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Tuesday 30 May 2017

Under the Cherry Tree - Lilac Mills


“My dog didn't like men. Actually that was a lie – she didn't like the men I chose. The only ones who rocked her world had been my father (who was no longer with us), Ross (who was gay), and the butcher on the high street (for obvious reasons).”

When Jenni Meadows has the opportunity to expand her dog-grooming business she takes it, and when a nice man appears on her horizon but fails to make any sparks fly, she decides she has enough on her plate with her business without adding a boyfriend into the mix.
Besides, Millie doesn’t like him and when her dog doesn’t like a man, Jenni knows all about it. So why does Millie take a very strange liking to the new vet, especially since he has a taciturn expression, wears a wedding ring, and wields a needle?
Under the Cherry Tree is a tale of love and hope, waggy tails, and cold noses.

What did I think?


Oh my word, I am in bits after reading this FABULOUS book.  I thought I was settling down to a bit of no-brainer chick-lit so I didn't expect my heart to be ripped out by this tear-jerking read.  I do admit to crying at a few books but I was absolutely sobbing whilst reading this, it had so completely captured my heart and the characters were as real to me as if they were standing right in front of me, or nudging my ankle in Millie's case.  I think Lilac Mills has invented a new genre.  Forget chick-lit, this is pup-lit as Millie the westie completely steals the show and you can be forgiven for forgetting that unlucky-in-love Jenni Meadows is the main character.

Jenni runs a dog-grooming parlour and with running a business she doesn't have a lot of time for a love life.  Even if she did, every man who comes into contact with her gets a disapproving glare or sometimes growl from Jenni's best friend, Millie, the west highland terrier. When Jenni goes to view a property in the hilariously named village of Cow's Bottom she has no intention of buying it, but she falls in love at first sight with the cottage.  Then like buses, 3 men come along at once: Sparkless Mark who's nice enough but doesn't give Jenni butterflies in her tummy, Nasty Neil the architect who has designs on Jenni as well as her cottage, and village vet Scott who's perfect apart from the ring on the third finger of his left hand.  What's even worse for Jenni is that the only one Millie approves of is Scott.  Does Millie know something that Jenni doesn't?

What a fabulous book!  I knew from just reading the description that I was going to fall in love with Millie and I wasn't wrong.  Lilac Mills has created the most adorable fictional canine character that I have ever come across.  Millie has more characteristics than most humans making her a larger than life character and one that I will never forget.  I heartily recommend this book even if chick-lit is not your usual genre as Under the Cherry Tree is both heart-warming and heart-breaking.  Despite my tears, and to quote Mary Poppins, Under the Cherry Tree is practically perfect in every way.  Don't miss this one!

My rating:




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