Thank to Jane Lovering, Boldwood Books and Netgalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review and Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for organising this blog tour.
Synopsis
Isabel, Izzy to her friends, has got nothing left to lose when she makes the bravest decision of her life.
A month living under canvas on the Yorkshire Moors with five strangers wouldn’t normally be her idea of a good time, even if there is prize money to be won at the end of it, but she’s all out of options.
Joining her in this wild goose chase, being filmed for a TV show, are farmer Seb, whose marriage is creaking but who is desperate not to lose his family. Sheltered Ruth who needs an opportunity to show she can make her own decisions. Glamorous socialite Kanga, who has been living a lie. American Junior who has his own secret that has led him there. And last but not least, mysterious and brooding Mac, who Izzy can’t help but be drawn to.
As the fickleness of nature tests them all to their limits, this disparate group come together to face the challenge. But when Izzy finally tells them the truth that has brought her out on the Moors, will that be the end of their adventure, or the beginning of her future? Because what Izzy really needs is a place to call home, and someone to share it with could be even better…
Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3FsnZU2
My Thoughts
I adored the concept of this book. Bringing six strangers together to film a TV show on the Yorkshire Moors, tracking big cats and surviving harsh weather conditions all came together to create an entertaining and cosy book with a wide range of characters.
My favourite part of this book was actually watching the characters develop/reveal their true selves during the plot. It really made me think about the different ‘layers’ and masks that people wear and for what reasons. All the characters have some unresolved issues, or aspects of their lives they want to hide, and it really made me think about how much we ever really know the people in our lives. Even the most unlikable characters at the beginning started to grow on me – although admittedly, some more than others.
Izzy was an adorable protagonist and her back story made me sad, but her journey made me hopeful. Jane writes about homelessness without stigma or stereotypes and I loved that about Izzy’s character. I know not everybody’s story is the same and many don’t even have what Izzy did but it was still sensitive and challenged a lot of current thinking. I also really enjoyed Izzy’s relationship with Mac and how it developed.
The setting of the Yorkshire Moors was perfect for this concept. Beautiful yet wild and rugged, and dangerous in the right conditions – Jane Lovering really set the scene. There were certainly some unexpected parts of the plot that really brough the Moors to life.
I adored this book. It is set in winter so perfect January reading. It has a little bit of tension and a mix of varied characters and it is the perfect escapism for a usually dreary month.
Author Bio – Jane Lovering
Jane Lovering is the bestselling and award-winning romantic comedy writer who won the RNA Novel of the Year Award in 2012 with Please Don’t Stop the Music. She lives in Yorkshire and has a cat and a bonkers terrier, as well as five children who have now left home.
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Herding Cats 