Family Ties for the Village Midwife

The Village Midwife #3

by Tilly Tennant

As the clouds chase the sun across the Lake District hills, and the warm breeze hints at spring on the way, midwife Zoe Padbury is counting her blessings. Until a surprise arrival changes everything…

Zoe Padbury is a big believer in second chances. She’s been so happy since she started over in the village of Thimblebury. Especially now she’s moved into Hilltop Farm with her boyfriend Alex and can be on hand to help his daughter when her baby arrives.

All that changes when Zoe’s father arrives, arm in arm with his newly pregnant fiancée Chantal. Chantal is bowled over by Thimblebury’s picture-perfect charm, and before Zoe’s had a chance to draw breath, they’ve made plans to get married in the old stone church, make Zoe their future baby’s midwife and move into the cottage next door.

Worried about her mum’s broken heart and how Alex feels about having her family so close by, at first Zoe doesn’t notice that Chantal’s brother has also moved in and is determined to make trouble, ruining the lives of the people who have made her feel so welcome. With the villagers up in arms about his behaviour Zoe is torn in two. Can she protect her new life and love without losing her family?

Genres: Womens Fiction, Fiction

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 9, 2026

About the author

Tilly Tennant was born in Dorset, the oldest of four children, but now lives in Staffordshire with a family of her own. After years of dismal and disastrous jobs, including paper plate stacking, shop girl, newspaper promotions and waitressing (she never could carry a bowl of soup without spilling a bit), she decided to indulge her passion for the written word by embarking on a degree in English and creative writing, graduating in 2009 with first class honours. She wrote her first novel in 2007 during her first summer break at university and has not stopped writing since. She also works as a freelance fiction editor, and considers herself very lucky that this enables her to read many wonderful books before the rest of the world gets them.

Tilly is represented by the wonderful, gorgeous Peta Nightingale at LAW.

Reviews

[Nessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 3 of 3 of The Village Midwife series.

Another great story to the series, lots of drama and emotions running high, providing the reader with lots of enjoyment and entertainment throughout. I do enjoy these type of stories, as they are easy reading, lightweight but still lots of fun and escapism from ones own life.

It was great being reacquainted its previous characters from the other two books, and lovely to see how the mums and their new babies are getting on. I didn’t envy Zoe, with her parent issues, not to mention her Dad and new wife living literally on her doorstep, eeek. But she handled it well.

So thanks Tilly for another entertaining read.

[Caroline’s Page~Turners · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoe Padbury, a woman who cherishes the quaint village of Thimblebury, finds solace in its serene embrace. She has chosen this picturesque place as her haven for a fresh start, a perfect sanctuary for her and her growing family. Zoe’s father, arrives accompanied by his new fiancée, Chantal, is expecting a child, bringing with it a whirlwind of changes that Zoe, accustomed to her life’s predictable rhythm, finds daunting.

As if that weren’t enough, Chantal’s brother secretly moves into the village, setting the stage for a series of unforeseen challenges. Zoe must navigate the complexities of these changes, both positive and negative, while safeguarding her family and the villagers she has come to love dearly.

“Family Ties for the Village Midwife” by Tilly Tennant is an enthralling tale that embraces the profound bonds of love and family, exploring the obstacles that arise when faced with change. Tennant’s masterful storytelling weaves a captivating narrative that draws readers into the lives of the characters, forging a deep emotional connection. This series holds a special place in my heart, and I eagerly anticipate each new installment. While this book can be enjoyed as a standalone, I highly recommend immersing oneself in the entire series for a truly enriching reading experience.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awesome book

book 3 in this series and this has just got better and better

so many things happen in this book for zoe..... life is starting to feel settled for zoe and with her relationship going well with alex what she didnt see on the horizon was her dad ..... he has announced that he and his current girlfriend are getting married and not only that she is also expecting.... its a lot to take in...

but worse is to come for poor zoe who is also being used as a sounding board by her mom ....life hasnt been easy since her divorce from zoe dad.....

but the inpending wedding news gets a bit to close for comfort for poor zoe who is still reeling for it all.... could they really be getting married in the church that is in her village.... nightmare times for zoe...

i have to say this one gripped me so much so that i finished it in one sitting... there were times i laughed out loud at some of the circumstances zoe found herself in and other times i was ranting...

man i love this series and i look forward to the next book in the series

[Zoe Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows the life of a small-town midwife working in her local village, where she not only delivers babies but also cares for her own family, friends, and neighbours. The story has a gentle, comforting feel, showing the ups and downs of village life and the emotional side of her work.

Although it wasn’t really my usual type of read, it was a nice change. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who likes heartwarming, character-driven stories or Tenant's other work!

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC!

[Dee Groocock · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’re back in the village of Thimblebury in the Lake District, with midwife, Zoe Padbury.

When Zoe hears from her dad that he is going to be a father again, she has mixed emotions. She knows how hard this will be for her mum, but she wants to support her dad and his girlfriend, Chantal.

More surprises afoot when her dad contacts her to say that he and Chantal are getting married - sooner rather than later! And the wedding will be in Thimblebury, as the church is available for them!

With Zoe’s boyfriend, Alex, wanting her to move in, plus his daughter’s baby due any day, Zoe has a heck of a lot on her plate.

This is such a lovely series. I love the setting in the Lake District, as well as the romance in the stories.

I felt for Zoe, she tries to do right by everyone but can’t always get it right. She has a heart of gold and rarely thinks about herself.

A perfect book for some much-needed escapism.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Wendy Ann Neels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

I was genuinely sad when this book ended, I could of kept reading it forever. I love all the characters who live there. I've pre ordered the next one and I can't wait for it😁

[The Lit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m giving this a 4 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
​A huge thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. This was such a great read! Even though I jumped in at Book 3, the plot was engaging and the world-building was so cool with a large cast of characters. I did feel like I was missing out on some context because I hadn't read books 1 and 2, but that’s on me, not the author!
​The story made me want to start the whole series from scratch. My only slight gripe was that the ending felt a bit rushed, but overall, it was a wonderful experience. I'm officially going back to read the first two books before the next one comes out so I don't miss a single thing!
​Check out my profile @TheLitWhisperer for more cozy village romance recs!

[Angela Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was great to catch up with everyone in the third book of the series and everything picks up where the last book ended.

It was lovely to be back in Thimblebury and hear about all the characters and see how Billie was doing. There are also some new characters we are introduced to which was Interesting.

However I would have liked the book to be a bit longer as I felt the ending was a bit rushed.

Overall another great read and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley, Tilly Tennant and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

[Emma Crowley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Family Ties for the Village Midwife is the third book in Tilly Tennant’s Village Midwife series. I haven’t yet gotten around to reading book two so was slightly apprehensive that I had missed out on things but I needn’t have been worried at all. This was easy to read as a standalone story as I could tell which bits referred to the events from the previous book and in fact these paragraphs were helpful in tying a few things together for me. This is a lovely series following the trials and tribulations of Zoe Padbury as she continues to navigate her new life as a midwife in the countryside village of Thimblebury with its varied cast of characters all of whom I was delighted to catch up with again. This time around as the title suggests Zoe has a lot to deal with centred around her family who cause some upset in both her life and the life of the villagers. As well as that things are moving forward in her relationship with Alex and his daughter Billie. Zoe is certainly kept busy throughout the book and things moved along at a great pace and to be honest I found I hated reaching the end and would have loved more but that’s me being selfish. I can rest easy though as there is a future book to come in the next few months.

Zoe is someone who is always on the go helping others and that’s just in her nature given her job as a midwife to the women of the district. She is kind, caring, compassionate and loyal to everyone constantly putting others people’s needs and wants before her own. I thought both her body and mind were in a constant state of readiness for the next thing that was going to be thrown in her path and that really she needed to remember to also take some time for herself. After all she still is dealing with her own personal upheavals in her recent past and that’s what brought her to the village in the first place. Zoe is there for anyone and everyone in their time of need and Ottilie from the Village Nurse series desperately needs her within the first few chapters as finally she has her baby. I feel like she has been expecting for such a long time across the series, so it was nice to see how things panned out there. But it’s the young women of the series that need Zoe the most now and also things with her family start to rear their heads.

Zoe has a complicated family as her parents are divorced and her father has moved on with a much younger model, Chantal. When the couple announce they are expecting a baby, Zoe is completely thrown and doesn’t know what to think about it even more so when they decide to marry in Thimblebury and move to the village as Kestral Cottage has become free as Zoe finally makes the right decision to move in with Alex (Again I feel as if this has been a long time coming), I felt desperately sorry for Zoe, she had to deal with her mother’s reaction to all of this family news and she really was caught between a rock and a hard place. Should she be happy for her Dad? Or should she back her mother and listening to her moaning and groaning about everything? I found her mother Cherie to be super annoying and I wish Zoe would have told her to just grow up and get on with things. Zoe herself has so much to deal with on a daily basis with her job not to mention keeping an eye on Billie who has been struggling throughout her pregnancy after the loss of her partner. This is where I felt Zoe needed to take a step back a bit and prioritise things but on reflection is it really in her nature to do this?

I completely understood her reaction to her Dad Nigel’s news. After all Chantal would become her stepmother and she was several years younger than her. It felt really awkward and I didn’t envy Zoe having to navigate this new and unusual situation arising in her life. The arrival of Chantal and Nigel to the village brought Lennon also, Chantal’s brother, and boy was it rotten to the core. Clearly he wasn’t a right fit for the village and his aspect of the storyline brought troubling times for people. He was nasty, underhand, vicious and spiteful and I hated that he dragged the tone of the book down and made people angry, fearful and apprehensive and that’s not how Thimbleberry works. There is Zoe caught in the middle of it all and she feels the pressure mounting to so something about the developing situation which seems to be going from bad to worse and really she wants her life in Thimblebury to be happy and content not filled with anguish and worry.

I loved the different women that Zoe gets to know through her job as they are all so different and dealing with various things. Zoe is like a surrogate mother to them and thinks of everything they will need. I loved that she is always there for them and will come up with any solution. Fern is a young mother-to-be living on a commune and I enjoyed how her story was subtly played out throughout the book. Zoe instinctively knows when to poke and prod here and when to back away and I felt she did the same with Billie. It’s different with Billie as she wants to be there for her but doesn’t want to tread on her toes or do anything which would in turn affect her own relationship with Alex. Especially as things have been going so well on this front. Billie’s storyline has been woven throughout all of the books and it is perhaps the best developed of all the storylines throughout the series. Zoe could see what was beginning to happen, but she had to be wary. For to rush into things would cause more upset and do more harm than good. I admired her patience but also her willingness to involve others to help with the situation. I thought Tilly Tennant dealt with this issue which so many mothers with great tact and sensitivity.

Family Ties for the Village Midwife was another fabulous and welcome addition to the series. I read an awful lot of historical fiction and it’s lovely to break it up with more lighter reads. But yet this had a few serious and heavy topics to deal with but was done so in a brilliant way. It’s brilliant that storylines continue to flow throughout the books and not everything is all wrapped up in a tidy bundle buy the end and nor is there a rush to do so with only a chapter or two left in the book. I hate when that happens as it feels contrived and just what wouldn’t happen in normal life. I’m really enjoying this series and am eager to see what is next in store for Zoe and all her friends in Storm Clouds Ahead for the Village Midwife which will be published in June.

[Aisha Faisal · Rating 5 out of 5]

WELCOME BACK TO THIMBLEBURY!

THE ULTIMATE LITERARY HOMECOMING:

Thank you to Bookouture, Netgalley, and Tilly Tennant for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. There is nothing quite like the feeling of returning to the Lake District with Tilly Tennant. Picking up this book felt like stepping back into a warm, familiar kitchen with old friends. I have grown so close to this village and its people, but especially to our wonderful midwife, Zoe Padbury.

In this installment, the sense of togetherness and community is the heartbeat of the story. It’s wholesome, it’s emotional, and it reaches straight for the heart!

👶 CHAOS, BABIES, AND "A WORD WITH DAD."
Zoe has a heart of gold, but my goodness, she has a heck of a lot on her plate this time!

The Bombshell: Her dad is becoming a father again with his girlfriend, Chantal.

The Surprise: A sudden wedding... in Zoe’s own village church!

The Cottage Crisis: Her dad and Chantal are moving into her cottage while she moves in with Alex.

I found myself feeling so protective of Zoe in this book. Between navigating her dad’s drama and dealing with Chantal’s brother, Lemmon (who brings a fair share of trouble!), Zoe handles things with a grace I’m not sure I could muster. Honestly, her dad needed a serious talking to!

ZOE & ALEX: THE DREAM TEAM
I have been rooting for Zoe and Alex since book one, and seeing them leap to move in together was everything I wanted. Watching their family grow with Billie and her new baby, Louisa, and Ottilie with little Anthony felt so rewarding.

Tilly Tennant has this incredible way of weaving everyone’s lives together. Whether it’s new mothers like Fern or catching up with old favorites, every character gets their moment to shine.

WHY YOU NEED TO READ THIS:

The Setting: The Lake District is described so beautifully that you can almost smell the fresh air.

The Emotion: It touches on deep, complicated issues with sensitivity and zero clichés.

The Escapism: It’s the perfect "feel-good" read that leaves you with a fixed smile.

"Zoe is the kind of character we all need in our lives, strong, selfless, and deeply relatable."

My Perspective:
This has quickly become one of my favorite series of all time. If you want a book that is high on charm, rich in character, and full of village heart, this is it. It’s comforting, emotional, and quietly powerful. Zoe is absolutely the kind of person you’d want in your life, and this book only made me love her more.

A perfect read for escapism, community, and heart. I loved it. 💛

A MUST-READ! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely loving this series, and from the second I started reading this, i felt wrapped up in Zoe's life again as though I had never been away.

It was so good to be back in Thimblebury, amongst Zoe and her friends and all the expectant mums. And also the latest dramas in the surgery she is attached to.

But what really brings the drama this time, isn't all the births (although one of them was rather problematic and scared me), but rather Zoe's family. Her mother isn't coping with the fact that Zoe's father is moving on and now has a pregnant girlfriend, soon to be wife. Add in Zoe's dad wanting to get married in her local church, and then decides to move into the village and things start to get dramatic.

Especially with Chantal's brother on the scene. I really didn't take to him at all and for good reason.

Although this could probably be read as a standalone, I definitely felt the benefits of having read the previous books of the series, as I felt so much more immersed in this world of Tilly Tennant's. I am loving this village so much, and was very happy to see how Billie's pregnancy was progressing.

And there is a new expectant mother who was in a tricky situation, and I enjoyed seeing how Zoe was trying to help her.

I'm completely invested in the lives of so many of these side characters now, that I am already looking forward to the next book in the series. For there has to be a next book, as the ending of this one didn't give me anywhere enough sense of the stories being completely told! I can't wait for more.

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

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family Ties for the Village Midwife, another delightful addition to Tilly Tennant’s Village Midwife series, follows the life of Zoe Padbury, a midwife who has found solace in the charming village of Thimblebury.

Zoe’s life is harmonious, with a loving relationship with Alex and his pregnant daughter. However, her tranquility is disrupted by her father’s sudden engagement to the much younger Chantal and their unexpected child. What’s more, having Chantal and her father as neighbors is a bit concerting. As Zoe grapples with these changes, Chantal’s brother arrives in Thimblebury, setting off a chain of events that further complicate matters. Despite these challenges, Zoe remains dedicated to her role as a midwife, providing support and guidance to expectant mothers.

This installment of the Village Midwife series stands out for its depth and emotional resonance. Unlike typical, predictable narratives, Zoe’s journey is filled with a range of emotions, making her a relatable and engaging character. The warm and inviting atmosphere of the village, coupled with the heartwarming moments shared between the characters, creates a truly enjoyable reading experience. I eagerly anticipate the next book in the series, eager to see how Zoe’s story co continues to unfold.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

“As the clouds chase the sun across the Lake District hills…” this instalment in the Thimblebury series brings plenty of charm, family drama and village warmth.

Coming into the series fresh, I did feel a bit adrift at times—there are clearly long‑running relationships and histories that regular readers will recognise instantly. Even so, Zoe’s world is easy enough to settle into, and the setting has that cosy, comforting feel you expect from a village‑based story.

The real shake‑up arrives with the sudden appearance of Zoe’s father and his much younger, newly pregnant fiancée, Chantal. Their whirlwind plans—marriage, moving in next door, and expecting Zoe to be their midwife—create a believable sense of chaos. Add in Chantal’s trouble‑making brother, and Zoe finds herself pulled between loyalty to her family and the peaceful life she’s built with Alex.

The story itself is gentle and enjoyable, with moments of tension that keep things moving. While I didn’t connect with it as strongly as I hoped—mostly because I’m new to the series—it was still a pleasant read with likeable characters and a sweet community feel.

A nice, easy story overall, especially for fans already invested in Thimblebury.

[Susanne Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this latest instalment of the Village Midwife. Zoe is a great character and has a lot of different plot lines going on. She has her new boyfriend Alex and pregnant daughter, her dad and his new wife and pregnancy and then her extended family and then her mum trying to get over the divorce.

This is cleverly written, and shows small towns at their best- everyone up in everyone else’s business! 😂 Zoe has a lot to navigate and it is nicely done, she is trying to keep the peace in the village, her relationship and her family, it’s nice to see others supporting her along the way.

Some very hard hitting topics also about pregnancy and post natal depression, handled beautifully, and not neatly wrapped up by the end which shows it’s an on going issue for many new mums, and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.

[Sarahlovesbooks76 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The latest in the Village Midwife series, Family Ties for the Village Midwife works as a standalone, but it is a beautiful series so I would recommend reading them all!

Midwife Zoe is firmly settled in Thimblebury, delivering babies and enjoying her developing relationship with Alex. When her dad threatens to disrupt her life with his new family, how will she handle it?

I really enjoy Tilly Tennant's writing style, her characters are well fleshed out and her books are easy and enjoyable to read. This time round, she writes a great villain, definitely one the reader loves to hate. I hope we get another Village Midwife book, as I want to know more about Zoe and Alex!

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoe is the lovely local midwife and she is dating Alex. In this book he asks her to move in with him and his pregnant young daughter. But will she accept? Zoe is also having family troubles and is desperate to keep the peace. To me she seemed to be trying to please everyone. Her father announces that his partner Chantal is pregnant and not long after he says that they are getting married! Zoe is happy for them but when she meets Chantal's brother he brings trouble. This is a page turning addition to the series and it has me hoping that there is going to be many more because I was delighted with this book.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cozy book by Tilly Tennant. Her stories are so charming that I feel a sense of warmth as soon as I pick one up. The third installment in the series follows Zoe Padbury, the local midwife who is devoted to her pregnant mothers and their babies at Hilltop Farm in Thimblebury.

The descriptions of the area and the characters are beautifully crafted. Life is good for Zoe until her father arrives with his pregnant fiancée, Chantal. She falls in love with the village and, wanting to have her wedding there, hastily books the church.

This is a lovely book to read, complete with a few chuckles along the way.

[Emily West · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent, gentle read that is quite easy to get through. I do feel that this wasn’t as good as the other books in the series as it started quite a few storylines but then just rounded them all up at the end with ‘oh well, that’s all sorted then’. I wanted to get into those stories some more rather than just have them as a background to Zoe’s life. I’m still glad I’ve read it though as there were some really important character developments that I’m sure will be importantly for the next book.

[Leona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family Ties For The Village Midwife is the third book in the fabulous Village Midwife series and I adored reading it. Although it’s book three it can most definitely be read as a standalone. Midwife Zoe had settled well into the village of Thimblebury and everything is going great for her until her father arrives with his fiancée . Although this is a fun read it’s also one that I found to be quite emotional at times and deals with certain issues some pregnant women find themselves facing. The idyllic village setting of this book and the wonderful characters makes this the perfect read and would be perfect as a holiday read.

[Julie Brookes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series, the characters are likable and it is good to follow their lives, I would suggest that you read them in order, they are not stand alone books.

I found myself talking to Zoe as it was quite frustrating at times that the sought out other peoples thoughts and opinions rather than going to the source of the problem, other than the few frustrations it was an easy read.

I did a mixture of reading and Audio Book

Probably 3.5 stars

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book three had me itching to get back to Thimblebury. I couldn't wait to catch up with Zoe and the other familiar faces in the village community.

A heartwarming story of family, relationships and love, Family Ties for the Village Midwife was an absolute delight to read and a chance for some much needed escapism.

It also comes with a cast of likeable characters who are so much more than names on a page. Read all three books and you'll know exactly what I mean...

[Sue Rouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

The next instalment I. This series and it didn’t disappoint. Zoe is the new midwife at the village surgery alongside a new midwife and district nurse. Zoe’s partner Alex and his daughter Billie also feature as they navigate Billies baby being born as well as her Dad moving into the village. Lots happening but easy to follow. Thanks to Tilley and her publisher. I can’t wait for the next instalment.

[Rachel Stansel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story picks up right where the last left off. So, best read in order. Another nice story in this small village. We follow midwife Zoe, with old familiar townfolk, though in lesser amounts. Zoe is balancing many changes and I enjoyed reading her continued growth in this story.

Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Deborah K DeLaVina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family ties

Family ties are the most precious things to have. However sometimes they can get awkward and uncomfortable. This is definitely a feel good story for the romance between Alex & Zoe. As they deal with all the challenges of being in love and all the things going on around them they learn to accept that they are in a relationship that will be very difficult.

[Barbara Lack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very endearing book. There’s a lot of angst and commotion going on. Both Ottolie and Billie have their babies. There’s a very funny scene involving getting Billie to the hospital. I felt very bad for Victor. Zoe has her hands full in this book. It’s a lovely read.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.

This is the third in the series but could be read as a standalone. Another great book from Tilly Tennant.

[Gea · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is always more drama for the village midwife, and this installment in the series focuses on drama caused by Zoe’s own family. Set in the beautiful Lake District, familiar characters from previous entries in the series add to the story of Zoe, Adam and their families.

[Sheila Penwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. Zoe has a alot on her plate in this book. Babies being born, family moving to the village and moving in with Alex. See how this works out. A VERY GOOD READ.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read!

You'll just love all the people you meet in Thimblebury! You'll be left wanting more! On to the next series!

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as previous ones in the series but still enjoyable.