Family, secrets, regrets, love, hedgehogs. 

 I was provided with access to a free copy of Family Secrets at Hedgehog Hollow by Jessica Redland ahead of the blog tour. 

 

Oh Hedgehog Hollow, how I've grown to love you. The first book in the series was a five star read for me, and it's only got better. So err... Read it. Get it and read it. Get the whole series and prepare to lose your heart to a hedgehog sanctuary, Hedgehog Hollow is a place you will want to visit again and again.

The first book focuses on Samantha, the second book adds Josh, and in the third book we have Chloe joining the narrating characters. I thought that the addition of a narrator with each book was very clever and it rounded out the characters so well. Each has their own distinct voice and it adds another slant to every event. The emotions are heightened, the reader knows secrets before the characters, and it leads to the most delicious building on tension and anticipation.

Samantha has had it rough - so much has happened to her in such a short time, and she is really feeling it. I thought the exploration of the mental impact of her trauma was excellently done and it was very sympathetic in how it was dealt with.

I liked seeing Josh grow and mature. His family issues he has to deal with are pretty extreme, there is so much going on, and he has such a right to be angry. It was amazing to see him be willing to listen and set that anger aside.

Chloe was a big surprise. I wasn't expecting any of the story to be told from her perspective, but so much makes sense now about her. I understand her motivations. I couldn't put this book down as I wanted to know exactly what secrets Chloe had lurking in her past. And I wasn't prepared. Chloe changes so much between the first and last pages of the book and I loved to see it.

This book did at times have a bit of a domestic-thriller feel, especially for Chloe's narration as more of her story was revealed. My heart broke for her, and although I had resented her somewhat in previous books I really empathised with what she's been through. She has her reasons for being the way she is.

The settings of Hedgehog Hollow, the Yorkshire Wolds, and the seaside village of Whitsborough Bay and not only stunning and vividly detailed, but they are almost characters in themselves. The places have personality, they come alive, and I feel like I've been on a bit of an adventure. I feel like I've been there. But oh, what I'd give to sit on the bench and stare out at the meadow.

Hedgehog Hollow really has it all - drama, secrets, messy families and hidden pasts. It breaks your heart and then puts it together piece by piece, sticking everything together with hope and kindness. I have cried and laughed and cried again.

The ending was... Well, not quite what I wanted but in a really good way. But can book four hurry up please?

This book can be read as a standalone - there is an excellent recap at the beginning that gives you the gist of what's happened and the story stands well on its own. But by doing that you will miss out on the most incredible story arc: Hedgehog Hollow is a very special series, and one I hope I can read more of in future. It's one I'll definitely revisit too as the characters have worked their way into my heart.