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 back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.