There is something about a cottage, a wedding, and a whole bunch of animals that practically begs me to pick up a book. Perfect Moments at Duck Pond Cottage was my first Della Galton read, and with two best friends planning to share their wedding day, I knew there were plenty of opportunities for things to go wonderfully, hilariously wrong.
Perfect Moments at Duck Pond Cottage by Della Galton
Series: Duck Pond Cottage #3
Genres: Contemporary Fiction

When two best friends decide to share their wedding day, what could possibly go wrong?

Jade is over the moon to be tying the knot alongside her best friend, Sarah, at the stunning Bluebell Cliff Hotel in Dorset—a venue where no detail is too small and no expense is spared in the pursuit of perfection.

But as the big day draws closer, so do the complications.

A long-lost relative, a troublesome brother, and some wildly unexpected animal antics all threaten to derail the brides’ dream celebrations.

With emotions running high and chaos around every corner, their perfect day begins to unravel.

Can love and friendship hold everything together when it matters most?

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I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This was my first book by Della Galton, and I quickly discovered that Duck Pond Cottage is the kind of place where there is always something going on. Between wedding plans, family complications, animals needing homes, and a few surprises nobody saw coming, Jade and Sarah certainly aren’t getting a quiet lead-up to their big day.

Jade and Sarah’s friendship was probably my favorite part of the book. They’re planning a double wedding with Finn and Callum, and I loved that the friendship between the women remained such an important part of the story. They support each other through the excitement as well as the moments when everything seems determined to go sideways.

Then there is Jade’s animal rescue sanctuary, which immediately made me like her. She takes in all sorts of animals, so you never quite know what is going to appear next. The animals added some of the funniest moments, especially the parrots with their rather questionable vocabulary. I don’t know that I would want them anywhere near my wedding guests, but I certainly enjoyed reading about them.

There is quite a lot happening outside of the wedding too. Jade, Sarah, and Finn all have complicated family histories, and some of those relationships come back into their lives in unexpected ways. I appreciated that those storylines weren’t magically fixed just because everyone was preparing for a happy occasion. Family can be messy even when you love each other, and that came through in the story.

With so many characters and storylines, there were times when I felt like the book had a lot competing for my attention. Lost pets, rescues, family secrets, wedding planning, a temperamental chef, and everything happening at the sanctuary can make for a busy story. Still, I never had trouble following what was happening or remembering who everyone was.

The Bluebell Cliff Hotel made a lovely setting for the wedding festivities, and the contrast between that beautiful backdrop and all the little disasters surrounding the couples gave the book much of its humor. Every time it looked like things might settle down, someone or something seemed ready to cause another problem.

This turned out to be exactly the sort of book I’d want for a summer afternoon when I’m looking for something light without wanting the characters to feel empty. I may have come for Duck Pond Cottage, but those foul-mouthed parrots nearly stole the whole book.