My Great-Aunt's Diary - (Dovecote Cottages) by Laura Sweeney (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Emily's heart soars as the stone cottage on the cliff comes into view - it is just as she remembered. As she pushes open the weather-beaten door, she wonders if returning to this place will be a chance to start again...

Heartbroken and searching for a new beginning, Emily is shocked to learn she has inherited her great-aunt Violet's cottage. She remembers summers spent running through its rose garden, but she hasn't seen her great-aunt in years... So why did she leave her Clifftop Cottage?

Deciding this is the fresh start she needs, Emily travels to the seaside village of Dovecote. Not long after she arrives, she bumps into her childhood love, Will. As he runs his hand through his chestnut-brown hair, she can't help but think of what happened between them all those years ago...

When Will offers to help redecorate the cottage, Emily is unsure. He broke her heart once before; could he do it again? But she is soon distracted when she finds a leather diary dating back to the Second World War hidden inside an old desk. Turning the pages, she discovers a wartime romance she knew nothing about. Why did Violet keep this secret?

As Emily and Will grow closer while investigating her family history, she wonders if Dovecote could be the place she finally calls home. But can she trust Will to help her uncover a long-buried family secret? And, if she does, will this forgotten diary mend her broken heart, and give her the happy ending she's looking for?

An absolutely gripping and heartbreaking read packed with family secrets that will transport you to the beautiful south-coast of England. Perfect for fans of Susanne O'Leary, Debbie Macomber and Mary Alice Monroe.

What readers are saying about the Dovecote Cottages series:

'An incredible read, impossible to put down... A captivating story that I was drawn into from the first page... Never let me go from start to finish!' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Oh my gosh... A wonderful story... Love the setting... I didn't put it down once I started reading it. It is that good.' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Kept me turning the pages late into the night. I was genuinely gutted when it ended... I loved how the book balanced heartwarming moments with deeper, emotional layers. A brilliant read-I'm still thinking about it!' naomialicec

'Absolutely loved this book... Can't wait for the next book in the series, it will be going to the top of my TBR pile!' Penny Mirren, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'It is a phenomenal delight. From the very first page, the characters captivate the reader, making the book an unputdownable read... A captivating and emotional story.' Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A wonderful story. Perfect for a rainy day, snuggled in with the cats under a cozy blanket with a cup of tea... This beautifully written book with its captivating story and relatable characters will have you holding on to every word.' rlordreads, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐