Review for the abridged audiobook.

I have often suspected that an abridged version cuts out a lot of character development to just concentrate on the plot. This abridged audiobook was only 3hrs 19min long, so a large chunk of the book's 464 pages must have been missing. Sadly, the result was rather bland and dull.

When Flora hears that her uncle has left her a 51% share of his antiques business, she decides to rent out her London flat and move to the country. She has no experience of antiques, other than the Antiques Road Show on TV, so it is little surprise that her cousin Charles and his frumpy fiance, who are currently running the company, are none too welcoming when she arrives. Somewhat predictably she proves herself to be a great asset, coming up with some ground-breaking ideas.
Anabelle, Charles's fiance, would rather sell the property owned by the antiques business and pocket the profits. She owns 3% of the assets and is hoping that Flora will sell out to herself and Charles, but Flora has moved from London to make a go of it and that is what she determines to do.

Several other characters become embroiled in the plot, not least Imelda, Flora's cat and her four kittens. Then there is the handsome Harry who takes a shine to Flora, and William, a bit of a tramp-like character who has been squatting in the cottage that Flora moves into. Flora's mother visits on occasion, and Flora's London friend (Whose name I can't remember) provides a sympathetic ear when needed.

Nothing earth shattering, by any means, and the way the love interests turned out in the end was annoying, not what I'd expected or hoped. Maybe the full length version would have been better, or maybe I was lucky that I only had to spend 3hrs 19mins with this. ( )