Troubled families, secrets and hidden treasures all wrapped up in a quaint seaside (albeit American) town.

After her Aunt Sylvia dies a visit to her remaining Aunt means Zoe can escape the reality of losing her job, boyfriend and her collapsed finances.

Arriving at Dune Island, she finds her cousin Mark is there. From the start Zoe questions his motives, is he there to safeguard the family home and act in their aunts best interests or does he have a more selfish motivation?

As local handyman, Nick helps to maintain the family home but as the friendship between them grows, can Zoe trust him and is she ready to move on?

A family link to the mysterious lighthouse keeper may explain why the aunts remained devoted to one another but will all of the truths come out to finally lay all of the ghosts of the past to rest?

This was a simply structured but interesting story that provided some light hearted entertainment. The characters were easy to relate to and always kept you hoping that love would prevail.

This is book 2 in the Dune Island series and can be read as a stand alone book. Zoe loves Dune Island and has happy memories spending summers with her Aunt Ivy. Her cousin Mark is trying to get Aunt Ivy into a nursing home so he can sell the cottage he's to inherit. When Ivy dies, Zoe is to clean out the attic and all of Ivy's possessions. She comes across her Aunt's chest in the attic and discovers some family secrets that might make the cottage her own. I liked the story but I think things fell into place a little too easily. A little romance and some intrigue. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is an emotional tale set in a beautiful rambling house on Dune island. The characters are flawed and interesting, the plot is gently paced, but it builds suspense around the secrets the main protagonist discovers and how they will affect her beloved Great-Aunt Ivy.

Family drama, written in a lyrical style with lovely imagery and relatable familial relationships.

I received a copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I loved the first book in this series (Summer at Hope Haven), so I was excited to visit the world again. This time, we get Zoey’s family. She’s in constant conflict with her cousin, Mark, as to how to handle their elderly great-aunts (who share the titular cottage). I think dealing with elderly relatives is a relatable subject. There are also family secrets (of course) that Zoey determines to find answers to. I liked Zoey, and I also liked Gabi, who I thought was well-written. It did get confusing in some points as it jumped time periods and between members of an extensive family tree. While it doesn’t exactly reach the magic of the first book, I would still recommend it for a powerful look at family secrets. For a full review, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital ARC of the book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free read and a chance to give an honest review. This author is new to me and she did not disappoint! It was like a Hallmark movie in book form and a beautiful cover!

A lovely emotional and heartwarming read about the importance of family, secrets, loss and love. Loved Zoey and her relationship with her great aunt Ivy. Great setting.

This book was a miss for me. By no means was it terrible, but it wasn't wonderful either. To some degree I feel as though I was misled by the description. I did not find it particularly gripping or emotional. The story basically felt like Zoey caring for her aging great-aunt and her niece while preventing her cousin from undermining the great-aunt and stealing the family home. As for the family secrets and ensuing mystery, it was hardly there until the last 20% of the book and then it was wrapped up in such a neat bow that I wanted to roll my eyes. In terms of the blossoming "romance," the whole thing was lukewarm at best and only seemed to happen because he was the only man her age in the story besides her cousin. I did not find myself swooning over him or really rooting for them to get together. The writing style also grated against some of my pet peeves, so that turned me off the novel. In the end, the book just left me feeling meh - neither ready to toss it in the bin or wanting to sing its praises.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a book I struggled to like but did not hate at the same time. It took me a while to finish, not because it was awful or I hated it. More because I was ambivalent about the characters and writing style. Something just did not click for me in this one.

Aunt Ivy’s Cottage

Kristin Harper

After her Aunt Sylvia dies, Zoe decides to go to visit her Aunt Ivy on Dune Island, one of her favorite childhood places. What she doesn’t tell Aunt Ivy is that she has also lost her job, her boyfriend and her life savings, and is about to lose her home. When she gets to Dune Island, her cousin Mark is there, trying to scheme a way to get Ivy into a nursing home so he can rent to “cottage” out and pay off his growing debt since he is prohibited from selling. When a neighbor and local handyman, Nick says huge is on Zoe’s side, the two grow every closer even though Zoe isn’t ready for another relationship. After a discovery in the attic links the family to the mysterious lighthouse keeper, Marks claims to the home could be in danger. Meanwhile Zoe has to try and help her niece who is struggling after the death of her mother and her fathers addiction issues. The discovery in the attic could keep Ivy in the home she loves but does Nick have the families best interests at heart?

With a little bit of mystery, a touch of possible romance, a lot of family drama this was a story that kept me interested the entire time, even with the ending feelings a bit rushed. Technically this is book two in the Dune Island series but it is a stand alone and the only tie in is the Island, although I plan on going back and reading the first. Showing the value of family and the memories we make, I recommend this book and give it 4 of 5 stars.

Thank you to Chick Lit Central and Bookoture for the review copy of this book. The thoughts and opinions are my own.

Absolutely loved this, I really couldn’t put it down and devoured it in one sitting. This is the second book in a series, but I hadn’t read the first, I found it didn’t make a difference at all and I didn’t feel I was missing out on anything at all having not read it (although I’m going to now as I loved this so much) Great characters, such wonderful community and I just wanted to be a part of it. Brilliant and well written, a fantastic read

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

I love the sound of the location.

Ivy's cottage is more like a big old house that sounds amazing the descriptions through the book of it and Dune Island as a whole make me want to live there.

This was the first book of Kristin Harper's that I have read. Even though I found out later there is another Dune Island book this doesn't need to be read for this story.

I found that the flow of this wasn't quite what I was expecting there were parts where I was very engrossed but at others I was struggling to keep going. The ending especially between Zoey and Cousin Mark while gave an unexpected twist also felt too rushed.

The writing of this with the descriptions especially pulled me in and the premise of the book was great. I would definitely read more of her work as overall I did like the book.

Aunt Ivy's Cottage is the 2nd book in the Dune Island series. After reading the first book I expected the series to be a continuation of the characters introduced there but instead we have all new characters who are located in a different hamlet of Dune Island although three of the main characters of the first book do make a friendly appearance in this one. The plot line of this book too revolves around a family cottage and the hidden secrets it holds....secrets of love lost and gained, the question of paternity and who exactly is the true heir of the cottage. Again the the town, the cottage and it surroundings is beautifully described. There are a few touching and emotional moments but I felt the ending was a bit rushed...it was odd to see Mark come to terms with the truth so easily in the end since he, as the main antagonist, was hell bent on getting his hands on the cottage by any means up until the end of the book. Overall, I liked it but a little less than the first book in the series; however, I do look forward to seeing which hamlet and new characters the author brings to us in the next book.

P. S.: The cover is beautiful 💖.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture and the author Kristin Harper for the e-Arc of the book. The book was published on 7th December 2020.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨💫.

What a great story. I read it in one day and enjoyed it very much. I love the idea of having a old family cottage and finding secrets. Great characters and a wonderful storyline. . Highly recommend.
I was given a ARC by the publishers and Net Galley and this is my honest review

Although this is book 2 in the series, you could easily read this as a standalone and it wouldn't make any difference to your reading - it very briefly mentions the characters from the first book but you don't need to know who they are.
This book took me on a huge journey throughout and yet again I couldn't put it down as I wanted to find out what the family secret was as much as Zoey did!
There was a budding romance, as well as heartache, hope, and looking back on the past - it literally covered everything,
At one point I genuinely had a lump in my throat, and my eyes welled up as without realising I had got caught up in the family feel of the book.
Will definitely be looking out for more books in this series and by this author when they come out.

This lovely novel isn't the usual type of either a romance or family saga, it is a great read and one that I didn't want to end. The setting would make for a wonderful place to live and the characters would make lovely neighbours. For me this was a 5 star book and I recommend you all read it. This is the second book in a series but also a stand alone. Very well written.

Families and hidden secrets were one of my most favorite tropes in fiction, after thrillers obviously. This book had them in plenty. Love for the elderly shone through, a fact I absolutely felt was so essential in today’s fast life. The author Kristin Harper captured that emotion in the words chosen in the story.

My first book by her, I respected the way Zoey loved her great-aunts and cared for them. Her grief in losing one of them was well depicted. On the other hand, Mark came across as the grubby, selfish man who wanted to send his great-aunt to the assisted living so that he could make use of the family home as a site to have weddings.

A secret in the attic caused the mystery to come into the open, and it was up to Zoey to deal with them. She was good in her relationship with her aunts. I loved how her protective nature for them leaped through the prose, but she was quite prone to heated emotions and instant mood change. But since I was like that in real life, I didn’t mind that. Her budding relationship with carpenter Nick seemed sweet. I was glad that the story was not romance-heavy.

I expected Mark to be a great antagonist, but he disappointed me. His section at the end was wrapped up too fast. That was a pity as he provided spice to the sweetened tale. The pace at times seemed too erratic, and all the characters could have been given greater depths so that they touched my and evoked my emotions, even anger.

Overall, a richly descriptive prose along with sensitive moments filled with emotions, love for the aunts made this a soothing read.

This was such a sweet story of love between family and friends. Lots of twists throughout, but a very enjoyable read.

Aunt Ivy’s Cottage by Kristin Harper is a delightfully charming contemporary novel about love and family. It is the second book in the Dune Island series but can be read as a stand-alone.
The novel is about a love that has travelled down the generations and is now passed between three generations as they share time together in the old family house. The love and memories are entwined in the very fabric of the house. It is a house where love and care live.
A casual remark opens up a mystery to be solved. The reader is just as keen as the characters to know the answer.
Life is not always kind. There have been some hard losses but memories and love help with the healing process.
As the house is renovated and restored, this is mirrored in characters’ lives as fractured lives begin to mend.
The characters were warm, realistic and welcoming. Their love reached out, enveloping all including the reader.
Aunt Ivy’s Cottage was a beautiful gentle read that will swell your heart and make you smile.
Legacies are not about money. Legacies are about the love we leave behind.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

I was drawn to this book by the cover and by the fact that I had read the first book in the series. I really enjoyed the book, in fact I stayed up until 3am be cause I couldn't put it down. The first thing I'll tell you is that the description doesn't match the book, I still chose to read it. The second thing is if you're not interested in the quintessential beach read, this book isn't for you. The characters are interesting, Aunt Ivy and Gabi, were my favorites and the story is well written. I will definitely be reading more by this author.

I actually didn’t realise this was second in a series until after I finished it but I don’t think it matters – I think it’s only the location that is the same and this can be read as a stand alone.

Zoey recently lost her job and her relationship ended in a devastating way. She’s moved back to Dune Island and the big family home that she and her sister spent their summers in growing up, where her great-aunt Ivy lives alone now. Zoey’s priority is taking care of Ivy, helping her through her grief and making sure her greedy cousin Mark, who will inherit the property (although a stipulation means it cannot be sold) doesn’t force Ivy out before she’s truly ready to leave the home she’s lived in for decades. Zoey also takes charge of her teenage niece due to some family issues and she’s also looking for a new job so she has a lot on her plate.

There was a lot about this book I enjoyed. I love the setting, the descriptions of the grand old houses with stunning views and how the house had been in Zoey’s family for many years. Ivy, the current owner of the house, was incredibly generous with it – she had no children herself but loved having the children of her siblings and their children over, especially for summer holidays. Zoey and her sister Jessica grew up loving those summers and Zoey has very sentimental feelings about the house and a great love for her aunt Ivy. She’s never really gotten on with Mark, her spoiled cousin who is always being bailed out and babied by the older generation and as the one who will inherit, Mark seems to suddenly be making a lot of plans, like organising a kitchen renovation. It seems he wants everything done before he inherits it, so that his outlay will be minimal but then he can rent it out and enjoy the returns. Zoey is incensed at what she perceives to be Mark’s taking advantage of an older lady who is in a vulnerable state, if not outright bullying.

I loved the story of Ivy and her sister-in-law Sylvia, the glimpses into the past and the slight element of mystery that surrounded the family line. I also liked Zoey and her dedication to taking care of Ivy and making sure that she was able to live as she wanted to, rather than the way anyone else wanted. She also has a lot of dedication to her niece as well, who is going through quite a difficult time and has a lot of upheaval in her life. Zoey also meets Nick, a local contractor engaged to look at the kitchen renovation and at first, Zoey is highly suspicious of him, thinking he’s a friend of Mark’s. But the more time Nick spends around her, the more she realises she had it wrong and they become friends…and Zoey wonders if there might be the potential for something more.

However, I did find a lot of the conflict between Zoey and Nicholas, quite childish. Zoey flies off the handle regularly, even after knowing Nick she ends up overhearing something that makes her believe the worst in him and instead of asking him about it like a mature adult, she acts like a sulky child. It made it difficult to see why Nick would be interested in her, the amount of times she was stand-offish or outright hostile towards him. Also running through the story is a plot thread about who should inherit the house – it passes to the oldest living relative and cannot be sold or transferred out of the family, no matter what. There are hints that Mark might not have a claim to it and Zoey does occupy herself with looking for some evidence, but in a kind of half-hearted way. However the way in which this resolved felt quite unrealistic and involved a serious 180 in character for one person. It felt quite weak, in comparison to the rest of the story, which I felt was mostly quite strong. It was very neat but the biggest thing didn’t actually happen on page as such, but was glossed over, which I thought was disappointing.

Despite my feelings about that particular part of the story, I enjoyed this quite a bit and I’d read more of this series.

7/10