Book Review: Love Blossoms at Puddleduck Farm by Della Galton

I’m so pleased to be welcoming Della Galton back to Novel Kicks. She’s here with the blog tour for her latest novel, Love Blossoms at Puddleduck Farm.

How can life be too busy for love?

Phoebe Dashwood is living the dream. She’s running her own successful vet practice, Puddleduck Vets, alongside her grandmother’s animal sanctuary.

She’s also dating the gorgeous, yet slightly broken Rufus Holt, the most eligible bachelor in the New Forest.
So why isn’t she blissfully happy?

Both Phoebe and Rufus are consumed 24/7 by their own commitments. Their relationship is always last on the list.
Phoebe juggles quirky, yet demanding clients and their pets whilst widowed Rufus is consumed by his anxieties, responsibilities of fatherhood and the unenviable tasks of being a Lord in waiting with a huge estate to manage.

Phoebe knows that when you’re a vet, there isn’t always a happy ending. But will there be a happy ending for Phoebe, Rufus and everyone else at Puddleduck Farm?

Is it ever really possible to have it all?

*****

Things seem to be going well for Phoebe Dashwood. Her Veterinary Practice is doing well and she is now in a relationship with Rufus Holt, the handsome lord of the manor. 

However, as both of them try to balance their work and relationship, can it survive? 

It was so lovely to be able to catch up with Phoebe, Maggie and all the people at and around Puddleduck Farm. 

Love Blossoms at Puddleduck Farm is book three in the series but I feel it can be read as a standalone. However, the series is excellent and I recommend. 

I love Phoebe. She is someone who is committed to her job, loves her family and will do anything for anyone. 

The same can be said for Maggie although she may do it a bit much more begrudgingly, depending on the person. 

Rufus is a little bit of a sad character. He’s been through a lot and PTSD and grief are some of the themes that are tackled in this novel. It’s good when awareness is raised about mental health This sends a positive and powerful message. 

Sam. Oh Sam. He’s such a lovely man. I’ll always have a soft spot for men who love cats! 

I also adore Archie. He’s such a sweetheart. 

I loved the setting to this book. Living in Dorset, I’m familiar with the places featured so it wasn’t hard for me to picture the New Forest. It’s so stunning and Della Galton does a great job of immersing the reader into the environment. 

This book also didn’t finish the way I thought it was going to. There are many plot twists thrown in that made me want to keep turning the page. 

I know August is nearly over and done with bit if you’re looking for a book to take on that end of summer holiday, need a fix of romance or want to escape the unpredictable weather and simply curl up with a book, this one would be perfect. 

This book has charm, humour, strong characters and shows us that friends and family will get you through anything and that, what you’re looking for may have been there all along. 

Oh, and Saddam the Cat is hilarious! 

About Della Galton –

Della Galton writes short stories, teaches writing groups and is Agony Aunt for Writers Forum Magazine.

She lives in Dorset.

Say hello to Della via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Bookbub. Click here to sign up to her newsletter. 

Love Blossoms at Puddleduck Farm is book three in the Puddleduck Farm series and Boldwood Books on 26th August 2023. Click here to buy on Amazon UK and Waterstones. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.