her heartbroken, moved jobs then been made redundant. Whilst taking her puppy for a walk in the woods she finds a picture book cottage, unkempt but fully furnished. She worries that the owner might be inside ill or even worse dead! She is scared away by a very grumpy old lady who won’t answer any of her questions. Leonie decides to return. She doesn’t get many answers about who owns the cottage, and what happened to them but the old lady, Lily, and her do chat over coffee and form a slight bond. Meanwhile, Leonie has a new job, which leads her to persuading Lily to allow the cottage to be used for publicity shots. That is where the story really begins as Leonie stumbles upon an unsent, love letter from the owner of the cottage to Lily.

I enjoyed reading the story. There were several unexpected twists in the plot, some mild peril, a love interest or two, a scary boss and backstabbing colleague. I feel it took quite a while for the main storyline to appear as Leonie’s life is described in full before she changes jobs. A bond is mentioned between Leonie and Lily but they don’t interact much ditto between Lily and her love interest. The characters are interesting and I like them but aside from Leonie herself all other characters lack depth as we don’t get to know them well. I am glad I persevered with this book, I do love a good mystery and I did relax and enjoy. I would recommend this book as a feel good, contemporary story. It isn’t quite romantic fiction or a dual time line story but has elements of both.

Lovely lovely read. This was very pleasant to read in the she on a really hot day.
Leonie is a journalist and living in a gorgeous little place with her rescue cockerpoo.
When he chases a fox she discovers a gorgeous little hidden house in a wood. Her nose starts to twitch at a mystery. This is a really gentle story with hard conversations to be had.
I really recommend this book.
Thankyou netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Lovely feel good book to read. It was a joy to read. Lovely characters. Great plot. The book was charming. Very well written. I’d definitely recommend this book. Such a beautiful setting. The authors use of descriptive writing and transferred you there.