Home on Folly Farm

by Jane Lovering

5 out of 5

Synopsis

Escape the rat race by heading to the Yorkshire Moors in Jane Lovering’s funny, warm and magical new novel.

Needing an escape, Dora swapped city living for life as a shepherdess on her grandad’s Yorkshire farm. More than a decade later Dora is still there, now farming the fifty acres and caring for the one hundred rare sheep by herself. She never hears the call of the city, but instead relishes the peace and simplicity of life on the Moors.

When Dora’s glamorous but quarrelsome sister Cass, her teenage nephew Thor and his handsome tutor Nat, turn up for an unexpected and unreasonably long stay, life on the farm is thrown into chaos. Cass brings with her unwelcome memories from the past, and of someone who once stole Dora's heart. 

Dora takes refuge in the comforting routine of the farm, the sheep never allowing her too much time to dwell. But, as the seasons change, the snow starts to melt, and as lambs begin to fill the fields, Dora can’t keep hiding in the hills. Because even though she’s trying, Dora can’t run away from a love that never really let her go…

Review

Dora's peaceful existence on her small sheep farm is ruined by some uninvited house guests. Suddenly the Yorkshire Moors aren't big enough to avoid the years of aggravation between Dora and her sister Cass.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Since their grandad passed away, Dora has been working and living on the small, rare breed sheep farm that has been in their family for generations.

Up there, she can shut herself away from the world, and is proud of the work she has been doing for the last ten years or so. She has put everything into this farm, and is well aware of how precarious the farming life is. A small farm like this doesn't provide much of a living, but she wouldn't have it any other way.

Everything changes when her sister turns up on her doorstep unannounced. Cass is still living at home with their parents, and has to temporarily move out when they start work on an extension. Cass turns up with the 12 year old son, Thor; her son's price tutor, Nat.

They seem completely clueless, after having everything taken care of by their parents, Cass expects Dora to cook and look after them, on top of a busy lambing season.

I really enjoyed this book. I was surprised how much I related to Dora. A woman who works with animals, scraping by to make a living and remain independent; whilst having a strained relationship with her parents, and a sibling who is happy to sponge off of them.

From the very beginning, I found this to be very emotional. I thought it was a very realistic portrayal, and more than just a light comedy.

I was equally frustrated and intrigued, following Dora and Cass battle everything out.

For all that Cass and her son Thor were ignorant and a complete pain, it was really entertaining to follow their story. They evolved so much, without losing what made the characters unique.

I thought that the connection between Dora and Nat was really sweet, and I was cheering them on; but I felt that their romance took a bit of a back seat to the rest of the story.

The latter part of the book slowed down a bit, as Dora and Nat's histories are discussed. But I felt that most of this had already been brought to light, so it was a bit repetitive.

I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading more of the author's work.

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