Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall is an unforgettable story that I am still thinking about. I felt so many different emotions while reading this book! I was drawn to the cover and name of this book immediately. On a normal day, a random dog runs into Beth and her husband Frank's farm and begins to attack the sheep. Her husband's brother has to put down the dog. Beth is shocked to see that the dog belongs to the man she loved as a teenager (Gabriel) and he has moved back to town. His son Leo reminds Beth of her son Bobby, who died a few years earlier. Ever so slowly, Beth is pulled back into Gabriel's life. The tension between Beth and Frank begins to climb. What happens next is earth-shattering for everyone involved.

This novel is told in dual timelines which ratchets up the gut-wrench factor. It keeps you guessing and has a thriller element, which I like. The romance and love aspect is more of a slow burn. It's like the author shows you both sides of the coin and I can't say more without giving anything away. The tenderness concerning the children made me tear up many times. This is a story that could happen in real life, to anyone you know.

Overall, I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. When a book makes you feel almost every emotion in the book so to speak, and you still think about it days later, that's a winner for me. I felt so many emotions reading this book. You will love this book if you like Where the Crawdads Sing or authors similar to Kristin Hannah. I recommend it!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

OMG I LOVED this book!! From the first chapter I was captivated, I adored the characters, the sex scenes were intensely hot yet not pornographic. The story is heartbreaking one minute and then uplifting the next. These characters are so well fleshed out that they will stay with you for a while. The writing feels raw and heartfelt. The landscapes are lush and make you feel like you are in the story. There is a twist that I NEVER expected but it made me love the book even more. The flashbacks flesh out the story and fill in the gaps way better than my imagination did. I hope this gets made into a movie because I’d watch it way more than once. It’s a story of loss, resilience and self re-discovery. I can’t recommend this book enough.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall.

Minor spoilers ahead, approach with caution.

Oof, I don't know how to feel about this one. It was a good story, a slow burn, very compelling, but the infidelity? Uuuuugh, I'm not a fan, it never hits me well, even when the love is deep and long abiding.

Frank and Gabriel were once young and deeply in love, but when Gabriel left her without much word, Beth ran into the arms of Frank. Sweet, stable Frank, who also always loved Beth, and the two quickly get married. But years later, when Frank's brother Jimmy shoots a stray dog getting at their lambs, Beth discovers that Gabriel is back, has a son, and is a famous author.

It doesn't take long for Beth and Gabriel to find each other again, a reunion cloaked in pain, tragedy, and a deep longing. But when the affair is discovered, it launches an even greater loss, one that reveals elements to their relationship that no one would expect.

I am all about a love story, and I'm empathetic to the "one that got away" plight too, but there's not much in my mind that excuses blatant cheating. It's still cheating, and someone is still hurt, and poor Frank! Sweet, long standing Frank, he was a martyr throughout the whole book. It broke my heart, and made it really hard to enjoy the story. Maybe that was the point though, digging into the nuance of it all.

Have you ever read a book that tore your heart out, kicked it across the floor, and then picked it up and put it back in place? No? Just me? Either way, Broken Country did just that. And honestly, I don’t know if I even have the words to express the emotions of this book. Give me a week to process all these feelings and I will likely have more to say ha!

Thank you to Simon Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Broken Country by Clare Leslie pulls you in with its vivid landscapes and raw, heartfelt storytelling. The author’s ability to capture the rugged beauty of the setting while delving into deep emotional themes makes this a compelling read. It’s a story of resilience, loss, and self-discovery, with characters that linger in your thoughts long after. Leslie balances the grit and grace of her characters so well, making it an engaging journey worth every page.

Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall asks the question can a woman love 2 men at the same time. Beth is happily married to Frank but then Gabriel, first teenage love reenters her life. A wonderful read with great characters and a really good storyline! Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A wonderfully happy married woman is in mourning after the tragic death of her son. But then.....her first love moves back to the small village and turns everyone's life upside down.

While this sounds a lot...chipper than it truly is. This is quiet book. While there is a sense of danger throughout each page, Clare Leslie Hall is about to capture the peacefulness of a small village. The love triangle at the core of this book is heavy and essentially, the entire plot of the story, but the atmosphere that is created is so well-written that it was a pleasure to read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall caught my attention from the first chapter and kept me coming back for more. These characters will stay with you long after you have finished the book.
Beth and Frank live a simple farm life. Frank's brother has finally met the perfect woman and they are to be married. Life is good. One day, to protect their sheep, Frank's brother shoots a neighbor's dog and their world is never the same. The dog's owner was Gabriel, a man from Beth's past. Once a young couple, the relationship ended before it should have. With Gabriel back in Beth's life, so much comes to light and many lives will never be the same.
Beautiful characters, beautiful setting, beautiful writing. I loved every minute of this book. This book was sad at times. You can feel the love and emotion between these characters. I would highly recommend Broken Country to all of my reading friends. I would love to read other works by Clare Leslie Hall in the future. 5 BIG stars for me! Special thanks to NetGalley, Clare Leslie Hall, and Simon & Schuster for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

😮‍💨😭This book…when I say I cried, I mean that I cried.
It had me feeling what the characters were feeling. I felt the heartache. I felt the love and I felt the intense passion between them.

This is a story about Beth, Frank, and a past that comes walking back into their lives. One event changes everything.

There are flashback chapters that bring everything together.

I chose this book because of the cover and I didn’t read what it was about. I feel that I have more of a candid reaction this way instead of a predisposed opinion based on a nutshell summary.

Honestly, I hope this is made into a movie. 5 stars.

I received an #ARC from #NetGalley and Simon & Schuster. I am leaving this review voluntarily. Publication: March 4, 2025.
#BrokenCountry #ClareLeslieHall

Young love, loss, a torrid affair, and a murder trial shape this quick and emotional read. Told through dual timelines, the past and present paint the story of a young love torn apart too soon, the loss of a child driving a wedge between a loving couple, alcoholism tearing apart brothers, and a boy whose mother is an ocean away bringing his father and his first love back together. A torrid love affair ensues and someone ends up murdered. A beautiful and emotional story with a twist I didn’t see coming, though I am so angry at the protagonist and her deplorable behavior. This is much more of a love triangle than a whodunit or mystery, but the twist at the end was a surprise.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Broken Country" is a poignant and gripping exploration of resilience and survival set against the backdrop of a changing landscape. The author skillfully weaves together personal stories and broader themes of loss, identity, and the struggle for belonging, creating a narrative that resonates deeply. The characters are richly drawn, each grappling with their own demons while navigating a world that feels increasingly fractured. While the pacing can occasionally falter, the emotional depth and vivid descriptions of the setting more than compensate, immersing readers in the heart of the story. Overall, this novel offers a compelling reflection on the complexities of life and the bonds that hold us together, earning a solid four stars for its heartfelt storytelling and evocative prose.

I was so pulled into this book from page one and all the way though. I am not a romance reader per se but this one was full of relationships and drama and overall thrilling. It was full of people who felt real and their lives, loves and feelings are on full display. This is the kind of book that draws you in and will take you in a journey. And I for one loved the journey. I read a NetGalley version of this book

This book was a multi-layered experience for me. It combines love, coming of age, marriage, death, tragedy, anger, hope, and family. It hit me in all the feels that is for sure.

This story is set in the English countryside, and it follows the paths of two local teens who fall deeply and madly in love before the real world tears them apart. This story seemed like it would be a traditional romance until you got to know the characters more intimately and became invested in their happiness, then it becomes apparent that there is no way for everyone to have a happy ending in this tale.

These characters are not all perfect, and some questionable choices are made in terms of ethics, but they are all very realistically portrayed. The emotions, choices, and repercussions of those choices are also real. I even got a tiny bit emotional at the end but in the best way.

I won’t say that this book rocked my world, but it was a satisfying read. 4 stars!

“Broken Country” by Clare Leslie Hall is a beautiful and tragic love story. It is a messy family drama with a forbidden love triangle between a country girl, a privileged wealthy boy, and a farmer. We know from the onset that there is a death and we are taken on the journey of then and now into these people’s lives to discover what actually happened. The novel explores how unresolved emotions and bad decisions impact who you are today compared to who you once were. The weight of buried secrets and the complexity of the tension filled relationships of these characters will keep you turning every page. The ending is stunning and it’s a reminder that past actions always have consequences! I loved this book and highly recommend it to everyone.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was so good and heartwrenching. When her former college sweetheart moves back to town, Beth doesn't think it will be a big deal until she meets Gabriel's son. Reminding her of her own son who passed away, Beth starts spending time with Gabriel and old flames rekindle. Throughout the book there is a hint of a shooting that will happen (lots of foreshadowing), but the ending was excellent! Love this book.

This was one of the most emotional books I have ever read. I was so consumed with the storytelling that I read it all in 1 day. Clare Leslie Hall is my new favorite author!!!
A story of family drama and profound heartache. I cannot say anything without giving away too much about the story. It will be a book you will think about long after you read the last page.
I promise you that you have to read this book. This will definitely be a movie one day.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the gifted ARC provided by NetGalley. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

This story had me feeling all the feels! By the end, I was a total mess (in the best way). Set in the stunning English countryside of the 1960s, this story packs in family drama with an unexpected twist that had me completely hooked. The characters are so beautifully flawed and human, making every high and low hit home. If you’re up for a rollercoaster of emotions with an unforgettable finish, grab this one ASAP. 4.5 stars!

Thank you Net Galley and Simon Books for the ARC of Broken Country for an honest review. I absolutely loved this book. I couldn’t put it down but I also didn’t want it to end. This is the best book I have read in a long time. I was drawn in right away to all the characters. The author did such a great job that they felt real to me and I had all different emotions for all of them. There was a twist I wasn’t expecting as the story unfolded toward the end.
I highly recommend this book. It gives you all the feels.
I don’t give a lot of 5 star reviews but this book definitely deserves it.

This is the best book I have read all year. The novel takes place in the idyllic countryside of Dorset, England. At its core, this novel is about love: first love, mature loyal love, love between siblings; and love between a child and parent. I was engrossed from beginning to end. The writing and character development are superb. This novel has everything to keep you turning the pages including twists and gasp out loud moments. I highly recommend this book. Add it to your "to be read" lists now.

Thank you to @netgalley and @simonbooks for the ARC. Broken Country will be published on March 4, 2025.

PRO TIP #1- do not read if animal death is a trigger
PRO TIP #2- do NOT read while at work on lunch break, etc unless you are OK with being asked why your eyes are red and/or are crying.

5/5
I love-LOVE-L O V E D! this book by Clare Leslie Hall- I've seen a couple other people mention that it has a little bit of everything in it, and I absolutely agree. There is mystery, there is romance (oh, my beating heart)- and heartbreak, twists and turns and so much depth in the characters and the storyline. The love triangle is INTENSE. Initially I strongly favored one side, but Clare was easily able to entrance me with her innerworkings of Beth's emotions and feelings that all my feelings became muddled together because this isn't a black and white situation. There are gray areas- so many layers that affected every single character and influenced their decision-making.

WHEW...this is one I will not forget. It starts off with a bang (literally), and ends equally as unexpected as it started,