*Spoiler Free Review*
Editor Note: When it comes to reading large quantities of books, I am a mere mortal compared to my lovely fiancé Allison. She’s the real reader in our household. I’m more like… new money. While I’m scratching my head trying to navigate this expansive world of the written word, she’s been doing this her whole life.
She has, therefore, consumed far more literature than I have or likely ever will. So from time to time, she’ll be writing some of the reviews on this site. And this 2025 release/participating member of our local library’s Winter Madness Book Tournament is her first review. Enjoy!
Beth and Frank live a quiet life on their small sheep farm in the English countryside, though both feel the constant weight of the tragic death of their 11-year-old son. When Frank’s brother shoots a local dog attacking their sheep, Beth’s past and present collide as she learns that the dog belonged to Gabriel, whom Beth loved as a teenager, and his young son, who have returned to the village after a messy divorce with his American wife.
The dual timeline storytelling follows Beth and Gabriel’s initial romance in 1955, alongside their complicated rekindling in 1968… All the while, readers know there is a murder trial happening in town, but are largely left wondering who and why throughout.
The author successfully unpacks the rawness of human pain, desire and even selfishness in a way that makes it difficult to determine which character to root for (if any). Short chapters and rich descriptions build suspense slowly and artistically, perfect for fans of Where The Crawdads Sing, but (in this reader’s opinion!) ultimately lacks the drama, tension, and severity necessary to make a love triangle compelling or a twist-ending fully pay off.
Written by Allison
Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall
WeHa Book Club 
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