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Practice Makes Perfect

About The Book

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

About The Author

author's own photo

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

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK (June 29, 2017)
  • Length: 400 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781471153075

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More books in this series: The Larkford Series