I absolutely adore Jane Lovering's take on a reality tv book! This is superb.

It's almost surprising the programme doesn't already exist, although to be fair not sure I'd want to watch it, but it's a group of people put into the Yorkshire Moors for a month in winter, with the aim of tracking to see if they can find evidence of any big cats.

It's a very mixed group that opt to take part in this show, with none of them really realising what they had signed up for until it was too lter.

Izzy is the standout character by far, and she shows amazing resilience in her life, and the secret she is hiding from the group, is one of the more interesting.

There is plenty going on in this story, as we get to know all of the characters, and also from their "celebrity big foot tracker" learn all about how to track a beast!

It's a wonderful story, that had me thinking about it even when I wasn't reading, utterly brilliant.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

This book did not capture my imagination and interest in the slightest. I thought it incredibly tedious and the characters not very dynamic.

Set on the Yorkshire moors, this bunch of individuals are camping out in the hope of discovering a wild animal that may have been sighted in the area. Despite being paid a daily rate, the group are more interested in the final prize of £50,000 each; everyone is keen to find the proof needed to get their hands on this money pot. All the characters have different reasons for agreeing to this reality television show, but I was never convinced by any of the backstories, least of all the protagonist’s.

Izzy isn’t very popular with this group of people she finds herself with but convinces herself to keep going. I was interested in learning about her past and what the clues meant about why Izzy was so desperate for the money. I did feel sorry for her when Lovering provides this information, but it didn’t make me warm to her character. Izzy’s story felt too similar to previous books I have read in the past and I don’t think it was conveyed in a way that would help garner sympathy. Instead, like a lot of this book, the revelations felt prolonged and it did not resonate with me.

I thought all of the characters were presented as extremely selfish and as more of their personalities were revealed, the more I supported this perception. They are all incredibly uncomfortable on the moors, it isn’t a very cheerful story, and I think Lovering does a fantastic job of conveying how difficult the habitat is: I could vividly imagine how cold and challenging it was to camp on the moors with very little home comforts. Although the group seem spoiled with food options, they are pretty much left alone in the wilderness and the descriptions frequently had me reaching for a cosy blanket.

This book was not what I thought it would be. It didn’t offer any escapism and it felt like I was reading a book about whiny children. The wild goose chase they are on felt unrealistic and everything just moved incredibly slowly, meaning I felt the read was quite tedious and underwhelming.

With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Award-winning author Jane Lovering is on superb form yet again with her warm-hearted, emotional, hilarious and irresistible new novel, There’s No Place Like Home.

Izzy is out of options, so when she hears about a reality TV show that would compel her to spend a month living under canvas with five complete strangers, she decides to swallow her pride, silence the sensible part of her brain telling her not to go through with it and sign on the dotted line. Joining her on this adventure are farmer Seb whose marriage is falling apart, but who is willing to do whatever it takes not to lose his family, sheltered Ruth who wants to prove to the people who have doubted her all her life that she can make her own decisions, socialite Kanga who has been living a lie and American Junior who has a closely-guarded secret he daren’t reveal to anyone. Finally, there is enigmatic and brooding Mac, whom Izzy finds herself drawn to despite her better judgement.

Tested to their limits like never before, this group of six complete strangers come together in order to face the challenges coming their way head on. As they bond and begin to confide their deepest and darkest secrets, Izzy decides to tell them the truth about what brought her to the Yorkshire moors. But will revealing her secret end up costing her everything? Or will it be the start of a future she never thought would be hers?

Can Izzy find somewhere to belong at long last? Or will a place to call home end up being nothing but an impossible dream for her?

I am a huge fan of Jane Lovering. Her books are so brilliantly written, astutely observed and sensitively told and they can have me roaring with laughter on one page and sobbing my heart out on another. There’s No Place Like Home is a powerful, emotional, captivating and heart-wrenching tale sprinkled with humour, wit and pathos about old ghosts, healing from the past and belonging with richly drawn characters it is impossible not to care about.

Jane Lovering writes books that never fail to hit all the right notes and There’s No Place Like Home is another surefire hit from a writer who never lets her readers down.

Six people decide to join a reality show where they have to stay in each other company for a month when it is freezing cold and raining camping with basic amenities. Each of them has their reasons to take part in this reality show. Izzy want to find money for rental downpayment, Kanga is certain that her participation in this show will lead her to greater things, Ruth with her innocent outlook what to start to explore life, Junior is chasing bigfoot, Sebastian is convinced he saw something on the moor and want to find out the truth while guarding his secret closely and Mac, a grumpy guy who don’t wish to be there at all.
 
This book focuses on life, family, friendship and relationship between one to another. The characters are with different personality and each of them have their own story to tell. Overall, the story plot is good albeit abit draggy, full of twists and turns and overall it is a good read to me.  

*review post scheduled to be posted on 21/5/23*

I came to this thinking it was going to be a quirky little story about a quirky little character and I was looking forward to it, I’ve never been so glad to be wrong, it’s so very much not, yet so very much more than that.

I didn’t really like this book I found it slow and tedious. The descriptions of the weather made me feel cold. The rain and the cold was very well described. This story didn’t gel with me at all. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

The setting for this book reminds me a bit of when I did my basic training for the Army Reserve, back in the day! However, the countryside under canvas, in the UK, when it is nice and cold - brrrr!

Izzy joins five others in a reality TV program. What the others don't know is exactly WHY Izzy has decided to put her life on hold in this way. Yes, she wants the money, but she has an excellent reason for it. The whys and wherefores are slowly revealed as the story goes on.

Dax is trying to become famous for his reality TV programs. He wants to have some proof that there is something out there in the wilderness and the contestants will get big money if they can bring him that proof. As the days go on, Izzy gets to know the others in this rather odd experiment and she discovers that underneath all their clothing layers, there is something about each of them which is rather different to how they portray themselves to the outside world. Each of them has a secret, not just her.

There is nothing like living without the mod cons to bring out the best and the worst in all of them.

I really liked the premise of this story and how the contestants all interacted. I liked the story of Izzy and Mac, of course, but there was something about each of them that I liked. Ruth was very likeable too.

I could have done with the story continuing on a little longer, it ended a little abruptly for my liking, but that might just have been me!

4.5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books.

There are some entertaining moments in this story as Izzy and a disparate group of characters take to the Yorkshire Moors in the depths of Winter. Their task is to take part in the filming of a reality programme as they go on the hunt of a mysterious creature. None of them believe that this is anything other than a wild goose chase, but they all have a reason for wanting to be there and are willing to go along with the search. As the novel develops, you realise that they have some serious issues beneath the surface. Some are caused through family relationships. Others have relationship difficulties. 

Izzy is the focus of the book and gets your sympathy from the start. She is at times the voice of reason and has a clear idea of what she wants to get from the programme. There are a few poignant moments but largely the emphasis is on humour. Romance is a slow burn but there nevertheless. This is an entertaining read which manages to sell the idea that this group of people would take part in the programme.

In short: romance blossoms as characters face up to what they want in the future
Thanks to the author for a copy of the book

Thanks for letting me read this ARC!
This is my first book by Jane Lovering, and it was really good, I enjoyed the humour and the chatter between the group selected for the Reality Show. Sitting in a soggy tent with strangers wondering what in the world they signed up for reminded me of when I was on Dartmoor Adventure Training as part of my Basic Training in the Army. We meet the hopeful reality stars Izzy, Kanga, Sebastian, Dax etc.
They are tasked with finding a big cat, which may or may not exist in the area. If there is any lesson in this, be mindful what you sign up for, Are friendship, love and reality tv compatible? Pitch up your tent and join in the fun and don't forget the self catering camp meals for good measure.

I enjoyed this even more than I expected to, that means for me I expected to enjoy this but I really really enjoyed it, this was such a wonderful read, but gave more than I was expecting. This isn’t just a romcom, it’s so much more, don’t worry there is plenty of humour and romance, just that it’s focused on life , what truly makes a home, family, friendships, people you love and in the classic lyrics of The Stones ‘We don’t always get what we want, but if you try sometimes, well, you might find you get what you need’

I loved the setting of the Yorkshire Moors, the detailed and gorgeous descriptions brought it to life fully and I felt like I was back there myself, it was definitely an additional character in the story. Speaking of which, the characters are such a great mix, each one so different and definitely just like the mix of unique personalities you would see in a reality TV show (not that I watch them to be honest, I like I’m a Celeb but mainly for Ant and Dec) You have your loud , opinionated, influencer, brooding characters with secrets, mystery and lots of gossip/ reveals, just like reality TV.

This is an addictive book to read and you have to make yourself stop at times, you know because work and bedtime are sadly required, but ifit weren’t for that I would have happily kept on reading. Overall, just the story itself is fantastic, full of twists and turns, emotional and so heartwarming. I loved it and I think most people who have a heart will too.

Thanks to netgalley, Jane Lovering, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for a free e-book in return for an honest and voluntary review, all opinions are my own and freely given.


**blog tour review **

This book had me hooked wanting to know where the writer would take the reality show angle, and I really liked that the romance was actually a subplot it made the book different and unique.

I loved this so much and when I turned the final page, I was instantly desperate to read more about these characters' adventures. I will definately be picking up more @janelovering books in the near future.

This is not your typical rom com and I don't think that the cover is right for the book but despite that I absolutely loved it!! It is a gameshow and the contestants have to live out in the wilderness to win lots of money but the contestants aren't expecting what they have signed up for. Will Lizzie find herself and get her life back on track? The characters are all great and I laughed alot at their squabbling and antics. An enjoyable book with humour and love about life and how we find what we most need when we least except. I was enthralled with the writing style and love this authors work it is fantastic. If you're after a rom com that is unique and written differently but still fun and intriguing then read There's no Place like Home.

I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy this premise as I am not a fan of reality TV shows and actively avoid them unless they feature sewing or pottery. Of course, I put my trust in Jane Lovering’s writing and was rewarded with this thought-provoking story.
Izzy is the lead character, and despite her defensive attitude, she really appealed to me. Her vulnerability, caused by her fractured relationship with her family and tenuous personal life, really captured my imagination. In no time at all, I was fully on her side and hoping for a positive outcome.
The setting of the story is the Yorkshire Moors and I certainly felt like they were an additional character in the book. The stark vistas and the detailed descriptions brought a genuine feeling of being part of the action. Thankfully, despite an accidental dip in a stream, I remained dry but still shivered at the thought.
There’s an eclectic mix of characters who each add layers to this engaging story. The loudest was certainly the glamourous socialite, Kanga. Her attitude and Instagram lifestyle were anathema to me but are becoming the new normal in many aspects of life. Former farmer Seb was hoping to prove to his wife that he wasn’t controlling, while Ruth was looking to show that she was capable of taking charge. Their opposing yet aligned ambitions were fun to follow. I had a particular soft spot for American cameraman Junior who was hiding a mysterious secret. However, it was the darkly broody Mac that I felt drawn to. His gentle, yet sometimes caustic, friendship with Izzy slowly gave her confidence while empowering him to share more of his own life.
This was a book that I had to force myself to put down. I could have happily kept on reading through the night, but I had to work. The story is original and engaging, and I was fully invested in the task presented to the team. I’m not a lover of life under canvas, but I thoroughly enjoyed escaping to the moors.

Within pages, I was hooked into Izzy’s life and the stark realities of camping in the Yorkshire moors in horrid weather, with strangers tracking down a potential mythical creature for a TV prize. Jane Lovering has a talent for world building and providing a strong sense of place. With knowledge of the locality, I can say it is an accurate depiction of the moors and its atmosphere. Even snuggled under the duvet, I found myself shivering when Izzy and company are faced with bad weather thanks to the immersive writing.

Six strangers living in close quarters with sporadic appearances of the camera crew and film staff provided a memorable cast for this original novel, plenty of drama and clashes of personalities. They all have a backstory and reasons for joining the show, including Izzy. As a protagonist, she had depth and everyone connected to her and wanted her to have a happy ever after she sought after. Sprinkled with humour, deeper themes are blended in this uplifting novel with care and realism. Despite the weather and camping trials, romance blooms and the slow burn chemistry between Izzy and Seb is just right for their story.

I read the synopsis for ‘There’s No Place Like Home’ and it certainly sounded like the sort of book I have come to expect from Jane – a fun, uplifting and heartwarming romance. I couldn’t wait to start reading and so without further ado, I jumped straight in. ‘There’s No Place Like Home’ certainly was one heck of a read, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading but more about that in a bit.

I adored the character of Izzy and I warmed to her from the very start. In fact it didn’t take long until I felt that she had become a friend of mine and I naturally felt protective of her. At the beginning of the book it’s clear that Izzy has had her problems of late but we don’t find out exactly what those problems are. Little hints are dropped as the story progresses and eventually Izzy reveals what has happened and what prompted her to apply to join this new reality television show. Izzy is warmhearted, kind, considerate, funny, feisty, compassionate and an all round good egg.

It didn’t take me long at all to get into ‘There’s No Place Like Home’. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first page, I knew that I was in for a treat and that I would struggle to put the book down for any length of time. I was spot on on both counts. I had picked the book up only intending to read a chapter or two but I became so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the different characters that I was still sat there reading several chapters and an hour or so later. I had my own suspicions as to what was going to happen so of course I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had wandered in the opposite direction. I couldn’t turn the pages of the book quickly enough as I made my way through the book. In fact at one point the pages of the book were turning so quickly that it was almost as if they were turning themselves. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘There’s No Place Like Home’ and I had to say goodbye to Izzy and the rest of the characters. I found ‘There’s No Place Like Home’ to be a fun and ultimately uplifting story.

‘There’s No Place Like Home’ is extremely well written. Jane has one of those easy going writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading one of Jane’s books feels more like a chat between friends rather than reading an actual book. I hope that makes sense. Jane clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. I hope that makes sense. I love the fact that the story was set somewhere which is fairly local to me. This was one of those books that made me giggle at the start and I kept chuckling away to myself throughout the rest of the story. I love the way in which Jane makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. That’s how I felt at any rate.

In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘There’s No Place Like Home’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be recommending this book to other readers. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

Favorite Quotes:

… he looked disgruntled to the point that his gruntle might be waving farewell forever. I smiled at him… He turned a look on me that was so sour I could feel my tongue dry out.

I watched Kanga stare at his muscles. They were improbably large; he looked as though someone had taken an ordinary man and inflated him with a bike pump in strategic areas.

Mutinously and showing all the team-working ability of a bunch of cats, we each set off on our allocated tasks.

How come you’ve got such unusual names? Dax and MacKinley? It sounds as though your parents thought they were having Labradors.

It had been so long since I’d had a proper wash of any parts of me that didn’t see daylight that I was beginning to think I might be eroding. If I got fully undressed, I might discover that I was nothing more than a flaky shadow and a strange smell.

I could almost feel the cash registers in our heads start to click as we all mentally spent £ 250,000, and then reality asserted itself once more.


My Review:

This was an active and busy tale with keenly detailed scenarios and colorful descriptions that placed me in the thick of it. Despite living in the tropics and reading under a ceiling fan, Ms. Lovering often had me feeling cold and achy along with the shivering characters who were stuck on a freezing moor in nylon tents while being filmed for a reality program. And what an odd, uncomfortable, and annoying to be around collection of people they were. While the storylines often had a tense edge to them with a sense of impending doom and fear of discovery, they were also amusing as well as observant, and thoughtfully contrived.

Izzy is taking part in a survival-style reality show camped out on the Yorkshire moors in search of an elusive big cat. She needs funds, fun and friends, and she finds out which is most important as the adventure develops. With a contemporary theme but an original twist for a rom-com, the reader gets to know Izzy and her fellow adventurers. It's emotional, heartwarming and humorous, and even if, like me, reality television doesn't appeal, this character-driven story is worth reading.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I didn't read the blub before choosing this book and I am pleased that I didn't as I don't think I would have read this. I am glad that I did though as it was so different to the Jane Lovering books that are usually on the shelves. Not her usual style but I enjoyed this. 4 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

An unusual storyline in a unique setting is at the heart of this book by Jane Lovering. Reality tv, wild animals, and secrets held by the contestants and you never know what might come next. Izzy is hoping she will make enough money to get her off the streets and get her life back on track, but the other contestants have their own ideas how the show should go.

It should be fun, taking part in a game slash reality show,
Or so Izzy hopes when she signs up to give it a go.
After someone's lies have left Izzy without a home,
She'll now have a month on the moors to roam.

It isn't something she'd normally volunteer to do
But being paid to take part - it took no thinking through!
Being filmed for television along with the others
And paid a bonus if a beast their group discovers!

Getting to know all the others participants to start
Wondering why they'll each be taking part.
Get ready for nature to test them all, too,
With storms and blizzards to make their way through.

At least for a month she'll have somewhere to sleep and food
And not have to worry about someone else's bad mood!
But staying out on the Yorkshire Moors also has dangers
And everyone with her is a total stranger!

Can friendships develop during their stay?
Will they discover the beast one day?
So many questions and trials to endure
This certainly won't be an easy sinecure!

Getting to know each other and facing the dangers,
Helping others, even though they're strangers,
Overcoming fears, standing up for yourself, too,
Lots of things they're all going through.

A heartwarming read of facing adversity and staying true
With poignant and laugh out loud moments as you do.
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.