Wow-what an amazing read this was. I started it as I got in the bath, 2 hours later I decided I really need to get out the bath! I then got dry, warmed up in PJ’s and then finished reading the book.

This is the story of Samantha and her life, the people in her life and how she is treated. She has not had the best relationship with some of her family and when her cousin, who is also best friend marries her ex-boyfriend, then things take a real turn after the ceremony.

But in some ways, this leads Samantha to what will be the best fresh start she will ever have. It will also bolster her confidence, give her some well-deserved respect and make her realise that she is as good as everyone else.

This is a story that is so full of emotion, and not just the happy ones either. There were times where I was so frustrated at how Samantha was being treated, she is such a nice person and has the biggest heart, but this is just what some people need to take advantage and to manipulate.

Samantha has the sort of determination to crack even the grumpiest person and make their lives better for it. Thomas was just what she needed and without realising it, he needed her as well. Their relationship was very special, it brought back forgotten happy memories for both.

This is as much about the bond of friends and family as it is about making changes to life. It's about taking opportunities and chances and running with them. Most of all it is about fulfilling a long lost dream and surrounding yourself with positive and special people.

A gorgeous book full of beautiful descriptions and it was an absolute pleasure to read. A romance with a whole lot of heart and soul and one I would absolutely recommend.

I devoured this book but honestly the relationship between Sam and her mum was so painful to read about that I cannot recommend this as an escapist read. Very harsh stuff including Sam being walked all over by most members of her family, including her best friend and cousin Chloe. It's obvious to the reader that Chloe is a terrible person, but Sam seems to continue to think the world of her. Knocks the otherwise smart Sam down quite a few pegs in the eyes of the reader. 

If the smarmy cruelty regarding Sam's mum is removed, this book would be a way better read. The level of cruelty was out of this world. Just terrible to read about. The reader is never really sure why Sam's Dad just stood back and watched the cruelty. 

Honestly I would remove all the stuff about Sam's mum myself and possibly some of the cruelty from Chloe. The rest of the book was adorable and mostly uplifting. 

I don't know about other readers of cosy romance and escapist fiction but the general nastiness of the characters here just disgusted me and is not what I expect to find in this type of fiction. The hedgehog part of the plot was cute.

I just can't rate higher due to the nastiness.

🌟📚Brilliantly written📚🌟

Straight away I'm rooting for Sammie as she seems like the underdog to her Cousin Chloe.

If you read this you may need tissues in Chapter 6 I was crying my eyes out. What amazing writing to provoke such emotions.

There are a few characters you really get a disliking for, Great Aunt Agnes is so sly and always disappointed in Sammie and don't even get me started on Chloe and James.

Again this is testament to the explanations of the characters and the style of writing because I genuinely had dislike for them and they're characters. 

I feel so sorry for Sammie, she seems to have been dealt a duff hand to me. Her family (excluding her dad) are infuriating but she also just let's them get away with it. She is lucky to have her father but he also doesn't do enough at the beginning for me really. The fact that I am questioning why they don't stand up to their relatives just shows I actually felt part of this story.

The relationship that Sammie and her father have is much like my own so I can really relate.

Further into this beautiful story shows how small the world is when Sammie meets Thomas, what a lovely chance meeting. It's such a loving story of a friendship that blossoms. So moving that when Sammie was annoyed or upset I got annoyed and upset too.

I absolutely love the way Sammie and Thomas' Christmas day is explained. I wouldn't want to spend Christmas day with my family either if they treated me the way Sammie's treat her.

I also love that the author did so much research into nursing and hedgehogs to make sure she got the facts right.

This story is really romantic and i am sucker for romance. There are some difficult topics in it too. Loss, Friendships, family fueds and some hard but right decisions. Marvelous!

A lot of family drama keeps it interesting, but it all amounts to...not much. The explanation for Sam’s own mother not liking her and preferring her cousin Chloe did not make sense to me at all. I feel like each character has a bullet list of traits but lack in detail and depth. The story between Sam and the elderly Thomas was great and so sweet. But the resolution with her family and a rushed romance with handsome veterinarian (who is apparently a Chris Pratt look alike) fell flat. Bit of a bland story by the end, unfortunately.

Finding Love at Hedgehog Hollow is a lovely story of resilience and forgiveness.

Samantha Wishaw had the worse possible family. Really, it sucked!

Her mother hated her, her aunts bullied her, her cousin stole all her things, and her father watched it all happen doing very little.

Every possible bad thing happened to Samantha. She was cheated, ostracized, humiliated, and, when she liked someone, they tended to die.

Despite all that, Sam had an infinite reserve of forgiveness; she chose to give second, third, and fourth chances. She kept reaching out and caring.

Sam is a lovely human being. Reading her story made me feel good about my family and friends. I felt loved, respected, and valued.

Apart from her obnoxious family, she had some adorable friends like Mr. Thomas Mickleby (he was grumpy but improved on acquaintance), David, Robin, and her boss Lauren. She also had the hedgehogs.

Yes, there are tons of lovely hedgehogs all through the pages, and Sam is determined to rescue them all.

She ended up rescuing more than hedgehogs. She also saved a lovely and troubled veterinarian. It was beautiful to see two broken hearts speaking to one another.

There is a tiny paranormal element that was charming and a perfect closing to the story.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

*This review will be posted on https://lureviewsbooks.com on 07/07/2020 as part of the book's blog tour*

Finding Love at Hedgehog Hollow by Jessica Redland is the first book I've had the pleasure of reading by this author, and it certainly won't be the last. I'm such a huge fan of cosy, warm, uplifting fiction and this story fit the bill perfectly for me. It had everything from romance and blossoming new friendships, to heartache and toxic family members. It was a joy to read and a wonderful story to lose myself within, with a whole host of fun, warm & welcoming characters who carved themselves a little space in my heart by the end. With a tightly-written and seamless plot, I found myself flying through Finding Love at Hedgehog Hollow in a way that only happens when I'm totally convinced by, and in love with, the story. 

Finding Love at Hedgehog Hollow by Jessica Redland follows Samantha Winshaw as she stumbles her way through life, trying her absolute best to remain positive, upbeat, and sparkly. From the marriage of her cousin to the man Samantha has been head over heels in love with for years, to the toxic, confusing relationship Samantha has with her very own mother, this is a character who has a hell of a lot to contend with throughout the progression of this book. Samantha's adventure really beings to pick up pace when her path crosses with that of Thomas, a grumpy and rather rude yet lonely elderly man who is, despite his protestations, in need of help desperately. It is here, after this chance meeting with Thomas, that Samantha's life is turned on its head and takes her completely off-course but in the best way possible.

I adore a story in which we experience the mental & emotional "glow-up" of a character. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing somebody discover what it is they really want from life, and what it is that truly makes them happy. Samantha Winshaw experiences some hardcore heartache in this novel, and I couldn't help but to feel sympathy towards the woman who so desperately just wanted to somebody to love and accept her for who she was. After all, isn't that what we all want? Somebody who knows all of our flaws and accepts them with no questions asked? It seems that in Finding Love at Hedgehog Hollow, it's not only the romantic sort of acceptance and love which Jessica Redland writes of, but the maternal sort of love too. My heart ached for the love which Samantha craved. It was something she had never known yet always yearned for, and remained a great mystery to me throughout my reading of this book. I was intrigued as to what had caused this huge rift between mother and daughter, and really hoped that it was something Samantha would find an answer to before I reached the final page.

There was such a lot going on within this book which gave me plenty to sink my teeth into, and plenty to think about, too. Another aspect of this story I particularly enjoyed was the fixing up of Thomas's home. I'm no fixer-upper personally but it really is something I love to read about in fiction, and with this home, considerably more so. Hedgehog Hollow was such a beautiful house but it was in dire need of some TLC. What I also loved was how Samantha helped Thomas to overcome the loss of his dear wife Gwendoline. This was such a tender and moving aspect of this story, one which moved me immeasurably and had me close to tears on numerous occasions. The gradual shift in Thomas and Samantha's relationship was excellently done by the author and I loved every moment spent watching it evolve.

Of course, what really lies at the heart of this story is Samantha taking on the late Gwendoline's dream of running a hedgehog rescue centre at Hedgehog Hollow. Not only does Samantha bravely take on this task but she also does so with a whole lot of faith and trust. With the support of her new friends and her dishy potential romantic interest, this was such an exciting part of this novel and I wanted nothing more than for Samantha to make Gwendoline's dream come true and bring the rescue centre to life. I also found the facts about hedgehogs highly enlightening and enjoyed learning about these prickly but cute creatures as Samantha geared up her new role as hedgehog rescuer.

Jessica Redland is clearly an accomplished and capable writer. Her style is addictive and so incredibly easy to gel with. It made me feel as though I'd left reality behind and was now living in Samantha's world instead. I was completely swept away by the goings-on in the pages and was highly entertained by each new chapter and each new event that took place. Reading this book was an adventure in itself!

Finding Love at Hedgehog Hollow by Jessica Redland was a truly uplifting, emotional and beautiful story of love, family and new friendships. It was gorgeously heart-warming and it opened up a whole new world of characters to meet and problems to solve and I loved every moment spent at Samantha's side as she tackled each issue that tried to stand in her way. Jessica Redland has clearly put a ton of love into this story and it certainly shows in the writing. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I hope that there will be more to come from Samantha in the future.

With thanks to the publisher for providing me with an advanced reading copy of this book, that of which has no reflection on me providing a fair and honest review.

This is a book that hooks you on the first page. It has family drama, romance and of course cute little hedgehogs. This is a new-to-me author and I wasn't sure what to expect. I'm so glad I was approved for a copy of this book, it was an absolute joy to read.The author brought the story to life with her words, you could feel all of the emotions and see all the scenery. I can't wait to read more books by this author. Thank you  Boldwood Books via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book,

A beautifully written book by Jessica. Had me in tears in parts. 

When Samantha watches her cousin marry her ex boyfriend it’s the hardest day of her life. On the way to the wedding reception she gets lost and stumbles across an old farm, where she finds an elderly gentleman has fallen inside the house following a stroke. She builds a friendship with the old man who changes her life in so many different ways. A book full of loss and love.

Everything happens for a reason!

As Samantha watches the love of her life marry someone else, she truly feels at a loss..... That is until she meets Thomas, an elderly gentleman. Together they are two lonely souls that both need company. 
Thomas owns Hedgehog Hollow and it his wife's dream to open a hedgehog rescue centre. Thomas knows just the person who can do it. 
Can Samantha fulfil this dream? Will Samantha find her forever? 

It is such a lovely read, it  made me cry! It is full of emotion, kindness and warmth.

*Trigger Warning: Toxic Mother/Daughter Relationship
If you know anything about me, you know my love for hedgehogs. That may have been the reason I requested this arc from Netgalley and Boldwood Books. Going in I wasn't really sure what to expect, but I really commend the author on a solid start that really pulls you in. The use of time jumping (clearly noted at the beginning of the chapter - thanks!) really helped you grasp the current situation and what had lead up to it. One of the other things that really shined in this book was the characters. I felt like they were well developed, dynamic, and interesting. And of course, the way the hedgehogs tie into the overall story is so beautiful. This book tore at my heart so many times. I wanted to throw it (in a good way). What Sam has to go through, sometimes over and over again, is brutal; however, it goes a long way to show her character. 

Now, I want to address my use of a trigger warning, which isn't something I usually do. I have a decent relationship with my mom; however, I still found myself having a really hard time reading the toxicity within this book. I cannot attest to how well the representation is, but it was emotionally pulling and hard for me to read.

Could this story have pulled on my heartstrings anymore? I cried. I laughed. I went through a torrent of emotions. It really was a fantastic read that I would recommend to anyone wanting a warm, heartfelt story to while away the hours.

The story opens at the wedding of Chloe and James where Samantha is a bridesmaid. We discover that Chloe is her best friend and her cousin but the shocker is finding out James used to be Sam’s boyfriend.

Sam is sent on an errand by Chloe – the girl literally can’t help but do anything for anybody. Sam gets lost on the way and stumbles across a farm. Desperately trying to find someone to ask directions Sam calls out to anyone living in the farm house and spies an older man collapsed on the floor. Being a nurse, Sam finds her way in and calls an ambulance, although the man, Thomas, isn’t happy about being saved. Finally, four hours late to the wedding Sam turns up to a horrible Aunt who decides to out Sam on her love for James in front of Chloe who literally hits the roof. Being disregarded by her whole family, except her Dad and her uncle, Sam feels ostracised and escapes to her new job a few villages over, moving in with Rich, the paramedic who has kept her updated about Thomas Mickleby.

Sam believes that it is fate that she managed to save Thomas’s life and visits him at hospital, even though he is sure he doesn’t want visitors and is cross with Sam for saving his life because he wanted to die and be with his wife who had passed 20 years previously. Sam eventually wears him down, using his cat as leverage and helps him when he returns home. It sparks a friendship that reminds Sam of her late Grandpa and with being kicked out of the family, Sam believes it is fate that she has met Thomas.

Thomas lives on Hedgehog Hollow, a farm that was intended to be a rescue centre for hedgehogs, but do to the untimely death of Gwendoline, the centre never happened. Sam rescues Thomas from a life of grieving. On his death, Sam finds out that Thomas has left her everything on the proviso that she follows through on Gwendolines wishes, which Sam accepts.

There are so many twists and turns to this novel I don’t want to tell you too much to ruin the whole book. What I can say is read it! It’s absolutely amazing. I cried when characters died, and I got so angry with the family issues. The prose flows really well and kept me hooked at every point. I am new to this author and I definitely intend on picking up more of her novels! I like that it wasn’t all about romance, but about life and succeeding in it through all the ups and downs that happen to everyone. It really was a feel-good, non-put-downable novel.

Sam is facing one of the worst days of her life: she’s just watched her cousin marry the love of her life. She smiled through it, gave well wishes but she’s utterly heartbroken. 

When she leaves the wedding on an errand for the bride and groom, she ends up getting lost. And happens to find herself at an over grown building called Hedgehog Hollow. Inside she meets Thomas, a grumpy old man, and saves his life. 

Little does she know that that moment, that act of kindness, will change her life in more ways than one. 

I requested this book off of Netgalley in exchange for an honest review on a whim. I’ve been in the mood for cute romances recently and this had hedgehogs in it too. What could be better than that? 

Honesty, I didn’t know what I was expecting but it was such a beautiful and engaging read. I laughed, I cried, and then I did a rather unattractive combination of the two. 

Sam is exactly the kind of character I can relate to. She wants to see the best in people and treats people with the kindness she thinks they deserve. Because of this she has been used and pushed about endless times. Throughout the course of the book, she realises some of the toxic relationships in her life and begins to distance herself. Something that I have had to do in the past. 

The characters felt relatable and incredibly loveable - well the ones that you’re meant to love, at least. The relationships she has with her gramps and Thomas are beautiful. Showing that no matter the age gap, or whether you are actually related by blood or not, you can still love and care for someone unconditionally. 

The love interest was the exact character that our Sammie needed, coming across as stern but really just protecting themselves from greater harm. 

The twists and turns along the way kept me reading and reading. I only put the book down to eat and entertain my dogs! There were some that I didn’t see coming and yet, looking back, they were obvious in the way that only a truly good author can deliver. 

And then, there’s the hedgehogs. My only wish is we got to see more of them because they are the most adorable creatures on the planet! But what we saw made me love them even more. 

If you’re looking for a book set in the lush countryside of North Yorkshire, one that has heartfelt characters and a fantastic plot. A book that will leave you smile with tear tracks still glistening on your face, then please go and read ‘Finding Love at Hedgehog Hollow!’. I promise you, you won’t regret it!

This was my first book by this author, It was pretty enjoyable. I would give this book a 3.5 star rating! It was a pretty Quick and easy read!

Oh, this is such a lovely book and a great story. I found myself becoming increasingly involved in the main character’s life and shared her ups & downs alongside her. The writer really brings the reader into the story. I cried several times and was overjoyed many other times. 
Top marks and I cannot wait for the next instalment in Hedgehog Hollow, it will be top of my wish list.

This book was lovely! Loved sam's character! Her heart and kindness stood out! And the bond she had with Thomas had me melting! I'm glad they found each other! He seemed so lonely! This book touched my heart because of her relationships. Her and her monther in particular becuase I can relate. Overall a great read! Plus, who doesnt love adorable animals chucked into the mix!

Sam is heartbroken when her "friend with benefits" James who she loves , even though it isn't reciprocated, marries her cousin Chloe. Events at their wedding causes an already strained relationship with her family to come to a climax, although it did help her find a new friend in a recluse who she helped upon finding him collapsed at home.
There have been two books that I've read recently that I've found impossible to put down, a Regency romance and this one. Very moving and emotional I really felt for Sam when she was down and happy as she started forming new friendships. With a few twists and turns that gave further history behind the story it was one of those books that I was sad when I actually finished it.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. I was very frustrated by certain relationships and how they were allowed to continue. Still, as a whole, I was drawn into this place and Sam's life.

Could it be any worse? You are the maid of honor at your cousin’s wedding as she marries the man you are secretly in love with. Sam Winshaw is heartbroken, and she throws herself into a friendship with elderly widower, Thomas, who’s living in rundown Hedgehog Hollow. Sam steps in to try to realize the dream of renovating Hedgehog Hollow that Thomas and his wife held dear. She also hopes to open a hedgehog rescue! Along the way, Sam realizes that sometimes life has other plans for her, maybe not the ones she envisioned, but something delightful indeed

I have no idea where to start in trying to explain how fabulous this book is.

I mean there are hedgehogs and memories of The Hedgehog lady are so lovely. 

There is Thomas who eventually strikes up a beautiful friendship with Sammie, even if he isn't sure about it at first.

There's Sammie's incredibly tricky relationship with her mother to explore and other huge family rifts. 

Actually as someone who could see some of her own mums characteristics in Sammie's I had a great deal of empathy and sympathy for her and her relationship.

There's clearly a love of all animals in this story with two vets playing starring roles. Plus with Sammie being a nurse there is a lot of caring going on too.

As a fan of the author I smiled anytime Whitsborough Bay is mentioned, while loving this new setting on the Yorkshire Wolds a lot too.

It's a book that took me on a journey of emotion both ups and downs, with very realistic characters and Jessica Redland's wonderful writing style. 

I adored every single moment of this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Loved this book.
I finished it in a day was brilliant although I was crying for loads of the story.
So happy that it had a very happy ending.
Can't wait to buy this book when it comes out.
Jessica Redland is a brilliant author I've read other books by her her writing makes you feel like you are actually there in the book.