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

Who doesn't love a hedgehog rescue??

Samantha is a bit taken aback when her self centered cousin Chloe disturbs her domestic bliss, arriving unannounced with her baby and not sharing why she's left her husband. Samantha tries to balance being a fiancee, planning her wedding, her health, the animals' health and caring for her cousin.

It's a warm cozy story and leaves you feeling good!

This was my first book by this author, It was pretty enjoyable. I would give this book a 3.5 star rating! It was a pretty Quick and easy read!

I have very much enjoyed the previous two books in this series (Finding Love at Hedgehog Hollow and New Arrivals at Hedgehog Hollow), so I was really pleased to receive an ARC of Family Secrets at Hedgehog Hollow.

The writing flows really well, and it’s so easy to read. I was soon caught up in the story. The various POVs (and times) are clearly labelled at the top of each chapter, and I didn’t feel at all confused.

I loved seeing things from Chloe’s perspective. She’s always come across as a selfish, erratic, drama-creating, sort of person, so it’s really interesting to see what’s actually going on inside her head.

I think Jessica Redland does an excellent job of writing three-dimensional, realistic characters. I have loved Chloe’s character arc particularly. There’s so much more to her than appears in the first two books. Although this story (and series) contains more drama than I normally go for, I love it, because I get swept up in the story, and it never feels too upsetting. And most importantly, it’s all part of the story, not just drama for drama’s sake.

The only thing I didn’t like was the cliffhanger ending, but that’s just a personal preference.

If you’re looking for a story with plenty of heart, and hedgehogs to boot, look no further.

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

Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

This is the third in the series of Hedgehog Hollow books but the fact I haven't read the first two did not detract from my enjoyment of this one. There are family dramas, secrets and then some as Samantha and Josh with a house already full of relatives (and a barn full of hedgehogs) receive an unexpected visit from her cousin Chloe who has mysteriously abandoned her husband and arrived with her baby sonI loved this book and was quite sad that it was drawing to a close so I was delighted to find out there would be a fourth book in the series.

I was also pleased to note in the acknowledgements that Jessica Redland's books remain a covid free zone! Thank you Jessica - there is enough of that going on in the world without having to read about social distancing in books too.

I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Each time I read a Hedgehog Hollow book, I am blown away by how powerful the stories are. This is the third in the series and each one is as good as, and slightly better than the last.
Picking up from where the last one left off, Samantha is thrown into turmoil as her cousin, Chloe arrives in tears and clouded in mystery. Already offering a home to her boyfriend’s father and his small family, Samantha’s forced to offer a home to Chloe and her baby.
There’s never a dull moment and, as usual, the hedgehogs take priority as Samantha tries to navigate her way through the complicated mess that Chloe has brought to her doorstep.
Family Secrets is an appropriate title as it absolutely sums up the problems that they cause, and Samantha has to unravel. She has, of course, got the full support of her family and there’s even a chance that hostilities may cease with her estranged mother.
Of course, Chloe’s big secret is life-altering and, as we discover the full details, it’s a truly shocking story. No wonder she ran from James, leaving him stunned and heartbroken. Of course, I don’t include spoilers, so you’ll need to read this book to learn more.
Jessica Redland is becoming a firm favourite author. I love her style of writing and her pull no punches approach to difficult subjects.
I was delighted to discover that this instalment ended on a cliff-hanger, so we’ll be returning to Hedgehog Hollow to catch up on the adventures on the farm.

I loved this just as much as the previous one. Disappointingly there didn't seem to be as much of the hedgehogs and rescue centre in this one. But it was just like catching up with old friends, finding out what Sam and her family and friends had been up to since last time. I don't know how the author does it because this is a crazy cast of characters where everyone is somehow related to or been dating everyone else and all have turbulent pasts - it really should be too much. But, somehow it works and despite the drama it's still easy, warm, charming and light-hearted. This is the third in the series but don't worry if you haven't read the others as there's a helpful introduction (or recap) to the characters and story so far at the start. It's good to know that there's definitely going to be a fourth - I can't wait!

This third entry in the Hedgehog Hollow series does not disappoint, and I was happy to learn there will be a fourth book. If you haven't read the first two books in the series, there is a very handy summary at the beginning of the book - something I wish more authors would do. I doubt there is one of us who hasn't had a could have/should have moment in our lives. Told from the narrative of Samantha and Chloe, the reader drawn in by revelations from the past and how choices made in the past are affecting the family in the present day.

I wasn't aware this was part of a series, but will for sure go back on the other books included as I really enjoyed this one. I also liked the cast list and catch up at the beginning of the book. It's something I wish more authors would do.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

“Absolutely Fabulous and Unputdownable Read”.

For Samantha, her dream was to run a beautiful rescue centre, at Hedgehog Hollow.

As her wish is coming true, and as she’s always so kind, she finds herself with a house that full of guests - and everyone has their own issues and secrets they’re keeping to themselves. But each one, looks to her for support.

Then, Chloe, whose so always thinking of herself turns up, without notice and no sooner is she there, she hands over her baby, for Samantha to look after. These trouble coming up, that’s for sure. Samantha thinks this as Chloe won’t give anything away for the reason why she’s left her husband.

Now trying to look after new arrivals of hedgehogs, as well as taking care of herself, her health. She knows that she’s got to put herself first for once.

But what’s not aware of is that there’s secrets from the past that, once disclosed, their lives won’t be the same.

Highly Recommend It. Cannot wait for the next one.

Samantha and Josh are now happily engaged. Josh's father, Paul, and Paul's new wife, Beth, as well as their year-old son and infant daughter, are living with them. This is due to Paul's upcoming cancer treatment and Beth's near-fatal fall and injuries she's still recovering from.

So that's a pretty full house.

Samantha's cousin Chloe turns up, unannounced, with her baby. She's just left her husband, James, who was Samantha's boyfriend when he and Chloe became involved. She refuses to say why she's left James, and despite having ignored all Samantha's attempts at contact for weeks or more, she bitterly resents the fact that Samantha hadn't told her about her engagement to Josh.

Really, Chloe resents an awful lot. She also expects Samantha to take her in, and of course, Sam being Sam, she does. She's kind and generous, and Chloe has been her best friend as well as her cousin, at least until recently. But this is a pretty demanding situation for her, as she continues to run her hedgehog rescue.

The story is told in alternating chapters by Samantha and Chloe, and the family secrets that are revealed in the process are explosive. Samantha, Josh, Paul, Beth, Josh's mother Connie, are all engaging, likable characters, and it's wonderful to get to know them better.

Even getting Chloe's story from Chloe's viewpoint, I find her harder to like. She is, nevertheless, a more complex and understandable character than she seemed before. As a family story, this is absorbing and rewarding.

Unfortunately, this book ends in one heck of a cliffhanger, a real kick in the gut cliffhanger, and unlike some, this is something I do not appreciate discovering as a complete surprise at the end of the book. It really detracted from my enjoyment of the book overall.

I received a free electronic galley from the publisher via NetGalley, and am reviewing it voluntarily.

So I have to admit I was a bit skeptical going into this book - I didn't realize it was a series so was glad of the little catch-up at the beginning. Our main character, Samantha, runs a hedgehog rescue and lives with her boyfriend. Everything is hunky dory until her cousin Chloe shows up, having left her husband, and with her baby in tow. Chloe is completely unlikeable even though Sam does everything possible to help her. It was also revealed that Chloe's husband is - gulp - Sam's ex-boyfriend. So a little odd there that Sam is so willing to help out her cousin. Anyway, as promised in the title, some family secrets are revealed about mid-way through the book and here's where it gets good. The secrets are not at all what I expected from this sort of book, and definitely made for interesting reading and a bit more sympathy for Chloe. Loved the ending and hoping that Jessica Redland writes another book soon - but in the meantime I'll go back and read the first ones in the series. 5 stars for an enjoyable read! Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy of this fantastic book!

This is the third book in the Hedgehog Hollow series by Jessica Redland. As with the preceding book in the series, New Arrivals at Hedgehog Hollow, the author has helpfully included details of the story so far and also a guide to recurring characters, making it easier for readers new to the series to appreciate this story. Having now read all three books, I would advise that all should still be read in order - the ongoing story is so enjoyable. Another nice feature of this book is the addition at the end of some facts about hedgehogs and advice about caring for them. I have been looking forward to reading this book and catching up with the characters, both human and animal. In common with the last two in the series, I found this an absorbing story and finished it all too quickly.

The narrative picks up where the preceding story ended. Samantha Wishaw is now running her well established hedgehog rescue centre at Hedgehog Hollow farm in the beautiful Yorkshire Wolds with the help of fiancé Josh. However, life is not as peaceful as it once was with the pair now sharing the house with Josh’s dad and new family. Then, out of the blue, Sam’s cousin, Chloe, and baby Samuel turn up, Chloe declaring that she’s left husband James but not giving any reason for the split. Chloe’s selfish behaviour causes real problems in the crowded household and adds yet more stress for Sam, whose health is already being jeopardised by the effects of violent incidents that have plagued the centre since she moved in. Moreover, when Chloe’s story is finally revealed, it causes a shockwave throughout the family.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this absorbing and dramatic story which kept me spellbound from beginning to end. I experienced a range of emotions as I followed the various characters through their own personal journeys, the only constant being sympathy and admiration for Sam as she dealt with everything that was thrown at her. The author has presented her cast of characters with a wide range of issues from cancer to PTSD (and fly strike to broken legs in the case of our spiny friends), and approached all with great sensitivity. I would have to admit to finding it hard to like some of the characters in this story, in particular Sam’s spoilt and selfish cousin Chloe, but I’m obviously not as understanding as Sam. The book ended on a really dramatic cliffhanger and I’m just aching to find out what happens in Jessica Redland’s next book in the series, which can’t come soon enough for me.

Wow! This story just keeps building and building. A story within a story. Sam and Josh are the main plot line but so much is going on with other characters that there’s never a dull moment. Each story line is beautifully portrayed and dealt with with sympathy and is given just as much attention ( if not more in some instances) as the man characters plot line.
I admit I didn’t want to like Chloe, I couldn’t see past her selfish attitude and the way she’d treated Sam in the past, but as her story unravelled I was just as shocked and moved as Sam hearing it. What a situation to be in, my heart went out to her. It certainly shows, never judge a book by its cover. There was so much more to Chloe than I think anyone could of realised.

I can’t wait to see what happens next after a new Grimes relative is on the scene and causing trouble for Sam yet again.

I really enjoyed Finding Love at Hedgehog Hollow, but somehow missed there had been a second book! For that reason the quick summary at the beginning was very helpful in getting up to speed. My biggest problem with this book was that I do not like Chloe (or James, for that matter) so a book that was mostly all about Chloe was tough to get through. And because it was all Chloe all the time there wasn't enough Josh and Sam for my liking.

I hated Chloe in the first book and found her just as selfish and awful in this one. Her backstory was supposed to make me feel sorry for her and to a certain extent forgive her previous cruelty toward Sam, but I found her actions that much worse in some ways. For example, she knew how awful it was to be cheated on and she had still gone ahead and slept with James knowing he was in a relationship with Sam. And her behavior toward Sam early on in this book was terrible - she ignores her calls and then gets mad that Sam texted her about her engagement, she shows up at Sam's house and is mad that Sam doesn't have a room and private bathroom all set up for her, is rude to Beth, and assumes Josh is only with Sam because he wants the farm. And finally, she says she wants nothing more than to get back together with James after their long separation, but when he invites her to meet him on their first anniversary she almost doesn't go because it might not go the way she wants (same old selfish Chloe). I did like that Chloe had a (although shortlived) realization that she was only interested in Sam's life when things weren't going well for her. As for James throughout this book, I felt bad for him that Chloe was being so awful to him, but he's not actually that good of a guy himself. He put his foot down in the airport on the way to the honeymoon but then almost immediately forgave her and did nothing to get Chloe to apologize to Sam or get her to stop having her ostracized from the family. The fact that their big romantic reconciliation is in the hotel room where they first betrayed Sam (who they claim to both care about) didn't do much to make me like them either. I found that I really didn't care if they worked things out or not, except for the fact that if they didn't it would just give Chloe more attention/sympathy from Sam.

The way Sam is always so kind and forgiving should put her up for a sainthood! However, her always forgiving Chloe and making excuses for her prevents Chloe from actually having to change. I'm glad to see that her mother is finally starting to realize how great her daughter is but until she fully apologizes for being so awful pretty much since Sam was born I am withholding my forgiveness of her. She so deserves for things to go well for her but these Grimes kids just won't leave her alone! I'm holding out hope that Phoebe did what she did under duress or didn't intentionally give her step-family the account information. She seemed to like Sam and the hedgehogs, so I'll wait to see what happens in the next book before passing too much judgment. Speaking of which, I can't wait for the next book!

What a fetching cover! This book exudes family drama, secrets, love, compassion...did I mention secrets? Not only that but we are privy to the characters' choices and how they live with them.

Samantha (Sam) is pursuing her dream of operating a hedgehog rescue center (sweet idea!). She has guests at her home and is surprised that two more arrive to stay one day, her cousin Chloe and her wee son. Embittered Chloe has just left her husband without any explanation and makes things difficult and confusing to everyone involved, including her husband and mother. She withdraws into an abrasive and ungrateful ball. Sam tries to coax out the reason but eventually decides to let her deal with it in her own way. Throughout the book we see various interactions, relationships and background stories come to light. And that ending! Liked the sweet hedgehog information, too.

There is so much to enjoy about this book. I really liked many aspects of it but didn't fall in love as I had hoped. However, I do look forward to number 4 in the series!

My sincere thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this delightful book.

I had hard time being drawn into this book and therefore did not finish it. I liked that it summarized who everyone was so that I could be caught up and read it as a stand-alone. It seemed like it had a fun premise but the characters just didn’t do it for me. If you could connect with the characters better than I could then maybe you would enjoy it

I could not finish this book. The characters annoyed me from the start. At no point did I feel a connection or sympathetic or invested. This book was not for me but others may enjoy it if they can relate to the characters.

Upon our return to Samantha’s world at Hedgehog Hollow, we are thrown head first into a whole host of family secrets. Samantha’s horrible cousin Chloe turns up and demands a place to hold up without telling Samantha why she has left her husband.

I had an instant dislike of Chloe in the first novel, which continued into the second. However in this one, knowing her motivations made me feel empathy towards her. Out of all the characters in the series she has been given a great redemption arch.


I’m desperate for the next one in the series.

I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley.

As I read this book, I kept feeling I was missing parts of the story - I was - this is book #3 in the series. I wish I had paid closer attention when I requested the book - I would have loved to read #1 and #2 first. I will say, I cannot wait for #4!

Family Secrets is a back and forth between two cousins - Sammie and Chloe. Chloe has a deep secret that is coming out and going to wreck havoc over her family. Sammie is dealing with the effects of traumatic events. They will need each other to make out the other side.