Touching story of relationship ended due to a misunderstanding, a marriage that deals with the loss of a son and
the reappearance of a first love. Complicated feelings and relationships that result in a criminal trial. Characters
all trying to do their best. Surprising twist . Realistic characters that draw one into the story.
#BrokenCountry #Simon&Schuster #NetGalley

In 1955, Beth meets Gabriel Wolfe, the son of the wealthy family in her small English farming village, and they begin a summer romance. In 1968, Beth lives on a sheep farm with her husband Frank and his younger brother Jimmy, in the same village they grew up in. One day, she learns that Gabriel has returned to his ancestral home, with his young son, Leo, after divorcing his American wife. Beth becomes wrapped in their lives, after a tragic accident requires Jimmy to shoot Leo's dog to save their newly born lambs, when she gives Leo a puppy and promises to help train him.
The dual timeline follows the beginning of the romance between Beth and Gabriel in 1955, and the rekindling of their relationship in 1968 as well. From the beginning of the novel, we know someone is dead, and Frank is on trial for their murder. The book fills in the pieces of exactly what happened as the timelines move forward.
I found the writing style of this novel very enjoyable, and felt it was very evocative of a certain way of life in mid-century England. The troubled relationships between Beth and Gabriel and between Beth and Frank were well developed, and I felt the author did a wonderful job showing why Beth made the choices that she did in those relationships. There are a couple twists within the plot, one that I expected and one that I didn't. Overall, the book was well plotted and very enjoyable to read. I will definitely recommend this and look for this author in the future.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

A love story gone terribly, terribly wrong. A child, gone. A farmer, dead. Beth’s life wasn’t supposed to be this way, but she’ll do whatever she can to right the wrongs and hold on to what she has left.

Beth and Gabriel were teenage lovers. They spent a summer playing house, dreaming of a future together. When their love doesn’t go as planned, Beth falls into the arms of Frank, the boy who always loved her. And they are happy. Gabriel moves on, has a son, marries. Beth does the same with Frank. For years they don’t cross paths, but then Gabriel divorces abs moves back to his hometown. And there’s Beth.

Love triangles are always complicated, but this one is one for the ages. Sex, lies, and an irreversible accident that sends a small town spinning.

This book has a lot of hype, and it is well deserved. For fans of Where the Crawdads Sing, Broken Country will break your heart and heal your soul.

Thanks you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

It really wasn't my cup of tea. I gave it a go based on the feedback, but it just wasn't what I expected.

Three stars for me. Others may like it, but it failed to interst me.

Wow, where do I start! The beginning was a little slow but then I couldn’t put this one down. Some twists and heart breaking moments for sure! A story of life’s secrets and the consequences they reap. I highly recommend this one!

"Broken Country" attempts to tackle complex themes of loss, family, and survival, but ultimately struggles to deliver a satisfying narrative. While the setting and atmosphere are well-established, the pacing feels uneven, and the story often gets bogged down in unnecessary details that detract from the central emotional core. The characters, though well-intentioned, are underdeveloped, making it difficult to fully invest in their journeys. The author’s prose is occasionally evocative, but at times it veers into melodrama, undermining the impact of key moments. While the book touches on some important themes, its lack of depth and focus leaves it feeling flat and underwhelming. Fans of slow-burn literary fiction may find it worth a try, but others may find it hard to connect with.

Oh, it's always magical when so late in the year you read a book that turns out to be one of your favorites of the year.

This is the story of Beth who is caught between her first love, Gabriel, and her husband, Frank when Gabriel comes back to town with his son. From the first page, you know that things have gone poorly and there's tragedy. And you are sucked into the story that will not let you go. I was up until 2am reading, not wanting to let go of these characters.

The character development is so beautiful that these characters jump off the page and you miss them long after their story is over. This beautiful story is about love, betrayal, class, brotherhood, parenthood, loss and so much more. It's truly beautiful and I cannot recommend it enough.

with gratitude to netgalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Unfortunately I had to DNF this one. I just couldn't connect with the story and characters and with the constant change of timelines it was hard to follow.
I know many people will enjoy this book; I think I am just not the right audience for it.

Thank you Simon and Schuster and the author for the opportunity to read the ARC.

This book was so well done. It was so beautifully written and heartbreaking in the best way. It wasn't a hallmark tearjerker, this was the real deal and will stay with you for days to come.

At its core this novel is a love triangle that is so relatable despite being set in the past. It explores how one can have strong feelings for more than one person. It is a tale of loss and secrets and betrayal and how your past choices shape your present.

This is one of the best things I have read all year, and I am so proud to have been given the opportunity to review it early. I am recommending this to everyone! Well done.

Heartbreaking story of love and loss. Well developed characters. Loved the way the story comes together, even if it's a bit too tidy.

Broken Country has everything I could want in a novel: a riveting story, beautiful writing, memorable characters — love, loss, passion, heartbreak, fury, forgiveness. And suspense! It’s a fascinating and complicated story that keeps unfolding, with new revelations, right up to the end. Claire Leslie Hall writes beautifully. Her descriptions of the country and farm life, as well as her handling of the characters’ desires and emotions, are masterful and compelling.

This is among my favorite novels read this year and I’m sure it will be on everyone’s favorite lists for 2025. I loved all of the major characters. I was enthralled by the intensity of their love and grieved for their losses and sacrifices. I turned the pages faster and faster as if reading a thriller. And it was, indeed, thrilling, the tension building rapidly toward the end. The ending was unexpected, not altogether happy, and yet so right in so many ways.

The book releases on March 4, 2025. Put it on your TBR now!

I’m grateful to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for an advance reader copy of this book.

I knew this book would break my heart, but I didn’t know it would completely shatter it to pieces. This is going to be a huge hit for 2025. I’ve easily added it to my favorites list. I savored each moment reading this story unfold. There were some unexpected and shocking moments at the end which really tied the story together very nicely. This is an absolute must read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review

This is a very lovely, but sad novel. It’s the story of lies and decency that swirl throughout the lives of 3 people living in postwar rural England. Beth, Frank and Gabriel have lives which intersect multiple times over many years. The tumult caused by this interplay ultimately leads to great tragedy. It is beautifully written with fine character development. The reader has the opportunity to share in all kinds of love and see the unbreakable bonds that the protagonists share.

Because of the scope of the novel there are many characters, some a bit stereotypical. i was involved with the characters, especially the relationship between tge characters and the children. The author really pulled me in and I held my breath until the end of an incredibly fascinating trial.

I recommend this novel to book clubs, many topics to discuss.
Thank you Netgalley for this very special ARC.

A phenomenal U..S. debut novel by Clare Leslie Hall. Two beautiful love stories going completely wrong and ending in tragedy. Part love story and part mystery an explosive combination. Thanks for the advanced read and hope Hall continues writing books like this.

Broken Country has topped my list of favorite books this year. Beautifully written and kept me turning the pages. The farm setting, love story, and heartbreak made for a truly amazing novel. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.

📖 Book Review 📖

📱 "Broken Country" by Clare Leslie Hall

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Expected publication March 4, 2025

An unforgettable, love triangle goes very wrong and deadly consequences entail. This is a beautiful roller-coaster of emotions. One gunshot taken by the brother-in-law on the farm leads back to Beth's long buried past with her first love, Gabriel Wolfe. Gabriel is back with his young son, Leo who reminds Beth of her own little boy she lost years earlier. 

Secrets, jealousy, and seeing what could have been all play into Beth's final ultimatum. This is a thriller and love story all together filled with passion, never-ending love, impossible choices, and horrific accidents that have deep consequences. 


#somanybooks #readsomemore #audiobooks #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #readersofinstagram #readmorebooks #booklover #bookishlove #readersgonnaread #bookishaf

This was such a deeply rich story that I haven't been able to stop thinking about since I finished the last page.

This is a novel about love, loss, guilt, redemption, and family. I don't want to give too much away, so I will keep it short and sweet. This feels like an instant classic. The descriptions are beautiful and the setting felt like I was actually there experiencing everything myself. The way the story unfolded was wonderfully done and took me on such a ride that I was in tears by the very end. This will wreck you, fair warning!

This will definitely be a top must read of 2025. Do not miss it!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for the advanced copy of Broken Country.

The story is captivating, but it is heavy. A bit of a slower start, but it does leave you wanting to know how the story will end. However, the ending left me unsatisfied and sad. There was a lot of loss and grief throughout the story line. How much tragedy can one family handle? Even though the ending left me wanting more, it did end on a hopeful note.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC of Broken Country in exchange for an honest and independent review.

This book absolutely broke me in every way possible. It is beautiful, heartbreaking, and one of the best works of art I have ever had the privilege of losing myself in. There are so few books that you look back on and recall the cataclysmic shift that took place in you after reading. For me, this will always be one of those few. From the moment I started reading, I knew this was going to be good. What I didn’t know was how great it would be and that it would leave me shattered, not even remotely ready to start picking up the pieces.

Broken Country explores first love and how it transcends all time and circumstance. It also explores the possibility of what it means to love more than one person, but in entirely different ways and for entirely different reasons. Broken Country hops back and forth through time from Beth’s teenage years, to the present day trial, and to the lead up to the day that will forever alter the course of life for many. The beauty that is Broken Country is unparalleled and I’m not sure I will ever encounter another story like it.

As the story navigates through time, secrets are slowly revealed that have been hidden for years that entirely shifts the reader’s perspective of the past and how those decisions deeply influenced the future. Sooner or later all sins will be laid bare and it’s how you chose to move forward when that time comes that sets you apart.

I’m calling it right now, Broken Country will be on the ticket for book of the year in 2025. Without question. Add this one to TBR immediately as it releases March 4th, 2025. Grab a box of kleenex and buckle up! You’re in for the story of a lifetime.

What to say about Broken Country? The book is definitely more sad than happy, telling the story of a woman that is married to a good man that she loves, when a tragic incident reintroduces the first boy she ever loved back into her life, and leaving her in an impossible situation. While Beth and Frank love each other, their marriage hasn’t been the same since their son died in an accident on the farm several years ago, leaving the door open for Beth to develop a complicated relationship with her first love, Gabriel, and his son Leo. In a small community their relationship isn’t as secret as they think it is, leading to more tragedy after Frank’s brother goes on a volatile tirade after finding out about Beth and Gabriel’s relationship. The book is well written, but is hard to read for all of the events that happen. In some ways it’s easy to blame Beth for decisions you know will end badly, and yet you can understand why she makes them anyway. I don’t know that it’s possible to have a happy ending to this book, but it’s certainly a thought provoking one, reminding the reader that life doesn’t always get wrapped up in nice tidy packages. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.