The Cottage at Rosella Cove

Author: Sandie Docker

Year of release:2019

Publisher: Penguin Books Australia

Genre: Romance, Contemporary Fiction

Release Date: 8^th January 2019

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Synopsis:

LOST
Nicole has left her city life for the sleepy town of Rosella Cove, renting the old cottage by the water. She plans to keep to herself – but when she uncovers a hidden box of wartime love letters, she realizes she’s not the
first person living in this cottage to hide secrets and pain.

FOUND
Ivy’s quiet life in Rosella Cove is tainted by the events of World War II, with ramifications felt for many years to come. But one night a drifter appears and changes everything. Perhaps his is the soul she’s meant to save.

FORGOTTEN
Charlie is too afraid of his past to form any lasting ties in the cove. He knows he must make amends for his tragic deeds long ago, but he can’t do it alone. Maybe the new tenant in the cottage will help him fulfil a promise and find the redemption he isn’t sure he deserves.

Welcome to the cottage at Rosella Cove, where three damaged souls meet and have the chance to rewrite their futures.

Review:

 Having just read ‘The kookaburra Creek Cafe’, which I highly enjoyed, I was over the moon to know that Sandie Docker had another book on the shelf! And this time, it was pretty in pink!

I keep seeing this glorious pink book everywhere, so I had to get my hands on it ASAP upon discovering that it was Australian Author Sandie Docker. Following ‘The Kookaburra Creek Cafe’, I was not disappointed with what ‘The Cottage at Rosella Cove’ had behind its doors.

Community spirit, friendship, and a strong desire to belong somewhere shine through in Sandie’s writing once again. Though these themes were similar throughout ‘The Kookaburra Creek Cafe’, it didn’t feel as if it was repeating itself or in any way feel as if I’d pick the wrong book in my already overflowing tbrp (to be read pile).

As for the characters in the book, I longed for Nicole to find her strength and voice against those that wished to keep her down and dependant on others. I also found myself wanting so desperately to be a dear friend to Ivy in her time of need. Friendship was a very driving force in the book, which I really liked. However, some relationships in the story failed to captivate me completely, as I felt I seriously bonded with Nicole and Mandy’s friendship, along with Nicole and Ivy’s.

I have never played Scrabble, but I feel as if I should learn thanks to Nicole and Charlie. While the story focuses on developing and celebrating friendship as one of the main themes, it also covers the pain and loss felt by those left behind. I really feel like my attachment to characters in books come out of nowhere. However, thanks to Sandie’s expressive and easy to read writing style, my affection for the characters grew strong and quickly.

I challenge anyone who says they won’t, or are unable to get lost in the story that ‘The Cottage at Rosella Cove’ has to tell. I was able to completely shut myself off from the outside world and just read, which allowed me to force my attention into the book as this doesn’t usually happen. If I felt I had to improve anything, it would be to tie up a few loose ends regarding some unanswered questions about difficulties in friendships throughout the book. I think maybe my inner reader is just longing for a sequel.

‘The Cottage at Rosella Cove’ was a light-hearted read with some darker undertones. I recommend this book to anyone who reads Woman’s Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit and especially anyone who read and enjoyed ‘The Kookaburra Creek Cafe’. Sandie Docker’s next read will definitely be on my Goodreads list!