Chloe has arrived at Hedgehog hollow with her young baby. She is Sam's cousin and despite Chloe being rather volatile Sam is her best friend come what may. Quite how Sam puts up with some of the comments even Chloe herself doesn’t quite know. Chloe is married to James who once was Sam's boyfriend however they each knew they weren’t “ the one” and Sam is now happily engaged to Josh. Chloe has walked out on James and no one, including James knows why. Sam has her hands full not only with the hedgehog rescue but other live in visitors- Josh’s father who has been ill and his girlfriend and their two young children. What is Chloe's secret and why has she run away from James? I enjoyed this- there is so much to it- it begins as almost as a romcom and turns into much more. Serious issues handled with compassion but put out there which can only be good for awareness. I like Sam- she’s a no- nonsense girl with a huge heart despite her own issues with her mother and much that is thrown at her from ones like Chloe. This is part of a series and would need to be as such to understand that background of the characters. Thank you Jessica for addressing PTSD- something I believe many have little understanding of- it can radically affect lives and although can be treated can be devastating for those affected. A wonderful, inspiring, dramatic read and one reflecting family life. Loved it.
( amazon done- misfits farm)

First of all, I want to start off by saying that though this is the 3rd book in a series, it works well as a stand-alone book and you will not be left disappointed by it a all. However, I do feel like my enjoyment and satisfaction related to this book has been enriched by reading it as part of the series.

Once again, Jessica provides a dramatic plot and emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. There is drama surrounding babies, hoglets, family illness and relationship troubles.

This book focuses on Samantha, but it also focuses more on Chloe (Samantha’s stubborn and seemingly selfish cousin). We get to hear from both of their perspectives, which of course provides some balance, adds to the drama but also allows us a better insight into Chloe’s life decisions and mindset, which seems to be deeply rooted in her back story and these well buried ‘secrets’ that she keeps, which is where the title comes in. I began to get a better understanding of Chloe, and even at times, felt a sort of sympathy and identification with her, which was surprising and unexpected following my feelings towards her after reading the last book in the series.

Through Chloe’s story and the scenes describing her situation with her son Samuel, the writer sensitively deals with issues around being a new mum and finding it hard, including breast feeding. This aspect particularly struck a chord with me as I find it rare to see breast feeding so openly and honestly discussed in fiction. I don’t know if this is something the author intended, but for me she has done a great service by normalising breast feeding and the challenges of it, through her writing about it in this book. The same can be said for the issues around being a new mum as it really does overhaul your whole being and nothing can prepare you fully for it.

Chloe is an amazing character and I’d love to be her friend. She is caring, compassionate and though it is difficult to find a bad word to say about her, there is a realness and a rawness to her chrafter that ensures she feels believable and relatable to readers.

I was completely hooked on this book and found it difficult to put down. I had to know the secrets, the fallouts and the outcomes. In a previous review I have compared this series to Eastenders in the way that it is so perfectly written to provide maximum drama and excellent character development. If this series was made into a TV show, I’d definitely watch it! I love that it was left on a little bit of a cliff hanger to keep it open for the next book, but still revealed and worked through the main issues within the relationships so I was still left feeling satisfied. Another superb five star read! I can’t wait to return to Hedgehog Hollow in the (hopefully) very near future!

secrets…animal rescue…romance… the power of forgiveness…

Thanks #NetGalley #@BoldwoodBooks for a complimentary eARC of #FamilySecretsAtHedgehogHollow upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Number 3 in the series finds Samantha running her hedgehog rescue center and enjoying a committed relationship with handsome, wonderful, and supportive Josh. Their sprawling, charming farmhouse is full of love and laughter as Josh’s dad’s family now lives with them (for health reasons). Suddenly, their lives are complicated when Sam’s self-centered and ill-behaved cousin, Chloe, arrives at the farm with her baby and begs Sam to let her stay. Chloe is emotional and won’t speak to her husband or explain to him or anyone else what’s happening. Life-changing secrets from the past are about to be revealed.

A Warm-hearted Series: Often in a series, the stories can be read as stand-alones. Although this is certainly true with Family Secrets at Hedgehog Hollow, I highly recommend you read the Hedgehog books in order to gain an appreciation for the characters and family dynamics. The three tenderhearted books in the hedgehog series include romance, animal rescue, family drama, and thoughtful themes. I appreciate the closed-door romance and absence of profanity.

With the exception of Chloe, most characters in the series are likable. When I first started reading Family Secrets at Hedgehog Hollow, I was apprehensive to find out that half of this story is Chloe’s. The writing alternates between Sam’s and Chloe’s perspectives and includes Chloe’s backstory. It does help us gain a better understanding of Chloe, and at the story’s end, I can say I liked her a little bit better (I still don’t think it excuses her bad behaviors). Although I appreciate hearing Chloe’s backstory, I found myself worrying about Sam’s health and well-being as she expertly provides rescue services, patiently supports many family members and attends to their needs, and offers wise counsel and a listening ear. Josh is a perfect book boyfriend!

Readers who are looking for engaging and heartfelt women’s fiction with sides of romance, family drama, and animal rescue will enjoy this series. Family Secrets at Hedgehog Hollow ends with a twist that is sure to be picked up in book four!

***May contain SPOILERS*** Content Considerations: PTSD, abandonment, at-risk teenage behaviors

I have to say that I ADORE the ‘Hedgehog Hollow’ series, of which ‘Family Secrets At Hedgehog Hollow’ is the third instalment. I read the synopsis for ‘Family Secrets At Hedgehog Hollow’ and it certainly sounded like I was in for a treat. Well ‘Family Secrets At Hedgehog Hollow’ was certainly a treat and then some. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Family Secrets At Hedgehog Hollow’ but more about that in a bit.
I love the character of Samantha and I warmed to her from the start. In fact she felt more like a friend of mine and not a character in a book. Samantha was a district nurse, but she took over ‘Hedgehog Hollow’ and that is where she now works full time. Samantha is a lovely young lass, who is a good friend and support to those who need it. If I had one teensy weeny criticism of her it is that she is a bit of a doormat where others are concerned. If somebody is downright rude to her then she doesn’t seem to flutter an eyelash and she carries on as if nothing has happened. Samantha goes above and beyond for those who don’t really deserve it.
It’s no word of a lie when I say that I flipping adored this book. The fact that I saw ‘Jessica Redland’ on the cover of the book was enough to grab my attention and draw me in. I made the fatal mistake of starting to read the book just before I went to bed. Let’s just say that bedtime was delayed and I had a ‘lack of sleep’ hangover the following morning but it was so worth it. To say that reading ‘Family Secrets At Hedgehog Hollow’ became addictive is a huge understatement. The book seemed to develop a hold over me and it was a hold that I wasn’t willing to break.
‘Family Secrets At Hedgehog Hollow’ is superbly written but then I think that to be true of all of Jessica’s books to date. I don’t know how she manages it but every time she writes a story, part of it really strikes a chord with me and is relevant to my own life. The subject matter which struck a chord with me in this book was the subject of ‘toxic family members’. I love the way in which Jessica describes her characters as she makes them come alive and they seem just as real as you and I. In her books, Jessica tackles some difficult subjects but she treats them with great sensitivity and compassion. I really did feel as though I was part of the story, which is thanks to Jessica’s very realistic and vivid storytelling.
In short, I totally and utterly ADORED reading ‘Family Secrets At Hedgehog Hollow’ and I would definitely recommend this to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Jessica’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

I read this book on a wet and windy Bank Holiday Monday, in a single wonderful sitting. This is the third in the series, and I always feel really at home at Hedgehog Hollow – a bit like being enveloped in a warm hug, with a smile on my face before I’ve even read a word. Although it’s obviously better to read a series in order (and why wouldn’t you want to read them all – they’re gorgeous!), there’s a really useful catch-up on the story so far at the start of this book, and a list of characters for you to refer back to (should you need to), and I thought that was an excellent idea – and it really does make this latest book even more readable as a standalone.

But I’ve been to Hedgehog Hollow before, and I was really looking forward to seeing how life was treating Sam and Josh, what was happening with their small patients and with all that extended family and their various relationships. If you’ve read the earlier books, you’ll already know her cousin Chloe – they were once close friends, but a particular act of treachery has made their relationship distinctly strained ever since. But when she arrives at Hedgehog Hollow, with her baby son, in a state of disarray, refusing to tell anyone why she’s run away from her marriage, warm-hearted Sam is happy to provide her with sanctuary.

The voice of the story alternates between Sam and Chloe – the first is a character you can’t help but take to your heart, but liking and understanding Chloe is considerably more difficult. For the first quarter of the book, I disliked her intensely – even her inner thoughts have a selfishness and petulance about them, she’s totally unaware and unconcerned about the impact of her behaviour, and the way she treats Sam is quite appalling. It’s brave writing, but it’s exceptionally well done – as Chloe’s story unfolds, you slowly come to understand the reasons why she behaves the way she does. I’m not going to spoil anything by telling more, but it’s quite a story, with some quite serious issues sensitively handled – and as the full story emerges, Chloe undergoes something of a transformation and becomes once more the caring friend Sam remembers from their younger years. I can’t say I ever grew to particularly like her – but I certainly sympathised, and came to understand her rather better.

And as Chloe’s story unfolds, Sam continues to develop the hedgehog sanctuary, with increasing numbers of new admissions, along with hosting visits from groups of primary school children, supported by the wonderful Josh and her friends and family. And as they support her, Sam opens her home and heart to them too – I particularly liked the way her relationship developed with Beth, Josh’s former girlfriend, now the partner of Josh’s dad Paul who’s going through a few challenges of his own. And while we’re talking about relationships, there’s some really interesting developments in Sam’s difficult one with her mother – I really liked the way that was handled, very real and particularly touching. But although the external threat to the sanctuary has been removed, it continues to have an impact on Sam’s health and peace of mind – another issue beautifully handled, its slightly darker edge casting a few shadows.

The book’s title and cover might make you think this would be a light and heartwarming story, something nice and easy to spend an afternoon with – and in so many ways, it certainly is. But the author never shies away from the bigger issues, and there’s a meatiness to the story at times that I particularly welcomed. I think I’ve probably mentioned before – in earlier reviews – how well she draws and develops her characters, making them real individuals that you engage with and believe in, and in this book does that more strongly than ever. And I think I must say a word about the book’s ending – the central story is complete and tied up, but there’s a really tantalising hook into the next book in the series, and more than a hint of trouble to come – I really liked that, although I really didn’t need a hook as I’m looking forward to it already.

Her best yet? Despite Chloe, yes, I think it really might be. I’ve been reading the author’s books for a few years now, and it’s been a delight to see her style and storytelling increasing in confidence and maturity, bringing her the success and attention she’s always very much deserved.

This book provided the cute escape from life I have come to expect from Jessica Redland. I enjoyed this book and can’t wait for number 4 in the series.

Thank you NetGalley, author Jessica Redland, and Publisher Boldwood Books for giving me a free arc of this book in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5 stars
This book was another wonderful installment in an amazing series. While this book is the third book in the series, the author puts a brief summary of what has happen thus far, which helps the readers recall and or understand the characters and the events that have happened.
The title for this book was chosen well. There were a lot of secrets and big reveals dropped throughout this book. Many of our beloved characters go through tremendous growth, but it can especially can be seen in Chloe and Samantha. I really appreciated Samantha and her desire to continually reach out to those in her family that are not the easiest to love. While Samantha is dealing with her own stresses of running the hedgehog center, helping Beth and Paul, and her own issues from recent traumas, she makes room for her cousin Chole and baby Samuel to stay with her. Josh is such an understanding fiancée'. All he wants is to support Samantha in achieving her dreams of a successful hedgehog center and helping those in need around her.
Chole was not a very likable character for the past two books and she still remained quite unlikable at the beginning of this book as well. But as the reader was giving her pov as well as her backstory, I slowly began to see why she acted the way she did. And when it came to Chole's big secret reveal, I had a whole range of thoughts and feelings that ran from angry, sadness, and heartache. I was glad to see some new developments in Samantha's and her mother's relationship that were less of the hostile mix.
The author did a wonderful job handling some very sensitive subjects such as teen pregnancy, child abandonment, and PTSD. I appreciated the way these subjects were not used as a shock tactic, but had a real purpose for the plot and character developments and showed the author's compassionate touch. That ending had me wishing for the fourth book to know what is going to happen next.
If you are looking for a series that has wonderfully realistic characters, a charming setting, and hedgehogs, these books are for you and will keep you up until the late hours of the night trying to see what happens next.

This is the third Hedgehog Hollow book and I continue to enjoy this series. The title for this book is perfect. Chloe, Samantha's cousin who we meet in the previous books, shows up at Hedgehog Hollow with her infant Samuel, Sam, in tow. She has left James, but no one knows why. She isn't talking and she is her miserable self that we have gotten to know in previous stories. Not only is Samantha dealing with this new arrival, but James father, Beth and their two children are also living in the farmhouse. It is a bit crowded and while Samantha waits Chloe out, she continues to deal with her own problems. She is having nightmares and fainting spells that are cause of concern. To lighten the loud, she gets students from the local college to do work placements for her, one in animal care and another accountant. What secrets is Chloe hiding to cause her breakdown?

This story is told from two POVs, alternating between Samantha and Chloe. We see what is happening in the present from both women. Chloe's responses are often reactionary and she is regretful, but she still won't share what is happening. As the book progresses, Chloe's story begins to share things that happened in her past that has shaped her personality. As we learn Chloe's secrets, I finally began to thaw towards her. Not only does she finally reveal things from her past, but she also seems to learn from them. All of this going on in Samantha's life increases her stress and she also has some physical reactions to it. I do not want to spoil this book for anyone so will stop here. I will say that this book is full of secrets, family relationships, love, caring, hedgehogs, and more. This is a great series that is best read in order. There is a lot of character and story development that you don't want to miss. I have to say that the ending left me shocked and I am now waiting for the next Hedgehog Hollow book that won't be out until 2022. If you enjoy hedgehogs, stories about family, community and animal rescue you need to pick this one up. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own

Another fantastic story from Jessica Redland. It was wonderful being back at Hedgehog Hollow and reconnecting with old friends. This read is all about family and each chapter is told from Sam and then Chloe’s point of view. It was lovely learning more about Chloe’s past and the impact of her actions on everyone around her. Jessica Redland has written an emotional story again in a sensitive and sympathetic way and I’m really looking forward to the next in the series.

Family Secrets at Hedgehog Hollow by Jessica Redland is the 3rd book in Hedgehog Hollow series, and another fun addition . Samantha Wishaw and her boyfriend Josh, have completed the hedgehog rescue in honor of Thomas and Gwendoline, and are opened for business. Samantha and Josh are keeping busy. Josh's dad, his wife and baby have moved in with them, and Samantha's cousin Chloe and her baby showed up asking to stay. Chloe won't tell anyone why she she left her husband. I love this series, it has a bit of everything, but I suggest reading the three books in order. I highly recommend this book/series for anyone who enjoys family drama, friendship, romance, and animals. I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Redland.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Loved it!!! Such a cute story with wonderful characters and bunches of hedgehogs. I didn't realize this was part of a series until I started reading the book. The author does such a great job going over what happened in the two previous books, that I didn't feel lost at all. The list of characters and how they related to each other was a big help. I want to work at the hedgehog rescue with Samantha. I wish we had wild hedgehogs living in our garden. They are just so cute!!! Samantha has the patience of a saint. I would have thrown Chloe out five minutes after she arrived. She just isn't a very nice person. I gather that she didn't treat her cousin very well in the previous books either. Samantha was trying to recover from traumatic events and Chloe didn't seem to even care. I don't understand how Debs was able to have such a good relationship with Chloe but despised her own daughter. Samantha and Josh are are such wonderful people. They help their family and never turn someone away from their door, even when they have a full house. Loved getting to know the whole family and all the people who helped at the rescue. Loved the ending!! Such a twist.

Definitely recommend it. I loved the story, writing style and characters- everything about the book. I need to read the first books in the series (which I immediately ordered.) I can't wait until the next book. This was the first book I read by the author and I look forward to reading more. Loved the cover of the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Boldwood Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

There is nothing I love to do more than snuggle up and read about Hedgehog Hollow. A perfect 3rd instalment of this beautiful series from Jessica Redland. I’ve started to LOVE Chloe and cannot wait to watch her flourish and grow. Also, Sam’s mum Deb, I really hope we get some more lovely moments from her too. Would definitely recommend the whole series to everyone.

I loved this book! This is a series you don't want to miss. This book was a great read that hooked you on the first page. It's the type of story that you curl up with and forget about life for a while. I can't wait for the next book! Thank you Boldwood Books via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Absolutely love this series can’t wait till the next instalment what a cliffhanger ending. Amazing characters, plot just can’t recommend this series enough.

Oh my goodness this was a fabulous and also emotional 4th book in the Hedgehog Hollow series. I have adored each book as I have followed the journey of the characters.

This story focuses on Sam and Chloe, their story alternates and fills in some important events in Chloe's life, it also goes a good way to understanding her behaviour and gradually why she has upped and left her husband landing on Sam's doorstep with a baby in tow.

How Sam has the patience and energy to deal with all that is going on in her life is beyond me! The woman never stops and never thinks of herself, always there for others. With the running of the hedgehog rescue centre, additional family staying in the house and then Chloe's arrival she is run ragged. Something is going to give, quite how and what I will leave you to discover.

Over the course of the series, Chloe has been the demanding princess type, everything has been about her and how important her life is. This latest chapter of the series shows that there is more to Chloe than anyone realised and this is based on events in her teens. A secret that is so big that it threatens to tear her marriage apart.

Sam has her own problems and the author gives her quite a lot to cope with. Sam is a character who is always busy has miles of patience and she is a character that can take a lot of pressure. The author got the balance right for when the pressure gets too much.

This is another gorgeous instalment of the series and it is one that has a much more serious tone to it. Once again the author has created a story that is truly addictive and of course has gorgeous bundles of hedgehog-iness! A fabulous read and one for fans of contemporary fiction and stories about families and their trying times. And we have been left with such a tantalising teaser for the next book!!! It is a series and a book that I would definitely recommend.

I loved this next book in the series it was lovely to get back to the characters from previous books. These books are so easy to read and you can just sink into them . My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for n honest review.

I really enjoyed the first Hedgehog Hollow book but sadly completely missed the second one (I will be hunting it out to read though as I feel I must have missed quite a bit) so initially thought this was the next one in the series - wow, Jessica Redland is a writing machine to have written a number of books during a pandemic! The few holes I had in my knowledge of back-story did not, however, cause any difficulty in my enjoyment of this book. I very quickly became re-acquainted with Hedgehog Hollow, its prickly residents & those kindhearted souls who care for them. This could be read as a stand-alone, but is much more enjoyable as a series.
I really like the dual-perspective of these books, with Samantha and Chloe expressing their experiences and thoughts to us readers. In this book we finally begin to understand what devastation shaped Chloe into the awful, destructive and jealous character she inflicts on those around her, in particular Samantha.
I commend Jessica for having two characters access counselling for difficulties with their mental health - only by seeing it in everyday life, including fictional every day lives within novels, will it really become ‘ok not to be ok’ and ask for & access support.
And as for the cliffhanger ending ... oh my goodness, hurry up with book four, I can’t wait!
I was, however, sad to read in the acknowledgments, the impact of two negative reviews on Jessica’s creativity and almost stopped this book happening. She has by far already surpassed what most of us have managed during this pandemic - to write several books, which have brought joy and an escape from it all for many readers, myself included. If she wasn’t already one of my very favourite authors, she would be by now because of that alone. I look forward to enjoying many, many more books set in and around Whitsborough Bay.

🌄Is cousin Chloe's behavior unforgivable?🤔

This Jessica Redland story was just the thing to brighten my day even though it hit some pretty fierce emotional lows at times. I've followed this series from the beginning and always felt the main heroine, hedgehog rescuer Samantha, was ill done by and pushed around by her cousin Chloe. Now new mother Chloe's world is falling apart and loyal, compassionate Samantha provides her farmhouse as a sanctuary for barely coping Chloe and infant Samuel as everyone waits for Chloe to open up about the troubles that have driven her away from her home and husband. I couldn't put it down!

The hedgehogs and the rescue center work are an element but not the real focus here; they serve as a background for the main drama. That was fine by me as Chloe's crisis and Samantha's rocky relationship with her mother were an excellent storyline on their own.

The emphasis is on love, family and friendships enduring through trying times. I love the kind, inspiring tone of the story with Samantha's constant struggle to turn the other cheek,
no matter how out of line her cousin's attitude, is finally rewarded.

A really lovely little gem💎 full of emotion and the power of forgiveness. Can't wait to see where this series goes next!

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

4.5 stars. #BookTour

This is book 3 of the Hedgehog Hollow series and I hadn't read any of the previous books and yet I felt an instant familiarity with these characters. I never felt like I was missing any information as any potential gaps were neatly and concisely filled making for really smooth reading. I will definitely be going back to read the previous books though because I know I've missed out on some seriously juicy drama!

This book is packed full of content, plot lines and twists. I loved it. The story has such a great pace and you want to read it in big chunks. If my eyes didn't get tired, I'd have read it all in one sitting. I was excited to pick the book up and there's nothing better than that. The characters are great and their development and progression throughout the story is even better.

This is a content warning here because the book does feature mental health issues which could be triggering for some people. This includes PTSD, trauma and depression (particularly associated with parenting and motherhood). These are all presented well and with respect. The issues were handled delicately and positively (seeking help via professional means and actively seeking recovery).

This book is all about mending broken bonds, letting go of the past and allowing yourself to heal. It's about learning to forgive yourself for your mistakes and allowing yourself time to process and grieve. There is great freedom in forgiving yourself.

Also, OMG at the ending. It ends on such a cliffhanger and the eagerness for the next book is real

So excited for this third chapter of the adventures of Hedgehog Hollow. In this adventure we have Samantha working at the hedgehog rescue full time with the help and support of Josh. Chloe and baby Samuel appearing unexpectedly needing a place to stay as she’s left James (and has a huge secret). Is Chloe making a big deal over nothing? Beth, Paul and their two little ones staying and getting ready for Paul’s second round of chemo. And new hogs and hoglets joining the fun daily. Fingers crossed for a fourth book in this delightful series.

Thank you NetGalley, Jessica Redland and Boldwood Books for this edition and hearing my honest review. Looking forward to reading more with you
#partner