Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this book before its release.
Unfortunately I could just not get into this book, it wasn't gripping me and as much as I persisted with it I couldn't continue.
It would be unfair of me to post this review to Goodreads, Amazon and social media when this could just be due to my overall attention span at the moment.
As a Sheffield girly I did love the mentions of the city though♥️

Pippa had her dream job and boyfriend, only to lose both in the blink of an eye when the farm was sold. Seeking employment, she is offered a stint at the historical house in town to house sit and make sure the valuables are taken care of while the caretaker has to be away to nurse his wife. The owner, a brooding teen she remembers from her school days, is now an ex-military man and security advisor and does not consider this old house his home.

Pippa's character grows up as the story unfolds. The house is the best character in the story. Set against the small, English village, I think it was the true star of the story. The relationship between the heroine and hero got a bit annoying at times, and to me there wasn't much chemistry between them. Overall, it was not a bad read. There are some cute moments with unusual pets, and I loved the descriptions of the house. I was transported to England, and I really wanted to stay there!

Thank you Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

DNF @ 22%.

I believe that you have a sense of whether or not you’ll like a novel quite early on. From the prologue, I knew that I strongly disliked the main character, Pippa, based on how she never stood up for herself, defended her awful boyfriend, and got mad at her friend and cousin for pointing this out to her.

As I continued, I hoped that my opinion would change in Chapter 1 when there is a time jump. Alas it didn’t. She became even more unlikeable. The difficulty for me was that I was not rooting for her, I was not interested in continuing to read the story, I actually had to convince myself to keep reading every chapter.

I then also couldn’t take the name Wolfie seriously. Maybe because that is the nickname of my pet cat, but honestly I thought it was a funny name.

Feedback I would give is to tweak Pippa’s character to make her more likeable, add some other redeeming qualities that make the reader want to root for her.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

The House Sitter is the second book of Elizabeth Drummond. This book will yet again be an enemies-to-lovers romance. I did enjoy reading her debut The Reunion but felt like the story missed a spark making it just a decent read. Will this book have that spark? What will I think of The House Sitter?

This book yet again is a slow-burn romance read with enemies-to-lovers. The story starts of with a picture perfect life of Pippa and her boyfriend Alex. She thinks he is going to propose to her and is fully convinced by it. However Alex doesn't share this thought and is thinking of their future together in another way. Pippa is so naive and just thinks the whole world is about her and she will get what she wants. I really disliked her personality, making this a bit of a struggle throughout the story. Even after she moves in with Wolfie, she also wants to be in control.

Elizabeth Drummond has a decent writing style, but the pace of the story is slow. In addition, some chapters just don't match up with each other. First this is happening and just a moment after the total opposite happens. While the storyline itself really could be one that has potential, it just didn't work out.

The inconsistencies in the storyline, the personality of the characters as well as the slow pace of the book, just make The House Sitter a disappointment. In my opinion the story lackes the romantic spark and is just blunt. I was really hoping the second book by this author would be even better than The Reunion, however this didn't come true. Because of all these cons in The House Sitter I give it a 2 star rating.

3* An entertaining read.

Pippa Munroe is distraught when her boyfriend of thirteen years destroys their relationship after suddenly announcing that he's sold his farm and expects them both to relocate to Kent. For the past ten years she's worked with Alex on his farm, he was the brawn while Pippa was the brain. She managed the business side of the farm, worked on the farm and cared for his bad tempered, unappreciative father. It was through Pippa's involvement that the farm rose from barely surviving to a successful business. Losing everything, her lover, her home and her job, she begs help from her cousin Frankie. After two months of sleeping on Frankie's couch, she's offered a temporary job to house sit Squires House. There her life changes from managing a successful farm to polishing antique furniture in a draughty, run-down house.

Wolfie Squires has inherited 'the big house' but rarely visits and needs someone as a housekeeper. Pippa last saw Wolfie at her village fair when she was 16 and he was a broody 18 year old.

There were several likeable characters in the book, Pippa's friends Frankie and Mae, neighbours Todd and Patrick, Juniper the pig, but I just couldn't empathise with Wolfie. He had so many unnecessary misunderstandings with Pippa, making him blow hot and cold with her. Surprisingly after being in the army he was insecure and unconfident. And that childish name of Wolfie, surely his army buddies would have renamed him something more soldiery.

I didn't love the book, neither did I hate it, it's an OK read.

eARC generously supplied by HarperCollins/One More Chapter and NetGalley, this review is my personal, unbiased opinion.

This story is both fresh and new in terms of the way it deals with its main protagonists, though it is, of course, a romance. Set in the Yorkshire town of Hurst Bridge, The House Sitter is a second chance at love for Pippa Munro, though to be honest, her first time round wasn’t quite the enduring romance she thought it was while she was living it. Pippa’s ex, Alex, is a user and then some, first using Pippa’s savings in their teens to buy a new car that is purportedly for them both, though he registers it in his name, and later relying on Pippa’s brains, intuition and hard labour to make his family farm a roaring success. She’s lived with him for years, patiently waiting for him to pop the question and enable them to move on to having children, only to discover when he sells the farm out from under her that this wasn’t his plan at all. I truly felt for Pippa, who, despite being left with little more than a Monstera plant and her clothes, is a strong woman. I loved her approach to caring for Squires House and her efforts to stop Wolfie Squires from selling it. Wolfie is a complex character and despite his blinding good looks, I didn’t like him much when he first appeared on the page. It didn’t take long for that to change. There were plenty of humorous moments in this story as well as plenty to tug at my heart strings. There were also some fabulous secondary characters, Juniper the pig being by far my favourite. I loved that she was an escape artist and seemed to find the grass on Pippa’s side of the fence greener than that on her own side. While both Pippa and Wolfie have some personal growth and healing to deal with, there are plenty of light moments to balance things out. This has been an entertaining and immersive story with plenty to love.

The House Sitter is a hilarious romp with some real life issues that get addressed throughout. The characters' relationship seemed forced at first, but slowly the end came into view with the only option for both of them was each other. I appreciated the realness of the writing and it immediately drew me into the story.

The House Sitter by Elizabeth Drummond

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

His house. Her rules. But who’s in charge? Pippa Munro had everything planned for her perfect wedding. What she did not have planned, was for her boyfriend to break up with her. Or sell her beloved farm. So instead of being blissfully engaged, Pippa finds herself jobless, homeless and loveless. Things couldn’t be going better…

Wolfie Squires needs someone to look after his family’s ancient house. He’s too busy with his hot shot city job to deal with a country manor several hundred miles away.

The perfect solution? Find someone to house sit.

The less-than-perfect candidate? Pippa Munro.

Pippa is more comfortable working on a farm than dusting a chandelier, and definitely not the ideal choice for the job.

As tempers fray, ideas clash, and secrets are spilled, Pippa and Wolfie might realise they have the same ambitions for the house, if only they could stop arguing long enough to find out…

My Opinion

I had read the blurb to this book before I started reading it, but it wasn't what I expected. To be honest, I am not entirely sure what I expected. From the opening chapter Pippa finds that her world has been turned upside down and yet she manages to pick herself up and take us on a wonderful journey. This was such a light-hearted read that I had no issues with slowly working my way through the pages.

Pippa was such a relatable character that it was difficult to not get sucked in by this book. For me, the only thing was missing was Wolfie's perspective. I would say that you have to go into this book without any expectations, just enjoy it for what it is.

Rating 4/5

Forced proximity romance will always hit different. The trustration the characters feel being in forced proximity with a person they probably shouldn't be feeling certain feelings about, transfers to readers. And it's always a fun game guessing when will one of them crack and end our frustration. Elizabeth Drummond's "The House Sitter," thanktully didn't have us suffer too long. I loved how the grumpy and broody and elusive Wolfie Squires eventually softened up and be the most head over heels in love with the sunshine Pipa Munro. He would literally do anything for her. He's like an entirely different person when it comes to Pipa, and we love to see it. This book was a fun and heartwarming story to read. The end was a little bit rushed, I'm glad it had an epilogue. I wished there would be a bonus epilogue or bonus content for Pipa and Wolfie in the future. I need to see more happy moments!!!

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

A delightful and heartwarming tale of love, humour, and unexpected connections. When Pippa Munro's life takes an unexpected turn, she finds herself jobless, homeless, and loveless. Meanwhile, Wolfie Squires needs someone to look after his family's ancient house, and Pippa seems like the perfect fit. Despite their differences, Pippa and Wolfie must learn to work together and find common ground as they navigate the challenges of house-sitting. With its charming characters and engaging plot, this is a delightful read that will leave readers with a smile on their faces.

Wolfie needs a house sitter and Pippa needs a job!

Pippa Munro had thought she was doing everything right, helping her boyfriend Alex run his farm, taking care of the finances plus taking care of Alex’s dad. But she never expected for him to sell the farm out from under her leaving her without a job or a place to live.

Wolfie Squires needs someone to house sit his family home while it’s for sale and Pippa needs a place to stay so she’s perfect for the job if she could get along with him. But dislike could turn to friendship and maybe love if the rat of an ex-boyfriend didn’t come back around to cause problems while they were figuring things out.

I grew up in a very agriculture area and I totally understand how Pippa would feel when Alex sold the farm without letting her know and his family knew about it!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was sweet and fun, but it wasn’t my favorite. Overall, the characters were likable, but I don’t think Pippa was super relatable. She was a little immature for her age and she allowed some pretty terrible treatment from an average man. I just can’t relate to that. In addition, I had trouble reading because of the character name “Wolfie”, and the fact that it was in third person. Not my favorite read.

It was sweet and okay-ish!

Thank you netgallet and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh dear. I loved the cover and even the title, but this book would need to be completely rewritten to make it enjoyable. I wish I could find something positive to say because I know it takes a lot of hard work from a lot of people to get a book published, but the story and the characters were just bad, and the writing couldn't save it.

I'm sorry!

Pippa gets a job as a house sitter, looking after Wolfie's family home. She loves the house and he hates it and wants to sell - can she convince him otherwise?

This was a cute, slow-burn, rom com.
Slow burns usually aren't my favorite, but this one definitely made me feel things!
I liked the way it built the anticipation. There were scenes where you would think the characters were going to get together, but then it was like, nope, not yet!
My favorite character was definitely Juniper 😂. We love chaotic pets 🤣.
One thing that I found a little lacking was Pippa's character development. It seemed like she was only interested in finding love but not in creating her own successful life. It seemed like she just attatched herself to whatever guy she was with instead of trying to be independent.
Other than that, I really liked this book! I would definitely recommend it!

The House Sitter - Elizabeth Drummond 🏡

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pippa Munro has the perfect life, on track to get married to her high school sweetheart and running the families farm or so she thinks. The shock of her boyfriend dumping her and being forced out leaving her homeless and unemployed sends Pippa into a rut, however a house sitting gig in her local area may be exactly what she needs.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The perfect start to my romance binge in February. The concept of house sitting and the mysterious owner was perfect.

I thought that this was really well written and I don't think I have come across this concept before so I really enjoyed it, would love to read more Elizabeth Drummond books in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for sending me this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own*

#netgalley #TheHouseSitter

I really liked the premise of this and also thought the cover was cute, so I wanted to give it a go, and I was so glad I did.
Wolfie and Pippa are fantastic leading characters. There are also a host of fantastic side characters such as Tom, Mae, and Frankie that bring this altogether.
Unexpectedly, there was the mention of childhood/domestic abuse and alcoholism. I hadn't been expecting something so dark to be mentioned in a light romcom.
I felt really sorry for Pippa, as Alex was a total jerk, but im glad she was able to learn and grow.
It's a wonderful setting, and I'm sure a series could grow from this. I'd love to know how Tom and Pat came to have their farm, and I'd love to see more of Mae!
I really enjoyed the authors style. The chapters were short and snappy and had me racing through and finishing over the course of an evening.

I thoroughly enjoyed The House Sitter! Pippa and Wolfie were great characters and I loved their grumpy/sunshine relationship. It was fun to watch their relationship develop!

I really enjoyed this story! I was a bit wary because the last novel I read based in the UK was a bit dry, but this one met and exceeded expectations. This a grumpy/sunshine, small town, forced proximity, city guy/small town guy story.

Pip fresh off of a nasty breakup that left her homeless and jobless, jumps at an opportunity to house sit a large manor she has loved since she was a child. Hired by the gruff, rich son of the family who has owned the manor for generations, she works to discourage him from selling this legacy.

Sharing the space of the home as she cares for the inner workings and he in and out dealing with buyers and his own job, this two bump heads, share intimate moments and slowly open to each other.

I loved the comedic moments of her shenanigans when a buyer came to visit, and when Juniper chortled around the garden. The next-door neighbors were super helpful and kind. Frankie and Mae were amazing and fiercely loyal. I found myself finding reasons to shirk my responsibilities to read just one more chapter. While there is some mild spice, I would consider this almost a closed door. Maybe a 🌶/5, because there is one scene and some mild language, but nothing to make you really blush.