A quick heartwarming read.
Alex has just lost her job as a journalist in London and visiting her parents for Christmas when she received a letter from a solicitor saying she has inherited a sheep farm in Wales but it's running at a loss and she doesn't know who the man is.
She is helped by others from the village.
Some great characters and of course the dogs and animals add to the story.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review

A really nice cosy lovely read. A predictable read where a city girl inherits a farm that is failing and she needs to turn it around,but still an enjoyable read.. A good 4 star read.

This is a heartwarming, uplifting story about resilience, community, and new beginnings. It follows Alex, a journalist who loses her job to AI—an issue that feels all too relevant today. Unexpectedly, she inherits a rundown sheep farm in Wales, complete with debts, repairs, and plenty of challenges. Having no farming experience, Alex questions why she’s been left the farm and, more importantly, by whom.

As the story unfolds, the farm transforms not only Alex’s life but also the village, the pub, and her neighbor Dickon, a racehorse trainer. I particularly loved Alex’s instant bond with Jiffy the dog and the touching companionship between the horse, The Skirrid, and the sheep who calmed him. Alex’s kindness, resilience, and determination make her a truly special heroine.

This is a wonderful story about overcoming obstacles, embracing unexpected opportunities, and finding love and purpose.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. . Great characters and a good storyline. I really enjoyed it.

Alex is a society reporter for a tell all online publication. She is approaching 40, unattached with no ties or responsibilities, apart from her mortgage. Although this state was a childhood aim she is finding her chosen life style not as satisfying as it once was. Out of the blue a letter arrives from a law firm informing her that she has inherited a farm in rural Monmouth.

New relationships are created, family secrets uncovered and friends pull together to help each other. The characters are engaging and the story is told with gentle humour. This was a delightful read from start to finish.

I loved this book and all of the characters, including Barry John, but not Isobel! I know she has her reasons for the way she behaves, but I believe that that honesty is best, even if the truth hurts.
I adored the build up and excitement of finding love.
Alex who has no responsibilities and likes it that way gets an inheritance that changes her entire life.

I did not want this book to end!
LOVE is LOVE

Alex inherits a sheep farm, just as she was reaching a crossroads in her life and has to adapt to this change in her situation. This was a warm, comforting read. New chances, friendships, family, found family and love. This book was richly descriptive, filled with warmth and heart. Enjoyed the realism of the farming and horse racing parts and the love story, although not central, was just so sweet. Would be great if there was a sequel as I’d love to hear more from all of these characters.

This was so much fun to read! I loved the character of Alex and following her journey of self discovery when life sets her on a very different path! She'd spent many years not knowing what to do, where to go but life was ticking along nicely for her as a reporter, and then a letter from a solicitor changes all that!

She's been left a farm by a man she's never heard of so at first thinks it's a prank, but the reaction of her parents sets her mind thinking and curiosity takes over when life at home throws up some shocks. and shocks follow her when she finds herself on the farm, meeting the locals and trying to solve the mystery of who the benefactor is to her and what to do with it.

I loved the farm setting, and there's nothing like livestock to refocus your brain and force your hand into making 'grown up' decisions! And I knew there'd be a horse racing link to the story somewhere with the authors' background, and I thought this really added another enjoyable aspect to the storyline.

There's lots of little sub plots in this story that work so well together and many characters to enjoy - and some to despise!! A really enjoyable read and I'm already looking forward to seeing what she writes next!

Really enjoyed reading this book it was a good book from start to end
Followed a young woman called Alex whose life was going nowhere really and suddenly she is left a farm in a strangers will in middle of Monmouthshire, so she goes with her best friend Ethan to visit this farm and after a long drive and missed turns they end up at a village pub and find out the farm is still away away. Fortunately the pub has lovely rooms and Ethan has booked them in for the night and after some excellent food and drinks Alex is in her twin bed fast asleep heaven knows where Ethan is!
Alex and Ethan are driven by pub landlord and farm helper next day he introduces them to Gwen who has been looking after farm since William died she comes gives Alex big hug and jiffy immediately gives Alex a sniff and sits with her Alex can’t get over the state of the place of it it’s ramshackle everything is falling apart the window stuffed with newspaper, the roof falling down, the whole place needs tons of money spending on it. Money she doesn’t have. Gwen talks about the lambs being born and how everyone helps Alex feels sick she can’t watch casualty without holding cushion in front of her face because of blood how is she meant to cope wit lambs being born. No no ! This is to much for her then gwen drops the bombshell the farm can’t be sold for 5 years oh hell she had forgotten that
So she sets of to look at these sheep and lambs and as they go Jinny starts barking at the hedge so Alex rushes over to see a ewe stusk there and shouts back to Gwen for help at the same time as another voice shouts hey idiot stop shouting you nearly scared my horse what are you playing at? And she saw a man on a horse on the other side of hole in hedge oh sorry my sheep got stuck I’m Alex the new owner great keep your sheep out of my field
That was her introduction to Dickon the race horse trainer her next door neighbour
Strangely the two of them would be come best of friends throughout the book in a strange way
Funny what happens in a novel
This one is fabulous a great read about family,friends and helping each other out in times of need

A gentle read containing some interesting characters but there was an element of predictability particularly related to why she inherited the farm. . Big leaps of faith too from being a novice farmer to managing the farm and branching out into horse racing. A lot of descriptive passages and reality came through once horse racing entered the arena .
The premise was good

Many thanks to HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd, Clare Balding and Netgalley for providing this advance copy for an honest review.
Clare Balding’s debut novel Pastures New is a warm and gentle story about Alex, a London journalist who unexpectedly inherits a sheep farm in Wales. Swapping celebrity parties for muddy fields, she’s soon caught up in the ups and downs of rural life, meeting locals, uncovering family secrets and finding new purpose.

This isn’t the sort of book I’d normally pick up, but seeing Clare Balding’s name on the cover definitely piqued my interest, and I’m glad I gave it a try. The setting and the animals bring real charm.
As the nights draw in, this is exactly the kind of cosy read to enjoy with a blanket and a cuppa.

Heartwarming story about Alex, who is single and currently in a job which she no longer enjoys. She is shocked to discover that she has inherited a sheep farm from a man she has never met. She sets off to investigate, hoping to discover why this stranger has chosen her as his heir. A story with romance, friendship and family dynamics which was a comforting read.

This is a delightful and heartwarming read. Clare Balding shines as a storyteller, crafting a cast of intriguing and engaging characters. The story follows Alex, who unexpectedly inherits a dilapidated farm on the Welsh borders from a mysterious benefactor. This new life is worlds apart from her career as a celebrity gossip writer. Yet, despite the challenges of managing the farm's finances, she quickly becomes a cherished part of the community. There's a budding romance, friendships she's never known before, and the eventual revelation of the mysterious benefactor's identity.

I thoroughly enjoyed this comforting read. The characters were relatable, the setting was vivid, and the story flowed at a great pace without sacrificing detail. The insights into horse racing were fascinating and felt natural given Clare’s background. I really hope this becomes a series so we can see what happens next. Many thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.

This book was nothing like I expected. It confused me at first how it was a 3rd person perspective, but once I got over that, it was easier to follow. (The leading lady’s parents are addressed by their Christian names and it made my head hurt a bit to start with).
I read the book over a few days and did enjoy it for the most part. There were a couple of gross bits I could have done without though. (24 years being veggie after seeing a sheep farm first hand’s fault).
An enjoyable read, especially for those who love farming.

When Alex Roberts receives a solicitor’s letter telling hr she has inherited a sheep farm in Wales she thinks it’s a joke. After all she has never heard of the man who has left her the property and what would a woman from London do with a sheep farm.
Discovering the letter isn’t a hoax Alex decides to visit the farm, taking along her best friend Ethan for support. What Alex finds is a rundown farmhouse with dilapidated barns and rusting equipment scattered about.
Fortunately, the locals are mostly friendly and Alex quickly finds herself feeling surprisingly at home.
However the farm is in big financial trouble and Alex is going to have her work cut out if she is going to make it work. While Alex is coming up with ideas to keep the farm running, she is also determined to find out why she was left the farm, but digging up the past isn’t always a good idea and the secrets uncovered could have devastating effects on those closest to Alex.
This is a wonderful, warm hearted story full of family, friendship, love, and animals. It will capture from start to finish, make you want to laugh and cry. It’s the perfect escape.

A fantastic debut novel from Clare Balding. A story told with such warmth with great characters it had me hooked right from page one. This is a great book to get totally lost in.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. It was a pleasure.

Clare Balding’s debut novel, Pastures New, is a warm, witty, and thoroughly charming story about unexpected change and the courage to embrace new beginnings. Balding’s signature humor and insight shine through as she introduces Alex, a woman approaching forty who suddenly inherits a crumbling sheep farm in the wilds of Wales.

Thrown into the unpredictable world of rural life, Alex navigates stubborn farm animals, eccentric villagers, and her own insecurities with heart and humor. The story balances gentle comedy with moments of genuine emotion, creating a narrative that is both uplifting and relatable. Balding captures the rhythms of rural life and the sense of community with a keen, affectionate eye, while also exploring personal growth, resilience, and the transformative power of embracing the unknown.

Verdict: Pastures New is a delightful, feel-good debut, perfect for fans of heartfelt contemporary fiction and cozy rural stories. It is funny, sensitive, and brimming with charm—a novel that leaves readers smiling and warmed by its optimism.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A heartwarming, humorous, and insightful story about change, community, and discovering where you truly belong.

This book was a joy to read. The characters were just wonderful and it was so heartwarming seeing them come together to support each other. The setting was glorious and I loved that the main character was around 40, not a 20 something looking for love. I wish the plot had continued to explore what life would be like for Alex remaining on the farm. Hoping for a sequel.

First, can I say a huge thank you to @harperfiction for reaching out? Thank you so so much .

This book could not have come at a better time , I've never read anything by Claire before .Once, I was told the plot of the story I was in .
Claire storytelling is wonderful and very clever how she used life experience in this for a writer that can take a toll on their emotions so you you Claire fantastic work .her writing flows so wonderfully.

The plot to the story I loved its heartwarming , cosy, and so very grounded to real life. I loved that ,the characters were all very likeable and funny , but you also got to have a few idiots in the story that needed a good ear bashing lol I could feel myself have that heat for them that great writing for you .

I felt so many emotions in this story, good bad and uncomfortable , I really connect with the main character. I really hope we get another book as I loved this so very much .

Well done, Claire. such a beautiful read 5 shining stars 🌟

Feel good debut novel.

Neatly put to the fore the problems of farming with very little budget, or none as the case maybe.

A mixture of career, family life, dubious pasts and eventually finding their correct place in the scheme of things.

Really enjoyed this novel.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this.