Book Review: A Classy Affair in the Country by Margaret Amatt

I’m so happy to be welcoming Margaret Amatt back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, A Classy Affair in the Country – book ten in the Glenbriar series. 

It’s hate at first sight… But he’s about to dismantle her walls brick by brick.

Young heiress Ophelia Chattan-Blythe needs a miracle to save the family estate, and working with Brann – the ruggedly handsome, popular, and extremely irritating local builder – is not it. He may have a smile that can melt diamonds, but when he and Ophelia hit it off on the wrong foot, she starts to hate him with a passion.

Single-dad Brann isn’t all he seems. He’s built up a good business, though it doesn’t stop him from being lonely. Falling for a beautiful but stubborn heiress isn’t part of his master plan. But how can he not find Ophelia’s serene charm and whip-like comebacks irresistible?

As Brann and Ophelia work together, their arguments advance to attraction, and their desires ignite. But it’s more than Brann’s job’s worth to act on his feelings and Ophelia mustn’t, not if she’s to secure a wealthy match and stop her family from going under. A love this intense should be worth the fight, but constructing a happy ending is an almost impossible task without breaking all the rules.

*****

I was very pleased to be invited onto the blog tour for A Classy Affair in the Country by Margaret Amatt. Although we’ve previously featured this author, this is the first novel of hers that I’ve read (I am not sure why it’s taken me this long to read one and for that I can only apologise.)

Being book ten in the Glenbriar series, I was worried that I’d struggle to keep up but as I discovered, this can be read as a standalone.

Right from page one, I loved Ophelia. First, the name is so pretty and second, she’s a strong woman who is also tied to family duty and boy, is her family hard work. I wanted to both hug her and shake her -tell her she had the freedom to make a choice. That’s all I will say about that. I don’t want to give too much away.

Brann is a character I loved from the beginning. He was unapologetically himself and he tries to do what he can for his family. How he interacts with Ophelia… well, again, I am not telling. I am hoping it’s something you’ll find out for yourself. Other supporting characters, such as Barbara, Harrison, Caitlin and Lucinda were also wonderful.

The plot unfolds at a good pace with surprises along the way. However, there is also a gentleness to this story, and it gave me a cozy feeling, like I was catching up with friends.

Overall, this is a lovely story, reminding us that you only live once and opportunities both professional and of the heart need to be seized with both hands. I am in love with Glenbriar and its inhabitants and look forward to the next book in the series. Whilst I wait, I am putting the previous nine novels on my TBR pile post haste.

About Margaret Amatt –

Margaret is a bestselling Scottish author and chocolate lover who has been writing stories for over twenty years (possibly more if you count her primary school efforts). Her early works will never see the light of day and are locked in dusty vaults on some old floppy disks. But after all those years of practise, Margaret released her first novel in 2021. It was the first of a ten-book series set on the gorgeous Scottish Isle of Mull.

Margaret is also the author of the acclaimed Glenbriar Series, based in the fictional Scottish town of Glenbriar. This is an ongoing series with more books coming in 2024 and 2025.

The stories are unashamedly romantic, but with lots of drama and an eclectic mix of characters. Each book can be read as a standalone, but followers of the series will enjoy catching up with the characters.

Say hello to Margaret via her website, Facebook, Instagram and X. 

A Classy Affair in the Country is book ten in the Glenbriar Series and was released in October 2024. Click here to buy on Amazon.

Click here to read previous Q&A’s Margaret has done with Novel Kicks. 

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.