This story takes us into the time just before WWI and during and after the war is over. A society girl is captivated by an estate worker planning the revision of a large estate’s gardens. Eventually the two enter into a love affair. The characters did not engage me. This portion of the book was so long and drawn out I wondered how I would continue reading the novel. I slogged on, reading over several days hoping the story move along. There are twists and turns that occur in the middle/end of the novel that finally capture our attention. This was the first time I have read a Lorna Cook novel and I will look forward to reading her previous works.

Cordelia is living a charmed, if somewhat boring life, as the daughter of a wealthy man and then she meets Isaac, the landscaper who becomes her friend. Their relationship is (forgive the pun) blooming when WWI bursts open and he, along with Cordelia's brother and others from the village, head off to war. This is told in letters, some sweet,, some sad, all evocative, No spoilers from me, but know that this will tug at the heartstrings. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC, Cook is a wonderful storyteller which makes this a very good read.

An emotional and beautiful novel, The Hidden Letters by Lorna Cook, is a gripping look at love during wartime. Set on the cusp of a world at war, young lovers find themselves on opposite sides of a difficult choice. While one lover heads off to war, the other becomes immersed in the garden he left behind.

Cordelia and Isaac meet when he, a landscape architect, is hired to design her family's garden. The daughter of an affluent family, Cordelia finds herself fascinated by both the man and the garden, and their unexpected relationship has a surprising influence on both of their lives. Their relationship is depicted with sensitivity and nuance from beginning to end, making their eventual separation all the more heartbreaking. When war tears them apart, only their letters to one another bridge the distance. That is until one day, Isaac's letters stop coming, and Cordelia must find a way to move forward.

The Hidden Letters is a powerful and moving testament to the enduring power of love and the many ways in which the past can shape our lives.
Cook has created a historical fiction masterpiece that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.

Enjoyed!

This work of historical fiction/romance, set in England just as World War 1 was about to start. Two people, of different economic classes, meet and fall in love. Cordelia, the daughter of the estate and Isaac, a landscape architect who was brought in to redesign part of the estate. War tears them apart barely after their love began, and the rest of the book is about what happens after.

I won't write spoilers, but I did enjoy the way the writer revealed information a bit at a time, some in letters to and from the characters, as well as tying two significant parts of the book together using the same theme. Very well done.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Cordelia has it all. she lives in a large house with her parents and brothers. It is a priveliged upbringing but she is bored. She meets Isaac, a landscape architect, who is employed by her father and he starts to teach her about gardening. They fall in love but it is the eve of WW1 and soon all the young men including Isaac have left and Cordelia carries on gardening. Their love affair carries on by letter but these suddenly stop and Cordelia is left to face an uncertain future.

Cordelia lives a fairly sheltered, boring life on the family estate in Cornwall. Her father employs a landscape gardener and instantly Cordelia is attracted to him. But she knows their love would be forbidden so they meet in secret. But then World War 1 breaks out and their lives could possibly change forever, but their love remains and is proven in the form of letters sent back and forth.
The beautiful cover holds a wonderful storyline on the pages. It's a lovely, easy read with engaging, realistic characters

2.5 stars

This is my first time reading a Lorna Cook book. It’s also the first time in a long time that I have read anything pertaining to WW1.

Taking place in England, The Hidden Letters tells the story of a young woman named Cordelia. Born into privilege her life is filled with expectations and duty. Before the onset of war, she begins a friendship with Isaac, someone who takes care of the gardens at the family home. What follows is a very slow paced story. I really wanted to enjoy this book. I have heard so much about the author and whether my expectation level was too high because of the buzz on social media or the references to Lucinda Riley and Kate Morton (both favourites of mine), this was not the captivating story that I had hoped for.

I struggle to connect with the characters and to feel the friendship develop, the plot just didn’t work for me until I hit the 75% mark where things picked up remarkably. The story took on some intrigue, which led to a surprising twist and an ending that worked. However, the action came a little too late to make up for the first 3/4 of the book.

I have another of her books on my shelf and will give her another go at some point in time.

My thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for a digitial arc in exchange for a honest review.

Oh wow what a book. I haven’t read a book in a while that has had me truly gripped from start to finish. Some very emotional moments along the way that had me keep reading. Then a happy ending what more could you want. Another fabulously written book from Lorna Cook.

Another great book by Lorna Cook. Following Cordelia and Issac as they move their way through love and war. WW1 took the young men from the Cornish hamlet and servants from her Father’s estate. The book shares letters between Cordelia and Issac and other friends and family. Thanks to Lorna and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley.

This is the first book by this author that I have read. Being set during WW1 was a little later than the usual historical romances that I usually read, but wow what a wonderful story. It was full of so many emotions and although I found the first half a little slow, the second half I found hard to put down. So many surprises and different directions. It was really excellent. The storyline was very different from anything I have read. The story flowed very well and the characters were very well written. If you are looking for something different in a romance this is the one for you. There is no sex but a lot of love. The only thing I was disappointed with was the ending, I felt it ended a little too suddenly. I received this as an ARC from NetGalley and freely give my review.

I really enjoy Lorna's books, so I jumped at the chance to read this one via Netgalley. I was immediately surprised to find it wasn't one of the dual-timeline books I've become used to from this author, and honestly, a little disappointed. I've always found those dual timelines really gripping and a great way to drip feed information and make me eager to keep turning pages long past bedtime. However, once I got used to this, I found this book gripping in its own way. The book was well written, as always, and with an intriguing storyline. I did unfortunately guess a couple of things that were going to happen, but it didn't dampen my enjoyment of the book.

Overall, not *quite* as enjoyable as her previous books (guess I'm a sucker for those dual timelines!) but definitely worth reading if you enjoy this sort of historical fiction.

The Hidden Letters is an extremely touching historical fiction novel. The story begins in Cornwall the summer before the outbreak of the Great War and I was instantly drawn into the time and place. Mostly I was drawn to Cordelia and Isaac, star-crossed lovers, the daughter of a grand house and the landscape architect. Their story is one of passion and secrecy, until the war comes between them. There are so many emotions running through this entire book—great love, heartache, shame, grief, courage, resilience—and I felt them all. The author did an amazing job bringing these characters, their stories, and this time and place to life.

It's been a while since I stayed up late reading just one more chapter, just one more chapter, because I couldn't bear to stop reading. This is that kind of book, one where the beautiful writing slowly drew me into the story, and the likeable characters kept me reading, hoping for the happy ending I love so much. The Hidden Letters tells the story of Cordelia, a young woman born into the British upper classes, and the relationship she begins with her father's landscape architect, Issac, which is cut short by the beginning of WWI when Isaac enlists to fight alongside his brother David, Cordelia's older brother Edwin, and so many of the staff members of their home. This story opened a window into that time period before WWI, a time when British upper class women would spend their time going to balls to attempt to meet a British upper class man who would make a suitable husband. This is a new-to-me author and I am looking forward to reading more of her books.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

When Cordelia first meets Isaac there is an instant attraction, though both of them are determined to ignore it. Cordelia is the daughter of the wealthy family who own the estate and Isaac is the landscaper employed to renovate the gardens there. But WW1 is imminent and Cordelia realises that she may need to know more about gardening in order to help out when the young men inevitably sign up. Isaac begins to teach her and they grow closer. When Isaac goes to the front, they exchange letters that talk of their future hopes and dreams. Then suddenly there are no more letters and Cordelia must face her future alone.
This is a story of love, loss and friendship and how those things can be tested in the midst of war. It will take you on an emotional rollercoaster, with highs and lows that will make you laugh and cry. Beautifully written it will hold you in its grip from start to finish.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. I found the story of Cordelia & Isaac very enjoyable. The story flowed well and the two main characters developed as the story progressed. Initially, I felt that I had read this before, but I soon realised that I hadn't. It was an easy read that I didn't want to put down. Set at the beginning of the First World War. Cordelia is the daughter of a wealthy family in Cornwall and Isaac is employed as a Landscape architect by her father.
Well done Lorna Cook I look forward to more from you.

Cordelia and Isaac were from different classes in 1914 England, but nothing could stop the attraction between them. They pledge their love for one another as Isaac left to fight, but when Isaac's letters stopped what was Cordelia to think. When her brother confirmed that Isaac was the first officer from their unit to die, Cordelia was devistated.

There Hidden Letters, by Lorna Cook, explores the expectations of upper class women, the trauma a war brings to both the men fighting and the ones they leave behind. There are a few unexpected twists and turns that keeps the reader's attention. For those who like romantic historical fiction, this is a must read.

My rating:

Plot: 5 out of 5 stars
Writing: 5 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

Recommended for readers of:

Historical Fiction


Review:
This is a beautifully written story about love and the strength of the human spirit. The plot is well developed with a few twists and turns which keeps you guessing till the end. The writing is very captivating and full of warmth. The characters are well developed and show realistic traits so they appear true to life this made them interesting.

Overall:

This is a well written book with a plot that flows well and captures you from the start. The story has nice realistic characters. The writing is nicely balanced not too positive not too morose with a few twists and turns to keep it interesting till the end. I love it.

This is a lovely story set just before WW1. Cordelia leads a prividges life in Cornwall with her wealthy parents .Sher meets Isaac, a garden architect who is planning a new garden for her family .They fall in love despite the class divide of those days but when the war begins Isaac goes to fight ,they write to each other and then the letters stop .Cordelia is heartbroken and goes to stay with her friend Tabiltha in the Lakes .The story has a few twists and turns and a very satisfactory ending .A very enjoyable read.Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC.

Cordelia leads a priviliged, but unfulfilling life until she meets Isaac. He works on her family estate and gets her interested in gardening. This time before the First World War is full of class distinction, so any attraction they have for each other is doomed. When war is declared, Isaac and the other men head off for the front. They write to each other, and then the letters stop. How she spends the rest of the war and the friendships she has are signs of the changing times. What society will accept and what becomes important to Cordelia changes dramatically. The characters are great, the story is rich, and the letters fill it all out nicely.

The Hidden Letters - by Lorna Cook is my second book I have received from Net Galley and the Publisher 'Harper Collins Australia' exchange for a honest review.

What a fantastic book. Couldn't put it down. Immensely enjoyed the beautiful love story between two people in different classes of society and in the time of War.

This is the love story between Isaac Leigh a Garden Landscape Architect and Codelia Cornwall a young women who lives with her parents and brother Edwin in a stately home in the English countryside.

Cordelia and Issac meet just before WWI begins. Falling in love immediately a forbidden love began.

Isaac lives in the workman's Cottage with his brother David on the grounds of the estate owned by the Cornwall Family and where Isaac and David are renovating the gardens along with other assistant gardeners.

The house where Cordelia lives with her parents and brother Edwin are staffed with servants - Cook, maids and cleaners.

Cordelia secretly begins learning all about gardening from growing flowers and vegetables that have always ended up on her plate without knowing how.

However, on the eve of the war, a forbidden love blossoms with Issac in the garden of the stately home.

Both Isaac, David, Edwin and many of the other men in the surrounding area all go to war leaving their families and loved ones behind, along with their hopes and dreams of the future.

Cordelia makes a choice that will change her life forever…

As the terrible war gathers momentum Cordelia seeks refuge in the grounds of her family. Continue cultivating the gardens and maintaining the estate grounds on her own with little assistance as most of the men were away fighting the war.

From the battlefields of Europe, Isaac secretly writes to her letters, with gardening instructions (so that her parents do not suspect their love affair) that give her hope for their future plans in peacetime.

Isaac plans to see Cordelia on Boxing Day at his first leave he has been assigned. Will Isaac get to her in time?

Suddenly the correspondence between the two lovebirds abruptly cease, Cordelia must face up to the worst grasping hold of her future – and the fate of the garden they both loved – into her own hands.

Will Cordelia's future be together with Isaac?

An epic, heartbreaking, sweeping tale of love, war and the strength of the human spirit.

Highly recommend this book for fans of this genre. Lorna Cook has written a book that captures your heart and leaves you with a curiosity to see how the book will end. A five star story!