If you have not already had the pleasure of reading Escape to Giddywell Grange, then I am delighted to share with you the first chapter of the book to whet your appetite for the book. Firstly, what is the book about?
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Escape to Giddywell Grange by Kim NashPublished by Hera on September 18 2019
Amazon UK
Goodreads
Also by this author: Escape to Giddywell Grange, Amazing Grace, Sunshine and Second Chances
A dog’s life is just what Maddy needs
Maddy Young thought she had it all.
Swanky city apartment? – yep. Fancy car? sorted. High-flying career? – tick.
Even if she’s lost most of her friends because of spending all her time at work, and can’t remember when she last had fun, it’s worth it.Until she’s suddenly made redundant. Now she’s 37, jobless, and after the breakup with the former love of her life, unhappily single.
Enter Maddy’s childhood friend, Beth, the owner of Growlers, the doggy daycare centre at Giddywell Grange, on a mission to make Maddy see there’s more to life than work.
Soon, Maddy is swapping spreadsheets for volunteer duty at the library, daily Starbucks for cups of tea with elderly neighbours, and her Prada handbag for doggy poo bags… And with Beth’s gorgeous brother, Alex, back from the States, Maddy starts to think that Giddywell Grange might just be her happy place.
But when her old life – and her old boyfriend - comes calling, will Maddy go back to the job she loved so much? Or will she discover that the key to happiness lies in making others happy?
Chapter One
Anticipation and nervous energy are making me feel sick to the stomach right now. I’m trying to hold it all together while I potter around the kitchen at work, laying out cups and saucers and a plate of chocolate biscuits ready for the meeting.
It’s soooo exciting. I’ve been like a cat on a hot tin roof all weekend. Instead of making the most of the gorgeous July weather, I’ve been inside brushing up on my presentation skills and making sure I can go in there and promote my backside off.
There’s been so much talk around the office for the last couple of weeks. There’s definitely something big going down. I’ve worked for Ronington’s PR & Marketing for twelve years and I can tell there’s something on the cards because of all the secrecy that’s been going on. There have been lots of meetings recently with the accountants and solicitors and before she left the office on Friday lunchtime, Celine, the managing director, said she wanted to see me first thing on Monday. Celine is my idol. She’s elegant, dramatic, stunning and just amazing. She takes no crap from anyone. She’s a badass. If I could be anyone in life, I’d want to be her.
Everyone in the office heard what she said to me.
‘First thing Monday morning, Madison, I need to see you. It’s very important.’
They’re all saying that it’s my time; that after all these years, the company has recognised my hard work and commitment. All the early mornings and late nights are going to finally pay off. All those miles of driving my company car up and down the country meeting clients. All the times I’ve had to cancel going along to things that my friends were going to, the times I’ve had to cancel seeing my mum, because I’ve had to work. The arrangements I’ve had to cancel. The relationships I’ve jeopardised. They were all heading to this exact place and time. This is what it was all for!
It’s my time.
Melissa, the MD’s operations director and right-hand woman – who has worked at the company for about a million years – is about to go on maternity leave. Everyone has been buzzing around me, saying that there’s absolutely no shadow of a doubt that I’ll be formally promoted from my role as senior sales executive to operations director. After all, I’ve been practically doing the job for the last couple of years, working alongside her. I’m pretty damn sure I’m going to be made a director.
I’m so ready for this; so ready to fill her boots and make that job mine. It’s what I’ve always dreamed of and I’ve been thinking about it all weekend. On Saturday I bought myself a new promotion-worthy power suit. I have a ton of other work suits, but for this meeting today I wanted something special so I opted for a navy-blue trouser suit and a light flowery camisole top to soften the look. I’ve had my highlights touched up and nails polished this weekend, and if I say so myself, with my hair scraped back in a tight bun, bright red lippy for a bit of extra confidence and a pair of red high heels to finish it off, I look immaculate.
Even though I am feeling apprehensive, I’m not going to let anyone see that. I’ve built up a persona over the years of being really cool, calm and ultra professional, and I’d never let the people I work with think anything else. I put on a bloody good show, I can tell you. Inside, there are times when I am totally lacking in confidence, my nerves in tatters and I’m shaking like a leaf but I would never let on to anyone – I don’t let people get close enough to me.
I just want to show Celine that I am the perfect person to take the company forward and ensure it runs smoothly and efficiently.
What have other reviewers said?
Shalini, Book Reviews by Shalini :- What a sweetheart of a book. It was everything I wanted it to be and more. The story of Madison gripped me from the first line, and each chapter revealed the beauty of the writing…The writing was all heart, superfluous and exquisite, abounding in layers which showed me Madison’s life in totality, what she was and what she was going to be. Every moment of her life felt precious. The lessons she learnt spoke to me in tiny, different ways.
Jo, My Chestnut Reading Tree :- I had tears in my eyes as I read the epilogue. Sad because this wonderfully uplifting book had finished but happy that Kim Nash had brought together such a beautifully written novel that really understands the “modern” family. Family, friends, dogs and the occasional G&T…what more could you ask for?! Kim Nash is now on my “must read” author list. Her books are highly enjoyable and I defy you to read them without losing yourself in them totally. I love them!
Sharon, Stardust Book Reviews :- All in all, this was a fabulous feel-good read with plenty of love, tears and laughter!! The characters all complimented the story perfectly and I really like the mention of characters from the author’s first book, which tied the two books together well!! This was not just a story of friendship, family, good deeds and falling in love but about following your heart and believing in yourself and others!!
Kerry, Like Herding Cats :- Kim Nash really has a knack for writing characters close to the heart. Although my family circumstances are different to Maddy’s, I am someone who thrives on work, deadlines and the only times I’ve taken child related leave, I’ve been left feeling like something was missing. When Maddy is made redundant and begins to see her life in a different way I found myself really reflecting on my own situation how my life would look if faced with the same dilemma. Because of this, I immediately felt an affinity towards Maddy and was hooked until the very end.
Shell, Baker’s Not So Secret Book Reviews :- It takes a lot for a story to make me cry but boy did I cry I was actually sobbing like a baby. This story is so moving and uplifting it totally got me! This is a story about friendships and relationships making the most of what you’ve got and shows you that life isn’t all about work.Kim is a natural at writing and I really hope there is going to be another book after such a brilliant ending. I well and truly love this book and cant praise it enough….giving it all the stars.
Have I convinced you yet? No, well come back tomorrow for my review!!
Until next time xxx
likeherdingcatsblog says
Loved this book ?
Zoé says
It was so cute wasn’t it! X
likeherdingcatsblog says
Just lovely ?
Jules_Writes says
Looks good!
Zoé says
It really is a good one! X
carhicks says
Looks and sounds good. You pretty much have me convinced.
Zoé says
Oh yay! I shared my review today just in case you wasn’t ?
carhicks says
I will check it out. I am trying to keep caught up with blogs, but with my eyes, I can only be on the computer so long each day.