Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall is a captivating novel set in a rural countryside that alternates between the past and present, with multiple timelines weaving through the narrative. The book dives deep into a love story intertwined with a mystery, complete with a plot twist that keeps you turning the pages. It’s a definite page-turner that captures attention from start to finish.

With its emotional depth and twists, it’s no surprise that Broken Country has become one of the buzziest books on Bookstagram. In fact, it already feels like the kind of story that’s destined for a movie adaptation. At its heart, it’s a tale of heartbreak, with the kind of emotional resonance that lingers long after you finish the book.

While the novel is engaging, there are moments where it feels a bit far-fetched and predictable, relying on familiar tropes that might feel cliché to some readers. It’s a book full of well-worn conventions, making it a typical pick for a book club, but it doesn’t detract from the overall enjoyment. Broken Country is undeniably full of feels, offering an immersive experience that allows you to completely lose yourself in its world.

Broken Country is a beautifully emotional read with characters you can’t help but feel deeply connected to and writing that will absolutely knock your socks off. There is no question why this book is getting so much hype!

This story is told using multiple timelines which I found to be a very effective way of unraveling this mystery and getting to know the lives of the characters. The trial chapters sprinkled throughout kept me on the edge of my seat, I HAD to know what happened!

The ending of this story is one of the best I’ve ever read! The way the author pieced everything together was nothing short of masterful - my heart was broken into a million little pieces and then glued back together within the final few pages. Goosebumps and butterflies all around.

Personally, there were some aspects of the novel that I just couldn’t overlook and this impacted my reading experience and overall how much I enjoyed this story but it was still a book I would recommend to the majority!

I will be SHOCKED if Reese doesn’t turn this one into a movie and I’ll likely be there in the front row with my mother and grandma who I already know will be HUGE fans of this book!

A love triangle/mystery novel set in the late ‘60’s, this is perfect for fans of a great sweeping relationship saga.

This is a book that’s tough to review as I don’t want to give too much away. It’s much better to go in blind to this one imo.

I enjoyed the strong imagery of this story, and while I determined one of the twists early one, I was stunned by the one at the end. I will definitely look forward to more from the author.

On another note, one of the main themes in this book is possible infidelity, and while I know this is a troublesome plot point for a lot of readers, I am personally comfortable with reading books that don’t align with my own values.

Pick this one up if you’re in a reading slump or want a great binge read!

I’m probably one of the few readers not raving about this book enough to give it five stars. It could have just been the mood I was in while reading. I loved the story, and the characters will tug at your heartstrings; the novel is beautifully written and successfully weaves several genres, including mystery, family drama, and historical fiction. The only reason I didn’t give it a full five stars is that I don’t usually enjoy books that deal with the tragic loss of a child, and I guessed at all the story’s mysteries that others found shocking. Still a solid four star rating and this will be the first book pick for a recent book club my friends and I have started! I would recommend Broken Country to others, especially those who enjoyed Where the Crawdads Sing. Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for an advance e-copy in exchange for my honest review.

What a great surprise this book was! I suspect it will be one of 2025’s bestsellers.

The story follows Beth and her relationship with two men, Gabriel, a well-to-do writer, and Frank, a local farmer. The story takes place in a dual timeline: we meet Beth in 1955 when she first meets Gabriel, and then again in 1968, when she is married to Frank and they are struggling to heal from the death of their only son. When Gabriel returns to town with his own son, Beth is forced to confront her doubts and navigate the impact of her uncertainty on both families.

It’s a complex (yet simple) story that is hard to summarize; it’s a mix between a love story, family drama, court drama, and murder mystery… all set in a small close-knit English countryside town.

I loved Hall’s writing style. Simple short chapters that draw you in from the first page. I also loved her storytelling approach. The book is written in such a way that you are left wondering, until midway through the book, which of the characters was killed, and who is being accused of the murder. When you find out, you are surprised, heartbroken and confused… how did this particular murder end up happening? It doesn’t make sense!

This book has several unexpected twists and turns that I did not see coming but that all made sense in the end. I strongly encourage it for anyone who gravitates to literary or family fiction but loves a bit of mystery along the way.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

*Broken Country* by Clare Leslie Hall is a gripping blend of love, mystery, and suspense. Beth's seemingly perfect life with her husband, Frank, is shattered when her first love, Gabriel, returns to their village with his young son, triggering buried emotions and secrets. As tensions rise, Beth must confront her past and make an impossible choice. The novel masterfully toggles between past and present, exploring love, loss, and the dangerous consequences of unresolved desires. With a shocking twist and unforgettable characters, *Broken Country* is a must-read for fans of *Where the Crawdads Sing* and *The Paper Palace*.

Wow, this historical fiction debut set in the 1960s was getting crazy buzz and I finally understand why!!! I flew through this book about an unconventional love story, second chances, grief, loss and tragedy. It's best to dive into this one pretty blind and just go along for the ride. I promise your emotions will be all over the place and there's a great couple twists at the end!! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This was also good on audio narrated by Hattie Morahan and perfect for fans of books like Ask again, yes by Mary Beth Keane.

CW: tragic loss of a young child, gun violence

4.5 stars

I was so excited to get my hands on this one before pub day! I kept seeing glowing reviews for it. This story was emotional with complex relationships, secrets with past and present timelines. There was one thing that I didn’t love about this one, but the ending redeemed it for me.

Thanks to Netgalley, Simon & Schuster Canada | Simon & Schuster for my e copy arc in exchange for my honest review.

If you are looking for your next emotional read, this book is it.

This book is so beautifully written. I absolutely devoured it in 24 hours. I couldn't put it down. It's a love story, but it's historical fiction, but it also has elements of a suspense and thriller... It is powerful and heartbreaking and completely captivating. A must-read for fans of The Paper Palace and Where The Crawdads Sing.

I don't want to give too much away as this is a book you will want to experience. There's a married woman. There's the husband she loves. There's a lost love returning. There's a child and there isn't. There's grief, and there's passion, and then something terrible happens that threatens to ruin everything. You will cycle through every emotion while reading this book.

Why wasn't it a 5 read read for me?

I've been told before that I am a very black and white person and I have trouble with books where characters are not truthful or knowingly cause pain to others- it stops me from fully enjoying a book, but I recognize this is a ME problem. I buddy read this with a few other book readers, and they absolutely LOVED it, and it has been receiving glowing reviews from EVERYONE.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for my physical copy in exchange for my honest review.

Broken Country is a publishes at the beginning of March, and it’s a book that I think you’ll be seeing a lot of. Apparently @hellosunshine has already secured the film rights, so I imagine it will be the Reese pick for March?

After seeing a handful of five star reviews, I was eagerly anticipating reading this. It’s a bit of a genre bender- part historical fiction (taking place in the 1960’s) with some romance and courtroom drama as well. I liked how the book was structured, moving between past and present kept the pace moving, and there were some twists I wasn’t expecting. I think for me, I just tend to feel uneasy with love triangle scenarios- just can’t always get behind them. Plus, the actions of the MC at times left me feeling frustrated, although I did appreciate that she did take accountability for the messy situation she found herself in.

So my verdict on this one is- more of a like than a love. But I do think there will be a lot of love for it when it publishes next month.

🎀 ARC Review 🎀

PUB Date: March 3rd 2025

My Rating : ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ All the stars !

Oh where do I start and how do I do this review spoiler free 🤔

I loved this book!!

This book made me cry more than once , and that rarely happens.

Told through 3 timelines back and forth and done very well.

This is a love story triangle that had me rooting for everyone, how is that possible 🤷🏻‍♀️

There is tragedy and serendipity healing ❤️‍🩹

There is someone on trial and accused of murder but we don’t know who it is ..

This is a story that is thought provoking in a way that questioned my morals .

This is a beautifully told unique love story 💕

This possibly will be in my top 10 reads for 2025 !

If you’re looking for a captivating love story that the author dances us around tiny little bread crumbs scattered throughout the story setting the pace keeping you gripped to the very end , then add this to your TBR I promise you’ll enjoy this one 🫶🏼

Thank you NetGalley, Simon & Schuster & Clare Leslie Hall for this delightful ARC ❤️

A strong page-turner where the setting almost becomes a character.

The cover copy says it’s “perfect for fans of THE PAPER PALACE and WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING” and that couldn’t be more true.

Synopsis: Beth and Frank are happily married and farm in a small village community along with Frank’s brother, Jimmy. They have no idea that their lives are about to implode when Beth’s old boyfriend, Gabriel (who years ago broke her heart and drove her into Frank’s arms) returns to the village with his young son, Leo. Beth is immediately drawn to Leo as he is about the same age that her son, Bobby was when he was tragically killed on the farm. Tensions start to rise between these parties until a shooting occurs and a trial begins.

My thoughts: I was blown away by this book. I immediately fell into the pages and found it very difficult to put down. I was totally invested in the characters and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to find out the truth of what happened. I also liked how the author drew out the story line of the murder in that the reader doesn’t find out until approximately two-thirds of the way into the book as to who is killed and who is on trial for it. It is a book about love, grief, forgiveness and atonement. I loved it and gave it 5/5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for a review copy.

Wow! This novel has all the feels! I am going to be honest it took me a bit to get into this book (as I read the first part in small bits of time and I think I didn't get all of the details). I am so glad that I kept going! This story of family, love, loss and a murder trial on top of it all kept me guessing. It is told in a dual timeline and the twists at the end shocked me! Put this historical fiction at the top of your TBR, you won't be disappointed!

Thank you Net Galley, Clare Leslie Hall and Simon and Schuster Canada for the opportunity to preview this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

Broken Country is expected to be released March 4, 2025.

Another book added to my Holy Shooty Balls shelf!! Some books don’t just tell a story—they consume you, and this was one of them. Gripping, haunting, and unforgettable.

Absolutely outstanding! Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall gave me absolutely all the feels—tragic, heartfelt, and so emotionally affecting yet powerful. I loved how this story was told, with anticipation and anxiety building at every turn. The tension was through the roof, and I could feel the weight of every decision, every lingering emotion, every unspoken truth pressing in.

Set in an English farming community, this novel masterfully weaves a deadly love triangle with the consequences that ripple through every life it touches. The past and present collide in ways that feel both inevitable and shocking, leading to a trial, a twisty murder mystery, and choices that can never be undone. The story is thick with longing, regret, and the quiet, unshakable pull of first love—wrapped inside a narrative so immersive I lived inside it.

These characters completely captured my heart, and the storyline shattered it. The writing was breathtaking, pulling me deep into the characters’ lives, their histories, and the quiet struggles that shaped them. The way it all unfolded kept me on edge, second-guessing everything I thought I knew.

By the end, I was in tears. This book pulled at my heartstrings, all my emotions were thick while reading. It was haunting. It was powerful. It was everything.

Well, Holy Shooty Diggity Dang! The Sisters are sleeping off one book hangover but that didn’t stop us from rambling about our newest read/review Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall

My ramblings

I had one doozy book hangover this morning. The kind that leaves you wandering through your day like a ghost, still half-trapped in the world you just left. The kind where you wake up in the middle of the night, dazed and disoriented, because your mind is still chasing the shadows of the story.

And the book responsible for this spell? Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall

Fever Fiction: When a Book Consumes You

You know that feeling, don’t you? When a book hooks into your soul and refuses to let go? Your heart races, your breath shallows, and the outside world becomes a distant memory. You find yourself hiding out, avoiding responsibilities, because all you want to do is get lost in the words you are reading.

That, is the fever of fiction every book lover craves. A delicious torment. And Broken Country had me burning with it.

The Ache of the Aftermath

When the book ends. You close the cover, but the story refuses to close inside you. The characters linger in your mind, their voices whispering through the quiet spaces of your day. You feel sorry for your next book, because how can anything possibly compare?

A Love Triangle and a Book Crush

Let’s talk about the characters, because hot damn, I have a book crush.

Frank.

Broken Country intertwines Beth’s past and present, crafting a tale of love, loss, and consequence. As a teenager, Beth meets Gabriel, a passionate, aspiring writer from a wealthy family. Then there’s Frank—her husband in the present. A tragedy has shaped their relationship, and instead of tearing them apart, they come together. This story shattered my heart and then stitched it back together with warmth and love

.The tension between past and present crackles like a fire ready to burn out of control.

The Structure: Twists, and Cliffhangers

This book is structured like a beautifully crafted spell—meticulously layered, unraveling its secrets one carefully timed revelation at a time.

From the start, you know that something terrible has happened. Someone is dead. Someone is on trial. But who? And why?

Every chapter tightens the noose, leading you deeper into the mystery. And those cliffhanger chapter endings? Absolute perfect torture. The kind that makes you promise yourself just one more chapter until suddenly, the sun is rising and you’ve devoured the whole book.

Clare Leslie Hall: A Word Witch Supreme

I have officially added Clare Leslie Hall to my self-appointed coven of Word Witches. She wields language like a blade—sharp, precise, and devastatingly effective. The emotions, the pacing, the gut-punch twists—I was completely under her spell.

Now What?

Now, I wander the earth, haunted. Every book I pick up feels like a rebound relationship, doomed to fail because Broken Country still owns my soul.

If you need us, We’ll be clutching our copies of this book, whispering, “Just one more page…"

This is a really good story, emotional at times, and I loved the way the author pieced out details that kept me turning the pages, very good. Beth lives in a small village in 1955, she's going to school and has aspirations of going to University. She meets Gabriel Wolfe the son of a wealthy family and they begin seeing each other. The story goes forward to a time in the 60's and back to present day when the details of a trial are slowly pieced out (you don't know who is on trial, only that a murder had occurred). Gabriel heads off to Harvard and promises Beth that he'll wait for her, she goes to visit him once and realizes that he is involved with another young girl and in a fit she tells him they are done. In the 60's Beth is married to Frank, who is someone she has known her whole life, he too is from the small village, their young son Bobby, had died a few years back and both are still dealing with grief. Jimmy Frank's brother, also lives with them and helps them with farming and sheep rearing. One day a dog races into the yard where several lambs are and kills some of them, Jimmy shots the dog dead, a boy, Leo, and his father Gabriel, show up soon after, the boy is devastated, but when explained why the dog was shot, and sees the dead lambs, he understands. Gabriel is the same one that Beth had a relationship with years previously, he has moved back to the village after splitting with his wife (the same one that Beth assumed he was having relations with in Harvard), and wants the quiet of the village to write, he's become a famous author. Beth and Gabriel rekindle their romance which consumes both of them. This is a wonderful story and I would highly recommend it, you won't be disappointed. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Simon & Schuster for the ARC. All views are my own.

I really enjoyed reading this intriguing love triangle/mystery novel and I went through many different emotions as I read it. Usually I don’t like books with themes of grief, but this one has themes of loss and it still captivated me. Definitely reminded me abit of Where the Crawdads Sing which I loved. This has been the best ARC I’ve received to date and I would recommend it to others. I didn’t love Beth the main character, but the book pulled on my heartstrings and I did love other characters like Frank who were flawed but compelling.

Thank you Simon and Schuster and netgalley for the e-ARC!

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Really really enjoyed this love story/mystery/thriller coming out in March by @clarelesliehall
I was very eager to get my hands on it after seeing early reviews. Thank you @simonschusterca for the #gifted copy.
#BrokenCountry is about a woman named Beth who is happily married, lives on a farm but from the outset of the novel its apparent that what binds her and her husband is the death of their young son. The return of a neighbour and his son - a man Beth loved as a teenager creates tension and a yearning that she thought was long forgotten.
I really enjoyed this novel, quickly turning the pages over the course of two sittings. I was completely absorbed in learning about Beth’s past and with excellent pacing was captivated with figuring out the mystery. What I loved was how fragile these characters were and how Hall really makes you feel so deeply for each one. A complicated love story most definitely. This is a tender, emotional read… I see this being on many best book lists this year

This book really had me hooked from the beginning!

A love-triangle that follows the characters from childhood to adulthood, takes place in the English countryside, and has a mystery element? Sign me up! I love a good non-linear timeline and this one worked really well to keep the pacing and hold the reader in suspense. Now while I did really enjoy this book, past the 80% mark I started to see where the story was going and it wasn't in the way I wanted it (in terms of the romance). While I do not condone the actions of some of the characters in this book, I was really hoping for my side of the love triangle to win out in the end. I felt one side just had so much more chemistry that reading the romantic scenes between the two love interests were like night and day. That being said, my love triangle team not winning did not diminish the fact that I needed to know how the story would end. The results of the trial kept me on edge and the ending almost made me cry.

A big thank you to Simon & Schuster for providing this ARC through NetGalley!