A really fantastic first novel. A great insight into some of the struggles of farming. A great collection of characters and I loved the way she brought the world's of sheep farming and horse racing together. The awakening of the main characters was brilliant too. Can't wait to see what her second novel brings.

I didn’t know what to expect from this book but I absolutely loved and it couldn’t put it down.
Alex is drifting along in life when she receives the news that she has inherited a farm in Wales. What follows is a fantastic adventure where Alex makes new friends, learns new skills and truly finds herself.
The characters were well written and I really liked Alex and wanted her to succeed on her journey
I thought the setting was excellent and so descriptive and could imagine myself in the pub or out in the fields with Gwen and Jiffy.
I would love a sequel or even a series to see what happens next and I would definitely recommend this to everyone.
Thanks to NetGalley, Clare Balding and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Clare Balding's debut novel is a good read. I pretty much expected it to be farming/ horse based and was really pleasantly surprised at how readable I found it. Alex inherits a farm in Wales from someone she doesn't know and had never met She moves in with Jiffy( the dog) who immediately becomes her shadow and Gwen the housekeeper. She instantly takes a dislike to Dickon her neighbour..and constantly faces problems that she has to solve. Alexa father has a stroke at the start of the book and her mother is edgy whenever the farm or it's original owner is mentioned....
A meet with an unpleasant celebrity that Alex knew from her past, financial problems, a flighty race horse, romantic feelings for Magic Mandy and a father she never knew she had all add up to this novels appeal. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more by Clare Balding. Recommend.

A beautiful,feel good, debut novel!

The author has ensured the reader is engaged in the narrative, from the very first page.
We follow Alex on a funny, heartwarming, emotive journey from jet-setting around the world, writing articles for a gossip magazine, to being left a run-down farm, in a will of someone she didn't even know!
She knows nothing about farming but finds herself, before too long, being drawn to North Wales.

I would not normally read this genre but I was intrigued due to the author, & she didn't disappoint....I loved it & couldn't put it down! I look forward to owning a physical copy & hope it becomes part of a series.
Thank you to Net Galley for my ARC in return for an honest review.

A lovely debut novel from Claire. A very easy read which I highly recommend. This open and down to earth story really captured my heart. I found I was warmed to the characters and loved that it was about families and relationships. My thanks to netgalley and the publisher's for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

This is just the loveliest book! I really really really enjoyed this book!

The story follows Alex, a journalist who has lost her job due to being replaced by AI. This is so relevant to today and is a threat to many jobs. Alex inherits a rundown sheep farm in Wales – along with its debts, and lots of problems with the farmhouse. I live in Wales so loved the setting! Alex has never farmed in her life, she has no experience of how to run a farm, make a farm profitable and cannot understand why on earth she has been left a farm and most importantly from who.

As the story unfolds, I did work out who gave Alex the farm before it was revealed. And if only they could see what a difference Alex’s life is now and how the farm turned her life around. I loved Alex’s relationship with Jiffy, the dog. It was as if Jiffy knew who Alex was related to as they bonded straight away.

Not only did the farm transform Alex’s life but Alex transformed the farm, the pub, the village and her neighbour Dickon, a racehorse trainer. Not getting off on a great footing with Dickon did not put Alex off and the difference she made to Dickon’s life and his horse, The Skirrid’s life was incredible. Alex is a very special person and always helping others. I think William would be incredibly proud of the impact Alex has made in the community.

I loved how the sheep stayed with the horse and how much the sheep kept the horse calm. Such a special relationship and a wonderful companionship for them both.

The book explores wonderfully the relationships between Alex and Mandy. She may be a magician and she certainly brought the magic into Mandy’s life and allowed Alex and us to see the transformation of Alex being herself and allowing her to open up to a new relationship, which she have never envisaged but when it did, everything fell into place.

Clare Balding has an immense amount of experience and knowledge about animals and farming life and this shines through and I felt it made the reader feel so part of the book. The wonderful setting, the very special characters and the vibrant and tight-knit community made this book a very special read indeed. I adored Gwen and loved how she was always on her quad bike, herding the sheep! I did not like Layton Brooks though!

So much fun, smiles and laughter in the story too and I laughed so much at the trampoline for the frog! There was so much in the book that was so relevant to today and where I said on many occasions, “that is so true! Or “we have said that!”.

I definitely would love to go and visit Alex’s sheep farm – I think she should definitely set up a glamping site so visitors can have a true Welsh farm experience!

A great book, tackling taking on a new challenge, overcoming the hugest of obstacles and finding your true self. I would love to see a follow-up book! I am very curious to see how Alex’s journey unfolds and where life takes her next!

Thank you to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for my advanced copy. This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.

This was a fabulous debut novel from Claire Balding which I read in practically one sitting loved the characters and the setting and the storyline and everything was beautifully brought to life through the authors descriptive writing.

This was a heartwarming and cosy read that was perfect for the summer and would make a great beach read.

I would love this to become a series to further follow the lives of the characters and the animals that came to life in this story.

This was a fabulous feel good read that was guaranteed to put a smile on your face while reading.