Thursday 14 May 2015

Book Review - Country Affairs by Zara Stoneley

Amazon UK
Title: Country Affairs
Author: Zara Stoneley
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Negalley
Publisher: Harper Impulse
Publication Date: 14th May 2015
Rating: 4.5 Stars


Welcome back to Tippermere for the wedding of the year…

Scatty but loveable Lottie Brinkley is famous throughout the village for her disorganised personality so when she steps up to plan the perfect wedding the only likely outcome is disaster.

When her globetrotting, love cheat of an ex, Todd, literally crashes the wedding on a not-so-noble steed, things definitely look set to take a turn for the scandalous. As rumours of why he’s back spread through the village quicker than the stable girl can drop her knickers, is Lottie's future with sexy eventer Rory Steel about to fall at the next fence?

With a wave of unexpected pregnancies, steamy shenanigans in the hay and a farrier with more than shoeing horses on his mind, will Lottie ever be ready to take on the coveted title of Lady of the Manor and restore the Estate to its former glory?

As the heart of the village, Tipping House Estate, makes its move into the 21st Century, pulses start to race in a novel packed full of charm, hunky stallions (the guys that is), and a daring plan that just has to succeed…

Country Affairs is another delightful romp into the village of Tippermere. There are horses, dogs, studs, a canny old woman, sex and romance. Country Affairs is a quality sequel to Stable Mates, and is a really enjoyable story. 

This story focuses on Lottie, who is being groomed to take over as Lady of the Manor, with a large debt hanging over its head. Lottie needs to come up with a long term fund raising initiative that will not only raise enough money to replace the roof, at Tipping House, but keep funds coming in to help with maintenance of the estate. However Lady Elizabeth has imposed certain restrictions, which makes Lottie have to come up with an amazing idea that works for everyone. 

Lottie is helped by her willing friends who all return from Stable Mates. There is Pip, Amanda and Sam, as well as all the hunky men from the first book, including Rory and Mick, This can be read as a standalone, and the cast list at the start of the book really helps, to give an idea to the who's who of Tippermere, but I would recommend reading Stable Mates first. 

Lady Elizabeth is my hero. From outward appearances she may look like an old lady, but her mind is a sharp as a tack. There isn't anything occurring in Tippermere, that Elizabeth doesn't know about and in most cases have a hand in subtly manipulating the situation to meet her needs.  She is a loveable woman who is central to everything an very partial to a Gin & Tonic!

The beginning of the book is absolutely hilarious as Todd, who is  Lottie's ex, rides in to crash a wedding, with information he misunderstood. These scenes from the initial wedding in this book were highly amusing and very entertaining and set the tone for the rest of the book. There are some moments of pure comic genius. 

Country Affairs packs a whole lot of plot lines, and depth  into its compact bundle, and is a joy to read. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Impulse for my review copy. This was my honest review. 

Country Affairs is out today. Happy publication day Zara!!

No comments:

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...