⭐⭐⭐ for me. This book was well written, but the characters just didn't stick with me or feel fully fleshed out. None of the relationships made me feel much for the characters. I actually really enjoyed the author's note at the beginning and loved the idea behind exploring the reality of a pastoral life--the good, the bad, and the ugly--and to a certain extent, Broken Country did deliver on this promise, but I honestly would have enjoyed more focus on the land and the nature (a la Where the Crawdads Sing) as opposed to purely focusing on relationships that still felt underwhelming to me. Still a solid read that I think many people will love.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read and review this book! It caught my attention due to the similarities with Where the Crawdads Sing and this story did not disappoint! The story begins at Blakely farm a sheep farm owned by Frank and Beth and Frank’s family where a new dog shows up and begins attacking their flock so to stop the attack Jimmy Frank’s brother kills the dog. This begins the relationship with Leo, Gabriel’s son who is also Beth’s former boyfriend and neighbor at the Meadowlands, his family estate. Beth takes Leo a puppy to say I’m sorry about your dog and starts a motherly relationship with him while getting to see and talk with Gabriel. She treats him like her son Bobby whom she lost 3 years ago and we find boys and pieces of this story through out the book. The story is written in a dual timeline format with Gabriel and Beth’s history, Frank and Beth’s history, current time and then a trial for the murder of someone from the town but it is not revealed until the end of the book. I loved all the descriptive details of the farm and the land along with the relationship of Beth with both Gabriel and Frank. I felt for Frank throughout this story because he was so loving and caring toward Beth, but she was still in love with Gabriel. This story was all about a lot of miscommunication and stubborn characters. The twists at the end made me both sad and happy. I would definitely recommend this book!

I enjoyed this book. There were lots of issues tackled from young love, broken hearts, enduring love, loss of a child, and murder. While the characters were all well developed and mostly likable, Frank just seemed a little too understanding. Who would really be so calm and understanding if their wife’s old lover returned and took up with her. His selflessness in taking the rap and sparing Leo were also a little hard to believe.It is a beautiful story, however.

This book was incredible! Such a captivating story! Very emotional reading experience. The author did a phenomenal job!

Loved this mystery/historical romance for its well-drawn characters. I felt I was right there with them on the farm, in the courtroom and at college as they navigated their way through love and tragedy. This was very enjoyable and I read it within a couple of days. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced readers’ copy.

Touching story of relationship ended due to a misunderstanding, a marriage that deals with the loss of a son and
the reappearance of a first love. Complicated feelings and relationships that result in a criminal trial. Characters
all trying to do their best. Surprising twist . Realistic characters that draw one into the story.
#BrokenCountry #Simon&Schuster #NetGalley

In 1955, Beth meets Gabriel Wolfe, the son of the wealthy family in her small English farming village, and they begin a summer romance. In 1968, Beth lives on a sheep farm with her husband Frank and his younger brother Jimmy, in the same village they grew up in. One day, she learns that Gabriel has returned to his ancestral home, with his young son, Leo, after divorcing his American wife. Beth becomes wrapped in their lives, after a tragic accident requires Jimmy to shoot Leo's dog to save their newly born lambs, when she gives Leo a puppy and promises to help train him.
The dual timeline follows the beginning of the romance between Beth and Gabriel in 1955, and the rekindling of their relationship in 1968 as well. From the beginning of the novel, we know someone is dead, and Frank is on trial for their murder. The book fills in the pieces of exactly what happened as the timelines move forward.
I found the writing style of this novel very enjoyable, and felt it was very evocative of a certain way of life in mid-century England. The troubled relationships between Beth and Gabriel and between Beth and Frank were well developed, and I felt the author did a wonderful job showing why Beth made the choices that she did in those relationships. There are a couple twists within the plot, one that I expected and one that I didn't. Overall, the book was well plotted and very enjoyable to read. I will definitely recommend this and look for this author in the future.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

A love story gone terribly, terribly wrong. A child, gone. A farmer, dead. Beth’s life wasn’t supposed to be this way, but she’ll do whatever she can to right the wrongs and hold on to what she has left.

Beth and Gabriel were teenage lovers. They spent a summer playing house, dreaming of a future together. When their love doesn’t go as planned, Beth falls into the arms of Frank, the boy who always loved her. And they are happy. Gabriel moves on, has a son, marries. Beth does the same with Frank. For years they don’t cross paths, but then Gabriel divorces abs moves back to his hometown. And there’s Beth.

Love triangles are always complicated, but this one is one for the ages. Sex, lies, and an irreversible accident that sends a small town spinning.

This book has a lot of hype, and it is well deserved. For fans of Where the Crawdads Sing, Broken Country will break your heart and heal your soul.

Thanks you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

It really wasn't my cup of tea. I gave it a go based on the feedback, but it just wasn't what I expected.

Three stars for me. Others may like it, but it failed to interst me.

Wow, where do I start! The beginning was a little slow but then I couldn’t put this one down. Some twists and heart breaking moments for sure! A story of life’s secrets and the consequences they reap. I highly recommend this one!

"Broken Country" attempts to tackle complex themes of loss, family, and survival, but ultimately struggles to deliver a satisfying narrative. While the setting and atmosphere are well-established, the pacing feels uneven, and the story often gets bogged down in unnecessary details that detract from the central emotional core. The characters, though well-intentioned, are underdeveloped, making it difficult to fully invest in their journeys. The author’s prose is occasionally evocative, but at times it veers into melodrama, undermining the impact of key moments. While the book touches on some important themes, its lack of depth and focus leaves it feeling flat and underwhelming. Fans of slow-burn literary fiction may find it worth a try, but others may find it hard to connect with.

Oh, it's always magical when so late in the year you read a book that turns out to be one of your favorites of the year.

This is the story of Beth who is caught between her first love, Gabriel, and her husband, Frank when Gabriel comes back to town with his son. From the first page, you know that things have gone poorly and there's tragedy. And you are sucked into the story that will not let you go. I was up until 2am reading, not wanting to let go of these characters.

The character development is so beautiful that these characters jump off the page and you miss them long after their story is over. This beautiful story is about love, betrayal, class, brotherhood, parenthood, loss and so much more. It's truly beautiful and I cannot recommend it enough.

with gratitude to netgalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Unfortunately I had to DNF this one. I just couldn't connect with the story and characters and with the constant change of timelines it was hard to follow.
I know many people will enjoy this book; I think I am just not the right audience for it.

Thank you Simon and Schuster and the author for the opportunity to read the ARC.

This book was so well done. It was so beautifully written and heartbreaking in the best way. It wasn't a hallmark tearjerker, this was the real deal and will stay with you for days to come.

At its core this novel is a love triangle that is so relatable despite being set in the past. It explores how one can have strong feelings for more than one person. It is a tale of loss and secrets and betrayal and how your past choices shape your present.

This is one of the best things I have read all year, and I am so proud to have been given the opportunity to review it early. I am recommending this to everyone! Well done.

Heartbreaking story of love and loss. Well developed characters. Loved the way the story comes together, even if it's a bit too tidy.

Broken Country has everything I could want in a novel: a riveting story, beautiful writing, memorable characters — love, loss, passion, heartbreak, fury, forgiveness. And suspense! It’s a fascinating and complicated story that keeps unfolding, with new revelations, right up to the end. Claire Leslie Hall writes beautifully. Her descriptions of the country and farm life, as well as her handling of the characters’ desires and emotions, are masterful and compelling.

This is among my favorite novels read this year and I’m sure it will be on everyone’s favorite lists for 2025. I loved all of the major characters. I was enthralled by the intensity of their love and grieved for their losses and sacrifices. I turned the pages faster and faster as if reading a thriller. And it was, indeed, thrilling, the tension building rapidly toward the end. The ending was unexpected, not altogether happy, and yet so right in so many ways.

The book releases on March 4, 2025. Put it on your TBR now!

I’m grateful to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for an advance reader copy of this book.

I knew this book would break my heart, but I didn’t know it would completely shatter it to pieces. This is going to be a huge hit for 2025. I’ve easily added it to my favorites list. I savored each moment reading this story unfold. There were some unexpected and shocking moments at the end which really tied the story together very nicely. This is an absolute must read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review

This is a very lovely, but sad novel. It’s the story of lies and decency that swirl throughout the lives of 3 people living in postwar rural England. Beth, Frank and Gabriel have lives which intersect multiple times over many years. The tumult caused by this interplay ultimately leads to great tragedy. It is beautifully written with fine character development. The reader has the opportunity to share in all kinds of love and see the unbreakable bonds that the protagonists share.

Because of the scope of the novel there are many characters, some a bit stereotypical. i was involved with the characters, especially the relationship between tge characters and the children. The author really pulled me in and I held my breath until the end of an incredibly fascinating trial.

I recommend this novel to book clubs, many topics to discuss.
Thank you Netgalley for this very special ARC.

A phenomenal U..S. debut novel by Clare Leslie Hall. Two beautiful love stories going completely wrong and ending in tragedy. Part love story and part mystery an explosive combination. Thanks for the advanced read and hope Hall continues writing books like this.

Broken Country has topped my list of favorite books this year. Beautifully written and kept me turning the pages. The farm setting, love story, and heartbreak made for a truly amazing novel. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.