Honey Brown is Married

Honey Brown is Married

by Sara Judge

Publisher: Robert Hale

ISBN: 978-0-7198-0721-3





The year is 1950 and Honey Brown has just married Sussex farmer, August Blake. After a week's honeymoon in Wales, she moves into August's farm to begin her new life as a farmer's wife. And it is a new life, because Honey is a city girl and until her marriage, was a showgirl in the Windmill Theatre. Of course, the role of farmer's wife is completely alien to Honey, but, with the assistance of her mother-in-law, Mrs Blake and housekeeper, Mrs Stow, she is determined to learn and succeed.



Honey is soon introduced to the local ladies who are not sure what to make of the peroxide blonde ex-dancer. The vet's wife, Better Folder, does however seem genuinely pleased to meet Honey and they become firm friends. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the farm's dairyman, Nick. Everyone likes Nick, but he makes Honey feel uncomfortable and he is always quick to point out her inexperience in the ways of country life.



Honey settles down to her new role and in spite of a difficult start, she and her mother-in-law gradually develop an easy relationship. Unfortunately, Honey does not see a great deal of her husband because August's working day is so long. In this event, she has to amuse herself much of the time and is always thrilled when she receives visitors from her old life, although this is a bone of contention with August.



All appears to be going well for Honey, but then a series of traumatic and greatly upsetting events threaten her future life as August's wife. Read on to find out if Honey succeeds in the country or if she returns to the city and her old life in the theatre.



I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It is written in the form of a diary and records Honey's new life with insights into her old life and how she met August Blake. The book has an unusual, but highly pleasing storyline. Honey, as the central character, is very likeable. Despite her background, she seems naive, but at the same time, has a kind, thoughtful and determined nature, which the reader can warm to immediately. The descriptions of the other characters are also so clear that the reader can easily conjure up a mental picture of each one. Once I started this novel, I found it hard to put down as I wanted to find out if Honey could overcome the difficulties she was facing in reconciling the life of an ex-showgirl with that of a farmer's wife - and the author certainly kept me guessing right to the very end!



I award this novel 5 well-deserved red roses.