Challenge Corner discussion

“The farmer is dead. He is dead, and all anyone wants to know is who killed him.”

Beth and her gentle, kind husband Frank are happily married, but their relationship relies on the past staying buried. But when Beth’s brother-in-law shoots a dog going after their sheep, Beth doesn’t realize that the gunshot will alter the course of their lives. For the dog belonged to none other than Gabriel Wolfe, the man Beth loved as a teenager—the man who broke her heart years ago. Gabriel has returned to the village with his young son Leo, a boy who reminds Beth very much of her own son, who died in a tragic accident.

As Beth is pulled back into Gabriel’s life, tensions around the village rise and dangerous secrets and jealousies from the past resurface, this time with deadly consequences. Beth is forced to make a choice between the woman she once was, and the woman she has become.

A sweeping love story with the pace and twists of a thriller, Broken Country is a novel of simmering passion, impossible choices, and explosive consequences that toggles between the past and present to explore the far-reaching legacy of first love.

Starting this one today after a doctor appointment. I hope we love it!

*sigh* I think I'm going to have to wait to start this one until 5/2.
I'm just a little behind . . .

I understand, but I need it today because it's my final book for UNO.

Part One

I'm really liking this one. It's a simple, easy, quick read but it's touching me right where it feels good. lol

(view spoiler)[I have really loved reading the BEFORE sections until this very last chapter. Jeez, I was NOT expecting him to sleep with Louisa but nor would I have expected her to read his private diary. BIG mistake! But I love their young days and how they fell in love. I didn't think Frank was going to be back in that time frame but he loved her too and now she's married to him.

I feel sad that they lost Bobby and while I love the relationship she's building with Leo I think it could spell danger. I feel like now that she's married to Frank she should live up to her wedding vows. I'm curious what's going to happen. (hide spoiler)]

Part Two

(view spoiler)[Wow! That was just awful how Bobby died! His dad should never have taken him with them knowing that he tended to wander that way. Ugh…just so sad. You could tell how badly she wanted her son, and she loved him so much. The heartache of thinking of that happening to your own child is unbearable. I worry that she’s kind of replacing Bobby with Leo and that would not end up well for him. (hide spoiler)]

Part Three

(view spoiler)[So he never slept with Louisa. Theirs was a marriage for the wrong reason, so I get why she fell for someone else. I was surprised that she met up with Beth and basically gave her the go ahead to cheat on Frank.
Jimmy is going to kill Gabriel, but my worry is if he’ll somehow inadvertently kill Leo. Jimmy is definitely out of his mind. I thought the way the author switched over to days of the week after Jimmy’s and Nina’s wedding was interesting.
And poor Frank. He obviously loves Beth a lot to put up with knowing she’s been with Gabriel. It’s a rare man who’d allow that without getting pissed off, but he’s more hurt than angry it seems Like he’s just a shell of a person now. ☹ (hide spoiler)]

Finished

WOW! I wasn't expecting any of that but (view spoiler)[what a good man Frank was! He loved Bobby like his own son. He covered for Leo. And he totally forgave his wife for her indiscretions. I was surprised that it was Leo who killed Jimmy and I'm so sad that Jimmy died. I love that Frank and Beth had Grace.

I thought this book was so beautifully written. I thought it really worked how the author had POV's for the different characters, then the chapters on the trial, and the week after the wedding. I just thought it was brilliantly done. (hide spoiler)]

Part 1 / 105 pages

(view spoiler)[Really good start. I'm instantly drawn in.

I like Beth and her quiet life with Frank.

but I'm a little worried - I wonder if Bobby was actually Gabriel's biological son and Frank was raising him. I wonder if that's why she's telling Leo about him - because they were half brothers. But maybe I'm wrong.

and yeah, Gabriel was a selfish silly boy but it did seem like the mom was going to be a problem their whole relationship. and you have to wonder if Beth would have liked the life Gabriel lives now or if she would love the life she and Frank have more.

I wonder what happened to Bobby.

and I wonder if the trial is not what it seems. She keeps saying its the phrasing they've memorized and the words they've agreed on. I wonder what its about (hide spoiler)]

done

(view spoiler)[ I agree, this one was just beautiful. After part 2, it was a really fast pace and a fast read - I flew right through it.

I was sad Jimmy was the one who died but he really did seem like he was running off the rails.

I thought Bobby might have been Gabriel's and I knew Frank would raise him and love him like his own.

I'm so glad that they had another baby. I was worried that AGAIN this baby would be Gabriel's and not Frank's.
I love that Leo still visited Frank. Frank just felt so guilty. Frank was such an amazing husband and man. What a wonderfully heartbreaking story. I found it so hard to read about her cheating on Frank (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "Part 1 / 105 pages

Really good start. I'm instantly drawn in.

I like Beth and her quiet life with Frank.

but I'm a little worried - I wonder if Bobby was actually Gabriel's biological son and ..."

You always know the twists it seems like. Good call very early on!!

Trisha wrote: "done

I agree, this one was just beautiful. After part 2, it was a really fast pace and a fast read - I flew right through it.

I was sad Jimmy was the one who died but he really did seem like he ..."

(view spoiler)[Yes, I was glad she was Frank's this time too. lol

And, yeah, the cheating part was rough, especially since Frank was a real man...a super good guy! (hide spoiler)]

Anyone planning on this soon in August?

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RESTARTING DECEMBER 3RD, 2025

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