Paradise Fields
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Amazon.co.uk Review
Katie Fforde's Paradise Fields does most of the things that a mid-life romantic novel ought and manages to have a charm that is all of its own. Youngish widow Nel has thrown herself into organising a farmer's market to raise money for a local hospice and is appalled when the land they use is to be sold for jerry-built housing. She is even more upset to find herself attracted to the young solicitor who is acting for the other side in the deal--one of the infuriating things about Nel is that she thinks of herself as sufficiently past-it that she would rather date the sniffy prig Simon than Jake, whose view of her as gorgeous she finds herself unable to trust.
Romantic novels such as this are built on the confounding of our expectations, but there are pleasant surprises beyond the usual--Fforde is very good, for example, on Nel's gradual softening towards Kerry Anne, the snotty American wife of the land's owner and on how a shared interest in organic skin products can make up for a lot of hostility. Not a ground-breaking book in any way, Paradise Fields nonetheless offers a pleasant mix of social observation, farce and mild steaminess. --Roz Kaveney --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Review
"Old-fashioned romance of the best sort...funny, comforting." -- "Elle"
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
45 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Prepare yourself for a treat - Paradise Fields is one of the best novels from Katie Fforde yet. I'm a serious Fforde fan, but this one is truly wonderful. Fforde always delivers strong tales about exceptional - yet every day - women, and Paradise Fields hits that mark. Nel Innes is a widow, with mostly wonderful friends and three almost-grown children who boss her around more than a bit. What makes this one a keeper, though, is Jake Demerand, referred to in the blurb as the mysterious stranger that kisses her under the mistletoe. Well, the mistletoe incident occurs on the first page so there's obviously a lot more after that! Jake is the best male character she's written since David from Living Dangerously. You find out a bit more about him than we have about other men in recent Fforde novels and you get a wonderful sense of his character and personality through the (as always) witty, natural, and coherent dialog. He's everything you want this type of character to be - sexy, funny, a bit of a mystery. Fforde also revisits a theme she's explored before - the reluctance a mother has about bringing a man into the lives of her children. That doesn't mean the plot is a rehash, but it's obviously a theme that means a lot to Katie. (Personally, I'd tell the kids to get their own life and get on with it with Jake!) The main plot line about the market, the hospice, and the loss of some beautiful fields to a housing development gets a bit convoluted in places, but that ultimately works well too. Don't let the editorial review comments like, "Old-fashioned romance of the best sort…funny, comforting", throw you off. While this isn't exactly Sex in the City (although there are references to the program!), it's a wonderfully written tale that's anything but stodgy and staid. I can't recommend Paradise Fields enough - it was worth the overseas shipment of the hardcover edition (and that's really a compliment!)
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I thought this book was good for what it was, despite the fact the reader knows what happening next!
Nel is a fat and forty year old widow, who lives a quite life with her dogs, and the last of her three children, Fleur. She lives in a small village, with an authoritarian boyfriend Simon, who disagrees and critisises the things she does.
And then, suddenly, something unexpected happens. While running the Christmas market, Nel hears that the village hospice is going to be torn down by some builders who plan to build a large amount of cheap houses.
Nel has on her hands an uphill struggle. There's Chris, the snidey chairman to contend with, and a dodgy builder. Whatsmore, on the opposition is Jake, the man who mysteriously kissed her under the mistletoe at Christmas. Does her really like her, or is he the crook lawyer that everyone says he is? Nel spends most of the book in turmoil, unsure whether to give into her emotions, or remain brisk and business-like to secure the welfare of the hospice.
At the start of the book, I felt it was a bit slow, but by the first 50 pages, it had me silently hooked! Just one warning though, if you don't like campaigns for stately homes, or heroines taking an eternity to decide which man she wants, this isn't the book for you!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A much better book more like the old Katie Fforde, my favourite is the very first one as it made me laugh out loud. this book has some good characters in it, I know we all guess who the "Mr Darcy" is early on, but like in Jane Austen that is part of the charm, I sat up till 2.30am to finish this. Its just a really enjoyable and readable book!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent!
A brilliant, light-hearted book written to the usual high standard by this great author - Love these books! A great chic read.
Published 1 month ago by Mushu
Men, Mud and Mistletoe.
Nel has a full life. Not only is she a mother to three children, growing up and away from her, she is struggling with her weight as all women at time do, she is passionate about... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Joanne D'Arcy
Pleasant read
I liked the characters and mostly enjoyed the book. Felt the storyline dragged a bit midway and got a bit annoying in parts but overall a pleasant read. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Freda Livery
A good book by Kate Fforde
I really enjoyed this book and cared what happened to the characters. Certain elements of the story are a little predictable but its still an enjoyable read.
Published 12 months ago by V. Franklin
Enjoyable but a bit boring in places
Nel Innes runs a farmers market in Paradise Fields, the story starts that a certain admirer buys from her a bunch of mistletoe and gives her a kiss, it does not take long to work... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mrs. V. Leete
Perfect Read
Paradise Fields by Katie Fforde is a contemporary with chick lit appeal. I've only just found Ms Fforde's books and have enjoyed the two I've read so far. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Anne Brear
Appalling - couldn't finish
I've never read a book by Katie Fforde before and won't bother trying again. I only got about 80 pages in and found it cliched and cringe-worthy. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Alison
Delightful
I didn't think I would read another Katie Forde after being disappointed with another book she had written but I'm glad I made the effort with this one. Read more
Published on 7 April 2010 by Potterywhizz
Katie Fforde Paradise Fields
Im a great fan of Katie Fforde anyone wanting a good light read with loads of laughs must read her books brilliant.
Published on 9 Oct 2009 by ann hughes
Fabulous Find
Thank you so much. I love this author and all her books. Having them makes it all the more better. Thanks for mailing all the way to Albuquerque, New Mexico
Published on 1 Jun 2009 by Michelle Cohn
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