The Winter Cottage: A Gorgeously Romantic Feel-Good Festive Read for Christmas 2021, from the author of The Village Green Bookshop (Applemore Bay) Paperback – 4 Oct. 2021

"The Winter Cottage (Applemore Bay Book 1)" is an absolute gem that I couldn't put down! This enchanting tale by the talented author whisked me away to the charming world of Applemore Bay, and I couldn't have asked for a more delightful escape.From the moment I opened the first page, I was captivated by the richly developed characters and the cozy, picturesque setting. The story's protagonist is relatable, and I found myself rooting for her journey throughout. The plot is beautifully woven, offering a perfect blend of romance, mystery, and heartwarming moments that kept me engrossed until the very end.The author's writing style is exquisite, evoking vivid imagery that allowed me to visualize every scene in this quaint coastal town. The Winter Cottage is not just a book; it's an experience. I found myself laughing, crying, and falling in love right alongside the characters.I can't wait to dive into the rest of the Applemore Bay series! If you're looking for a heartwarming, feel-good read that will transport you to a place of comfort and joy, I highly recommend "The Winter Cottage." It's the perfect companion for a cozy evening by the fire or a sunny day at the beach. I'm so glad I stumbled upon this book, and I guarantee you will be too!

A great introduction for me to a new author. Set in a wonderful Scottish highland town with a fabulous cast of characters. I can’t wait for the next book now. The Audible narration was excellent.

Who wouldn't like to have a great cottage, by the sea, with views of the glen and find love. This series manages to pull you in and entice you up to Scotland to be amongst the villagers of Appledore, even with the village gossip. A lovely series to read before bed to clam the mind and forget the adult world.

Loved the first in the series of Applemore Bay, and I’m looking forward to reading the rest!One of those well written stories where you can really picture the characters and the scenery, and start rooting for the hopeful happy ending!

The start of a new series which is set in the Highlands of Scotland. It centres around Applemore Village, Applemore House, its estate, and the Fraser family.Lachlan inherited the estate after his father died recently, but there are death duties to pay. Lachlan has started his own successful brewery in Edinburgh with a friend. He travels back to Applemore House to sort things out.Lachlan has 3 sisters, Charlotte, Beth, and Polly, in addition to the crumbling House and estate, he has to think about them too.Rilla, as a child, she spent her Summers on the estate playing with the Fraser children, her Father was a tenant in one of the cottages. He died recently, and Rilla takes time out from her job as an English language teacher to clear out his things. As children, Rilla liked Lachlan. Can they still be friends?There's a family secret that no one knows about, yet! Will this implode and split the family apart?I love books that are based around families and their lives, which also have a romance angle to them. They are obvious plots, but this in no way detracts from the book. This is the start of a new series, and I just know I'm going to enjoy reading it.I read this book quickly as I could not put it down, and I'm already looking forward to reading the second book.Highly recommended for fans of easy to read family saga books.

A great love story, rilla used to visit her father in his home for the summers and hang out with the local Frazer family with her sister sally.but one year her mum stopped the visits so she never got to see her crush again.18 years later her father passed away so back for a visit to clear away her father's things. She 're connects with the family and stays for the remaining 3 months of the lease.as her new job for three months is in Paris from January. (She never sets down roots)This book is easy to see where it's going but it's a easy read no ex trying to mess up things or ums and errs.or pages of sex.(There is sleeping together but very PG and behind doors we don't see, classy done) loved the locals more room for other characters to shine in next book think Beth is next.

I have read all Rachel Lucas booksJust read this for the 2nd time it was still as fabulous, lovely characters, story set in a lovely area, it’s a lovely story of love not only of the main characters but the story of both their fathers. Well worth reading 💕💕 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ just starting book 2 now👍

Easy read. Relaxing to read before sleeping.

easy books to put down and not pick up

I realized at the end, when I saw that the next book is about one of the characters, that this book just introduced this whole new world of Applemore Bay and the people who live there. I’m not quite ready to enter it as I’m in the middle of another series, but I will return. The writing was lovely and the stories deep enough to really get to know everyone without overwhelming drama. A cozy read!

THE WINTER COTTAGE is a standalone read with a happy ending. There are no sexy scenes or colorful language so any age can read and enjoy. The story is set in Scotland, the Highlands in a castle home of the current generation. As children Lachlan and his sisters lived in the home with their father. Their mother took off when they were children, and she was not a part of the lives. They had an ideal childhood running free and getting into all kinds of mischief.Every summer Rilla and her sister would visit their dad in a cottage on the estate grounds. The children had a grand time playing together until one summer there was an accident, and the girls were not allowed to visit their father until they reached adulthood. Rilla had a crush on Lachlan the oldest brother, but she never let him know how she felt. It is now 18 years later; her dad has passed, and she is back in the small cottage to clear out his things.There are secrets as these childhood friends get reacquainted with one another. It is a GREAT story. I really love this kind of story. It is events that could easily be happening right now. There are secrets to discover, fears and misunderstandings to work through and lives to join. It is a great story and one I highly recommend.I was not paid for this review. I am not a writer, nor do I know one. I am not kin to this author. I am not a bot. I am a reader, and this is my opinion, nothing more, nothing less. 11/22/2023.

Well written this book was a pleasure to tead.

A perfect story that rejected the cookie cutter approach upon which so many books in the genre rely. Real and engaging main characters, strong secondary characters, and a realistic story all avoided the too usual storyline pitfalls. Unlike so many books, The Winter Cottage did not rely on contrived misunderstandings, inexplicably unspoken thoughts, or a fake crisis resolved in the penultimate chapter, not to mention unexplainable stupidity of the part of the main characters. The story flowed seamlessly throughout the book, with chapter breaks that kept you reading. Rachael Lucas has always been one of my “go to” authors, and this book is a perfect example of why.