Saskia is building a home for herself out of the ruins of an old castle. Surrounded by forest, hidden away from everyone and everything, the place is special – it’s the only connection she has left to her father and it’s a hard-won chance to escape from her difficult past and create a new future. She’s spent her whole life trying to find a way to make this project work and finding someone to help her realise her dream has been almost impossible.
When local builder Owen finally signs up to manage the construction, things get off to a very bad start. But forced to find a way to work together, both realise that first impressions aren’t always the right ones, and when Owen discovers the forest is hiding a secret that could bring work to a halt, he realises he’s much more invested in the project – and Saskia – than he thought . . .
My thoughts: This was a really lovely book, about home and family and what that means to you. Saskia thinks her dad would have wanted her to build a new home inside the ruins of castle at Gair, but comes to realise she’s already home, in her tiny house in the woods. She’s not the only one who finds sanctuary amid the ancient trees and ruins.
Owen is her project manager, unhappy and struggling. His wife wants a divorce, and his priority is his young daughter. He needs steady work and a home, not something Gair offers with all the challenges set against it. He also finds Saskia annoying at first, seeing her as a spoilt rich kid with foolish plans.
As they both try to keep the development on track, against opposition that comes from suspiciously high up as well as local, they get to know each other better and realise they might have rushed to judgement – of each other, and of Gair.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.
ramblingmads 