The story of Cordelia, a well-to-do young lady, and Isaac, the gardener who works for her parents.

This is a love story, pure and simple. It is set just before the outbreak of WWI and because of when it is set, there are all sorts of barriers in the way of these two young people being able to be together. Their connection is immediate and undeniable though, which is the way of all good love stories :)

I like that there is the story of Tabatha interwoven into the fabric of this book as well, who has a forbidden love of her own.....I think it is great that the author acknowledges that these dilemmas were around long before the current day. Each generation always thinks that THEY are the first to have encountered whatever it is, but that is not true.

The cruelty of sending young men off to war was brought home to me whilst reading this story, although at the time, young men saw going to war as an adventure and as them "doing their bit" for their country. I can't even imagine the societal pressure if you decided that you would rather stay at home and be with your infirm parents/pregnant wife or whatever your situation was....even those who were legitimately unable to fight up were treated as cowards.

Anyhow, this was a really lovely story. Lots of points to ponder, sweet without being sickly and a good couple of days reading :)

4.5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK.

The Hidden Letters is a historical novel set during World War I. Cordelia Carr-Lyons lives in an estate in Cornwall. She grows close to landscape architect Isaac Leigh as they spend time in the estate gardens. When he goes to war, they correspond, but suddenly the letters stop. Cordelia tries to find what happened to Isaac during the chaos of war.

I wanted to read this novel because I love historical fiction, and have an interest in World War I. I found the British estate setting (similar to Downton Abbey) also appealing. The book is beautifully written and the story of Cordelia and Isaac is compelling. I found this book moving, and recommend it for other fans of historical fiction.

Cordelia has a privileged life and she knows no different living on her families estate in Cornwall. The house is grand, the gardens are grand and even Cordelia is grand.

But upon meeting Isaac everything changes.

Isaac whilst having an education that Cordelia’s brothers have had, he is not in the same social circles and has found work as a landscape architect to develop the gardens. His passion for gardening and nature is paramount espically as the dark clouds of war are gathering in Europe.

Cordelia finds a passion for gardening, nurturing and Isaac. The feelings are reciprocated but the knowledge Isaac is trying to impart is vital to the keep the gardens growing after war is declared. From afar Isaac continues to share his knowledge so he can remain in contact with Cordelia,.

But the letters stop, nothing more comes from the front. Cordelia now must deal with what she doesn’t know and what she fears from letters from her own brother. That Isaac has gone.

From the wilds of Cornwall, to the landscape of the Lake District and through the East coast of Britain, this books takes us as we follow how Cordelia copes with her love and loss. More is to come and she needs strength and resilience to be able to deal with the path in front of her.

Little does she know that the first initial meeting with Isaac is going to swim back into focus and she has a choice to make.

This novel, initially keeps war in the background, something happening far away and for what relevance. However it abruptly sweeps everyone on Cordelia’s families estate and neighbouring village into the mud bath of the trenches and you learn more about the Pal’s battalions, which wiped out generations of families and left gaping holes in villages.

The letters between Cordelia and all her correspondents were heartfelt and moving as they were interesting and informative and it felt at time I was reading real letters from the front and not a fictionalised account. The books moves at a pace that you don’t realise and there are times where I was weeping with sadness and then at joy as Cordelia’s life changes so much. There were some surprises on the way which added to the depth of the overall plot.

This book is perfect for fans of historical fiction and was a pleasure to read and I felt quite bereft when I had finished the final page.

I have read a couple of books by Lorna Cook and loved both of them, the dual time historical fiction being my favorite genre to indulge in. Expecting The Hidden Letters to be of the same genre, I am pleasantly surprised that the author gave us a love story set during World War with a focus on the class divide that dooms it from the start.

Lorna Cook sweeps the reader with her writing. The first part reflecting the idyllic summer before the war begins has a slower pace immersing the reader in the leisurely life led by Cordelia in her estate in Cornwall, and her first impressions of the landscape architect Isaac Leigh who has come from London. Cordelia and Isaac capture the reader's attention immediately, the spark of attraction that both of them feel, and Isaac ever conscious of the improbability of the situation always on guard. Cordelia takes an interest in gardening initially to be near Isaac but then completely immerses herself in the process and loves it. There is so much the author has explored with Cordelia, her mother’s anger about unladylike behavior and her brother Edwin being pragmatic and declaring that when war is here, Cordy can hold the fort, and Cordy’s realization that what she feels for Issac is not just infatuation, that this is it and finally when the declaration comes on the eve of reporting for war duties, there is a sense of little too late.

The second part though comes alive with the magic that the author is excellent at. The letter correspondence between Isaac and Cordelia, and also with other characters like Edwin, Margaret and Tabitha, and then the heartbreak that soon follows, the emotional journey that the reader takes with Cordelia makes our heart heavy. It was such a beautiful piece of writing thru these letters giving glimpses of what life had been like, for the soldiers in the trenches and the women back home, the struggle of continued existence worrying about the casualty list always, The Hidden Letters conveys them poignantly. The subplot of Tabotha and the neglect from her parents was touching and heartfelt.

Another winner from Lorna Cook, The Hidden Letters is all about love and emotions.

Many thanks to Net Galley, Avon Books UK, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.

This review is published on my blog https://rainnbooks.com/, Goodreads, Amazon India, Book Bub, Medium.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

A world at war...a forbidden love...an impossible choice...

Oh my! It's been some time since I've read a Lorna Cook novel and upon leaving those final pages and closing the book, I remember now why I love them so much. It's like coming home. A feeling of completeness. Of having lived, loved and survived. Everything about her tales are just all encompassing, sweeping you away and back to another time far away and long forgotten. But this tale is one that will not be forgotten. It is one that will stay with you long after you have finished the final page.

It's the summer of 1914 and the Carr-Lyons family have returned to the Pencallick House estate after the close of the London season. And with them they've brought change in the form of a landscape architect who has redesigned their formal gardens as well as their sustainable ones, such as the kitchen and herb gardens. Isaac Leigh may not be from money but he is educated at Cambridge and he has dreams beyond the next commission.

One night he is enjoying the stillness of the gardens when he sees Cordelia flee in the direction of the lake. She is so quick, a vision in ivory, that he imagines he has dreamed it. He follows this vision and sees her fling her all-too-real self into the lake's inky depths. Almost at once he dives in after her as she clambers about screaming for her younger brother Clive, panicking that she's too late, as together they search for him.

And then Isaac hears a titter behind him...and turns. There stands Clive, very dry and very much alive, snickering at the joke he has played on his older sister. Cordelia is understandably angry at him whilst at the same time relieved that the waters had not claimed him after all. But now she stands there cold, shivering and soaking wet. Isaac drapes his pullover around her shoulders and carries her back to the house, where the party she had left was still underway. She does not return, instead going to her room where her maid draws her a bath and she falls into a slumber with the memory of Isaac's arms around her.

When Cordelia takes up an interest in the gardens, her mother's only arguement being that it's "unladylike" while her older brother Edwin wonders if this is something she will stick at for more than a week. Cordelia is determined to prove them wrong. And so she seeks out Isaac's guidance in cultivating and maintaining the gardens from vegetables and fruit to roses and flowers. Their close proximity rekindles the flame they both felt initially whilst still maintaining some level of propriety. After all, he was "a gardener of sorts" and she, a lady of leisure, brought up to marry well and produces heirs and spares for the estate. But class divides mean nothing compared to love in the face of war.

And when that summer is over and war has reached their shores, Cordelia is heartbroken that Isaac has signed up as an Officer, shipping out in days with the rest of the menfolk in the village. With tear-filled farewells, no one knew when they would see their loved ones again...if ever. And Cordelia suffered in silence as her love was a forbidden one that they had kept secret.

Cordelia goes back to the gardens of Pencallick and assists elderly gardener Gilbert whilst she and an Isaac correspond and dream of a life beyond the trenches together. Rumours cited it would all be over by Christmas but that in itself must have just been wishful thinking because Christmas for Isaac was spent in the trenches in a temporary truce with the enemy along the battlelines whilst for Cordelia, hers was spent longing for the day to end and for the week she will spend with Isaac on leave. But when he doesn't arrive as planned nor leaves no word for her, she fears the worst. She checks the papers daily for his name in the list of casualties only to find it absent.

And so she continues her plans to visit an old friend Tabitha in the Lakes District, the perfect place for her rest and relaxation. The perfect place to come to terms with what will be will be...but if that means a life without Isaac, what is she to do? How can she go on without him?

THE HIDDEN LETTERS is a beautiful tale that is a slight departure from her usual offerings. I was fully expecting a dual timeline but this story is focused solely on the past, taking place at the outset of the Great War with the promise of forbidden love. It is beautiful, poignant and touching and had me in tears at times...especially those final pages.

The first part of the story builds with the developing relationship between Cordelia and Isaac. At times, it seems a little slow but there is a also a sense of urgency with the threat of war hanging over the country. And yet with hindsight, would they have done anything different? The story sees Cordelia also posing that very question, particularly in light of the direction it takes. With the waving off of their loved ones, the second part begins and thus do Cordelia and Isaac's correspondence. Also interspersed are letters from her brother Edwin and his fiance Millicent, who became a VAD when war was declared, and her dear friend Tabitha from the Lakes District. The letters bring a life of their own to the story as they detail conditions at the Front whilst life continues back in Cornwall. Until it doesn't. And Cordelia finds herself in the Lakes District on a journey she never thought would be hers. Her life changes dramatically and her devastation is heartbreaking.

It's when the men went off to the Front and through the letters that I felt the story really came alive. Even when everything changes for Cordelia, the writing is thus a return to the style I've come to know and love from Cook, that I was just completely and wholly immersed within the story there was no escaping.

Though it was a departure from Cook's usual dual timeline narrative, I ended up thoroughly enjoying THE HIDDEN LETTERS far more than I thought I would. The final chapters had me on tenterhooks, the final pages in tears. Just beautiful and everything I have come to love about Cook's stories.

I would like to thank #LornaCook, #Netgalley and #AvonBooks for an ARC of #TheHiddenLetters in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK, & Avon for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.

I've now read 4 of Lorna Cook's books and Hidden Letters, similar to the others that I have read, was a quick & enjoyable read. There's a bit more of the mundane in the story than I was expecting, but not necessarily in a bad way - over 50% of the book is dedicated to the years prior to WWI and the beginning of the relationship between Cordelia & Isaac, and I ended up liking that bit a lot.

You really get to see them fall for one another, both of them having to reevaluate how they see themselves and those around them, and I thought the strongest parts of the book lay in this section. (I also loved all of the gardening bits!)

For me, the pacing was the big thing that I wanted more from - as the first half of the book covers about 3 months, and the second half about 5 years, it felt a bit like I was SUPER shown the first half, and mostly told the second half (although there were some very lovely parts throughout the second half of the book that I enjoyed quite a bit.)

There's also a thing that I didn't want to have happen, because it's a particular plot device in WWI / WWII books that I don't particularly like, and I didn't think it was going to happen, and then I realized it was going to happen ... and although it bothered me just as much as I thought it was going to, I also didn't mind it as much as I could have. If that doesn't make sense, you're right. But I'm trying to keep this spoiler free and my feelings are still muddled, so this is what I've got.

Overall, if you're looking for a quick WWI historical fiction that's easy to read and keeps you invested throughout, I would definitely recommend this one. (And out of the 4 of hers that I've now read, I would recommend The Forbidden Promise highest, and then this one!)

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Avon Books for approving me for an ARC of this book.

💚 This story perfectly depicts a forbidden love. Torn apart at the start of WWI you can’t help but feel sympathy for Cordelia and Isaac. The ease between them and the chemistry they soon develop was beautiful, whilst you knew the troubles they faced you desperately wanted them to be reunited.

🌱Cordelia’s new fondness for gardening not only proved useful but was an interesting part of the story. The bond she forged with the other gardeners, in a short amount of time, was a testament to her character. When Edwin, her older brother, stood up for her and congratulated her on her new venture, I felt myself smile at his loyalty.

💌Of course the letters are a lovely touch to the story. From the ramblings of Isaac and Edwin in the trenches to Tabatha’s surprising gift and the final hidden letters we learn so much more about our characters.

🪖I have not read much fiction based on WWI but this felt like a realistic account. It broke my heart to think of families learning about their loved ones deaths through listings. Whether it’s the villages of men and boys volunteering together, or the fear of the unknown for those left behind, you can feel the cloud of fear and anxiousness that overhangs them.

This was my first book by Lorna Cook but it will not be my last!

The Hidden Letters by Lorna cook... The first book I've read by this author and I must say, I was impressed, it won't be my last! A WW1 historical fiction where upper class meets working class. Where some things are just not done, some things are just not talked about. And where the advancing war changes everything. Class lines are blurred by necessity and love. Cook has created a handful other incredibly interesting characters, written such descriptive and touching scenes! Cook surprises us with plot twists we never see coming, expect the unexpected! Love and heartbreak, war and truce, divisions and unifications,
estrangement and reunions, and a few surprises make for a fabulous story!

Enjoyed reading this historical fiction book. Happy to recommend. Loved how the story had a circular feel to it. Beautifully written and well researched

The Hidden Letters was a beautiful yet heartbreaking story about war, loss and love. ⁣
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Cordelia is such an amazing character and I loved watching her adapt to her circumstances and see her character develop. ⁣
This book quickly drew me in and had me needing to know what happened next. I want to keep talking about this one but it's definitely one you should go into without knowing too much. ⁣
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This was my first Lorna Cook and will not be my last! I loved her writing and now need more in my life.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When the story commences, at the surface it seems like a high-society girl and handsome-intelligent underclassman risk society's scorn for love. What transpires will leave readers shocked by the turn of events. Cordelia and Isaac's chance meeting at the water's edge sets ripples in their relationship.

At first glance, he seemed beneath her but the second look elicited a deeper discovery. Why was she attracted to this man? His aloofness instead of putting her off drew her closer. His love of agriculture awakened a passion within her rather than society socials.

When war threatens to tear the couple apart, he pledges to return. The truth will be revealed in letters. Lorna Cook's surprising take on World War I will leave her fans paging through the novel to discover the hidden answers. I enjoyed Cordelia and Isaac's story but felt it progressed too slowly. Then suddenly it started jumping incrementally and I struggled to keep up with the setting and time period.

Cordelia's strength warrants a four-starred rating but the plot development scores three stars. I'm glad I read the story but it didn't capture my interest as much as Cook's earlier reads. If you start the novel, make to read to its conclusion. You'll enjoy the final chapters and that makes it worth the read.

Cordelia Carr-Lyons lives at her family’s estate Pencallick House in Cornwall, she has two brothers, Edwin is the eldest and Clive the youngest is a right handful. The tranquil existence they have in England is under threat, with rumours of a war starting and Cordelia’s worried about Edwin.

Isaac Leigh is a landscape architect, he and his brother David work together and design formal country gardens. He’s been employed by Lord Carr-Lyons to renovate the gardens at Pencallick House, and Isaac and David move around a lot due to their job .

Cordelia needs to do something to take her mind off all the talk about war, she speaks to Gilbert the head gardener and Isaac and they both believe the estate needs to produce more food and especially fruit and vegetables. Her mother is horrified by Cordelia digging in the dirt and thinks it’s very unladylike. War is declared against Germany, all of the men from the area are joining up together, forming a pal’s battalion and will be a part of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry.

Cordelia is busy helping Gilbert with the gardens and she and Isaac write to each other. His letters from Europe are read by the sensors, Cordelia discovers the conditions in the trenches are terrible and all the men are freezing. When she doesn’t hear from Isaac in December 1914, she fears he’s fallen in battle, Cordelia checks the newspaper lists and she has no idea what’s happened to him? Cordelia goes to visit an old school friend, she lives in the Lake District, and it’s the perfect place for Cordelia to workout what she’s going to do and she doesn’t want to believe she will never see Isaac again?

I received a copy of The Hidden Letters by Lorna Cook from NetGalley and Avon Books UK in exchange for an honest review. The articulate narrative by Ms. Cook gives you a realistic idea of what it was like during WW I, for the men fighting in the trenches and the women left behind in England. I felt so sad, when I read that all the men of military service age left Pencallick House and Pencallick Village together, I knew most of them would be killed and wounded. A sweeping historical saga about war, duty, family, social change, sacrifice, loss, and unexpected love. Five stars from me, The Hidden Letters made me cry, Ms. Cook’s writing was effective and I found it really moving.

Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read The Hidden Letters by Lorna Cook. I have loved other historical novels by Cook so I was excited to get my hands on her newest (which came out last week!).

“On the eve of a world war, a forbidden love will blossom in the garden of a stately home and one young woman will make a choice that will change her life forever.”

This is a sweeping WWI tale that took me a bit to get into but by mid-way I had to know what happened and the ending was exactly what I needed. Cordelia has lived the life of luxury on her family’s estate and then she meets Isaac, the family’s recently hired garden architect. Their connection is powerful and Isaac begins teaching Cordelia gardening. War finally arrives and the two are separated. What happened over a span of many years both hurt my heart and warmed it. A lovely tale you can sink into. @avonbooksuk

i dont know why, i cired when i read it, like the way this book centers in the love divided by the war, is so beautiful. Love happens in many ways.

The Hidden Letters is a very slow paced historical novel. The story is about a young woman whose family is well to do and she lives a very privileged life. I struggled to connect with any of the characters. Toward the end of the book, my interest in the story increased.
Overall, a ok read for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

✒️ BOOK REVIEW ✒️

THE HIDDEN LETTERS by
📝 @lornacookauthor

PUB DATE - 2nd March

#DropTheSynop

As the storm clouds of war gather, Cordelia seeks refuge in the grounds of her family estate.

Handsome landscaper Isaac has recently arrived to tend to the gardens, and the connection between him and Cordelia is as immediate as it is forbidden.

Isaac begins to secretly teach her how to cultivate the gardens, so when he and all the young men are called away to war, Cordelia takes over.

From the battlefields of Europe, Isaac sends her letters, that give her hope for their future in peacetime.

But when these messages abruptly cease, Cordelia must face up to the worst and take her future – and the fate of the garden they both loved – into her own hands…

✒️✒️✒️✒️✒️✒️✒️✒️✒️✒️

It's not often the great war is at the forefront, usually the Author's choice is WW11 so it was a nice change to learn a bit about WW1 and compare how much or little attitudes changed between the two wars.

I do like a stately home aswell so I was pleased to get one here. Well-to-do Cordelia proved to be a great character, albeit having had to grow on me with her snooty attitude at first with garden architect Isaac, a job she deemed for peasants but found herself rather taken with the man nonetheless....

Soon Isaac is called up to go to war which is when the letters start, and then subsequently they stop....

The Hidden Letters is a beautifully written, character driven and picturesque love story that'll have you reaching for the hankies on more than one occasion.

A lovely read and it's out today!
Happy PUB DAY to the author and publishers, and on #WorldBookDay too, great timing!

Thank you so much @avonbooksuk for the copy! ❤️

- Leanne 😊
@the_book_girls_1

Having read all of this authors other books and totally loved them, so was looking forward to this but sadly wasn't for me but that is just my take on the book still a brilliant author.

I will always jump at the chance to read a book by Lorna Cook!

Isaac has been hired to work the grounds at an estate. And while he is welcomed at social functions, it is clear he is below the station of those of the nobility.

Cordelia is one of those in the upper class. This is her home that Isaac is helping redo. But when she falls in love with Isaac, all social conventions go out the window. She learns some of the secrets of gardening, which serves her well once war breaks out and most of the men are sent away to fight. When the unthinkable happens, Cordelia must find a way to continue in her life and make the most of what she has been given.

This sent me on a bit of a rollercoaster ride of emotions. While it's not my favorite of Cook's books (she has set a high bar, after all), I still really enjoyed it and will still definitely recommend to all who get the chance to read her works.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

An emotional story that takes place in Cornwall, England that will pull you in from the beginning and not let go until the last page!

You will smile, tear up and sigh as you follow the story of two people who unexpectedly find love, only to be pulled apart from the War.

I will definately be reading more by this author!

Oh my! the first part was so slow but I was glad I persevered and read on to the end. The latter part was so good, it more than made up for the pace of the beginning. The characters of Cordelia and Isaac were very engaging. The book certainly described the way that different people felt about the coming war. Class differences were also stressed and the beginning of changes in the way people thought about class. There was so much that happened in the latter part of the book but it had some heartfelt moments and I felt I really couldn’t put it down. I was glad there was an epilogue to bring events together. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.