About the author (as seen in the book)

Penny Parkes survived a Convent education largely thanks to a ready supply of inappropriate novels and her passion for writing and languages.

She studied International Management in Bath and Germany, before gaining experience with the BBC. She then set up an independent Film Location Agency and spent many happy years organising shoot’s for film, television and advertising- thereby ensuring that she was never short of travel opportunities, freelance writing projects or entertaining anecdotes.

Penny, now lives on the Cotswolds with her husband, two children and an excitable puppy with a fondness for post-its. She will often be found plotting epic train journeys through the Alps, baking gluten- free goodies or attempting to reach an excusive stat of organisation.

Her novel Out of Practice, the first book in the Larkford series, won the RNA Romantic Comedy of the year Awards in 2017.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennyParkesWrites

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/CotswoldPenny

Publication date: 29th June 2017

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

https://www.simonandshuster.co.uk

ISBN: Paperback 978-1-4711-5306-8

ebook 978-1-4711-5307-5

Audio 978-1-4711-6608-2

Pages: 576 pages

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Format reading: Paperback

Copy provided by: My own

Blurb (as seen on the back cover)

Welcome to the surgery at Larkford, a hotbed of rivalry and romance- and that’s just the doctors.

The Practice has suddenly been thrust under the spotlight its nomination as an ‘ NHS Model Surgery’ is causing the team major headaches. Dr Holly Graham should be basking in the glow of her new romance with fellow doctor, Taffy- but her favourite resident, the irreverent and entertaining Elsie , is facing a difficult diagnosis.

Dr Dan Carter’s obsession with work is making unhappiness elsewhere he can’t persuade his girlfriend Julia to settle down. It’s only as Julia’s mother comes to stay that he realizes what she has been hiding for so long. Alice Walker joins the team like a breath of fresh air and her assistance dog Coco quickly wins everyone round which is just as well, because Coco and Alice will soon need some help of their own.

My Review

This is a lovely illustrated front cover. It looks like it’s been sketched and then painted giving a great effect. The village surrounds a lady doctor as she goes about her business. It look’s like a lovely village!

Penny Parkes is a new author to me and as you know I do like to discover a new author to add to my ever-growing list of authors to look out for!

This is a story where we meet Holly, Taffy, Dan and Julia who are all doctors and are partners at The Practice in the Larkford village.

Holly has a busy life and finds her self on the go all the time. What with having twins to contend with, a relationship with Taffy to keep on track, and help to keep the surgery running smoothly, she is one busy lady! Will Holly be able to keep juggling her balls without dropping them?

Dan and Julia are also in a relationship. Dan wants to settle down but with Julia not so sure as having a TV crew following her round the surgery while she’s working might lead her anywhere. The TV Crew came to the surgery to help the campaign that saved the closure of The Practice.

The Practice need’s an extra pair of hands to help with all the extra work, reliving some of the pressure from the practice doctor’s. Alice Walker is the tonic they all need and brings with her, her assistance dog Coco; which causes some controversy amounts the patients of the practice. But Coco with prove herself making a shocking discovery!

All the doctor’s go above and beyond for all their patients, and the surgery. (which I guess is the case with most doctors in the NHS)

I did enjoy Practice makes Perfect, I got a view on how surgery’s are run and the amazing work they do everyday. I also felt I learnt about medical conditions, I knew nothing about and how they are treated. This story is not without it drama and is packed full of it. The only thing I will say is I wish I had read the first book (Out of Practice) first as there was points in the story where I got a wee bit lost. However it has been written well with a verity of characters; which were interesting to read.

My rating only reflects the fact I didn’t always follow the story due to not reading the first book.

                                                Marie’s Book Boutique gives

                                      Practice makes Perfect by Penny Parkes

                                                            3 sparkly stars