I’m pleased to welcome you today to my stop on the blog tour for mesmerising new novel The Haven by Amanda Jennings. Thank you to HQ for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
About the book:
It was meant to be paradise…
Winterfall Farm, spectacular and remote, stands over Bodmin Moor. Wanting an escape from the constraints of conventional life, Kit and Tara move to the isolated smallholding with their daughter, Skye, and a group of friends. Living off-grid and working the land, they soon begin to enjoy the fruits of their labour amid the breathtaking beauty and freedom of the moor.
At first this new way of life seems too good to be true, but when their charismatic leader, Jeremy, returns from a mysterious trip to the city with Dani, a young runaway, fractures begin to appear. As winter approaches, and with it cold weather and dark nights, Jeremy’s behaviour becomes increasingly erratic. Rules are imposed, the outside world is shunned, and when he brings a second girl back to the farm, tensions quickly reach breaking point with devastating consequences…
About the author:
So what do I write? Well, I love anything with a dark vein and secrets which affect families, and my books tend to fall into the psychological suspense category. My new book is a bit different. The Haven doesn’t have any hidden secrets, but instead looks at the gradual collapse of a a dream – a utopia – and focuses on characters and their interactions, all set against the spectacular and atmospheric landscape of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall.
The Storm, In Her Wake and The Cliff House, and also all set in Cornwall, in Newlyn, St Ives, and Sennen respectively. Cornwall is truly where my heart truly lies! My mother’s side of the family is from Penzance and I have many blissful memories of long summers spent here.
I am never happier than when I’m beside the sea, though I’m also fond of a mountain, especially when it’s got snow on it. When I’m not beside the sea or up a mountain or sitting at my desk, you can usually find me chatting on the radio as a regular guest on BBC Berkshire’s weekly Book Club, or loitering on Twitter (@mandajjennings), Facebook and Instagram (@amandajennings1).
I love meeting and engaging with readers, whether that’s on social media, or at libraries, book clubs and literary festivals. If you see me out and about at an event do say hello!
You can find more information on my webpage: http://www.amandajennings.co.uk
My Review:
The Haven by Amanda Jennings is a fascinating but gripping story that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. I was drawn into Tara and Kit’s story from the very beginning, as we see them go from eager young lovers to doting parents, eventually making the decision to leave everything they know behind them to go off-grid with a group of friends to live and work at the dilapidated Winterfell Farm.
The remote but spectacular Winterfell Farm is set against the breathtaking backdrop of Bodmin Moor in this character driven drama that captivated me from beginning to end. Tara and Kit fall in love with their new way of life, sure that they’ve made the right decision, but could it all turn out to be too good to be true? The Haven is a psychological thriller that builds up the tension slowly, with the idyllic atmosphere of Winterfell Farm soon turning into something very different as charismatic leader Jeremy arrives home from a mysterious trip to the city with young runaway, Dani, in tow.
With winter fast approaching and Jeremy’s behaviour becoming increasingly erratic, the atmosphere is palpable as tensions rise and relationships begin to crumble, the consequences of which could prove to be devastating…
I loved this book. Amanda Jennings has written a gripping tale that’s full of the drama and suspense I’ve come to expect from this author. With an eclectic cast of characters who keep you guessing throughout, The Haven is a beautifully written, atmospheric, slow burn of a psychological thriller that I would highly recommend.
The Haven by Amanda Jennings is available to buy now:
Check out what these other fabulous bloggers have to say about this book:
Cal Turner Reviews 