I loved this book. A lovely change to have a book written round the lives of older people - and what lively older people they are. Set in Cornwall with good strong characters and a good story. Well worth reading.

This book was written so descriptively that I feel like I moved to Lowenstowe along with Val. Does Val find a plus one, or does she instead find herself?

When Val's marriage breaks down on Christmas Day after almost 50 years, she decides to move house to Lowenstowe, a small town with a huge heart right on the ocean. She immediately is drawn into the community, meeting her neighbors Connie, Alice and Kevin; the eccentric Loveday and her grandson Ollie; Caden, a young newspaper reporter with his own love issues; and various "men of the month". Don't be fooled by that moniker, the book is really very clean, no adult action.

While the book's intended plotline is about Val finding a plus one to her son's upcoming wedding by dating a different man every month, its not really a romance novel. I felt like it was more of a second coming of age book, how people deal with broken marriages, deaths and lost loves when they are in their golden years. Being closer to that age than the opposite, I could easily identify with the issues and heartaches, but that's not to say it won't appeal to a younger audience as well. Might even help them understand their parents and grandparents better!

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

This book had a good premise but really there was just too much going on. Too many side stories and characters. Also I felt for being in their mid seventies to eighties these characters were really doing an awful lot like hiking, dancing, home repair etc. i know some people stay spry but this just seemed odd. Val kept meeting men in their mid seventies who were acting like twenty year old boys. I would have run screaming. The ending was not satisfying at all.

Fun, uplifting and with many laugh out loud moments. I throughly enjoyed reading this romantic comedy. The characters were really endearing and the storyline was light-hearted and full of warmth.

I’d like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘A Year of Mr Maybes’ written by Judy Leigh in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

As Val’s husband Ray is late home from the pub for Christmas dinner she drives to meet him only to find him with another woman. A year on and Val is moving into ‘Teasel Cottage’ in the Cornish village of Lowenstowe making new friends and acquaintances. It’s only when her son Tom phones to say he’s marrying Lottie in Canada the following Christmas that Val and her friend Connie come up with a plan to find a new man to be her ‘plus-one’.

‘A Year Of Mr Maybes’ is well-written and entertaining with a chapter for each month of the year as Val goes through possible partners in the hope of finding her Mr Right in time for her son’s wedding. We’re introduced to a variety of interesting characters, male and female, and instructed on saving the environment for future generations, but although I enjoyed this novel to a certain extent I found it too slow with not enough action. The story is pleasant and readable escapism proving that even mature women in their 70s can start again, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as some of Judy Leigh’s other novels. This is purely my opinion and I’m sure other readers will disagree with me and it won’t deter me from looking out her next book.

This enjoyable book is filled with characters I would love to meet. Val learns to cope as a newly single older woman; the idea of finding a new man for her to date each month gives a fun structure to the book. The descriptions of the Cornish setting are delightful and all characters are rounded people, with all their flaws. Another great escapist read by Judy Leigh, I’m already looking forward to the next one!

*4.5 stars*

Charming and makes my heart smile

When she catches her husband cheating on Christmas, she leaves him out in the rain. A Christmas later, she’s moving into a new home in a quaint Cornish town, and receives news that her son is to be married the following Christmas in Canada. A plan is hatched with her new friend, Connie: Val will dive back into the dating pool to find contenders to be her plus one at the wedding so she doesn’t have to be solo in photos while her ex-husband smiles and poses with his girlfriend.

Through daily beach walks, Karaoke, heart-to-hearts with a local young man, and helping rally the community for environmental change in town, Val makes incredible bonds in the community. She ends up encountering an abundance of Mr Maybes, rather than Mr Right, but she sees throughout the year that she’s fantastically happy with who she is and what she’s built in this new life.

While my chick lit brain thought I knew the direction it would take and how Val’s journey would round out, surprises kept me on my toes in the best way possible. So satisfying and had me smiling through the last page. Empowering and invigorating. This was the perfect read for the time of transition I’m in.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC. This review reflects my honest opinion.

"She had been Ray's wife. Now she was going to be Val an she was determined to enjoy every moment."

Over the last few months I have read several books in this theme, 60+ woman finds herself alone at an age where she didn't expect to be alone, yet finds her own place in the world, discovers herself and/or picks up dating again. A Year of Mr Maybes is no different, but it still managed to put a smile on my face and make for an enjoyable read. In this book, we meet Val, 70+, who discovers her husband has been cheating on her as she is waiting at home with their Christmas Dinner. Val moves into a lovely little sea-side cottage on the Cornish coast, meets a wonderful host of characters (I mean, what's not to love about Connie, Dennis, Loveday, Ollie, Ben and so many of the others??), and starts dating again in search for the one who can join Val to her son's wedding in Canada to one-up ex Ray and his new partner.

This book does go through the ups and downs of life, meaning that it isn't always happy exactly. There is also a very clear theme of environmentalism, keeping the beaches clean, recycling etc. While in principle this is a good thing, there were times where I felt is was a little out of place/overdone.

All in all this was a sweet read of friendship, community and finding oneself after a difficult/unexpected happening in life. The friendships, connections and relationships in this book seemed quite real, allowing me to root for/against certain characters, and the setting (small sea-side community) was just perfect for this story of reinvention.

What a truly lovely story, and another fabulous book from the always talented Judy Leigh.

It's about coming into your own as a woman in your seventies after a divorce, and learning whether or not you really need a man by your side.

There is the possibility of potential Mr Maybe's who could be picked and asked to accompany Val to her sons Wedding at the end of the year, so we do get to meat a fair few men, but not necessarily dating, just potential targets that come into Val's life.

Val is also making a variety of new friends in her new local community having only just moved to Lowenstowe. There are a whole variety of characters which all completely captured my heart for all manner of reasons.

There is a clear theme of keeping beaches clean, and caring for your environment throughout the book, and I loved seeing how Val and everyone joins together in the hopes of raising awareness for these sorts of issues. I loved how the community was banding together for a common cause.

I also really liked Val's idea of favour boxes, and the way she got on with all of her neighbours. And we get to learn so many character's stories and get to know them fairly well that I found I was wishing good things on everyone.

It's a very really enjoyable book that I had a great time reading it.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

A fun romp with the over 60s. After decades of marriage with a man she still loves, she finds him with another woman. Now to find a date for her son's wedding -- and why not try out a few before deciding?

Thank you for the advance copy, I have generally enjoyed reading all of Judy Leigh books. Love how the story brings new choices, friendships and the starting over. Definitely an escape rwadZ

This is a nice book about community, friends, and finding a new confidence and independence in your seventies. If you want a lot of actions and a fast-paced plot, this is not your book. On the other hand, if you want to enjoy a heartwarming story with a gentle pace, an interesting plot with unexpected turns and loveable characters, this is a very good choice. I spent some very enjoyable time reading it.

Val was expecting to have a wonderful Christmas with her husband Ray. Thinking she would do him a favour due to the weather she hopped in the car and went to the pub to get him… and found more than she anticipated. A divorce and new house and new friends and Val is newly single and happy about it… until she gets an invite to her son's wedding and realises that Ray will be there with his new partner making her look like Billy no mates. So begins her year long quest to find “ Mr December '' - not necessarily a long term partner but someone good enough to stand next to her in her son's wedding pictures as a trip to Canada is involved.
I love Judy’s books. There is always a good solid plot and plenty of smiles along the way. There are the ups and downs of life but I always find them an uplifting read. This one is again of the older generation and having life,spirit and determination to get the best out of every day. A story of life and hope and appreciating the moment and what we have whatever our age and to treasure the little things around us. One life- live it.
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Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange of an honest review.

I thought this book was really neat. Very much enjoyed it.

New Choices…
New life choices, friendships, community and starting again in this uplifting offering from Judy Leigh. Whilst Val didn’t expect to be having to change her life in her seventies, that is exactly what she is doing and a small seaside town in Cornwall seems the perfect setting for her. To succeed, however, she just may need some help. With a colourful cast and an ideal backdrop, this is another enjoyable and escapist read with familiar yet comforting themes.

I have read seven of this author’s books previously. When I see a new book written by her, I immediately want to read it. I don’t read the blurb of the story; I know I will love what she created. I am very sorry to say that in the case of this book, that is not true. While I think the book is written well, it was not a book meant for me, and I did not enjoy reading it. I mainly read to finish the book.

I found almost all the characters to be struggling with their life and complaining, including a dog, who honestly was on my nerves the entire time. (Gosh, have they never heard of training?) I like two minor characters, and I probably liked them since they are not in the story very much.

I also felt that I was being lectured about the environment and while it is a great passion to have, I read to escape life and I felt like this book was worst than my life with all the problems it dealt with.

I am rating 3 stars, since the book itself was written well, with a thought-out, believable plot, but was just not my cup of tea. I am sure other readers will enjoy this story more than I did. I look forward to other books by Judy Leigh.

I want to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity of reading the advance reader copy. My review is my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

This was a really sweet book about friendship and growing. This book reminded me a lot of the show "Grace and Frankie". Older gals finding their new place in the world - as single women. The women in this book are all very involved in a variety of different activities around town, which I didn't understand at first but enjoyed through the book. I am happy that Val made a variety of different friends. One of my favourite friendships is the one she had with Ollie. I was curious about Ben Berry from the very start of the novel, so I am happy with how that resolved. I am also glad for Val telling Ray off and her experience in Canada at Tom's wedding. This was a nice sweet book with minimal drama. Thank you Boldwood Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I have only recently found this author and am so glad that I did. The year of mr maybes was a poignant and heartwarming read which explored that you are never too old to find that special someone or to start again after a divorce or bereavement. This was a story of finding joy in life again after being pulled through the wringer and the blossoming friendship between val and Connie who had both been left on their own for different reasons and how their new found friendship gave them the confidence to take on new challenges and to have fun.

There was also a definite theme of community spirit running through this book which showed that when everyone pulls together so much more can be achieved and that new friendships can be formed in the most unlikely places.

This was overall a delightful read that had me laughing and crying in equal measure.

A Year Of Mr Maybes by Judy Leigh is the most delightful contemporary novel about living your life to the full whatever your age.
It was so refreshing to have the leading characters in their seventies and eighties. Traditionally, people think of slowing down as they get older – but not this wonderful bunch of people. Life is for living. And life is for living now.
We get out of life what we put in. Within the novel we meet some very high energy characters who come together to make their village a better, cleaner, greener place. They are very community minded – needs are identified and met. New faces are made welcome.
The characters bounce off each other as friendships are formed. They bring out the best in each other – whether in their 20’s or 80’s. I loved the wise young man of twenty five with autism who dispensed wisdom to seventy year olds. We are never too old to learn lessons from the young.
A Year Of Mr Maybes was a really fun novel – from walks on the beach to visits to the vet – the simple pleasures in life are celebrated. It was highly amusing too.
I absolutely adored this book. I always adore Judy Leigh’s novels.
I received a free copy from Boldwood and Rachael’s Random Resources via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

A year of mr maybes is a lovely genteel read that champions the older generation, showing that your never too old to start again, have fun, take up new hobbies, make new friends or look for love and romance!
Based in picturesque cornwall we are introduced to Val who is still smarting from the break up of her marriage to Ray, however she throws herself into her new life making friends with the neighbours, volunteering at the local charity shop and being instrumental in the campaign to clear up their local town and raise awareness of environmental issues! Despite being so busy val dates again but in doing so discovers that she doesn’t need a man to complete her/make her happy/ accompany her to her sons wedding,she is happy,content and fulfilled with great friends and a purpose in life as she moves on from the breakdown of her marriage, however Cupid may have other plans!
Would love to read a sequel to this book!
Thank you netgalley for this early read.