Being a fan of James Herriot, I read this book with a bit of trepidation, but I was very pleasantly surprised at the care taken in writing this fabulous book, filled with tales of family, animals and a struggle to make a living, this book is enchanting. I really love the inclusion of the children, especially Molly with her "cups of tea"
It really is a lovely read.

Gillian Hicks is a vet expecting her third child. She decides to give up mixed animal practice and set up a small animal practice from home. A neighbouring farmer helps her to build her clinic and Gillian juggles family life, being on call 24 hours a day and tries to maintain some semblance of a normal life. The animal lover in me enjoyed this easy read and it would make a good holiday read for adults and older children. I reviewed on Goodreads and Facebook.

This charming memoir of the trials, tribulations, and joys of running a solo veterinary clinic while at the same time raising, with her husband, three young children as interesting as all animals combined, will delight any animal lover. Gillian Hick has written a lovely chronicle of her life as veterinarian and parent, leaving this reader with a satisfied smile at book’s end.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher.

Rating: 3.5 stars

From the author of Vet on the Loose and Vet Among the Pigeons comes Vet on a Mission. This book contains some of the experiences experienced by Vetrinarian Gillian Hick while starting her own small vet clinic in what is essentially her backyard - along with raising 3 small children (with the help of her husband). The stories are a mix of entertaining, realistic and sad. The writing is not as good as the James Herriot vet stories (it's a little stiff, too much tell and not enough show). However, the book still makes for entertaining reading and fans of James Herriot or vet memoirs would enjoy the book.

Very enjoyable book! There are quite a few anecdotes about a veterinarian's experiences, of course! Some are funny and some sad, but all reflect the love of animals that most children have. Definitely a good book for children and adults alike!

Loved this book. I enjoy all kinds of medical books or shows, whether it's All creatures great and small or This is going to hurt. I didn't realise on requesting that the vet was living in ireland like me, so I recognised a lot of the places mentioned. I really got to know the animals from the book and mourned them or celebrated them along with the author

are an animal lover, or have a wish to be a Vet, or know someone who aspires to be a Vet then I highly recommend this book. Filled with anecdotes, and honest insights into the daily life of a Vet I really enjoyed reading this.

As soon as I saw that Gillian Hick had written a third ‘vet’ book full of true stories I had to read it, having read, reviewed and hugely enjoyed ‘Vet On The Loose’ and ‘Vet Among The Pigeons. Gillian Hick is a practicing vet living near Wicklow and in this book she has her third baby, opens her own small animal practice attached to her family home and writes about her patients, their owners and her family life. I was not disappointed and enjoyed every moment of her beautiful writing and meeting a whole range of family pets, their diagnoses and (usually) their recovery under her caring and loving care.
But this life is no walk in the park for Gillian and her family. She has three small children, one a newborn, and a husband who is a working butcher. To top that, she runs a 24/7 practice, juggling child and animal care with deft skill and oodles of compassion and empathy. Her life is a whirlwind of activity, late nights, early mornings and resultant exhaustion, teamed with plenty of patience, love and joy. There are struggles, loads of triumphs against the odds, losses and books to be balanced. There are anxious pet owners, sick animals and a family, all needing Gillian to be right there when they most need her, measuring out advice, administering her considerable skills both as a mother and a vet. This book had me hooked and full of admiration right from the very first to the last chapter.
I love true life stories like this one and I am an animal and nature lover. This book gave me a glimpse into another life and fired up my appreciation of a hugely committed professional who cares and serves the public and their beloved pets. I loved the drama, the action-packed lifestyle and most of all the nurturing and caring of Gillian Hick. I received a complimentary copy of this novel from publisher The O’Brien Press through my membership of NetGalley. Thank you for my copy sent in return for an honest and unbiased review. I recommend this book for all fellow animal lovers and those who enjoy true life stories with cracking anecdotes filled with a mixture of humour, excitement and a massive dose of compassion. It’s a 4.5* review from me.

Being a lover of animals and having lived through the hay day of James Herriot l always gravitate to this type of book as a pleasant interloode from my usual read. I wasn’t disappointed at all life and death and all points between covered really enjoyable