Synopsis: “The next book in the Country Escapes series! You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone… Bets Fowler has always been perfectly fine living her life firmly within the borders of her tiny village. But when her ex, Jack, returns and is suddenly everywhere she goes, she realises just how small the parameters of her existence have become, and starts to step outside her comfort zone. Jack Ashcroft has always sought out a bigger life than he thought Wilsgrave could afford, but when a knock back sends him home, and back into Bets’ orbit, he comes to see that the world he once inhabited has a lot more to offer than he ever realised, and that leaving might have been the biggest mistake he ever made.

Now, as Bets and Jack find themselves thrown together at every turn, the exes see what was and what could be in an entirely new light…”

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My Review

I loved this book, the second in the Country Escapes series, from Julie Caplin, one of my favourite authors. I haven’t read the first book, but I’m going to, so it’s definitely okay to read this as a standalone.

It’s set in an English village, and not a a holiday destination like her Romantic Escapes series.

I loved Bets right from the start, she’s a really lovely person, but she’s been dumped by Jack, her long-term boyfriend, who also happens to be her boss’ son, and she doesn’t know who she is any more. The whole village rallies around her when Jack comes home with his tail between his legs, but she’s fed up of everyone trying to help her, so she wants to try something new.

I loved following Bets on her voyage of self discovery, it was wonderful to see her change from a people pleaser to a confident woman.

The romance between her and Jack was definitely a will they won’t they, and done so well. I loved the twists and turns in this story, even though I was fairly sure I knew where it was heading.

If you’re looking for a lovely village romance I definitely recommend this one.

Thanks so much to One More Chapter and NetGalley for my digital ARC.