Funny and heartfelt book that will leave you laughing. I love the way the author wrote the stories and brought the reader into their world.

Who doesn’t dream of having their own English manor? But each English manor has their own issues. And in the case of Hopwood Hall, it’s falling apart. Hopwood DuPree knew a little of his family history, but only about the American side of the family. It wasn’t until he came across Hopwood Hall during a family history search that he really wanted to learn more about the British side of the family and the hall. He instantly wants to fix this manor up. But he has no idea how to go about this. Hopwood makes new friends with Geoff and Bob, the older gentlemen who know the history of the Hall and are trying to keep it from falling down. And Hopwood, a writer from Hollywood, learns from them both on how to fix an historical landmark the correct way. The book ends with Covid shutting everything down, but the hope to finish the hall still lives.

Hollywood producer Hopwood DePree never thought too much about his unusual name, or the family legend that there was a family manor in England, until his father dies suddenly and he does some exploratory research. He not only discovers the manor but persuades other members of his family to join him on a pilgrimage. While they're all interested in Hopwood Hall, Hopwood can't get it out of his mind, ultimately leaving Hollywood to try to raise the funds to restore the estate. While his real skill is in PR and fundraising, funds are so tight, he does strap on a tool belt and offer his labor.

DePree has an amusing voice, and I'm a sucker for both history and DIY, but this book still was not quite as engaging as I'd hoped. But I think perhaps I was too vested, overwhelmed by the task Hopwood was taking on. I'm interested in reading the sequel to see where the restoration of Hopwood Hall stands. #DowntonShabby #NetGalley

While doing research on his ancestors, a hobby of his, Hollywood producer, Hopwood DePree discovers that his family owns a castle in England. In time, he finds out that early Hopwood family members had survived through every major event in English history, from the Crusades in the 12th and 13th centuries to the Plague in the 1300s. “They endured through every war, famine, and natural disaster after that, all the way until the First World War,” writes Tod (the name his mother gave him at birth in case he didn’t like Hopwood.) Raucous events eventually occur as Hopwood tries to manage his life between being a movie producer in L.A. and supporting the restoration of his 600-year-old inherited castle, plus his new-found community supporters in Middleton, England. To add insult to injury, his ancestor, Ralph Hopwood, murdered a neighbor (by bow and arrow) and 500 years later, the same family, Shaftesbury, still lived over the hill and hadn’t forgotten about the events of the 1500s. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

This was such a fun read! I loved the title's play on "Downton Abbey," as well as the author's sense of humor throughout the book. He keeps the reader engaged, makes the topic (whether history, obscure battles, or home renos) accessible and understandable, and makes me want to learn more--about him and about the estate!

I've traveled throughout Great Britain over the years, and so enjoyed conjuring up mental images of the location and cast of characters. The read was particularly relevant as I'm in the market to buy my first house; not that I'm able to procure a castle, lol, but it was sure fun to think about as I read!

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Really cute book about rediscovering your ancestry by physically visiting a piece of your family’s history. Rich with history and the dizzying amounts of money it takes to properly restore an ancestral home to its original splendor, this book is a must read. In addition, you get to learn what these old structures mean to the community at large, why it is more important than ever to preserve physical history, and the labor of love that is the art of restoration and preservation.

Loved it! It started out a.bit slow, but now that I’ve finished. I’m glad I had many of the details. Restoring Hopwood Hall was an undertaking of epic proportion, and as the work progressed, so did Hopwood’s dedication to seeing this through. I look forward to reading more about Hopwood Hall, and perhaps venturing up to Manchester in December, where I plan to spend Christmas..

✅Ex-pat memoir
✅England
✅Historic Hall (home) renovation
✅Ancient murder
✅Ghost story

I read the first 21 chapters in one sitting. I just could not put it down. I relished following Hopwood through the highs, lows and all of the in-between. It was touching that the locals were so kind and supportive. There is an amazing community there, and they accepted him as one of their own. By the end, I felt like I knew Bob and Geoff personally and wanted to have a brew with them too!

I was quite surprised that the not only the locals but also the members of Historic Houses were so welcoming. He was instantly rubbing shoulders with English Aristocrats, and they weren't snooty at all. They appreciated the work he was doing to preserve history. As envious as their lives may seem, what they do to keep their ancestral homes standing is quite daunting, a real job.

I didn’t want this book to end. It’s the ultimate cozy, feel-good read, and it’s actually a true story! I hope he’s already begun writing a sequel. I want to hear more about the progress on the Hall as well as any potential updates on children to slide down the bannisters!

One suggestion: although you can donate to The Hopwood Foundation, it’s a bit buried with the Hopwood site. Hopwood, you should add a donate page to the website menu as well as a donate button to the home page before publication, so it is more accessible. I have donated and I am sure many other readers will want to as well.

I received this book as an ARC, and this is my honest review. Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow!

This was fun. A Hollywood producer finds out that he is the sole surviving family member of a 600 year old mansion in England. Sounds like a bad B-movie, but it really happened. I enjoyed reading the author's adventures in procuring and restoring the decrepit property. I followed his adventures online, and it really added to the story. Would make a great television series.

This one almost didn't seem real! The name, the ludicrous story of a loser Hollywood producer inherting and fixing up some old British mansion? For real? It does seem real and it was a fun ride. I'll have to check him out on social media and see some pictures.

Hopwood DePree's "Downton Shabby" is an ode to finding your purpose again in the form a decaying, 600 year old mansion a continent and an ocean away. While probably impossible to document the minutia of every detail associated with a seemingly impossible task, DePree takes readers along for a ride where you'll find yourself cheering for him, willing the walls of the crumbling estate to stay in place. The writing is paced enough to keep you interested and relatable in a way that makes you wonder if you could take on the task that he did. Heck, i'm hoping to see the Hopwood Estate the next time I'm in England. Thanks to William Morrow and Company and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview this book. #NetGalley #WIlliamMorrow #DowntonShabby

This is an appealing story of a Hollywood-type 40-something guy who discovers a genealogical link to an old estate in England and winds up uprooting his whole life to spearhead the restoration effort for the old manor house.

The author is humorous, smart and humbled by his new setting. He is not afraid to poke fun at himself, nor are the Brits who have already been working on the house for ages. But Hopwood brings enthusiasm, a strong family connection, and some great fund-raising and PR skills to the effort and makes all the difference. He undergoes a very basic change, moving from LA and the world of tanning sprays and power lunches to rainy rural England and a totally different culture.

There is a lot of humor here, but also some poignant family feelings and a realization of his new life choices. All in all, a fun and worthwhile read. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this quite a bit for the actual nuts and bolts of what it takes to try to restore a historic house. The writing isn't great, though.

Funny and cinematic-no surprise there! An interesting mix of history, humor, local flavor, and good people rallying around a worthwhile race against time. I wish all the best to Mr. DePree, Hopwood Hall Foundation, and the community. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.