I recently read 'New Beginnings at the Old Bakehouse' and loved it so thought I would give another of Christie Barlow's books a read.

An easy and heart-warming read, it touched on themes of adoption, family issues and dementia in a way which was not overbearing and didn't take away from the escapist, light-hearted nature of the writing.

The characters were delightful and the plot kept me hooked from the start, I particularly enjoyed the real community feel of Heartcross at the boat race.

This is only my second trip to Heartcross, even though this is book 8 of the Love Heart Lane Series, but I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!

I loved Ben right from the start and Katie soon grew on me!

Christie has a gift for story telling that draws you in to the community, makes you laugh and smile and gives you that warm hug feeling that you expect from books of this genre. I always end up relating to her characters, even if they are not at all like me and I get so invested in their lives that when drama happens I end up completely moved, in this case shedding quite some tears rather late at night!

Katie and Ben are star crossed lovers who end up in the same medical practice. Lots of competition and some heartwarming moments. A good read.

This is the 8th book in the Loveheart Lane series, and I have read and loved every single one of them. Each book can be read as a stand-alone, and the series is set in the wonderful village of Heartcross.

The story is based at the Peony Practice surgery, taken over and is run by Dr Ben Saunders and receptionist, Helly. Since the retirement of Dr Taylor Ben has been working at full tilt, not any time for time off. He and Helly decide they need another doctor at the practice.

Dr Katie O'Neill was Ben's nemesis at Uni, she was always top of the class, best of the best, and all-rounder achiever and he always played second best to her. He isn't best pleased when it turns out that she is going to be the new Doc in the village and it doesn't take her long to make herself at home.

If you have read any of the books in this series you will realise what an amazing community the author has created. Having read all the books I definitely look forward to returning, it is almost like returning to your favourite holiday spot and catching up with the people. Only thing is, they are all characters!

This story is one that has its share of serious topics, this time it is for family secrets and dementia that have a seat at the table along with the characters. The author has chosen and researched her subject well, as she always does. This one for me felt more personal as I work with the elderly, some of whom have different stages of dementia. The explanations and details the author includes are basic but important and it does give an insight into the different sorts of dementia. I liked how the author highlighted this disease but also mixed it with a storyline that works so well.

There are, as I mentioned family secrets, these were not ones I expected, but my goodness does the author work them so well into this story.

The highlight, or rather the focus of the story is the camaraderie and competitiveness between Katie and Ben, but since their time at Uni, they have changed. They manage a good working relationship, but will it last. How competitive are they really?

This is one for readers who love a heartwarming story, with a fabulous cast of characters and some serious topics. The community spirit is warm and welcoming and I adored this one a lot. I would definitely recommend it.

Another story in the Love Heart Lane series with new characters but lots of small appearances from the familiar ones. Two doctors, great rivals at med school, meet again with irritation slowly turning to attraction as they work together to raise money for charity through staging a boat race. Family problems, adoption, dementia... its not all romance. I enjoyed it.

I absolutely adored this book. The new doctor at Peony Practice is run off his feet and needs a doctor to help out. When it turns out to be his nemesis from uni days, he is worried this will be a huge mistake. She has mellowed a lot and the old sizzle of attraction is still there. i loved the romance between the two. I loved the characters and the setting. You really do feel as though you are amongst good friends and start watching the page counter- not wanting to come to the end too quickly!
Certain scenes were really emotional and I'll admit to a tear or two. I was so happy, yet emotional at the same time.
I have just downloaded the next book by Christie Barlow and can't wait to read that one.

Ben is a reasonably new doctor at Peony practice but is finding the work load too much when the other doctor retires so asks an agency to find a new doctor to help out
In comes super competitiveand highly efficient Katie who was at University with him and in all his classes, and always wanted to come top
Ben is feeling slightly miffed feeling that Katie has come in and taken over but bites his tongue as he needs the help
As they work together they discover more about each other and feelings start to change
Loved it

It's always a pleasure to travel to Hartcross as the book in Love Hart Lane are enjoyable and highly entertaining.
This one was no exception: I had a lot of fun, rooted for the characters, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of The new Doctor at Peony Practice by Christie Barlow, I absolutely adore visiting Heartcross and Love Heart Lane. In this book we are introduced to Dr Katie. . Its a pleasure to visit the community of Heart Cross and I'm looking forward to visiting again very soon.

It was so good to return to Heartcross once more
This time the focus is on two doctors to adore!
They were rivals at Uni in all that they did then
Can they be more now they meet again?

A patient with dementia causes a stir
What can the locals do to show how they care?
Katie suggest they have a charity boat race
The River Heart is where it could take place.

With Drs Katie O'Neil and Ben Sanders as opposing team captains
They need to get prepared, raise money and all that portends.
Get ready for rivalry between these two
Along with shared secrets and the start of something new.

Whilst the next in a series, it will also work alone too
Though reading this may make the earlier ones attractive to you.
The small community, working together again
Helping each other in times of fun and of pain.

I really enjoyed escaping into this book
And hope my review encourages you to give it a look.
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
A heartwarming read and this is my honest review.

What a lovely mainly happy romance based around 2 Dr's who had met at University and then reunited at a village family practice. Sad details about the disease Dementia in both the old and young. But with an uplifting charity event of a Boat race, in kayaks, between 2 teams captained by the 2 Dr;s. Plenty of humour and banter. With one of the Dr's finding his biological family after being adopted as a baby. Lots' of happy ever after moments!
Quick read but uplifting and enjoyable.

This was a delightful, heart-warming read from beginning to end. Dr Ben and Dr Katie challenged each other throughout University. Touching descriptions of young and old dealing with that dreadful disease Dementia. Covered all aspects of village life and what makes a community..

I admit 100% this review is completely biased as I am a massive fan of Christie Barlow and nearly everything she has ever written (in fact it’s probably everything!) I love the Love Heart Lane series and this is the 8th book, you can read it as a stand-alone but I think you get so much more when you read the previous books, the characters and community are amazing so why wouldn’t you want to experience that, but that just me.

These are emotional, you’ll need a tissue or two I always do , maybe I’m just a mush ball but I always get emotional in a good book. I love the feeling I get whenever I finish a book by Christie, just so fulfilled and like I’ve been given such a big hug. The New Doctor At Peony Practice is a fantastic addition to this series and I can’t wait for the next

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy in return for an honest review

Although I have read and enjoyed some of the other books in this series, I was not a fan of this 8th entry. It was hard to believe that the two main characters were doctors; I just found they were incredibly annoying with their adolescent games.

Hi-ho hi-ho, it’s back to Heartcross I go and this time I’m heading to the doctor’s surgery as old rivals re-emerge across the waiting room. Ben Sanders has been looking after the folk of Heartcross for 6 months and now his fellow GP is retiring, fresh blood has arrived. Fresh blood from Ben’s past, Katie O’Neill who he studied with and there is no love lost between them.

But this rivalry benefits the community as Katie organises a boat race for charity with Ben the opposition captain. As the story went on, I started to warm to Katie and her competitiveness. The banter between her and Ben warms up from frosty to friendly…

I love my trips to Heartcross. The community feel is so realistic, I’d love to live there. It’s a credit to Barlow’s writing. But there is one small complaint – Christie Barlow made me cry AGAIN!!! I don’t think I’ve made it through one of the author’s books without shedding a tear or two. The emotion for me springs off the page and throttles me into submission and The New Doctor At Peony Practice is no different.

I hold my hands up, I am addicted to this series. I can’t get enough of the feel good vibes that I leave with. The characters I met at the beginning of the series are my firm fictional friends and with each book, I make new ones who I want to get to know better. The New Doctor At Peony Practice is a fab addition to the series and I’m relieved that I don’t have to wait long for my next fix!

So, a second chance at romance for Katie and Ben, both doctors who trained together and had history.
Katie is a strong female lead, and Ben feels in awe of her, but as they reacquaint, he realises her life was not as perfect as he imagined. Both have family issues, and the story explores adoption and identity and the problems of living with dementia. Ben is a gentle character, and it is refreshing to see Katie as his protector when he needs emotional support. Humour provides some lighter moments amidst the more serious themes.

I liked the realistic female lead character, the sense of community and the gentle romance in this engaging story.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

It’s been lovely being back at Heartcross with all of the familiar faces. Ben is a great addition to the cast and although I struggled with Katie to begin with, she definitely grew on me through the story.
I loved the idea of the fundraising for dementia - such a great cause and one that affected the whole village. The support of the villagers for Stuart and his family was a special part of the story.

I was so happy to be back in the village of Heartcross, this 8th book in the series (can also be read as a standalone) centres around Ben, the new Doctor at Peony Practice. As always the heartwarming community of Heartcross feature across the book. When Ben is struggling to cope with the large number of patients on his own, he decides he needs a locum to help him out. Enter Katie, I really didn't like Katie's character at first which is testament to Christies writing in wanting us to do exactly that, she comes in and takes over and it's not the first time...Ben and Katie were friends but also arch rivals at med school with Katie usually the winner, and she's not about to let him forget it. Katie is soon winning the villagers over much to Ben's frustration, the community just love her. But there's more to Katie's past than Ben knows, and when she hits on a community fundraiser, he sees it as another way she wants to take over and show him up, little does he know it's closer to home than he thinks for Katie and her family. Thinking of his own family, after being adopted, Ben has always wondered about his biological parents and an unusual birthday present brings him closer to knowing his past.

A lovely book and one you won't want to out down, I totally recommend it, another absolute winner from Christie.

Thank you NetGalley, Christie Barlow and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the copy of The New Doctor at Peony Practice. This is my personal review.
There are not enough words for me to say how much I loved this book.
Ben and Katie are both doctors and have known each other for years. Ben was surprised when Katie joined the practice. He wasn’t sure he even wanted her in town let alone working side by side with him.
They both have deep secrets in their lives that are putting a wall between them. But also, at the same time the chemistry between then is there and growing every day.
They know they must overcome obstacles and be able to work together.
The author again has made this book come to life and it has added so much to the Love Heart Lane Series.

This was a lovely easy to read story of a little village and it’s inhabitants. Ben is the doctor in a growing practice which has to employ another doctor to deal with all the patients. Unbeknownst to him his arch rival from university, Katie, has been employed. Through stories of Alzheimer’s and dementia, long standing rivalries, village life and its inhabitants you see the blossoming relationship between the two doctors and between them and their families. A thoroughly lovely gentle read.