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There's No Place Like Home
Isabel, Izzy to her friends, has got nothing left to lose when she makes the bravest decision of her life.
A month living under canvas on the Yorkshire Moors with five strangers wouldn’t normally be her idea of a good time, even if there is prize money to be won at the end of it, but she’s all out of options.
Joining her in this wild goose chase, being filmed for a TV show, are farmer Seb, whose marriage is creaking but who is desperate not to lose his family. Sheltered Ruth who needs an opportunity to show she can make her own decisions. Glamorous socialite Kanga, who has been living a lie. American Junior who has his own secret that has led him there. And last but not least, mysterious and brooding Mac, who Izzy can’t help but be drawn to.
As the fickleness of nature tests them all to their limits, this disparate group come together to face the challenge. But when Izzy finally tells them the truth that has brought her out on the Moors, will that be the end of their adventure, or the beginning of her future? Because what Izzy really needs is a place to call home, and someone to share it with could be even better…
A month living under canvas on the Yorkshire Moors with five strangers wouldn’t normally be her idea of a good time, even if there is prize money to be won at the end of it, but she’s all out of options.
Joining her in this wild goose chase, being filmed for a TV show, are farmer Seb, whose marriage is creaking but who is desperate not to lose his family. Sheltered Ruth who needs an opportunity to show she can make her own decisions. Glamorous socialite Kanga, who has been living a lie. American Junior who has his own secret that has led him there. And last but not least, mysterious and brooding Mac, who Izzy can’t help but be drawn to.
As the fickleness of nature tests them all to their limits, this disparate group come together to face the challenge. But when Izzy finally tells them the truth that has brought her out on the Moors, will that be the end of their adventure, or the beginning of her future? Because what Izzy really needs is a place to call home, and someone to share it with could be even better…
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 10, 2023
116 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Jane Lovering
51 books229 followersJane Lovering was born in Devon, England but, following extradition procedures, now lives in Yorkshire. She has five children, four cats, two dogs and doesn't believe in housework so the bacteria and dust are approaching sentience and now rank among the pets. Incidentally, she doesn’t believe in ironing either, and the children all learned self-defensive cookery at early ages. She works in a local school and also teaches creative writing, which are extreme ways of avoiding the washing up.
Published since 2008, she writes romantic comedies which are often described as ‘quirky’. One day she's going to find out what that means. Jane is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and has a first class honours degree in creative writing. In 2012, her novel Please Don't Stop the Music won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the RNA.
Published since 2008, she writes romantic comedies which are often described as ‘quirky’. One day she's going to find out what that means. Jane is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and has a first class honours degree in creative writing. In 2012, her novel Please Don't Stop the Music won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the RNA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
January 2, 2023
I've read a lot of these rom coms but haven't seen one yet with this plot.
A group of six people live in tents in the winter in Yorkshire Moors, two per tent. It's freezing out but they must stay there, and the concept is similar to the Survivor show. They must wear recording devices almost all the time and they are competing for money. The challenge is they must prove there is a large cat out there in the wild. They must have proof. Is there a large wild cat and will they get their proof? Spending time with people you wouldn't normally give the time of day to is awkward until they start talking to each other and opening up. Each has something they are hiding and their own set of limitations and challenges. Will this group find acceptance in each other and get that acceptance back? Fun story of self-discovery, a coming-of-age story. Heartwarming and uplifting.
Pub Date 10 Jan 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
A group of six people live in tents in the winter in Yorkshire Moors, two per tent. It's freezing out but they must stay there, and the concept is similar to the Survivor show. They must wear recording devices almost all the time and they are competing for money. The challenge is they must prove there is a large cat out there in the wild. They must have proof. Is there a large wild cat and will they get their proof? Spending time with people you wouldn't normally give the time of day to is awkward until they start talking to each other and opening up. Each has something they are hiding and their own set of limitations and challenges. Will this group find acceptance in each other and get that acceptance back? Fun story of self-discovery, a coming-of-age story. Heartwarming and uplifting.
Pub Date 10 Jan 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
January 31, 2023
I found this slow and a little boring. The descriptions of the weather in this book made me shiver. The characters seemed to be constantly cold, wet and hungry and all for prize money. I really couldn’t connect with this book at all. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
January 12, 2023
Favorite Quotes:
… he looked disgruntled to the point that his gruntle might be waving farewell forever. I smiled at him… He turned a look on me that was so sour I could feel my tongue dry out.
I watched Kanga stare at his muscles. They were improbably large; he looked as though someone had taken an ordinary man and inflated him with a bike pump in strategic areas.
Mutinously and showing all the team-working ability of a bunch of cats, we each set off on our allocated tasks.
How come you’ve got such unusual names? Dax and MacKinley? It sounds as though your parents thought they were having Labradors.
It had been so long since I’d had a proper wash of any parts of me that didn’t see daylight that I was beginning to think I might be eroding. If I got fully undressed, I might discover that I was nothing more than a flaky shadow and a strange smell.
I could almost feel the cash-registers in our heads start to click as we all mentally spent £ 250,000, and then reality asserted itself once more.
My Review:
This was an active and busy tale with keenly detailed scenarios and colorful descriptions that placed me in the thick of it. Despite living in the tropics and reading under a ceiling fan, Ms. Lovering often had me feeling cold and achy along with the shivering characters who were stuck on a freezing moor in nylon tents while being filmed for a reality program. And what an odd, uncomfortable, and annoying to be around collection of people they were. While the storylines often had a tense edge to them with a sense of impending doom and fear of discovery, they were also amusing as well as observant, and thoughtfully contrived.
… he looked disgruntled to the point that his gruntle might be waving farewell forever. I smiled at him… He turned a look on me that was so sour I could feel my tongue dry out.
I watched Kanga stare at his muscles. They were improbably large; he looked as though someone had taken an ordinary man and inflated him with a bike pump in strategic areas.
Mutinously and showing all the team-working ability of a bunch of cats, we each set off on our allocated tasks.
How come you’ve got such unusual names? Dax and MacKinley? It sounds as though your parents thought they were having Labradors.
It had been so long since I’d had a proper wash of any parts of me that didn’t see daylight that I was beginning to think I might be eroding. If I got fully undressed, I might discover that I was nothing more than a flaky shadow and a strange smell.
I could almost feel the cash-registers in our heads start to click as we all mentally spent £ 250,000, and then reality asserted itself once more.
My Review:
This was an active and busy tale with keenly detailed scenarios and colorful descriptions that placed me in the thick of it. Despite living in the tropics and reading under a ceiling fan, Ms. Lovering often had me feeling cold and achy along with the shivering characters who were stuck on a freezing moor in nylon tents while being filmed for a reality program. And what an odd, uncomfortable, and annoying to be around collection of people they were. While the storylines often had a tense edge to them with a sense of impending doom and fear of discovery, they were also amusing as well as observant, and thoughtfully contrived.
August 21, 2023
This book did not capture my imagination and interest in the slightest. I thought it incredibly tedious and the characters not very dynamic.
Set on the Yorkshire moors, this bunch of individuals are camping out in the hope of discovering a wild animal that may have been sighted in the area. Despite being paid a daily rate, the group are more interested in the final prize of £50,000 each; everyone is keen to find the proof needed to get their hands on this money pot. All the characters have different reasons for agreeing to this reality television show, but I was never convinced by any of the backstories, least of all the protagonist’s.
Izzy isn’t very popular with this group of people she finds herself with but convinces herself to keep going. I was interested in learning about her past and what the clues meant about why Izzy was so desperate for the money. I did feel sorry for her when Lovering provides this information, but it didn’t make me warm to her character. Izzy’s story felt too similar to previous books I have read in the past and I don’t think it was conveyed in a way that would help garner sympathy. Instead, like a lot of this book, the revelations felt prolonged and it did not resonate with me.
I thought all of the characters were presented as extremely selfish and as more of their personalities were revealed, the more I supported this perception. They are all incredibly uncomfortable on the moors, it isn’t a very cheerful story, and I think Lovering does a fantastic job of conveying how difficult the habitat is: I could vividly imagine how cold and challenging it was to camp on the moors with very little home comforts. Although the group seem spoiled with food options, they are pretty much left alone in the wilderness and the descriptions frequently had me reaching for a cosy blanket.
This book was not what I thought it would be. It didn’t offer any escapism and it felt like I was reading a book about whiny children. The wild goose chase they are on felt unrealistic and everything just moved incredibly slowly, meaning I felt the read was quite tedious and underwhelming.
With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Set on the Yorkshire moors, this bunch of individuals are camping out in the hope of discovering a wild animal that may have been sighted in the area. Despite being paid a daily rate, the group are more interested in the final prize of £50,000 each; everyone is keen to find the proof needed to get their hands on this money pot. All the characters have different reasons for agreeing to this reality television show, but I was never convinced by any of the backstories, least of all the protagonist’s.
Izzy isn’t very popular with this group of people she finds herself with but convinces herself to keep going. I was interested in learning about her past and what the clues meant about why Izzy was so desperate for the money. I did feel sorry for her when Lovering provides this information, but it didn’t make me warm to her character. Izzy’s story felt too similar to previous books I have read in the past and I don’t think it was conveyed in a way that would help garner sympathy. Instead, like a lot of this book, the revelations felt prolonged and it did not resonate with me.
I thought all of the characters were presented as extremely selfish and as more of their personalities were revealed, the more I supported this perception. They are all incredibly uncomfortable on the moors, it isn’t a very cheerful story, and I think Lovering does a fantastic job of conveying how difficult the habitat is: I could vividly imagine how cold and challenging it was to camp on the moors with very little home comforts. Although the group seem spoiled with food options, they are pretty much left alone in the wilderness and the descriptions frequently had me reaching for a cosy blanket.
This book was not what I thought it would be. It didn’t offer any escapism and it felt like I was reading a book about whiny children. The wild goose chase they are on felt unrealistic and everything just moved incredibly slowly, meaning I felt the read was quite tedious and underwhelming.
With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 15, 2023
I enjoyed this even more than I expected to, that means for me I expected to enjoy this but I really really enjoyed it, this was such a wonderful read, but gave more than I was expecting. This isn’t just a romcom, it’s so much more, don’t worry there is plenty of humour and romance, just that it’s focused on life , what truly makes a home, family, friendships, people you love and in the classic lyrics of The Stones ‘We don’t always get what we want, but if you try sometimes, well, you might find you get what you need’
I loved the setting of the Yorkshire Moors, the detailed and gorgeous descriptions brought it to life fully and I felt like I was back there myself, it was definitely an additional character in the story. Speaking of which, the characters are such a great mix, each one so different and definitely just like the mix of unique personalities you would see in a reality TV show (not that I watch them to be honest, I like I’m a Celeb but mainly for Ant and Dec) You have your loud , opinionated, influencer, brooding characters with secrets, mystery and lots of gossip/ reveals, just like reality TV.
This is an addictive book to read and you have to make yourself stop at times, you know because work and bedtime are sadly required, but ifit weren’t for that I would have happily kept on reading. Overall, just the story itself is fantastic, full of twists and turns, emotional and so heartwarming. I loved it and I think most people who have a heart will too.
Thanks to netgalley, Jane Lovering, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for a free e-book in return for an honest and voluntary review, all opinions are my own and freely given.
I loved the setting of the Yorkshire Moors, the detailed and gorgeous descriptions brought it to life fully and I felt like I was back there myself, it was definitely an additional character in the story. Speaking of which, the characters are such a great mix, each one so different and definitely just like the mix of unique personalities you would see in a reality TV show (not that I watch them to be honest, I like I’m a Celeb but mainly for Ant and Dec) You have your loud , opinionated, influencer, brooding characters with secrets, mystery and lots of gossip/ reveals, just like reality TV.
This is an addictive book to read and you have to make yourself stop at times, you know because work and bedtime are sadly required, but ifit weren’t for that I would have happily kept on reading. Overall, just the story itself is fantastic, full of twists and turns, emotional and so heartwarming. I loved it and I think most people who have a heart will too.
Thanks to netgalley, Jane Lovering, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for a free e-book in return for an honest and voluntary review, all opinions are my own and freely given.
April 15, 2023
3.5 out of 5 stars
January 10, 2023
It might just be difficult to understand why anyone would sign up to be part of a reality TV show – especially when it involves surviving life under canvas on the Yorkshire Moors in the depths of winter, in pursuit of a giant black cat that might or might not exist. But for Izzy, it’s very much about the money – the daily payment might just help her get things back on an even keel again, and a share of the big prize would really change her life. For high-maintenance posh totty Kanga, it’s the opportunity for her big showbiz break; controlling Seb (who can’t help himself stepping up as their leader) wants to try to change his ways, to show his family who he really is, and hopefully save his marriage; young Ruth, quiet and serious and a touch naive, just wants the opportunity to prove herself. Junior’s on the TV company’s payroll – gruff and muscled, he has the tracking experience, gleaned from his experience pursuing Bigfoot for one of the cable channels. And the initially grumpy Mac? Well, he’s there because his producer brother was one man short – but things are a bit more complicated than that.
I always particularly love the author’s female leads and their distinctive voices, and Izzy was certainly no exception – as the facts about her current situation and her difficult past slowly emerge, I really felt for her and took her firmly to my heart. But she’s not the only one with secrets – there’s a whole series of jaw-dropping revelations, with none of the characters quite what they appear to be. And the way the story unfolds – the development of the characters, the relationships between them, the moments of drama with the hostile environment (particularly the weather) playing its part – is quite wonderful. As always with the author’s books, there’s plenty of humour – the dialogue is superb, and some of the exchanges between the characters had me in stitches. Actually, many of the set pieces had me laughing out loud too – I absolutely loved the episode that sees the whole group huddled together in the toilet hut. And then there’s the mention of Barnsley – I’ll gloss over its relevance, but it’s inspired, unexpected, and very funny.
There is a rather lovely developing romance too – unpromising at first, but building particularly convincingly. And then there’s the emotional content, and all the individuals’ issues and life complications, perfectly handled as always – as the end of the book approached, I really cared for them all and wanted them to get their happy endings and new beginnings. And the whole story, largely character driven, is just fantastic – full of unexpected twists and turns, quite a few really heart-in-mouth moments, others that brought a tear to my eye. And yes, of course I think it’s her best book yet – you really didn’t expect me to say anything else, did you? I really loved it – and so will everyone else.
I always particularly love the author’s female leads and their distinctive voices, and Izzy was certainly no exception – as the facts about her current situation and her difficult past slowly emerge, I really felt for her and took her firmly to my heart. But she’s not the only one with secrets – there’s a whole series of jaw-dropping revelations, with none of the characters quite what they appear to be. And the way the story unfolds – the development of the characters, the relationships between them, the moments of drama with the hostile environment (particularly the weather) playing its part – is quite wonderful. As always with the author’s books, there’s plenty of humour – the dialogue is superb, and some of the exchanges between the characters had me in stitches. Actually, many of the set pieces had me laughing out loud too – I absolutely loved the episode that sees the whole group huddled together in the toilet hut. And then there’s the mention of Barnsley – I’ll gloss over its relevance, but it’s inspired, unexpected, and very funny.
There is a rather lovely developing romance too – unpromising at first, but building particularly convincingly. And then there’s the emotional content, and all the individuals’ issues and life complications, perfectly handled as always – as the end of the book approached, I really cared for them all and wanted them to get their happy endings and new beginnings. And the whole story, largely character driven, is just fantastic – full of unexpected twists and turns, quite a few really heart-in-mouth moments, others that brought a tear to my eye. And yes, of course I think it’s her best book yet – you really didn’t expect me to say anything else, did you? I really loved it – and so will everyone else.
January 25, 2023
Ms Lovering’s books are truly unique – you never know what you’re going to get, but you can be sure you’ll love it. And I loved this one!
The premise is that a group of people are taking part in a reality TV show where they are supposed to be looking for evidence of a big cat of some sort on the Yorkshire moors. There have been elusive sightings, like Bigfoot in America, but nothing concrete. They have to stay there for a month in November when it’s freezing cold and often raining, camping, and with only basic facilities. It’s sheer hell, but if they can prove the existence of this mythical beast they will earn a lot of money. Either way, they will get a certain amount just for taking part, and they assume their struggles will provide the entertainment even if they find nothing.
None of them really believe they’ll find the animal, and they are all there for different reasons. It was fascinating to watch them start to bond (or not) and their secrets slowly emerge. Although the story has Ms Lovering’s trademark wonderful sense of humour, there are some very serious issues – like homelessness – underlying the superficial bonding between the characters. There is also a slow burn romance between the heroine and one of the men, which I adored. I don’t want to give any spoilers so I’ll just recommend you read it for yourself – I’m sure you won’t regret it!
The premise is that a group of people are taking part in a reality TV show where they are supposed to be looking for evidence of a big cat of some sort on the Yorkshire moors. There have been elusive sightings, like Bigfoot in America, but nothing concrete. They have to stay there for a month in November when it’s freezing cold and often raining, camping, and with only basic facilities. It’s sheer hell, but if they can prove the existence of this mythical beast they will earn a lot of money. Either way, they will get a certain amount just for taking part, and they assume their struggles will provide the entertainment even if they find nothing.
None of them really believe they’ll find the animal, and they are all there for different reasons. It was fascinating to watch them start to bond (or not) and their secrets slowly emerge. Although the story has Ms Lovering’s trademark wonderful sense of humour, there are some very serious issues – like homelessness – underlying the superficial bonding between the characters. There is also a slow burn romance between the heroine and one of the men, which I adored. I don’t want to give any spoilers so I’ll just recommend you read it for yourself – I’m sure you won’t regret it!
December 19, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this. This was a story that raised a smile or two, and one that definitely offers a little light relief.
Izzy has signed up to join in a reality TV show with a difference. She, along with a number of others, has signed up to spend ten days on the Yorkshire Moors searching for evidence of the existence of a big cat. Whatever your view of the likelihood of such a creature existing, it was quite entertaining watching them all go about their business.
Over the course of the time we learn about each of the contestants and their motivation for taking part. We have some troublesome wildlife moments and things end in a positive way for most.
Izzy has signed up to join in a reality TV show with a difference. She, along with a number of others, has signed up to spend ten days on the Yorkshire Moors searching for evidence of the existence of a big cat. Whatever your view of the likelihood of such a creature existing, it was quite entertaining watching them all go about their business.
Over the course of the time we learn about each of the contestants and their motivation for taking part. We have some troublesome wildlife moments and things end in a positive way for most.
December 31, 2022
This was a lovely read to end the year on. It's a reality tv/camp out with other strangers trying to find a big cat on the loose, will they find it? Tempers get heated, romances occur and feuds. But each person who is there has their own reason for being there and all have very different backgrounds and come from different lifestyles. Maybe they could all learn something from each other? It's a coming together story with a beautiful ending for all. I loved Izzy and Macs characters. It's a story full of endurance, learning and new beginnings for all the characters. I really enjoyed it. But some of the chapters were a little long for my personal liking. A well deserved four stars. Could easily have a follow up book to this which I'd love to read. Highly recommend.
January 8, 2023
It's an unusual plot for a rom-com: six strangers are put together for a reality TV show set in the Yorkshire Moors.
Each one of them has their reasons to take part in the show and their own secrets. Being forced to spend 10 days together, will they learn something from each other? And will they work together as a unit to find the wild cat that would grant them the money prize?
This is a pleasant story of coming of age and self discovery, a bit different from Lovering's previous books, but very nice and enjoyable.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.
Each one of them has their reasons to take part in the show and their own secrets. Being forced to spend 10 days together, will they learn something from each other? And will they work together as a unit to find the wild cat that would grant them the money prize?
This is a pleasant story of coming of age and self discovery, a bit different from Lovering's previous books, but very nice and enjoyable.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.
February 9, 2023
brilliant
Jane Lovering is an auto buy for me. Her characters walk off the pages and into your life. Highly recommend
Jane Lovering is an auto buy for me. Her characters walk off the pages and into your life. Highly recommend
November 15, 2022
It was Ok and would give it 2.5 stars. I LOVED A Cottage Full of Secrets and The Forgotten House on the Moor , so I was excited to rea this. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into it and it didn't have the same feel as the previous books I read by the author. I didn't love any of the characters and never felt like I really got to know them. They all seemed to be playing a specific part. There had to be more to Izzy and her mom's relationship? Her mom believed a man over her own daughter. This had to be the worst reality show ever filmed. Shouldn't there be camera guys filming the participants every move? Mac and Izzy were continuously turning their cameras off. They really didn't do much to actually find proof of big cats. They sat around a lot and never had their camera on when they thought they saw something. No one thought to turn on their camera and actually get proof of the big cat!!! Everything just seemed so far fetched. Why not put some meat out and a camera or set a trap? I'm surprised no one got eaten. It would have made the story a little more interesting.
I didn't hate the story, just didn't love it like the previous books. This is one reality show I wouldn't watch, I'm pretty sure there isn't enough footage to make a single episode. Look forward to reading more books by the author. Loved the cover of the book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Boldwood Books, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I didn't hate the story, just didn't love it like the previous books. This is one reality show I wouldn't watch, I'm pretty sure there isn't enough footage to make a single episode. Look forward to reading more books by the author. Loved the cover of the book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Boldwood Books, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
January 13, 2023
I read the synopsis for ‘There’s No Place Like Home’ and it certainly sounded like the sort of book I have come to expect from Jane – a fun, uplifting and heartwarming romance. I couldn’t wait to start reading and so without further ado, I jumped straight in. ‘There’s No Place Like Home’ certainly was one heck of a read, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading but more about that in a bit.
I adored the character of Izzy and I warmed to her from the very start. In fact it didn’t take long until I felt that she had become a friend of mine and I naturally felt protective of her. At the beginning of the book it’s clear that Izzy has had her problems of late but we don’t find out exactly what those problems are. Little hints are dropped as the story progresses and eventually Izzy reveals what has happened and what prompted her to apply to join this new reality television show. Izzy is warmhearted, kind, considerate, funny, feisty, compassionate and an all round good egg.
It didn’t take me long at all to get into ‘There’s No Place Like Home’. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first page, I knew that I was in for a treat and that I would struggle to put the book down for any length of time. I was spot on on both counts. I had picked the book up only intending to read a chapter or two but I became so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the different characters that I was still sat there reading several chapters and an hour or so later. I had my own suspicions as to what was going to happen so of course I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had wandered in the opposite direction. I couldn’t turn the pages of the book quickly enough as I made my way through the book. In fact at one point the pages of the book were turning so quickly that it was almost as if they were turning themselves. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘There’s No Place Like Home’ and I had to say goodbye to Izzy and the rest of the characters. I found ‘There’s No Place Like Home’ to be a fun and ultimately uplifting story.
‘There’s No Place Like Home’ is extremely well written. Jane has one of those easy going writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading one of Jane’s books feels more like a chat between friends rather than reading an actual book. I hope that makes sense. Jane clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. I hope that makes sense. I love the fact that the story was set somewhere which is fairly local to me. This was one of those books that made me giggle at the start and I kept chuckling away to myself throughout the rest of the story. I love the way in which Jane makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. That’s how I felt at any rate.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘There’s No Place Like Home’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be recommending this book to other readers. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
I adored the character of Izzy and I warmed to her from the very start. In fact it didn’t take long until I felt that she had become a friend of mine and I naturally felt protective of her. At the beginning of the book it’s clear that Izzy has had her problems of late but we don’t find out exactly what those problems are. Little hints are dropped as the story progresses and eventually Izzy reveals what has happened and what prompted her to apply to join this new reality television show. Izzy is warmhearted, kind, considerate, funny, feisty, compassionate and an all round good egg.
It didn’t take me long at all to get into ‘There’s No Place Like Home’. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first page, I knew that I was in for a treat and that I would struggle to put the book down for any length of time. I was spot on on both counts. I had picked the book up only intending to read a chapter or two but I became so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the different characters that I was still sat there reading several chapters and an hour or so later. I had my own suspicions as to what was going to happen so of course I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had wandered in the opposite direction. I couldn’t turn the pages of the book quickly enough as I made my way through the book. In fact at one point the pages of the book were turning so quickly that it was almost as if they were turning themselves. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘There’s No Place Like Home’ and I had to say goodbye to Izzy and the rest of the characters. I found ‘There’s No Place Like Home’ to be a fun and ultimately uplifting story.
‘There’s No Place Like Home’ is extremely well written. Jane has one of those easy going writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading one of Jane’s books feels more like a chat between friends rather than reading an actual book. I hope that makes sense. Jane clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. I hope that makes sense. I love the fact that the story was set somewhere which is fairly local to me. This was one of those books that made me giggle at the start and I kept chuckling away to myself throughout the rest of the story. I love the way in which Jane makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. That’s how I felt at any rate.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘There’s No Place Like Home’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be recommending this book to other readers. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
January 9, 2023
Izzy finds herself in miserable weather camping with five strangers all as part of a reality TV series that under normal circumstances she would never participate in, but her circumstances are currently far from normal, hence the camping. With her is earnest Sebastian who believes that he once saw something out on the moor and wants to verify while also keeping a secret as to why he is there; posh Kanga who is certain that this opportunity will lead her to greater things; church-sheltered Ruth who is very young, inexperienced and is hoping to start spreading her wings, just not too far; Junior, a tracker who might be as big as the Bigfoot he tracks in the US; and Mac, who at first is a grump but becomes a lot more. With such disparate characters, what could possibly go wrong in Jane Lovering’s There’s No Place Like Home?
As I mentioned in the introduction, one of the things that I love about Jane Lovering’s books is the total unexpectedness. In a genre that is frequented by over-used tropes, Lovering’s book are fresh, taking the reader on an adventure, which is really one of the reasons why we read, different worlds, different experiences.
Izzy’s character is multi-dimensional. She may currently be treading difficult waters but she’s supportive, kind, and level-headed, even to someone like Kanga who frequently doesn’t deserve such kindness. In fact, all of the character are multi-faceted, seeming like real people you might see on a reality TV show.
I confess to not having watched any reality TV, but I could imagine one in which groups of people are out searching for mythical or supposedly-sighted beasts and the fun of it being the meshing of different characters so I don’t think the plot is too far-fetched. It’s just a matter of time. 😉
As for the personal circumstances that Izzy and the other characters are in in their real worlds, those also rang true and endeared the characters to this reader, particularly Izzy and her situation in which she has felt embarrassment, desperation, and humiliation over an event that was not her fault but that has made her stronger and gradually more adamant.
A quick, enjoyable, and heart-felt read with good humor and some hilarious moments.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As I mentioned in the introduction, one of the things that I love about Jane Lovering’s books is the total unexpectedness. In a genre that is frequented by over-used tropes, Lovering’s book are fresh, taking the reader on an adventure, which is really one of the reasons why we read, different worlds, different experiences.
Izzy’s character is multi-dimensional. She may currently be treading difficult waters but she’s supportive, kind, and level-headed, even to someone like Kanga who frequently doesn’t deserve such kindness. In fact, all of the character are multi-faceted, seeming like real people you might see on a reality TV show.
I confess to not having watched any reality TV, but I could imagine one in which groups of people are out searching for mythical or supposedly-sighted beasts and the fun of it being the meshing of different characters so I don’t think the plot is too far-fetched. It’s just a matter of time. 😉
As for the personal circumstances that Izzy and the other characters are in in their real worlds, those also rang true and endeared the characters to this reader, particularly Izzy and her situation in which she has felt embarrassment, desperation, and humiliation over an event that was not her fault but that has made her stronger and gradually more adamant.
A quick, enjoyable, and heart-felt read with good humor and some hilarious moments.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 7, 2023
Award-winning author Jane Lovering is on superb form yet again with her warm-hearted, emotional, hilarious and irresistible new novel, There’s No Place Like Home.
Izzy is out of options, so when she hears about a reality TV show that would compel her to spend a month living under canvas with five complete strangers, she decides to swallow her pride, silence the sensible part of her brain telling her not to go through with it and sign on the dotted line. Joining her on this adventure are farmer Seb whose marriage is falling apart, but who is willing to do whatever it takes not to lose his family, sheltered Ruth who wants to prove to the people who have doubted her all her life that she can make her own decisions, socialite Kanga who has been living a lie and American Junior who has a closely-guarded secret he daren’t reveal to anyone. Finally, there is enigmatic and brooding Mac, whom Izzy finds herself drawn to despite her better judgement.
Tested to their limits like never before, this group of six complete strangers come together in order to face the challenges coming their way head on. As they bond and begin to confide their deepest and darkest secrets, Izzy decides to tell them the truth about what brought her to the Yorkshire moors. But will revealing her secret end up costing her everything? Or will it be the start of a future she never thought would be hers?
Can Izzy find somewhere to belong at long last? Or will a place to call home end up being nothing but an impossible dream for her?
I am a huge fan of Jane Lovering. Her books are so brilliantly written, astutely observed and sensitively told and they can have me roaring with laughter on one page and sobbing my heart out on another. There’s No Place Like Home is a powerful, emotional, captivating and heart-wrenching tale sprinkled with humour, wit and pathos about old ghosts, healing from the past and belonging with richly drawn characters it is impossible not to care about.
Jane Lovering writes books that never fail to hit all the right notes and There’s No Place Like Home is another surefire hit from a writer who never lets her readers down.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Izzy is out of options, so when she hears about a reality TV show that would compel her to spend a month living under canvas with five complete strangers, she decides to swallow her pride, silence the sensible part of her brain telling her not to go through with it and sign on the dotted line. Joining her on this adventure are farmer Seb whose marriage is falling apart, but who is willing to do whatever it takes not to lose his family, sheltered Ruth who wants to prove to the people who have doubted her all her life that she can make her own decisions, socialite Kanga who has been living a lie and American Junior who has a closely-guarded secret he daren’t reveal to anyone. Finally, there is enigmatic and brooding Mac, whom Izzy finds herself drawn to despite her better judgement.
Tested to their limits like never before, this group of six complete strangers come together in order to face the challenges coming their way head on. As they bond and begin to confide their deepest and darkest secrets, Izzy decides to tell them the truth about what brought her to the Yorkshire moors. But will revealing her secret end up costing her everything? Or will it be the start of a future she never thought would be hers?
Can Izzy find somewhere to belong at long last? Or will a place to call home end up being nothing but an impossible dream for her?
I am a huge fan of Jane Lovering. Her books are so brilliantly written, astutely observed and sensitively told and they can have me roaring with laughter on one page and sobbing my heart out on another. There’s No Place Like Home is a powerful, emotional, captivating and heart-wrenching tale sprinkled with humour, wit and pathos about old ghosts, healing from the past and belonging with richly drawn characters it is impossible not to care about.
Jane Lovering writes books that never fail to hit all the right notes and There’s No Place Like Home is another surefire hit from a writer who never lets her readers down.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 14, 2023
I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy this premise as I am not a fan of reality TV shows and actively avoid them unless they feature sewing or pottery. Of course, I put my trust in Jane Lovering’s writing and was rewarded with this thought-provoking story.
Izzy is the lead character, and despite her defensive attitude, she really appealed to me. Her vulnerability, caused by her fractured relationship with her family and tenuous personal life, really captured my imagination. In no time at all, I was fully on her side and hoping for a positive outcome.
The setting of the story is the Yorkshire Moors and I certainly felt like they were an additional character in the book. The stark vistas and the detailed descriptions brought a genuine feeling of being part of the action. Thankfully, despite an accidental dip in a stream, I remained dry but still shivered at the thought.
There’s an eclectic mix of characters who each add layers to this engaging story. The loudest was certainly the glamourous socialite, Kanga. Her attitude and Instagram lifestyle were anathema to me but are becoming the new normal in many aspects of life. Former farmer Seb was hoping to prove to his wife that he wasn’t controlling, while Ruth was looking to show that she was capable of taking charge. Their opposing yet aligned ambitions were fun to follow. I had a particular soft spot for American cameraman Junior who was hiding a mysterious secret. However, it was the darkly broody Mac that I felt drawn to. His gentle, yet sometimes caustic, friendship with Izzy slowly gave her confidence while empowering him to share more of his own life.
This was a book that I had to force myself to put down. I could have happily kept on reading through the night, but I had to work. The story is original and engaging, and I was fully invested in the task presented to the team. I’m not a lover of life under canvas, but I thoroughly enjoyed escaping to the moors.
Izzy is the lead character, and despite her defensive attitude, she really appealed to me. Her vulnerability, caused by her fractured relationship with her family and tenuous personal life, really captured my imagination. In no time at all, I was fully on her side and hoping for a positive outcome.
The setting of the story is the Yorkshire Moors and I certainly felt like they were an additional character in the book. The stark vistas and the detailed descriptions brought a genuine feeling of being part of the action. Thankfully, despite an accidental dip in a stream, I remained dry but still shivered at the thought.
There’s an eclectic mix of characters who each add layers to this engaging story. The loudest was certainly the glamourous socialite, Kanga. Her attitude and Instagram lifestyle were anathema to me but are becoming the new normal in many aspects of life. Former farmer Seb was hoping to prove to his wife that he wasn’t controlling, while Ruth was looking to show that she was capable of taking charge. Their opposing yet aligned ambitions were fun to follow. I had a particular soft spot for American cameraman Junior who was hiding a mysterious secret. However, it was the darkly broody Mac that I felt drawn to. His gentle, yet sometimes caustic, friendship with Izzy slowly gave her confidence while empowering him to share more of his own life.
This was a book that I had to force myself to put down. I could have happily kept on reading through the night, but I had to work. The story is original and engaging, and I was fully invested in the task presented to the team. I’m not a lover of life under canvas, but I thoroughly enjoyed escaping to the moors.
December 23, 2022
There’s No Place Like Home by Jane Lovering is a contemporary adventure novel that entertained me from the start.
The premise is a reality tv show shot in the wilds of the Yorkshire moors, with contestants on the hunt for evidence of a big cat. Financial reward beckons as the group of five and their leader channel their inner Bear Grylls! The bleak wet, winter landscape comes alive under the author’s masterful pen.
They are an eclectic mix of characters from various backgrounds who all want a share in the £250,000 prize money.
At first it is the money that binds them together but as they open up, friendships begin to form.
Everyone is hiding their true identities. As they spend time together, the shutters slowly begin to rise and the true identities shine through.
Everyone wants a place to call home. Sometimes home is not bricks and mortar but home is found in another person.
One character seems to be privy to the secrets of all. Her openness draws others to her, like moths to a flame.
I thoroughly enjoyed There’s No Place Like Home. I casually wandered through the book, joining the characters on a relaxing (for me), jaunt. I was an interested party observing the action, and then – wow! I became a part of the action with heart racing and instincts on high alert, wondering whether to flight or fight! I joined the characters in their abode. What an exciting crescendo.
This is a marvelous book that I can highly recommend – just don’t read it before bedtime – I can pretty much guarantee that you will not be in the mood for sleep!
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
The premise is a reality tv show shot in the wilds of the Yorkshire moors, with contestants on the hunt for evidence of a big cat. Financial reward beckons as the group of five and their leader channel their inner Bear Grylls! The bleak wet, winter landscape comes alive under the author’s masterful pen.
They are an eclectic mix of characters from various backgrounds who all want a share in the £250,000 prize money.
At first it is the money that binds them together but as they open up, friendships begin to form.
Everyone is hiding their true identities. As they spend time together, the shutters slowly begin to rise and the true identities shine through.
Everyone wants a place to call home. Sometimes home is not bricks and mortar but home is found in another person.
One character seems to be privy to the secrets of all. Her openness draws others to her, like moths to a flame.
I thoroughly enjoyed There’s No Place Like Home. I casually wandered through the book, joining the characters on a relaxing (for me), jaunt. I was an interested party observing the action, and then – wow! I became a part of the action with heart racing and instincts on high alert, wondering whether to flight or fight! I joined the characters in their abode. What an exciting crescendo.
This is a marvelous book that I can highly recommend – just don’t read it before bedtime – I can pretty much guarantee that you will not be in the mood for sleep!
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
January 1, 2023
I adored the concept of this book. Bringing six strangers together to film a TV show on the Yorkshire Moors, tracking big cats and surviving harsh weather conditions all came together to create an entertaining and cosy book with a wide range of characters.
My favourite part of this book was actually watching the characters develop/reveal their true selves during the plot. It really made me think about the different ‘layers’ and masks that people wear and for what reasons. All the characters have some unresolved issues, or aspects of their lives they want to hide, and it really made me think about how much we ever really know the people in our lives. Even the most unlikable characters at the beginning started to grow on me – although admittedly, some more than others.
Izzy was an adorable protagonist and her back story made me sad, but her journey made me hopeful. Jane writes about homelessness without stigma or stereotypes and I loved that about Izzy’s character. I know not everybody’s story is the same and many don’t even have what Izzy did but it was still sensitive and challenged a lot of current thinking. I also really enjoyed Izzy’s relationship with Mac and how it developed.
The setting of the Yorkshire Moors was perfect for this concept. Beautiful yet wild and rugged, and dangerous in the right conditions – Jane Lovering really set the scene. There were certainly some unexpected parts of the plot that really brough the Moors to life.
I adored this book. It is set in winter so perfect January reading. It has a little bit of tension and a mix of varied characters and it is the perfect escapism for a usually dreary month.
My favourite part of this book was actually watching the characters develop/reveal their true selves during the plot. It really made me think about the different ‘layers’ and masks that people wear and for what reasons. All the characters have some unresolved issues, or aspects of their lives they want to hide, and it really made me think about how much we ever really know the people in our lives. Even the most unlikable characters at the beginning started to grow on me – although admittedly, some more than others.
Izzy was an adorable protagonist and her back story made me sad, but her journey made me hopeful. Jane writes about homelessness without stigma or stereotypes and I loved that about Izzy’s character. I know not everybody’s story is the same and many don’t even have what Izzy did but it was still sensitive and challenged a lot of current thinking. I also really enjoyed Izzy’s relationship with Mac and how it developed.
The setting of the Yorkshire Moors was perfect for this concept. Beautiful yet wild and rugged, and dangerous in the right conditions – Jane Lovering really set the scene. There were certainly some unexpected parts of the plot that really brough the Moors to life.
I adored this book. It is set in winter so perfect January reading. It has a little bit of tension and a mix of varied characters and it is the perfect escapism for a usually dreary month.
January 19, 2023
The setting for this book reminds me a bit of when I did my basic training for the Army Reserve, back in the day! However, the countryside under canvas, in the UK, when it is nice and cold - brrrr!
Izzy joins five others in a reality TV program. What the others don't know is exactly WHY Izzy has decided to put her life on hold in this way. Yes, she wants the money, but she has an excellent reason for it. The whys and wherefores are slowly revealed as the story goes on.
Dax is trying to become famous for his reality TV programs. He wants to have some proof that there is something out there in the wilderness and the contestants will get big money if they can bring him that proof. As the days go on, Izzy gets to know the others in this rather odd experiment and she discovers that underneath all their clothing layers, there is something about each of them which is rather different to how they portray themselves to the outside world. Each of them has a secret, not just her.
There is nothing like living without the mod cons to bring out the best and the worst in all of them.
I really liked the premise of this story and how the contestants all interacted. I liked the story of Izzy and Mac, of course, but there was something about each of them that I liked. Ruth was very likeable too.
I could have done with the story continuing on a little longer, it ended a little abruptly for my liking, but that might just have been me!
4.5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books.
Izzy joins five others in a reality TV program. What the others don't know is exactly WHY Izzy has decided to put her life on hold in this way. Yes, she wants the money, but she has an excellent reason for it. The whys and wherefores are slowly revealed as the story goes on.
Dax is trying to become famous for his reality TV programs. He wants to have some proof that there is something out there in the wilderness and the contestants will get big money if they can bring him that proof. As the days go on, Izzy gets to know the others in this rather odd experiment and she discovers that underneath all their clothing layers, there is something about each of them which is rather different to how they portray themselves to the outside world. Each of them has a secret, not just her.
There is nothing like living without the mod cons to bring out the best and the worst in all of them.
I really liked the premise of this story and how the contestants all interacted. I liked the story of Izzy and Mac, of course, but there was something about each of them that I liked. Ruth was very likeable too.
I could have done with the story continuing on a little longer, it ended a little abruptly for my liking, but that might just have been me!
4.5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books.
February 1, 2023
I first discovered Jane Lovering’s books more than ten years ago, but hadn’t read any for a while. I got an invite from Boldwood Books to try There’s No Place Like Home, and I am so glad I agreed. The premise is quite unusual as it involves a group of contestants taking part in a reality TV show.They have to spend a month living in tents on the Yorkshire moors in the middle of winter, filming themselves, and trying to find evidence of the existence of a mysterious big cat. It’s not exactly ‘Love Island’, so what’s the attraction? They will all be paid a small amount regardless of the outcome, but only get the big payout if they can produce definitive proof that the cat was there. Each of the five contestants, and the Celebrity Tracker, have their own reasons for being there.
The story gets off to a slow start as we find out more about Izzy, Mac, Seb, Ruth, Kanga and Junior. The characters are well written, and it’s easy to tell one from another. The all have something to hide. Their stories gradually come out as they relax and get to know each other. The dialogue is authentic, sometimes very funny, other times quite sad. The remote moorland setting is vividly brought to life, and extreme weather conditions test them all to the limit. I thought the slow-burn romance was believable and hoped it would survive. I enjoyed this so much, after finishing I carried on and read two more of Jane’s recent books which I will review very soon. Thanks to Boldwood Books for a digital copy to review.
The story gets off to a slow start as we find out more about Izzy, Mac, Seb, Ruth, Kanga and Junior. The characters are well written, and it’s easy to tell one from another. The all have something to hide. Their stories gradually come out as they relax and get to know each other. The dialogue is authentic, sometimes very funny, other times quite sad. The remote moorland setting is vividly brought to life, and extreme weather conditions test them all to the limit. I thought the slow-burn romance was believable and hoped it would survive. I enjoyed this so much, after finishing I carried on and read two more of Jane’s recent books which I will review very soon. Thanks to Boldwood Books for a digital copy to review.
January 7, 2023
There's No Place Like Home by Jane Lovering
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Isabel, Izzy to her friends, has got nothing left to lose when she makes the bravest decision of her life.
A month living under canvas on the Yorkshire Moors with five strangers wouldn’t normally be her idea of a good time, even if there is prize money to be won at the end of it, but she’s all out of options.
Joining her in this wild goose chase, being filmed for a TV show, are farmer Seb, whose marriage is creaking but who is desperate not to lose his family. Sheltered Ruth who needs an opportunity to show she can make her own decisions. Glamorous socialite Kanga, who has been living a lie. American Junior who has his own secret that has led him there. And last but not least, mysterious and brooding Mac, who Izzy can’t help but be drawn to.
My Opinion
Jane Lovering has written a very interesting plot here - for me this was a first. This didn't read like the previous books I have read by Lovering but I still managed to enjoy it. All of the contestants seem to have something to hide, but can they all work together to earn a share of the prize money? It would have been nice to learn more about Izzy outside the TV show.
This was a nice, pleasant, quick read. An enjoyable read that I would be happy to recommend.
Rating 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Isabel, Izzy to her friends, has got nothing left to lose when she makes the bravest decision of her life.
A month living under canvas on the Yorkshire Moors with five strangers wouldn’t normally be her idea of a good time, even if there is prize money to be won at the end of it, but she’s all out of options.
Joining her in this wild goose chase, being filmed for a TV show, are farmer Seb, whose marriage is creaking but who is desperate not to lose his family. Sheltered Ruth who needs an opportunity to show she can make her own decisions. Glamorous socialite Kanga, who has been living a lie. American Junior who has his own secret that has led him there. And last but not least, mysterious and brooding Mac, who Izzy can’t help but be drawn to.
My Opinion
Jane Lovering has written a very interesting plot here - for me this was a first. This didn't read like the previous books I have read by Lovering but I still managed to enjoy it. All of the contestants seem to have something to hide, but can they all work together to earn a share of the prize money? It would have been nice to learn more about Izzy outside the TV show.
This was a nice, pleasant, quick read. An enjoyable read that I would be happy to recommend.
Rating 4/5
January 7, 2023
It should be fun, taking part in a game slash reality show,
Or so Izzy hopes when she signs up to give it a go.
After someone's lies have left Izzy without a home,
She'll now have a month on the moors to roam.
It isn't something she'd normally volunteer to do
But being paid to take part - it took no thinking through!
Being filmed for television along with the others
And paid a bonus if a beast their group discovers!
Getting to know all the others participants to start
Wondering why they'll each be taking part.
Get ready for nature to test them all, too,
With storms and blizzards to make their way through.
At least for a month she'll have somewhere to sleep and food
And not have to worry about someone else's bad mood!
But staying out on the Yorkshire Moors also has dangers
And everyone with her is a total stranger!
Can friendships develop during their stay?
Will they discover the beast one day?
So many questions and trials to endure
This certainly won't be an easy sinecure!
Getting to know each other and facing the dangers,
Helping others, even though they're strangers,
Overcoming fears, standing up for yourself, too,
Lots of things they're all going through.
A heartwarming read of facing adversity but being true
With poignant and laugh out loud moments as you do.
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.
Or so Izzy hopes when she signs up to give it a go.
After someone's lies have left Izzy without a home,
She'll now have a month on the moors to roam.
It isn't something she'd normally volunteer to do
But being paid to take part - it took no thinking through!
Being filmed for television along with the others
And paid a bonus if a beast their group discovers!
Getting to know all the others participants to start
Wondering why they'll each be taking part.
Get ready for nature to test them all, too,
With storms and blizzards to make their way through.
At least for a month she'll have somewhere to sleep and food
And not have to worry about someone else's bad mood!
But staying out on the Yorkshire Moors also has dangers
And everyone with her is a total stranger!
Can friendships develop during their stay?
Will they discover the beast one day?
So many questions and trials to endure
This certainly won't be an easy sinecure!
Getting to know each other and facing the dangers,
Helping others, even though they're strangers,
Overcoming fears, standing up for yourself, too,
Lots of things they're all going through.
A heartwarming read of facing adversity but being true
With poignant and laugh out loud moments as you do.
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.
January 10, 2023
There’s No Place Like Home features a very diverse group of people on what seems like a wild goose chase. Or should I say a wild cat chase! This was a reality show challenge with a difference and you wouldn’t have caught me sleeping up on the Yorkshire Moors in a tent in winter, no matter how much money was involved.
Inevitably, some of the contestants are more likeable than others but I found I warmed to them all as I got to know them. They all had their own reasons for taking part in the show and these reasons were as varied as the people themselves. They all had secrets they perhaps didn’t want to reveal initially. It was interesting following the interaction between them and how that dynamic changed as they got to know each other better. As well as finding out about each other, I think it’s fair to say that they all made some discoveries about themselves too.
It was amusing how Izzy seemed to become the agony aunt and confidante of the camp even though she probably felt she was the least together of them all. There is of course a very nicely done romance in the book but it’s not the central theme. As the author herself says none of her leading ladies (or men for that matter) need saved by love but they do thrive with a bit of love in their lives.
There’s No Place Like Home makes you think about what really makes a home and the importance of family and friends. But it’s also about resilience, new beginnings and finding out what matters to each individual. There’s No Place Like Home is another warm, uplifting and often funny story from Jane Lovering.
Inevitably, some of the contestants are more likeable than others but I found I warmed to them all as I got to know them. They all had their own reasons for taking part in the show and these reasons were as varied as the people themselves. They all had secrets they perhaps didn’t want to reveal initially. It was interesting following the interaction between them and how that dynamic changed as they got to know each other better. As well as finding out about each other, I think it’s fair to say that they all made some discoveries about themselves too.
It was amusing how Izzy seemed to become the agony aunt and confidante of the camp even though she probably felt she was the least together of them all. There is of course a very nicely done romance in the book but it’s not the central theme. As the author herself says none of her leading ladies (or men for that matter) need saved by love but they do thrive with a bit of love in their lives.
There’s No Place Like Home makes you think about what really makes a home and the importance of family and friends. But it’s also about resilience, new beginnings and finding out what matters to each individual. There’s No Place Like Home is another warm, uplifting and often funny story from Jane Lovering.
January 18, 2023
Blah. This will be my last by this author.
I nearly DNFed because the author and main character, by proxy, were ridiculously racist in speaking of the one Black man in the cast of characters. Junior was described in bestial, non-human terms throughout and it was offensive.
Secondly, the attempt at conjuring tension was utterly transparent. The sole device used in service of the artifice that was said tension was having the protagonist pose the same repeated rhetorical questions to herself. ‘Is he in cahoots?’ ‘Is she?’ ‘What do they have to lose?’ Terrible craft here and a capable writer and a strong editor could have caught this.
Thirdly, there was no propulsion, no character development, no real texture to the little romance that’s included, and no great friendships.
So why two stars? I had a weeklong virtual conference and listening got me through it even though the Audible narrator is dry and monotone and does Snuffy voices for the men. Also, the moments when the Mary Sue main character actually let herself be righteously angry at what the mother did were good. Nature also leapt off the page at several points. I could see the blinding sun refracted on the freezing snow.
I nearly DNFed because the author and main character, by proxy, were ridiculously racist in speaking of the one Black man in the cast of characters. Junior was described in bestial, non-human terms throughout and it was offensive.
Secondly, the attempt at conjuring tension was utterly transparent. The sole device used in service of the artifice that was said tension was having the protagonist pose the same repeated rhetorical questions to herself. ‘Is he in cahoots?’ ‘Is she?’ ‘What do they have to lose?’ Terrible craft here and a capable writer and a strong editor could have caught this.
Thirdly, there was no propulsion, no character development, no real texture to the little romance that’s included, and no great friendships.
So why two stars? I had a weeklong virtual conference and listening got me through it even though the Audible narrator is dry and monotone and does Snuffy voices for the men. Also, the moments when the Mary Sue main character actually let herself be righteously angry at what the mother did were good. Nature also leapt off the page at several points. I could see the blinding sun refracted on the freezing snow.
January 14, 2023
There are some entertaining moments in this story as Izzy and a disparate group of characters take to the Yorkshire Moors in the depths of Winter. Their task is to take part in the filming of a reality programme as they go on the hunt of a mysterious creature. None of them believe that this is anything other than a wild goose chase, but they all have a reason for wanting to be there and are willing to go along with the search. As the novel develops, you realise that they have some serious issues beneath the surface. Some are caused through family relationships. Others have relationship difficulties.
Izzy is the focus of the book and gets your sympathy from the start. She is at times the voice of reason and has a clear idea of what she wants to get from the programme. There are a few poignant moments but largely the emphasis is on humour. Romance is a slow burn but there nevertheless. This is an entertaining read which manages to sell the idea that this group of people would take part in the programme.
In short: romance blossoms as characters face up to what they want in the future.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book
Izzy is the focus of the book and gets your sympathy from the start. She is at times the voice of reason and has a clear idea of what she wants to get from the programme. There are a few poignant moments but largely the emphasis is on humour. Romance is a slow burn but there nevertheless. This is an entertaining read which manages to sell the idea that this group of people would take part in the programme.
In short: romance blossoms as characters face up to what they want in the future.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book
January 8, 2024
I really enjoyed the premise of this! Six people semi-stranded on the Yorkshire Moors for a reality TV show to 'hunt' a potential giant cat. They all have different reasons for being there and secrets they'd rather not have aired (but not in like a thrillery kind of way).
I loved each of the characters, although Kanga was annoying at times she of course had her moments, and everyone had a lot of substance to them and lots of story. The remote setting was the perfect mix of cosy but eerie, a decent camp but not exactly protected from a potential big cat. All of the tracking, the is there even a big cat and the getting to know everyone around the camp was really exciting. Lots to try and guess and work out even though it's not a mystery book.
I loved the romance and the fact it built very slowly but was so much more meaningful. Izzy's backstory was really unique (I don't want to give anything at all away) and I thought the ending was perfect although I'd have liked a bit more of it. Like a little reunion a year later of the 6 campers where they all have a chat about how their lives have gone, I need to know!
I loved each of the characters, although Kanga was annoying at times she of course had her moments, and everyone had a lot of substance to them and lots of story. The remote setting was the perfect mix of cosy but eerie, a decent camp but not exactly protected from a potential big cat. All of the tracking, the is there even a big cat and the getting to know everyone around the camp was really exciting. Lots to try and guess and work out even though it's not a mystery book.
I loved the romance and the fact it built very slowly but was so much more meaningful. Izzy's backstory was really unique (I don't want to give anything at all away) and I thought the ending was perfect although I'd have liked a bit more of it. Like a little reunion a year later of the 6 campers where they all have a chat about how their lives have gone, I need to know!
August 27, 2023
I absolutely adore Jane Lovering's take on a reality tv book! This is superb.
It's almost surprising the programme doesn't already exist, although to be fair not sure I'd want to watch it, but it's a group of people put into the Yorkshire Moors for a month in winter, with the aim of tracking to see if they can find evidence of any big cats.
It's a very mixed group that opt to take part in this show, with none of them really realising what they had signed up for until it was too lter.
Izzy is the standout character by far, and she shows amazing resilience in her life, and the secret she is hiding from the group, is one of the more interesting.
There is plenty going on in this story, as we get to know all of the characters, and also from their "celebrity big foot tracker" learn all about how to track a beast!
It's a wonderful story, that had me thinking about it even when I wasn't reading, utterly brilliant.
Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
It's almost surprising the programme doesn't already exist, although to be fair not sure I'd want to watch it, but it's a group of people put into the Yorkshire Moors for a month in winter, with the aim of tracking to see if they can find evidence of any big cats.
It's a very mixed group that opt to take part in this show, with none of them really realising what they had signed up for until it was too lter.
Izzy is the standout character by far, and she shows amazing resilience in her life, and the secret she is hiding from the group, is one of the more interesting.
There is plenty going on in this story, as we get to know all of the characters, and also from their "celebrity big foot tracker" learn all about how to track a beast!
It's a wonderful story, that had me thinking about it even when I wasn't reading, utterly brilliant.
Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
January 10, 2023
There's No Place Like Home by Jane Lovering
Isabel, Izzy to her friends, has nothing left to lose when she makes the bravest decision of her life.
A month living under canvas on the Yorkshire Moors with five strangers would not be her idea of a good time, even if there is prize money to be won at the end.
As nature tests them all to their limits, this disparate group come together to face the challenge.
In her own words, Jane Lovering writes stories about "'real' people facing real problems and issues that most of us face at some point in our lives".
There's No Place Like Home is a coming together of five multiple personalities, and as nature tests them all to their limits, this random group come together to face the challenges.
I enjoyed this story; it was well-written, engaging, and easy to read.
I want to thank publishers Boldwood Books, author Jane Lovering and Rachel's Randon Resources for a spot on the tour and a copy to read and review.
Isabel, Izzy to her friends, has nothing left to lose when she makes the bravest decision of her life.
A month living under canvas on the Yorkshire Moors with five strangers would not be her idea of a good time, even if there is prize money to be won at the end.
As nature tests them all to their limits, this disparate group come together to face the challenge.
In her own words, Jane Lovering writes stories about "'real' people facing real problems and issues that most of us face at some point in our lives".
There's No Place Like Home is a coming together of five multiple personalities, and as nature tests them all to their limits, this random group come together to face the challenges.
I enjoyed this story; it was well-written, engaging, and easy to read.
I want to thank publishers Boldwood Books, author Jane Lovering and Rachel's Randon Resources for a spot on the tour and a copy to read and review.
January 14, 2023
This is not your typical rom com and I don't think that the cover is right for the book but despite that I absolutely loved it!! It is a gameshow and the contestants have to live out in the wilderness to win lots of money but the contestants aren't expecting what they have signed up for. Will Lizzie find herself and get her life back on track? The characters are all great and I laughed alot at their squabbling and antics. An enjoyable book with humour and love about life and how we find what we most need when we least except. I was enthralled with the writing style and love this authors work it is fantastic. If you're after a rom com that is unique and written differently but still fun and intriguing then read There's no Place like Home.
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