Peas,carrots and an Aston Martin

This was a really good start to this series! Eric is left his fathers Aston Martin,with the stipulation that he til the allotment that his father grew veggies on for 2 years.He is left nothing else.Despite living far from the place,he tries to get it into shape and keep his job,What a farce! Rafe Beckley was a terrific narrator. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'

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Light-hearted

This was a light hearted book telling the story of Eric whose father has died leaving him an Aston Martin, which would be good if there weren't conditions attached. The story is of Eric's struggles to balance life whilst meeting the conditions. Along the way he meets and intersting, quirky set of characters who help him understand what is important. An amusing book, well narrated that I really enjoyed. Am looking forward to reading more in the series.

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2 people found this helpful

Funny with feeling

A funny story of family & strife.
It starts with a Dad passing away & not exactly writing the will of his sons dreams!
I had a few sniggers at this, some aaw moments too. It was funny but it had feeling too.
A good listen with funny moments, enjoyed it

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Fabulous story and narrator

Loved it! Couldn’t resist the title, and very glad about it. I’ve read another book by the author but this was the first audio. Great narrator.

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1 person found this helpful

A great listen

I didn’t know what to expect with this book. But I was pleasantly surprised and couldn’t stop listening once I started. Moving onto book 2 now.

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Maybe money isn’t everything

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

I loved this audiobook it really touched my heart. When Eric discovers his father has only left him his car in his will he is very unhappy. Then Eric discovers that there are guidelines to keeping the car as well which including ensuring that his father allotment is properly tended and cared for every week. At every corner Eric seems to be wondering is it worth all of this effort just to keep this car but along the way it was beautiful to see his eye open up to the actual lesson he was being taught and becoming a better man because of it.

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1 person found this helpful

Laugh Out Loud

A great book, fantastic storyline with a few sad bits but mostly it did make me laugh out loud. Narrator did a fab job and I am really looking forward to listening to the next book.
I was given this free audiobook code and I have left an honest unbiased review.

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Lovely Read

I really enjoyed this book.
It was a heartwarming easy read, and excellently narrated.
Would recommend.

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1 person found this helpful

This is ridiculously funny!

I have received this audiobook via a free promo code and this is my voluntary review.

Eric Sibley inherits his fathers prized Aston Martin... on the condition that he tend to his fathers gardening patch "the allotment" in Burling for two years or he loses the car. What ensues next is the workaholic city slicker using his smarts trying to get out of the arrangement as quickly as possible, leading to a rivalry with the allotment committee, arguments with the wife and feuding with his allotment neighbour. Norman.

What felt like a curse, begins to feel more and more like his father had a deeper purpose as Eric begins to realise how much of life with his wife, and daughter Abi he's been missing out on as he conquered the business worlds of London.

Definitely worth a read.

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Who knew gardening could be so fun?

“You may not see it now, but what I have left you is worth more than money, more than the house.”

Eric Sibley has it all; a great job, a big house and a beautiful wife and daughter. When his estranged father passes away, Eric is aghast to learn that instead of the house, paintings and his mother’s jewellery, his father has bequeathed him an overgrown allotment and his prized 1962 limited edition Aston Martin, affectionately known as Sally, on the condition that Eric maintains the allotment on a weekly basis for the next two years or risk the ownership of his car being rescinded.

Now Eric must somehow juggle a hectic career and family life in the city, with regular visits to the small riverside town of Burlam. Life for Eric quickly turns into a chaotic kaleidoscope of grumpy pensioners, muddy Wellington boots, gardening mishaps, drug raids and missed deadlines, which leave his marriage, job and sanity hanging in the balance. Will Eric come to understand his father’s message from beyond the grave before he risks losing all three?

Peas, Carrots and an Aston Martin is the first quintessential British novel in what looks to be a promising series. It was also my first introduction to the author. Told with wit and charm, the story centres around a man’s journey of self reflection and realisation following the death of his father after he’s bequeathed an inheritance with an unusual stipulation. While attempting to fulfill the requirements of the will, he comes to appreciate the important things in life.

Eric’s journey and awakening as well as the relationships he forges throughout the book are a revelation. When we first meet Eric, it quickly becomes apparent after he scoffs at his father’s last letter to him before he died, that Eric needs to re-evaluate his priorities. As time goes on however, he changes and although we don’t see him acknowledge this, we as readers know that his father could not have left him a greater gift.

The secondary characters were quirky, charming and endearing. One of my favourites was the irascible, cantankerous Norman, an old friend of his father’s, who initially gives Eric a hard time when he first arrives at the allotment. The two eventually reach an understanding which makes the ending all the more poignant and bittersweet.

The interactions between Eric and and the young man who works at the DIY store were particularly hilarious as Eric’s attempts to take shortcuts end in one disaster after another, causing him to lose the deposits on the heavy gardening equipment he hires.

All in all this was a lighthearted, charming read that will leave readers chuckling and crying tears of joy as well as sorrow. Warm witty dialogue and colourful distinctive characters will stay with you long after the last page. I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for Eric and his family in the sequel.

I received an advanced free audible copy of Peas, Carrots and an Aston Martin and I am voluntarily reviewing it. Rafe Beckley’s narration was warm, clear and concise with excellent pacing. I felt that his voice was perfect for the tone of the novel.

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