Title: LIFE AND OTTER MIRACLES
Author: Hazel Prior
ISBN: 978 1529 1770 39
Publisher: Random House UK Transworld Publishers
Pages: 400
Source: Penguin Random House South Africa / NetGalley
19-year-old Phoebe and her courier father Al have recently moved to Devon, to a small cottage with a river at the end of the garden.
Struggling with her own closely-guarded issues, Phoebe doesn’t go out much these days. Instead, she spends her time playing detective – trying to deduce from her father’s deliveries what kinds of lives her neighbours lead.
When Phoebe finds an abandoned baby otter by the river, it’s just the push she needs to finally step into her new community. Taking the otter to the local sanctuary, she feels a joy that she has not felt in a very long time. But she soon starts to suspect that something is amiss at the local sanctuary – and she will need to put her detective skills to good use if she wants to save the otters.
Official Summary
16 May 2023
Life and Otter Miracles is a light-hearted feel-good read you will quickly lose yourself in. This book is beautifully written and if you are anything like me, you can expect at least one tear to roll down your cheek while reading this one. While I generally reach for Crime and Thriller genres – I have been trying to lighten my reading by adding something a little different from time to time. Hazel Prior is proving to be a brilliant choice for a lighter touch.
The author creates wonderful characters who crawl into your heart as you turn the pages. In this book, Phoebe, an unusual nineteen-year-old, takes you through the story. Where the previous book I read by this author left me falling in love with penguins, this one shares the lives of otters and before long you find yourself wishing you could cuddle one of these little creatures. I cannot get enough of the animals in this author’s books. They are beautifully described, and the author’s love of animals clearly shines through in her writing.
When Phoebe’s dad convinces her to go for a walk in the country surrounding their new home in Devon, she finds a baby otter. Determined to ensure the baby is looked after, Phoebe and her dad takes the otter to a local otter sanctuary. Phoebe quickly bonds with the otter and volunteers to help with raising her. The sanctuary owner, Carol, is certain that this little otter can be released and sets very strong rules around handling the otter. While this is very difficult for Phoebe, she is determined to do what is right for little Coco – no matter how difficult it may be for her. When the sanctuary is threatened – Phoebe embarks on a hunt for the truth and is determined not to allow her capabilities to stand in the way of finding the truth.
This book is a light read, but at the same time, it is full of emotion. There is at least one part to the story that left a tear rolling down my cheek – although I am told I am just super sensitive. I loved this story and enjoyed Phoebe’s nosy nature.
There are some lovely characters in this book. Al is a widower who recently moved to a small town with his daughter. He is grieving the loss of his wife, even if she died a long time ago. Al loves his daughter and indulges her whims even when he knows he shouldn’t. Phoebe is just lovely. She is in pain which she tries to hide from everyone around her – even her dad. She does not want to be a burden to him with her problems, he has enough to worry about. The eccentric Christina adds a wonderful lighter touch to the story and she manages to make you smile as you flip the pages. While you think these characters are wonderful – Coco the otter sneaks into your heart and you find yourself falling in love with her right along with Phoebe. The author does a wonderful job describing this little creature and her antics – leaving you feeling as if you were part of her life.
No doubt this is a brilliant story which I am more than happy to add to my loved list for 2023. This is such a heartwarming story. The perfect break from all the thrillers I spend my time with.
If you are looking for a feel-good story, with unique characters and loads of emotion as well as some adorable little creatures, then you simply must add this title to your TBR. It’s a wonderful read you do not want to miss out on.
Also by Hazel Prior
Away with the Penguins
Veronica McCreedy is about to have the journey of a lifetime . . .
Veronica McCreedy lives in a mansion by the sea. She loves a nice cup of Darjeeling tea whilst watching a good wildlife documentary. And she’s never seen without her ruby-red lipstick.
Although these days Veronica is rarely seen by anyone because, at 85, her days are spent mostly at home, alone.
She can be found either collecting litter from the beach (‘people who litter the countryside should be shot’), trying to locate her glasses (‘someone must have moved them’) or shouting
instructions to her assistant, Eileen (‘Eileen, door!’).
Veronica doesn’t have family or friends nearby. Not that she knows about, anyway . . . And she has no idea where she’s going to leave her considerable wealth when she dies.
But today . . . today Veronica is going to make a decision that will change all of this.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Hazel Prior is the author of ELLIE AND THE HARP MAKER and Richard & Judy Book Club number one bestseller AWAY WITH THE PENGUINS (UK title)/HOW THE PENGUINS SAVED VERONICA (US title). Her third book, CALL OF THE PENGUINS, will be out in the UK this November and is available to pre-order. Hazel is also a freelance harpist. She lives in Exmoor, in England, with her husband and a huge, ginger cat.
Thank you to Penguin Random House South Africa for this NetGalley review copy. I love adding something a little lighter into my usual TBR mix and Hazel Prior’s work is a brilliant choice. This is my second book by this author, Sadly I have a copy of Call of The Penguins sitting on my TBR shelf which I have not yet read. I will do my best to get to that one soon. Have you read Hazel Prior’s books? Which is your favourite? Leave a comment below.
