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Honeycote #2
A Country Life
A new home, a new circle of friends, a new chance at happiness?
Suzanna and Barney Blake are swapping city life for the countryside, determined to breathe new life into the Honeycote Arms and a marriage touched by tragedy.
Recently separated Ginny Tait is also seeking solace in country living, desperate to rein in her rambunctious twin daughters.
They all think that moving to a calm, quiet and beautiful village in the Cotswolds will solve their problems. But in Honeycote, things are never quite as they appear . . .
Full of fun, warmth and style, A Country Life is the second book in the Honeycote trio, which also includes A Country Christmas and A Country Wedding. Each can be read as a standalone, or they can be read as a series.
Suzanna and Barney Blake are swapping city life for the countryside, determined to breathe new life into the Honeycote Arms and a marriage touched by tragedy.
Recently separated Ginny Tait is also seeking solace in country living, desperate to rein in her rambunctious twin daughters.
They all think that moving to a calm, quiet and beautiful village in the Cotswolds will solve their problems. But in Honeycote, things are never quite as they appear . . .
Full of fun, warmth and style, A Country Life is the second book in the Honeycote trio, which also includes A Country Christmas and A Country Wedding. Each can be read as a standalone, or they can be read as a series.
512 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
About the author
Veronica Henry
51 books1,659 followersVeronica Henry was a television script writer before turning her hand to fiction. She has published sixteen novels which she describes as realistic escapism - her setting are gorgeous, but her characters have problems and dilemmas everyone can identify with.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
September 2, 2021
I love Veronica Henry's books and this was a prime example of why...the characters are so rich in her stories and the settings make you want to be there...in a country pub in the middle of England! Good job, once again, on a page turner of a book!
July 19, 2025
Veronica Henry books are my go-to for delightful beach/escape-type reading, and this one, the second in her her Honeycote trilogy, is no exception. It takes place in a charming Cotswolds village, which is one of my favorite places in England.
This is a character-driven story, and it grabbed me right from the get-go. I’m looking forward to reading the last one in the trilogy, as well as reading more Veronica Henry books.
I am sharing this, as I often do with most of my Veronica Henry reviews.
1. For the most part, her books are steeped in English culture. By that I mean, that some of the descriptions and slang may not be familiar to everyone. Having grown up there, I find this familiar and comforting, but it might feel less accessible to readers unfamiliar with British expressions.
2. A word of caution to anyone considering her books: some of them, the older ones in particular, include graphic content that may feel excessive and unnecessary at times. Personally, I tend to skim these sections, but those sensitive to explicit material may want to approach with caution.
This is a character-driven story, and it grabbed me right from the get-go. I’m looking forward to reading the last one in the trilogy, as well as reading more Veronica Henry books.
I am sharing this, as I often do with most of my Veronica Henry reviews.
1. For the most part, her books are steeped in English culture. By that I mean, that some of the descriptions and slang may not be familiar to everyone. Having grown up there, I find this familiar and comforting, but it might feel less accessible to readers unfamiliar with British expressions.
2. A word of caution to anyone considering her books: some of them, the older ones in particular, include graphic content that may feel excessive and unnecessary at times. Personally, I tend to skim these sections, but those sensitive to explicit material may want to approach with caution.
February 4, 2020
I just don’t know how to feel about this book. I may say it took me by surprised during the early chapters at how much depth it had. I was expecting quite an easy slushy read and there turned out to be more controversy and emotion than I expected which was lovely. This continued and as draw characters developed the love affairs and secrets were intriguing however the whole book was wrapped up incredibly quickly during the last 3-4 chapters. I felt many of the plots were not given full explanation and it doesn’t sit right with me that everyone cheated on everyone and no one admitted their mistakes but all went on living happily ever after. I’m either missing a sequel or the ending was just too rushed after so much effort was put into the set up of so many of the relationships between characters.
Overall enjoyed the set up of the characters I guess I feel a little ‘cheated’ (pardon the pun!) by the ending.
Overall enjoyed the set up of the characters I guess I feel a little ‘cheated’ (pardon the pun!) by the ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2022
This is the second book in the Honeycote series, and a good follow on from the first.
Some of the characters from the previous book do appear, so it was good to find out more about them, but there are also plenty of newcomers too.
Suzanna and Barney Blake have arrived in Honeycote, to take over the Honeycote Arms, they've left city life behind them and are hoping a fresh start might help them overcome a tragedy, from almost two years ago.
Newly separated Ginny Tait and her twin daughters, Kitty and Sasha, have also come to Honeycote, and their arrival isn't without it's problems either.
Added to all of this is a decidedly dodgy business man, with a secret past, which is equally as colourful as his business dealings.
Honeycote is definitely not the sleepy little village that the newcomers were expecting.
I really enjoyed this book, now looking forward to reading the third.
Some of the characters from the previous book do appear, so it was good to find out more about them, but there are also plenty of newcomers too.
Suzanna and Barney Blake have arrived in Honeycote, to take over the Honeycote Arms, they've left city life behind them and are hoping a fresh start might help them overcome a tragedy, from almost two years ago.
Newly separated Ginny Tait and her twin daughters, Kitty and Sasha, have also come to Honeycote, and their arrival isn't without it's problems either.
Added to all of this is a decidedly dodgy business man, with a secret past, which is equally as colourful as his business dealings.
Honeycote is definitely not the sleepy little village that the newcomers were expecting.
I really enjoyed this book, now looking forward to reading the third.
December 17, 2017
This is a book of constant twists & turns. There are quite a few new delightful characters, than the first book in this series. There are a fair few problems in most of the characters lives, with a few of them considering changing partners. A bit of kissing & canoodling amongst a few characters & a few tears. A very good absorbing read. Now starting on the third & final book of this series.
February 2, 2019
I loved it but it’s always like saying goodbye to a friend when it’s over. Moving onto love on the rocks but nearly read them all so may have to look for a new author afterwards.
I love reading Veronica. It’s such a comfort last thing at night and first thing in the morning to escape into the believably wonderful worlds she captures.
I love reading Veronica. It’s such a comfort last thing at night and first thing in the morning to escape into the believably wonderful worlds she captures.
October 27, 2023
I was in the mood for a cozy drama set in a chocolate box village, but this was rambling and poorly edited. Minor characters are introduced for no reason, only to disappear without a trace. Protagonists’ motivations are baffling. The writing has also aged badly over the 20 years since publication, with phrases like “plaits like an Indian squaw” abounding.
July 3, 2018
The second in the Honeycote series, continues the dramas of the Liddiards but with much more focus on outsiders to the family, some of whose sub-plots really didn't fit very well with the rest of the book e.g. Damien/Kelly. Another enjoyable light read.
August 3, 2018
There's quite a theme of infidelity going along with this series so far. I liked a lot more of the characters this time around although there were still a few that I just wanted to slap from the introduction of them. That being said the story was decent and I will be reading the third book soon.
April 28, 2020
I have read a lot of books by this author and have enjoyed them. The new characters and their back stories were introduced first, so I found the book a bit of a slow starter. It did enjoy it a bit more as I read more of the book and will read the next one in the series.
February 23, 2021
If, like me, you love twee countryside books then this is the one for you 🤣 although I know some people who hate this stuff 😉 good characters, some fab storylines and easy to keep up with all the goings on in Honeycote...I really enjoyed this book!
January 28, 2026
Couldn't put it down!
This is the second time I have read this book. And I still couldn't put it down. Great characters and lots of individual stories all merged into one amazing book. Loved it!
This is the second time I have read this book. And I still couldn't put it down. Great characters and lots of individual stories all merged into one amazing book. Loved it!
September 1, 2017
Almost as good as Honeycote - a 3.5 * really... did enjoy the pub life bits though!
February 17, 2018
LOVE Veronica Henry. Funny, romantic, tangled stories.
June 14, 2018
Love her books but found this one quite hard to get into. Did enjoy it more as the book went on.
November 14, 2018
Surprisingly sinister in parts. I like the different characters stories being woven together or better yet, revealed in the style/format it was but just not what I expected from the title.
February 23, 2019
Another delightful story from Veronica. I like her style and want to read more......
April 23, 2020
Very entertaining and absorbing. Love this series of books very relaxing to read! Pure escapism.
July 9, 2020
This series is fabulous. Love the setting and characters! Fast paced, warm and compassionate and well written.
September 24, 2020
Loved this ! So want to move to Honeycote!!
February 3, 2021
Great book, enjoyed reading it the whole way through, and nice not to have a completely predictable ending.
March 4, 2021
A brilliant read! I felt like I was part of the village!
May 1, 2021
my second book by Veronica Henry and again a lovely good read. Now onto the 3rd in the series
October 16, 2021
Another good book, the second in the series. The characters and situations are realistic. Looking forward to third instalment.
November 6, 2021
Absolutely loving this series!!
February 4, 2022
3.5*. Good but a lot of detail which tended to make it drag on a bit.
December 18, 2022
Great book
December 30, 2022
Easier to keep track of the characters than book 1 but I find long chapters a challenge
January 29, 2023
Lovely book.
2nd part of the honeycote trilogy. Village life isn't always as quiet as you may think, with lots of lively colourful characters who get up to alsorts! Now for part 3...
2nd part of the honeycote trilogy. Village life isn't always as quiet as you may think, with lots of lively colourful characters who get up to alsorts! Now for part 3...
October 26, 2023
Lovely holiday happy read. Slight Jilly Cooperesque
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews