Book Club Meets: First loves and sliding doors, with Clare Leslie Hall

Book Club Meets: First loves and sliding doors, with Clare Leslie Hall

Author: Fearne Cotton April 4, 2025 Duration: 27:24

If you had a second chance at your first big love, would you take it? What about if you were already married to a very different kind of person? This is the dilemma Beth is faced with in Broken Country, the Happy Place Book Club novel for March.

 

In this chat Fearne and author Clare Leslie Hall talk about why first love can be so intoxicating, and why it’s only human to feel the pull between very different lifestyles, knowing there are multiple ways you could be happy...


Clare explains that Broken Country used to be a very different book, and she almost abandoned it entirely, so what can we learn about being patient with our creative blocks?


Plus, if you ever fancy going to Dorset – where the book is set - Fearne and Clare go off on a tangent about all the best places to visit...

 

Thank you to John Murray Press for the use of Broken Country audiobook, narrated by Hattie Morahan.

 

If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:

 

Listen to Book Club Meets: Holly Bourne

 

Listen to Book Club Meets: David Larbi

 

Listen to Book Club Meets: Dame Harriet Walter

 


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In a world that often feels loud and demanding, Happy Place offers a different kind of conversation. Here, Fearne Cotton sits down with a wide range of fascinating people-from artists and athletes to experts and everyday heroes-to explore the nuanced realities of human experience. These discussions gently peel back the layers on topics like mental resilience, physical well-being, cultural shifts, and the complexities of our relationships, moving far beyond simple soundbites. The core of this podcast lies in its authentic curiosity about how individuals navigate life's inevitable highs and lows. Rather than prescribing a single path to joy, each episode uncovers personal definitions of contentment and peace, often found in unexpected moments or hard-won perspectives. Listening feels like being part of a thoughtful, intimate dialogue where vulnerability is welcomed and stories are shared without pretense. Whether the conversation touches on overcoming loss, finding creative inspiration, or building a healthier society, Fearne guides it with empathy and a genuine desire to understand. This collection of interviews provides a quiet space for reflection, reminding us that happiness is not a constant state but a deeply personal and evolving journey. Tune in for a sincere exploration of what it means to live fully across all facets of life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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