Beauchamp Hall: A Novel

Danielle Steel

Nov 2018 · Sold by Dell

About this ebook

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Danielle Steel tells the uplifting story of an ordinary woman embracing an extraordinary adventure, and the daring choice that transforms her world.

Winona Farmington once dreamed of graduating from college, moving to New York City, and pursuing a career in publishing. Then real life got in the way when she left college and returned to her small Michigan hometown to care for her sick mother.

Years later, stuck in a dead-end job and an unsatisfying relationship, Winnie has concluded that dreams were meant for others. She consoles herself with binge-watching the British television series that she loves, Beauchamp Hall, enthralled by the sumptuous period drama set on a great Norfolk estate in the 1920s. The rich upstairs-downstairs world brilliantly brought to life by superb actors is the ultimate in escapism.   

On the day Winnie is passed over for a long-overdue promotion, she is also betrayed by her boyfriend and her best friend. Heartbroken, she makes the first impulsive decision of her conventional life—which changes everything.

She packs her bags and flies to England to see the town where Beauchamp Hall is filmed. The quaint B & B where she stays feels like home. The brother and sister who live in the castle where the show is filmed, rich in titles but poor in cash, are more like long-lost friends than British nobility. And the show itself, with its colorful company and behind-the-scenes affairs, is a drama all its own. Winnie’s world comes alive on the set of the show.

What happens next is the stuff of dreams, as Winnie takes the boldest leap of all.  Beauchamp Hall reminds us to follow our dreams. . . . You never know what magic will happen!

Ratings and reviews

I'll admit that this book was a bit slow. That's is unusual for Danielle. The story line and characters were okay but not as flamboyant as her normal characters. Winnie was okay but why'd she wait over ten years with Rod? After a couple of years she should of know that it wasn't going anywhere. She was just convenience. Anyway, I did enjoy her travel to England and meeting Beatrice and her brother. It was predictable that she was going to marry him. The book overall was enjoying after Winnie went to England and worked for the series, also when she told Beatrice her dream for the castle. That was truly a blessing. I enjoyed that part!

If you're looking for an easy read for a rainy Saturday morning this is the book for you. This book is very predictable, and I knew exactly how it was going to end by the very first chapter. It was like an exact episode of Downton Abbey. I did not care for the ending, there were too many loose ends... there should have been at least another chapter or at least an epilogue. I feel like Danielle Steel is losing her touch with some of the past books few that she has had.

Beauchamp Hall by Danielle Steel has us traveling to Beecher, Michigan. Winona “Winnie” Farmington is thirty-eight years old, works at the local printing company and has been dating Rob for the last eleven years. At one time, Winnie was attending college and looked forward to a publishing career in New York. Then her mother became ill and Winnie left college to care for her mother. In the office white elephant gift exchange, Winnie gets a DVD set of the British television series Beauchamp Hall (pronounced Beecham). Over the Christmas holidays, Winnie is alone and starts watching Beauchamp Hall. She soon finds herself binge watching all six seasons of the show loving the period drama set in the 1920s. After the holidays, Winnie is anticipating being promoted to the open management position. When the job is given to ditzy, but sexy Elsie, Winnie has had enough and quits her job. She arrives home to find her boyfriend and best friend in her bed. Winnie makes an impulsive decision and books a flight to England. She decides to visit the estate where Beauchamp Hall is filmed and falls in love with the quaint village. Then Winnie gets an unexpected opportunity that changes her life forever. Sometimes magic happens when you follow your dreams! Beauchamp Hall is a pleasurable way to pass an afternoon. Winnie Farmington life has been trudging along. She is in a dead end job and a boyfriend who will not commit plus he does not treat her as she deserves. Her sister, Marie is married with two kids and they are her main focus. I believe many of us can relate to Winnie and her situation. Winnie gave up her dream to care for her mother. When she loses the promotion to the woman who can barely find her way to work and discovers her boyfriend cheating with her best friend, it is the last straw (I do not blame her). I was thrilled that Winnie finally stood up for herself and set out to have some fun. I loved the descriptions of the village and Haversham Hall where Beauchamp Hall is filmed. Those who watch Downton Abbey will see the obvious similarities. Beauchamp Hall contains good writing and realistic characters. I did feel the beginning was a little long (with Winnie in Beecher) and had a slower pace. It could have been shortened and more time spent on Winnie’s adventure (which is the best part of the book). The ending felt rushed and the characters in England were not fully developed (more 2D than 3D). Beauchamp Hall is a combination romance, women’s fiction and fairy tale. I am giving Beauchamp Hall 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). It is reminiscent of Danielle Steel’s earlier works. I found Beauchamp Hall to be a delightful escape novel (we all need a diversion from reality now and then), and I enjoyed seeing Winnie get her happily ever after.

About the author

Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world’s most popular authors, with over 650 million copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include In His Father’s Footsteps, The Good Fight, The Cast, Accidental Heroes, Fall from Grace, Past Perfect, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina’s life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children’s books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.