Chasing Dreams at Hedgehog Hollow

MY REVIEW

This is the 5^th book in the Hedgehog Hollow series, but can be easily read as a standalone. You also get a reminder of what’s happened so far, so it’s easy to catch up on where the story is up to.

Chasing Dreams at Hedgehog Hollow is predominantly Lauren’s story. We find out about her life from events in the present day and flashbacks from the past which tell her story. We begin at Samantha and Josh’s wedding. Lauren is Josh’s aunt and we see how some kind of romantic feelings seem to be developing between 51-year-old Lauren and Jonathan Wishaw (Sam’s dad) but of course, things aren’t as straight-forward as that…

We also follow Samantha, who is newly married to Josh. They go on their honeymoon to Tanzania and everything seems perfect as they even decide to consider having a baby. But will their life continue to be so perfect? Of course, you’ll have to read the book to find out!

I got into the story straight away. Jessica Redland has a wonderful knack of writing characters which pop off the page, so you relate to them and care about their lives. The settings are also great and Hedgehog Hollow is one of my all-time favourite settings. I mean, who wouldn’t want to read a book set in a hedgehog rescue centre? I loved Luna and her little hoglets this time too!

I love how Hedgehog Hollow is a centre for a lovely community network too and characters like Terry, who has been “adopted” as a grandad by Sam and Josh. There is a beautiful emphasis on family not having to be blood or family tree, but how friendship can become family.

I love the mix of old characters you already love and new ones to fall in love with. Here, we have Riley who looks like he could be a potential love interest for Lauren, but circumstances put them at odds with each other. As you expect from these novels, things don’t go according to plan. Our heroine isn’t going to find Mr Perfect straight away and move into a little white cottage with him in the first chapter. The “will they, won’t they?” element is really well done in the Hedgehog Hollow books, it all feels very realistic and not contrived or formulaic.

I also enjoyed Sam and Josh’s honeymoon to Tanzania and Zanzibar. It was great “seeing” their surroundings, especially the wildlife through their eyes and finding out more about the different types of hedgehog from other parts of the world. (Check out the African Pygmy Hedgehog on Google Images! So cute!)

As ever, this book is an absolute delight! I don’t want to give too much away, so I’ll leave it there, but I’m definitely recommending it.

BLURB

Chasing Dreams at Hedgehog Hollow

Samantha has a secret. Returning home from her dream honeymoon to the normality of running her beloved Hedgehog Hollow rescue centre, she’s ready for the next chapter of her life with Josh. Or is she? Samantha is hiding something which could forever change the dreams they shared and bring their happy ever after crashing to the ground.

Lauren has given up on love. Twenty-six years ago the love of her life, Shaun, left her a note and was never seen again. Two painful divorces later she still can’t face opening up to anyone. But little does Lauren know that the closure she’s dreamt of for all these years may be closer than she thinks, and perhaps the only way to let new love in is to forgive and forget.

Samantha and Lauren will need the love and support from the Hedgehog Hollow family more than ever. After all, some dreams are worth chasing…

Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/36XRT2Y

Author Bio –

Jessica Redland writes emotional but uplifting stories of love, friendship, family and community. Her Whitsborough Bay books transport readers to the stunning North Yorkshire Coast where she lives with her husband, daughter and sprocker spaniel. Her Hedgehog Hollow series, set in a hedgehog rescue centre, takes readers into the beautiful rolling countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds.

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