A brilliant story that made me smile, root for the characters and have fun.
I loved the storyline that flows, the great and well thought cast of characters and the setting.
I can't wait to read the next book by Ms Walker.
It was a good read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I’ve tried to read a Fiona walker novel before but couldn’t get into it and stopped. However this time, I persevered and boy was I glad I did. A bit of a slow burner with multiple characters to get your head around. It reminded me of a Jilly Cooper novel set in the countryside featuring horses and dogs and friskiness. I couldn’t put it down and was only frustrated that it finished when it did! I could have read about the characters for much longer!

I should say up front that I'm a huge fan of Fiona Walker. I've read all her books and genuinely look forward to each new one. 'French Relations' and 'Well Groomed' are two of my favourites (oldies but goodies!) and she - at the top of her game - can rival the goddess Jilly Cooper for a well-written and humorous romantic yarn.

This one is another of the Compton Magna series, set in a village visited previously in Walker's book 'The Country Set'. In this one, Ronnie Percy (newly returned to the fold) is living at her stud farm with her daughter, Pax, who is in the throes of a bitter divorce. A horse whisperer with healing hands arrives at the farm and stirs up life in the village. As before, the group of women who ride together (the Saddle Bags) pop up every now and again and provide a kind of commentary on events like a jolly kind of Greek chorus, although Bridge comes to the fore more in this story with her hunky Polish husband, Ales.

I did like a lot of the characters, especially the Saddle Bags and the rather unconventional primary school head. It's an easy read and there are some very funny bits.

However - and I feel a traitor for saying this - I did find it a bit of a slog in places. Pax and Luca aren't particularly charming leads and I found some of the subject matter a bit of a downer when I usually read Walker's books for a pick-me-up. There are definitely better books if you are new to Fiona Walker's writing.

Overall, I'd say this is readable and very good in parts, but overly long and uneven. A shame, as there are some cracking characters and storylines mixed in there with some decidedly less cheery elements.

Ronnie Percy has returned to the home she ran away from leaving behind her children behind to be with her lover.
At the same time, Pax one of Ronnie's 4 children has returned back at the stud, she is the only one of her children to have built bridges and work towards forgiving her.

When Lester the head groom who was at the stud when Ronnies parents ran it has an accident and is forced to be hospitalized and have a long-awaited hip op Pax steps in to keep the stud running, that is until her mother announces the soon arrival of the horsemaker also know as Luca O brian. An Irishman known as a ladies man and so handsome women fall at his feet. He is a charmer and a decently nice man. But it becomes obvious he is hiding from something or someone.

Bridge Mazur is one of the Comprom Bagot's village saddlebags along with Gill, Mo, and Petra. They love a good gossip whilst riding out on their horses. Bridge is married to polish man Ales, whom she loves to his very soul, but then she meets Carly and has carnal daydreams about her husband. Ash.

From horses to dogs to people and life, Compton Manor in the Cotswolds is racy funny and has its sad moments. Full of surprises and secrets uncovered The country lovers is a brilliant read. I couldn't wait to get back to it to find out what was going to happen next. It was a well written enjoyable book. I recommend this book and give it 5 very well earned stars.
Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book x

I have read other books by this author and they never fail to impress me.
This book is well written and is a page turner.
The pace of this book is just right
A good read

I really enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting. Great characters and a great plot line. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

I am sorry but I could not read this book. Much as I wanted to . Whatever I treid the text would only display in a very very pale grey. Couldn't read it. I've scored it at 5/5 because its Fiona Walker and I would have loved it anyway!

Country Lovers is the second book in the Compton Magna series. A fun romp through the countryside with a vast array of colourful characters which was an easy and entertaining read.

Loved this book. Great characters, easy read, uplifting, funny, romantic and charming. A really nice story that is the perfect sumer read.

I love this book! I love all Fiona Walkers books, and have read and reread every one.
Country Lovers takes us back to the Bardswolds where we meet new characters, re-engage with familiar characters and learn more about their back story’s.
Pax is back at the Stud, struggling with a marriage breakdown, a fractured relationship with her mum Ronnie and alcoholism.
Luca is new to the Stud, what’s he hiding?
Lester likes to be in charge, but has to relinquish control
Carly adores horses but is juggling small children, demanding in-laws and a husband with ptsd
Bridget wants nothing less than world domination - but will settle for a job at the moment
The Bags still ride out most mornings discussing smc ‘s and putting the world to rights
These characters are well drawn, familiar in their humanity and great fun too. Fiona write epic books, big stories, with characters interwoven, plots, sub plots and sub sub plots running throughout and each book is a glorious romp through the world of horses, countryside and life. This one is a real treat so grab a coffee and prepare to lose yourself in village life. Fiona walker at her very best!

An excellent novel with a fascinating depiction of characters. I very much enjoyed this wonderful story and highly recommend it.