I was very hesitant to read this at first because I just thought that it might be getting over hyped. Boy, was I wrong. This book truly deserves all the stars. I recommend completely going in blind like I did, and immersing yourself in this story. The writing was fantastic, I felt like I was truly in the hills of rural England on the farm with Beth and Frank. This story is all encompassing. It has a love story, a second chance romance, a tragedy, and a murder mystery. The pacing of the book was so incredibly smooth, allowing for the reader to become fully entrenched in the story. It was poignant and the writing was truly beautiful. I know that my heart will be in this small village with Beth, Frank, and Gabriel for some time. I don’t want to give anything else away as the reader deserves to just experience this book on their own. Just know that I was sobbing by the end. This is my top contender for book of the year so far. HIGHLY recommend!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Simon & Schuster for an advanced reading copy of this beautiful and tragic book. All opinions within this review are my own.

Clare Leslie Hall's "Broken Country" is nothing short of a literary masterpiece. From the very first page, I was utterly captivated by the lush, evocative prose and the deeply human characters that populate this compelling story. Hall weaves a narrative that seamlessly blends elements of a sweeping love story, a gripping mystery, and a poignant exploration of the enduring power of the past.

The novel's dual timelines are expertly handled, creating a sense of tension and anticipation that builds with each chapter. Hall skillfully reveals the layers of her characters' lives, exposing their vulnerabilities and the secrets they hold close. Beth's journey is particularly resonant, as she grapples with the complexities of love, loss, and the choices that define her. The dynamic between Beth, Frank, and Gabriel is charged with emotional intensity, and I found myself completely invested in their intertwined fates.

The emotional grief and magnitude of sadness that Beth feels for the loss of her son resonated with me as a mother. Imagining how she felt when the accident that took his life happened and dealing with the subsequent pain of losing a child is something I never want to experience. I could tell how painful this was for Beth and the author didn't shy away from painting a true portrait of motherly grieving.

What truly sets "Broken Country" apart is its exquisite attention to detail and its ability to evoke a powerful sense of place. The English countryside comes alive on the page, serving as a backdrop for a story that is both intimate and epic in scope. The author's ability to create atmosphere is incredible.

The twists and turns within the plot are expertly delivered, and the emotional payoff is immense. This book is a true page-turner, one that will stay with you long after you've finished reading.

"Broken Country" is a stunning achievement, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who appreciates beautifully written, emotionally resonant fiction. This book is sure to be a favorite of 2025.

really riveting family drama - I got so angry at some of the decisions that some of the characters made (Beth and Gabriel - I'm looking at you, and Jimmy too) but I could not stop reading. Ended on a hopeful note, but I think Frank is too good to be true - the man was perfect.
The book looks at how decisions we make about love, and telling the truth ripple through families and the impact that they h

This book had me hooked from the very first page, and I couldn’t tear myself away. I didn’t want to stop reading, yet at the same time, I never wanted it to end. Without a doubt, it’s one of my favorite reads of the year so far-a story best experienced with no prior expectations, just the promise of an unforgettable journey.

A masterful blend of family drama, shocking twists, and raw emotion. This novel delivers heartbreak, tragedy, love, loss, and even a murder trial. So much emotional depth pulls you through every moment of tension and tenderness. It’s the kind of book that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page. Breathtaking, powerful, and deeply moving—an absolute must-read.

While the book was slow to start, and probably could’ve been a tad shorter, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was easy to feel what the characters felt and understand their reasoning. It broke my heart several times, shocked me a few, and I even LOL’d once or twice. Overall a great read I highly recommend.

I have tried this book both reading and by audiobook and lost interest in continuing. This is completely a me thing and I should have read the description more carefully as I do not like reading anything about infidelity or even the hint of it. This is a case where the hype surrounding the book got me.

The pros of it are the writing style and lyrical prose.

Readers who enjoy emotional drama, prepare for an rollercoaster ride. Love triangles, secrets and small town drama sets the stage for a lot of heartbreak. Set in two time periods, readers will get caught up in this story. Recommended.

An English farmwife must face her past when her first love returns to town. As she grapples with what she has now and what could have been, she’s torn between the memories of youth and her steady, quiet husband. Author Clare Leslie Hall brings to life the happenings of a small town in vibrant descriptions of the English countryside with a plot that is only so-so in her latest book Broken Country.

In the small British town of Hemston, Beth Johnson is happy as a farmwife. Well, mostly happy. She and her husband, Frank, lost their only son in a terrible accident a few years earlier, and they’re still coping with their grief. They have each other, though, and Frank’s younger brother, Jimmy, who is devoted to their little family. An imminent engagement for Jimmy with his longtime girlfriend, Nina, promises to bring happiness to the Johnson farm once again.

Then Gabriel Wolfe moves back to the village, and for Beth it seems like time has folded in on itself. When she was a young woman, she and Gabriel met on the expansive grounds of his family’s palatial home. For one blissful summer, they were everything to each other. Then Gabriel went to Oxford, and everything changed.

Gabriel’s mother didn’t approve of Beth at all, but Beth truly believed the love she shared with Gabriel would stand strong against all of the naysayers. She didn’t know her love would be tested by themselves. After a falling out, Beth vowed to turn her back on the entire Wolfe family. Frank, in love with her from the time they were kids, quietly stepped into the role of Beth’s companion, and she eventually found love with him.

But now Gabriel’s back, and everything is muddled again. Worse, he’s brought his young son, Leo, who would have been about the same age as Beth and Frank’s son had he lived. Despite knowing it’s a terrible idea, Beth finds herself taking Leo under her wing and teaching him everything she once taught her own boy. That doing so gives her an opportunity to be near Gabriel once again doesn’t escape her, and before either of them knows what’s happening they find their way back into one another’s arms.

Beth is beside herself with guilt but also relief. She and Gabriel work through the misunderstanding from years before, but finding resolution for that only brings more complications into their lives. Beth is still married to Frank and still loves him. Frank was her support through trying times, and Beth knows it would be wrong to end their relationship. But Gabriel had her heart first, and as she continues to spend time with him she realizes he’ll carry a piece of it forever.

Author Clare Leslie Hall sets up her book with a nonlinear timeline that doesn’t add much to the overall story. The novel opens at the start of a murder trial, but Hall takes her time revealing who’s accused of the crime and who died. Instead, she alternates moments in the trial with two other stories—the first of Beth and Gabriel in the early days of their first romance and the second of the time in the year leading up to the murder. All three stories converge eventually, but the writing device feels a little unnecessary.

Also unnecessary is the nonlinear timeline. Hall writes of small-town England with a practiced hand, and Beth and Gabriel’s romance from their early days is compelling. The periodic interruptions to go back to the trial and to the year leading up to it don’t build suspense; instead, they feel more disruptive than anything else.

In the end, more discerning readers may find themselves frustrated by Beth as a protagonist. She essentially starts and ends the book in the same place. Even though she expresses guilt at her infidelity, after a while those feelings start to feel hollow. Beth reiterates for readers just how much Frank is devoted to her, and Hall shows him to be so in scene after scene. It’s somewhat baffling then just why Beth would repeatedly run to Gabriel.

Frank’s passivity, while explained later in the book, might make some readers impatient for a while. The reason doesn’t feel quite strong enough to justify it. Also, marketing materials make it seem like explosive information is forthcoming, but the description is greatly exaggerated.

The book tries too hard to be a mystery and a romance all rolled into one. Readers who appreciate lovely descriptions of small towns might want to check this out.

Destined to be one of the best books I read this year - I never wanted it to end. It's an epic love story, right up there beside Cathy and Heathcliff/ Jane and Rochester; a murder mystery, where the reader not only doesn't know who the killer is but isn't sure of the victim; it's a family saga playing out over many years with a central protagonist who is faced with impossible choices; it's the story of two young boys caught up in family dynamics and paying the price; it's the story of a small English village with its class struggles; it's a lyrical ode to the pastoral life and the natural world. Don't miss this one -

Wow, the way I devoured this book in 24 hours.

Beth is happily married to Frank, a calm farmer that is happy tending to animals and being outside all day. They are both struggling with the grief of their lost son, Bobby, which they don't talk about to bury their pain. Beth is content with her simple life, until one day her world tilts down when her first love Gabriel and his son Leo move back to their village. It's also not helpful that Leo looks a lot like Bobby, being almost the same age Bobby once was. With Gabriel's return, Beth remembers the woman she once planned to be. Going to university to become a poet, living among books and words. Nevertheless, she wouldn't change a thing of her current life.

What makes this book so interesting is all the things it contains: a love triangle, a portrayal of grief, a murder and a trial. It was greatly executed, it kept me on the edge of my seat. I love the writing, so calm and cozy, not rushed at all. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

Thank yo to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was a very good book. I loved the storyline and the characters. I think it was well written and the characters had great growth. I would definitely recommend this book.

A staggeringly woeful, character driven story of love, tragedy, and forgiveness in the life of one woman and the two men she adores.

A devoted couple, Beth and Frank love each other deeply but a great tragedy has caused their marriage to flounder. When Beth’s former flame, Gabriel, returns to town with his son in tow, the feelings she once had for him are rekindled, despite her love for Frank. As a love triangle develops, hostilities surface and a man is murdered. In the aftermath of the murder, someone Beth cherishes must stand trial and atone for their sins.

This book was beautifully written, but somewhat bleak to read. The author expertly details the suffering, tragedy, longing, and heartbreak that unfolds so that it is nearly palpable. While I loved that the book began with a mystery, it didn’t have the shock value for me that I felt it could have. The story is presented in a meandering timeline but past and present are clearly delineated at the beginning of each chapter, making it simpler to connect the dots to the final big reveal. If you enjoy a devastating but redeeming family drama then give Broken Country a shot. Pairs well with a stiff drink, a box of tissues, and a big hug from your doting significant other.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (𝟜.𝟝/𝟝)

This book was completely captivating from start to finish. And the ending!!! You will need a box of tissues handy. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
This book y’all is really good, I mean five stars good! I would give more if I could, it’s been a long time since I’ve read a story that I thoroughly enjoyed and could not put down. It was everything I’ve been missing in books since the last year or so. It has mystery, love triangle, murder, and unexpected twists. The dual timelines were perfectly placed. I believe this book will get a lot of attention really fast! It has Crawdad vibes but so different but also reminds me a bit of Jodi Picoults old writing style. Out now, Don’t miss it!

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Okay, I get the hype here! BROKEN COUNTRY has the pacing of a thriller and debut author Clare Leslie Hall already knows exactly how to keep a reader in suspense throughout. As far as the story itself goes, I'd say this one is a bit of a case of "not for me" in terms of place, time, and characters involved. The book's latter twists are absolutely terrific and elevate the story before it. Lots to appreciate here!

I'm not sure what the secret sauce was in this novel, but I absolutely loved it. The characters felt so real, their emotions raw and totally valid for their situations. I loved the depiction of country life and all it demands. I loved the multiple timelines and how everything came together to reveal the truth behind one fateful night that changed two families' lives forever. I mostly agree with the pitch of this book as a love story/thriller, if the thriller pace slowed at times to smell the spring breeze. The ending had me fully weeping. Definitely recommend!

This book was exactly what I needed to break out of my reading slump!

Beth and Frank have built a peaceful, simple life together as farmers in the English countryside. They've been together since they were teenagers and have weathered everything life’s thrown their way. Frank is the kind, gentle husband that Beth feels incredibly lucky to have. But when her childhood love, Gabriel—the man behind her first devastating heartbreak—shows up in the Meadowlands with his son, everything in Beth’s life changes in ways she never expected.

At first, it seems like a typical love triangle, which isn't usually my favorite trope. But as I kept reading, the depth behind this story became evident. Broken Country is a story of love, loss and everything that comes in between, with some unexpected mystery and a murder trial thrown in that kept me hooked.

The chapters are short, and the writing is straightforward, which made it super easy to read. At the same time, the story is told with just the right amount of depth and emotion. By the time I hit the last quarter of the book, it had definitely left an impact on me.

I’m big on deep character exploration, and the only reason I’m knocking off a star is because sometimes Beth felt more like an observer of her own life, instead of someone really going through the emotional rollercoaster I’d expect her to experience in her situation.

I’ve been excited to read this ever since I saw all the glowing early reviews, and I’m happy to say the book doesn’t disappoint. And even though I’ve read a ton of love triangles, this ending was perfect and left me feeling satisfied.

Huge thanks to Simon & Schuster and Claire Leslie Hall for the gifted copy!

This is a beautifully written book. It deals with grief on every level and exposes the beauty of love when you go through difficult trials together as a married couple. I would recommend it to anyone.

Sadly I am in the minority and didn’t love this one. I think I went in with too high of expectations. The first half was so slow & by the time I got fully invested, it was over. The writing was gorgeous and I would read others by the author.

Ok look, I know I’m not the first (or the last) to tell you about this book. I know it’s everywhere, but let me be another voice in the chorus to tell you, it is worth the hype.

This stunning novel did everything I want a literary novel to do — painted a stunning scene that made me feel like I was in the middle of the story, crafted characters so real they felt like real people that I knew and loved, and kept me sucked in with a propulsive plot that kept me turning the pages.

Even throughout the conflict in the story, none of the main characters were the villain and I really loved and felt for everyone in the story. Even when the main character made choices that were hard to agree with, it wasn’t hard to truly understand her feelings or why she did what she did. That, to me, is such a mark of a good story.

The underlying mystery in this mostly character-driven story really kept the story moving forward and the pacing and format as the timeline jumped back and forth were done brilliantly.

This book sucked me in, made me fall in love, broke my heart and put it back together again. There’s no way this book won’t be among my favorites of the year. I absolutely loved it.