Member Reviews

Another enjoyable return to the Lake District and following the life of district nurse, Ottilie.
Oh my goodness, just when things seem like they’re going so well for Ottilie as she rebuilds her life after past heartbreak and seemed to have found a wonderful second chance at love, Tilly Tennant goes and throws a spanner in the mix. Spanner being that of Heath’s ex-wife.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book with all the twists and turns, ups and downs in the road that leads to romance for Ottilie. I experienced a gambit of emotions alongside, and towards, Ottilie, that I breathed a huge sigh of relief when finally her path seems smooth once again.

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Having read book one I couldn't wait to see what was in store in book two. I very much enjoyed catching up with Ottilie and loved being back in Thimblebury.

Love all the characters and the story, how it flows through the main the life and times of Ottilie. Love the way her life is blossoming again after losing her husband and starting fresh. The community spirit, the quirky people of the village and the village itself is what makes this a joy to read. Loved it and couldn't put it down!

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

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Escape to the village of Thimblebury with the latest feel-good romantic charmer by Tilly Tennant: New Dreams for the Village Nurse.

Moving to the Lake District after the death of her husband might have been the best thing Ottilie Oakcroft has done in a very long time. Welcomed with open arms by the villagers, Ottilie has a job she loves, neighbours who look out for her and care for her and even a blossoming romance with charming Heath, who has proved to her that a second chance at happiness is possible. Ottilie cannot remember the last time she had been this happy, however, it looks like her blissful life in Thimblebury might be coming to end with the arrival of Heath’s glamourous ex-wife Mila.

Mila’s presence alone causes a rift between Ottilie and Heath and as the tension heightens between them, the two of them wonder whether they will ever get their old spark back. To complicate matters further, Simon, a new GP, has come to Thimblebury and he unleashes a jealous streak within Heath that shocks and surprises Ottilie. As old secrets come to light, Ottilie and Heath will find their relationship tested like never before, but will this be the end of the road for them?

Did Ottilie make a huge mistake in opening her heart up to Heath? Will they let the past stand in the way of their future? And are Ottilie and Heath strong enough to fight for their relationship?

Tilly Tennant’s New Dreams for the Village Nurse is an enjoyable contemporary romance that aims for the heart. Sparkling with humour, intensity and emotion, New Dreams for the Village Nurse is a wonderful tale about second chances, moving on from the past and making the most out of life that will make you laugh and cry. With characters it is impossible not to care for, tender romance and a beautifully rendered setting, New Dreams for the Village Nurse is another enjoyable page-turner by Tilly Tennant.

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Great to be back in Thimblebury and catch up with all the characters. Ottilie is a great character so you are rooting for her to have a happy ending but thoroughly enjoyed this book and it is definitely a perfect beach read

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Oh my goodness it just keeps getting better! Feel-good, luh, gorgeous and with a twist of an ex appearing on one side and a dishy new Doctor on the other! Can our lovely couple's fledgling relationship endure the outside influences??

Love love love this series and it is a perfect beach read for this summer!

A wonderful audiobook and a lovely listen! 'Feel-good' cozy at its best!

Praise for A Helping Hand for the Village Nurse audiobook;❤️

Katey Sobey has a gentle timbre which is skilled and versatile, adapting to each character and emoting on point

Ottilie Oakcroft is a nurse, a nurse who has just been widowed, her police officer husband receiveing fatal injuries in an unprecendented attack

Ottilie needs to start over, so she ups sticks and moves to a little village in the Lake District.

However, things are not all flowers around the door, and settling in may be easier with some villagers than others, but with terrible flooding and fear of recriminations from her husbands killer, Ottilie is not sure she is safe in Thimblebury, However, in a tight community of colourful characters, things are looking up!

Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture Audio, Tilly Tennant and the narrator Katy Sobey for this wonderful ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

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After her husband's death, Ottilie Oakcroft moved to Thimblebury, embedded herself into village life, and started a romance with Heath, her second chance at love. However, a chance meeting with Heath's ex-wife, Mila, sparks an argument that cracks Ottilie and Heath's relationship. With Heath still living in Manchester, Ottilie busy with patients, and a handsome new physician in town, Heath and Ottilie's relationship is put to the test.

Unlike it's predecessor, New Dreams for the Village Nurse, seems to focus more on Ottilie and Heath. The charming relationships Ottilie built with the community are still present but not in the forefront. The focus on Ottilie and Heath is much more prominent with many of the relationship's problems seeming to come to the surface. Unfortunately, the more pleasant aspects of Ottilie and Heath's relationship are difficult to find amongst all the problems. In my opinion, Heath does not do enough to make the relationship work.

Rating 3/5 ⭐️s - While I loved seeing Ottilie interact with the community and the various relationships that developed on the side, the focus on Heath and Ottilie's relationshp did not give me the same feel-good vibes as A Helping Hand for the Village Nurse. As much as I enjoyed the meddling of Ottilie's friends, I was not a fan of the ending and felt that the ending did not give Ottilie the same strength and resilience we saw in the previous book. On the other hand, I loved seeing Ottilie's continued healing and how she helped Simon, the new physician, begin to heal from his trauma. Still interested to see if there are more adventures for Ottilie and the rest of Thimbleburry. I think I"m not a Heath fan.

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Ottilie Oakcroft, 35, has lived in the lake district village of Thimblebury for a year now. She’s a nurse working for GP Fliss Cheadle. Lavender is their long-time receptionist. As it’s a small practice, Ottilie sees many of the patients that she is allowed to as a nurse.

Ottilie’s husband, Josh, had been murdered some time ago. That was when she lived in Manchester. Now that she has moved to Thimblebury, she is beginning to live again and find happiness. She has made friends with many of the residents of the village and has helped to organize get togethers that especially help the elderly residents. In addition, Ottilie has begun a relationship with Heath who is very good to her.

When Dr. Cheadle’s husband has a heart attack, she realizes that perhaps it might be time to retire so she and her husband can start to do some of the many things that they have always wanted to do. While her husband was in the hospital, Dr. Simon Stokes came from Blackpool to fill in for her. He is well liked which makes Dr. Cheadle feel better about retiring and, hopefully, passing the practice on to Simon.

Ottilie’s relationship with Heath is good until she meets his ex-wife who is a vicious woman. Her attack on them in a restaurant brings out anger in Heath that Ottilie that has never seen before and it concerns her.

This book is about friends that care for and look out for one another. There are some humorous times and some sad ones as well. I enjoyed the story.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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✨My Thoughts✨

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was so happy to get back Thimblebury and see what Ottilie and the villagers are up to now, especially after the ending of the last book. ( you can still read this as a standalone as the author recaps)

Another wonderful story filled with so much hope and love but not without its ups and downs and heartbreaking moments.

Every single character in this delightful village are fascinating, I could read about them all day and never stop.

It was such a heartwarming read with a real insight into the highs and lows of rural village life and the lives of its residents and my favourite is still Flo, she makes me smile so much and reminds me of my great grandmother.

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🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you Bookouture for inviting me to be part of the Books on Tour for “New Dreams for the Village Nurse” by Tilly Tennant. This is the second book in the series. Ottile Oakcroft is a traveling nurse in the town of Thimblebury. She went there in Book one after losing her husband. Ottlie is doing better, she loves her patients and has a new boyfriend. Things get a little bumpy when a new doctor comes to town.
This is a heartwarming story and I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#NewDreamsfortheVillage Nurse #TillyTennant #NetGalley #Bookouture #BooksOnTour #BookLove #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks #BooksSetInASmallTown

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I didn’t think I would need TW / CW for this book, but DNF at 60%.

If I had seen a “death via natural disaster / earthquake (off page)” I might have been better prepared to see it referenced. It also just seemed random, like it was supposed to be some sort of last minute DEI thing?

I kept reading for a bit longer but it really annoys me.

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This was my second visit to Thimblebury this year and it was an absolute delight to be back in the little community catching up with old friends.

You can read the book as a standalone, but I would recommend you read A Helping Hand for the Village Nurse first.

It's set in Thimblebury, another one of those gorgeous sounding 'only exists in a book' places. The characters are all so likeable, I love their passion and community spirit, it's what makes them more real and relatable.

It's a heartwarming story of love, loss, found family and romance.

I absolutely adore this series and can't wait to see where Tennant takes both Ottilie and us next.

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What a wonderful sequel, really enjoyed going back to the village of Thimblebury and catching up with characters from the prvious book and also new ones, thoroughly enjoyed it.

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In this cozy countryside romance novel, readers travel to the Lake District and its beautiful hills, lakes, and stone villages where everyone knows everything about everyone. Ottilie Oakcroft loves Thimblebury and the comfort it provides her in the years after her husband’s death, especially now with her new romance with Heath. Unfortunately, Heath’s ex-wife Mila is glamorous and chaotic, and her reappearance in their lives and in Thimblebury shakes their relationship and sparks the worst argument of their relationship. To make matters worse, the new temporary GP, Simon, at the clinic where Ottilie works brings out Heath’s jealous side. In this slice-of-life country romance novel, readers will have the chance to escape the mundanity of the real world for the idyllic and slow life of the English Lake District. Ottilie, Heath, Simon, Mila, and the host of Thimblebury residents are charming, lively, and complex characters; their relationships are the star of the novel and the focus of Tilly Tennant’s energies. The characters are all unique with their problems and personalities, while the atmosphere of the novel adds to the charm and straightforwardness of the premise of second loves. A fun, light romance novel for the summer, readers of the genre will definitely enjoy the second book in the Village Nurse series and their return to life in Thimblebury.

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Ottilie Oakcroft is so happy she chose to stay in the tiny village of Thimblebury and can’t imagine living anywhere else. When Heath shows her that it’s ok to fall in love again and that she deserves a second chance at being happy. But after meeting Heath’s ex-wife, things begin to feel uneasy. When Ottilie meets Simon, a newcomer to the village of Thimblebury, Heath becomes very jealous. Ottilie see’s a new side of Heath that she didn’t realize he had. But as the romance between Ottilie and Heath continues to blossom and they learn more about each other, Ottilie knows she is right where she is supposed to be.

New Dreams for the Village Nurse, written by author Tilly Tennant is a wonderful and inspiring story. I absolutely loved everything about this book, with the great characters and the beautiful description of the lovely little quaint village of Thimblebury. Tennant whisked me into the story from the very first page to the last. This story is an unputdownable masterpiece that will probably be a reread for me. It hits all the feels. Do not pass up this sweet story and I suggest you start with the first book of this amazing series, because it is just as wonderful as this one. I loved this ten star read and I highly recommend it.

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New Dreams for the Village Nurse is a fabulous sequel. I loved returning to Thimblebury and seeing what is happening with all the villagers. There are some medical emergencies, a handsome new DR is introduced and we discover that Heath & Ottilie are experiencing some issues. There are moments of suspense and there are the heartwarming community gatherings I adored in the first book. I am pleased with the way the book ends and I liked the way it is set up that we could get another book in this series.

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Before reading this book, I highly recommend you reading the first book “A Helping Hand for the Village Nurse” which is really where Ottilie and Heath story began and then this book is the one that follows on from that one.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being back at Wordsworth Cottage in the village of Thimblebury in the Lake District, all sounds so very beautiful and picturesque. And getting to reacquainted with Ottilie, Heath and other repeat characters was lovely, not to mention the excitement of meeting new characters such as Simon the new Doctor.

So there was lots of drama, emotions and going ons within this story, so certainly never a dull moment, plus a few emotional sad moments. I enjoyed it, thought it was well written from start to finish.

So another delightful story from author Tilly, well done.

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Another lovely book from Tilly, set in a great part of the UK, the Lake District. This is a perfect summer read continuing the Village Nurse series.

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New Dreams for the Village Nurse is the second in The Village Nurse series from Tilly Tennant. This can be read as a standalone book but the previous story was so good you’ll want to go back and make sure you read it as well. This new story picks up a year after the last book and Ottillie Oakcroft has settled in very well to the quaint and picturesque village of Thimblebury in the Lake District. Without giving too much away when Ottillie first came to the village she was full of sadness and was contemplating how could she overcome this but now thanks to the events of book one she is happy and content in her new life.

The village and its residents have given her new purpose and she adores her job as the village nurse working in Fliss’s practice. ’She was like the newest member of a vast, ungainly, slightly dysfunctional but ultimately wonderful family’. Her personal life is going progressing nicely with Heath although he hasn’t uttered the words - I love you - yet so that is a concern for her but still she is happy with the way things are meandering along and hopes that those words will come soon. As soon as I started this book, I felt like I as back on familiar territory as it as only back in March that A Helping Hand for the Village Nurse was published so the characters and their various storylines were very much fresh in my mind.

Ottilie is a fabulous character who has been through so much and is slowly starting to come out the other side. Yet, the echoes of the past still rear their ugly heads and until there is some form of concrete closure she won’t truly be able to move on. There was one particular subplot in relation to this throughout the book that I felt was done very well. When it was revealed it explained an awful lot as to why Heath had been acting the way he was for the majority of the story. It could have come across as just being too coincidental but it worked well and it was brilliant to see Ottilie showing some backbone and standing up for herself when push came to shove.

I think we can all find a bit of Ottilie within ourselves in that she is always doing things for others, always on the go and placating people. She puts her own needs on the backburner pretending her needs were less important than others. This makes her a people pleaser. Someone who is safe and reliable. Don’t get me wrong she is brilliant at her job as village nurse. She loves caring for others believing it’s a job that she has been called to do but at some point I questioned as much as this was in her nature surely she needed to step back a little bit and take time for herself and explore her relationship with Heath more. ‘She felt she owed Thimblebury so much that it was only right and fair she did what she could to make it a better place, to make others as being part of the village had made her’. Yes, she may have owed the village and her new found friends so much but that shouldn’t have meant that she shouldn’t have taken time for herself and her relationship with Heath.

I felt in some ways that Heath was absent for a lot of the book. Only making brief appearances every now and then. I wanted more scenes with himself and Ottilie. I know he lived in Manchester but I thought their relationship needed moving on a bit but it all made sense when some unusual things started to happen and again I refer back to past events making themselves known once again. The further the story developed you could see doubts creeping in for Ottilie. There was no way she was going to leave the village that had come to mean so much to her and which had done so much for her healing process. I didn’t blame her sometimes you just have to stand your ground because you knowing staying in that one place is the best thing for you. ’She’d felt as if this small insignificant village in the great lakes of England was lodged in her soul and would be until she died’. Ottilie wonders whether her relationship with Heath is as strong as it could be? Here is where I felt this aspect of the plot needed more development. Ottilie thought a lot about things regarding her relationship with Heath but she never actually came out and really talked to him and when a new character appears this only increases the level of doubt and anguish that she is experiencing. As much as I love her as a character I really wanted to give her a good shake and say go talk to Heath. Find out what’s going on and instead of getting caught up in your head with intrusive thoughts that mightn’t have been true at all.

It was lovely to see previous characters make a reappearance. I love Fliss and her husband Charles and the unusual set up that they have. With Charles falling ill and needing Fliss at home this opened the door for a new doctor to arrive in the village. Simon had a history which slowly revealed itself and it was heart-breaking but he was a character that I wanted to stick around rather than just be a temporary doctor at the practice. I felt there was suggestions of a way his storyline could go that would mean things would be very tough for Ottilie and I was so relieved when this didn’t happen as it wouldn’t have sat right with the overall tone of the book. Simon slotted in well to the overall plot and in turn allowed for Ottilie’s friend Stacey to feature a bit more. Likewise Ann and her son Daryl at Hilltop Farm feature once again and it’s lovely to have these characters present as they offer reassurance and stability in Ottilie’s life when things are going slightly awry.

New Dreams for the Village Nurse was a lovely, gentle, relaxing read. It didn’t have the same impact for me as the first book did although I wouldn’t have missed out on reading this as I love Ottilie and the village of Thimblebury. The drama came just that little bit too late in the last quarter or so of the book and if it had occurred a earlier I felt that extra spark would have been present. The relations between Ottilie and Heath were frustrating here so it made me focus on Simon and others more which I suppose isn’t a bad thing. Overall, it was an enjoyable enough read, perhaps not as engrossing for me as the first but still I will always pay a return visit to Ottilie and co. I hope there may be a Christmas Thimblebury book on the horizon. Fingers crossed.

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Ottilie Oakcraft doesn’t have much to complain about since moving to the gorgeous village of Thimblebury. Ottilie moved there after the death of her beloved husband Josh. She is dating Heath now, and has begun to develop strong feelings for him, but her husband’s fortieth birthday is coming up and Ottilie feels she must honor his life for such a milestone. Heath is more than understandable and offers Ottilie his full support.

Ottilie is a nurse who dearly loves her patients, even visiting those who might have difficulty coming into the office on a regular basis. As I had a major surgery this year and had a few months of visiting nurses and therapists, I really felt connected to Ottilie while reading this story.

What a lovely and sensitive story. Love is gentle and love is kind, and I loved seeing Ottilie on her journey, all while keeping her patients foremost in her mind. There is a strong level of emotion in this story and I was rooting for Ottilie every second while reading this book. I am very much looking forward to continuing this series.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

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The book was really good and I liked the continuation of the story from the previous book. I liked the introduction of Simon and the way he and Ottilie were able to heal through each other’s experiences. As much as I love her friendship with Stacy, I think it really worked for her to have a character she could learn to grow with her grief alongside. I loved seeing Ann and Darryl more and was so happy to see Chloe grow into motherhood. It was also interesting to see the relationship between Fliss and Charles and how it changed throughout the course of the book. Where it fell a little flat for me was the Heath and Ottilie fallout. I understand that a conflict needed to be introduced, but it could have easily stayed as Mila issues and jealousy with Simon. The cousin storyline was a bit of a stretch for me. Also, I grew frustrated with the lack of communication between them and the jumps in time. It felt like a conflict would be left hanging and then it would skip a week forward ans they just skipped over any follow up conversation. With that being said, I really did enjoy this book tremendously.

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