A lovely story of new starts and finding love
When Ottilie moves away from Manchester following the death of her husband Josh, she is desperate to fit in with the locals as she starts her new job.
She quickly wins the hearts of the locals, with the exception of her elderly patient Flo's grandson Heath, who thinks she has an agenda.
When her house floods, Ottilie had no choice but to hand in her resignation to enable her to escape the expense of doing up her house, but the locals all really to help her, including Heath.
With a broken heart himself, Heath and Ottilie eventually come to support each other and become friends, but can they both let go of the past to help them find love.
A great story of love, friendship and community, loved it from start to finish.

A Helping Hand for the Village Nurse by Tilly Tennant

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Ottilie Oakcroft never thought she’d live in a place like Wordsworth Cottage. Nestled close to the river, her new home in the tiny village of Thimblebury means all her patients are just a stone’s throw from her front door. As they drop in for cups of tea and cosy chats she ignores all the jobs on her to-do list and gets to know her new neighbours.

Yet maybe keeping busy is just what Ottilie needs, even if she’s barely had a minute to unpack her suitcase. Heartbroken after the death of her husband Josh, as she offers advice and hot soup from her kitchen to the villagers who clearly need a helping hand, she starts to feel part of a community again.

But disaster strikes when a terrible storm causes the river to burst its banks and flood Ottilie’s ramshackle cottage. She has sunk every penny she has into what she’d hoped would be her forever home, and now she’s faced with the prospect of losing it.

My Opinion

Ottilie is trying to start over again following the death of her husband. She moves to Thimblebury where she is surrounded by a lot of friendly, welcoming characters. With the way that the residents come together when they are needed, this was a heart-warming read. This is the first book in the series so I am looking forward to getting to know these characters through the series.

Rating 4/5

Oh yes! Another super lovely book by Tilly Tennant! Really, this author is a really good one, believe me! This is another book by her that I absolutely loved! The main characters are loveable, the settings and the village are cute, I loved the atmosphere in the village and relationships between the villagers. And I loved the plot! Can't wait to read the second book in the series, I have it in my TBR pile!!! 4 stars out of 5 for this book!!! I warmly recommand it to everyone who loves a cozy read and a bit of a romance!!!

This was a slower place book which was a nice change of pace. This was one of those books where you just go page by page following the story as it all unfolds. With some light drama that fit the story this was a great book to read at the beach or pool side. When you just want to just enjoy a story.

Firstly, I do love getting in on a new series and this one didn't disappoint. The setting and descriptions of the Lake District brought the story to life. And Ottilie who is beginning a new life in this beautiful place is a character you have to love.

The story of a new beginning though doesn't always go as planned and when Ottilie is about to loose everything the community step up to help her out. This is a story about people, community, friendships and love. It is a lovely read and really tugs at the heartstrings. And although a long book/read it didn't feel long and I finished it in two days. I just couldn't put it down.

Great characters and writing which made it a very easy to read story. I enjoyed every minute of it and will be reading the next book soon. Can't wait.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookoutre for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Another lovely book by this author. Ottilie is a great character that you immediately empathise with and so are really rooting for her to find happiness. Perfect feelgood beach read

A Helping Hand for the Village Nurse by Tilly Tennant is a must read! The synopsis gave me “virgin river” vibes- IYKYK 🤭 and I had to start reading!

Ottilie moves into a small town where she has accepted a position as the new town nurse. She’s lost her husband Josh recently and needed a fresh start ( again virgin river vibes!! 😍). There’s this close knit village that takes care of their own and Ottilie has found her village to help keep her sane after the loss she’s had and changes she’s made to try and move on while coping. There’s a little love in the air who also has a fair share of baggage per se, but I won’t this to have spoilers!!

If this were to be a series, okay I’m here for the next one!? I have so many questions left unanswered. So of course I googled it and realized that yes, in fact there is more to come! So adding this series to my TBR!

It’s a beautiful romcom and if you’re a virgin river fan, then you’ll enjoy this!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Tilly Tennant and Bookouture for providing this AMAZING ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own, and I do not accept money for any reviews.

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Ottilie is relocating to Thimblebury as a village nurse following the unexpected death of her husband Josh.

She finds that the village life is helping her to move forward with her life and soon settles into the community.

Tilly Tennant is one of my favourite authors and this series is definitely one of her best. Set in beautiful surroundings of the Lake District with wonderful descriptions of the scenery, it allows the reader to become immersed, as if they’re alongside the characters as the story unfolds,
Fully-formed & believable characters involved in a storyline that held my interest from beginning to end. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Tilly Tennant aims for the heart and does not miss with her wonderfully romantic new novel, A Helping Hand for the Village Midwife.

Ottilie Oakcroft has had a tough couple of years. After losing her beloved husband Josh, she had been devastated and had packed up her life and moved to Wordsworth Cottage in the village of Thimblebury among the verdant hills of the Lake District. Unlike the big city, Ottilie is right in the heart of the community and she soon finds herself dispensing advice from her own kitchen. Welcomed with open arms by her new neighbours, Ottilie begins to feel like she might have found somewhere she belongs – until tragedy strikes!

Having sunk every last penny she had in Wordsworth Cottage, when her home is flooded, Ottilie is naturally heartbroken. Just when she had begun to feel like she’d found somewhere she could be happy again, fate intervened and swept the rug out from under her feet. Her neighbours, however, are not about to let her throw in the towel just yet. As they all chip in and begin to help her restore her ramshackle cottage, Ottilie begins to feel hopeful that things could turn around for her – especially with her newfound friend Heath, whom she finds herself drawn to.

As they begin to open up to each other, could Ottilie and Heath find the happy ending they had long given up on? Or have they been too hurt in the past to ever consider taking another chance on love?

A Helping Hand for the Village Nurse is pure romantic enchantment from beginning to end. A gorgeous tale perfect for snuggling up with, A Helping Hand for the Village Nurse is a wonderful story about new beginnings, healing from old wounds and finding love again that will make readers laugh, cry and fall head over heels in love with Ottilie, Heath and the village of Thimblebury.

Tilly Tennant has knocked it out of the park with A Helping Hand for the Village Nurse and I am counting down the days until my next visit to Thimblebury!

This is a great series by tilly. If you haven't read Tilly I highly recommend. This book is Set in beautiful Lake District with wonderful descriptions of the scenery and great characters.

I absolutely adore this series.
Tilly Tennant is one of my favourite authors and this series is definitely one of her best. Set in beautiful surroundings of the Lake District with wonderful descriptions of the scenery, it allows the reader to become immersed, as if they’re alongside the characters as the story unfolds,
Fully-formed & believable characters involved in a storyline that held my interest from beginning to end. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Although it could easily be read as a standalone book I’d recommend reading the first in the series purely because it was great,

I loved the first book in the Village Nurse series. Ottilie moves to Thimblebury in the Lake District after she loses her husband. She meets the locals and initially she has to work hard to gain their trust. She goes the extra mile to help everyone and loves the alpaca farm. When a storm damages her cottage she thinks that she will have to move back to London, but soon realises how small communities pull together to help their own. I could just picture Thimblebury and all the chaacters in the village. She's drawn into the cinema club and gets to meet everyone and experience great evenings getting to know everyone.

I’m always interested in a book by Tilly Tennant. They are my go to books when I just want a nice cozy read from the usual thriller's I am more inclined to read. This one soothed my soul and left me wanting to read more, seeing where this story goes. I loved all the characters and wished I lived in such a village..So thanks to Tilly Tennant for helping me achieve my relaxing stress free hours. Thanks to Netgalley, and Bookoutre for granting me the ARC.

Tilly is a nurse her husband is a police officer she seems to be living a perfect life until one day she becomes a widow. The story is about Tilly finding herself after her loss. She has a new job in a new village. It is such a heartwarming story of finding a community after moving to a new place. An enjoyable read. Thank you to the publisher and net galley for allowing me to read this.

Favorite Quotes:

I can’t walk in there without it turning into an impromptu surgery, so I don’t bother. If I were you I’d avoid it for the same reason. You’ll be ordering a gin at the bar one minute and inspecting someone’s piles the next.

A good marriage too– better than most, I’d say. I’m very fond of him, especially at a distance. We meet up most nights for an hour or two, either at his or at mine, and then we go our separate ways.

My Review:

This was one of those rare, sweet, perceptively written, and gentle stories that I could thoroughly enjoy and even recommend to my elderly mother’s church lady book club. That doesn’t happen often. The entertaining storylines and well-honed writing style held my interest throughout, even though there weren’t any “naughty words” that my mother would need to take her Sharpie to and blacken out before passing the book off to her friends. The characters were endearing and knowable with just the right amount of quirk to be realistic as well as amusing. Tilly Tennant has mad skills and I’m sure even the most judgmental of the church lady biddies would agree.

I really hope that A Helping Hand from the Village Nurse is the first in a new series from Tilly Tennant because I adored this warm, engaging read from the first word to the last. I didn’t want to leave the characters or setting behind once I had reached the final page so that’s why I am desperately hoping that there will be much more to come from them in the future. Tilly Tennant is a machine when it comes to writing I feel like it was only the other day that her Lifeboat Sisters trilogy was published and now here she is with a new book. Don’t get me wrong I’m not complaining. In fact it’s all welcome as I really enjoy her books. Sometimes publishing books so close together or several books a year the quality of the writing may suffer but that’s not the case here at all and dare I say it as much as I loved the Lifeboat Sisters series I think these new characters and setting edge it out for me ever so slightly. This was a fabulous read and just the genre and story I needed as a break in between reading lots of historical fiction. I devoured it in two sittings but really wish it could have gone on for much longer.

The story introduces us to Ottilie Oakcroft who is a nurse and married to a police officer named Josh. From the tone of the first few pages I could tell what was to come and to be honest I was ever so slightly reluctant to read on as I didn’t want the inevitable to happen. But of course it did and my heart broke for Ottilie. Josh is brought into the A&E of the hospital where Ottilie works. He has been injured in what turns out to be more than a scuffle with someone he was investigating. Ottilie had been looking forward to celebrating their ten year anniversary and had a very exciting present in store for Josh. But all her hopes, dreams and aspirations are shattered as Josh passes away. Even from the very first chapter you could tell the depth of love that Ottilie had for Josh and vice versa and it was truly heart-breaking for her. I just wanted to reach in and embrace her in a hug and tell her that everything would be ok but that it would take time. Bereavement, grief and desolation become big themes throughout the book, but it never ventured into dark and brooding territory. Instead, it was dealt with in an expert and sensitive way that allowed light and shade to be found throughout the book at the most opportune of times.

Six months after the loss of Josh and Ottilie still hasn’t gotten used to her new status as a widow. But now she is leaving her old life behind and searching for hope and clinging onto any shard that she can. Ottilie is emotionally vulnerable but being brave in taking a new step and starting a new job as the community nurse in the Lake District village of Thimblebury. ‘She couldn’t have known how it would tear open a wound in her soul that felt as if it would never heal, how it would force a chasm between a new reality and a past she wasn’t willing to let go of that might never be bridged’. That’s exactly what holds Ottilie back throughout the book. On a professional front she does very well. It was a joy to see her immerse herself in village life, getting to know her patients and the villagers but on a personal level she was stuck in the past and couldn’t move forward. There was something preventing her from doing so and until it could be resolved she was still terrified that something could happen. ‘She tried to move forward a little every day, and she often convinced herself that she had, but the grief was always there filling the dark spaces, showing itself whenever she dared look?’

The descriptions of the village and surrounding areas were incredible and instantly made me wish that Thimblebury was real. There was a real cosy feeling about it and that everyone would come together and be there for each other in times of trouble or strife. I loved how Ottilie threw herself into her work and made many new friends including Victor and Corinne, Geoff and Magnus, Chloe and Stacey and of course Lavender and Fliss at the surgery. They all had their own little stories which only added to my overall enjoyment of the book. But I think the friendship that Ottilie formed with Flo was very special. She was quick witted and sharp and lived in the village all her life but old age was starting to creep in on her. This friendship lead to Ottilie meeting her grandson Heath. Heath was a bit standoffish and had a big chip on his shoulder as past hurts in relation to his marriage were eating him up but still that was no excuse to be rude to Ottilie as he sometimes was.

I desperately wanted her to find happiness but I questioned could anything happen with Heath given his brusque personality. To be honest I don’t think Ottilie was really ready to move on and nor should she have been put under pressure to do so given the deep love she had with Josh. I think she was torn between a rock and a hard place. Loyalty to Josh and not forgetting his memory but also she knew how young she was and that she had plenty of life left in her and could easily get back in the game. All that it would take was time, patience and courage. ‘It was liked a locked door. I can see the rest of my life on the other side, but the key’s missing and I can’t get through. So I’m stuck here, watching it drift away from me, further and further the longer I stall’. When the time was right she would know and find that person and place that would be the best fit for her. But when a storm hits the village and her beautiful cottage is destroyed she questions whether Thimblebury and the friends she has made are right for her.

Ottilie was a people pleaser. Often doing what she thought others wanted of her rather than what she felt was right for her. Yes, she was practical, staid, reliant and sensible but she was also cautious and I think she needed to throw this feeling to the wind and embrace the changes that were coming her way. Not to be afraid of them and yes if she did have some small feelings for Heath that act on them. Break down his barriers. Get to know him. Discover what makes him tick and see could she find the true Heath that was surely lurking somewhere. But is Ottilie brave enough to take the risk? There are certainly many troubled waters to navigate and missed opportunities and crossed wires to overcome before Ottilie can attempt to find the happiness that had been snatched from her.

A Helping Hand for the Village Nurse was an absolute delight of a read and should come with a warning that you will not get any work done once you start reading it. I certainly didn’t. A glorious setting, brilliant characters, lots of little problems interspersed with moments of joy and magic and a romance that gently simmers. This had everything I love in a book in this genre and I know it will please both old fans of and new readers to Tilly’s wonderful writing.

This book was a lovely, cozy read following Ottilie Oakcraft, a new widow seeking a fresh start. She takes a position as a village nurse in a tiny town in the Lake District outside of Manchester. I enjoyed the slower pace of the story as Ottilie finds her way following her husband's sudden death. While I appreciated the different relationships Ottilie establishes with the townspeople, I did not find there to be strong sense of depth of characters in this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookotoure for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, what a terrific book. Sad to start with but, ended up happy. Set in the Lake District it made it come alive for me as I know the area so well. A lovely book to curl up to. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Congratulations Tilly on yet another absolutely stunning page turning read!!! A stunning start to a new series!!!

Yet another absolutely stunning escapism page turner by the extremely talented Tilly!!! Her fantastic and evocative writing skills will pick you up and sweep you away to the stunning Lake District leaving you looking at the beautiful scenery surrounding you, smelling the fresh air and warm your heart throughout!!! I was completely invested and immersed in the storyline and was absolutely devastated when I came to the end and realised I had to unpack my suitcase and return to rainy Wales. The scenery, atmosphere, village and characters all came to life around me and I am absolutely landed that this book is just the first in what promises to be a gorgeous series!!! What an absolutely gorgeous start to a series it is too!!! An absolute emotional rollercoaster coaster ride of emotions from laughter to heartbreak, joy to devastation and everything in between!!! The storyline is filled with tragedy, romance, friendship, family, community and everything you could ever ask for in an amazing page turner!!! I gave up counting how many times I told myself one more chapter just to HAVE to know what happened next as this happened over and over until I ended up devouring the whole book in one sitting!!! This would make an absolutely gorgeous movie that I would love to see made!!! This book is a stunning page turner which will have you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Living in a small village myself Till portrays life in a small community perfectly with everyone knowing everybody else and also willing to help out when disaster strikes! The atmosphere was gorgeous and I loved the setting. It made this book a perfect book to read anywhere and anytime from on the beach in the middle of the day or curled up in fire in the middle of the night. I would love to see this book turned into a movie I would be the first in line to watch it!! I listened to the audiobook version of this book which is narrated by Katy Sobey who did an absolutely fantastic job of narrating the characters ensuring you could really hear their emotions in their voices. Between Tilly's fantastic descriptions and Katy's brilliant narration regardless of which version of this stunning book you read prepare to be swept away to Thimblebury in a blink of an eye!!

Well done Tilly on yet another stunning book!!! This is exactly why you are one of my favourite authors and here's to your next success 🥂!!!

The characters were are well defined, strong and realistic. I became completely invested in not only Ottilie and Heath but every single one of the fantastic, unique and larger than life characters. Each and every character was brought to life thanks to Tilly and Katy and I really felt as if I was right next to them throughout feeling and seeing absolutely everything they were seeing and feeling. I loved seeing the interactions, friendships and more between all of the characters and they will definitely stay with me for a long time. I cannot wait to meet them all again in the next book in 'The Village Nurse' series which is called 'New dreams For The Village Nurse' which is out on the 29th July and available to preorder now! I am already counting down the days!!! Congratulations Tilly on creating another fantastic group of amazing, relatable and unforgettable characters!!

Overall a stunning emotional page turner that will sweep you off your feet and take you on a gorgeous break away.

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