Newly qualified vet Mandy Hope is leaving Leeds, and her boyfriend Simon, to return to the Yorkshire village where she grew up to help out at her parents’ surgery. Mandys whole life has revolved around animals, especially those in need of rescue, and being back in the country is giving her a fresh outlook on her dreams for the future.
But rural Yorkshire is very different to the big city and Mandy has her work cut out to prove her worth amongst the locals. When neglected animals are spotted on a near by farm Mandy is keen to do whatever it takes to show the locals she is a confident and, more importantly, competent vet.
With all the hurdles accompanying her return to the veterinary practice can Mandy manage to face the ones in her personal life as well?
When this book popped up on my BookBub newsletter I was quite shocked to see that it was free having only been released a couple of months ago. I loved the Animal Ark series as a child, and although I couldn’t remember most of the stories I didn't hesitate to purchase this one.
Lucy Daniels is the collective name for the writing team of Animal Ark, and Hope Meadows is the first series for adult readers. This instalment was penned by Sarah McGurk, who was inspired by James Herriot to become a fully qualified vet and, following in his footsteps further still, into the world of veterinary writing.
I felt this novel had just the right amount of nostalgia for the children series, it was clear Mandy and James had been friends for a long time and they spoke often of their childhood shenanigans, but for new readers it would have just been seen as well written character development rather than missing out on part of the story.
The writing was wonderful and often very poignant, as a reader who really benefits from senses and setting the language used to describe the animals and countryside was second to none. Even though I didn’t read about the authors veterinary background until after finishing the book, it was hard to miss that she was well informed. Her real-life passion for animals shone through.
Really looking forward to the next instalment at Christmas, to see what else is in store for Mandy and her friends (human and animals).