What a delight it is to curl up with a new novel from multi award-winning author Jane Lovering. In her latest, The Country Escape, her writing is as sharp and crisp as ever, her humour delicious and the emotion affecting, honest and truthful.

After her marriage had come to an end, Katie had decided that she needed to move out of London and escape to the country. Buying Harvest Cottage in the rural idyll of Christmas Steepleton seem like the answer to all of her prayers, but whilst Katie’s dream of living in the countryside had come true, her fourteen year old daughter Poppy is not exactly overjoyed at living in the middle of nowhere away from her mates, Oxford Street and what she deems civilization. Katie yearns to see her daughter happy again and she is delighted when Poppy gets a spring back in her step – unfortunately though it’s for all the wrong reasons as Poppy is excited because somebody left a horse on their front lawn! While Poppy is all for keeping the horse, Katie is already struggling to make ends meet and she is not sure whether she has the money for another mouth to feed. When Gabriel comes along to explain about how Patrick has found himself taking up residence in her driveway, a tentative friendship is quickly forged. But could their friendship lead to something more?

Romance is the last thing on her mind. Having barely emerged unscathed from her marriage to Luc, Katie just wants to concentrate on renovating Harvest Cottage, finding a job and keeping the wolf from the door. The last thing she wants to think about is falling in love, but could Gabriel make her change her mind? Gabriel is sweet, kind and somebody who is as far removed from her arrogant ex as it is possible to get, but is Katie ready to put her heart on the line for the second time? Or has she written off relationships for good?

When a film production company knocks on her door and asks to use Harvest Cottage as a location, Katie is thrilled and as she and Poppy begin to settle in the village, they wonder whether they have finally found a place they can call home? Or whether the siren call of the metropolis will have them packing their bags and high tailing it back to London?

Jane Lovering is on top form with The Country Escape. A heart-warming and hilarious tale about new beginnings, second chances and fresh starts, The Country Escape is sure to steal readers’ hearts everywhere with a beguiling blend of pathos, humour and drama. With characters that leap off the pages, it is absolutely impossible not to care about Katie, Poppy, Gabriel and the supporting cast who people this uplifting and joyous read.

As the nights begin to draw in and the weather begins to get colder, there is absolutely nothing better than losing yourself in an escapist romantic read that touches the heart and lifts the spirit and Jane Lovering’s latest novel, The Country Escape, perfectly fits that bill.

Lovely feel good book to read. It was a joy to read. Lovely characters. Great plot. The book was charming. Very well written. I’d definitely recommend this book

This was a brilliant read and is being featured on my blog for my quick star reviews feature, which I have created on my blog so I can catch up with all the books I have read and therefore review.
See www.chellsandbooks.wordpress.com.

After being married to a cheating french husband Katie with her 14-year-old daughter Poppy decide to up sticks and move to Devon from London.
Poppy is a typical teenager made worse by having no friends a new much smaller school and hardly is any internet. Her social life has come to an abrupt halt. She is only happy when her father picks her up and takes her shopping.
Katie's job was a french teacher at an exclusive girls school. She now has no job and has bought Harvest cottage tumbledown wreck of a cottage that has an abundance of woodlice and damp and isn't sure she's made the right choice?
A charming book which I found myself happily page-turning at a rate of knots. Some of the characters were fun like Granny Mary who's beautiful ornate Romany caravan turns up in the lane running alongside Katie's cottage and Patrick, Granny Mary's horse who pulls it. We also meet Gabriel a man who doesn't know how stunningly attractive he is but is sadly going blind.
Such a wonderful story to keep me going through a cold period.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and revies this book xx

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Boldwood books for my copy of The Country Escape by Jane Lovering. It published September 1, 2020.
This was my final fall/autumn book for 2020, and it was the cherry on top! I loved the English countryside descriptions, the ocean, the weather, the dreary cottage. Everything is the perfect autumn mood! I found the story to be on-par with similar books in its genre, and to be a total comfort read during these tumultuous times.
I appreciated the bully theme and the way it was honored, respected and handled. I think it can be a good lesson for anyone who reads it.

I absolutely adored Katie's character, particularly her wry humour. Some of the things she thought/said had me chuckling out loud, especially when it was about Poppy. Which brings me rather nicely to the author's rather accurate depiction of a teenage girl: I found myself nodding in agreement and rolling my eyes in equal measure.

What I also loved and found refreshing was Gabriel. He is no chest- thumping alpha male, and he is all the more gorgeous for it. It's about time male characters were written with more heart and less machismo and the author does a wonderful job.

Filled with individual and well-drawn characters, a sturdy plot and a realistic setting, this book is a darned good read.

We all know i love a little village countryside book so this was going to be a hit with me. Katie and her daughter Poppy have recently moved to the Dorset coast in a little rundown cottage after Katie goes through divorce.

Unsure of what her future holds, life starts to take some funny turns starting with a pony turning up in the orchid. A film crew looking to use the cottage for a location and an old lady living in her garden. Not only that, the unlikely friendship that forms with Katie and local Gabriel. This book really is an adventure but what really stood out most for me with this book was the characters.

I really loved Katie and Gabriel together, they were awkward, prickly and seemed to rub each other up the wrong way initially but they had such an underlying current that watching them blossom together was great. I feel like Jane really has unique characters down to Granny Mary and her bold personality and life experiences.

I feel like they all made this a stand out read for me because i felt like the characters weren't your average Joe but had substance and depth, they were real and raw. It was a case of letting them find their own relationship. It was a refreshing look at relationships, pasts and handling emotions.


I was gifted my copy for the blog tour. Massive shoutout to Boldwood and Rachel for supporting me when i make mistakes!

The Country Escape is a delightful story of new beginnings. Katie and her daughter Poppy have moved to a run-down cottage in Christmas Steepleton on the Dorset coast. This is to be their safe haven away from her controlling ex-husband, Luc. Harvest Cottage needs a bit of work, but for the immediate future it will suit Katie and Poppy just fine. A local film production company sees its potential as the ‘house of a serial killer’, and the fees they are willing to pay will give Katie a bit of breathing space to sort her life out.
One morning, not long after they moved in, they wake to find a horse in the back garden, and this is how they meet Gabriel. He explains that Patrick was pulling a traditional gypsy caravan owned by Granny Mary, who was suddenly taken ill and had to go to hospital. Although not keen, Katie agrees he can stay until alternative arrangements can be made, and the caravan in the garden makes a great refuge when the filming has taken over the house.
Despite the cover, there is nothing twee about this book; it depicts flawed characters with real-life problems such as bullying, sexual stereotyping and the devastating prospect of sight loss. As a refreshing change, Gabriel is not the usual ‘alpha male’ main character. He is very creative and among other things makes and sells beautiful patchwork quilts.
The atmospheric setting is shown in the vivid descriptions of the autumnal Dorset countryside. The cast of quirky but believable secondary characters results in a humorous story with a positive message; no matter what the problem is, there is always hope.
I read and enjoyed a lot of Jane Lovering’s early books, so when The Country Escape came up on NetGalley I jumped at the chance to review it, and was not disappointed. Katie and Gabriel help each other to see their problems in a new light, and so are able to overcome the past and move on.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.

I thought that this was a really good book and I really, really enjoyed it!

The attention to details in the story was great and it really helped the author bring life to the story and her characters.

I thought that the characters were well developed and I loved the interaction, they all gelled really well together and it made for an additive read for me.

This is an excellent book and one I thoroughly enjoyed - it is 5 stars from me for this one, very highly recommended!!

Just didn't work for me. I got so tired of all the descriptions of Gabriel's "coke bottle" glasses and "magnified eyes" behind the lenses. Also somehow he can't see very well but also sees well enough to do small tasks and comment on things that a person with limited eyesight would not pick up on. A very messy character overall.

Kate/Katie was even worse.

Droning on about how she "killed" her father when she really had nothing to do with it, was a simple accident. Saying she felt responsible would have been more precise instead of OMG I AM A MURDERER. Plus she was just dumb as a bag of rocks. Poppy was a little brat who is in desperate need of some parenting. What kind of parent lets their child talk to them the way Poppy spoke to Kate? Infuriating. Also what kind of parent just moves to a town then lets her 14 year old child (that she thinks wrongly she is overprotective of) just gallivant off for days into the town staying with strangers and her boyfriend?? Jeeze Katie.

Honestly the best character in the book was Patrick the horse. I felt he was constantly staring into Katie's house in a WTF is going on here kind of way. I genuinely felt bad when she used him as a taxi. Save Patrick! He deserves better.

I also feel the need to point out that crocheting and knitting are two very different things. Please stop using them interchangeably.

My copy was provided by NetGalley for review, all opinions are my own.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

I found this mildly amusing, but a bit inconsequential, despite the author giving the romantic leads 'traumatic' childhoods. Having said that, I got a bit tired of Gabriel harping on constantly about his declining eyesight, and presenting Katie's 'secret' as something she felt guilty about was a lot of a stretch.

Not really for me, but I can see others might find it charming.

The Country Escape is set in the quaint and quirky community of Christmas Steepleton (located on the Dorset Coast) and I instantly fell in love with it. Living on the outskirts is Katie and her daughter Poppy who have moved from London to embrace all that the countryside has to offer. Only thing is, French teacher Katie cannot find a job, the cottage is in serious need of a little bit more than TLC and Poppy hates being away from the city. The one morning an abandoned gypsy caravan and horse appear, and things begin to look more positive for Katie. Can she make the escape to the country work?
This whole novel just charmed the socks off me.
The setting is just so vividly described and no matter how many things are wrong with the cottage, it still totally sounds like an idyllic place to live. Nobody too close by, close the beach, and a small garden patch. I’d love to spend some time there enjoying the quieter life.
The characters are varied but complement each other perfectly and I even warmed to the bad-tempered teen Poppy. I love how the personalities are so varied yet each of them brings a little sparkle and depth to the plot. Katie is just the most delightful character and I spent the whole book rooting for her.
The Country Escape gave me a wonderful escape and I highly recommend this book to romance fans.

The Country Escape by Jane Lovering is a wonderful romance. Katie and her 14 year old daughter, Poppy, leave London and move to a village, in a run down cottage. When Poppy wakes up to find a horse in their back yard, she is all excited. Gabriel enters the story, a very handsome man with thick coke bottle glasses. I enjoyed the uniqueness of this story, and characters. I will be reading more books by this author, perfect to escape and relax for a few hours. I highly recommend this romance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was such an adorable book and made me want to live in the country and get a pony.

The characters are the highlight! Gabriel was my favorite character in the story (and one of my favorite leads period). I loved that the author wrote him with flaws. He faces a lot health issues but that doesn’t stop him from living the life he wants. He is going blind, he was bullied, and he has unconventional hobbies like sewing and knitting. But, he is still charming, adorable, sexy and shares an endearing chemistry with Katie. Katie is also adorable with her sense of humor and awkwardness. The author wrote her character in a fun and breezy manner. I also loved the supporting characters like Granny Mary and Keenan. Even Patrick was adorable in the role for just being there.

The author also tells the story in such a whimsical way that you don’t know what Katie would experience. I loved the whole angle of how they could use her location for a serial killer shoot. The dialogues and banter between the characters were humorous and made me smile

Probably the only criticisms I had with the story was how over-descriptive it got at certain parts. The author tends to describe many scenes in detail (and few felt repetitious). Also, I didn’t really liked Poppy in the story. She comes across as rude and snobbish, more than the average teenage mood swings. I don’t think I would ever connect to someone who called their mother a cow.

But apart from that, I loved this story and thought it was the perfect contemporary romance. Overall, The Country Escape is one of those books that will make you feel good all over, and I really enjoyed it!

What a delightful read this proved to be! Divorcee Katie has moved to the outskirts of Christmas Steepleton, to an isolated rundown cottage which has lots of potential but needs lots of work - and the spiders and woodlouse evicting! She certainly hadn't anticipated awaking to discover a horse in their orchard! When Gabriel comes to explain why it is there, he also suggests the cottage might be just what the film company he works for are needing as a location for filming......Katie's daughter, fourteen year old Poppy, certainly hadn't appreciated being moved from London to the countryside, away from her father, her school and her friends, but maybe life's going to give both her and her Mum some unexpected opportunities as they settle into their new home and community . . . . Let the adventures begin!

This story is packed with delightful characters, from the rebellious Granny Mary to Rory and his Mum, the eccentric Thea and caring Gabriel. There are surprises galore in the story, which deals with many emotive issues - from the long term impact of bullying to sex stereotyping and the long term impact of potential sight loss. There are secrets from the past to be shared and some reevaluation of the present as well as dramatic events to unfold. It is a heartwarming read and I thoroughly enjoyed escaping to the country in it.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.

A country escape? Who the heck wouldn’t want that? I know I would be down for that immediately, but the opportunity to move to a village named Christmas Steepleton? Christmas? Yes I said Christmas Steepleton. I would buy a broken-down cottage that needed fixed up and pack my bags immediately. Jane Lovering has written another family drama centered around this sweet little town in her newest book The Country Escape.

Katie and her 14 year old daughter end up purchasing the tiny, rundown Harvest Cottage in the village of Christmas Steepleton in Devon just after her divorce from her cheating husband. Though dilapidated and in much need of repair, she sees so much potential in the home, now she just needs to find a job to pay for the cost. When the opportunity to use the cottage as a filming location for a movie occurs, Katie can’t afford to turn it down. With some help from her new found friend Gabriel, and some other interesting characters, Katie finds a way to move into a new town, move on from her past, and possibly find new love.

With a lot of laughter and a ton of charm, The Country Escape is quite the heartwarming tale of second chances and starting over. Katie is the kind of girl you can sympathize with, trying to start over after a divorce, and dealing with secrets from her past. There is a cast of characters that are quite quirky and easy to love and Gabriel is the absolute best atypical hero. Not only is this a sweet and exhilarating read but it gives you a ton of chuckles and giggles along the way. Lovering knows how to write a heartfelt read while entertaining you at the same time. I didn’t want this story to end. And again, who wouldn’t want to live in a village named Christmas Steepleton? A delightful read.

Thank you so much to Jane Lovering, Rachel Gilbey from Rachels Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and Netgalley for my gifted copy of this book for my honest and unbiased opinion.

I was so pleased to find out that Jane Lovering has a new book out as I’ve read and enjoyed so many of her previous novels. One thing I love about her books is that there is always a lot of humour in them and this latest novel is no different.

Following her divorce from Frenchman Luc, Katie has moved from London to a tiny cottage in the fabulously named Christmas Steepleton in Dorset. Some of the author’s other books (which I somehow haven’t read) have been set here but this is a standalone. I would imagine if you have read the previous books, you will recognise the setting and some of the other characters.

Katies’s teenage daughter Poppy is less than impressed at being taken away from her friends and city life. Harvest Cottage isn’t the cosy quaint cottage you might be imagining though. Oh no, this is a chilly place with dark small rooms, leaks in the ceiling and damp on the walls. In fact, when by chance Katie meets location scout Gabriel he declares it the ideal location to be the house of the serial killer in the TV show he is working on! In desperate need of money, she agrees to her cottage being used for filming. Add to the mix the fact that she has acquired a Romany caravan and a piebald pony called Patrick from their ill owner, Granny Mary, and the scene is set for the usual madcap fun I’ve come to expect from Jane Lovering.

There’s a little mystery from Katie’s past that she is keen to hide which adds another intriguing element to the story. The author dropped little clues every now and then as to what this might be and how it affects Katie’s attitude to life especially as a parent.

The other characters were a quirky bunch and great fun to meet. There’s Granny Mary who is a fantastic no nonsense character and whose Romany caravan is temporarily parked in Katie’s orchard. She’s definitely not a sweet little old lady, just says things straight. There’s Poppy’s friend Rory providing her first sweet taste of romance. Patrick is the horse who usually pulls Mary’s caravan and he is a fantastic addition to the story with some of the funniest scenes and a very dramatic one too. And then there’s Gabriel. What can I say about Gabriel? Such a sensitive character who also has issues from his past affecting the present, and an issue in the present which could well affect his future. And he’s gorgeous of course, totally gorgeous, one of those romantic leads which Jane Lovering does so well.

The Country Escape is set during my favourite season of Autumn so there’s plenty mist, cool mornings, brambles and falling leaves to keep me happy. Jane Lovering’s trademarks of humour and romance tinged with poignancy is apparent throughout. This is a lovely book to curl up with in front of the fire as the nights draw in.

When Katie moves with her daughter to Dorset following her divorce she is expecting a quiet country life but before she knows what has happened a gypsy caravan complete with horse is dumped in her orchard, her ex husband keeps turning up out of the blue and a film company want to use her house as a set for a serial killer...... life is certainly not going to be dull!

A lovely book with plenty going on and good characters. I loved Gabriel and how he opened up about being bullied all of his life and Granny Mary was a great character.

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for access to this arc.

I thought Katie took being landed with a traveling caravan and cart horse left in her yard fairly well. But I also enjoyed the fact that she’s a bit more tart and outspoken about this and her life than the heroine of the last Christmas Steepleton book. You seem equally as comfortable writing a variety of character personalities. This time the forthright heroine is paired with a beta hero who’s a sweetie. Let’s hear it for a man who can crochet and make beautiful quilts though I was a bit surprised that Gabriel is still managing to turn out beautiful handicrafts with his seriously deteriorating vision.

The use of Katie’s cottage as a secondary location for the TV detective series that’s been being filmed in the area for the past few books is hilarious as the director immediately gushes over how the place looks like the type of house the serial killer of the story arc would live in. Hmmm, yep Katie keep thinking of the money rather than how your decorating has been insulted.

“The Country Escape” comes complete with the character de jour – the crusty old curmudgeon. Granny Mary lays out some home truths to Katie but she ends up being little more than the stock person designed to do this and get Katie to overcome the past fears of her life. I would not, however, want to be on the receiving end of her piercing glares.

The relationship between Katie and her daughter is fraught with the teen angst and drama that I’m sure most of us remember being a part of back when we were that age or were raising a daughter. Katie wisely picks her battles and knows when she’s been verbally outmaneuvered. Yet Katie also seems to have done a good job bringing up her child and sheltering Poppy from the worst of the trust fund attitudes Luc’s family money could cause.

Gabriel is a lovely man though still dealing with the fallout from a lifetime of bullying. It takes Katie a while to (maybe) realize that she herself is also a survivor of bullying. Honestly her mother ought to be bitch slapped around a bit. This does add depth to Katie’s actions and explains how protective she is of Poppy. Once Gab and Katie finish their relationship dancing around, the end results are worth it.

I’m fine with how the story ends with a few plot threads still slightly loose. All the characters appear to be headed towards good places and relationships. Perhaps Poppy could use a lesson in the privilege of asking for two Versace handbags for Christmas but I suppose someone needs to keep them in business.

There’s an awful lot of competition from her other wonderful books, but I think I just have to say it – this is my favourite book yet from an author whose books I’ve unfailingly loved. And I now have to try and explain why, don’t I – without entirely spoiling it for anyone who hasn’t read it yet…

We’re back in Christmas Steepleton again – if you haven’t visited before, it’s on the Dorset coast, with a very steep hill leading to a rather pretty harbour, a few shops selling knick knacks to tourists, a nice little community but also quite a few distinctly quirky residents. But Katie and daughter Poppy aren’t living in the village itself – they’ve found a neglected cottage in the depths of the countryside, complete with its own orchard (well, a few apple trees…), an interesting history, a bit of a damp problem, more than a few resident woodlice and a tree growing in the pantry. Katie’s a teacher – well, she would be if she could find a job, but until she does there’s not much chance of putting in proper heating or replacing the rattling windows. The perfect location for a film shoot maybe – and despite what it says about the place Katie calls “home”, it might just solve some of her money worries too.

Katie and Poppy aren’t alone in the countryside for long – a gypsy caravan is abandoned in the orchard, which also becomes home to Patrick, the rather lugubrious piebald horse, devouring the grass and watching them through the kitchen window. The caravan belongs to Granny Mary – and when we finally meet her, what a great character she is. She’s most definitely not what you’ll be expecting – not the cuddly grandmother you might picture, but with very sharp edges (just wonderfully written) and a few well-hidden secrets of her own.

And then there’s Gabriel, who I think might just be my favourite romantic lead that the author’s ever written – the problems with his failing eyesight figure large, but he’s a man with some big secrets too, quite a few issues from the past and a few surprises in his present that just made me love him all the more. His growing relationship with Katie is beautifully played – those wonderfully crafted exchanges that the author always does so well, those moments that make you laugh out loud, cringe in embarrassment, bring a tear to your eye and warm your heart.

Every single character in this book is just perfectly drawn – even minor ones like Katie’s persistent ex-husband Luc, Gabriel’s wonderfully eccentric sister, Karen (without filter) at the beachside cafe, even the wonderful Maisy who runs the cafe (or is it the estate agent?) on the hill in the village. I’ve mentioned Patrick already, but he’s a tremendous character too – and I thoroughly loved his moment of glory in one perfect dramatic sequence that has your heart in your mouth as you cheer him on. A word for Katie’s daughter Poppy too – the relationship between daughter and mother is wonderful, stroppy teen and overprotective mother, but with some of the loveliest “moments” in between.

If you’ve read the author’s earlier books – especially Christmas Secrets by the Sea – you’ll enjoy coming across characters you’ll recognise, and some nice small overlaps of the stories. But if you haven’t, it doesn’t matter a jot – this book is entirely complete in itself. It’s a fantastic story – and although it has a number of distinctly damaged characters (now something of an author trademark), it’s exceptionally funny for a great deal of the time. But there’s so much to it that’s immensely touching too – and the book’s ending is one of the most perfect I’ve had the pleasure to read.

This book was something very special indeed – I really loved it, and recommend it most highly…

(Review copied to Amazon UK, but link not yet available)