With her two daughters soon due to fly the nest, Laura Griffin feels really lost and sad at the thought of her new life as just a couple once more. She is dreading the imminent ‘life journeys’ of her daughters which she knows will leave her Bath home, once filled with the laughter and chatter of her excited and energetic girls, seem unbearably quiet, empty and lonely. She can’t imagine cooking for the two of them, just Dom and her, and knows she must take on new activities to keep her busy and fill her days with action and meaning.
The time for goodbyes soon arrives and Laura and Dom put on brave faces, but by the end of that fateful day and with a homeward journey down the motorway from York back to a now quiet home, Laura’s life changes unimaginably suddenly. Her new life is nothing like she imagined it would be. She is totally side-swiped and bereft and now needs her friends by her side to support her more than ever. She had planned two fledgling ventures but now she must undertake them alone. She is determined and driven; she knows she can overcome her setback if she keeps busy and talks on the phone with her daughters. Soon Laura begins to see the end of the dark tunnel. Then, just as her life gains an iota of equilibrium, another unexpected tragedy delivers a devastating blow. She knows she must step up to what lies ahead even though she is overwhelmed and unsure of what the future holds in store for her.
This is the story of the Griffin family as they start to take on new pathways in their life. I soon became immersed in their everyday life and felt huge empathy and admiration for Laura. She was an excellent and praiseworthy lady going through a series of challenges that she once could never have overcome. I really enjoyed the parallel thread set in World War 11 that was centred on two friends Jilly and Ivy. I loved how these two stories developed and interwove. I loved the fluid and well paced storytelling and thought this was another lovely novel from Veronica Henry. She never disappoints with her well planned stories, colourful characters and heart warming outcomes. I received a complimentary copy of this novel from publisher Orion through my membership of NetGalley. These are my own honest opinions given without any outside influences. This novel is an enjoyable and rewarding read.

I loved this book the way it flits to past and present a lovely story of friends and family

Veronica has always been one of my favourite authors, especially her earlier ones. I enjoyed this one although it was a different style. Laura and Dom are married with two children and Dom has an affair. I felt the family dynamics were very well explored and showed how sometimes things can happen without us meaning them to. The background story of Kanga and Ivy was lovely but apart from the family recipe part not really sure of the relevance. An easy read

I love this book! I love the characters, the story and how it moves backwards and forwards through time, the warmth, the wit, the wisdom, the multiple generations of women in the same family and the dynamic between them, the setting in glorious Bath, Just everything. I will read this again and again.

I loved this book. A beautifully written story of a time passed by and of a new future for family and friends.