Summary
When Heather Toulson returns to her parents cottage in the English countryside, she uncovers long-hidden secrets about her family history and stumbles onto the truth about a sixty-year-old murder. Libby, a free spirit who can't be tamed by her parents, finds solace with her neighbor Oliver, the son of Lord Croft of Ladenbrooke Manor. Libby finds herself pregnant and alone when her father kicks her out and Oliver mysteriously drowns in a nearby river. Though theories spread across the English countryside, no one is ever held responsible for Oliver's death.Sixty years later, Heather Toulson, returning to her family's cottage in the shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor, is filled with mixed emotions. She's mourning her father's passing but can't let go of the anger and resentment over their strained relationship. Adding to her confusion, Heather has an uneasy reunion with her first love, all while sorting through her family's belongings left behind in the cottage. As Heather digs, she finds a mysterious journal that belonged to a woman she never knew and it contains clues that lead to the truth about a mysterious drowning decades ago. What she uncovers will change everything she thought she knew about her family's history. Award-winning author Melanie Dobson seamlessly weaves the past and present together, fluidly unraveling the decades-old mystery and reveals how the characters are connected in shocking ways. Set in a charming world of thatched cottages, lush gardens, and lovely summer evenings, this romantic and historical mystery brings to light the secrets and heartaches that have divided a family for generations.
My Thoughts
Well done, Dobson. This book blew me away. I had no idea I was going to be as involved as I was when I started to read this book. This book reminded me a lot of The Midwives BBC series (highly recommended from moi), and when that connection happened for me I knew this book was going to be great.
Where do I start? I loved this book. If you like reading about family secrets and about the uncovering of an almost half decade murder with a side of romance spreading across three generations of women in a family (try saying that sentence three times fast): this book is for you. If you liked even one of the things listed above: this book is for you. Trust me.
Dobson explores redemption, forgiveness, and unconditional love through her characters that is both awe-inspiring to read and also personally challenging. This book dealt a lot with the theme of the cycle of hurt (sin) that this one family of women was having hardships with. In no way are the women in the story seemed or portrayed as bad or stupid for making the decisions they made. Instead, they were portrayed as humans doing life as humans: being and experiencing brokenness, feeling lost and looking to God for guidance even in the darkest of places.
I loved how she used one character in particular. His name was Walter and he was the father of Libby and Heather. For Parts 1,2, and 3 each began with a letter that he wrote in his journal about his hardships as a husband, parent and individual. As a character I felt he exemplified coming full circle. I was moved by his actions of how he cared for the women in his life: Maggie, Libby and Heather. I would say more and elaborate more but I would spoil some really satisfying reading time for you if I did. ;)
I loved the story line from beginning to end. It wasn't until the last four chapters where I started to put the pieces of the puzzle together. However, I did not expect the reveal of Oliver's murderer to be who it was.
I highly, highly, highly (see three times!) recommend this book for your ever-growing to 'be read list'. I would propose though that you put it right at the top of the list and read it as soon as possible.
Rating: 4.75 out of 5 bookshelves
I received a free copy from Litfuse Publicity in return for an honest review.
About the Author
Writing novels is a fun excuse for Melanie to explore ghost towns and old houses, travel to unusual places, and spend hours reading dusty books and journals. She writes both contemporary and historical fiction with threads of romance and suspense. 
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