About the Book:
The peaceful village of Willowbrook seems to be the ideal place for a new lease of life – at least according to Nell’s husband, Barney. With an empty nest and coming towards retirement, he’s persuaded her to try country living. Their cottage even has an annex that’s perfect for Barney’s widowed father, Frank.
Nell is less sure about this fresh start… and it’s not long before cracks in her thirty-year marriage begin to appear. Instead of spending more time together, she and Barney seem to be drifting apart. Frank, too, is unsettled.
A weekly community group exploring the secret of happiness provides a way for Nell and her father-in-law to navigate their new surroundings. Nell finds some friends, and Frank is quickly taken in hand by the neighborhood matriarchs – the self-styled ‘Saga Louts’!
But will questioning what makes her happy push Nell even further away from Barney, especially when she discovers the secrets her husband has been keeping? Or can opening up to others help old wounds heal and bring them back together once more? What really is the secret to happiness?
My Review:
This is an entertaining novel for older readers. When a couple moves, new opportunities present themselves and new relationships are made. I was a bit nervous as these new opportunities seemed to draw the couple away from each other. There are a number of support characters who help flesh out the couple's transition and resulting activities. Some, like the “Saga Louts” are quite the characters.
Anderson does a good job of exploring the changes that come with life for older people and what might result. Friendships are made and the importance of events in life leading to happiness are explored. Readers have opportunities to think about their own lives and what really makes for happiness. It is not a page turner. The action is slow and steady but it is a heartwarming novel in the end.
My rating: 4/5 stars.
About the Author:
Celia Anderson enjoys writing contemporary fiction featuring older protagonists, although a wide age range of characters can always be found in her books. Previously a teacher and assistant head, Celia writes full time these days but loves to chat to other authors and readers, and often spends far too much time browsing social media. She is an enthusiastic member of the Romantic Novelists Association, having proudly graduated from their New Writers' Scheme in 2013. Born and bred in the Midlands, Celia has long been tempted by the idea of living near the sea, and her dream at last became a reality in 2023 when she moved to the south coast.
(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)
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