Rumours - Freya North (2012)

When Stella Hutton takes on a multi-million-pound country estate of Longbridge Hall, home to eccentric Lady Lydia, she thinks her luck might be changing. Desperately secretive about her past, and over-protective of her son Will, she hopes commission from a sale would provide them with much-needed stability. But as Stella gets to know Longbridge Hall, she finds it impossible not to be led by her heart. Especially when Xander, who grew up on the estate, starts to cross her path. If you've read a Freya North book before, you'll know that there's a warmth and homeliness that she creates with her characters that make you want to be their friend, as well as a few dirty romps along the way. It's a nice enough read, I personally would have liked a few more twists and turns and a few more obstacles in the way for Stella, rather than just her past. (AB)

Rumours, by Freya North, is centred around an estate agent and the conflicted sale of an old Georgian estate. The summary says: "Stunning Georgian estate Longridge Place, in a quirky Hertfordshire village, is up for sale. The multi-million-pound estate is being haggled over by developers who will divide it into plots and destroy its character. Stella, single mother, ex-art historian and now estate agent by necessity, is desperate for the place to sell but woodworker Xander, who's lived in the village all his life, wants to oppose the sale and preserve the unique dynamic of the village - and the livelihoods of the many people who live on the estate. Sparks fly between Stella and Xander, overseen by eccentric Lady Fortescue, the 80-year-old owner, aided and abetted by a cast of colourful local characters. And then a discovery is made which could enable the Fortescues to stay at Longridge." Rumours is out in June.

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