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Summer At Willow Tree Farm
Is home always where the heart is?
When Ellie spent a summer with her mum on a Wiltshire commune in the 90s it was a bigger disaster than Leo DiCaprio’s trip aboard the Titanic – so fleeing to America seemed a perfect plan.
But now, with her marriage falling apart, running back to her mum seems like the only option for her and her son Josh.
She wasn’t expecting Art, the boy she once had a crush on to still be working at Willow Tree Farm…And still be as hot and bothersome as he was when they were teenagers.
Ellie came to Willow Tree Farm for a fresh start. But is she ready to risk sailing her life – and her heart – into another iceberg?
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 20, 2017
13 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Heidi Rice
580 books412 followersMy name's Heidi Rice, I'm a USA Today Bestselling author. I'm married with two sons (which gives me rather too much of an insight into the male psyche!).
I love my job because it involves sitting down at my computer and getting swept up in a world of high emotions, sensual excitement, funny feisty women, sexy tortured men and glamourous locations where laundry doesn't exist ...
I also tutor a 14-week in-depth online Write a Romance Novel course. So, if you have ever wanted to learn how to write romance from a bestselling author, check it out here: www.profwritingacademy.com/course/wri...
Now I believe wholeheartedly that readers should give honest and open reviews on Goodreads and Amazon and elsewhere. If you didn't like a book you are entitled to say so (even if it's mine! ouch). But you may notice that none of my book reviews are less than four-stars. That's simply because as an author myself I know how pathetically sensitive I am about bad reviews and with that in mind I prefer to spread the love among other authors — and don't do public reviews of books I didn't like. Just thought I'd clarify that!
You can find out about my latest releases and all my other books at www.heidi-rice.com
I love my job because it involves sitting down at my computer and getting swept up in a world of high emotions, sensual excitement, funny feisty women, sexy tortured men and glamourous locations where laundry doesn't exist ...
I also tutor a 14-week in-depth online Write a Romance Novel course. So, if you have ever wanted to learn how to write romance from a bestselling author, check it out here: www.profwritingacademy.com/course/wri...
Now I believe wholeheartedly that readers should give honest and open reviews on Goodreads and Amazon and elsewhere. If you didn't like a book you are entitled to say so (even if it's mine! ouch). But you may notice that none of my book reviews are less than four-stars. That's simply because as an author myself I know how pathetically sensitive I am about bad reviews and with that in mind I prefer to spread the love among other authors — and don't do public reviews of books I didn't like. Just thought I'd clarify that!
You can find out about my latest releases and all my other books at www.heidi-rice.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
May 21, 2018
Summer at Willow Tree Farm is a charming, heart-warming story of love and second chances and courage to make your life what you'd like it to be.
Heidi Rice wrote a lovely and smart book. Romance, humour, drama - this story is a perfect blend of all those and a perfect summer read.
Rice wrote complex but relatable and diverse characters. The main protagonists, Ellie and Art, are both flawed but so real. They both made mistakes, both went through a lot, especially Art, but still are able to learn from the past and give life and love second chance.
I really enjoyed reading this story. Summer at Willow Tree Farm is chick lit at its best - delightful, smart, charming and with enough depth to keep you fully engaged. Highly recommended!
Heidi Rice wrote a lovely and smart book. Romance, humour, drama - this story is a perfect blend of all those and a perfect summer read.
Rice wrote complex but relatable and diverse characters. The main protagonists, Ellie and Art, are both flawed but so real. They both made mistakes, both went through a lot, especially Art, but still are able to learn from the past and give life and love second chance.
I really enjoyed reading this story. Summer at Willow Tree Farm is chick lit at its best - delightful, smart, charming and with enough depth to keep you fully engaged. Highly recommended!
July 16, 2017
I've read a fair few books by Heidi Rice and once again she hits the spot with Summer at Willow Tree Farm. A blend of enemies-to-lover and second chances with romance, humour and a smattering of drama along the way, we're taken to the Wiltshire countryside where we're introduced to the fabulous cast of diverse characters living on Willow Tree Farm.
"He does the whole strong silent moody thing better than Christian Bale’s Batman."
I'm a complete sucker for a single dad and Art ticked all my boxes as whilst he has the whole strong, silent, brooding thing going on, underneath it's a different story. There were times when my heart ached for him and all he has been through in life; his daughter is his world, his co-workers are his family and Ellie's return stirs up memories and feelings he'd rather not revisit.
Equally, Ellie hasn't had an easy time either and, visiting home 19 years after leaving, shows her that all was not as it seemed as she was growing up, and it was lovely seeing her find her feet, grow as a person and loosen-up around those who love her. No wall-flower, she isn't one for mincing her words, leading to plenty of verbal sparring and disagreements with Art creating plenty of build-up and sexual tension.
"...what seemed like a simple affair at the outset was starting to become more complicated."
Heidi Rice has created a story filled with great characters who each add value and bring the pages to life and Willow Tree Farm was an absolute delight to visit. For fans of authors such as Sarah Morgan and Kat French, this is definitely in the same ballpark and is indeed the place to be this summer.
Copy received courtesy of Harlequin via Netgalley for an honest and unbiased opinion.
"He does the whole strong silent moody thing better than Christian Bale’s Batman."
I'm a complete sucker for a single dad and Art ticked all my boxes as whilst he has the whole strong, silent, brooding thing going on, underneath it's a different story. There were times when my heart ached for him and all he has been through in life; his daughter is his world, his co-workers are his family and Ellie's return stirs up memories and feelings he'd rather not revisit.
Equally, Ellie hasn't had an easy time either and, visiting home 19 years after leaving, shows her that all was not as it seemed as she was growing up, and it was lovely seeing her find her feet, grow as a person and loosen-up around those who love her. No wall-flower, she isn't one for mincing her words, leading to plenty of verbal sparring and disagreements with Art creating plenty of build-up and sexual tension.
"...what seemed like a simple affair at the outset was starting to become more complicated."
Heidi Rice has created a story filled with great characters who each add value and bring the pages to life and Willow Tree Farm was an absolute delight to visit. For fans of authors such as Sarah Morgan and Kat French, this is definitely in the same ballpark and is indeed the place to be this summer.
Copy received courtesy of Harlequin via Netgalley for an honest and unbiased opinion.
July 24, 2017
3.5 - "You're still here then..." Stars!
Summer At Willow Tree farm is not the first book I have read by Heidi Rice, it is however the first one that I have read of her more Chick-Lit type offerings.
And on the whole, it was pretty enjoyable. The author set the scene well with the return of Eloise Granger to the farm from the US after years of estrangement from her mother the two have gradually been rebuilding their relationship with the aid of the internet. But Ellie’s reasons for returning with her son Josh for the summer are more than just looking to reconnect with her mother.
Life was so fickle and unpredictable, you needed to grab every ounce of happiness where you could…
Staring down the barrel of divorce proceedings after catching her husband out again Ellie decides some time away from everyone would be best for her and Josh, spending the summer in a completely different country seems like a good idea, while the dust from his latest scandal settles. Both Ellie and Josh are pretty sorry characters when they first arrive, and you get to see both of them flourish and blossom as the story progresses.
Maybe she wasn’t totally immune to Art’s non-charms…
I really liked the first half of the book, the reconnection between Art and Ellie, is spiky and abrupt at best, with both of them trying to go out of their way to avoid the other and the inevitable confrontations that seem to happen whenever they do, you can still sense the chemistry there between them, the dual POV really helped in this regard as you got to see how they both reacted after certain events. But for me if I am honest, the secondary story with the development of the café and shop and all of the secondary characters was what kept me reading the second half because everything sort of fizzled a bit between them for me, with the repetitive over-reaction to things, then lack of communication afterwards, it was akin to them going back to the first summer they spent together.
"I’d like to know if that stick up your backside is a permanent fixture… Or whether you just shove it up there for my benefit..?"
I liked getting bits of the story from Dee’s perspective (Ellie’s Mum) although the author seemed to be alluding to something in the first half with her thoughts that then never materialised into anything in the second.
All-in-all, a decent summer read, if you are looking to escape to a farming co-operative, with plenty of likeable and diverse characters, that’s not too heavy on the drama with a little bit of everything thrown into the storyline to keep everyone happy.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
Summer At Willow Tree farm is not the first book I have read by Heidi Rice, it is however the first one that I have read of her more Chick-Lit type offerings.
And on the whole, it was pretty enjoyable. The author set the scene well with the return of Eloise Granger to the farm from the US after years of estrangement from her mother the two have gradually been rebuilding their relationship with the aid of the internet. But Ellie’s reasons for returning with her son Josh for the summer are more than just looking to reconnect with her mother.
Life was so fickle and unpredictable, you needed to grab every ounce of happiness where you could…
Staring down the barrel of divorce proceedings after catching her husband out again Ellie decides some time away from everyone would be best for her and Josh, spending the summer in a completely different country seems like a good idea, while the dust from his latest scandal settles. Both Ellie and Josh are pretty sorry characters when they first arrive, and you get to see both of them flourish and blossom as the story progresses.
Maybe she wasn’t totally immune to Art’s non-charms…
I really liked the first half of the book, the reconnection between Art and Ellie, is spiky and abrupt at best, with both of them trying to go out of their way to avoid the other and the inevitable confrontations that seem to happen whenever they do, you can still sense the chemistry there between them, the dual POV really helped in this regard as you got to see how they both reacted after certain events. But for me if I am honest, the secondary story with the development of the café and shop and all of the secondary characters was what kept me reading the second half because everything sort of fizzled a bit between them for me, with the repetitive over-reaction to things, then lack of communication afterwards, it was akin to them going back to the first summer they spent together.
"I’d like to know if that stick up your backside is a permanent fixture… Or whether you just shove it up there for my benefit..?"
I liked getting bits of the story from Dee’s perspective (Ellie’s Mum) although the author seemed to be alluding to something in the first half with her thoughts that then never materialised into anything in the second.
All-in-all, a decent summer read, if you are looking to escape to a farming co-operative, with plenty of likeable and diverse characters, that’s not too heavy on the drama with a little bit of everything thrown into the storyline to keep everyone happy.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
September 12, 2022
B O O K R E V I E W
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🌶️/5
Tropes
Enemies to Lovers
Second Chance Romance
Single Parents
"And stop being a douche canoe."
"What the hell's a douche canoe?"
"A guy with way to much testosterone and not nearly enough common sense."
I originally got this book because of it's cover. I didn't think that I would like it as much as I did but oh boy! This book was a such a cute and fun summer romance for me.
Ellie is going to have to make a few tough decisions when it comes to her marriage but for now she just needs to get her son, and herself away from all the chaos and gossip in New York. For a summer getaway, she decides to visit her mother (who she hasn't seen in 19 years) in Willow Tree Farm. She didn't expect Art, the guy who made her go bonkers at 14, to still work there. She needs to remind herself that she isn't looking for anything and just needs time with her son, but when she learns about Art's past and memories of when they were teens start to come back, will she and her son Josh make it till the end of the summer without going back to New York.
Oh my word this was incredible!!! I loved loved LOVED the character development in this book. The plot was AMAZING . Art is just *chefs kiss*. Their kids are so so cute! I love how with all their decisions they kept their kids in mind and how their decisions would affect them as well. I wanted to find Art's mother for what she did to him so bad. NO ONE SHOULD HAVE HURT THAT POOR SOUL!!!!
This is an amazing book if you want to read a light and fast paced summer romance. I loved all the character that we were introduced to (except one🙄 you'll know who it is if ya read it). I could really picture the landscape that was described and the picture in this review is basically them (you'll understand if you read it)!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🌶️/5
Tropes
Enemies to Lovers
Second Chance Romance
Single Parents
"And stop being a douche canoe."
"What the hell's a douche canoe?"
"A guy with way to much testosterone and not nearly enough common sense."
I originally got this book because of it's cover. I didn't think that I would like it as much as I did but oh boy! This book was a such a cute and fun summer romance for me.
Ellie is going to have to make a few tough decisions when it comes to her marriage but for now she just needs to get her son, and herself away from all the chaos and gossip in New York. For a summer getaway, she decides to visit her mother (who she hasn't seen in 19 years) in Willow Tree Farm. She didn't expect Art, the guy who made her go bonkers at 14, to still work there. She needs to remind herself that she isn't looking for anything and just needs time with her son, but when she learns about Art's past and memories of when they were teens start to come back, will she and her son Josh make it till the end of the summer without going back to New York.
Oh my word this was incredible!!! I loved loved LOVED the character development in this book. The plot was AMAZING . Art is just *chefs kiss*. Their kids are so so cute! I love how with all their decisions they kept their kids in mind and how their decisions would affect them as well. I wanted to find Art's mother for what she did to him so bad. NO ONE SHOULD HAVE HURT THAT POOR SOUL!!!!
This is an amazing book if you want to read a light and fast paced summer romance. I loved all the character that we were introduced to (except one🙄 you'll know who it is if ya read it). I could really picture the landscape that was described and the picture in this review is basically them (you'll understand if you read it)!
January 15, 2019
This was my first book by this author and will not be the last as simply fantastic so well written and has you hooked straight away. The plot is brilliant along with the characters and you don't want to put the book down as so good. Worth giving far more than five stars and can see buying more books by the author now. Full of starting over and being happy with who you are also romantic and families and for the working life to be happy. You get so engrossed in the book loved it so much.
Ellie travels back to England for the summer with her son. She's learnt her husband has had an affair with her sons teacher and she's expecting a baby so she wants to escape so heads home to her mum. She is worried about her son josh as he has issues and she feels time away is a good answer. Problem is when she comes back to the commune her mother lives on she didn't expect Art to still be there she had a crush on him years ago and when she sees him he's still handsome. She starts working on the farm and comes up with new ventures for them and all the time she's trying to avoid Art but can she keep doing it especially when their children are very friendly. Josh starts coming out of himself and she can see it's the place for him to be so she's wondering if a fresh start here would be a good thing. When her ex turns up unexpected what will she decide and how will Art react can she be happy in herself or not and can she build her relationship with her mum.
Simply fantastic read so brilliant.
Ellie travels back to England for the summer with her son. She's learnt her husband has had an affair with her sons teacher and she's expecting a baby so she wants to escape so heads home to her mum. She is worried about her son josh as he has issues and she feels time away is a good answer. Problem is when she comes back to the commune her mother lives on she didn't expect Art to still be there she had a crush on him years ago and when she sees him he's still handsome. She starts working on the farm and comes up with new ventures for them and all the time she's trying to avoid Art but can she keep doing it especially when their children are very friendly. Josh starts coming out of himself and she can see it's the place for him to be so she's wondering if a fresh start here would be a good thing. When her ex turns up unexpected what will she decide and how will Art react can she be happy in herself or not and can she build her relationship with her mum.
Simply fantastic read so brilliant.
May 20, 2018
Well I can officially report that this wonderful book Summer at Willow Tree Farm has compketely and truly melted my heart.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this delightful story, it kept me entertained from start to finish. I loved getting to know all of the characters and discovering each of their own stories as they developed throughout. It was lovely to see how the characters came together and helped each other out in times of need.
As for the setting Willow Tree Farm, well it sounded truly idyllic and picturesque, which was written and described in such a way as to make you feel as if you are really there yourself, experiencing it all through the characters eyes.
What I especially loved about this story, was that it wasn't your standard love and chic lit book, it was so much more, as there were plenty of surprises along the way, not to mention a few giggly moments.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this delightful story, it kept me entertained from start to finish. I loved getting to know all of the characters and discovering each of their own stories as they developed throughout. It was lovely to see how the characters came together and helped each other out in times of need.
As for the setting Willow Tree Farm, well it sounded truly idyllic and picturesque, which was written and described in such a way as to make you feel as if you are really there yourself, experiencing it all through the characters eyes.
What I especially loved about this story, was that it wasn't your standard love and chic lit book, it was so much more, as there were plenty of surprises along the way, not to mention a few giggly moments.
January 2, 2024
I have officially found a new favourite book!!
Everything about this book spoke volumes to me - from the way the characters all come together to help in times of need to the blossoming romance.
I took to all the characters immediately (minus one or two!) but I really grew fond of Art. Art comes across as this grumpy so and so but we soon learn why.
Ellie left the commune as a teenager but with her marriage falling apart, she and her son, Josh come back to spend the spend the summer at the commune with her mother, Dee. Will they stay or head back to the US?
In terms of the blossoming romance, that was HOT!
This really is the perfect summer read and is perfect for fans of Carole Matthews.
My thanks go to TBC and HQ for my copy of the book.
Everything about this book spoke volumes to me - from the way the characters all come together to help in times of need to the blossoming romance.
I took to all the characters immediately (minus one or two!) but I really grew fond of Art. Art comes across as this grumpy so and so but we soon learn why.
Ellie left the commune as a teenager but with her marriage falling apart, she and her son, Josh come back to spend the spend the summer at the commune with her mother, Dee. Will they stay or head back to the US?
In terms of the blossoming romance, that was HOT!
This really is the perfect summer read and is perfect for fans of Carole Matthews.
My thanks go to TBC and HQ for my copy of the book.
September 10, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and although I was expecting a nice bit of light reading, a bit of chick lit, I got much more than that :)
This was a fabulous book, full of lovely characters who were beautifully described. The main two protagonists were very complex and very relatable at the same time. They had amazing chemistry, of course, and those parts of the book were enjoyable to read, but I really love that they were both flawed people who had gone through some pretty major stuff in their pasts and so the path of true love was a winding one, strewn with boulders. Another thing I enjoyed about this book was that it was thoroughly modern in its approach, and I loved that too.
Highly recommended from me, 5 stars! And quietly hoping for a sequel, I want to know what happens to all these lovely people :)
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Thank you to THE Book Club.
p.s. I read until 5am, that tells you how good it was!
This was a fabulous book, full of lovely characters who were beautifully described. The main two protagonists were very complex and very relatable at the same time. They had amazing chemistry, of course, and those parts of the book were enjoyable to read, but I really love that they were both flawed people who had gone through some pretty major stuff in their pasts and so the path of true love was a winding one, strewn with boulders. Another thing I enjoyed about this book was that it was thoroughly modern in its approach, and I loved that too.
Highly recommended from me, 5 stars! And quietly hoping for a sequel, I want to know what happens to all these lovely people :)
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Thank you to THE Book Club.
p.s. I read until 5am, that tells you how good it was!
August 28, 2017
Smart, sassy and sexy, Summer at Willow Tree Farm is not your average summer beach read. Heidi Rice creates characters that are so real and relatable you want to climb in the pages of the book and join them. While this book certainly has its light and funny moments, it's not a 'fluffy' book - I cried as many times as I laughed while reading it. One I definitely recommend.
March 20, 2019
Another happy sweet chick lit read from a great author of this genre. Happy, a book you pick up as you know your guaranteed a smile and warm fuzzy feelings.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
May 6, 2018
I think I have found my perfect weekend, the sun has been shining and I have devoured this book sitting in the garden (and also trying to grab a few chapters whilst out and about!)
Ellie flees to Wiltshire from the USA to escape the breakdown of her marriage. She is very highly strung, tightly wound and overall a bit of a mess. Wiltshire holds a lot of memories, mostly bad, but she has nowhere else to go.
The characters are very well written, I saw a lot of myself in Ellie, and I found myself rooting for her from the start. I particularly loved the flash backs from Ellie’s diary, they made me laugh out loud. The other main characters, her mum Dee and Art, were intriguing and drew you into their lives immediately.
That’s to the wonderful writing of Heidi Rice it was very easy to immerse myself into the farm and all the goings on. It was a colourful community, full of heart and I defy anyone not to want to be a part of it whilst reading.
I do hope that we will get a sequel.
A perfect summer holiday read.
May 4, 2018
A sultry summer romance. The upbeat story of feisty Ellie, who decides to take her son, Josh, from their life in New York (and Ellie's philandering husband) back to England for a summer break. There, she hopes to reconcile with her estranged Mum, Dee. She is shocked to find her hunky teenage crush, Art, still living on Dee's co-operative farm, now with a child of his own. What could have been just another chick lit romance blossoms into an engaging story of love lost and found and changing family feelings. Love the setting, in the rolling hills of Wiltshire. The relationships between Ellie and Art, Dee and her husband, Dan are explored in a sensitive, warm and witty way. Ellie and her son blossom at Willow Tree Farm. Will she stay or will she go as summer ends?
Would have been five stars but there was one too many 'behind the bedroom door' scenes for me.
Would have been five stars but there was one too many 'behind the bedroom door' scenes for me.
November 20, 2017
When Ellie was fourteen years old her mother left her father and moved to a commune in Wiltshire to live together with her girlfriend. Ellie went with her, but was used to a life of relative luxury and couldn't find happiness in her new life, especially not since one of the boys she had to live with made things pretty difficult. While she had a crush on Art he also broke her heart and Ellie left the commune to live with her father.
Ellie is back with her mother at the commune. She hasn't seen her mother in years and moved to America, but she's divorcing her husband and Ellie and her son Josh need a break. That's why they're now spending their summer at Willow Tree Farm. The commune has developed into a thriving business with a lot more comfort than many years ago. Ellie's mother is running the place, but what Ellie hadn't expected was being reunited with Art. His attitude is still hostile, but he's also very attractive. Was it a good idea for Ellie to come back home and will she find what she's looking for at Willow Tree Farm or will she risk having her heart broken all over again?
Summer at Willow Tree Farm is a wonderful romantic story. I loved Ellie. She's a strong woman with a good head on her shoulders. She will do anything to make her son happy. Josh had quite a few problems before he arrived at Willow Tree Farm and Ellie is hoping his new surroundings will do him good. I loved how she looks out for him. Being at Willow Tree Farm isn't without issues. Ellie and her mother have a lot of problems to solve and it was fabulous to see their relationship grow. Ellie feels a lot more at home at the commune than she used to, but Art is still an enigma. There's so much tension between them and I couldn't wait to find out where that would lead.
Heidi Rice has chosen a fantastic setting for her story. Willow Tree Farm is a beautiful original place and I loved her warm and welcoming descriptions of it. There's plenty of community spirit and it's clear from the start that people care about each other. I loved seeing the place through Ellie's eyes in both the past and the present. It was interesting to find out more about her disastrous summer and her plans for the future. It's a good combination that kept me interested from beginning to end. Summer at Willow Tree Farm is a charming and entertaining feelgood story, I really enjoyed reading this amazing book.
Ellie is back with her mother at the commune. She hasn't seen her mother in years and moved to America, but she's divorcing her husband and Ellie and her son Josh need a break. That's why they're now spending their summer at Willow Tree Farm. The commune has developed into a thriving business with a lot more comfort than many years ago. Ellie's mother is running the place, but what Ellie hadn't expected was being reunited with Art. His attitude is still hostile, but he's also very attractive. Was it a good idea for Ellie to come back home and will she find what she's looking for at Willow Tree Farm or will she risk having her heart broken all over again?
Summer at Willow Tree Farm is a wonderful romantic story. I loved Ellie. She's a strong woman with a good head on her shoulders. She will do anything to make her son happy. Josh had quite a few problems before he arrived at Willow Tree Farm and Ellie is hoping his new surroundings will do him good. I loved how she looks out for him. Being at Willow Tree Farm isn't without issues. Ellie and her mother have a lot of problems to solve and it was fabulous to see their relationship grow. Ellie feels a lot more at home at the commune than she used to, but Art is still an enigma. There's so much tension between them and I couldn't wait to find out where that would lead.
Heidi Rice has chosen a fantastic setting for her story. Willow Tree Farm is a beautiful original place and I loved her warm and welcoming descriptions of it. There's plenty of community spirit and it's clear from the start that people care about each other. I loved seeing the place through Ellie's eyes in both the past and the present. It was interesting to find out more about her disastrous summer and her plans for the future. It's a good combination that kept me interested from beginning to end. Summer at Willow Tree Farm is a charming and entertaining feelgood story, I really enjoyed reading this amazing book.
February 20, 2019
Such a lovely romantic read about second chances and happily ever afters. It is a really lovely book. Perfect for the summer months ahead.
Ellie's life has fallen apart. Her marriage had fallen apart and she has to flee American with her son to move back in with her mother. But Ellie doesn't expect for her school crush to still be living and working at willow tree farm. Could Art be the person who can put all of Ellie's pieces back together again?
Such a wondeful book, with lovely characters and wondeful descriptions of the gorgeous willow tree farm. I'd simply love to go there on holiday. Simply perfect summer reading material.
Ellie's life has fallen apart. Her marriage had fallen apart and she has to flee American with her son to move back in with her mother. But Ellie doesn't expect for her school crush to still be living and working at willow tree farm. Could Art be the person who can put all of Ellie's pieces back together again?
Such a wondeful book, with lovely characters and wondeful descriptions of the gorgeous willow tree farm. I'd simply love to go there on holiday. Simply perfect summer reading material.
May 1, 2018
I liked this book and it might have been a 5star one but there are few too many American style words in it, (for me at least), for a book set in the UK. This might be because the author is an American but it did spoil the read a little for me. I would have accepted these words from the main character, Ellie and her son, Josh, as they had spent quite a few years in America but the English characters used them as well!
Apart from that it is a well written book with a good storyline that flows well.
Apart from that it is a well written book with a good storyline that flows well.
August 19, 2017
I LOVED this book! It is a scrumptious slize of lemon drizzle escapism, with a glass of champagne to wash it all down. When Ellie returns to Willow Tree Farm with her pre - teen son, Josh, her life is in disarray. The last thing she expects from returning to her mother and her past is that it will make things better. All she's hoping for is a reprieve and to leave her cheating husband behind in America with his pregnant lover.
But, Willow Tree Farm is not the scuzzy dippy hippy commune that was seared onto Ellie's memory at age fourteen. It is now a well - run community farm that could have been plucked straight out of a Cath Kidston catalogue with a Farrow and Ball colour scheme and a side of The Good Life.
Her mother is still there and eager to mend bridges with Ellie who resists patching up their painful past, no matter how much it seems things have changed.
But, the charm of the farm and its colourful colony of inhabitants slowly charms Ellie into submission.
The only fly in the ointment is the six foot four hulking gorgeous brute of blue - collar steel. Art. The very epicentre of Ellie's worst humiliation all those years ago, before she fled the farm and her mother to live with her father. At fourteen she had a crush on Art the size of Big Ben, and he stamped on that crush and her heart with brutal force.
And it seems as if nothing has changed. Art is still gorgeous, but as remote, taciturn and moody as ever. This is in spite of Ellie's son Josh forming an instant and binding friendship with Art's daughter, Toto.
Ellie and Art dance around each other for weeks, their animosity barely cloaking their intense attraction for one another. But as the beautiful hazy languour of summer seeps into Ellie's bones, forcing her to take stock of her life and what she really wants, and as she gets to know Art as an adult and not the moody enigmatic teenager who she gave her heart to all those years ago, she gets a glimpse of an entirely new Art, and a new future...
The question is, can she and Art overcome the pain of the past to move on together? And what happens when Ellie's good-for-nothing husband turns up, insisting that he's a changed man?
Heidi Rice effortlessly depicts the idyllic kind of summer that we all have in our memory banks, or wish we'd experienced. Willow Tree Farm is a true elysian dream, but grounded in enough reality to make you believe that it just might exist. And that perhaps you could find it and live there...
The diary entries interspersed through the story from Ellie's fourteen-year-old self-are just enough to add context and poignancy to the story.
Read it and enjoy. I'm off to find some lemon drizzle cake and champagne!
But, Willow Tree Farm is not the scuzzy dippy hippy commune that was seared onto Ellie's memory at age fourteen. It is now a well - run community farm that could have been plucked straight out of a Cath Kidston catalogue with a Farrow and Ball colour scheme and a side of The Good Life.
Her mother is still there and eager to mend bridges with Ellie who resists patching up their painful past, no matter how much it seems things have changed.
But, the charm of the farm and its colourful colony of inhabitants slowly charms Ellie into submission.
The only fly in the ointment is the six foot four hulking gorgeous brute of blue - collar steel. Art. The very epicentre of Ellie's worst humiliation all those years ago, before she fled the farm and her mother to live with her father. At fourteen she had a crush on Art the size of Big Ben, and he stamped on that crush and her heart with brutal force.
And it seems as if nothing has changed. Art is still gorgeous, but as remote, taciturn and moody as ever. This is in spite of Ellie's son Josh forming an instant and binding friendship with Art's daughter, Toto.
Ellie and Art dance around each other for weeks, their animosity barely cloaking their intense attraction for one another. But as the beautiful hazy languour of summer seeps into Ellie's bones, forcing her to take stock of her life and what she really wants, and as she gets to know Art as an adult and not the moody enigmatic teenager who she gave her heart to all those years ago, she gets a glimpse of an entirely new Art, and a new future...
The question is, can she and Art overcome the pain of the past to move on together? And what happens when Ellie's good-for-nothing husband turns up, insisting that he's a changed man?
Heidi Rice effortlessly depicts the idyllic kind of summer that we all have in our memory banks, or wish we'd experienced. Willow Tree Farm is a true elysian dream, but grounded in enough reality to make you believe that it just might exist. And that perhaps you could find it and live there...
The diary entries interspersed through the story from Ellie's fourteen-year-old self-are just enough to add context and poignancy to the story.
Read it and enjoy. I'm off to find some lemon drizzle cake and champagne!
Want to read
October 27, 2018This is a first for me by this author but certainly won't be my last! I'll be adding others to my TBR pile.
I absolutely loved this story... it has a fabulous cast of characters, in an idyllic setting... Willow Tree Farm... a place that screams out for a visit.
Ellie and her son Josh have escaped the US... Ellie's husband Dan has cheated on her with Josh's school teacher, who is now pregnant.
Ellie hasn't been home to Willow Tree Farm or seen her mum, since she was 14... she's hoping to build bridges and recuperate, whilst also hoping Art, the boy she disliked, isn't still living there.
I enjoyed the possible restarts of relationships with both her mum and Art... the fact that it involves the whole community and a lot of tears and laughter, hopefully it'll be enough to correct any misunderstandings of the past.
The ending of the book leaves me hoping that there will be a sequel.
Thank-You Netgalley for my ARC.
I absolutely loved this story... it has a fabulous cast of characters, in an idyllic setting... Willow Tree Farm... a place that screams out for a visit.
Ellie and her son Josh have escaped the US... Ellie's husband Dan has cheated on her with Josh's school teacher, who is now pregnant.
Ellie hasn't been home to Willow Tree Farm or seen her mum, since she was 14... she's hoping to build bridges and recuperate, whilst also hoping Art, the boy she disliked, isn't still living there.
I enjoyed the possible restarts of relationships with both her mum and Art... the fact that it involves the whole community and a lot of tears and laughter, hopefully it'll be enough to correct any misunderstandings of the past.
The ending of the book leaves me hoping that there will be a sequel.
Thank-You Netgalley for my ARC.
September 13, 2017
This is not my usual choice of genre but I have challenged myself to read as many different ones this year as I can.
In this story we meet Ellie, a woman running away from a disastrous marriage. She flees to Willow Tree Farm a place she spent time in her teenage years when her mother ran from a failed marriage. Ellie has mixed feelings about returning to a place which made her so unhappy, and the prospect of Art still being there!
And so begins a journey of self discovery, truths and misconceptions. A feel good story, with some predictable outcomes, but very enjoyable all the same. Glad I stepped out of my comfort zone.
In this story we meet Ellie, a woman running away from a disastrous marriage. She flees to Willow Tree Farm a place she spent time in her teenage years when her mother ran from a failed marriage. Ellie has mixed feelings about returning to a place which made her so unhappy, and the prospect of Art still being there!
And so begins a journey of self discovery, truths and misconceptions. A feel good story, with some predictable outcomes, but very enjoyable all the same. Glad I stepped out of my comfort zone.
May 17, 2018
This book is just right if you are looking for a book to read on your holidays whether it is on the French Riviera or the English Riviera or even just sitting in your own back garden. The front cover is so summery with the sunflowers and golden fields depicting a typical English summertime scene.
Ellie is the main female character and she is returning to the commune where she grew up in the 1980s only to find it is all completely changed but one thing is not changed and that is her teenage crush Art. We follow them as they discover each other during that summer and along with her son Josh and his daughter Toto (short for Antonio) we find out if they are going to find love and happiness or will it not work out at all. This is a lovely story and one I really enjoyed reading.
Ellie is the main female character and she is returning to the commune where she grew up in the 1980s only to find it is all completely changed but one thing is not changed and that is her teenage crush Art. We follow them as they discover each other during that summer and along with her son Josh and his daughter Toto (short for Antonio) we find out if they are going to find love and happiness or will it not work out at all. This is a lovely story and one I really enjoyed reading.
September 15, 2017
A cosy, heart-warming and romantic read, which will defrost the ice on any modern day Elsa's before you can sing 'Let It Go'. I had never read a Heidi Rice novel before this one, however, after reading such a captivating and heart-warming story which has clearly been written from the authors heart, I can guarantee that I will be reading another book by this author.
Thanks TBC.
Thanks TBC.
June 25, 2018
Nice easy read
May 5, 2018
Ellie hasn’t seen her Mum for more than ten years so it’s only when she separates from her unfaithful husband Dan that she decides to return from America to see Dee and introduce her to Josh - the grandson that she has never met. Ellie has not forgiven Dee for moving to a commune when her own marriage fell apart - and for being in a lesbian relationship with Pam. Ellie left Dee when Dee was 14 and went to live with her father.
Dee still lives on the commune although it’s now a cooperative/ farm. And Art - the boy that Ellie was in love with at 14 - still lives on the farm. IHe’s also a single parent and has a daughter the same age as Josh...
The story is a steamy romance - somewhat predictable but no less enjoyable for that - with a cast of lovely farming people. Ellie learns a lot including how to forgive Dee - and there are ups and downs as the course of true love steams along.
I am not a lover of women’s fiction - nor of romance - but this is a light and frothy steamy enjoyable read - ideal to take on holiday.
Dee still lives on the commune although it’s now a cooperative/ farm. And Art - the boy that Ellie was in love with at 14 - still lives on the farm. IHe’s also a single parent and has a daughter the same age as Josh...
The story is a steamy romance - somewhat predictable but no less enjoyable for that - with a cast of lovely farming people. Ellie learns a lot including how to forgive Dee - and there are ups and downs as the course of true love steams along.
I am not a lover of women’s fiction - nor of romance - but this is a light and frothy steamy enjoyable read - ideal to take on holiday.
June 16, 2024
I nice easy read. It made me want to live on a farm like Wiilow Tree.
March 13, 2023
Absolutely loved this book and would love to live in a community such as this, wonderful.
But if ever an author described my perfect man - Art is it, what a treat to read and lose myself in his and Ellie’s hidden feelings for each other. So much more going on than mind blowing sex which is so much more attractive and appealing.
Gorgeously passionate and intense I did not want it to end.
Will be looking for my man wearing a tool belt :)
But if ever an author described my perfect man - Art is it, what a treat to read and lose myself in his and Ellie’s hidden feelings for each other. So much more going on than mind blowing sex which is so much more attractive and appealing.
Gorgeously passionate and intense I did not want it to end.
Will be looking for my man wearing a tool belt :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2018
I read this book on a sunny afternoon and was expecting standard chick lit. What i got was so much more. I love being surprised when reading this genre and this book did just that. The book had real depth and was really well written. I read this book over two days which is testament to how good it is.
January 1, 2018
I absolutely loved Willow Tree Farm, and the main male lead of Art is brooding and sexy and a real challenge of a man!
Ellie on the other hand is wondering just why she came back to the scene of her worst ever summer holiday, although the fact she is in need of her mum despite their fractured relationship speaks volumes.
I loved the growing friendship between Toto and Josh the two teenageers who gain a lot from each other.
The community of people at the farm were a joy to get to know, a mixed selection of friendly characters, that really helped Ellie a lot, and I loved seeing what they were trying to achieve at the farm.
This was a entertaining romance to read, with clearly sizzling chemistry between the leads, and a good underlying set of storylines too.
I also really enjoyed spotting that all the titles for the for parts were Take That song titles. The fan in me was jumping for joy!
This isn't the first book Ihave read by Heidi Rice, but it is is the most enjoyable so far. I am eager to see what she writes next, and would love to see a return to Willow Tree Farm in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley and HQ for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Ellie on the other hand is wondering just why she came back to the scene of her worst ever summer holiday, although the fact she is in need of her mum despite their fractured relationship speaks volumes.
I loved the growing friendship between Toto and Josh the two teenageers who gain a lot from each other.
The community of people at the farm were a joy to get to know, a mixed selection of friendly characters, that really helped Ellie a lot, and I loved seeing what they were trying to achieve at the farm.
This was a entertaining romance to read, with clearly sizzling chemistry between the leads, and a good underlying set of storylines too.
I also really enjoyed spotting that all the titles for the for parts were Take That song titles. The fan in me was jumping for joy!
This isn't the first book Ihave read by Heidi Rice, but it is is the most enjoyable so far. I am eager to see what she writes next, and would love to see a return to Willow Tree Farm in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley and HQ for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
August 6, 2017
This book has such a wonderful cast of characters and a lovely setting. I was initially drawn to this book because of the title reminding me of one of my favourite childhood books. I was imagining losing myself on the farm again!!!!!!!!
Eloise had a terrible time as a teenager when her mum split with her dad and moved them to a commune. She had a crush on a lad around her own age but found it hard to deal with his attitude towards her. She finds herself moving back and to her horror finds that Art is now helping to run the farm. She'd been estranged from her mum but gradually realises that things weren't easy for her mum at the time.
The characters living at the farm are delightful and all help out in various ways. Ellie wants to help them set up a successful plan to move the farm forward and into a thriving hub. I loved the romantic element to the book and the setting was described so well that I wanted to visit and enjoy a meal in their kitchen!
Eloise had a terrible time as a teenager when her mum split with her dad and moved them to a commune. She had a crush on a lad around her own age but found it hard to deal with his attitude towards her. She finds herself moving back and to her horror finds that Art is now helping to run the farm. She'd been estranged from her mum but gradually realises that things weren't easy for her mum at the time.
The characters living at the farm are delightful and all help out in various ways. Ellie wants to help them set up a successful plan to move the farm forward and into a thriving hub. I loved the romantic element to the book and the setting was described so well that I wanted to visit and enjoy a meal in their kitchen!
July 29, 2017
I do always love a chick-lit, fiction that I can immerse myself in without thinking too hard, and this looked like an ideal read. It took me a while to get into the plot of 'Summer at Willow Tree Farm' as I found it a little on the slow side, and quite unusual in that it centred around the people living on a co-op / commune. However, the middle of the plot picked up and I found myself invested in Art and Ellie, the two subjects of the blossoming romance which unfolded. The romance and the way it progressed was extremely predictable, as was the ending of the book, but the characters were both very likeable and left you feeling invested in their story. The plot slowed again a little towards the end and I did find it a bit of a drag to finish, hence only the three star rating. But on the whole this is a nice easy read to relax with.
(Thanks to NetGalley for this copy).
(Thanks to NetGalley for this copy).
September 10, 2017
A new author to me and I loved this book from start to finish. A fabulous and eclectic cast of characters based in a former commune at Willow Tree Farm. It is an idyllic setting and a place I would love to visit. There is a wedding, family separations, troubled backgrounds and of course love. The ending of the book leaves me hoping that there will be a sequel. Thank you to TBC and the author for the chance to read this title.
September 8, 2017
If you want a summer romance easy read which is well written with believable characters and a touch of humour, then this book is just that.
It’s hard for this kind of story to not be a little on the predictable side, but the different setting on a ‘co-operative’ site and the well-written, likeable characters still drew me in and I found this an extremely enjoyable summer holiday read. This is the first book by Heidi Rice that I have read, but I will be looking out for her other books now.
It’s hard for this kind of story to not be a little on the predictable side, but the different setting on a ‘co-operative’ site and the well-written, likeable characters still drew me in and I found this an extremely enjoyable summer holiday read. This is the first book by Heidi Rice that I have read, but I will be looking out for her other books now.
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