Book description
HGTV meets Downton Abbey! A ready-for-TV story--with charm and humor in abundance--about a Los Angeles producer who moves to England to save his ancestral castle from ruin."A true delight...In this marvelous debut, film producer DePree leaves the Hollywood hills to resurrect his British ancestral home, a 50,000-square-foot estate in the English countryside. Readers are in for a treat."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)Hollywood producer Hopwood DePree had been told as a boy that an ancestor--who he was named for--had left his family's English castle in the 1700s to come to America. One night after some wine and a visit to Ancestry.com, Hopwood discovered a photograph of a magnificent English estate with a familiar name: Hopwood Hall, a 60-room, 600-year-old grand manor on 5,000 acres. And with that, Hopwood DePree's life took an almost fairytale turn.Hopwood Hall, in northwest England, was indeed his family's ancestral home. It had been occupied continuously by the Hopwood family for five centuries until the last remaining male heirs were killed in World War I. Since then, the Hall had fallen gradually into disrepair and was close to collapse. When Hopwood visited, he discovered trees growing in the chimneys, holes in the roof, and water sluicing down walls. It would take many millions to save the Hall--millions that Hopwood certainly didn't have--but despite the fact that he lived in Los Angeles and had no construction skills, Hopwood DePree came to a conclusion: He would save Hopwood Hall.Downton Shabby--the name Hopwood coined for the glorious ruin--traces Hopwood DePree's adventures as he gives up his life in Hollywood and moves permanently to England to save Hopwood Hall from ruin. But the task is far too big for one person, of course. Hopwood discovers that the Hall comes with an unforgettable cast of new neighbors he can call on for help--from the electrician whose mum had fond memories of working at the Hall to gruff caretaker Bob, and the local aristocrats who (sort of) come to accept Hopwood as one of their own. Together, as they navigate the trials and triumphs of trying to save an actual castle, Hopwood finds himself ever further from the security of his old life, but comes to realize that, actually, he's never been closer to home.
Duke Electro
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app β it's my go-to for staying informed and entertained. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer.
Rummy Stickers
ποΈ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures β this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. βοΈπ The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to create curated listening experiences for different moods and settings.
Venious
I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literary magic. ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Very convenient.
Delicious Wing
I've found my new favorite way to relax β cuddled up with an audiobook. is a breeze. It's incredibly convenient for building my collection. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Digital Equinox
I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey. This app's efficient downloading process ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks whenever and wherever. No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly. The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress.
Black Firefly
ListenBook's support for various formats means I can explore a wide range of content without limitations. This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app!
New Cycle
ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits.
Hermopolis
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. π Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores β pure joy! ππ A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
Grabber
πΆπ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies β my ears are in love! π΅π The statistics feature is a fantastic addition β knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thanks, ListenBook!
Mafia Princess
ππ Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page β this app is a bedtime dream! π΄π§ Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly.
The Belgian
I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound β it adds a personal touch. I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. π§ββοΈβ Savoring moments of tranquility with a cup of tea and captivating tales! π΅π Audiobooks have never been this accessible and enjoyable. This app's compatibility with various formats and its emphasis on user experience have made it an essential tool for me. π±π
Daffy Girl
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. ππ§ ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly.
Romance Guppy
The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits β so cool! π Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? ππ Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a true marvel. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
High Deck
ππ Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks β driving has never been this fun! ππ§ π Elevating my reading routine β this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. ππ Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality.
Voodoo Cyclone
Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Moon Laser
Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in!
Unleashed
Audiobook journey simplified β this app's functionality is a wonderful surprise. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. πβ¨
Mustard Centaur
I'm amazed at how this app has made reading fit into every aspect of my life. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide array of audio formats makes it my ultimate audiobook companion.
Gas Man
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content β it's a real game-changer. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique feature that adds a personalized touch to the listening experience. ListenBookβs interface is beautiful and functional. Itβs my favorite app for audiobooks. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits.
Mauve Cactus
ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again β it's a must-have app. With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. ππ Reigniting my passion for books β this app is my newfound reading obsession! π₯π§ π Embracing reading in the busiest of times β this app is my everyday escape! ππββοΈ
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience