This is a sweet, cozy book with a rather straightforward plotline that is nevertheless charming if you're in the mood for a light read.

Fran is one of the last living relatives of cousin/aunt (I can't exactly recall) Amy, who is too elderly now to run her beloved farm. If Fran spends a year on the farm and makes a go of it, she will inherit. So Fran ups sticks from London and takes the biggest chance of her life.

Previously a chef, she dreamt of being a farmer when she was a child. Only problem is that managing a herd of cows and a dilapidated farm isn't something you can pick up over the weekend. But Fran is super plucky and hard-working and wins just about everyone over along the way. And if she gets swept up by a wealthy neighbour along the way, what's not to like?

This isn't the book for you if you like complicated and edgy (sometimes I do, sometimes I need fluff). But it's a lovely book to read in the bath or on holiday or on one of those grey days when it seems like the sun may never shine again.

A Country Escape was a lovely feel good read based on a dairy farm, the characters in this book were a brilliant contrast to eachother with each bringing something different to the overall story. When you pick up a Katie Fforde book you are looking for a light hearted entertaining read and this book did not disappoint.

I loved the story of Francesca and how she kept trying to win approval from Aunt Amy and the various adventures and mishaps she had throughout the story and the many people she met along the way. Another brilliant book from Katie Fforde that I thoroughly enjoyed.

This was a very entertaining romantic story, with everyone ending up with the right inheritance and the right man.  Mostly predictable, but enjoyable all the same.  Basically a story about a long lost relation being found to take over a farm and more importantly a herd of rare cattle on untilled land.  With the complications of the local neighbour, the herdsman, another long lost Australian relation and the dying old lady who has clearly struggled to keep the farm going in her latter years.  Happy ever after ending.

Review: I always feel sad when I finish a book by Katie Fforde as it means I have to wait until she has another book published. A good thing her books are so likeable I can re-read them.

A Country Escape is just as good as all her other books, I adored it. I could easily have read this in one seating but wanted to take my time.

I feel in love with Fran and really wanted her to succeed, I love the character Tig he really sums up a person who is totally dedicated to his job, he is a quiet but very important part of the story. I enjoyed reading the developing romance that Fran has and how it comes about. The puppy scenes were amazing so well written. There is one character I hated strong word I know but I did and you well understand when reading the book. 

This is another great read from Katie Fforde and one I really enjoyed.

A very typical romantic novel. Once you have read the first chapter you know how it will end. Katie Fford fills the 'bit in the middle' with ease. A really good story with believable characters that you care about. A great heartwarming book.

Another great book by Katie Fforde which did not disappoint. I was hooked from the first few pages and had to keep reading to find out how it would finish which meant I lost several hours as I read this in one sitting.

This is a real feel good story. Fran receives a letter from a distant aunt who says she needs an heir to her family farm. Fran decides she is up for the challenge and makes the move from London to the country. Unfortunately, Roy another distant relative receives the same letter and believes that because he is male, it is his by rights. Fran is determined to make a go of the farm and soon settles into a routine. Her friend joins her and soon falls in love with Tig the herdsman. All Roy wants is the farm land to sell and redevelop. He doesn't bank on Anthony, the hated neighbour who comes to Fran's aid in more  ways than one! A lovely descriptive novel that I really couldn't put down, just what is needed when the weather is awful.

Fran is a great cook and dreams about having her own restaurant, but she's also always loved the countryside. When a relative offers her the farm that's been in her family for a long time Fran doesn't hesitate and packs her bags straight away. She doesn't know much about farming, but she can learn. If she manages to make a success of it she will inherit the farm. It isn't profitable any longer, so Fran has to work hard to turn things around. Fortunately she doesn't have to do it alone. Her best friend and gorgeous neighbor are willing to help. However, why would a stranger do so much for someone? Can Fran trust the man who lives next door? Is she the only relative who's interested in the farm and will she succeed or is her new project doomed to fail?

A Country Escape is a wonderful romantic story. Fran is a fabulous main character. She's strong, smart and resilient. She's fantastic with food and because of her generous nature most people immediately like her. By taking over the farm Fran has accepted quite a challenge. I was curious to find out if she'd make a success of it and couldn't turn the pages quickly enough to see what Fran would do with her newly found skills. I was intrigued by Fran's journey and loved it from beginning to end.

Katie Fforde has written a gorgeous heartwarming book. I immediately fell in love with her beautiful setting. Even though there's a lot of work to be done the farm has the exact right atmosphere. I loved finding out more about the buildings, the animals and the land and its history. Katie Fforde clearly knows what she's writing about and that made the story really interesting. A Country Escape is charming, entertaining and sweet, it's a perfect feelgood story with plenty of surprising twists and turns, delicious descriptions of food and amazing true love.

I will start by saying this is not my normal style of book, you can normally find me reading a crime / mystery / psychological thriller but I fancied a change and so pleased I did.  This is a real ‘hug in a book’ type story with lots of feel good moments.  Developing relationships, challenges galore and a baddie thrown in for good measure.  I loved the characters and how they developed over the pages.  The detail of farming and cheese making was just enough but not to technical so I got completely lost in the details.
If you are after a really feel good book then this is the book for you.  I will definitely be reading more of Katie’s books in the future.

A cosy, happy story in a beautiful setting. 3.5/5 stars.

The cover and title of Katie Fforde's latest book tell you all you need to know! A Country Escape is cosy escapism with likeable characters in a wonderful setting. Although there is a romance thread to the story, I'd argue the greatest romance is between the protagonist - Fran - and the farm she hopes to inherit, which has its own starring role along with the beautiful countryside setting.

That said, when the main antagonist finally turns up about halfway through the story, he's wonderfully heartless and left me dying to jump into the book to kick him in the shins. Fran's elderly Aunt Amy is also entertainingly spiky and at times I marvelled at how Fran remained patient with her.

And if a delicious setting and villains weren't enough, prepare yourself for oodles of cheese! This book is a treat for all foodies, particularly those who prefer a cheese board to dessert.

My favourite scene came near the end of the book, when high drama in a solicitor's office made me laugh out loud. I won't say any more to avoid spoilers!

Overall: Katie Fforde fans are sure to enjoy A Country Escape. Perfect if, like Fran, you're looking for a break from metropolitan stress.

Having been a fan of Katie Fforde's feel-good books for years, I found this book ticked all the usual boxes. A fairly fast-paced, clever plot and many likeable characters (the obligatory baddies excepted) and their obviously well-researched endeavours like house-renovation, smallholding, milk cow herding, cheese-making kept me interested and amused.
I was kindly given a free ARcopy by netgalley/Random House UK, Cornerstone Century in return for an honest review

I must admit, when I started reading this book, I wondered how much I would enjoy it. As a vegan, a story set on a dairy farm, wouldn't naturally be my first choice of reading material but I continued with it and I must say it's a lovely story.

The characters are beautifully written, described in such a way that you get to know them, this is so important when it comes to pulling the reader in.

City girl Fran is faced with the challenge of taking care of a distant relatives farm, with the possible opportunity to inherit the property, should she be able to run the business successfully. Of course, she has many hurdles to face and the chances of her succeeding in her mission take blows at every corner.

The story pulls us into the challenges Fran faces but also into the relationships she makes along the way.

I must say the farm and surroundings sounded quite idyllic, the author has a wonderfully descriptive way which makes it easy to visualise.

All round, lovely, easy read.

This is a comfortable yarn about cheese making and farming, written in an 'easy read' style. A 'hug in a book'.
Not my genre, but, for those looking for a cosy, easy reading tale, it's for you.

I read A Country Escape because I got a copy on Netgalley and have seen lots of Katie Fforde's books, but haven't read any for years.  Unfortunately, based on this latest novel I won't be reading her next book.  While parts of the writing were funny and engaging, the novel as a whole was massively cliched, with several characters irritatingly under-developed, and the plot moving forward in fits and starts which didn't always make sense.  

I thought this would be light, escapist reading - and it kind of was, but it was also frustrating at times while reading and forgettable very soon afterwards.

I love Katie’s books and this one was good in so many ways - good characters, an easy read and a beautifully imagined countryside setting. It all sounded idyllic, apart from the mild peril from an unsavoury character. But sadly something didn’t quite click with this book and I felt like something was lacking. Don’t ask me what but for some reason it wasn’t as brilliant as I’d usually expect from Katie Fforde. I still love her books though, they're like a warm hug, and I can’t wait for the next one to be out!

Katie Fforde has yet again pulled out a book that enchants and entices to grasp the opportunity to follow your dreams. Taking a city girl out into the country to run a dilapidated farm with a prize winning herd starts in the usual chain of catastophes and disasters but not one to be beaten, even when it looks like she will lose the lot. With the help of her friend, Issi, Fran starts making changes and gets the farm working again. A delightful read that will spirit you away and immerse you in the world of Amy, Fran and Issi.

I am grateful to Netgalley and the publishers for the book in exchange for an honest review.  The book was an easy read and was full of baking, love and laughter. Relationships were of some old, some new variety  and being left to run a farm with no experience whatsoever, thrown in for good measure.
A good enjoyable read.

A possible inheritance, a rundown farm, rare breed cows and cheese may seem to be strange themes for a romance but when Fran takes a chance on 'the good life', she becomes involved with all of the above and finds that love happens in the most unusual places.
'A Country Escape', begins for Fran when she leaves her cheffing job in London to run a distant relative's farm after she moved into a care home. The farm is rundown but has potential, the question is, has Fran the expertise and finance to realise it? 
'A Country Escape', gives the reader a chance to do just that. From the first page, you experience life in the countryside with a delightful array of characters both human and animal.
Courage, loyalty and tenacity are all characteristics that aptly describe Fran, she wants to experience something new and is willing to risk everything to have the lifestyle she craves. Antony is a successful businessman as well as the 'man next door' he is more than helpful and seems to be the perfect neighbour, but her cousin Amy has warned Fran about his motives, so can she trust him?
Both the characters and the plot are realistic. Dairy farming and artisan cheesemaking are vividly described and allow the reader to experience what Fran does; this makes the story come to life. 
There is plenty of angst; the appearance of Roy, a rival for the inheritance, and Amy's fickleness towards Fran's attempts at running the farm. Both of these sources of conflict, make Fran believe she will never achieve her goal.
There is a lovely romantic thread to this story; it seems nothing is too much trouble for Antony where Fran is concerned, and Issi finds that everything to do with cows is enthralling when the herdsman Tig shares them with her. Both romances are affected by the outcome of the inheritance. Is this Antony's real interest in Fran, and what will happen to Issi and Tig, if he loses his home and livelihood? The delightful ending has both poignant and romantic elements.
A lovely romantic tale, which provides the reader with everything they need to enjoy an escape to the country.
I received a copy of this book from Random House UK Cornerstone - Century via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

What a beautiful heartwarming story. A easy five stars from me. I love Katie Fforde style of writing she draws you into the story completely. Such a lovely read after reading so many thrillers

A Country Escape- Katie Fforde 5* 

I always look forward to a Katie Fforde book. Even before I have read the first page there is the anticipation of that feel good factor along with a wonderful story line, larger than life characters and a smile along the way. This one didn’t disappoint me in any of those aspects. Fran lives in London working as a chef. She vaguely remembers as a child going to a farm and seeing the cows. She gets a letter from a solicitor saying that a distant relative has gone into a care home and that she is to try and run the farm for a year and then might inherit it. How is a chef going to run a farm when she hasn’t a clue where to start? And who is the neighbour that the relative hates so much? Brilliantly written from the word go. Wonderful characters that you take to (or not in one case!) and scenes that you can easily picture. Whether you live in London or rurality, this book will bring a smile. A thoroughly enjoyable read. 
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
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