Member Reviews
This was a enjoyable slow burn for me but I'm happy to see there is a sequel coming next year. This is one of these books in which the location is as main a character as anyone else and I really like that. An enjoyable read, I'm looking forward to the sequel.
I read this as an ARC on NetGalley
You can really come home again. A nosy family, a crumbling mansion and a too hot to handle chef. Juliet comes home to lick her wounds but finds out you can really come home again and not only finds happiness but a fulfillment she had not had before.
This was a delightful read filled with delicious foods, a heart warming romance and the countryside. Thoroughly enjoyed this one and would highly recommend.
A gentle tale and an easy quick book to read. Love and devotion with cookery the core of the book. The introduction of the puppy Ava could have been developed more in my opinion. Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.
A lovely book full of food and country houses.
Juliet is asked to come back to same the family home, she’s an artist in London and she doesn’t know what to do. Her ex Toby is a narcissist and she won’t block him. Leo the new chef that’s helping open the cookery school is French and polite. Will Juliet go back home and which guy will she choose?
A great setting with good characters. Juliet is a nice girl, but did annoy me when she knew what is wrong is wrong. A quick read and interesting in the next book. 4 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.
3.5 ⭐️
Juliet Carlisle has come back to the family home, Feywood to celebrate her thirtieth birthday. Juliet comes from an artistic familial background.
Juliet’s sisters Martha and Frankie still live there, alongside their father Rousseau and Aunt Sylvia.
Rousseau calls a family meeting. Will Juliet be pulled back to her childhood home?
I like the writing style of the author and enjoyed reading this book. I could picture Feywood completely in my minds eye. I would have loved to have eaten some of the delicious sounding food mentioned.
I believe this is the first of three books in this series, the one’s to follow being Martha and Frankie. I am very much looking forward to reading their stories, especially Martha’s.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.
"Escape to the Country Kitchen" was a lovely book. It is so heartwarming and sweet to two find love with each other with a bump in the road.
Juliet and Leo’s story is told through third person point of view which I have just noticed is not my favorite. The story takes place in the English countryside and it gives very warm and cozy feelings.
The story felt a little superficial and I had a hard time following along with the character development. Trigger warning for abuse and it is a light enemies to lovers trope. I felt like the majority of the book and plot line was one dimensional.
Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Hannah Langdon for providing me with a copy of this book for an honest review.
Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. Unfortunately this book didn't really do it for me, despite liking the concept. I struggled to get into it and didn't particularly like the characters, except Sylvia.
Food and Romance was enough for me to grab this book up (who doesn't love food and romance). I am not sure about the rest of the story. Yes, it is lighthearted and an easy read, but I had trouble relating to the characters. The start of the relationship felt rushed and I missed the chemistry, but I missed the overall connection between them as well. I did love the scene settings. There was the family drama to create a bit of conflict, which was okay. I think I would not have used so much inner dialogue but let them actually talk. I just can’t stand the miscommunication nonsense, but that's probably personal. For me, this was an okay-ish read, but not spectacular or swept off my feet. If you are just looking for a sweet, easy read this would probably do.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley, and Storm Publishing for this ARC.
A cute, sunny tale in a charming setting filled with quirky characters and delicious culinary delights. The author painted a beautiful description of the manor house and cookery school as the characters dealt with their emotional struggles throughout the story.
Escape to the Country Kitchen was ok. I wanted to give it more than three stars because I love the premise of the story but Juliet did not appeal to me as a main character. Thank you for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very quick and cute read. I highly recommend you not reading while hungry or on a diet.
I'm a huge fan of cozy romances. I wish Goodreads would do half stars since this is a solid 3.5 but not a 4.
I want to thank NetGalley for the arc for my honest opinion. This is truly my honest opinion,
Hannah Langdon’s Escape to the Country Kitchen*l, the first book in The Sisters of Feywood series, is a heartwarming and enchanting tale of love, family, and personal growth set against the picturesque backdrop of an English manor. This women’s romantic fiction novel is a perfect escape for readers seeking a blend of emotional depth, culinary delights, and charming romance.
The story follows Juliet Carlisle, a shy and world-weary woman who retreats to her family's dilapidated manor house in Feywood after suffering a painful heartbreak. Expecting solitude, Juliet is instead greeted by a bustling new cookery school run by the charming yet infuriating French chef, Léo Brodeur. Amid the aromas of baking croissants and fresh garden herbs, Juliet's life becomes entangled with Léo's, leading to a series of humorous, touching, and romantic moments.
Langdon excels in creating a richly textured setting that brings the story to life. The manor house, with its crumbling grandeur and bustling kitchen, serves as a perfect backdrop for Juliet's journey of self-discovery and healing. The cookery school adds a delightful culinary element to the narrative, appealing to readers who appreciate detailed descriptions of food and the camaraderie found in the kitchen.
Character development is a highlight of Escape to the Country Kitchen. Juliet is a relatable and sympathetic protagonist whose journey from heartbreak to hope is portrayed with sensitivity and nuance. Her interactions with her meddling but well-meaning sisters and the cheerful, enigmatic Léo are both heartwarming and realistically complex. Léo, with his blend of French charm and hidden depths, is a compelling romantic interest. His backstory and the reason for his sudden departure from France add a layer of intrigue to the romance, making the blossoming relationship between him and Juliet all the more captivating.
Langdon’s writing style is engaging and evocative, perfectly balancing humor and emotion. The dialogue is witty and authentic, capturing the nuances of familial relationships and the tentative steps of a new romance. The chemistry between Juliet and Léo is palpable, building gradually through shared experiences and the warm, inviting atmosphere of the cookery school.
Fans of romantic fiction will find much to love in Escape to the Country Kitchen. The novel’s themes of healing, resilience, and the transformative power of love are universally appealing. Langdon deftly explores Juliet’s internal struggles and growth, making her journey deeply relatable. The subplot involving Léo’s past adds a touch of suspense and complexity, enriching the overall narrative.
Moreover, the novel beautifully highlights the importance of family and community. Juliet’s interactions with her sisters and the students at the cookery school create a sense of warmth and belonging, emphasizing that love and support can be found in the most unexpected places. The detailed descriptions of cooking and baking sessions further enhance this sense of community, drawing readers into the sensory experience of the kitchen.
Escape to the Country Kitchen is a delightful start to The Sisters of Feywood series, showcasing Hannah Langdon’s talent for crafting emotionally resonant and charming romantic fiction. With its well-drawn characters, engaging plot, and evocative setting, this novel is sure to enchant readers and leave them eagerly anticipating the next installment. Langdon has created a story that is both heartwarming and inspiring, perfect for anyone looking to escape into a world where love and family triumph over adversity.
DNF at 30%.
Unfortunately I just wasn't being drawn into this book. The characters weren't appealing, the main female Juliet was actually quite frustrating and the story itself was just a bit boring. Unfortunate because I did quite enjoy Hannah's last book but I just didn't want to continue reading this one. I may come back to it at some point but for now I'll be putting it down. I appreciate the chance to read an early copy.
Rating: 3.5
Juliet feels as if she is the black sheep of her family. A family filled with highly gifted artists, her cartoon drawings never met her mother's expectations. So, she distanced herself from her family and created a new Juliet, one who accidentally fell into an abusive and controlling relationship. With her mother gone and finally free, she has come home at last, but sometimes, the past is hard to let go of. Enter Leo, a sexy French chef opening a culinary school with her aunt. He is hiding from his own shameful past. Can the two learn to trust again and maybe find love, or are they both too damaged to let someone else in?
While I found the country setting charming and can relate to Juliet's self-doubt, I did find it difficult to fall into this novel. By the end, I was frustrated with both Juliet and Leo, and while I enjoyed the ending, it just felt slightly drawn out to me, and so many things were left unfinished. I know this is meant to be a series, but I would have liked some resolution where Frankie was concerned. I found it hard to believe these close-knit sisters would be okay with not seeing her for months on end. Overall, it was a sweet, clean romance with forgiveness, self-identity, and self-discovery themes. If you are looking for a casual book to read, then this may be just right for you.
Escaping an abusive relationship is hard, it costs much. Juliet is not only in the middle of that, but rebelling when family ties are forcing her to return to the family home she had left behind. The one thing I didn’t get was how quickly she changed her mind just because she was being offered a rather rundown lift to stay in. Didn’t make sense. Overall the story was a bit slow for me, with less comedy, but interestingly I felt empathy with the characters. The bits that rang true, Juliet’s broken relationship, Juliet and Leo’s thoughts about each other, the wider family relationships. Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
This was just lovely. A lot of suppressed painful feelings over the death of Juliet’s mum runs through the book. It was great to follow through her working a little bit out, and all the time torn between a bully of an ex and an enigma of a new possible love, all of this is done with greatest French cooking, beautiful art and a family dynamic that is a little bit mad and eclectic.
Escape to the Country Kitchen by Hannah Langdon is a cute romance. A light, easy read. The main characters Juliet and Leo have scarred previous relationships that interfere with their ability to move forward in a new romance. Overall, I found the character development to be a little weak.
Releases Jun 13th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is the first in the Sisters of Feywood series and the main character is Juliet. Feeling obliged to return to the crumbling family home to help out, and put money towards keeping it from going into total disrepair, Juliet returns to also mend her heart. What she hadn’t realised was that the family had set up a cookery school and easy on the eye French chef Leo Brodeur is in residence and there is an attraction. Can she trust again after what she went through with her manipulative ex and plus Leo has his own past to deal with. This had family dynamics, quirky characters and relationships that were not straightforward! Although I enjoyed this there were a few times where I struggled to stay engaged. Saying that I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series to find out what happens to the other sisters. Thank you to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.