5 stars from me

Absolutely brilliant I couldn't stop listening, very well written & narrated & can't wait to listen to book no.3

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Another five star memoir

I very much enjoyed hearing more of Nick and Lesley’s adventures in their new home in Ireland.
There was so much work to be done, both in and around the house, yet they managed to have a rich and varied life in amongst it all, despite some major personal challenges.
Nick’s vivid and colourful descriptions drew me into his world so that I felt his pain, which moved me to tears, and laughed out loud at the funniest of moments.
They were in a steep learning curve but their love for the culture and people of Ireland comes through, despite the inevitable frustrations.
Another five star memoir, in my opinion.

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Easy listening for dog walks!

I enjoyed book 1 about the house hunt, but I loved this book of settling in to the new life (which was what I expected in book 1). Brilliant narrator.

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Another masterpiece

A hilarious laugh out loud memoir and beautiful catch with this awesome and inspirational couple and their growing menagerie. thank goodness there's a sequel

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1 person found this helpful

My first experience with an audiobook

This title came my way as a present and it was my first experience with an audiobook. A refreshing change to listening to music on my daily walks since the pandemic deprived me of a daily swim.
I was wary before I started and really thought I would not enjoy listening to an audiobook as I am one of these people who read and absorb at the speed of lightning. In spite of my initial reticence, I must admit Nick's well-written book and Andy's excellent narration made for great listening. Andy's voice is very engaging, the voice changes for each character are spot on and the pace was just right. If other readers haven't tried an audiobook yet, I can definitely recommend Andy's narration of The Fresh Eggs and Dog Beds series. For those who are already fans of audiobooks, then here is another one to enjoy.
Thanks to Nick and Andy for such an enjoyable listen.

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Great light read

Having read book 1 thought I would follow on with the real life story with book 2 and have book 3 ready. Nice read of real life, realistic and funny at times. Narrated well

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2 people found this helpful

"The mouse that will never come."

Reading this book it is easy to be overtaken by feelings of jealously, despite the trials and tribulations of restoring an old, mouldering heap of an excessively large and higgledy piggeldy cottage replete with wood worm, draughts and damp. Following on from Fresh Eggs and Dog Beds, 1, in which Nick and Lesley Albert decided to leave the stress of their English lifes for a new start in Ireland, their search for a remote cottage to renovate and the first steps to get established, Book 2 follows the couple over the next two years. As well as the delights of the digger, the modified American mower, pop-up police road checks and pushing down walls, there are the Irish variations of rain, birdlife, bats, rats (but no cats), and plenty of dog action to keep the reader smiling. And there is the beauty of Ireland and the Irish.

This ongoing story of the relocation of the Alberts is a real joy. Well performed by the enigmatic Andy Stevenson, it is easy to be right there with the couple in both their pleasure and pain. My thanks to the rights holder of Fresh Eggs and Dog Beds,2, who, at my request freely gifted me with a complimentary copy via Audiobook Boom. Recommended to anyone who loves life, adventure and the discovery of the new. And dogs.

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A dream

I absolutely loved this book and I am very jealous of them. I know it was a leap of faith, but how brave of them both.

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Sharing of a dream with an innate sense of humour.

Living the country dream in Ireland was how we left Nick and Lesley at the end of book 1. Book 2 details what life is like and the ups and downs of renovation. The honesty and humour are the unique selling point of this series. It's not just the good bits it's the bad bits too. There are many poignant events in this memoir that make the listener empathise.

For anyone who's ever renovated their home, you'll be agreeing with Nick's observations and chuckling at the mistakes and the near disasters. Add in the peculiarities of an unfamiliar country and its a recipe for misunderstandings and subsequent laughter.

The animals are still front and centre in Nick's life, and there are many anecdotes some hilarious, some sad in this story. What shines through is the sharing of a dream, the courage and the innate sense of humour of the storyteller and his wife.

I'm looking forward to reading the next instalment. The narration is first-class brings the characters to life.

I received an audiobook from the author in return for an honest review.

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Fresh Eggs and Dog Beds 2

I have really enjoyed this sequel to Fresh Eggs and Dog beds 1. Nick writes with such expression of human and dog feeling and emotions! He also has a good sense of humour, accompanied with Andy's wonderful character voice over, the book has made good listening. I almost feel I'm there, as I said before.

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