Brilliant.

I loved the written words when I read them. The characters so well drawn and I was rooting for Beth, Sophie and as it turned out Elin all the way through. Narration was splendid, I could listen all day. If CA catches this can I have an audiobook of Poppy Jenkins and The Goodmans. Please.

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Good story & narrator choice & it's set in Wales!

another good book from Clare Ashton, easily absorbed into the story line and interesting characters, will be listening to it again.

ignore those who berate the narrater choice - I thought she did a good job, especially given the bits of Welsh language in the book. DA IAWN TI!

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Chilling and Beautiful

Wonderful storytelling that keeps you guessing what is coming next, and the crushing malevolent misogyny was so well portrayed I could have been back in my childhood visiting my aunt in mid-Wales in the summer holidays.
The intonation of the narrator seemed a little odd at first but you soon get lost in the story and what relief that she didn’t mangle the Welsh pronunciation!

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Old stories surface- patriarchy must be defeated!

This is the third Clare Ashton book I've listened two. the others were passtimeable romances of the lesbian easy listening variety, which I enjoyed but wouldn't write home about. This is really different. Set in the 70s it's a totally absorbing, engaging, enraging story of the hold that men in authority have over a Welsh village- whether knowingly, or like the protagonist's father - the village bobby - implicitly. Beth returns to her home town to look after her mother and is plunged back into the attitudes and actions of her childhood. Her school friend, the daughter of the local gentry, has inherited the manor. Another friend, whom they both loved, vanished 20 years ago and neither have come to terms with her apparent elopement with the son of the head of the town council and self appointed village chief, Bryn.

It's a bit like if The Only Gay in the Village sketch was made into a historical thriller with a cast of avenging feminist queers and conservative sheeple led by a council of men in bad suits. Which is pretty much what life was like in the 70s as far as I remember. TW for a really vivid and tangible evocation of the menace of small-town bigotry.

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Exceptional!

Wonderful writing, fantastic story combined with terrific narration makes for an exceptional listen. I was impressed!

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excellent and a wee bit creepy

not sure what ibwas expecting but this was an excellent story, beautifully performed and with a satisfying payoff

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One of the best books I've ever heard in my entire life!

Holy f**king shit balls! This is one of the best books I've ever heard in my entire life! It was that incredable that I think my brain has melted.

When I read books or listen to audiobooks, I have found that there are 4 levels of how much I have to say in a review. Level 4 is if a book is utter crap. That level is for DNF books where I haven't got anything good to say. Level 3 is if the book was alright, but didn't blow me away. I usually am able to write a good portion of good & bad things. Level 2 is for the books I loved, that have very few bad things in it. That level is usually an essay of how much I loved it. Then the elusive Level 1 is for the books that are so perfect, in every way, that I almost can't say anything in a review. It's almost like the story was that incredable it melted my brain.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE LEVEL 1 STORIES!

I've read my fair share of Claire Ashton's books, but this one was in another league altogether! The characters were all written to absolute perfection. The descriptive imagery was sublime, I was emerged into the world & feelings of the characters completely. So much so, that there were points in the story where I actually felt so uncomfortable & emotional I needed to take a break from the book, yet didn't want to put it down.

This book is not your typical sapphic romance book, but make no mistake it is still full of love. It showcases all the different types of love humans can experience. In every form. It highlights the good, the bad, & the ugly of human behaviour in such a potent manner.

The story is set in a tiny Welsh village in the early 1970s, where misogyny, homophobia, & sexism run rampant. Even though times have changed immensely in the last 50 years, the themes of this story & the characters that spread hate are still so relatable. This is still a man's world after all & unless you are a rich, straight, white male, you are going to have to fight for your place at the table. Just like the women in this book have done.

Finally, I have to give a standing ovation to the narrator, Lucy Raynes. This is the first audiobook narrated by her that I have listen to, but it certainly won't be my last! She was exceptional. The slower pace, the accents, the distinctive voices...all of it was just *chef's kiss*! She elevated the story to new heights.

I can't recommend this audiobook highly enough. Its...well, quite frankly its perfect. I just wish there had been another 10 chapters because I didn't want to let the characters go. The leading ladies were amazing, but the best friend, Meg was brilliant. However, the star of the story, for me, is Carys, the house keeper, she was absolutely fantastic!

If you love mystery books, books that make you think, cry, laugh, or books that make you want to jump into the pages to punch evil pricks in the face, & cuddle the characters. Then this book is for you. If you want a cookie cutter romance with a traditional happy ending, this story isn't for you.

Trigger Warnings

Violence
Sexism & Misogyny
Mentions of sexual assault

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Cannot listen to horrible narrator

Cannot listen to this because Lucy Rayner's voice and style of speech is horrible. Cannot listen to this because Lucy Rayner's voice and style of speech is horrible. Cannot listen to this because Lucy Rayner's voice and style of speech is horrible.

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Am giving up and going to Kindle version

I love Clare’s books but I’m going to read this one on Kindle as I just can’t cope with the narration - it’s seriously disturbing my listening ☹️☹️☹️- such a shame as I was looking forward to this new book

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