Love the setting and atmosphere of this book, and the narration was done beautifully. It was easy to get into, and didn't take long to finish. Thank yoy for the opportunity to read!

Star Rating: 3.5

"A Year at Marshywood" by Marina McLune, narrated by Lucy Scott, takes listeners on a captivating journey through Amanda's life as she transitions from the bustling streets of London to the tranquil countryside of rural Sussex in 1979.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of a beautiful Marshywood cottage, Amanda embarks on a new chapter of her life with her parents. However, as she navigates the challenges of adapting to her new surroundings, Amanda grapples with many emotions, from longing for her best friend Sam and harbouring unrequited feelings for Sam's cousin to forming new friendships and discovering unexpected love.

McLune's poignant storytelling skillfully captures the social dynamics and contrasts between urban London and rural Sussex, immersing listeners in Amanda's journey of self-discovery, love, and loss. Through richly drawn characters and heartfelt narratives, McLune explores themes of resilience, racism, belonging, and the complexities of human relationships.

Lucy Scott's narration adds depth and authenticity to the story. Her skilful portrayal breathes life into the characters and maintains listeners' engagement throughout. With her nuanced delivery and impeccable pacing, Scott brings Amanda's world to life, creating an immersive and memorable audiobook experience.

Overall, "A Year at Marshywood" is a compelling and emotionally resonant tale that will captivate listeners from beginning to end. McLune's evocative storytelling and Scott's masterful narration ensure that this audiobook leaves a lasting impression.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial Audio for an advanced listening copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest but very late review.

Amanda and her parents have just moved from London to a village in the countryside. At 19 she's sad to leave her best friend and love interest behind but looks forward to when they will visit her. She adapts to village life and begins volunteering her time at a local farm where she meets Dean. Amanda and Dean get to know each other very quickly spending so much time together on the farm and when a shift occurs Amanda decides she will stop helping on the farm since Dean is engaged to get married. Dean's fiancée senses the shift and after an argument with Dean she has an indiscretion with his older brother Stuart. "I was determined to marry Carolyn, but after you left, I knew ... well, let’s put it this way, I never felt the same. When you left, it confirmed something I already believed." Sometimes unfortunate things happen but in the end things work out for the best. I enjoyed this book on audio and followed along when at home using the kindle version.

Thank you to BooksGoSocial Audio and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my review.

In 1979, Amanda, 19, moves from London to a country home called Marshywood.
While initially apprehensive about moving to a small town, she quickly becomes part of the community, and the story follows her experiences of this new lifestyle, her friendships and romantic relationships, and other experiences of a young woman of the age.


This was an enjoyable read, well paced, with twists and turns that kept you engaged. For a debut what a great interest of a story. There was a warm nostalgia for the 70’s and 80’s.
While this is positioned as a romance, I felt the family drama with some historical fiction were also prominent sub plots, perhaps it will be of interest by anyone looking for any of these genres.

The audio version of Marshywood begins somewhat slowly, but you're soon caught up in the transition from busy London to life in a rural village. Although listed as a cozy romance, this novel touches on some tough subjects like racism and depression. The lead character, Amanda, an older teenager, really grows up throughout the novel, even with one of the most annoying mothers ever. There are some twists throughout the book and the racism can be quite triggering. It's a well-written book. All of the references to life in the late 70's are charming and authentic. Would love to see a Spotify playlist of the music mentioned. Worth a read or listen!

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version.
I really really loved this book. It is very low key and perfect for fans of Jill Steeples and Jo Bartlett. I was absolutely riveted with the story, I just had to know what happened next and I listened to the novel in 24 hours ha.
The characters were all very enjoyable. I love that it took place in 1979/1980. The narrator did a really good job.

I would like to say that the text was easy to understand even for non-native speakers.
Amanda and her family move from London to the countryside, to a rustic cottage. Everything changes, will she find a new job, what about friends and love? It's a nice and charming story set in a nice atmosphere. Not only love, but also family dramas and an unusual setting for a young woman make the story very entertaining.

Thank you BooksGoSocial Audio for allowing me to read and review A Year at Marshywood on NetGalley.

Narrator: Lucy Scott
Published: 11/03/23

Stars: 4

Charming and rural anywhere in the world describe settings I am happy to read about and am equally happy I've been personally spared living in these places. McLune has written a lovely story. This centers around a 19-year-old young lady. She has been uprooted from London to the countryside. We get her thoughts and the inner turmoil she experiences upon meeting a boy who is engaged.

Marshywood is Little House on the Prairie in 1980 UK. The characters while slight have roles and are memorable. I don't recall names, however, I know their places in Amanda's life, and they will fondly stay with me. Okay her mother is over-the-top, but relatable.

This is a slow and steady read. Characters and situations were being developed. It was somewhere between 30 and 50% the story took off. I was invested. I cared. I enjoyed the antics of the rural life and the sweetness of Amanda falling in love, reasonably and realistically. As stated, she is a young lady.

The story takes a turn I didn't expect, and it made me go hmmm. I like that while unexpected I was okay (unlike many times where I want to throw my hands up). I thoroughly enjoyed how the story played out and concluded.

I would recommend this to young readers transitioning to adult books; also I would gift without hesitation to nursing homes, or church exchanges and friends.

Lucy Scott was perfect.

3.5

It is 1979 when 19 year old Amanda's family relocates from the bustling city of London to theserene countryside of Sussex, and more specifically, to a house named "Marshywood". Amanda and her mother do their best to try to find their place within this small village community. It is not easy for either of them, Having left behind a boy with whom she was enamored, Amanda was eager for him to visit. She wasn't anticipating the backlash and judgment placed upon her because he was Pakistani. The time period provided more lighthearted details as well - from music to news events and tv shows.

Initially anticipating a tranquil, laid-back storyline centered on coming-of-age experiences, I was pleasantly surprised by unexpected twists that kept me engaged while still enveloped in the cozy ambiance of the prose.

A year at Marshywood is brought to life by the narration of Lucy Stone. She provided a myriad of original voices for the characters that were differentiated enough to easily tell who was speaking. Stone provided fluid storytelling and kept the listener immersed in the story,

My thanks to NEtGalley and Ark &Wyndom Publishing for the ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review

Marina did a fantastic job of writing a beautiful English country romance while touching of some more serious issue for its time.

I really enjoyed this story for the most part, as it addressed issues of race and topics of love, but it honestly really sucked to see that our MC was in love with a young smart black man and ultimately her racist mom gets what she wants and ends up with the mediocre white dude.

Probably my second favorite read of 2024 so far. I have read 12 books so that is a good thing. I enjoy it immensly. I have recommended it to my mother and my friends that all read! It is a nice easy read.

This book was so slow at times and the characters felt so boring , but I thought it had potential. It was still a interesting book and I was intrigued with culture at that time.

What a wonderful cozy story. A Year at Marchywood by MarinaMcLune and narrated by Lucy Scott was such a heartwarming story. The narrator did a wonderful job making the characters come to life throughout this romantic novel. Engagements, charming gentlemen a beautiful ring chosen by another woman- this book has it all.

I really enjoyed A Year at Marshywood by Marina McLune. The story was interesting and the style was a bit different e.g. the references to chart music and foods of the 1970s etc. Definitely recommended!

A story of couples trying to find their way together as well as standing up for themselves, There was some minor unnecessary language but overall an interesting story of families sticking together..

This was a quickly paced, easy to read, pleasant love story. It was full of the ups and downs and twist and turns of the typical romance novel.
The characters were well developed. Amanda, the main character was really developed over the course of the book. It was nice to see.

There's no complaints that I have about this book. It was well written, easy to read and quickly paced. It was just a typical romance that doesn't stand out to me.

The narrator of the audio version of it did a good job narrating, but again, nothing stands out about it.

Thank you to Netgalley, Marina McLune and BooksGoSocialAudio for the chance to review this book. My opinion is my own and unbiased.

Well i listen to the last 5 hours solid

This book is slow at times and has a few characters that you wonder why they are there

But worth the read and happily upon my have read list or in this case listened too

Thank you netgalley and marina mclune for my arc of this audiobook

There is much to experience with this young lady Amanda, from acceptance, belonging, racial matters, acceptance, love, lust, growth and more

Even has little twist that you don’t see happening, when it’s all too clear who she will fall in love with

I struggled to connect to any of the characters in this book.

Finally towards the end of the book is when I began to find it somewhat enjoyable.

Maybe it was some cultural differences that I could not relate to or the setting in itself.

There were some difficult and thought provoking topics that made this worth finishing.

The characters had to make difficult decisions while possibly hurting others, including close family members, but in the end things worked out.

So if you are looking for a slow pace, country side, happy ending… look no more!

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for allowing me access to this audiobook. Sorry for the late review

This was a beautiful coming of age story that unfortunately felt just a bit too long. I enjoyed the character development and the narration, but felt that it could have been edited to be a tighter story.