I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read, and though not heavy it still had a couple plot lines. I would read more from this author. Thanks Netgalley for the chance to read the advance copy. I would definitely recommend!

I enjoyed this book although the number of people and names got rather confusing at times! Was a rather sudden and unexpected ending but there could be a second book on the way? A good story which moved at a good pace but, as stated above, a few too many names for me to remember! I really hope Sally Tarpey will write a 2nd following book!
Many thanx to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book

The Country Girl
By: Sally Tarpey
Publish Date: April 5, 2023

Thank you to NetGalley, Joffe Books and the author, Sally Tarpey for the advanced copy of The Country Girl.

Are you looking for a historical fiction/romance that is set in the 1910's?! Well, if so, you are in for a treat! This book has a little bit of everything, starting with a young woman trying to find her way. she begins working and starts a life for herself and the twists and turns of love, war, loss and sickness.
Very easy read, not too heavy but definitely has some drama.

My favorite read of the week! A delightful story of a young girl learning a new role in life. What a fun family!

When Kate Truscott is sent to Andover to take up a service position she becomes close friends with the son and daughter of the house and even find other friends in town like Archie but when war comes to Andover and her friends get called to serve will Kate lose the newly found family she’s gained? This is a historical fiction book set around the great war end it is written with great talent, heart and a little bit of romance I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it I received it from NetGalley but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I loved this book. It had me gripped from beginning to end. A lovely story which intrigued me and hope there is a follow up to this one. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

A well paced story about Kate and life as a country girl and where it takes her.

Very light on romance Kate's story is interesting with mentions of the war and the political unrest at the time. It describes the time period well but doesn't dwell to depress or bore.

Definitely worth a read.

Thank you to netgalley and the published for this ARC.

This is my first time reading this author and the story didn’t disappoint . It's a lovely story about Kate, who leaves her family to work as nursemaid for a wealthy family. Kate faces love loss and struggle but stays true to herself. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
As always my thanks to NetGalley and Joffre Books for the early read

The Country Girl is a fast paced story that is slow to get into the plot. The Country Girl has been separated into 3 parts 1912-1918.

Tarpey has researched the war and life on the workhouse. She also has highlighted the different lifestyles between the upper and working classes, as well as life in the open countryside and clustered city. The mention of significant historical events and people such as the suffragettes campaigning for the vote, George Elliott, the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand adds to the feeling of aurthenticity. The writing style is easy to follow with a good mixture of description and dialogue but felt a little repetitive in places.

The character development gives the reader basic background information about the main character, Kate. The characters are interesting and realistic with their own personalities.

At 15 years old Kate is growing in both confidence and independence. Currently Kate helps her mother with daily tasks at home after she returns from her work in the fields at Wellhouse farm. She wants more from her life and decides to take a position as a nursemaid where she will be caring for the children of a respectable businessman.

Phillip is the eldest son of Kate's employer, Mr Winton. Kate gets along well with Phillip from their brief encounters. The Lingering glances and small touches make Kate believe that something more is developing between them both, although all mention of endearment tends to be one-sided.

Kate has a comfortable friendship with Arthur. They enjoy each other's company. Arthur seems to be a very likeable person, who works as a we. Often Kate feels guilty over encouraging Arthur although when she sees how he has become lost through the effects of the war.

Overall I felt that The Country Girl was very interesting regarding the historical information. I was able to understand and enjoy the plot, however I couldn't help feeling that there was too little happening with the characters and felt that the ending was rushed.
I would suggest reading The Country Girl to people who enjoy wartime historical fiction based around WW1, as it is a character driven story about friendship, grief and acceptance as the reader follows the life of Kate...

Fifteen year old Kate leaves her family to become a nurse maid. She enjoys looking after the mischievous young ones and forms a strong friendship with the eldest girl Clara. She really likes the eldest son Phillip and those feelings quickly become more. The ever present war brings heartache for Kate. I loved Kate's character as a country girl she is kind but strong. I became immersed in the story from the start and could not stop reading until I got to the end. It has a few heart stopping moments and I shed a few tears. A heartbreaking story that is full of hope.

1912. Fifteen-year-old Kate Truscott waves goodbye to her family and leaves her small Hampshire village to become a nursemaid to five children she's never met. Her heart full of hope, she's looking forward to a new adventure. Life in town with the wealthy Wilton family is very different to anything this simple country girl has ever known before. Mr Winton is strict, but his wife is kindly, and Kate soon settles in. She enjoys looking after her mischievous young charges, and becomes firm friends with Clara, the eldest daughter. At the same time, she can't help but notice that eighteen-year=old Philip. the eldest son, is so very handsome.

This story is inspired by the true story of the authors grandfather's first wife. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was hooked from the first page. It's descriptively written, with great characters, and it's really easy to read. This story will mix with your emotions. Kate leaves the small village where she was brought up and gets a job as a nursemaid for a wealthy family. She falls hard for their eldest son and Kate knows that there won't be any future for them. Where Kate found the strength to make and carry out dome of the decisions she made, I'll never know.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #SallyTarpey for my ARC of #TheCountryGirl in exchange for an honest review.

As soon as I read the premise for this book, I just had to read it. And I was not disappointed. The story flows like a gentle stream in the form of Dilly Court and Catherine Cookson that soon you find yourself wholly immersed within time and tide, making you not wanting to put it down. At 280 pages, it is a quick read which I read mostly in one sitting. But it is also an easy read with a nice steady gentle pace.

Beginning in 1912, fifteen year old Kate Truscott leaves her family and village of Micklewell to take a job as a nursemaid to a wealthy family with five children - three of whom she will have care of. The Wintons have two other staff - Mrs Bowden, or Mrs B., the cook and Eliza the kitchenhand and maid. Kate finds a friend in Eliza immediately but that is shortlived when Eliza leaves to marry and take up a position as cook in the house in which her new husband Tommy is butler. There are a couple of other kitchenmaids over the years but none she felt as close to as she did Eliza.

One of Kate's duties is to accompany the elder Winton girl Clara on her daily walks. At first, the two are silent companions with the exception of Clara listing off all her upcoming social engagements or fashions she wishes to buy. But after a time the two girls, who are the same age, become friends despite the social divide. And along with her mother Mrs Winton, Clara attends some suffragette meetings with Kate. Times are changing, but are they changing quick enough?

One of the highlights of her employment with the Wintons, besides the children - Thomas and five year old twins Simon and Sophie - is the eldest son Philip who is to attend Cambridge in the coming year. It is obvious there is an attraction but how can she, a lowly servant girl, find happiness with someone of Philip's class? Despite her feelings for him, she sees no future for them. So when she meets Archie Mabbs one morning en route returning from taking the children to school, she begins to walk out with him...though her heart belongs to Philip. She finds herself in a quandary not wanting to lead Archie on but knowing that she cannot be with the man she truly loves.

And then war arrives in September 1914 and both men enlist to fight. Yet when both return on leave, at separate times, it is clear neither man is the same as the young idealistic one who went off to war just months before.

After a few stolen moments and a couple of months later, Kate finds herself pregnant with no one to turn to. She cannot return home to Micklewell and bring shame on her family for being an unwed mother and yet she can no longer remain in the Winton's employment. As soon as she reveals her condition to her employers, she is dismissed immediately. With nowhere else to go, she finds herself in the workhouse where the work is hard and the days are long. But when she learns that her child will be taken from her once weaned, Kate realises she must find another way. But where will she go? With no job, no husband and a babe in her arms, she has run out of options. Or has she?

Quietly in the dead of night, Kate steals herself and seeks the help of the one person she knows she can turn to who will not turn her away. But will it be too late?

I absolutely adored this sweeping story and was totally absorbed from the very beginning. It is such a captivating tale with a beautiful storyline and wonderful characters. It is interesting to note that this story came about when the author was researching her own family history. I was thrilled to read that Sally Tarpey is currently working on a sequel to THE COUNTRY GIRL because I cannot wait to revisit Micklewell and Kate, Albert, Ronnie, Dot, Ada and everyone again.

A thoroughly beautifully engaging tale from beginning to end. I was so enthralled I didn't want it to end. And I can't wait to return again. A stunning debut.

I would like to thank #SallyTarpey, #Netgalley, #JoffeBooks and #ZoolooTours for an ARC of #TheCountryGirl in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

The blurb from this book made me want to request this Netglley ARC. I was not disappointed, the story just flows along, making you not wanting to put it down.
Kate is one hell of a strong girl!
Take a chance on this new author, I like her style, not too much description of the surrounding, and just the right mixture of feelings and everything in-between.
If the author- Sally Tarpey, writes more books, I'll be reading them!
A delightful debut in every way.
Fully recommend.

Well the title definitely describes the book. You can take the country girl out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the girl.
Kate Truscott is the country girl who goes off to live in the big city, London. She adapts to the life away from home although the trials of the First World War cause her to make some changes to her life.

I enjoyed hearing about the suffragette movement, and a lovely bit about the nursery rhyme “if wishes were horses” as it originated in Scotland.
I look for forward to further reading by this author.

I liked the front cover and this style of book. Great first novel which i enjoyed and look forward to more books by the author

Quick and easy read. I enjoyed the story. It was a bit repetitive in parts of the story. It was a lovely story that included the heartbreak of death and how life keeps moving forward. Love wins

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this Arc

Family saga, based on the war an absolute brilliant book

So many emotions in this book

A real joy to read. Tells you how life was for girls during the First World War. Finding friends and love and loss. Finally coming home to find true love.

New author, first historical saga fiction.
The village of Micklewell Hampshire in the year 1912.
Kate Truscott is a big help to her mother around the house doing chores and works in the fields at Wellhouse farm digging spuds, she was a star pupil at school and wants to do more in her life.
pledging to her ma and pa she gets offered the job in the town of Andover to be nursemaid to five children it is a long way away but she can come to visit home and the pay is good better than any job in the village so they agree.
Wealthy James Winton Esq and his lady wife with two grown children and three little ones she is going to kept busy and she's all ready to start her new position.
This is such a delightful read and Kate is always a country girl and bring a little ray of sunshine and touches your heart. I loved it all from going to through the great war, and also the suffragette movement votes for women, this book is a must read. just beautiful.

This is a sweet story of love and romance. This is a story of a sweet girl who falls for her employer's son. Chaos ensues. This is historical fiction that the reader can enjoy. The story moves quickly, and the characters are realistic. This talented and gifted author has written a cannot put down novel that is fun to read. Although there are events that are not pleasant, the basic story is one of hope. This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher and the author. Curl up in a comfy chair. Grab a warm throw. Enjoy a cup of steaming herbal tea. Be transported back in time.