This was such a good read I could not put it down. There were a few times I almost threw it out the window but I am glad I stuck with it becasue the ending was fantastic!

I can see why BROKEN COUNTRY by Clare Leslie Hall has already been optioned for film—it’s gripping and atmospheric, with a perfect mix of love, mystery, and tension. The story weaves past and present seamlessly, pulling you into Beth’s complicated relationships and dark secrets. The twists kept me hooked, and the emotional depth made it unforgettable. No wonder it’s getting so much attention. Fans of The Light Between Oceans and Where the Crawdads Sing will love this one.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book had me hooked from the beginning! It was absolutely enjoyable and jam packed with so much!!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!!

We find out in the first chapter of the book that someone has died, and that there is more to this death than what meets the eye. We also find out relatively early that there is a trial going on in the current day, and a question of whether or not the death is accidental -- but we don't initially know who died, the true circumstances of what happened, or even who is on trial.

The narrative unfolds with masterful storytelling -- in two time periods, the "before" starting in 1955 and the current present of the novel - 1968.

What occurs is a tragedy of epic proportions -- a love affair, a second chance, grief, longing, a mystery, and unlikely redemption. I don't want to give too much away as the way that Hall reveals details is just, without a better way to say it, SO WELL DONE. The characters are beautiful and broken, terrible, flawed and yet so compelling in their imperfection.

This is a mystery, a thriller, a love story, and a family drama all told in a genius package.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. It was well set and captivating. It was kinda giving Far from the Madding Crowd if it were written in the mystery genre. It's not specifically a short book but it's and easy and fast read. I found it kept my attention throughout and finished strong. recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC read now ebook. Quick-paced page-turner, that kept me hooked until the final page. The story centers around a romance, a somewhat tragic love-triangle. The multi-layered timelines, the plot twists and the character development had me hooked, even though a romance is not necessarily my favorite. I found this novel hard to put down, while also being a satisfying read from start to finish.

I feel like I'm supposed to like this book more than I did. I'm disappointed that it seemed to lack originality. It's well-written but I feel like I've read similar versions of this story already. There's really nothing memorable that stands out. I award it 3 out of 5 sheep.

I don’t know why I waited so long to read Broken Country. I’ve heard nothing but great reviews, and rightfully so.

While only about 320 pages, it reads quickly, and carries the emotions of much more in depth novel. The tension in this novel is expertly crafted, pulling readers deep into a story filled with secrets, heartbreak, and unexpected twists. Revolving around Beth, husband Frank, and past love Gabriel, the story is essentially about how parents lose their child due to a tragic accident.

There is a trial that takes place, among the dual timelines, but that is where the mystery lies in the book. It keeps you guessing as to who is on trial, and for what. There’s a lot of punch in this book, and you will love the characters as they evolve over that one fateful day.

However, it’s also about how love can transcend time, regardless of space and time between. The story’s final act is particularly striking — a conclusion that is both devastating and deeply satisfying. It's one of those rare endings that leaves you breathless, lingering in your mind long after the last page is turned.

Reese has picked this up to become a movie/series, and it will be the Hello Sunshine talk over the next few months. Don’t miss it!

Thank you NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Publishing and Clare Leslie Hall for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Broken Country.
This is a beautifully written historical fiction story that explores the mistakes of a love triangle in a small English farming community. I was totally immersed in the story from start to finish. I loved the twists and turns that changed the outcome constantly. I shed many tears over some of the decisions the characters made but I still loved them because they thought they were doing what was right. They accepted the consequences and my heart continued to break as I was hoping for a happy ending. How admirable for a family to stick together through thick and thin, realizing and prioritizing what is important. Emotions sometimes get in the way and we chose poorly. We are only human and have to accept those dreaded consequences.
There are multiple points of view and timelines that constantly change but the plot was easy to follow and all the puzzle pieces fit together.
I thoroughly loved this story and was quite sad when it ended. It would make a great movie or a sequel. I just want it to continue! Hopefully, there will be more from this author soon.

This must-read novel is a beautifully written exploration of love and its complicated entanglements. It seems nothing can brand a person so deeply as the powerful heat of a first love’s flame. For Beth, that old untamed fire returns and threatens to burn her new life to the ground. I highly recommend this book to fans of coming-of-age, historical fiction, and tragic triangle love stories.

I thank NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of Broken Country for my unbiased evaluation.  5 stars

4.75 stars

BROKEN COUNTRY by Clare Leslie Hall

The author weaves a familiar historical fiction tale with an unexpected spin (murder) on it. Beth comes from a modest upbringing, and she falls in love with wealthy Gabriel in the mid 1950s. Written from the first person perspective (my favorite!), the reader feels everything along with Beth for the first time.

When Gabriel and Beth suddenly break up, she reaches for steadfast farmer Frank Johnson, who has been in love with her for years. Beth marries Frank and lives with Frank’s dad David, Frank’s younger brother Jimmy, and they soon welcome son Bobby on the farm as well. After the tragic death of Bobby, they try to all move on, but, when Gabriel moves back with his son Leo, their lives will be upended forever, as Beth and Gabriel never forgot each other and the mark they made on one another.

I loved being swept up into this story. The author has such a deft hand at her characterization of all the characters, but especially Frank. I really liked the setting of an English farm instead of a bustling city. The focus on guilt permeated throughout the book, and I think that was very appropriate for the time and setting. This was a well-told character-driven story with more plot than I expected, and I think it will appeal to a wide variety of readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

BROKEN COUNTRY publishes March 4, 2025.

What happens when the love of your life appears after thirteen years, but you are married and still grieving the death of your child?

In 1955, Beth and Gabriel had an intense relationship that ended up broken because she found out he was with another woman.

in 1968, Gabriel and his son move back into the family home next door to Beth and Frank, and the feelings resurface.

Beth finds it difficult to resist seeing and being with Gabriel. Her husband Frank isn't blind to what is going through Beth's mind.

He can see how they react to each other.

What will happen with this love triangle and with all the events that occur?

This actually isn't a romance - this dual timeline read is filled with emotion, characters you won't forget, and events that will tug at your heartstrings.

The book was a bit slow at first, but the writing, the pull of the characters and their lives, and the tension, twists, and surprises make this book one you will not soon forget.

Tissues needed - especially in the ending pages. 5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

BROKEN COUNTRY by Clare Leslie Hall

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC read now ebook.

4.5 stars
This is the author’s US debut and you will fall head over heels with this unputdownable (I think it’s a word) read. A sweeping story set primarily in the 1960’s but toggles back in the past too, with so many layers it is hard to describe. It is a coming-of-age story, a love story, a family drama story, and a bit of a thriller. So many secrets are revealed in this passionate love triangle of Beth, her loving husband, Frank, and Gabriel Wolfe, Beth’s young love. Beth must make a choice — between the woman she once wanted to be, and the woman she has become. There are twists I didn’t see coming in this compelling read and a big satisfied sigh upon the end.

I enjoyed the simplicity of her writing style and the character development. I am not a fan of romance novels, but this is so much more than that. I am looking forward to what this author will write next. This will be out March 4, 2025.

I think this book has already broken me into a million pieces—in the best possible way! It carries a melodramatic tone but is heartbreakingly powerful, deeply penetrating your emotions.

At first glance, you might think it’s a typical, clichéd love triangle: a grieving woman, still mourning the loss of her son and trying to hold on to her marriage with her kind-hearted husband, suddenly finds her ex—the love of her life—returning to town. He’s freshly divorced and has a son the same age her son was when he died. Cue the whistles and the inevitable “here comes trouble” reaction! There’s still a spark between the former lovers, and as they rekindle their connection, someone is bound to get hurt. Every action comes with consequences.

Despite its simplicity, this book manages to be so much more than just an unfinished love story. Blended with elements of crime, mystery, and courtroom drama, it’s a gripping, unputdownable read. I couldn’t stop thinking about it! I only had 20 pages left when I realized I had to leave for the 30th-anniversary screening of Se7en. Determined to finish, I downloaded the book on my NetGalley app and kept reading in the theater before the movie started. Yes, I annoyed a few people with my phone’s light, but I couldn’t let it go! When the big revelation scene hit, even though I was expecting it, I screamed—it still shook me to my core. (Trust me, it was as shocking as Se7en’s iconic “What’s in the box?” scene!)

The semisweet conclusion, flawed yet compelling characters, Beth’s hesitation between her dependable husband Frank and her old flame Gabriel, Frank’s brother Jimmie’s self-destructive tendencies, and the whirlwind of courtroom scenes made this a truly unforgettable experience. I overlooked some melodramatic misunderstandings and the villainous, over-the-top mother (who felt like she stepped right out of a telenovela) because the emotional depth and the way the story wrecked me outweighed the clichés.

This book had me emotionally invested from start to finish, and I happily rounded up my 4.5 stars to a full 5! Honestly, movie production companies should snatch up the rights immediately. I even started imagining my dream cast while reading: Paul Mescal as Frank and Leo Woodall as Jimmie. This book is a cinematic masterpiece waiting to happen!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for sharing this incredible book’s digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Love triangle. Heartbreak and sadness. After reading Hall before I knew to expect some tears and she did not disappoint. I love how she takes you to a place and you just feel like you are really there experiencing what each character is going through. Probably by best read of the year so far!

The characters in this book are ones that I will not forget. This story is one of resilience and true love. What does it mean to be a family and what will you sacrifice for those that you love. This will be one of my favorites for 2025. It is so well written, and the characters are so well developed that you will think you would know who they were if you ran into them on the street.

I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to get lost in the English countryside and feel all the emotions. You will need tissues.

I was given a copy from NetGalley and the Publisher for an honest review.

Every once in awhile a book comes along that I can’t put down because I feel like I know the characters. This is one of those books. Told in a dual timeline of now 1968 and before this tells the story of a farmer’s wife in England, whose old flame from years ago returns. There are well developed characters, romance, suspense and a page turning plot. I was unable to put it down.
Pick this up for a love story unlike any other with all the makings of a literary masterpiece.

Broken Country has been one of favorite recent reads. It is about a love triangle that leads to tragedy and a mystery set forth throughout the novel in which readers do not know the outcome until the very end. The characters are multi-dimensional and believable. Multiple time periods and characters create an air of suspense throughout and the conclusion is shocking. For fans of Brendan Slocumb.

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall is a gripping and emotionally charged novel that weaves together the complexities of love, loss, and revenge. The story follows Beth, a woman whose peaceful life with her husband, Frank, is disrupted when her past love, Gabriel Wolfe, returns to the village after years of absence. When Gabriel’s dog is shot by Beth’s brother-in-law, it sets off a chain of events that reawakens buried memories and brings dangerous secrets to light.

The narrative shifts between the present and the past, exploring Beth’s first love with Gabriel and the painful loss of her own son. Hall masterfully builds tension, revealing deep emotional conflicts and unresolved feelings that resurface with deadly consequences. The novel is a brilliant mix of love story and thriller, skillfully blending simmering passion with the darker sides of human nature.

With its heart-wrenching themes and unpredictable twists, Broken Country is a compelling read that explores the far-reaching legacy of first love and the difficult choices we must make when the past comes knocking. Fans of emotional dramas and thrillers will find this book both captivating and unforgettable.

Thank you for the ARC Copy of Broken Country. I don't often read a lot of Historical Fiction since its not my favorite genre but I heard great things about this book and wanted to give it a shot and I am glad I did! It was a really good book and it was full of different emotions as I read this story. You get heartbreak, you get anger, grief, love, you name it. Definitely a very well written book and this is actually my first read by this author too so she did a fantastic job! Not only do you get a heartbreaking story but you also get a side of it where things come back into your life from your past and those past events make the future change. <3

Definitely check this book out!