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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 annexe 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 neighbourhood 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?

🔴 This book was adorable and I loved this book so much!! Nell and Barney & Frank Move out of the city, to a gorgeous little village. This is about a group of middle age, up to past retirement age - a mixed bag of people, who for some reason … help each other through life’s hurdles. 🔴

#netgalley #bookblogtour #celiaanderson #livingthegoodlife

Nell's husband, Barney, has decided that they need to move to a village and his father Frank will be coming too, after becoming widowed recently and needing more help around the house. Unfortunately, Barney doesn't seem to have taken either Nell nor Frank's feelings into account with it all and so this causes resentment.

It doesn't help that they have moved into a fixer-upper and that Barney is really bad at DIY.......there is, however, a handyman who is willing to help them out - and the fact that he is quite easy on the eyes is not lost on Nell!

This was a nice story of a woman of a certain age who is finding her feet in a new environment. Having done this myself in the past 18 months, I understand how unsettling it really is to do it. Nell gradually finds her feet with some of the characters from the first book (although this book can easily be read as a standalone).

I have to admit that I didn't particularly like the character of Nell. I wanted to shake her, at times, for the lack of communication between her and Barney and her tendency to get upset at the drop of a hat.

Nevertheless, all the different characters with their various personalities really made this story something special and it was lovely that they all got to know each other so much better when they became part of the Rev Bev's new group.

4 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books.

having read the first book in this series i was excited to start this, did i love it as much as the first one? well no but i did find it entertaining and it was a light easy read with a fun story line. looking forward to reading this authors next book

Life changes for Nell, Barney and her father-in-law, Frank, after they move to the countryside. It was nothing like they expected, and then one day, Nell is asked about an idea for a group to bring people together. It tuned out to be things that make each one happy. As the meeting move forward, we see the connections and friendships starting to form. Each one started thinking about themselves, and the things that made them happy, the things that made them sad, the things they could change to be happier in their lives.
The transformation in the people here, the things they did, and the things they learned, led me to think about my own journey. This is a story of discovery, seeing things differently, you can change, and you can feel happier and better with your life.
I received an ARC from Boldwood Books through NetGalley.

I didn’t realize this was the second in a series, but it honestly didn’t matter. this story stands beautifully on its own. It’s warm, funny, and quietly emotional in all the right ways. I loved watching Nell rediscover herself, and the village setting was what initially drew me in. Frank and the Saga Louts made me laugh out loud more than once. Perfect for fans of Milly Johnson or Judy Leigh. A gentle reminder that it’s never too late to start again. This book made me miss my Memaw. I mainly requested it on netgalley because of that. This is definitely something she would have loved to read. #bookreviews #bookreviewer #reading #books #bookstagrammer #books

This was one of the most chaotic weeks of my life, almost like a sad novel, filled with unexpected events: my disabled brother-in-law dislocated his left elbow, I ended up visiting the ER myself, a friend’s mother faced serious health issues, and we even had a trip to the vet.
And then I read this book. It made me smile and transported me to a place where life might be messy, discombobulated, and full of unhappy moments, but where friendship, quirky conversations, and the pursuit of happiness as one of the main aspects of the story
I absolutely loved the Saga Louts: their honesty, earthiness, and lack of filters felt like a breath of fresh air. This is a heartwarming, multilayered story, both funny and poignant, filled with well-drawn characters and good storytelling.
I truly hope there are more books featuring these characters. Reading this felt like spending time at a spa or in a wonderful garden: restorative, calming, and good for the soul.
Have fun, read it, it’s strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for this digital copy. All opinions are mine.

Living the Good Life by Celia Anderson

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

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 annexe 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 neighbourhood 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 Opinion

Another delightful book by Celia Anderson. Celia has created some lovely characters and has once again shown that even older characters can have fun. A lovely, easy to read novel that will make for a great holiday read.

Rating 4/5

What really is the secret to happiness?
That‘s the question that got me to read this book and though the story revolves around it, I was kind of left hanging. I couldn‘t connect with this book at all. The first 70% felt like there was no progress at all, just people complaining about their lifes, but not doing anything to make it better and the last 30 % cured problems that weren‘t even there in the first 70% of this book… I mean, Nell, Barney and Frank really had enough problems between them that needed fixing, without adding, no more inventing problems from other people to the mix.

What I liked about this book was the variety of characters. Everyone came with their own quirks and problems, and I saw a lot of potential here. Sadly, most characters felt like fillers to me. They are mentioned on the side, but their stories are left open, and they add no value to the story’s progress. And even the ones who are mentioned often fulfill exactly on purpose and are written really one-dimensional.

The idea with the happiness sessions was great; sadly, they felt boring and surface-level to me. No one in this book is communicating on a level an adult should be able to, and it annoyed me big times. The character growth was the absolute minimum that needed to happen to give this book a happy ending, which may be believable in real life, but I really expected something different from a book about happiness.

Lovely summer read from Celia. Well written with a storyline that kept me from putting the book down. Highly recommend.

This story is lovely, lighthearted, and funny. I always know that when I pick up one of her books, I will be thoroughly entertained.

This is the second installment in the series and just as enjoyable as the first book. The three main characters—Nell, Barney, and Frank—along with the quirky villagers, are humorous and kept me laughing, especially Frank and Beryl.

It's a feel-good book that will have you laughing out loud. I highly recommend it for reading on the beach, during a holiday, or simply while enjoying a cup of coffee.

This was a fun read about a bunch of (mostly) older people in a small countryside area that are trying to get to know each other better. It revolves mostly around a couple who have found themselves drifting apart. They each are reacting to another of the opposite sex. They each see the other reacting and things get kind of sticky.

This book is full of fun quirky characters who each have their own things going on, but come together in times of need, whether it's needing someone to talk to or someone to swoop in and get them off the kitchen floor after an accident.

The book really is low on action and seems to drag a little in spots, but at the end of it, it was an amusing and entertaining read.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the digital copy. All thoughts are my own.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Celia Anderson

The story is about Barney, his wife Nell and Frank her father-in-law. They leave their old house in the city and move to the village.

But things haven’t been right between Barney and Nell, and she’s not entirely happy with the move. We read about what she feels is happening in her life as well as Barney’s and his dad Franks.

We meet our old friends, the villagers, the lager louts and see how the new arrivals get to know them and make friends. We learn more them individually and what makes them happiness is so beautifully described when they meet up as a group.

They each learn more about themselves, along with helping others.

I highly recommend this book.

Cozy good fun read, great for holiday reading, can be read alone or part of series. Easy to pick up and put down.
Although there are a few repeat characters we have a new family moving to the village of Willowbrook from Sheffield, Nell, Barney and Frank Appledore. Along with the new surroundings and new friends to be made they bring their own problems to come to terms with.
The Rev Bev starts a Happiness group which pulls in many of the locals for community adventures.
Easy reading, fun characters, although the book tends to go from character to character without getting too close to any of them. Lighthearted but left a bit in the air from it! The writing came across as a bit over thought out at times.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood books for the early read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

This is the third book I've read taking place in the community of Willowbrook. We meet old friends Kate, Ingrid, Maryam, Sam, little Elsie and the Rev Bev plus of course the Saga Louts: elderly, colourful and feisty Anthea, Beryl and Winnie.

The new people are husband and wife Barney and Nell Appledore and Barney's father Frank whose wife Lottie has died recently, plus his dog Anton. They have bought Hollyhocks Cottage and are immediately recruited into village life by an overenthusiastic and friendly community.

Barney is roped into doing guided walking tours and Nell starts a happiness club with the Rev Bev, the Saga Louts and other members of the community. Unfortunately, Nell and Barney's marriage is on the rocks after Barney's successful cancer treatment. He recovered but their communication has suffered. Can the two of them make a new start or will handyman Rick put a spanner in the works?

This is an uplifting story of a family starting again with the help of their new quirky friends of all ages. The characters are great and it's a nice and easy read about friendship, community and second chances. I'm in my fifties myself, and it's great to see characters my age being the main protagonists. There is a bit of a story arc but it's mostly just a gentle slice of village life.

Aaah, what a funny uplifting story. I didn’t realise that this was second in a series, but it’s ok to read as a standalone book.
Definitely put a smile on my face.

This was my first book by this author, I also didn’t realise that it was the second book in the series. Having said that it didn’t really spoil the book for me. I felt that some of the characters which had been introduced in book one were a little confusing to me, I guess I didn’t understand their significance, but as they weren’t the main characters of this book it didn’t really matter, I just carried on. Nell, Barney and Frank were the important characters.

The plot twists around these three characters were interesting and there were things that you really couldn’t predict, which helped to keep me engaged and invested. I found Nell relatable, being the main care giver and just expected to ensure both men are looked after without a thought as to what she wants. I liked how she chose to put herself first and made an effort to make friends and join the community. As a result she also helps Barney and Frank so it was win win.

Nell and Barney are having issues within their marriage and I found it really interesting how it was portrayed and resolved. They both seemed to enjoy the friendship of another new friend, yet ultimately they really only had eyes for each other and they put the work in to ensure their marriage carried on and was happy and fulfilling. Quite refreshing to see long lasting love.

A nice easy read, with some deep and thought provoking themes which were dealt with sensitively.

As always, Celia Anderson brings a wonderful story with characters you truly want to spend time with and get to know better. This story revolves around the life of Nell Appledore, her husband, Barney, and her father-in-law, Frank, as they embark on a move from city life to life in a small village. Marriage and the move are not all that Nell has hoped for, and this story delves not only into her life, but also into the lives of Barney and Frank, as well as the lives of the locals they meet and befriend. Getting to know each character a bit more and more throughout the book and finding out what brings happiness in their lives is presented wonderfully through meetings of a mutual group they all join. Without giving away the plot, I'll say that each of them learn for themselves, and help the rest of the group learn, what happiness means and how to achieve it. This book is beautifully written, quite deep and emotional at times, and a joy to have read.

Moving home to the countryside and learning to adapt. Another major life change for Nell and Barney, along with Barney's dad Frank. Not long after the death of Frank's wife and Barney's mum Lottie and successful cancer treatment for Barney.
Meeting new friends and making new interests will this be the last step together in the marriage.
Can they find understanding and kindness together or will the attraction of new people be too strong?
A cast of characters that will make them wish that you personally know them.
I became invested in the marriage going forward and cheered both Nell and Barney on.

A very funny story about women in their later years having fun and enjoying life. This was a fabulous read which I enjoyed immensely. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Living The Good Life is a warm, uplifting tale about change, family, and second chances. When Nell, her husband Barney, and his grieving father Frank relocate to the countryside, each brings emotional baggage and uncertainty. While Barney is all-in on their fresh start, Nell and Frank are more hesitant—but soon, the charm of rural life and the support of new friendships begin to work their magic.

Nell and Barney’s rekindled connection is particularly touching, as they rediscover their spark with the energy of teenagers. Frank’s journey through grief, and his evolving relationship with Nell, is both heartwarming and realistic. The humor, especially in interactions between Frank and the witty Beryl, adds levity and charm.

The novel tackles relatable, real-life issues with sensitivity and insight, making it not just a comforting escape, but also a thoughtful read. The characters feel like friends by the end—endearing, flawed, and deeply human. A delightful and moving story about finding joy in unexpected places.