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Cornish Secrets #5
Mirrors of the Past
A love that bridges the divide between centuries.
1911, Cornwall. The year has been marked by a scandal during a midsummer costume ball. Arriving from America, spirited Viola Arthur is eager to spend some long-awaited time with her dear sister.
But before the day is over, an encounter with the insufferable Laurie Teague will have consequences that will affect the lives of those yet to come . . .
Present day. When Tegan Burton arrives at Pencradoc House on the edge of Bodmin Moor, the first thing she does is drop her well-travelled suitcase and take in the grand old building.
Inhabited by the Pencradoc family, who have lived and loved behind its walls for generations, the ancestral home is still steeped in stories waiting to be discovered.
Tegan is captivated by a mystery surrounding a young woman from over a century past. She works with the tall, dark and moody Ryan to unravel long-forgotten secrets and begins to feel a powerful bond to the house that she doesn’t understand.
But echoes of love and loss soon come to light, and Tegan must navigate a path between the past and the present, facing choices that could alter her future — and that of Pencradoc — forever.
1911, Cornwall. The year has been marked by a scandal during a midsummer costume ball. Arriving from America, spirited Viola Arthur is eager to spend some long-awaited time with her dear sister.
But before the day is over, an encounter with the insufferable Laurie Teague will have consequences that will affect the lives of those yet to come . . .
Present day. When Tegan Burton arrives at Pencradoc House on the edge of Bodmin Moor, the first thing she does is drop her well-travelled suitcase and take in the grand old building.
Inhabited by the Pencradoc family, who have lived and loved behind its walls for generations, the ancestral home is still steeped in stories waiting to be discovered.
Tegan is captivated by a mystery surrounding a young woman from over a century past. She works with the tall, dark and moody Ryan to unravel long-forgotten secrets and begins to feel a powerful bond to the house that she doesn’t understand.
But echoes of love and loss soon come to light, and Tegan must navigate a path between the past and the present, facing choices that could alter her future — and that of Pencradoc — forever.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2024
60 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Kirsty Ferry
46 books62 followersKirsty is from the North East of England and won the English Heritage/Belsay Hall National Creative Writing competition in 2009. She has had articles and short stories published in various magazines, newspapers and anthologies and was also a judge in the Paws 'n' Claws 'Wild and Free' Children's Story competition in 2011 and in 2013. 'The Memory of Snow', her first novel, was commended in the Northern Writer's Awards, shortlisted to the top five of Wyvern's novel competition in 2011 and longlisted in the Red Telephone Novel Competition in 2012. You can find out more about Kirsty and her work at www.rosethornpress.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 8, 2024
What a beautiful book! The fifth of the series unless you count one of them as a 2.5, which some websites do. This was my first read from this series and this author and I have to say, I really loved it!
I'll be chasing down the books that came before in this series before too long.
One thing that I will note, If you had read the others in this series then the book would just be a delightful sequel. However, if you are reading this as a standalone which some people insist it can be, I would advise you to start at the first book. It took me a while to get into the book, not because the writing was bad but because there were so many characters that I had to start again and make a list of who was who before I could read any further. By the time I had read 11% of the book, I counted 34 characters mentioned with more mentioned after that point too. For someone who didn't know that the same characters and more were built up from the first book, it's a lot to take in! I am glad I persevered though!
The book has a dual timeline, written in the very best way. It splits between modern day and 1911 frequently and as the title suggests, the modern timeline mirrors the 1911 one. Not just between the events that happen but even such detail that there is a character in both that wears mostly black, is suspected to be a witch, that look like their counterparts in the past and even down to sharing the same thoughts and my personal favourite, loosening a wedding dress sash!
It was a lovely book to lose yourself into. The enemies to lovers trope in both timelines worked well and it had a beautiful cast of characters.
I'd like to thank Joffe's ARC, Choc Lit and Kirsty Ferry for the ARC. All opinions in this review are my own.
I'll be chasing down the books that came before in this series before too long.
One thing that I will note, If you had read the others in this series then the book would just be a delightful sequel. However, if you are reading this as a standalone which some people insist it can be, I would advise you to start at the first book. It took me a while to get into the book, not because the writing was bad but because there were so many characters that I had to start again and make a list of who was who before I could read any further. By the time I had read 11% of the book, I counted 34 characters mentioned with more mentioned after that point too. For someone who didn't know that the same characters and more were built up from the first book, it's a lot to take in! I am glad I persevered though!
The book has a dual timeline, written in the very best way. It splits between modern day and 1911 frequently and as the title suggests, the modern timeline mirrors the 1911 one. Not just between the events that happen but even such detail that there is a character in both that wears mostly black, is suspected to be a witch, that look like their counterparts in the past and even down to sharing the same thoughts and my personal favourite, loosening a wedding dress sash!
It was a lovely book to lose yourself into. The enemies to lovers trope in both timelines worked well and it had a beautiful cast of characters.
I'd like to thank Joffe's ARC, Choc Lit and Kirsty Ferry for the ARC. All opinions in this review are my own.
September 11, 2024
Mirrors of the Past is another time-slip novel in Kirsty Ferry’s Cornish series, it is not required to read the other novels in the series before this one, though you may want to,
Tegan Burton has come to Pencradoc house to take over her sister Merryn’s job while she is on maternity leave. Merryn has told Tegan that Pencradoc house is haunted but Tegan does not believe in the supernatural stories. Then strange things start to happen and Tegan starts to feel as though she is getting glimpses of the past. She finds herself working with an old nemesis Ryan. They had worked together years before and lets just say it was not a match made in heaven. Ryan will be assisting Tegan with the archives and throwing a recreation of a Midwinter ball from 1911.
In 1911 Viola Arthur meets Laurie Teague of Pencradoc Hall and is less than impressed. After a misunderstanding they decide that they dislike each other immensely, or do they? The two time-lines overlap with the two couples, are they really as disinterested in each other as they seem? Or is there a spark that could be lit?
I have enjoyed this series and was happy to read another installment of the Cornish series,
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher Joffebooks/Choc Lit and the author for the chance to read and review this ARC.
Tegan Burton has come to Pencradoc house to take over her sister Merryn’s job while she is on maternity leave. Merryn has told Tegan that Pencradoc house is haunted but Tegan does not believe in the supernatural stories. Then strange things start to happen and Tegan starts to feel as though she is getting glimpses of the past. She finds herself working with an old nemesis Ryan. They had worked together years before and lets just say it was not a match made in heaven. Ryan will be assisting Tegan with the archives and throwing a recreation of a Midwinter ball from 1911.
In 1911 Viola Arthur meets Laurie Teague of Pencradoc Hall and is less than impressed. After a misunderstanding they decide that they dislike each other immensely, or do they? The two time-lines overlap with the two couples, are they really as disinterested in each other as they seem? Or is there a spark that could be lit?
I have enjoyed this series and was happy to read another installment of the Cornish series,
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher Joffebooks/Choc Lit and the author for the chance to read and review this ARC.
September 12, 2024
When Tegan and Ryan go for jobs that coincide and means they will have to work together on the same projects they are both horrified.
They have worked together before and have serious personality clashes.
But through their work they are taken back in time to 1911 when they are asked to do a display involving the Arthur and Teague families.
Pencradoc the family home seems to have many ghosts and there the stories of the past intertwine with the present.
For Viola and Laurie are haunting Ryan and Tegan, they are trying to recreate their own story from all that time ago.
For they also were sworn enemies at first that slowly turned to love and the ghosts recognise the essence of feelings between the pair so try to guide them to see that they are burying their true feelings.
As Tegan and Ryan try to unravel the mysteries of the past they grow closer and see that Viola and Laurie have a lot in common with them and their choices now could shape their future.
This was such a charming, whimsical story and I loved the intermingling of the past with the present.
Would definitely read more by this author.
They have worked together before and have serious personality clashes.
But through their work they are taken back in time to 1911 when they are asked to do a display involving the Arthur and Teague families.
Pencradoc the family home seems to have many ghosts and there the stories of the past intertwine with the present.
For Viola and Laurie are haunting Ryan and Tegan, they are trying to recreate their own story from all that time ago.
For they also were sworn enemies at first that slowly turned to love and the ghosts recognise the essence of feelings between the pair so try to guide them to see that they are burying their true feelings.
As Tegan and Ryan try to unravel the mysteries of the past they grow closer and see that Viola and Laurie have a lot in common with them and their choices now could shape their future.
This was such a charming, whimsical story and I loved the intermingling of the past with the present.
Would definitely read more by this author.
August 24, 2024
A must-read for every reader who enjoyed the previous four books in the Cornish Secrets series (formerly known as A Secret Rose, Lily's Secret, Holly's Christmas Secret and Summer's Secret Marigold, and now republished with "... of the Past" titles to match this one), this new dual time novel is set not long after book 4 (still 1911 in the historical parts) and features Elsie again, both as a subject for the new exhibition organised at Pencradoc by the main characters of the present-time storyline and in the past-time one that's about the eldest of her brothers and one of her best friends' sister. That's one of the things I loved, but really I loved everything about this story, as usual starting with the way past and present meet at some points. And of course I recommend the whole series (preferably in order, as there are several references to previous events in this book, but those who don't mind some spoilers could very well enjoy this book first then decide to read the others later).
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 25, 2025
Mirrors of the Past is the 5th in the Cornish Secrets series.
Tegan has gone to Pencradoc to cover for her sister while she is on maternity leave. She is quite horrified to find herself working with Ryan, a colleague from the past who she didn't really get on with.
Strange things start happening when they are researching the Teagues, who's family home is Pencradoc; ghosts from the past slip into the present, and Tegan and Ryan keep slipping into the past.
As they start to unravel the mysteries of Viola and Laurie, they grow closer together, mirroring events from the past.
This is the first book in the series that I have read, and had no problem reading it as a standalone. It was quite slow going at the beginning, but when the strange happenings started, I really started to enjoy it. Although a bit predictable, it was a really lovely ending.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for letting me read a copy of this book in return for my honest review.
Tegan has gone to Pencradoc to cover for her sister while she is on maternity leave. She is quite horrified to find herself working with Ryan, a colleague from the past who she didn't really get on with.
Strange things start happening when they are researching the Teagues, who's family home is Pencradoc; ghosts from the past slip into the present, and Tegan and Ryan keep slipping into the past.
As they start to unravel the mysteries of Viola and Laurie, they grow closer together, mirroring events from the past.
This is the first book in the series that I have read, and had no problem reading it as a standalone. It was quite slow going at the beginning, but when the strange happenings started, I really started to enjoy it. Although a bit predictable, it was a really lovely ending.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for letting me read a copy of this book in return for my honest review.
September 3, 2024
I Enjoyed It
This book travels between two different times. I sometimes have difficulty with this, but for some reason this works, possibly because it helps that it is set in Cornwall. In 1911 American Viola Arthur meets Laurie Teague, and I think it is fair to say things don’t start well. Fast forward to the present day, Tegan Burton arrives at Pencradoc House to start a new job as events organiser and bumps into Ryan Jackson whom she has worked with before, they didn’t get on terribly well. When things start to get a little spooky around Tegan, she and Ryan begin to get closer and strangely events seem to mirror those that happened to Viola and Laurie. This is a good read which I really enjoyed.
This book travels between two different times. I sometimes have difficulty with this, but for some reason this works, possibly because it helps that it is set in Cornwall. In 1911 American Viola Arthur meets Laurie Teague, and I think it is fair to say things don’t start well. Fast forward to the present day, Tegan Burton arrives at Pencradoc House to start a new job as events organiser and bumps into Ryan Jackson whom she has worked with before, they didn’t get on terribly well. When things start to get a little spooky around Tegan, she and Ryan begin to get closer and strangely events seem to mirror those that happened to Viola and Laurie. This is a good read which I really enjoyed.
September 13, 2024
A likeable novel which works well, weaving together two eras and two groups of characters, with time moving backwards and forwards between 1911 and modern day.
The contemporary couple move from mutual dislike to falling in love in their own romance, developed with assistance from the ghosts of the past and their influences.
The story stands alone but is also part of the great series by Kirsty Ferry.
The contemporary couple move from mutual dislike to falling in love in their own romance, developed with assistance from the ghosts of the past and their influences.
The story stands alone but is also part of the great series by Kirsty Ferry.
September 10, 2024
Another enjoyable book in this series. Good timeslip working well in both the historical and present times, Pencradoc is always an atmospheric setting and so fits in well with the storyline. I liked the characters of Tegan and Ryan and great to catch up with the ones from the earlier books so good lightheaded read.
September 12, 2024
Thanks to Joffe Books and Netgalley for the ARC!
What a captivating addition to Kirsty Ferry's Cornish series! It mixes time travel, romance, and supernatural elements in a unique and interesting way. You don't have to read the other books first, but knowing the background and getting to know the characters better could make the whole experience a bit more enjoyable.
What a captivating addition to Kirsty Ferry's Cornish series! It mixes time travel, romance, and supernatural elements in a unique and interesting way. You don't have to read the other books first, but knowing the background and getting to know the characters better could make the whole experience a bit more enjoyable.
September 16, 2024
For a book with so many characters I was able to get an understanding of them all fairly quickly. I love dual timelines and it was easy to figure out where and when we were each time. It’s the first book I’ve read in the series and can definitely be read as a stand alone, might take a bit to get all the characters remembered but I got there in the end. Loved how the story ended.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews