I loved Bella Osborne’s last book – The Library – so when I was asked to take part in the blog tour for her new book I jumped at the chance. Older readers may remember a 1980s US sitcom about a bunch of more mature women called The Golden Girls. This book has a similar kind of vibe. Three women are sent invitations to a surprise 80th birthday party. They haven’t seen actress Zara since they were all sharing a house over 40 years earlier. The invitation is literally a lifeline to introverted Pauline, as her loneliness has led to some very dark thoughts. Jackie was always the wild child, flirting with all the men and partying away the night. Her credit card bill is the size of a small country’s national debt. Val is the clever one of the four with a very respectable career and a decent property in Richmond behind her.
After the party Zara invites them all to come and live with her again, sharing her home. A chance to have a bit of security and companionship as they all move into their twilight years. Jackie is keen from the get go and doesn’t take much persuasion. Pauline is tempted but knows from experience that the combination of Zara and Jackie could get pretty explosive unless she can persuade level headed Val to join them too.
Osborne has a knack for creating interesting and lived in characters. This is the second book of hers that I have read that includes real older women, ladies that you would want to be friends with, or at the very least be able to peek over the hedge at them and eavesdrop on their lives! Life in their new commune is never dull and there are some real surprises along the way.
Supplied by Net Galley, Aria and Head of Zeus in exchange for an honest review.
UK Publication date: 14 Apr 2022, 399 pages.
Categories: 4 Stars Book Review
angelnet69
Prolific reader, enthusiastic theatre and movie-goer and ex-Olivier Awards judge who spent twenty years working in the music industry in London. Sharing my house with a gorgeous cockapoo called Harry who has taken over completely.
I love sharing my favourite books with friends - nearly always spoiler-free as I hate reading a synopsis of the whole book in other reviews.
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