#Review #NetGalley #WinterAtCliffsEndCottage

Cliff's End Cottage is a local landmark. Perched on the South Devon coast, its garden has begun slowly toppling into the sea, yet the elderly and infamously stubborn owner Stella refuses to leave her home. When Holly, a young journalist and single mum struggling to make ends meet, decides to interview Stella about her life, at first she's given short shrift. However, helped by a slice or two of cake and a couple of friendly cats, a tentative friendship begins to develop between the two lonely women.

Stella and Holly may live different lives, but over the cold winter nights, as Stella shares her story, the two women discover more and more in common. Time is running out for the house on the edge, but perhaps, together, Stella and Holly can find a new way forward.

A heart-warming story by the author of The Vets of Hope Green, where two women from different generations find that a new friend - no matter how late in life they may appear - can mean everything

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My Review

I read this book as part of my Christmas selection.  It's not really a Christmas themed book, but the suggestion of it being Winter was enough for it to be included!  This was a lovely, lovely book which I absolutely adored!  Based on the south Devon coast, Cliff's End Cottage is the home of elderly widow Stella.  The cottage is precariously balanced on the edge of the cliff thanks to coastal erosion but stubborn Stella refuses to move out.  Single mum and journalist, Holly lives in the seaside village down the cliff and wants to write a story about Stella and the cottage.  Over numerous pots of tea and slices of cake, the two women form an unlikely friendship and Stella begins to tell Holly all about her life.

The story alternates between present day and many years before when Stella was younger.  It's also told from Stella and Holly's perspectives, and whilst this seems like a lot of switching between characters and times, it's all done effortlessly and not in the least confusing.  I loved Stella's character and initially felt so sorry for her.  She was most definitely a lonely old woman, stuck up on the top of the cliff, but with Holly's friendship and help, the loneliness seemed to disappear.  Stella's life memories were lovely and very emotional.  She was evacuated to South Devon from London during the war and her story is told from this point.  Holly is also a lovely character, but she also seems to have her own issues and problems that she needs to deal with.

The location was perfect, and whilst you don't get to have too many images of the little village at the bottom of the cliff, you are certainly treated to great mind's eye views as to what Stella's cottage looks like perched up on the edge of the windswept cliff.  This isn't really a romantic read as such, although there is a little bit of romance scattered through the pages.  It is however a wonderful heart-warming and emotional story of love, life, friendship and regrets.  Stella's story tugged at my heart-strings and as the book moved on, I loved her more at the turn of each page.  Keep the tissues ready for the ending though as I certainly needed them!

This was a beautiful read which once I'd started, I couldn't put down.  It's definitely a book which will leave you with a warm feeling in your heart and a smile on your face whilst wiping the tears away at the same time.  Loved this book, would definitely recommend!

The Author

Sheila Norton has written avidly since childhood and has won prizes for her short stories that have been published, mainly in women's magazines. She is married with three grown-up daughters who provide plenty of inspiration for her books! Visit her at http://www.sheilanorton.co.uk

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