Garden Cottage: A Mackinac Island Women's Fiction Novel with Romance

by Carrie Fancett Pagels, Lorna Bricco (Illustrator)

Genres: Romance

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 19, 2026

About the author

Carrie Fancett Pagels is a multi-award-winning, bestselling, multi-published author of Christian fiction. She resides with her family in the Historic Triangle of Virginia, but hails from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan--where she loves to visit often.

You can follow Carrie on BookBub at bit.ly/35wBSk3

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual, Carrie delivers a lovely novel set on picturesque Mackinac Island in Michigan. The author has such a gift for setting the scenery in a way that takes you right to the location - whether you’ve been there before and are transported back or have never been.

Carrie’s books are always unique story lines with a lot of characters that are carefully and brilliantly woven together to make a lovely story that honors Gods path and his sovereignty to bring the story together.

This book was a lovely escape to another world, as all of the authors books are. Definitely recommend checking more out.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Garden Cottage by Carrie Fancett Pagels is a most delightful contemporary Christian novel that I read in just one sitting.
As readers of the author’s books, we know that whenever we pick up a book by Carrie Fancett Pagels, we will be richly entertained. In this book, we return to Mackinac Island and meet some new faces in a familiar setting. Cameo appearances of characters from previous novels bring an air of familiarity and comfort to the reader as we feel like we are coming home.
The pace of life is slower. The two lead characters are the other side of fifty. Both have lost their spouses and have wandered in a wasteland. One preferred to withdraw from life. The other threw herself into volunteering. Friendship blossoms as they realise that life can be fulfilling once more. There are second chances to be grabbed.
Love blossoms for younger characters too.
We see the blending of the Italian and American cultures. The latter are smaller families, whereas the Italians tend to have large extended families.
Characters need to find careers and passions that are fulfilling but “Lord, don’t let my daughter prioritize her career over life with her future family.” There is more to life than work. We witness the detrimental effect that workaholics bring to the family.
Sometimes careers are born out of love and care. A sister wants to develop healing fragrances after her brother lost his sense of smell after Covid.
Working the land brings joy. Some produce food, others produce flowers. All are part of God’s creation.
Life is not always smooth but God is always faithful. “We’re not guaranteed a smooth sailing… like in life. But we can trust God to provide.” We see that His eye is on His children as one narrowly escapes harm. We see God turn her disappointment into thankfulness for His care.
Dogs turn a house into a home. A delightful young dog with a joi de vivre for life effects all, including the reader. Her zest for life is infectious.
All the characters were well drawn and believable. It is refreshing to see older characters living life to the full.
Garden Cottage is a book that will sink into your heart and leave you feeling loved and smiling.
I received a free copy from the author. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

GARDEN COTTAGE is Book 4 in Carrie Fancett Pagels Mackinac Island Cottage series.Eventhough I had not read any of Books 1-3, I immensely enjoyed this book. I give it a 5-star rating.

I appreciated the way Pagels introduced characters in this story through conversations between and among Paula's family, Gennaro's family, and the Parker's family. For example, I, the reader discovered that Leo, who is friends with Jeremy and Mia, is also Gennaro's son.

I liked that Pagels included intergenerational characters in the novel who could find love again after being widowed, who could find love after being dumped and humiliated, and who could find love in the midst of college life.

I appreciated the various themes of faith, family, hope, and grace. I appreciated how Angela helped Claire realize that Ivan was a charmer, psychopath, and murderer.

I found that Claire's decision to take Pup with her without Ivan's permission concerned me. However, Claire acknowledged that the Holy Spirit gave her permission and later when I found out that Ivan was indeed a terrible person, I am glad that Pup / Rex was in a safe place and loved by Claire and her family.

I was intrigued that Jackie and Paula focused on creating a home of love and comfort for their loved ones. However, they married first husbands, Victor and Terrance, who were hardworking and devoted to their jobs as much as or more than spending time in those homes. When they found love for a second time, they found Frank and Gennaro, men who had learned to put faith and family first.

I especially enjoyed the denouement of this book with the birth of Eileen to Jeremy and Mia, Paula and Gennaro's trip to Italy, and Gennaro's proposal to Paula. I really felt as if I was seeing first-hand how Paula lovingly welcomed little Eileen into her family. Also, I like Paula, felt the warmth and welcome Gennaro's parents extended to Paula. My grandma Pedersen was the great granddaughter of an Italian immigrant and his American wife. I definitely remember fondly how warm, loved, and welcomed I felt when I visited my grandma.

I am thankful to have found this book series and to have received an Advanced Reader's Copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions are mine. I was not asked by the author to leave a positive review.

[Connie Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always thrilled to return to Mackinac Island through the thoughts and words of Carrie Fancett Pagels. To visit the lighthouses and beaches, see the horse-drawn carriages, bicycles, and beautiful flowers, while experiencing the everyday life of its residents. Garden Cottage is an intriguing story with romance and second chances, but the romance isn't limited to the very young. Paula and Genaro have both loved and lost, and their chance meeting offers them both a new beginning. Will they allow it to happen?

Pagels always makes her characters so believable! I loved that Paula was a 50-something retired librarian recovering from knee replacement surgery and expecting a lonely summer on Mackinac Island. Gennaro was a respected chef at one of the resorts, and their friendship blossomed as they worked together on Paula's garden. Books, gardening, and a middle-aged heroine and hero added to the realism, and their budding romance was sweet and delightful.

The author's personal experiences as a psychologist are evident in the emotional layers of Garden Cottage. It is an engaging, thought-provoking novel filled with grief, loss, joy, and trials, along with secrets and surprises that kept me turning the pages!

I received a complimentary copy of the book. A positive review was never required.

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love returning to Mackinac Island through the pages of a Carrie Fancett Pagels book. I visted many years ago as a chaperone for my son’s sixth grade class trip. Ms. Pagels brings the island back to life for me.
What a treat to see an older heroine ( my namesake) find love again. Paula Ecker is a widowed librarian who lives in Virginia but travels to Mackinac most summers. This time she will recuperate from knee surgery while looking after her aunt’s B&B. A bonus is being with her son and daughter.
More than romance is brewing that summer on the island. Siblings Claire and Jeremy each have their secrets to keep, too.
Gennaro is a widower who is using a job on the island as an escape from fame and a too busy past. Paula and Gennaro meet because Gennaro has benefited from a book that Paula wrote on grief. Although this book has many moving parts, it is about family connections, new romance , old friends to more and learning to follow where God leads. There is a bit of intrigue, relatable characters, a mystery and plenty of laughs.
The cover is a winner, too.
*I received a complimentary copy o+ this book from the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

[Sharon Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paula Ecker fears the future, her daughter Claire realizes she’s a pawn, and her son Jeremy harbors a secret. Can one summer on Mackinac Island bring resolution to any of their problems?

Multiple subplots weave into the main story of Paula’s unanticipated stay on the Island, tying the character’s lives in unexpected ways. Language is PG, moral issues are touched on but not sermonized, giving the reader a pleasant and appealing read. As a Michigander, the many references to the lifestyle exclusive to Mackinac Island gives those who have been there a nostalgic and grounding feel. For others, it gives a hint of what normal life is like in this unique community where cars are banned, carriages are taxis, and horses create the occasional traffic jam.

Readers who enjoy contemporary faith stories with both romance and mystery will enjoy the twists and turns in Cottage Garden. If Ms. Pagels is a new-to-you author, you might very well enjoy reading the rest of this Mackinac Island series.

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I had the honor of editing this book, but that didn’t stop me from thoroughly enjoying it as a reader. Carrie’s vivid descriptions, realistic dialogue, and down-to-earth characters drew me in, and looking back now, the story feels more like memories made with family on Mackinac Island than a book I once read. I especially connected with Paula, navigating the empty-nest stage of life like me, but even the other characters—like a wealthy Italian chef and his cocky son—became surprisingly relatable as their vulnerabilities were exposed. As their walls (and mine) came down, I found something to love in each of them. Between the swoon-worthy scenes and laugh-out-loud moments, I was completely drawn into the characters’ journeys, and their growth beautifully reflected a theme I noticed in the story: that God can redeem our past when we surrender our broken pieces to Him.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are not enough books about romances with older couples, and this book features one! This book is packed with fun and humor while it also touches on serious issues. Themes include widows and widowers, grief and loss, empty nest, second loves, gardening, Italy, cooking and chefs, crazy neighbors, health professionals, mental health, SECRETS (lots of them), a lovable dog, and a mystery with the theme that we are watched over and cared for. The dialog is realistic, and the descriptions will make you feel you have visited Mackinac Island! You will also see appearances by characters from previous novels and catch up a little on their lives, although it is not necessary to have read the previous novels to enjoy this book.

I received an advance copy of this book from the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.

[Sunnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has a love for this place, Mackinac Island, Michigan, and it shows in her writings as she writes about the beautiful surroundings and the events that take place in her books. The book gave me a relaxed and peaceful feeling. It is a story about Paula and Gennaro and a second chance at love. The story is about family, romance and is a very sweet story. It is great to see a romance of an "older" couple. And that life and love can continue. The book shows a trust in God and I love how that is woven into the story. There is humor and all kinds of themes to read about. There is also some intrigue that I always enjoy!
It was a good book and I recommend it.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Betti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome back to Mackinac Island where the wonderful descriptions of all the lovely places on the Island make you feel like you are walking or riding along with the well developed characters. There are hints of romance for the older couple who have experienced grief and loss. Plenty of family dynamics and secrets will keep you wondering about the fallout when these hidden unknowns become known. Add a little more romance and the author has once again given us a fabulous story.

This early copy made me want to visit the Island again! Received through Hearts Overcoming Press, these impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.

[Melissa Main · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lover books and someone over 50, I was thrilled to see the heroine, Paula, is a retired librarian. She has recently been widowed and her relationship with her kids is a little strained. The author walks us into her life, and we feel a deep emotional connection to Paula. Her pain feels relatable, and the moment her life starts improving, my heart feels encouraged. Hope and happy endings are possible for all of us, even the broken ones. I love the realistic characters in her stories. You can see them, hear them, and relate to them. They feel real, and the message of hope and restoration makes this the perfect story for all of us who have known deep hurts.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Garden cottage,

Everything about this story it's wonderful,
Living on an island what's not to love.
The children are grown. Being lonely. Meeting someone. Not knowing for sure how that's going to turn out. .The kids coming home someday., this story, actually felt like real life in every way.

Island living is different from everywhere else, everyone knows everyone, making island life simple.

I enjoyed every moment of this story.
Looking for more books like this.
I would like to thank the author for writing such a wonderful story.



This story felt like in

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book. It was fun reading about Paula and Gennaro and their families. The characters were wonderful and so was the story. It was full of family, secrets, surprises, love, and new beginnings. This was a real page-turner and I had a hard time putting it down. I like reading Mrs. Pagels’ books set on Mackinac Island. It makes me want to go there and visit the places she mentions.
I received a copy of this book from the author and was not obligated to write a positive review.

[Angela Maynard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A family separated by distance, unknowingly, come together for the summer. Paula is a widow who just had knee replacement surgery in Virginia. Her daughter, Claire, has been living and working in Montana. Her son, Jeremy, is attending college in Michigan. They all end up together on Mackinac Island where Claire and Jeremy are keeping secrets. Paula runs into the intriguing young man she met the summer before but he's also keeping secrets. Will everything work out when the secrets are exposed or will they drive them farther apart?

[Melissa Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story of love, loss, family, friendships, and faith. The journey through grief is different for every person. The author gives the characters true emotions and scenarios of how different people handle different situtions. I love how Carrie Fancett Pagels incorporated gardening in the story. Gardening can be healing in many ways. I enjoyed reading this story very much. I received a complimentary copy of the book. No review was required.

[Sarah Dupree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be my new favorite book in this series. Once again, Carrie makes Mackinac Island come to life for me and made me desire to start planning a trip. This novel has everything I’ve been wanting in a novel, more mature characters, family, finding love again. I finished it with a sigh and the desire to reread the entire series.



While I did receive an ARC of this novel, the reviews and opinions are my own. I was not asked by the author to submit a positive review.

[Doris Lankford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book written by this author but it won't be my last. I enjoyed going to Mackinac Island and meeting all the characters, Paula, Gennaro and their children. There was a little bit of everything in this book; family, hope, love and healing. I look forward to more from Mackinac Island.
I received a copy from the author for an honest review.

[DianFlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a charming novel set on picturesque Mackinac Island—perhaps my favorite by author Carrie Fancett Pagels so far—quite possibly due to my total book crush on the affascinante, bello Gennaro! He's Italian, wealthy, considerate, loves kids . . . and he cooks! What else could a lady ask for? As he and Paula, an empty nester and widow connect over a book she wrote on grief, they become the greatest of friends.

The author's humor shines through this delightful story of faith and family, but there's plenty of angst as well—including guarded secrets, a mystery involving a psychopath, and chronic pain issues and mental disorders associated with aging. A great spring/summer read!!

Warning: Intense cravings for delizioso Italian cuisine may occur! 😋👌

*I received an ARC of this book from the author & was not required to write a positive review. I expressed my honest opinion.*

[Beverly Duell-Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this enjoyable book. Clark was an interesting character. I really liked him.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

To say Carrie Fancett Pagel’s books are some of my favorites is an understatement. Particularly because she is so descriptive & writes so beautifully & because they are set in my favorite place, Mackinac Island.

Garden Cottage is no exception. You can picture the beauty of the island in your mind through her stories & you almost feel like you know her characters.

It’s a story of faith, family, trust, love and secrets with a little mystery thrown in.

Carrie’s books will always be at the top of my read list. 💜

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of Garden Cottage from the author for an honest review. Thank you Carrie.