This is another great instalment to this series and also has some new characters.
The writing is so beautiful and makes you feel so close to the characters which brings such emotion to the writing
I loved this book

Having not read any other books from this series I found this a lovely quick read although quite predictable in the plot. Based in a lovely town coming up towards Christmas dealing with numerous issues effecting Mandys life. I will definitely be reading the other books in this series.

Unfortunately I was unable to get in to this story and had to put it down, however, I'm sure it is a highly loved book and appreciated by the right readers.

I adore this author and this book was a brilliant read and one that is perfect to escape for a few hours and loose yourself.
Characters that fall out of the pages of the book and make you fell apart of the story, the setting comes alive and captured is well with words.
A great read. that I would highly recommend.

I had struggled with books keeping my interest lately and I found this one kept me entranced and reading more! I wanted to read more of it. Was lovely to see how the characters had progressed from previous books. I did have a little tear up a couple of times and then parts were extremely well written and believeable

I really enjoyed this book so much. It has a really great plot, superb main characters and I read it in one sitting. I would highly recommend this book.

With thanks to Netgalley and Hodder and Staughton for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

Christmas at Silverdale is the sixth book in the Hope Meadows series. In the latest book the story is centred on vet Mandy Hope and her family at Animal Ark Veterinary Surgery.

As Autumn fell things were not going well for Mandy. She was upset that her boyfriend Jimmy had rejected her marriage proposal. Mandy wanted to start a family but Jimmy was reluctant to commit because he already had two children from a previous marriage. Shortly after he had gone on an expedition to Canada to watch polar bears. Although Mandy loved Jimmy, she desperately wanted children and knew she would have to break up.

Meanwhile her mum Emily was rushed to hospital after sudden relapse of her MS symptoms. When Emily was discharged from hospital, Mandy was shocked how weak she had become. At work Mandy was delighted when Geraldine a new volunteer offered to help at Hope Meadow. Mandy and Geraldine quickly became close, however Mandy began to worry when Geraldine started to ask personal questions.


Christmas at Silverdale had some serious storylines involving MS and neonatal drug addiction. There were some parts of the story I loved others not so much. I did guess the reason why Geraldine wanted to join Hope Meadow. I don't want to give too much away but Mandy`s attitude towards her parents, particularly Emily was disloyal.

At times I wanted to shake some sense into Mandy. Why did Mandy leave her own house instead of asking Jimmy leave? The scene where Mandy out down Billy the horse were sensitively done.

There were some light hearted storylines in the book. I was delighted that Mandy`s childhood friend James, partner Raj and their adopted son Taresh were in the story. I also enjoyed reading about the exotic alpacas.

I enjoyed this book, but It was not the best in the series. It was nice to spend Christmas back with Mandy, her family and the staff of Animal Ark.

I love this series- but Mandy is facing a lot of emotional issues in this book. She has such a lot on her plate and at times I did wonder whether things were going to be heading in the right direction.
Geraldine turns up, keen to help with the rescue centre. I guessed where this storyline might be heading, but it took twists that I couldn’t anticipate.
I am so invested with the characters and really wanted everything to have a fairytale ending. She has so much to digest and she is facing issues in every area of her life- friendships, family and romance.
I can’t wait to read more in this series

Another wonderful addition to this series, I loved being back among the Hope family at both Animal Ark and Hope Meadows.

More troubling is the state of Mandy and Jimmy's relationship and there were many scenes between them where my heart was actually breaking, and at no point was I completely convinced there would be much hope for a reconciliation.

There is a new key character to this instalment, Geraldine and just from the hints in the blurb and a weird gut feeling I spent most of the first half of the book looking for clues to confirm my instincts, and I was in this instance spot on. It added a new dimension to the book, and made me see another side of Mandy.

Actually I was on the verge and tears off and on throughout this book, in part due the wonderfulness of the writing, and how connected I am to these characters, that I was really feeling for them, and possibly in part due to fear this may be the end of the series, as at the time of writing this review, I can't see the next one up on pre-order which is usually the case by now, and that worries me, as I don't want the series to end.

And the animals, some utter cuties in this one, and even some alpaca, which you don't tend to see every day. Plus there is a great scene with an eagle too. The dogs are wonderful as always, and there are some very cute sounding kittens too.

I loved seeing how best friend James was adapting to being a father, and seeing glimpse of Taresh. Also how Mandy's relationships with twins Max and Abi was deepening and growing despite not being sure of her future with Jimmy.

This could probably be read as a standalone, but why miss out on five other fabulous books to get to this point, and catching up with the other key characters is always great.

I loved this book and the series too, I can't get enough of it. I love all my time spend in the company of the animals and people at Animal Ark and the rescue centre.

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

Very sweet story with a gentle setting of the main characters. If anything happens that can be called a conflict, it people are still treated with dignity, no aggression, no violence. And of course there were two mayor plot twists at the end and I both didn't see them coming!

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

A book full of Christmas joy and magic.
Mandy asks her boyfriend Jimmy to marry her before he goes travelling with his best friend Aria. Jimmy says no as they don’t seem to want the same things. She befriends and confides in Geraldine who she later finds out is her real mom. Will Jimmy change his mind or will Mandy end up alone?

Loved this book. Great characters, easy read, uplifting, funny, romantic and charming. A really nice story that is the perfect escapist read.

A lovely Christmas read, full of festive sparkle, feel good vibes , joy, merriment, this book has it all and is such a fun read to curl up with a hot cocoa on a cold night and fall in love with the characters

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

I enjoyed the Animal Ark books as a child, and so I’ve been reading this series since it began. It’s fun to read what Mandy and her friends get up to as adults.

This instalment is a little more emotional than the previous ones (apart from Summer at Hope Meadows), a bit of a rollercoaster ride. I can’t really say much more without giving away plot points. Nonetheless, it was enjoyable, and the happy ending was satisfying.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I never read any of the Animal Ark series for children, but I have read and enjoyed the Hope Meadows series which feature the same protagonist, Mandy Hope. In the Hope Meadows series she has grown up, and is now a qualified vet. This book can be read as a standalone book, but they are more enjoyable when they are read in order, as a series.
This book is a lovely feel-good read. It is good to read about the characters from the other books. Unlike the previous couple of books, Mandy is definitely the main focus of this book.
After feeling settled and happy with her new house, her animal sanctuary and her boyfriend Jimmy, Mandy's life changes dramatically. Her perfect life is in turmoil, and she has big decisions to make.
The title of the book is slightly misleading, as Christmas is not set in Silver Dale, although Silver Dale is one of the locations in the book. I did not find the book to be very festive, until nearer the end but it is a good book to cosy up with.
This is a nice easy read, and I enjoyed it a lot. Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my copy of this book in return for an honest review.

A real feel good read!
How lovely to be back at hope meadows and reacquainted with the hope family and other regulars!
Mandy hope is having a difficult time, her boyfriend jimmy and her want different things and her mum Emily is unwell with her MS, then entA real feel good read!
How lovely to be back at hope meadows and reacquainted with the hope family and other regulars!
Mandy hope is having a difficult time, her boyfriend jimmy and her want different things and her mum Emily is unwell with her MS, then enters Geraldine a tall willowy red head that starts volunteering at the animal rescue centre!Geraldine appears to have a slightly obsessive fixation with Mandy and as the book progresses we learn the real reason why she has appeared in Yorkshire! A really emotional read covering adoption, illness, putting a horse to sleep and many other tangled emotions, but a really lovely read that you don’t want to end and are willingly a happen ever after to occur! Would love to see what happens next in the next chapter of the hope families life and their assorted friends!
Thank you net galley for this early read xers Geraldine a tall willowy red head that starts volunteering at the animal rescue centre!Geraldine appears to have a slightly obsessive fixation with Mandy and as the book progresses we learn the real reason why she has appeared in Yorkshire! A really emotional read covering adoption, illness, putting a horse to sleep and many other tangled emotions, but a really lovely read that you don’t want to end and are willingly a happen ever after to occur! Would love to see what happens next in the next chapter of the hope families life and their assorted friends!
Thank you net galley for this early read x

It’s always good to return to an old favourite and that’s definitely the case with the new Animal Ark books. Focussing again on Mandy who is at a crossroads in her relationship and struggling to deal with her mums ill health this is a steady cosy read. Although titled ‘Christmas at Silver Dale’ this doesn’t focus too heavily on the Christmas side it’s far more about the day to day so it’s an ideal read whatever the time of year. I did foresee how one element of the story was going to progress however that didn’t detract from my general enjoyment. For me this book is the equivalent of slipping on a pair of comfy slippers, a very simple easygoing way to relax.