Thank you Bookouture for inviting me to be part of the Books on Tour for “Aunt Violet’s Locket” by Kristen Harper. This is my first book by her, but it won’t be my last!
I’ve fallen hard for Paige and her world. Paige inherits her Aunt Violet’s house, which is strange because she has never even met her! Paige decides to sell the house. When she starts cleaning, she finds a locket with a romantic message inside. Paige goes on a journey to find out who Aunt Violet really was and finds out more about her own family. I loved every word of this.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
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I liked the sound of this book from its description. When I first started reading, I thought about what it might mean to be given a locket, particularly a heart-shaped locket. It piqued my curiosity, and I wondered about the possibility of a love affair that was cut short or concealed, if the two involved could not be together.

The protagonist was Paige, who inherited her great aunt Violet's cottage, and I liked the idea of this cottage as a backdrop for the main story. For me, somewhere like a cottage has connotations of peace and beauty, and escape. So I appreciated the author's efforts to work with that setting and bring it to life, and I did feel there was some beautiful imagery.

I never fully warmed to Paige as a protagonist, or connected with her, though I still tried to follow her journey. I did feel slightly emotional when she eventually discovered the truth about Aunt Violet and the locket.

This book is part of a series - the Dune Island series, and I haven't read any of the previous books. Maybe if I had, I would have enjoyed this one a little more. It was a fairly pleasant, easy read, and it did provide an escape, but I didn't feel as invested in the story as I would have liked.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

I definitely got more than I expected from this book. The beautiful story of aunt Violet’s locket and all the misconceptions behind the story, from all sides. The story leads you into the background behind the beliefs from all quarters that Violet is either a strange recluse who caused upset to one of the richest families (Hathaway)on Dune island. That she ostracised herself from her family.
When Violet’s Will is read Paige discovers that the cottage has been left to her, as eldest, unmarried niece, which her brother and cousins aren’t too happy about.
I loved the descriptions of the island, buildings, especially the Hathaway estate. Place names (Highland Hills)
I could just picture Tara, woo! My favourite character aside from Paige was Joseph (down to earth)

This was my first by this author, I’ll definitely be looking out for more.

Another great book in the Dune Island series. I've enjoyed all the ones I've read.

A fantastic local, great characters and an interesting storyline. Kind of a dual timeline - there is a little slip back in the past as we learn about Aunt Violet's history, but it's mostly in current time with her great niece, Paige. Paige inherits the island cottage because she's the eldest, unmarried girl in the family. She decides to sell the cottage and split the funds with her brothers and cousin - their characters left a lot to be desired, as does the aunt, too. Paige is there to look into the upkeep and making the place more sellable. But in the meantime, she meets the neighbors and learns their history with her family. And learns a lot whole more about Violet's life than her family knew.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

This is a wonderfully beautiful book. There are so many fulfilling elements that Harper has within this book. There’s the family dynamic between Violet’s family and the Hathaways, there’s the historical aspect, the family history aspect, family dynamics within the same family, and then there’s also a bit of romance.

I loved the ying and yang of the two families, how completely opposite they were. However, Seth did seem to be less of a true Hathaway and that was nice to see. I also really liked learning some history without it being too overwhelming and in your face. It was done in the right way.

Most authors that write books about a family member in the past will write alternating chapters of in the present and in the past. I LOVED that this book stayed in the present throughout the whole book. I appreciated Paige’s desire to learn about her Aunt Violet, and the steps she took to learn more about her and her life on the island. The way that the author was able to tell Violet’s story without having to make “past” chapters was amazing. It made me appreciate the book that much more. This is really the best part of the book.

There’s two romances that happen in the book: Violet’s and Paige’s. Both are not the center of the book, but provide the reader to feel happiness knowing that these characters had someone love them and take care of them.

There’s so much good here, and I could go on and on. I think you should just read the book.

Paige Turner inherits her great-aunt’s cottage in Hope Haven, Massachusetts. As she cleans and repairs the cottage before putting it on the market, she discovers clues that help unravel secrets from the past including the loathed Hathaway family next door. I really enjoyed this book. It was a clean read full of great characters, nostalgia, mystery, and family drama. I liked the relationship between Paige and Seth Hathaway. They were perfect for each other. It was also interesting to learn more US history during WWII along the East Coast. It made me want to find my own cottage on Martha’s Vineyard and relax while enjoying the ocean breezes. If you enjoy a charming read, this is a must read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I have ever read by this author, but it definitely won't be my last. I loved this book so much!

I have enjoyed the previous books in the Dune Island series and was looking forward to antoher enjoyable story and that is exactly what I got. I really enjoyed this story and I especially liked Paige. She is a wonderful woman. I love the way she digs in not only to fix up the cottage, but in her quest to find out as much as she can about her Aunt Violet. She doesn't just believe everything she is told, but searches for the truth, or at least what truth she can find. Then there is Seth Hathaway. There has been bad blood between the Hathaways and Paige's family, but Seth is different from what she expected, at least once she gives him a chance. He is handsome, helpful, caring, loves his dog and surfing and is attracted to Paige. The beauty and serenity of Dune Island made me want to visit and spend time at the cottage. Paige's brother and cousins were not my favourite people at all. They were selfish and very self-centered, not only did they not come and help Paige, but they were constantly pressuring her. I enjoyed the story of what happened to Violet so many years ago and how Paige solved the puzzle. With the help of a locket, a man who remembers Violet as a teenager and a hidden letter, she pieces things together. This is a story of secrets, finding what you really want out of life, romance, trusting yourself and following your own path. I really enjoyed this story and it is a wonderful addition to the book in the Dune Island series.

I first just want to say that the minute this author Kristin brings out a new book, straight away it goes to top of my to be read list, as I always enjoy reading books by this author. So Aunt’s Violet Locket is Kristin Harper’s sixth book and yet I’ve read them all.

Just like her other books, I thoroughly enjoyed this story, it was beautiful, heartfelt and emotional in places. Plenty of drama going on also, especially with the Cousin Tara and just a little bit with neighbour Lexie too. I did love getting to know all of the characters though, even those with only little parts to play, learning each of their stories and seeing them all interact with each other.

The story was very well written I thought and the characters were wonderfully developed and so very real, they almost felt like real people at times, not just characters.

And last but not least, the setting of Dune Island sounded soo truly picturesque and idyllic, would loved to have been experiencing it myself for real.

I enjoyed the premise of this book a lot and enjoyed the storyline of Paige trying to figure out what happened to her Aunt VIolet, but I found Paige quite a hard character to like, she seemed to get quite angry at the wrong people, though I would say she was a lot more likeable than her family members and it was getting quite tedious hearing about her Niece's engagement party!

I loved hearing how Aunt VIolet's story developed though and how it wasn't what we first thought, the letter was a great way to illustrate this. I am glad that the story went the way it did and was really pleased with the ending, but it was a shame that I just didn't click with the characters as much as i wanted to.

This is a enchanting beautifully told women's fiction story that will touch your heart. The author has created a wonderful island setting that is written so atmospheric you will hear the waves and feel the beauty around the characters. It is a charming story of starting over, lost over through the ages and family secrets. I was entranced and read it cover to cover unable to part with the story until conclusion. Its a lovely escape for every women's fiction reader.

This is book six in the series unknown to me when I requested it and was pleased it can be read as a stand alone.

Thank you for the ARC to the author, the publisher and to Net Galley. I highly recommend this enchanting book .

Aunt Violet's Locket by Kristin Harper

Heart-warming, page-turning and a mixture of emotion read.

Paige who suddenly was told to inherit a cottage in Dune Island from her great-grand aunt Violet. Paige was shocked because she had never met her. Now Paige just wanted to fix the cottage and sell it. Until she found a locket which belonged to her aunt and with a romantic message.

The story led us to some family drama, romantic scene and secrets. Among all the characters, I like Paige very much in the book. She’s determined while she was finding the story behind the locket. She’s caring and lovely.

Even the book is the Book 6 of Dune Island, still it can be read as a stand alone.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for my copy.

Pub date: March 12, 2024

I signed up for this one on a whim as they needed more tour spots filling...Ignoring the fact that it's the sixth book in the Dune Island series - it can read as a standalone - I found I really enjoyed it.

The dynamic of the family when they realised that Paige was the sole inheritor to her Aunt Violet's cottage was real and relatable.

Narrated across dual timelines Aunt Violet's Locker is a heartwarming read of family, relationships and romance.

And if that hasn't grabbed your attention, the glorious settings of the island certainly will!

Paige inherits a cottage on Dune Island from her great-aunt Violet, whom she has never even met. So you can only imagine how surprised she is when she is notified. Her plan is to fix it up and sell it as soon as possible. She has heard many stories about the Hathaway family that were neighbors to Violet. So when Paige bumps into Seth Hathaway, she begins to think that maybe the Hathaways aren’t so bad after-all. While searching through Violet’s cottage she finds the one and only piece of Violet’s jewelry, a locket and an inscription inside. A romantic message from Violet’s true love. Paige wonders if Dune Island could bring her the happiness she desperately needs. She uncovers a secret of Aunt Violet’s lost love, but is it a secret that would clear her Aunt’s name or should she keep it hidden from everyone forever?

Aunt Violet’s Locket written by author Kristin Harper is a wonderful and emotional story. This story is a phenomenal installment to the Dune Island Series. I always seem to get lost when I visit Dune Island. I am mesmerized by the sea lapping at the shore and the wonderful little village. The details that Harper portrays to the reader will transport you to Dune Island, and you will want to stay for a while. This story, filled with many plot twists makes it intriguing, unputdownable and wonderfully heartwarming. This charming read is exactly what I needed. I loved it. I highly recommend this ten star read.

Having read other books in the Dune Island series I knew I was in for a treat reading this one.
The author writes such warm and relaxing books you know they are going to be great, and she is an auto read author for me.
I discovered her books quite by accident a few years ago when I saw a pretty cover she had on a book and there's been no turning back since then.
Aunt Violet's Locket is a time-slip novel. There is a very short amount of time spent in the past to set up the story, but most is spent in modern times.
Paige recently had a breakup but then she discovers she has inherited an isolated cottage on Dune Island with a front row view of the majestic ocean. She had never met her great Aunt Violet that she inherited it from.
The cottage sits right next to the wealthy Hathaway family mansion. Rumors involving the Hathaway's that have gotten out of hand over the years had caused Violet to become a recluse in her home. As she goes to Dune Island she is guarded and doesn't want to trust the Hathaway's because of past family history. That all may change when she meets Seth Hathaway though. I liked Seth's character; he seemed so friendly and helpful to Paige. Blossom his dog was a real charmer too.
Paige does have some drama going on in her family, a relative's engagement party is stressing out all involved and the little cottage on Dune Island. Hoping to make a few quick repairs and sell it quickly. This is before she visits the island and cottage. Could she possibly be happy here full time? Uncovering Aunt Violet's locket may be just the way to put heartbreaking family secrets to rest. Get the tissues out for this one. It's an emotional story and you say to yourself if only..........
Such a beautiful and heartwarming story, I won't miss any by this author.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Bookouture books always keeps me reading, and this one was no different. Aunt Violet's Locket, really intrigued me from the start. I had expectations about the book and was pleasantly surprised, that this book exceeded my expectations.
Aunt Violet lived to be 99 years old, and people knew of Aunt Violet, but did they really know Aunt Violet? You will not believe who Aunt Violet was, the life she had, and the women she was. When I started reading it, I was only going to read for a little while, but I couldn't put it down, it just drew me right in, and at 2 A.M. I finished the book and was so glad I stayed up to finish this book. Kristen Harper wrote the book, with what people had heard, to when Paige arrived, and when she arrived the book changed, to figuring out the clues. I wasn't disappointed, and loved the adventure this book took me on, and I highly recommend reading this book.
I received an ARC from Bookouture through NetGalley.

I love the New England island setting and the history presented in the story,
I thought Paige was a likable character although the same couldn’t be said for some of her relatives.
I could just imagine the setting of the cottage thanks to Harper’s vivid deceptions.
I liked trying to figure out what the story was with Violet and all that she sacrificed.
I anticipated the happy ever after for Paige and knew what decision she would make for the cottage.
The only thing I disagreed with was Paige’s decision about what she discovered about Violet. It was nothing to be kept secret and should have been revealed.

I love this authors writing. And Aunt Violet's Locket by Kristin Harper did not disappoint!
Harper has written another charming story that hooked me from the very beginning.
The story was very well written I thought and the characters were wonderfully developed and so very real, they almost felt like real people at times, not just characters.
The setting is descriptive and alluring.
It will hold your attention and draw you in, taking you on journey I wished didn’t end so soon!

Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Paige is flabbergasted when she finds out that she inherited her Aunt Violet’s cottage over everyone in the family because she’s the only non married female in the family. While at the island, getting the cottage ready to put on the market, Paige finds out so much more about the aunt she never knew.

I really enjoyed the story, right when you think you got it figured out, I changes on you. I loved Paige and Seth. I’m shocked that Paige could keep such a cool leveled head when it came to her family, I may have yelled out loud in my frustration.
This book has a little bit of everything.
Love
History
Heartache
Family drama
And of course a dog!

This was a really nice story. It revolves around Paige and her inheritance. It has bit of a mystery about her great Aunt. It’s also a nice romance that is perfect for your spring break reading. This is a really good series