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A review by ruth24
The Cottingley Secret by Hazel Gaynor
4.0
[b:The Cottingley Secret|32600721|The Cottingley Secret|Hazel Gaynor|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1499439852s/32600721.jpg|53181432] is really well portrayed by the front cover: it's a magical and just a really pleasant read, and such a breath of fresh air after a few books with heavy themes. Although it touches on war, loss, and grief, the overall feel of the book doesn't pull you down - it's hopeful.
I vaguely knew the story of the fairy photographs, but it was nice to read this version of the events. I liked both the past and present plot lines, which doesn't always happen. Is it just me or are almost all books set up this way nowadays? Sometimes it really irritates me, but it was executed well in [b:The Cottingley Secret|32600721|The Cottingley Secret|Hazel Gaynor|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1499439852s/32600721.jpg|53181432]. I loved how the story connected all the women in Olivia's family. For this reason, it would be the perfect book to read with your mom/sister/grandma/aunt/daughter, or to give as a gift.
As for the romance,
One thing I didn't like was Olivia's relationship with Jack. I see how he kind of had to be jerk in order for us to not sympathize with his character when Olivia straight up ignores him and breaks off the engagement, but I didn't find it believable that they'd ever been together.
[b:The Cottingley Secret|32600721|The Cottingley Secret|Hazel Gaynor|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1499439852s/32600721.jpg|53181432] reminded me of [b:The Bookshop on the Corner|28372019|The Bookshop on the Corner|Jenny Colgan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1465668472s/28372019.jpg|48451917] and [b:The Thirteenth Tale|40440|The Thirteenth Tale|Diane Setterfield|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1346267826s/40440.jpg|849453], so if you liked those, I think you'll probably like this book too!
I vaguely knew the story of the fairy photographs, but it was nice to read this version of the events. I liked both the past and present plot lines, which doesn't always happen. Is it just me or are almost all books set up this way nowadays? Sometimes it really irritates me, but it was executed well in [b:The Cottingley Secret|32600721|The Cottingley Secret|Hazel Gaynor|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1499439852s/32600721.jpg|53181432]. I loved how the story connected all the women in Olivia's family. For this reason, it would be the perfect book to read with your mom/sister/grandma/aunt/daughter, or to give as a gift.
As for the romance,
Spoiler
I LOVED that Olivia didn't end up happily ever after with Ross. This is so much more realistic and also obviously much more sensible of Olivia to be focusing on herself after just ending an engagement with another man. This single fact brought the book from 3-3.5 stars to 4 stars -- it's a big deal to me! I really liked that Gaynor hinted at their eventual slow-build romance , so we got a little satisfaction knowing that it would work itself out in time without a cliched ending.One thing I didn't like was Olivia's relationship with Jack. I see how he kind of had to be jerk in order for us to not sympathize with his character when Olivia straight up ignores him and breaks off the engagement, but I didn't find it believable that they'd ever been together.
[b:The Cottingley Secret|32600721|The Cottingley Secret|Hazel Gaynor|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1499439852s/32600721.jpg|53181432] reminded me of [b:The Bookshop on the Corner|28372019|The Bookshop on the Corner|Jenny Colgan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1465668472s/28372019.jpg|48451917] and [b:The Thirteenth Tale|40440|The Thirteenth Tale|Diane Setterfield|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1346267826s/40440.jpg|849453], so if you liked those, I think you'll probably like this book too!