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katykelly's review against another edition
3.0
Exactly as you'd expect. Gentle, humorous, no real baddie. Predictable all through but a warm read for it. I did feel that it was a rehash of his autobiographies just in a fictional setting, though I did laugh a few times at what the kids say, can't help it. Too much repetition. Almost an anti-thesis to The Casual Vacancy, where one event (I.e. the arrival of a new Head in this case) changes the lives of everyone in the village, but in this case for the better.
forever_day's review against another edition
4.0
Overall rating: 4/5
Plot: 3.75/5
Char: 4/5
Hum: 3/5
Rom: 4/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Warnings: none I can think of
A lovely, feel-good read that captured a British village very well and was very enjoyable read (and one that gave a surprising tug on the heart strings). It was also nice to have a book centred around a school, which was not something I'd seen before.
Plot: 3.75/5
Char: 4/5
Hum: 3/5
Rom: 4/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Warnings: none I can think of
A lovely, feel-good read that captured a British village very well and was very enjoyable read (and one that gave a surprising tug on the heart strings). It was also nice to have a book centred around a school, which was not something I'd seen before.
fdr_girl's review against another edition
3.0
It was a slow start and a predictable read but enjoyable nonetheless and some lovely characters.
tobyyy's review against another edition
4.0
Unread shelf project 2023: book 39.
I’m kind of surprised none of my GR friends have read this series — if you like James Herriot, the Irish country doctor series, Miss Read’s Village series, or similar rural “slice of life” books, this novel is for you!
I loved this story. All aspects of it. It’s a good book to sit with when you need a slow paced, feel good story with fun characters and minimal agitation/suspense. I’m glad I stumbled across it.
Edited to add — I read another reader’s review of this book who described it as “pleasant and gentle.” 1000%. Yes.
I’m kind of surprised none of my GR friends have read this series — if you like James Herriot, the Irish country doctor series, Miss Read’s Village series, or similar rural “slice of life” books, this novel is for you!
I loved this story. All aspects of it. It’s a good book to sit with when you need a slow paced, feel good story with fun characters and minimal agitation/suspense. I’m glad I stumbled across it.
Edited to add — I read another reader’s review of this book who described it as “pleasant and gentle.” 1000%. Yes.
foreverday's review against another edition
4.0
Overall rating: 4/5
Plot: 3.75/5
Char: 4/5
Hum: 3/5
Rom: 4/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Warnings: none I can think of
A lovely, feel-good read that captured a British village very well and was very enjoyable read (and one that gave a surprising tug on the heart strings). It was also nice to have a book centred around a school, which was not something I'd seen before.
Plot: 3.75/5
Char: 4/5
Hum: 3/5
Rom: 4/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Warnings: none I can think of
A lovely, feel-good read that captured a British village very well and was very enjoyable read (and one that gave a surprising tug on the heart strings). It was also nice to have a book centred around a school, which was not something I'd seen before.
kath61's review against another edition
3.0
Three stars is generous but I like Gervase Phinn's books about his years as a school inspector and he comes across as very warm, kind and funny when he talks. This book however is predictable to the extreme, cliched and unimaginative. The teachers and pupils
are cariactures and the whole story is like a Mills and Boon. Could do better Mr Phinn.
miramanga's review against another edition
3.0
Very cosy, twee book where everyone speaks properly and you know that good shall triumph.
andrewcox's review against another edition
4.0
Great holiday read, easy going and fun, love the subtle jokes, makes me think i should read the rest of this series.
josie24601's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia
annalynn's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5