New Beginnings
A New Life In Amsterdam by Helga Jensen is the most delightful novel that I read in just one sitting.
You are never too old to have a new beginning. The fifty-nine-year-old proves that as she moves from a house in England to a houseboat in Amsterdam after the empty nester syndrome kicks in.
Isolated in England, Amsterdam offers a community feel and friendly, feel-good vibes as she is welcomed with open arms by the houseboat community.
In England, loneliness had been temporarily alleviated by becoming a shopaholic. “All these material goods only serve as a temporary comfort blanket. It is loneliness at home that is the problem.” Each shopping high was following by a crashing low.
In contrast, we see the community and care that life in Amsterdam gives. “Kindness, compassion and being helpful are more important than material things.” The lead character finds herself cocooned by the new community.
Characters bond over food and community activities, such as knitting and a book club. All the characters are warm and welcoming. Their love and care reach beyond the book, to envelop the reader.
New beginnings offer new opportunities to step out of ones’ comfort zone and embrace life.
I thoroughly enjoyed A New Life In Amsterdam. It left me feeling warm and loved.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
JULIA WILSON
A New Life in Amsterdam
Could down-sizing her life mean up-sizing her dreams?
Since her daughter grew up and left home, Sandy has found herself filling her house with things – impulse purchases that she just has to have but that quickly lose their sheen. Why would she need an expensive set of copper pans when she has no one to cook for?
Realising that her shopping habit is out of control, she asks herself: can she de-clutter, downsize and start a new life?
She has always wanted to live on a barge, and she reasons that there is no way she would have room for random purchases on a boat. Taking the bravest decision of her life, Sandy buys and refurbishes a barge in the beautiful city of Amsterdam.
Relishing her independence, she is not looking for love, but as the nights draw in and the leaves start to fall from the trees, she finds herself drawn to cafe owner and expert hot chocolate maker Abe.
Is she willing to take a second chance on finding the one?
Purchase Link – https://geni.us/k2IyNBF
Author Bio –
Helga Jensen is an internationally award-winning British/Danish best selling author and journalist. Her debut novel was a winning entry in the 2017 Montegrappa First Fiction competition at Dubai’s Emirates Literary Festival. Her debut was also a contender for the coveted 2021 Joan Hessayon Award for new writers. Helga’s best selling novel, Fly me to Paris, was a finalist for the 2024 Popular Romantic Fiction Award. In 2025, her novel, A Christmas in Prague, was also a finalist for the Popular Romantic Fiction Award.
Helga holds a BA Hons in English Literature and Creative Writing, along with a Creative Writing MA from Bath Spa University. She is currently finishing a Creative Writing PhD.
Social Media Links –
Twitter – @HelgajensenF
Instagram – @Helgajensenauthor
Facebook – @Helgajensenfordeauthor
