Book Review - A Friend Called Alfie by Rachel Wells

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Title: A Friend Called Alfie

Author: Rachel Wells

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 17th October 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

The Sunday Times bestseller returns for a sixth book! Alfie and his mischievous kitten George are back for more adventures – this time with a puppy in tow…

At Christmas time we all need a friend…

Alfie and his kitten, George, have always known that a human is for life and not just for Christmas. So when George learns that one of the residents of Edgar Road has been taken into hospital, he realises it’s up to him to provide some comfort at this difficult time of year.

The only problem is that they now have a little puppy in tow – Pickles the Pug, who is convinced he can be a cat if only he sticks with his new found friends.

As George tries to do everything he can to make the world – and its humans – happier, Alfie struggles to keep Pickles in check and out of trouble. Because even the best laid plans can be destroyed by a well-meaning – but mischievous – little puppy…

Join Alfie, George – and now Pickles – as they come to the rescue of some lonely souls. The perfect read for fans of James Bowen from the Sunday Times bestseller.

I have no idea where to begin with this review other than saying this is a purrfect festive read, that is incredibly funny but also full of an important message about being lonely at Christmas. 

I loved the new addition to Alfie and George's family, Pickles the Pug.  Pickles is determined to be the best cat he can be which leads to all sorts of hilarious antics, and fabulous lines.  He really isn't the smartest of puppies, and is just that bit mischievous too, without really intending to be. 

Seeing the cat's friendship group essentially adopt a dog is so amusing. 

And then there is George who is growing up before our very eyes and now has let's just say a close friendship with a female cat which is so cute to see, as well his determination to get a job.  I loved George's job, I had guessed what it might be and the section leading up to Alfie discovering what his son is up to was so amusing.  

These cats have such human qualities to them, and are far smarter then their humans, although all the 2 legged people in this book are great too, and I enjoyed catching up with them. 

Then there is Alfie's own love life, which seems complicated, and the fact he is forever being tasked with puppy sitting!!   I mean a cat looking after a dog, when have you ever seen that before, but yet it felt so believable.  

There are so many subplots and threads running through this book, it was like watching a tv series but being able to binge watch it so you didn't miss a thing!! 

I adore Alfie, George and the rest of the felines (both real ones and the pug), and this has cemented itself to my mind as a series I need to continue to follow forever as I love the characters and writing so much. 

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

Book Review - Alfie the Holiday Cat by Rachel Wells

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Amazon UK

Title: Alfie The Holiday Cat

Author: Rachel Wells

Format reviewed: Hardback

Source: Avon sent it

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 16th November 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Alfie and George just can’t seem to keep out of trouble. So when they hear that their owners have got a new holiday home, they can’t wait to visit it and enjoy some new adventures.

But when they arrive, they don’t find the comfort they’re used to. Crumbling walls, peeling paint, dripping ceilings…this little Cornish cottage is clearly on its last legs.

Family and friends rally round to try and save the cottage – but it soon becomes clear that the locals don’t want them there at all. It’s up to Alfie and George to make sure their family is welcomed into the village – that’s if they can keep out of the way of the nastiest cat they’ve ever encountered…

I can't believe it has taken me so long to finally read a book in this series.  Alfie the Holiday Cat has been staring at me on my bookshelf for about 2 years since he arrived into my home, but its taken until now to sit down and meet him properly. 

And awww how adorable are Alfie and his kitten George, and the three families they look after.  I had to keep laughing at can only be described as puppy love from George, although I can assure you it was an unrequited crush on an old cat, and not a dog, that lead him to spend his time just wanting to catch a glimpse of Chanel! 

Despite the book starting at Christmas, and the slightly festive looking cover, almost the whole book takes place over the course of a summer, and as such could easily be read at any time of the year. In fact the title is thus rather clever as I assumed the holiday cat would be Christmas holidays, and not a summer holiday! 

It took me a chapter or two to get into the swing of things, as learning the dynamics of three families when you know you haven't read the previous books of the series, is always a large number of characters to get to know but once I had an idea about them, I was incredibly happy. 

This is such a fabulous book written through a cat's eyes. I loved how Alfie felt responsible for everything, how clever he really is and how in tune his humans seemed to be with him.  From Alfie's point of view we see this new holiday home and everything that is going on, even before the humans are aware just what lengths the locals are going to to drive them away. 

And watching Alfie and George get to grips with the beach, eating ice-cream, paddleboarding are some of the sweetest and funniest things i have read in ages. 

Heartwarming, full of love and laughter, this is an incredibly adorable book that has already got me craving to read more of this series.   I really did love it and read around the last 200 pages in one sitting, when I possibly should have been doing other things. 

A purrfectly wonderful story! 

Thank you to Avon for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily,