Book Review - Snowed In At The Practice by Penny Parkes

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Title: Snowed In At The Practice

Author: Penny Parkes

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 14th November 2019

Rating: 5 Stars 

*** Join the residents of Larkford for a festive fling as the snow falls, secrets are revealed and romance blossoms under the mistletoe! ***

Larkford Surgery is the heart of a tightknit community in the Cotswolds, as well as a hotbed of drama, rivalry, resentment and romance - and that's just the doctors …

Dr Holly Graham is finding life with two sets of twins exhausting. Even with husband Dr Taffy Jones and devoted friend Elsie by her side, she is completely outnumbered. Making the transition back to work will be no easy feat but a regular slot on Radio Larkford as their on-air doctor might be the perfect stepping stone, until an unexpected job offer changes everything.

Dr Alice Walker’s new canine clinic at Larkford Surgery with Coco, her assistance dog, has been a storming success. If only shipping her best friend, Dr Tilly Grainger, in from South America to cover for Holly had been such a smooth transition. It seems that Tilly isn’t finding life in the peaceful Cotswolds valley as rewarding as she’d hoped, and she is causing chaos ...

Curl up with the wonderful new novel from the bestselling author of Out of Practice and winner of the RNA Romantic Comedy Award 2017.

How good it was to be back in Larkford and at the Practice.

Although it feels like it was ages since I read the previous book in the series within a page or two I felt as though I had never been away.

Such is the memorability of these characters that the book feels like coming home almost instantly and I couldn't wait to see what was in store for all the doctors this time around. 

And wow what a lot is packed into this latest episode of what could easily be my favourite doctors drama series on TV.

There are so many story lines to follow that even if you aren't keen on one, then give it a few pages and you will have something else to follow. 

This is all about families, and how they come in different shapes and sizes. About how mothers may feel as they contemplate going back to work, and all manner of other issues. 

I loved how the ideas of assistance animals has been expanded and Banana is a welcome addition to the role, and an utterly adorable one at that.  

Then there is Connor who has moved to Larkford, a former rock star, he just wants to be a farmer and lead a quieter life, but is there more to his taking on every waif and stray animal than meets the eye 

Of course it was wonderful to catch up with Holly and Taffy and their two sets of twins, the introduction of a new nanny to help them out.   And seeing how Dan and grace are getting on in their new relationship too. 

Plus getting to know Tilly, Alice's friend who is working at the Practice while Holly is on maternity leave. 

Not to mention everyone's favourite Grand Dame of Larkford, Elsie - I'll leave it to you to discover what she is up to this time!

I read this while I was recovering from dental surgery and it proved to be a wonderful distraction from me feeling sorry for myself and generally being in pain.   

I loved every second of this latest addition to this wonderful series, and just asked that Penny Parkes  doesn't leave it as long between books next time. 

I need more from Larkford and I would love it now! Such a  wonderful series, and I do think this could be read as a standalone, but why deprive yourself of other fabulous books?!!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Best Practice by Penny Parkes

Amazon UK

Title: Best Practice

Author: Penny Parkes

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 22nd February 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

Love and laughter with the residents of Larkford is exactly what the doctor ordered!

Dr Alice Walker has become accomplished at presenting a façade to the world – to anyone watching, she is the epitome of style, composure and professionalism. But perhaps it was to be expected that the cracks might begin to show at some point. Thankfully Grace is on hand to offer both friendship and support when it’s needed most.

Meanwhile, Dr Holly Graham has her hands full both professionally and personally. Planning a wedding with Taffy Jones is challenging enough, even before some surprising news changes everything. At least beloved Larkford resident, Elsie, still has a few tricks left up her sleeve!

Dr Dan Carter, on the other hand, has decided to throw himself into his career – the best antidote he’s found to unrequited love. When tragedy strikes in the heart of Larkford, Dan makes it his mission to help the community.

From the moment I started Best Practice I felt as though I was amongst old friends, as I returned to Larkford and the wonderful array of characters there.  This is an incredibly well paced book and you are thrown into the action almost from the start, and there is plenty going on with every chapter. 

Due to the large number of characters, most of who since it is the third book, now feel like I know them well, there are many many storylines thread amongst this book, while at the heart of it is a campaign to save some services from being completely shut down amongst rural medical facilities. 

I am delighted that we got to see a lot more of Dr. Alice Walker who made her debut in Practice Makes Perfect, as she starts to become a vital member of The Practice, and we learn far more about what makes her tick as a person. 

Elsie is as always one of my favourite characters, and even I was surprised at the new depths of friendship and kindness she was able to display in this story.  Then there are doctors Holly and Taffy, who are a fabulous couple and there were instances involving them that had me welling up with tears, I as was absorbed with their story. 

There are a whole range of medical conditions and issues mentioned and discussed in this book, as well as themes of friendship, community spirit, love and just generally its a book that gives off a feel good vibe. 

I was so enthralled to be back within the door of The Practice that, I honestly can't comment either way as to whether it works as a standalone book.  I will say that the whole series so far has been fabulous, and that I found this one the fastest of the three to read so far, presumably as I am getting used to the writing style and characters. 

I am already thoroughly looking forward to and hoping for more books set around this fabulous cast of characters,  especially after having just read that ending, and I want to see how they all move forwards from there. 

If you are looking for an action packed book filled with both laughs and tears, then look no further than Best Practice. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Thank you to everyone that told me I should read this, I completely agree. Looking forward to seeing your next pick for me this week. 

Book Review - Practice Makes Perfect by Penny Parkes

Amazon UK

Title:  Practice Makes Perfect

Author: Penny Parkes

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 29th June 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

The Practice at Larkford has suddenly been thrust under the spotlight – and its nomination as a ‘NHS Model Surgery’ is causing the team major headaches. Dr Holly Graham should be basking in the glow of her new romance with fellow doctor, Taffy – but she is worried that the team is prioritising plaudits over patients, and her favourite resident, the irreverent and entertaining Elsie, is facing a difficult diagnosis. Add to that the chaos of family life and the strain is starting to show.

Dr Dishy Dan Carter’s obsession with work is masking unhappiness elsewhere – he can’t persuade girlfriend Julia to settle down. It’s only as Julia’s mother comes to stay that he realizes what she has been hiding for so long. Alice Walker joins the team like a breath of fresh air and her assistance dog Coco quickly wins everyone round – which is just as well, because Coco and Alice will soon need some help of their own. Can they pull together and become the Dream Team that the NHS obviously thinks they are?

Having read Practice Makes Perfect I’m not utterly convinced that the setting of Larkford and The Practice would be a perfect setting for a soap opera or sitcom. There is so much drama and so many different storylines and characters all of which are really interesting that it keeps you reading page after page. 

Not only do we see a return of the four main doctors, but we also see the introduction of a new young doctor Alice to the surgery in addition to her assistance dog Coco. It was from the moments they were first introduced that I could tell that they would be rather integral characters and rather special too. 

It is great to see the continuing stories of Julia, Dan, Taffy and Holly and wow do they manage to fit a lot into tot his book between them. Julia’s continual media ambitions, while struggling to contain her family demons. Dan is caught up in a turbulent relationship, but is another woman just starting to catch this eye, he is also big on championing the Practice in the Community project, and I loved hearing about some of the fundraising. While Holly and Taffy are adjusting to living together and the twins, Ben and Tom are a handful while being thoroughly entertaining. 

Of course it’s not just the doctors lives the book focuses on, there is also Grace the admin woman who seems to be great at firmly keeping the doctors in line. And then there are the people in the community, including some recurring characters that I was eager to see the return of like Major and Elsie. 
This is a story about realistic characters facing the everyday challenges that normal working people face, including their bosses entering them into a high profile bet for their unique management style, the tug between mother and daughter relationships, sibling rivalries, and loads of other examples of things that are easy to relate to. 

Yes this is quite a long book, but I really didn’t feel like a slog, in fact it was a delight to read, with Dan and Taffy providing a fair amount of comic relief, in a story that has many facets to it. I believe Practice Makes Perfect could be read as a standalone, as prior intimate knowledge of the previous books isn’t required. As a returning reader to the series, I was incredibly pleased to discover it really didn’t take long to feel like part of the community in Larkford again. 

I am already incredibly eager to read the next book in the series, and can’t wait to see what the charismatic residents of Larkford will get up to next! 

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Out of Practice by Penny Parkes - Rachel Reads Randomly Book #33 - Booklympics

Amazon UK

Title:  Out of Practice

Author: Penny Parkes

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Purchased

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 28th July 2016

Rating: 4 Stars

Out of Practice is based around a large country medical practice, which proves to be a hotbed of rivalry, resentment and romance - and that's just the doctors. Think James Herriot meets House.

Meet married mum of two and successful GP Holly Graham as she relocates her family to join the team at The Practice at Beckerford, hoping to find the peaceful life she craves, despite the chaos that comes with her two year old twins and the troublesome state of her marriage. It will certainly be a challenge to keep her private and professional lives separate in such a tight-knit community.

Her colleagues have their own issues to contend with. The gorgeous Dr Dan Carter is struggling with to focus on work and the last thing he needs is any more stress; having his ambitious ex-girlfriend Dr Julia Channing working alongside him isn't really helping. Thankfully, the rather delectable Dr Taffy Jones is on hand to distract Holly from the escalating situation at home.

Feisty octogenarian and resident celebrity, Elsie Townsend, is Holly's favourite patient and saving grace. Elsie's inspirational Life Lessons come at the perfect moment, as The Practice is suddenly under threat of imminent closure and Holly rediscovers her voice and her priorities just in time …

If you have ever watched BBC medical soap opera Doctors, then you will have a good idea of the sort of place Larkford is, and more specifically The Practice. It is a GP surgery that forms the heart of the community, and I loved reading about the various ailments the patients came in with and the way the doctors dealt with them. 

Holly is in a miserable marriage and has two year old twin boys, they make the move to Larkford so she can have a new job and better quality of life, than when she was working in a hospital, and it isn't before long she makes her mark on the surgery and the community. 

Her best friend Lizzie already lived in the town, as did Lizzie's cousin, the dishy Dr Dan, who is an instant ally for Holly. The other Drs and members of staff in the surgery are a complete mix of personalities, from the money grabbing doctor, to the stand offish, to the pretty much germphobic pharmacist! 

Elsie Townsend was definitely the best character, she is in her 80s and keeps the doctors on their toes as they try to work out if she is acting, just being herself or if old age is starting to creep in. She is a breath of fresh air to the whole book, and is makes a very dear friend in Holly, while imparting her words of wisdom. 

There is a theme in the story, about whether you should always bow down to the word "should" rather than even occasionally listening to your inner voice about doing what you want to do. This is one of Elsie's teachings, and one that really affects Julia and Holly's lives. 

My overwhelming feeling about Out of Practice was that although the writing was really good, and the I was really getting a great sense of Larkford, and the Practice, as well as the various characteristics of the people, is that the book felt far too long. It seemed as though no matter how much I was reading, the percentage bar wasn't filling, and there was a lot of story. 

That being said, I truly think that this is a promising debut novel, and that I would love to see a return to Larkford, and The Practice, as the author definitely knows her medical writing. 

Thank you to everyone that overwhelmingly voted for Out of Practice this week. I'd had the book since the Spring Blogger Event earlier in the year, where I did get to meet Penny Parkes and had my paperback copy signed. As I was reading the first chapter, I could hear Penny's voice in my minds ear as she had read some of the first chapter for those of us present. As a result I'm very glad I finally had a chance to read this, and hope you will all whatever this weeks selection is on my new Rachel's Reads Randomly vote.