Really enjoyable read. Good characters and a Good story. Well worth a read. Think others will enjoy.

This is a lovely easy going read with some very loveable characters. I loved Tess the dog, some of her mischievous moments reminded me of my own dog. A great easy to read book.

Now that the weather has started to get colder it was an ideal time to immerse myself in a story as my children went back to school and nursery. I have to admit that this is the first book that I have read by Jules Wake. I really don't know where I have been, okay big clue - hiding under an enormous TBR pile! However that is no excuse and I really must pick up more books by this wonderful author as I have definitely been missing out!

The story follows Ella as she house sits for her godmother along with taking care of a very lively Labrador called Tess. Ella needs time to think about her future and so begins a fun, emotional and heartwarming journey that I truly felt a part of. Jules Wake has created some loveable and fun characters that made this story all the more entertaining. A special mention of course has to go to Tess, she was just brilliant and I loved all the scrapes that Ella finds herself in. Even if you haven't got a dog I really think you can appreciate all of the situations in this book. I have to mention the setting as the village itself was perfect with a few quirky characters along with showing a lively community spirit.

I loved that there was a message in this story about healing and taking the time to process everything. There were parts that had an emotional edge but they were balanced with such warmth and humour all coming together to create a beautiful and heartwarming story. If you feel the need for a cosy but heartfelt story then I recommend you pick a copy of this book up.

In A Girl's Best Friend there is a little bit of drama, romance and a few giggles along the way too!

Five stars from me!

With thanks to Millie at Little Brown UK for my copy.

This is a lovely story.about Ella, who after having a break from her relationship with her partner in London moves to her godmother's house for some respite, and is also the reluctant carer of a large black labrador - Ella is very reluctant at first, but she is soon won over by the lovable hound.

As Ella gets used to the quirky town, she rediscovers her lost spark and makes friends, one of these being the handsome vet. I think the author may have had a bit of inspiration from Poldark when creating this character - he is delicious! .

The characters are wonderful, though it is easy to work out which characters you want to root for - the villains are pretty easy to spot and sadly a little one-dimensional

A gentle, read, delightful.

Thank you to the author, Little Brown Book Group and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

'City girl seeks a new start in English country village'.

When her godmother needs a housesitter, Ella decides to escape the rat race and her relationship problems. She's looking for the quiet life, but the reality is considerably noisier and full of villagers who want to know all about her and won't stop until she feels like a full inclusive villager.

Dog sitting for Tess, the Labrador is also part of the deal, and although their relationship gets off on the wrong foot, after much hilarity and heartache, they become inseparable. Devon also an incomer, helping out his dad in his Vet's practice has his problems, and so when he meets Ella, he comes across as more grumpy than charming.

The story has lots of humour, and many poignant moments, Ella is a great character, flawed but willing to change and I love the way she embraces country life. The scenarios are realistic and the romance lovely.

The ending is romantic and touchingly sentimental, the perfect finish to this escape to the country.

I received a copy of this book from Sphere - Little Brown Book Company via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This is a first for me by this author but won't be the last... highly entertaining.

Ella is in a bad place at the start and just wants to hide away and get on with her book illustrations. To her horror, she discovers that looking after a dog is part of the deal when she agreed to house-sit for her godmother, Magda, who has gone travelling.
Devon is back in the village after splitting up from his partner in London and looking after the family vet practise while his Dad is not well.

After a humiliating encounter with Devon, Ella tries to lock herself away but the residents of the village won’t allow her to wallow and involve her in all aspects of the village life. As Ella and Devon become friends they are able to decide what they want from their lives and what is important to their happiness.

The dogs, however, are the stars of the show, and their antics are very natural, some will have you laughing and others will leave you on tenterhooks.

A heart-warming story of self-discovery, new beginnings, relationships, friendship, community and romance too.

I utterly adored A Girl's Best Friend, it was filled with humour, snark, and doggies, what's not to love?
The main characters are introduced to the reader having just and are going through some of the worst life can throw at them, their relationship evolves from one of misunderstanding and scorn to friendship and eventually love.
Jules Wake also added something to the plot that I have never really liked before, the will they go back to them, it often irritates me but the way she handled the situation made her characters more realistic than others I've read about in similar circumstances.
The dogs, however, are the stars of the show, and their antics are very natural, some will have you laughing and others will leave you on tenterhooks.
My thanks to #Netgalley and #Sphere for allowing me to read and review this delightful story and I can't wait to see what is coming next for Jules, who in my opinion is right up there with Katie Fforde, Sarah Morgan, and Holly Martin.

I haven't read any of Jules Wake's previous books but I loved this one. An easy read with a great plot perfect for a summer holiday or lazy weekend in the garden.

As a dog lover, I love any books with dogs as lead characters and loved the growing relationship between Ella and Tess. I enjoyed the sense of community and friendship in the village and would love to live somewhere like Wilsgrave.

A heartwarming story of self-discovery, new beginnings, relationships, friendship, community and romance too. I enjoyed the warm cosy style of writing and the ups and downs in the book.

A delightful book, fun with a lovely storyline. Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Definitely a book for anyone who has ever owned a dog, or wanted to have their own dog, and possibly for those curious about the benefits of having a dog.

For Tess, really is A Girl's Best Friend, Elle may have been looking after her reluctantly at first, but then she wasn't really sure about the village in which she is house sitting in either. However over the course of the story, Elle's thoughts about what she wants for life do start to change.

This is a lovely story about new beginnings, discovering yourself and dogs. If I am sounding slightly dog obsessed then well they are at the centre of the story and the best characters too!

I really enjoyed this book and found I was losing myself within its pages, to the extent I didn't even notice a cat siting on my windowsill, until I looked up (I don't own a cat so was rather shocked!).

With laughs to be had, almost always with Tess at the heart of the funny bits, a dishy vet to get to know and assorted villages,t this really is a fun and entertaining story to read.

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

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. A feel good escape read that leaves you with a lovely warm feeling.

I have read other books by Jules Wake (try From Italy with Love) and this is well up to her usual standard. Ella is in a bad place at the start and just wants to hide away and get on with her book illustrations. To her horror, she discovers that looking after a dog is part of the deal when she agreed to house-sit for her godmother, Magda, who has gone travelling. I’m more of a cat person but found myself won over by Tess and the beneficial effect she has on Ella’s life. Despite her best intentions, she is not allowed to hide away; the locals are extremely friendly and, of course, there is a handsome vet. Ella’s backstory is gradually revealed and it becomes apparent why she had to flee to the country. The characters are well rounded, the setting is convincingly real and Tess will steal your heart. I really enjoyed A Girl’s Best Friend and will be looking out for her next one.

I love Jukes Wakes books. Every one is different but every one is written with warmth and real characters.

Review: A lovely light hearted read. 

A lovely story full of country village life, friendship and dogs. I loved reading this especially while outside with birds singing, water lapping on the shore and the sun on my face. 

Idyllic is how I would describe this book. A joy to read.

A lovely heartwarming tale of finding yourself and not letting others put you down. Although I’m more of a cat lover, I adored Tess and thought the author really brought her to life along with Cuthbert and his mouse friends.

This is my first book by the author but it won’t be my last. Very enjoyable 4*.

Loved the setting of this book, it made me want to up sticks and move to the countryside. I liked the fact that the characters had already had experience in life and it wasn't first time love, they had real life dilemmas to cope with. I really enjoyed the relationship between Ella and Devon and how this developed.

Ella is an artist but she had lost her mojo a bit and has boyfriend problems so when her godmother Magda goes off on a cruise she is happy to go and housesit for her..... but she was certainly not expecting the four legged friend Tess...... she was a Londoner not the type to go out in all weather in wellies walking in the country! She soon found that keeping a low profile and working is not going to happen especially when she meets Bets and finds herself dragged into all sorts..... throw Devon the hunky vet into the mix and life is definitely not going to be quiet!

A lovely humerous story with great characters, especial Tess the dog, and some great comic moments.... I loved the Nellie the elephant incident in the church! Great easy beach read

Another great book from Jules Wake.

Ella is hiding away in her godmother's country cottage, needing a break from London and her boyfried Patrick. Devon is back in the village after splitting up from his girlfriend in London and looking after the family vet practise while his Dad is not well. Their first meeting, Ella and Devon clash, but village life keeps throwing them together,

The relationships are so well written and this draws you in - I don't even like dogs but it made me really sad when Tess was taken away.

I would love to see another book focussing on Bets.

Ella desperately needs time away on her own, when she is offered her godmother’s Magda’s house in Wilsgrave for six months she jumps at the chance. She just wants to lock herself away and lick her wounds. Ella doesn’t like dogs and when she finds she has been signed up to look after Magda’s dog, Tess, an overweight black labrador who likes to eat everything in sight, she is not too happy. Devon has returned to Wilsgrave, his relationship has broken down and he has returned home to run his dad’s vet practice.

After a humiliating encounter with Devon, Ella tries to lock herself away but the residents of the village won’t allow her to wallow and involve her in all aspects of the village life. As Ella and Devon become friends they are able to elevate what they want from their lives and what is important to their happiness.

A lovely story with good characters, a nice romance with lots of laughs along the way.

This is a fabulous read and the plot to this is magnificent. I love how its opens to Ella being dropped to look after Tess the big giddy labrador. Ella goes to stay in the country at her godmothers house and she is given the dog to look after thinking it will do them both good. The first night is hilarious and sounds a bit dippy like me, very funny.
Before long Ella is used to walking the badly behaved dog and bumps into a another grumpy person who is helping his dad out, thats turns out to be the male Vet. Devon, the vet is having some issues of his own and debating whether to stay in the quaint village or move back to his wife and Ella is having the same discussion with herself. it turns out, both the vet and Ella can offload their problems to each other and make their decisions... Towards the end we find out whether the two do stay or go and what will happen to naughty behaved Tess. Read the book amazing

I loved this book!
Jules Wake writes so well, so well that you can picture the scenes, smell the food and want to sit in the kitchen with her.
I loved the adventures of Tess, and they reminded me of our previous dog, hysterical! I wanted to hug Ella several times, and almost cheered out loud at a rather funny part.
Only problem was I couldn't put the book down, so now am feeling rather tired as I read into the early hours. I could do with one of Ella's cappuccinos.!
Thank you so much to Jules Wake for yet another brilliant story, the publisher Little Brown Book Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.