One Hot Country Summer

This is the fifth novel in a series about a veterinary practice in Barleybridge, England, that started off strong. However this edition has continued the general downward turn in the books about life and work in the village. In this volume, Kate, the veterinary student who started with the practice as a receptionist but has since gone back to school, returns to the practice to get some experience. In so doing she must interact with her old flame, Scott, once more. The spark between Scott and Kate is what made the first book in this series so engaging, but since then Scott has had a child and gotten married, although this relationship is strained even before Kate comes back onto the scene. On a side note a new vet, Virginia, is universally unpopular and making difficulties at the practice.

This whole book seems to be built on a foundation of straw - a good portion of the book just before this in the series is devoted to how the practice cannot afford to keep their current staff and add Scott full time, then this volume has Scott working full time, plus adding perhaps the least likable character ever in the vet Virginia. And not in a love-to-hate her way, just a blah way. Additionally, the love triangle between Kate, Scott, and his wife just give you no one whatsoever to root for.

The sad things about this book is it seems to have an air of completion, when I finished the fourth book in the series it was almost like you knew there would be another to follow - unless that was just because it was sat waiting to be read. Rebecca Shaw did well to introduce the character of Virginia and bring her up to speed with the rest. I really hope there is a new book, perhaps after a time gap when Kate has completed her studies and come back to Barleybridge, maybe ther has been a tragedy to change one of the happy couplings - not Scott and Zoe too obvious... ( )