What do you think?
Rate this book
Out In The Country
Widowed a year ago, Lynne Marshall believes she's ready to start a new chapter in life. She plans to exchange the bright lights of Manhattan for her home country of Scotland and open a country hotel with her childhood friend Jess and her fiancé Rob. Her daughter Molly will manage the home front as she starts her first year of teaching in one of the city's toughest schools. When those plans are suddenly and tragically ruined, both Lynne and Jess are left shaken--and unsure what the future holds for either of them. A weekend trip to Lynne's husband's home town in rural Vermont brings new opportunities, decisions, and a second chance at love for both Lynne and Jess... if they dare to risk their hearts again. Meanwhile Molly faces difficult choices of her own, and must decide where her heart truly lies. Out in the Country is a heartwarming novel celebrating the strength of family, friends, and second chances of all kinds. Written by USAToday bestselling author Kate Hewitt.
149 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
770 people are currently reading
1216 people want to read
About the author
Kate Hewitt
874 books1,685 followersKate is the USA Today-bsetselling author of many books of both historical and contemporary fiction. Under the name Katharine Swartz, she is the author of the Tales from Goswell books, a series of time-slip novels set in the village of Goswell.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
September 29, 2013
This book had a great story line which I enjoyed very much. However, there were some problems with the book, in particular the ending, that made the book much weaker.
The book starts very strong with three major characters. The story focuses on two Scottish women, both in their 40's who end up starting a B&B in Vermont. The character development was sustained and believable as you watch both characters cope with grief and face challenges. Both women develop as individuals and their friendship grows in an inspiring way.
The third major character is the daughter of one of the older women. We see this woman as young, idealistic, and enthusiastic about her future as a teacher in an inner city school in NYC. However, this is where the story loses its traction and value. Throughout half of the book, the story moves along about this young woman as she is confronted with the reality of challenges of teaching and has to do deal with a long distance relationship which isn't particularly nurturing or growing.
However, as the book progresses, we see less of this character until she is lost completely. The story raps up with a unsatisfactory ending about the character that seems to hasty and doesn't make sense given the rest of her story.
I was disappointed because the author started in a promising way. She created likable, believable characters in whom I was invested. I cared about them and wanted to see them move forward in believable ways. The book was stronger for having a third character, but lost its strength when that character's story and development was dropped without explanation or a believable story line.
The book starts very strong with three major characters. The story focuses on two Scottish women, both in their 40's who end up starting a B&B in Vermont. The character development was sustained and believable as you watch both characters cope with grief and face challenges. Both women develop as individuals and their friendship grows in an inspiring way.
The third major character is the daughter of one of the older women. We see this woman as young, idealistic, and enthusiastic about her future as a teacher in an inner city school in NYC. However, this is where the story loses its traction and value. Throughout half of the book, the story moves along about this young woman as she is confronted with the reality of challenges of teaching and has to do deal with a long distance relationship which isn't particularly nurturing or growing.
However, as the book progresses, we see less of this character until she is lost completely. The story raps up with a unsatisfactory ending about the character that seems to hasty and doesn't make sense given the rest of her story.
I was disappointed because the author started in a promising way. She created likable, believable characters in whom I was invested. I cared about them and wanted to see them move forward in believable ways. The book was stronger for having a third character, but lost its strength when that character's story and development was dropped without explanation or a believable story line.
October 19, 2019
Terrible editing. (At least I hope it's the editing)
I've enjoyed other books by this author and this one started with a good storyline but switching between Vermont and an NYC classroom without a break of a paragraph or anything drove me absolutely crazy before I could finish. Definitely not worth my time or frustration level.
I've enjoyed other books by this author and this one started with a good storyline but switching between Vermont and an NYC classroom without a break of a paragraph or anything drove me absolutely crazy before I could finish. Definitely not worth my time or frustration level.
November 26, 2020
Unreadable. I can't get into the story because the author can't stick with a character's story line. She jumps back and forth between characters without so much as a line break in between. Another reviewer said the story line was like riding a jackhammer - more like a pogo stick zigzagging down a stairway. So many authors try to write multiple points of view but almost none write it well.
February 10, 2015
Good book about starting over, realizing your dreams and not giving up.
June 23, 2021
This was another of the free books on my kindle.
It's not a book I would choose to spend money on, but it was a pleasant enough read.
It's not a book I would choose to spend money on, but it was a pleasant enough read.
January 2, 2020
This author tells a delightful story, truly enjoyed the interactions of the characters.
February 17, 2017
This is a sweet, short read about new beginnings after grief and loss. It's a bit 'too good to be true', but the stuff dreams are made of for those who like happy endings.
July 26, 2016
Really cute story, loved the setting of the small town b&b. The storylines of Lynne and Jess were done pretty well. My main issue was the book with the way Molly got totally fucked.
Molly absolutely did not deserve the ending given to her and I was annoyed by it. When I finished the book I was like...what ? Really?
Molly started her first year teaching at a hard school and was having difficulties. She met a guy named Luke and they liked each other but both were in relationships. Her long distance bf who BARELY EVER CALLED HER AND DIDNT GIVE A SHIT suddenly proposes and she didnt know what to do.
Her solution to all this is to QUIT TEACHING AND MOVE TO BE CLOSER TO THAT BOYFRIEND THAT SHE DIDNT EVEN WANT TO MARRY.
WTF ????????/
Molly absolutely did not deserve the ending given to her and I was annoyed by it. When I finished the book I was like...what ? Really?
Molly started her first year teaching at a hard school and was having difficulties. She met a guy named Luke and they liked each other but both were in relationships. Her long distance bf who BARELY EVER CALLED HER AND DIDNT GIVE A SHIT suddenly proposes and she didnt know what to do.
Her solution to all this is to QUIT TEACHING AND MOVE TO BE CLOSER TO THAT BOYFRIEND THAT SHE DIDNT EVEN WANT TO MARRY.
WTF ????????/
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2013
I absolutely loved this story, or should I say stories. I received this book as a free read and loved every moment taking in the life struggles of the three women it covered. Each womens story mingled around each others. Lynn with the loss of her husband and finding herself a new journey in life, Jess (her best friend) with a total life change and making a better one, and Molly (Lynns daughter)with the start of a new life and the challenges it can bring. This book flowed so well that I was disappointed when I found there was no more to read. Looks like I found me a new author to read. I highly recommend this book.
June 19, 2014
When you lose everything you wonder how you can go on. This is how Lynne and Jess feel after such crushing blows steal their joy and happiness. Lynne loses her husband when he dies unexpectedly and Jess loses her fiancé and all of the money she had put up to start an inn in Scotland. Then Lynne's in-laws sign their house over to her and she gets her friend Jess to help her open a b&b. A feel good story with many happy endings. Highly recommend.
January 5, 2014
A sweet romance in which three women—a mid-40's widow, her best friend recovering from a broken heart, and the widow's daughter in her first year of teaching—all find love. Lots of warm relationships with family, friends, and community make this a feel-good book with a happy ending for everyone (all the good guys anyway).
October 27, 2018
I started this book because it had a fall setting for my holiday themed challenge.
I was enjoying the characters so much! This book really had a lot of promise for a fuller, well rounded ending.
The adult characters stories ended well but really could have expanded on the stories.
The 3rd characters ending was abrupt and somber-I don’t need every book to have a happy ending but when the details on a character are so interesting, it’s disappointing when they are suddenly cut off.
The city to Vermont was a lovely setting. I could envision the house. Wish it could have been longer.
I was enjoying the characters so much! This book really had a lot of promise for a fuller, well rounded ending.
The adult characters stories ended well but really could have expanded on the stories.
The 3rd characters ending was abrupt and somber-I don’t need every book to have a happy ending but when the details on a character are so interesting, it’s disappointing when they are suddenly cut off.
The city to Vermont was a lovely setting. I could envision the house. Wish it could have been longer.
April 23, 2021
Heartwarming
From the start I was interested in the characters and really enjoyed this story. I’d suspected initially that it was going to be a bit predictable but I found myself pleasantly surprised more than once. The only drawback for me was the sudden change from one story line to the next. I’d be reading about Lynne and next thing I knew it was Molly with no clear indication that the focus had changed. It was a little confusing at first but easy enough to adjust to. A very sweet story.
From the start I was interested in the characters and really enjoyed this story. I’d suspected initially that it was going to be a bit predictable but I found myself pleasantly surprised more than once. The only drawback for me was the sudden change from one story line to the next. I’d be reading about Lynne and next thing I knew it was Molly with no clear indication that the focus had changed. It was a little confusing at first but easy enough to adjust to. A very sweet story.
September 19, 2017
A NY city woman, who lost her husband 1-1/2 years ago, is looking forward to starting a new life in Scotland by opening and running a new hotel with her childhood girlfriend. When that plan falls through, she and girlfriend take themselves off to her husband's family home in Vermont. The In-laws give her the home to open a B&B, which had been her husband's dream.
December 8, 2018
Good story
I enjoyed the story; however, it was a little confusing because the storyline would change without any notice. Usually when a story goes from one person to another, there is some type of break (whether it's dots or squiggly lines) but this story changed with no obvious sign. All in all, it was a cute story and I enjoyed it.
I enjoyed the story; however, it was a little confusing because the storyline would change without any notice. Usually when a story goes from one person to another, there is some type of break (whether it's dots or squiggly lines) but this story changed with no obvious sign. All in all, it was a cute story and I enjoyed it.
August 15, 2020
A Good Start
While the characters and storyline were good, the flow of the book was like the author was a Jack rabbit. She jumped from characters and locations without proper segue. I would have liked to have read more about the protagonists, something to help make more of a connection to the readers.
While the characters and storyline were good, the flow of the book was like the author was a Jack rabbit. She jumped from characters and locations without proper segue. I would have liked to have read more about the protagonists, something to help make more of a connection to the readers.
January 16, 2021
A lovely novella by Kate Hewitt tells the story of Lynne and Jess, their everlasting friendship and dreams of owning an inn. It took a bit to get used to Hewitt’s writing style in this novella as she went from character to character at times in a chapter, regardless of their location. However, it was a delightful story! I would love to go visit them in Hardiwick!
April 13, 2024
Short story of three women coming to terms with their emotional circumstances and moving on to a brighter future. The storyline switches between the characters in each chapter, subdivision would have aided the changes of direction and the flow of reading. In spite of this it is an enjoyable easy read.
December 22, 2016
A surprising story. My takeaway is the analogy of psychological pain being intensified when it is pushed down and not dealt with. Makes complete sense, but I'd never thought of it in quite the way this author puts it.
November 11, 2018
Another enjoyable story by Kate.
This one kept me turning pages to find out how Lynne, Jess, and Mol!y rolls with the waves of their lives. It was a warm and inviting story into these characters lives. They have a great supporting family and extension of friends as well.
This one kept me turning pages to find out how Lynne, Jess, and Mol!y rolls with the waves of their lives. It was a warm and inviting story into these characters lives. They have a great supporting family and extension of friends as well.
September 11, 2019
Good read!
If you want to sit down and read a nice book without many surprises, then this is the book for you! I read this quickly and the story envisions a great little b&b which sounds quite lovely! Friends are entwined and remain so! A good Sunday afternoon read!
If you want to sit down and read a nice book without many surprises, then this is the book for you! I read this quickly and the story envisions a great little b&b which sounds quite lovely! Friends are entwined and remain so! A good Sunday afternoon read!
October 31, 2020
A quick feel good story. I did not like the abrupt transition between characters all within a chapter. It was a bit confusing trying to determine which character was entering the story. Otherwise I liked the characters.
February 26, 2021
Disappointed
The book is terrific but the ending is abrupt and unfinished. Priced way to high to leave off with a vague conclusion. Would give a 5 star rating except for the weak ending.
The book is terrific but the ending is abrupt and unfinished. Priced way to high to leave off with a vague conclusion. Would give a 5 star rating except for the weak ending.
April 5, 2021
Maybe it’s just the kindle version I’m reading but characters and setting would change suddenly without any indication (not a new chapter or any type of marking). This was annoying. I also feel that the ending was a bit hurried.
October 3, 2022
Loved it
I loved the story line. And I fell
in love with the families in this story, of encouragement and endearment and so much love without the sex. Kate has a hit here and I'd love to read a follow-up.
I loved the story line. And I fell
in love with the families in this story, of encouragement and endearment and so much love without the sex. Kate has a hit here and I'd love to read a follow-up.
March 12, 2018
Easy read, good story. Characters were good, but their actions were a bit predictable. Solid 3.5 stars
October 3, 2018
Very quaint story but not a lot of depth.
December 20, 2018
Loved the feel of vermont but story very predictable and blah, Was an easy read. Didn't really feel the characters, story line jumped with no warning.
June 13, 2019
Nothing special
Usual, predictable romance. Very poorly set out by printers, reading about Molly in New York, the next sentence was about Lynn or Jess in Vermont. Very disappointing
Usual, predictable romance. Very poorly set out by printers, reading about Molly in New York, the next sentence was about Lynn or Jess in Vermont. Very disappointing
November 17, 2019
Cute storyline and plot
Story did not keep me interested. Was a cute book. Took me a while to get through it. The storyline was kind of predicting. Heartwarming though.
Story did not keep me interested. Was a cute book. Took me a while to get through it. The storyline was kind of predicting. Heartwarming though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews