Tag Archive | Boldwood Books

The Vintage Village Bake Off by Judy Leigh

For The Love Of Baking

The Vintage Village Bake Off by Judy Leigh is the most charming contemporary novel that will warm your heart and make you smile.

The lead characters are three siblings in their seventies. They have a lifetime of experience behind them but prove that you are never too old for a fresh start or a new direction. The future is theirs to grab with both hands. “Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.”

We witness a character brow beaten by forty nine years of marriage to a bully who exerted control, squashing the very life out of her. She believes everything he spoke over her – that she is a worthless fuddy duddy in boring clothes. It is beautiful to witness her transformation from black and white to glorious technicolour.

Another character has always been a colourful butterfly but beneath her exterior lies heartache and pain. Her choices to flit about lead to regrets. Is it too late for a do-over?

And the third sibling has had a sensible career as a teacher and then headteacher. Retirement is a time to shine as a new hobby is picked up. Baking is a very popular choice.

I loved the names of the animals owned by a character – Isaac Mewton was a cat. The other names were equally witty and well thought out.

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The Library Girls Of The East End by Patricia McBride

The Heart Of The Community

 The Library Girls Of The East End by Patricia McBride is the start of a fabulous new historical series set during World War II.

Everyone does their bit for the war effort. The library has a new female boss to join the other two female workers. It is a new era with fresh ideas. The library becomes the heart of the community. No longer a dusty space, it is light and bright, serving the locals with books, health and a safe space during air raids.

All three women have lives that can be challenging. We see a wayward brother, a victim of a vicious attack and rape from years ago and a poison-tongued grandmother. Each women tries to leave their troubles at home until they feel comfortable sharing about their lives.

We see how the tongue can wound. “Her mother’s harsh voice was always whispering in her ear that she was useless, ugly, unlovable.” The tongue-lashing came to a mother when she was young, and is now being directed towards her daughter until enough is enough.

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The Last List Of Mabel Beaumont by Laura Pearson

Beautiful

The Last List Of Mabel Beaumont by Laura Pearson is the most beautiful contemporary novel that I just could not put down.

It was about love, life and friendship. Following the death of her husband of sixty two years, Mabel Beaumont is lonely but her life is about to open up in so many ways.

This is a book that celebrates friendship as four women, of various ages, enter Mable Beaumont’s life due to extraordinary circumstances. All have secrets. All are grieving something. All support each other.

We hear of lost loves, forbidden loves and family breakdowns. There are regrets. There are tears. There are chances to start again. Mabel Beaumont proves you are never too old to have a fresh start.

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The Old Ducks’ Hen Do by Maddie Please

Really Fun

The Old Ducks’ Hen Do by Maddie Please is a really fun contemporary novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The characters are all in their sixties showing that life is for living. “Life is what you make it.” You are never too old to have a fresh start or to have fun.

Ten days in Mallorca for a hen do really invigorate the characters. Their villa is next door to a male group of twitchers, all over sixty. Together they have fun and characters who have been dormant for years, begin to blossom.

A chance meeting with an old sweetheart, sets a heart a flutter, as the years just peel away. Like a vintage wine, age has improved both of them.

All the characters are delightfully drawn. They know how to have fun. This light-filled atmosphere illuminates’ lives. Easy banter volleys backwards and forwards between the characters. It is also highly amusing.

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