I will be honest. This book was really not for me. I added it to my review pile without a lot of thought and overlooked it for longer than I would like to admit. I did eventually get around to it and had rather mixed results. I felt like there were some things that I did like, and some that I didn't care for at all.

The book did start out strong and I really felt for the Hero, Daniel. How could you not? As the book progressed and focused more on both Daniel and Shannon, I couldn't completely get on board with their romance. There were way too many secrets and overreactions. They also seemed really quick to forgive each other, so much so, it didn't always feel authentic.

I will say that there is one scene that really ruined this book for me. I think that my 3-star rating is quite generous considering how much I hated this one scene. I finished this book over a year ago and this scene has stayed with me. When Shannon gives Daniel some news that he does not want to hear, he crosses a line that completely changed how I looked at his character. I am all for flawed characters making mistakes and coming back from them but his behavior was unforgivable. I wanted Shannon to forget about him and find someone that would treat her better. He didn't deserve a second chance after the things he says in this book.

I thought that Amy Landon did a good job with the narration. I did think that some of her voices were not distinctive enough and I sometimes had a hard time determining who was talking but that was only an issue when there was a larger group of characters. I wouldn't hesitate to listen to more of her work.

I can't recommend this book. I thought that the book started strong but ended quite poorly. I would give the author another try in the future though.

I received a digital review copy of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley and borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library. ( )

It is very rare that a story comes along and rips your heart right out of your chest. Heartsong Cottage was that story for me. Having to pick yourself up after losing a child the way Daniel did. Not having any closure that practically gutted me. What was miraculous is that he took that horrible event and created something beautiful. Heartsong Cottage is full of so much heartbreak. I wouldn't wish what Daniel and Shannon went through on my worst enemy. If you think Heartsong Cottage is a tearjerker, it is. However, this read is more than just pain and tears. It is a story of courage in the face of heartbreak. It is a story of healing and helping others to do the same. Emily March has written a story that is believable and real, that's what makes it so scary to think about. I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review. ( )

The Eternity Springs series is probably best read in order, but I have jumped around and have not had too much of a problem following the stories. Daniel Garrett and Shannon O'Toole are both hiding out in Eternity Springs for different reasons. Shannon is hiding from a stalker and Daniel is hiding from his memories. When they get drunk at a wedding and end up in bed together, the expectation is that it will be a one night stand. Unfortunately, life does not always work out the way you plan. They run into each other a few times and realize that they do have feelings for one another. Of course, once that realization hits, everything goes wrong. Will they find their way to each other? Will Shannon be able to be honest with Daniel? Will love win out once again in Eternity Springs?

This is a sweet romance with some angst along the way. There are a lot of characters from other books in the series and of course Celeste is there giving her enigmatic advice to the pair. My one niggle is that everyone is pretty well off and beautiful, but I can overlook that as I do enjoy this series. This was an emotional story with both Daniel and Shannon having has very sad past lives. They both deserve to love again, if they can overcome the hurdles they have set for themselves. This was not really a holiday story, which I had expected, but it was still a very heartwarming story, just what I expect from Emily March and the Eternity Springs series. ( )

Shannon O'Toole is living in Eternity Springs, Colorado, running Murphy's Pub, and renovating a cottage for resale. Oh, and she's also teaching yoga classes. She's pretty busy, but she needs to have a good nestegg on hand, so that she can move quickly anytime she needs to.

Shannon has a dangerous stalker, and Shannon O'Toole isn't the name she was born with.

But this time she really doesn't want to move on. She's enjoying owning and running Murphy's Pub, and she's made friends here. She's in danger of putting down roots.

Daniel Garrett is an ex-cop, now a private investigator, who specializes in lost/kidnapped children. This is the aftermath of his own young son was kidnapped and murdered ten years ago, when he was a police detective in the Greater Boston area. A few months after that tragedy, his wife committed suicide. Eternity Springs is the home of one of his successes, a little girl he brought home safely to her mother. There have been too many cases, though, where he has only found a body, and answers, and he is starting to think he can't do it anymore.

The friendships Daniel has built with the family and friends of this particular success bring him back to Eternity Springs regularly, and on this trip he meets Shannon.

March does a wonderful job of making these two characters with their very painful pasts and, in Shannon's case, current secrets, human and relatable and basically sensible people. When they don't tell each other important information that would make a difference, it's for a real reason. Shannon is smart and resourceful and tough, not a quivering damsel in distress. Daniel is strong, smart, and brave, but also not afraid to show emotion.

Oh, and they both love dogs, which is always a win for me.

Unlike many other romances out at this time of year, this one isn't Christmas-centered. If you're looking for a good romance to read, but are getting stressed by all the Christmas stuff out well before Halloween, this is a good bet.

I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. ( )

3.5 stars

Heartsong Cottage is a mixture of heartwarming and suspense. It starts out really fast-paced with Daniel's background in law enforcement work and the horrific loss of his family. Then it slows down into the cozy town of Eternity Springs where Shannon is living in the present.

Both Daniel and Shannon have major baggage from their past. The retelling of some is heartbreaking. They are also surrounded by friends in this magical town. Eternity Springs is full of beauty and love and loaded with a sweet cast. All of the characters surrounding Daniel and Shannon help them to find their hearts along the way.

There are some surprises for sure. My favorite parts were the suspense. Full of action and romance, this book is sure to bring the emotions from it's reader.


***Copy given in exchange for an honest review***

Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

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