Saturday, August 20, 2016

Summer at Skylark Farm, by Heidi Swain

The fens or fenlands, with its low-lying villages and farms, is an ancient, tradition-steeped part of eastern England. When Amber burns out at her stressful PR job in London, she moves her life to Skylark Farm, an apple farm in the fenlands managed by her boyfriend, Jake, and his 70-something Aunt Annie. As Amber settles in with her new life and friends, we also meet the farm's other inhabitants, including Pip, the pudgy pony, and Patricia, a very broody old hen, who patiently sits on eggs waiting for little chicks to hatch, despite the fact that this is impossible since there is no rooster at the farm.
Author Heidi Swain, with delicate strokes, draws us into the modern lives, loves and feuds of the local villagers. When Amber agrees to host the village's May Fair at the farm, she continues an ancient rite complete with gypsy fortune tellers. The world that Amber moves to, however, is not without a downside, especially when Jake's very spiteful ex-girlfriend, Holly, enters the frame intent on causing Amber harm. If you love a good British romance novel with a bit of comedy and a side of intrigue, you will absolutely love this book.

(In exchange for an honest review, I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.)
Print Length: 331 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK (June 2, 2016)
Publication Date: June 2, 2016
Sold by: Simon and Schuster Digital Sales Inc