The Forgotten Cottage

by Courtney Ellis

Connected through time to her great-grandmother by a shared English countryside home, an American nurse tries to piece together her family's tangled history in this new historical novel from the acclaimed author of At Summer’s End .

England, 2014: Audrey Collins knows only two things about her beloved grandmother's  She was born into nobility and she immigrated to America at seventeen years old. So when Audrey inherits her gran's home in North Yorkshire, she arrives expecting a sprawling country estate fit for lords and ladies. Instead, she finds an abandoned stone cottage perfectly preserved as Gran left it when she fled in 1941—ration book and all—and begins to uncover what secrets her family has been keeping. 
 
France, 1915: Lady Emilie Dawes is working as a nurse on the Western Front, grateful to have escaped the restraints of her restrictive, privileged home life. But the independence she fought hard to earn is suddenly jeopardized when a familiar man shows up in one of her hospital beds. Facing him means facing her past, and the decisions she had made in fear. As the war rages around her, Emilie realizes she cannot continue running from who she is until she decides who she truly wants to be.
 
Over a hundred years apart, Audrey and Emilie each struggle to find purpose, love, and a place to call home in this enchanting family saga celebrating the courage of underestimated women—and the power a secret can hold across generations.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Romance, British Literature, Audiobook, Contemporary

416 pages, Paperback

First published August 9, 2022

About the author

Courtney Ellis began writing at a young age, and developed an interest in history from her grandfather’s stories of World War II. After obtaining her BA in English and Creative Writing, she went on to pursue a career in publishing. She lives in New York.

Reviews

[Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

2014 - Audrey lost her job as a nurse because of her drinking and is taking care of her grandmother.

Gran dies, but before she passes she leaves a note for Audrey about a cottage in Yorkshire, England, that she left to Audrey.

What also is puzzling to Audrey is why did Gran leave the cottage all those years ago and why if she had been a Lady why wasn't the cottage grand. Audrey finds the cottage charming and full of things from Gran's past.

Under the floorboards are even more interesting pieces of Gran's life. She kept them secret for all those years.

1915 - We meet Emilie, Gran's mother, and Audrey's great grandmother.

Emilie lives in luxury, but feels hemmed in with all the restrictions put on her by her family and their decision to have her marry someone she doesn't love.

Emilie escapes to London with nothing but scorn from her family and joins the VAD's - nurses in the Voluntary Aid Detachment. Nursing isn't for Emilie, but she finds her true love in one of the hospital beds.

We follow both women and learn how everything is connected.

I fell in love with the cottage and would love to live in it.

Does Audrey sell the cottage or go back to her life in the United States with her controlling sister and father and a life of nursing she hopes is still there for her?

I know which one I would choose.

The writing is wonderful, and the cover is a pull-in, but I enjoyed the present-day chapters more than the 1915 ones.

The 1915 ones were a bit too long even though they gave necessary background.

If you love remote villages and WWI, this book should be a wonderful read for you. 4/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read another book by the author I was excited to read another by her.
Told from alternating points of view of 3 generations of a family.
An American woman's nursing license is suspended when she is found intoxicated on the job, after this she battles alcoholism and tries to stay away from it. When her beloved grandmother dies, she inherits her Yorkshire cottage. She doesn't really know too much about her or understand why her grandmother kept a cottage no one knew she owned.
As she spends time in the UK this lovely book comes alive, and we see nursing skills demonstrated from WWI.
1915 France. Lady Emile is a nurse during WWII, she comes from royalty. Her family is strict, and they expect her to enter into a marriage with who they approve her. She ends up having a forbidden love affair.
2014 England, Audrey arrives to clean out her grandmother's cottage and she discovers family secrets in this little cottage. Why did her grandmother immigrate to America as a seventeen-year-old when she seemed to have it all while being born into nobility?
I loved how the secrets were slowly revealed chapter by chapter as each family member's story is told.
Recommended!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read historical fiction, I long for a story that transports me to another time and place; walking the same paths, living in the same homes, wearing the same clothes, even fighting the same emotional battles. I also want to experience the same feelings as the characters who lived long ago, whose lives and dreams and opportunities might be so different from my own, but with whom I can still relate. The Forgotten Cottage does all of that and more, as I walked beside Emilie in the early 20th century in London, in Yorkshire and especially in the hospitals of war torn France. Emilie is an extraordinary character, brave, independent and torn between the life she is destined for and the life she truly wants to live. There is a modern-day timeline, as well, as Audrey, who has inherited her grandmother’s home in Yorkshire, tries to unravel her family’s history. Audrey is also searching for her own life’s purpose—can she find it in the place her grandmother abandoned? Both stories were compelling and poignant, as they faced hardships and heartache in their journeys to find love and home.

[Ashlee (bookswithnopictures) · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could point to one new(ish) author and demand everyone read her, it would be Courtney Ellis. Both of her books are rich in history and transport the reader to a picturesque landscape, time, and place. The Forgotten Cottage, with a dual timeline, unfolds in both past and present. I can't choose which character or time frame I was more invested in. It's one of the few books that I can say I adored both equally.
2014 - Audrey is left an unexpected inheritance in the English countryside. While she misses her grandmother greatly, the mystery of the past and finding a way to move forward both inspire and intrigue her as she leaves the US to sell the quaint cottage. Secrets arise and with the help of Leslie, Audrey finds more than she bargains for.
1915 - Emilie is, by all appearances, a lady through and through with the world at her fingertips. She feels trapped by her station, expected to marry into nobility to a family friend. Meeting Isaac cracks open the door to new potential. With WWI on the horizon, all is about to change.
This is going to be one of my top reads for 2022. I didn't read it quickly, but savored every minute within the pages. It's completely memorable and I cannot wait to see what inspires Courtney next!
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

[Rosie Trzewik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unraveling family’s past history

Wonderful story of a granddaughter trying to find answers to her grandmother and in turn great grandmother past mysteries. Written in a dual timeline present and WW1. Inheriting her grandma house in England leads to many unanswered questions. Why did her grandmother suddenly leave England for the US? Why is the cottage like a time warp 1940’s? Who were her great grandparents? Is there really a Lord in her family? The story gives you a inside look at the life of a VAD, a volunteer nurse aid during WW1 and what harsh conditions the soldiers lived through.
Very moving story….a few tears…well written. Thank you #Goodreads for the book. All opinions are my own. #TheForgottenCottage

[Nina Furrtheloveofbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you ever wonder about your families past? Do you feel like an outcast in the family and want to learn more about your family to find your place in the world? If you answered yes to either of those questions than this book is for you. In this book we have Lady Emily who is being pushed into a marriage of convenience with an royal family, though she yearns to find a life of her own with purpose and love instead of a title. The other main character is Lady Emily’s great-granddaughter, Audrey, a recovering alcoholic who is trying to figure out about her grandmother’s past after she died and left her a cottage in the English countryside.

This book is a great read and both timelines kept me hooked. I will say that the love interest between Audrey and Leslie kept me so vested in the country I was longing for more of their story. I listened to the story on audiobook while reading along to the book. Thank you to @prhaudio for an advanced digital copy for review purposes and to @netgalley and @berkley for and advanced digital copy.

The audiobook had two narrators and so with each timeline being told by the character it made me love the story more. This is a book that I truly loved and I hope you grab a copy and give it a chance too.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anytime you have a dual timeline book, one story will be more compelling than the other. It's hard to compete with a war, so the modern timeline suffered. Audrey's character never really came alive for me, needed more back story as to why she had a drinking problem, why she didn't like nursing anymore, her relationship with her grandmother.
Also I was itching to do some editing, some odd word choices, Rhys "simpers" when they are discussing Emilie's love for another man. And Emilie spends far too much time describing how handsome Isaac is, over and over...

[Dianne Landry · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm pretty sure I've read this story a few times by different authors. Yawn!

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two women at the crossroads of their lives intersect in this tale of two time periods: the present and pre-World War I. Audrey Collins is an alcoholic who is on probation from her nursing career and has spent her time off at AA and taking care of her almost 100-year-old Gran. At her passing, Audrey discovers her Gran left her a cottage in Yorkshire, England and she leaves America and her dad and controlling sister and finds Sparrow Cottage. The rundown but charming cottage is filled with items from the 1940's, when her Gran mysteriously left for America, among them a VAD nurse uniform, a medal and a letter. The story then shifts to Emilie Dawes another relative of Audreys as it turns out. It is about 1914 and Emilie is also at sea in her life. She is restless and not convinced she should marry a childhood friend, Rhys, the son of a duke, just because their parents want them to marry. Then she meets Isaac, her worldview changes, and she flees to London when the war starts. She enlists in the VAD and finds herself nursing in France. Both women grow and become better women, especially Emilie, as she sees the horror around her and realizes how vapid and smug many of her class have been. The author nicely wraps the two stories together and the side characters add interest in both time periods. The notes at the end are informative and add pathos to the fiction. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Elaine C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Historical Fiction with Dual Time Line is a Genre, then it's my absolute favorite ... and this novel is a perfect example! Our heroine Audrey is a recovering alcoholic, living in the United States, who has just inherited a cottage in England from her favorite Gran. Audrey has no idea when Gran owned it, or why she left in such a hurry. Those are the questions that Audrey seeks to answer throughout the book. Along the way, she learns more about her ancestors, their struggles and loves ... and Audrey herself learns more about herself than she ever envisioned possible. Take the beautiful journey with Audrey and discover what's possible when you believe in yourself.

[Michele Quirke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. I originally bought it because it seemed like it would have cottagecore vibes, which it did, but it was so much more than that. I loved the mystery that unraveled and really enjoyed the dual timelines. I was crying at the bittersweet ending!!

[Kaylee Hurwitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8

I enjoyed this book. It was a nice palate cleanser after my weeklong fantasy obsession.

I enjoyed the alternating timelines (I don’t always). I was way more interested in Emilie’s story vs Audrey. Audrey annoyed me a little bit, and everything that happened in her story was pretty predictable.

But I LOVED Emelie’s story, especially the emphasis on VAD nursing in WW1. This is not something I have read much about and I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought the author did a great job with it. I was so invested in Emelie and “her boys”- and the twists truly tugged at my heart strings and made me tear up.

There were a few things that I would have liked to see explored further… I thought Rhys was incredibly kind and generous until he all of a sudden was not (and I get he was severely betrayed, but in the end he was just plain cruel). I also would have like to understand Audrey’s struggles a bit more, and gotten more information on her relationship with her sister and dad. It was pretty one dimensional and I was let down by that.

Overall, I am really glad I read it, and I am looking forward to discussing it with a book club that is primarily healthcare workers.

[Donna Huber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this dual timeline story. I don't read a lot about WWI so it was interesting to see aspects of that war. Those chapters did remind me some of Downton Abby and Lady Emilie was a lot like Lady Sybil. I loved the characters of the present-day storyline and wished we had seen more of them. Read my full review at Girl Who Reads.

[The Lit Bitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Courtney Ellis’s debut novel last summer, At Summer’s End, and good lord was it ever good! I devoured it and it was one of my favorite reads last year. So naturally when I saw this one coming up for review I was thrilled! This one has a great dual timeline aspect which I know is often overdone in historical fiction, but for me it never gets old! I love readling dual timeline books!

This book promises long buried family secrets and complex characters rich in historical detail. And it certainly had all of those things! Ellis write beautiful historical fiction with lots of historical details and heart and this second book was not a disappointment in that regard. I know that fans of the historical fiction genre will not have missed Ellis’s first novel (not with that stunning cover that’s for sure!) but this book doesn’t quite have the ‘curb appeal’ that the first book did. The cover was more simple and not nearly as eye catching as her first book but it was still a wonderful read so don’t let the basic cover fool you!

If you are a fan of historical fiction this book and author should be on your TBR list. Ellis is clearly one to watch in the genre and I for one am going to be eagerly awaiting the next book she writes! This book had a lot to recommend itself based on my expectations from the first book, but at first I did have my doubts that I would love this book though that was quickly dispelled.

When this book started, instantly I was put off by the main character Audrey. She is a recovering alcoholic and I feared I would have a hard time relating to her. There is a history of alcoholics in my family so instantly when I read a character as an alcoholic (recovering or not) I have a hard time connecting or feeling sympathetic toward them. Obviously that I my own personal bias so when within the first couple of pages it’s established that Audrey is a recovering alcoholic, I feared I simply wouldn’t like the book because of my own bias. But I tried so hard to put it aside and enjoy the book mostly because I was so excited for this one.

For me personally, I felt like try as I might, I couldn’t connect with Audrey at all—-but I did love reading Lady Emilie’s story and felt like of the two main plots this was my favorite and what ultimately saved the book for me. The WWI chapters were a little more detailed and lengthy than the modern day ones but I didn’t mind as it provided historical background and established different plot points that were necessary so naturally I assumed they would be longer and the focus of the book—–this is a historical fiction novel after all! I loved how much of a life Sparrow Cottage took on in the book. It was essentially its own characters and I loved that about this book and would have loved to have visited this wonderful house! It seemed so charming and idyllic.

While I might not have loved Audrey’s character, her plot was well written and I liked how it took shape throughout the novel, especially with Isaac. Even if I had my own personal bias about her character, I still found her journey interesting and engaging and I think that many readers will connect with her and cheer her on as her life takes on a new meaning and shape. I loved discovering the past secrets and lives of the characters and those secrets made the book for me. This was a well written novel and a great follow up the Ellis’s debut novel. I ended up giving it 4 stars and felt content once it was complete. I am eager to see what tale Ellis will craft for us next, this is a historical fiction author to watch!

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary advanced copy of THE FORGOTTEN COTTAGE by Courtney Ellis. Thank you to Berkley Publishing and PRH Audio for the chance to provide an honest review.

Publication Date: 8/9/2022
Rating: 4 / 5

THE FORGOTTEN COTTAGE by Courtney Ellis is set in two timelines. In 2014 we are following Audrey, a young woman struggling after the loss of her grandmother. Her grandmother always kept pretty quiet about the details of her past, so Audrey is surprised when she learns that she’s inherited a house in North Yorkshire. She knew her grandmother was born to a well established family, but this home is a run down stone cottage, not exactly what a grand family would have owned. Together with the help of some locals, she begins to look into what she can learn of her grandmother’s story.

In 1915 France, we follow Emilie, a young woman who is working as a nurse on the western front, working to find independence from the life of privilege and restrictions that come from her well to do family. Her family has determined she will marry well, but her heart is determined to go to someone else even though her family will not approve.

I really enjoyed the story in both timelines and the heroines at the center of each story. I really liked the mystery elements of the story too that kept me guessing at how the stories would be interconnected and what Audrey’s grandmother’s history was. I liked the parallels between these two women as well, both working as nurses and trying to get on their own two feet. For Emilie it was a lot about finding independence in a time where women did not have many options. For Audrey she’s dealing with alcoholism and the impacts that has had on her license and her grief.

This isn’t always an easy read, it did delve into some of the deplorable conditions of war in the historical timeline and injuries and health issues in both timelines. Still, I think things were handled well without being there purely for shock value.

This was a good mix of historical fiction and contemporary with romance and mystery as well!

[Victoria Lanigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so engrossed in this story that I was shocked when it ended. It definitely pulled me in and I loved both storylines.
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In France 1915 Lady Emile is working as a nurse during the war. She comes from a privileged family but her life changes from the war and a forbidden love.
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In England 2014 Audrey arrives to find her grandmother’s cottage that she knew nothing about. The only things she knew about her grandmother’s past was that she immigrated to America as a 17 year old and that she was born into nobility, which she always thought was just a story. She is soon about to discover her family’s entire history here in this forgotton cottage.
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I love how the storylines weaves together and discovering their history and let me tell you I would love to stay in this cottage!

Huge thank you to @berkleypub @berittalksbooks @thephdivabooks @dg_reads and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Lindy Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded up.
The Forgotten Cottage is an absolute beautiful story about a family and its history, both past and present. I genuinely loved both time lines. Audrey, in the present, is working so hard to turn over a new leaf and do better. Emilie, in the past, is fighting for her independence, to be valued for who she really is and not what her family wants her to do. I would find myself so invested in each story that when the story would switch, I was eager to continue reading and trying to piece together the clues of the past. If you enjoy historical fiction with romance, particularly around the time of WWI, then you must read this book!

*descriptions of war injuries, one vague open door scene, some language (including 1 f-word)

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for my e-arc of this book. All opinions here are my own.

[Deborah Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this little book. I’m not one for romance though. However, this was light on the romance part and bigger on historical fiction and mystery. While I have read many, many wonderful books concerning WW2 as the backdrop, I have read very few that dealt with WW1. I learned a great deal about that time period and event in history by reading this story.

[Renata Shura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the Emily narrative, but the Audrey narrative just annoyed the heck out of me. I did enjoy the unfolding of the story of how Emily ended up in the cottage and I’m always a fan of happy endings.

[Michelle B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful glimpse into a family over generations, war, heartache, personal growth, and perseverance. A statement to many, especially women, to be yourself, do not underestimate yourself, and strive for what brings you happiness.

[T. Rosado · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I enjoyed this much more than the author’s debut. At Summer's End was a fine story, but I was drawn more deeply to this one and it hit me with some wonderful feels. The Forgotten Cottage was a dual timeline story done well. I was drawn emotionally to both timelines, but I especially enjoyed the vulnerabilities of the characters in the later timeline, as well as their sweet romance.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Cecile Paddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Then and now - family trying to make sense of their current situation. Loved it 🥰

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Audrey inherits her Gran’s house, she heads to North Yorkshire. She finds it just like her Gran left it. She finds some unexpected secrets and sets out to find out what really happened.
It’s a dual timeline story which I always like. It has some light romance too. I wasn’t quite ready for it to end

[Darby Stubblefield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK. THIS IS A MUST READ IF YOU LIKE HISTORICAL FICTION, MIXED WITH MYSTERY, EMOTION, AND A SMIDGE OF ROMANCE. THE AUTHOR DOES A BEAUTIFUL JOB BRINGING THE STORY TO LIFE. DEFINITELY ONE OF THOSE STORIES WHERE YOU CAN PICTURE EVERY SCENE AS IF YOU ARE PART OF THE STORY.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded up from 31/2 stars. I enjoyed the story but once again a different ending would have let it stand out more. Every book does not need a traditional happily ever after. I felt characters could have used a bit more development especially Rhys, more explanation of his illness.
There are questions at the end of the book that make it a good book club selection.
Once again ,learned more about WW 1.
This is a two time line book....the present day time line was pretty well written altho why they made Audrey an alcoholic reads forced to me...but then so does the idea of inheriting a cottage in Yorkshire and then selling it. I would have my bags packed and ready to move in!
Overall, a nice read

[Krista · Rating 2 out of 5]

A moving—and heart-wrenching—dual-timeline novel, illustrating how the choices made by Emilie (the WWI-era protagonist) impact the life of her present-day descendent, Audrey.

Unfortunately I am not a fan of romantic triangles, and that trope was critical to the plot of the WWI-era chapters. Obviously with these scenarios, there is the risk of one person being extremely hurt; but in this particular plot, not only was one of the characters very much the "odd-man-out" in terms of the romantic relationship, he was also psychically and physically damaged by war. It was painful to read.

[Tamara York]

DNF page 158. Some historical fiction just lacks substance. This also suffers from lack of editing (odd word choices, endless descriptions of how handsome the two male leads are, instant feelings/attraction with both love stories, and historical missteps that show a lack of research). The modern day protagonist, Audrey, is an alcoholic, whiney, and can’t take care of herself. I don’t really care about what’s happening in the story. Bummer, because I bought this one…luckily it was used. Back to the used bookstore it goes.

[Jenna Gareis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five things about The Forgot Cottage by Courtney Ellis 📚📚📚

1. This was okay. Not great. Not terrible. Just okay.
2. It was predictable and slow without surprise.
3. Solid but not particularly special or engaging writing.
4. The ending was satisfying but ultimately I just don’t think I’ll remember this book.
5. There is nothing at all “wrong” with this book. Just wasn’t for me which is the absolute most surprising thing about it because it has everything I love in a book. Except whatever that magic ingredient is that makes a reading experience special and impactful.

[Marta · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I liked the story, both Emelie’s story in WWI and her great-granddaughter’s story 100 years later. However, there were some elements that rang false, most especially Rhys’s quick acceptance of her sudden desire to marry and then his subsequent abuse. The part where Dorothy rushed off to London and then her parents were killed wasn’t developed enough for it to make sense to me.