A lovely heartwarming tale about second chances.
Missy is a very proud but lonely 79 year old. She collapses in the local park one morning in January. This starts a chain of events which brings her friendships that help her to mend family relationships and learn to enjoy life once more.
There’s a bit of everything in this book, relatable characters, sympathy, empathy and some funny moments.
I enjoyed the book and will recommend it to friends.

This is a story of loss, grief, friendship, and love. It was very well written and touching. I thought the characters were well developed and writing very beautiful.
Thanks a lot to NG and the publisher fo this copy.

Missy Carmichael is a lonely 79 year old woman, children have moved on and she is still grieving over the loss of her beloved husband 'Leo'. We start with Missy going to a local common area with a playground and ponds, she is there to see fish being electrocuted and moved to another pond. Whilst there she bumps into this awfully foul mouthed mother with a little boy the same age as her grandson. Days later Missy keeps jumping into Angela(foul-mouthed mother) and Sylvia which is a much nicer woman.
Missy is so lonesome she starts to wander out of the house in hope that she will meet these new found acquaintance's. Soon they become involved in each others lives and Missy even adopts a dog and she has never really been an animal person....on second thoughts it was more Leo.
This is a very quaint book and slow paced. It sees Missy develop from a lonely woman with no-one to being inundated with friends, party's, invites...you name it she is there.
The majority of the book is set in present day with Missy reminiscing on the past with her and Leo's relationship. You begin to understand of the sacrifices Missy made to be with Leo as he wasn't the most affectionate of people. New friends brings new opportunities, ones that she should of done in her earlier years.
I felt like I had been reading this for ages, it's so slow paced and nothing was really compelling me to pick it up...other than to review it. I enjoyed the writing style, it was simplistic and flowed easily. I enjoyed the backstory to Missy and Leo's relationship. There were topics in there such as Brexit which was a very one sided view of 'you idiot, Britain is doomed' why you do it? 'why did you vote to leave? I didn't feel any connection or affection for Missy at all but she is supposed to be an unlikeable character to start with but she still didn't grow on me.

This was a good debut novel, but think more emotion was needed in the characters.

This was a lovely story to read and will probably touch the hearts of a few people. Missy had lived her life as if she was alone so when she got old and had no work she realised how alone in the world she really was. Her landlady was going through a rough patch as well so they found one another at the right time. Although it took them a while to realise they were friends. Opening herself up to new things was hard for Missy but gradually she did and very slowly her life did turn around. A beautiful book and characters.

The official description:
Missy Carmichael’s life has become small.
Grieving for a family she has lost or lost touch with, she’s haunted by the echoes of her footsteps in her empty home; the sound of the radio in the dark; the tick-tick-tick of the watching clock.
Spiky and defensive, Missy knows that her loneliness is all her own fault. She deserves no more than this; not after what she’s done. But a chance encounter in the park with two very different women opens the door to something new.
Another life beckons for Missy, if only she can be brave enough to grasp the opportunity. But seventy-nine is too late for a second chance. Isn’t it?
My review:
This is an impressive and heart-warming debut from Beth Morrey. In ‘Saving Missy’ Morrey writes eloquently and poignantly yet unsentimentally about ageing, loneliness, depression, family, choices and purpose of living.
The pace is not fast, but slowly, slowly the reader delves deeper into Missy’s life and learns about her as a young woman studying at Cambridge University and how, what happened there, has had a profound and lifelong impact on Missy, her marriage and her as a mother.
When the reader meets Missy, she is alone and lonely and rattles about in her big empty house in London with only a bottle of sherry and unpaid bills for company. A chance encounter with two women in a park and, having reluctantly been pressed into dog-sitting, Missy comes out of her shelf and starts to build bridges. Supported by her new circle of friends she gets help and faces up to reality. But she also finally forgives herself for making that inevitable choice she had to make as a young women and which has hounded her, her entire life. And only then is she also finally able to forgive her family for the choices they made.
A life-affirming book about the power of forgiveness and how you are never too old for second chances. Beautifully written with characters that leap off the pages, ‘Saving Missy’ was a joy to read, and I recommend it unreservedly. 5 stars from me.
My rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐

Thanks to #NetGalley for eARC. Reviewed 09/02/2020
#SavingMissy #NetGalley

Millicent Carmichel is old and unhappy. She is not an ideal protagonist- not least because of the excessive drinking (more on that later). She has locked herself into a little life and is facing loneliness in all its forms. The quote below is a clear indication of her state of mind.

"Loved ones far away, but a more abstract galactic isolation, like a leaking boat bobbing in open water, no anchor or land in sight"

There has always been a debate about being alone vs loneliness, and this is an example of both. Missy is alone and spends her time trying to frame interesting enough emails to her son, who lives across the globe. She runs into two women on the same day, and this leads to more interactions that force her to look beyond her sorrow. Her despair is not so light that it can be pushed away with a friendship alone, Missy surrenders time and again to the darkness, but her friends bring her out as forcefully as they can. She (as are most of us) a work in progress despite all the decades she has spent on earth. At her time in life, and the situations force her to reexamine her history. Alternating chapters tell us of her college life and how she came to be where she is. I am not mentioning the other two women because discovering them and their hidden qualities and backgrounds are part of Missy's journey that the reader ought to take with her.

I wept for all the sadness, and the small joys and the book would have been a five-star read if not for all that booze. I know I am in a tiny minority who consider alcohol a necessity for all social gatherings. I have laughed like mad people over the most random things and remembered them for years while all being completely sober (in the context of drink, that is). Anyway, seeing as the world at large consider it a social requirement means it plays significant roles in many books, and it never stuck out for me. In this book, however, between all those sad and happy moments, it felt jarring for the lead protagonists to be always either drinking or hungover. I know it served as a crutch for some trying times but I just felt the focus a lot!
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Missy Carmichael is 78 and lives alone in the house she used to share with her husband , Leo and their children. Her son, Alistair and her grandson live in Australia. She rarely sees her estranged daughter, Melanie. Missy is depressed and lonely but she's also a very proud woman. One January morning, Missy collapses in the park. She is cared for by Sylvie. Once Missy is recovered, Sylvie invites Missy along with another Lady, Angela out for a coffee. But Missy doesn't want to go. But then Missy has a chance encounter with them and Angela's young son invites Missy to go to the park. This encounter changes Missys life.

5his isna beautifully crafted tale. It shows how lonely and vulnerable old people can be. I really liked and felt sorry for Missy. She had no friends, her son lived in Australia and her daughter was estranged. This book messed with y emotions. I liked the way the story ended. I loved this debut novel from beginning to end.

I would like to thank NetGalley, HarperCollins UK HarperFiction and the author Beth Morrey for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Saving Missy was a surprise and a delight from start to finish. It's not a fast-paced book, but that's to its credit: your emotional investment in the characters and their friendships creeps up on you, and before you know it you're crying, laughing or gasping in surprise at what's happening on the page. There are enough mysteries to keep you guessing, with a lot of heartwarming adventures in between. It's a lovely tale of loneliness, marriage, ageing and friendship.

I don't think you can fail to be touched by this story; it has something for everyone and is packed with, more than anything, understanding.

Missy Carmichael finds herself living alone in the large family home where only she is left now. Her grown-up children each have their own lives and she finds each day is the same - they all run into each other with nothing to distinguish them. Then a stroll in the park results in tentative friendships which have the potential to change her life . . .

Such a wonderful story! The kind which you just sink into and identify with each character so easily. There are lots of Missy's around, but rarely do we see behind the outer shell. This novel absorbed me, heart and soul; I have smiled and wiped away a tear more than once whilst reading. I'm always amazed at the intricate details some authors can pluck from their characters, and Beth Morrey has written intimately and tenderly about Missy. A heart-wrenching novel but one which definitely has the feel-good factor too. This is a well-rounded, complete tale - beautifully written,  and fully worth 4.5*.

My thanks to publisher Harper Collins for my copy via NetGalley; this is my honest, original and unbiased review.

A story about, grief and loss - and the power of friendship..
A seventy nine year old protagonist may not appeal to some readers but the element of regret and loneliness can ring true with all ages
Deeply flawed Missy came across as a fairly unlikable character, but as the novel unfolded her reasons for being so became more apparent and I became more forgiving.
The supporting characters seemed vivid and allowed Missy to unfurl and developed into a much more entertaining heroine along with the story.
There was perhaps a little to much unnecessary detail but overall a good read and an end I didn't see coming.

Missy's life has pretty much ground to a halt. She spends her days grieving for everything that she has lost - family, friends, activities. When we first meet her she is almost pretty much just waiting for it all to end... She regrets a lot of things, knows that she could have helped herself had she not been so standoffish. But she has her reasons... Then, one day, she meets someone in the park. Someone who offers her a lifeline. But is she brave enough to take it? Can a leopard really change its spots...?
This book was all kinds of emotional. Ups and downs so it wasn't too heavy at any point. I didn't like Missy at first but then I don't think the reader is supposed so, being as she is a tad on the abrasive side but, as things progressed. as she herself changed, I also started to warm to her. By the end of the book we were old friends!
It's a slow burn but then everything is slower when you get on in years, even coming of age books which this kinda was. The characters were all wonderful and came across as all very real. There's an eclectic mix that, on the face of things, probably shouldn't all get on as they do but it works; it really does.
All in all this book was a very nice distraction for me away from all the crime fiction I usually read. It also made me think of my own life a bit and how things could go for me. I'm sure I'm not alone in this situation so I guess this book also has that side of importance.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book

A heartwarming read, a real feel good story that touches your heart and makes you feel real emotions. It’s also very addictive reading, you won’t put this one down once you pick it up. Missy is the star of the book and she is amazing, central character and show/book stealer. This is a beautiful tale, so well written and is going to be one of the best reads of 2020

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

# Saving Missy # Netgalley
This book started of ok, Farley fast paced with twists here and there however after her chance meeting she had with the two different people. I found that one was ok and really trying to help her build a few bridges which is what she really has to do. The other one at first came across as genuinely wanting to help her, it wasn’t long before her true colours came out. Missy didn’t see them to start with she was a social climber. If she could help missy back into the family fold what wax on it for her. That was her only interest yet the other friend could see what was happening and she was reluctant to tell missy. Because really missy didn’t know either of them that well, I don’t want to give things away but missy needed help to be given even the slightest chance her. Family would even begin to give her a chance so already your stick with a dilemma. Who do i you trust. Eventually her friend who is genuinely trying to help her as no choices but to say something. From them on it’s down to missy how she takes it and Deals with what she’s been told. With what missy has done for her family to disown her is all down to missy herself she needs to know how sorry she genuinely is yon her family. Now this is whets the book lets itself down . It’s a bit long winded as to which way to go. She knows on her heart of hearts but for some strange reason she knows who right and who wrong. She just feels she needs both in her life. Eventually she make the right decision and goes to her family nd explains how she knows everything is her fault and her alone. She understood why the family tuned against her and she would have done the same thing. She takes full responsibility for everything that’s happened because of her actions. She begs forgiveness. However all are not ready to forgive. She accepts that as long as they all can keep tying as a family. It’s not easy on anyone at all, it only time and proof. At the same time she still got her friends or as she. No from having met them or one of them I found the book showed so much promise then suddenly went down hill. It was overall a good storyline. Just seemed to go drag on a bit slowly from having met one of her so called chance meeting. Shane really, it was just too dragged out

Saving Missy by Beth Morrey
Initially I did not warm to Missy, or Millicent Carmichael, but as the novel developed I found myself sympathising with her and caring about what was going to happen to her. The book opens when she is 79, her husband has gone and she has had a terrible row with her daughter. Her beloved son and grandson live in Australia; she is very much on her own.
She does nothing to endear herself to others and has no network of friends but we gradually see her begin to awaken and live again after a life spent holding her feelings in check. Details about her past are revealed through letters and objects which she finds neglected in her attic. It is a story which deliberately pulls on your heart strings and manipulates your feelings but it is delightful to see her develop and begin to live the life she has denied herself for so many years.
I loved this description of her arrival at a young child’s birthday party:
“For Otis’s party, Angela appeared to have invited thirty chemically-fuelled gremlins and their Prosecco-powered, utterly disinterested zookeepers. The little fiends raged around the cramped church hall while their parents necked fizz and prattled about the house prices, ignoring their appalling offspring entirely.”
Having recently attended a child’s party it definitely rang true! I am sure that this will be a novel which is recommended by many and will appear at a number of book club gatherings. Many thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Millicent Carmichael is known as Missy. She is 79 years old and trying to get used to life without her husband Leo. She lives alone, in a large London house, and her family are far away in Australia. At first it’s hard to get into the book. Much like Missy herself it seems to be without purpose, but everything changes when she faints in her local park. Used to being guarded and fiercely independent, she is forced to accept the kindness of strangers. These are an eclectic group of people who slowly become friends.

Thanks to these people, and a certain dog called Bobby, Missy slowly starts to open up and as she does the book becomes more engaging and the reader warms to this lady. Flashbacks take us through her life from childhood to adulthood, including her relationship with Leo. We start to understand her character as she copes with rejection and loneliness in relationships. People persevere with her and through her interactions with them she becomes a very different woman. I’ve had my life saved by a scruffy mutt so the story of her and Bobby touched me, especially when they have to part. I really enjoyed this uplifting story. The emotions felt very genuine and Missy’s inner world was beautifully explained to us. We become Missy’s friend too and I found myself willing her on to accept the new life in front of her. This novel teaches us that people are a product of their experiences and that those who seem unapproachable, might be holding on to decades of hurt and distrust. A lovely, warm, read.

I will admit to struggling a bit at the beginning of this book. When we meet Missy, she is in a bad place, struggling with overwhelming loneliness after the loss of her husband and estrangement (both emotional and physical) from her children. This loneliness was very difficult to witness, and it definitely led to some reflection on my own familial relationships - I currently live with my mum, and so the initial depiction of Missy's isolation did leave me with some anxiety about the prospect of eventually moving out! I also found Missy to be quite a challenging character at this point - her attitude is very negative and unpleasant, and whilst this is due to past experiences it did make her difficult to like at times!

However, as Missy's world broadens, her mood also changes, and the book becomes far more engaging and uplifting. When the rangy mongrel Bob is introduced, the picture is complete, and Missy's transformation truly begins. In this sense, Morrey's writing is truly something to behold, as she manages to take a difficult and bitter old woman and provide her with a real character transformation that leads to her becoming far more lovable.

All in all, I would say Saving Missy is a charming yet unsurprising novel. I don't mean unsurprising in a bad way, simply more that it is a book led by character development than it is constant plot twists, which is something I personally found very enjoyable - seeing Missy have her 'redemption' of sorts was very moving! To me, Saving Missy was a thoughtful exploration of the importance of human (and non-human!) connections, of looking out for others and of learning to move on from past mistakes. Yes, its a tad predictable, but it is still very much a worthwhile read.

A beautiful story about friendship, love and family. Missy is lonely and living by herself. She makes friends and discovers how wonderful friendship can be. A very touching story which had me sitting continually reading until I got to the end.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Milicent Charmichael is seventy-nine years old. She lives alone in her big house that once was filled with running children and her dear husband Leo. But they are long gone to the life of their own, and Missy is left in the stillness of old walls and creaky floors.

Saving Missy: 2020’s most astonishing debut«Saving Missy» is essentially a character study, a tale of life, love, mistakes, and forgiveness.

I’m so glad that I requested this book on NetGalley and it was approved! Otherwise, I would never have read such a heartwarming and filled with hope story! It’s true that I had to be in the right mood for it and almost ended up DNFing this book just a few chapters in. However, I persevered and grew to love Missy!

This is not a book for everyone, and I can see why some people might find it boring. But for me it was such a delight to get to know Missy as a seventy-nine years old lady, living alone in her big cottage, and also as the student in Cambridge, as the mother of two and as the wife of a famous professor, to whom she gave all of her heart, and also as the friend, the grandma and the luckiest dog-owner in the world.

«Saving Missy» is a tale of life in a mere 380 pages. Even though it did have a lot of unnecessary details that I skimmed through, somehow Beth Morrey was able to fit a life story in such a short book.

Yes, I’m guilty of skimming, but in this case it only helped me to get through this book without boring myself with some irrelevant details. There were a lot of unnecessary moments that I skipped and didn’t have any issues understanding what was going on. Big chunks of this book could be cut out and it would only improve the reading experience.

But my biggest issue was the age of the main protagonist. Missy was seventy-nine years old! This is perfect for the older audience, but for me, in my twenties, it was very difficult to connect with her. Also, I didn’t want to connect with her because of how miserable and lonely her life was at the beginning of the story.

I know children eventually grow up and leave the nest. That our friends will also leave us in the future if we don’t leave before them. But seeing this loneliness portrayed so vividly, I couldn’t avoid thinking what if it will be me?!

I loved this book!!
A story about grief, regret, loneliness, connections, relationships and the power of dogs!

I thought this debut novel by Beth Morrey was a brilliant read. It is a very heartwarming story.
Looking forward to her next book.
Highly recommended.