Well written. Enjoyed the book. ( )

Dry beginnings. So many names and relationships. Slog on! It all pretty much changes anyway.
PERFECT (albeit sad) ending.
I was prepared to give it a 3-star rating - then, close to the end, it really changed. Everything I was hoping would happen DID (except for the sad part).
... so I shall rejoice:
you will not delay, if I do not fail to hope. ( )

I received an ARC of The Songbird from LibraryThing. I thoroughly enjoyed this modern-day English countryside novel. It's a delightful, relaxing read with interesting, sympathetic characters and enough conflict to move the plot along smoothly. This is Willett's 18th novel, but my first time to read her. I'm looking forward to reading more of her fiction.

I received an Advance Reader's Copy of this book.

What a delightful read; it reminded me of Maeve Binchy, one of my all-time favorite authors. Set in the western English countryside, this book has multiple plot lines for the many characters living together in a family compound named Brockscombe. There's Tim, who has taken a sabbatical from work to decide what his next step in life will be. He loves Mattie, whose sister Charlotte lives in one of the Brockscombe cottages with her infant son Oliver. Her husband Andy is in the navy and is currently away at sea. Francis, the patriarchal character who owns the property, is in his last days, recovering from a stroke. Aunt Kat and William are cousins who are living together in another cottage on the property. All have their trials and secrets, and it all makes for an interesting, albeit slow-paced, story. I was engaged with most of the story lines though I did not identify with all. The writing is beautifully descriptive, making me want to travel to England. This was a nice escape. ( )

I've read and enjoyed several of Marcia Willett's books through the years. This was also an enjoyable read, intertwining several characters and plot lines smoothly. Based on the people staying in one family compound, the main characters have a variety of problems and challenges, but they all give each other strength and wisdom to move through those difficulties. There were two characters I didn't care for--one because she was selfish and fickle, and one because he was spineless and weak. I was happy to see them both drop out of the family dynamic. It's well written with fairly well-drawn characters. ( )