This was the third in the Dog and Duck series, but I was able to read it as a standalone. Family runs through the story and the whole community who often congregate in the Dog and Duck Pub, are a very important part of the story. Ellie has moved into the rather grand sounding manor house with Max and settling in. She is a centre point of the village as the landlady of the Dog and Duck and finds herself pulled in two directions with her baby, family and her work.

Family is very important to Ellie and the return of her parents, unexpectedly, causes her some concern. Weddings and romance play a part in the story, with the pub at the centre of the celebrations. This is an entertaining read, with some likeable characters, some humorous moments and a large dollop of romance.

In short: an uplifting read

Wedding Bells at The Dog & Duck is the 3rd book in the Dog & Duck series, although it is the first that I read. I enjoyed it a lot and although I wish I had read the previous two books, I was not lost, and I had no problem following the story. The Dog & Duck is the local pub in Little Leyton, and Ellie Browne is the landlady. Ellie's partner, Max is the owner of the pub, bought after his granddad died. The stopy opens on Christmas Day, with a party at the pub. With a snowstorm brewing outside, things do not go quite to plan, and young Noel is welcomed into the world. After the dramatic events of the holiday season, Ellie settles into her new life at Max's huge country mansion, Braithwaite Manor. As summer rolls around, Ellie is busy planning her friend's wedding and thinking about her own life and whether she is ready to accept Max's proposal.

I loved meeting the characters in this story. They were part of a wonderful village, friendly and helpful, and I would love to meet them all. There are also the non-human residents and they were just as lovable. Digby, Ellie's dog, is a faithful and loyal companion that I just wanted to snuggle with. Max is so in love with Ellie, I just wanted her to accept his proposal and put him out of his misery. Ellie is a great friend, daughter and mother. She is strong and independent, but the pressure is a lot more than she was expecting. Wedding Bells At the Dog & Duck is a beautiful, heartwarming, story. It has some angst, as Max's family deals with secrets, but a lot of happy elements to go along with it. This story has romance, secrets, family drama, friendship, personal growth, and new beginnings. I am definitely going to go back and read the first two books in this series, so I have the full story about Leyton, the Dog & Duck, and all the characters that inhabit the area.

ter reading The Primrose Hall series I was eager to read a new @jill.steeples book and it didn't disappoint and I will definitely going back and reading the earlier books in the series while I eagerly await more of Max & Ellie's story. This was the perfect cosy read, I was instantly lost in the setting and the festive spirit of the story. The main characters have such a beautiful chemistry together that just feels natural and this ended far too soon.

A proposal - or even three or more,
An engagement - and future wedding for sure!
A Christmas party - and an early arrival's surprise
Lives changing more than they'd realise.

A community supporting each other
With celebrations and romances to discover.
But births have effects on relationships, too,
So there's also drama all the way through.

A story where friendships and expectations are tested
And babies mean that no one is rested.
Family secrets, new plans and schemes
Will they stop others following their dreams?

The Dog and Duck is once more the place to be
But will things work out for Ellie, you need to read this book to see.
A lovely addition to this series that is great
So for future books I just can't wait!

For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

How have I missed out the other books in this series before now? I absolutely loved Wedding Bells at the Dog and Duck, and I'm definitely going to invest in any future books in the series.

It's Christmas in Little Leyton, there's a snowstorm brewing and a woman's due to give birth, what could possibly go wrong?

The story was an absolute delight to read, it's heartwarming, joyous and full of festive frolics. The characters were wonderful, so inviting and friendly. I so want to go and live in Little Leyton now.

This was a lovely read with fantastic characters. I loved Ellie giving birth in the barn at Christmas with max but was gutted when she turned down his marriage proposal. With her best friend getting married she realises she does love max and has made a huge mistake. Will he ask her again or not.
Also with her parents sudden move back to the UK from dubai is there another reason they are hiding from her.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Wedding Bells At The Dog & Duck' by Jill Steeples.

Read and reviewed for Jill Steeples, Boldwood Books, Book And Tonic and Rachel's Random Resources Tours.

Publication date 20th November 2023

This is the second book I have read by this author and the third book in Jill's 'The Dog And Duck' series but can be read as a standalone!!! I have previously read 'Starry Skies Over Primrose Hall' which is the fourth book in 'Primrose Woods' series but can also be read as a standalone. T

This novel consists of 27 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

What another absolutely stunning read by the extremely talented Jill Steeples!!! A perfectly gorgeous book!!! The vivid descriptions left me feeling the snow, smelling the fresh country air and feeling warmth in my heart. The title, synopsis and cover suited the storyline perfectly.

This book is absolutely rammed full of love, friendship, weddings, spring, babies, laughter, happiness, relationships, community, scenery, snow, dogs, stress and warmth!!! Its one of the most heart-warming and beautiful books I've read in a long time. It made me laugh, cry, smile and fall in love with Leyton and the Dog And Duck!!! I really cannot wait to return in previous and future books in this series. I absolutely loved the gorgeous atmosphere and surroundings, it felt like a gorgeous escape, even with wedding (and more) stress flying around!! Jill's evocative writing talents ensures the reader is whisked away to the gorgeous countryside and will leave you tingling with warmth, smiling with happiness and light hearted!! It is one of those stunning books that it is impossible to say just one more chapter to. I gave up even trying to lie to myself saying just one more in the end as every time I came to the end of one chapter I just HAD to know what was going to happen next and this ended up happening so many times I ended up devouring the whole book in a several hour sitting!! I just could not put my kindle down and I was absolutely gutted when I came to the end of the book! It genuinely felt like I had escaped rainy Wales for a few hours and was enjoying everything going on at The Dog And Duck (amazing name by the way!!!)!! The storyline was sweet, romantic, uplifting and everything you want in a heart warming romance and I completely fell head over heels in love!!! This book is an uplifting breathe of fresh air!!! It ended absolutely perfectly!!!

Clear your schedules and have your tissues at the ready before picking up this stunning page turner as you won't be able to put it down and will get lost on this gorgeous rollercoaster ride of emotions!!!

Although this is the third book in the series I had would have had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.

The characters were all strong, well defined and realistic. I fell in love with the majority of them, even if some took longer than others!! I was gutted when I came to the end. This book is a gorgeous start (for me) to what promises to be a stunning series and I cannot wait to meet most of the characters again. There wasn't a single character that I actually didn't like which actually surprised me if I'm honest as there's normally at least one lol!! I absolutely loved Ellie and Max who were just absolutely amazing characters that I wont be forgetting anytime soon!!! Ellie has a heart of gold and Max is a very sexy sweet guy and I was rooting for them from the second I met them until I sadly had to say goodbye!! I really enjoyed learning about all the characters of and there were so many other characters that I really enjoyed meeting and who I cannot wait to meet again!! I could go on and on but I best stop there as I don't want to give anything away and potentially spoil it for future readers!. Needless to I'm looking forward to meeting them again!!

Get wrapped up warm, put the fire on, make your self a hot chocolate or get your towel and book ready and relax on the beach and clear your schedule ready to get lost in this unputdownable heart warming, gorgeous romantic!

Well done Jill on an absolutely gorgeous book. This is exactly the reason that you are one of my favourite authors!!! I am thoroughly looking forward to reading more of your books past and future including the first two in this series. Congratulations on a stunning success and here's to more 🥂!!

Overall an absolutely charming and stunning page turning escapism that will make you smile, laugh and keep you up all night absorbing the pages.

396 pages.

This book is just £1.39 to purchase on kindle, free with kindle unlimited and £9.99 in paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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Wedding Bells at the Dog and Duck by Jill Steeples

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Ellie Browne, landlady of the Dog & Duck, is looking forward to a relaxing Christmas Day before the arrival of her and Max’s baby in the new year.

But with a snowstorm brewing outside, it seems that things might not go quite to plan. After the dramatic events of the holiday season, Ellie settles into her new life at Max's huge country mansion, Braithwaite Manor, juggling work and family as best she can.

When she's asked to help organise a summer wedding for one of her best friends it's only natural that her mind turns to her own non-existent wedding plans! But with Max decidedly lukewarm on the subject and other family complications threatening to disrupt life further, Ellie fears there'll never be wedding bells at the Dog & Duck after all.

My Opinion

This the third book in the series but the first book I have read, although I do have plans to go back and read the previous books. I would recommend reading this series in order so that you don't miss out on anything.

If you have previously read a book by Jill Steeples then you will know that she has a great writing style so I would recommend that you pick up one of her books if you haven't already and why not make a start with this series. From the opening pages I was drawn into this book. With a delightful mix of characters why not stop off at the Dog and Duck?

Rating 4/5

While I haven't read the other books in the series, it was easy to catch up with the romance of Ellie and Max.

The story kicks off with a delightful Christmas Day gathering at the Dog and Duck, featuring Ellie's friends in a dinner setting.

The ensuing drama and unfolding events drew me into the intricacies of the characters' lives. Amidst the celebrations, one friend experiences wedding bells, while another embarks on a new romance. A mysterious stranger adds an intriguing element to the town, especially around Ellie's sister-in-law, Katy and Ellie's parents make life-changing decisions, adding layers of excitement and anticipation.

The initial worry surrounding Ellie's hesitation to accept Max's proposal creates an engaging subplot. Her persistent rejection keeps readers on their toes, wondering if Max will give up on the idea altogether. The subsequent journey is filled with humor as Ellie tries to make amends and rectify her decisions, resulting in numerous laugh-out-loud moments.

The climax of the story is nothing short of perfection, delivering a satisfying resolution that was well worth the wait. The intricate weaving of various plotlines, the humor, and the emotional depth make "Wedding Bells at the Dog and Duck" a truly captivating and memorable tale of love, friendship, and the magic of the holiday season.

I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a cosy Christmas read with a special Xmas delivery. It's perfect for a comfortable and enjoyable read that you can finish in one sitting. Max and Ellie are a couple expecting their first child, but while Max wants to get married, Ellie has her reasons for not wanting to. When Ellie is tasked with the role of wedding planner for her best friend, she finds herself surrounded by everything romantic and soon finds herself getting excited. However, Max seems to have changed his mind about getting married.

Ellie and Max make a wonderful couple, and they don't need to show off their affection in public. Even moments of jealousy are quickly forgotten, and they're the kind of couple that will go the distance, whether they end up getting married or not.

Jill Steeples - Wedding Bells At The Dog & Duck.

Book three in this gorgeous series, and it’s a joy to head back to The Dog & Duck.

Pub landlady Ellie has her hands more than full. Christmas is coming, and Ellie finds herself at the heart of the festivities. All whilst being heavily pregnant.

As she helps everyone else to find their happily ever after. Can Ellie find her own happy ending too?

Wedding Bells At The Dog & Duck is happiness in a book. It’s the absolute best place to escape to when the real world is just too much.
The mix of characters is delightful and the village setting is idyllic.
Jill Steeples has created something quite lovely with The Dog & Duck. I want to sit by it’s fire and soak up the atmosphere. And I want these people to be my friends.

A fabulous book.
A gorgeous series.
I can’t wait to head back to The Dog & Duck to see what comes next for all these charming characters.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

With thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources, Netgalley and Boldwood Books for a digital arc of this title.

Wedding Bells at the Dog and Duck is a beautifully romantic story that will leave you happily teary-eyed.

The chemistry between Ellie and Max is as strong as ever and there are a few adorably funny scenes that are reminiscent of their early days together.

The opening chapter of Christmas Day at the Dog and Duck with all Ellie's friends gathered for dinner had me in stitches and hooked on all the drama that unfolded.

It was also lovely to catch up with Ellie and Max's friends and family. There are wedding bells for one friend and a new romance for another. There is a mysterious stranger in town hanging around Katy and Ellie's parents make some life-changing decisions.

Ellie had me worried for a bit at the beginning as she hadn't accepted Max's proposal and she continually shut him down on the matter. I was convinced he had given up on the idea. It was a lot of fun watching her trying to make things right once she'd made up her mind. There were a lot of scenes that had me laughing out loud. I couldn't wait to see how things would work out.

How it all came together in the end was just perfection and worth the wait.

Wedding Bells at the Dog & Duck was one of the first ARCs I got via Netgalley and I loved it. I am happy that this series is back, and I hope there will be more instalments as it’s lovely and entertaining.
The review I wrote more than 5 years ago said: “Such a lovely and delightful book. It's full humour and it's heart-warming. Once I started, I couldn't put it down.”
After more than 5 years, having read this novel again I confirm all that I wrote. It was like catching up with old friends, enjoy their happiness and fell for their moment of sadness.
Ms Steeples wrote a compelling and well plotted story that features well rounded and relatable characters.
It can be read as a stand-alone but if you read the rest of the series, you will surely appreciate some more nuances.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books, Rachel’s Random Resources for this digital copy, all opinions are mine.

Jill Steeples never disappoints! Ellie Browne, landlady of the Dog and Duck, and gorgeous partner Max are expecting their first child, due in the New Year. However the baby puts in an early appearance and along with all the locals having Christmas dinner at the pub and her best friend getting engaged it’s an eventful holiday season. Ellie starts to organise the wedding but wonders whether she will ever be the bride. I absolutely loved all the characters and how they interacted. There is a bit of everything in this, from romance and family dynamics to strangers in the village and friendship. A heartwarming, festive read this left me wanting to know what’s going to happen next in the village and at Braithwaite Manor where the main characters live.

I adored being back with these characters and going back to the Dog and Duck. Ellie and Max are becoming first time parents and Polly and George are getting married and life is in full swing in the little town of Little Leyton. A massive snowstorm hits while they’re having their Christmas gathering at the Dog and Duck and a stranger gets stranded and soon joins the celebrations. When Max decides to propose and Ellie turns him down because she thinks things are fine they way they are and she doesn’t want him to propose just because she’s having a baby, she immediately regrets it but doesn’t know how to fix the situation. The baby is born in the middle of the Christmas storm and soon Ellie’s parents arrive to help out and Max’s college aged sister who lives with them adds drama to life with her roller coaster relationship with her boyfriend. There’s never a dull moment..
Right from the beginning of the book you are dropped into the center of town and immersed into the comings and goings of the members of it. Ellie and Max are the main characters, but there are many supporting characters for which there are intertwining storylines and being such a small little town, they are all very much involved in each other’s lives. Ellie plans Polly’s wedding and it sounds like an absolute dream. I hope there are more books to come in this series.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.