The River Between Us by Liz Fenwick

Thank you to HQ stories for the invitation to read and review The River Between Us. Thank you to Liz Fenwick for my gorgeous proof copy and goodies, from a social media prize draw at Easter. The book was published yesterday in the UK.

Synopsis:

Following the breakdown of her marriage, Theo has bought a tumbledown cottage on the banks of the river Tamar which divides Cornwall and Devon. The peace and tranquillity of Boatman’s Cottage, nestled by the water, is just what she needs to heal.

Yet soon after her arrival, Theo discovers a stash of hidden letters tied with a ribbon, untouched for more than a century. The letters – sent from the battlefields of France during WW1 – tell of a young servant from the nearby manor house, Abbotswood, and his love for a woman he was destined to lose.

As she begins to bring Boatman’s Cottage and its gardens back to life, Theo pieces together a story of star-crossed lovers played out against the river, while finding her own new path to happiness.

My thoughts:

I loved my virtual visit to Cornwall in this time slip novel, the first novel I’ve read by Liz Fenwick. The story swaps seamlessly between 1914 and 2019, as Theo sets out to discover more about the previous occupants of her new cottage, Boatman’s Cottage.

Theo starts to find out more about how the past of the cottage is linked to her own family as she turns the neglected cottage into her own home, after leaving her loveless marriage.

This book is full of secrets, forbidden love, stubbornness, humour and heartbreak, and a handsome priest. The story flows beautifully, and I didn’t want to put it down. Theo is starting to rebuild her life, despite the lack of support from her own mother and her adult son is caught in the middle of his parent’s divorce, but makes new friends at Abbotswood. However she didn’t realise how much of her past was linked to the cottage and to Abbotswood.

This is a five star read for me, and I’m going to be busy recommending it on social media too. I will also be looking to read more of Liz Fenwick’s books in the future.

Author information about Cornwall:

Top Five… Rainy Day Attractions  

There is so much more than just beaches and cliff walks in Cornwall although when the weather is fine my feet head in that direction. But where to go when the weather is variable? My top five haunts….

1. The Tate St Ives….the views and the art
2. Royal Cornwall Museum (Truro) I try and visit everything time I head into Truro as I always find something new I didn’t know about the Duchy
3. Lanhydrock…such atmosphere and wonderful walks
4. Penlee Gallery in Penzance…for insight particularly in to the Newlyn painters. The area of Penzance around the museum feels secret too…
5. National Maritime Museum Falmouth…