A Year at Marshywood

It’s 1979 and Amanda Fernsby, nineteen and inexperienced, dreams of lasting love. She leaves London with her parents to start a new life in rural Sussex, moving into Marshywood, a charming, rustic cottage. Now, surrounded by nature, she is excited to begin her new life, but there are bumps in the road ahead.

What about Samantha, her closest friend, who she’s going to miss? And then, of course, there’s Mark, Sam’s gorgeous cousin, who, frustratingly, she’s only just met. Being miles apart, what chance do they have now? Will she find another job? And, perhaps Amanda’s biggest worry of all, does life in the countryside limit her opportunities for finding true love?

When Sam and Mark visit in the summer, a series of shocking events begin to unfold and Amanda finds herself on an emotional roller-coaster with all her hopes unravelling. What will the future hold for her now? Has her parents’ gamble to pursue the rural dream created more losers than winners, or will there still be a pathway to happiness?

Delve deep into the beauty of the natural world and get lost in the music and culture of days gone by in this refreshingly different and moving debut novel. Uplifting, real and straight from the heart, it will take you along an entertaining journey which has the potential to stay with you for years to come.
Reader’s reviews:

I was absolutely riveted with the story, I just had to know what happened next and I listened to the novel in 24 hours.

Marina McLune will have you laughing and crying as you experience the social differences between urban London and rural Sussex through Amanda’s eyes in the late 70’s. Her writing style will have you emotionally invested into what will happen with Amanda and the relationships she holds dear. A definite page turner

Marshywood is Little House on the Prairie in 1980 UK.

I enjoyed this unique novel, and all the '70's references are so much fun

Marina did a fantastic job of writing a beautiful English country romance while touching of some more serious issues for its time.

It's a well-written book. All of the references to life in the late 70's are charming and authentic.

This book was a fun read, I forgot how different it was back in the early 80's with no smart phones, internet and only pen and paper and an old landline phone. How did we survive!!! lol

"A Year at Marshywood" is a compelling and emotionally resonant tale that will captivate listeners from beginning to end. McLune's evocative storytelling and Scott's masterful narration ensure that this audiobook leaves a lasting impression.

This lovely, gently paced tale tells their story over 12 months, and is very nostalgic if, like me, you were around at that time. Highly recommended!!