Book Review - Clover Cottage by Christie Barlow

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Amazon UK

Title: Clover Cottage

Author: Christie Barlow

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter 

Publication Date: 20th March 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

Love Heart Lane – where friends are there for you no matter what.

When Vet Rory Scott inherits ramshackle Clover Cottage in the quaint village of Heartcross, Allie MacDonald just knows this is their happy ever after. A place to call home with the man she loves – it’s her dream come true!

Until Rory drops a bombshell. He loves Allie but he has dreams of his own to follow – to live and work in Africa. Clover Cottage will have to wait just a little longer…

Allie can’t imagine life without Rory, but she loves him too much to hold him back. And as he embarks on his adventure, Allie begins to rethink her own plans. She loves Rory and knows she wants him in her life, but maybe she can follow her own dreams too?

And always there, nestled in the beautiful village of Heartcross, surrounded by the people she loves, will be the place that will always bring them back to each other. Their forever home, Clover Cottage.

I've just spent the most wonderful couple of hours in Heartcross, back amongst my friends from Love Heart Lane, and meeting whole new ones at the same time. 

And what a roller coaster of a book this was, what I can definitely say is Christie Barlow really is producing her best stories and writing with this series.  This was another super duper book! 

I was hooked from the first few pages, and although at times the conflict between Allie and Rory was getting a bit frustrating, I could see things from both their points of view, and had my everything crossed they would have a great ending. 

There is a story line involving Rory's mother that I sort of saw coming but didn't make it any less surprising and then there are revelations involving Rory's father's past that really did shock me.  Not to mention the incredibly sexy Netflix star who rocks up in Heartcross and  soon feels like part of the gang. 

He added a new dimension to the books, and he was in some ways a catalyst for some potentially huge changes in both Rory and Allie's lives. 

If you have read the other fantastic books in the series, then you will be as delighted as I am to see Felicity and Isla are Allie's best friends.   Oh and there is such an adorable scene involving Mop the llama, and the dog show.   I love Mop, he's so cute, and it was so amusing seeing him at the Summer fair. 

Clover Cottage itself is key to a lot of the story, but not quite in the way you may expect, but it certainly deserves the title role in this book. 

This is a warm and cosy story, if felt like I was wrapped up in a hug and I couldn't stop reading.  I love this series so much it's scary, and I'm counting down the days until the next book is out! 

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Foxglove Farm by Christie Barlow

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: Foxglove Farm

Author: Christie Barlow

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Harper Impulse

Publication Date: 28th June 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Return to Love Heart Lane for friendship, romance and a community who will be be there for you no matter what…

Isla and Drew Allaway appear to have the perfect life – a strong marriage, two beautiful children and their picture-perfect home, Foxglove Farm.

But, new mum Isla is struggling.  She loves her little family but with Drew working all hours on the farm, Isla’s lonely.

When she discovers that Drew has been keeping secrets from her, Isla has to face losing the home they all love.

Can the Love Heart Lane community pull together once more to help save Foxglove Farm?  And can Isla save her home…and her marriage?

I didn't think anything was going to be able top Love Heart Lane in my Christie Barlow greatest hits list.. but it feels like Foxglove Farm has done exactly that. 

It was wonderful being back in Heartcross amongst familiar faces, and although Felicity and Fergus are present, this time the focus of the book is on Felicity's best friend Isla and Drew.  They live on Foxglove Farm and based on the arguments we are greeted with, things aren't going too well. 

However it takes a while for the reader and Isla to get to the root of Drew's bad mood with her, and all manner of circumstances and drama leads up to that point.  

This can easily be read as a standalone book although that would be depriving yourself of another fabulous book, 

From the first few pages I was utterly hooked, and given the majority of this book I read on tube journeys, the fact I managed to get off at the right stops is a mystery to me, as I have no recollection of even moving, I was that engrossed in the story. 

If you are looking for a book that features a lot of drama, a heartwarming and cosy feeling to it, with some big issues touched upon, all with fabulous writing, great location, small town community feeling and some humour, then without a doubt, give this book a try. 

This is a community of characters that has completely got under my skin and I'm already looking forward to Clover Cottage.   What I especially loved about this book was that it was about a married couple who needed to start trusting in each other more, and to not have secrets, rather than a brand new romance.  It just added a fresh vibe to the story. 

I'm not sure I can really explain just how much enjoyment and pleasure this book brought to me. I will admit I had suspicions about one character that proved completely correct, but even guessing part of one bit of plot couldn't detract from the sheer joy of reading more about Heartcross. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Impulse for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Love Heart Lane by Christie Barlow - #HolidayReading Mexico

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title:  Love Heart Lane

Author: Christie Barlow

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Harper Impulse

Publication Date: 21st March 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Welcome to Love Heart Lane…

When Flick Simons returns to the small village of Heartcross she only expected to stay for a few days. The white-washed cottages of Love Heart Lane might be her home, but the place holds too many painful memories, and of one man in particular – Fergus Campbell.

When a winter storm sweeps in, the only bridge connecting the village to the main land is swept away! As the villagers pull together, Flick finds herself welcomed back by the friends she once left behind. And as the snow begins to melt, maybe there is a chance that Fergus’s heart will thaw too…

Could not put this book down. From the moment it started, I was drawn into Felicity;s life, and at the point the book moved to Heartcross, well I had to read it in one sitting, staying up to the small hours.

Definitely a book worth sacrificing sleep for!!

There is so much drama and action in Love Heart Lane, that I couldn't believe it.  

it's all about the community of Heartcross who need to come together when their small Scottish village is cut off from the rest of the world. 

It is about Felicity returning to Heartcross properly after 8 years, hoping that her friends will welcome her and wondering just what sort of reaction Fergus will give her. 

There is a whole cast of warm and lovable characters, who I can't read to more about in the rest of this series. 

I think I may be saying it with every book but Christie Barlow is getting better and better, her writing is fabulous and the way the story jumps off the page and gets under your skin is remarkable. 

What a wonderful book, that I adored every second of. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Impulse for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - A Home at Honeysuckle Farm by Christie Barlow

Amazon UK

Title:  A Home at Honeysuckle Farm

Author: Christie Barlow

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Harper Impulse

Publication Date: 6th April 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

A family secret

One shocking argument and ten-year-old Alice Parker’s world was turned upside down. Her peaceful life at Honeysuckle Farm in the quiet rural village of Brook Bridge swapped for the bustling metropolis of New York City. Alice’s life was changed forever…

A second chance

Now, thirteen years later, Alice’s American dream is over. With her life in tatters, there is only one place Alice wants to be… home at Honeysuckle Farm. So, when Alice learns her beloved Grandie is ill, she knows this is her last chance to heal the family rift.

A forever home?

But secrets still swirl in Brook Bridge, and Alice is no closer to discovering the truth. And for some reason her new friendship with local heartthrob Sam Reid seems to be making the locals tense.

Sick of the lies Alice knows it’s time to lay the past to rest once and for all. But could the truth ruin her hopes of ever calling Honeysuckle Farm home again?

Wow this is yet again proof of what I think I may have said before, Christie Barlow is getting better and better with every single book. This was superb, I was hooked instantly, desperate to know what the big secret was that meant that Alice and her mum moved suddenly to New York,13 years ago, and why Alice hadn't seen her beloved Grandie in that time. 

And when you do get to the reveal, lets just say I didn't see that coming, although it makes complete and utter sense.  Before that though there are many other secrets to  unravel, an emotional homecoming for Alice, and an offer that could lead to her changing her life for the better. 

Oh and lets not forget a simply gorgeous guy, if the rest of the small community can get past something that happened before Alice was even born. 

Although this is all about Honeysuckle Farm as a sense of home,  this is not a book set on a farm as such, more around Alice's love of dance and theatre, and with a chance to right some wrongs, and reboot her own life, I loved seeing what the author had in store for Alice next. 

At various times when I was reading this I felt as though I was on the verge of tears, and by the end I had shivers and goosebumps with the mosts wonderful finale.  I loved every second of this book, and just wish I could take a time machine to transport me back to the start of the book again, so that I can discover its greatness again for the first time! 

Thank you to Harper Impulse and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Evie's Year of Taking Chances by Christie Barlow - #HolidayReading Book 6

Book 6 of 30 that I read on my holiday to Fuerteventura in December 2017

Amazon UK

Title: Evie's Year of Taking Chances

Author: Christie Barlow

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 10th March 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

It’s Evie’s birthday and the start of a year she’ll never forget. An emotional story of love, friendship and grabbing life by the horns.

Evie’s job has always been her safe haven. As a librarian in the little town of Becton she loses herself in books - after all it’s far easier to read about other people’s problems than set about solving her own.

Then, one birthday, everything is turned upside down. A mysterious parcel containing a beautiful book with a poignant inscription arrives for Evie. It’s the beginning of a new chapter for Evie and she’s inspired to try and find her real mother. 

Evie’s search leads her to meet handsome author Noah Jones. Charming and intelligent, Noah seems the perfect catch but what Evie doesn’t realise is that he is hiding something – a key to Evie’s past. 

As Evie gets closer to Noah and discovering her mother, she must take a giant leap of faith. Can she embrace the new and make this her year of taking chances? And if she does, will she get her heart broken? 

I can't believe it has taken me most of a year to get around to reading this superbly addictive book.

It didn't take me long until I was completely hooked on the story, and had to see how the various threads would unravel.

Evie works in a library and I loved the dynamics between her and Clara her best friend, Adrian the new librarian and there other friends. 

There are some large issues dealt with in this book, and one of the biggest to do with Evie's birth mum, i unfortunately predicted very early on, but it turns out not for completely the correct reasonings. 

I loved all the characters in this book, and felt really at home reading this story and the setting of Becton. 

This is a great showcase for the recent direction Christie Barlow's writing has gone in, and is easily one of my favourite books by her - well written, a joy to read and made me have the "feels". Definitely felt emotions towards various aspects of this story.. I loved it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Cosy Canal Boat Dream by Christie Barlow - Blog Tour

Amazon UK

Title: The Cosy Canal Boat Dream

Author: Christie Barlow

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied review copy

Publisher: Harper Impulse

Publication Date: 22nd August 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Welcome to the Little Rock marina – where hearts are healed and dreams are made…

For the last two years Nell Andrews has been struggling to stay afloat. As her life tumbled down around her, the only safety net has been her cosy canal boat, The Nollie. Tucked away inside, Nell has found a place to heal her broken heart. And now she’s ready to move on and follow her dream…

Gorgeous Guy Cornish, with his easy Irish charm, makes him an instant hit with everyone at the marina, and the perfect person to help Nell with her project. But Guy has his own reasons for being at the marina, and a past that threatens to sink Nell’s dream…

Without a doubt my favourite Christie Barlow book of all time. From the prologue that hooked me in and gave me such a clear picture of the Little Rock Marina, to the instant familiarity I felt with the characters and the overall cosy and warm feelings I got from the book, made this a story I adored reading. 

Two years on from the sudden death of her husband, Nell is slowly trying to get more of a grip on her life. Things really start to change when an opportunity comes up for her to follow a dream and set up a project in her late husbands memory. 

However Gilly seems to be really opposed to the potential project, and there is a large mystery surrounding this. Whereas best friend Bea is all for it, as is new man about the marina Guy and his adorable dog Sam. Guy is very easy on the eye, and he has a very welcoming manner. Guy and Nell hit it off very fast and I felt as though I was a fly on the wall watching their initial encounters. 

Two of my favourite characters were Sam the dog, who is utterly adorable, but also shows some great doggy instincts at times, and also Jacob, Bea's son. who is a cute 5 year old, who comes out with some great lines, and is such a likeable child. 

The friendship between Bea and Nell is great, as is Bea's deli which serves delicious food. They have known each other forever and really have each others back. And yet as the book progresses various aspects of their back stories become known which completely threw me.

I would love to see Little Rock Marina used as a setting for future books, as its a great sounding place to live. The warm fuzzy feeling I felt from reading The Cosy Canal Boat Dream is similar to the feeling I get from Katie Fforde's books - its a feeling like I'm coming home and also receiving a big hug from the book, which is the best was I can sum it up. 

The author's typical sense of humour is present as is the great writing style that I have come to expect from her books. I truly thought this to be a fabulous book that as I progressed with my reading of it, I became more and more loathe to put it down, and in fact was surprised by just how quick I devoured it. The Cosy Canal Boat Dream is the sort of book that will warm you up from the inside and perfect for when you want to be lost in a cuddle of a book! 

Thanks you to Christie Barlow for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Please take a look at the rest of the stops on this blog tour 

Back Catalogue Books - Q&A with Christie Barlow

Back Catalogue Books is my new regular Saturday feature, focusing on books that are not the latest releases. There is going to be a mix of Q&As and also reviews, depending on what I have the space for. 

If you are an author wanting to take part in Back Catalogue Books then please do email on gilbster at gmail dot com and I'll whizz the questions over to you. 

I hope everyone enjoys this weekly look back at some of the slightly older books that are about but still great, and that I eventually make a dent in my TBRs as a result of it!

Christie Barlow (right) & Me!

Over the past year, I have met the lovely Christie Barlow at quite a few author/blogger meet ups, and I am so happy to be able to introduce her to you all today, and share her past wonderful books with you all. 

Please tell me about your first book, and what started you writing in the first place.

My writing career came as a surprise! Once hitting my mid-life crisis after wholly dedicating my life to the care of my children, my son who was choosing his career options at school asked me what I wanted to do with my life. “I’ve always wanted to write a book,” I found myself answering. And so, the idea was born. I knew I had to follow through with my statement. But the dilemma was, what would I write about? There is an old adage that says ‘write what you know’, and I certainly know how to be a mother. Hence the idea for A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother was born. I self- published the novel and was astounded to see it climb the charts. It soon became the talk of the town and within six months it had become a bestseller in the UK and USA. I landed a publication deal and am now a full-time writer! My journey has been incredible. It’s like a dream!

How many books have you written and what are they?

I have written five books so far! A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother and The Misadventures of a Playground Mother (these are feel-good comedies about life at the school gates). Kitty’s Countryside Dream (a feel-good romantic comedy about life, love and family), Lizzie’s Christmas Escape (a sparkling Christmas romance) and Evie’s Year of Taking Chances which is due to be released March 2017.

Which book are you most proud of writing?

I pondered for a second on this question but soon realized all of them! I never in a million years thought I would be capable of writing one book and now I’ve just started to write my sixth!

Which book was your favourite to write?

My favourite book that I’ve written so far is Kitty’s Countryside Dream. The main character Kitty Lewis inherits Bluebell Lodge from a grandmother she never knew she had and just as she is beginning to find her feet at the Lodge she discovers a long-hidden diary by a mysterious character Violet Porter. This book is full of such warmth, friendship, humour and genuinely loveable characters. 

Who are your favourite characters from your books and why?

I have so many! In my first two playground books, the characters Penelope and Rupert Kensington were so off-the-wall and whacky that they were absolutely fun to write about. When I finished writing Kitty’s Countryside Dream, I felt bereft leaving Kitty Lewis and Tom Drew behind. I totally fell in love with them. Then there is Lizzie Stevens and Ann Sandeman in Lizzie’s Christmas Escape, their tale of genuine friendship is one I can absolutely relate to.

Which of your covers is your favourite and why?

When I first saw the cover for Kitty’s Countryside Dream I gasped! It oozed such warmth! I thought it was utterly gorgeous and of course it features a chicken! This story would have never been written if it wasn’t for a local farmer selling me my first chicken over nine years ago. It was my feathered friends who provided that little spark of inspiration for this story.

Have you ever thought of changing genres?

I have an idea for a psychological thriller which I hope to write one day. I can really appreciate the research that goes into writing a believable thriller – so it presents a challenge for me that I want to explore. I already have the idea…so that’s a start!

Looking forward can you let us know what you are working on next?

I’m currently writing book 6 which is due for release September 2017 by Harper Impulse. I don’t want to give much away except that it features narrowboats and an old picture house. I’m loving writing every second of it and I hope you love it too!

I dare not ask for a favourite author but is there any author’s back catalogue you admire and why?

Immediately one author springs to mind and that has got to be Enid Blyton. Five on a Treasure Island has stayed with me from the age of seven when I can remember sitting on an old trunk in my bedroom and not moving all day until I’d finished it. The marvellous characters and the adventures of the Famous Five I will never forget and I have introduced my children to this series. All of her books in her back catalogue are absolute classics and every child should have the opportunity to read them, they are truly fantastic.

Finally, is there anything else you would like to say about your back catalogue of books?

The past two years have been truly amazing in the land of books and that is down to all the lovely readers, bloggers, friends and family. I absolutely appreciate that they have chosen my books to read and all the kind words and messages they send me. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be doing the job I love, so thank you. If you enjoyed any of my books I would be forever grateful if you’d write a review. Your recommendations can always help others to discover my books.

Thank you so much Christie, I love the sound of the Harper Impulse book, and I completely agree with you about the Kitty's Countryside Dream cover, it's definitely my favourite of your covers so far.

About Christie Barlow

Christie Barlow is the author of A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother, The Misadventures of a Playground Mother, Kitty's Countryside Dream and Lizzie's Christmas Escape. She lives in Staffordshire with her husband, four kids, horses, chickens and a mad cocker spaniel. Her writing career came as somewhat a surprise when she decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. The book she wrote to prove a point is now a #1 bestseller in the UK and USA. 


Christie loves to hear from her readers and you can get in touch via her website www.christiebarlow.com Twitter @ChristieJBarlow and Facebook page Christie Barlow author

Christie Barlow on Amazon

Evie's Year of Taking Chances

Amazon UK

It’s Evie’s birthday and the start of a year she’ll never forget. An emotional story of love, friendship and grabbing life by the horns.

Evie’s job has always been her safe haven. As a librarian in the little town of Becton she loses herself in books - after all it’s far easier to read about other people’s problems than set about solving her own.

Then, one birthday, everything is turned upside down. A mysterious parcel containing a beautiful book with a poignant inscription arrives for Evie. It’s the beginning of a new chapter for Evie and she’s inspired to try and find her real mother. 

Evie’s search leads her to meet handsome author Noah Jones. Charming and intelligent, Noah seems the perfect catch but what Evie doesn’t realise is that he is hiding something – a key to Evie’s past. 

As Evie gets closer to Noah and discovering her mother, she must take a giant leap of faith. Can she embrace the new and make this her year of taking chances? And if she does, will she get her heart broken? 

Book Review - Lizzie's Christmas Escape by Christie Barlow

Amazon UK

Title: Lizzie's Christmas Escape

Author: Christie Barlow

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 21st October

Rating: 4 Stars

A gorgeous country house hotel, a liberal dusting of snow, a cosy weekend away…what more could Lizzie ask for at Christmas?

Every Christmas Lizzie promises herself that things will change and she will leap into the new year a new woman. And yet here she is again, at the beginning of December and nothing is different. Her girls have grown up and left home, her husband Henry is slumped in front of the TV and she is alone in the kitchen, seeking refuge in the cooking sherry and talking to her Gary Barlow calendar. She’s also been very diverted by handsome new neighbour Marcus and she knows she shouldn’t be …

So when best friend Ann suggests a weekend away in the country, Lizzie jumps at the chance. Will this Christmas escape give Lizzie some much needed perspective and allow her to mend her marriage? Or will Marcus prove to be too much of a distraction?

A funny feel good festive read about rediscovering the magic of Christmas - just the thing to curl up with on a cold winters night.

This is not the story I was expecting, based on what I had read of the blurb. I was expecting a story where the majority of it would be this big weekend country escape, with a best friend, and that it would be incredibly funny and feel good. 

The book I have just read, barely featured an escape, and in fact is a story that felt a bit more serious than I would have wanted at all from  a Christmas book. There is certainly snow and there is definitely  Christmas, and I loved that Lizzie spoke to her Gary Barlow calendar in the same way as Shirley Valentine talks to her wall. 

In fact some of the early bit of the book felt very Shirley Valentine-esque, with the couple very stuck in their routine, and in fact Lizzie's husband Henry even has chips and egg one night each week. Nothing changes from day to day and they are stuck in a rut, and Lizzie is understandably wanting more from her life. 

As a result it is very easy to see why she is flattered by the attention of the charming new neighbour Marcus, in fact I was really attracted to him too, although he did seem a bit too good to be true. Meanwhile Ann has her own things to deal with this Christmas, including a husband that seems to keep working very late,  and a mother who is seriously ill, and siblings that seem to only be interested in money. 

There seems to be a recurring theme about fidelity in this book, with Lizzie trying what to do about Marcus being just one of the relationships in question. 

I loved the unconditional friendship between Ann and Lizzie, even if I didn't really connect to the rest of their families. Lizzie and Ann have a great friendship, and they are very supportive of each other. Despite Ann's drunken flirty nature, she has some very solid words of advice for Lizzie, throughout the story. 

I feel mildly discombobulated as normally when I read a Christie Barlow book, I end up laughing a lot, and yet apart from a couple of very amusing incidents, I just didn't find the book particularly funny, nor did it give me a feeling of Christmas. What it is though is very good story, that was certainly intriguing and kept me guessing about the outcomes. 

Thank you so much to Bookouture and Netgalley for this review copy. This was my honest opinion. 

Book Review - Kitty's Countryside Dream by Christie Barlow

Amazon UK

Title: Kitty's Countryside Dream

Author: Christie Barlow

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 25th February 2016

Rating: 5 Stars

New home. New life. New beginning. Love affairs can blossom in the most unlikely places . . .

When Kitty inherits Bluebell Lodge from her grandmother, a farm in the beautiful Staffordshire countryside, it’s time for fresh air and a fresh start. Up to her elbows in chickens and ponies, Kitty soon realises there’s an awful lot to learn about farming. Still, at least the locals seem friendly, not least her handsome neighbour Tom… 

But just as Kitty is beginning to find her feet, and the possibility of love, the discovery of a long-hidden diary, by a mysterious character called Violet changes everything. Who is Violet and what is her message for Kitty? As Kitty fills in the lost pieces of her family jigsaw and discovers some shocking revelations, will her countryside dream and blossoming relationship fall to pieces? When it comes to life in the country, nothing is ever quite as it seems … 

Having loved Christie Barlow's previous books, and also after falling in love with the cover of Kitty's Countryside Dream the first time I saw it, I knew I had to read this book. I was aware in advance that it was a slight change in tone, from her Playground Mother books, but thankfully I am delighted to say that this was even better. 

The writing and the story as a whole felt more rounded, and far more mature. What amazed me that I didn't mind too much about the book, was it was set in the 1980s, and I generally prefer my books a bit more 21st Century. However I knew I had to give this a fair go regardless, and thankfully, I was barely bothered by the year at all.

During the first half of the book you will learn more about chickens, and chicken farming than you perhaps ever wanted to know, and seeing Kitty come to grips with her new life, as owner of a chicken farm. She soon forms some new friendships, and also gets her wires crossed on more than one occasion. 

I found the first half of the book to be very light hearted, fun and you get a real feel for the various character dynamics. However its the second half of the book, for which Christie Barlow, needs to be applauded. The discovery of what was in Kitty's grandmother's safe, makes for completely compelling reading, and from that point on it was a struggle to tear myself away (and only managed it as I had to get off the train.)

Christie manages to weave a story, between two very distinctive generations, and although at one point I did think I had worked everything out, I wanted to know the reasons for what I was guessing was about to happen. There are sections where Kitty is tearing herself apart because of what she believes to be true, and yet as the reader, you are willing her to think straight and put two and two together, especially with regards her feelings toward one specific male. 

Kitty's Countryside Dream is a fantastic story, one that will keep you reading long into the night, just to find out what happens. I loved every moment of it, and some of the scenes with chickens, will have you chuckling. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this review copy. This was my honest opinion. 

Happy Publication day to Christie Barlow. Kitty's Countryside Dream is out now. 

Book Review - The Misadventures of a Playground Mother by Christie Barlow

Amazon UK

Title: The Misadventures of a Playground Mother

Author: Christie Barlow

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookoutre

Publication Date: 11th September 2015

Rating: 5 Stars

New term. New dramas. New friendships. And that’s just the parents…

After a year of country living, Rachel Young is finally getting into the swing of things. Her four kids are happy and content at the village school, and she’s managed to navigate the choppy (shark-infested) waters of the playground mafia. 

Or… so she thought. 

When playground mum Penelope Kensington moves herself and her kids into Rachel’s home, after discovering husband Rupert has been having an affair, Rachel knows she must ask them politely to leave. The problem is, Penelope never takes no for an answer. 

As Rachel tries to deal with Penelope, she also meets new school mum Melanie. Melanie is a breath of fresh air, but her arrival sends ripples of gossip through the playground. Melanie has a few secrets in her closet, and it seems she’s not the only one… 

Wow this is even better than the first one. This book is a laugh a minute riot that is simply superb. There is something so enjoyable and the reading of this book, from the introduction to the ending, it will have you giggling and there could even be tears. 

The Misadventures of a Playground Mother can be read as a stand alone book, however to do so would mean you are missing out on fully understanding the complexity and ridiculousness that is Penelope Kensington. And if you do decide to read this one first, I would still go back and reading the first just to fully understand Rachel's feelings towards Penelope. 

So we start 1 day on from where the previous book leaves off, at the start of a new year, and Rachel is hopeful of a less chaotic second year in their new village. Ideally she would love to escape the fun and games at the hands of the playground mafia, and she definitely wants to do remove herself from the friendship with Penelope. 

As you may guess, since this is a book, things don't quite happen as Rachel intends. During the course of this new year there are revelations galore, speed dating, people being caught in compromising positions, a holiday to Spain (which is easily the best section of this book and had me laughing out loud in hysterics), a summer fete, and a new mother in the playground. 

Thankfully for almost everyone, Melanie, the new mum, is relatively normal and is the sort of person who soon strikes up a genuine friendship with Rachel. She does have  a few things hidden in her background, but nothing like some of the salacious details that come out about some of the recurring characters. 

This book was an absolute delight to read, and having vaguely known what to expect from the first book, this one feels a lot more polished, and was great to be able to read more about this wacky set of characters. 

The Misadvenutres of a Playground Mother has turned me into a complete Christie Barlow convert. I can't wait to read her future releases, if they are written with the same level of wit and characterisation as this one. 

Thanks to Bookoutre and Netgalley for this review copy. This is my honest opinion. 

Book Review - A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother by Christie Barlow

Amazon UK

Title: A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother

Author: Christie Barlow

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied review copy

Publisher: Bookoutre

Publication Date: 9th June 2014

Rating: 4 Stars

Ever had the pleasure of collecting your children from the school playground? Even if you haven't, this is a hilarious must-read. 

Fed up with the playground mafia at her children’s school, Rachel Young is desperate for a change. 

With her family and various pets in tow, a picture-perfect village in the countryside beckons. There, Rachel’s children will be able to keep chickens and skip through fields and she’ll bid farewell to the botoxed, fake-Gucci wearing Mumzillas forever. 

But at the new school the mums are even worse, and before long, Rachel finds herself fighting for her place amongst the playground mafia. 

While the children are practicing their sums and perfecting their reading, Rachel is learning some harsh lessons on the other side of the school gates, and ruffling plenty of feathers along the way… 

This is an incredibly entertaining story, all about how the behaviour of parents in the playground. Although I don't have children, I have worked with them, and can fully believe all the behaviours displayed in this book. 

Rachel Young, with her husband Matt, and their four children have moved to a small village in the countryside, to try and avoid the playground mafia at their old school, and to have a simpler, and arguably better quality of life.  

During the introduction chapter, where Rachel is explaining why she needs to move house, some of the stereotypes are hilarious, as is her old next door neighbour. Of course she isn't at that point to know exactly what will happen to her in the following twelve months. 

The one thing I found just slightly off putting is that although we hear in great detail the ongoing of all the other parents in the village, and their various affairs, and there seems to be a lot of mixed up relationships and probably unhappy marriages, I just don't feel I knew that much about Rachel's children. 

Rachel is be-friended by a mother, who is a top mumzilla, and has other dubious personality traits. The whirlwind that she drags Rachel into, forms a series of assorted mishaps, humorous moments and all around mayhem. 

This is a fairly fast paced book, and the action never stops, whether its stalking a current hubsand, starting a new fitness regime with a partner who can only talk about themselves, learning how to take care of chickens (that scene has at least one laugh out loud moment!), or just generally showing that parents and children are very similar...none of them behave impeccably at all times, this is just a generally entertaining story to read. 

I am looking forward to starting the sequel very soon. 

Thanks so much to Christie Barlow for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.