This was an easy, enjoyable book. Very funny at times it also makes you realise how lucky you are. Another new author for me which is always a plus. Hopefully I can read more by this author in the future. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this lighthearted friendship tale. I was invested in the characters and would be really interested in a sequel.

The characters weren’t too complex but I was intrigued by the relationship between them.

I would have liked to read more about Helen and Lawrence to get a better feel for them and their dynamics.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

What is it about the midlife crisis? Why do we all seem to have them? If I were a psychologist I could probably answer that question, but since I’m not I’ll simply hazard a guess that there’s something about turning 50 (or 40 in my case, the one instance in my life where I was an early bloomer) that prompts a crap-ton of self-reflection and, more-often-than-not, the unfortunate realization that a) our life has turned out not at all the way we thought it would when we were 10, 20, 30 or even 40 and b) we’re getting to close to the point of not having the time left to fix it. This is where we find the three main characters of Cary Hansson’s hysterical and heartwarming new chick lit series.

The first book in a planned trilogy, A Midlife Holiday finds upper middle class British housewife Helen Winters celebrating her 50th birthday on her own – buying milk at the market – as her husband is off summiting Everest. A boozy lunch with her two best friends from university follows and comes seriously close to disaster, but is saved by an impromptu plan for all three friends to jet off to Cyprus for a much-needed girls’ trip. The ensuing romp through Helen’s midlife crisis is more-or-less predictable, but that doesn’t make the story any less enjoyable.

The characters were well-developed, as was the storyline. The plot was fluffy, but also tender, hopeful, and realistically humorous as it navigated not only Helen’s rediscovery of her joie de virve but also the sometimes turbulent waters of a friendship between three women who’s lives have been entwined (for good or bad) for thirty-some-odd years.

Certain scenes made me laugh out loud, others made me tear up in sympathy. Throughout, I thought “this author really gets it.” Midlife is not easy; friendship is not easy. This book easily explored both with humor, understanding, and compassion. An overall fun read – I’ll be keeping an eye out for the next books in the series!

A shout out and a thank you to author Cary J. Hansson, Hansson Publishing, and NetGalley for early access to a free digital review copy. All opinions my own.

Helen, Caro and Kay. Friends from university now leading very different lives and keeping secrets from themselves and each other. A holiday in Cyprus causes their hidden lives to spill out into view and forces them all to question their choices.

If I'm being perfectly honest, I didn't have great expectations of this. But I was very pleasantly surprised. Yes, it has the current tropes of contemporary fiction but told in a way that makes them real. The circumstances of each of the women are ones many fifty somethings will be able to relate to. Okay, it's maybe too convenient that the friends are in such contrasting situations, all needing to take major action. But this is fiction and their lives are described without hyperbole or hysteria. And the ending is not neatly tied up in ribbon.

I liked Helen, Caro and Kay and I found myself hoping that they could change the direction of their lives. I hope that Cary J Hansson will write more and let us know how the friends move ahead.

A Midlife Holiday by Cary J Hansson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thoroughly enjoyed this light-hearted read. Take 3 ladies aged 50 on a holiday to Cyprus .... leaving behind teenage kids, husbands, elderly parents.... this was funny and thought provoking.

Loved this book. Fun and engaging read centreing on three close friends and how each juggles their mid-life crises with the pull of family and work responsibilities. They decide to have a short break in Cyprus with life changing results for all of them. Some aspects of the story reminded me of Shirley Valentine. Really enjoyed it.

I have a real fondness for novels about female friendships, especially the ones which have lasted through a decade or more – and this one fits the bill perfectly.

Helen Williams has reached the milestone of her fiftieth birthday and she feels quite deflated; her selfish husband has abandoned her, putting himself first as always. Life is getting to her and the walls are closing in – but at least she has a birthday lunch with her friends to look forward to. However, that occasion adds to her depression and when offered the chance of a week in Cyprus, Helen starts packing. Meeting a local and finding out there is more to life than the rut she has settled into, she begins to flourish but the discovery that one of her friends has an ulterior motive for this week’s travel shocks her and she reacts badly with criticism instead of support. Can the three women revive their friendship?

After reading several crime novels, this one was like a breath of fresh air! I may be a decade-plus older than Helen, but I could quite easily understand her frustration with life. Who would want a husband like hers? Her story is all too common and the author handles it all beautifully with a well-written and entertaining novel! I was rooting for Helen all the way through but wasn’t exactly sure where it was heading until the end. Tremendously enjoyable and well worth a read. I have certainly added Cary Hansson to my ‘must watch’ list and will be looking out for the remaining books in this trilogy. Definitely worth a look and, for me, 4.5*.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is – as always – my honest, original and unbiased review.

Helen Winters feels that her life is dull and the walls are closing in. Her self centred husband is away climbing mountains and misses her 50th birthday. Her children are grown up and no longer depend on her. She regrets all the things she didn’t do that she wanted to do when she was younger. She jets off to Cyprus with two of her lifelong friends for some rest and relaxation. She enjoys the sun and the attention of rather handsome men and she’s feeling alive again. When Helen learns that her best friend isn’t in Cyprus for the sunshine as she previously believed she is shocked and tension threatens their lifelong friendship and she worries nothing will ever be the same again. Will she be able to repair the friendship?
This book is a bit different from anything I normally read but I’m glad I’ve read it. It’s funny and entertaining and keeps you wanting to read more. I couldn’t give up reading until I’d almost dropped my kindle onto my face. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to netgalley for the advance copy and opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest reviews.

Helen, Kay and Caro have been friends for a long time.
Over lunch for Helen's 50th Birthday, Caro invites them to join her for her holiday in Cyprus.
With Helen's husband currently away (again!) in Nepal climbing Everest she agrees and Key, who has a complicated home set up agrees too.
When they get there, Helen takes a sailing lesson and discovers she loves it,, but then discovers a secret that Caro has been keeping from her and it rocks their friendship.

This book is a touch Shirley Valentine, but is mainly about the relationship between the friends and the things they will do for each other. It's a nice quick read.

I really enjoyed this book and it gave me major Shirley Valentine vibes. It follows the ups and downs of three 50 year old women taking a trip to Cyprus and re discovering themselves along with their friendship.

This was a nice, light read and a great escape from reality. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a summery beach read.

My thanks to NetGalley and Hansson Publishing for the opportunity to read Cary Hansson's A Midlife Holiday.

we take a vacation with three old friends who have been through good times as well as the tough times.
There are laughs but there are also topics well worth thinking about. Enjoyable.

I enjoyed this. I liked that the main characters were in their 50's, it makes a nice change as usually women of this age are usually the mum's or mother in law's of the main characters.
I'm looking forward to the next book.

Long term friendships and now nearing their 50's set about finding themselves and enjoying life. The characters are well described as are the settings making for a lovely read and well worth doing so. I am giving this 5 stars and I will re-read this at a later stage.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this e ARC

A deeply heartfelt comment on menopausal women and their place in society today!
The book is based around three friends that have remained loyal to each other since their time at university. Helen, Caro and Katy are getting together for Helen's 50th birthday for lunch!! Their lives have taken very different directions, and with the menopause thrown in, unexpected sparks fly!
Very enjoyable tale, with fun, passion and serious issues. The relationships between the three are brilliantly depicted. Possibly a bit too real in places!! Menopause can be cruel!!
Thank you NetGalley for the early read!! Very enjoyable!!

A well written tale of 3 women who have been friends for many years. The story starts in the UK and ends in Cyprus. Charming characters (mostly) and the author has taken time to describe the surroundings to the point you feel you’re there too.

A tale of friendships and relationships and how they can impact and intertwine. The book is really enjoyable and leaving you waiting to see what comes next.

Helen Winters is celebrating her 50th Birthday, her hormones are all over the place, her husband is off climbing Everest, her kids are being typical kids.
To top it all off one of her longest friends buys her a pretty average gift for a middle aged woman and this tips her over the edge.
So when the suggestion of a week in the sun is made, it takes very little persuasion for her to accept.
Helen and her two friends from Uni head off to Cyprus to chill out in the sunshine….. and a week of life changing events take place.
A thoroughly enjoyable read from cover to cover, especially so if you are a woman of Helen’s age and know how it feels to be taken for granted by your husband or children.
Heartwarming and hilarious, a must read for summer.
I look forward to the second book in the trilogy.

A really good read. I thoroughly enjoyed this story following the lives of three fifty year old woman who are all being dragged down with family life so when one of them suggests a holiday they jump at the chance..Helen ,Kay and Caro are great characters who you can identify with and it's a great holiday read .I'm pleased there is a follow up so I can find out what eventually happens to them all and whether they will ever get back to normal life

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. When I started it I wasn't sure what to expect but I did think it would be a bit more lighthearted than it was. It had a good story but although I started out sympathising with Helen, my opinion of her had changed by the end.

This book was sent to me by Netgalley for review. There are so many characters that I became somewhat confused. Although the story moved slowly, it was Intriguing. This author is talented in weaving a story. Stay u til the end…it is worth it.