Springtime at Wildacre: love is in the air in this gorgeously uplifting, feel-good romance

Hope Meadows #3

by Lucy Daniels

The third novel in the heartwarming, Yorkshire-set Hope Meadows series, perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley and Katie Fforde.

Based on the globally bestselling Animal Ark series.

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Animals, Fiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 2018

About the author

Lucy Daniels is the collective name for the writing team that created the bestselling children's book series Animal Ark, many of the books are also published under the name of the series creator, Ben M. Baglio.

Reviews

[Nessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so happy to be reading this book as it meant that I got to return to the wonderful village of Hope Meadows. If you haven't read the first and second books to the Hope Meadows Series by this wonderful author, then don't delay anymore, as you are missing out.

I loved being reacquainted with all of the characters and the animals/pets from previous books again, loved them all, not to mention meeting some new animals throughout the story, Frank the Owl was one of my favourites.

What I really loved about this story, is that there were a few surprising elements/events within the book that brought a little action to the story, which I thought was great and certainly unexpected. There was also a few emotional scenes which bought tears to my eyes but I'll say no more on that as wouldn't want to spoil the story for anyone.

It was a truly wonderful and delightful story from start to finish.

I'm now ready for the 4th book to this series, want to read it now, but I must be patient and wait for it to released. Well at least I know that it'll be worth the wait.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have fallen in love with this series and I'm always keen to read more about Mandy Hope and the vets practice. It's like watching my children's favourite book characters grow up in front of me and seeing them as adults with their own worries and romances.
Her relationship with Jimmy is progressing and she's getting to know his twins, although finding it a little bewildering.
Again a lot of the countryside references felt familiar because we visit a local farm once a week and it is lamb feeding time at the moment. I had dreams of becoming a vet as a child- although I wasn't bright enough and this book just draws me in and casts it's magic around me.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

With thanks to Netgalley and Hodder and Staughton for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

I am basking in contentment after reading Lucy Daniels third book Springtime at Wildacre. Vet Mandy Hope runs a veterinary surgery called Animal Ark with her parents Adam and Emily. Mandy also runs a animal rescue centre called Hope Meadow.

Mandy and her boyfriend Jimmy Marsh are blissfully happy and Jimmy is ready to introduce Mandy to his 9 year old twins Max and Abi. However Abi is unhappy because her mum is having a baby and does not take to Mandy.

To top it off someone wants to build a factory on land near Mandy's new cottage. When Max and Abi find a rare squirrel she tries to stop the development. However she finds herself at war with the villagers of Welford who need the jobs that will come from the factory.

Best friend James has been on a series of blind dates which have not gone well. All that changes when James and Mandy save the life of an owl after an accident.

I like Mandy but she did annoy me a bit in this book. I felt she sometimes cared more about animals then humans but her heart is in right place. I also like her best friend James who loves animals just as much as her and is willing drop everything to help.

I love this series Mandy reminds me of a female James Herriot. The author included some quite detailed information about Vet procedures which I found interesting. In this story Lucy treats an owl with a ripped wing and a circus elephant with toothache.

I think this book will appeal to all animal lovers.
Don't forget! Come back to your Review on the pub date, 03 May 2018, to post to these retailers.

[Sally Coles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mandy now has her rescue centre fully up and running and is loving being able to help her beloved animals. Her love life is looking good with Jimmy as well.......although becoming a part of the life of his 9 year old twins is somewhat daunting to her, relating to animals comes far more easily to her! Then everything starts to go wrong - she is at loggerheads with the village over a factory being built on a site where she has seen the rare protected red squirrels and an operation goes wrong leaving her doubting her own veterinary skills........will this affect her relationship with Jimmy as well?

Another lovely book in the series and great to be back with all of the old characters - I love all of these books and am looking forward to the next one

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

J’ai été un peu moins emballée par ce troisième volet. Trop d’histoires différentes, des histoires un peu trop « folles » et pas mal de négativité. Je préférai la légèreté des premiers volets. Mais attendons voir ce qui nous attends dans le quatrième !

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another easy entertaining read from Lucy Daniels. I totally fall into the little village and lose myself for however long I get to read. It’s so peaceful and I love the characters (especially the animals). Looking forward to the next book.

[Emma Crowley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Springtime at Wildacre is the third in the Hope Meadows series by Lucy Daniels. As it had been some time since I had read Christmas at Mistletoe Cottage I was glad that the first few chapters were really catching up on previous books providing me gentle reminders as to who was who and what had happened to them before. I think this is also really beneficial to those who are new to the series and it means that you can slot right into this series never having read any of the previous stories. The entire series is called Animal Ark Revisited and is a grown up version of the Animal Ark series which thrilled many young readers.

I had never read any of the books aimed at the younger market as I was way past that age when they were first published and became so popular. So I have come to this series with fresh eyes and didn't really know all the animal escapades our main female character Mandy and her best friend James got up to when they were younger. Now I think we see a grown up and for the most part a more mature Mandy whose love and devotion towards all animals shines through from every chapter. She is not without her faults though and I enjoy that the author in this book gives her a bit of a tough time where she has to work through things mentally and step back a bit and take stock.

This series of books are really light, easy, not too taxing reads and perfect for animal lovers. Even if you are not the biggest devotee of animals all the non human characters will certainly bring a smile to your face - the two donkeys for sure I always love to see being mentioned.The first half of the book had a very slow and gentle pace and to be honest it felt a bit repetitive as Mandy goes about her daily business. She works as a vet in her parents practice Animal Ark having not long ago moved back from the city and also having broken up with her boyfriend. She slowly has resettled back into the rhythms of the town of Welford and the surrounding countryside and is now in a relationship with Jimmy who runs an Outward Bound Adventure Centre.

Alongside her veterinary work which keeps her on her toes is the rescue centre Hope Meadows which Mandy has opened adjacent to the surgery. So she has lots to keep her going and as I have said the first half focused on the daily routine of various appointments and then working at the rescue centre - cleaning, rehabilitating and attempting to re-home the various animals that come into her care. Don't get me wrong this was all lovely but I just thought the entire book can't go on like this. There were some nice little mini stories of meeting people who wished to re-home an animals but I felt something needed to happen, something exciting and challenging for Mandy.

Mandy needed a few curve balls thrown in her direction as continuing just to describe her days was becoming a bit stale. Thankfully just past the halfway mark, I thought the book turned a corner and things really got going. I loved how we saw many different sides to Mandy emerging and to be honest at times her attitude frustrated me but I view this as a good thing because I don't think it's right to have her coming across as all sweetness and light the entire time and where everyone has to agree with her opinions. I wouldn't say she had a total personality transplant and went from being kind and nice to some one people would detest. Instead I just felt her attitude towards certain situations was very one sided on her part. She came across as very entrenched in her views and there was no changing her stance once she had made up her mind.

When she learns of a planning application for a furniture factory on a site where woods stand next to Hope Meadows Mandy doesn't get too up in arms. But it's when Jimmy's twins Abi and Max make a startling discovery in the forest things are set to change. When out playing, the twins discover a baby red squirrel on the forest floor. Mandy is convinced red squirrels which are endangered are nesting in the area and if that is the case than the area is protected and no planning should have been granted for the new factory. I totally understood Mandy's position on this and being so devoted and dedicated to all kinds of animals she couldn't see a habitat destroyed which contained a rare animal. But what frustrated me is that she was so gung ho in her attitude regarding this that she couldn't see fellow towns people’s opinions. That the factory would bring much badly needed employment to so many people and the town itself would thrive. Mandy is very blinkered in her approach and I thinks she needed to step back and realise there are two sides to every story and she needed to think a bit more about the overall picture. Having said that I really enjoyed the way this aspect of the story developed and my own viewpoint did change several times over. Mandy began a bit of super sleuthing so to speak and then I began to think her actions were justified, I was intrigued to see how everything was going to come together.

Aside from this Mandy faced plenty of issues in both her professional and personal life. She has the constant worry of keeping Hope Meadows going with more funding desperately needed to keep things running but also on the home front things aren't always great. The storyline as featured in the previous two books about her mother Emily began to come to a head now and my suspicions had been proven correct but I thought this was handled with sensitivity and tact. As for Mandy's relationship with Jimmy, I think she thought stormy weather was approaching whereas Jimmy viewed things as being all fine and dandy. Having to deal with developing a connection with the twins who view Mandy as an interloper and taking them away from their dad is not easy. I thought Mandy worried unnecessarily and should have taken things easy with them and let nature take its course. Time would tell a lot. I think in general Mandy is a person who takes so much on her shoulders and brings worry and upset to her door where there really is none. If she could only relax a little bit and just go with the flow a bit more as there are always others there for her doing their bit. I especially loved how one close friend/co-worker had their own little role to play in bringing this about.

Summer at Hope Meadows was a very good addition to the series that definitely got much better around the midway point. I especially loved the mini storyline towards the end featuring a very surprising animal that wouldn't normally be found around Welford. I loved it even more for how it helped with a bigger storyline and creating unity where needed. I do think the series needs to branch out a bit from Mandy and focus on different characters who perhaps have had a more background role up to now. That's not to say Mandy, Jimmy and co should be forgotten at all but I think it's time they took a step backward and allowed others to come to the fore and share their stories. I still have book four to catch up before book five Summer Days at Sunrise Farm is published in May so I will definitely be getting around to Snowflakes over Moon Cottage in the next week or two. I've just read the blurb and am glad to see what I hoped would happen as mentioned above that the focus now turns to Susan Collins and her story. I think moving away from Mandy will take the series in a new and welcome direction but I certainly have enjoyed the three books which have featured her so far.

[Eve L-A Witherington · Rating 5 out of 5]

We return to the life of vet Mandy Hope I'm this next book in the series. We see much animal drama, births, rehoming and of course rescuing. From cats, dogs, owls, squirrels to even an elephant!



We also see Mandy and Jimmy's relationship grow as his twin children await the arrival of their new sibling as their mum is pregnant. But as Mandy and Jimmy approach their relationship and the topic of moving in will it all go smoothly?



James, Mandy's best friend is struggling in the dating world trying to find a decent guy after Paul, but possibly a chance meeting may see to a new love...



Whilst Mandy's mum is suffering with her health and is awaiting a neurologist consultation we later see her finally showing signs of improving...



An action packed book, with very detailed descriptions of all the animal events happening and the voices came to life to me of the children especially as they got excited around helping the animals. I really enjoyed the next instalment of this series and would totally pick up the next one when it's out!



Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

[Justkeepreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so wonderful to return to Hope Meadows once again. I love revisiting places in books because it means that you get to catch up with old friends and find out what they have been up to.

It was also so lovely to meet up with all the animals in the book and to meet the new inhabitants of Hope Meadows. I especially loved Frank the owl.

What I really did love about this book is that it is multi dimensional and has a lot of surprising elements in it. There is so much going on in this book that you will not want to put it down. But be warned that you might want tissues to hand if you are an emotional person like me as there are some points in this book that will make you cry.

I cannot wait to read the fourth book in the series now and if you haven’t read this series yet. I urge you to give it a go. As I promise you will love it. Lucy is one of my favourite authors and keeps proving time and again why she is on my authors to watch out for list. I loved this book Lucy and urge everyone to go out and buy it.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third in the gorgeous Hope Meadows series, this book is set in the wonderful time of spring as Mandy's house, Wildacre, gets the finishing touches and she's all set to move in. There are some cute moments involving rescuing wildlife and making new friends, as well as realising the importance of friendship and family when the unthinkable happens.

This book was particularly touching to read because Mandy makes a mistake in her veterinary career and she has to learn to forgive herself. It's obvious she loves animals and didn't mean for the mistake to happen, but it just shows you how vets pile so much pressure on themselves to always be perfect, but we are all human and make mistakes. We see how Mandy deals with this and how it really knocks her confidence but with her family around her, there's nothing she can't do.

It's full of touching family moments which I adore. I also loved the bit with the red squirrels and seeing Mandy defend their home when Sam Western threatens it. It reminds me of the character I used to read about in the Animal Ark series and I'm so glad this was made into an adult series and Mandy's story continued on. A very sweet book for the springtime that I thoroughly enjoyed.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a joy to be back amongst friends in this new book in the Hope Meadows series.

I absolutely lover the direction this book has taken the story in, and meeting a new array of animals, from squirrels to well lets just say something just a tad larger than a squirrel towards the end!

Since this is the third book in a series there are plenty of story line continuing from the previous books, which is always good to see.

One of the main new plots was seeing how Mandy would get on meeting Jimmy's twins as they do need to get along if there is any hope of their relationship continuing.

In fact between Jimmy and best friend of Mandy's James, most of the major story threads seemed to involve them. Good thing I enjoy both of their characters.

There were definitely some emotional moments in this, but also some cute and funny ones too. I love this author and her writing, and I love Hope Meadows and Animal Ark and am already eagerly awaiting the next installment.

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

[Nicola Clough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much and this book continues with the same wonderful writing with a brilliant story plot and shows how things can change so quickly when you think everything is going so well full of romance and family and friends and sticking together to get through hard times. It's got great characters and you just get hooked straight away and you want to keep reading.
Mandy is still loving running hers rescue centre and working with her parents at the family vet which is next door. All is still going well with her and Jimmy and when he mentions about introducing his children to her she is so unsure how she will cope. Her mum is unwell but tries to hide it and says she's ok but she's worried about her. Sky Jimmy's dog is expecting puppies and they are all excited and she gets to know the children but she doesn't feel it's going very well and they aren't happy about the donkeys she has in the animal centre finding a new home they think she should keep them. Nicole who works with her as a volunteer starts asking some strange questions but doesn't think much of it to start with. Also she learns the land next to the rescue centre is going to have a factory built on and when Jimmy and the girls find a red squirrel she is adamant that the factory can't be built and gets support to protest. Can she win and not get the factory built or will it go against her. Sky goes into labour and she supports Jimmy but after one puppy is born there is problems and they rush her to the animal ark vets and she does a scan and can see the puppies and believes they are ok so leaves sky to continue in her labour but when she suddenly starts bleeding she realises something is wrong and rushes her in to open her up for her to get the puppies out and when she does she's heartbroken and sky has a tumour and she has to try and save the puppies and sky and sadly the puppies pass and only the one survives. When she relooks at the scan she can clearly see the tumour and can't believe she missed it and feels she's failed and let everyone down especially Jimmy. She thinks her friend James will help her so she visits him and he's learning to live with his husband quite well now and getting friendly with Raj who he met when he had an accident and James stopped with Mandy and Raj is admitting he likes James but doesn't want to make things difficult. The day after the incident with sky she gets a phone call from someone about an inspection and she learns Nicole has been applying for a grant to help them at the rescue centre as it's struggling for money but sadly her mind isn't up to answering questions and she gets cross with Nicole when the inspectors leave. She's really not coping will she be able to sort things out with Jimmy and how will she react when she learns about her mum and her illness can she pull together and be ok. Will she win the funding grant or not and how will she cope when her new home is all finished and ready to move into. Can she make friends with Jimmy's children to after an incident or not can she make a go of her life or is it falling apart around her.

[Clarabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ce troisième tome s'essouffle ! L'héroïne tombe dans la caricature de la pasionaria de la cause animale : elle se met à dos les villageois en s'opposant à un projet de croissance économique mais ne fait surtout aucun effort avec les enfants de son copain. Son métier, sa passion, les animaux. Ça ne la rend hélas pas très sympathique. Mais son amitié avec James ou sa relation privilégiée avec ses parents sauvent la mise. Et naturellement, le charme bucolique est toujours très présent ! Je suis contente de savoir que le prochain Vert-Cottage ne se consacre plus à Mandy Hope. Il était temps de tourner la page. 😮‍💨

[Charli333 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant addition to a great series!

I've really enjoyed this series, with it's engaging characters, captivating setting and fun stories. This book starts where the previous one left off, though it is still possible to read it as a standalone novel if you haven't read the others.

This book is firmly focused on animals (from red squirrels to elephants, to dogs and cats!) as well as the people, so a really enjoyable must-read for any animal lover!

[Kathryn Bullivant · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final instalment of Mandy and Jimmy’s story. Fun read with lots of exciting animal patients and rescues. Perfect for anyone who loved Animal Ark as a child!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gorgeous addition to the series. I'm already looking forward to the Christmas one.

[Loz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good read. Somehow managed to be a gentle read while still being a very emotional one too! A great series.

[Paula-Diane Lufflum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3

There's lots going on in the village and Emily is still poorly, there's lambing and an owl, puppies, kittens and even Ganesh. Wildacre is still in progress will it ever be finished?

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Springtime at Wildacre” is the third book in the Hope Meadows series of books by Lucy Daniels.

With her relationship with Jimmy getting more serious by the day, Mandy has the increasingly difficult task of getting to know his son and daughter from a previous relationship – something that is not easy when you are happier with things that have 4 legs.

Elsewhere, Mandy receives difficult news about her parents which makes her realise that the future of Hope Meadows may be in balance.

A very enjoyable book – perfect for fans of Carole Matthews and Katie Fforde. I would highly recommend reading the first 2 books in the series first.

[Abi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mandy Hope is on cloud nine. Hope Meadows is going really well and she's growing ever closer to her handsome boyfriend Jimmy Marsh. What's more her best friend, James, is slowly learning to re-embrace life after losing his husband.

When an unexpected crisis causes Mandy to lose confidence in her veterinary skills, it's a huge blow. Can Mandy learn to forgive herself before her relationship with Jimmy, and the future of Hope Meadows, is put in danger?

For full review and more, please visit: https://twiabblog.wixsite.com/theworl...

* Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton, via NetGalley, for this ARC *

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely 3rd book of the Hope Meadows series...

[Hayley Marsland · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good to pick up another book in this adorable series.

It's now spring and a lot has been happening.

Mandy's house Wildacre, is almost ready to move into, and although her relationship with boyfriend Jimmy Marsh is going well, there are his twins, Max and Abbie to consider, the three of them need to get along if Mandy and Jimmy want to continue together.

But there could be trouble ahead, as there are plans to build a furniture factory, in the woods right next to Hope Meadows, but there are sightings of red squirrels in the woods and as they are endangered, the area should be protected, could planning permission really have been passed ?

This being the third book in the series, there are quite a few characters that reappear, Mandy's best friend, James is moving forward after the passing of husband Paul, and her mum, Emily who has struggled with her health finally has some answers as to her condition.

Very much looking forward to reading the next instalment.

[Paula Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't read the first two of this series, and to be honest I don't think I needed to in order to understand the characters. Mandy is the vet with her parent's practice and also runs the rescue centre too. 'Nuff said if you know the series.

As an animal lover, I get where Mandy was coming from in terms of the squirrels, and also how devastated she was and hesitant in following cases after her error (which was more of bad luck than anything else). I thought Jimmy was a bit too full on in getting his kids involved, the farmer a bit too scooby doo villain (a bit like HS2 bosses), and whilst I do not have them myself, I am sure kids aren't that forgiving either! But the odd gripe aside it was a good light read and enjoyable. I raced through it which means I wanted to find out more.

[Celeste · Rating 3 out of 5]

Je pense qu’il s’agit de l’un de mes tome préféré. J’ai trouvé Mandy moins agaçante (sauf pour les jumeaux et l’écureuil, je comprend le message a faire passer mais je suis d’accord avec les arguments de Jimmy).
Cette série sous ses airs très naïfs réserve des moments plus difficiles : la tumeur de Zoé, la maladie d’Emilie. Et c’est agréable de voir que tout ne se passe pas aussi bien qu’on pourrait l’espérer. Ce n’est pas toujours évident et ça fait mal au cœur à lire mais cela reste la vie, la vraie.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hope Meadows series should definitely be read in order, and this third installment was a heartwarming and enjoyable read. I love reading about Mandy's life as a vet, and all the little details about the animals in her care at the rescue centre. This is an enjoyable series with a great cast of characters. I can relate to Mandy's thinking - she typically puts animals ahead of people, and I can understand that because I tend to do the same! I loved the red squirrel aspect to this book and was glad that all turned out well.

[Linda O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

About a vet called Mandy who has opened an animal rescue & rehabilitation centre, as well as working at her parents vet practice, in the lovely picturesque countryside.
We meet quite a few characters along the way, as well as the animals.
There are plenty of highs & lows,in the storyline.
This is a sweet book & the 3rd of a series.
I haven't read any of the previous ones.
Lucy is also a co-writer of a series of children's animal books. Of which there are many.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was such a huge fan of the original Animal Ark books growing up, and was thrilled to learn that there's an adult series too! This series truly has just as much heart as the original books did. If you like British countryside romance, All Creatures Great and Small, James Herriot, adorable romance, and wildlife, then you're going to love these! <3

[Linda Louch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming story about Mandy Hope and her veterinary practice and animal rescue centre in a little Yorkshire village with all the twists and turns of family life. beautiful story of friendship and love.

[Liz (elizabethfleur) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hace once again picked up another book from the library without realising it wasn’t the first in the series!

This was a light, easy read but I found it quite repetitive at times, and I found it a little unbelievable how everything worked out perfectly in the last few chapters.

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet book, I picked this up in the library as I just liked the name. I thought it was so sweet, I loved all of the different characters and everyone had their own story to tell with their lives.