Love is always a work in progress…

Synopsis

Life would be idyllic if everyone else was on the same page…

Puddleduck Vets Practice is busier than ever.
Phoebe Dashwood is juggling the usual crazy animal antics of her quirky clients, whilst organising the wedding of her bridezilla grandmother and thankfully dating her perfect man.

Phoebe loves every minute of being a New Forest vet, even if she hardly has time to catch her breath. If only she could find some quality time for her and the man of her dreams, life would be perfect.

When an ex’s heartbreak stirs up some emotions from the past, Phoebe realises she must deal with some unfinished business. It would seem a miracle is needed to pull off a happy ending for everyone – but is it within Phoebe’s power to work miracles?

My review

Puddleduck Farm is always a place full of surprises. Phoebe Dashwood loves running her Vets Practice, and as she now finally has admitted her feelings towards Sam, life couldn’t be any better. Even her grandmother becoming a real bridezilla isn’t an issue for Phoebe!
But being a vet also means always being busy… and taking time from her and Sam. And while Sam may seemingly not be making an issue of it, Phoebe starts to wonder if the reality cannot live up to Sam’s dream of being together with Phoebe. Even if they are together for a short time, are they on the same page concerning the future?
And Phoebe cannot stop worrying about Rufus, because even if they aren’t together, when tragedy strikes his family, she wants to be there for him. But is Rufus now ready to let someone in? Because even if things didn’t work out with Phoebe, it doesn’t mean it won’t work out with someone else? IS there a happy end in line for everyone?

What a wonderful delight returning to Puddleduck Farm! I am not into large animals, never let me get close to a horse, or even a cow for that matter, but I for sure can love them from afar or in amazing books like this one!

I am always eager to know what happens after a couple gets together. Because getting together is the easiest part (although, for Phoebe and Sam it for sure took a long time! 😊) but a relationship is always a work in progress, and both parties have to find their find in a changed position. And being a vet does mean getting unexpected calls away, cancelling dates, or just being tired after a long and hard day of work.
So I just had to see how this lovely couple would find the perfect balance and be happy together!

It may sound weird, but I found it somehow sweet how especially Phoebe was not sure of where she was heading as a couple with Sam.
Not that I liked her self – doubting, but it was more that Phoebe is having and even expressing doubts that everyone has. Especially as Phoebe went from being best friends with Sam to that deeper connection. The fear she has is real, because what if things wouldn’t work out? No matter how determined or how much in love you can be, you will never know what the future brings. And if things should go terribly wrong, it’s not only the end of a relationship, but also that of an amazing friendship.
Phoebe’s thoughts makes her a more reliable and real character, because it isn’t always sunshine and rainbows in life.

Phoebe is in this third instalment, despite her doubts, still that amazing person I got to know from the previous books. She is kind, gentle, with a great heart, compassionate and doesn’t hold grudges. And we see that how she still cares about Rufus. Even if things weren’t meant to be between them, she still worries about him, and wants to be there for him as a friend. And that was truly lovely to see, because you don’t stop caring about someone when things doesn’t work out romantically.

I have to admit, I didn’t really like – like Rufus in this book. Yes, he is still learning to cope with his fears, but he also allows the past to still hold a tight grip over him, making him even more closed off than before. And while when something unexpected happens (although I had a gut feeling about this),  I was a bit shocked by this. But I was more shocked to see Rufus making once again the same mistake and hurt the people he cares about the most.

Obviously there are a lot of other things happening in this book, some lovely events but also some events that makes you stop a moment and think about it. Because while there is a lot of lightness in this book, there is also room for serious matters. Matters that perhaps have been kept hidden, but when once exposed, is met with such understanding and love, that it can give enough courage to take matter back in own hands.

And obviously, we read once again that communication is key. Because opening up, talking about your fears, doubts and thoughts, is what can make or break a relationship. In a relationship, you have to be able to express what’s bothering you, because perhaps whatever it is that haunts your thoughts, isn’t what is truly going on.
Because reality can be that even when you don’t know, you can be on the same page. And that when love is the real thing, even those short moments (or too short moments) shared together can be the most amazing moments.

This author wrote exactly what I was expecting from this third instalment, even more layers to a already amazing series. I loved reading every bit of it!