Review of 'Escape to the Country Garden' by Hannah Langdon
Release date: March 13th, 2025
Publisher: Storm Publishing
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REVIEW
Escape to the Country Garden by Hannah Langdon is warm, witty and winsome. This next instalment of the Carlisle saga focuses on the chaotic and unpredictable Frankie. This is a major character portrayal of her journey. We are reminded of her past actions and the effects and dire consequences on her life. After another disastrous break up, she seriously questions her own character. This last fiasco has put a real dent in her confidence. Why does everything she gets involved in turn out so badly? The novel explores this, the reasons behind it and thankfully we get to see what happens when something special enters her life … or I should say someone special, who although is very different from her, is actually very good for her. While ‘opposites attract’ is not a sound theory, I would add (as others have) successful relationships are more about balancing each other and being a support where needed. This becomes a truth quite evident in Escape to the Country Garden.
Frankie is an artist who decides to pursue garden design and it appears she has a talent in it—noted by the vote of confidence she receives in a big way. She is unsuccessful in relationships, though, which leads to a lack of confidence in this area. Initially, this deficit leads her to do some foolish things. Nathan is a gifted gardener and teacher but he has been doing some very boring council jobs yet dreams of breaking free to do more creative projects. This is where Frankie comes into play. She helps him have the courage to launch forward—and to even try dancing!
This couple has their own social and personality issues (nobody is perfect!) but when they begin working together, they draw each other out into a more balanced position. Nathan gets the courage to be a little bolder once he questions his predictable habits. He needs to overcome some of his fears and because Frankie is more fearless and spontaneous (although this is what gets her into trouble sometimes), he is encouraged to move a little closer to her ways. Ironically, his solid stable stances, help her to pull back a bit in her feistiness that has often led her into troubling territory. So each of them pulls the other in a good direction. What is the catalyst? Love. It is the key or force that brings each of them to a more balanced state. With support and understanding as major ingredients, they make progress. And with a shared passion for gardening, they have more than just romantic interests to cultivate. All this activity fosters courage to follow their dreams. Resulting in a lovely union, once all the friction and conflicts abate. Learning from each other leads to their happy ever after.
My favourite part of the Escape to the Country Garden was when Frankie goes to Italy with Nathan. It is here the real conflict and growth begins when Frankie is removed from her normal environment and Nathan is thrust back into his family’s setting. We get to see the effects this woman has on him and she gets to break free a little to explore parts of her old self. They each have confidence issues, thinking the other would surely not be interested in them because of their gaping differences. But surprise, surprise! Once honest communication is established, things begin to happen and they each mature.
I loved the Italy scenes. But it was also lovely to catch up with past characters and see their latest developments at the Carlisle manor. Those who have been following this family saga will surely enjoy the latest offering. And readers who have not read the previous books just may want to dig into them as well to see how everything started. This story offers some lovely charmed-filled moments with a healthy dash of humour. And you may love the newest addition to the clan, as much as I did— Aslan, a huggable golden retriever! 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for a review copy.
