Cover Image: A Country Escape

A Country Escape

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Member Reviews

What a heartwarming, easy to read novel about a lady who moves to the country to make a go of her distant Aunts farm before she may or may not inherit it.
It was funny in places, had a realistic feel and lovely language that really set the scene.
The characters were likeable and I really rooted for Fran throughout, the story had an easy pace that kept me interested and the plot had some good, solid turns that I enjoyed.
All in all a very chilled out novel.

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What would you do when presented with a challenge that you would never have seen heading in your direction in a million years? An opportunity that couldn't be furthest from your current lifestyle? Something that will test you to your limits, try your patience and call on qualities you never knew you had in you? These are the questions/thoughts running through the mind of Fran as she pulls up at Hill Top Farm with her friend Issi for a year she will never forget. A year that will push her to the very edges of her capabilities with lots of trials and tests sent her way. But will she have the strength of spirit and determination on her side as well as an abundance of kindness deep rooted in her heart to make it through the test as set down by her very distant cousin Amy.

In Katie Fforde's new book the title of A Country Escape certainly lives up to the content between the fun, colourful cover as I really enjoyed a pleasurable, fun filled few hours in the company of Fran. She has agreed to spend a year running the farm, even though she hasn't the first clue about farming, for her Aunt who is now in a nursing home. Said Aunt had no one to leave the farm too and she doesn't wish her herd of dairy short horns and their lineage to die out. No male relatives could be found so the task falls to Fran and ever one to relish a challenge she agrees admittedly against the better judgement of many others.

I have a been a long time fan of Katie Fforde's books but was slightly apprehensive about reading this one. Normally I would read everything she has written no questions asked but I didn't enjoy her last full length novel last year as much as her others. But at the end of her festive short story collection there was a sneak preview of A Country Escape and from those few pages I knew I had to read this book. Right from the beginning I just got a good feeling about this book and it really didn't abate the further I got into the story. It's fun, light-hearted and above all else inspires good feelings and warm thoughts. Once I picked it up I couldn't leave it out of my hands as I was eager to discover would Fran go the whole distance and make a success of the farm or would there be too many obstacles placed in her way and therefore everything would fall apart?

This book proved to me that it's always worth giving an author another go even if you hadn't enjoyed their last book as much as you normally do. The basic plot of inheriting after a year seems to be a common theme for books this year as I have already read two or three others with a similar theme but it's interesting to see how different authors approach said theme. I loved A Country Escape from the first word until the last. Fran is a courageous, wonderful character who will find a place in your heart and having you rooting for a positive outcome for her right from the very first page.

Excitement and nerves abound as Fran embarks on a wonderful adventure that could turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to her or else just one big huge disaster. Leaving her comfortable life in London for a farm in Gloucester seems like a nightmare to many but maybe there is something calling Fran to do this even thought it is loaded with responsibility and concerns. Soon after arriving Fran discovers the farm has not being doing as well as it once did. The farmhouse is not a glorious residence as one often sees on the programme Escape to the Country. The accounts are in disarray and money is tight to put it mildly. How is Fran going to deal with the pedigree heard when she herself admits she wouldn't know one end of a cow from another? Thankfully herdsman Tig is on hand when it comes to the cows which relieves some of the burden but the question of what to do with their milk remains. Especially as the milk tanker won't venture up the pot holed filled lane.

Tig was a character who was always there in the background, a quiet conservative man, never saying much unless it was relevant. A person who spoke when spoken to and always choose each word with care. He was a support to Fran when it came to the day to day running of the farm. But who really stepped up to the plate was very wealthy neighbour Antony Arlingham. Antony wasn't seen in the best light by Amy as he has wanted to buy the farm from her to help expand his business empire. The thought of which makes Amy's blood boil. Antony was supposed to be the enemy but I felt from the outset he was genuine and had nothing but good intentions.

Fran was the most remarkable character. For someone who really was like a fish out of water she soon became filled with passion at the task ahead of her. Yes it was enormous and even though Fran hadn't much knowledge or experience she was filled with ingenuity and had plenty of forward thinking ideas. Everything that lay ahead of Fran was overwhelming and many people would run away at the first hurdle but I admired her commitment and even though she barely knew Amy she was aware of how special the farm was to her and she wouldn't let it go without a fight. What's good about Fran was that she wasn't above asking for help or advice. Yes at times she was loathe to ask for money from others but at the same time she was sensible and knew what needed to be done. She also didn't want to go against Amy's wishes but when your back is against the wall you may just accept help from where ever you can and not question someone’s ulterior motives. Her culinary background came in very handy and the ideas she came up with were brilliant but couldn't be pulled off without plenty of hard work and effort. I loved how Fran never once conceded defeat no matter how tough things got. She knew her ideas had merit and despite the setbacks she kept ploughing on and was determined to reach her ultimate goal. She won't rest until success is achieved. I'm glad her friend Issi was there for Fran every step of the way. She seemed so kind, caring and sensible and her own little budding romance was subtly done but just oh so perfect. The friendship between Fran and Issi was just lovely and one you would like to have in your own life.

Antony could have been the character everybody loves to hate. That rich business man who hasn't a drop of human emotion, who will overstep everybody to expand their empire. We've all read about men of that kind in books before but thankfully he was the complete opposite and I loved seeing his soft side emerge. The friendship he develops with Fran was wonderful to see and I hoped something a little deeper might happen. Despite the difficulties, challenges and anxieties facing Fran, Issi and Antony were always there for her. There was another character introduced at the halfway point and I detested said character. The author did a brilliant job of portraying them for what they were- attention seeking and money grabbing. This character was horrible, rude and lacked any empathy or compassion. They were sent to up scuttle everything and I hoped this wouldn't happen given the hard work put in by Fran to make Hill Top Farm a success once again. I had a feeling something would emerge about this awful character but this didn't happen instead a different tack was taken which didn't disappoint but maybe the angle I was looking for could have added even more surprises to the story. Not that this is a fault in anyway as this particular plot line was very well done.

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I am a big fan of Katie Fforde, her books never disappoint and they always leave you feeling pleasantly uplifted and her latest book A Country Escape is no exception.
When Fran is contacted out of the blue by a distant relative Amy with news that she maybe inline to inherit the family farm in the Cotswolds she makes a big and brave decision to leave everything she knows and up stick to move to the farm to take on the challenge of looking after the farm for a year. What Fran didn’t realise was quite what a challenge she was taking in as the farm is run down and is not making a profit.
Desperate to prove to Amy that she could not just cope but turn the farm around Fran gets stuck in to making some changes to the farm with the help of her best friend Issi and the herdsman Tig. Having been warned off the help of Antony from next door because of his interest in the farm Fran is cautious to accept any help from him.
Just when Fran feels that things for the farm had turned a corner a surprise is around the corner that will put everything in jeopardy due to someone elses intentions for the farm.

I haven’t found myself so immersed by a book in so long. From the moment I picked this book up I couldn’t put it down and so I ended up absorbing it in one sitting and now I am said to leave the characters behind.
Fran was such a determined, hardworking and creative character who was so honest and caring, I warmed to her instantly. I really enjoyed her tackling each task head on desperate to come up with a way to save the farm and to show Amy that she was worthy of inheriting the farm and to prove that she had the best intentions of keeping the farm and its heritage in tack. The friendship between Issi and Fran was such a strong one their support for one and other was so believable and they bounced off each other perfectly.
I was wary of Antony and I found my opinion of him gradually changing through out the storyline but was still on my guard waiting for something to come crashing around the corner and for his true colours to be shown.
I really enjoy books that centre around building or saving small businesses so I knew this book was going to appeal to me but I love how much detail Katie Fforde went into in regards to the hurdles that need to be faced and the ideas that you bounce around to try and find that special something that just makes something work. It shows that nothing comes easy it is through pure determination and hard work that something becomes successful. To soften the business side of the book we also enjoy blossoming romances, friendships and gorgeous little puppies too! I think I should give the hardworking cows a mention too or I will not be in Tig’s good books!
This was another wonderful read by Katie Fforde and it is definitely up there with my favourite of hers so fans will not be disappointed by thus book and anyone who is yet to discover Katie Fforde’s books this would be a great one to start with.

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When Fran receives a letter stating that she could inherit a farm from a distant relative if she can run it successfully for a year she takes the plunge and uproots her life from London to a life in the countryside. Discovering that she is afraid of cows, yet is running a dairy farm is the first of many challenges she has to face. Will she learn to love life on the farm and make a success of it or will she run back to her London life?

A lovely, sweet book with elements of drama and will she/won't she moments. A pleasant read.

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I decided to read this after too many psychological thrillers and it was just what I needed. A strange tale of inheritance showing different sides to personalities, and how the thought of money affects people. Fran is our delightful heroine, as full of doubt as she is of the desire to do the right thing. She is set to inherit a rundown farmhouse from a distant relative, the irascible Amy. Can she make the business viable within a year as specified by Amy? Or will her fear of cows get in the way of running a diary farm. And what of the hero next door? Is he genuine? Or as Amy has always thought, determined to get his hands on, and ruin, her farm? There's romance, and some will they/won't they when Roy, a slightly closer relative appears. Will Amy realise he's sweet talking her and wants to build houses on her land? Easy to read (I read in a day) and enjoyable. A bit glib in parts, for example Issi's relationship with Tig, which we don't really see starting, but once again, a great read from Katie Fforde.

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I loved this book. I am a Katie Fforde fan and always enjoy her books. Its nice after reading maybe a more intense story to have this brilliant and light- hearted book. It tells the story of Fran and how her Great aunt Amy gets in touch. Amy explains that she needs to look after the farm and if she makes it profitable, she can possibly inherit it. So Fran an aspiring chef, moves out of London and to the countryside. Fran spends her time trying to learn farming and visiting Amy in the care home. Lots of fun and romance ensues. There is a very handsome next door neighbour Anthony. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it :)

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This was my first Katie Fforde book but it won't be my last. It has everything: a well told tale, inter-generational differences of opinion, a couple of feisty women, a couple of caring gents, and a couple of slightly unreal nasty people to enjoy.
The detail was great, giving a real feel of a run down farm in need of love and attention, and a woman out of her depth but determined to make a go of it, and the harder she tries the more she gets out of it, despite the worries and difficulties.
A feelgood book that really has left me feeling good.

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A thoroughly enjoyable story. A battle against adversity with good winning out.

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Gotta love a Katie Fforde story and this is a cracker! A real feel good story, Fran receives a letter from a distant relative offering her the chance of inheriting a hill farm- if she can run it for 6 months and make it work. Fran and her friend Issy set off to Hill Top Farm to take up the challenge. Amy, Fran’s distant relative, has run the farm for most of her life but has now booked herself into a care home and left Fran holding the reins. Will it work or won’t it? The only stipulation Amy makes is that Fran must not have anything to do with her handsome neighbour Antony. Antony however, is keen to help and very hard to resist! Then Ray, another distant relative turns up, and he’s keen to sell the farm. Can Fran save Hill Top Farm from the developers? I loved this book, the characters are well written and the story kept me reading into the night! I loved the fact that the story portrays a real issue facing dairy farmers- the need to diversify and make milk pay. Thoroughly satisfying and enjoyable read!

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I thought this was great, i started reading it and before i knew it 4 hours had gone and my eyes were burning as i was unable to put it down.

Amy is an elderly woman, owner of a dairy farm in the cotswolds, her husband died and she had been running the farm by herself but falls ill and sends out 2 letters to the only blood relations she can find. One to Francesca who is a chef working in London and one to Roy, a farmer living in Australia.

Roy doesnt respond so Amy invites Francesca to come and see the farm with the caveat that if she runs it for a year and is successful she will inherit the farm. Amy moves into a care home and Fran and her friend Izzy come to run the farm. Amy decides to create revenue she will start making cheese but needs financial investment from the one person Amy hates above all others. However a few months in Roy turns up and causes chaos. Will Francesca get the farm or will Roy win in the end?

I loved this because its set in Gloucestershire where i live, i live in the very rural countryside and so was very familiar with the story settings. The only thing i didnt find believable was how friendly people are in the country, in my experience its the total opposite, ive never met such a bunch of snotty people in my life. That said the story was good fun and i really enjoyed it.

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This is the first book I've read by this author, and I loved it. I don't normally choose books in this genre, but plumped for it as soon as I saw that it related to cheese making (which I've always wanted to try!)

It's an enjoyable and light read, the perfect pick-me-up in this grey wintry weather. I liked the characters (apart from Roy and Megan!), the plot held together nicely, and I very much enjoyed the descriptions of the landscape and cheese making.

I'll definitely read more by this author when I need cheering up.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in return for my honest review.

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It's always a huge treat picking up a new Katie Fforde book. She has such a lovely, easy writing style that you soon lose yourself deep in the story with wonderful characters and beautiful settings. Fran has received a letter from a distant relative saying that should she be able to make a success of a dairy farm she will inherit the farmhouse and the herd. There is another relative from Australia who is being made the same offer and we are not sure that either will be able to turn the farm around in time.
Fran is a chef by trade and she decides that due to problems on the farm she needs to make cheesemaking a big money spinner. Money is tight but with her friends help Fran has a few ideas to raise their profile in the community. I loved the evening at the farmhouse and the romance in the air.
I take my daughter to a daycare farm once a week and the cows are our favourite there, so I could visualise the lovely herd at the farm and the love for the animals.
The farm sounded so lovely- in need of some tender loving care but with such potential for it to be wonderful.
The distant relative is an awkward old lady but she's a lovely character and we wonder whether she will choose Fran or the Australian chap. They want different things for the farms future and we are really routing for Fran as she falls in love with the farm.

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Although I wasn't immediately drawn to this book because of the cover, I decided to try it anyway as I have previously enjoyed Katie Fforde novels. It was enjoyable, if a little too predictable in places, but a pleasant read.

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Fran leaves her London life behind to go and take care of a distant relative’s Cotswold farm. I really enjoyed this book and was interested to see whether Fran would realise her dreams and be given the farm permanently. A comforting and well crafted read, thanks NetGalley!

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I haven't read a Katie Fforde book, or if perhaps in the past at least not recently. I have, however, read far too many cosy women's fiction titles than is good for me, but the pleasure never wanes! The writing does feel a little lazy in some places (I do expect this genre to be fairly predictable, but in the case of two of the secondary characters relationships I felt more like the reader was just being told the romance was happening rather than reading the usual not-so-subtle hints as it developed. Nonetheless this did not detract from my enjoyment of the plot and well-rounded characters; Overall a good read, and almost made me quit my London job and move to a country farm!

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The brand new novel by Katie Fforde ‘A Country Escape’, is a fantastic, enjoyable romantic novel. The perfect escapism from day to day life.

Fran has just moved from London to an idilic but run down farm in Gloucestershire. Fran has always wanted to be a farmer and her dream is about to come true.

The farm is currently own by an old aunt who tells Fran that it will be hers if she can turn the place around in a year. A year. Easy - or so Fran thinks. but Fran doesn’t know anything about farms or farming.

Luckily she has her very supportive and best friend on hand Issi, and even her quite delectable neighbour seems keen to help.

I adored this light hearted and fun read. It’s blissfully romantic and makes you want to pack up your busy life and head to the country to try something totally out of your depth.

A perfect read from a wonderful writer, as always. This will not disappoint. Top marks from me.

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A thoroughly pleasant read. I enjoyed this as the setting was a little bit different which made a pleasant change. The storyline kept me interested enough to read in 2 sittings even though it was somewhat predictable in areas. However that didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book. I’m a Katie Fforde fan and appreciate the opportunity to read in advance. Thank you Netgalley

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An enjoyable read with a feel good factor. The characters were rounded and believable although the plot was maybe a bit predictable, but who doesn't like a good old fashioned happy ending? Fun to read on a dark winter night.

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A Country Escape is a women’s fiction novel set on a farm in the Cotswolds. A distant relative has offered Fran a chance to own her own farm; she just has to prove she can be a successful farmer for a year.

Aunt Amy is now in a care home, but she’ll only leave her beloved farm to someone who can match her own love for the pedigree Dairy Shorthorns and the ancient landscape. With the help of Tig, the herdsman, her friend Issi and a handsome neighbour, can Fran drag the farm from debt with her cheesemaking plans? Or will she be beaten by a second relative: a farmer from Australia who is a closer relative to Amy, with a good farming background?

This book has a stunning setting and Fran’s cheesemaking was an enjoyable addition to the country escape theme. I also liked the idea of Fran’s supper club which put her chef’s background skills to good use. I’m lucky to know a little about Dairy Shorthorn cows, so this gave the book another thumbs up from me. Plus there is an episode which will appeal to any dog-lover, I won’t say more as I want to avoid spoilers.

Overall a great feel-good read which fans of Katie Fforde can rely on for a pleasing piece of escapism.

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