The concept of this book is truly heartwarming: a rescue center filled with unique animals, challenges to protect the sanctuary, and a protagonist who tirelessly fights for every creature that comes her way. But the standout star of the story? The parrot, Mr. Spock. With his knack for mimicking sounds, singing, and hilarious antics, he completely stole the show and brought many smiles to my face.

As someone who absolutely loves animals and has two cats I adopted from an animal shelter, I felt a deep connection to the story. On top of that, one of my friends has two parrots, so reading about Mr. Spock brought back fond memories of their funny antics. This personal connection made me enjoy the book even more!

Jade, the main character, is likable and passionate, and Finn’s character arc added a lot of emotional depth to the story. His personal growth and the revelations about his past were some of the highlights for me.

However, I found the ending a bit disappointing. The cliffhanger left me feeling more frustrated than intrigued. It felt less like a satisfying conclusion to this book and more like a setup for the next installment, which dulled the impact of the story for me.

Overall, this was a sweet, solid read 3 ⭐ read, especially for animal lovers. The mix of humor, emotion, and lovable characters made it enjoyable—not extraordinary, but certainly entertaining.

It was great to be back at Duck Pond Cottage with Finn and Jade and all the animals. I love when you get to see characters grow and develop over multiple books.

Finn deciding to search for his mum and learning about her history and finding his new family was really nice and I liked that there was an air of caution and a protectiveness toward his dad and Ben’s feelings. Plus along side all that Finn gets his first art exhibition and even sells a few painting, his dream come true.

I enjoyed the family scene of Christmas Day with everyone gathered at the rescue centre, family brought together linked by love and friendship.

I can’t wait to see what happens next with Jades dad and the double wedding. I hope Mr Spock gets to play a role in the wedding, he’s a real crowd pleaser.

Jade and Finn love their life at Duck Pond Cottage. Looking after the animals at Duck Pond Rescue is a full-time job for them both, but when Finn is approached by an agent to show his art, he knows he needs to find the time to take his chance. But that’s not all Finn has on his mind, a message from his father stirs up deeply buried feelings.
Meanwhile Jade is having issues with a property developer who could put the future of the rescue centre in jeopardy. With them both having so much on, it’s not easy to find time to be together and share their thoughts.
Keeping secrets is never a good idea, and when things come to a head will they be strong enough to face the future together,
This is a lovely, warm, funny book with characters both human and animal that you will love.

Jade and Finn are idyllically happy in their little corner of rural Wiltshire. A rescue centre jampacked with animals keeps them super busy. With Finn’s art going from strength to strength, Jade can’t believe they’re living the dream until an arrogant property developer with questionable motives jeopardises their perfect lives and the future plans of the rescue centre.
Jade and Finn both have trust issues and they’ve promised there’ll be no more secrets. But keeping promises is harder than either of them imagined, especially where Finn’s past is concerned.
Living with Mr Spock the potty-mouthed parrot and Mickey the dog who barks at TV baddies there's never a dull moment at Duck Pond Rescue. But will the humans get their ‘happy-ever-after’ too?
Can they lay the ghosts of the past to rest and find a bright new future together……
Engaging and exciting from the beginning. A very realistic feel for the reader.

I really love this series and enjoy going back to visit all the characters and animals especially the parrot who makes me laugh. I love the romance in this one. Looking forward to reading more in the future. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

This is the first book I have read by Della and was happy to get it to read it for a review as I liked the sound of it. Jade runs Duck Pond animal sanctuary along with her fiancé Finn. Her Mum died and left her a hotel empire but it wasn’t her thing so she sold it and bought the sanctuary. Finn helps Jade run the place but he is an aspiring artist. He paints when he can. Finn just has his dad in his life as his mum walked out on him when he was very young. Jade’s dad isn’t around either,she never knew him as he left when her mum was expecting her. One day Finn gets a call from his dad and opens up about his mum which initiates him to look for her. Jade meanwhile gets to hear that the farmer next to her is selling up so she speaks to him about buying some of the land that adjoins the sanctuary. A deal is done but the property company that are buying the rest refuse to buy unless they get all the land. Jade goes to speak to them to try and persuade them to sell to her. She meets Declan and she finds him helpful and she believes him when he says he wants to help her. Declan takes a shine to Jade but despite her telling him she has a partner that makes him more determined. Finn gets a call from Eleanor who has seen some of Finns paintings and wants him to show some of them at her exhibition. You must read the book to find out what happens with Jade and Finn. My only disappointment is that it finished too abruptly,with a few questions unanswered and it looks like this is book 2 of 2. There is so much scope for more books.

Oh my I loved this Good to be back at the animal refuge. You had some great twists. Some intresting characters . I loved the geese and the pond building..Jade and Finn are great main characters and you can’t keep secrets from each other. The wedding will be ace.Sarah is a fab friend . Ben is so cute. The ending was good and naughty . I can’t wait for the next order. Della Galton is a fab writer.

Can I please adopt Mr Spock? He is a hilarious parrot, he swears, she imitates various sounds, he can sing, and has fabulous comic timing. I need this parrot in my life, and he is easily one of my favourite animals in this book.

I am loving all the various animals at Duck Pond Rescue, and the way that Jade is determined to help any animal that is brought to her - including geese despite at that moment in time not having a pond - she enlists the help of the people wanting her to rehome the geese, and before long a pond has been dug! Just shows there are loads of animal mad people out there.

One of the biggest laughs in the book has to have been from Aiden's accident prone nature, he relates one tale to Jade and Finn and its brilliant, and I could imagine it so so clearly.

Finn especially has a lot of development during this book, as he discovers that he can see red, he digs into his past a bit more, and there is a big art show to look forward to too.

Meanwhile Jade would like to expand the rescue but a developer gazumps her gentleman's' agreement and starts her attempting to work out how she may be able to stop a housing development being built on the border of her land.

And of course we see lots of Sarah, Callum and Ben, in addition to Ray and Dorrie as well as other local characters that it's good to see more of.

And there are cameos from characters from both of Della Galton's previous series which will make her super fans really smile.

I am loving everything about this book, with the possible exception of the last couple of pages, as we have been left on my pet hate of a cliff-hanger - it's not the most epic of cliff-hangers but it will have me rather keen to read the next book as soon as possible, as it promises something potentially epic for one of our characters!


I've had a ball reading this, and can't wait for more.

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

I just loved this book! Once I started reading I just couldn’t put it down! I just loved the story and the characters they are all just amazing and I wish this was real as I would love to go there as it would be just amazing.

I would highly recommend this book and the other book in this series as they are just very heartwarming books that make you wish it was real.

I would like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early.

This is the second in the series about Duck Pond Cottage. I have not read the first, and felt this worked as a standalone, I could follow the character references. I will go back and read the first however, as I enjoyed this one.

The theme of family runs throughout this story - whether biological, or the family you make via friendship. Jade and Finn are happily running Duck Pond rescue centre, surrounded by wonderful volunteers and amazing animals. I loved Mr Spock the parrot, and Mickey and Diesel were fabulous!

I'm looking forward to book three, this was left perfectly poised for another touching story.

Another story set at the Duck Pond Rescue. We follow Jade and fiance Finn as the plan a wedding, a possible expansion, Finn's art and their pasts. A lot to cover, but it's done well. Best read as past of the series we get some wrap ups and some lead into the next installment. I enjoyed this read and look forward to more from this sweet place.

Too cute- too cute!! I didn't know there was a first book and now I have to go read it!

The animals?! I haven't felt this enchanted since I read the The Spellshop and it was one of my top 5 reads last year!
While the book stays true to somewhat current events, it has a way to charm you at the same time.


Thank you so much NetGalley for the ARC!!