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Permelia Cottage
Can an old English cottage bring renewed faith and healing to several broken hearts?
Susannah Wilkinson leaves her country, and the son she no longer believes wants nor needs her, and flees to England to fulfill her lifelong dream of owning a centuries-old cottage. Life in the quiet village of Neville is everything she dreamed of, though an interest in the charming Colin Heard was never on the agenda. Their mutual attraction comes to an abrupt end when Susannah finds herself in an unexpected life-altering situation.
Two years later, Ryan Wilkinson travels to Neville to settle his mother's affairs. He longs to forget the past and return to his structured life in New York City. During his days in the village, he meets local bookstore owner April Conyers. He unexpectedly feels drawn to her as they work together for her to purchase his mother's beloved cottage. Ryan returns to the U.S. after his interactions with April have shaken him to his core and pulled down walls between him and the painful past. Although, there may be a path to redemption if he is willing to step out in faith.
Susannah Wilkinson leaves her country, and the son she no longer believes wants nor needs her, and flees to England to fulfill her lifelong dream of owning a centuries-old cottage. Life in the quiet village of Neville is everything she dreamed of, though an interest in the charming Colin Heard was never on the agenda. Their mutual attraction comes to an abrupt end when Susannah finds herself in an unexpected life-altering situation.
Two years later, Ryan Wilkinson travels to Neville to settle his mother's affairs. He longs to forget the past and return to his structured life in New York City. During his days in the village, he meets local bookstore owner April Conyers. He unexpectedly feels drawn to her as they work together for her to purchase his mother's beloved cottage. Ryan returns to the U.S. after his interactions with April have shaken him to his core and pulled down walls between him and the painful past. Although, there may be a path to redemption if he is willing to step out in faith.
- GenresRomanceChristian Fiction
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 29, 2020
70 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Carole Lehr Johnson
19 books83 followersCarole Lehr Johnson is a veteran travel consultant of more than 30 years and has served as head of genealogy at her local library. Her love of tea and scones, castles and cottages, and all things British has led her to immerse her writing in the United Kingdom whether in the genre of historical or contemporary fiction.
She is the author of inspirational novels, a novella, and multiple anthologies. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and has previously served as president of her local chapter. She and her husband live in Louisiana with their goofy cats. For more information about Carole, visit her website at www.carolelehrjohnson.com
She is the author of inspirational novels, a novella, and multiple anthologies. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and has previously served as president of her local chapter. She and her husband live in Louisiana with their goofy cats. For more information about Carole, visit her website at www.carolelehrjohnson.com
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 11, 2021
I'm finished, but I don't want to be finished. Does that make sense? I want to live in Neville at Permelia Cottage. The split time works its magic in this contemporary novel. The mystery remains a puzzle through the pages as the reader tries to determine what might have happened to the heroine. Thank you Carole for transporting me to a part of England that I adore and hope to return many more times. The story jerks at the heartstrings of present-day issues and brings God's promises and words in focus. I look forward to the many more novels this author will share.
June 10, 2020
A novel to come home to
This is a sweet story of unexpected love, reconciliation, and for two separate lives, finding a home in an English village. Well researched. I found a few flaws in the writing and at least one seeming contradiction that just did not make sense to me. But this book is definitely worth reading especially if you like tearooms and travel in the British countryside and a bit of intrigue. A really great story.
This is a sweet story of unexpected love, reconciliation, and for two separate lives, finding a home in an English village. Well researched. I found a few flaws in the writing and at least one seeming contradiction that just did not make sense to me. But this book is definitely worth reading especially if you like tearooms and travel in the British countryside and a bit of intrigue. A really great story.
June 20, 2020
I'm finished, but I don't want to be finished. Does that make sense? I want to live in Neville at Permelia Cottage. The split time works its magic in this contemporary novel. The mystery remains a puzzle through the pages as the reader tries to determine what might have happened to the heroine. Thank you Carole for transporting me to a part of England that I adore and hope to return many more times. The story jerks at the heartstrings of present-day issues and brings God's promises and words in focus. I look forward to the many more novels this author will share.
June 9, 2020
A lovely, heartwarming story of redemption surrounding a mother and son and an idyllic thatched cottage in a quaint English village. This debut by Carole Lehr Johnson makes me long for tea and scones and a trip across the Pond. At the end I couldn’t stop smiling!! What an enjoyable read!!
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July 12, 2020I loved this book! The characters were very real to me, as was the setting in England. It made me wish I could visit England and have tea with the characters.
May 16, 2021
Touching Story
As an American who loves Britain, I really enjoyed this story.
Susannah , the main character, has a chance to follow her dreams, and she moves to a cottage in a lovely village in England. She meets some new friends and becomes involved with planning a local ministry to help the homeless. She also meets Colin, who seems like a wonderful man. She's been hurt before. Should she allow herself to pursue a deeper relationship with him?
Jump ahead a few years. Susannah's estranged son, Ryan, shows up in the village to sell his mom's deserted house. What has happened when things seemed to be going so well?
This books tells the story of more than just Susannah. We also get to see Ryan's journey, as well as that of Colin and April. I was pulled in to the lives of the many characters, and the setting in the English countryside was an added bonus.
Be ready to jump back and forth between timelines as different parts of the story are revealed. I felt that worked for this story, and added to the mystery of the plot.
I definitely recommend this book, and I appreciate the story of redemption that is woven through it.
As an American who loves Britain, I really enjoyed this story.
Susannah , the main character, has a chance to follow her dreams, and she moves to a cottage in a lovely village in England. She meets some new friends and becomes involved with planning a local ministry to help the homeless. She also meets Colin, who seems like a wonderful man. She's been hurt before. Should she allow herself to pursue a deeper relationship with him?
Jump ahead a few years. Susannah's estranged son, Ryan, shows up in the village to sell his mom's deserted house. What has happened when things seemed to be going so well?
This books tells the story of more than just Susannah. We also get to see Ryan's journey, as well as that of Colin and April. I was pulled in to the lives of the many characters, and the setting in the English countryside was an added bonus.
Be ready to jump back and forth between timelines as different parts of the story are revealed. I felt that worked for this story, and added to the mystery of the plot.
I definitely recommend this book, and I appreciate the story of redemption that is woven through it.
August 16, 2021
With a narrow time-slip setting, this story alternates between 2016 and 2019, with four main characters. In 2016 Susannah Wilkinson is a middle aged widow who is estranged from her only adult son, Ryan. Susannah decides to live out her dream and relocates a small English village where she meets Colin Heard, a prosperous business-man who is revered by all the people in the village. Although there’s a definite spark between them, Susannah is hesitant to pursue a relationship because of the way her marriage ended.
In 2019 April Conyers dreams of living in the cottage that was deserted when Susannah suddenly disappeared. Ryan Wilkinson arrives with plans to sell the cottage since his mother will never return to it. He and April form a tentative friendship while working out the details of the sale.
I enjoyed the author’s descriptions of the quaint village and the people who inhabit it. Some reference is made to historical sites, but it doesn’t overpower the narrative. It’s interesting to see how these two “worlds” collide and influence each other.
In 2019 April Conyers dreams of living in the cottage that was deserted when Susannah suddenly disappeared. Ryan Wilkinson arrives with plans to sell the cottage since his mother will never return to it. He and April form a tentative friendship while working out the details of the sale.
I enjoyed the author’s descriptions of the quaint village and the people who inhabit it. Some reference is made to historical sites, but it doesn’t overpower the narrative. It’s interesting to see how these two “worlds” collide and influence each other.
May 17, 2021
An excellent first novel.
At first, I nearly stopped reading after the first chapter. The start was a little slow, but I plugged away, and the story and characters began to develop and become more engaging.
The plot behind Susannah's disappearance was interesting, though it did seem a little unlikely at some points.
Some of the English colloquialisms and English cultural habits didn't ring true - having lived there for a while. They seemed more stereotypical than real.
But on the whole, the small village charm was there, and who doesn't love a cream tea?
At first, I nearly stopped reading after the first chapter. The start was a little slow, but I plugged away, and the story and characters began to develop and become more engaging.
The plot behind Susannah's disappearance was interesting, though it did seem a little unlikely at some points.
Some of the English colloquialisms and English cultural habits didn't ring true - having lived there for a while. They seemed more stereotypical than real.
But on the whole, the small village charm was there, and who doesn't love a cream tea?
August 16, 2022
This book was a bit of a disappointment, but I can't really blame that on the author. I think this must have been free at some point on Amazon, and that is why it was on my Kindle. I know you're not supposed to judge a book by it's cover, but I think that's what I did and I thought it was going to be something more historical, which it is not.
I read a lot of split-time novels and really enjoy them, but with the time frames and characters in this one being so close, I found it hard to get into and differentiate between the two story lines.
I read a lot of split-time novels and really enjoy them, but with the time frames and characters in this one being so close, I found it hard to get into and differentiate between the two story lines.
May 24, 2021
Love, forgiveness and Reconciliation
Excellent book bouncing from 2016 to 2019 from England to America. The author did it so seamlessly that it made perfect sense. Was so descriptive one could visualize the village of Newell and the Horde Castle. Then about midway the author added a mystery that was only solved in the last chapter. Must read to learn about Susannah, Ryan, Colin and April.
Excellent book bouncing from 2016 to 2019 from England to America. The author did it so seamlessly that it made perfect sense. Was so descriptive one could visualize the village of Newell and the Horde Castle. Then about midway the author added a mystery that was only solved in the last chapter. Must read to learn about Susannah, Ryan, Colin and April.
May 15, 2021
Excellent Christian read
I enjoyed the suspense of the story right from the beginning. It is so refreshing to read an engaging story of a small village in England with realistic characters and places. Thank you for this Christian story. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian historical romance novels that are not overly "gushy" but sweet and happy.
I enjoyed the suspense of the story right from the beginning. It is so refreshing to read an engaging story of a small village in England with realistic characters and places. Thank you for this Christian story. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian historical romance novels that are not overly "gushy" but sweet and happy.
July 14, 2022
Lovely read
This book was not at all what I expected. I thought it was a time travel romance, cause I read that first. This one popped up into my must reads. Being from the same author I assumed it was one, it wasn't but it wasn't disappointing at all. Only downside is I wish to read more. Guess that makes it a good read. Love it. Very charming.
This book was not at all what I expected. I thought it was a time travel romance, cause I read that first. This one popped up into my must reads. Being from the same author I assumed it was one, it wasn't but it wasn't disappointing at all. Only downside is I wish to read more. Guess that makes it a good read. Love it. Very charming.
May 28, 2021
Different
While the structure of this story was different, it was fairly good. I would give it 3.5 stars. The main characters could have used a little more development in both timelines. Nice descriptions of the area were a plus.
While the structure of this story was different, it was fairly good. I would give it 3.5 stars. The main characters could have used a little more development in both timelines. Nice descriptions of the area were a plus.
June 30, 2023
There are many plot threads in this book, which the author weaves together very carefully and intricately. I got a bit worn out trying to keep them all straight. There are a lot of characters to keep straight too. Overall, it's well done, and there's good plot twists.
July 29, 2024
I tried. I really did. I tried past chapter 6 but finally threw in the towel. It was like reading a very slow Hallmark movie. Very forced, very kitchy. Even the cottage was described to be very shabby chic, which is unfortunate because I was hoping it to be a classic English cottage.
June 3, 2021
I absolutely loved this book ... the beauty of the English village; the relationships formed, lost and found; Christ at work in their lives; and the surprise ending!
October 10, 2024
Not my usual genre so a little slow. It took me longer than I expected but it was worth the effort. Dual storyline and lots of surprise twists.
July 7, 2025
I enjoyed this book with its dual storylines following Susannah and her son Ryan. The mystery element of what happened to Susannah was well done.
September 5, 2023
The opening immediately grabbed my attention and I was involved with these characters and their lives. The journey I went on with them was riveting. I fell in love with the community Suzannah lived in almost as much as she did and felt I accompanied them in daily life. The aroma of fruity scones and aromatic tea in my cup puts me right there in that lovely atmosphere. Meeting these people visiting in front of her cottage fireplace and hearing their tales would be a nice cozy afternoon I would not soon forget. I was so sorry when this book came to an end.
October 14, 2020
Carole made Permelia Cottage come alive. The cottage is more than a place or structure, it comes alive with a personality all its own. I got swept up in the story and it was as if I were there in person.
Thank you, Carole, for the adventure.
Thank you, Carole, for the adventure.
January 31, 2021
Wonderful story vividly set in England. Loved the characters and the descriptions of people and places. I was transported and enthralled!
August 5, 2021
This has been one of those books that has really stuck with me since I read it. Loved the writing style and the whole story. Will be reading more by this author. ❤
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews