Sunday 15 December 2019

Book Review - Christmas at Silver Dale by Lucy Daniels

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Title: Christmas at Silver Dale
Author: Lucy Daniels
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Publication Date: 17th December 2019
Rating: 5 Stars

Although Christmas should be the most wonderful time of year, Mandy Hope is struggling. Her relationship with Jimmy Marsh is on the rocks, while her best friend James has a gorgeous new son which only confirms how much Mandy wants children of her own.

Desperately in need of a friend, Mandy strikes up a close relationship with new Welford resident Geraldine Craven, who is only too happy to offer a shoulder to cry on. Geraldine looks to be a lifeline in these troubled times, until she reveals a devastating secret about Mandy's past.

With so much uncertainty, is there still hope for a happy Christmas?

Another wonderful addition to this series, I loved being back among the Hope family at both Animal Ark and Hope Meadows. 

More troubling is the state of Mandy and Jimmy's relationship and there were many scenes between them where my heart was actually breaking, and at no point was I completely convinced there would be much hope for a reconciliation. 

There is a new key character to this instalment, Geraldine and just from the hints in the blurb and a weird gut feeling I spent most of the first half of the book looking for clues to confirm my instincts, and I was in this instance spot on. It added a new dimension to the book, and made me see another side of Mandy. 

Actually I was on the verge and tears off and on throughout this book, in part due the wonderfulness of the writing, and how connected I am to these characters, that I was really feeling for them, and possibly in part due to fear this may be the end of the series, as at the time of writing this review, I can't see the next one up on pre-order which is usually the case by now, and that worries me, as I don't want the series to end. 

And the animals, some utter cuties in this one, and even some alpaca, which you don't tend to see every day.  Plus there is a great scene with an eagle too.  The dogs are wonderful as always, and there are some very cute sounding kittens too. 

I loved seeing how best friend James was adapting to being a father, and seeing glimpse of Taresh. Also how Mandy's relationships with twins Max and Abi was deepening and growing despite not being sure of her future with Jimmy. 

This could probably be read as a standalone, but why miss out on five other fabulous books to get to this point, and catching up with the other key characters is always great. 

I loved this book and the series too, I can't get enough of it.   I love all my time spend in the company of the animals and people at Animal Ark and the rescue centre.  

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

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