the Cottage

loved the story very easy listening the Author created a believable atmosphere. very well done.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

ABSOLUTE DELIGHT🌺

light alive and moving story. beautifully narrated. didn't want it to finish. 🌻 recommend to relax with.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A charming story told over multiple timelines

Sandie Docker’s second novel is told across multiple timelines, unveiling the love, grief and dreams of multiple players, culminating in a connected finale.

The two main stories follows Nicole, a writer who takes up residence in a cottage at Rosella Cove. She’s escaping a recent trauma in her life, which we learn from an earlier timeline that slowly builds a picture of her life before things changed. In present day, her solace is short-lived as the friendly beachside community takes her under their wing, helping her start a new life.

Also in present day, we meet Charlie, an aging hermit who lives in a nearby boatshed. His viewpoint enters the picture frequently, hinting at a deeper connection to Nicole’s cottage than what first appears.

When Nicole uncovers a series of old letters, written by Ivy to her husband Tom over the span of 35 years until her death in 1976, we begin to realise that Ivy may be the connection that Charlie is hiding.

The Cottage at Rosella Cove is a sweet, sentimental tale with just enough mystery to keep it intriguing. The romance element comes primarily from Ivy’s letters which are a celebration of love even through the bad times. They’re beautifully written and offer a change of style from the rest of the novel.

Docker’s writing offers good place-setting and strong, distinguishable characters who feel fully fleshed out despite any real opportunities to see multiple facets of their personalities. The only real exception to this is Nicole’s fiancé, Mark, who progresses to being the most complex personality.

Also sweet is Kathryn Hartman’s audiobook narration, returning after narrating Docker’s first novel, The Kookaburra Creek Café. Her gentle voice and subtle characterisations make for fine, easy listening, conjuring up the feel of a seaside town and the gentle start of new beginnings.

While The Cottage at Rosella Cove isn’t a fast moving tale, it keeps its intrigue and warmth, making for a fine read.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Loved this story but a few loose ends

I really enjoyed this book and found it very hard to stop listening, often falling asleep and having to go back. The end was a bit untidy for me, probably because I became so invested in the character's. There were a few loose ends that I feel could have been tied up without adding endless droll to the book. But all in all I would absolutely recommend this book, because of course, everyone sees things differently, and for some this book may end perfectly. The reader has a monotone voice that, credit to her, she does try to add emotion to but it does get a bit annoying after a while. A bit of a hap hazard review I know but I've tried to be as honest as possible.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

What a beautiful story

Absolutely loved this book.. How lovely it would be to live in this small town by the beach surrounded by good friends and the simple things in life. Narrator did a wonderful job with all the different characters...very easy to listen to

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Good story but..

The storyline was quite good but unfortunately, the hushed tones of the narrator were not to my taste. I felt it lacked vibrancy and animation... I would describe it was washing over me instead of pulling me in. Perhaps it would have been better to read thus story.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!