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The Man in the Cottage
I quit my soul-crushing marketing job to write a thriller novel and moved into my late grandmother's house in rural Virginia.
What I didn't plan for? The man living in the cottage out back.
Travis Howe is quiet, and he's built like he could break down walls with his bare hands. My grandmother left a note saying to let him stay. That he needed somewhere to be invisible for a while.
I didn't ask questions. Maybe I should have.
Because Travis isn't just some handyman hiding from a bad breakup. He's a professional hockey player. One who made headlines for all the wrong reasons.
The problem with falling for a man the world thinks is a monster? Eventually, you have to decide whose version of the story you believe.
A sweet romance with a touch of these grumpy/sunshine, he falls first, secret identity, and of course, forced proximity.
What I didn't plan for? The man living in the cottage out back.
Travis Howe is quiet, and he's built like he could break down walls with his bare hands. My grandmother left a note saying to let him stay. That he needed somewhere to be invisible for a while.
I didn't ask questions. Maybe I should have.
Because Travis isn't just some handyman hiding from a bad breakup. He's a professional hockey player. One who made headlines for all the wrong reasons.
The problem with falling for a man the world thinks is a monster? Eventually, you have to decide whose version of the story you believe.
A sweet romance with a touch of these grumpy/sunshine, he falls first, secret identity, and of course, forced proximity.
211 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 31, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 24, 2026
Spoilers...
This book has a good storyline overall. Each chapter is written in his pov and then hers. Back to back. The problem is... the point of views are almost identical. Like word for word. Made me feel like i was reading each chapter twice. Made for a very long book.
This book has a good storyline overall. Each chapter is written in his pov and then hers. Back to back. The problem is... the point of views are almost identical. Like word for word. Made me feel like i was reading each chapter twice. Made for a very long book.
March 24, 2026
I keep reading expecting there to be more to the story. This seems like a classic case of making a mountain out of a molehill. I really don't think what Travis did was as horrible as they were making it seem but maybe I'm missing something.
Additionally, there are repeated lines and passages in the book. This is a little annoying.
Very sweet story. Not much conflict. Entertaining for some I'm sure but just not for me.
Additionally, there are repeated lines and passages in the book. This is a little annoying.
Very sweet story. Not much conflict. Entertaining for some I'm sure but just not for me.
July 26, 2026
*****Spoilers*****
It wasn't terrible but my expectations were higher than the book delivered. Travis as a suspended hockey player is believable but the suspension seemed excessive particularly if he was good as the book painted him. Kelly and her book writing was realistic, I could understand her desire to do what she wanted over what a successful career said she should do. Together, sharing space between her house her grandmother left and the cottage he lives in on the property is a good place for more.
Travis and Kelly get closer over the time they spend together with him fixing things and giving Kelly ideas about her book. It's meaningful and builds, but it's also glossed over so the knowing one another comes without the emotional depth I'd have liked to experience in the pages. Next thing, they acknowledge their feelings and are dating. Next, his entitled family shows up and Kelly has doubts. After that, they talk and we get more doubts from Kelly and a steadfast boyfriend in Travis who enjoys being around Kelly because she treats him normally.
For her part, Kelly's head isn't turned once she learned that Travis was a professional hockey player. They work through issues together like mature adults which is refreshing. However, the book doesn't give the reader time to really know either character that well as it progresses. So when there are moments that should feel freight with tension, it's just words on a page. I really couldn't understand why Kelly was hurt that Travis didn't tell her he was a hockey after her friend looked him up. The whole reveal was oddly situated in the story. Galentine's Day with the girls, Travis gets invited in as he's going to grab a tool, friend inquisition into who he is a request for his last name, articles and a viral incident with him beating up a reporter. Travis goes back to the cottage, Kelly follows some time later to talk, they hash things out and kiss for the first time. It just felt to me like going through the motions the whole book.
All in all, I thought it was meh. There were consistency issues and a couple of paragraphs were duplicated for some reason. I also cringed when Kelly who is a black woman showered so long until her skin turned pink. Book cover image had me rolling my eyes and I couldn't remember if a description of Kelly was ever given to make me think Kelly was a lighter skinned black woman to where that detail would make sense.
It wasn't terrible but my expectations were higher than the book delivered. Travis as a suspended hockey player is believable but the suspension seemed excessive particularly if he was good as the book painted him. Kelly and her book writing was realistic, I could understand her desire to do what she wanted over what a successful career said she should do. Together, sharing space between her house her grandmother left and the cottage he lives in on the property is a good place for more.
Travis and Kelly get closer over the time they spend together with him fixing things and giving Kelly ideas about her book. It's meaningful and builds, but it's also glossed over so the knowing one another comes without the emotional depth I'd have liked to experience in the pages. Next thing, they acknowledge their feelings and are dating. Next, his entitled family shows up and Kelly has doubts. After that, they talk and we get more doubts from Kelly and a steadfast boyfriend in Travis who enjoys being around Kelly because she treats him normally.
For her part, Kelly's head isn't turned once she learned that Travis was a professional hockey player. They work through issues together like mature adults which is refreshing. However, the book doesn't give the reader time to really know either character that well as it progresses. So when there are moments that should feel freight with tension, it's just words on a page. I really couldn't understand why Kelly was hurt that Travis didn't tell her he was a hockey after her friend looked him up. The whole reveal was oddly situated in the story. Galentine's Day with the girls, Travis gets invited in as he's going to grab a tool, friend inquisition into who he is a request for his last name, articles and a viral incident with him beating up a reporter. Travis goes back to the cottage, Kelly follows some time later to talk, they hash things out and kiss for the first time. It just felt to me like going through the motions the whole book.
All in all, I thought it was meh. There were consistency issues and a couple of paragraphs were duplicated for some reason. I also cringed when Kelly who is a black woman showered so long until her skin turned pink. Book cover image had me rolling my eyes and I couldn't remember if a description of Kelly was ever given to make me think Kelly was a lighter skinned black woman to where that detail would make sense.
May 15, 2026
I liked the story a lot … Just the inconsistencies became confusing after a while and I didn’t know what was what. Also, I wish the introduction to the family was a little smoother.. because it doesn’t make sense how the mom knows so much about their relationship when she hasn’t spoken to him in a long time. Especially since nobody knew where he was or who he was with … But I overall did love the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2026
1⭐️
Boredom in a book. If I could go back in time and DNF this book I would’ve done that instead. I’m upset at the time I’ve lost which can’t be regained.
I have absolutely nothing good to say about this book, it lacked everything you could possibly think of, and there were paragraphs that were repeated throughout.
Boredom in a book. If I could go back in time and DNF this book I would’ve done that instead. I’m upset at the time I’ve lost which can’t be regained.
I have absolutely nothing good to say about this book, it lacked everything you could possibly think of, and there were paragraphs that were repeated throughout.
June 19, 2026
Good Story
He was trying to live past the mistake he made. She made a big move, and life had her out in the sticks writ9a book. There it is right there, the set up, and then the connection. I liked the book.
He was trying to live past the mistake he made. She made a big move, and life had her out in the sticks writ9a book. There it is right there, the set up, and then the connection. I liked the book.
August 3, 2026
The Man in the Cottage
New to me indie author. The description pulled me in for a fun easy read for a Sunday afternoon. But the book needs to be edited. Things that was already written is rewritten. DNF. Will give it another try once it is edited.
New to me indie author. The description pulled me in for a fun easy read for a Sunday afternoon. But the book needs to be edited. Things that was already written is rewritten. DNF. Will give it another try once it is edited.
March 7, 2026
This book had potential that then evaporated about the 40% mark. First of all, I couldn’t get past the inconsistencies in the writing. Definitely needs a bit better editing. Also, any chemistry that existed between the FOC and MC disappeared towards the middle of the book.
March 20, 2026
I loved the idea of this book but the plot ran away from us somewhere in the middle.
March 30, 2026
Such a cute story.
I enjoyed this book. I like how it unfolded, and how the MCs came together. It was a really sweet read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I enjoyed this book. I like how it unfolded, and how the MCs came together. It was a really sweet read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 4, 2026
I really liked it such a cute fun quick read
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews