Friday 17 June 2016

Book Review - Summer at Skylark Farm by Heidi Swain

Amazon UK
Title: Summer at Skylark Farm
Author: Heidi Swain
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: 2nd June 2016
Rating: 5 Stars

For everyone dreaming of escaping to the country, fall in love this summer at Skylark Farm...

Amber is a city girl at heart. So when her boyfriend Jake Somerville suggests they move to the countryside to help out at his family farm, she doesn't quite know how to react. But work has been hectic and she needs a break so she decides to grasp the opportunity and make the best of it.

Dreaming of organic orchards, paddling in streams and frolicking in fields, Amber packs up her things and moves to Skylark Farm. But life is not quite how she imagined - it's cold and dirty and the farm buildings are dilapidated and crumbling.

But Amber is determined to make the best of it and throws herself into farm life. But can she really fit in here? And can she and Jake stay together when they are so different?

Well I was hooked from the start on this summery and highly enjoyable story. This may only be Heidi Swains second book, but she continues to write with a strength that some authors don't manage after many years. She has weaved a believable story with a wonderful cast of characters, some fantastic animals and of course a token female that can't be fully trusted. 

Even before they arrived at Skylark Farm, I found myself drawn to Amber's personality and her can do attitude at work, even if it was starting to get her down.When boyfriend Jake decided that he needs to move to Skylark Farm permantently, as his aunt Annie was becoming slightly frailer, Amber eventually decides to go with him. 

Within moments of arriving at the farm, both Amber and myself fell in love with the place, and that point I realised just how much a winner this book was with me. Amber quickly goes from someone who is nervous of Annie's dogs, to one that is helping animals give birth in a magical day, and organising various events and schemes to help secure the long term future of Skylark Farm. 

As a fan of The Cherry Tree Cafe, I was delighted that Skylark Farm was located in that town, and Lizzie and Jemma are back but in a more support role this time. Instead the main friends are all Jake's, Harriet and Jessica being the main friends, and they each add a slightly different aspect to the story. 

The warm fuzzy feeling and general feelings of goodness coming from this book in waves, remind of how I feel when I curl up with a Katie Fforde book. It is that sort emotion, coupled with a brilliant writing style that made me fall in love with Skylark Farm. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster. This was my honest opinion. 

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