Book Review: Healing Hearts at the Forever Cottage by Jill Steeples

Please join me in welcoming Jill Steeples back to Novel Kicks. She’s here with the blog tour for her latest book, Healing Hearts at the Forever Cottage.

The winds of change are sweeping through the idyllic Cotswold village of Lower Leaping.

After a tumultuous few months, Tess Alexander is ready to welcome her first guests to The Garden Retreat, a beautiful lodge in the grounds of Hollyhocks Cottage.

With her daughter Hannah home from her travels in Australia and her mother, Marjorie, acting out of character, Tess has to juggle many demands on her attention. Even her flourishing relationship with dashing Rob Templeton is put to the test when he faces an emotional dilemma from his past and Barney, her beloved beagle, has her at her wits end.

Tess can weather most storms with the unbridling support of her close friends Dilly, Gina and Suzy but when a passing remark in the local pub causes her to question one of those friendships, she wonders who can she really trust?

Can Tess overcome the obstacles in her path to find the happy ending she truly deserves?

*****

Tess has begun to really settle into her life post separation from her husband. Her new relationship with Rob is going well, her daughter seems to be getting better after going through an ordeal and her beloved garden annexe is ready for its first guest. Is everything starting to go right or is there more upheaval around the corner?

It’s so marvellous to be back in Lower Leaping and Hollyhocks Cottage. This book is book two of the series. Having read book one, I couldn’t wait to escape into this gentle world that Jill Steeples has created. If this novel will be your introduction to this series, don’t fear. I felt that reading book one enriched book two, but both can stand alone.

One of my favourite lines in the book, ‘I feel I’ve made a new old friend,’ very much describes Tess. I feel like I’m a visitor to Hollyhocks cottage and being welcomed with tea, cake, and Tess’s open nature. She’s hard to dislike in my opinion and certainly someone who will be there for you if you needed her.

The supporting cast, Dilly, Hannah, Suzy, Gina, Rob, Danny, and Marjorie all bring a rich, varied, fun feeling to the novel. I am very much hoping that one potential coupling will blossom. I even feel a little sorry for Charles. Don’t worry, no spoilers. I would also like to adopt Barney at the earliest convenience although my cats would have their own opinion on that. He is a little terror but has stolen a bit of my heart.

This book explores themes such as finding a sense of purpose in the madness, having fun, and having faith in yourself. There’s a focus on family, friendships and above all, having trust when you open yourself up to the world.

The plot is gentle but full. It’s made up of real, unexpected moments that take you by surprise on a day that feels normal until it’s not. It all unveils itself at a good pace. The description of Lower Leaping sounds picturesque. It reminds me of the village used in the Holiday – cosy, welcoming and calming. I want to be able to book a night at the Garden Retreat.

Healing Hearts at Forever Cottage does just that. By the end, I felt a sense of calm. A feeling that everything was back in place. This story reminds us that having faith, trust and love reaps many rewards and happiness can creep up on you when you least expect it.

About Jill Steeples –

Jill Steeples is the author of many successful women’s fiction titles all set in the close communities of picturesque English villages, including the Primrose Woods series.

She lives in Bedfordshire.

Say hello to Jill via Facebook, Instagram and Bookbub. Click here to sign up to her newsletter. 

Healing Hearts at the Forever Cottage is book two in the Lower Leaping series was released by Boldwood Books on 19th February 2026. Click to buy on Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble and Waterstones.

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.