Loved!

I enjoyed this story, told in two alternating timelines, telling Diana’s life story. In England, early 1960’s, young women were expected to act a certain way and only do the right things. In Diana’s case, she rebelled against the restrictions, and the consequences drove the rest of her life choices, including meeting Amanda and Simon.

When Amanda’s Mom died after a terrible bout with brain cancer, she is restless and unable to move forward. When she finds out she won a house in England she takes the chance and heads overseas. She meets Diana, Simon and makes friends with several locals, all while learning about the magnificent gardens at Moongate Manor. As time evolves, she learns a lot more as well, and finds herself along the way.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for an eARC of this title. All opinions are my own and are honestly given.

I’ve really enjoyed Kate Forster’s previous titles, so I was excited to be invited to review Fly Me to Moongate Manor. As with Forster’s other books, I found this to be a touching story of love, friendship, and found families, as readers follow the interweaving stories of Moongate Manor’s new inheritor, Amanda; its gardener, Simon, who is on the run from a previous life; and its former owner, Diana. This will be the perfect hopeful read for spring for fans of Forster’s previous works or cozy, gentle women’s fiction.

Fly Me To Moongate Manor is a lovely read about second chances, set in a beautifully described house and garden. I found Amanda to be such a likeable character- she seemed to be one of those people who found the joy in the simplest of things despite losing that what was so dear to her. Her bravery in moving to England and starting again was refreshing and lovely to read about and the new relationships she made once here were heartwarming due to her friendly persona. The secondary characters really brought the story alive for me - providing such colour and depth.
The garden of Moongate Manor particularly caught my attention and it would have been so special to see it first hand in full bloom.

Amanda, Simon, and Diana come together and see their lives change as a result of working in the garden at Moongate Manor, which Amanda won in a raffle. It moves back and forth in time to tell their stories and how they all arrived in this place. Amanda lost her job right after losing her mother so the Manor and the garden as a salve. And the same is true to Simon who was ditched. And for Diana, who can no longer maintain the place. There's a connection (no spoilers) that goes beyond. It's a lovely heartfelt novel that will make you want to put your hands in the soil. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A very good read.

This is a sweet "starting over" book in an idyllic setting. A group of misfits become a strong friend group and a part of the wonderful community. It's touching and funny. There's no real drama here but there is a bit of a mystery about someone's past so it keeps the narrative intriguing.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

What a beautiful story. I loved the idea of the symbolism with the re growth and new life, and also with history finally being put on the right track. Amanda and Simon could so easily be a repeat of past generations, but they are the ones to move forward and put past wrongs right. Amanda doesn’t hold on to the anger and hurt but pushes past it with her heart and Simon does return on his motorbike like he promised - full circle.
I have to say I had my suspicions about the twist toward the end (I don’t want to give away any spoilers) but when you get the full story, it is very moving and a bit heartbreaking also. The flash backs to the 60s were very useful as they gave us a brilliant insight into Diana’s life and just how controlled and how little choice she had, she was stuck even after her parents death.
The supporting characters were great too, I loved Janet and Carole, they were so warm, friendly and caring.
Fantastic from start to finish.

This was a lovely story that I read in one afternoon! I liked everything about the book, the characters and the location.
Of course it might have been a bit predictable but I thought it was still an enjoyable book. I really wanted to live at Moongate Manor.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

Fly Me To Moongate Manor is the story of three people who are all tied together by the Manor of the title. Amanda wins the property in a competiton, and arrives there to meet former owner Diana and Simon, the new gardener Diana has employed on a whim. What follows is a dual timeline story - all three in the present day and 1960s Diana - examining relationships, and the twists and turns of life.

A pleasant enough story, some lovely extra characters (I was very fond of Janet and Carole), and pretty descriptions. I liked the ending, but did feel it was quite obvious.

I enjoyed this book but did fine the time line a bit strange, It felt a bit stilted in places and there was quite a lot of description which was not needed, its a nice holiday read

Listen, what I wouldn't give to have someone ring me and tell me I won a house in the country.... This was a lovely story, with some sadness and pain, and the chance to heal and grow. That being said, I have had the song For Me To The Moon in my head for days now!

This was my first Kate Forster novel, but it won't be my last. She does a great job bringing the characters to live.

Betrayal, heartbreak , grief, friendships, and family drama, can all be found in this novel.
Three people who have been hurt in the past come together at Moongate Manor. Diana who owns Moongate Manor, hires Simon to work for her for the sumer. Soon Amanda shows up at Moongate. Can they overcome the hurt and move forward? Or is the hurt to hard to deal with? As more secrets are revealed, being at Moongate causes second thoughts just as tragedy happens, but is it too late?

Pre-order this book today so that you can read it and enjoy it as much as I did. You won't be disappointed.

I received an advanced copy if this novel from NetGalley for my honest view. I give it 4 stars.

Rating edit: 2.5 stars

I really liked Kate Forster's previous books, absolutely loved Starting Over at Acorn Cottage, and I can pick her book without even reading the blurb, however this time, I'm really surprised that I didn't really enjoy Kate Forster's book.

It's an ARC so I hope it went through another round of revision because this copy had many unnecessary details and dialogues and gardening stuff, so it felt a bit repetitive.

I liked Diana and her background story was good but I didn't feel any connection between Amanda and Simon, which was the most disappointing thing especially because in Kate Forster books romance is usually heartwarming and you can feel the bonding grow.

Overall, not impressed. I'm posting the review on Netgalley only because it's a review copy. Thank you.

After reading Kate Foster’s book before, I requested this one without a second thought and it really met my expectations
Thank you NetGalley for sending me this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a story of 3 souls having lost the hope in life meet each other in the moon gate manor and find solace in one another

A big Yes for me was the story narration which goes back and forth from Diana’s POV in 1960’s to present day Simon and Amanda’s POV
This made me understand and relate to the characters deeply.

I loved the overall storyline and also how simple, genuine and fulfilling the interactions were between the characters.

The only downside for me was the connection between Amanda and Simon, It was simple and natural ( which I guess was the main point) but it wasn’t the type of relation that sparked the heart.

I rate this one a 3.5 stars and would recommend it to anyone who needs a cozy, simple village getaway, something simple that reminds you of life’s miracles.

Kate Forster's novels are always a treat as they're the right mix of escapism, romance, and humour.
This one was compelling and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Such a cute story, I read it in just one sitting. A sweet romance, with grumpy sunshine and second chance tropes.
The forming relationship between Amanda and Diana - the elderly former owner of Moongate Manor - is so lovely.

Told in different points of view with easy to follow flash backs.
Its a bitter sweet story showing how to deal with loss and the ending is perfect.

The book itself has a few editing mistakes - more than I would expect to find - but didn't take away from the story.

Fly Me To Moongate Manor is the perfect summer read, filled with flowers and querky characters.

Thank you #netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review

This book hit me on so many levels. It's gave me so much girl power vibes and go get it attitude. I really enjoyed it.

This was quite a heartwarming story. It features betrayal, love and happiness.
Simon has been betrayed by both his fiancé and best friend. He ends up working in the gardens of Moongate Manor for Diana.
Diana lives in the Gatehouse near Moongate. Her story is told in two timelines, present day and the 1960's.
Amanda has recently lost her mum and needs to find purpose so after 'winning' Moongate Manor in a raffle she heads to England.
I loved how the characters interacted. Amanda is a go getter and charms people into helping her with the garden.
Diana is a very intriguing character with many layers. I really enjoyed her back story.
The whole setting sounded gorgeous and I would love to live there.
I received this free digital copy from the publishers Zeus/ Aria and Aries in return for an honest review. Thanks to them and Netgalley

2.5 stars and mild spoilers ahead

Honestly I would’ve given up on this book if it hadn’t been an ARC and I weren’t so incredibly behind on my reading goal. Now I’m feeling like I just should’ve DNFed considering how little I enjoyed reading it.

Simon and Amanda’s relationship did not develop at all in my opinion and they had no reason to want each other romantically. They were just two sad people who were recently single and in close proximity. I could not understand where she was coming from at all when she was fighting about what a future with him. And don’t you Ben get me started on the ridiculous third act break up.

The whole twist with Diana and Amanda was way too obvious and in my opinion just not done super well. I felt like none of these characters were developed at all. The plot of this simultaneously dragged and skipped over way too many things.

I’m honestly trying to think of things I liked about this book and I guess I liked the concept? But obviously the execution was just not good. I feel bad for having such a negative review but this just was not for me at all, which sucks because the summary reminded me of Twice Shy (which I ADORE) so I was hoping to have a similar experience and just did not get that at all.

Not a bad read but very predictable. The dialogue was odd, stiff and formal. Some contractions wouldn’t have gone amiss. Real people speaking so stiffly is something I have never encountered in real life.

Another beautiful book by Kate Forster. Absolutely lovely, really beautifully written and heartwarming.