What do you think?
Rate this book
Lower Leaping #1
The Forever Cottage
The start of Jill Steeples's uplifting Lower Leaping series, set in the beautiful English Cotswold Countryside
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?
Discover a wonderfully warm story of hope, friendship and second chances.
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?
Discover a wonderfully warm story of hope, friendship and second chances.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2025
149 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
About the author
Jill Steeples
35 books235 followersAuthor also writes as J.E. Steeples
Jill Steeples lives in a small market town in Bedfordshire with her husband. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, walking, crocheting, musical theatre, baking cakes, eating them and the occasional tipple.
From an early age she fell in love with the fabulously funny romances of Jilly Cooper, and vowed, one day, she would have a go at writing one of her own.
Jill started her career writing short stories, particularly those with a twist in the tail, and her work has appeared in popular women’s magazines around the world and in a number of charity anthologies.
Now she writes feel-good, uplifting fiction for Boldwood Books and her works include The Dog & Duck series and The Primrose Woods series.
Jill Steeples lives in a small market town in Bedfordshire with her husband. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, walking, crocheting, musical theatre, baking cakes, eating them and the occasional tipple.
From an early age she fell in love with the fabulously funny romances of Jilly Cooper, and vowed, one day, she would have a go at writing one of her own.
Jill started her career writing short stories, particularly those with a twist in the tail, and her work has appeared in popular women’s magazines around the world and in a number of charity anthologies.
Now she writes feel-good, uplifting fiction for Boldwood Books and her works include The Dog & Duck series and The Primrose Woods series.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 22, 2025
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.
June 24, 2025
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.
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.
November 4, 2025
was great in parts.
Overall it was a good story, & based on that it was hard to rate. When I read it’s like a movie playing in my head, and the timeline seemed off. It appears that this whole story evolved over only 4 months. Which is unlikely. However there were so many mistakes that it was annoying. Her daughter off backpacking in Australia, for a gap year, video calls and her traveling companion had left to fly off to visit a family member in another part of the country, but it was ok because she’d met some guys and had teamed up with them, this didn’t seem to phase Tess , or the fact that a very early morning call (in Australia) had Hannah introducing her & grandma to a sleepy Billy tousled from bed! Hmmm. Not something a supposed worried mother would be ok with. Anyway enough about that because don’t want to do a spoiler. But mistakes got more frequent as the end drew near. Like Tess went into town again in the hopes of bumping into Rob (guy she’d met there week before). She actually does meet him again, and then wishes she thought to do something with her hair!!! She went with the express hope of meeting him again, but didn’t bother about her appearance! Charles was only gone a matter of a few weeks! She went from devastated, to inviting a strange guy to live in her annex! & 3or so months later are starting a romantic relationship! In about august it said about the uncharacteristic warm & sunny weather! It’s summer, so many things didn’t make sense, and then Charles turns up at the village Fete and she marches over & tells him to leave & has no right to be there? I started noting all the things that were contradictory, but gave up. So that did spoil it quite a bit for me. I find with these prolific writers the closer to the end the more editing errors. I’m sure that a lot of others will enjoy it. I will say I loved her view of Dilly changing so they became good friends and she was soon included as a fourth member of her best friends group of Gina & Suzy, now the 4 musketeers.
Overall it was a good story, & based on that it was hard to rate. When I read it’s like a movie playing in my head, and the timeline seemed off. It appears that this whole story evolved over only 4 months. Which is unlikely. However there were so many mistakes that it was annoying. Her daughter off backpacking in Australia, for a gap year, video calls and her traveling companion had left to fly off to visit a family member in another part of the country, but it was ok because she’d met some guys and had teamed up with them, this didn’t seem to phase Tess , or the fact that a very early morning call (in Australia) had Hannah introducing her & grandma to a sleepy Billy tousled from bed! Hmmm. Not something a supposed worried mother would be ok with. Anyway enough about that because don’t want to do a spoiler. But mistakes got more frequent as the end drew near. Like Tess went into town again in the hopes of bumping into Rob (guy she’d met there week before). She actually does meet him again, and then wishes she thought to do something with her hair!!! She went with the express hope of meeting him again, but didn’t bother about her appearance! Charles was only gone a matter of a few weeks! She went from devastated, to inviting a strange guy to live in her annex! & 3or so months later are starting a romantic relationship! In about august it said about the uncharacteristic warm & sunny weather! It’s summer, so many things didn’t make sense, and then Charles turns up at the village Fete and she marches over & tells him to leave & has no right to be there? I started noting all the things that were contradictory, but gave up. So that did spoil it quite a bit for me. I find with these prolific writers the closer to the end the more editing errors. I’m sure that a lot of others will enjoy it. I will say I loved her view of Dilly changing so they became good friends and she was soon included as a fourth member of her best friends group of Gina & Suzy, now the 4 musketeers.
June 19, 2025
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.
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.
June 21, 2025
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.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 18, 2025
The Forever Cottage by Jill Steele, book one in The Lower Leaping series, is a heartfelt and heartwarming story about rediscovering oneself following the collapse of a marriage; turning one’s world upside down. Tess’s life suddenly changes as she finds herself alone after 30 years of marriage, when her husband leaves her for a younger woman. Her daughter is away travelling and the only thing getting her through the day is Barney her little dog.
Determined to overcome her grief, Tess decides to decorate her beautiful garden office, transforming it into a personal retreat. However, a chance meeting with the charming yet struggling Rob Temple disrupts her plans, as she offers him the space to stay, sensing a kindred spirit. With the support of her long-time friends, Gina and Suzy, Tess must venture outside her comfort zone and embrace a new way of life filled with secrets, opportunities, and second chances if she is willing to seize them.
As Tess begins to blossom and find true happiness, she begins to see things that were possibly in front of her all along. She starts to focus more on herself, her interests and what makes her happy rather than the needs of her soon to be ex husband. Along the journey not only does Tess find herself, true happiness, and seeing an improvement of her life, but she also realizes the importance of friendship, family and romance, set in a beautiful setting.
This delightful read might be the first book I have read by Jill Steeples but it won’t be my last as I really enjoyed this book; with its picturesque setting of a charming Cotswold village and the enchanting Forever Cottage makes it an inviting escape. It is evident that this marks the beginning of a series, and while the story concluded somewhat abruptly, it leaves one eager to discover if Tess attains her happy ending, what happens with her daughter and her unusual situation.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#Boldwood #NetGalley #TheForeverCottage
Determined to overcome her grief, Tess decides to decorate her beautiful garden office, transforming it into a personal retreat. However, a chance meeting with the charming yet struggling Rob Temple disrupts her plans, as she offers him the space to stay, sensing a kindred spirit. With the support of her long-time friends, Gina and Suzy, Tess must venture outside her comfort zone and embrace a new way of life filled with secrets, opportunities, and second chances if she is willing to seize them.
As Tess begins to blossom and find true happiness, she begins to see things that were possibly in front of her all along. She starts to focus more on herself, her interests and what makes her happy rather than the needs of her soon to be ex husband. Along the journey not only does Tess find herself, true happiness, and seeing an improvement of her life, but she also realizes the importance of friendship, family and romance, set in a beautiful setting.
This delightful read might be the first book I have read by Jill Steeples but it won’t be my last as I really enjoyed this book; with its picturesque setting of a charming Cotswold village and the enchanting Forever Cottage makes it an inviting escape. It is evident that this marks the beginning of a series, and while the story concluded somewhat abruptly, it leaves one eager to discover if Tess attains her happy ending, what happens with her daughter and her unusual situation.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#Boldwood #NetGalley #TheForeverCottage
June 22, 2025
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
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
June 20, 2025
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.
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.
August 2, 2025
In the first book in a charming and cozy new series from Jill Steeples, readers meet Tess and Charles Alexander, who live at Hollyhocks Cottage in the village of Lower Leaping in the Cotswolds. Dreaming of a happy retirement, Charles’s devastating news leaves Tess and their beagle Barney on their own. Now facing an uncertain future, Tess reconstructs her past self and brings the garden office back to life so she can pursue her creative dreams until Rob Templeton needs a place to stay and seems to be a kindred spirit. Supported by friends Gina and Suzy, Tess steps out of her comfort zone into a new life that could bring her the happiness, answers, and second chances she has always needed if she’s willing to take the risk. With great characters and a charming setting, readers will love the cozy and heartwarming vibes of this new novel and series. The characters are definitely the stars of the book, and their relationships with each other really bring the larger story to life. Entertaining, heartwarming, and enjoyable, readers will love this book’s messages about hope, friendship, and second chances, and the characters’ growth over the novel is entertaining, rewarding, and fascinating.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.
June 21, 2025
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
Thanks to the publisher
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
Thanks to the publisher
July 11, 2025
Tess and Charles live in the gorgeous Cotswolds in a beautiful home looking forward to making plans for their retirement and the return of their daughter Hannah who is travelling around Australia. When all happiness is lost when Charles announces he is leaving Tess and moving in with his new girlfriend who is a fair few years younger than him - around the same age as their daughter to be precise! As you would expect Tess is heartbroken but tries to look on the bright side that she may now be able to get back to doing things she loves such as crafting, baking, walks with the dog Barney and generally being her own person.
All things seem to be improving for Tess especially when she unexpectedly takes on a lodger who has also fallen on tough times so she offers him her annexe/office at the bottom of the garden as a test run before she plans to use it for an air b&b in the following year.
Charles appears unannounced and none to happy about a strange man living in ‘his’ office and makes it plain that he doesn’t want him there, but Tess informs him that he is staying and Charles can’t do anything!
Such a beautiful story of second chances and new beginnings even when things seem bad.
All things seem to be improving for Tess especially when she unexpectedly takes on a lodger who has also fallen on tough times so she offers him her annexe/office at the bottom of the garden as a test run before she plans to use it for an air b&b in the following year.
Charles appears unannounced and none to happy about a strange man living in ‘his’ office and makes it plain that he doesn’t want him there, but Tess informs him that he is staying and Charles can’t do anything!
Such a beautiful story of second chances and new beginnings even when things seem bad.
November 27, 2025
The Forever Cottage is the first book in the Lower Leaping series. I love reading stories with characters close to my own age. It's nice to be able to identify with them paralleling my current stage in life. I tend to read more stories that I can relate to at earlier stages in my life so this is a nice change of pace.
While I can't relate with Tess's later in life divorce, I understand the grief and depression that wraps around you during a divorce at any age. There is also an overwhelming need to rediscover one's self and start your life over again. I love how the author crafted Tess's new beginning, utilizing her friends to lift her up and support her. I enjoyed how Rob entered into her life with the possibility of becoming something more than a roommate.
This is such a wonderful story of love, loss, and learning to live again. As someone who has gone through a divorce, there is grief over the loss of a partner, who, while still living, is no longer part of your world. You have to learn to pick up the pieces and move on.
And love comes when you least expect it.
I can't wait for the continuation of Tess's story in the next book.
While I can't relate with Tess's later in life divorce, I understand the grief and depression that wraps around you during a divorce at any age. There is also an overwhelming need to rediscover one's self and start your life over again. I love how the author crafted Tess's new beginning, utilizing her friends to lift her up and support her. I enjoyed how Rob entered into her life with the possibility of becoming something more than a roommate.
This is such a wonderful story of love, loss, and learning to live again. As someone who has gone through a divorce, there is grief over the loss of a partner, who, while still living, is no longer part of your world. You have to learn to pick up the pieces and move on.
And love comes when you least expect it.
I can't wait for the continuation of Tess's story in the next book.
June 13, 2025
This is a heartfelt story about rediscovering oneself following the collapse of a marriage. The protagonist, Tess, is shattered when her husband, Charles announces he is leaving her for a younger woman after 30 years of marriage. Determined to navigate her grief, Tess resolves to decorate her beautiful garden office, transforming it into a personal retreat. However, a chance meeting with the charming yet struggling Rob Temple disrupts plans, as she offers him the space to stay, sensing a kindred spirit. With the support of her long-time friends, Gina and Suzy, Tess must venture outside her comfort zone and embrace a new way of life filled with secrets, opportunities, and second chances if she is willing to seize them.
This is a delightful read, ideal for a cozy afternoon spent curled up on the sofa. The picturesque setting of a charming Cotswold village and the enchanting Forever Cottage makes it an inviting escape. It is evident that this marks the beginning of a series, and while the story concluded somewhat abruptly, it leaves one eager to discover if Tess attains her happy ending. With thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a delightful read, ideal for a cozy afternoon spent curled up on the sofa. The picturesque setting of a charming Cotswold village and the enchanting Forever Cottage makes it an inviting escape. It is evident that this marks the beginning of a series, and while the story concluded somewhat abruptly, it leaves one eager to discover if Tess attains her happy ending. With thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 22, 2025
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.
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.
June 18, 2025
When Tess's husband leaves her after 30 years, she's is shattered but determined to get through her grief by redoing her garden office into a retreat for her to do art and such in. However, life seems to have other plans as she meets a man named Rob who's down on his luck, and wanting to help, she offers to let him stay there while he gets back on his feet.
Tess soon has to adapt to a whole new life, and along with her best friends Gina and Suzy she steps out of her comfort zone and soon finds a second life filled with secrets and opportunities if they are willing to take a chance. I really liked the neighbor Dilly and of course the dog Barney )
Thus was a quick read and the setting of the Cotswolds is always a favorite of mine. It was just getting into some of the juicy bits towards the end, which leads me to beg the author to release the next books soon so I can see what happens with Tess and her family!
Thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
Tess soon has to adapt to a whole new life, and along with her best friends Gina and Suzy she steps out of her comfort zone and soon finds a second life filled with secrets and opportunities if they are willing to take a chance. I really liked the neighbor Dilly and of course the dog Barney )
Thus was a quick read and the setting of the Cotswolds is always a favorite of mine. It was just getting into some of the juicy bits towards the end, which leads me to beg the author to release the next books soon so I can see what happens with Tess and her family!
Thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
June 11, 2025
The first book of what is set to be a charmingly heartwarming series. Tess has suddenly found her life has been turned upside down and she is all alone without a husband. What I really appreciated was watching Tess thrive and flourish on her own, as she became her own person and discovered what she really enjoyed and doing what she wanted without being influenced by someone else. I particularly liked Dilly who is Tess's neighbour and I am hoping to see more of Dilly in future instalments of the series. The garden sounds absolutely beautiful and I could easily picture myself curled up with a book amongst the flowers and of course the gorgeous dog Barney curled up by my side. The plot is simple and easy to follow while getting to know the characters. It is the perfect blend of women's fiction and anyone can enjoy it anywhere.
June 19, 2025
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.
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.
July 17, 2025
After thirty years, Tess feels left behind
Her husband’s left her for another, assuming she wouldn’t mind!
With Barney, their beagle, she now needs to find a way
To help herself move forward, getting by from day to day.
Friends prove supportive as her life falls apart
And neighbours become friends, helping her fresh start.
New opportunities, new friendships and more
With family around giving her time to explore.
A delightful read that helps to show
Sometimes change is for the best, you know.
But whatever happens keep looking for chances
And give opportunities for potential romances!
For my copy of this book I say a big thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.
Her husband’s left her for another, assuming she wouldn’t mind!
With Barney, their beagle, she now needs to find a way
To help herself move forward, getting by from day to day.
Friends prove supportive as her life falls apart
And neighbours become friends, helping her fresh start.
New opportunities, new friendships and more
With family around giving her time to explore.
A delightful read that helps to show
Sometimes change is for the best, you know.
But whatever happens keep looking for chances
And give opportunities for potential romances!
For my copy of this book I say a big thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.
June 18, 2025
Jill Steeples is one of my go to authors. She writes stories that will touch your heart.
The Forever Cottage is the first book in the new series Lower Leaping.
Tess’s husband after 30 years of marriage decided he was leaving her for a younger woman. Instead of letting her life fall completely apart Tess decides she wants to go back to who she had been before.
Her family and friends rally around her and this all gives the book a beautiful feeling. This is the perfect book for a beach read.
Thank you NetGalley, Jill Steeples and Boldwood Books for the copy of The Forever Cottage. This is my personal review.
The Forever Cottage is the first book in the new series Lower Leaping.
Tess’s husband after 30 years of marriage decided he was leaving her for a younger woman. Instead of letting her life fall completely apart Tess decides she wants to go back to who she had been before.
Her family and friends rally around her and this all gives the book a beautiful feeling. This is the perfect book for a beach read.
Thank you NetGalley, Jill Steeples and Boldwood Books for the copy of The Forever Cottage. This is my personal review.
June 19, 2025
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.
A lovely read and a solid foundation to a new series, I can’t wait to see all the characters again.
September 11, 2025
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
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
December 2, 2025
3.5 stars
This was an enjoyable read. Watching a woman facing a new chapter in her life after finding out her husband has left her and how she navigates this newly single life.
She lives at hollyhock cottage, which is her pride and joy and has the wonderful support of local friends who all rally round. it captures that part of moving on, even if you're not sure how, with your life and deciding what is right for you despite the emotional pull of past relationships.
Seeing new people come into her life makes her switch her mindset up, and it's lovely to see Tess finally get the happiness she deserves!
This was an enjoyable read. Watching a woman facing a new chapter in her life after finding out her husband has left her and how she navigates this newly single life.
She lives at hollyhock cottage, which is her pride and joy and has the wonderful support of local friends who all rally round. it captures that part of moving on, even if you're not sure how, with your life and deciding what is right for you despite the emotional pull of past relationships.
Seeing new people come into her life makes her switch her mindset up, and it's lovely to see Tess finally get the happiness she deserves!
June 19, 2025
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.
June 22, 2025
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!
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!
June 22, 2025
Tess's cottage sounds amazing. Love the way it's brought to life in this and how it's a haven, not just for Tess, but for Rob and Hannah too.
Tess's new start is a bumpy one and I can understand and appreciate how overwhelming it might feel. I think most in long term relationships would feel uneasy if faced with being alone. However, Tess seems to find the energy and fight that she needs to take control of her life. She might have had some difficult days but she's handled everything with grace.
Tess's new start is a bumpy one and I can understand and appreciate how overwhelming it might feel. I think most in long term relationships would feel uneasy if faced with being alone. However, Tess seems to find the energy and fight that she needs to take control of her life. She might have had some difficult days but she's handled everything with grace.
June 25, 2025
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.
June 26, 2025
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.
September 20, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Starting over is never easy and stepping out of your comfort zone is often uncomfortable. With the encouragement of family and friends, old and new, Tess discovers who she really is and what she really wants in life. I look forward to more books in this series! Thanks#NetGalley #Boldwoodbooks
June 21, 2025
Another lovely book by Jill Steeples
I really enjoyed reading this book about newly ditched Tess who,'s Husband left her for a younger women. She found herself a new lease of life and lovely friends.
I really enjoyed reading this book about newly ditched Tess who,'s Husband left her for a younger women. She found herself a new lease of life and lovely friends.
July 15, 2025
I wanted to love this book for the setting alone but it was just very “and everyone lived happily ever after” kind of sweet. Drab main character; chemistry-less love interest. The only thing I loved was her home, garden and the Cotswolds.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews