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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
I loved this book having read the previous book In the Love Heart Lane series, I was so excited to read Foxglove Farm, and all the ups and downs of running a farm business, it's the perfect book to curl up with.
My second visit to the village of Heartcross in the Scottish Highands was just as memorable and brilliant as my first. Christie Barlow really is on to a winner with this series and long may we have many books to come which are set in this special village where community, friendship, family and support mean absolutely everything. Foxglove Farm was one of my most anticipated reads for this summer every since I finished the brilliant Love Heart Lane back in January. I had such high expectations for this new story and thankfully every one of them has been fulfilled. This time the story centres on Isla and Drew Allaway who run Foxglove Farm and within the first few pages we delve straight into the main focus of the story. There is no messing around introducing the setting or characters as this has all been covered in book one and for those that are new to the series background information is slipped in over the course of the story so they needn't feel like they are missing out.
I loved how Drew and Isla, who both did feature in lesser roles in book one, are now stepping into the spotlight and it is time to share their story, their difficulties, their ups and downs and their hardships. The characters I had come to love previously do feature again but to a slightly lesser extent. That's not to say the feel good feelings that oozed from Love Heart Lane are not apparent here, of course they are and in spades. The vibe and atmosphere that Christie Barlow has created in these books is just fantastic and that's what makes you sit down and read the stories in less than a day because once you start you literally can't stop and then believe me you are gutted to have reached the end and have to leave Heartcross behind once again.
Isla and Drew have always had a solid and happy relationship. They love running the farm which has been in Drew's family for generations and the setting is absolutely stunning with the Scottish Highlands surrounding them and the wonderful village of Heartcross at their doorstep. But within the first few pages it's evident that all is not as it seems and discord and upset are to be the main features of Drew and Isla's relationship in this story. There are rocky roads ahead for them but it's whether they can weather the storms that are coming their way and make it through some troublesome situations that will test their marriage to the max is the question?
Drew has gone from being this kind, considerate, hard-working and loving family man to someone Isla is starting to think she barely even knows. He has become irrational, moody, argumentative and he believes he is the one who keeps the farm running with some help from Fergus whilst Isla flits about with the children and spends time drinking tea with her friends in Bonnie's teashop. Isla is so hurt at these institutions which are simply not true as she too is juggling an awful lot, to keep the house up and running and to take care of Finn and baby Angus. I thought the opening scene was powerful and very well written as it really did set the tone for themes of the book and it conveyed Drew's stance although the reasons behind this wouldn't become clear until much later.
I found myself taking an instant dislike to Drew and I wouldn’t have felt this way if I was judging him on the few times he appears in book one. But I think I felt like this because I didn't want to see Isla hurt because at the end of the day she was like anyone else in life just trying to do her best with what the cards have dealt her and to make her family life a positive and happy one. But with Drew being so argumentative, cold and stand offish and with him distancing himself and erecting barriers around him Isla begins to feel like she is threading on eggshells around him. That she needs to be careful with every word she utters for fear of setting him off. Animosity, tension and anger are all emotions bubbling away at the surface when it comes to Drew and they could erupt at any moment given one false move or if something went disastrously wrong.
Isla feels desperately lonely as she doesn't have any hands on extra support and that maybe she is losing perspective of who she is. But that shouldn't be the case as she is surrounded by wonderful friends and family. Felicity and Allie would be there for Isla if she could only open as to how she is feeling but then she thinks people won't believe her if she tells them what has been going on with Drew given he is always so nice to everyone else and has such a good reputation within the village.
To some it may seem as if Isla is complaining unnecessarily. That everyone experiences challenging times in a marriage and after all you do make a commitment to each other to love one another for better for worse, in sickness and in health. But here I felt Isla's worries were genuine. That she loved Drew, her family and the farm so much and that in no way was she reading into things that weren't there. She knows him so well that she just couldn't brush under the carpet what she was seeing and that action needed to be taken in order to save her marriage and not let her family unit go down the drain because no one had bothered to communicate to each other. But circumstances take a very dramatic turn.
I love how Christie uses the weather as a catalyst in her books for bringing about a total u-turn in the way a book may be progressing. Things get turned on their head and there is a sense of urgency to pull together to make things work. That's another reason why I love these books, they are not all light-hearted and dare I use the terms featuring fluffy and easy romances. No there is so much more depth to the story and the exploration of relationships with community spirit a huge part also. The reader is really allowed to get inside the heads of the characters and they do have serious issues and the boy meets girl, will they won't they get together storyline is not present here. Thank god I said to myself more than once. It's the purchase of a herd of alpacas by Isla with the best of intentions that sets the cat among the pigeons and really gets Drew riled up and subsequently a brilliant storyline unfolds.
I really enjoyed how the overall storyline developed as I felt the emotional side of things was balanced with some moments of humour as things could have descended into doom and gloom with no glimmer of hope. The catalyst of the weather that inspired change, grit and determination was brilliantly woven into the story and once again it showed how the village of Heartcross may be small but at its centre there is a big heart where the residents all pull together in times of need to hep those whom they would not wish to see misfortune befall upon. Maybe things happen for a reason and difficult times may be sent to try us but it is how we deal with these situations that demonstrate what true character we have inside us that maybe we didn't realise we had.
Isla once discovering some shocking secrets really stepped up to the plate and her love for both Drew and her family was evident. She deserved nothing but admiration and with the help of her grandmother Martha, whose arrival back to the village was unexpected and maybe initially not welcome, they devised a plan to get things back on track. Martha wasn't a major character but she was there to give Isla the backup she needed when she doubted herself. Isla could have crumbled and just locked herself away but when push came to shove she showed that she was a fighter and that both the farm and her family meant everything to her. But would she be able to dig deeper and discover what was making Drew carry on in the manner in which he was? Will the arrival of a new person Nate to the village be her saving grace in her hour of need? Can she soldier on when it seems as if everything is crumbling around her?
Foxglove Farm, I am very much pleased to say, was another triumph for Christie Barlow. She has written about a very serious subject and sadly all too common problem with sensitivity and tact but she never shied away from writing exactly how people feel when this happens to them. Showing how the family unit are also affected was very important and I thought there was such a well rounded balanced point of view presented throughout the entire story. Heartcross is such a warm and inviting place that you never want to leave, packed full of varied and interesting characters but at its centre are the bonds of community and of pulling together. This book deserves to be consumed in one go if at all possible as it is just to engrossing and absorbing with memorable characters you root for all the way. Imagine my delight to click to the last page to discover there will be more to come in this series before the year is out. Clover Cottage has my interest piqued as to who the story could focus on but in the meantime if you haven't done so already read and enjoy as much as I did both Love Heart Lane and Foxglove Farm. You'll be glad you did.
I loved how Drew and Isla, who both did feature in lesser roles in book one, are now stepping into the spotlight and it is time to share their story, their difficulties, their ups and downs and their hardships. The characters I had come to love previously do feature again but to a slightly lesser extent. That's not to say the feel good feelings that oozed from Love Heart Lane are not apparent here, of course they are and in spades. The vibe and atmosphere that Christie Barlow has created in these books is just fantastic and that's what makes you sit down and read the stories in less than a day because once you start you literally can't stop and then believe me you are gutted to have reached the end and have to leave Heartcross behind once again.
Isla and Drew have always had a solid and happy relationship. They love running the farm which has been in Drew's family for generations and the setting is absolutely stunning with the Scottish Highlands surrounding them and the wonderful village of Heartcross at their doorstep. But within the first few pages it's evident that all is not as it seems and discord and upset are to be the main features of Drew and Isla's relationship in this story. There are rocky roads ahead for them but it's whether they can weather the storms that are coming their way and make it through some troublesome situations that will test their marriage to the max is the question?
Drew has gone from being this kind, considerate, hard-working and loving family man to someone Isla is starting to think she barely even knows. He has become irrational, moody, argumentative and he believes he is the one who keeps the farm running with some help from Fergus whilst Isla flits about with the children and spends time drinking tea with her friends in Bonnie's teashop. Isla is so hurt at these institutions which are simply not true as she too is juggling an awful lot, to keep the house up and running and to take care of Finn and baby Angus. I thought the opening scene was powerful and very well written as it really did set the tone for themes of the book and it conveyed Drew's stance although the reasons behind this wouldn't become clear until much later.
I found myself taking an instant dislike to Drew and I wouldn’t have felt this way if I was judging him on the few times he appears in book one. But I think I felt like this because I didn't want to see Isla hurt because at the end of the day she was like anyone else in life just trying to do her best with what the cards have dealt her and to make her family life a positive and happy one. But with Drew being so argumentative, cold and stand offish and with him distancing himself and erecting barriers around him Isla begins to feel like she is threading on eggshells around him. That she needs to be careful with every word she utters for fear of setting him off. Animosity, tension and anger are all emotions bubbling away at the surface when it comes to Drew and they could erupt at any moment given one false move or if something went disastrously wrong.
Isla feels desperately lonely as she doesn't have any hands on extra support and that maybe she is losing perspective of who she is. But that shouldn't be the case as she is surrounded by wonderful friends and family. Felicity and Allie would be there for Isla if she could only open as to how she is feeling but then she thinks people won't believe her if she tells them what has been going on with Drew given he is always so nice to everyone else and has such a good reputation within the village.
To some it may seem as if Isla is complaining unnecessarily. That everyone experiences challenging times in a marriage and after all you do make a commitment to each other to love one another for better for worse, in sickness and in health. But here I felt Isla's worries were genuine. That she loved Drew, her family and the farm so much and that in no way was she reading into things that weren't there. She knows him so well that she just couldn't brush under the carpet what she was seeing and that action needed to be taken in order to save her marriage and not let her family unit go down the drain because no one had bothered to communicate to each other. But circumstances take a very dramatic turn.
I love how Christie uses the weather as a catalyst in her books for bringing about a total u-turn in the way a book may be progressing. Things get turned on their head and there is a sense of urgency to pull together to make things work. That's another reason why I love these books, they are not all light-hearted and dare I use the terms featuring fluffy and easy romances. No there is so much more depth to the story and the exploration of relationships with community spirit a huge part also. The reader is really allowed to get inside the heads of the characters and they do have serious issues and the boy meets girl, will they won't they get together storyline is not present here. Thank god I said to myself more than once. It's the purchase of a herd of alpacas by Isla with the best of intentions that sets the cat among the pigeons and really gets Drew riled up and subsequently a brilliant storyline unfolds.
I really enjoyed how the overall storyline developed as I felt the emotional side of things was balanced with some moments of humour as things could have descended into doom and gloom with no glimmer of hope. The catalyst of the weather that inspired change, grit and determination was brilliantly woven into the story and once again it showed how the village of Heartcross may be small but at its centre there is a big heart where the residents all pull together in times of need to hep those whom they would not wish to see misfortune befall upon. Maybe things happen for a reason and difficult times may be sent to try us but it is how we deal with these situations that demonstrate what true character we have inside us that maybe we didn't realise we had.
Isla once discovering some shocking secrets really stepped up to the plate and her love for both Drew and her family was evident. She deserved nothing but admiration and with the help of her grandmother Martha, whose arrival back to the village was unexpected and maybe initially not welcome, they devised a plan to get things back on track. Martha wasn't a major character but she was there to give Isla the backup she needed when she doubted herself. Isla could have crumbled and just locked herself away but when push came to shove she showed that she was a fighter and that both the farm and her family meant everything to her. But would she be able to dig deeper and discover what was making Drew carry on in the manner in which he was? Will the arrival of a new person Nate to the village be her saving grace in her hour of need? Can she soldier on when it seems as if everything is crumbling around her?
Foxglove Farm, I am very much pleased to say, was another triumph for Christie Barlow. She has written about a very serious subject and sadly all too common problem with sensitivity and tact but she never shied away from writing exactly how people feel when this happens to them. Showing how the family unit are also affected was very important and I thought there was such a well rounded balanced point of view presented throughout the entire story. Heartcross is such a warm and inviting place that you never want to leave, packed full of varied and interesting characters but at its centre are the bonds of community and of pulling together. This book deserves to be consumed in one go if at all possible as it is just to engrossing and absorbing with memorable characters you root for all the way. Imagine my delight to click to the last page to discover there will be more to come in this series before the year is out. Clover Cottage has my interest piqued as to who the story could focus on but in the meantime if you haven't done so already read and enjoy as much as I did both Love Heart Lane and Foxglove Farm. You'll be glad you did.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Six months ago, I discovered Love Heart Lane in the village of Heartcross, a lovely Scottish village which had been at the centre of Christie Barlow's first novel in what is turning out to be a series. Back with familiar faces and the spectacular scenery of the highlands meant I knew was going to be in for a treat.
I first got to know Isla in the last book and we were all there when cut off from the mainland due to the weather, Isla gives birth with her husband by her side.
However it has not been plain sailing, for Isla since we last met. She feels lonely, her husband Drew is working all the hours on their farm and he seems to be sniping at every opportunity. The strong bond they had seems to be weakening and Isla cannot understand why and Drew will not talk to her.
When the unpredictable weather strikes again at Foxglove Farm all of Isla and Drew's problems are suddenly in the foremost of the whole communities mind. Like every good community they all pull together and help, with the milking, the lambing and bringing the dreams of Isla to fruition as well as getting Drew, literally back on his feet.
Throw into the mix some alpacas, handsome strangers, criminals and a few old campervans and all of a sudden you have a story that you have to stay with come what may. There are some funny moments that made me chuckle and some beautiful heart rendering ones which made my heart break and sing in equal measure.
Such is the quality of the plotting and the writing that you can be swept away to this little village in the highlands and know that you could fit right in.
Not afraid to tackle some real issues and also to move away from a new romance, a common feature in women's fiction, the author focuses very much on the romance that is in all good relationships this book is for anyone who wants to perhaps some more substantial than light and fluffy.
I am excited to learn that there will be another trip back to Heartcross but I am also jealous of anyone who has yet to read this book and the first, you have such a treat awaiting you.
I first got to know Isla in the last book and we were all there when cut off from the mainland due to the weather, Isla gives birth with her husband by her side.
However it has not been plain sailing, for Isla since we last met. She feels lonely, her husband Drew is working all the hours on their farm and he seems to be sniping at every opportunity. The strong bond they had seems to be weakening and Isla cannot understand why and Drew will not talk to her.
When the unpredictable weather strikes again at Foxglove Farm all of Isla and Drew's problems are suddenly in the foremost of the whole communities mind. Like every good community they all pull together and help, with the milking, the lambing and bringing the dreams of Isla to fruition as well as getting Drew, literally back on his feet.
Throw into the mix some alpacas, handsome strangers, criminals and a few old campervans and all of a sudden you have a story that you have to stay with come what may. There are some funny moments that made me chuckle and some beautiful heart rendering ones which made my heart break and sing in equal measure.
Such is the quality of the plotting and the writing that you can be swept away to this little village in the highlands and know that you could fit right in.
Not afraid to tackle some real issues and also to move away from a new romance, a common feature in women's fiction, the author focuses very much on the romance that is in all good relationships this book is for anyone who wants to perhaps some more substantial than light and fluffy.
I am excited to learn that there will be another trip back to Heartcross but I am also jealous of anyone who has yet to read this book and the first, you have such a treat awaiting you.
Love Heart Lane and the author are new to me, yet I quickly embraced this close-knit Highlands community with a delightful bunch of locals adding support and quirky diversions to the narrative.
Isla and Drew Allaway own and run Foxglove Farm where they live with their young sons. Both are busy with responsibilities and as a consequence has forgotten to devote time for themselves. When it becomes obvious something is wrong, neither seem capable of communicating. With each bad-tempered exchange, the rift widens within their marriage causing their relationship to deteriorate further. Can they find a way to turn things around?
For a change, I enjoyed reading about an already established couple who love each other but somehow have lost the spark which ignited their relationship in the first place. I'm sure many readers will identify with Isla and Drew and the issues they have. While the narrative focuses on problems any couple can face, the turning point wasn't. After a catalogue of errors, luckily, things start to get back on track again-hurray!
The protagonists are both relatable and likeable, so much so, you want to knock their heads together to make them see sense, at least in the beginning. Both have their flaws exposing themselves to potentially life-changing consequences. However, in the end, things turn around and work themselves out leading to a happily-ever-after for them both. Of course, there's plenty of neighbourly help and support from a warm and friendly group of friends and acquaintances. An honourable mention goes to the eccentric and generous Martha Gray...she's a ray of sunshine.
The overall atmosphere of the narrative is positively 'feel good' even though the main plot's centred around a struggling family. I've read a few similar novels to this and Foxglove Farm definitely stands out in the crowd. The author has written a lovely flowing narrative with plenty of things happening but not in an overwhelming way.
4.5 stars
***arc generously received courtesy of HarperImpulse via NetGalley***
Isla and Drew Allaway own and run Foxglove Farm where they live with their young sons. Both are busy with responsibilities and as a consequence has forgotten to devote time for themselves. When it becomes obvious something is wrong, neither seem capable of communicating. With each bad-tempered exchange, the rift widens within their marriage causing their relationship to deteriorate further. Can they find a way to turn things around?
For a change, I enjoyed reading about an already established couple who love each other but somehow have lost the spark which ignited their relationship in the first place. I'm sure many readers will identify with Isla and Drew and the issues they have. While the narrative focuses on problems any couple can face, the turning point wasn't. After a catalogue of errors, luckily, things start to get back on track again-hurray!
The protagonists are both relatable and likeable, so much so, you want to knock their heads together to make them see sense, at least in the beginning. Both have their flaws exposing themselves to potentially life-changing consequences. However, in the end, things turn around and work themselves out leading to a happily-ever-after for them both. Of course, there's plenty of neighbourly help and support from a warm and friendly group of friends and acquaintances. An honourable mention goes to the eccentric and generous Martha Gray...she's a ray of sunshine.
The overall atmosphere of the narrative is positively 'feel good' even though the main plot's centred around a struggling family. I've read a few similar novels to this and Foxglove Farm definitely stands out in the crowd. The author has written a lovely flowing narrative with plenty of things happening but not in an overwhelming way.
4.5 stars
***arc generously received courtesy of HarperImpulse via NetGalley***
Falls flat
Just like the previous book in this series, there’s drama, drama, drama and then a super fast resolution. Husband treats wife like crap, husband makes bad financial decisions, wife has drinks with friends and husband accuses her of spending all “his” money. Ugh. It’s going to take more than one good night of s*x to make up for that! Also if Isla got teary or wiped tears from her eyes or felt tears welling up once, she did it a million times. There are other emotions besides weepy.
Just like the previous book in this series, there’s drama, drama, drama and then a super fast resolution. Husband treats wife like crap, husband makes bad financial decisions, wife has drinks with friends and husband accuses her of spending all “his” money. Ugh. It’s going to take more than one good night of s*x to make up for that! Also if Isla got teary or wiped tears from her eyes or felt tears welling up once, she did it a million times. There are other emotions besides weepy.
Foxglove Farm is book two in the Love Heart Lane series, but reads well as a standalone. I must admit I have book one but haven’t read it. So I am not familiar with these characters or the town, I came into this book with fresh eyes.
Awwh. What another cute, lovely and beautiful town to wander into. The community all pulls together and are a friendly lot. Isla is a lovely woman trying her best, with a lovely family and farm to run with her husband and two children.
I must say its all a bit doom and gloom in this story mostly, but it shows peoples willingness, helpfullness and passion to work together, so there is a plus side. As I haven’t read the first book I will guess that the first book was more upbeat?
All relationships have their up and downs that’s a given but for most of this story it’s all down… Except it goes back up towards the end. Uplifting towards the end, faith restored. This story holds a hidden message, that no matter how hard times get and relationships things can get better and will get better.
A well deserved four stars from me. I cannot wait to go back and read book one now (Love Heart Lane). Highly recommend. I throughally enjoyed reading this one. A beautiful cover too. Love a good cover. A perfect, happy ending.
Awwh. What another cute, lovely and beautiful town to wander into. The community all pulls together and are a friendly lot. Isla is a lovely woman trying her best, with a lovely family and farm to run with her husband and two children.
I must say its all a bit doom and gloom in this story mostly, but it shows peoples willingness, helpfullness and passion to work together, so there is a plus side. As I haven’t read the first book I will guess that the first book was more upbeat?
All relationships have their up and downs that’s a given but for most of this story it’s all down… Except it goes back up towards the end. Uplifting towards the end, faith restored. This story holds a hidden message, that no matter how hard times get and relationships things can get better and will get better.
A well deserved four stars from me. I cannot wait to go back and read book one now (Love Heart Lane). Highly recommend. I throughally enjoyed reading this one. A beautiful cover too. Love a good cover. A perfect, happy ending.
Christie Barlow is fast becoming a favourite author of mine. Her books never disappoint and Foxglove Farm was no different.
Christie’s characters in Isla and Drew really reflected on issues that many couples go through but this is handled with such care and affection, so much so, Isla will resonate with many women. She really made me feel welcome and part of the community and story in this book.
This is the second book to the Love Heart Lane series and having raced through the first one, I was delighted to be back and enjoying the community once more.
Christie Barlow is an author to look out for if you love chick-lit, she’s been added to my auto-buy authors list.
Foxglove Farm is an absolute delight.
Definitely recommend to all fans of Carole Matthews.
Christie’s characters in Isla and Drew really reflected on issues that many couples go through but this is handled with such care and affection, so much so, Isla will resonate with many women. She really made me feel welcome and part of the community and story in this book.
This is the second book to the Love Heart Lane series and having raced through the first one, I was delighted to be back and enjoying the community once more.
Christie Barlow is an author to look out for if you love chick-lit, she’s been added to my auto-buy authors list.
Foxglove Farm is an absolute delight.
Definitely recommend to all fans of Carole Matthews.
It’s great to be back with book two of the Love Heart Lane series, this time focusing on Isla and Drew. It reads perfectly well as a standalone, but I really do recommend you read the first one, I mean why miss out!
With certain authors, I read their books without checking out the blurb. I feel if I’ve loved one of their books I should generally love them all and Ms Barlow is one of them. Even when I started Foxglove Farm, I had no clue what it was about and from the opening pages I was hooked and well I did not expect that start! I had to quickly re-read my review for the Love Heart Lane and it refreshed my memory of who was who and it was great to see old faces again! Plus the introduction to new faces was fabulous, although not all were good faces to have!
With an intense start to the book, in which you felt like you were intruding on a private moment with Isla and Drew, we follow them as they literally hit rock bottom. Watching them struggle and rebuild was hard but it just goes to show how far a bit of communication can go in a relationship and a marriage! It was really quite refreshing to show marriage in this realistic light, two people lost their way and need to work their way back to each other.
The village is its own little character with its natural disasters! However, the comradery of the villagers is enough to bring you to your knees. The way everyone rallies around to support Isla and Drew made me stop in awe. Nothing was too much and everyone pulled their weight willingly without any grumbles! I want to live there!!
I was told (by Rachel) I would be in for a treat with this book and she was right. It is so easy to get lost in Ms Barlow writing, as she writes as if you were having a cup of tea in the cafe and catching up. It flows so easily and you feel like you are right there with the community. I must admit I love the village and I love the idea of living somewhere where everyone knows everyone. It’s quaint and it’s friendly, welcoming and rather endearing! They support each other through hardships and celebrate the good times.