The Forgotten Cottage

Mountain Secrets #2

by Sage Parker

Someone vanished without a trace decades ago. Now Sunnie Cameron is living in their house.

After a difficult divorce, Sunnie is ready to leave her past behind—even if it means moving into a run-down cottage in the quiet village of Hazelwood. The house is old, the roof leaks, and the townspeople seem more curious than welcoming. Still, there’s something about Hazelwood that feels like it could be home.

But when a bookshelf collapses during renovations, revealing a hidden room that hasn’t been touched in nearly a hundred years, Sunnie finds herself drawn into the cottage’s mysterious past. Tucked inside are forgotten journals, tender love letters, and hints of a long-buried story the town would rather leave alone.

With the help of her quirky neighbor Mrs. Dalloway and Oliver, the charming bookstore owner who knows more than he lets on, Sunnie begins to piece together a puzzle that could change everything she thought she knew about her new home—and herself.

What really happened all those years ago? Why was the room sealed off? And as old secrets come to light, will Sunnie finally find the sense of belonging she’s been searching for all along?


This is Book 2 of 6 in the Mountain Secrets series... Perfect for fans of small-town mysteries and second chances, this uplifting story is about finding home in the most unexpected places. Scroll up to begin reading now!

Genres: Fiction

77 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 20, 2025

Reviews

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening 😯

This kindle ebook novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 2 of 6

She is working on getting settled when the book case comes down to a secret room. She goes out to eat with Oliver. It does not go well. Her writing is not going well. 😏

I would highly recommend this series and author to readers of romantic family and friends relationships adventures action novels 😀😋 2025 🤔🎶

[Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2- I love how quick these are to get thru 🤭

[A Look Inside: Reviews and Interviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sage Parker’s The Forgotten Cottage is an elegantly layered story of emotional recovery, buried truths, and the quiet courage it takes to start over. The novel follows Sunnie Cameron, newly divorced and emotionally untethered, as she settles into a timeworn cottage in Hazelwood—a small village as steeped in silence as it is in history. While the cottage offers a physical escape, it becomes the unlikely key to uncovering not just a long-forgotten secret, but pieces of Sunnie herself she didn’t know were missing.

The turning point in the narrative comes early and unexpectedly: a crumbling bookshelf reveals a bricked-off room that hasn’t been touched in nearly a century. Inside are remnants of a life halted—intimate journals, letters rich with longing, and the subtle sense that someone was quietly erased. Unlike in more plot-driven thrillers, Parker takes her time letting the mystery unfold, layering atmosphere with emotion as Sunnie dives into the life of the woman who once occupied the home. This story-within-a-story doesn’t distract—it deepens the central theme of identity and erasure, gently urging readers to consider what is remembered, what is lost, and who gets to keep telling the story.

Sunnie’s evolution is deeply satisfying. She’s not written as a woman in need of saving, but rather as one learning how to save herself. Her developing friendship with Mrs. Dalloway—a witty and wise older neighbor—provides levity and grounding. Meanwhile, Oliver, the guarded bookstore owner with his own quiet wounds, becomes both an intellectual partner in unraveling the mystery and a soft contrast to Sunnie’s frayed emotional edges. These relationships aren’t romantic tropes—they’re restorative, tender, and rooted in mutual respect.

Parker’s prose is quietly poetic, leaning into sensory detail and emotional nuance. Hazelwood itself becomes a character, full of creaking floorboards, suspicious townsfolk, and history just beneath the surface. Pacing is consistent, building slowly but rewardingly toward answers that are more about emotional closure than shocking revelations.

This book will appeal to readers who love mystery wrapped in literary depth—those who favor The House at Riverton by Kate Morton or The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles. But The Forgotten Cottage also stands firmly in its own space: grounded, graceful, and unafraid to explore the slow, beautiful work of becoming whole again.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This contemporary small-town second chance, clean and wholesome later-in-life, women's fiction Christian inspirational friends-to-lovers romance is page-turning with exceptional world-building in Hazelwood, and characters that are quirky, intelligent, resilient, captivating, and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with the forgotten cottage, Sunnie Cameron is ready to leave her past behind after a difficult divorce, someone vanished without a trace decades ago, and she now is living in their house that needs repairs, has a leaking roof, and needs some tender loving care, in Hazelwood. Sunnie begins to piece together a puzzle that could change everything she though she knew a bout her new home--and herself, her quirky neighbor Mrs. Dalloway and Oliver, the charming bookstore owner who knows more than she lets on, mystery intrigue, suspense that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, the townspeople seem more curious than welcoming, even with all the drama and repairs needing done, Hazelwood feels like home and brings Sunnie a sense of belonging, old secrets, deception, a bookshelf collapses during renovations revealing a hidden room that hasn't been touched in nearly a hundred years, Sunnie finds herself drawn into the cottages' mysterious past, tucked inside are forgotten journals, tender love letters, and hints of a long-buried story the town would rather leave alone, action, adventure, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with the forgotten cottage and a sweet friends-to-lovers second chance romance that is sure to transport readers into a world that is wildly mysterious and unforgettable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunnie is still waiting for her settlement from her ex husband James while living in her house with the secret room. Her older neighbour keeps stopping by when Sunnie is in the middle of unpacking. Sunnie went to dinner with Oliver from the book shop in town and it was a complete disaster. Sunnie drank too much wine on an empty stomach as she didn't have much to eat that day and became drunk quickly. Oliver drove her home and she ended up yelling at him after he found the secret room and had all kinds of questions. Sunnie felt so bad for doing this and a couple of days later Oliver showed up at her house, she went to make coffee in the kitchen and left her laptop open as she fell asleep when she was writing. She received a text back from her ex James and Oliver left suddenly. He must of read it and decided to leave for whatever reason. I am curious as to what was in the text. I can't wait for the next book to find out!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[June Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunnie has been totally surprised by finding a hidden room in the home/cottage she had purchased. This home was originally built by the founding family of Hazelwood,, the Joseph Hazel family. This was scary to her, but also intriguing for the author in her. She puts off working on her own book by researching the Hazel family, ending up with more questions than answers. After a sleepless night, Sunnie had a visit from Oliver, the bookstore owner who she had gone out to dinner with a couple of nights previously and they were getting along fine until Oliver sees a text that comes in on Sunnie’s laptop from James, her ex husband. Nothing ever seems to be easy for Sunnie and Oliver to become real friends. Now what is going to happen?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Megann · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this chapter we see that James, Sunnie's ex is really the worst. He is supposed to have transferred the money she is owed to her account but instead he and his new girlfriend or off in Greece enjoying time together. In all the time they were married he only took one vacation with her and ended it because he needed to get back for an important surgery. PLEASE, he is a plastic surgeon.....
Now we see that Oliver is trying to bring their friendship further along and so even though things keep going wrong between them he wants to spend time with her. The mysteries of the cabin she owns are now appearing more and more and when a bookshelf collapses she finds all sorts of items that may help her one day solve the mystery. But, why do the townspeople want her to just throw everything away. Something is up and she is wondering if she can solve it.
Hazelwood has become so much more that she originally thought it would. Not such a quiet little town like she thought.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunnie is having a difficult time settling in her historic cottage. She’s found a secret room & a room full of treasures that leave her scared & very upset. She doesn’t know what to do or where to turn. She knows that the Hazel small baby died & the mother secretly disappeared, but know one knows what actually happened, only theories of what did happen. Mrs. Dalloway, her neighbor is her go to person. She warns Sunnie that the book she is reading, “ A Place to Rest”, is not completely true in the later part of the book. Nobody knows all of the truth. It remains a mystery. Will Sunnie recover the mystery. She is becoming consumed with the mystery of the Hazel Family. Do people know more than they are sharing? Things are going on that Sunnie is not ready for. This is a series that must be read in order.

I received this ARC book from the author that has in no way influenced my review. I tell it like it is I my own words. This series is getting better.

[Carmela Dimattia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this instalment and I need to know more about the secret room and the history of the cottage. Sunnie’s discovery had me on the edge of my seat wanting more of a revelation and her reaction was the same as mine and it seems to be constantly on her mind. How will her relationship with Oliver develop especially given that on their dinner date she ruined their time and he had to escort her home. Something strange is definitely in the cottage and I cannot wait to see what Sunnie uncovers next.

I received an arc copy via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunnie unearthed a secret room in her house that has her having nightmares! She spoke to her nosy old neighbor but she didn’t know anything about the secret room. She just told her about the famous family that built the house Sunnie lived in and also built the town. Sunnie wants to talk to Oliver about the famous family but instead she had too much to drink and ruin the night.
Did she ruin her friendship with Oliver? What will she find in the secret room? I received a free book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeannine Wickliffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hardships of settling in

Sunnie is starting to settle in and finally was,cable to make some headway on het book. Mrs Dalloway is proving to be a friend and a fountain of information. Oliver and his bookstore are a refuge and another friend. But finding the hidden room full of boxes and furniture is unsettling. Then finding that everything in the hidden room belonged bro James and Emma Hazel is shocking. Why is this stuff in her home? Can there be something in there that will explain what really happened to Emma?

[Raylene Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you do when you find a secret room now that the bookshelf has falling in on you. You try to find answers but that takes sometime to get use the the ideal. Sunnie has so much on her mind that the dinner with Oliver doesn’t go good, she yelled at him to get out of her house. Will he come back or not and what will she find in all the stuff in the secret room?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunnie seems to have stumbled into mysteries and surprises, and not all are pleasant.

an ex dragging his feet and some stomach and neighbors challenges keep her immersed in unpleasant adventures, with tangles and twists

midlife reboots might be necessary.

they are often lots of work, and sometimes less fun, despite finding friendship in unusual and unexpected situations and circumstances

[Baby Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is such a page turner. The plot thickens for Sunnie and her little cottage. What did Oliver see on Sunnie's laptop that made him skedaddle out so quickly? What will Sunnie say to him when she sees him again and what on earth could Sunnie's ex have written to scare Oliver off? Loving the suspense so far!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debdutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Forgotten Cottage: Book 2” by Sage Parker

-A cozy yet twisty continuation that leaves you wanting more. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily sharing my honest opinion.

Sunnie’s life unravels with secrets and mysterious rooms.
Her midlife journey is full of emotional knots, nosy neighbors, and cliffhangers.
Romance takes a hit, but the suspense and surprises keep things moving.
A cozy yet twisty continuation that leaves you wanting more.

[Barb Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sunnie explores the mystery room, but so far has only found old clothes, forgotten love letters, and not much else. When she goes to dinner with Oliver, she has too much to drink while worrying that this is a date. Oliver takes her home and discovers the secret room. In a panic, she yells at him to leave her house. When he comes to check on her after a couple of days, he accidentally sees a text from her ex-husband and leaves suddenly. What did the text say?

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW this a series full of mystery! There was no way that a hidden room could be so full of more unanswered questions to its past.
Sunnie is going to fill in the blanks as to what this room holds. I cannot wait for the next book in this series.
The twists and turns the author has put in this book has me guessing as to what will be found next as Sunnie looks into the history of this cottage.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

Safe Parker continues her story of the cottage and its secrets… as the suspense rises she learns more and more about her cottage and the history of the family and how the past and present intertwine. Sunnie and her backstory are deepened with James and well as her budding relationship with Oliver. I enjoyed the continuing story of this series… good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book and series!

I love all books and series by Sage Parker. This book intertwines intrigue, romance, divorce woes and so much more as Sunnie establishes a new life for herself in a historic small town. Secrets abound and Sunnie finds herself caught up in the town's history and drama. I love this book!

I read this book as part of an advance reader team. I am voluntarily writing this review.

[PW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sunnie is doing the best she can on her own but she gets on my nerves. There are events in this book that I found to be very interesting but the way Sunnie thinks at times it is upsetting. The supporting. Characters are playing a significant part in the story. I liked the cliffhanger and I am looking forward the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Berta Greenleaf Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in this series is about the mystery of Emma Hazel and her disappearance. Even though it happened over a hundred years ago, after Sunnie finds a secret room in her cottage it is front and center in Sunnie's mind. She is making friends with Oliver but things are complicated. I can not wait to read the rest of this series. I highly recommend this book to all women's fiction readers.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Forgotten Cottage, Book Two, has Sunnie discovering a secret room in her cabin with objects from the founding family of Hazelwood. She learns from her neighbor about the strange circumstances and secrecy surrounding Emma's death who was the wife of the town's founder. Oliver and Sunnie's friendship hits a few bumps in the road. The book ends in a cliffhanger.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Roslyn Simonin Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunnie found old pictures from the cabin. From the outside of the house there were 6 living room windows. Inside the house, only 4 windows and definitely less space. What!!!
Curiouser and curiouser.

Get me to book 3 QUICKLY Sage.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Erika]

Sunnie is waiting patiently for the her settlement from her ex. She went to dinner with Oliver. It was disasterous time. He comes by later in the week. He sees a text from her ex and abruptly left. You are left with so many questions. I can't wait to read the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick, easy read. Such a great story with wonderful suspense and mystery. The characters are strong and interesting and I love the emotion and intrigue with so much going on around Sunnie. What's going to happen next? The story line is well written and real, it kept my attention and i'm ready for book 3!.

[Rose Grabowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Book 2 the plot thickens. Sunnie has been exploring the secret room she found behind her bookcase. She finds more questions than answers. Oliver takes her out to dinner, and it didn't go well. There is a cliffhanger ending once again caused by whatever Oliver saw on her laptop. Book 3 comes out Monday. I'm there for it!

[B E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sunnie has moved in to a rundown cabin after living in a mansion when her husband wants a divorce. While fixing it up she discovers a hidden room and letter written by the founder of the town. She wants to find out its history.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandra R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just can’t do it!

This character is so annoying that I was wishing for ghosts to chase her around the house and the neighbor to be a shapeshifter. I don’t care about the mystery anymore. It would be better if the house just burned down then she and the shapeshifter neighbor could hunt down James in Greece. Done with this series.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could make this Mountain Secrets series into a movie I would. If you loved reading book 1 just you wait because book 2 is going to sweep you off your feet. I couldn’t stop reading this book and I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

[Chasity Easter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters are well written and seem like they could be my neighbors. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.