Book Review: The Vets at Hope Green, part three Two Close To Home

Published by Ebury Publishing on 16th March.

Blurb: PART THREE of a serialised novel – a heartwarming and inspiring story about living the simple life and the joy of animals.

Things are finally starting to look up for Sam – a chance at her dream job as a vet, and a new friend (who is a huge animal lover himself – a very important detail!) What more could she ask for?

But a something is eating away at her: her boss Joe is acting strangely around her – he’s definitely hiding something. And having dreamed of being a vet for so long, she cannot afford to put a foot wrong.

When a call to tend to a sick pony comes into the practice, it all strikes too close to home for Sam and Joe. The odds are stacked against her, and she risks losing everything…

Note: this is part three of a four-part serialised novel. The full length paperback will be available in June.

Review: Firstly, Happy publication day Sheila. I have well and truly loved this series. I must admit the wait from part two to part three was agonising. It was the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers or so I thought at the time. I loved getting back acquainted with Sam and my worries and concerns for her were calmed at the beginning of this part. I still think there’s loads more to Joe and I really loved experiencing his softer side. I don’t want to say to much but the cancer addition to the storyline was a shocker and I know plenty of people who have beaten it once but were unlucky second time around. I’m not gunna lie this made me think as this is what happened with my Nan who I was extremely close to and happens days after friends have been effected from cancer. 

I love Ruby she’s such a character and I hope there is lots more with her and Sam as I think this friendship could help Sam close a door on the past (which we haven’t heard a great deal about).

Earlier in this post I said that the end of part two was the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers well this morning I was proved wrong. I knew that Sheila would have a big one as the next part is the final instalment in this beautiful story of hope, friendship, love, family and new beginnings. But I wasn’t expecting what I read and I will be hanging on awaiting that final part with bated breath.

You can download part three via Amazon Here! I have loved every single second of this series by Sheila, and I can’t wait to read more by her. 

Reading and blogging intentions for week of 13th March….

Hi guys, yes. You aren’t seeing things I have blogged twice in one day. 

The thing is since I relaunched this site I have always had the best of intentions on regular updates. My drafts section has unfinished posts that could have been organised and sent a while back so, here’s the deal on either Sunday or Monday of each week I will post up an intentions post where I am documenting what I aim to do for the week. 

Life really does get in the way sometimes but now I intend to be way more organised. I also want to start new features on this blog where I can bring in other things. Maybe some different reviews bringing in film and theatre and I definitely want to start venturing out to quirky coffee shops to read and sample the coffee.

Let me know if any of these things sound good? 

Intentions:

• Sort and post Sophie Kinsella My Not so perfect life I loved this book it really did make me think about social media.
• At the beginning of Feb I attended an awesome crime event. I didn’t take any snaps as when I arrived there was barely anyone there and then I just got chatting. I do however have a fab bag of goodies. May even get you guys to help me choose.
• On Thursday part three of The Vets of Hope Green is released I shall get into reading that today. Review will be up on publication day. 
• I hope to get back on the vlog – if you have any suggestions do comment below.
• Audible – Seeing as I often walk to work and holding a paperback or Kobo etc can be awkward whilst walking along I have been toying with audio. I have only had one audio read and I haven’t ever finished it as it’s a cd. I’m thinking either a classic read or possibly Lauren Graham’s book may be my first. Shout if you have any audible advice or suggestions I’m all ears.
• Maybe a book post entry as I have received or bought some cracking books just lately. 

It’s a beautiful Spring esque day today so enjoy it while you can. I walked into work this morning and it felt even better with the sun shining. 

A productive Monday (I hope) and tonight I will be seeing An American in Paris in the theatre. I loved this film I watched it shortly after losing my Nan who loved these sort of films and I believe she smiled down on me and that competition win was a gift from her. 

Book Review: Because I Was Lonely by Hayley Mitchell and Giveaway.

Published: 2nd March by RedDoor Publishing 

Blurb: The grass is always greener on the other side…. Or is it?

Meet Rachel. She’s trapped in a sleep-deprived world of misery and grief. She used to love being a wife and mum, but now life is a grown-up mess.

Meet Adam. He’s trapped in a world of grief and confusion. It wasn’t always like this, but since the accident, things have never been the same. 

Rachel and Adam used to be friends, back on the days before marriage and babies…before loneliness set in. Then along came Facebook. So when Rachel and Adam rekindle their online friendship, what starts as a little harmless flirtation soon becomes an obsession, and slowly the threads of their lives unravel before them. 

Because I was lonely expertly traces the rollercoaster of actions and reactions experienced by a cast of credible, fallible, and ultimately human, characters. 

Review: Firstly I must thank RedDoor publishing for sending me a copy of this. I feel like I had this ages before it was released yet I didn’t start reading until the day before. On my initial read I was shocked and hooked by Rachel who is the first character we hear from. I felt sorry for her and I longed for her to get the support she needed. She sounded so lost and in despair. My heart was in my mouth on reading her initial thoughts. The book is split into two parts we hear from Rachel, Adam, David and Julia and then in part two we are shown how their lives intertwine. 

Wow for a debut novel Hayley really did go all out Because I Was Lonely is heartfelt, poignant and real. Each and everyone of us can change based on a series of unfortunate events. Adam changed due to an accident that he blamed himself for. Rachel changed after baby number two Jamie and lack of sleep. Julia didn’t change so much but she adapted to the situation and maybe not in entirely the right way. David became frustrated and became lonely and easily distracted. 

I wasn’t expecting part two to be as naughty as it was. It’s funny what connecting to the past can feel like via social media and how sometimes those furthest away from us are the ones who make us see the clearest of blues. I was intrigued and at times shocked by this novel, it just shows that anyone can switch when they are desperate enough. I also liked the fact that the ending could mean many things so each reader could take something different from it. 

I really enjoyed this debut by my name sake and now I want to give someone else the chance to read this intriguing and at times shocking read. Comment below as to why you would like to read it and whether I made you want to. I will give it until Wednesday evening and then I will pick a winner.