Farm Fatale by Wendy Holden

Rosie is an illustrator and Mark is  a journalist living in the big city, but they both have grander dreams.  Rosie wants to move into the country and Mark wants to become a freelance columnist.

With a quirk of fate, Mark is bestowed a column about cityfolk living in the country and so begins the search for a cozy cottage in the country.  After much searching, they finally find a cute cottage affordable within their means in a small village and things seem to be working out nicely.

Then the neighbors come home with all of their children and it's just not as quiet as it once was.  Rosie gets a job to illustrate a book and she needs farm animals to draw, so she begins visiting a neighboring farm, and Mark struggles with his column.  Rosie keeps advising him to use some of the local color, but Mark tells Rosie she doesn't know what she is talking about.

It gets tense between the two and the local farmer's advances to Rosie are getting harder and harder to avoid.   Meanwhile, social climber, actress wannabe Samantha and her husband move into the village, buying one of the oldest and finest homes in the area, and throw a party.  Mark is determined to get invited, and perhaps get a deal as a screenwriter. 

The characters are quirky, funny, and the plot highly entertaining. The gossiping mailman was my favorite!  Great for a summer read!  Chick-lit lovers will love Farm Fatale!