I think that this turned out to be one of my favourite books by Judy Leigh. It has some really interesting and lively characters, all at different stages of their lives. The humour never seems forced but comes naturally from the characters and the situations. Above all, I wasn't sure exactly how the story was going to pan out until it was well underway. Set against the joie de vivre of the characters is also the poignancy that Mimi, the grandmother and matriarch, is aging and becoming frailer. I also enjoyed the different reactions to her eccentricities, from the tutting villagers to her doting sons and Jess who forges a genuine friendship.

The message of the book has to be that it is never too late to seize the day and live in the present. There is a genuine feeling of love and friendship and some interesting family dynamics. The setting in Scotland is gorgeous and you absolutely believe that Jess would fall in love with the area as she finds her independence. It is a heart-warming read with some sad moments but overall, the feeling is one of uplifting friendship and genuine affection.

In short: Lively characters prove it's never too late!
#Blog tour

Set in Scotland. Three adult sons think the world of their elderly mother and want the best for her. A new lady arrives to take care of her, bringing new friends into the circle. Colourful characters with a lot to offer within this story, you will enjoy this book, it is full of emotions. Wonderful read with 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

This was a sweet, easy read by Judy Leigh. I enjoyed every turn of the page and was sad when I finished it. The descriptions of Scotland were spot on as I’ve visited this place a few times. It’s so spectacular. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

A quick and easy read that I found myself picking up after a long day to unwind. The characters are beautifully written and I came to love them within the first few pages and was rooting for them all the way to the end. At times I wanted to stop reading because I just wanted the experience to go on for longer.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was really happy to get a copy of Judy Leigh's novel, The Highland Hens. I enjoyed Heading over the Hill, Chasing the Sun Lil's Bus Trip and The Golden Girls' Getaway. .

Mimi is 88 and lives with her sons Finlay, Angus and Hamish. The close-knit family relationship is excellently portrayed.
I loved Mimi's recollections of her past as a dancer and performer and the description of her costumes was excellent.

Another character in the novel is Jess Oliver, who is trying to get over her divorce. I was pleased when she had the chance to meet Mimi and liked how they got on.

Judy Leigh has done it again. In Mimi, she has created a loving, funny and stand-out character who sparkles. Each character is unique. Judy has a real talent for relationships across family generations and creates a believable family dynamic.

Thanks to Judy Leigh and Boldwood Books for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

4 stars

I devoured this book from start to finish. I was hooked into it through the character of Jess and her decision to extend her stay in the highlands, out of what seems to be, at first, pure necessity. The interest didn’t stop there, though.

There are so many likeable, vibrant, sympathetic and believable characters. Firstly, I could identify with Jess’ need for escape and also to find somewhere to settle. I admired Mimi’s energy, determination and confidence and I love the fact that Judy always gives older characters a starring role in her books. For me, Mimi is the star of the show in this book, just as she believed herself to be the star when she was on stage in the West End. I also had huge sympathy for each of the Mckinlay brothers. I felt for Fin, going through a difficult divorce. I also wanted Angus to find happiness and hope for the future following his tragedy. Finally, even though Hamish seems to be living the high life, I did carry some sympathy for him as he seemed to be under a lot of pressure to fulfill his mother’s dreams, and also seemed to miss home!

It is the characters, their dialogue, their believable relationships and their engaging backstories that make this book, but there is also a lot else that this book has to offer. It is filled to the brim with humour, light romance, friendship and is essentially just full of heart and loveliness.

There is something in this book for everyone. If you’re looking for an everlasting love story, you will find it in this book. If you’re looking for a book that puts characters that are often marginalised, such as older characters or characters that struggle with their, to the fore, then you will find it in this book. If you’re looking for light-hearted humour and some laugh out loud moments, you will find them in this book. If you’re looking for a deeper exploration of what it means to love, trust, have a family or a life-long connection, you will find it in this book. There are times when I wanted to burst into laughter, and others when I felt I had no choice but to burst into teachers. This is a very touching and heart-felt book, especially as I felt the characters were coming to life before me.

I have read lots of Judy Leigh’s books, but I think this joins Lil’s Bus Trip as one of my all-time favourites. I highly recommend this book and author to fans of Maddie Please, Milly Johnson and Hannah Lynn.

Sometimes you meet a character in a book that is so memorable that you are stuck thinking of this character long after you have finished the book... Mimi is this character! I adored Mimi. Mimi, an octogenerian, living in the attic of her family home is lonely and a little lost. She loves to dress up in her finest dresses from back in the day when she was a young dancer in the theaters in London. She plays her old music, dances and sings, all while enjoying her wine perhaps a little too much. She was eccentric in the best possible way and her slightly younger friend Isabella, a former model, was just a hoot. These two women of age really had a ball together and had me laughing and smiling a lot!
Jess, Mimi's new carer was an easy to like character with a really good heart. Both her story and the story of Mimi's 3 sons added depth to this story about loneliness, friends and love.

Highlights:
- feisty women of age!
- larger than life characters
- friends like family
- gorgeous setting in Scotland
- second chances, love
- living your best life... inspirational!

I always know when I read a Judy Leigh book that I’m in for the best few hours reading. I fell in love with the wonderful Mimi by the end of the first paragraph. As she “tottered” towards her stereo I just felt that she was going to fill me good feelings full of laughter and joy and I wasn’t wrong. Judy has a creative knack to bring happiness to her characters, they are real and utterly believable. Each one has their own little foibles that just make them wonderful to get to know.

Mimi and her naughty best friend Isabella have a zest for life that is totally infectious. They prove that age is just a number, you get one life so just live it to the best you can. Whether 8 or 88 just do what makes you happy, makes you heart swell and makes you feel loved. Friendships are always a strong theme in Judy’s books and boy does she create simply the best friendships. Everyone and every funny moment is incredibly marvellous with a capital M.

As the story unfolds and more and more stunts are pulled by Mimi I kept thinking “I want to be just like this slightly potty but magnificent lady” Jess is having a fab time looking after Mimi and she helps to open our eyes to the fact that 50 somethings can and do live lives to the full with dreams and hopes yet to be fulfilled.

I am not going to ramble on and on, and believe me I could. I just advise you to grab a copy, a coffee and tissues (for the tears of laughter) you will soon be immersed in the life of marvellous Mimi, her 3 son’s, the dark and brooding Angus, handsome and suave Hamish and Fin who seems t have the world on his shoulders. It’s a journey you won’t regret taking.

I do love a Judy Leigh book, she has such a fantastic writing style and creates the most unique and interesting characters you can’t help but love. I also love the fact her characters are mature and get past the age of 40 !! This book is about a celebration of life, yes there’s romance in it, but to me the ultimate message was about actually living the life you have , I mean I loved the tagline so much, it sums it up better than I could. “Because being old enough to know better, doesn’t mean your dancing days are done…”

The Highland Hens is a gorgeous read , it’s emotional (will pull you through the wringer but you will come out fresh and happier I promise) it’s so heartwarming, I love Mimi and Jess’ friendship so much. Mimi is definitely a character who will stay with me for a long, long time and I hope to evoke her spirit one day.

It’s set in Scotland, I think if you set a book in Scotland or Cornwall it’s a guarantee I will end up reading it, they’re my favourite places, been all over them. This made me want to visit again so much (thank god I’m going in 6 weeks ) Overall a wonderful read, full of heart, fun and I love the fact one of it’s message is that no one needs to be lonely , beautiful.

Thanks to netgalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for an advance ebook in exchange for an honest review

I have read several of Judy Leigh’s books and loved them all. She is one of my favourite authors and besides her style of writing and wonderful characters, I love how she writes about older people. In The Highland Hens, the cover has the tagline “Because being old enough to know better, doesn’t mean your dancing days are done…” and it’s that kind of positivity about older women that makes her novels stand out.
So I was really looking forward to reading her latest novel – and of course, it didn’t disappoint!
The star of this story is Mimi McKinlay, 88 years young, who lives in the impressive Glen Carrick House near Loch Ness. Back in the 1950s, she was a chorus girl and still loves to dream about the good old days of singing and dancing on stage. She lives with her three sons – Finlay (64), Angus (61) and Hamish (57).
Isabella Ballantyne is Mimi’s Italian friend. She’s 82 and was a fashion model in the 1960s. Just like Mimi, she’s not ready to grow old gracefully, but wants to live life for as long as she has left. She drives a red sports car and is a complete hoot! Isabella and Mimi together are brilliant. But on her own, Mimi seems sad, is eating too little and drinking too much.
So her sons decide that what she needs is a companion…
Jess Oliver is enjoying her first holiday to the Scottish Highlands. She is 59 years old and a divorced mum to Saffy (25). But her housing plans don’t quite work out, so she ends up taking the job as Mimi’s live-in companion.
I won’t tell you anything else, you’ll have to read it for yourself – and please do, because it’s an excellent book. Judy’s books are always very accessible, easy to get into and then you fall in love with the characters and need to keep reading. Do they get their Happy Ever Afters? You really hope so.
The Highland Hens is another great read that takes you through a variety of emotions, but always ending up feeling happy and with a big smile on your face – albeit a bit tinged with sadness at the end, when you realise you have to leave the characters behind. Though I suspect the wonderful high-kicking Mimi will stay with me a while…

2.5/5
I considered giving 3 stars, but when comparing to other books I rated 3 stars, it just didn’t quite line up.
I don’t normally read books with middle-aged or elderly characters unless it’s very emotional or a cozy mystery. The found family and inter generational friendship aspects, and of course the Scottish setting, pulled me in, though. Ultimately, the things I was most looking forward to were underdeveloped. Despite the length, there’s not much emotional depth, and I didn’t find myself reacting emotionally like I expected a story like this would do. I felt like I only had a surface level understanding of the characters, despite featuring a variety of relationship complications and heavier topics such as divorce, the death of a spouse, and feeling stuck in a marriage.

Jess’ relationships with the McKinley brothers is very blurry and undefined until about about 2/3 into the book. Her friends joke about being in a house filled with single men, which one she likes both and which ones they can call dibs on, etc. there are moments when she seems to feel affection and attention towards all 3 brothers, and scenes from their perspective where it’s hinted they all feel the same way about her. Plenty of other scenes have a much more platonic/familial development and tone. I’m all for older women getting their own romances or even love triangles, but this aspect was so underdeveloped, it didn’t seem that necessary. Just some added drama.

I would have loved more description and interaction with the setting.


Highland Hens, IMO, is a cute story with lots of potential. It needed better editing. I would also say I seem to be in the minority with my opinion. Of the 60-odd reviews on GR, the average is 4.43 stars. While there were definitely some big let downs, it could also be that this book just wasn’t for me. If you want something light and breezy or are a fan of Judy Leigh’s work( this was my first), Highland Hens may suit you.

Favorite Quotes:

Mimi immediately refilled her glass to the brim. ‘A good Chardonnay is like a good man,’ she said, taking a swig as the diners on the next table turned to listen. Isabella agreed. ‘Both are best if they are transparent and expensive.

‘I was so keen on a hot romance and now it’s just too much like hard work, getting dressed up to go out and having to be on my best behaviour. I can’t be bothered. No…’ She shook her head. ‘I think I’d be better off with a dog. I’m getting quite attached to this young man.’ Heather rubbed Thor’s ears. ‘He’s loyal, no trouble and easy to manage.’

‘I’d dress up in my costumes and drink wine all evening. I called it my Chardonnay Show Time.’ She sighed. ‘Loneliness is a disease, Charlie. And it’s contagious– that’s why people stay away from you, in case they catch it too.’

...always is a very long time… All we have is now.


My Review:

I honestly revere and adore Judy Leigh. This was an insightfully bittersweet tale, written with profound inner musings and perceptive observations and laced together with clever prose that alternated between heart-squeezing tenderness and smirk-worthy humor.

Ms. Leigh magically conjures unusual yet lovable characters who never fail to endear as well as delightfully entertain. I treasure and covet her word skills. Book after book, I have reveled in her authentic characters and the thoughtful development of Mimi in this one was simply brilliant. And, of course, I totally agree with her about wine.

This is a heart-warming book about friendship and family. Wonderful, quirky characters bring this poignant story to life! I laughed some, I cried some, but mostly I just loved.

I want to be like Mimi when I'm her age! She's a total riot. Living in the past, she still manages to live life fully in the present, and for me she is the star of the show. There is also a sense of poignancy about her as beneath the extravagant exterior, there lies a woman who is very aware of her own mortality.

The romance is gentle and grown-up, and with three eligible bachelors in the offing, there is some speculation over which one Jess will eventually fall in love with.

This is a story of new beginnings, no matter how old you are, where age is irrelevant if you have enough courage, and where love is a very real possibility even in your twilight years.

As I’ve said before, as a woman of a certain age, I really can appreciate novels about other women of a certain age, and my go-to author for these is absolutely Judy Leigh. I’m just thrilled that I discovered her books for many reasons. First, because there’s romance in these books, but it isn’t the type of overwhelming stuff with the heavy angst that young people seem experience in novels. Also, I love reading about older women letting loose and enjoying life and not caring what people think, especially those who are retired like me. Well, okay, sometimes they get embarrassed about some things, but that’s only natural. In addition, and most importantly, Leigh writes with such adoration of her characters that readers can’t help but love them as well.

Now, my regular readers know that I’m not an animal person (heck, I’m not much of a people person, either), so when an author describes something not-so-nice happening to a family pet, and I get choked up about it, you know that they’re doing something right. If that wasn’t enough, I was smiling throughout reading this story, especially at the antics of Mimi Solitaire. Mind you, although you get the feeling that Mimi might not be totally sane, but then she has these times when she feels her age, regrets the life she used to have, and you can’t help feeling for her. However, as for the young(ish) Jess (in her 50s), this is a woman who hasn’t really lived life much, and as much as I liked her, for all she did for Mimi, I didn’t identify with her as much as I might have. Still, that didn’t stop me from having some emotional connection with her, so that’s a good thing as well.

But probably the reason why I enjoyed this novel so much was the sights and scenes of Scotland, and in particular around Loch Ness. You see, my husband and I spent 10 days living at a B&B almost exactly in the same spot where the home of the McKinlays is located – Drumnadrochit, right on Loch Ness. That was such a lovely vacation, although we were there in August (with the midges), but I’ll never forget it! Reading this book really mad me want to go back, to see it in the spring or the autumn, or even in winter. I kept imagining where I would visit, how I would travel around, what sights I would see. I realize that I’d probably have to rent a car, so I’m thinking right now with fuel prices as they are, it might not be such a great idea in the near future. Still, this novel really put the Scotland bug into my head, and my heart. So, as you can see, I really need to get back there again.

You know, I have to say that I think this very well could be the first time I’ve read a novel where reading it has given me the urge to go visit the location. I mean, yes, I’ve read lots of books located all over the world, but this time, since I know it already (not just from that one vacation). That’s certainly something for which Leigh deserves kudos. Now, I should mention that I wasn’t too terribly surprised by the various romantic elements (Leigh did leave some pretty large breadcrumbs), but I can’t say that this bothered me much. For all this, I think this is another one of those books that I’m wholeheartedly recommending for some good fun and lovely characters, and stunningly beautiful vistas! Yes, she made me laugh, but she also made me cry – and not just over that animal! That means I really can’t give it less than a full 5/5 stars!

I would firstly just like to say a big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of this book, for my Kindle in return for my honest review.

This book was so very emotional and had me feeling all of the emotions one by one!
Eighty-eight year old Mimi McKinlay lives in Glen Carrick House, overlooking Loch Ness and is being cared for by her three grown-up sons.
She soon meets and befriends a freshly divorced Jess Oliver who is getting her very first taste of independence.
And so unfolds a wonderful, heartwarming story full of love, friendship, family and fun!
I absolutely loved this storyline and the lovely setting and of course all of the wonderful characters.
This book was a much needed emotional, heartwarming read and I loved it……..

I honestly feel like I say this every time I review a book by Judy Leigh, but I genuinely believe that this is her best book yet. It followed a familiar timeline, in as much as Mimi is an octogenarian, but Jess is somewhat younger. The story opens with Jess taking a break in the beautiful Highlands area of Western Scotland. Staying in a lovely B&B, she is killing time while, back home, her brother works on the cottage that she has recently bought.
Unsurprisingly, Jess is enchanted by this gorgeous area and wonders if she can stay for longer, thus avoiding temporarily moving in with her brother and his wife. Discovering a job advert for a companion role, which is ‘live-in’, it seems like the answer to her dreams. As a result, she meets, larger than life, Mimi.
The Highland Hens is a celebration of love and life. Mimi’s flamboyant attitude to her life is refreshing and I loved her unwillingness to simply fade away. I sincerely hope that I am partial to a few glasses of wine on a daily basis, should I be fortunate to reach such an impressive age.
Mimi’s sons are such individuals and yet so alike in their adoration of their mother. Fin, Hamish, and Angus brought terrific depth to the story, and I was intrigued by their stories, but it was Angus who captured my imagination. His grit and determination made him stand out as a guy I’d want to meet.
A very special mention must go to Isabella, as Mimi’s friend and partner in crime, she is a force to be reckoned with. Flamboyant and clearly disinterested in behaving in any manner but badly, she certainly made me smile.
Despite all of the above, it was the way that Jess developed as she settled into her life at Glen Carrick House that really captured my imagination. Her bond with Mimi and her gentle friendships with the brothers kept me guessing but ultimately left me satisfied.
This book is an absolute triumph and glides into my books of the year list.

A heartwarming but slow read. A widowed mother and her three sons live in Glen Carrick House in the Highlands of Scotland. 88-year old Mimi lives for the life she used to have as a dancer on the stage whilst her sons each battle their own problems. Jess, a divorced woman who is holidaying in the Scottish Highlands whilst her new cottage is renovated finds herself as Mimi’s companion. Can the women make the most of their lives?

I enjoyed the overall plot of the story and most of the characters are likeable but I found the story quite repetitive which made it dull at times and the story jumped a little which made some areas confusing too. I also thought that Isabella and Mimi’s antics were a little far fetched and I wanted to skim those parts as they became annoying. There is a lot of character development which was lovely and I worked out some of the ending but not all.

An easy, heartwarming but slow read.

I’ll pretty much read anything set in Scotland! If I could pick up and move anywhere in the world, it would be Scotland - preferably the Isle of Skye. My life goal is to be a grumpy, nosy old Scottish lady! Lol. Honestly, the beauty of the Highlands of Scotland are so similar to many places on Maui, just a lot colder! (Which sounds really nice to my 46-year-old hormones!!). Ha!

Anyway, this book was a fun, quick read with lots of laughs and also lots of emotion. It hit shelves yesterday, 8/4/22, so be sure to check it out! The characters were full of life and well-developed. Angus was actually my favorite. Although I would have liked imagining the 3 McKinley brothers in kilts a little more often! 😉 I’m hoping this might be the beginning of a series and we get to see more of some of these characters? If you’re into easy rom-coms, with a few aging characters, you might like this.

Thank you to NetGalley, Judy Leigh, and Boldwood Books for the #ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

At 88, Mimi is living life in her past, reliving her past successes on the stage. Her three sons adore their mother but think she needs someone who can keep her company. Waiting for her cottage to be renovated, Jess travels to Scotland and decides to take on the job and soon finds herself caught up in the life of this family. A charming, heartwarming read.