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Penny Parkes
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Practice Makes Perfect (The Larkford Series Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Penny Parkes (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 1,267 ratings
THE HILARIOUS AND HEARTFELT NEW NOVEL FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF OUT OF PRACTICE!
‘If dishy doctors, cute dogs, hilarious OAPs and idyllic country settings are your thing, you’re in for a treat with this second novel set at a GP practice in the village of Larkford. Funny, moving, romantic and full of characters you’ll love – it’s perfect in every way’ Heat

The Practice at Larkford has suddenly been thrust under the spotlight – and its nomination as a ‘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 she is worried that the team is prioritising plaudits over patients, and her favourite resident, the irreverent and entertaining Elsie, is facing a difficult diagnosis. Add to that the chaos of family life and the strain is starting to show.

Dr Dishy Dan Carter’s obsession with work is masking unhappiness elsewhere – he can’t persuade 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. Can they pull together and become the Dream Team that the NHS obviously thinks they are?

Out of Practice won the Romantic Comedy of the Year category of the RNA Awards.

'This book has everything: warmth, humour, drama, laughter and a few tears. I wolfed it down' MILLY JOHNSON

'Perfect book for all. This book is simply wonderful and I read it in one sitting. With wonderful characters, a great story line and lots of laughs, I certainly will be recommending this to all my book friends' Netgalley reviewer

Praise for Penny Parkes:
'A wonderful setting, characters you care about, a page-turning plot,laugh-out-loud funny. I loved it’ KATIE FFORDE
‘A pure delight from start to finish’ JULIE COHEN
‘Delightfully warm’ JO THOMAS
‘This book was an absolute joy to read from beginning to end. It was so easy to start reading and lose complete track of time. A fantastic debut novel that leaves you wanting more from the Larkford bunch’ rachalesreads
 ‘This was a terrific debut … I will definitely look forward to more books from this author’ Rea’s Book Reviews
 ‘A great debut novel and a truly delightful read, both laugh-out-loud funny and very touching. A warm and uplifting story of village life, full of lively characters and more than a splash of romance, this is a great book to curl up with on a quiet afternoon - a real page-turner!’ Curious Ginger Cat
 ‘A promising debut novel …  I would love to see a return to Larkford, and The Practice, as the author definitely knows her medical writing’ Rachel’s Random Reads
 ‘I was blown away by the captivating storyline of Out of Practice as well as the fabulous and well-rounded characters … I will be eagerly awaiting another book by this wonderfully skilled author. I highly recommend Out of Practice for anyone who after a book with a few twists and turns, a story that sizzles with emotion, passion and driving need to love and be loved. A remarkable debut’ Sparkly Word
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  1. Book 2 of 4
    The Larkford
  2. Print length
    450 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Simon & Schuster UK
  5. Accessibility
    Learn more
  6. Publication date
    29 Jun. 2017
  7. File size
    3.1 MB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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 See full series
There are 4 books in this series.

Product description

About the Author

Penny Parkes lives in the Cotswolds. She has appeared at literary festivals around the country and has written for The Telegraph as well as extensively in her local media. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram as @CotswoldPenny

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01M1BQHV2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster UK
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 29 Jun. 2017
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Paperback Original
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.1 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 450 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1471153075
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 2 of 4 ‏ : ‎ The Larkford
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 1,267 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Penny Parkes

Penny Parkes

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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 shoots for film, television and advertising – thereby ensuring that she was never short of travel opportunities, freelance writing projects or entertaining anecdotes.

Penny now lives in the Cotswolds with her husband, two children and a geriatric spaniel. She will often be found plotting epic train journeys through the Alps, baking gluten-free goodies or attempting to prove that you can, in fact, teach an old dog new tricks.

Twitter: @CotswoldPenny

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,267 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a light-hearted summer read with wonderfully complex characters and a heartwarming, romantic narrative. The book receives positive feedback for its village life setting, with one customer describing it as an endearing place. However, customers disagree on the story's pacing, with several finding it slow.

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83 customers mention ‘Readability’83 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as an excellent light-hearted summer read.

"...Each character truly matters to the storyline and along with wonderful narration, this is one book I highly recommend as the perfect book to pass a..." Read more

"...An absolutely fantastic book and highly recommended. You don't need to have read the first book, Out of Practice but it does help to set the scene...." Read more

"...could become so integrated in the family that quickly but it is light reading after all, especially at the moment when we are having to stay at home..." Read more

"I enjoyed the next chapter in this series. It was good to see how Taffy, Holly and the boys transitioned into a family...." Read more

18 customers mention ‘Character development’18 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them wonderfully complex, with one customer mentioning a delightful reunion with the Larkford characters.

"...Each character truly matters to the storyline and along with wonderful narration, this is one book I highly recommend as the perfect book to pass a..." Read more

"Such well crafted characters and some poignant observations about life. I eagerly await the next instalment of the Larkford series." Read more

"...It is always a pleasure to see characters develop and what happens next it answered some questions and raised others...." Read more

"Second in the series which I also read. Some great characters with whom it's hard not to engage and Larkford is an endearing place but it did get a..." Read more

13 customers mention ‘Heartwarming’13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartwarming and romantic, with one customer describing it as an emotional whirlwind of ups and downs, while another mentions it resonates with the life of any mother.

"Such well crafted characters and some poignant observations about life. I eagerly await the next instalment of the Larkford series." Read more

"...It made me smile often and laugh at the antics the doctors and Elsie got up to. Thank You." Read more

"...However the first book is very funny, down to earth, and resonates with the life of any mum...." Read more

"...Lovely, easy going book which was uplifting at a time when I couldn’t see my own family. Love Penny’s work, beautifully written and such a joy" Read more

4 customers mention ‘Lore’4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the lore of the book, with one customer describing it as a wonderful visit to Larkford, while another appreciates the lovely sense of village life.

"...In the end I really loved this return to Larkford, despite my slow start with it. I've already pre-ordered the third in the series due next year." Read more

"...great characters with whom it's hard not to engage and Larkford is an endearing place but it did get a bit predictable and felt it was being spun..." Read more

"I love this series likeable characters and lovely sense of village life thoroughly enjoyable read For fans of peak practice the tv show" Read more

"another wonderful visit to Larkford..." Read more

14 customers mention ‘Story length’8 positive6 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the story length of the book, with some finding it a wonderful work of fiction while others describe it as boring.

"...Penny Parkes and narrated by Anna Bentinck was for me a wonderful work of modern-day fiction through the lives of Holly and her fellow doctors we..." Read more

"...hard not to engage and Larkford is an endearing place but it did get a bit predictable and felt it was being spun out towards the end just to fill..." Read more

"...There are several new additions which really add to the plot, not least of which Alice (the new GP) and her assistance dog Coco and the mother of..." Read more

"Fine at the start but went on too long and plot end revealed too soon. So in the end glad it was over" Read more

4 customers mention ‘Pacing’0 positive4 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book slow.

"...Both women are flawed, quite seriously flawed in all honesty and whilst I don't mind this it did all become a bit unrelentingly grim at times...." Read more

"Very slow story generally Not a prefect book in my opinion" Read more

"Sorry, but so slow, repetitive and boring" Read more

"Enjoyable but a bit slow...." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Petra 🤗📚📓🖋📮
    5.0 out of 5 stars another wonderful visit to Larkford
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 July 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Practice Makes Perfect written by Penny Parkes and narrated by Anna Bentinck was for me a wonderful work of modern-day fiction through the lives of Holly and her fellow doctors we not only see inside the lives of the doctors but also the lives of their wonderful patients who usually grow to be regarded friends.
    In this book, we see not only Holly dealing with the end of her marriage but also her learning that not all men will treat her in any way like Milo but also her work life is changing in more ways than she could have ever imagined.
    I loved this book as much as I loved the first book of the series and I highly recommend you read the full series of this wonderful work of fiction. Each character truly matters to the storyline and along with wonderful narration, this is one book I highly recommend as the perfect book to pass a rainy afternoon.
    I promise you will be smiling at the end ready for the next book in this fantastic series.
    Happy to recommend.
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect or almost
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 May 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Loved this the second tale in this story of a GP’s practise - how I wish mine was like this . on to number 3
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  • Nikkib
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous book...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 August 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I could not put this book down. I had read the first book in this series, about a GP Practice in Larkford, run by 4 GP's Holly, Taffy, Dan & Julia, together with their administrator Gracie and their wonderful team of nursing staff.

    Holly has Twins, Ben and Tom from her marriage to Milo, which unfortunately failed. She's fallen in love with Taffy and between them they look after the twins, and have a 'dog share' called Eric, with Holly's best friend Lizzie (Dan's Cousin). Dan lives with Julia. Then there is Elsie, an octegenerian film star who became Holly's mentor and friend in the first book.

    Lots of happenings in this book kept me glued to the pages, I just could not put it down.

    There's the offer by the local PCT coming on the back of their success at running a GP Surgery with no hierarchy; the constant filming of Julia by Quentin following the everyday goings on in the practice; why has Elsie come home from her cruise early?; trouble with the twins at pre-school abd meeting Taffy's family.

    We find out what's going on in Larkford, but it's not just about that. It's about social media, how it intrudes in everyone's life. It's about what goes on behind closed doors, you think everything is OK, when in fact it's not.

    This book made me think alot about life, how modern day impacts on our lives and often not in a good way. Do we give ourselves time for ourselves and the people we love?

    An absolutely fantastic book and highly recommended. You don't need to have read the first book, Out of Practice but it does help to set the scene. Each character, scene and storyline is well written and thought out.

    I really hope there is at least another book in the series, to tie up the loose ends. ..
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Barb Dee
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Lovely Read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 March 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I have to confess, I have not read book 1 and I have read a later book, but it didn't matter too much. There are short explanations about what happened in book 1 so I wasn't completely in the dark and I was soon engrossed in the happenings of the doctors and medical staff in Larkford. I absolutely loved reading about Holly, Taffy and the twins. Possibly a little unrealistic to think Taffy could become so integrated in the family that quickly but it is light reading after all, especially at the moment when we are having to stay at home, it's just what I needed. I have book 3 waiting to be read and I can't wait.
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  • pipKA
    5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful reunion with the characters of Larkford
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 July 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I was eagerly anticipating a return to Larkford, the Cotswold village where the action in this series of books takes place, following the first novel in the series, Out of Practice, which I thoroughly enjoyed last year. This book catches up with Holly, who has left her failing marriage behind, found new love with fellow GP and is working as a partner in the medical practice she joined in the first book. We're reunited with the many Larkford characters, from Holly's lovely twin boys through Elsie, Lizzie, the Major and many others.
    This book was a little slow starting for me. I don't know if it's because I was looking forward to it so much but I found it difficult to become engrossed in it. After around a third of the story I found that I was captivated once more by Larkford and it's inhabitants though. There are several new additions which really add to the plot, not least of which Alice (the new GP) and her assistance dog Coco and the mother of Holly's fellow GP, Julia, who makes that character much more human than the spotless ice queen found in the first book.
    I'd really recommend reading the first book, and the free novella 'Swept Away' prior to reading Practice Makes Perfect, if you can. It really explains why many of the characters act in the way they do in this book and will give the enjoyment of this one greater depth.
    In the end I really loved this return to Larkford, despite my slow start with it. I've already pre-ordered the third in the series due next year.
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • JAG
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interessant et Captivant
    Reviewed in France on 10 April 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Bon livre, qui donne envie d'aller au bout de l'histoire. Bien écrit, facile à lire en VO
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  • Martina Müller
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sehr schöne Bücher
    Reviewed in Germany on 21 February 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Bin jetzt beim 3.Teil und schon jetzt traurig, dass es keinen weiteren Teil gibt 🤗
    Report

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