Unusually for me, I only read about a third of this book.
Although quite descriptive and well written I found it too infuriating to continue.
The chief protagonist is a pony-mad eleven year old one is supposed to feel sorry for.

She loves animals one gathers but then discovers this evidently does not include rabbits, foxes and anything else on the land her family have snatched out of their paws.
Her beloved pony is hard to handle so a painful bit is used but there are no Black Beauty types of pathos, just an acceptance that human entertainment matters more than the lives of the defenceless and.als who cross the paths of the aristocracy and their hangers-on.

Probably knowing g
that even now the author enjoys animal cruelty a d takes part I hunting abroad where it is still legal colours my view.
If you think the royal view of animal abuse is fine then you will love this book

I loved Esme the main character but to be honest I wasn't completely sold on the story that she was in. Nothing really gets going. You keep expecting it to and then you come across the end of the book. A bit underwhelming and I would give this less stars if I didn't love the character so much.

The main character, Esme, is only eleven years old and she narrates the story with child like innocence.
I adored this story so much and read it in one sitting.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Great admirer of Susannah Constantine and she has put her flair for comedy and much of her experiences and background into the writing of this book. Mental health plays a part in this story but it is approached in a most sympathetic and tactful way. I feel Susannah has some experience of this area. All comes good in the end and it has the most satisfying ending. I won't hesitate to pick up her next book as this one did not disappoint.

A very slow paced but beautifully written book. Was hoping for something a little more pacy but the writer’s style and descriptions are absolutely lovely.

This is a first for me by this author but hopefully not my last.

It is set in Scotland 1969

Well written story through the eyes of an innocent 11yr old girl... Esme.
All manner of scandals are occurring around her but the complexity of it all escapes Esme as she tries to make sense of the grown ups and their goings on.
It is a story of the privileged aristocracy, living in their baronial homes, with their domestic staff; ponies, dinners, hunting and shooting being the key activities.
However, it is not all sunshine and happiness.
Esme's mother is a tragic character suffering from mental illness.
Esme's friend Lexi has a spiteful and vindictive mother - definitely a character to hate, and Lexi's father the Earl is perhaps looking for a more meaningful relationship outside of his unhappy marriage.

It’s a good read, and cleverly written, I hope there is a follow on novel.

Thank-You Netgalley for my ARC.

I wanted to love this book. I loved the cover and the description and really thought it would be perfect for me. It was an easy read and the characters were nice. I also enjoyed the descriptions within the book. Unfortunately it lacked direction within the story, and fizzled out.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A great story on the impact mental health can have on the whole family through the eyes of a child.
A good winter read.

I found the writing in this novel to be so simple that it seemed more as if it was written by a young girl. I am afraid this one just wasn’t for me..

This book takes the reader back to the sixties. Then main character, Esme, is only eleven years old, but this works quite well, narrating the story with child like innocence. The prose is very descriptive; at times this is good, but it made the start of the book very slow. The writing then became repetitive. There is a limit to how often I want to read that Esme has asked if anyone has phoned for her. Some of the adult characters are weakly developed and seem unrealistic. There is a protracted description of a fox hunt, that could offend or upset readers who are against hunting. Overall, the book is too dull, I can not recommend it.

Esme is a young girl growing up in a privileged lifestyle in the sixties, but the one thing that she really wants money can't buy...... and that is to have a mother who doesn't suffer from depression!

It is a simple storyline but it is what is written between the lines that is captivating and as a child of the same sort of age at that time I found it interesting to read about the lifestyle and the times

Set in 1969 this is a story of how the rich people live, we like to believe they're happy because they can buy anything they want, but here in this tale of the upper classes we realise that they're not so different from us in many ways.

As Esme wakes up on Christmas morning she is so excited to have her presents but the one thing she would love to have is a mother who doesn't suffer from depressive episodes. This is one of the main themes throughout the story, Diana is kind and thoughtful when she is 'normal' but is unpredictable when feeling 'not herself'.

I was around Esme's age in 1969 so it was nice to be able to identify with her a little, though I didn't have a pony of my own or be invited up to the Castle to celebrate Christmas! But she does love her mother very much and is anxious to please her, she also doesn't quite understand what's wrong with her.

The secrets alluded to on the cover were not difficult to guess early on, though there were one or two surprises later on.

The writing was very simple, easy to read and very descriptive. But I did find it quite dull in places and I only kept reading in the hope that it would get more interesting but, unfortunately, it didn't.

If you disagree or hate fox hunting then this may not be the book for you. I found it quite disturbing that two eleven year old girls went on the fox hunts and the pheasant shoots.

I also found it hard to believe that the man in charge of the stables could talk so harshly to the young girls, swearing and shouting at them, even when their parents were around. That would never have happened on Downton Abbey!

I liked Esme and her best friend Lexi, they were so lovely and unspoilt, really good characters.

Overall, it was an okay story, but I don't think I'll read another by this author.

Fabulous and atmospheric book which I absolutely loved. The writer has such a brilliant way of describing everything that you feel you are there. The way she writes through the eyes of a child is superb. Fantastic read, didn't want it to end.

I adored this wonderful story and was so sad to reach the conclusion feeling I wanted to stay embroiled in the characters and their lives.. It is a story set in Scotland 1969 with its central character being the eleven year old Esme. What a delightful way Constantine has of seeing things through the eyes of a child. All manner of scandals are occurring around her but the complexity of it all escapes Esme as she tries to make sense of the grown ups and their goings on.
It is a story of the privileged aristocracy, living in their baronial homes, with their domestic staff; ponies, dinners and hunting and shooting being key activities. However, it is not all sunshine and happiness. Esme's mother is a tragic character suffering from mental illness Esme's friend Lexi has a spiteful and vindictive mother - definitely a character to hate, and Lexi's father the Earl is perhaps looking for a more meaningful relationship outside of his unhappy marriage.
I would highly recommend this one. I didn't want it to end and I would love a sequel to be written.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I was excited to read this book as I absolutely loved the era that brought us the Mitfords and Downton Abbey. Interestingly this book is set in the 60s with a few references to contemporary culture but the decade doesn't really become apparent until the end of the book when they are talking about New Years Eve. Good read

The author of this book has a wonderful way of describing surroundings, food ,clothing even people. You constantly feel a part of the story and all the other little stories within the main story. Like most good books theres goodies, baddies and some lovely warm cuddly people
It still leaves one question unanswered what do you think the answer is??

I was excited to read this book as I absolutely loved the era that brought us the Mitfords and Downton Abbey. Interestingly this book is set in the 60s with a few references to contemporary culture but the decade doesn't really become apparent until the end of the book when they are talking about New Years Eve.

I really liked the young-ish girls - Esme and Lexi, who were full of fun and mischief. Lexi's father The Earl plays a far more prominent role that Esme's father and the mothers are two extremes. The Countess is full of misery - a Cruella de Ville character.

Undercurrents of mental illness/depression, unsatisfactory marriages, infidelity and parentage are all hinted at during this book but not fully resolved There's no great revelations or twists but a gentle resolution - much is left to the reader to piece together.

With the beautiful cover and the 'for fans of downton abbey and the crown' I was absolutely going to have to try this book. I'm so happy I wasn't disappointed I don't wanna say to much but I found it just beautiful.