The Rural Diaries: Love, Livestock, and Big Life Lessons Down on Mischief Farm

Written by Hilarie Burton

Narrated by Hilarie Burton

The beloved actress and star of One Tree Hill, White Collar, and Lethal Weapon, Hilarie Burton, tells the inspiring story of leaving Hollywood for a radically different kind of life in upstate New York with her husband Jeffrey Dean Morgan—a celebration of community, family, and the value of hard work in small town America.

While Hilarie Burton’s hectic lifestyle as an actress in New York and Los Angeles gave her a comfortable life, it did not fulfill her spiritually or emotionally. After the birth of their first son, she and her husband Jeffrey Dean Morgan, the star of The Walking Dead, decided to make a major change: they bought a working farm in Rhinebeck, New York, and began a new chapter in their lives.

The Rural Diaries chronicles her inspiring story of farm life: chopping wood, making dandelion wine, building chicken coops. Burton looks back at her transition from urban to country living—discovering how to manage a farm while raising her son and making friends with her new neighbors. She mixes charming stories of learning to raise alpacas and buying and revitalizing the town’s beloved candy store, Samuel’s Sweet Shoppe with good friend Paul Rudd and his wife Julie, with raw observations on the ups and downs of marriage and her struggles with infertility. Burton also includes delicious recipes that can be made with fresh ingredients at home.

Burton’s charisma, wide eyed attitude, and fortitude—both internal and physical—propels this moving story of transformation and self-discovery. The Rural Diaries honors the values and lifestyle of small-town America and offers inspiration for anyone longing to embark on their own unconventional journey.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: May 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9780062971968

Hilarie Burton

Hilarie Burton is an actress and producer best known for her role as Peyton on One Tree Hill, as well as her work as an MTV VJ, and her leading roles in popular Hallmark movies. She lives on a working farm in the Hudson River Valley with her partner, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, their son Gus, baby daughter George, and a whole lot of animals.

Reviews for The Rural Diaries

[Irina Krylova · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful book! The audio is real and raw. It felt like listening to a friend (a very well versed friend) tell a story

[Kelly Day · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love this book. The way I cried in parts of it. Thank you for sharing your story

[l ekelund · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

not sure where to start. the generosity, wit and honesty is heartwarming. a no nonsence, insightful read. or even better, listen to her tell her story herself.

[Julianne Gemmell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sweet, informative, well-written, inspiring, and touching...all of the above! I very much enjoyed the Rural Diaries and hope everyone can find their version of home--whatever that looks like.

[Erica Exum · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

AMAZING!!!! I will definitely listen to this again!! SO AMAZING!!!

[Ashley Sykes · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Listening to this was like having a cup of coffee and a conversation with a great friend. Hilarie shares her amazing story from starring on One Tree Hill to becoming the owner of Mischief Farm. It was an absolute joy to listen to and I learned some amazing tips for my garden that I will be putting into practice!

[Lindsey Hendon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book left me feeling so warm and hopeful for this world. Hilarie wrote a love letter that included so much vulnerability and heartbreak but was overwhelming full of love and hope. Thank you for this wonderful piece of work.

[Christina Darlington · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really loved this book, I’ve read a few other celebrities books in the past but this was top notch, I found it inspiring and comforting. I felt so close to Hilarie as if she was my own friend. I want more!

[Book Chick · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book. I listened to the audio read by Hilarie Burton Morgan and I absolutely loved hearing about Mischief Farms. I loved the town. I totally related to her love for her animals and mourning her chicken. Just all of it... #goals

[Alyssa Schlote · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved it, loved it! Please write another!
Hilarie is an amazing story teller.

[Austin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book so so much ❤️ it's full of hope, recipes, life, loss, and courage.

[Jocelyn Rineer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I fell in love with Mischief Farm and feel like I know the town. I definitely want to visit one day. Hilarie has a wonderful, soothing voice, perfect for storytelling. This is a beautiful love story, filled with all the things that make up life including joy, laughter, love, tears & loss. It makes you realize it’s possible to take a leap, make a change and you’ll be ok. I could listen all over again. If you decide to listen or read this you will not be disappointed. You will learn a lot & fall in love with Mischief Farm.

[Debbie Marsh · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Hilarie Burton is someone I would love to share a copy of beer with, she’s real and shares her real life with us all. Her narration is perfect, I enjoyed this so much.

[Kristi Beck Dickinson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

You.guys. Have plans this weekend? Go ahead and cancel them RIGHT NOW. This second. Get this book. It is HANDS DOWN one of the best books I’ve EVER consumed. I listened to the audio version and @hilarieburton narrates it. It is absolute one MILLION PERCENT PERFECTION. Every single thing about it. I laughed, I cried, I had goosebumps from the first chapter. Do yourself a favor and cancel anything else you have going on and gave this book a few hours of your time. You won’t be sorry. ❤️❤️❤️#whenifinishthischapter #mischeiffarm

[carolina · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was hesitant to start but absolutely loved every minute of it. The story is warm and inviting and feels as though you’re right there next to them throughout it all.

[Kelly McClorey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely fantastic! I can’t say enough about this book! The real and raw emotions portrayed had me in tears for most of the book! In a good way of course. Thank you for being so real and honest

[Rosss · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I like this audiobook very much. It did feel like a good love story movie, my family also support this book, very interesting, I felt so close to Hilarie as if she was our close friend. I give a big thanks to the publisher.

[Najeebah Swanson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

These days, I have to be selective about physical books I purchase so I won’t push myself out of my house. It’s small and full of books. I like to listen to the audiobook version as an interview of sorts. I love it when the author is also the reader.
This book is inspiring, heartwarming, and informational. I couldn’t wait to finish it. Next I will order a copy for my bookshelf.
I love to read about the life and journey of women. I think it makes us all stronger.
Najeebah

[Jeremy Mann · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So I don't normally listen to this type of book. I loved her acting so I figured why not. This was an awesome conversation in my head. It was like getting to know someone. You laughed, you cried. This book came to me on a hard part of my life as my Grandma had died just the month before and it was good to hear that others also have loss. I hope she writes a lot more books.

[Lupita Carrillo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It really did feel like a huge love letter. Great summer read with such amazing tips and recipes. Humbled by the kindness and love I felt while reading

[Elizabeth · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really enjoyed this, easy to listen to but held my attention. Need another

[Amina · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the most beautiful book I've read/listened to in awhile. My ex and I had a plan of moving to a farm, reading this brought back all the plans I abandoned because we broke up. Now, I want to do it again, alone with someone, I do not care, I have to. Thank you Hilarie ❤

[Angelina Mavrogianni · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such an interesting, down to earth, story and an amazing narration to go with it

[Anjelika Tskhovrebova Pernstich · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a beautiful book. I enjoyed it so much, laughing and crying as I listened to the stories written by Hilary Burton. I am so grateful to her for sharing this with the world.

[Tracy Hayes · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Awesome book! I love the joy and even sad parts of this story of life on the farm and living in a small community. Very real and very touching. She is an awesome author.

[Jeannie Buck · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

First of all, Hilarie needs to narrate ALL the books! SO engaging - way more than just a celebrity memoir. This is absolutely your best friend, sitting at your farmhouse dinner table, sharing how she got here!! Seriously…you need to listen.