Hazel Prior moves from penguins to a delightfully illustrated, informative and warm hearted focus on otters. 19 year old Phoebe Featherstone has recently moved with her father, Al, from Birmingham to the village of Darleycombe in Devon, to live at Higher Mead Cottage by the River Darle. She has to endure crippling chronic pain, but the medical community has been unable to make a diagnosis, meaning not everyone believes she suffers such a life limiting condition. She has no-one she is close to other than Al, and even with him she is less than forthcoming about the depth of her suffering. She has become a ghost of the person she used to be, finding people a challenge and a conundrum, and has learned to plaster a smile on her face, but so far she has not ventured outside their new home.

Everything changes when she rescues an abandoned baby otter, Coco, taking it to the nearby otter sanctuary run by Carol Blake. Her life slowly begins to open up as she insists on taking care of Coco and the numerous other otters, unable to resist the beautiful, magical creatures who display such attitude, brimming with an enviously life affirming joyous verve. She knows from the beginning her relationship with Coco is time limited as the otter is prepared to be freed back into the wild. However, Coco is key to the world opening up for Phoebe, she meets bohemian yoga teacher, Christina Penrose, and others in the community. Phoebe is a fan of detective fiction, particularly Sherlock Holmes and utilises his method of looking for means, motive, and opportunity, as she sets out to investigate mysteries that arise, like locating a missing cat, Miaow, and getting to the bottom of a sinister series of 'mishaps' that hit her beloved otter sanctuary.

Prior has created wonderful character in Phoebe, an intensely private but curious person who interrogates her father, who delivers packages to people, in the process learning about the lives of the villagers, including many of their secrets. I really felt for her having to cope with her debilitating health condition, yet still tentatively begin to embrace being part of the community with her growing bond with Coco and the other otters, brightening up her days, opening her eyes to the wonders and healing power of nature. Fans of Prior are likely to adore this, as are animal lovers and particularly those who adore otters as I do! Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

A heartwarming book that centres around Phoebe and her dad Al who move to a small village in Devon to start a new life.
One day they find a baby otter and soon become involved in the otter sanctuary, meeting lots of interesting characters from the local community along the way.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Phoebe and her Dad have recently moved to the countryside. One day Phoebe stumbles upon a baby otter. It is the beginning of a beautiful and healing relationship. Phoebe has been suffering from an invisible illness, even her own Dad, Al, who strives to protect and care for her doesn’t realise the extent of her pain and misery. She paints on a smile, rests when she can, eats little, barely socialises and copes. Phoebe and Al take the cub to a nearby sanctuary where Phoebe finds a new reason to keep smiling through her pain, learning about otters, and finding friendship with her furry friends as well as a few humans too.

Phoebe enjoys watching and listening to detective stories and mysteries. She also loves to solve puzzles and helping her Dad, who is a courier, sort out parcels she discovers secrets, passions ad basic day today routines of their neighbours. She also finds a bigger mystery to solve one that might lead to danger for herself and her beloved otters.

It is a heartfelt and beautiful story, one that I am sure will resonate with anyone that has suffered from an invisible illness, where they are searching for joy and hope where pain and fear try to reign. I loved absorbing myself in Phoebe’s story. When she found joy so did I. When she had suspicions about her neighbours I did too. So many facts about otters were interspersed throughout the thoughtful and imaginative journey that Hazel Prior takes us on as Phoebe learns more about herself, her family and friends and “her” otters.

I loved Away with the Penguins and Call of the Penguins, so I was keen to get my hands on Life and Otter Miracles. I was not disappointed!

I loved this book. I loved the characters, the animals, the plot and everything.

I very quickly connected and empathised with Phoebe. Her experiences of everyday life echo my own so much. Whilst I don’t suffer from a chronic pain condition, I do have a severe energy-limiting condition. I relate so much to Phoebe having to ration what she does. I just want to give her a big (gentle) hug. Living with a long term medical condition is so hard. I thought she was a strong character, who in spite of the struggle she has every day, invested in those she cared about, including the otters.

I also loved her dad, who is so supportive, and loves all his children very much. The secondary characters were also great - it really felt like they all had lives of their own going on.

I loved the mystery that forms much of the plot. I really enjoyed trying to figure out (along with Phoebe) who was sabotaging things, and why.

And, of course, I can’t conclude my review without mentioning the otters, whose playful attitude to life runs throughout the book.

I loved the ending - it was deeply satisfying on every point!

Overall, this was another beautifully heartwarming story from Hazel Prior, full of animals, heart and a dash of humour. Just perfect!

I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley, Hazel Prior and Random House UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I haven't read any Hazel Prior books before, but after reading this, I'm eager to read more.

There were lots of charming characters in this captivating and upbeat novel. For reasons that become clear as the story progresses, Phoebe leads an extremely limited life; however, it's easy to appreciate her caring and thoughtful nature, as well as her resilience, and her analytical mind. The different themes running through the book, the different characters, and their own stories were engaging. These themes included Jeremy's story, chronic pain, illness, acceptance, to name a few.

There are otters, romances, mysteries, and neighbourly battles in this delightful gentle read about fresh starts and taking care of the environment.

Oh, and I love otters even more than I already did!

Having read the author's previous books and loved them I was very grateful to the publishers and Netgalley to obtain an advanced reader copy of Hazel Prior's latest offering - it certainly didn't disappoint.
The book centres around a grieving father Al and his 19 year old daughter Phoebe as they settle into their new lives in a quiet village in Devon.
Phoebe struggles through life with an illness that leaves her in chronic pain but finds great comfort caring for rescued otters at the local sanctuary where she meets several interesting characters and finds herself playing chief detective in some mysterious goings on!
In addition to the heart-warming stories about the otters there are some very interesting relational dynamics amongst the characters in the village adding plenty of intrigue and maintaining interest throughout the book.
A very easy, heart-warming and up-lifting read which I will be recommending to others without reservation.

I adored the Author ‘s previous novels particularly Ely and the Harpmaker which was a 5 star read for me so I was delighted to see this new novel on NetGalley uk .I jumped on it and it went straight to the top of me to read pile
I hadn’t predicted that we would meet characters from Ely and the Harpmaker so when they appeared I was delighted .The book is not a sequal as such but was set in the same area and the characters make Cameo appearances throughout.Rather like seeing Holly city actors suddenly popping up on Casualty
I found the issue of Chronic pain was very realistic as a sufferer myself oh chronic pain it resonated with me ,I was a little disappointed that the character gets to escape her pain through a medical diagnosis but as a medic myself the symptoms and recovery were accurate too
The Images at the start of chapters were delightful .I read on kindle which didn’t show them well but I imagine I’m hard copy they would come across better
There were some very exciting scenes a particularly good one was the flood night paralysis scene
As with the authors other novels the characters were real and totally believable,their relationships stood out as being solid and gave the novel a giant heart it really was a joyful thoroughly relaxing read
The novel is deeply rooted in the West country north Devon moors and villages are described perfectly .one of the characters job as a parcel delivery driver was such a clever way of moving the story out of the village as well as introducing us to the cast of individual characters he meets on his journey .I loved them all particularly the private transsexual who receives women’s clothes secretly and the squabbling neighbours
I do read the acknowledgements at the end of a novel I suspect many don’t and quite often they are missing from early review copies .I really appreciated the lovely comment re book bloggers in the acknowledgments
I will be recommending this novel it would be an ideal one to take away on holiday and if you were holidaying in the West Country so much the better as you would appreciate the setting .
I read an early copy on NetGalley Uk the book is published in the uk by Random House Uk Transworkd publishers Penguin on 24th may 2023
This review will be published on Goodreads NetGalley uk and on my book blog Bionicsarahsbooks.Wordpress.Com

Okay, so first off, I have to admit, I adore otters! I live close to a river where occasionally, they pop up and charm passers by, while remaining aloof and seemingly unaware of anything other than the salmon passing by beneath them.
In Life And Otter Miracles I lost myself in a delightful story with Al and Phoebe and the rich descriptions of nature and of course... the otter sanctuary! The little mystery at its centre was an unexpected bonus and I have to say it kept me turning the pages far faster than I wanted to!

Uplifting, heartwarming and wonderful, an utterly charming story - I loved it! Another gorgeous book from Hazel Prior to lose yourself in!

A really heartwarming story what a cute romance book! I really enjoyed this one! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

I have read Hazel Prior's Away with the Penguins and Call of the Penguins, and loved them both. So it was a joy to see Life and Otter Miracles was being published - and it has made me want to read Ellie and the Harp Maker, which connects with this book but which I've never read.
Phoebe is a heroine with a difference. She is in pain, and this is not something you come across in 'normal' heroines. She is also warm, kind, and wants to keep her suffering to herself so as not to hurt those she loves. But Hazel Prior has penned this character beautifully, because the reader doesn't think 'oh no, not again', every time Phoebe's pain and restrictions are mentioned. Rather, she is a more identifiable heroine because of it. Phoebe has created a rich inner life for herself, and we're very much on her side.
Every ounce of her energy is used in trying to please others by making tremendous efforts to leave the house, and also in detecting what is so wrong at the local otter sanctuary. As with all good detective stories, there are twists and red herrings. I didn't guess who the culprit was - that's always a bonus.
The natural world plays a big part in the novel, not just at the otter sanctuary, but even as Phoebe's father, Al, drives through the countryside on his courier rounds. We see the seasons changing as he drives along.
Without giving anything away, after a crisis - several crises, in fact - Phoebe is able to find even more courage than she has displayed throughout the novel. Which frees Al to ... but no, that would be a spoiler.
It's a book that will be enjoyed by adults, and also by older children/teenagers.

I really wanted to love 'Love & Otter Miracles', especially as much as 'Away with the Penguins'. But this book just didn't hit the spot for me.

The style of writing felt a bit bland & slow, making the chapters quite a slog to get through. I also didn't really connect with the characters in the way I would have liked.

However, the actual otter part of the story was super cute & well-informed. So that was definitely a plus!

Overall, this wasn't for me (sorry!!), but I definitely wouldn't shy away from reading other Hazel Prior books as I still absolutely adored 'Away with the Penguins'!

Thank you to NetGalley, Hazel Prior & Random House UK for allowing me to read & review the ARC of 'Life & Otter Miracles'; all views are honest & my own.

A lovely gentle read, romance, mysteries, neighbourly battles and otters, what’s not to love about this book?

It made me smile throughout although for some reason I didn’t enjoy it as much as the penguins for some unknown reason. This spirit stop me recommending it to anyone who wants a beautiful story to enjoy and remember

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review

Such a charming read. I loved how the countryside and nature was written about- so full of life. I enjoyed the cosy mystery vibes and bonus points for chronic illness rep.

I saved this book specifically for my holidays as I knew it would just be amazing!! The author has such a good, cute, honest way of telling a story.
I've read both of the penguin books but realise I need to read Ellie & the harp maker, to learn more about sone of the characters in this book - it's not necessary, I just want to!

This book was just amazing. It made me laugh and cry. I liked all of the characters, their own stories and all of the different themes running through the book.... Chronic pain, illness, acceptance, Jeremy's story, to name a few.
I particularly liked Phoebe & Al, and her detective work made me laugh!!
Not forgetting the otters & reminder of how important nature is to our well-being.
Definitely 5⭐.
Thank you for the opportunity to review it.

I've been meaning to read more of Hazel Prior's books ever since I read How The Penguins Saved Veronica two years ago. I was initially aiming for the second penguins book, but as soon as I saw Life And Otter Miracles I couldn't resist adding it to my shelves and read it instead. Otters are such adorable creatures and I do love a pun title; I've been looking forward to pick up this story ever since it appeared on my kindle. And I'm happy to announce that I ended up having an excellent time reading it!

I also love a good countryside setting, and the descriptions of the Devon area and the town Al and Phoebe moved to are thorough and vivid. The otter sanctuary is another bonus of course, but I enjoyed spending time in Devon in general. The community vibe of the town was lovely to read about, and I enjoyed watching Al and Phoebe carve a place for themselves along the locals. Life And Otter Miracles has an intriguing and eclectic cast of (side) characters, and you will enjoy getting to know them better.

There is a glorious dose of otter cuteness involved, and who doesn't love (baby) otters?! It's great to see that they aren't just props, but they have their own personalities and roles to play in the plot... The bond between Coco and Phoebe was wonderful to read about, but the otter sanctuary and its inhabitants play a big role in general. A little trigger warning is in place for animal cruelty though; things get pretty intense at times.

This story isn't just about the otters though, because it also focuses on other elements. Phoebe has been dealing with chronic pain for the last three years, and I thought that her situation was described very well. Chronic illness and chronic pain can be hard to understand for outsiders and especially when the symptoms aren't clearly visible, and the story did a great job portraying the different struggles Phoebe and her father have to face. Life And Otter Miracles is also about loss, second chances and forging new friendships... And we have the mystery around what is happening at the sanctuary. I personally loved the Sherlock Holmes inspired investigation Phoebe conducts throughout the story!

All in all Life And Otter Miracles turned out to be a very successful contemporary that mixes lighter moments with heavier topics, all sprinkled with a dose of romance and mystery to spice things up. If you like well written contemporaries with a great cast of characters and lots of ups and downs, this story is an excellent choice.

I had really high expectations from this book after falling in love with the penguins! However, it just didn’t have the same impact. The story was too gentle and I couldn’t find a good reading rhythm. There was way too much emphasis on Phoebe’s health and I don’t think it was necessary. The whole book fell flat for me.

Otterly enthralling gentle novel

Having recently moved from Birmingham to Devon, Phoebe and her father, Al, are surprised to come across a baby otter, which seems to be all alone. They take it to the local otter sanctuary and gradually begin to get to know the other otters and people there.

Meanwhile Al is getting to know the locals in his new job of delivering parcels, and Phoebe is coping with her chronic illness.

There are some mysterious goings on around the village, and Phoebe enjoys using her powers of deduction to resolve them, however one mystery is really worrying her as she gradually works through her list of suspects. Can she figure it out?

In amongst all this are wonderful experiences of otters, nature and friends. Plus the goings on of suspected villains.

At the beginning of each chapter are stunningly beautiful drawings of otters. The Acknowledgement section at the end hold some interesting information, so don’t skip that!

After a wonderful start, I did find the book ebbed a little for a few chapters in the middle, but then it quickly picked up my interest again and swam on to a fitting end.

Another wonderful novel from this author, where some characters from previous books make a welcome cameo appearance. There is so much to love and treasure in this story, mixed in with life’s realities too, which all goes to make this an otterly enthralling read.

I absolutely adored Away with the Penguins from this author, so I couldn't wait to read this one too and I wasn't disappointed.
This book is based around an otter sanctuary, but also is a lot to do with chronic pain, that the main character, Phoebe, has, and how she deals with life day to day .
Great read - very easy to read, and likeable characters, and of course - what's not to love about otters? Especially baby ones!

This book was a delight from start to finish.

Phoebe lives with her Dad Al. They have moved to a small village after the death of her mother. Her Dad goes out to work as a courier but Phoebe is 19 stays at home as she has medical issues which restrict her. She loves mysteries and loves to hear where her Dad has been delivering to and guessing what he has delivered. One day on a rare trip out they come across an abandoned otter cub and take it to their local otter sanctuary. Phoebe gets to help out with it’s care and loves helping out and meeting all the other otters, some of which are residents and some will be able to be released in time. She meets new people and makes new friends. It seems that not everyone is such a fan of the sanctuary however and Phoebe decides to investigate and save the sanctuary and unmask the culprit. Throw in family, love and neighbour dispute and you have a great book

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Another heartwarming story from Hazel Prior. I absolutely adored her previous books so was very excited for this one and I wasn’t disappointed. An overall good read which included a few characters from a previous book which added a special touch. Another amazing book, 5 stars from me.