With new arrivals comes new responsibilities…

The sun is shining, wild flowers are blooming and Hedgehog Hollow is officially open for business.

For Samantha, the proud owner of this beautiful rescue centre, life has never been busier. But with an influx of new hogs and hoglets to take care of, not to mention a full-time job and ongoing family issues, can she accept the possibility that she has taken on more than she can handle?

Fortunately, she has the love of her life, Josh, by her side for support and encouragement. But Josh has his own family troubles to deal with. And soon he must decide if he’s ready to do the one thing he swore he’d never do – forgive his father.

For both Samantha and Josh it’s a season of change and for figuring out whether the past can ever truly be forgotten.

Escape back to wonderful Hedgehog Hollow with top 10 bestseller Jessica Redland for the perfect uplifting read full of love, hope and forgiveness.

This is the second book in the Hedgehog Hollow series. After reading Finding Love at Hedgehog Hollow, I knew it was my new favourite of Jessica Redland’s books. As much as I love Whitsborough Bay, I warmed to this new setting immediately. I loved the Yorkshire Wolds location, I loved Hedgehog Hollow itself, and I loved the idea of a sanctuary for those injured, sick or abandoned hedgehogs.

I was so pleased when Jessica announced a sequel to that first book, and having finally had the chance to read New Arrivals, I can say it didn’t disappoint in any way. It was lovely to see Sam and Josh established as a couple, and find out how their lives were moving on together after the traumatic time they’d had in the first book. They have such a wonderful relationship, full of love and trust, and it’s a joy to read about them and be back in their company.

Hedgehog Hollow is as beautiful as ever, and I longed to be able to visit it for myself and sit on that bench overlooking Thomas’s wildflower meadow. With lots of cute little hedgehog arrivals at the farm, there’s a lot to keep Sam and Josh busy – and that’s before they even start on the humans in their lives!

This sequel delves more into Josh’s past. We got to know a little about his back story in the first book, but this time, Josh reveals the depths of what he went through with his father, and why he’s vowed never to speak to him again. It’s easy to see why he would walk away from him, after the terrible experience he had, but things are never that black and white, and we learn, as does Josh himself, the other side of the story. People, generally, are neither all good or all bad, and the ties that bind us to our families are strong, however much they may hurt us. For Josh, the pain he suffered, because of the actions of his father, is not easily forgotten, but when something is revealed, it changes everything, and Josh has some big decisions to make.

Sam also has a decision to make, as caring for the hedgehogs is proving more time consuming and exhausting than she expected. And not everyone wants her to succeed…

But Hedgehog Hollow is the sort of place that brings out the best in most people, and a helping hand is never far away. Family, friends, volunteers – soon the farm is overflowing with people keen to save the hedgehogs, and share in the magic of Hedgehog Hollow.

I loved this heart warming book, with a cast of interesting characters, human and hedgehog. Told with the author’s characteristic warmth, the reader can’t help but be drawn into the world of this gorgeous little haven in the Yorkshire Wolds.  I really took to new arrival Fizz, who I think has a great story of her own to tell, and it was great to see Sam and Josh’s relationship developing and deepening, despite the problems they each face. They work as a team, and it’s brilliant to see that.

I’m really looking forward to the next in the series – because the good news is there will be more Hedgehog Hollow books. In fact, book 3, Family Secrets at Hedgehog Hollow is available to pre-order right now!