First visit in a new series from the wonderful Jill Steeples. The book draws you in from the first page.
Tess is experiencing a blip in her idyllic Hollyhocks cottage when her long term husband trades her in for a younger model.
With the support of her friends and an encounter with a new one she is clawing her way back to the world.
Brilliantly written and can’t wait to get to know these characters in this new village looking forward to more in this series,

Such a lovely book to read. I really enjoyed the characters and the atmosphere of this book. So relaxing and it felt like I was being cuddled in a warm duvet. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Another wonderful read from Jill. I loved how the story unfolded keeping the reader reluctant to put the book down. Tess was a wonderful character and together with her friends and their trip. It kept you guessing on how the story would unfold with her meeting with Rob. she certainly was a lady to take chances. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I have read other books by Jill Steeples and 'The Forever Cottage' didn't disappoint. Thank you to Netgalley for my ARC copy. Tess' world is turned upside-down when her husband, Charles, announces he is leaving her. Their daughter is away traveling and Tess is left to pick up the pieces of her life by herself whilst supporting her elderly mother. Tess then meets Rob, who is has lost everything following a messy divorce and is also trying to get his life back on track. Charles adds to the drama with his selfish attitude, e.g. expecting Tess to tell their daughter about his decision to leave, and also allow his new partner to look after her dog. A nice escapist read, Tess is at times unrealistic with her expectations e.g. she hasn't worked since her daughter was born and has been completely dependent financially on Charles, yet she sets about redecorating her home with no thought as to where the money is coming from (nor is this spending done as revenge). That said, as a cosy beach read this does fit the bill.

Tess has the perfect life. A beautiful cottage in a village which she has renovated over the years of her marriage to Charles. Her only daughter is now touring Australia before university starts and although Tess misses her she knows she has to let her do her thing.
Out of the blue Charles announces that he is leaving her for a younger woman from his office. This is the story of Tess picking up the pieces of her life.
I really enjoyed this book. Tess is completely lost until she bumps into a man who is sleeping in a tent after his divorce.
The friendship which developed between these two is lovely.
Tess two friends and her neighbour bring some light relief from what Tess is going throw. I must say she is well rid of Charles. I think this is a new series so I look forward to reading more about Tess and friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

This is book 1 in the Lower Leaping series, and it starts with Tess Alexander, 54, having thrown out cheating husband Charles from her beloved Hollyhocks Cottage in the Cotswolds. It's a typical village where everyone knows everyone, and neighbour Dilly promptly comes over to offer condolences and strike up a closer friendship. Tess has always had an active social life in the community, incorporating her friends Gina and Suzy, her beagle Barney, mother Marjorie and daughter Hannah who is currently travelling in Australia, but now she needs to adjust to her new freedom and opportunities.

Tess loves her cottage and colourful garden and decides to transform the garden annexe, previously used by Charles as an office, into her personal crafting retreat, but after meeting down on his luck Rob, she offers it to him instead as a temporary place to stay until he gets back on his feet. She experiences an attraction to him but at the same time lawyer Nico starts courting her, and Charles is still throwing his weight around, finding fault with everything Tess does.

This is an undemanding and predictable, yet gentle and light-hearted holiday read about friendship, hope, personal growth and second chances. All the characters except Charles are lovely and it reads fast. If you like warmhearted and uplifting stories about middle-aged women getting their mojo back, carving out a new future and finding new friends and fulfillment, you will love this.

3.5 stars

Tess thought she had it all, the perfect family and home. Then her husband Charles tells her he has found another love and she is now alone to figure out what should have been their retirement years.
I so enjoyed this book and seeing how Tess comes through it all and finds her own place in the world. She has wonderful friends to assist her as well as her mother and daughter. Then she finds a new friend Rob and things start looking up. There is sorrow and laughing through the tears. What a lovely read this was!

An enjoyable read. Loved the main characters and how the main character Tess adapted and grew into her changing circumstances. Would recommend this book

This is the first book I have read by Jill steeples and it won’t be the last.
Hollyhocks cottage is so well described I could have been sat in the summer house enjoying the garden with Barney on my lap.
Tess’s husband has left her for a younger work colleague, her hopes of early retirement are dashed. That until she takes matters into her own hands and decides she is going to air bnb the summerhouse. By chance she meets Rob who needs a place to stay. Is this a second chance at love or a risky move having a stranger stay.? Will love blossom between Tess and Nico a ex college of her husband.?
Every bit is so well written and descriptive. Looking forward to reading more by Jill Steeples

Tess's controlling husband has left her for a younger woman, her daughter is off on a gap year, she doesn't know what to do with herself, until she meets Rob and offers him temporary shelter. with the help of her friends, she starts a new life.

This is a lovely feel good read that’s the first book in this new series. Jess and her husband live in a lovely cottage in the Cotswold, but Charles is having an affair. Meanwhile their daughter is in Australia having a gap year. This read left a smile on my face, lovely characters, lovely scenery and beautifully written. I can’t wait to read the next one in this series,. A feel good,, happy 5 star read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

This was a real feel good book. I was so pleased it ended the way it did. Lots of people go through break ups and every one deals with them differently. But the way Tess dealt with what Charles had done was admirable. Also dealing with Hannah on the other side of the world.

Great book. Good strong female characters and lots of friendship and support. Perfect holiday book and really enjoyable. Tess should be reaping the rewards of bringing her daughter up now and entering her golden years with her husband charles, however he has had a classic mid life crisis and sought the arms of a much younger woman. Her friends rally around her and she draws strength from new friendships too.
I would love to see this a series where we can dip in and catch up on Tess. This was lovely. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

A charming, comfortable read that left me feeling hopeful about my world. Lovely escape!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Boldwood Books via NetGalley.
Pub Date Jun 19 2025
#TheForeverCottage #LowerLeapingBk1 by @jill.steeples @theboldbookclub #NetGalley
#hope #friendship #secondchances #newseries #Cotswolds #village #petdog #desertion #grief #anger #romantic #Goodreads #BookBub #LibraryThing

This was a sweet read, one I could relate to a lot in parts, so I thoroughly enjoyed getting lost in it. It helped make me feel empowered!
The setting of the small village & cottage had me dreaming of cottage life. It definitely sounded idyllic. I love how Tess chose to move onwards & upwards after what happened to her. I loved her moments of newfound confidence, friendship & independence.
All the relationships, both old & and new, made me smile. I'm glad Tess had her friends & I enjoyed her getting to know Rob.
Of course one of the biggest reasons I chose this
book was for Barney! I couldn't resist a book with a beagle. I definitely recommend it.

This was a fabulous read.

Life is all change for Tess, her controlling husband has left her for a younger model, her daughter is away on a gap year and her mother is getting older.

Lost in all the changes Tess is lost, but galvanised after her ex still trying to continue controlling behaviour she turns his summer house office into a craft annexe and started making her own decisions.

Whilst shopping she meets Rob another man on a journey back from some major life changes. So when she realised he is sleeping in a tent it makes sense for her to offer up the annexe as temporary shelter.

Slowly Tess throws off the shackles on her old life and looks to the future.

I really liked this book, the characters are very well written and you really get to know each of the characters, I did enjoy the fact the characters took time to reach the end of their story, it made it more believable.

A definite recommended read.

This was a great read. Overcoming an unexpected relationship breakdown. Negotiating a life you weren’t expecting but how joy can be found in unexpected places. I loved this.

This is the first book I have read by Jill Steeples but it won’t be my last as I really enjoyed this book.

Tess’s life suddenly changes and she finds herself alone after her husband leaves her. Her daughter is away travelling and the only thing getting her through the day is Barney her little dog.

However as the book progresses Tess begins to blossom and find true happiness while seeing things that were maybe in front of her all along. She begins to focus more on herself and her interests and what makes her happy rather than the needs of her soon to be ex husband.

The setting was beautiful and Tess’s garden sounded just beautiful.

The characters in the story were great and I loved her neighbour Dilly and Tess’s two best friends. I enjoyed seeing the friendships blossom and strengthen.

This is book is the first of a new series and I can’t wait to read the next instalment and hopefully hear more about Dilly and Hannah.

A brilliant book of friendship, family and romance in a beautiful setting.

Thanks to NetGalley, Jill Steeples and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

I so enjoyed this read. It was a gentle, sweet story about Tess learning to be single again after her husband walks out, making her own decisions, making new friends and being supported by old friends. About taking a chance befriending someone who was really down on his luck, and standing up to her husband. Tess shows strength and determination but never loses her kindness towards others. Wonderful!
Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books, and Jill Steeples for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.

Jill's book are always like a opening something familar. A gorgeously written book with characters that you can connect with expect that didn't happen. I don't know but it felt for the first time something was missing from and the ending was a total let down. The story is written really well with likeable characters but I wanted to know more about what happened especially as Charles, Tess' husband is such a nasty piece of work. I feel like it was incomplete so maybe the second book will answer some of the questions I've got.

Thank you for the early access to this new book and series by Jill.