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Chestnut Lane
A moving tale from a well-loved author - When novelist Sophie Carr rescues a man hiding in her garden from a group of paparazzi, she finds that her new neighbour is ageing pop star Jez Winter, whos had a tough time lately. Lifes not been easy for Sophie either, losing her husband and having difficulties with her children. And Sophie also has a secret to hide. One that makes her very wary of getting involved with Jez . . .
250 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
About the author
Anna Jacobs
279 books561 followersAnna Jacobs has 87 novels published as of April 2019. She writes historical sagas and modern novels alternately, and in the past has written historical romances and fantasy novels (the latter as Shannah Jay).
She's addicted to story-telling and writes three novels a year. You can find a list of books and series on her website at www.annajacobs.com
Anna reads 3 novels a week. Happy reading, everyone.
She's addicted to story-telling and writes three novels a year. You can find a list of books and series on her website at www.annajacobs.com
Anna reads 3 novels a week. Happy reading, everyone.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 22, 2022
Chestnut Lane
All I have to say is that I am so glad that the book is finished as you see it was pretty boring and had no excitement . it was slow read and not a pager turner at all and I wished I never started the book. I would not recommend this book at all not as a book club book or just a general read. If I had my chance again I do not think I would buy this book for myself or as a gift.
All I have to say is that I am so glad that the book is finished as you see it was pretty boring and had no excitement . it was slow read and not a pager turner at all and I wished I never started the book. I would not recommend this book at all not as a book club book or just a general read. If I had my chance again I do not think I would buy this book for myself or as a gift.
February 14, 2025
Novelist Sophie Carr lets a man shelter in her house when he is being pursued by paparazzi. He turns out to be pop star Jez Winter, one of Sophie’s long time favourites, and gradually they begin a relationship. However, there are family complications on both sides and things don’t run smoothly.
This isn’t my usual genre but I wanted something quick and undemanding between other books and it did the job. It’s all tell rather than show, and everything is resolved rather easily without exploring any of the issues in any depth, but it’s told with warmth and compassion, and the romance between Sophie and Jez is rather sweet.
This isn’t my usual genre but I wanted something quick and undemanding between other books and it did the job. It’s all tell rather than show, and everything is resolved rather easily without exploring any of the issues in any depth, but it’s told with warmth and compassion, and the romance between Sophie and Jez is rather sweet.
July 31, 2022
Very two dimensional characters, they were either good or bad, no in between. Plot was sorta predictable. Still, I was very invested in the story and could not stop reading.
March 28, 2022
2/5 Stars: ‘Chestnut Lane’ by Anna Jacobs.
→ Age Range: Adult.
→ Genre: Romance, Contemporary Fiction.
→ Book Type: Novel.
Favourite Quote: ‘You and your cups of tea! It’s a wonder you don’t squelch when you walk.’
In-depth Rating:
→ Plot: ★
→ Character Development: ★★
→ Setting: ★
→ Entertainment Level: ★★★
→ Writing: ★★
General Comments: A one-line précis to start: a huge pile of dross. It is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly, but with great force. At times, it felt written without research; heavy subjects, including sexual assault and kidnapping, were questionably brushed over. It is inexpressibly disjointed and improbable. The writing is repetitive and dull; discussions about: finance, body image, cake and coffee appeared in every chapter, without fail. Utterly ludicrous; it oozes privilege and prestige.
Buddy Read: Jenny and Kirsten.
Time Read: Twenty-Nine Days.
→ Audiobook: No.
→ Audiobook Narrator: -
Re-Read: No.
→ -:
→ -:
Trigger Warnings:
→ Abuse (Child and Domestic).
→ Sexual Assault (Rape Mentioned).
→ Prejudice (Body Weight and Social Class).
→ Age Range: Adult.
→ Genre: Romance, Contemporary Fiction.
→ Book Type: Novel.
Favourite Quote: ‘You and your cups of tea! It’s a wonder you don’t squelch when you walk.’
In-depth Rating:
→ Plot: ★
→ Character Development: ★★
→ Setting: ★
→ Entertainment Level: ★★★
→ Writing: ★★
General Comments: A one-line précis to start: a huge pile of dross. It is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly, but with great force. At times, it felt written without research; heavy subjects, including sexual assault and kidnapping, were questionably brushed over. It is inexpressibly disjointed and improbable. The writing is repetitive and dull; discussions about: finance, body image, cake and coffee appeared in every chapter, without fail. Utterly ludicrous; it oozes privilege and prestige.
Buddy Read: Jenny and Kirsten.
Time Read: Twenty-Nine Days.
→ Audiobook: No.
→ Audiobook Narrator: -
Re-Read: No.
→ -:
→ -:
Trigger Warnings:
→ Abuse (Child and Domestic).
→ Sexual Assault (Rape Mentioned).
→ Prejudice (Body Weight and Social Class).
June 6, 2026
I enjoyed Chestnut Lane by Anna Jacobs.
This book surprised me after my first impression of its cover. It is different from what I have read lately.
Chestnut Lane is where wealthy, widowed, successful author Sophie Carr lives, writes, and meditates in a home that suits her perfectly.
Early on, we see that her life is not as peaceful as it appears.
We meet her daughter, whose downward spiral leaves her resentful of her mother’s security and lifestyle as she struggles with what she wants and with finding work.
We also meet Sophie’s daughter in law, whose rudeness Sophie cannot help but notice each time, and centrally an older musician she rescues from paparazzi in her garden.
He also carries family troubles of his own.
It is satisfying to watch characters face difficulties and overcome them together.
This book surprised me after my first impression of its cover. It is different from what I have read lately.
Chestnut Lane is where wealthy, widowed, successful author Sophie Carr lives, writes, and meditates in a home that suits her perfectly.
Early on, we see that her life is not as peaceful as it appears.
We meet her daughter, whose downward spiral leaves her resentful of her mother’s security and lifestyle as she struggles with what she wants and with finding work.
We also meet Sophie’s daughter in law, whose rudeness Sophie cannot help but notice each time, and centrally an older musician she rescues from paparazzi in her garden.
He also carries family troubles of his own.
It is satisfying to watch characters face difficulties and overcome them together.
November 6, 2023
Everything in the plot is this book was just too ‘neat’. Whenever someone attempted something, it all worked swimmingly. Some of the things that happened were totally unrealistic, like getting a neighbour to move elsewhere permanently to mind someone else’s children. There weren’t enough setbacks to make the plot believable. This book made me realise plot setbacks are needed to make a plot compelling.
My overall impression was that of an early attempt by an inexperienced author.
Despite all this, toward the end it became a page turner, where I wanted to know how it was all going to resolve.
My overall impression was that of an early attempt by an inexperienced author.
Despite all this, toward the end it became a page turner, where I wanted to know how it was all going to resolve.
October 12, 2025
Not my usual genre but I’ve needed light fiction recently. This, however, is far too shallow and twee for my taste. I did feel invested in the main character but all characters were either ultra nice or villains - no shades of grey in the characterisation. There was no real jeopardy, everything was wrapped up far too neatly and some serious issues weren’t adequately addressed. And the quality of the writing was poor - all tell and no show. Having said that, it did hold my interest.
October 2, 2021
Love
This is a great book Sophie lives in chestnut Lane and for her neighbour she has Jez winter they have fallen for each other but they have problems with there own children who they need to help before them self's this is another winner for Anna Jacobs definite 5 STARS.
This is a great book Sophie lives in chestnut Lane and for her neighbour she has Jez winter they have fallen for each other but they have problems with there own children who they need to help before them self's this is another winner for Anna Jacobs definite 5 STARS.
February 9, 2020
A touching story with wonderful ending
August 7, 2020
A very different style of writing.
A very different but good story, very hard to put the book down. I think I have read all. Anna Jacob's books now.
A very different but good story, very hard to put the book down. I think I have read all. Anna Jacob's books now.
September 30, 2021
Another lovely book.
December 23, 2021
Brilliant
As always a pleasure to read Anna Jacobs novels and this one was no exception, I am not going to spoil it and say any more but read for yourselves and enjoy.
As always a pleasure to read Anna Jacobs novels and this one was no exception, I am not going to spoil it and say any more but read for yourselves and enjoy.
April 2, 2023
A really good book it took me 2days to read
January 5, 2024
Well written, good story. Easy to read and didn't want to put it down until I finished it.
July 13, 2025
Lovely story by a great auther.
May 28, 2026
Wonderful book with a great story line it was very hard to put it down.
January 12, 2016
Audible own
Really like this book and the aothor. Yes the setting is a bit of a dream as Sophie is a well known aothor and has money. But that is good as she falls in love with songwriter and singer Jez Winter. So it is obviously not for the money. he eventually buys next to his.
Not all the loose ends are tied up. The rapist and club knowledge cctv and so on is ignored in regards to her daughter. But the story focuses on Andie the victim as she turns from a self absorbed drug taking reckless young daughter of Sophie's to recovering victim focusiong on what she has. She is in counselling but doing well. Sophie's sonm is married but the story has him been the son but a person who does not really know how to enjoy life along with his wife. Clever insight.
A moving tale from a well-loved author - When novelist Sophie Carr rescues a man hiding in her garden from a group of paparazzi, she finds that her new neighbour is ageing pop star Jez Winter, whos had a tough time lately. Lifes not been easy for Sophie either, losing her husband and having difficulties with her children. And Sophie also has a secret to hide. One that makes her very wary of getting involved with Jez but Jez wants Sophie and the breast cancer and lost of her breast does not mattter and vice versa of course Jezz has his scars etc. And his rough drinking women and drug past.
Jezz's son catches up with him. He is talented and desparate as his wife to be ex sife is an alcoholic and his religious mother keeps trying to get them back together rather than face the facts. But the wife goes too far crashing the car, kidnapping her children and holding a knife to her four year ole daughter. So she is committed by the court in the end. Sad but doable. Possibly Jezz's son, Tom will marry Andie or the PA he is certainly now amongst some very good young women but the story does not say. Tom is also good with the guitar and electronics. A real worked.
Areal sweet and lovely story where people overcome in life.
Really like this book and the aothor. Yes the setting is a bit of a dream as Sophie is a well known aothor and has money. But that is good as she falls in love with songwriter and singer Jez Winter. So it is obviously not for the money. he eventually buys next to his.
Not all the loose ends are tied up. The rapist and club knowledge cctv and so on is ignored in regards to her daughter. But the story focuses on Andie the victim as she turns from a self absorbed drug taking reckless young daughter of Sophie's to recovering victim focusiong on what she has. She is in counselling but doing well. Sophie's sonm is married but the story has him been the son but a person who does not really know how to enjoy life along with his wife. Clever insight.
A moving tale from a well-loved author - When novelist Sophie Carr rescues a man hiding in her garden from a group of paparazzi, she finds that her new neighbour is ageing pop star Jez Winter, whos had a tough time lately. Lifes not been easy for Sophie either, losing her husband and having difficulties with her children. And Sophie also has a secret to hide. One that makes her very wary of getting involved with Jez but Jez wants Sophie and the breast cancer and lost of her breast does not mattter and vice versa of course Jezz has his scars etc. And his rough drinking women and drug past.
Jezz's son catches up with him. He is talented and desparate as his wife to be ex sife is an alcoholic and his religious mother keeps trying to get them back together rather than face the facts. But the wife goes too far crashing the car, kidnapping her children and holding a knife to her four year ole daughter. So she is committed by the court in the end. Sad but doable. Possibly Jezz's son, Tom will marry Andie or the PA he is certainly now amongst some very good young women but the story does not say. Tom is also good with the guitar and electronics. A real worked.
Areal sweet and lovely story where people overcome in life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2022
A Typical Anna story they all live happily ever after.
October 2, 2017
Brilliant book
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews