Having read a few of Jill Steeples’ books I jumped at the chance to read and review another. I am so glad I did. Yet again Jill did not disappoint! I loved this from the first page to the last. This is set in a village community and is a heartwarming tale which highlights the importance of helping and supporting others when they need it a message that is needed now more than ever. Jill Steeples is fast becoming one of my favourite authors and I can’t wait to read her next book. I highly recommend this one you won’t regret it!

Book Tour review

When she suddenly finds herself alone, Tess must find a way to get past the hurt of her husband’s betrayal and takes on the challenge of turning the office in the garden into something more personal for herself. But then she meets Rob who is currently homeless and invites him to stay in the retreat in the garden until he can get his life back on track. A heartwarming story of second chances.

This is a wonderful quick read about rediscovering yourself. Tess’s husband surprised her when he announced that he was leaving her for another woman. Their only daughter is spending a gap year after college backpacking around Australia, so it has been easy for her hideaway from the world in her cozy cottage. Slowly she finds the determination to stand up and take charge of her life. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

This is the perfect light hearted holiday summer read. This is book 1 of a new series by the author and already I can't wait for the next one. It's nice to escape to the Cotswold for a while and is top of my list to visit ! The authors descriptions are excellent and brings the story to life! I really enjoyed this one

You join Tess at an agonizing moment in her life with her long marriage in tatters. It is obvious that she is going to have to pick herself up and try to decide how she wants the rest of her life to pan out. Well- known and respected n her village, she finds this public unravelling of her life hard to take. Her solace is her beautiful cottage which is the result of years of care and attention. Somewhere along the way, Tess comes to realise that she has subsumed her wants and needs in favour of her husbands'.

Tess befriends Rob who she meets by chance and realises that he is down on his luck. She puts her trust in him, despite what others may think. Her friendships are very important to Tess and she comes to re-evaluate how she has treated some people in the past. With her ex-husband, daughter and elderly mother to contend with, Tess finds that she is in the middle of others' problems and how she reacts to them shows you a lot about her character. This is a warm and uplifting story with a range of characters and a beautiful setting.

In short: Starting over

A big thank you to Rachel and the publisher for issuing me with my review copy of the book and for inviting me to take part on the blog tour!

The Forever Cottage is the start of a new series from Jill Steeples, set in the idyllic Lower Leaping in the Costwolds. I’ve have only read a few books from the author but after very much enjoying The Forever Cottage, I will be investigating her others.

We are introduced to Tess as she is on a video call with her daughter, an only child, who is taking some time out travelling in Australia before she starts teacher training later in the year. When the call finishes, we finally see Tess break down in tears. Slowly we learn that her husband Charles, of 30 years, has left her for a much younger colleague and effectively ending their life together. With Barney her dog, she tries to carry on with her life but as she has only known life with Charles, she slowly comes to realise that she doesn’t really what her life is like on her own.

After a chat with her friends Gina and Suzy, who are both also going through their own changes, and her mum (a wonderfully funny character that I really liked!) Tess decides enough is enough and realises that she can actually begin living her life for herself and not having to placate Charles and his every whim! She begins with clearing out the garden office, which was once the workspace of Charles. Clearing it and effectively clearing Charles out of her life becomes very therapeutic and helps her more that she realises and she decides to turn it into a mini sanctuary, set within her own garden sanctuary.

When she encounters, down on his luck Rob, a once successful businessman, she decides to offer him the cosy garden room to help him get back on his feet and discover what he really wants to do with his life having lost his wife and effectively his family  to his business partner.

I really loved reading this book, it was so easy to dip in and out of with a wonderful array of characters that you could happily read more about. Dilly, her next door neighbour is someone that Tess has always seen as a ‘nosy neighbour’ but she really shines when Tess opens up to her about what has happened. This shows Tess about not judging a book by its cover, that also encourages her to help Rob get his life back together.

Charles still dips in and out of her life and what an odious character he is! I was happy to see Tess, see him for what he was really was despite him thinking he could have his cake and eat it! The ways she stands up to him, really shows how much she grew throughout the book.

A wonderful story with wonderful characters. Happy to see that it is part of a new series as I think the other characters will have some interesting stories to read about!

Highly recommended from me.

#BlogTour

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Forever Cottage' by Jill Steeples.

This is the first book in Jill's brand new and promising to be gorgeous 'Lower Leaping' series and is just as stunning as her previous books!! Mind you, I can not say I am surprised as this is Jill Steeples we are talking about!!.

Yet another absolutely stunning read by the extremely talented Jill Steeples!!! A perfectly gorgeous book and a beautiful introduction to this promising new series!!! The vivid descriptions left me hearing the laughter and feeling warmth in my heart. The title, synopsis and cover suited the storyline perfectly.

I have absolutely loved each and every one of the amazing Jill's books that I have read so far and this one is no exception!!! How she does it time and time again I will never know but I am just over the moon that she does as every time I need a feel good book to turn a frown upside down Jill Steeples is my go to woman!! In this stunning introduction to this beautiful new series Jill transports the readers to the picturesque and idyllic village of Lower Leaping in the Cotswolds. As always Jill's stunning and evocative descriptions ensures the readers see the surroundings, characters and environment come to life as they turn the pages. I loved meeting new characters Tess Alexander whose perfect life with her husband Charles and dreams of retirement come crashing down after some devastating news leaving Tess alone. Well, not completely alone as she has the absolutely gorgeous Barney her beagle to keep her for company. I am a huge animal lover and even run my own cat rescue called Golden Oldies Cat Hospice and Sanctuary which you can discover on FB if you wish to meet the gang so any animals in books are a huge bonus for me. I was completely invested in Tess and Barney and thoroughly enjoyed meeting the community, watching Tess and Rob's interactions, friendship and emotions grow and develop and seeing Tess transform from the beginning to end, reminding me of a flower blooming with her fresh start. You seriously need to grab your copy of this beauty today and I promise you will not regret it!! If you have never read any of Jill's books (seriously why haven't you?) you may even discover your new favourite author, book and series and be sure to check out her Primrose Hall series while you are waiting for the next book in this beautiful series to come out which I am very impatiently waiting for myself, hint, hint Jill!! You definitely want to clear your schedules, especially if you haven't read any of Jill's books as you will be hooked!!! With a gorgeous storyline ram packed with love, community, friendship, animals, second chances, hope, new beginnings, joy, surprises and everything you could ask for and much, more more what on Earth are you waiting for?? This book and this series is one of the most heart-warming and beautiful ones I've read in a long time. It made me laugh, cry, angry, joyful, smile and fall in love with Lower Leaping. I cannot wait to return in future books in this series. I absolutely love the gorgeous atmosphere and surroundings, it felt like a gorgeous escape that I did not want to leave!! Jill's stunning evocative writing talents ensures the reader is flown away on holiday and will leave you tingling with warmth, smiling with happiness and light hearted!! It is one of those stunning books that it is impossible to say just one more chapter to. I gave up even trying to lie to myself saying just one more in the end as every time I came to the end of one chapter I just HAD to know what was going to happen next and this ended up happening so many times I ended up devouring the whole book in a several hour sitting!! I just could not put my kindle down and I was absolutely gutted when I came to the end of the book as it genuinely felt like I had escaped my stressful life in Wales for a few hours and was loving Lower Leaping!!! The storyline was sweet, romantic, uplifting and everything you want in a heart warming romance and I completely fell head over heels in love!!! This book is an uplifting breathe of fresh air!!! It ended absolutely perfectly!!!

Clear your schedules before picking up this stunning page turner as you won't be able to put it down and will get lost on this gorgeous rollercoaster ride of emotions!!! As stunning and page turning start to a promising new series by this extremely talented author!

The characters are all strong, well defined and realistic. I fell in love with the majority of them, even if some took longer than others!! They have all come to feel like friends rather than fictional characters thanks to all the love and care that Jill has put into them, showing that she has clearly cared for her characters throughout. I have loved meeting each of the characters at Lower Leaping and cannot wait to meet many of them again along with the new ones that Jill's brilliant imagination will come up with in the next episode! I am looking forward to seeing what the fabulous Jill will come out with next!!! I would absolutely love to see this stunning series on the TV one day soon!!!

Get wrapped up warm, put the fire on, make your self a hot chocolate or get your towel and book ready and relax on the beach and clear your schedule ready to get lost in this unputdownable heart warming, gorgeous romantic introduction to this stunning new series!

Well done Jill on yet another absolutely gorgeous book and beautiful introduction to what promises to be a stunning new series. This is exactly why you are on my favourite authors list!!! I am thoroughly looking forward to reading more of your books past and future including the ones to come in this epic series. Congratulations on a stunning success and here's to more 🥂!!

Overall an absolutely stunning page turning escapism that will make you smile, laugh and keep you up all night absorbing the pages. A perfect introduction to a stunning new series by this amazing author!

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In love with this. I love reading about someone with experiences that’s realistic and is relatable. I loveee Tess and what’s she’s done.

The Forever Cottage by Jill Steeples

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

It's never too late to follow your heart...

Tess Alexander lives an enviable life with her husband Charles, at Hollyhocks Cottage in the idyllic Cotswold village of Lower Leaping. Dreaming of their early retirement, Tess’s plans are dashed when Charles shares some devastating news and suddenly she’s left alone with only Barney, her adorable Beagle dog, for company.

Facing an uncertain future, Tess tries to reconnect with her old self. She begins to transform the neglected garden office into a beautiful retreat, the perfect spot for her to indulge in her long-forgotten creative passions.

However, a chance encounter with charming but down on his luck, Rob Templeton, soon puts pay to her plans, when she offers him the place to stay, sensing a kindred spirit.

With the support of old friends, Gina and Suzy, Tess must now step out of her comfort zone and embrace a different way of life, one that is filled with secrets, possibilities and second chances, if only Tess is prepared to take them.

With so many demands on her attention, will Tess find a way to follow her heart and discover her own happy ending?

My Opinion

The Forever Cottage is a delightful introduction to the Lower Leaping series. Jill Steeples has written about some wonderful characters. I read the majority of this book in one sitting as I was completely hooked. An uplifting and heart-warming read.

Rating 4/5

The Forever Cottage is the first book in a brand new series and it was an absolutely wonderful read. Set in the gorgeous village of Lower Leaping in the Cotswolds. The main character Tess has had a major change in her life and is trying to deal with it in the best way she possibly can. I thought Tess was a lovely,character who was determined to make the most of her life when things got difficult.. There are some other great characters including Dilly Duchamp who I’ve no doubt we will be reading more about as the series progresses. I found myself invested in this story from the very start and found it to be an uplifting and heartwarming read.

I love Jill's books, so I jumped at the chance to tour with The Forever Cottage as its the first in a new series!

Set in the stunning scenery of the Cotswolds, Lower Leaping is a fictional village, but the village it's based on, Lower Slaughter is indeed real!

Fabulously enjoyable and one for those of us that are at the 'middle aged mark', making it more relatable and easier to have an affinity with Tess.

It's a heartwarming story of second chance and starting over. Proving that life can certainly begin no matter what your age!

Jill Steeples’ The Forever Cottage is a wonderful tale about life’s unexpected surprises, starting over and second chances women’s fiction fans are sure to love.

Tess leads a life that is as close to perfect as it is possible to get. She lives in a beautiful house in the Cotswolds, is married to a wonderful man and is currently dreaming of early retirement. Only, when her husband Charles drops a bombshell, Tess is heartbroken, dejected and alone with only her beagle for company.

Tess might have had the stuffing knocked out of her, but she refuses to stay down for long. Deciding to reconnect with her old self and to embrace the creative side of herself which she had shut out for so long, Tess begins to transform her garden office into the idyllic retreat. Meeting kindred spirit Rob Templeton also puts a spring in her step – especially when he moves in…

Tess has never felt more vibrant than she does now. Dare she take a chance on herself and on living the life she has always wanted? Or will past secrets and never forgotten fears put paid to her wonderful new beginning?

Jill Steeples draws her readers in from page one and will keep them engrossed until the end with The Forever Cottage. A feel-good tale that skilfully balances humour and heart, The Forever Cottage is a hopeful, uplifting and enjoyable page-turner about embracing change, seeking greener pastures and loving life with a nuanced and relatable heroine it is impossible not to root for.

Jill Steeples never disappoints and readers are sure to be charmed by her latest, The Forever Cottage.

The Forever Cottage
Jill Steeples
Pub - 19th June 2025

My turn for the book blog tour …
(A bit late in the day - sorry! Bit of a day that involved my mum and a flat tyre!!)

🔴 Tess Alexander lives an enviable life with her husband Charles, at Hollyhocks Cottage in the idyllic Cotswold village of Lower Leaping. Dreaming of their early retirement, Tess’s plans are dashed when Charles shares some devastating news and suddenly she’s left alone with only Barney, her adorable Beagle dog, for company.

Facing an uncertain future, Tess tries to reconnect with her old self. She begins to transform the neglected garden office into a beautiful retreat, the perfect spot for her to indulge in her long-forgotten creative passions.

However, a chance encounter with charming but down on his luck, Rob Templeton, soon puts pay to her plans, when she offers him the place to stay, sensing a kindred spirit. 🔴

Ahhh Jill …. I genuinely ADORED this book !!

The fact that the main characters were middle age ( like myself) and shows that life doesn’t have to stop, if your circumstances change later in life! Charles - oh I felt I could taser him, but that’s the point of his character lol! Tess was just wonderful, I feel we could be friends 🤣🫢. Seeing her character blossom throughout the book was just lovely. I was so happy with the ending … ❤️❤️.

Thanks Phillipa for the opportunity to read and review this book. Also Netgalley and Boldwood Books.

I enjoyed reading The Forever Cottage by Jill Steeples. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

The first book in a new series that I found uplifting and very enjoyable. Tess is at a crossroads in her life. For 30 years, she's been a wife and mother, now she's just Tess, and she does not quite know how to be "just" Tess. Jill Steeples has done an excellent job of building the backstory and showing readers Tess's small steps as she creates a future. The characters were easy to love, especially Barney, and cheering for Tess made me feel good, too. It's going to be fun to see where Steeples takes this cast of characters next.

What a beautiful story of rebuilding and rediscovering yourself after a break up later in life and the importance of family, friendship and community. The story was written in such an engaging read and I was begging for Tess and also Hannah to each get their happy ending. The bond between mother and daughter was a touching read.

I also loved all the other side characters such as the friends Gina and Suzy, Dilly and Ofcourse the gorgeous furry friend Barney. The cottage and Cotswold setting was stunning and I could picture it all perfectly.

I can’t wait to read the rest of the series to find out what happened to these loveable Characters and if they get their happy ending. What a wonderful writer Jill is!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book. It’s out now.

It was good to follow Tess' character development, as she carved herself a new life after her husband had left her. She found not only new friends, but also a new love interest. If not with an explicit happy ending, the story ends on a hopeful note. I can recommend it to readers who like romantic stories about second chances.

Tess's plans for a life in an idyllic cottage in the Cotswolds is dashed when her husband Charles leaves her for a younger woman. Their daughter Hannah is away on a gap year in Australia, leaving her alone with her dog Barney. She decides to clear out the cottage, and in particular the garden office that Charles had been using previously. When she meets Rob, who had fallen on hard times, she offers him the use of the annex whilst he finds his feet.
The Cotswolds are a popular setting for books, and if you've ever visited it is easy to understand why. It is a nice change to see older characters in a book, I had an image of Tess in my minds eye, which made the story more relatable. I'm not sure that she was wise in taking in Rob without really knowing him, but it is a reflection of her lovely character. She has supporting friends plus a perhaps not so nosey neighbour to help her adjust to her new life. A heartwarming tale that I did enjoy.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

This was a nice easy flowing read. I liked that the main characters were over 50 and looking into the next stage of life, for me it made them more relatable. Tess was a lovely character, her heart is so large. For years she’s kept everything and everyone ticking over not really giving her own needs a thoughts and now is her time. Even after her world is shattered when Charles leaves she still has love and kindness in her heart to reach out and help others. Seeing the friendship slowly develop between her and Rob was nice, there was no expectations, just a connection that felt right.

A lovely read and a solid foundation to a new series, I can’t wait to see all the characters again.

The Forever Cottage
by Jill Steeples

I love immersing myself in books featuring middle-aged characters; I find their life experiences relatable and their journeys resonate deeply with me. This novel marks the beginning of the Lower Leaping Series, and it introduces a cast of creative and engaging characters that I hope to revisit in future books. Among them, I particularly enjoyed the quirky neighbour, Dilly, whose warm-hearted demeanour and gossip brought interest to the story. Of course, Tess's loyal dog, Barney, stole my heart as well with his playful antics and unwavering companionship.

At its core, this is a heartfelt tale of rediscovering one’s identity in the aftermath of a marriage's collapse. After spending thirty years with her husband, Tess is left shattered when he abruptly decides to leave. Caught in the whirlwind of grief and confusion, she vows to navigate her way through the sorrow and begin anew. It’s during this transformative period that she unexpectedly meets Rob, a man who is currently down on his luck. Recognising his struggles and yearning to help, she generously offers him a place to stay in her husband’s former home office—a cozy annex she has recently redecorated to reflect her newfound independence.

Tess's friends play a crucial role in her journey, rallying around her with support and encouragement as she learns to embrace her new reality. Through laughter and shared experiences, she discovers the strength of camaraderie and the importance of establishing new friendships. The story beautifully captures Tess's evolution as she begins to rebuild her life, making it an enjoyable and uplifting start to a series brimming with potential.