The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
annebrooke's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did, but it was a very quirky and very page-turning read. The ending was very romantic too, and the characters were lovely. I will definitely buy more Alliott books!
renreads96's review against another edition
4.0
This book reminded me of one of her other books - 'About Last Night'. It had some overlapping aspects including a slightly eccentric middle aged female main character on the edge of falling apart, running a ramshackle farmhouse and navigating moody, slothenly teenage kids.
I almost gave up when I saw how similar it seemed to the aformentioned other book I have read by her.
However, I found myself relating a lot to Ella, laughing myself to tears at her rooster troubles and loving the character development and slow unravelling of the truth of her marriage.
Let's go back to the character development - ALL of her main/featured characters showed growth through the book and slowly you're shown why each one behaves the way they do.
It was a great look into long term relationships and the sacrifices you make for the people you love.
I almost gave up when I saw how similar it seemed to the aformentioned other book I have read by her.
However, I found myself relating a lot to Ella, laughing myself to tears at her rooster troubles and loving the character development and slow unravelling of the truth of her marriage.
Let's go back to the character development - ALL of her main/featured characters showed growth through the book and slowly you're shown why each one behaves the way they do.
It was a great look into long term relationships and the sacrifices you make for the people you love.
heidi_84's review against another edition
Just too slow to develop and even though it was funny it couldn't hold my attentionÂ
richardpierce's review against another edition
2.0
There's a good story in here somewhere but it's hiding amongst all the unnecessary words and plot devices stretched out so thinly they're creaking. This is an ARC I have, so maybe some of those words will have disappeared in the final version, but I doubt it somehow. Fluff, unfortunately.
yasiaayce's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.25
The first chapter is counterintuitive about the story that pans out later. There is a lot of humanity in this book and the romance is just one flower in the garden of life that this book paints.Â
I think a prevalent theme here is also regret, regret for deeply not understanding one another and lost time, or at least that's how I felt.Â
I think a prevalent theme here is also regret, regret for deeply not understanding one another and lost time, or at least that's how I felt.Â
soph92's review against another edition
5.0
Couldn’t put this down! This is the second novel I’ve read by Catherine Alliott and both (the other being ‘One Day in May’) had me completely hooked. Alliott is so brilliant at crafting characters and a world that the reader is completely absorbed in.
reading_on_the_road's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first Catherine Alliot book I've read, though I've been aware of her as a prolific writer.
I'd describe this as chick-lit for women who want something more than a sex and shopping story. The major characters are engaging and the story rattles along pleasantly.
It does have its flaws - this is a particular type of rural living which I've only encountered in novels, and I've never heard a real 37 year-old describe herself as middle-aged - or dress or act in a way that gave the impression she thought of herself as being at that stage in life. I'd recommend skipping the prologue and coming back to it later if need be as it gives a false impression of what the rest of the book will be like.
Would I read another book by this author? Probably, if I wanted something entertaining and uncomplicated for a beach read.
I'd describe this as chick-lit for women who want something more than a sex and shopping story. The major characters are engaging and the story rattles along pleasantly.
It does have its flaws - this is a particular type of rural living which I've only encountered in novels, and I've never heard a real 37 year-old describe herself as middle-aged - or dress or act in a way that gave the impression she thought of herself as being at that stage in life. I'd recommend skipping the prologue and coming back to it later if need be as it gives a false impression of what the rest of the book will be like.
Would I read another book by this author? Probably, if I wanted something entertaining and uncomplicated for a beach read.
suze_1624's review against another edition
3.0
Goodreads First Read win book. Enjoyable read that comes in a good solid 3.5
Fans of Katie Fforde and others in the cotswolds country romance genre will enjoy.
It is the stories of famillies getting to know one another, even though they have been together for years. Ella and Ginnie learn how to be sisters and daughters, their Mum and Dad provide comedic back drop whilst going through their own post retirement adjustment difficulties. They also learn that parenting when children are ready to fly the coup is hard but survivable if they dont expect things to go the way they think it should.
Ella is the main character and goes through the most emotional upheaval - i wanted to slap her, hug her, tell to grow a spine, tell her children to stop being brats - just lots of emotions.
The first half of the book details the down trodden-ness of Ella's life and if I have a little peeve, its that this seemed to be a bit long winded. But perservere, the second half, where things spiral out of control is much better.
Fans of Katie Fforde and others in the cotswolds country romance genre will enjoy.
It is the stories of famillies getting to know one another, even though they have been together for years. Ella and Ginnie learn how to be sisters and daughters, their Mum and Dad provide comedic back drop whilst going through their own post retirement adjustment difficulties. They also learn that parenting when children are ready to fly the coup is hard but survivable if they dont expect things to go the way they think it should.
Ella is the main character and goes through the most emotional upheaval - i wanted to slap her, hug her, tell to grow a spine, tell her children to stop being brats - just lots of emotions.
The first half of the book details the down trodden-ness of Ella's life and if I have a little peeve, its that this seemed to be a bit long winded. But perservere, the second half, where things spiral out of control is much better.