Favorite Quotes:

…my teenage years are so far behind me that they’re practically a history lesson.

The worst of it was that Cass had a point. And Cass hadn’t had much of a point since the javelin incident at school.

This can’t go on, Dora. I mean, it just can’t. You’re living like some kind of eighteenth-century peasant, only with less disfiguring diseases and more electricity.

‘Did Cass eat it?’ ‘I’m not sure your sister does eat. I think she lives off fury and human blood.’

‘You’ve watched too much Mrs Doubtfire,’ he said. ‘Of course I’m not Thor’s father. Besides, that would imply that I’d slept with your sister, and I think she might bite the heads off her men after mating.’

I couldn’t let an animal suffer. I said another few ‘oh bugger’s and a couple of ‘bloody hell’s, like a kind of anti-rosary, and pulled out my mobile to call the vet.

I wanted to say that the sun could die a thousand fiery deaths and he could be the only man left on earth and I still wouldn’t sleep with him again and if it was sleep with him or die I’d start choosing my coffin now. But his good-natured grin stopped me.

My Review:

I giggled-snorted, chortled, and laughed aloud while perusing this cleverly amusing book. It was good fun and full of keen wit and snarky observations. I adored, savored, and marveled at every perfectly pitched scene and well-chosen word. I had reams of highlighted favorite quotes and found it quite painful to pare them down for this review.

The storylines were engaging, the writing was consistently on-point, and the characters were oddly intriguing and comically compelling with colorful descriptions and vivid visuals. Jane Lovering is a gifted scribe as well as a comedic genius.

Home on Folly Farm - I began a little dubious, having never read any of Jane’s books and was uncertain if I’d enjoy a book about ‘life on a farm’, but it wasn’t long before my doubts were replaced with warmth, intrigue and a longing to keep reading to learn more about Folly Farm and all that make it their home. Jane transitions between the memories of teenage years in London and adult life in the countryside beautifully, to tell two versions of events never shared with one another until now, 12 years later. A story that opens the eyes and hearts of the characters to what was always believed to be the truth, isn’t as it once seemed. Funny, heart warming story that you’ll want to share with others.

When Dora takes on the farm on the beautiful Yorkshire Moor that was previously run by her grandfather and several generations before that, she has no idea at all as to how much she will enjoy this new way of life. Preserving the herd of sheep that her family have raised throughout the years, she finds herself rather enjoying the solitary life she currently leads.

She certainly isn’t lonely by any standards, as she has support from local farmers when needed, along with the local vet making regular visits to the herd, as well as helping out with the odd jobs that need doing around the farm.

Her quite, somewhat contented life is turned upside down as her sister Cass suddenly rocks up, with her son Thor in tow, and they are not simply making a flying visit. Not only have her family arrived, but they have brought Thor’s tutor Nat along with them too. At first glance Dora is convinced that Nat is an ex of hers from London, however she soon learns that he is in fact his brother, and this allows a friendship to begin to blossom between them.

This is such a beautifully written, heart warming read that really captures your attention from the start. I have always loved the way in which Jane Lovering tells a story as she has such a refreshing, immersive way with words that draws you in to the world that has been so wonderfully brought to life.

The characters were intriguing and well developed too. Dora was such a loveable, relatable character who it was impossible to not feel a connection to from the start. She obviously has some secrets, as most people do, and I found myself invested in her story as we began to learn more about her as an individual and what exactly she had left behind in London. Dora has such a strong work ethic, and I truly admired her determination to continue the legacy in which her family had built throughout these years.

I found Cass and Thor somewhat harder to like in that respect, as they have lived a rather pampered life. Cass seems incapable of comprehending how hard running a farm actually is, and how much of Dora’s life it consumes in the process. However, we do come to learn that despite our initial impression of Cass, she doesn’t necessarily have the perfect life either. And then of course there is Thor, who, as a typical teenager does tend to live most of his life through a screen. When Thor starts documenting his life on the farm, we get to see another side to this teenager, as an enthusiastic, engaging side begins to emerge.

I truly adored this story from the very beginning. There are so many emotions at play throughout this beautiful story it is impossible for it not to secure a place in your heart. With laugh out loud moments, followed by truly moving, heart warming scenes, this entire book was quite simply perfection.

I always know when I start a new Jane Lovering book that I will be in for an enjoyable treat and Home on Folly Farm was no exception. Dora is a rare breeds sheep farmer in Yorkshire and it's a far cry from her previous lifestyle in London. Nevertheless she is content enough with the hard work and natural rhythm of life on the farm she inherited from her grandfather. Her peaceful routine is about to be shattered though with the arrival of her somewhat spoiled sister Cass and her twelve year old son Hawthorn, known as Thor. They have come uninvited for an extended stay while their parents' house has an extension built. To Dora's horror, Thor has a tutor, Nat, who at first glance she thinks is an ex from London. Some careful questioning reveals him to be his brother and a tentative friendship develops between them.

What I particularly enjoyed about this book was the way the characters developed. Dora is someone I took to immediately of course and I was intrigued as to what she was trying to put behind her from her London days, a time she seemed rather ashamed of but also a time where she had a missed chance of happiness. Nat's arrival brings back memories of that time and perhaps reawakens in her the need to be less self sufficient. I really liked her work ethic and her determination to do the best for her flock and honour her grandad's legacy. We see that farming is not an easy life with long sunny days and lambs skipping about the fields. It's a constant struggle to balance the books and with little room for sentimentality - hard when you have hand-reared lambs in your kitchen.

By contrast, Cass and Thor are harder to like with their pampered lifestyles, sense of entitlement and seeming obliviousness to the realities of farming life. Dora has always felt resentful of the way that Cass was looked after by their mother when she became pregnant at just 15. It's easy to see how this perhaps led to her life choices, perhaps seeking attention, perhaps seeking love. And yet we come to see that Cass doesn't necessarily have it all either. Thor, like many young people, seems to see life through the lens of his ipad. However, along with his almost 1000 YouTube vlog followers, as he begins to document life on the farm we begin to see flashes of an enthusiastic teen rather than the old-for-his-years character when we first meet him. His followers (literally) make a difference at a crucial and dramatic part of the book!

As always with a Jane Lovering book there is plenty which will make you laugh, most notably one-liners from Dora. There is humour throughout the book making it a really enjoyable, light-hearted read while still addressing those issues of coming to terms with your past. Home at Folly Farm is another delightful read from this author, sure to make you finish reading with a smile.

It’s a tough life, running a sheep farm on the Yorkshire Moors – but it’s a life that rather suits Dora, continuing the task of preserving the herd of rare sheep nurtured by her grandfather and the generations before him. The solitary life rather suits her, after a difficult start in life – she’s not really lonely, supported by the surrounding farming community when she needs them, the police patrol call in for a cuppa when they’re passing, and the local vet is a regular visitor providing every other kind of service she could possibly need. But her relatively contented life is turned upside down by the sudden arrival of her sister Cass, apparently for an extended stay – accompanied by media-obsessed son Thor, and his tutor Nat.

One of the author’s very many strengths is in her characterisation, and this book really is an absolute masterclass in how it should be done. If you take to Dora from the very start as I did, with her wry sense of humour and her arm up a sheep, you’ll most certainly feel different about sister Cass who is lazy, entitled, acerbic and combative from the moment she arrives. Thor is spoiled rotten – one of those twelve year olds that sometimes seems nearer thirty, running around in his designer trainers (laces untied, naturally) with his iPad in hand, looking for material for his vlog that will keep his (almost) one thousand followers happy. And then there’s Nat – who reminds Dora of a relationship she thought was left long in the past, but never forgotten. The exchanges between them all are quite wonderful – sometimes painful, but always extremely funny (and if I’m counting off the author’s strengths, humour really has to be near the top of the list too).

But what’s so exceptionally well done in this book is the character development. It might be fair to say that, in the present day, it’s not too complicated a story – but that’s until we begin to learn more about the past, slowly revealed, the upbringing and choices that brought the sisters to where they are now, giving their characters considerable depth, dealing with some quite serious issues, and bringing a few surprises along the way. I really liked the new Thor that emerged too – the flashes of excited child sometimes only glimpsed in passing become increasingly evident (and endearing) when he has some small charges to care for and gets to drive the tractor. And Nat – always there with a supportive comment, a shared smile, a bit of reassurance, and a hug when it’s really needed. The book slowly becomes so much more than an everyday story of farming life and the interactions within a dysfunctional family – and I loved every moment.

I’ve already mentioned the humour – when reviewing one of the author’s books, it’s really rather a given – but she’s really becoming the queen of the chase scene too (remember Patrick’s dramatic moment of glory in The Country Escape?). The one in this book is quite wonderful – superbly written, tense and gripping but also laugh-out-loud funny, with a few really original elements that certainly overturn the more negative perceptions of social media. And, of course, there’s always the romance – slow burn, not what you might be expecting, but delivering everything I wanted. And I really must mention the sheep – only the special ones have names, and there are certainly a few in this book that will capture your heart (and, I have to say, bring a tear to your eye at times – sobbing over a sheep is a new first for me!).

Yes, she’s done it again – another book that just confirms why she’s unfailingly one of my favourite authors. I really loved this one – and think you will too…

Home on Folly Farm by Jane Lovering is a sweet romance, family dysfunction and a very enjoyable read. Dora left her parents home and moved in with her grandparents to learn to raise rare sheep. One day Dora's sister Cass shows up with her teenage son and his tutor to stay with her while their parents remodel their home. Cass is a piece of work, enough said. I really enjoyed this sweet story about family and love, perfect for a reality escape. I will be reading more books by this author. I highly recommend this book, you won't be disappointed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

As soon as I started this one I just knew that Dora would a heroine that I could root for. She’s the sole caretaker of a farm left to her from her grandparents. She raises and cares for Yorkshire Dales, a rare breed of sheep. And, even though she may not be the most happy with her circumstances–mainly the way the farm and house is falling apart–she really does love taking care of the sheep.

Dora’s biggest issue is that she just isn’t as sure of herself as she could be. With the help of her sister (eventually), nephew, and a man that she can’t seem to shake–Dora transforms by the end of the book.

There’s a slight hint of mystery in this one as Dora tries to uncover Nat’s connection to someone she used to know. And, that just adds to this lovely tale of self-discovery.

My review will be available at the link given on March 20, 2021.

I have been a fan of Jane’s work for a while now. I haven’t completely caught up with everything that she has written but I am getting there. I read the synopsis for ‘Home On Folly Farm’ and it certainly sounded like I was in for a treat. I was spot on too because I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Home On Folly Farm’ but more about that in a bit.
I love the character of Dora and I warmed to her from the start. In fact I ended up feeling as though she had become a friend of mine. She is a young lass, who left her home in London to run her grandfather’s sheep farm. Her grandfather was passionate about preserving rare breeds and Dora has carried on his work. I got the impression that Dora is both lonely and a loner- preferring the company of her animals to human beings. Dora is funny, kind, compassionate and sensitive. As for her sister, Cass- well she is a different story altogether. From the moment Cass first popped up, she got right on my nerves and I didn’t warm to her at all. She seems to be a tad passive/ aggressive and she seems to enjoy putting Dora down with all that snarky comments. At times I wanted to jump inside the pages of the book to thrust Cass’s I-Pad right up her left nostril and slap her with a wet fish. Cass doesn’t help Dora, she criticises and then sits and plays with her I-Pad. Can the sisters repair their relationship? Does Cass put her I-Pad down and help Dora? Well for the answers to that question and more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
It didn’t take me long at all to get into this story. In fact I loved the story from the very start. This book came along at the right time for me. I was feeling a little fed up and in need of a distraction and this book was certainly a tonic for me. I chuckled away to myself throughout the story. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time. I looked up to check how long I had been reading fore and I was staggered to realise that I had been reading for over two hours. ‘Home On Folly Farm’ is one of those books that you want to finish because you need to know how the story ends but at the same time you don’t want to finish it because you are enjoying the story, the characters and the author’s writing style so much that you just don’t want the book to end. I found ‘Home On Folly Farm’ to be a charming, funny and romantic read.
‘Home On Folly Farm’ is superbly written but then I think that to be true of Jane’s work in general. She gets your attention from the start and draws you into what proves to be a delightful story. Jane creates adorable characters, gives them adorable storylines and locates the story in an idyllic sounding place. Jane really did make Folly Farm come alive to the extent that I was all set to pack a suitcase and head over to Folly Farm for a cuppa with Dora. Before anybody says anything yes I do know that this book is a work of fiction but I find that if I enjoy a book to the extent that I have enjoyed this one then I tend to live the story as if it were ‘real’. I felt part of the story and that’s all down to Jane’s very vivid and realistic storytelling.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Home On Folly Farm’ and I would recommend the book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Jane’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

Dora is a sheep farmer working the family farm in the North York Moors. She works hard and is scraping by. Everything changes when her spoiled sister and her equally spoiled son come to stay, bringing the son's tutor with them. If all that weren't enough, the tutor reminds Dora of someone she knew from her teens, where things happened that she'd really rather not remember.

There's a lot about sheep in this story - because they occupy Dora's thoughts a lot. The romance is slow burn and understated. The story is more like a family drama where Dora redefines her relationships with various members of her family and in doing so, finally works out her place in the family.
Nat is a nice hero, kind and dependable. The change in the relationship between the two sisters and the way the teenaged nephew changes from self obsessed YouTuber with 'almost a thousand followers' to a young man (and carer for two lambs) is lovely.

There's a great car chase through the Vale of Pickering, which made me laugh a lot.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for the review copy.

This story appears simple, but the plot has depth with its character development and insightful exploration of contemporary issues. There are moments of drama, humour and poignancy which resonate. Dora is likeable, and Cass hard to like. By the end, it's clear that Dora and Cass are both victims of their upbringing and naive life choices. This is a lovely story with interesting characters and a delightful setting.

I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood books for access to this arc.

This is not a romcom and though it does have a lot of humor, that is mixed in with some heavy hitting subjects. Dora has always loved the farm and farmhouse that her family have owned and worked for over 250 years. She’s trying to help bring back one of the oldest sheep breeds in England, Ryelands, known for being incredibly hardy and producers of wool sought after by boutiqueweavers and spinners. As she’s running a one-woman operation, the house hasn’t been kept up the way it used to be but she’s fine with it. Dora will admit that her sister’s interior decorating schemes do make it look much nicer however the two sisters clash over what ought to be done with the place.

Since Cass gets part of the farm profits without lifting a manicured finger to help, Dora has some simmering feelings to go along with older ones dating back to when Cass got pregnant and their mother began to ignore Dora to hover over her pregnant daughter and then her grandson. Thankfully tutor Nat shares Dora’s frustrated feelings over Cass and their descriptions of Cass are funny if at times a bit harsh.

At times Nat seems almost too good to be true. He’s handsome, well spoken, can tactfully deal with his employer and also finesse Thor into educational activities about the farm despite the fact that Thor lives to vlog.

I had a feeling that there was a lot more to these characters than Dora knows or lets on. At first Cass made me want to bean her with a yogurt container while I wanted to snatch away Thor’s iPad but there are reasons why they act as they do and the reasons – which are carefully doled out with a light touch – make sense. Dora’s past is also hinted at but not with heavy handed dollops of backstory. Instead, it is fully revealed when it is needed for Dora to confront her ghosts and demons.

The climax of the sheep rustling had me laughing as images of “Shaun the sheep” mixed with a tiny bit of “Scooby Doo” flooded my brain. It’s a wee bit farcical but I loved it anyway. Were I Dora, I would also not quibble with replacing Thor’s iPad.

Even when reconciliations and long concealed explanations are made, things aren’t immediately hunky dory between anyone. The tensions are of long standing and I was glad to see that the characters are given time to accept and come to terms with everything. The romance is a nice slow burn but there are some sex scenes though not too explicit. There is one aspect of the story I’m still thinking about that upon reflection made me slightly uncomfortable but there were two sides to it and neither side was totally innocent nor totally to blame – so I guess it equals out. What I appreciated the most is how the character’s pasts influenced and shaped their actions and how much they all changed and matured over the course of the story. B

It took me a couple of chapters to get into this book but once I did I really enjoyed it, there were some great twists and a lovely journey between the siblings. My one downside was I would of loved maybe an epilogue or just a bit more on the journey after, it just seemed to just end and I kind of felt like there could of been just a little bit more.
But well worth a read

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

For the past years, Dora is quite happy living on the farm and looking after her flock. She has 100 rare breed sheep on a farm, that has always been in the family.

Then Cass and her son Hawthorn, along with his tutor Nat turn up shattering her peaceful life.

The problem is that Cass and Dora really haven’t got in for a long time, their parents rallied around Cass once she was pregnant, whist Dora was went to parties, along with getting into some unsavoury habits, which was why she ended up running away to the farm where she finally found peace.

Cass, finds Dora’s way of living hard to believe.
Whereas Dora finds it hard to know that Cass still lives at home with her parents and how she treats her son, like he was a delicate piece of China.

Seeing Nat, makes Dora realise that the past has caught up with her.

I enjoyed it.

Dora left for college when her sister Cass discovered she was pregnant and everything became about her and the baby while Dora was completely ignored. She did good in college at first but then she met Leo, who introduced her to parties and drugs. Her grades slip father and farther and finally she needs an escape. She inherits the sheep farm that's been in her family for generations, living on 50 acres in the Yorkshire wilds and raising a rare endangered breed of sheep. She finds that she's happy on her own and living a comfortable slightly lonely existence. But when her parents decide to remodel and Cass and her nephew Thor need a place to stay, her refuge turns to chaos, especially when a suspiciously familiar man who claims to be Leo's brother shows up with Thor as his tutor.
I loved this glimpse of life on a sheep farm. It sounds like the perfect kind of life for an introvert like me. But I just wanted to shake Cass. Her attitude toward everything was just irritating. The reasons behind her attitude are explained later in the book but she's still a clueless socialite with no concept of where money comes from. I didn't like Thor at first, but the longer he was on the farm the more he grew on me. I'm so glad this hardworking farmer got her happily ever after.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This book is set on a Yorkshire farm that specialises in Rare Sheep. Dora is working hard to keep the farm going. I liked her character, but did not like her sister Cass very much in the beginning.
This was a nice and easy read. It focuses a lot on strained family relationships. There is also the drawn out story of what happened between Dora and Leo, which we don't find out the answer until the end of the book.
There are some twists and turns which make the story more interesting and engaging. I enjoyed reading this book. I'm looking forward to reading the next book by Jane Lovering. Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

If you’re a fan of cosy, heart-warming fiction which is more than capable of transporting you to a place entirely new, then Home at Folly Farm by Jane Lovering will absolutely do that for you. Transporting me from my sofa to the charming Yorkshire countryside, this was a gorgeously evocative read that allowed me to step outside of reality for a little while, and turn my attention to the bustling world of Dora’s grandfather’s farm, and a whole lot of family drama to go alongside that.

In Home at Folly Farm by Jane Lovering, readers are introduced to Dora. Having left the city to take over the running of her grandfather’s farm, Dora has dedicated years to the running of the farm she loved so much growing up, and continues to spend her days rearing a rare breed of sheep in the hopes she’ll keep alive a much-loved and treasured animal she’s worked so hard to nurture. Though the farm may be ramshackle and perhaps rather run down, it’s the place that Dora calls home, and she really couldn’t see herself living anywhere else. The farm and its inhabitants gives Dora a purpose, and though it’s hard work, it’s all she really knows. Through discipline and dedication, she’s managed to keep the farm afloat all these years, and she’s not about to let it crumble just yet.

When Dora’s sister Cass turns up, with her teenage son in tow, things definitely begin to get a little heated on the farm, and it quickly became clear to me that there were some serious tensions simmering between the sisters. I of course instantly wanted to find out what had caused the rift between these two, and thoroughly enjoyed finding out more about their shared history and what it had been like for them growing up together. I adored the comparisons between Dora and Cass, those of which Lovering captured so well, in that achingly opposite way that siblings seem to naturally have. I found Cass to be very amusing, although tedious at times. Dora, in contrast, felt very serious to me, but I suppose having the responsibility of a farm to run would do that to a person, as opposed to not really having any responsibility at all, and still living with your parents, as Cass did.

Nat’s character also added another level of tension to the plot which again, I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved the dynamics between Nat and Dora, and found myself drawn to him just as much as Dora seemed to be. It was exciting, watching the barriers break down between these two, who both had their own reserves when it came to attraction and emotions.

Amongst the different relationships and friendships that blossomed throughout the telling of this story, I found the farm itself to be such an energetic and colourful setting. I loved the liveliness of the place and found the routines which Dora followed in order to take care of her grandfather’s pride and joy interesting, even educational, as she worked hard to ensure everything ran smoothly. I, for one, do not think I’d be able to run and manage a farm in the same way, and seeing Dora do so certainly had me feeling a certain amount of respect for her.

This was a warm, easy and fluid read, perfect to lose oneself in and turn your mind to a busyness of a different variety! I loved the family feel to the story, and the delicious threads of romance that weaved their way throughout the pages. It was a lovely escape, and I’d like to read more from Jane Lovering in the future.

This is definitely a Rom-Com but oh so much more!
You will get all the feels from this book. We have a young male trying to find his place in the word, as well as a thirty year old woman wondering if her decisions in life have led her to the proper place for her.
There is mystery over an old romance, and tingles over an unexpected stranger who moves in without advance notice. There is also some sorrow, I'll be honest, but it plays necessarily into the story.
And excitement- adventure- danger!
This book can be enjoyed by all members of the family, with various reading tastes.
From reality tv shows to crime and mystery buffs, this romance covers all the bases.

Dora is happy working her late granddad’s sheep farm in Yorkshire supporting a rare breed of sheep, it’s a very different life than the fake, out-of-control one she was living in London. But when her entitled sister, Cass, and nephew, Hawthorn, now known as Thor, along with her nephew’s tutor Nat come to stay with her when their place is being renovated, she realizes that while she may be contented, she may also have been hiding from something in her past she’s never been able to get over.

As with the last Jane Lovering romance I read (Christmas Secrets by the Sea, review here), Home on Folly Farm is so much more than the typical romantic comedy. The characters are full of surprises and ever-evolving, and there are almost as many tears as laughter (no angst, thank you). Even the seemingly entitled sister, Cass, harbors a secret that suddenly makes her seem more human. And, maybe that’s one of the big themes in this book–people are (usually) much more than what they show you.

Because of my personal viewpoints, I loved that Folly Farm supported a rare sheep breed and not for meat but for their wool. And the sheep brought comedy and heart to the book as well and even some tears.

Some (maybe most) of the snarky humor is at the expense of Cass who is oblivious as to what it means to live a normal life because her parents have insured that she never had to. Why the snark was funny, it went on a bit too long at Cass’ expense, in my opinion.

Home on Folly Farm felt more somber than the earlier Lovering novels I’d read, but perhaps that is a sign of the times. Or me. It’s possible I just felt some of the underlying sadness more.

Regardless, there is a lot going on in this multi-layered novel, enough so that no one would be bored. Home on Folly Farm has excellent characterization, plot, pacing, and dogs and sheep and the wonderful setting of a Yorkshire. What more could you ask for?

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first Jane Lovering book that I have read. However, I did find Cass was an annoying character but found it strange that Dora didn't say anything to her about helping round the house with chores when she initially went to stay at the farm. After all, she was staying the free of charge along with her son and his tutor.

It's incredible how I was going to give up on this book, because I couldn't stand Cass character. I wasn't in the mood for a trite bad guy type of character with no depth as Cass seemed to be at the very beginning of the book.
So glad I persisted and kept reading on, because it has been an utterly lovely read!
I loved the description of the animals, so funny and spot on: Willow and her lambs are so adorable!
I loved the story between Nat and Dora and between Dora and Cass, what happened in their past and where are they now. I loved Thor character and what he becomes at the end, and I loved the two policemen. All of them very well described. And I particularly loved the humour: incredibly funny!
This was my first Lovering's book, but I will definitely have a look at others.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.