Audiobook review: The Country Village Allotment by Cathy Lake

A heartwarming and uplifting summer story for fans of Heidi Swain and Phillipa Ashley, by the author of The Country Village Christmas Show, The Country Village Summer Fete and The Country Village Winter Wedding.

At eighty-two years old Zelda Grey is tired. Tired of how much slower she is physically and mentally. Tired of technology. Tired of being alone since her beloved cat, Flint, died just before Christmas. And tired of life. The only thing that brings Zelda joy these days is her allotment in the gorgeous village of Little Bramble, where she has lived her whole life, and her three cranky goats.

Widow Mia Holmes always loved visiting Little Bramble Allotment with her husband, Gideon. But since his death she can't motivate herself. Despite putting on a brave face for her three sons and four grandchildren, she's reached breaking point, and isn't sure she can carry on.

And history teacher Liz Carter thought she had it all. The perfect job, perfect boyfriend in Rhodri and the perfect wedding to plan. Until she found Rhodri in bed with the neighbour. Holed up in her sister's box room she wonders how it all went so wrong. As she wallows in her misery, her sister takes her in hand and drags her to Little Bramble Allotment and suddenly she discovers the wonders of planting, growing and getting her hands dirty.

In an increasingly lonely world, these three women strike up an unlikely friendship and find that community, female friendship and the wonders of nature can truly be powerful healers.

Review

This is a beautiful story that captures the very essence of the healing power of friendship. Three women, who could not be more different, find an unlikely friendship. Liz is trying to come to terms with the fact that she won't have the wedding or the family she had been dreaming about, not after finding her fiancé in bed with another man. Mia is trying to come to terms with the death of her husband. And at eighty-two, Zelda has been alone for longer than she can remember. But through the power of friendship, these three women's lives are changed forever.

Firstly, let's talk about the narrator, Julie Teal. Julie really brings this story to life; she brings the right kind of emotions to this story and is an absolute pleasure to listen to. 

The story itself will have you laughing one moment and wiping the tears away in another. It is a very powerful story and one that I enjoyed immensely. 

This novel is available on Amazon