The unputdownable second book in the Echoes of Cornwall series!
What readers are saying about this
'An absolutely brilliant, spellbinding, sexy story that draws you in immediately from the first page and holds on to the end. A definite five star read!' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I couldn't have asked for a better way to start the new year... devouring it in just two days. This story captivated me from the very first page.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Wow! What a fabulous read! The level of historical detail was incredible.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A fascinating time travel story... left me holding my breath!' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A great time travel story. I was swept into the book immediately.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The mystery kept me on my toes the whole time... I need Book Two like yesterday!' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I was invested in the characters from page one and couldn't read fast enough. I was blown away by the ending.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kennedy Kerr is the author of the Lost Maidens Loch witch-themed cozy mystery series. She is from a Scottish family and adores the magic and mystery of Scotland and all the Celtic lands: cairns, misty mountains, stone circles and misty lochs are her particular favourite things. She is the proud owner of a cuddly black cat called Twinkle, who evidently believes she is a princess.
Kennedy also loves cooking and baking all types of food, which is almost as much fun as eating it.
I enjoyed coming back to this series and continuing the weird flow of events and timelines in this setting. That said, I feel like the first book was better at keeping my attention on what was happening. Not that it's a bad book—I just felt my mind drifting away a few times while reading.
We pick up basically right after the first book ended, finding Tegan and Will in 1867 this time. Trevaron House is different, but it's still there and still very much at the centre of all the action. I'm beginning to suspect it's not the people, but the house itself that holds the power here.
Both Tegan and Will have their fair share of internal struggles, but I found Tegan to be more irritating in this installment. Sure, everyone wants to get back to their own time (that's completely understandable), she just continues to push for her own agenda regardless of anyone else. It's fine if you're being selfish as long as you recognise it, but don't hide behind noble ideas and pretend you're trying to save everyone.
Aunt Bill was a definite highlight! She was an unexpected but lovely addition to the party and the story. We finish on a cliffhanger again, so I assume a third installment is planned. I hope it brings a satisfying resolution, especially with how elusive Tegan's dreams are.
This definitely goes for Outlander vibes and works well overall. I was just a bit disappointed with the main character in this one.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
I absolutely adore the gothic Echoes of Cornwall series by Kennedy Kerr! Book two An Ocean of Longing is quite an appropriate title as Tegan and William divided by centuries, miss each other desperately. If you read the first book you will know they might be separated when she tries to return to her current time (21st Century). She was trying to save him from some nasty trouble in the 1700s. But while they are attempting to escape, everything goes terribly wrong. When the story ends, we are left with a nail-biting cliff hanger not knowing if they are still together or torn apart by time! Does he make it back with her?
When book two opens, Tegan is standing in front of the Trevarron House, alone. Obviously she has been transported but she realises with horror that the scene is not right. The old manor is not in ruins as it should be in her timeline but rather the lawns are mowed, the lamps are lit, the walls are straight and steps are free of moss. Basically the manor is in good condition. Which means one thing: she is not back in the 21st century. And as she notes: ‘… that was very, very bad.’ She soon discovers she is in 1867, meaning she is separated one hundred years from the love of her life.
Heartbroken, Tegan wonders who can she turn to in a place and time she does no know? Well, a Cornish pillar named Nancy Willcock lives in what becomes her Aunt Bill’s home in current day time. This lady takes her in and reveals she has known other time travellers. She understands the situation and this offers Tegan at least some temporary relief. Nancy is a likeable character who I really enjoyed as she offers some good advice and provides the assistance Tegan needs.
There are some delightful and fearful surprises in this book. One is the latest Lord of Trevarron is a horrible abusive man. And another bit of news startles her. A drunken raving man says he is Lord of Trevarron and his physical description sounds a lot like William. Is it possible he escaped the trouble in his time period and made it with her to the 1800s?
This book contains more on the edge-of-your-seat heart-racing tension and drama like the first one. And not to mention it sizzles with passion and intense desire. It is reminiscent of Outlander with its special time portal. And it has a gorgeous, strong, feisty hero from the past and a determined, independent, dedicated heroine in the present. Both are equal in bravery and carry an intense sense of purpose to help others in need. They particularly are driven by honour to rescue women and children who have been abused and treated wrongly.
All the characters are brilliant. Each one is well-presented and serve key purposes in the plot. There is plenty of drama, tension and mystery to this time travel story. But beyond the fun and exciting elements runs some very dark threads. This is also a history lesson on the awful treatment of women and children across different eras. There were some horrible injustices done to them which are boldly and accurately depicted in the novel. So in many ways, beyond the time travel and timeless love story, the novel provides a journey across the ages showing the history of women struggling for independence and personal rights. The battles they fought, the male dominance over every aspect of their lives. They had no freedom, no privileges, no choices of their own. Fear reigned supreme, as they had to bow to the male figures who lorded over their lives. We saw how women in the working classes were treated and compared those with the upper classes. In many ways the elite sometimes were worse off as they had less freedom and were often pawns in their parents’ schemes for prestige or financial gain. They often suffered from forced unions that resulted in bad marriages (as we see in this novel).
So An Ocean of Longing carries many serious as well as entertaining elements. I cannot say enough how much I loved this sequel. I flew through it as I could not put it down. And the next one won’t come quick enough! For, yes, we are left with another cliff hanger and a painful choice. My heart is still racing and aching from this story. It is so tension packed—particularly towards the end. This is a beautiful must-read-novel for those who enjoy gothic time travel romances with heart, depth and importance messages. And isn’t the cover just stunning and so atmospheric! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Kennedy Kerr for the eARC!
An Ocean of Longing is the second book of the series, so please do not read it as a standalone. It also ends up on cliffhanger hinting at book 3. If you love the time travel romance theme, this book is for you.
Tegan discovers that instead of bringing her and her love, William, back to the 21st century, she has ended up in 1867 and separated from William. She is taken in by Nancy Willcock who currently occupies her (21st century's) Aunt's cottage. She eventually finds out that someone has been taken into custody because they kept saying they are the Lord of Trevarron. As she tries to figure out if William has also been whisked into the same time, she also finds herself being entangled into a darker side of the Trevarron's history.
The story is hauntingly beautiful. Kerr does a good job in describing how life was in the past, especially for women. The setting is still in Trevarron house, but many things have changed. We still have the amazing Trevarron manor, along with its beautiful rose garden. However, there is something even more sinister. The Lord Trevarron of 1867 is not the gentleman he seems to be. Even though the Trevarron House remains beautiful on the outside, the inside may already be rotten.
Tegan started off as a very steadfast character. I love how she was quite righteous and definitely opened up a new world for her partner. However, I did have to say I was a bit disappointed at her choice at the end. It made me feel like she could give everything up for love, but she also did not have enough empathy for others. For most of the story, she definitely was quite active in pursuing a good cause, but it fell off at the end. I know it's scary for a woman from the 21st century to be back in the 1860s but the fact that she made a certain choice killed off everything she did previously. It made her seem like a young woman who is only going through certain "troubles" just to please her partner.
I feel that the story definitely is very thought inducing, as we see how women are treated back in the past. It makes me think about how many sacrifices were made for women of this century to have their rights. The way that Tegan thinks vs how women in 1867 think is a huge contrast. I do have to say that this book is NOT for people who may be disturbed with any sort of abuse (physical, emotional or sexual). It was a little hard for me to read these parts, but I definitely did enjoy most of the book. We get thrown right into the story and it does set a pretty fast pace, so at no time was I bored.
Kennedy Kerr’s An Ocean of Longing threw Tegan into the wrong century, separated her from the man she loves, and then apparently decided my nerves were an acceptable casualty. Storm Publishing, thank you so much, along with NetGalley, for the gifted ARC.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“…that was very, very bad.”
Honestly, that line sums up Tegan’s situation rather nicely. She believes she is taking William home with her, but instead she lands alone in 1867 Cornwall. Trevarron House is standing in all its glory, William is nowhere to be found, and Tegan has no clue who she can trust.
Thankfully, she finds Nancy Willcock, a Cornish pellar who understands far more about the strange power surrounding Trevarron than Tegan expects. I loved Nancy. She brings warmth, wisdom, and a sense of safety to a story that becomes darker with every chapter.
Then rumors begin spreading about a dark-eyed stranger claiming to be the true Lord of Trevarron, and suddenly Tegan has hope again. William is every bit as honorable and protective as I remembered, but watching him try to understand a world more than a century beyond his own was one of my favorite parts. His title means nothing here, the customs are different, and even the smallest everyday things leave him completely baffled.
Tegan and William’s love is passionate, stubborn, and just reckless enough to make you want to shake them both. Their reunion gave me all the feelings, but this story is about more than romance. The women trapped inside Trevarron House are living under the control of a cruel man, and the way their lives contrast with Tegan’s modern expectations is heartbreaking.
The Cornwall setting is beautifully moody, with folk magic, secret passages, wild cliffs, old roses, and a manor that looks lovely while hiding something rotten inside. This sequel is darker than the first book, with abuse, danger, and some difficult moments involving women and children, so please check the content warnings.
Readers who love Outlander, gothic houses, found family, fierce women, time travel, and romances where love refuses to behave sensibly will want this series. Definitely read An Ocean of Time first, because this one begins right where it ended—and yes, Kennedy Kerr leaves us dangling from another cliff. Rude. Effective, but rude.
Would you follow the person you love through time, even if you had no idea where—or when—you might land?
In An Ocean of Longing, the spellbinding second instalment of Kennedy Kerr’s Echoes of Cornwall series, time travel serves as a striking lens to examine the heavy realities of history, power, and womanhood. Cast back into 1867, Tegan Penrose’s journey through Victorian Cornwall uncovers a society steeped in ancient folklore and sharp social divides.
Kerr masterfully highlights the folk tradition of the Cornish pellar—traditional white witches and wise folk who acted as guardians, healers, and mediators of the supernatural. Represented by Nancy Willcock, pellars were essential fixtures of Cornish society, respected and relied upon to counter dark forces and navigate the ley lines running through the coastline. They embody an enduring rural autonomy and pre-Christian wisdom, offering a spiritual sanctuary that stands in stark contrast to the oppressive social structures surrounding them.
The novel captures how aristocratic manor houses like Trevarron House—reminiscent of real-life historic estates such as Knighton Gorges—hold a dark, tragic presence that transcends centuries. Though eras change and families cycle through, the halls remain haunted by past cruelties and unresolved grief. Kerr illustrates that physical architecture can preserve the violent shadows of history, trapping successive generations in cycle-repeating hauntings until truth is dragged to light.
Kerr presents a sharp social critique of 1867 gender dynamics. Working-class women, while enduring arduous labour, often possessed a degree of everyday independence—earning their keep and moving through public space without total confinement. Conversely, middle - and upper-class women without private wealth faced total subjugation. Subjected to brutal husbands like Lord Albert Trevarron, wealthy women had zero legal, medical, or financial recourse against domestic abuse or marital rape. Stripped of independent money, higher education, or careers, they were legal property expected to function as domestic stewards, nurses, and caretakers—sacrificing their autonomy to serve male control.
A captivating, immersive gothic timeslip romance that weaves truth with breathtaking suspense.
It starts where book 1 ended, flawlessly following Tegan on her journey through time. When she made the jump she was surrounded by trouble and danger. The problem is she is not at home in the 21 century or with William in 1755, but in 1867. Her journey is once again wracked with drama and suspense, but she finds with the help of some very trusted helpers, she can make it through anything.
I was so happy to get my hands on this book. This was an amazing continuation to this series. This book started where book 1 left us readers on the edge of our seats. It was nice being able to jump right in again. It has a pull that makes you want more. I hated to put it down. This book was filled with all the danger, drama, romance, and history. This second book was a bit dark we than the first, but it brought so much more emotion to the story. It had a great set of characters. Both old and new. But, I think the one thing I have loved most (about both stories, really) is that it is so beautifully descriptive. You can almost smell the roses. See a giant crumbling mansion. Feel the dark and damp of secret tunnels. The writing is simply meant to make you feel the story. Feel the characters.
I'll add that, wow. These endings have me nail biting, but I loved it and can't wait for the next heart-racing book.
*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*
Believing she is finally bringing William home to the twenty-first century, Tegan instead finds herself stranded in 1867, separated from the man she loves and forced to navigate an unfamiliar world. Taken in by the wise Cornish pellar Nancy Willcock, Tegan discovers more about the mysterious power that surrounds Trevarron House. When rumours spread of a stranger claiming to be the lord of Trevarron, she dares to hope that William has somehow crossed time to find her. Yet, with the cruel Lord Albert Trevarron threatening everyone around him, reuniting with William may be more dangerous than either of them imagined. I really enjoyed the rich atmosphere of the novel. The Cornish setting was beautifully described, bringing the rugged coastline, local folklore, and sense of mystery vividly to life. I found the time-slip elements were woven seamlessly into the story, which added intrigue without overshadowing the novel. Tegan was a strong and determined heroine, and her unwavering commitment to finding William made it easy to become invested in her journey. I really enjoyed the blend of historical detail, together with the family secrets, and these elements kept the plot moving. Overall, this was a great read! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
An Ocean of Longing is a sweeping, emotional timeslip romance that pulls you straight into its windswept Cornish world and refuses to let go. Kennedy Kerr blends folklore, Gothic atmosphere, and aching devotion into a story that feels both epic and intimate.
Tegan is a wonderfully compelling heroine — fierce, heartbroken, and determined to defy time itself to find her way back to William. Her journey through 1867 Cornwall is rich with mood and magic, and the Willcock women add a gorgeous thread of found family and feminine strength. The folk‑magic elements feel organic and enchanting, giving the novel a haunting, otherworldly glow.
The setting is a standout: rugged cliffs, storm‑lashed seas, and a manor house steeped in secrets. It’s the perfect backdrop for a love story that spans centuries and refuses to fade. The slow‑burn tension, the emotional stakes, and the hint of Gothic danger all work together beautifully.
Romantic, atmospheric, and full of heart, this is a perfect read for fans of Outlander, Poldark, and anyone who loves stories where fate, magic, and love collide across time.
A gorgeous, immersive escape.
With thanks to Kennedy Kerr, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
After the events of the first book, Tegan is thrown more than a hundred years into the future and separated from William just when she thought they were finally going to have their happily ever after. As she settles into life in 1867 with another Willcock woman and learns more about the magic surrounding Trevarron House, rumors begin to spread about a mysterious man claiming to be the lord of Trevarron. Tegan has to figure out how to survive, reunite with William, and untangle the growing mystery of the house's strange connection to time.
I enjoyed returning to this world, especially with the jump to 1867 and getting to learn more about Cornish folklore. The Willcock family was helpful, as always, and Aunt Bill showing up was such a fun surprise!). That said, this one didn't quite captivate me the way the first book did. William spent a good chunk of the story frustrating me, and while Lord Albert was an excellent villain, I found myself wishing the plot moved a little faster in places. Tegan's dream about who she might marry left me with way more questions than answers, and then the book ended on another cliffhanger. What time are we going to be in now, and why is Trevarron House on fire?! I'll definitely pick up the next book because I need answers, but this installment felt more like a bridge between books than a complete story.
Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
An Ocean of Longing by Kennedy Kerr is another captivating instalment in this atmospheric time-slip series.
After discovering in the first book that she has the ability to time slip, Teagan developed deep feelings for William. Despite their strong connection, she knows she has to find a way back to her own time. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned, and not only does she fail to make it home, but she unknowingly brings an unexpected guest with her to 1867.
Meanwhile, William is steadfast in his belief that he is still the Lord of Trevarron. What he doesn't realise is that he is no longer living in 1755, nor is he recognised as the Lord in this new time; an unfortunate misunderstanding that quickly lands him in gaol.
Kennedy Kerr once again creates a wonderfully atmospheric story filled with emotion, mystery, and suspense. The historical setting is richly described, and the growing uncertainty surrounding Teagan and William keeps the pages turning. By the end, I was left wondering what fate has in store for them and whether they'll ever find their way home or back to each other.
A compelling sequel that leaves you eager to pick up the next book.
*Received ARC through NetGalley. Voluntarily reviewed. *
This was an action packed sequel. Unfortunately, Tegan has ended up in 1867, but as we find out, so has William. Fortunately, she is taken in by Nancy, who is a Wilcox and a pellar. Meanwhile at the castle, bad things are happening, and Tegan and William come across Aunt Bill, who has people who need help. The business of time travel and the help available has become a little more complicated, however, it was great to have Aunt Bill pop up again. Once again, we are left on a cliffhanger, with Tegan time travelling to a fire, and William still in 1867, doing the right thing. I enjoyed the portrayal of life at the time, especially for women, as well as the obvious bewilderment that would happen if you ended up in another time. I look forward to reading about what comes next in this intriguing series. My thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for allowing me to read and freely review this book.
An Ocean of Longing, part two of the Echoes of Cornwall series was just as compelling and haunting as the first with the added element of a steamy romance between Tegan and William. I just wish it weren’t another cliffhanger which is one reason I only gave it 4 stars. (Be sure to read Book 1 as this is not a standalone.) The other reason for the 4 stars, which I hope was corrected in the final draft, was the number of typos and the misuse of me, myself and I. Every time I stumbled across this grammar pet peeve of mine, it pulled me out of the story. I think there should be trigger warnings for extreme violence and abuse, but it’s still a fascinating romance with time travel, ghostly images appearing in dreams, and visions of beautiful Cornwall in the 18th and 19th centuries.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Storm Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
This is the second book in the Echoes of Cornwall series. Unfortunately, I missed the first book in the series but am going to make a point to get to it now that I've discovered this series. The book grabbed my attention from the very first page. Time traveling is not something I read about often, but this book is gripping. The tension is there; it had me holding my breath as I read. It's gothic and fairytales, heat and magic, it absolutely just pulls you in. Tension, danger, a sexy story. You can feel the danger as revenge is exacted. The attention to historical detail is remarkable as these strong women and bold men from the past come alive under the author's pen. My only complaint is it ended in a cliffhanger, and I need the next part yesterday.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
An Ocean of Longing (Echoes of Cornwall Book 2) by Kennedy Kerr Second book in the Echoes of Cornwall series building on the time traveling concept. Not only was her longing for love full filled with the Lord of Trevarron but our heroine has brought him nearly a century a head of time. This book focuses on the difficulty of living out of time causes problems both ways. William De Vere Trevarron has no idea how to function as a man not a lord. His guilt over leaving his sister Edith in the impossible situation with Favisham's abusive control. William not only has to find his own identity but a way back to his time to elevate his guilt. The book shows the sudden nature of time travel of taking people from their familiar world to an entirely different reality. The characters have to find a way to control their travel and connect to their own support system.
- Sex scenes are still deeply cringeworthy, unsexy, and gross
- Tegan is still a preachy idiot with an overinflated sense of her own intelligence
- She keeps going on about their deep connection yet they still know almost nothing about each other
- William is vastly improved as a character
- At least there’s a plot this time
- The author spends less time using the book as an excuse for activism
- The author still feels the need to explain and explain again, because evidently she thinks her readers are illiterate. “The benefit of being thought stupid because of my gender and class - or at least, what Albert Trevarron thought I was” REALLY??? WITHIN THE SAME SENTENCE.
- The proofreading/editing is worse than the last one
This is the second book in the Echos of Cornwall. Tegan has travelled through the portal but has not ended up jn her time but a hundred years later than the 1700s. Unbeknownst to her William followed her, he is confused and does jot understand. Tegan visits the cottage she knows to be her aunts in the future and enlist the help of the lady living there. She rescues William . from prison and they try to return through the portal again. At the big house she finds her aunt also a time traveller and they join with her as they try to rescue Lady Hermonie and her daughter Violet from the abusive lord Trevarron. I am looking forward to reading the next book next year. Thanks to Netgalley and Storm publishing for my review copy
After the way the first book in the series ended, it was no surprise that Tegan found herself alone in another place and time. It's now 1867. Luckily, Tegan finds someone accustomed to travellers to help her, and when a man is spotted acting strangely, she wonders whether he is the person she seeks. It's an intense story full of drama, mystical occurrences and danger. The historical detail lends the story authenticity, and the story explores nineteenth-century abuse and poverty through a relatable cast of characters. I like the atmospheric setting, the romance and the supernatural element. I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I enjoyed this next chapter but found it irritating that Tegan wouldn't have asked Aunt Bill immediately how to specifically travel back to a certain point in time IE. 2025? How many times Bill had jumped, could she go where and when she wanted? Did she always go from the same spot? Bill has travelled north and said she won't be able to come back to St Nantes 'in this lifetime' so where would she travel in time from instead?? Why wouldn't she have asked such pertinent questions? It didn't make sense. I can deal with spelling mistakes but this was infuriating.
Continuing the tale of 21st century Tegan’s and 18th century William’s ’ love story. Interwoven with issues of women’s rights and freedoms (or lack of), the contrast is sharp between Tegan and lady Hermione. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Tegan and William find themselves in an unexpected time period. William is distraught, his identity as a person is lost, and he's angry and without purpose. Tegan is trying to help, but she also wants to go back to her time. These two-time misfits have to figure out how to navigate their love story with disparate views. Hopefully, book 3 gives them their epic hea.
I always go into this serie expecting a fun quick read and I am not disappointed. It is developped enough to be interested and keeping you on your toes, but not too much where the time travel gets confusing. It's light and I love it.
This is not my usual type of historical fiction, but I actually really enjoyed it. I didn't realise it was book 2 of a series. I will seek out the other books. Dual timeline with a difference as the biggest feature of the story is time travel! Really liked Tegan, our main character.
This book picks up where the previous one ends. William and Tegan are both trying to get back to their own time. It was a quick book with a little bit of heat. I think I liked the first one better but I’m still looking forward to the next one.
An Ocean of Longing completely swept me away. I was hooked from the beginning and found myself getting more and more invested in the characters and their journey as the story unfolded.
I loved the balance between the fantasy and romance elements, and the emotional moments really hit for me. There was plenty of tension, intrigue, and just enough twists to keep me turning the pages long past when I should have stopped reading.
A beautiful, immersive romantasy that had me completely captivated from start to finish. An easy five stars.
I loved the historical setting & the author paints a vivid picture of the times. Just the right amount of suspense and intrigue and a cast of both likeable and detestable characters. My only complaint is the sex talk just gave me the ick, but those scenes were easy enough to skip over.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a complimentary digital copy. My review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.
An Ocean of Longing by Kennedy Kerr is a lush, emotionally charged timeslip romance that plunges readers straight into the dark beauty and perilous secrets of Victorian Cornwall.
This was my first time reading Kennedy Kerr, and while this is the second installment in the Echoes of Cornwall series, the worldbuilding pulled me right into the drama. The narrative picks up with Tegan Penrose stranded in 1867 after an attempt to pull her beloved William back to the modern era goes disastrously wrong. Because the plot serves as a direct continuation of their journey, I definitely wish I had started with book one to fully absorb every piece of their shared history. Kerr wastes no time ratcheting up the tension as Tegan finds shelter with local wise women and chases down whispers of an imprisoned stranger in Tintagel who might be her displaced lover.
The standout element of the story is the rich, gothic atmosphere paired with eerie supernatural undercurrents. Tegan and William's urgent, star-crossed romance delivers incredible emotional weight, balanced seamlessly by the steadfast warmth of the women helping her survive. Add in a tyrannical villain and a cliffhanger ending, and you have a tale built for fans of epic historical sagas.
A massive thank you to @stormpublishingco, @kennedykerrauthor, and @netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. An Ocean of Longing is out now!
Thank you for NetGalley for providing me with this book for review. This book is the second in a series, have to say I loved it so much, I'm patiently wearing for the next book.