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Dune Island #8
A Secret at Windmill Cottage
“Dear Caitlin. Welcome to your island home. I just have one last request for you…”
Caitlin used to adore visiting Aunt Lydia at her Dune Island cottage with its quaint adjoining windmill. But even though Caitlin promised her aunt she’d return and see the island once the leaves turned golden in the fall, a life-changing encounter with a guest one season meant Caitlin fled the island and never came back.
Now Aunt Lydia is gone, leaving Caitlin both her cottage, and a mysterious request: Caitlin must return to the island for the first time in years and renovate the windmill.
Despite her troubled memories, Caitlin’s heart lifts when she strolls in the crisp autumn air before baking apple cinnamon muffins in Lydia’s kitchen. And sparks even fly between her and handsome local carpenter Shane.
But the renovations uncover an old note tucked away in the windmill, handwritten by the same girl Caitlin met here years ago. The note contains a shocking revelation. Caitlin thought she understood all the reasons she left—but what if there’s more to uncover?
Was this Aunt Lydia’s plan all along? And does Caitlin have the courage to find the truth—or will she run from Dune Island as quickly as she arrived?
An absolutely stunning page-turner that will whisk you away to a cozy cottage by the sea. Perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber, Mary Alice Munroe, and Pamela Kelly.
Caitlin used to adore visiting Aunt Lydia at her Dune Island cottage with its quaint adjoining windmill. But even though Caitlin promised her aunt she’d return and see the island once the leaves turned golden in the fall, a life-changing encounter with a guest one season meant Caitlin fled the island and never came back.
Now Aunt Lydia is gone, leaving Caitlin both her cottage, and a mysterious request: Caitlin must return to the island for the first time in years and renovate the windmill.
Despite her troubled memories, Caitlin’s heart lifts when she strolls in the crisp autumn air before baking apple cinnamon muffins in Lydia’s kitchen. And sparks even fly between her and handsome local carpenter Shane.
But the renovations uncover an old note tucked away in the windmill, handwritten by the same girl Caitlin met here years ago. The note contains a shocking revelation. Caitlin thought she understood all the reasons she left—but what if there’s more to uncover?
Was this Aunt Lydia’s plan all along? And does Caitlin have the courage to find the truth—or will she run from Dune Island as quickly as she arrived?
An absolutely stunning page-turner that will whisk you away to a cozy cottage by the sea. Perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber, Mary Alice Munroe, and Pamela Kelly.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2025
1146 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 8, 2025
Dare I say it...? The best of the series so far! I've loved all EIGHT of these books.
“Don’t forget to stop and watch the sunset!”
Caitlin Hines has returned to Dune Island to oversee the remodeling of the windmill on her recently deceased aunt’s property before she sells it. Aunt Lydia’s stipulation was dual purpose and I loved seeing it play out throughout the story.
I enjoyed this story about healing and restoration. It was good to take inventory and see if there were any times that I ‘play dead’ like Caitlin and work on breathing life back into those situations. I also loved the recipe for extra melty cheese and Shane Adam’s sensitivity to Caitlin’s privacy and willingness to step back and allow her to come to him rather than smother her. The mystery surrounding Nicole Dixon kept me turning pages.
I always look forward to Kristin Harper’s stories, as I know I’ll have an armchair trip to a dreamy island and a binge-worthy, clean read!
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
“Don’t forget to stop and watch the sunset!”
Caitlin Hines has returned to Dune Island to oversee the remodeling of the windmill on her recently deceased aunt’s property before she sells it. Aunt Lydia’s stipulation was dual purpose and I loved seeing it play out throughout the story.
I enjoyed this story about healing and restoration. It was good to take inventory and see if there were any times that I ‘play dead’ like Caitlin and work on breathing life back into those situations. I also loved the recipe for extra melty cheese and Shane Adam’s sensitivity to Caitlin’s privacy and willingness to step back and allow her to come to him rather than smother her. The mystery surrounding Nicole Dixon kept me turning pages.
I always look forward to Kristin Harper’s stories, as I know I’ll have an armchair trip to a dreamy island and a binge-worthy, clean read!
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
September 27, 2025
So good
I loved this book. The amount of grief and guilt that she carries over something that truly had nothing to do with her is something I think a lot of people can relate to. I love that she learned and allowed her self to love being back at Dune Island. Absolutely great story.
I loved this book. The amount of grief and guilt that she carries over something that truly had nothing to do with her is something I think a lot of people can relate to. I love that she learned and allowed her self to love being back at Dune Island. Absolutely great story.
September 18, 2025
This was an okay read for me. While I enjoyed the premise of the book and the healing themes I felt it was a little slow in some places.
August 5, 2025
Kristin Harper’s A Secret at Windmill Cottage is a delightfully emotional escape packed with family drama, small-town charm, and just enough mystery to keep me up way past my responsible bedtime. Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.
Let’s get one thing out of the way: this is the kind of book you think you’re going to read “just a few chapters” of before bed. Then suddenly it’s 2 a.m., you’re emotionally invested in a fictional windmill, and you’re Googling how hard it would be to move to a sleepy island off the coast of Massachusetts. Spoiler: harder than you think, but that doesn’t stop the fantasy.
Our heroine, Caitlin, hasn’t been back to Dune Island in years, and for good reason—trauma, secrets, and that awkward life event we call “accidentally falling for someone who disappears like mist off the bay.” So naturally, her late Aunt Lydia’s final request is: come back, renovate the windmill, and while you’re at it, excavate all your repressed emotions. Typical aunt stuff.
Caitlin shows up, emotionally armored and professionally overextended, only to be ambushed by nostalgia, homemade muffins, and a local carpenter named Shane who has no business being this charming while wielding power tools. Of course he’s helpful. Of course he’s patient. Of course he has backstory. I’m not saying Shane was handcrafted in a lab for emotionally stunted heroines with a fear of commitment, but I’m also not not saying that.
Then there’s the windmill itself, which frankly deserves its own listing on Zillow at this point. It’s creaky, charming, and naturally hiding a mysterious note that turns Caitlin’s understanding of the past into a puzzle box of betrayal, misunderstanding, and one deeply buried secret. Honestly, I live for this kind of thing. Hidden letters? Long-lost truths? Emotional redemption arc? Inject it directly into my bloodstream.
Kristin Harper has a knack for writing stories that are equal parts heartwarming and quietly devastating. The setting is immersive without ever feeling forced—I swear I could smell the sea air and cinnamon every time Caitlin stepped into Lydia’s kitchen. But what I really appreciated is that the emotional beats landed. This wasn’t a saccharine “hearts and hugs” kind of story. Caitlin’s grief, her guilt, her slow journey to reconnect with her younger self—it all felt earned.
At one point, Caitlin reflects, “It turns out memories don’t fade just because we’ve stopped looking at them. They wait—quietly, patiently—until we’re ready to face them head-on.” That line hit me like a ton of bricks disguised as a decorative throw pillow. It’s that kind of introspection that elevates this from a cozy beach read to something that lingers long after the last page.
And yes, I cried. Just a little. Maybe I was tired. Maybe Harper snuck some onions into her prose. Maybe I’m just a sucker for stories about women coming home and realizing the past doesn’t have to be perfect to be worth holding on to. Whatever. Don’t judge me.
Despite being book eight in the Dune Island series, A Secret at Windmill Cottage reads beautifully on its own. I didn’t feel lost for a second. If anything, it made me want to go back and binge the earlier books like a TV series I somehow missed. Harper writes with a balance of wit and warmth that’s rare—and she doesn’t shy away from giving her characters messy lives and hard-earned joy.
If you’re the kind of reader who loves emotional honesty, small-town settings, baked goods as emotional therapy, and characters who heal not because of magic, but because they finally allow themselves to be—this one is for you.
Let’s get one thing out of the way: this is the kind of book you think you’re going to read “just a few chapters” of before bed. Then suddenly it’s 2 a.m., you’re emotionally invested in a fictional windmill, and you’re Googling how hard it would be to move to a sleepy island off the coast of Massachusetts. Spoiler: harder than you think, but that doesn’t stop the fantasy.
Our heroine, Caitlin, hasn’t been back to Dune Island in years, and for good reason—trauma, secrets, and that awkward life event we call “accidentally falling for someone who disappears like mist off the bay.” So naturally, her late Aunt Lydia’s final request is: come back, renovate the windmill, and while you’re at it, excavate all your repressed emotions. Typical aunt stuff.
Caitlin shows up, emotionally armored and professionally overextended, only to be ambushed by nostalgia, homemade muffins, and a local carpenter named Shane who has no business being this charming while wielding power tools. Of course he’s helpful. Of course he’s patient. Of course he has backstory. I’m not saying Shane was handcrafted in a lab for emotionally stunted heroines with a fear of commitment, but I’m also not not saying that.
Then there’s the windmill itself, which frankly deserves its own listing on Zillow at this point. It’s creaky, charming, and naturally hiding a mysterious note that turns Caitlin’s understanding of the past into a puzzle box of betrayal, misunderstanding, and one deeply buried secret. Honestly, I live for this kind of thing. Hidden letters? Long-lost truths? Emotional redemption arc? Inject it directly into my bloodstream.
Kristin Harper has a knack for writing stories that are equal parts heartwarming and quietly devastating. The setting is immersive without ever feeling forced—I swear I could smell the sea air and cinnamon every time Caitlin stepped into Lydia’s kitchen. But what I really appreciated is that the emotional beats landed. This wasn’t a saccharine “hearts and hugs” kind of story. Caitlin’s grief, her guilt, her slow journey to reconnect with her younger self—it all felt earned.
At one point, Caitlin reflects, “It turns out memories don’t fade just because we’ve stopped looking at them. They wait—quietly, patiently—until we’re ready to face them head-on.” That line hit me like a ton of bricks disguised as a decorative throw pillow. It’s that kind of introspection that elevates this from a cozy beach read to something that lingers long after the last page.
And yes, I cried. Just a little. Maybe I was tired. Maybe Harper snuck some onions into her prose. Maybe I’m just a sucker for stories about women coming home and realizing the past doesn’t have to be perfect to be worth holding on to. Whatever. Don’t judge me.
Despite being book eight in the Dune Island series, A Secret at Windmill Cottage reads beautifully on its own. I didn’t feel lost for a second. If anything, it made me want to go back and binge the earlier books like a TV series I somehow missed. Harper writes with a balance of wit and warmth that’s rare—and she doesn’t shy away from giving her characters messy lives and hard-earned joy.
If you’re the kind of reader who loves emotional honesty, small-town settings, baked goods as emotional therapy, and characters who heal not because of magic, but because they finally allow themselves to be—this one is for you.
September 20, 2025
I am voluntarily writing this honest review after reading a free ARC of this novel via Netgalley and Bookouture. A SECRET AT WINDMILL COTTAGE is the 8th book in the DUNE ISLAND series by Kristen Harper. This is a series of stand-alone novels that are only connected by the setting. As a teenager, Caitlin loved spending the summer with her Aunt and Uncle at their summer cottage on Dune Island, but after a life changing experience, she fled the island and never went back. More than a decade later Aunt Lydia is gone and she left Windmill Cottage to Caitlin, with a stipulation that she return to the island and renovate the windmill. Despite the difficult memories, Caitlin found herself reliving good times from her summer on the island and there was unite a spark between her and the handsome carpenter, Shane. But when the renovations uncovered an old note tucked away in the windmill, written by a girl she had met that long ago summer, Caitlin wondered whether there was more to discover about the incident which had changed her life. Was this Aunt Lydia’s plan all along and would Caitlin have the courage to face her past or would she run from Dune Island all over again? This was a third person, single POV mystery romance with no spice and tropes that include past trauma, solving an old mystery, workplace romance, and making peace with the past. I really enjoyed this story which included a mystery and a slow burn romance. The author used flashbacks to gradually dole out pieces of what had happened in Caitlin’s past that had significantly shaped her present. Finding the note in the windmill took Caitlin down a path for answers that created intrigue for the reader and helped her make sense of what had happened and her place in it. I loved the way the story ended with a happily ever after and a new future for Caitlin that was so much more fulfilled that her life had been. The book is described as being perfect for readers who are fans of Debbie Macomber, Mary Alice Munroe, and Pamela Kelly. I definitely recommend this novel for readers who enjoy a mystery that includes a romance without spice. The ebook is available in the Kindle Unlimited program.
December 13, 2025
Where can I get my travel ticket to Dune Island? From the very first page, A Secret at Windmill Cottage gave me that “happy ever after” feeling, even while weaving through moments of heartache and discovery. Caitlin’s return to her Aunt Lydia’s cottage, complete with its charming windmill, is as much about facing the past as it is about building a future. I loved how the story captured the warmth of homecoming—baking in a familiar kitchen, breathing in the crisp autumn air, reconnecting with the land and community. The island felt so alive that I could almost hear the gulls and smell the cinnamon muffins. The romance with Shane was sweet and tender, never rushed, and the chemistry between them made me smile throughout. At the same time, the mystery element of the windmill renovations added depth, giving the story an emotional pull that kept me turning pages. The hidden note, the shocking revelation, and the question of whether Caitlin could finally heal—all of it tied together beautifully. Although this is book eight in the Dune Island series, it works perfectly as a stand-alone. That said, I loved it so much I’ve already bought the previous seven books, which are waiting on my Kindle to whisk me back to this stunning island setting. Kristin Harper writes with such heart—her words wrap you in comfort while still tugging at your emotions. This is the kind of story that makes you believe in fresh starts, second chances, and the healing power of home. If you’re looking for a cosy, uplifting read set against the backdrop of a picturesque island, A Secret at Windmill Cottage is a must.
August 13, 2025
Kristin Harper’s A Secret at Windmill Cottage is the kind of story that feels like a warm mug of tea on a crisp autumn day—comforting, nostalgic, and quietly stirring. Set on the charming shores of Dune Island, the novel follows Caitlin as she returns to her late Aunt Lydia’s cottage, a place once filled with joy but now shadowed by memories she’s long tried to forget.
The windmill renovation at the heart of the story is more than a physical task—it’s a journey into the past, one that uncovers long-buried secrets and unexpected truths. Harper’s writing is gentle and evocative, painting the island in golden hues and filling the air with the scent of apple cinnamon muffins and sea breeze.
Caitlin’s emotional arc is beautifully handled, and her connection with Shane, the local carpenter, adds a touch of romance that feels natural and sweet. But it’s the discovery of a hidden note that truly deepens the story, turning a simple return home into a poignant exploration of forgiveness, courage, and the ties that bind.
If you love stories that blend family mystery with heartfelt charm, A Secret at Windmill Cottage is a lovely read—perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber and Pamela Kelly. It’s a gentle page-turner that invites you to slow down and savour the beauty of second chances.
With thanks to Kristin Harper, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
The windmill renovation at the heart of the story is more than a physical task—it’s a journey into the past, one that uncovers long-buried secrets and unexpected truths. Harper’s writing is gentle and evocative, painting the island in golden hues and filling the air with the scent of apple cinnamon muffins and sea breeze.
Caitlin’s emotional arc is beautifully handled, and her connection with Shane, the local carpenter, adds a touch of romance that feels natural and sweet. But it’s the discovery of a hidden note that truly deepens the story, turning a simple return home into a poignant exploration of forgiveness, courage, and the ties that bind.
If you love stories that blend family mystery with heartfelt charm, A Secret at Windmill Cottage is a lovely read—perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber and Pamela Kelly. It’s a gentle page-turner that invites you to slow down and savour the beauty of second chances.
With thanks to Kristin Harper, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
September 12, 2025
Caitlin cherished visiting her Aunt Lydia at her enchanting Dune Island cottage. Nearby stood the most beautiful windmill. However, her last visit to the island was marked by a life-altering experience that left her with a vow never to return. In Aunt Lydia’s will, Caitlin inherits the cottage and windmill, but with a condition: she must return to the island and renovate the windmill. As the renovation commences, Caitlin stumbles upon an old, dilapidated note that sends her into shock.
“A Secret at Windmill Cottage,” a captivating novel by Kristin Harper, weaves a tale of mending the past and finding one’s footing in the future. I was thoroughly captivated by Caitlin’s journey and the challenges she overcame in life.
This story also explores the theme of second chances, offering a profound message that sometimes, returning to the past is precisely what is needed to move forward. I found myself deeply drawn to Dune Island once again, and the charm of its quaint village. It’s a captivating story that can be enjoyed as a standalone or as part of the renowned series. I highly recommend this extraordinary read.
“A Secret at Windmill Cottage,” a captivating novel by Kristin Harper, weaves a tale of mending the past and finding one’s footing in the future. I was thoroughly captivated by Caitlin’s journey and the challenges she overcame in life.
This story also explores the theme of second chances, offering a profound message that sometimes, returning to the past is precisely what is needed to move forward. I found myself deeply drawn to Dune Island once again, and the charm of its quaint village. It’s a captivating story that can be enjoyed as a standalone or as part of the renowned series. I highly recommend this extraordinary read.
September 21, 2025
A Secret at Windmill Cottage by Kristin Harper ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I didn't know it at the time but this is book 8 of the Dune Island series. So I'm not sure if I missed a lot of the back story. I will go back and read the first 7. Yes it was as that good that I will go back to beginning.
Catlin spent summers with her Aunt and Uncle at the small cottage park that they take care of. A wonderful summer place, with the beach, the boardwalk and of course the Windmill. Something happened 20 years ago that stopped Catlin from going back. She cut the island from her life but not her and Aunt and Uncle.
Catlin gets an unexpected inheritance. Her Aunt left her the little cottage. It came a time she needed it though. Her plans are to sell it and get on with her life. Only problem is that she needs to live there before she can sell.
Catlin heads to the cottage and pulls into the driveway but she really wants to back out and get away from the cottage. 20 years ago something happens which was why she left all those years ago.
I guess you have to get your copy today to find out what happens next...
I didn't know it at the time but this is book 8 of the Dune Island series. So I'm not sure if I missed a lot of the back story. I will go back and read the first 7. Yes it was as that good that I will go back to beginning.
Catlin spent summers with her Aunt and Uncle at the small cottage park that they take care of. A wonderful summer place, with the beach, the boardwalk and of course the Windmill. Something happened 20 years ago that stopped Catlin from going back. She cut the island from her life but not her and Aunt and Uncle.
Catlin gets an unexpected inheritance. Her Aunt left her the little cottage. It came a time she needed it though. Her plans are to sell it and get on with her life. Only problem is that she needs to live there before she can sell.
Catlin heads to the cottage and pulls into the driveway but she really wants to back out and get away from the cottage. 20 years ago something happens which was why she left all those years ago.
I guess you have to get your copy today to find out what happens next...
September 19, 2025
As a teenager, Caitlin enjoyed going to Dune Island to visit her Aunt and Uncle. They lived there in the summer and rented out small cottages that surround a windmill. Caitlin would stay for the summer helping out with the cottages and guests. She enjoyed life on the Island and loved being with you Aunt and Uncle. She even had her first boyfriend there. Everything changes her last summer there. An experience that rattled her so badly, she never came back. Ages have passed and both her Aunt and Uncle are now gone. Caitlin attends the reading of Aunt Lydia's will and is astonished to find that she has been left Windmill Cottage with a stipulation. She must go back to the Island and renovate the windmill as she and her Aunt dreamed all those years ago.
This is a story with a little mystery involved. Caitlin has to work through her trauma and becomes a stronger person for it. I loved this book. It kept me engaged. I loved the characters and Caitlin's journey. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and offer my honest opinion.
This is a story with a little mystery involved. Caitlin has to work through her trauma and becomes a stronger person for it. I loved this book. It kept me engaged. I loved the characters and Caitlin's journey. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and offer my honest opinion.
September 15, 2025
Oh I love this series. Each book tugs at my heart a little bit. They are so beautifully written and flow so easily, it plays out in my minds eye as if I’m watching it on tv.
Caitlin and Shane are great characters. They have a great grounding friendship, and it’s nice that a relationship isn’t forced too early, it was the perfect pace. Caitlin needed to mend herself before letting Shane in. The letters from her Aunt Lydia were so moving, and they clearly meant a lot to Caitlin, her aunt saw her and her pain all those years ago and silently supported her and never stopped loving her and then gave her the gift that could help heal her- Windmill cottage.
The unraveling mystery of Nicole and her death was intriguing and I was fully invested in what was going to be discovered about what really happened.
And easy read that really touched me. I would fully recommend this, or any book in the series.
Caitlin and Shane are great characters. They have a great grounding friendship, and it’s nice that a relationship isn’t forced too early, it was the perfect pace. Caitlin needed to mend herself before letting Shane in. The letters from her Aunt Lydia were so moving, and they clearly meant a lot to Caitlin, her aunt saw her and her pain all those years ago and silently supported her and never stopped loving her and then gave her the gift that could help heal her- Windmill cottage.
The unraveling mystery of Nicole and her death was intriguing and I was fully invested in what was going to be discovered about what really happened.
And easy read that really touched me. I would fully recommend this, or any book in the series.
September 23, 2025
“Don’t forget to stop and watch the sunset!” 🌅
This is Dune Island book #8 but it can be read as a stand alone as the only thing that connects it to the other books is the setting. It had me hooked from the very first page! The setting is amazing, the relationship between Caitlin and her Aunt simply precious, and the mystery intriguing. The idea of renovating an old windmill at a seaside cottage sounds like a dream come true for me! I feel like I now need to add the rest of the books in the series to my tbr if they are as good and heartfelt as this one. What a sweet and endearing story of love, loss, forgiveness, and the importance of family. Oh, and also the beach. Always the beach.
“Life can be so hard, Caitlin, so grievous. But it also can be filled with wonderful things if our hearts are open to receiving them.”
Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is Dune Island book #8 but it can be read as a stand alone as the only thing that connects it to the other books is the setting. It had me hooked from the very first page! The setting is amazing, the relationship between Caitlin and her Aunt simply precious, and the mystery intriguing. The idea of renovating an old windmill at a seaside cottage sounds like a dream come true for me! I feel like I now need to add the rest of the books in the series to my tbr if they are as good and heartfelt as this one. What a sweet and endearing story of love, loss, forgiveness, and the importance of family. Oh, and also the beach. Always the beach.
“Life can be so hard, Caitlin, so grievous. But it also can be filled with wonderful things if our hearts are open to receiving them.”
Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 7, 2025
I first just want to say that the minute this author Kristin brings out a new book, straight away it goes to top of my to be read list, as I always enjoy reading books by this author. A Secret at Windmill Cottage is Kristin Harper’s 8th book and I’m delighted to say that I have read them all. Oh and just so it is clear, these can all be read as standalone, so don’t have to be read in order.
This was a truly lovely story, I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. Loved getting to know the characters of Caitlin, Lydia, Shane and some of the others. All of whom had their own stories to tell.
The story was well written and flowed well. I loved the beautiful setting and the featured Windmill, sounded like a lovely place to live for sure.
As always with Kristin’s books, I did not want the story to end. So hopefully I’ll not have to wait too long till the next one.
This was a truly lovely story, I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. Loved getting to know the characters of Caitlin, Lydia, Shane and some of the others. All of whom had their own stories to tell.
The story was well written and flowed well. I loved the beautiful setting and the featured Windmill, sounded like a lovely place to live for sure.
As always with Kristin’s books, I did not want the story to end. So hopefully I’ll not have to wait too long till the next one.
September 19, 2025
After having read the last book by this author, I knew I had to read this one.
The setting of Dunne Island sounds so wonderful with the author's descriptions of it and I loved the idea of the house with a windmill.
I find the author writes lovely characters who are down to earth and realistic, especially when they reveal their flaws. I liked both Caitlin and Shane and how their relationship developed.
The memories that held Caitlin back from returning to Dunne Island now appear so different when she starts finding little clues that lead her on a journey of discovery and I loved the mystery behind this.
This is a beautifully written book which is both heartwarming and emotional. I love books that take characters on a journey of reflection and self discovery.
This is one I would recommend and I will definitely be looking out for more books by this author.
The setting of Dunne Island sounds so wonderful with the author's descriptions of it and I loved the idea of the house with a windmill.
I find the author writes lovely characters who are down to earth and realistic, especially when they reveal their flaws. I liked both Caitlin and Shane and how their relationship developed.
The memories that held Caitlin back from returning to Dunne Island now appear so different when she starts finding little clues that lead her on a journey of discovery and I loved the mystery behind this.
This is a beautifully written book which is both heartwarming and emotional. I love books that take characters on a journey of reflection and self discovery.
This is one I would recommend and I will definitely be looking out for more books by this author.
October 17, 2025
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Secret at Windmill Cottage is one of those books that slowly pulls you in without you even realizing it. Kristin Harper has a lovely way of writing about family, forgiveness, and second chances that feels very human and believable.
The setting was beautiful calm but tinged with nostalgia and I could almost picture the cottage and the sea breeze. The story isn’t overly dramatic, but that’s what I liked about it; it’s more about small, emotional moments and the quiet heartbreaks that shape people.
Some parts were a little predictable, but it didn’t really matter because the characters felt genuine, and their emotions carried the story. It’s the kind of book you finish with a small sigh a mix of sadness and warmth.
A comforting, emotional read perfect for anyone who enjoys stories about healing, family secrets, and finding peace with the past.
✨shaye.readss
A Secret at Windmill Cottage is one of those books that slowly pulls you in without you even realizing it. Kristin Harper has a lovely way of writing about family, forgiveness, and second chances that feels very human and believable.
The setting was beautiful calm but tinged with nostalgia and I could almost picture the cottage and the sea breeze. The story isn’t overly dramatic, but that’s what I liked about it; it’s more about small, emotional moments and the quiet heartbreaks that shape people.
Some parts were a little predictable, but it didn’t really matter because the characters felt genuine, and their emotions carried the story. It’s the kind of book you finish with a small sigh a mix of sadness and warmth.
A comforting, emotional read perfect for anyone who enjoys stories about healing, family secrets, and finding peace with the past.
✨shaye.readss
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2025
This is the story of a young woman that returns to her past when she inherits property from her aunt. The story seemed pretty light at first until Caitlin is brought up abruptly with her past and her inability to let go of her guilt for a tragedy that happened along the beach when she was younger. That has kept her away from her late aunt's house for years. Now she's back to renovate the lighthouse as stipulated in her aunt's will.
When she finds something in the windmill, she searches for answers as to what really took place that dark night that resulted in that tragedy. There is a light romance added to the drama, but the majority of the book is dedicated to the personal struggles and growth of Caitlin.
Thanks to Bookouture for the digital copy. All thoughts are my own.
When she finds something in the windmill, she searches for answers as to what really took place that dark night that resulted in that tragedy. There is a light romance added to the drama, but the majority of the book is dedicated to the personal struggles and growth of Caitlin.
Thanks to Bookouture for the digital copy. All thoughts are my own.
August 16, 2025
Love this story about Caitlin who spent her summers as a young girl with her Aunt Lydia and Uncle Albert at Windmill Cottage. It was her aunts idea to make the loft a room. Caitlin never went back after the drowning of Nicole that last summer but Aunt Lydia left her the Windmill Cottage in her will. At the time she went back she needed somewhere to stay. She decided she would honor her aunts dream. You must read to see how things go for her. Does remodel and sell or does she decide to stay. A VERY GOOD READ.
September 16, 2025
Caitlin had boxed herself in life due to displaced guilt she has over something that occurred which she was not responsible for.
I loved the descriptions of the windmill rehab and I would love to sit in the room and watch all the scenery.
I would have draped myself over Shane who not only reads but wears a tool belt!! Keeper for sure.
But he also delivered some sound advice for Caitlin that finally resonated with her.
It’s a nice read with a good ending and the thought of having a windmill is very alluring.
Thanks Bookouture and NetGalley for the advance read.
I loved the descriptions of the windmill rehab and I would love to sit in the room and watch all the scenery.
I would have draped myself over Shane who not only reads but wears a tool belt!! Keeper for sure.
But he also delivered some sound advice for Caitlin that finally resonated with her.
It’s a nice read with a good ending and the thought of having a windmill is very alluring.
Thanks Bookouture and NetGalley for the advance read.
September 17, 2025
A Secret at Windmill Cottage by Kristin Harper.
Dune Island Book 8.
I loved this book. I really did enjoy it. I loved the cover and blurb of this book. The letter with the picture of the Windmill was nice. I loved the setting too. I have never seen a windmill in real life. I loved the writing style and the story. I did like Caitlyn and Shane's characters. I loved how everything was described. Especially the Windmill. I did enjoy this book more than the last one.
Dune Island Book 8.
I loved this book. I really did enjoy it. I loved the cover and blurb of this book. The letter with the picture of the Windmill was nice. I loved the setting too. I have never seen a windmill in real life. I loved the writing style and the story. I did like Caitlyn and Shane's characters. I loved how everything was described. Especially the Windmill. I did enjoy this book more than the last one.
September 18, 2025
I haven’t read all the books in the series, but of the ones I have, this is definitely my favorite.
The FMC is going through some tough process of healing, and though it’s, of course, not easy, it is a beautiful journey and so wonderful to see her change. You get so invested in her story, you don’t want to put down the hook till you’re done.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
The FMC is going through some tough process of healing, and though it’s, of course, not easy, it is a beautiful journey and so wonderful to see her change. You get so invested in her story, you don’t want to put down the hook till you’re done.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
August 11, 2025
A short satisfying story that is perfect for a beach read. Reeling from a failed romance and disappointing job, a woman returns to her aunt's home to restore an old windmill and cottage that she has been left in a will. Facing a past event that happened there when she was a teenager, she is able to move on and start again with the help of new friends and the community.
September 17, 2025
Secrets
The Dune Island books have been a hit for me. A Secret at Windmill Cottage is filled with grief friendship, tragedy, forgiveness, guilt and new beginnings. Interesting how the past has become so powerful. The love of an Aunt is seen so positively in her gift to her niece. Truly an inspiring story.
The Dune Island books have been a hit for me. A Secret at Windmill Cottage is filled with grief friendship, tragedy, forgiveness, guilt and new beginnings. Interesting how the past has become so powerful. The love of an Aunt is seen so positively in her gift to her niece. Truly an inspiring story.
October 26, 2025
Another Great Book
I really enjoyed this book. I read it in 2 days. I couldn’t stop until I knew what happened. I found myself talking to the characters. I could see the settings because the descriptions were so good. I didn’t see what happened coming but the unfolding and getting to the truth was intriguing and had me needing to find out.
I really enjoyed this book. I read it in 2 days. I couldn’t stop until I knew what happened. I found myself talking to the characters. I could see the settings because the descriptions were so good. I didn’t see what happened coming but the unfolding and getting to the truth was intriguing and had me needing to find out.
August 22, 2025
“A Secret at Windmill Cottage” is my favorite type of book to read. I felt really connected to the characters and the story. I could imagine myself sitting in the windmill watching the water or walking along the beach. The love story was sweet but not over the top.
November 14, 2025
A good clean Saturday afternoon read
The first half kept my interest... The second half, not so much. The characters were likeable and interesting and it wrapped up nicely at the end. Sort of a Hallmark story.
The first half kept my interest... The second half, not so much. The characters were likeable and interesting and it wrapped up nicely at the end. Sort of a Hallmark story.
September 30, 2025
Story of Caitlin and Nichole and of how Nichole’s death when they were teens so deeply affected Caitlin’s life.
October 14, 2025
Loved this book!
October 27, 2025
great read
Sorrow and courage define the main character but many would say guilt. Read it and find out. Enjoy it either way.
Sorrow and courage define the main character but many would say guilt. Read it and find out. Enjoy it either way.
December 4, 2025
A long read but very sweet. I found this book hard to get into but once I did I found it pleasant to read.
Nice mixture of characters and well written storylines
Nice mixture of characters and well written storylines
October 21, 2025
Secret at Windmill Cottage is a welcomed return to Dune Island! Book 8 is a moving and heart-warming addition to this special series by Kristin Harper. It seems each story has captured my heart and this time the windmill setting led me through a maze of mystery that kept me intrigued. I became quite emotionally involved in the characters and their dilemmas. Particularly with Caitlin’s difficult return to the island after her caring Aunt Lydia dies. A terrible event in the past kept Caitlin away for a number of years. But now with the passing of her aunt and news of her inheritance of the cottage with the attached windmill, she must face the demons that drove her away many years before.
Two timelines kept me furiously turning the pages as we get the backstory of what happened when Caitlin was younger and staying with her aunt. Certain guests arrive that prove challenging such as a fifteen year old daughter who becomes quite a handful. She certainly tests Caitlin’s patience and as a reader I was not thrilled by this younger character’s behaviour either. Yet saddened to see her personality lead her through some worrisome plot terrain that does not end well. The conflict between mother and daughter and the strict rules, left me wondering how much of it contributed to the girl’s dark fate.
As for Caitlin, she is a hard-working, honest and responsible teen in the early timeline. But she has her weaknesses, like everyone, and one night when walking on the beach with her boyfriend, things end in despair. Her loving aunt tries to help rebuild her crushed self-worth but Caitlin feels responsible for what happened to the younger teen left in her care.
This story focuses on guilt. Feeling responsible for another person’s actions and how seriously it can damage self-perception and confidence. It was easy to see why this happened but was Caitlin really responsible? Her journey back to Dune Island helps her answer these questions and allow healing to happen. By being forced back into the place where the damage was done, where the tragedy occurred, it allows her to break free from the emotional bondage that has held her captive for twenty years.
This is a beautiful story with vivid descriptions that took me away to the magic of Dune Island. It heralds second chances, healing from trauma, unexpected romance, self and heritage restoration and left me feeling uplifted, refreshed and restored by the hope and joy that evolves. Another great romantic mystery with a large serving of heart and soul. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the review copy.
Two timelines kept me furiously turning the pages as we get the backstory of what happened when Caitlin was younger and staying with her aunt. Certain guests arrive that prove challenging such as a fifteen year old daughter who becomes quite a handful. She certainly tests Caitlin’s patience and as a reader I was not thrilled by this younger character’s behaviour either. Yet saddened to see her personality lead her through some worrisome plot terrain that does not end well. The conflict between mother and daughter and the strict rules, left me wondering how much of it contributed to the girl’s dark fate.
As for Caitlin, she is a hard-working, honest and responsible teen in the early timeline. But she has her weaknesses, like everyone, and one night when walking on the beach with her boyfriend, things end in despair. Her loving aunt tries to help rebuild her crushed self-worth but Caitlin feels responsible for what happened to the younger teen left in her care.
This story focuses on guilt. Feeling responsible for another person’s actions and how seriously it can damage self-perception and confidence. It was easy to see why this happened but was Caitlin really responsible? Her journey back to Dune Island helps her answer these questions and allow healing to happen. By being forced back into the place where the damage was done, where the tragedy occurred, it allows her to break free from the emotional bondage that has held her captive for twenty years.
This is a beautiful story with vivid descriptions that took me away to the magic of Dune Island. It heralds second chances, healing from trauma, unexpected romance, self and heritage restoration and left me feeling uplifted, refreshed and restored by the hope and joy that evolves. Another great romantic mystery with a large serving of heart and soul. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the review copy.
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