As she watches the island come into view, Eleanor wonders if this remote place might hold the answers she's spent her life searching for...

When Eleanor Markham is asked to run a festival on St Brannock's Island, she instantly accepts. She needs something new to focus on after the death of her beloved mother, and she knows that her mother was adopted from the island. Is it possible Eleanor will find her lost family in this remote place?

When she arrives, Eleanor is welcomed by the islanders. All except rugged farmer Bruno Roskelly, who glares at her with his piercing dark-brown eyes. He doesn't want the festival to take place on his land but, as Eleanor tries to persuade him, she realises his gruff exterior hides a kind heart that was broken many years ago.

With Bruno's help, Eleanor discovers that she is staying in the very cottage where her mother was born. And as she gets closer to learning who her grandmother might be, she uncovers the story of a remarkable woman who lived in the cottage too, and who risked everything to protect the islanders during the Second World War, as well as to be with the man she loved...

As the fragments of history fall into place, Eleanor feels closer to her family than ever before. But can she take inspiration from her past and be brave once more? And if she does, might she mend Bruno's broken heart, and perhaps even her own?

A heartbreaking, stunning and unforgettable read, perfect for fans of compelling family dramas and for readers who enjoy the novels of Debbie Macomber, Fiona Valpy and Nancy Thayer.

Praise for Rebecca Alexander's Island Cottage series:

'WOW!!!! Clear your schedules and grab the tissues as you will need them!!!... Devastatingly heartbreaking and beautiful... I was utterly glued to the pages... I was carrying my phone to read it on kindle every chance that I got... I had tears absolutely streaming down my face... This is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time... Absolutely amazing!!! I LOVED it.' Bookworm86 ¿¿¿¿¿

Rebecca Alexander PhD is an Associate Professor and Chair of Education Studies at DePauw University, Indiana. Her work specializes in education and borders, and segregated schools and communities.