I am thrilled to be sharing my review of; A Vacancy for a Village Vet by Joanne Boden. Thank you to Liz at ChocLit/Ruby Fiction for the complimentary copy, which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

A Vacancy for a Village Vet by Joanne Boden

From big city high-flyer to little village vet …

Hannah and Daniel were teenage sweethearts, but then Daniel left their sleepy village of Middlefern and his grandfather’s veterinary practice behind for the bright lights of London.

Now, fifteen years later, the prodigal grandson has returned to temporarily take over the village practice with a veterinary qualification and his dog, Sammy, in tow. Daniel is ready for rabbits with tummy aches, guinea pigs who’ve lost their squeak, plenty of cow complaints and a whole lot of memories – both good and bad. But is he ready to see Hannah again?

Of course, a high-flying city vet like Daniel was never planning to stay in Middlefern for good – especially given his history with the place. But could another, even more important, vacancy convince him to change his mind?

Review

Firstly, look at that cover….go on take a squint at it, isn’t it fabulous?

I have to admit that it ticked me off when I first saw it. It reminded me of my daily walks with my two demons, where we meet dogs and their owners – btw, I don’t know people’s names we tend to address each other as; Max’s owners, Milly’s mum, Lola’s mum, the Kray twins dad – you get the picture – I’m known as her who looks as though she has been pulled through a bush backwards (which I usually have) with the two demented dogs. This cover made me think of our little doggo walking party waiting around, which made me smile.

Hmmm…..went a little astray there, back to the book, shall we!

A Vacancy for the Village Vet is a lovely second-chance romance, a second chance that is fifteen years to come to fruition. Vet Daniel left the gorgeous little village of Middlefern fifteen years ago to live it up and gain his career in the big smoke, Daniel didn’t just leave the village, the family veterinary practice and family he also left his childhood sweetheart; Hannah. Hannah refused to leave with him or to leave the village full stop, her mother had cancer and Hannah being the amazing woman she is stayed to care for her.

The arrival of Daniel brings back way too many memories for Hannah, she has moved on with her life from when he was last in town, they are both different people now, but neither can deny that there is chemistry and with the gentle and not so subtle nudges from their so-called friends and fellow villagers Daniel and Hannah find themselves thrown together far too often.

I really, really liked Hannah, I didn’t just like her, I connected with her on a very personal level. Hannah sacrificed a lot of her younger years to care for her mother, but she saw it as what needed to be done. If she were faced with the same choices again, she would do exactly the same, she is a kind and caring and dutiful woman, even though she is very set in her ways and is very reluctant to accept help from others. Something else I can relate to!

I really connected with her on so many levels, I think I share a lot of her traits, and I did pretty much the same years ago, I gave up work and put everything that wanted to do in life on the back burner to care for my own mum so I understand her which makes me care for her that much more and I enjoyed watching her blossom.

I really loved this story, I loved the characters Daniel and Hannah are super cute, their journey isn’t a simple one most of what gets in their way is themselves but I really liked how they re-connected.

I do love a small country village setting, a close-knit community with curtain-twitching busy-bodies (Hmmm, just described myself there) and Middlefern is just that and more. I loved the villagers, they mean well and have good welcoming hearts, but they do like to meddle – which is always good fun!

Overall, A vacancy for a Village Vet is a cosy, heart-warming, feel-good romance. It’s a wonderfully quick and non-taxing read where the story and romance flow with real ease, a definite must-read!