Romance

It is probably not a stretch to say that at some point most everyone has experienced an overwhelming need for a simpler, less complicated life. The desire to walk away and begin again in a new place, with less, of well, everything. In Sheila Roberts' The Cottage on Juniper Ridge this is exactly what Jen Heath does and while she sometimes wonders if she made the right decision, she is thrilled with the new life she discovers.

Jen is stressed to the breaking point working two jobs just to make ends meet. With little personal time, rushing from one job to another, she reaches the conclusion she hates her life. A book about simplifying her life really hits home and she impulsively moves to the small town of Icicle Falls to enjoy a slower pace of life with fewer commitments. Jen easily settles into her new life, quickly makes new friends and finds a part-time job. She is also very interested in her new landlord, single dad Garrett Armstrong, but he continues to hold her arm's length.

Jen and Garrett might share an attraction, but Jen reminds him a little too much of his irresponsible ex. The old Jen would have been perfect for him, but he sees the new Jen as too flighty and too fun loving. He spends most of the novel pushing her away and she is continually reminding herself he does not approve of her. And then there is the fact that Garrett is dating a local cop and Jen is not out to steal another woman's man. But as Jen and Garrett are about to discover, the heart sometimes has a mind of its own.

Jen's sister Toni is happily married but she is feeling disconnected from her too plugged in family. Her husband's job means logging time on the computer at home after hours and her teenage daughter's texting habit interferes with family time. Helping Jen move to Icicle Falls, Toni is reminded of happier times and when she reaches her breaking point, she schedules an idyllic mountain vacation for her family. But will their newfound closeness last once they are back in the "real" world?

Stacy Thomas is an empty nester who is feeling a little lost now her kids have moved out. Her home is devoid of kids, but she has plenty of stuff to fill any bare spots. A show about hoarders and a discussion at her monthly book club provide her with a new perspective about de-cluttering her life and opens the door to a surprising career opportunity.

There are a lot of characters and secondary story arcs in The Cottage on Juniper Ridge but each one is distinct and the overall story is easy to follow. The characters are beautifully developed and Sheila Roberts does an excellent job of blending all of the various sub-plots into a cohesive and enjoyable novel.

While there is a bit of a romantic element to The Cottage on Juniper Ridge, it is a mainly a story of friendship that stresses the importance of finding balance in everyday life. All in all, it is a lovely read that old and new fans of the Life in Icicle Falls series won't want to miss! ( )

4 STARS

This book is about changing your life by making it simpler. Some jump in without much planning to change. Jen Heath hates her life. She is working two jobs to afford her condo but can't enjoy being home in it.

Jen decides to sale her condo and leave big city behind. She is renting a cottage right outside of Icicle Falls. Her land lord is good looking firefighter did help sway her mind. She wants to enjoy friends, make bread & garden and work part time.

Jen sister Toni is afraid she is loosing her family. They are so connected to their phones, computer. Toni thought her sister crazy to want to move without first finding a job. She comes to love Icicle Falls.

Some are afraid they are on the path to being a hoarder and tries to de junk her house. I am trying that right now it is harder to do.

Garrett Armstrong is renting his cottage for the first time. The more he sees of Jen the more he thinks she is like his ex-wife and a flake. He is dating a cop instead. He is a firefighter. He is raising his 5 year old son.

Lots of good friends, lots of struggles, drama and action. You care for the characters and want things to workout for them. I wanted to also go to the chocolate festival in town. It sounded yummy. It is also a clean read.

I was given this ebook to read and in return agreed to give a honest review of it. ( )

Welcome back to picturesque Icicle Falls, Washington! In the fourth installment of the Life in Icicle Falls series, author Sheila Roberts provides her readers with a fun twist to the townspeople's stories with a theme that we can all relate to: simplifying one's life.

The Cottage on Juniper Ridge is told in the third person narrative that alternates between a group of women who belong to a book club, who have decided to start the new year reading resident town author Muriel Sterling's book Simplicity, a guide to a simpler and plain way of living.

In true Sheila Roberts fashion, the reader is transported back to the picturesque Bavarian style small mountain town of Icicle Falls, Washington, which is nestled in the Cascade Mountains, where they catch up with all the familiar townspeople from the previous books in the series, as well as meeting new lovable characters.

This series is simply delightful, the storyline picks up where the last book left off, it flows seamlessly and is so entertaining that you can't help but become captivated and invested in the lives that inhabit Icicle Falls. I really enjoyed that each chapter starts with a tidbit on simplifying life from Muriel Sterling's guidebook Simplicity, which then leads into the stories of how each of the ladies in the book club are inspired to make changes in their lives based on the helpful information from the guidebook. The reader easily gets drawn into this story about friendship, support, and finding balance and simplicity in one's life. Through the laughter, smile, and tears, you'll find yourself cheering on these lovely ladies as they each overcome obstacles and strive to find joy in their lives. The author's thoughtful message about discovering what's important in life and shedding what isn't, and learning to enjoy a full and simple life is one that will make you ponder what changes you can make in your own life.

With a wonderful cast of characters who are realistic and lovable, humorous dialogues and interactions, and a richly detailed description of the town of Icicle Falls, The Cottage on Juniper Ridge is a lighthearted romance story full of love, laughter, friendship, and living a good life, that will leave you wanting to return to Icicle Falls for another enjoyable visit. I love, love, love this series!

The Cottage on Juniper Ridge is the fourth book in the Life in Icicle Falls series.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions.

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