A new start can come from the most unexpected places…

It’s been years since Lizzie Lockhart spoke to her parents. But she was safe in the knowledge she knew everything about them. Once upon a time, they were as close as could be. Until they weren’t.

After receiving the earth-shattering news of their passing, Lizzie decides it’s time to unearth some family secrets and find out just who her parents really were… starting with Streamside Cottage. A cottage Lizzie never knew existed, in a place she’s never heard of: the beautiful English village of Leafton.

Leaving behind London, and the tattoo parlour she called home, Lizzie finds herself moving to the countryside. Faced with a tight-lipped community, who have secrets of their own, Lizzie is at a loss for what to do, until her rather handsome neighbour, Ben, steps in to help.

As Lizzie finally begins to piece together the puzzle of her family history she realises she has to confront the truth of the past in order to face her future.

Summer Secrets at Streamside Cottage

by Samantha Tonge

My review

Summer Secrets at Streamside Cottage is a brilliant read. I absolutely LOVED it!

Lizzie is an instantly likeable character who recently lost both of her parents in a tragic accident. They were estranged which makes things even more difficult to deal with. When she discovers her parents owned a property in the countryside, she leaves her home in London to see if she can find any real reason her once close relationship with them had broken down without any room for discussion. It can’t just be because she had decided to train as a tattooist or because they didn’t like her boyfriend at the time, surely. How come they never told her about this cottage in Leafton? What else did she not know about her parents?

I thoroughly enjoyed Lizzie’s story. I was drawn in from the very beginning and found myself as desperate as she was to find out the truth behind her parent’s overprotective behaviour and their odd reaction to her choice of profession.

I love how Lizzie instantly felt at home in the cottage. It does sound idyllic. I know I’d prefer to live somewhere like that rather than in the middle of London.

I love how she has an instant connection with Ben, her neighbour and postie.

I love Taz!

I love how the community welcomes her but at the same time seem to be harbouring secrets of their own. Why will no one tell her what they know about this cottage and its history?

It’s such an intriguing mystery. One that certainly kept me turning those pages. My heart truly went out to Lizzie when she finally finds out the truth.

Such a heart-wrenching tale with a heart-warming conclusion.

I very much recommend!