Aunt Ivy's Cottage

 ~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis:  Up in the attic, with views across the sparkling bay, she opens the lid of the carved trunk. Carefully moving aside the delicate linen wedding dress once worn by her great-aunt, she unpacks all the smaller boxes inside until she finds the leather-bound diary. She knows this will change everything…

All Zoey’s happiest childhood memories are of her great-aunt Ivy’s rickety cottage on Dune Island, being spoiled with cranberry ice cream and watching the tides change from the rooftop. Now, heartbroken from a recent breakup, Zoey can see her elderly aunt’s spark is fading, and decides to move to the island so they can care for each other.

When she arrives to find her cousin, Mark, sitting at the solid oak kitchen table, she knows why Aunt Ivy hasn’t been herself. Because Mark—next in line to inherit the house—is pushing Ivy to move into a nursing home.

With the cousins clashing over what’s best for Ivy, Zoey is surprised when the local carpenter who’s working on Ivy’s cottage takes her side. As he offers Zoey comfort, the two grow close. Together, they make a discovery in the attic that links the family to the mysterious and reclusive local lighthouse keeper, and throws doubt on Mark’s claim…

Now Zoey has a heartbreaking choice to make. The discovery could keep Ivy in the house she’s loved her whole life… but can Zoey trust that the carpenter really has Ivy’s best interests at heart? And will dredging up an old secret destroy the peace and happiness of Ivy’s final years—and tear this family apart for good?

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  Aunt Ivy's Cottage is a book with lots of secrets that all come out in the end.  Zoey returns to her Aunt Ivy's cottage to help due to two aunts due to their failing health but also because she has lost her job.  Her niece joins her to finish out the school year due to problems at home.  Both end up finding their way to happiness on Dune Island.  

I wish Zoey could have been stronger right from the start.  She really lets her cousin Mark bully her.  She does find her voice at the end.  Mark really is not a nice person, but he too comes around by the end.  We probably all have family members who aren't and we tend to tread lighting as not to "poke the bear"!  I know I do.

The house begins to slow show some hidden secrets.  As Zoey unravels them and the truth comes out, you will be in for a surprise.  The turn Aunt Ivy's Cottage takes at the end was one I did not see coming.  A very enjoyable book and loved the journey to Dune Island.

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