What can I say, you know exactly what you are getting with a Fiona walker book, and this one does not disappoint, a fantastic holiday read.

'Country Lovers' is the 2nd book in a series by Fiona Walker but you don't have to have read the first book to understand it (it may help with some of the subtle references though). I think you have to be a horse-fan to enjoy this book in full!

I love everything that Fiona Walker writes – never ever has she let me down! When ‘Country Lovers’ became available, I immediately settled down to read it with great joy and excitement! Her books are the font of great escapism and in spite of a long list of characters within the book, Walker skillfully and with ease manages to present to us fully rounded characters we learn to care deeply about.
Whereas the first book in the Compton Magna series seemed to focus more on Petra and Carly’s predicament, this one focuses on hilarious Bridge and fragile and conflicted Pax. Luca is the new hero whose brokenness mirrors the new horse, Beck’s, taken on by Ronnie at Compton Magna Stud (with whom he shares a horrific past). Present in this novel are all the delicious characters from the previous book but Walker has expertly managed to pull this novel together so that it can easily be read as a standalone too (although I am willing to bet anyone who reads this without having read ‘The Country Set’ will be reaching out for it straight away.)

The Country Lovers is the second book in the Compton Magna series. I have to admit to not reading the first one and I wish I had as the characters may of made a little more sense had I known their backgrounds. But it doesn’t really effect the story as it can be read as a standalone.
When Ronnie Percy ran away from home to be with her lover years ago, she left behind her devastated children. Now she has returned to try and build some bridges. But things may not be as easy as she thinks. She starts with trying to sort out the family business and hires Luca O'Brien, known as the horsemaker and some kind of genius with horses. He also has a reputation as a lothario, but is he all that he seems. Ronnie's daughter Pax, takes a disliking to him and can really do without him hanging around. As we get to know more about the characters and their lives, will this have a happy ever after?!.
Fiona Walker has written once again a great flowing story where we devour family, relationships, mystery, laughs and of course horses. Although this isn’t one of my favourite Fiona Walker books, she seems to always capture her audience in her writing and as a reader I very much enjoy reading her stories. Looking forward to more.

This is the first I have read by Fiona Walker and I really enjoyed it, I can’t say I completely loved it but I did enjoy it, I don’t know if that is to do with the pacing of the story or the fact that I hadn’t read the first book in the series – maybe I have been missing out on something by not reading the previous? But as much as I liked the overall story, it was a little hit and miss with me. But, that will not deter me from reading more of Fiona Walker’s work, I really loved the humour and the twists that ran throughout the story, which were really cleverly done.
This actually reminded me of the brilliant The Horse Whisperer; both book and film, which is one my all-time favourites, Luca did remind me of the ‘Horse Whisper’ his gift for being able to understand and talk to horses, to be able to help them really made me love him and his secretive side made me fascinated with him.
Years before, Ronnie Percy ran away from home to be with her then-lover, leaving behind distraught and angry children, now she is back she wants to build some bridges and try to make amends for what she did and to try and rebuild her family business. I actually had real difficulty in liking Ronnie. When Ronnie returns home, she finds that to make amends will a lot harder then she thought, as it’s not just her children who are having difficulties with her return but also the head groom too, which is a good thing as Ronnie has hired notoriously brilliant horseman and playboy; Irishman Luca O’Brian who brigs far more then cheekiness to her home, as he has secrets of his own he is hiding something, but that’s OK as he looks good and he is truly gifted with horses.
I am actually in two frames of minds about this, on one hand, I loved the overall story, it’s sweet, engaging and a really enjoyable read, there were aspects of it that I loved; Luca being one of them – I am a sucker for a secretive, twinkly-eyed handsome Irishman, especially one who has a passion for animals, in this case, horses – and I enjoyed uncovering the secrets and discovering the surprises and yet I actually struggled with this book because I did find it a little slow for my liking. Believe me, that is nothing at all to do with the authors clever writing, as I found Ms Walker’s writing to be engaging and fun, I just had issues with the actual pacing of the story. Sorry!
Overall an engaging and fun story, which is full of good humour, sadness and passion.

COUNTRY LOVERS by Fiona Walker is entertaining from beginning to end. The story begins with a Prologue, where in 2012, Luca O'Brien, one of the most well known horse trainer was training an Arab prince when something happened to the horse. He was kept locked up being seduced by a woman. Right from the start the story already captivated my attention.

Current time, Ronnie returns to the Cotswolds back to her family, after her disappearance from their lives all those years ago. Ready to make changes to the family business by hiring Luca O'Brien, a talented horse whisperer. There are a lot of secrets and family drama to navigate in this amazing story only Fiona Walker is able to weave into a wonderful story line.

This is the second book in this series, and I easily read it as a standalone and was completely immersed in Fiona Walker's excellent writing. The characters and the effortless and imaginative writing was absolutely imaginable.

COUNTRY LOVERS by Fiona Walker is a wonderful book I highly recommend.

Horses, romance, scandal and secrets in the delightful rural setting of The Cotswolds. It begins with a nail-biting prologue and then launches into life in Compton Magna several years later. The connection is Luca, someone who has an extraordinary gift with horses. He has a reputation as a womaniser, but he has hidden depths and a plethora of secrets to be revealed as the story progresses.

The characters are many, and all of them richly described in such a vivid way that they are believable. The plot is complex, exploring relationships, village life, family drama and mysterious events and secrets. The Compton Magna stud is the focus of the story, so the horses and dogs are important characters too, which is part of the charm for me.

This is written in true bonkbuster style. It’s long, packed to the rafters with glamorous and enigmatic characters, many of whom behave less than circumspectly. Scandal, secrets and sex are rife in Compton Magna, which is a sharp contrast to the glorious rural setting. The humour is what makes this story so readable, and the snapshots on life and people so astute, that its worth reading for characterisation alone.

I loved this author’earlier stories, and this one reminds me of them, an enjoyable escapist read, full of emotion and sparkling dialogue, in a quintessentially rural England setting.

I received a copy of this book from Head of Zeus via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

A gloriously juicy blockbuster that is wonderfully addictive and simply irresistible, Country Lovers is the latest instalment in Fiona Walker’s fabulous Compton Magna series that is absolutely outstanding.

Ronnie Percy is well aware that regardless of how far you go, the past will always catch up with you in the end – a fact she discovered when she returned back to the Cotswolds a year ago and realized that her friends and neighbours had very long memories. Nobody has forgotten or forgiven Ronnie for walking out on her family and abandoning them twenty-five years ago. Building bridges and starting afresh has proved harder that she had previously imagined leaving her to wonder whether home is truly where the heart is – or whether she should simply let bygones be bygones…

Her daughter Pax has got her plate full as well. Life isn’t exactly treating her with kid gloves at the moment – not only is her marriage disintegrating, but she is fighting for custody of her small son. Poor Pax is really up against it at the moment and the last thing she feels like doing is spending New Year’s Eve waiting for some stranger hired by her mother to look after the family stud farm. However, Pax soon realizes that life has a funny way of surprising you and of giving you just what you need at the best possible time.

Head groom Lester has served Ronnie’s family for eons and he is absolutely fuming that some fresh blood is coming to the farm to help shake things up. Still an excellent horseman who is passionate about his job, Lester cannot help but wonder whether he will have a job come next month and this new arrival is Ronnie’s way of telling him he is surplus to requirements. As if things at the stud are not complicated enough already, the arrival of Irish charmer and notorious lothario Luca O’Brien and his horse Beck soon puts the cat among the pigeons in Compton Magna. But what secrets is Luca hiding? And what exactly is he running away from?

A new Fiona Walker novel is always an absolute joy and Country Lovers is a fabulously indulgent, decadent and delicious rural romp that delivers on all counts. Sparkling with wicked humour, red-hot sensuality, eccentric characters, horsy shenanigans and plenty of mischief, Country Lovers is vintage Fiona Walker and despite the fact that this book is a doorstopper of a novel, readers will simply breeze through it as putting it down is simply not an option.

A wonderful treat from one of the queens of the genre, Country Lovers is the latest must-read by Fiona Walker.

This is the second book in the Compton Magna series and I haven't read the first but suspect I would have enjoyed this story much more had I done so. It starts with Horsemaker, Luca O'Brien, being distracted whilst dastardly deeds are being planned.... After this action packed start it slows down to a more leisurely pace as friends enjoy chatting along as they ride. It is a story of families, divorce, relationships, mysteries and so much more - as well as the beloved horses, of course!

There are a plethora of characters involved and I had problems sorting out who means what to whom and the relationships between them all, though this becomes clearer as the story progresses. I definitely think reading the first book in the series would have helped overcome this initial obstacle to loving this story. It actually is worth persevering as the intrigue, mystery, relationships and potential romances develop with plenty of twists, turns and humour.

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.

I think it’s fair to say that this one wasn’t what I expected it to be.

Ronnie Percy is struggling to keep her stud farm on track; so she employs Luca O’Brien, known to all as the Horsemaker, whose reputation precedes him. Ronnie’s daughter, Pax, has stayed to help her mother at the stud over the festive season in preference to spending it with her husband and son and the legendary skinflint in-laws. In their case, however, absence doesn’t make the heart go stronger . . .

I expected this to be entertaining and funny; it has it’s moments but, for the most part, I found it to be sad and somewhat depressing. I was disappointed and in all honesty struggled to get through it. I’m sure others will love reading this novel, it just wasn’t meant for me. I’ve settled on three stars which, under the circumstances, I think is fair.

My thanks to publisher Head of Zeus for my copy via NetGalley; this is my honest, original and unbiased review.

Countryside Shenanigans...
Secrets and scandal, countryside shenanigans all served up in an entertaining romp with wit and plenty of humour in a Cotswolds setting. A colourful cast and an engaging plot completes this thoroughly glorious read from Fiona Walker. As ever, great fun to be had within these pages. Perfect escapism.

A dramatic, fun whirlwind of horses, divorce, scandal and village life. A bonkbuster worthy of the mantle. Great second instalment of Fiona Walkers Compton Magna series that definitely doesn’t disappoint - it pulls you in and leaves you wanting more. Previous characters make an appearance and the introduction of new ones increases the breadth of the tale. Fun horsey frolics all round! Definitely worth reading.

Thank you Netgalley.

Ronnie Percy was back home trying to make amends, the same home she had left hers ago to be with her lover. Only one of her children was ready to forgive and forget. Pax too returned home to help at the stud farm. Complications convoluted in when her mother invited Luca to run the stud farm. Sparks flew.

Though second in the series, this book worked well as a standalone. Author Fiona Walker has written a fun story filled with charming and quirky characters who soon took up my time. The new employee too was hiding his past. Humor interspersed among the drama of the plot and strange happenings.

I found the story a bit slow and long, but that could be because I was used to short racy thrillers. The story had its own mystery when secrets were revealed. The writing was interesting, the author brought out the twists in the story at the right moment.

Overall, the book was interesting and fun.

Another great read by Fiona, full of great characters, great plot, humour and heart . A great author and series although is standalone too.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

This is the second book of a series. I didn’t know this when I read this book, so yes it is ! A stand-alone book !
Amazing quirky characters, Fiona has a great writing style, the reader being drawn into the story from the beginning. The storyline was interesting and the twists and turns kept the reader enthralled. I will now have to read the first book ! And definately looking forward to the third!
Thank you to Netgalley, Head of Zeus and Fiona Walker for giving me the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review

Witty, addictive, and with plenty of drama to sink your teeth into. COUNTRY LOVERS by Fiona Walker is entertaining from beginning to end.

It has been a year since Ronnie returned to the Cotswolds and the not-so-loving bosom of her family, who are still struggling with her disappearance from their lives all those years ago. But she is back now and ready to make changes to the family business. And first up is the hiring of Luca O'Brien, a genius with horses and a reputation as a lothario. But beneath the facade, is Luca hiding something? This new employee rubs plenty of people up the wrong way, including Ronnie's daughter, who has her own family issues to wade through, and the last thing she needs is Luca hanging around. But as drama, secrets, and mysterious goings-on begin to surface, will the stables and the family find their way through it together?

Clever, amusing, and with truly unique characters, COUNTRY LOVERS by Fiona Walker is the perfect tonic after a long, hard day. While this is the second book in this series, I easily read it as a standalone but you may as well buy both books and immerse yourself in Fiona Walker's excellent writing. Sharp and detailed, the story flowed effortlessly and I fell under the spell of these characters as I began to get to know them all and all of the baggage that they are dealing with.

COUNTRY LOVERS by Fiona Walker is a fantastic story with memorable characters and a must-read this winter. So what are you waiting for? Happy reading!

I could not get in to this book, not one for me sorry.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary and honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for this book, I loved it.

I've read all of Fiona's books and this just meets the mark like all the others. Fiona is my go to holiday ready and I would highly recommend. Great characters as usual and great story.

Thank you

Back of the book : 

Glamorous Ronnie Percy has been back home in the Cotswolds for a year. But not everyone has forgiven her for abandoning her family twenty-five years ago.

Ronnie's daughter Pax is fighting for custody of her small son as her own marriage disintegrates. Now she is furious to have to spend New Year's Eve waiting to meet some stranger, invited by her mother to help run the family stud farm. The staunchly loyal head groom, Lester, is even more annoyed. Does Ronnie think he's lost his touch?

Luca O'Brien, Irish charmer and reputed heart-breaker, is known throughout the countryside as the Horsemaker. But what happened to Luca's beautiful stallion, Beck, now broken and unrideable in the Compton Magna stables? And what is Luca running away from?

What I think : 

Wow !

What a corker !

I absolutely adore Fiona's books, I have read all of her previous ones probably three times over, and this series is probably shaping up to be her best yet !

This second book in the new series is packed full of brilliant characters, some old and some new, but always well written. It was lovely going back in being re-introduced to the already mentioned old favorites and meeting some new ones.

I would love to be able to go visit the setting of Compton Magna and just watch and listen to all that is going on around me. People, horses and dogs, what else would you need ?

Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, with plenty of twists and turns to keep your attention, I would highly recommend this brilliantly witty book.

I give it my highest award of 10/10 (5 stars)

I'm thoroughly enjoying this series, this is Fiona Walker at her best.
Great characters and interesting storylines, there are twists, tangles and tumbles. Great fun and highly entertaining.
This is the second book and I'm really looking forward to the next one, so many questions that I need answering.