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"Jessamine Byron, Countess of Cheshire, has just watched her perfect life go up in flames. After a messy divorce, she packs her bags and flees to her family's ancestral home, Rosemire Castle, in the remote Scottish Highlands. When she runs into ruggedly handsome and surly gardener Mac Douglas in the castle grounds, accidentally messing up his flower beds, no less, Jess's summer takes a surprising turn. Because Mac doesn't recognize her as the lady of the house. Meeting someone who has no idea who she is, or the mistakes she's made, feels like a breath of fresh air. So while Jess doesn't lie exactly, she isn't completely truthful about who she is... As the summer unfolds and Jess and Mac grow clsoer, will Jess discover you really can start afresh? Or will the things she's tried to escape finally catch up with her?"--Publisher description.
About the author
Rachel Bowdler grew up and still lives just outside of Manchester, on the edge of West Yorkshire. After graduating from the University of Salford with a degree in English and Creative Writing, she became a freelance romance author, focusing on queer, plus-size, and working-class characters. Her only wish is that her words make readers feel warm and fuzzy inside. When she isn't assaulting her computer keyboard or daydreaming about fictional people in her pyjamas, you can find her cuddling and walking her talkative dog, Enzo, venturing out with her camera, wishing it was time to put up her Christmas tree, and painting with watercolours (but not very well!).
Summary
'I loved it so much I have read it twice already' Reader review 5*
'A truly stunning read. Heart-warming and beautifully written' Reader review 5*
A Scottish castle. A summer escape. A love story that could change her life forever...
It's always been expected of Jessamine Byron to settle down with someone her family would approve of. But Jess is tired of living a lie.
When her so-called perfect life as the Countess of Cheshire goes up in flames, and her marriage in tatters, Jess packs her bags and flees to her family's Scottish ancestral home, Rosemire Castle...
...and runs into ruggedly handsome and surly gardener, Mac Douglas. To her surprise, Mac doesn't recognise her as the infamous lady of the house. Meeting someone who has no idea of the life she's left led, instead seeing and accepting her for the woman she really is, feels like a breath of fresh air.
As the summer unfolds, with Mac by her side, Jess finally discovers what it's like to find a community to belong to and be free to love whoever you want. But sometimes the past can't be outrun. And when her two worlds unexpectedly collide, can Jess find the courage to take charge of her own future?
Escape this summer to the Scottish Highlands where the scent of heather is in the air. This absolutely heart-warming and uplifting LGBTQ+ romance will charm fans of Julie Shackman, Jessica Redland and Donna Ashcroft.
'I really loved this book. This was such a heart-warming and lovely romance. I honestly can't recommend it enough' Reader review, 5*
'A beautiful book - it's heart-warming [and] funny. I loved the variety of characters, with plus-sized and LGBTQ+ representation. Not just a romance, but a story of fostering, finding family and discovering who you are' Reader review 5*
