Eleanor Sharpley has reached the end of her tether. Her position as an online influencer and restaurant critic has become toxic; she no longer wants this life. Feeling threatened and vulnerable, she packs up her stuff and runs to the one person she knows will understand. She has not been able to reach her friend Charlie recently, and is shocked to find out about her death several months before. She finds solace in staying on at Damson Farm, helping Charlie’s brother Daniel look after her daughter Hope, and trying to bring Charlie’s vision for the farm to fruition.
Based loosely on a real life story, the nearby village of Ferrington in Nottinghamshire has been split in two since the Miner’s Strike in the 80s – Old Main Street and New Main Street – with neither side able to compromise. Eleanor makes friends on both sides of the river and would dearly love to heal the rift, but is this even possible?
We see the world solely through Eleanor’s eyes, and her character does evolve as the story progresses and she tries to make amends for her past behaviour. Daniel is also a solid believable character, despite none of the story being told from his point of view. However, I did not feel that Charlie was fleshed out well enough, and would have liked a few more flashbacks to get a better sense of who she was.
Some elements of We Belong Together reminded me of Katie Fforde’s novels, especially the old buildings in need of renovation so that they can run Damson Farm as some kind of business. I particularly enjoyed Eleanor’s visit to her family’s guesthouse in the Lake District, where they still did everything the old-fashioned way. Her family were wonderfully ‘strange’ and very entertaining.
It was also good that the romance between Eleanor and Daniel was given time to develop in a realistic fashion despite their living in close proximity; they were allowed to become friends first of all, but I would have liked an epilogue just to see how everything worked out.
We Belong Together is a heartwarming story of the importance of community spirit and second chances. It also highlights the darkness at the heart of social media. The characters are well drawn and relatable, and the Nottinghamshire countryside is vividly evoked. I have not read any other books by Beth Moran, but will definitely be adding them to my list in the future as I thoroughly enjoyed reading We Belong Together. Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.

This is an enjoyable read which I have devoured in just one sitting. This is a book that has cheered me up and left me smiling.

I have been hooked from the beginning and found this an endearing read, mixed with an array of great characters.

This is well written and has an absolutely gorgeous cover. The cover alone attracts the attention of the reader and makes you want more.

The plot is absolutely gorgeous and flows perfectly. I adore this book and without a doubt will be recommending it.

This was a good idea of a story mainly venturing on Eleanor, but unfortunately I found it a bit slow going and the whole story dragged out around Eleanor's lie.
It was one of those books I had to push myself to read.
Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for this read.

A thoroughly sweet book that will hit all the spots for an afternoon reading by the fire this winter. Eleanor needs a fresh start when her relationship and career takes a nosedive. She seeks out the help of her best friend who lives on a remote farm but who she has been unable to get hold of for a while.. seeking refuge life is about to get very exciting for her. A very enjoyable read, touching on sensitive subjects such as post partum depression.

This is a lighthearted and endearing book about Eleanor – a woman whose life has fallen apart and her journey picking up the pieces and starting over. At the start of the book, she has quit her job as a famous food critic and run away from a relationship with a cheater. On her way to her parents’ bed and breakfast, her car breaks down and she is rescued by Daniel, who turns out to be the brother of her best friend. Eleanor and Daniel strike up a friendship and Eleanor finds herself as she grows to love the small town where she landed. This book was sweet, if somewhat predictable, but a lighthearted redemption story often hits the spot. This was a fun read through and through.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.

Thank you to Netgally and the publisher for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own.
While I did enjoy the writing in this book and the overall plot but it did feel like there was an attempt to be too many things at once. I really liked the character development and the development of the relationships in this book and specifically loved how the author took the time necessary to make them feel realistic and genuine.
I really enjoyed the plot line of the rivalling sides of town and I specifically loved that this was based on something that really happened. I also loved how slow burn the romance in this book was especially since there is a child involved. Considering the living conditions of the characters, this could have very easily been rushed and I really appreciate the author taking the time to do it properly.
I kind of wish that we could have gotten more about Charlie. Most of what we get about her character is the same descriptions repeated over and over again which felt pretty "telling" instead of showing. There was one scene that was a flashback to the beginning of their friendship and I wish we got more of that. I just felt kind of hard to believe they really were as close friends as is described because we hear so little about their relationship. I also think this would have been a really great opportunity to explore issues of post partum depression.
The weakest part of this book for me was the mystery/ thriller sections. It felt over the top and unrealistic. I found the MC's reactions to what was happening to make no sense- on the one hand she keeps on being freaked out by what is happening but completely refuses to turn to the police. Seriously, I think she could be held at gun point and would still find a reason not to turn to call the police if handed a phone. I was also not surprised at all by the reveal of who her stalker is. There were a number of things that gave it away for me super early on in the book.

We Belong Together was such a delightful read!
The entire book was a fun, light story that was full of great characters!
They storyline was my favorite part. Done so very well!
The writing for this book was refreshing and there were plenty of times that I had that stupid smile on my face because of how lovely the characters were. Amazing story!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I'm such a sucker for hard hitting chick lit reads. They just feel so real and relatable and while this one had a pretty hard hitting situation, Will be looking out for more titles by this author.

This read was a quick and easy one that will definitely have you searching for more summer type aesthetic titles. Thank you to the published for the ability to read this early!

This was a very sweet book with a happy ending, but it had a lot going on. I think I'm in the minority but it didn't hold my attention all that well. Good writing and some interesting premises but it felt like there was a lot going on. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the complimentary digital review copy of this title.

Eleanor Sharpley in her job as as a restaurant critic finds her job bearable as she has a wardrobe full of luxury items, money in the bank and a boyfriend. However one night all this becomes too much when she realises that she has a stalker who’s messages via text/social media are getting too close to home. So she decides to leave London, with as little as possible and go and see the one friend who will understand no matter what.
But upon arriving via a ditch, a rescue from a handsome man and his baby she eventually arrives at Damson farm.. The handsome man is her friends brother Daniel who has to tell her that his sister Charlie has died, but any friend of hers is welcome to stay. As she has only the other option of visiting her parents, sharing a room with her granny, she decides to stay.
But her past secrets’s. slowly begin to catch her up and the life she is beginning to love can specifically fall apart.
I loved this book getting to know the real Eleanor, Daniel, Hope and her new friends. I really hope there is another book as I would really like to see how the farm progresses and relationships deeper.

Book Summary:

Eleanor has been living a lie. She decides to go and visit her friend Charlie who she hasn’t seen in over a year. But upon arrival, she learns that Charlie is not there but finds Charlie’s brother Daniel and Charlie’s 8-month daughter Hope. Eleanor also finds out about a crumbling and unloved Damson Farm which she wants to fix not only for herself but for Charlie.
The farm lies on the edge of the village of Ferrington, with the river flowing at the heart. But Ferrington has been divided by more than just a river. It is split in two over an age-old feud. Between the new and the old. And it seemed Eleanor ran from the problems she was having right to a family and a world that has problems of their own.
But as winter gives way to spring, the old farm starts to come to life under the love and care of Eleanor. With the farm starting to come back to life, can Eleanor bring both the feuding village and Daniel back to life too, or will the secrets she’s been trying to keep hidden catch up to her first?

Thoughts:

I loved this read. For my first Beth Moran book, I was blown out of the water with how good this book was and I can’t wait to read more of her books. Honestly, Beth Moran might become one of my new favorite authors after this read.
I loved how the characters were written and how it felt like the place came to life on the pages of the book. I loved the mystery element in this book and felt like it added something about why Eleanor might have wanted to start over in a new town where no one knew what happened.
The relationship between Eleanor and Daniel might have been the best part of this book. Because even though they had a budding friendship throughout the novel, you can’t help but root for them as the book goes on and hoping by the end they end up together.
Sometimes you just need a feel-good novel to make you forget about the world for a little. And this book did exactly that because the more I got into the world and the characters, the more I didn’t want to put down the book. The more I wanted to know what happened. The more I wanted to fall in love with the characters. The more I wanted to know who did it.

I loved this book, it just had me grinning from ear to ear most of the time. I loved seeing the relationship between Eleanor and Daniel grow and blossom into something truly special. And I also loved the transformative nature of the book - it reminded me a little of Summer at Skylark Farm by Heidi Swain although with a few less animals.

Even though we never meet Charlie, I feel like I really got to know her through her visions of the farm and the little snippets that we get from El and Daniel. She seems like a character who would have been such a bubbly presence, bursting with ideas and raring to go.

There is much more to this book than El, Daniel and the farm though, we learn about the feud between the Old Side and the New Side and the stalker who caused El to flee from London. I did have my guesses at who this was but it was a nice contrast to have a bit of drama intertwined with the story.

Eleanor herself is such a down to earth, realistic character who I would love to have as a friend - and not just because of her fantastic cooking skills! Even though she isn't proud of her past she seems determined to make up for all of the bad things and really wants to make a fresh start as the real her. Although with most things the truth does come out eventually...

Beth has created the warmest, loveliest bunch of characters and I’m now even more determined to pick up Take A Chance on Me by her which I have had sitting on my kindle for a while 🙈🙈

Great characters and gripping storyline. Perfect book for when your lying on a sun-lounger with a cocktail in your hand!

This is my first Beth Moran book and it won't be my last that's for sure. I loved it!!

It was such and easy read that just pulled you in for the beginning and then just when I thought it would be a simple love story... bam!! Drama!

I really enjoyed the writing style, it just flowed beautifully. And the descriptions were amazing.

If like me you like your stories to have a little extra intense then this book is for you!

I would like to thank NetGalley for a copy of this book. I'm so very glad I requested it!

We Belong Together kept me company during a family camping trip and what fabulous company it was.

From the first chapter when we find Eleanor in a ditch, in life but also literally, I was so invested in her story. I also wanted to know her past and what brought her there.

I liked the way we found out steadily throughout the book it really ensured we got to know Eleanor that way.

The dialogue throughout was pacy, real, and easy to follow. I felt like I was hearing the conversations firsthand.

I loved the backdrop story of the feuding village, although sometimes it came across a little bit like Midsommer Murder-like and a little twee. Having said that I still felt as if that part of the book enhanced the characters- which I loved. Especially Eleanor, Daniel, and Becky.

This book was romantic, charming, and I zoomed through it. I couldn't wait to snuggle down every night and read it in four nights. I have already recommended it to friends.

this book had me hooked from start to finish. The dynamic between the characters, and particularly Daniels broodiness was enjoyable to read. Who doesn’t love a brooding male character

With vivid descriptions that transport you into the story, hidden secrets that keep you turning the page, We Belong Together is a wonderful read

This was my first experience of Beth Morans work and certainly wont be my last. I think it’s the perfect summer/beach read and will be one I reread

Okay. I have another book boyfriend crush to add to my list. Daniel Perry is so selfless (he adopted his dead sister's baby for heaven's sake), he's smart (he is a numbers guy for an energy company), he's supportive (he's 100 percent behind Eleanor's idea to make his home a retreat), and he's an open book. If only the woman he's falling for would reveal her secrets...

Eleanor is hiding. She's hiding from her nasty review critic alter ego on social media, she's hiding from her true feelings for Daniel, and she's hiding from a creepy stalker. The question isn't whether her secrets will catch up to her, the question is when.

I understand Eleanor's fear and shame of revealing herself to her friends, but she is an adult and knew what she was doing. As for the stalker, well no one could have predicted that. If only Eleanor would have been honest with everyone from the start she would have saved herself a mess of worry, stress, and danger. Don't get me wrong. I like Eleanor. She is a hard worker and a fantastic friend to take Charlie's dreams and make them come alive. In fact, her idea for building a peace bridge to stop the Ferrington Feud between the Old Side and New Side due to a mining dispute decades ago is a brilliant idea. It is so natural for her to be with Daniel. Their mutual love for Hope, Charlie's daughter, and their dreams to make Damson Farm thrive again, just make me smile.

I want to add that I loved Eleanor's friends, Alice from the New Side and Becky from the Old Side. They are both silly and endearing and have their own lovely backstories to follow.

I was captivated by this fun romantic comedy with a touch of menace and danger. The setting is beautiful, the food is delicious, and the people of Ferrington are lovely. Give this delightful book a try.

Thank you to Ms. Moran for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

I’m keeping this one short and sweet!

♡ I loved this book. If you’re looking for a sweet escape of a book that you feel like you can just fall into clouds reading.. this is it! I wanted to cozy up and live in this story!

♡ I loved the story and the characters so much! I wish I had a Damson Farm to escape to with all these friendly women and the fun that they get up to.

We Belong Together
By Beth Moran
Pub date aug 17 2021

I loved this book funny additive brilliant characters writing style was amazing the story plot was brilliant amazing chemistry and banter between characters. A new author I discovered and want to read more from this author in the future. You love this book

Eleanor is running away from her ex boyfriend, her job and a barrage of threats and abuse when she crashes her car into a ditch on her way to go and stay with her best friend. Recused by a handsome single father, she ends up at the home of her friend only to discover she passed away several months earlier. Hiding her secrets and wrestling with grief, Eleanor throws herself into cleaning up the farmhouse she is staying in and trying to med the hearts of those she lives with as a well as mend a town feud. Along the way she develops new friendships and starts to find her groove and a side of love. But will all that be ruined when a threat from her past finds her? A beautiful story and great read with some likable characters.