: The setting for Leonie's fast-paced new job at the fashion magazine.
: The enigmatic next-door neighbor who guards the abandoned cottage. Her own past includes a poignant, long-lost love story with the elder Flynn Talbot. The Cottage in the Highlands by Julie Shackman
: The process of uncovering the house's past serves as a catalyst for Leonie’s own personal growth and recovery from her recent setbacks. Setting The book utilizes contrasting Scottish locations: : The setting for Leonie's fast-paced new job
While walking her rescue puppy, Leonie discovers an abandoned but fully furnished cottage deep in the woods. Her journalistic curiosity is piqued, but her attempts to learn more are repeatedly blocked by , a grumpy elderly neighbor living next door who is fiercely protective of the cottage's secrets. Inside the house, Leonie finds a mysterious letter from a man named Flynn Talbot , sparking an investigation that weaves together past secrets and present-day romance. Key Characters : The process of uncovering the house's past
The story follows , a dedicated journalist whose life is upended when she simultaneously loses her job at a local newspaper and her long-term relationship. Forced to start over, she accepts a position at Goddess , a ruthless fashion magazine in Glasgow, which she finds significantly different from her investigative roots.
: A principled and loyal journalist who stays true to herself even when working in a high-pressure, "Devil Wears Prada"-style office environment.