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Churchminster #3
Wild Things
When an A-list film set descends on the quiet village of Churchminster, so begins the village's most scandalous year...
Meet the glamorous cast of Wild Things!
Sophia - the leading lady who gets what she wants. And she wants...
Jed - the village's gorgeous gardener, living with devoted girlfriend...
Camilla - sweet-natured and desperate for a baby, unlike her sister...
Calypso - fiercely ambitious, and unimpressed by the penetrating gaze of...
Rafe - dashing leading man, who quickly wins over Calypso's grandmother...
Clementine - whose only desire is for Churchminster to win 'Britain's Best Village'!
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
22 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Jo Carnegie
8 books65 followersJo Carnegie lives in London and Cardiff. She spent her early career as a fledgling reporter on Bedfordshire’s Biggleswade Chronicle before working at more! and Glamour magazine, and most recently as deputy-editor of heat.
Jo has interviewed stars from George Clooney, Justin Timberlake and Will Smith to Posh and Becks and Kylie Minogue. She now writes features for heat and is the author of the Churchminster series which began with Country Pursuits.
Jo has interviewed stars from George Clooney, Justin Timberlake and Will Smith to Posh and Becks and Kylie Minogue. She now writes features for heat and is the author of the Churchminster series which began with Country Pursuits.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 30, 2010
The Churchminster residents are thrilled when a glamorous film crew descends on their quiet village. But with just four months to prepare for the final of the ‘Britain’s Best Village Competition’, the chaotic filming schedule may do more damage than good. Meanwhile Camilla grows suspicious of the attention boyfriend Jed is receiving from the film’s demanding leading lady. And younger sister Calypso has caught the penetrating eye of dashing leading man ‘Rafe Wolfe’. Brim-full with lavish garden parties, illicit affairs, sordid shenanigans and a sneaky bit of sabotage, not to mention a spot of fund-raising with ‘Churchminster’s Got Talent!
This is the third in a series of books set in the village of Churchminster, and it’s the second in the set that I have actually read myself. The first book, Country Pursuits, is the one I haven’t read, but I thoroughly enjoyed the second outing calling Naked Truths which was released late last year. Surprisingly, the third book has already been released, just 6 months after it’s predecessor but I was very much looking forward to meeting up with the Churchmister gang again. I have to say when I saw the purple and green cover I really wasn’t keen because the two just seem to clash, but in reality it’s much nicer than the image you are seeing on your computer screen, thank goodness!
The book has a slightly different shift of focus from the previous book, so if you were expecting it to pick up where the last one left off, then it’s not I’m afraid! The characters who were the major players in the last book aren’t so much around in this book such as Caro and her family, instead the focus shifts on to residents of Churchminster itself, not those based outside of it. We meet Granny Clem, an old lady who is Churchminster through and through, her grand-daughters Calypso, who runs an events business but is a bit of a free spirit, and Camilla who’s happily settled with Jed but more desperate for a baby than she expected.
The fun bit about the book is the arrival of a big Hollywood movie into the sleepy Churchminster village, just when they are trying to win the ‘Best British Village’ competition. With it comes the arrival of Sophia, the leading lady who is used to every man she meets falling under her spell whether or not they are otherwise engaged, and leading heart-throb Rafe who sets pulses racing around the village. Jo has captured the chaos of the movie’s descent on the village perfectly, and it was fun to read about all the mishaps, and the way the residents went mad over it’s arrival too.
The book is quite fast paced, and there are a lot of characters to get your head around initially, not really helped by the fact the 3 leading ladies all begin with the letter C, and I did find myself getting a little confused at the beginning for a while! However, once you are into the story, there is no problem at all, and you’ll enjoy the journey of finding out what mad things are going to happen to the villagers next! It’s quite a sexy read with some saucy scenes throughout with various couples, but they aren’t out of place in the book in any way, and fitted in perfectly with the story. I enjoyed the ending too, it was a nice touch that things didn’t go how I expected them too, and I’m glad Carnegie didn’t take the easy route!
If you enjoyed the first two books by Jo Carnegie, then you’ll definitely want to pick up a copy of Wild Things! The book was originally titled “Role Play” but I think the new one suits it much better overall. The characters are great fun and get up to things I certainly won’t ever do, I loved Calypso in particular who really is the life and soul of the book, and old Granny Clem was pretty fun too! However, what I enjoyed most about the book was the serious storyline involving one of the characters that really took me by surprise but was so well done by Carnegie that I just have to mention it. She approached with a subtlety that befits the topic and its good to see such an important issue being raised in Women’s fiction, well done Jo! It’s a very enjoyable read, lots of fun and will definitely be a great beach read!
This is the third in a series of books set in the village of Churchminster, and it’s the second in the set that I have actually read myself. The first book, Country Pursuits, is the one I haven’t read, but I thoroughly enjoyed the second outing calling Naked Truths which was released late last year. Surprisingly, the third book has already been released, just 6 months after it’s predecessor but I was very much looking forward to meeting up with the Churchmister gang again. I have to say when I saw the purple and green cover I really wasn’t keen because the two just seem to clash, but in reality it’s much nicer than the image you are seeing on your computer screen, thank goodness!
The book has a slightly different shift of focus from the previous book, so if you were expecting it to pick up where the last one left off, then it’s not I’m afraid! The characters who were the major players in the last book aren’t so much around in this book such as Caro and her family, instead the focus shifts on to residents of Churchminster itself, not those based outside of it. We meet Granny Clem, an old lady who is Churchminster through and through, her grand-daughters Calypso, who runs an events business but is a bit of a free spirit, and Camilla who’s happily settled with Jed but more desperate for a baby than she expected.
The fun bit about the book is the arrival of a big Hollywood movie into the sleepy Churchminster village, just when they are trying to win the ‘Best British Village’ competition. With it comes the arrival of Sophia, the leading lady who is used to every man she meets falling under her spell whether or not they are otherwise engaged, and leading heart-throb Rafe who sets pulses racing around the village. Jo has captured the chaos of the movie’s descent on the village perfectly, and it was fun to read about all the mishaps, and the way the residents went mad over it’s arrival too.
The book is quite fast paced, and there are a lot of characters to get your head around initially, not really helped by the fact the 3 leading ladies all begin with the letter C, and I did find myself getting a little confused at the beginning for a while! However, once you are into the story, there is no problem at all, and you’ll enjoy the journey of finding out what mad things are going to happen to the villagers next! It’s quite a sexy read with some saucy scenes throughout with various couples, but they aren’t out of place in the book in any way, and fitted in perfectly with the story. I enjoyed the ending too, it was a nice touch that things didn’t go how I expected them too, and I’m glad Carnegie didn’t take the easy route!
If you enjoyed the first two books by Jo Carnegie, then you’ll definitely want to pick up a copy of Wild Things! The book was originally titled “Role Play” but I think the new one suits it much better overall. The characters are great fun and get up to things I certainly won’t ever do, I loved Calypso in particular who really is the life and soul of the book, and old Granny Clem was pretty fun too! However, what I enjoyed most about the book was the serious storyline involving one of the characters that really took me by surprise but was so well done by Carnegie that I just have to mention it. She approached with a subtlety that befits the topic and its good to see such an important issue being raised in Women’s fiction, well done Jo! It’s a very enjoyable read, lots of fun and will definitely be a great beach read!
October 29, 2022
This one is very average but it won't bore you.
Just read it in 1 or 2 go.
Some characters are well written but at the same time others are just filling up the gap.
A tip from me before you read it.. this book have around 25 different characters so just write their names and who they are on a page so that u don't get confused and ask who tf is that guy.
Just read it in 1 or 2 go.
Some characters are well written but at the same time others are just filling up the gap.
A tip from me before you read it.. this book have around 25 different characters so just write their names and who they are on a page so that u don't get confused and ask who tf is that guy.
June 7, 2021
So fast paced and fun with some great twists!
August 16, 2021
🏘⛪🏡Sabotage & heartache in a quaint English village: fun, fast-paced👍👍
Wild Things was a total hit for me. I loved this glimpse into the lives and travails of the inhabitants of the picturesque Cotswold village of Churchminster. A handful of households with very distinct characters provided a heap of entertainment and the writing kept the story flowing effortlessly.
Of all the public and personal stories unfolding, I found Camilla's story particularly touching as she finds her idyllic established relationship with handsome estate manager Jed on the rocks. Yes, there's some heated romance for several couples, but I thought Carnegie hit the perfect note of not too sweet but not too explicit. And I could not stop laughing at an enthusiastic animal rights rally that sparks new life into a character who's been caught in the staid, slow lane for too long. The village's Sisyphus-like efforts to spruce up and win the Britain's Best Village contest had some predictable consequences but with a feel-good twist.
Although it's the third book in Jo Carnegie's Churchminster series and the first I had read, I had no problem reading this as a standalone. Now I'm thinking I need to revisit this village; Carnegie's storytelling and characters have me hooked!🎣
Thanks to Transworld Digital and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary copy of the book for review; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
Wild Things was a total hit for me. I loved this glimpse into the lives and travails of the inhabitants of the picturesque Cotswold village of Churchminster. A handful of households with very distinct characters provided a heap of entertainment and the writing kept the story flowing effortlessly.
Of all the public and personal stories unfolding, I found Camilla's story particularly touching as she finds her idyllic established relationship with handsome estate manager Jed on the rocks. Yes, there's some heated romance for several couples, but I thought Carnegie hit the perfect note of not too sweet but not too explicit. And I could not stop laughing at an enthusiastic animal rights rally that sparks new life into a character who's been caught in the staid, slow lane for too long. The village's Sisyphus-like efforts to spruce up and win the Britain's Best Village contest had some predictable consequences but with a feel-good twist.
Although it's the third book in Jo Carnegie's Churchminster series and the first I had read, I had no problem reading this as a standalone. Now I'm thinking I need to revisit this village; Carnegie's storytelling and characters have me hooked!🎣
Thanks to Transworld Digital and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary copy of the book for review; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
June 8, 2021
We are actually back in Churchminster for this third instalment and the movies are coming to town. The village church is in desperate need of repair and a production company is offering big bucks to use Churchminster for a new star studded period drama. Clementine Standington Fulthorpes not keen she’s got her eye on the bigger prize of village of the year. She wants to take the crown from her arch nemesis who has won it that last three years running but with the filming causing mayhem and suspicious goings on it looks like her dreams will be crushed. Meanwhile her granddaughters are facing their own problems Camilla thought she and Jed were rock solid until a glamorous starlet starts batting her eyes and Jed starts acting weird. Calypso’s is trying to start her own business while being pursued by a handsome Adonis film star who is so not her type. Can she resist?
Better than the last because we are actually back in the village but where’s Harriet who is still the best character and still criminally underused. And does no women in churchminster own an actual pair of knickers? They always have g-strings on, the most pointless piece of underwear ever crated.
Better than the last because we are actually back in the village but where’s Harriet who is still the best character and still criminally underused. And does no women in churchminster own an actual pair of knickers? They always have g-strings on, the most pointless piece of underwear ever crated.
June 6, 2021
Wild Things Churchminister series 3 by Jo Carnegie
Well written book . A book you just can’t put down. This book has every characters humour, intrigue and a few saucy moments.
It is clear through the whole book not everything is quite what it may seem but there are some really good laugh out loud moments and some really difficult subjects that are handled really well.
By far the best book in the series so far. I look forward to future journeys to Churchminster as there is still so much scope there for future books.
Well written book . A book you just can’t put down. This book has every characters humour, intrigue and a few saucy moments.
It is clear through the whole book not everything is quite what it may seem but there are some really good laugh out loud moments and some really difficult subjects that are handled really well.
By far the best book in the series so far. I look forward to future journeys to Churchminster as there is still so much scope there for future books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2021
At first I was a bit confused. I couldn't work out how the storylines were progressing. About 20 pages in I figured I fell in the middle of a series. Unfortunately my library only had this installment and the last book of the series. Now I am on the hunt for the rest of them! A very lovely light read, and quite funny too. I absolutely loved the character of Calypso. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
May 19, 2024
Unfortunately, I didn't really enjoy this book, nor the rest of the series.
There were certainly elements of humour, even some laugh out loud moments, and a good mix of characters, both likeable and not.
However, sadly the story just fell flat for me, and i found it a bit of a slog to work through the book.
There were certainly elements of humour, even some laugh out loud moments, and a good mix of characters, both likeable and not.
However, sadly the story just fell flat for me, and i found it a bit of a slog to work through the book.
October 8, 2021
Who knew a best village competition could get so raucous! Fantastic third instalment back in Churchminster with some of my favourite characters and a few dastardly new ones. Funny, sexy and light hearted. A perfect easy read! Can’t wait for the next one!
Thank you Netgalley.
Thank you Netgalley.
November 7, 2017
Fabulous book thoroughly enjoyable, so well written, just could not put it down and didn't want it to end. Really love this authors books :-). I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
November 9, 2020
Excellent bonkbuster. Enjoyed it thoroughly
November 13, 2021
I enjoyed following up with the residents of Churchminster in this 3rd of the series. Wild Things is entertaining, funny - reminds me of a soap opera in book form. Good read overall!
July 15, 2024
This is a delightful and lighthearted read that is perfect for fans of romantic comedies and village dramas, who will be swept away by the charming cast of characters and their hilarious and heartwarming escapades as they navigate love, ambition, and small-town secrets.
June 15, 2019
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The charming village of Churchminster has reached the finals of 'Britain's Best Village', with high stakes, saucy scandals, and the village in desperate need of the prize money after the floods wreaked damage throughout, Churchminster has a lot to lose.
The story mainly follows the Standington-Fulthrope family; the grandmother Clementine, and the two granddaughters, Camilla and her younger sister Calypso.
Granny Clem's top priority is for their village to win this competition against her arch-rival, Veronica. Camilla is desperate to start a family with her long-term boyfriend, Jed. And Calypso is focusing on her career.
However, when a film crew show up and offer Churchminster thousands of pounds to use their village as their set, the tension mounts as Sophia and Rafe, leading lady and man, set their sights on Jed and Calypso. A spattering of vandalism that continues to escalate does not bode well for Granny Clem, either.
This book is like 'Hot Fuzz' gets a sexy, written remake. For the greater good. Basically pack-filled with hilarious posh country folk, with just enough sex scenes interspersed to keep it spicy without being a full on erotic fan-fiction.
The story was written with a really nice pace to it. Although it was mostly predictable, nothing was rushed.
Although, each character in the village is personable and likeable, my favourite character has to be Calypso, personally I feel that although this book was released 8 years ago, she is the epitome of modern romance, with the lines of her sexuality being blurred throughout the book, coupled with her feistiness and general hilarity, she makes for someone relatable, and if not relatable then you would at least want her to be your friend.
A really easy read, thoroughly packed full of warm spirit and cheeky personas. 4/5.
January 16, 2011
The village of Churchminster, devastated by floods a year ago, has gotten through to the last four of ‘Britain’s Best Village’ competition so sprightly Clementine Standington – Fulthrope makes it her mission for the village to win, enlisting the help of her granddaughters Camilla, Calypso and the other villagers.
All the plans are going well until a film crew turns up at Clanfield House, situated in the village, to film a new period drama featuring star’s Rafe Wolfe and Sophie Highforth. Rafe wants Calypso, Sophia wants Jed, Camilla’s boyfriend and will stop at nothing to get him. Clementine just wants them all to leave so she can get on with the competition!
Told in the third person narrative,this book is a real laugh out loud book, a very tame Jackie Collins meets Jilly Cooper type read. Straight away the chemistry was there in the book for me. It’s a story of a village pulling together in good times and bad, sprinkled with huge amounts of humour.
I identified with all the characters, even if one or two of them were predictable, Camilla being a settled type of character while her boyfriend Jed being a stoic, quiet type. I think Camilla’s sister Calypso was the best character though, a type who had plenty of get up and go, single with plenty going on in life to keep her busy. I also loved Clementine, a dear old lady who only wants the best for everybody. I think all the usual characters you would expect in a book about a village were there, a Lord and Lady living in the hall, the busy mum running the pony club, the people running the local shop and pub.
The ending was a bit predictable, slightly cheesy but even though I wanted it to work out that way, I still felt slight disappointment that I had guessed the ending. A good uncomplicated read. I highly recommend this book.
All the plans are going well until a film crew turns up at Clanfield House, situated in the village, to film a new period drama featuring star’s Rafe Wolfe and Sophie Highforth. Rafe wants Calypso, Sophia wants Jed, Camilla’s boyfriend and will stop at nothing to get him. Clementine just wants them all to leave so she can get on with the competition!
Told in the third person narrative,this book is a real laugh out loud book, a very tame Jackie Collins meets Jilly Cooper type read. Straight away the chemistry was there in the book for me. It’s a story of a village pulling together in good times and bad, sprinkled with huge amounts of humour.
I identified with all the characters, even if one or two of them were predictable, Camilla being a settled type of character while her boyfriend Jed being a stoic, quiet type. I think Camilla’s sister Calypso was the best character though, a type who had plenty of get up and go, single with plenty going on in life to keep her busy. I also loved Clementine, a dear old lady who only wants the best for everybody. I think all the usual characters you would expect in a book about a village were there, a Lord and Lady living in the hall, the busy mum running the pony club, the people running the local shop and pub.
The ending was a bit predictable, slightly cheesy but even though I wanted it to work out that way, I still felt slight disappointment that I had guessed the ending. A good uncomplicated read. I highly recommend this book.
October 16, 2010
Wild Things is a novel set in the fictional village of Churchminster. The shortlist for Britain's best village has been announced, and Churchminster is on it. As the villagers prepare for the judges, in the hope of securing enough prize money to build a much-needed flood defence, they are visited by Hollywood. Deemed perfect for an opulent period drama, the little village is descended upon by a world of glamour far removed from the usual lifestyles of the village's inhabitants. And with the A-listers comes scandal!
I very much enjoyed this book. Several plot lines interweave throughout, from Hollywood love affairs to the murky world of village competitions to the more tender story of a couple trying to conceive their first child. Told with a quick pace and lots of humour I read the whole thing in a few days.
I've always enjoyed Midsomer Murders and the book reminded me of that. Not in the storyline hut in the setting - a west country idyll built with sandstone bricks and garnished with flowerbeds and rockeries. Little enclosed places give the author the chance to build a whole world and Jo Carnegie has done it beautifully here. There are two other Churchminster books and I can imagine many readers eagerly anticipating all future releases, feeling safe in the village they wished they lived in.
I very much enjoyed this book. Several plot lines interweave throughout, from Hollywood love affairs to the murky world of village competitions to the more tender story of a couple trying to conceive their first child. Told with a quick pace and lots of humour I read the whole thing in a few days.
I've always enjoyed Midsomer Murders and the book reminded me of that. Not in the storyline hut in the setting - a west country idyll built with sandstone bricks and garnished with flowerbeds and rockeries. Little enclosed places give the author the chance to build a whole world and Jo Carnegie has done it beautifully here. There are two other Churchminster books and I can imagine many readers eagerly anticipating all future releases, feeling safe in the village they wished they lived in.
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August 28, 2010When Hollywood descends on a small rural villaage in the running for Best Britsh Village you can expect trouble. Handsome leading men, flirty leading lady and the villagers of Churchminster are all in a flap, however add to this someone sabotaging all the hard work the 'garden party' (the committee for the best village team) have been working at and you know it will end in tears.
i loved this book - i have read all three of the Churchminster books and i have to say they are getting better and better. i had many a late night reading those extra few pages! This is the best book so far.
there are many secrets and problems to be solved and revealled throughout the book and although i thought i had them worked out, jo carnegie had done a great job in confusing me!
i would recommend this to all, along with naked truths and country pursuits.
i loved this book - i have read all three of the Churchminster books and i have to say they are getting better and better. i had many a late night reading those extra few pages! This is the best book so far.
there are many secrets and problems to be solved and revealled throughout the book and although i thought i had them worked out, jo carnegie had done a great job in confusing me!
i would recommend this to all, along with naked truths and country pursuits.
March 7, 2016
Really enjoyed this one, read in only a few hours - very easy to read.
This one set back in churchminster, most of the original characters were back in it, not much of Caro and Benedict (can't recall if they were even mentioned!). Jed and Camille were back in this one, they wee good together at the beginning and then hit the skids a bit, Devon makes a short return to this one too. Calypso meets a leading man who is a bit of a love rat. The town rallies together to win the garden show. The vicar's wife has a few skeletons in the cupboard.
This one was quite easy and enjoyable to read, I do enjoy the country settings of Jo's books.
Onto the next one in the series now.
This one set back in churchminster, most of the original characters were back in it, not much of Caro and Benedict (can't recall if they were even mentioned!). Jed and Camille were back in this one, they wee good together at the beginning and then hit the skids a bit, Devon makes a short return to this one too. Calypso meets a leading man who is a bit of a love rat. The town rallies together to win the garden show. The vicar's wife has a few skeletons in the cupboard.
This one was quite easy and enjoyable to read, I do enjoy the country settings of Jo's books.
Onto the next one in the series now.
December 19, 2014
I really enjoyed the first two books, but I found this one a bit hard going at times. I think that I just wasn't sufficiently engaged with either the film crew plot or the best kept village competition plot. The film crew one in particular didn't really seem to go anywhere. I do like reading about the characters however, and I hope that I enjoy the next two books in the series.
July 25, 2018
Loved this book from the onset! It shares a real team effort in the village of Churchminister, and the bumpy rides of each family. It kept me entertained all the way through, that I just wanted to keep reading more.
July 24, 2011
Not the best of the series with too much focus on Churchminsters old lady and a garden competition. Still an alright read though.
March 20, 2012
A hilarious Cotswold romp, really good fun to read.
March 19, 2012
Funny and enjoyable, but wish I knew what they ended up doing with the million pounds raised in the first book!
May 10, 2012
How I enjoy reading abt Jed & Camilla!
October 11, 2013
What a jolly good read. I love the churchminster books and each one gets better and better. I found this easy to read and raced through it.
September 16, 2015
very funny read and a book that you can't put down, you just have to keep on reading unit finish ;-)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews