Emotion? Check.

Heartwarming? Check.

Thought provoking? Check.

The perfect escapism? Double check!

What I love most about Penny Parkes’ novels is the way she captures the heart of her characters, whilst captivating her readers at the same time. In my eyes, that is a talent that you either have or you dont, and Parkes certainly has that talent!

Dr Holly Graham has swapped her scrubs and latex gloves, for nappies and dribbles. Holly loves being a mum and wouldn’t change it for the world, yet she cant help but miss her patients and the job she has temporarily left behind. Some people think that mothers cant have it all, yet Holly is determined to prove them all wrong.

Holly isnt the only one finding her feet, there is a new resident to the town who is finding it difficult to settle in and is worrying that she may have made the worst decision she has ever made.

In this story there is sunshine and rainbows mixed in with rain clouds and gales – you honestly get the best of both worlds in terms of uplifting storyline, and a storyline which makes your eyes close to leaking. The dynamics of the book were brilliant, and the variation between light and shade was incredible, as I felt that it kept me on my toes due to being unable to work out what to expect. I didn’t know what was going to be around the corner on the next page, and the fact that there were several characters with colourful personalities, made the element of surprise all the more addictive.

I thoroughly enjoyed the latest installment in the Larkford series. It was such a joy to lose myself in, and the festive frolics were an additional bonus in an already incredible read.

Heartwarming and memorable, ‘Snowed in at the Practice’ is THE perfect escapism for every single day of the year. I loved it.

In "Snowed in at the Practice" we are back with old, good characters and introduced to some of the new ones. Holly is on maternity leave and in her place we have the feisty Tilly, and while Holly is dealing with her second set of twins, Tilly starts to find what it is she'd love to do - but will she be able to stay at the Practice? Especially as Holly is trying to work out how to return to work - she so wants to be more than just mum again, she needs this thrill of being able to help. But will the others support her in her decisions?

This book is a brilliant catch up with Holly, Taffy and their two sets of twins but it also introduces us to a new nanny, feisty and quirky and full of life and surprises, and Tilly, Alice's friend, but also Connor, who has moved to Larkford, a former rock star trying to get to terms with his wife's death, wanting to lead a quiet life far away from London and taking every stray animal that he sets his eyes on. But we also see Dan and Grace's relationship developing and there are some most poignant moments including those two. And let's not forget Elsie - the Grande Dame with head full of ideas.

I think that every new book in the series is better than the previous ones, and I think it is because of a few factors. Penny Parkes's writing is getting better and better, firstly, it feels like a warm hug, is so inviting, warm and vivid. Then it is always great to be back with characters that you've already got to know, know what makes them tick and it is always nice to simply pick up with them where we left them in the previous book, without the necessity of great introductions. And, of course, the story itself, the plot but most of all it being full of emotions and feelings, turns and twists and the most poignant but also heart - warming moments.

It was really nice to be back in Larkford, and in the Practice. This book had, I don't know how to call it, a feeling? It had this "something" that made it outstanding, brilliant read. No matter when you read the last book in the series, you will immediately feel at home, as if you've never been away from the characters and their lives. Lives that felt incredibly real and realistic, with problems that are so familiar, so it was so easy to fell for them all, knowing what they're experiencing and what they're feeling. And this time there was a lot in store for the doctors and people surrounding them. There was not a single flat moment, and even though the author again dedicated a lot of the pages to the Practice and its patients, describing their problems, this time those problems were incredibly relatable - at least, to me - and Penny Parkes treated them with tons of understanding, care and love. So yes, there were many storylines to follow, but they were so skilfully written and so engaging that I haven't feel confused for a single moment.

It was a lovely, charming and warm book about families, showing how they come in different shapes and sizes, and that being a family doesn't mean you must be born in it. It also touched upon such difficult issues like being a mother and trying to hush your guilty conscience when thinking about coming back to work but also how hard it is to be only a mum sitting at home, and how complex and complicated it may be trying to bring those two facts together. About how important it is to be understood and to have a support of your closest ones, and finally about the strength of friendship. And I love the fact that the author emphasised the importance of the assistance animals, and I loved the scenes including the dogs and also Banana - a wonderful idea! Highly recommended!

Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.

This is the fourth book of a series of which I hadn't read so floundered a little at the beginning to pick up on all the background stories and characters but once the reader untangles the web of people, pets and stories it draws one in. It seemed quite a long book but ideal for hunkering down for a cosy read over the winter. It is a somewhat idealised story of life in a Cotswold village (I live in one myself) and all a little bit too sugary with the too good to be true main characters but it still makes an enjoyable read and does make the reader think about some of the more serious health and social issues tackled.

My Thoughts:
When I agreed to be a part of this blog tour, I hadn’t realised that this book was the latest in a series, totally my fault for not doing the research but unfortunately this sometimes left me feeling a little bit lost as I didn’t know any of the back stories!
However, that being said it still worked as a standalone I thoroughly enjoyed the story and found myself getting invested in the characters lives quite quickly.
Because I haven’t read the other books there isn’t really a lot I can say about character development BUT I loved all of the characters for different reasons.
I really enjoyed the sense of community within the story & how they all pulled together when it mattered, it had a very ‘real” feel to it and it made me heart happy!
This book still made me have ALL the feelings and dealt with some pretty hard hitting topics in a very sensitive way which is t always easy to do.
I’ve also discovered my library has all of the books in this series and can’t wait to dive in from the beginning!

I’ve absolutely loved reading this book. Another of Penny’s fabulous books, full of sadness, happiness, good and bad times. It’s about Holly and how her life progresses after having twins and how she helps her friends and colleagues in their lives. Would definitely recommend a read of this book. Couldn’t put it down.

How good it was to be back in Larkford and at the Practice.

Although it feels like it was ages since I read the previous book in the series within a page or two I felt as though I had never been away.

Such is the memorability of these characters that the book feels like coming home almost instantly and I couldn't wait to see what was in store for all the doctors this time around.

And wow what a lot is packed into this latest episode of what could easily be my favourite doctors drama series on TV.

There are so many story lines to follow that even if you aren't keen on one, then give it a few pages and you will have something else to follow.

This is all about families, and how they come in different shapes and sizes. About how mothers may feel as they contemplate going back to work, and all manner of other issues.

I loved how the ideas of assistance animals has been expanded and Banana is a welcome addition to the role, and an utterly adorable one at that.

Then there is Connor who has moved to Larkford, a former rock star, he just wants to be a farmer and lead a quieter life, but is there more to his taking on every waif and stray animal than meets the eye

Of course it was wonderful to catch up with Holly and Taffy and their two sets of twins, the introduction of a new nanny to help them out. And seeing how Dan and grace are getting on in their new relationship too.

Plus getting to know Tilly, Alice's friend who is working at the Practice while Holly is on maternity leave.

Not to mention everyone's favourite Grand Dame of Larkford, Elsie - I'll leave it to you to discover what she is up to this time!

I read this while I was recovering from dental surgery and it proved to be a wonderful distraction from me feeling sorry for myself and generally being in pain.

I loved every second of this latest addition to this wonderful series, and just asked that Penny Parkes doesn't leave it as long between books next time.

I need more from Larkford and I would love it now! Such a wonderful series, and I do think this could be read as a standalone, but why deprive yourself of other fabulous books?!!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Stories set in small communities are amongst my favourite settings for stories. In this case following on from the previous three books in the series the story continues to follow the fortunes of the doctors and staff of the General Practice set in the small town of Larkford in the Cotswolds. The storylines are both heartwarming and heartbreaking, including a grieving rock star trying to create a new life for himself and Holly, one of the GPs, who is preparing to go back to work after a year out after having another set of twins.
After mixed feelings about the previous books, which I did enjoy to varying degrees, I have become engrossed with the goings on in this town and its inhabitants including late night reading sessions to find out what was happening next.

This is the fourth book in the series and I have read them all.
It was nice to venture back to the countryside and the GP practice. This book centres around Dr Holly who is trying to juggle work and being a mum. She is desperate to be more than just a mum. This is a situation that a lot of us can relate to.
The characters are so likeable and it is nice to see friendships and relationships develop throughout the series.
The writing style and pace of the book were ok.
A good book to read on a cold winters day

Well I do have to say to begin with that this is my first book in this series and although I would love to know how all these people came together in previous books and their adventures, I still loved this book as a stand alone read.
A lot of the characters were obviously well established but there were new people who had moved to the Cotswold village too. This is a busy book with both personal lives and the season as the story heads through bonfire night and to Christmas.
The hive of activity centres round the doctors' pratice, the doctors' familes, patients and friends. One of the main characters is on maternity leave from the surgery, after having her second set of twins, which had opened up a spot for a new character to cover her absence.
This isn't a story about just one character, which I really loved, it is more about the place and the community who live there and how their lives intertwine with each other. Celebrating life and accepting tragedy. I laughed and my eyes filled up and new life began and life ended but the village pulled together. Romance and laughter fills the village, new beginings, and new friends. A real feel good read.
I wish to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.

Really wonderful christmas story. Full of charm, romance, great characters, and magic settings this book will get you in the mood to put your christmas tree up early, it did me anyway. Lovely story, i would really recommend it.

I absolutely love books by this author they never disappoint I would recommend this to anyone that loves a good series.

I discovered The Larkford Series about a year ago and read the three books back to back in quick succession. I've thoroughly enjoyed following the stories of Dr Holly Graham from book to book and couldn't wait to get my hands on the next instalment.

Rest assured fellow fans of Larkford this next instalment is ace. I loved going back to the village and the doctors surgery we have all come to love. At the start of the book Holly is on maternity leave dealing with the second set of twins and trying to work out how to balance being a mother of four alongside wanting to return to work so she can be more than just mum again. Seeing her adapt to her new life and work out how to manage it all made for a very interesting read indeed.

As usual the rest of the gang featured too. Lovely Elsie was back on full form being her wonderful quirky self and as with the previous books I loved every scene she appeared in. The story looked at new doctor Tilly and her struggles fitting into life in the Cotswolds as well as spending time with Dr Dan Carter and his new relationship. I can't say an awful lot about where that thread goes for fear of straying into spoiler territory but suffice to say I loved it.

All in all a brilliant new instalment of a series I adore. I loved being back in Larkford and am already desperate for more.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2474582767
review will be on www.overflowinglibrary.com on publication date

I enjoyed the story which was good but found it difficult to read at the beginning because there were so many people and animals by name that it was hard to remember who was who.

I absolutely love penny parkes books so was so excited to receive the fourth book in the larkford series and it certainly didn’t disappoint!
Returning to larkford is like coming home and reacquainting yourself with old friends a real feel good comfort read full of humour, love,and realistic family living! The characters are so likeable and it’s great to see the relationships between them developing and how new characters are absorbed so seamlessly into the tight knit community a perfect read to get you into the festive spirit or to read at anytime and catch up with all your favourite characters.
Thank you net galley for this early read that was enjoyed.