A delicious, funny romance. Great beach read.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Quintessential Kate FForde.

A Country Escape was a good beach read. The set up was a typical setting with the heroine taking on a new lease in life by tackling farming and she meets someone in the process. However, I didn't really get the farming aspect and I doubt Kate herself did too. LOL.

All in all, I didn't read this to get farming know how so lack of details didn't really bother me, but I will admit that some of the things that happened made me suspend my belief a little bit too much.

Thanks to The Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC

3.5 stars

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

As usual an enjoyable story.

Fran can inherit an old country farm in the Cotsworth if she can make it profitable in 1 year. Her aunt is in a nursing home and keeps tabs on her progress. The neighbor is handsome and rich and he wants the farm which is next to his property. Fran discovers she has a talent for making cheese and the cows on the farm produce the perfect milk. A disgruntled cousin fighting her all the way wants the farm to sell to developers. A nice easy summer romantic read.

This author and her books are just wow. Throughly enjoyed this one. Sheer and wonderful escapism. Beautifully written. This author is a master of her craft. Do read this one. Beautiful.

A Country Escape by Katie Fforde is a delightful romance about Fran and the farm that she may inherit, Her distant relative Amy is in a care home and offers Fran the opportunity to inherit the farm if she's able to take care of it and keep it running for a period of time. Fran knows nothing about running a farm, but the attractive man who lives next door to the farm is more than happy to help her. Antony is supposedly not a very nice man, and many people warn Fran to stay away from him, but she finds him to be absolutely charming. This story was so fun and heartwarming. Highly recommend! Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

I love Katie Fforde books and this is no exception. Fran is a distant relative of Amy, an old lady now in a nursing home. She has been given the opportunity to run the farm Amy has owned for several generations if she can prove she can make a success of it. There are certain terms and conditions, and although daunting Fran is determined to give it a go. She has the help of a Herdsman of a special and rare breed of cows and her Issie her friend and confidant. As a Chef this is a totally different occupation to what she is used to. Just as things are looking up Roy, another distant relative from Australia shows up. He hadn't shown an interest until a jealous member of the community had contacted him with the intention of getting rid of Fran. She sees her as a rival for the handsome wealthy businessman in the big house next door. I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of country life and romance.

It is a story about Fran receiving an unexpected inheritance from a distant relative, Aunt Amy that if she can make a success of a dairy farm, she will inherit the farmhouse and the herd. She also aware that there is another relative, Roy from Australia who will be competing with her for the inheritance. Aunt Amy has also told her to steer clear of the immediate neighbor, Antony. Fran who is a chef by trade, decided to take up the challenge. However, she did not anticipate the problem that is awaiting her.

Initially overwhelm and have no idea in running a farm, Fran explore to make cheese from the milk given that that the farm in need of immediate fund, she together with her friend, explore ideas to turnaround.

The characters are delightful and well developed. At the beginning of the story, I was expected a hostile Antony based on Aunt Amy’s warning to Fran. Surprisingly, as Fran get to know him, she finds that Anthony is one of the nicest people she has ever met and Fran begin to find herself falling in love. I love Fran’s determination in making the farm work despite that she scares of cows on the farm. Overall it is a charming and fun read for me.

I love Katie Fforde's books - they feel like a cozy warm hug and this one is no different. Fran's a fish out of water when she takes over her distant cousin's farm. Hijinks ensue, relationships are formed with another distant cousin and the neighbors, and there's a HEA. Just a happy feel good warm hug.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

A sweet, charming read by a solid author.

Fran has decided to try her hand at farming, despite having no experience whatsoever and being afraid of cows. A distant cousin has asked her to, and if she makes a go of it, she can inherit. Fran is a chef, so she makes the most of her opportunities and along the way, she settles into life on the farm and a friendship with Antony next door - a man that cousin Amy dislikes, although Fran can't figure out why.

This is a gentle read, good for these turbulent times, I have found.

4.5 stars from me.

A Country Escape is a very nice, pleasant read.
The English countryside sounds so beautiful with the authors descriptions.
You will be reading about farm life….cows and cheese are the theme.
I did enjoy reading A Country Escape though I can’t say its a favorite.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Having grown up reading farm books by Enid Blyton, I jumped at the chance to read a romance set in the English farming countryside. The best thing about the book is how a newbie chef from London develops as a farmer managing hereditary livestock and selling the milk. She has innovative ways to make the broken down farm profitable through supper clubs and learning to make cheese to sell. She is on probation for a year. If she can make a go of the farm, then her elderly relative will let her inherit it. Of course, there is a dastardly villain relative who also wants the farm, and he comes in twirling his mustache. Then there is the wonderfully kind neighbor who is so easy on the eyes but with whom she is supposed to be at daggers drawn, according to her elderly relative. Instead, she is as drawn to him as he is to her. Fforde is talented in detailing her setting. You feel like you are on that farm with the heroine facing the challenges and experiencing the joys. If you're someone who enjoys the English countryside, this is a story not to be missed.

Review published in Cogitations & Meditations on May 27. (http://keirasoleore.blogspot.com)

I have recently been introduced to Ms. Fforde's books and have been enjoying them. This one also did not disappoint. Fran's childhood dream of becoming a farmer just might come true, as she will be taking care of her Aunt Amy's farm since she is no longer able to do so. If she is able to turn a profit after a year, then the farm will be passed down to her. Despite her love of farming, she know nothing about it and will need the help of her friend, and the handsome neighbor, Antony. Even though her aunt has warned her to stay clear of Antony, she can't help but be drawn to him. He has been helping her out quite a bit, but one has to wonder is it because he is just being a good neighbor or does he have an ulterior motive?
All the characters in this book were lovely and I enjoyed getting to know them. The story was nicely written and very entertaining. An easy and enjoyable read, and I am happy to have had the opportunity to review this.
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

A Country Escape is just like the cheeses Fran makes in the story. It will leave a warm feeling that is enjoyable and is light at the same time. Friendship, romance and new beginnings form a major part of the story.
The English countryside comes to life in this book. Though I would have liked more depth to the characters, the main characters in general are likeable. The story is predictable but at the same time, is not boring till the end. One scene in the book almost at the end is really funny and enjoyable to read.
If you are in mood of reading about farms, cows and cheese, you won't be disappointed with this book. A fun and easy read.

A Country Escape is a touching story by Katie Fforde of a young woman finding her place in this world. Fran has an opportunity to having her dream fulfilled of becoming a farmer. An aunt who gives her an option of working the farm for a year then perhaps inheriting it. It comes with many issues, struggles, debts, and cows that she feared a bit. It also comes with surprises, friends, new love, and a confidence that grew as she worked to make the farm profitable.

It is a slow burn romance with more than a touch of woman’s fiction thrown in for good measure. Even with the mystery of who gets the farm you feel as if Fran will land on her feet. I loved the conclusion as well as the reading of the will scene. I also loved that Fran had no actual experience with farming so that she jumped in and learned on the job so to speak.

A relaxing read that kept me interested to learn the final outcome.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Fran and her friend, Issi, have arrived at Hill Top Farm in Gloucestershire. Fran is a trained chef but is eager to try her hand at farming.

Amy Flowers is the owner of the farm and has just moved into a care home. According to the woman’s solicitor, Amy appears to be a distant cousin of Fran's, several times removed, and hopes that Fran can get the farm and cows earning money in six months time as it is currently not doing so. Amy also tried to contact another distant relative, Roy in Australia, who never responded.

Amy tells Fran that the herd of cows is a special breed and bloodline which must be kept going. Tig Brown manages and cares for the herd. His mother lives next door to him by the farm. She and Fran become good friends. Fran’s assigned job from Amy is to do office work, food ordering, and taking care of the buildings. At the end of a year if she does a good job, Fran will inherit the farm.

Amy has warned Fran away from neighbor Antony Arlingham who wants to buy the farm and, perhaps, establish a vineyard. But the land has never been plowed and needs to be left as such. However, she and Antony become friends and he helps her quite a lot.

The entrance to the farm is sometimes impassible so the milk truck cannot pick up the milk. Amy has been throwing it away but Fran knows she can make various soft cheeses from it. At one time, a special cheddar had been made on the farm and she wants to start that again but needs good equipment and sanitary conditions.

As the story grows, Fran realizes that she must do all she can to keep the farm going as it has become so precious to her.

When the other distant relative Roy, appears, Fran is taken aback by his nasty, rude behavior as he is convinced he will be left the farm and he means to sell it all off. So, when Amy dies, who is the beneficiary of her estate?

I really loved this book. Fran’s passion for the farm and her determination to do all she can to save it is truly heartwarming. The characters are charming and well-created and in addition to it all, I learned a lot about a the farm and cheese making. Well done. Great book. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A Country Escape is vintage Fforde. Her heroine, Fran, has the possibility of inheriting her aunt's farm if she can make a go of it over the course of a year. Fran is a chef in London and sees this as an opportunity to change her life and agrees to go. Of course, there are problems from the get go and a devious relative pops out of the woodwork contesting Fran's claim. Then there is the handsome neighbor Antony who her Aunt warns her not to have anything to do with but is very helpful and attentive.
I love how Fran copes with everything that happens even though she is clueless about farming and somewhat leery of cows. Like most of Ms. Fforde's heroines, she has pluck and a good brain and isn'.t afraid of hard work. Her romance with Antony is sweet. and the obnoxious cousin makes a suitable villain. I think the title is perfect because reading the book is an escape into country life.
I have been reading Katie Fforde books for over 20 years. I started with Thyme Out, I discovered there were some previously published books and got them as well. I haven't missed one since. I was so happy to see that her books are being published in the US because I usually get them from England so I don't have to wait. I wish that her books would be more available on audio.

I just love Ms. Fforde’s books, They always feel like a hug or a ray of sunshine,,just wonderful, Thank you netgalley and publisher for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for an ARC for an honest review.

Fran has just left her job in London for the chance to inherit a farm (from a distant relative, Amy) with absolutely no farming experience and a fear of cows.

She crosses paths with Anthony Arlingham, whom Amy dislikes due to a past family history with his grandfather. Anthony is interested in purchasing the farm from Amy, who refuses and would rather pass it to distant relatives.

However there is more than meets the eyes with Anthony, and he lands his hand in helping Fran adjust to her new life (while at first wary of him, Fran does warm up to him).

But trouble stirs, when another distant relative from Australia, Roy, appears, and he makes it very clear that he is there to sell the land.

This is a heartfelt story, and while I felt that romance wasn't that big of a plot in the story, it was really nice to read a story about a city girl adjusting to her new life, as she tries to build a relationship with Amy, as well as trying to find a way to save the farm.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC of A Country Escape!

This is my second Katie Fforde book, and I loved it.

A Country Escape has all the feel-good elements I wanted. A picturesque setting, interesting characters—some to root for and others to loath, and a premise to keep the story going from beginning to end.

Fran is so relatable! I loved her relationship with her friend Issy. And I loved Fran's strength in wanting to do what is right and stand up to the man who wanted to buy the land.

I also liked Antony—I kept wondering if he was hiding a deep secret. And then there's Roy and Megan—yep! I hated them just like I was supposed to.

Do you have a grumpy relative you love? I do! And Amy is that relative—I adored her and all her fussiness.

This book was so charming! I'd even read it again. It's a closed door romance and appropriate for older teens if they love romance. I think this book will particularly appeal to adult romance readers.