Member Reviews

This was a new author for me so I didn’t really know what to expect. I enjoyed this book as it was a simple heartwarming book that was a lovely summer read. It was heavily focused on food so not advised to read if you are hungry, haha!

Thank you for the opportunity to review.

Was this review helpful?

"Escape to the Country Kitchen" by Hannah Langdon is a heartwarming and delightful novel that transports readers to the cozy and idyllic world of country life. Langdon’s writing is filled with warmth, charm, and vivid descriptions that bring the rustic setting to life, making it a perfect escape for those who love stories about fresh starts and the simple joys of life.

The novel follows a protagonist who, seeking a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, relocates to a quaint village where they find solace and inspiration in the heart of the community—the country kitchen. As they immerse themselves in the slower pace of country living, they discover not only a passion for cooking but also the importance of community, friendship, and finding a place to truly call home.

Langdon skillfully weaves themes of renewal, love, and self-discovery into the narrative, creating a story that is as comforting as it is inspiring. The kitchen becomes a symbol of transformation, where the protagonist learns to create not just delicious meals but also a life filled with meaning and connection. The characters are endearing and relatable, each adding depth and warmth to the story as they bond over shared meals and moments of understanding.

"Escape to the Country Kitchen" is a perfect read for anyone who enjoys heartwarming tales of new beginnings, rural charm, and the healing power of good food. Hannah Langdon has crafted a novel that will leave readers feeling uplifted and inspired, with a renewed appreciation for the simple pleasures of life and the importance of following one's heart.

Was this review helpful?

What a lovely read. The story involves lots of love and baking in an English Major!

Highly recommend.

Was this review helpful?

This was a strong start to the Sisters of Feywood series, I enjoyed the romance angle and that the plot worked overall. It was a great world and I enjoyed how the characters felt like they were real people and enjoyed watching the romance grow. Hannah Langdon has a great writing style and glad I was able to read this.

Was this review helpful?

I found this book difficult. There are darker elements present than in other similar reads in the genre which normally isn’t an issue as it can make a story deeper and richer. However I found the main characters difficult to like or engage with. The glimmers of joy I found at places within the book was not enough to tip my opinion into wanting to read future books which is a shame as I enjoyed the authors I first book.

Thank you Netgalley

Was this review helpful?

DNF at 39%

I really wanted to enjoy this book—the cover and premise were engaging. However, it turned out to be a slow read, and the third-person perspective made it difficult for the characters to have distinct voices. Despite trying to push through, I found it hard to keep reading. The book had potential with its charming setting and the bond between the sisters, but the writing felt forced and didn't quite align with the characters. As a result, I couldn't connect with them.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Baking, love, a charming English manor...sounds like the perfect setting for a romance! I love cooking and baking, so this book was right up my alley. It made me hungry and excited to finish the book. This story is all about love, personal growth, second chances, and family, plus food!

Was this review helpful?

I was constantly hungry while reading this book! The author did an amazing job of describing the tastes, smells, and sights of not only the food, but also of the French countryside. Everything was just so beautiful. This is an enemies to lovers romance, which is my favorite trope. Theses characters are not your typical 20 something’s though: they have lived through more of life, and have more stories to tell. I really enjoyed this!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book!

What a great romcom!! I enjoyed this book so much. A first for me by this author but will not be my last! Wow!! So good!! I loved the characters and they worked so well together.

Was this review helpful?

I’ve never read a book by this author before but I absolutely loved it! Thank you so much for the ARC! I loved this story, it was extremely well written. Will definitely be on the lookout for more books by this author!

Was this review helpful?

"Escape to the Country Kitchen" by Hannah Langdon is a delightful and heartwarming read that makes for the perfect summer escape. The story flows effortlessly, making it an easy and enjoyable read from start to finish. Langdon’s writing style is engaging, and her ability to create likable characters shines through in this charming romance.

The story centers around Juliet and Leo, whose love story is both sweet and compelling. Their chemistry is palpable, drawing readers into their clean, heartfelt romance without the need for spicy scenes. Set against the picturesque backdrop of an English countryside manor, with occasional glimpses of Juliet’s life in London, the book beautifully captures the essence of small-town romance.

What stands out the most in "Escape to the Country Kitchen" is its feel-good nature. It serves as a gentle reminder that despite the rough patches in life, there is always something wonderful waiting at the end. Langdon weaves this message seamlessly into the narrative, encouraging readers not to let their past cloud their future.

In summary, "Escape to the Country Kitchen" is a wonderfully uplifting romance that leaves readers with a warm, hopeful feeling. It’s an ideal read for anyone looking to be swept away by a touching love story in a charming setting.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and Hannah Langdon for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions and views expressed in this review are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I really loved this book. It was so up-lifting and such a lovely story. I enjoyed reading about the cookery school and the relationship between the chef and the rest of the house. I'm glad it's the first of a series and look forward to the next one. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

The descriptions of the countryside and the mouth-watering recipes were highlights of the book. Langdon has a talent for painting vivid pictures with her words, making it easy to visualize the picturesque setting and the delicious dishes Kate prepares. These aspects added a cozy and comforting element to the narrative.

On the downside, I found the plot to be somewhat predictable. The storyline followed a familiar pattern of self-discovery and romance, which, while comforting, didn't offer many surprises. The romantic subplot felt a bit rushed, and I didn't feel as invested in the love interest as I hoped to be. There were moments when the pacing seemed uneven, with certain parts dragging on and others feeling too hurried.

Langdon's writing style is engaging and easy to read, which kept me turning the pages. Despite the predictability, there were heartfelt moments and bits of humor that I appreciated. The themes of family, community, and finding one's true passion were nicely woven into the narrative, giving it some emotional depth.

Overall, "Escape to the Country Kitchen" is a pleasant read, especially if you enjoy stories set in charming rural settings with a focus on food and community. While it didn't completely captivate me, it was a comforting and enjoyable escape. If you're looking for a light, feel-good read, this book might just be what you need.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Storm Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you so much!

Was this review helpful?

A cutesy, atmospheric read. I enjoyed the talk of food and wine pairings. The writing style was not my favorite, it was overly detailed and hard to follow sometimes. The characters were not very likable, except for Aunt Sylvia and Leo. The FMC, Juliet, was very immature for her age. I found her to be annoying and her inner dialogue was tiresome. Her relationship with her mother was sad. I found it cringey how oblivious her father seemed to have been about it. Her meddling sisters were frustrating. Leo was kind and compassionate. There was good chemistry between Leo and Juliet.
It was predictable and will not leave a lasting impression on me.
I’d recommend this if you want a quick, easy romance book.

Was this review helpful?

This was a nice easy-to-read romance novel. It centres around Juliet Carlisle one of three sisters at Feywood Manor. While we get glimpses at Martha & Frankie, Juliet's sisters, it is clear they have their own stories which I'm sure will be just as nice to read.
Juliet returns home to Feywood, leaving behind a very different life in London. The question is, can she build a life here or will the lure of the city and her ex Toby see her return to the city?

Was this review helpful?

Really sweet book...I sometimes don't like British slangs and such but it really didn't bother me in this book. The relationships between the sisters is really endearing and the romance was so sweet. I enjoyed this book and would recommend!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC of this book. This was an honest review.

A cozy and atmospheric English countryside backdrop set in an enemies-to-lovers romance really captured my attention. Don't read this book if you're hungry. There were several mouth-watering descriptions of the food. Her struggles with her mother and an ex-boyfriend and wanting to make a new start made Juliet a relatable heroine. Though it was crumbling around them, I was intrigued by the mansion and cooking school. Aunt Sylvia was one of my favorites. It seemed like she was a motherly figure. I also found the French chef to be very endearing. My heart was warmed by this endearing story.

Was this review helpful?

DNF at 12%
I really wanted to like this, and I tried to read more chapters, but at some point, to be honest, I had difficulty reading further. I liked the idea of the book and it had some good potential of a charming story. I liked the setting and the idea of where the book was heading towards, the bond between the sisters, but, the writing felt a bit forced and off compared with the characters, and because of that, I couldn't connect with the characters and they didn't feel like they could be real people if that makes sense. The other reason why I stopped reading, is that how Juliet reacted so coldly and snarky to her mother's death was too much for me. I can imagine that Juliet went through a lot in her relationship with her mom, and I'm not sure if in later chapters, more is being revealed or anything changes, but it just didn't sit well with me and I began to find her an unlikeable character to read. If you don't mind that some things are sometimes pretty hardly put into words and that the writing is a bit forced, I can imagine that won't be a problem and you can like this book and be more comfortable reading it than I did. But for me, It made me too uncomfortable to read further. As I haven't read more, I can't say that much more about the book, but, I hope that other readers will like this better :)

˚ ༘♡ ⋆。˚ I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and author, for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review. ˚ ༘♡ ⋆

Was this review helpful?

3.5 stars "Escape to the Country Kitchen" by Hannah Langdon is a heartwarming story about Juliet, who returns to her family home in the countryside. She faces the challenges of dealing with family legacies, healing from a traumatic romantic breakup, and navigating ongoing family drama before she can move forward in life.

One of the best parts of this book is the setting, which sounds absolutely charming. The idea of a cooking school adds a delightful touch to the story. The characters are well-developed and realistic, each with their own distinct personalities.

However, some parts of the dialogue didn’t feel quite right to me, and there were moments of miscommunication in one of the key relationships that I found frustrating. While these elements were realistically portrayed, they are not my favorite plot devices.

Overall, "Escape to the Country Kitchen" is an enjoyable read with a lovely setting and interesting characters. Despite some issues with dialogue and miscommunication, it’s a good choice for readers who love stories about family, healing, and new beginnings.

Was this review helpful?

Easy read for the beach or pool. Nothing to shout home about but enjoyable. Thank you netegalley for the advance copy

Was this review helpful?