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The Green Hills of Home
Shy Gwen Jones lives in the beautiful rolling hills of the Welsh countryside in a sweet little farmhouse that’s been in the family for generations.
She dreams of becoming a famous writer, but that sort of thing never happens to ordinary country girls.
Then Gwen lands a deal with a prestigious London publisher. Her new editor John comes to stay to work on her book. He’s aloof and pompous and thinks he knows everything, but he certainly is handsome . . .
Before long the pair can’t deny their mutual attraction. But cosmopolitan John never planned on getting distracted by pretty Welsh writers. And country girl Gwen has no plans to leave the green hills of home.
Then John suddenly ups and leaves, and Gwen’s book deal is cancelled. Did he ever really have feelings for her?
Gwen knows that if their love stands any chance, she’ll need to swallow her fears and write her own destiny.
She dreams of becoming a famous writer, but that sort of thing never happens to ordinary country girls.
Then Gwen lands a deal with a prestigious London publisher. Her new editor John comes to stay to work on her book. He’s aloof and pompous and thinks he knows everything, but he certainly is handsome . . .
Before long the pair can’t deny their mutual attraction. But cosmopolitan John never planned on getting distracted by pretty Welsh writers. And country girl Gwen has no plans to leave the green hills of home.
Then John suddenly ups and leaves, and Gwen’s book deal is cancelled. Did he ever really have feelings for her?
Gwen knows that if their love stands any chance, she’ll need to swallow her fears and write her own destiny.
191 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 21, 2013
121 people are currently reading
444 people want to read
About the author
Emma Bennet
20 books134 followersEmma grew up and lived in London, before falling in love and moving to Wales to marry her own hero. Emma now lives with her husband, 4 children, and many animals a few miles outside of a small Welsh market town. She can often be found in rivers attempting to control two overexcited chocolate labradors.
Seven charming romances are currently available from the Amazon bestselling authoress:
Number 1 Australian kindle bestseller, 'His Secret Daughter', is the heart-rending story of Iris, a woman falling in love with the father of her child. The only problem is she never told him they had a daughter.
The beautiful landscape around her home gave Emma the inspiration for 'The Green Hills of Home', a tale of love and duty in which country girl Gwen struggles to save her family home and avoid her feelings for her handsome, suave new boss. Is he quite all he seems?
'Snowed in for her Wedding Day' is a novella picking up Gwen's story as her wedding day approaches, but with terrible weather, and an absent groom, will she have the happy ending she so deserves?
'Just Desserts' is a novella about confused chef Leah, who's falling for her handsome French co-worker Jean-Claude, but meant to be marrying to Dan in just a few weeks! Who will she choose?
'Her Perfect Hero' was released in July 2015 as 'I Need a Hero', it's a lovely comic romantic read for anyone who's ever searched for Mr Right (and failed to find him!). Despair of Bronte, a romance writer, incapable of spotting when the perfect man is right next door! Full of horses, country houses and dentists, just beware of the foul-tempered cat Mr Darcy!
'Starstruck', proves that falling in love with a rock star is harder than you'd think! When newly divorced Kate finds school friend, now super famous rock star Joseph Wild, on her doorstep, her whole quiet, ordinary life is thrown into disarray. Is the attraction between them enough to make up for all the hurdles they have to cross if they want to be together?
Latest release, 'Her Sister's Baby' is a beautiful and emotional story about grief, the promises we make and finding love in the most unexpected of places.
Emma likes (in no particular order): cake, books, Cary Grant films, prosecco, chocolate, guinea pigs, knitting, quilting and happily ever afters!
Seven charming romances are currently available from the Amazon bestselling authoress:
Number 1 Australian kindle bestseller, 'His Secret Daughter', is the heart-rending story of Iris, a woman falling in love with the father of her child. The only problem is she never told him they had a daughter.
The beautiful landscape around her home gave Emma the inspiration for 'The Green Hills of Home', a tale of love and duty in which country girl Gwen struggles to save her family home and avoid her feelings for her handsome, suave new boss. Is he quite all he seems?
'Snowed in for her Wedding Day' is a novella picking up Gwen's story as her wedding day approaches, but with terrible weather, and an absent groom, will she have the happy ending she so deserves?
'Just Desserts' is a novella about confused chef Leah, who's falling for her handsome French co-worker Jean-Claude, but meant to be marrying to Dan in just a few weeks! Who will she choose?
'Her Perfect Hero' was released in July 2015 as 'I Need a Hero', it's a lovely comic romantic read for anyone who's ever searched for Mr Right (and failed to find him!). Despair of Bronte, a romance writer, incapable of spotting when the perfect man is right next door! Full of horses, country houses and dentists, just beware of the foul-tempered cat Mr Darcy!
'Starstruck', proves that falling in love with a rock star is harder than you'd think! When newly divorced Kate finds school friend, now super famous rock star Joseph Wild, on her doorstep, her whole quiet, ordinary life is thrown into disarray. Is the attraction between them enough to make up for all the hurdles they have to cross if they want to be together?
Latest release, 'Her Sister's Baby' is a beautiful and emotional story about grief, the promises we make and finding love in the most unexpected of places.
Emma likes (in no particular order): cake, books, Cary Grant films, prosecco, chocolate, guinea pigs, knitting, quilting and happily ever afters!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
September 6, 2013
What a great read! A lovely story - very very romantic, great characters, and just enough little plot twists to engross you in the tale and really keep you reading without being distracting.
The quality of the writing is very good and I’ll definitely re-read.
Sweet rather than steamy, it’s not for when you’re in a ’50 Shades’ kinda mood.
To characterise, I’d say a romance’s romance yet somehow retaining a Chick-Litty vibe.
The quality of the writing is very good and I’ll definitely re-read.
Sweet rather than steamy, it’s not for when you’re in a ’50 Shades’ kinda mood.
To characterise, I’d say a romance’s romance yet somehow retaining a Chick-Litty vibe.
March 31, 2015
This book really annoyed me for some reason. Don't know if it was just my state of mind at the time of reading but it seems like I was reading a different book from everyone else.
The main character is a twenty something year old woman who grew up in the countryside of Wales and wants to become a writer so she can raise enough money to buy the family home. She gets offered a 3 book deal from a publishing house and has to work with an editor to get it ready for publication.
This book wound me up for a number of reasons. Firstly, there are so many stereotypes it's actually painful. Coming from the country, the main character Gwen is nervous and out of place when she goes to London as apparently at 20 something she has never been to a city before. Everyone in the town where she lives knows each other and all are friendly and seem to spend all their time gossiping rather than doing any actual work. John, her editor, comes from London so of course he's completely lost in the country, is a workaholic and can't relax. Like all people who live in cities he's only interested in making money.
The other thing that really annoyed me was Gwen. After landing the publishing deal that was to save the family home she then refused to accommodate them in any way. She couldn't possibly go to London to work with the editor because her mum was ill and she had to care for her. Not true, her mum was in hospital so she was unable to travel because she wanted to go visit her every day and couldn't possibly miss the odd day. Unless of course it suited her in which case she just gave her a ring on the phone instead. She also had a job which she couldn't possibly miss. Although the job was 3 or 4 hour shifts every few days in a tea room where the owners were perfectly happy to change them to suit her. It was also difficult for her as she had no man to help with the chores around the house and she didn't want to be an old maid (direct quote).
What century is this book set in. I live alone, work 50-60 hour weeks at a very stressful job, pay all of my bills, look after the house and my animals and still have to find time to look after an ill relative. She doesn't know how lucky she is to faff around in a tea shop for a couple of hours a week and spend the rest of her time gossiping, sleeping in and making the odd trip to the hospital.
SPOILER: Don't worry though by the end of the book she finds a man with money who pays for everything and takes over all of the household chores.
The main character is a twenty something year old woman who grew up in the countryside of Wales and wants to become a writer so she can raise enough money to buy the family home. She gets offered a 3 book deal from a publishing house and has to work with an editor to get it ready for publication.
This book wound me up for a number of reasons. Firstly, there are so many stereotypes it's actually painful. Coming from the country, the main character Gwen is nervous and out of place when she goes to London as apparently at 20 something she has never been to a city before. Everyone in the town where she lives knows each other and all are friendly and seem to spend all their time gossiping rather than doing any actual work. John, her editor, comes from London so of course he's completely lost in the country, is a workaholic and can't relax. Like all people who live in cities he's only interested in making money.
The other thing that really annoyed me was Gwen. After landing the publishing deal that was to save the family home she then refused to accommodate them in any way. She couldn't possibly go to London to work with the editor because her mum was ill and she had to care for her. Not true, her mum was in hospital so she was unable to travel because she wanted to go visit her every day and couldn't possibly miss the odd day. Unless of course it suited her in which case she just gave her a ring on the phone instead. She also had a job which she couldn't possibly miss. Although the job was 3 or 4 hour shifts every few days in a tea room where the owners were perfectly happy to change them to suit her. It was also difficult for her as she had no man to help with the chores around the house and she didn't want to be an old maid (direct quote).
What century is this book set in. I live alone, work 50-60 hour weeks at a very stressful job, pay all of my bills, look after the house and my animals and still have to find time to look after an ill relative. She doesn't know how lucky she is to faff around in a tea shop for a couple of hours a week and spend the rest of her time gossiping, sleeping in and making the odd trip to the hospital.
SPOILER: Don't worry though by the end of the book she finds a man with money who pays for everything and takes over all of the household chores.
August 14, 2013
On Thursday I bought the e-book of The Green Hills of Home by Emma Bennet, a little bit because her cover reminds me of my own, but also because we connected via Chick Lit Goddess group on Facebook.
I read the first little bit while on my lunch hour and then had to give it up for work (the inconvenience of it) anyway Friday Night arrived and I couldn’t get to sleep for whatever reason. So I opened my Kindle and started reading, just for an hour I told myself, that was 12.15 am, at 3.45 am, I closed my Kindle, smiling because I’d just finished a fantastic book and finally able to nod off.
For me, any book you can devour in a few hours is fantastic, I’m a very fast reader and as it’s on Kindle I don’t really know how long the book is, but it’s a lovely story that keeps you guessing.
Gwen is a writer and signs a three book deal with Black Horse Publishing, a deal which will secure her family home for her and her ailing mother. Gwen cant spend time in London working on her manuscript with her editor John, so he comes to spend time with her in Wales. What follows is a very entertaining story, filled with misunderstandings, laughter, possibly a few tears and a very lovely love story.
Emma has created a very likeable and personable (especially for a fellow author) character with Gwen, I instantly felt a little like she could be my friend, something invaluable in a book I find. With John, I wasn’t ever sure what I made of him, that’s kind of the point, at times he seems so confident and sexy and at other times, he seems like the kind of man who you would happily slap for being such a pompous ass. The other characters weaved into the story are equally likeable, except when they aren’t!
I don’t like to give away the stories, I’ve said it before, I don’t like spoilers, so I don’t do them *much*.
I highly recommend this book as a nice easy enjoyable read! Five Stars!
I read the first little bit while on my lunch hour and then had to give it up for work (the inconvenience of it) anyway Friday Night arrived and I couldn’t get to sleep for whatever reason. So I opened my Kindle and started reading, just for an hour I told myself, that was 12.15 am, at 3.45 am, I closed my Kindle, smiling because I’d just finished a fantastic book and finally able to nod off.
For me, any book you can devour in a few hours is fantastic, I’m a very fast reader and as it’s on Kindle I don’t really know how long the book is, but it’s a lovely story that keeps you guessing.
Gwen is a writer and signs a three book deal with Black Horse Publishing, a deal which will secure her family home for her and her ailing mother. Gwen cant spend time in London working on her manuscript with her editor John, so he comes to spend time with her in Wales. What follows is a very entertaining story, filled with misunderstandings, laughter, possibly a few tears and a very lovely love story.
Emma has created a very likeable and personable (especially for a fellow author) character with Gwen, I instantly felt a little like she could be my friend, something invaluable in a book I find. With John, I wasn’t ever sure what I made of him, that’s kind of the point, at times he seems so confident and sexy and at other times, he seems like the kind of man who you would happily slap for being such a pompous ass. The other characters weaved into the story are equally likeable, except when they aren’t!
I don’t like to give away the stories, I’ve said it before, I don’t like spoilers, so I don’t do them *much*.
I highly recommend this book as a nice easy enjoyable read! Five Stars!
July 7, 2013
The Green Hills of Home is the début novel from Emma Bennet, and what a fantastic start it is!
I was captured within the first few pages, which doesn't always happen with a new book as I can often find it hard to get to know the characters etc, but I was instantly swept away with Gwen; a country mouse like me, trying to make her way round London after an exciting meeting with a publisher (unlike me!)
The story follows Gwen through the highs and lows of a 'will they - won't they' romance with handsome and sometimes charismatic editor, John Thatcher who has to stay in her remote Welsh farmhouse to work on her newly signed book, as caring for her mother makes it difficult for Gwen to travel far.
Gwen thinks all her problems are solved with the book deal as her family home is being sold from beneath them, and with her beloved elderly and infirm mother to care for it seems like her perfect wish has come true, but will it all be plain sailing to get there?
I loved every aspect of this book, it is a classic and gentle romance with strong values of duty and devotion that carry the story along nicely. It is very well written with 'gasp out loud' plot twists that leave you feeling momentarily bereft for Gwen, who is a lovely, relatable character!
In fact I loved all the characters and relationships within this book, I especially loved Gwen's dog - Oscar!
The description of the Welsh scenery and the creaky cottage was delightful; I could imagine I was sat at Gwen's kitchen table with her!
Just one question...what was the book Gwen was working on...?
The ending was beautiful and all was tied up nicely, I am very much looking forward to Emma's next novel!
I was captured within the first few pages, which doesn't always happen with a new book as I can often find it hard to get to know the characters etc, but I was instantly swept away with Gwen; a country mouse like me, trying to make her way round London after an exciting meeting with a publisher (unlike me!)
The story follows Gwen through the highs and lows of a 'will they - won't they' romance with handsome and sometimes charismatic editor, John Thatcher who has to stay in her remote Welsh farmhouse to work on her newly signed book, as caring for her mother makes it difficult for Gwen to travel far.
Gwen thinks all her problems are solved with the book deal as her family home is being sold from beneath them, and with her beloved elderly and infirm mother to care for it seems like her perfect wish has come true, but will it all be plain sailing to get there?
I loved every aspect of this book, it is a classic and gentle romance with strong values of duty and devotion that carry the story along nicely. It is very well written with 'gasp out loud' plot twists that leave you feeling momentarily bereft for Gwen, who is a lovely, relatable character!
In fact I loved all the characters and relationships within this book, I especially loved Gwen's dog - Oscar!
The description of the Welsh scenery and the creaky cottage was delightful; I could imagine I was sat at Gwen's kitchen table with her!
Just one question...what was the book Gwen was working on...?
The ending was beautiful and all was tied up nicely, I am very much looking forward to Emma's next novel!
February 13, 2014
Review to come http://confessionsofafantasyfreak.blo... 13/2
The author gave me a copy for my honest review. I have to say I really liked this one. It's a light romance with plenty of falling in love moments.
The Green Hills of of Home is Emma Bennet's debut Novel and I think she's done a wonderful and amazing job. She capture you in the first pages with her characters and their circumstances and I've got to say that I really connect to Gwen as I'm an author myself. Her emotions and feelings were dead on. I think she had done a wonderful job with Gwen and not to mention the heart throb editor. What we authors wouldn't do to land an editor like John Thatcher.
Gwen's dog Oscar is really playing a very important role in this novel and everyone will fall in love with him and how he changes John.
I love romance but I hate the type of novels that just jump with one another into bed without even knowing who the other person is. Emma didn't do it here. Half way through the novel there isn't even any mention of falling in love etc and when it did happened it was so much more magical.
I appreciate the fact that Emma chose to do it that way. We got a chance to fall in love with Gwen and John and that says a lot.
I would recommend this novel to every one that loves a good light romance.
Nice Job Emma and good luck with your writing career.
The author gave me a copy for my honest review. I have to say I really liked this one. It's a light romance with plenty of falling in love moments.
The Green Hills of of Home is Emma Bennet's debut Novel and I think she's done a wonderful and amazing job. She capture you in the first pages with her characters and their circumstances and I've got to say that I really connect to Gwen as I'm an author myself. Her emotions and feelings were dead on. I think she had done a wonderful job with Gwen and not to mention the heart throb editor. What we authors wouldn't do to land an editor like John Thatcher.
Gwen's dog Oscar is really playing a very important role in this novel and everyone will fall in love with him and how he changes John.
I love romance but I hate the type of novels that just jump with one another into bed without even knowing who the other person is. Emma didn't do it here. Half way through the novel there isn't even any mention of falling in love etc and when it did happened it was so much more magical.
I appreciate the fact that Emma chose to do it that way. We got a chance to fall in love with Gwen and John and that says a lot.
I would recommend this novel to every one that loves a good light romance.
Nice Job Emma and good luck with your writing career.
January 15, 2014
Writer Gwen Jones is thrilled when her manuscript is about to be published, but editor John Thatcher is looking like he will be difficult for Gwen to work with and he is not happy that Gwen’s commitment to her ill mum Edith means that she cannot travel to London to work, so he must make the journey to the remote part of Wales were Gwen lives.
Gwen is really hoping to land this book deal as she desperately needs the money to save her home, but with John been moody and them having to spend so much time together. Will all go to plan?
This book had me intrigued from page one. It is a delightful story mainly just featuring the two central characters of Gwen and John. The book is really well written with a story line that will just make you want to keep on reading.
Gwen is really hoping to land this book deal as she desperately needs the money to save her home, but with John been moody and them having to spend so much time together. Will all go to plan?
This book had me intrigued from page one. It is a delightful story mainly just featuring the two central characters of Gwen and John. The book is really well written with a story line that will just make you want to keep on reading.
February 3, 2014
I absolutely loved it. Couldn't put it down, then once I'd finished...I just started reading it again.
It's a perfect Romance - the characters and the plot are just right, and the writing is absolutely lovely (and as much as i adore Romances for the stories, not wanting to be uncharitable, but sometimes the writing quality slips with some authors - not here!).
Contemporary and clean, I'd recommend.
It's a perfect Romance - the characters and the plot are just right, and the writing is absolutely lovely (and as much as i adore Romances for the stories, not wanting to be uncharitable, but sometimes the writing quality slips with some authors - not here!).
Contemporary and clean, I'd recommend.
March 17, 2015
I really enjoyed this book, it was a nice gentle love story with great characters and a great story. It was well written and flowed easily. The only criticism I have is that there are only ten chapters and they are quite long, I think they could have been spaced about a bit more for ease of reading. But I would recommend this to all romance and chick lit fans.
June 28, 2013
A perfect light summer romance. I fell in love with this book, the characters, and the story. I enjoyed all the banter between all of the characters.I laughed and cried with them. For me, it was one of those soul satisfying reads, that just makes you happy. I look forward to more stories from Emma.
January 8, 2014
Bought it for Christmas - loved it!
Well written, lovely plot, nice setting.
Would recommend:)
Well written, lovely plot, nice setting.
Would recommend:)
October 25, 2014
Originally posted on beccasbooooks.blogspot.co.uk
Firstly, I'd like to say a huge thank you to the lovely author Emma Bennet for getting in contact with me and requesting a review for The Green Hills of Home. I love finding new review requests in my inbox, I always feel a little bubble of excitement at the thought of discovering a new author and another brand new story. It's probably one of my favourite feelings in the world! So Emma, I cannot thank you enough.
I think one of the main reasons as to why I enjoyed reading The Green Hills of Home so much was because of the fact that Emma's heroine Gwen Jones was an aspiring writer. Dabbling in writing myself, I was able to connect and click with her instantly. She was passionate about her work, eager to succeed, and I just think it was such a gorgeous aspect to add the story. I haven't read that many stories that have involved authors before, so it was a delightfully refreshing change from the characters who are stuck in an office all day, you know? Another thing that I noticed almost immediately regarding Gwen's character, and something that made me respect her even more, was how fiercely loyal she was to her dear mother. When Gwen was given a book-deal, despite it being a dream come true, she wasn't willing to start travelling all over the place because she wanted to be there if and when her mother needed her. I found this incredibly heart-warming, and it emphasised how truly selfless Gwen's character was. She was polite, intelligent, and was not about to let her mother down, no matter cropped up. There was a ton of depth to her character, allowing me to really get to know her from the inside out. Her worries, what made her happy, and what wound her up. What I loved was even though Gwen was polite and friendly, she wasn't about to let anybody walk all over her. She was firm in her beliefs and so considerate when it came to her mother who was in the hospital. Overall, Gwen's character was truly likeable, and it was a joy to be invited along on her journey.
When Gwen is given her book-deal, John Thatcher, the handsome man that she's bumped into numerous times on the street, turns out to be her stone-faced, workaholic editor. From the moment Gwen walks into his office to introduce herself, John is not the most welcoming. In fact, he's downright rude. Emma did such a fantastic job of creating the love/hate relationship between these two, and the fact that the story also slipped into John's point of view too, made it endlessly entertaining. The majority of the time, John had his phone permanently glued to the side of his face and was too busy typing to actually make polite conversation. So, when Gwen refuses to head back to work with John on her manuscript, he has no other option except to go to Gwen instead. Eeeep! I freaking loved this aspect! I adored the fact that John would be stepping out of his usual habitat of technology and sleek professionalism and heading to Wales, to the land of countryside, and to a farmhouse where his signal was going to be non-existent. He was like a fish out of water! I laughed out loud at the thought of him being there, completely stranded without the use of his phone and without news from back at the office. I found John's character to be increasingly frustrating. He was so proper and serious all the time, and if I'd have been Emma, I would have kicked him straight out of my home and told him to bugger off back to where he came from. Of course, Gwen wouldn't have been able to that! John was her editor, at the publishing house where she'd just been given a book deal! Even an inch of rudeness could have put her right back where she started, and the farmhouse would have been hanging in the balance. I just got this distinct impression from him that nothing was good enough, nothing was up to his impeccably high standards, and at one point during reading, I was actually hoping and praying that he was going to loosen up, because I was just wound up by his rude manner! Of course, poor old John wasn't being like that for no reason. Everybody has their reasons for acting the way they do, and that includes Mr John Thatcher, too. Thankfully, the added bonus of Emma flipping the narrative to John allowed me to get inside his mind and find out what exactly was the reason that had him behaving the way he was. It was BRILLIANT!!!
Emma moved her plot along at such a lovely, gentle pace, going into depth with details at just the right moments and letting me in on little secrets here and there. Her dilemma was evident; she needed the book-deal to help keep the farmhouse. If she lost the farmhouse, then her mother would have been devastated, and book -deal or no book-deal, Gwen Jones would have felt like a big fat failure. Generations of their family had lived in the farmhouse, and there was no way that Gwen was prepared to give it up. The fact that Gwen's mother was in hospital broke the story up nicely, allowing Gwen time away from John whenever he was staying at her home to work on her manuscript. I felt that if it hadn't of been for visiting her mother, Gwen would have been driven completely insane! Another character that I capture my heart was the absolutely adorable Oscar, Gwen's dog. I think Oscar played such a great role in the story, and played a part in turning John's opinions around about the farmhouse, where Gwen lived, and even Gwen herself. The atmosphere between the two characters was up and down constantly; sometimes they were getting along, other times they were each other's worst enemy. I loved watching how, over time, the relationship changed and moulded into something new entirely. The progression of it was perfect, and I am so thankful that Emma didn't rush it, because it just wouldn't have had the same effect on me.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading The Green Hills of Home by Emma Bennet. It was warm, entertaining, and superbly written. The romance, the dilemmas, the determination to keep the farmhouse! It all equalled one fabulous read that I'm so happy I had the chance to read and review. Again, Emma, thank you SO much for getting in contact with me, and I do hope you keep me in my mind when looking for any future reviewers. I'd be more than happy to volunteer myself! ;)
Becca's Books is rating The Green Hills of Home by Emma Bennet with four cupcakes! The setting of Wales, the lack of signal and the creaky old farmhouse made for one gorgeous story that I happily snuggled up with.
Firstly, I'd like to say a huge thank you to the lovely author Emma Bennet for getting in contact with me and requesting a review for The Green Hills of Home. I love finding new review requests in my inbox, I always feel a little bubble of excitement at the thought of discovering a new author and another brand new story. It's probably one of my favourite feelings in the world! So Emma, I cannot thank you enough.
I think one of the main reasons as to why I enjoyed reading The Green Hills of Home so much was because of the fact that Emma's heroine Gwen Jones was an aspiring writer. Dabbling in writing myself, I was able to connect and click with her instantly. She was passionate about her work, eager to succeed, and I just think it was such a gorgeous aspect to add the story. I haven't read that many stories that have involved authors before, so it was a delightfully refreshing change from the characters who are stuck in an office all day, you know? Another thing that I noticed almost immediately regarding Gwen's character, and something that made me respect her even more, was how fiercely loyal she was to her dear mother. When Gwen was given a book-deal, despite it being a dream come true, she wasn't willing to start travelling all over the place because she wanted to be there if and when her mother needed her. I found this incredibly heart-warming, and it emphasised how truly selfless Gwen's character was. She was polite, intelligent, and was not about to let her mother down, no matter cropped up. There was a ton of depth to her character, allowing me to really get to know her from the inside out. Her worries, what made her happy, and what wound her up. What I loved was even though Gwen was polite and friendly, she wasn't about to let anybody walk all over her. She was firm in her beliefs and so considerate when it came to her mother who was in the hospital. Overall, Gwen's character was truly likeable, and it was a joy to be invited along on her journey.
When Gwen is given her book-deal, John Thatcher, the handsome man that she's bumped into numerous times on the street, turns out to be her stone-faced, workaholic editor. From the moment Gwen walks into his office to introduce herself, John is not the most welcoming. In fact, he's downright rude. Emma did such a fantastic job of creating the love/hate relationship between these two, and the fact that the story also slipped into John's point of view too, made it endlessly entertaining. The majority of the time, John had his phone permanently glued to the side of his face and was too busy typing to actually make polite conversation. So, when Gwen refuses to head back to work with John on her manuscript, he has no other option except to go to Gwen instead. Eeeep! I freaking loved this aspect! I adored the fact that John would be stepping out of his usual habitat of technology and sleek professionalism and heading to Wales, to the land of countryside, and to a farmhouse where his signal was going to be non-existent. He was like a fish out of water! I laughed out loud at the thought of him being there, completely stranded without the use of his phone and without news from back at the office. I found John's character to be increasingly frustrating. He was so proper and serious all the time, and if I'd have been Emma, I would have kicked him straight out of my home and told him to bugger off back to where he came from. Of course, Gwen wouldn't have been able to that! John was her editor, at the publishing house where she'd just been given a book deal! Even an inch of rudeness could have put her right back where she started, and the farmhouse would have been hanging in the balance. I just got this distinct impression from him that nothing was good enough, nothing was up to his impeccably high standards, and at one point during reading, I was actually hoping and praying that he was going to loosen up, because I was just wound up by his rude manner! Of course, poor old John wasn't being like that for no reason. Everybody has their reasons for acting the way they do, and that includes Mr John Thatcher, too. Thankfully, the added bonus of Emma flipping the narrative to John allowed me to get inside his mind and find out what exactly was the reason that had him behaving the way he was. It was BRILLIANT!!!
Emma moved her plot along at such a lovely, gentle pace, going into depth with details at just the right moments and letting me in on little secrets here and there. Her dilemma was evident; she needed the book-deal to help keep the farmhouse. If she lost the farmhouse, then her mother would have been devastated, and book -deal or no book-deal, Gwen Jones would have felt like a big fat failure. Generations of their family had lived in the farmhouse, and there was no way that Gwen was prepared to give it up. The fact that Gwen's mother was in hospital broke the story up nicely, allowing Gwen time away from John whenever he was staying at her home to work on her manuscript. I felt that if it hadn't of been for visiting her mother, Gwen would have been driven completely insane! Another character that I capture my heart was the absolutely adorable Oscar, Gwen's dog. I think Oscar played such a great role in the story, and played a part in turning John's opinions around about the farmhouse, where Gwen lived, and even Gwen herself. The atmosphere between the two characters was up and down constantly; sometimes they were getting along, other times they were each other's worst enemy. I loved watching how, over time, the relationship changed and moulded into something new entirely. The progression of it was perfect, and I am so thankful that Emma didn't rush it, because it just wouldn't have had the same effect on me.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading The Green Hills of Home by Emma Bennet. It was warm, entertaining, and superbly written. The romance, the dilemmas, the determination to keep the farmhouse! It all equalled one fabulous read that I'm so happy I had the chance to read and review. Again, Emma, thank you SO much for getting in contact with me, and I do hope you keep me in my mind when looking for any future reviewers. I'd be more than happy to volunteer myself! ;)
Becca's Books is rating The Green Hills of Home by Emma Bennet with four cupcakes! The setting of Wales, the lack of signal and the creaky old farmhouse made for one gorgeous story that I happily snuggled up with.
January 4, 2023
I've read so many crime stories recently and didn't particularly enjoy the last two so I wanted something lighter to read. This is certainly that - you know how it's going to end almost from the start just as you know straight away who the man Gwen bumps into is going to turn out to be. I did enjoy it though. It's a nice gentle story told with humour and just what I needed. Thank you Emma. I'll be reading more of your books.
December 13, 2013
Firstly, I’d like to thank Emma Bennet for providing me with a lovely signed paperback review copy of her book. I will admit straight up that I’m not a huge fan of romance. Books, films, valentines day – It all makes me a bit squeamish but I’m all for trying new books that I wouldn’t usually read so I decided to give it a go. The Green Hills of Home is about a young writer called Gwen who luckily enough lands herself a publishing contract with Black Horse Publishing. The money from this deal is crucial as she needs it to save the farmhouse she, and many generations of her family before her, have lived in. With her mother ill in hospital, she is unable to travel to London every day to work with her editor so her editor comes to stay in her house to work on her book. Of course her editor, John Thatcher, is extremely handsome, passionate and a true gentleman. He is also completely falling for Gwen. After a rocky start, the pair find common ground and start working quite well together but can John really risk his job that he strives for every day to be with someone he works with? Can Gwen start something up with her editor whilst the future of her beloved house is so rocky and her mother is ill in hospital? Whilst they battle obstacles together and as individuals, will Gwen’s devotion as a daughter over-run her desire to be with John? Is John capable of loving anyone as much as he loves his job? The story covers duty and devotion, compassion and loyalty and above all – the power of love.
The author was good at putting across how awkward the two main characters felt towards each other at the beginning and how slowly over time they got more and more comfortable with each other. I got to about 3/4 of the way through and did wonder when anything romantic was going to happen between them but then things started to fall into place. The author was very good at building up the tension and suspense in their relationship. The story was quite straight-forward but I loved that Emma wasn’t afraid to throw in some obstacles for the characters to shake things up a bit and it was interesting and somewhat surprising to see how they reacted. As silly as this may sound, I liked that Gwen’s dog, Oscar, had quite an important role in the story. Oscar is what seemed to open John up and allow his emotions that he’d previously tried hard to hide shine through and I though that was a really nice touch to the story. John came across very cold at the beginning of the book and I’ll admit – I didn’t like him very much! He wasn’t sensitive to Gwen’s situation and thought only of himself. I got to about chapter 4 and still knew very little about him other than the fact he is a workaholic and although originally I thought that was quite a negative thing by the end of the book I thought it worked quite well because about halfway through John definitely finds his feet in Gwen’s world and you really begin to see another side of him. It also showed how quickly he was affected by Gwen and her life. I would however have liked him to be a more prominent figure in the earlier chapters and if anything be even ruder and colder than he really was!
One thing I noticed was the characters inconsistency towards each other. I know as individuals they are both confused about their feelings towards one another but I found one sentence in which Gwen was saying how rude John was and then the sentence immediately after she was sad that he was leaving the following day. I think the idea that their emotions are very conflicting is good but I feel it could have been put across a bit more strategically. I felt this book was a good length and a well-rounded story. It was well-written but not exceptionally-written and what I mean by that is that I could easily tell it was the authors first novel. A very enjoyable, established and well thought-out first novel but in my opinion, if there was more emphasis on helping the reader live the story rather than just reading it I think it would have been a slight improvement.
This was a sweet, heart-warming and very safe debut novel. I personally would have liked a bit more drama – but that’s just me and obviously not what the author was going for. It was very readable – I finished it in only 2 days – and although I said I don’t really enjoy romance I actually couldn’t put this book down. The romance side of things wasn’t too over-whelming – which was what I was worried about. Instead it was well proportionated in comparison to other aspects of the book and I felt there was a nice balance between Gwen’s feelings for John and her other duties, particularly to her mother. This was a lovely little story that showed the difference in people and their own little worlds, the importance of family and making compromises for those you love.
Find all my reviews here: www.jennyinneverland.wordpress.com
The author was good at putting across how awkward the two main characters felt towards each other at the beginning and how slowly over time they got more and more comfortable with each other. I got to about 3/4 of the way through and did wonder when anything romantic was going to happen between them but then things started to fall into place. The author was very good at building up the tension and suspense in their relationship. The story was quite straight-forward but I loved that Emma wasn’t afraid to throw in some obstacles for the characters to shake things up a bit and it was interesting and somewhat surprising to see how they reacted. As silly as this may sound, I liked that Gwen’s dog, Oscar, had quite an important role in the story. Oscar is what seemed to open John up and allow his emotions that he’d previously tried hard to hide shine through and I though that was a really nice touch to the story. John came across very cold at the beginning of the book and I’ll admit – I didn’t like him very much! He wasn’t sensitive to Gwen’s situation and thought only of himself. I got to about chapter 4 and still knew very little about him other than the fact he is a workaholic and although originally I thought that was quite a negative thing by the end of the book I thought it worked quite well because about halfway through John definitely finds his feet in Gwen’s world and you really begin to see another side of him. It also showed how quickly he was affected by Gwen and her life. I would however have liked him to be a more prominent figure in the earlier chapters and if anything be even ruder and colder than he really was!
One thing I noticed was the characters inconsistency towards each other. I know as individuals they are both confused about their feelings towards one another but I found one sentence in which Gwen was saying how rude John was and then the sentence immediately after she was sad that he was leaving the following day. I think the idea that their emotions are very conflicting is good but I feel it could have been put across a bit more strategically. I felt this book was a good length and a well-rounded story. It was well-written but not exceptionally-written and what I mean by that is that I could easily tell it was the authors first novel. A very enjoyable, established and well thought-out first novel but in my opinion, if there was more emphasis on helping the reader live the story rather than just reading it I think it would have been a slight improvement.
This was a sweet, heart-warming and very safe debut novel. I personally would have liked a bit more drama – but that’s just me and obviously not what the author was going for. It was very readable – I finished it in only 2 days – and although I said I don’t really enjoy romance I actually couldn’t put this book down. The romance side of things wasn’t too over-whelming – which was what I was worried about. Instead it was well proportionated in comparison to other aspects of the book and I felt there was a nice balance between Gwen’s feelings for John and her other duties, particularly to her mother. This was a lovely little story that showed the difference in people and their own little worlds, the importance of family and making compromises for those you love.
Find all my reviews here: www.jennyinneverland.wordpress.com
October 17, 2014
Thank you to Emma Bennet for sending me a copy this book for review.
This is Emma’s debut novel but you wouldn't know at all, Emma is such a talented writer that you’d think she had been writing for years. She has the power to draw you in and make you want to keep on reading.
I didn’t know too much about this book before I started reading and I’m so glad because I had no idea what was going to happen or where the book was going. Emma had the ability to capture your attention from the very beginning.
I am an aspiring author myself so the whole idea of this book was great and I felt like I could really connect with Gwen. I love when authors have their characters as authors too as it makes you feel as though they have put parts of their own experiences into the book and you know that they know what they are talking about.
The description Emma has put into this book is amazing, you could picture every scene, character and surrounding in your head! Sometimes there is too much description in books but Emma gives us the perfect and needed amount.
I loved that although this was a romance, there wasn’t really a mention of this or falling in love in the book. The romance between Gwen and John is slowly developed and you actually don’t see it happening until late in the book, but once it was there, that was it. I loved seeing how their love for each other grew and you got to see how much they cared for one another, even if they didn't realise it.
You spend a lot of the novel with a ‘will they, won’t they’ battle going on in your head but it makes you enjoy the book so much more. The ending is a bit of a twist that you don't expect but it is also so magical, it makes you feel so happy and warm inside, it is just how you want to feel when you finish reading a book like this.
Gwen was a great character, she was so real and you felt like you could really relate to and connect with her. She was also a selfless, caring but strong woman, I loved how she didn't let John tell her what to do and always stood her ground when they didn't agree on something. She was independent and trying to manage visiting her sick mother, trying to save her house, working part time in a tea shop and editing her book.
I wasn’t really sure if I liked John or not at first, he seemed very arrogant, stuck in his ways and as though he felt he knew best always and he never seemed to show any feelings. However, as the book went on and he started to soften to Gwen and her dog Oscar, and realised there is more to life than work and that he is allowed to enjoy himself, I did start to really like him and hope that him and Gwen end up together.
I really enjoyed this novel and I would recommend it to anybody as I think even young and older people would love this. It is such a light hearted, romantic, lovely book that you can’t help but smile at. I read this book in a day because it is so short, easy to read and addictive. I am very much looking forward to seeing what is next from Emma.
This is Emma’s debut novel but you wouldn't know at all, Emma is such a talented writer that you’d think she had been writing for years. She has the power to draw you in and make you want to keep on reading.
I didn’t know too much about this book before I started reading and I’m so glad because I had no idea what was going to happen or where the book was going. Emma had the ability to capture your attention from the very beginning.
I am an aspiring author myself so the whole idea of this book was great and I felt like I could really connect with Gwen. I love when authors have their characters as authors too as it makes you feel as though they have put parts of their own experiences into the book and you know that they know what they are talking about.
The description Emma has put into this book is amazing, you could picture every scene, character and surrounding in your head! Sometimes there is too much description in books but Emma gives us the perfect and needed amount.
I loved that although this was a romance, there wasn’t really a mention of this or falling in love in the book. The romance between Gwen and John is slowly developed and you actually don’t see it happening until late in the book, but once it was there, that was it. I loved seeing how their love for each other grew and you got to see how much they cared for one another, even if they didn't realise it.
You spend a lot of the novel with a ‘will they, won’t they’ battle going on in your head but it makes you enjoy the book so much more. The ending is a bit of a twist that you don't expect but it is also so magical, it makes you feel so happy and warm inside, it is just how you want to feel when you finish reading a book like this.
Gwen was a great character, she was so real and you felt like you could really relate to and connect with her. She was also a selfless, caring but strong woman, I loved how she didn't let John tell her what to do and always stood her ground when they didn't agree on something. She was independent and trying to manage visiting her sick mother, trying to save her house, working part time in a tea shop and editing her book.
I wasn’t really sure if I liked John or not at first, he seemed very arrogant, stuck in his ways and as though he felt he knew best always and he never seemed to show any feelings. However, as the book went on and he started to soften to Gwen and her dog Oscar, and realised there is more to life than work and that he is allowed to enjoy himself, I did start to really like him and hope that him and Gwen end up together.
I really enjoyed this novel and I would recommend it to anybody as I think even young and older people would love this. It is such a light hearted, romantic, lovely book that you can’t help but smile at. I read this book in a day because it is so short, easy to read and addictive. I am very much looking forward to seeing what is next from Emma.
August 11, 2013
I would like to thank the author for sending me this in exchange for an honest review.
Gwen is a young author from Wales, and has arrived in London for a meeting with a top publishers in the hope of them offering her a contract. Gwen is staying with her cousin while in London and after hearing the publishers is going to offer Gwen not just one book contract but three, the girls go out to celebrate.
Unknown to Gwen, she meets her editor while out that night and when she lays eyes on him again at the publishers the next morning, she is a little bemused to why he doesn’t mention their encounter. Gwen hurries back to Wales to visit her mother in hospital as she is recovering from a stroke, her mother is over the moon to hear Gwen’s brilliant news.
All is not well at Gwen’s house and she is hiding a secret from her mum; she is afraid she is going to lose the house as she cannot afford it and no one will give her a mortgage.
John, Gwen’s editor gets in touch and asks her to return to London. Gwen has been upfront with the publishers about her situation with her mother and explains she cannot come back. John then makes the journey to Wales to help her sort her manuscript. But will everything be sorted?
This is a story of gentle romance and kindness, it makes you want to have your own John. I whizzed through this book in a matter of hours, Gwen is such a likable character that you want everything to turn out alright for her. All the characters in this book are likable and you generally want everything to work out. It is slightly predictable, but hey! This is a modern day fairy tale and I wouldn’t expect it any other way.
One thing that is never clear in the story is what is the book that Gwen has written? I would have loved to have known.
Once again I would like to thank Emma for sending me this novel to read and look forward to her next.
For this review and others please visit:
Mrsbbooks2011.blogspot.co.uk
Gwen is a young author from Wales, and has arrived in London for a meeting with a top publishers in the hope of them offering her a contract. Gwen is staying with her cousin while in London and after hearing the publishers is going to offer Gwen not just one book contract but three, the girls go out to celebrate.
Unknown to Gwen, she meets her editor while out that night and when she lays eyes on him again at the publishers the next morning, she is a little bemused to why he doesn’t mention their encounter. Gwen hurries back to Wales to visit her mother in hospital as she is recovering from a stroke, her mother is over the moon to hear Gwen’s brilliant news.
All is not well at Gwen’s house and she is hiding a secret from her mum; she is afraid she is going to lose the house as she cannot afford it and no one will give her a mortgage.
John, Gwen’s editor gets in touch and asks her to return to London. Gwen has been upfront with the publishers about her situation with her mother and explains she cannot come back. John then makes the journey to Wales to help her sort her manuscript. But will everything be sorted?
This is a story of gentle romance and kindness, it makes you want to have your own John. I whizzed through this book in a matter of hours, Gwen is such a likable character that you want everything to turn out alright for her. All the characters in this book are likable and you generally want everything to work out. It is slightly predictable, but hey! This is a modern day fairy tale and I wouldn’t expect it any other way.
One thing that is never clear in the story is what is the book that Gwen has written? I would have loved to have known.
Once again I would like to thank Emma for sending me this novel to read and look forward to her next.
For this review and others please visit:
Mrsbbooks2011.blogspot.co.uk
August 13, 2013
Gwen Jones is a writer who lives with her mother and dog, Oscar, in a rural village in Wales. John Thatcher is an editor - a busy, professional, workaholic loner. Gwen's gift for writing brings her to the publishing house where John works and he is assigned to her as her editor. Having met before in difficult circumstances and finding they have an instant, and highly inconvenient, mutual attraction, neither is happy about the situation but they have no choice in the matter.
Gwen's "mam" is ill in hospital after suffering a stroke, and Gwen is relying on the success of her book to clinch a mortgage deal to enable her to buy the farmhouse that has been her home all her life and save her mother from having to leave the place she loves. She needs John's professional help and so, when he tells her that they need to put in a lot of work editing the novel and get it ready for publication as soon as possible, she can hardly argue. John is stunned when she tells him she can't go to London and he will have to work around her commitments to her mother and to her job, waitressing at a local cafe.
John decides to move in with her at her home while the work gets done, and the two begin an uneasy professional relationship that, bit by bit, leads to a respect and liking and eventually to something much deeper. But Gwen has too much to think about, worrying about her mother and her home, and John has a secret of his own which is preoccupying him. When Gwen receives some shocking news from her publishers she wonders if she has been wrong about him after all...
This is a very sweet story, with a lovely setting in the Welsh countryside. The two main characters are very likeable and the romance develops at a gentle pace that keeps the reader turning the page to see what will happen next between them. Very enjoyable.
Gwen's "mam" is ill in hospital after suffering a stroke, and Gwen is relying on the success of her book to clinch a mortgage deal to enable her to buy the farmhouse that has been her home all her life and save her mother from having to leave the place she loves. She needs John's professional help and so, when he tells her that they need to put in a lot of work editing the novel and get it ready for publication as soon as possible, she can hardly argue. John is stunned when she tells him she can't go to London and he will have to work around her commitments to her mother and to her job, waitressing at a local cafe.
John decides to move in with her at her home while the work gets done, and the two begin an uneasy professional relationship that, bit by bit, leads to a respect and liking and eventually to something much deeper. But Gwen has too much to think about, worrying about her mother and her home, and John has a secret of his own which is preoccupying him. When Gwen receives some shocking news from her publishers she wonders if she has been wrong about him after all...
This is a very sweet story, with a lovely setting in the Welsh countryside. The two main characters are very likeable and the romance develops at a gentle pace that keeps the reader turning the page to see what will happen next between them. Very enjoyable.
October 28, 2013
The story follows Gwen, who has just landed a three book deal with a big London publisher. Handsome editor John turns her life upside down as he tries to help her perfect her debut novel, especially when he turns up at her country home in Wales to start work. Gwen has to contend with John's moods but also with her mother's illness and the battle to save their beloved family home.
This is Emma's debut novel. I had seen it on amazon before got in touch with me and I was immediately drawn to its cover. The colours are eye catching and with the two main characters caught in a romantic clinch on the front cover it looked every bit the perfect romance novel.
Gwen is a good main character and is easy to like and understand her point of view. She is young but has an awful lot of responsibility thrust upon her, especially when it comes to trying to raise enough money to save her childhood home. She is down to earth, which makes her easy to like, and she very defensive of her life as it is which is commendable.
John, on the other hand, was not as easy to like at first going from white knight to grouchy workaholic in a matter of pages. His grumpy demeanour and attitude to Gwen's hectic family commitments make him almost insufferable. Part of the story is told from his point of view though which redeems his character because it shows how his feelings towards Gwen develop.
The plot appears to unfold easily around the characters; however Emma has thrown in a few twists which will keep you hooked to the end.
One thing I noticed when I had finished reading this was that it didn't feel like I was reading someone's debut novel, instead I felt like I was reading an established author who knew her characters well and knew exactly what path they were going to take in the story. I'm looking forward to whatever is next from Emma.
This is Emma's debut novel. I had seen it on amazon before got in touch with me and I was immediately drawn to its cover. The colours are eye catching and with the two main characters caught in a romantic clinch on the front cover it looked every bit the perfect romance novel.
Gwen is a good main character and is easy to like and understand her point of view. She is young but has an awful lot of responsibility thrust upon her, especially when it comes to trying to raise enough money to save her childhood home. She is down to earth, which makes her easy to like, and she very defensive of her life as it is which is commendable.
John, on the other hand, was not as easy to like at first going from white knight to grouchy workaholic in a matter of pages. His grumpy demeanour and attitude to Gwen's hectic family commitments make him almost insufferable. Part of the story is told from his point of view though which redeems his character because it shows how his feelings towards Gwen develop.
The plot appears to unfold easily around the characters; however Emma has thrown in a few twists which will keep you hooked to the end.
One thing I noticed when I had finished reading this was that it didn't feel like I was reading someone's debut novel, instead I felt like I was reading an established author who knew her characters well and knew exactly what path they were going to take in the story. I'm looking forward to whatever is next from Emma.
September 19, 2013
Gwen Jones hopes that all her money worries will disappear when she receives a three-book deal with a London publisher. She needs to be near her sick mother, so her rather gorgeous editor, John, agrees to work on the re-writes of the first book with her at home in Wales. Will their relationship become more than a professional one?
Readers will admire sweet, kind-hearted Gwen’s commitment to her mother, and immediately understand her attraction to ambitious, urbane, rather secretive, John.
The author is really good at describing the awkwardness of two people trying to resist temptation, and the ways that they can’t stop thinking about each other. The little detail of John looking at the weather in Wales rather than London is a particularly apt example.
The contrasting settings of Wales and London form excellent backdrops for the lead characters, with each of them initially out of place in the other’s world.
I would have liked to know more about Gwen’s book, and I had to keep shouting down my inner cynic who had trouble accepting that a publisher would give a lucrative contract to an unknown author. But putting those quibbles to one side, this story is a light and engaging read, perfect for a beach or poolside.
I’d like to thank the author for sending me a review copy of this book.
Readers will admire sweet, kind-hearted Gwen’s commitment to her mother, and immediately understand her attraction to ambitious, urbane, rather secretive, John.
The author is really good at describing the awkwardness of two people trying to resist temptation, and the ways that they can’t stop thinking about each other. The little detail of John looking at the weather in Wales rather than London is a particularly apt example.
The contrasting settings of Wales and London form excellent backdrops for the lead characters, with each of them initially out of place in the other’s world.
I would have liked to know more about Gwen’s book, and I had to keep shouting down my inner cynic who had trouble accepting that a publisher would give a lucrative contract to an unknown author. But putting those quibbles to one side, this story is a light and engaging read, perfect for a beach or poolside.
I’d like to thank the author for sending me a review copy of this book.
February 15, 2014
Gwen is the type of character that I would describe as being very independent. She's an only child and has lost her father previously. Her mother is in the hospital, after suffering from a stroke, and Gwen is determined to stay by her side and support her through thick and thin. She'll do whatever it takes to keep the house and to keep stability in her life. She writes a novel that is now set to be published. Her new editor, John, is a grumpy workaholic, who isn't too happy about taking on another client, especially because the market isn't doing too well.
I enjoyed watching Gwen stand her ground. She didn't cave in to John's demands. In turn, John softened up and seemed to enjoy life and realize there's more to it than just work. They had a spark of immediate attraction, yet they seemed reluctant to give in to love.
The romance slowly developed, but once it was there, it was all or nothing quite suddenly. I wished there had been just a little more of their feelings revealed.
Content: kissing with the implication of more, but it was all behind closed doors; I don't recall any swearing or violence.
**I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review**
I enjoyed watching Gwen stand her ground. She didn't cave in to John's demands. In turn, John softened up and seemed to enjoy life and realize there's more to it than just work. They had a spark of immediate attraction, yet they seemed reluctant to give in to love.
The romance slowly developed, but once it was there, it was all or nothing quite suddenly. I wished there had been just a little more of their feelings revealed.
Content: kissing with the implication of more, but it was all behind closed doors; I don't recall any swearing or violence.
**I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review**
March 5, 2014
In GREEN HILLS OF HOME, Emma Bennett has written the perfect `sweet romance' beloved by so many readers. If sweet romances are your thing then you will enjoy the unfolding relationship between Gwen and her handsome editor John. In the beginning John appears to be the archetypal stuffed shirt and Emma a bit of a pushover, bowed down by money worries and from carrying the weight of the world on her slender shoulders. Emma has a lot on her plate: a sick mother, a mortgage about to be called in and a novel to finish. However, as John discovers, Emma is no pushover, she has claws and she's not afraid to fight for what she thinks is right. Will she triumph over adversity? Will love conquer all and help her complete her a three book deal, save the house and give her the security she so craves? Curl up on the sofa, ignore the January weather and enjoy a good read. And, if you like dogs, there's gorgeous Oscar to root for, too.
August 27, 2013
A debut novel, this is a very touching romance that romps along nicely. Gwen is a totally selfless character but boy, she has a bit of a temper on her - a good thing in my opinion - she refuses to take any nonsense from her editor John or indeed her publishers. Devoted to her ill mother, she is torn between her ambitions and her duty - refusing to travel constantly to London from her Welsh home (which is under threat from the mortgage company) to carry out edits for her debut book. Instead, John must come to her and he does, developing as he does so, not only a love for life outside the city but for our heroine also. The path of true love never runs smoothly, however, and there are misunderstandings galore before a way forward, both professionally and personally, can be found. Bennet's strength lies in the charm of her characters and her delightful setting as well as her gentle pace. It's a story we've probably all daydreamed of at some point put very sweetly into words.
February 8, 2014
This review was first published at M's Bookshelf - http://mssbookshelf.blogspot.be
First things first: what a fabulous cover! Love at first sight!
I absolutely loved reading this book. Gwen is a lovely main character and I really, really enjoyed her story. She just scored her first book deal and she couldn't be more thrilled. Her dream of becoming a published author is finally coming true! But will the book deal save her beloved home? Gwen is an easy to love person. She's down to earth, warm, caring,... You'll adore her from the very first page.
Another thing I liked very much, is that both Gwen's and John's perspective were considered, which made it easy to relate to and fall in love with both characters. The story is far from predictable and Emma Bennet will treat you to some interesting twists and some beautiful moments.
The Green Hills of Home is a sweet, heart warming story.
Emma Bennet just made the choice very easy: your next holiday destination is... Wales!
First things first: what a fabulous cover! Love at first sight!
I absolutely loved reading this book. Gwen is a lovely main character and I really, really enjoyed her story. She just scored her first book deal and she couldn't be more thrilled. Her dream of becoming a published author is finally coming true! But will the book deal save her beloved home? Gwen is an easy to love person. She's down to earth, warm, caring,... You'll adore her from the very first page.
Another thing I liked very much, is that both Gwen's and John's perspective were considered, which made it easy to relate to and fall in love with both characters. The story is far from predictable and Emma Bennet will treat you to some interesting twists and some beautiful moments.
The Green Hills of Home is a sweet, heart warming story.
Emma Bennet just made the choice very easy: your next holiday destination is... Wales!
February 15, 2015
I found this a delightfully refreshing read, especially after I've just read one that was disappointing (I won't say what it was - I prefer not to review if I can't say something good about it). Gwen Jones returns to her Welsh home excited to have landed a three-book deal with an esteemed publishing house. As her mother is in hospital recovering from a stroke, her London editor is forced to go to Wales to work with Gwen on her novel. Grumpy, moody and a workaholic, John Thatcher is not an easy person to like or work with until Gwen's dog Oscar works animal magic. This is not an in-your-face, into-bed love story. Gwen and John's love grows gradually and is all the more sweet because of that. I loved it.
July 8, 2013
I don't usually read regular romance novels, mainly because I find them predictable and sappy. The Green Hills of Home was neither, instead, it was captivating and sweet. Gwen and John's developing relationship was, for the most part, believable and entertaining and I found myself pleasantly surprised throughout. An added bonus - the author's descriptions of Wales made me want to hop on a plane and visit immediately. If you enjoy heart-warming romance, this is a book for you!
May 2, 2014
I loved this book. Gwen a writer moves to Wales to try and look after her mum and help with the mounting bills to save the old family home. She lands a 3 book deal in London with a publisher John but insists on staying in Wales to be with her mum, to her surprise he visits her in Wales when she can't get to London. Her dog named Oscar plays a big part in this book as well. Lovely feel good factor story.
August 24, 2013
I was sent a copy of this book, by the author to review.
Sweet little book by Welsh Author Emma Bennett.
Basically a traditional love story with feel good factor. The characters are cute and I would bring Oscar the dog home to live with me :)
Emma has written a quaint chic lit novel and look forward to reading her second book, The Spaniard's Secret Daughter.
Sweet little book by Welsh Author Emma Bennett.
Basically a traditional love story with feel good factor. The characters are cute and I would bring Oscar the dog home to live with me :)
Emma has written a quaint chic lit novel and look forward to reading her second book, The Spaniard's Secret Daughter.
September 11, 2013
A story of opposites. The rural heroine takes over her city editor's life and forces him to face up to what he really wants. Evocative settings, likable characters and a solid story.
June 29, 2017
Fantastic read. I love the way this author writes. She pulls me into the story from the very beginning and keeps me intrigued all the way through. Great writing.
October 17, 2021
I really enjoyed this book & the area he was living in I could relate to it was sad but a very brave man who never gave up
December 19, 2022
Cookie cutter
This is a good read. It is your basic cookie cutter romance. I read it in less than a day.
This is a good read. It is your basic cookie cutter romance. I read it in less than a day.
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