Published By: Boldwood
Pages: 323
Released On: 29/08/2022
London City Vet, Phoebe Dashwood, finds her partner Hugh and their boss in a passionate clinch beneath the mistletoe at their works Christmas party.
Heartbroken, she bolts to the New Forest, her childhood home to regroup and soul search.
Being home gives Phoebe the chance to reconnect with friends and family and especially with her fiercely independent gran, widower Maggie Crowther, owner of Puddleduck Farm, and makeshift animal shelter New Forest Neddies.
Deciding not to return to London, Phoebe hunts for work locally, hoping she can also help Maggie, who’s clearly swamped and not coping. But will Maggie accept Phoebe’s help?
Her quest is hampered by stubborn grandmothers, meddling mums, an attractive childhood friend, a real-life Lord, a remorseful ex, and a best friend who’s determined to play matchmaker.
Can Phoebe find happiness professionally and personally in the place she calls home, surrounded by those she loves or does fate have other plans for Phoebe?
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I can always count on a Della Galton book to cheer me up, and on the day I read this I was feeling particularly low, so it was a great choice to read.
If I’m honest, I did think perhaps there was a bit much going on at times to give enough time to, what with affairs, mental illness, physical illness, romance, financial problems. But having said that, it didn’t do anything to hinder the book, it was still very enjoyable. It still offered the cosy, warming, happy feeling I was wanting from it.
This wasn’t the rom-com, happily-ever-after type story I was expecting either. I don’t want to give anything away, but for me, this was more about falling in love with your surroundings, rediscovering your love for your friends and family, and finding out what you love about yourself.
I thought Phoebe was a lovely main character.she wasn’t a wet weekend or a doormat. Whilst she was going through some difficult times, she never let it consume here, she still stood on her own two feet and was a great character to bounce others off of. I didn’t really think much of any of the male characters. Not that I thought negatively of them, they just weren’t important to me. Whereas the females were fabulous, especially her grandmother Maggie. She reminded me a bit of my own late grandmother and that added to the warm, positive feeling of the book.
I loved the backdrop of the farm and the animal rescue scheme; like a lot of people, I sometimes do prefer animals to people and they all had their own characteristics which was thoroughly entertaining.
This is apparently the first in a new series from her which I’m very happy to hear. I only came across her books within the last year or so and I’m really glad I did. I will definitely be looking out for more additions to my shelf.
Books By Your Bedside 