Happy Monday, friends!
Okay, today is the 22nd of the month which means it’s BOOK CLUB DAY!…but it’s also officially the FIRST DAY OF FALL!
All of you who have been clinging to summer can officially scootch on over here and join us who have been in fall mode for the last 22 days…
Yes and amen, friends.
Okay, before we chat about this month’s book club novel, I wanted to remind you about some “fall things” for those of you who didn’t read the book/don’t care about books. I didn’t want to leave you out today, so I have a bit of fall content for you before we get to the book stuff.
Let’s start with…
On the first day of fall last year, I shared THE SIMPLE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT FALL and you should revisit them all if you are in a fall mood today.
I also have a list of the TOP 10 MOST CHARMING FALL TOWNS IN THE US (including Salem, MA in this pic!). If you are looking for a little road trip this season, make sure you check out THIS POST.
I rounded up my favorite fall finds (most under $30!) for my annual SWEATER WEATHER FALL HAUL. That’s a really full post of fall fun 🙂 .
And…
…I’m currently working my way through my FALL BUCKET LIST too.
Okay, so from here, I’m going to share all things BOOK CLUB below.
It’s fall, y’all!
This is just one of my most favorite blog posts each month!
Okay, just to recap before we begin…
Here are the books we discussed in 2024 along with my own personal “star ratings”…
The Last Love Note by Emma Grey 4 STARS
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon 5 STARS
The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins 3 STARS
The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin 3 STARS
Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth 4 STARS
The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl 2 STARS
Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand 3 STARS
Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams 3 STARS
By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult 4 STARS
Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker 4 STARS
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout 2 STARS
And so far in 2025, we’ve discussed:
In January: The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry 5 STARS
In February: Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old by Brooke Shields 2 STARS
In March: The Crash by Freida McFadden 3 STARS
In April: One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter 5 STARS
In May: All That Life Can Afford by Emily Everett 3 STARS
In June: Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein 2 STARS
In July: My Friends by Fredrik Backman 5 STARS
In August: The View From Lake Como by Adriana Trigiani 4 STARS
If you want to check out any of these Book Club posts, they are all HERE!
Before we get to today’s book, let’s revisit the “rules” of Shay’s Book Club:
Here are the details:
1: On the 22nd of each month, I will share a BONUS blog post that is only about the book we read together that month. So, if it falls on a weekend, look for it that day, if it falls on a Tuesday, expect a food post, a normal lifestyle post AND third post just for the book review discussion.
2: I picked the 22nd because I want this post to come out BEFORE our normal monthly BOOK REVIEW POSTS. I will still share my normal monthly book reviews (where I average 4 to 6 books a month) at the end of each month. I will reference said “book of the month”, but I will not be reviewing it on that post, I will be linking back to the BOOK CLUB POST. Why? Because I want all of the content about the one specific book club book in one spot instead of spread out over multiple spots.
3: Each month at the end of the Book Club blog post, I will share what the book will be for the following month. This will give everyone one month to read this one particular book.
4: Let’s be real, I’m going to try to pick new/popular/relevant books every month, but I’m also going to pick books that speak to me. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to share them with me. I’m going to *try* and make the books different genres each month. I would love for us to read a variety of fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, chick lit, thrillers, etc this year. That’s the *goal*.
5: What are the rules of the book club? I know a lot of book clubs have rules and perhaps I’ll add some as we go, but basically, if you want to read along with us, we’d love to have you and on the 22nd we’ll dive a little deeper in the comment section here about that one particular book. Easy as that! That post is the one place where we’ll discuss the book so that all thoughts/opinions/questions/etc can be in one location.
6: In this blog post and in the comment section, WE WILL BE DISCUSSING SPOILERS. If you are interested in reading this book, you might not want to read below this line. In SEPTEMBER’S BOOK REVIEW later this month, I will give a quick recap and let you know if I recommend the book or not, so if you haven’t read it, you might want to wait until that official BOOK REVIEW because there will be no spoilers and based on that, you can decide whether or not to read the book. Anything below this though will include spoilers as everyone commenting here has already read the book.
Make sense?
Here we go!
This month’s novel was…
…Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall.
Wow!
I absolutely LOVED this novel. Honestly, I could not put this one down and finished it quickly. Five BIG stars from me. The twists, the turns, it was all very unexpected. I was surprised by details from beginning to end.
Here are a few of my thoughts:
1: Well the book had me at the first page. I was hooked with the opening line “the farmer is dead” and couldn’t put it down after that.
2: Beth and Gabriel’s relationship seemed genuine…complicated but genuine. I was upset about the way she was mistreating Frank, but I was also sympathetic to her because it felt like more than lust. She really loved Gabriel. She was certainly playing with fire though…
3: Beth’s spiral was so sad but so well written. I understood why she was spiraling even though I wanted her to stop, stop, stop and walk away.
4: I hated that Jimmy died. I hated it most for Nina.
5: The scene detailing Bobby’s death was just so so sad. Goodness. I know it’s fiction, but that broke my heart.
6: This book was raw and felt real at times, but it was also frustrating and oh so sad too. Even though I didn’t love all of the characters’ choices, I loved how the story kept moving forward regardless of the negative decisions. It was never slow. The pace at which it flowed really kept me going even when I was really frustrated
7: The relationship with Gabriel was so complicated. From beginning to end, he was a likeable character. I could see why Beth loved him even when she shouldn’t have.
8: I hated that Frank took the fall. I don’t think he “should” have taken it as Bobby’s death was an accident, but I understood why he did it. I just hated it for him because he was such a genuine character.
9: I loved the twist that Bobby was Gabriel’s son.
10: I was so thankful for that last chapter. I wanted real happiness for Frank. He was such a good man, and I wanted him to find peace and joy. I love that they had Grace and that she knew who he was when he approached. It was the perfect ending for him. I was also happy to read that Leo was in a good place and that Nina had remarried and started a family too. I needed the closure.
Great, great book!
Okay, coming up next…
…Buckeye by Patrick Ryan.
Don’t forget, if you want to stay current on all of the books I’m reading in 2025, THIS PAGE HERE is where I keep the books, authors and reviews each month.
Okay, please head to the comment section to share your thoughts on today’s Book Club pick today! I know that SO MANY of you have also read this one. I want to hear your thoughts too.
Have the best FIRST DAY OF FALL, friends! I’ll see you tomorrow! xx
Elspeth Mizner says
I have it on my to be read list! Thanks for sharing!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Janice Harris says
I can’t wait to read both of these!
Sherry says
I thought it was a great book! This is the first book I read from this author, and I was hooked from start to finish. I started reading it in the morning and finished it by evening. I grew to dislike Gabriel in the book because he was turning Frank’s life upside down. And Frank knew it. And Frank was genuinely a nice guy. I would definitely read this book again. There are not too many books that when I pick it up, I can’t put it down. Can’t wait to read this month’s book!
Kelly Sites says
Morning! I read Broken Country months ago, so before you picked it as a book club pic. But I LOVED it when I read it. I also couldn’t put it down. I’ve been in a book club with my friends for 13 years and we have read 2 really great books lately that I highly suggest: Miss Benson’s Beetle and The Lion Women of Tehran. 5 stars for both IMO. Fall reading is my favorite. (Well, let’s be honest, any season is great for reading: summer reading at the beach, or on the deck, Fall reading under a cozy blanket by a window watching the leaves, Winter reading by the fire with hot cocoa, Spring reading- well…..slushy and wet typically, but still enjoyable.
Have a great day.
Susan Jeffries says
Buckeye is on my TBR. I just started The River is Waiting and so far it’s amazing. Wally Lamb is a fabulous author. I always love your book reviews!
Katie Compton says
Oh I have been patiently waiting for Sept 22nd to hear your thoughts!! I really have nothing to add b/c with every one of your points I was nodding my head and saying YES!! So just here to say… I agree whole heartedly and I’m really grateful you picked this for book club. It’s out of my usual book picks so I’m not sure I would have chosen it on my own. It truly was a beautiful book!
Oh and HAPPY FALL!!! #fallelujah
Mix and Match Mama says
I wouldn’t have chosen it on my own either, Katie! Book Club is turning into one of the very very best things for my “reading” each year. I’m constantly reading titles I would have never selected otherwise.
Sheaffer says
I appreciate the fall content. 😉
Mix and Match Mama says
I shared it specifically for you 😉 .
Erika Slaughter says
If I don’t pick up a book soon, it’s gonna become content for Sheaffer AND Erika.
Mix and Match Mama says
Bahahaha! You will LOVE this one!
Stephanie Gregory says
THIS BOOK. I loved this book… I gave it 5 stars because of how much that book has stayed with me and how I still think about it sometimes. Gabriel and Beth’s relationship seemed so genuine, but so did her relationship with Frank. The loss of Beth’s son, her relationships – I could not help but feel so much sympathy for her even when I didn’t agree with her.
P.S — I read that this book will be made into a movie!
Mix and Match Mama says
I agree! This one will stay with me too. This will be one of the ones I remember years from now.
SS says
I am going on tht fall content… We picked apples Saturday and picked up mums!!! Apple sauce will be made today in tht Crock-Pot and fall lights will be hung!!
For me bring on more chances of Northern Lights!!!!
Kristin says
I was finally able to get this at the library, but haven’t read it yet, so I just scrolled to see your five stars!! I’ll check back in after I read it.
Kay says
I also would never have picked up this book, and I’m so happy that I did as it’s currently moved up to my #1 book of the year so far! I thought the writing was absolutely beautiful. Clear, concise, and smart. And it’s quite an accomplishment to write such a complicated story of good but broken people and allow you to have sympathy for everyone involved. I felt for all of the characters even when they weren’t making the best decision. I loved this book!
Thank you for offering this book club-I have read every book so far (even if I was late on the last one 😉 and really enjoy being a part of it all!
Lisa D says
I loved this book too and it’s at the top of my favorites list for the year!
Sarah says
I loved this book too! Such a great story!
Kerry says
Happy 1st day of Fall! Your tips for fall are on point! My dream is to make that trip you made with the girls. One day in retirement it will happen!
Elizabeth says
Loved it! Was hoping you would give it 5 stars and had enjoyed it as much as I did. I can’t remember the last time I read a book in a day, but couldn’t put it down. I found Beth’s choices wrong but relatable at the same time. Everybody needs to find themselves a Frank. Reading Elon Hildebrand’s new book, The Academy, now.
Michelle H. says
Happy Fall Everyone! I loved this book. It was a fast read and kept me interested from start to finish. Shay, you are spot on with your review and mentioned everything I would say. I’m looking forward to seeing if this will be a movie or not. I think it should be made into one.
Kristen says
I loved this book as well! It was amazing!
Lori Taylor says
I give this book 5 stars as well! I loved it and could not put it down. Truly, one of the best books I’ve ever read.
Callie says
I devoured this book! It was so well written, and I could feel the character’s emotions. So good! This one will stick with me for a while! I agree with all of your thoughts on this!
Gail says
Fall Content…..this summer our son and family moved out to the country and live basically in the middle of huge apple orchards. He just brought us bags of apples as the orchard owner invited them to pick after the pickers were done. He explained how the tractors with conveyer belts drop the huge boxes in the rows and then come back and pick them up. The roads are just full of huge trucks taking all of the apples to the cold storage and tractors taking all of the boxes here and there. We missed it by a week, but hope to see it all next year! I just love Fall!!
Stephanie Wilson says
I actually listened to this one on Audible and it also had me from that first line! The reader’s voice was so soothing, it reminded me of Emma Thompson. I was looking for reasons to drive in the car in order to listen to this book! (I was even cleaning out the fridge at 10 o’clock at night, am finding this audio book thing has some real benefits to it). Agree with all of your points. Definitely is one that will stick with me for years to come. It’s one of the few books I have recommended to others this year.
Kelly Westbrook says
Loved this book as well!
Mary says
I loved this book! The characters were so well written. I was so sad Nina ended up alone. I loved that she appeared at the end offering forgiveness. This is probably my #1 book read this year!
Carolyn Bakalekos says
I’m in total agreement. Loved it!
Stacy says
Easily one of my most favorite books of the year ! I loved this book – I loved the opening line – I loved Frank and I cried at the end of this book!
Lauren Palomo says
I’m so glad you enjoyed Broken Country! It’s been my top book of the year so far. I knew you’d love this story as well, even though it’s sad at times. Beautifully written! Thanks for making it a book club read 🙂
Heather P says
I loved this book as well, I liked how it was all wrapped up in the end too. However, I did find myself asking at the end of the book how they for sure knew Grace was Frank’s daughter because I was under the impression that Beth had slept with Gabriel and she could’ve been his daughter..
Michelle says
I agree with everything that you said about this book! I couldn’t put it down either! I loved it and gave it five stars too! I did like getting the closure at the end as well.
Marae says
What a wonderful 5 star book. The poem on the last page wrecked me😭
Martina says
Loved the book too! So well written with the 2 time lines and building up the characters. There is something unique about first love, especially as it ended on a misunderstanding. They never had closure. Frank was such an amazing character though. I felt for him throughout….. grrat book!
Jennifer says
Broken Country is my favorite book so far this year!
Debbie Keith says
I love this book it was definitely 5 stars. I know that Beth’s action set everything in motion but I understood it. It was a well written book that I could not put down.
So far my favorite of the year.
Jo says
Such a good book!
Jan says
This was the complex love story that I didn’t know I needed. It’s so impressively well written and descriptive. I felt like I was right there living in the village beside Frank and Beth’s farm watching everything unfold from my front porch. I loved all the characters, well..except Gabriel’s mother. She was really awful. I love books that tie up all loose ends!! Happy Fall!!
Stephanie Harris says
You must read Theo of Golden by Alan Levi. Published a couple of years and has a five star rating. It is the most feel good, blessing of a book. I think you would thoroughly enjoy it. Please consider it.!
Kristen Palmer says
This might be my favorite read of the year! And was certainly added to one of my top reads of all times.
Bren says
I have so been waiting for this review. This is, so far, my number one book of 2025. (There I was, earlier this year, driving, listening on Audible and in tears during parts.) I agreed with and was nodding along reading through your thoughts, Shay! After much reflection, I think what held me the most was that there was no clear “bad guy, good guy” type situation. It was so real in that sometimes, life-things-situations are just not simple, they are complicated and unfortunately, devastating. I too though was so relieved for the ending. After everything in this fictional world, you know they were continue to work through all the broken pieces, but I was thankful for some joy.
Melissa Terry says
Broken Country is by far my book of the year! Loved it so much and echo Reese’s phrase she said when she introduced the book that it made her “lose her chicken.” So, so good!
Jeanne says
I read Broken Country several months ago and loved it. Such good writing! I’m finishing up Buckeye right now and like it, as well (although not as much as Broken Country!) It has plenty of “imperfect” characters in it and I feel like the writer does a good job of helping the reader to understand each of them better.
Brittany Swain says
I loved this book so much and I agreed that the ending scene with Grace wrapped it all up perfectly! I know this historical fiction, but it didn’t read that way in the best possible way.
Brandi says
I ended up really liking the book, but I actually found it really slow and hard to get into. All I had heard were positive reviews of people who loved it, so I was shocked to be so bored at the beginning. I’m not sure what didn’t click for me, I just couldn’t get into it. By the end I thought it was a beautiful story though! I loved the closure we got at the end amidst all the difficult circumstances.
Hannah says
I love book club day! I gave this one 5 stars too. Such an impactful story and one that I will remember for a long time!
Melissa O'Brien says
Did I miss the September book review??? I can’t find it!
Mix and Match Mama says
Tomorrow!
Jami Romano says
Finally finished & soooooo good!!!! So thankful for book club ◡̈
SS says
I just finished this book and also really enjoyed it. Some additional points that came to me 1) I hate she didn’t have more kids with Frank before Grace. Finding out Bobby wasn’t even Frank’s bio child frustrated me even more that she didn’t have another child. Felt selfish on her part. Frank got a raw deal with her. 2) if Gabriel and Beth had just spoken so much heart ache could have been avoided. She could have married Gabriel, etc…. Of course, there’d be no book then. 🙂