Heart-wrenching twists and turns as this story unfolds in flashbacks to falling in love during their teen years as well as unfolding the drama in 1968. Why is Frank on trial? What really happened to Bobby? Beth's choices are difficult and impact everyone around her in profound ways. Her love for Gabriel and Frank has led to tension with terrible consequences. Revealing surprises through the entire book keep the pages turning.

Omg!! I just finished this wonderful story and now I'm not quite sure what to do with myself! I may spend the whole day crying! 😭 How am I to be expected to go on with every day life after reading this?!? What a fabulous book! This is definitely the best book I have read this year. I wish I could read it again for the first time. The emotions this book invokes are strong. I had to set it down several times and calm myself before going on. I am hoping this author has written other books. I will definitely be looking to see. I need more of this kind of writing.

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall may be one of THE best books I've read this year, and I've read a lot of good ones!

I don't want to give away any of the beauties of this story, so broad strokes only: there's a then and now aspect in the telling; grief over family deaths happen; supportive and unsupportive family moments create circumstances (as in all lives); brave problem solving; and finding a way through the dark with the light of hope.

My stars are offered, but I note they are also tear-stained. (Happy tears, kids. Happy tears.)

*A sincere thank you to Clare Leslie Hall, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.*

I realize this may not align with most of the glowing reviews, but this book simply wasn't for me. I found Beth to be an insufferable character from being selfish, destructive, to lacking any real remorse for her actions or how they affected others. She managed to ruin the lives of nearly every person who loved her. Beth’s behavior, across all timelines, felt emotionally stunted, almost like that of a teenager, which made it hard to connect with her on any meaningful level.
The shifting timelines also disrupted the flow for me. The transitions between present day Beth and past Beth’s whining felt redundant, making it difficult to stay engaged.
I also felt extremely sorry and frustrated for Frank, all he wanted was to love Beth. But she treated him terribly and used him, I feel in every possible way, which was heartbreaking and infuriating to read.
I also wouldn't categorize this novel as a mystery or thriller. However, if you're a fan of Where the Crawdads Sing or The Favorites, this book might resonate with you more than it did with me.

*Thank you to Clare Leslie Hall, Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

A beautiful and sad story. I loved it because of the plot twists and the heartbreaking love story. Thank you, NetGalley, for this book to read. I definitely would recommend it.

Moving, sad, hopeful, beautiful and heartbreaking. Wonderful, flawed, lovable characters. A very quick read as I couldn’t put it down.

This one took me on an adventure! 4 stars.

📖 The Details:
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
Historical | Dual Timeline | Tragic Love

⏱️ Quick Summary:
The story centers around Beth - her current live tending a farm with her husband Frank + her past life and first love with Gabriel. And how they merge during present time. Mix in some tragedy, small town life, family dynamics, and love affairs.

💁‍♀️ My Take:
This was so beautifully written and kept me hooked. I loved the switching timelines and it honestly made me switch my predictions and perspective many times. There was a mystery element to it as well. I felt for Beth and the decisions she had to make and the tragedies she went through. Definitely some TW on this one. Recommend!

3.5 stars - it took my weeks to try and finish this one. And when it finally draws you in, it’s just so sad. But I ell written and a great plot for sure!

After I read this book, I sat and thought about it for days. Days. I kept thinking, I can't wait to get home and jump back into it, forgetting that it was over! I will most likely go read her other books some time in the future.

I can't even seem to form the words I want to say about this book. It's heartbreaking in more ways than one. It's, at times, heartwarming. It's ugly and beautiful. This is one of those books that had my thoughts and emotions all over the place. I had a serious case of emotional whiplash while reading this book.

I fell in love with the characters, and I wanted everyone to come out on top in the end, even if that didn't seem like it was possible. I couldn't wait to get to the end, and at the same time, I didn't want this book to end.

I would highly recommend picking this one up. It's definitely a journey worth taking.

The farmer takes a wife...and her past with a famous author and a secret that ultimately leads to murder. Such a fun, fast read.
The author sucked me in and plopped me in the middle of a farm. I loved all the characters and their flaws. I would find myself rooting for each of them. Didn’t see the storyline coming and that’s always a plus. This was a five star read I did not want to put down. Highly recommend!!

Absolutely loved this book! It's complex, emotional, and perfect for book club. I love that there were no fully good characters (ok- except for Frank)- and this will challenge you as it's complicated to root for someone who is having an affair. Or even if you are not rooting for her, you will certainly understand their bond. Really great story!

I’ve seen so many rave reviews for this book and wanted to love it, but it fell flat. The writing is lovely, but I didn’t care for any of the characters. Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the eARC.

4.5 wow! Another Reese pick I actually loved? That’s 2/2 so far this year!

Just brilliant storytelling. It’s easy to see why this book was all over the place in March because it is one heck of a story that you may think has some predictable plot twists, but then you are made a fool because oh there are plot twists that you definitely didn’t see coming.

This book is a phenomenal read. The characters are developed so well and if someone hasn’t optioned this then I’m sure it won’t be long. This is screaming to become a limited series. Seriously!

As far as format goes, either is a great choice. I think for a story this emotional, audio is definitely a benefit. The narrator (who I think sounds like Cate Blanchett) did a fabulous job. I would recommend the audio, but a copy of the book to own for your shelves. It’s a book you’ll be recommending for years to come.

Thank you Simon Books for the gifted galley and Simon Audio for the gifted audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I think I'm in the minority since I didn't give this book 4 or 5 stars, but it honestly didn't hit at that level for me. I was kinda bored in the beginning and while it did start picking up, it took til around the 60% mark for me to feel at all invested in it. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. It was just average for me. It had 2 tropes that are pretty big misses for me, so maybe that's why. Or maybe it's because I listened on audio and the narrator was British. I love accents, but in audiobooks it does tend to make it harder for me to concentrate on the story for some reason. I appreciate getting to read this, but it's just 3.25 stars for me.

The way I inhaled this book!!! I’ve been a little hesitant to pick it up, because I’ve heard so many amazing reviews. I was afraid it wouldn’t live up to the expectations I had after reading so many positive posts. It MORE THAN lived up to every 5 star review I’ve seen. This book reminded me of Where the Crawdads Sing- in the procedural drama, but the story was like nothing I’ve read before. It was plotted perfectly with deep characters and mystery. Thank you to @netgalley for a eArc copy in exchange for an honest review. Five stars for sure! #kristalreads #bookstagram #bookish #bookofthemonth #booksbooksbooks #books #bookreview #netgalleyreader #netgalley

I grabbed this one when it was released because so many people were loving it and I'm so glad I did. This was a beautiful book that will likely be a top read of 2025 for me--thanks so much for the gifted copy!

Beth and Frank seem content in their quiet rural life, but beneath the surface lie old wounds and unspoken regrets. When Gabriel Wolfe, Beth’s teenage love, returns to the village with his son, everything begins to shift. The tension between past and present is beautifully drawn, and the emotional stakes kept rising with every chapter.

This novel is atmospheric, emotionally rich, and full of well-drawn characters carrying the weight of their choices. Hall masterfully builds suspense—not just around the central mystery, but around the question of who Beth really is, and who she wants to be.

A gripping, layered read. I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time.

This was good, but to me a very slow read that was easy to put down. Maybe because this one had so much hype, I was disappointed. Good character and setting development, but I just didn't really like the main character.. 3.5 stars rounded up.

The pages flew by, although this book really developed its emotional heft much closer to the end. I definitely understand the early hype!

A love triangle set in a rural English village during the late 1960s, this novel will appeal to readers of suspense thrillers, of historical fiction, of tragic love stories, of English countryside literature, of morality tales. Like so many thrillers, this book's inciting incident involves a gun. But this book is unlike most of the thrillers I read. Its language is lyrical, its tone reminiscent of an Ian McEwan novel, complete with complex character studies, elegant prose, and themes of love, loss, guilt, and tragedy. Highly recommend, but could not bring myself to give it five stars. This is a book that has and should inspire many and varied conversations.

[Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an opportunity to read an advanced reader copy and share my opinion of this book.]