"The Highland Hens" by Judy Leigh is a heartwarming and enchanting tale that unfolds against the backdrop of Scotland's picturesque Loch Ness. This novel weaves a delightful narrative, skillfully blending family dynamics, personal growth, and the magical allure of the Scottish Highlands.

At the heart of the story is eighty-eight-year-old Mimi McKinlay, a character whose life is intricately connected to her three adult sons. Each son is distinct in personality – Hamish with his musical talents, Fin as the responsible brother, and Angus, whose brooding personality matches his striking good looks. The shared concern among the brothers is palpable as they witness their mother living in the memories of her stage days, seemingly letting the present slip away.

Enter Jess Oliver, a woman at a turning point in her life after an amicable divorce. Her journey to the Highlands becomes a voyage of self-discovery and independence. The beauty and hospitality of Scotland serve as a captivating backdrop, adding a layer of charm to the narrative.

As Mimi and Jess's paths cross, a beautiful friendship blossoms, becoming the catalyst for transformative change in both women's lives. Leigh skillfully explores themes of friendship, resilience, and the power of looking forward instead of dwelling on the past. The novel emphasizes the importance of seizing the present moment and pursuing long-forgotten dreams, portraying each new day as a canvas filled with fresh possibilities.

Leigh's writing style is evocative, capturing the essence of the Scottish landscape and infusing the story with a sense of warmth and authenticity. The characters are well-developed, and their relationships are portrayed with depth and nuance. The author succeeds in creating a narrative that resonates with readers, leaving them with a sense of hope and the belief that it's never too late for new beginnings.

"The Highland Hens" is a four-star read that transports readers to the enchanting world of Loch Ness, where the bonds of family and friendship intertwine with the beauty of Scotland. Judy Leigh's storytelling prowess shines through, delivering a heartening tale of rediscovery and embracing the possibilities that life has to offer.

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide me review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

I found this slow to start and really get into. However around the midway point the story really started to kick in.
Regardless of the slow start i found this novel utterly charming and quite funny in parts too.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
This is the first book I have read by this author. It is well-written, as expected of an accomplished author. The characters are well-drawn and I liked the underlying theme of love threaded through the story, everything from companionship and romance to everlasting love was described but wasn't the main focus of the story.
I didn't enjoy the emphasis on Mimi's drinking and poor appetite, which her sons seemed unable or unwilling to influence, 'enjoying life at 88' does not have to mean destroying your own health - I'm surprised her liver didn't give up, and Ailsa's gossip about Mimi being 'a drunk' seems an accurate description. Mimi seemed to want to dine out at expensive restaurants every day, despite eating virtually nothing: how wasteful! I totally disliked this character (who seems to have been one of a tv pop dancing group in her thirties when the main BBC Top of the Pops dancers were barely in their twenties), thank goodness my 95-year-old mother and 97-year-old mother-in-law have not been so selfish at their advanced ages.
I have given the book a medium rating because the story is good, and interesting, and generating a response within a reader is a sign of good work on the part of the author, but this definitely wouldn't be book I'd read again.

Joyful, full of warmth and laughs, an absolute delight!
I can't really say much more about this, it's charming.
I loved that the main character is a lady in her 8o's, Mimi is larger than life and lives as though she were a young whipper snapper of 6o, I love her zest for life with her singing and dancing - honest;y this wonderful lady has more gusto in her 88-year-old bones then I do, she is a marvel and it's an absolute delight watching her story and her adventure open up before my eyes. I absolutely loved how all the characters learn something profound from each other, and how we have a multi-generational cast all holding their own on the page.
I loved this story, It proves that age is just a number, and does represent how you feel inside or doesn't dictate how you live and be in life.!
Utterly feel-good, a must-read!!

After the initial pages, I found myself not connecting with the story or characters, so I decided to pass on this book. Did not finish

The Highland Hens is a heartwarming book about friendships and family. Set in the highlands of Scotland, the book oozes charm and picturesque writing.

Mimi in her eighties spends her days, reminiscing about her past and drinking chardonnay. Her sons seek, a live in companion to keep their mother happy and away from the eccentric influence of Isabella. Jess Owens, arrives at Drumond for a short holiday. But when her cottage work takes longer to complete, Jess is forced to take up a temporary job. With Jess's arrival at the Glen Carrick house as Mimi's companion, everything becomes better for Jess, Mimi and her sons. Unexpected friendships are formed, old connections are rekindled and passion and stability are exchanged between Mimi and Jess.

Judy Leigh captures the reader's heart with her loveable yet quirky characters, a sweet and charming story and atmospheric writing. There are an array of delightful characters.

The three sons Fin, Angus and Hamish are three different personalities but they adore their mother and come together to keep Mimi happy and safe. I loved how the McKinlay boys indulged Mimi's whims and fancies with adoration.

Jess Owens is a sweet and sensible woman who is happily independent. Her friendship with Heather and Anna was cute.

Mimi and Isabela, the quirky and charming old yet energetic ladies trying hard to hold on to their memories of youth, glitz and glamour.

Overall, it was a pleasant yet slow read that I would highly recommend for fans of Women's fiction. If you are looking for a heartening read with cheerful characters and an uplifting story, go ahead and grab The Highland Hens.

'"Everyone wants the same thing, whether they are young or old - to mean something special to someone, to be the centre of somebody's world."'

No one does septuagenarians and octogenarians quite like Judy Leigh. Similarly, there are few authors who manage to capture the feeling of a place as well as Judy Leigh. So, when this new book with a larger-than-life octogenarian set in the Scottish high lands came on my path I was beyond excited. Highland Hens is the story of 88 year old Mimi McKinlay, or rather, Mimi Solitaire, a former West End dancer now living in the high lands, slowly wasting away her days going on the occasional rampage with her friend Isabelle, a former model. When her sons decide to hire a live-in companion, Jess, who is on holiday in Scotland as her little cottage in England gets restored, sees the ad and decides to go for it. As she moves into the McKinlay home to care for Mimi, it is not just the former dancer who finds her way into Mimi's heart, but so do her three uniquely different sons Fin, Hamish and Angus.

While not my favorite story by the author, Highland Hens does 100% deliver on the eccentric characters, cozy feelings and sceneries that have me wanting to hop on the next plane to wherever the story is set that I am so used to. At times, I found the actual story a little slow and repetitive, but regardless, it was a nice read full of all the feels. Yes, all of them. Love. Indignation. Sadness. This, because not only do we see the story of Jess finding a new way in life after a divorce, we also learn much about Mimi's life with her deceased husband Donald, and the loneliness that can come after children have fled the nest. As per usual, Judy Leigh manages to pack a lot of real life in a relatively breezy read. And oh, if you are a fan either of Scotland or the world of musicals, this one will be an absolute delight!

In the Highland Hen's we meet eighty-eight-year-old Mimi McKinlay who lives in Glen Carrick House overlooking Scotland’s famous Loch Ness. Her three sons care for her; Hamish has inherited his mother’s musical talents, Fin is the responsible brother, and Angus has the complicated and brooding personality to match his dashing good looks. They are concerned that Mimi is living in the past when she was on stage, and not enjoying her present day life. Enter 59 year old, Jess Oliver, who has recently gone through an amicable divorce and is on holiday in the Highlands. She meets Mimi after answering an advert that Finn placed to find a companion for his mother, and they connect forming a friendship that will change both their lives.

The best thing about Judy Leigh's books is that I can see myself in her characters. It is nice to read a book with characters that are more mature and still enjoying life. Mimi is an older character who fluctuates between her memories, periods where I wasn't sure she wasn't a bit touched, and regret for what she missed in her life. Her best friend Isabella kept her young, going out on the town and regaling everyone with their stories. Jess was smothered by her husband, so has not really lived much, this was her big chance. I loved Mimi's sons. They were so dedicated to their mom, it was wonderful. They all have issues and things going on in their lives as well, that add to the story. There was a lot of emotion in this book, warmth, affection, humour, regret, love and sadness. The descriptions were wonderful and having stayed a couple of days in Drumnadrochit a few years ago, it brought back pleasant memories. I didn't make it to Skye, but the description of that area has me wanting to go back to Scotland soon. As with all of Judy Leigh's books there is some romance in this one, but that is not what this book is about. It is about friendship and living and enjoying life. I highly recommend this one.

The Highland Hens by Judy Leigh is a sweet, delightful and mesmerizing read. The star of this story is Mimi. She might be eighty-eight years old, bust she's full of life and doesn't pass on an opportunity to dress pretty and dance. Oh yes, one must not forget the copious amounts of wine she consumes and her love for seafood.

When Jess and Mimi's paths cross, both women have no idea that their bond is the one that lasts forever. Mimi's two sons have had bad marriages - Fin and Angus while Hamish is single and never married. Mimi secretly wishes to have a daughter - in the form of a daughter-in-law who gets along with her.

As the story proceeds, we see Jess - who doesn't like musicals - encouraging Mimi to sing and dance. Jess is surrounded by three eligible bachelors. And there's one brother she's wary of - Angus. He's rude and short-tempered. We readers are given subtle clues as to whom might be the best suitor for Jess - and if you go down this path and zero-in on a particular brother for Jess, you are in for disappointment. ;)

Fin and Hamish are sweet to Jess so one does wonder if Jess falls in love with one of them. How about Angus then? He's initially rude but as months pass by, Jess realizes he's charming in his own sweet way.

It's not just Mimi who loves things glittery and musical. Mimi's friend Isabella too joins in the fun - and the brothers have a hard time keeping the two elderly ladies apart. They know Isabella is sometimes, not a good influence on their mum - especially when it comes to drinking, dining and dancing - which the two ladies do overly often.

The first half of the story is slow paced - I felt the detailed introductions and scene-setting could be cut down a bit. The second half of the story is where things begin to change - for good, better or bad. The ending was unexpected - I didn't see it coming.

If you love slow burn fiction with a dash of romance and whole lotta fun, you might want to give The Highland Hens by Judy Leigh a try.

Fun, uplifting and simply wonderful, The Highland Hens is the latest charmer from best-selling author Judy Leigh.

Eighty-eight year old Mimi McKinley lives in imposing Carrick House overlooking Loch Ness. Cared for by her three adult sons, Mimi spends her days reminiscing about her past triumphs on the stage – something which is troubling her offspring. Mimi’s three sons cannot help but worry that their mother is so busy living in the past that she is neglecting her present and missing out on her future. Mimi’s three boys don’t know which way to turn – until their mother makes a new friend called Jess…

Jess Oliver is at a crossroads in her life. Amicably divorced after being married for a long time, for the first time in forever Jess is free to do whatever she likes, whenever she likes. Finally able to live life by her own rules, Jess has headed to Scotland and this trip to the Highlands is her first taste of independence. The majestic beauty of this magnificent part of the world quickly gets under her skin and when she makes friends with Mimi, Jess is delighted to have made the acquaintance of such a fascinating woman. Yet, little does she realise that the two of them will end up helping each other out in ways they had never imagined!

Together, Jess and Mimi realise that life is about looking forward not back and that with good friends by your side, everything can be achieved – you just need to take a leap of faith and a chance on yourself.

I cannot get enough of Judy Leigh’s books! I adore everything about them – from her larger than life characters to the humour, wit and warmth that leave readers with a great big smile on their face after racing through one of her books and The Highland Hens is no different.

Funny, inspirational and warm-hearted, The Highland Hens is an irresistible tale about living life to the fullest, the joys of friendship and never being too old to discover something new and embark on exciting adventures from a fabulous writer who gets it right every time.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley for this copy. This is a really good book, kept me entertained throughout and I would thoroughly recommend to all.

This is the story of Mimi and her sons, Mimi is a beautiful lighthearted elderly lady who is getting forgetful, her son hires someone to help take care of her.
What a pleasure to read from start to end. It is about love, friendship, family and always sticking together. Mimi is a wonderful character and I adored her outrageous sense of humor.

Oh this book could just as easily have been titled The Life, Times, and Adventures of Mimi Solitaire, and no one would have blinked an eye. She is the star of the show in so many ways. Mimi may be up there in years, and experiences, but she lives loudly, and without shame, as we all should! She is her own person, and yes, she may tire more easily now, forget the usual pleasantries of today, and take a few chances others would turn their nose up at, but she is genuine, she is true to herself, and she is a doll! I couldn't imagine having not met this vibrant woman, so much so that as I type this now, I'm tearing up! Yes, in truth. There are many reasons, what with everything that transpires between the epages, but the biggest one is that fictional or not, you can't help but care for this remarkable character...and the same goes for her "entourage".

We have her sons that care for her oh so deeply, but not by placating her and trying to change her into someone she's not, but by cherishing her and how her strength and love molded them into the men they are today. Which was my favorite? Well, they all had their positives, and while my heart didn't match with any of them in particular, I was beyond thrilled with Jess' match. Oh yes, I haven't mentioned Jess yet. What begins as a place to call home while her own home is under renovation turns into a life changing experience that opens hearts, ignited flames, and brings her into a family fold she never anticipated. Jess, herself, is also a remarkable woman, having had her own experiences in life and love and loss...and while she is the catalyst for many of the positive changes occurring in the McKinlay household, she's in for a few surprises of her own. Then there's Isabella, Mimi's long time friend til the end and partner in crime, the memories of those she's loved before, and the hope she holds on to for a love of her own still to come.

It's a heartwarming novel from start to finish, and one I am truly grateful to have found. Go ahead, take a chance on these grand dames and new friends, and you'll feel like one of the hens in no time flat. A great recommendation for Women's Fiction and Contemporary Fiction fans of all ages.

Really enjoyed this book. I don't live far from Badsey and a friend of mine lives there so it was weird that the character Jess is based there.

Anyway, Jess and her husband have divorced and Jess decides to go on holiday to Scotland. Her house is being renovated so she has a few weeks to kill. She books a bed and breakfast and goes off on adventures. One day she sees an advert for a companion for an elderly lady and as her renovations will take longer than intended she decides to get a job in the meantime.

Enter the Mckinlays, Fin, Hamish, Angus, all strapping and handsome sons of the effervescent Mimi Solitaire, a former singer and dancer who Jess is hired to take care of.

I loved the fact that every single person in this book is over the age of 50. It was so nice to read about people my age, and i love that the book centres around an elderly person who is overcome with loneliness and all she has are her memories, it broke me down in fat sobbing tears as i read it the day before HM The Queens funeral, and for some reason i saw similarities and i cried.

Wonderful book. Loved it!

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. Is really enjoyed this story. The characters are likeable and I absolutely loved the older ladies in this story. Highly recommend.

It is a story Mimi, an eighty eight years old and her three sons, Finlay, Angus and Hamish. Mimi lived in her last as a carefree and stage performer. As Mimi is getting uncontrollable, Finlay decided to look for a caretaker to be around for Mimi and Jess enters the McKinlay’s lives who presence becomes integral to the family.

This is a story of memories, family and relationship which on love, loss, grief and happiness. Love to read about the 3 brothers who cared so much for Mimi to ensure she have the best life possible. Overall it is a heartwarming and lovely read with wonderful characters and setting.

*review scheduled to be published on 18/9/22*

This was a cute, quick and easy read.

I had been intending to read a book by Judy Leigh for a while now as I've heard good things about her writing and I wasn't disappointed.

I loved the descriptions of Scotland and I particularly enjoyed how true-to-life the characters seemed. A very heart-warming and life affirming read.

The Highland Hens by Judy Leigh is a heart-warming, humorous, and life affirming story about family, friends and the family we choose for ourselves. It is also a ‘second-chance at love’ story.

It’s impossible not to love Mimi as a character. She is quirky, over the top and you find yourself not being totally convinced that her memories are real, but not caring if they are or not. She reminded me so much of my late grandma, May, who couldn’t cook (and didn’t think it was her responsibility to cook), would sing at the most inappropriate times, and would always be dancing, preferably with evening wear and jingling jewellery.

Mimi lives in the Highlands just outside the quaint village of Drumnadrochit. Her three sons, Finlay, Angus and Hamish, all single in their late 50s/early 60s are all trying their best to keep Mimi in check, without her being lead astray by her equally flamboyant friend Isabella. The locals are find her eccentricities too much, and so when holidaymaker Jess applies for the job to care for Mimi, she seems the perfect answer.

I loved the endless patience that Jess has for Mimi, constantly taking the time to listen to her ramblings about the past, and trying to guide her away from drinking too much wine with clever diversions. With the three handsome brothers at the house, romance is bound to occur, but my lips are sealed about the brother Jess feels most drawn to.

I loved the setting, in the Highlands, and I think my favourite part was when Jess and her new friends taught Mimi how to dance a relatively modern dance! The time they all spent in London for the preview of Hamish’s new musical was really entertaining, and in particular the meal they had in a very upmarket restaurant.

This wonderful story of family and friendships will have you giggling, and quite possibly shedding a tear or two, but in spite of my tear or two, I found it so incredibly life-affirming.

It’s always good news when a new Judy Leigh book comes out. You are guaranteed a cracking read, a good laugh, possibly a few tears and just an all-round superb story.

I loved Mimi right from the start. She’s not letting her age get her down, even though she sometimes despairs at the things that she can no longer do. She’s a woman after my own heart in fact, her favourite things are wine and dancing, a wonderful combination! She is quite eccentric of course, but this just made me love her even more. Her family all have their own lives, but they love her to bits and they’re very supportive.

Jess is also a lovely character, kind and caring, and I took to her straight away also.

This book is just a joy to read with sparkling wit, wonderful characters, stunning settings and a story that’s emotional but also very insightful and sensitive.

Another triumph from Judy Leigh, and I know I say this every time, but this one really is the best yet. Can’t recommend it highly enough, just treat yourself and buy it, you’ll be glad that you did.