Much like its cover, this novel is a sweet and colorful romance, charming and pleasant to read. Sarah postpones the date of her marriage to Amir and sets off on a bicycle trip, alone with her thoughts. She arrives in a small village full of charm, with welcoming and generous inhabitants. Michael left the big city and a profession that paid well for a quieter life with his chickens and vegetables in a charming village where he lived as a child and where his sisters live. Michael is just simply lovely, he has great value, hope, he works hard and knows what is most important in life. Sarah had a complicated childhood, she moved often and was not very wealthy. Today she lives with a wealthy man but luxury does not bring happiness. Our two characters meet, share simple moments, express their dreams and get closer.
I found that everything was going too fast between them unfortunately. Sarah often repeats the same dialogue in her head. She thinks too much about her future mother-in-law among other things. As for the end ... A scene with Amir and his mom is missing.
But overall it was an enjoyable read. I was pleasantly surprised to see who stole Sarah's bike, I really liked the supporting characters and the story is very cute.

Simply You - ★ ★ ★.5
The book started off with Sarah biking around England to compose her thoughts, after delaying her wedding day with her fiancé Amir. When her bike got stolen during her time at Hope Valley, she decided to extend her stay in hopes of having her bike returned and for her to finally decide about the wedding.
 
The love story was simple, yet its genuineness touches the heart of the readers. I am glad that Sarah decided to stay in Hope Valley in the end to live with Michael. They both deserve each other and the love that they have found. On the other hand, I was sad with how Amir’s overbearing (supposed to be) mother-in-law was the reason why Sarah’s relationship with him went adrift. Amir is a great guy, but he tolerates his mother’s wishes too often which leaves no room for Sarah to have her own opinion on things, so I was relived that Sarah realized this before she married Amir.  

For the setting of the story, I love everything about Hope Valley. The people, the country life vibe in the story gave a peaceful and serene mood. I would have wanted this book to have a higher rating, but the ending before the epilogue left too many things unsaid on how Sarah dealt with Amir and the life she left behind. It lacked the closure that the readers needed.

Simply You is a charming little story about following your heart and doing the best thing for you.

At first, the character Sarah annoyed me. I thought she had it all and was risking it all for no reason, just to prove a non-existent point. But then, as the story went on, I realised how lonely she must be. Sometimes the obvious and safe choice, isn’t always the right choice.

I instantly fell in love with Michael. I wanted him to find what he was looking for :)

All in all, this was a cute story but hasn’t left a lasting impression on me. One of those books you can pick up and read without really thinking about it.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

1.5 stars.

I wanted to like this book. I thought the premise was cute and, as an avid romance reader, I can definitely see the merit in a story like this. Where this story lacked was execution.

The story was very choppy and not at all cohesive. I could understand Sarah wanting to take the time away from her fiance and the wedding that grew out of control due to an overbearing mother in law, but meeting another man and him falling for her in the span of a week just didn't really jive. Michael's feelings developed really quickly for him to ask her to give up everything and stay. And not only that, Sarah waffled with her decision and only ended up choosing Michael not because she truly wanted to be with him but because of a really silly plot point.

I wish the author had taken the time to develop both the characters and the story a bit more. I would have loved to see more tension for Sarah as she navigated this awkward limbo where she's engaged but cares for someone else. But this book left a lot to be desired.

What a cute book it was.
This book was simply beautiful.
It was like watching a movie with a happy ending. This book was about a woman, it was about making your own life choices. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series. I loved the writing. Maggie Wild has a very easy way of writing that manages to keep you completely gripped.

A light yet enjoyable read for anyone who wants to detach for a bit and set foot into another world unlike their own. Maggie Wild sets a scene you feel you know intimately.

Sometimes you are in the mood for a short simple love story, and this book hits that spot. It was so cute, and a little predictable but that didn’t matter because you couldn’t help to fall for the characters. I really liked it and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.

Can simple life be enough ? Sarah and Michael are the proof that love can win it all and that you don't need a Jaguar, Louboutin shoes and a toast of caviar to be happy.

English countryside is so romantic, it always works for me. It's quite refreshing that the story is not around the wealthy guy but the one who choose to ditch his Londonian life for a vegetable plot and a few chicken.

<spoiler>Even if I imagine how hard it must be for Sarah to let go of everything Amir could bring her, I wish she was braver. It would have been much funnier for the reader. Yes, we expect her to pick Michael, too bad she doestn't say it Amir or Claudette (in the book). It could even have had an impact on the Mother/Son relationship. </spoiler>

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an eArc in exchange of an honest review.

First time reading this author, but not the last.

Such a cute story of learning to choose what's important.

Sarah is biking from London to Scotland when she stops for the night at a local b&b due to inclement weather. The next morning her bike is stolen, and she decides to stay longer until the custom bike is recovered.

Michael is such a down-to-earth guy. He has a small sustainable farm and also lends a hand to his sisters (who run the b&b). He barters for everything he needs, and he's very connected to his place and the area.

I really liked the setting and the secondary characters in the small village, and Michael's sisters. Sarah had to make some hard decisions to choose between the seemingly easier life path and the harder one with the potential to be more fulfilling.

I'm looking forward to the next books in the series.

Adorable cover!

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Four Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A bicycle ride through the English Countryside, a charming Bed and Breakfast, and a Farmer who will sing to his chickens. This is all you really need to know to find this book in your to-be-read stack.

Publishers Blub: Sarah Tildon thinks she's found the perfect man. But after her overbearing future mother-in-law insists her quiet country wedding become a high-society shindig, she sets out on a two-week ride to rethink her plans. Stranded when her bicycle is stolen in a picturesque hamlet, she's touched by the kindness of a handsome young farmer who comes to her rescue.

The big city failed Michael Marsden's ample ambitions. After his fiance cheats on him, he turns his back on the hustle and bustle and takes on a farm to prove he can lead a self-sufficient life. And taken by surprise when a charming outsider helps sing his hens into laying, he realizes his newfound Eden is missing its Eve.

My Take: This book took me on a fun journey through the English countryside. I enjoyed the setting very much. I especially liked Micheal, the farmer who left a busy, lucrative living in London to live sustainably, and simply on his parents land in the tiny village of Hope Valley. His love of his farm, his family, his village, and even his chickens make him a very endearing character.

Sarah was a bit more complicated. I loved her adventurous spirit, but was disappointed with her lack of self awareness. She obviously isn’t suited for, or in love with her fiance, but it takes her forever to figure it all out. And I would have preferred for her to break off her engagement at least before getting involved with Michael. I understand that life is messy, and we don’t always do things in the order that we should, and I can see why the author wrote her this way, but it just didn’t sit right with me.

I still recommend this book, the scenery, the hero, and the delightful village characters are enough to make this a worthwhile read.
This review is based on NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.

Sarah has postponed her wedding and is cycling to Edinburgh. On the way she stops in Hope Valley, and after her bike is stolen she sticks around, ending up spending time with Michael.
Michael moved back to the village from the city, and gave up his salary to run a self-sufficient small holding. He knows he is falling for her, but has had his heart broken once before.

Will Sarah choose the security of her fiance or take a chance with Michael?

Looking forward to the rest of the series.

Simply You: A Hope Valley Romance, by Maggie Wild, is an ok book. It was a little boring, and the characters were only ok.

I loved Sarah and Michaels character in this first series of the book!
Sarah is torn between the security of a gilded cage and the precarious freedom of raising chickens. And when her fiancee arrives to bring her back to London, Michael fears she'll leave him with yet another shattered heart.
Great quick heart warming book!