| Title | : | Summer at Hope Meadows (Hope Meadows, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 400 |
| Publication | : | First published June 1, 2017 |
Based on the globally bestselling Animal Ark series.
Newly-qualified vet Mandy Hope is leaving Leeds - and her fiancé Simon - to return to the Yorkshire village she grew up in. There, she will help out in her parents' surgery whilst they're short-staffed. Mandy's life has always revolved around her work with rescued animals, and Welford offers an opportunity to work with creatures of all sizes, from hedgehogs and puppies to farm stock and even wild deer.
But rural Yorkshire is very different to the hustle and bustle of a big city. Mandy must work hard to be accepted by the close-knit village community, and convince them of her abilities as a vet - especially Jimmy Marsh, the gruff owner of the local Outward Bound business, with whom she just can't seem to get along.
When some long-neglected animals are discovered in a critical state on a nearby farm, Mandy is determined to prove herself as a confident and fearless vet. When it comes to protecting animals in need, she's prepared to do whatever it takes...
Summer at Hope Meadows (Hope Meadows, #1) Reviews
-
4☆ Full of Charm, Perfect feel good summer read.
Summer at hope Meadow is a feel good book that warms you up. A great sense of village community, adorable animals, romance, and changes.
This is the first book in the series and I am allready looking forward to the next book.
Mandy returns home to Welford to help out in her families vet practise.
It's a far cry from the busy, exciting Leeds where she lives with her boyfriend.
But it's home and her family need her.
This story is jam packed with adorable animals of all shapes and sizes.
My sister works as a vet nurse so I loved reading this book and can't wait for her to read it too.
Perfect book for animal lovers.
Mandy's boyfriend isn't really keen on Mandy returning home as they have big plans on opening their own practise.
But with Mandy spending more time at home her heart is being tested. So is her relationship.
Especially when James comes back into Mandy's life.
They are childhood best friends but they have so much in common there is definetly a chemistry bubbling.
Will Mandy and Simon be able to last the distance?
Sometimes first books have a tendency to lack substance.
But not with Summer at Hope Meadows.
It's full of Charm and character.
I really love how much thought and work Lucy has put in to getting each character just right.
The story line sets the scene beautifully, ready for the next instalment.
It has the perfect mix of emotion and humour, it's enchanting and you will find yourself falling in love with Mandy, Animal Ark, Welford and the community.
Mandy oozes passion and sensitivity for her job, the animals and their owners.
She shows compassion which is what every owner of a sick furr baby needs.
I'm excited about this new series and definitely think it has HUGE potential.
Perfect feel good summer read.
I think this is the perfect book for Animal Lovers, YA, Summer Reads, general fiction.
I received this book from the Publisher in exchange for a honest and fair review via Netgalley. -
4.5 - "It feels as if I've never been away." Stars!
The first book in the Hope Meadows series, offers up a small village setting, lots of places and people to get to know, with the focal point being the Veterinary Surgery; Animal Ark.
This is one of those books you pick up, and basically step into the story. The small village of Welford and its residents offered up a well-balanced and beautifully written story. Mandy Hope has returned home after qualifying as a Vet, and working in Leeds for the past year. Her parents are getting on in years, and the 24/7 nature of the business is starting to take its toll.
"So many big memories… for such a pocket-sized village."
What initially starts as a few months cover for Mandy, to help out until her parents can find a suitable new staff-member, turns into something else, when she starts to realize, that all of her hopes and dreams may actually be realized better by staying in the village rather than moving back to the big city.
Animal Ark has always been where my heart is.
You get glimpses of a lot of other village members in the setting up of Mandy’s story, which makes me happy because you know that as the series develops all of them are going to have parts to play in each new release. I am a huge fan of books of this sort, the romance aspect was light, apart from the idiot boyfriend Simon, although I am glad he didn’t play a massive part in the tale as a whole, but new arrival Jimmy Marsh has potential as well as a few others in the love-stakes in further books in the series.
The next book in the series A Hope Meadows Christmas is due for release later on this year, and I am looking forward to getting my seasonal spirit soaring with the animals and residents of Welford.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
-
Book Reviewed by Jodie om
www.whisperingstories.com
Returning to the quiet village of Welford, in Yorkshire, Mandy Hope’s life is about to get very busy. Helping out at her parents’ veterinary practice, Mandy tries to balance work life in Welford together with home life in Leeds with her boyfriend, Simon. She soon finds herself pushed to the limit.
When Mandy comes across some sick animals on a local farm, she takes them in. Nurturing them back to health, Mandy has her work cut out. With Simon back in Leeds speeding ahead on his plans for their future veterinary practice, Mandy finds everything spiralling out of control.
Mandy and Simon appear to want the same thing in their careers, but unexpected happenings cause Mandy to re-evaluate her life. Which one of them will sacrifice part of their dream to please the other? Or can they both get what they want, be happy, and stay together?
When her best friend James is dealt a devastating blow, it serves as a reminder to Mandy of what’s truly important in life. It also shows us a glimpse of the real person behind one of the other characters.
We meet plenty of supporting characters in the book which help the story come to life and move it forward. I was a little disappointed by the lack of ’scene time’ that James’ character had, considering how close he is to Mandy. We see him at the start and then again two thirds of the way through. It is a shame, especially with the drama going on in his own life. I’d hoped to read more about Jimmy’s character, too. I felt there wasn’t enough interaction between him and Mandy. It seemed a little wishy-washy.
Most of the characters were likeable. There was only one who I disliked from the outset. The author slowly gave more reasons to confirm my initial feelings. At one point I thought the author was going to try and sway them into a more likeable character but thankfully this didn’t happen. It would have ruined the book and made a character close to them seem feeble.
Set around the theme of animal rescue and veterinary practices, it wasn’t a subject I was that familiar with, which made it all the more refreshing to read. The author is a qualified veterinarian and her knowledge is evident throughout. The detail on medical practices and animal care is superb and you get a real sense of the procedures carried out.
I found some of the storyline predictable. I detected the clues well in advance and wasn’t surprised by the end of the book.
There is a great deal of scene setting throughout the book. Although very detailed and picturesque in my imagination, at times it was a little too much. I found myself skimming some of the words.
The book is well written and the storyline was good. I enjoyed the animal rescues and outcomes. When I reached the end I wasn’t entirely satisfied. It wasn’t strong and final. I felt there was something lacking but I couldn’t fathom what. -
It must be comforting, having roots that run so deep.
Mandy Hope is a vet and she works in Leeds. Her parents are also vets and they work in Welford. They have a clinic called, Animal Ark. When she finds out that her parents' new assistant has suddenly quit and her parents are struggling with all the patients, she decides to help them temporarily and the timing couldn't be better as her contract is soon finishing in Leeds and she's not looking to renew it.
Mandy has a boyfriend, Simon who is also a vet and works with Mandy in Leeds. They both have plans to open up their own practice in Leeds as Mandy has come into some inheritance money. Mandy also wants to open up a rescue center for animals.
Mandy comes back to Welford and starts helping her parents. She meets some new and some old faces and soon gets busy and feels as if she's never left. Simon's and her plans of opening up a new practice seem eons away as she's spending practically all her time in Welford and Simon is up in Leeds but Simon starts to go forward with the plans and Mandy feels like everything is happening too fast. She comes up with a plan for opening up the practice and the animal shelter at the same time. When they find out about animal abuse by a local resident, Mandy's plans for the rescue center are moved forward. She didn't have any time to discuss things with Simon. Then her best friend, James's husband, Paul dies and she gets a change of perspective. Would she be able to convince Simon or is there something else in store for Mandy?
I picked this up at my local library in the summer reads section. The cover is gorgeous, it's a book about animals and summer, and there's the beautiful countryside in the mix. I was sure to love it and I did love it for the first 100 pages then things just started to go downhill. I liked Mandy in the beginning but as the book progressed, I liked her less and less. By the end, I just couldn't care less about her. Look I get it that she loves animals with a passion. I get it. But other than that there was nothing going for her character in my opinion. Mandy's a terrible girlfriend, to begin with. She barely interacts with Simon throughout and expects him to get on board with everything. To be fair, Simon was no better as he did the exact same thing so I am not too mad about it but he did come round but Mandy doesn't even give him a chance. She's hot one minute and cold the next.
Then comes her relationship with her parents, Mandy keeps noticing that her mum looks more paler and fragile each time she looks at her, not even once she asks her if there's anything to be worried about. And the writer didn't even acknowledge if there was indeed something wrong with Emily. I wondered but never got the answer. She also wants to open a rescue center but not even once she discusses it properly with anyone including her parents. She wants to open the rescue center on her parents' property and has a meeting with an architect without ever consulting her parents. She also hasn't thought of anything else like planning permits or where would the money come from for opening up the rescue center or how would she get money to keep it up and running. I know that she has some inheritance money but at least plan something. It's one thing to have a dream and/or a goal but another to actually bring it to life. You can't just say - oh it's been my dream ever since I was a kid to open up a rescue center and expect it to just happen. She's twenty-seven years old and expects everything to just happen magically.
Mandy was also a terrible friend. First, at Paul's funeral because James didn't really talk to her, she wonders oh why is James like that? Maybe because it's his husband's funeral. That's why? And after the funeral, she doesn't even check up on James. I know he said that he wants to be left alone but his husband just died and also Mandy and James are best friends and have been best friends since they were kids. I mean come on.
She also gets jealous of a female character when she sees her for the first time (even though she doesn't know her) just because she finds out that a potential love interest used to date her. Mandy had spoken to this person on the phone and this is what she thinks when she sees her - Mandy was surprised. From their conversation about rehoming Bill, she had expected someone older. Seriously? Another thing, she was also rude to this potential love interest when she meets him for the first time because she doesn't like his business ideas. It is one of my pet peeves when people are rude to other people for no apparent reason. Why do we have such petty MCs in these times? Ugh!
She also takes dogs inside the hospital and no, it isn't an animal hospital. This was so, so wrong. Mandy being in the medical profession should not have done that. I understand she was trying to help but this was over the top. I just wish that she acted a bit more grown-up and like the world doesn't revolve around her.
But the writer was hellbent on showing Mandy as a hero as she single-handedly rescues many animals and more than once. She also stops someone from shooting others and also gets the people the help they need because she's that good.
There were some typos in the book. A character called Saloni, I guess that was the name because this name was misspelled pretty much every time it was mentioned. It was either Saloni, Salomi or Solani. There were a few other typos that I couldn't be bothered making a note of.
I gathered that this is a grown-up spin-off of a series called, Animal Ark, and Mandy and James used to be young kids in that series. I haven't read that series and I don't plan to.
I expected a lazy, summer, idyllic read and for the most part, it was that but the story could have been better. I loved the setting though, I loved the story about animals and I loved the first 100 pages but the rest of the book was quite boring. There were also a lot of details about animal procedures. Like way too much. I did however like that ending. I also liked Mandy's journey even though I disliked her. I loved James. I loved Mandy's parents, Adam and Emily. I loved Helen and Seb. I know this is just the first book in the series and it might even get better but I am not holding my breath.
2.7 stars -
I have a confession to make...
.. I have never read any of the Animal Ark books. I was aware of them when I was younger, but I think they started coming out once I was already moving onto books for slightly older children. As a result I had absolutely no proper idea what to expect when I started reading Summer at Hope Meadows, and I am just so happy that I loved the book as much as I did.
It took a whole 5 mins of reading before I relaxed, sat back and let this incredibly lovely story take over my life for the rest of the day! At this point let me just say how refreshing it was to read about a female vet. I have recently read books featuring hunky male vets as the main attraction, but this one, the heroine of the book, is animal mad, and is wonderful with animals.
If you don't like cute and fluffy animals, or some of the larger farm livestock that you get in rural areas, then this won't be the book for you, as it is teeming at the seams with adorableness. But with it there is also a rather more serious message running through the book about treating animals well, animal welfare and there are some incredibly distressing scenes when you Mandy comes across mal-treated animals.
Mandy is a wonderful character, she seems to put animals first ahead of everything, with the exception of her best friend James who also loves animals. James is involved in a huge storyline that I don't want to say anything more about, but just keep an eye on him. The other main man in Mandy's life is her boyfriend of a year Simon.
Simon and Mandy seem to have differing views on a lot of things, and he isn't too pleased at her decision to return home to Welford, while he is still working in Leeds. He also wants to set up a different sort of clinic to where Molly's heart lies, and he is a character that I took an almost instant dislike to.
While I was reading, I did do a quick google about the original Animal Ark series, and from the little I saw, I believe I am safe in saying that if you grew up with the series or enjoyed it at all as a child, then you will love this new series for adults, featuring an adult Mandy and James.
It is very clear how compassionate both Mandy and the author is towards animals, and Hope Meadows has the potential to be incredibly special. I am already incredibly eager to read book 2 of this series, as if the writing flows as well as it did in this first book, I'll be impressed. This was a very easy to read book and it really captured my imagination.
Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder for this copy of the book which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. -
Mandy Hope is happy to return home to Welford for the summer, to help out her family's vet practice, Animal Ark, until they can get a suitable replacement. After all, it is only short-term and she will pop back to Leeds when she can to visit Simon, her boyfriend. But as Mandy settles back into her childhood home and lifestyle, it is not long before she can no longer remember her city life, or the ultra-sophisticated future vet practice plans that Simon is determined to start back in Leeds.
Reunited with her best friend James, and the various faces from the village that shaped her over the years, Mandy is forced to question what she really wants from her future. And even though some people certainly seem to rub her up the wrong way, the handsome Mr. Marsh, for example, Mandy feels at peace here. As tragedy strikes, and pressure from Simon to return to Leeds mounts, Mandy must find the courage to grab hold of her dreams and seize the moment...if she can.
SUMMER AT HOPE MEADOWS by Lucy Daniels is a stunning, emotional, beautiful tale of friendship, love, and the importance of being who you need to be. Naturally, there are plenty of animals to fall in love with in this story, especially Shy, but the characters and community of Welford are equally as compelling and I cannot wait to return for more in the next book. Mandy is a caring and determined character and I really loved that about her.
Based on the bestselling Animal Ark Series which featured 12-year-old Mandy and her best friend James, it was wonderful to see Mandy and James all grown up and still as close as ever in SUMMER AT HOPE MEADOWS. Their deep friendship brings such an emotional element to this novel and as they face hardships together, their strength and ability to be there for each other, really warmed my heart.
I laughed, I cried, and I became completely ensnared in SUMMER AT HOPE MEADOWS by Lucy Daniels and I cannot recommend it highly enough - it really has got it all!!
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher -
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was a lovely easy read just what I needed. I always loved the Animal Ark series as a young girl following the adventures of Mandy Hope and her best friend James Hunter. I even used to watch the tv series after school and look forward to it every week. So when I saw that Lucy Daniels had wrote a series following Mandy in her older years I knew I had to give it a read. I’m not disappointed I gave this a read and I will read more in the series. I just felt the book was a little too predictable in its writing style, I knew at times exactly how the chapter was going to end as it would be set up that way. I like stories that keep you guessing. However like I said it was like meeting back up with a old friend and I can’t wait to follow more of their adventures.
This book reminded me a lot of the Talyton St George series by Cathy Woodman following Maz the vet which I also enjoyed in the feel and subject matter been very similar.
I loved that Summer at Hope Meadows was set in Yorkshire. Some of the locations were were I have visited and close to home. -
“Summer at Hope Meadows” is the first in a series of books based on the best selling Animal Ark a series.
A decade after the original Animal Ark series, Mandy Hope returns to the Yorkshire village of Welford, where she grew up a fully qualified vet to help out in her parents vet practice. Leaving her boyfriend Simon behind in Leeds is a wrench but Mandy has to return to help out.
Simon has plans to get Mandy back to the city as soon as possible but will Mandy be able to leave her home village once she has lived there again is her heart truly with Simon or does she want to follow her dreams in Weldford?
I was glad that I cam across this new series. I had never read the ‘Animal Ark’ series as a child and was in no way disadvantaged when reading this book. This is a perfect read for those who (like me) loved Cath Woodman’s ‘Talyton St George’ series.
Highly recommend read and I am looking forward to the next book in the series. -
I bought the Animal Ark stories for my daughters as I thought they were such a lovely series full of animal mad children. I requested this book through Net Galley without realising that this book ( and I imagine- the first in a new series) features Mandy Hope as a grown up newly qualifed vet coming back to help her parents. I also hadn't realised that the original books were written by a team of writers and this new one is written by a vet.
It was such an adorable read, the characters were already so familiar to me, although the new characters were also wonderful. You get a real sense of village community and the feeling that you have moved into the pages of the book.
I've recently been accompanying my daughter to a daycare farm and I was surprised how much we've learnt about animals since we've been spending one day a week in a dream come true. This book felt very similar- you are so absorbed with the story that you could easily read this in one sitting.
It covers the concept of making dreams a reality, family, relationships and overcoming the fear of the 'new vet' status and lovely animal patients.
I'll be first in the queue to read another book in this series. -
Summer at Hope Meadows is without a doubt the summer read of 2017 as far as I’m concerned.
This book is the first in a new series, and the author has taken her time to lay a solid foundation for what promises to be a really good series.
I not only felt introduced to a whole cast of characters, I felt like I really had the time to know them, none of the characters felt as though they were simply there to fill a page, each of them plays a part in the story.
I was able to build up a vivid picture of Welford, Animal Ark and all the surrounding places, I almost felt at home there, because of the wonderfully descriptive writing.
The storyline was thoroughly enjoyable, it branched of into a few smaller storylines which all came together perfectly.
Because Summer at Hope Meadows is set in and around a veterinary practice and rescue centre we meet lots of different animals, and their owners, which helps to make a lively, fresh story.
There is a romance brewing but because this is the first in a series the author hasn’t rushed into it, the romance plays like background music rather than dominating and dumbing down a very likeable plot.
I haven’t got a single negative thing to say about this book, I am left completely hooked, and excited to find out what’s next for Mandy, and her loveable new sidekick, Sky.
Summer at Hope Meadows will leave you feeling cosy and uplifted. It’s a perfect read for the beach, on a blanket in the park – with a picnic perhaps, or curled up in your favourite chair with a supply of tea and cake. Giving this book 5 stars was an easy decision! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I wholeheartedly recommend Summer at Hope Meadows, its released on June 1st, available for Pre-order now on Amazon.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley for review purposes but all thoughts and opinions are my own. -
Summer at Hope Meadows by Lucy Daniels is the first in the Hope Meadows series. It has a beautiful cover that really sums up the subject matter of the book and as the tagline suggests it really is time for a new beginning for our main female protagonist Mandy Hope. She's reached the point where it is right for her to go back to basics, to return to what she loves, to go back to the village where she was brought up and indulge her passion for all animals be they big or small. No matter what way the animals may arrive Mandy will always care for them and shower them with love and attention.
I assumed this book would be the regular women's fiction books I enjoy with a dash of romance thrown in, I didn't bargain that animals would play such a dominant role. For some readers I think this would be off putting especially if you are not an animal lover but for others this will be heaven. I think I fall firmly in the middle with regard to the amount of focus placed on animals and their care throughout the book. Once I knew the sort of read I was in for I settled in to the story and just went with the flow and the overall feeling of helping others both human and animal and always keeping going and fighting for what you want in life.
Mandy is returning to the place where she feels she belongs the most, the village of Welford where her parents run the Animal Ark clinic and have done so ever since Mandy was just a small child. Her parents Adam and Emily are struggling to find someone new who will take on some locum work in their busy practice. Emily is growing ever tired – this was something which was alluded to at various points throughout the novel but it never got the focus I felt it deserved. I think there could be more going on there than meets the eye and I wanted Mandy to come right out and question her mother as to whether everything was OK. Knowing there are more books to come in the series maybe this will be explored in more detail in the future. Mandy comes back from the practice she had been working in in Leeds to help her parents out. This is not a long term fix but she wants to return the support and favours her parents did for her over all the years. She leaves behind boyfriend and fellow vet Simon. I knew from the start that Simon and Mandy weren't the right match for each other. They didn't appear destined for each other in the long term. Yes they shared the same goal of opening up in their own clinic and specialising in a particular veterinary field that they have a keen interest in. But Simon seemed more gung ho than Mandy. He was full of ambition and yes he had an interest in animals but I felt behind it all money was more of a requirement for him than it was for Mandy. Overall, I really didn't like Simon, I felt he put Mandy down and never took her wishes into consideration. Time away from him where she could take stock and evaluate what she really wanted to do with her life was perhaps the best thing for her.
In some ways Welford and the clinic have changed for Mandy and in many others they remain the same. Initially I thought there were mentions of so many characters that I felt I should know them already. I was desperately trying to keep track of who was who. Also there were many references to past events with animals particularly as Mandy was growing up with best friend James. Then eventually it clicked with me that the author was referring to the children’s series Animal Ark on which Summer at Hope Meadows is based. That in fact that series followed Mandy and James as they were growing up. I knew from the blurb that a collective group of authors wrote that series and will write this one too but I thought Mandy, James and co were brand new characters. The Animal Ark series passed me by as I clearly had moved on to more adult books when this series was being published some years ago. So I would think long term fans of Mandy and co will enjoy this series and for new readers like me it gives a whole new insight into a grown up, more mature Mandy. At the same time, I feel she still holds the same beliefs and views firmly in her heart and mind. James featured every now and again with his husband Paul and without doubt their storyline was dealt with such sensitivity and tact and handled to perfection. It will bring a tear to your eye and in a way is comparable to some of the suffering Mandy sees especially when a case of animal cruelty comes to light.
Really this book is a time of adjusting and decision making for Mandy and it was enjoyable to read of how she is changing. She still always takes her parents wishes into account but at the same time the reader can sense she is at that point where she is ready to strike out on her own. Similarly I think she knew deep down herself that the same applies to her relationship with Simon. She was either going to have to commit to him relationship wise and their business plan or else break the connection and be honest about things. In some ways Mandy grew up quickly as with regard to her veterinary experience and the care and attention she gave the animals. Sky the collie was a perfect example of this and such a beautiful addition to the overall story. Yet in other ways I wanted to give her a good shake and say come on, you are an adult capable of decision making, get your act together and get the truth out there say what's bothering you so it can be put aside and you can get on with what you really want to do in life.
There is no doubt Mandy's passion for animals and the love of her job shone throughout the book and also the element of community spirit and working together to achieve a common goal was ever present. There were plenty of battles to overcome both professionally and privately and the reader is left questioning and eager to see whether Mandy can achieve this. Mandy was a good character, clearly not without her faults, yet when you needed her she would drop everything and be there for you even though at times she felt helpless like she could do nothing. I enjoyed the inclusion of the character of Jimmy Marsh who is in Welford to open an Outward Bound Centre. He seemed to have a bit of a background story I was keen to discover. He didn't feature all that much but when he did he played a crucial role in the story. I enjoyed how Mandy and himself seemed to spar off each other but wondered was there something more to it?
Summer at Hope Meadows was a lovely, enjoyable read that I believe has set us up perfectly for however many books may follow. I am glad at the beginning it is acknowledged that a collective group of authors will write this series under the name Lucy Daniels and that the person who wrote this book got her own mention. I don't think it's fair to write as a collective and not give due credit to who ever wrote the book or fool the readers into thinking Lucy Daniels is one person. So I am glad this was gotten out the way straight away in book one.
The only fault I found with the book was that perhaps there was too much detail regarding veterinary procedures and equipment. I know the author is a vet and can see why she did this but to readers looking for an animal story with some romance thrown in it might have been just that bit too much and not necessarily needed in this kind of book. Mandy has been through a journey in Summer at Hope Meadows and obviously there is a lot more to come for her. I was delighted when one of her big wishes appeared to be coming true and I am keen to see what happens next. I may have waited several months to read this book but that only means I can now dive straight into book two Christmas at Mistletoe Cottage. -
Très distrayant même si les animaux ne sont pas mon sujet de prédilection. L'histoire est un feel-good qui mérite son nom. La lectrice via "Audible " n'est pas celle que j'ai préférée mais je pense écouter la suite car c'est yne écoute sans prise de tête pour les jours d'humeur chagrine....
-
Quelle douce surprise ! C'est une lecture réconfortante, dans le bon sens du terme. Cette ambiance proche de la nature et des plaisirs simples de la vie m'a enchantée. Et aspirer à un changement de vie colle pile avec les envies du moment. Hmm, je sens que je vais retourner dans le Yorkshire sans tarder...
Avis complet :
https://urlz.fr/hhfO -
I genuinely really enjoyed this (and it's got me wishing I hadn't given up on my vet dreams when I was younger!)
Super comforting, with enough drama in the story to keep it interesting, just like the original kids novels. Marking it down because the writing is a little clunky and the dialogue often strays into the unrealistic, but generally this is a warm hug of a book and I'm gonna download the sequel to read on my holidays! -
I won't bother with a real desription here, because it's basically about Mandy, who is a vet and comes to help her parents in their animal clinic. The end. Oh, and Mandy's got a boyfriend at home, who she just leaves alone for the holy animals.
As you might have noticed, I am not too fond of this book. I was actually really looking forward to it and I thought the story would be lovely and idyllic and stuff and I really like watching vets on TV and everything, but it was not. The beginning was kind of promising but it turned out to be really annoying and stupid.
I couldn't identify with Mandy one bit and that's a real shame. Animals are her life, which is okay I guess, but she was just over the top at times. She did have some experience as a vet before coming to her parents, so I found some of her reactions a tad annoying, what with crying over things and so on.
Also, Mandy is just so frigging wonderful, you wouldn't believe it! She rescues 345489 animals from a cottage, because she stops a crazy man shooting everyone. All on her own! Wow! And she is so talented at turning overly scared animals to cute little lap dogs. Hallelujah.
Also, she is a horrible girlfriend. Not only does she just leave her boyfriend alone forever, but she also never ends their relationship, even though she's not been happy for ages. She even tells him everything's fine and one week later everything's over. Nice. I mean, the boyfriend was not very understanding in the beginning, I have to admit that, but towards the end I was SO on his side and hated Mandy all the more.
And finally he wants what Mandy wants but then it's too late for missy. Cow.
Mandy also needs to become an adult, I think. She sometimes acted like an annoying teenager. Example: She calls her best friend, who just lost someone. Best friend is not really up to talking or doing anything or being involved in Mandy's work plans and she wonders why. And wonders why. And wonders why. Hm, maybe he is not in the best of moods right now? Get a grip, girl.
I also really disliked the lack of a love story. I mean, sure, she does have a boyfriend in the beginning of the story but that usually ends quite quickly, so that the new guy gets his chance.
What about here? Nope, nothing. Niente. Nichts. I also didn't really like the 'new guy', if you can even call him that.
The story is based on a series of books for children and maybe it should stay that way. Would fit without any love in it, right?
No, no, no, that was not my story at all, I'm afraid. What a shame. I really am out of luck with books at the moment it seems.
I am not sure about my rating, though, because I was so annoyed by Mandy towards the end and as I said I coudln't really identify with her at all and I even only skimmed the last two chapters. But I'd feel bad for rating the story only two stars. Maybe it's a 2.5.
So, benefit of the doubt and all that: three stars.
Oh goodness, I've just discovered that there are two more books? How lovely. -
I was so looking forward this book and whilst the storyline and characters is good there were a couple things I did not like. (a) I was disappointed that Lucy Daniels is not an actual author rather a collective name for a writing team and (b) there was far too much vetinary descriptive procedures for my liking. I am an animal lover myself but I actually found it unnecessary to go into such detail at times and it made the story a little boring in parts - for me - to the point that I might not read the follow up.
-
I really liked Summer at Hope Meadows. I really liked the fact that it’s based on the books I read (and loved) as a child – The Animal Ark series also by Lucy Daniels. It was lovely to be back with Mandy Hope and James Hunter.
Mandy is a newly-qualified vet and has returned to Welford – the Yorkshire village she grew up in, leaving behind Leeds and boyfriend Simon to help her parents at their veterinary surgery after the new assistant unexpectedly quits.
Mandy has hopes and dreams of opening a rescue centre for animals who are in need and needing new homes. Boyfriend Simon has his own dreams of opening his own veterinary surgery in Leeds.
Will Mandy stay and open her rescue centre in Welford or will she head back to Leeds with Simon?
What I really admired about Mandy was just how much effort she puts into proving herself. She wants to be there for her best friend James after tragedy strikes for him and some neglected animals on a nearby farm.
I felt the book was well written with brilliant characterisation and scenery. It is a series that I want to continue with and one I can really recommend to all animal lovers and to those who enjoy the chick-lit genre.
The ebook is currently FREE for kindle in the UK and US right now, so why not give it a go?
UK link –
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Summer-Hope-...
US link –
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01LX8...
Thank you for reading. -
A first novel in the heartwarming. Yorkshire-set Hope Meadows series, perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley, Cathy Woodman and Katie Fforde. Readers that love stories about animals will love Summer at Hope Meadows . Lucy Daniels is the collective name for the writing team that created the best selling children's book series Animal Ark. Hope Meadows is a brand new Lucy Daniels series for adults readers, featuring the characters and locations that were so beloved in the original stories. Newly qualified vet Mandy Hope is leaving Leeds and her fiancé Simon to return to the Yorkshire village she grew up in. James and Mandy contributed to the We Love Animals campaign, one of the many wild life charities they had raised funds for.
-
I enjoyed this story, it was a bit of light relief from the thrillers that I normally read.
Mandy is a vet with a year's experience under her belt when she decides to help out her parents at their veterinary practice. This means leaving behind Simon, her fiance, and he isn't too happy about it. It is only for a short period of time, after all, but being home is proving to be more challenging and yet more rewarding than she could have hoped for. Will she stay for good or will she go back to Leeds and Simon? Or will Simon compromise?
This was a lovely G-rated story and I am looking forward to reading more about Mandy's adventures in the next book in the series.
4 stars from me. -
A simple story set in Yorkshire with a vet family as the background. Both parents being vets, Mandy herself is one and her boyfriend is also one. Its very much the same interests amongst all. However whilst Mandy thinks and works on more compassionate lines, Simon is more money conscious and you know very early on that this is going to cause friction and differences later on.
Unable to decide whether to expand where Simon wishes to set up a modern surgical practice or move back home and expand her parents existing practice into a practice cum refuge is the problem Mandy faces. The work of a vet in a rural practice seems different from an urban one and this was good reading, especially for any lover of animals.
A coming of age for Mandy with animals very much in the forefront of the story made this a very comforting read. -
Un feel-good tout mignon où on suit une vétérinaire qui décide d'ouvrir un refuge dans son village natal. On a l'impression d'être en pleine nature 🌿
-
I really enjoyed this book. It was just a lovely story. A good mix of laughter and sorrow. Characters I liked getting to know. It didn't feel rushed or forced and when I finished I really wanted there to be an Autumn at Summer Meadows so I could stay with the characters. Just what I was looking for.
-
Charming & wonderful. Cannot wait to continue on with the series.
-
My daughter's first independent reading was Animal Ark so she is over the moon to be able to carry on reading these stories now that her tastes in reading has matured.
Anyone who was a fan of Animal Ark would love these and are suitable for young and older readers. These do have a more grown up feel Lucy Daniels fans will love the new author's style in writing. The first in the series was written by Sarah McGurk and she had tears in my eyes in the first chapter as she captured the characters from the first line.
This story can be read as a stand alone read as even though it continues on the story was rounded up smoothly and no nasty cliffhanger that I know drive me nuts with series. I will be happy to buy more from this series.
This copy was provided free for review by the publisher through NetGalley for an unbiased review. -
This is one of the best books I've read lately.
Mandy is the daughter of 2 vets and she cone home to help her Mum and Dad out at the practice they run in her home town of Welford.
She's got dreams of starting a rescue centre, her boyfriend wants to start his own veterinary practice in Leeds, but doesn't really listen to her dreams of a rescue centre as well.
Mandy is very interested in the rehabilitation aspect of animals, especially when rehoming them and she goes to great lengths to prove herself.
An answer may well have presented itself but how can Mandy get Simon to agree.
Along with this part of the story there's James, her best friend from childhood and the fact his partner is ill, Mandy is trying to support them both too.
Mandy makes new friends in Welford and when a sad event happens at a nearby farm, someone whom Mandy didn't have amor of time for really shows his community spirit. Could they're be something there for Mandy.
There are cats, dogs, cows, sheep and a lovely shire horse too.
I'm looking forward to the next instalment and have both the next books on pre order already. I have a feeling things will look up for Mandy, but there will be sadness too. -
This was everything I hoped for and more!! I couldn't believe my eyes when I found out a new adult series based on my favourite childhood books, Animal Ark, had come out and it's so wonderful and nostalgic to read - I loved it!
Mandy Hope is all grown up and now a fully qualified vet working in Leeds and she is returning to the place where she grew up, Welford in Yorkshire, to her help her parents with the clinic. Her best friend James is getting married but soon Mandy is juggling life with her partner, Simon, back in Leeds and life at Animal Ark where animals come first.
It's a brilliant story of Mandy coming back to Welford, saving animals and showing how difficult life can be as a new vet with some people refusing their animals to be treated by her. I love the James Herriot vibes but more modern day with advances in veterinary treatment. There's a mixture of farm and small animals with both sheep and kittens in need of saving, and an idea that is perfect on which the series will grow.
This book is the start of something truly special. I cannot wait to see more of this new series, remembering the books I read and loved so much, this one will be treasured always. -
I picked this book up at work as it was left in the canteen in our "library corner". I was initially drawn to the cover and thought "that's a bit of me!"
When I started to read the first couple of pages, I realised that I already knew one of the characters Mandy Hope and the reason I knew her was because I used to read my son the Animal Ark books when he was little.
After that I was on a trip down memory lane, and thought it was such a brilliant concept by the publishing company to bring back a young character who is now all grown up. I wasn't disappointed and loved the story although it had a heart wrenching bit in the middle, but that's what you'd expect.
Thankfully there are several books in the series, so I have now ordered the next one (which is based around Christmas - my favourite time of year) and I can't wait to get started although I have a few on my TBR list first!!!
Wonderful, lovely, warming, nostalgic read. -
I found this a very pleasant read. I liked the fact that the reader isn't treated as though they were stupid, ie parts not repeated over and over.
It flowed nicely, the writing was good. I would recommend this book to friends and family.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for letting me read this in exchange of an honest review.
