The Hidden Cottage: Erica James

Erica James weaves concurrent story lines through her new book, The Hidden Cottage, giving the reader a full view of the world around them. At the centre of the story is Mia, a married woman with three grown up children and a husband who works in Brussels, returning home on weekends where he can. Enter Owen, a returned local with secrets of his own, who poses a threat to Mia's already strained marriage. There is an early attraction between these characters, but when Owen discovers that Mia has a husband, he steps back to being a friend to her. Mia's own life is full of stresses as she deals with the potential of losing her children to lives overseas. Ever the loving parent, she is able to be able to support their decisions, knowing that it will not change her own relationship with them at its core. Her husband, Jeff, on the other hand cannot see this, and instead creates conflict through being unable to see things from any perspective that is not his own. As Jeff's presence in her life becomes weaker, Mia is inevitably drawn into a brief affair with Owen. The reader hopes that it will not happen, but knows that it will. The affair is brought to a screeching stop at the sudden, accidental death of one of Mia's children. The marriage that was already fragile, falls to pieces as Mia tries to deal and move on after her child's death, while Jeff is unable to do so. It is only a matter of time before the entire truth will come out, and Mia isn't the only one with something to hide. Readers will get a feel for the quiet, English village life where there is gossip and friendship in abundance, along with a peacock that roams through the village, popping into the story at key points. Funny, achingly sad and full of characters who will make you smile, this book will likely become one of the summer read must haves. Rating - 3.5/5