👵🎶Quite touching and life affirming🏞

I really enjoyed this ensemble of characters, most 50 years plus, and Jess's adventure with the never-a-dull-moment octogenarian Mimi Solitaire and the family and friends who bask in her joie de vivre. She may raise eyebrows and create a scene but she's sipping every last drop out of life thanks to her indulgent, adoring sons.

I chose this story for its Scottish setting and the focus on mature characters. It was not a quick read for me; I am not certain why. Maybe because I got frustrated with the scenes where Mimi's friend Isabella, chain smoking and drinking like a fish, is egging Mimi on. Isabella was hardly the bosom companion I would want for my frail mother. But, on the other hand, she may be exactly the right person to keep a dreamer like Mimi lively and still dreaming away as she reminisces about her joyful life on the stage. Once Isabella's involvement dies down a bit I felt the story moved better.

There's just enough angst and sorrow, not too much. And, overall, the story is positive and inspirational, carpe diem for the senior set! Second (and even third!) chances abound in Glen Carrick (and the beauties of wild Scotland feature prominently as Jess is captivated by the place as well as its inhabitants).

I was thoroughly caught up in the arc of the plot, with amicably divorced, empty nester Jess stumbling on a placement with Mimi by chance when she finds herself between homes. She discovers a whole close-knit set of friends and learns that it's never too late to kick up your heels, savor new experiences and grab companionship and love. What a great message😊!

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved Mimi and her character, at the age of 88, so full of life, and wanting to sing and dance, having a career that she loved.

She loves the theatre and all musicals, but her way of life now is so different to what it was, now on her own, living with her three sons, who aren’t always there for her.

But, when her best friend Isabella visits, that’s a time she loves. That is until Finn, her son advertises for a live in assistant for her. Jess applies and is employed by the McKinlay's.

Jess enjoys spending time with Mimi and the brothers are happy that there is a change in Mimi.

I loved reading about the characters and especially Mimi, her past life was interesting reading.

Judy, has once again written a fabulous book, highlighting the years lived by bright, enthusiastic lady.

I highly recommend this book.

3.8 Stars

One Liner: Heartwarming but slow

The Glen Carrick House in Scotland has a family of a widowed mother and her three sons. Eighty-eight-year-old Mimi lives in her past as a carefree dancer and stage performer. Her sons, Finlay, Angus, and Hamish, love her to bits but are dealing with issues of their own.
Jess Oliver, a fifty-nine-year-old, is on a short trip to Scotland. Her new house is under renovation, and life has offered her another chance to live to the fullest after her amicable divorce. She is mesmerized by the beauty of Scotland and loves it there.
When life brings Jess and Mimi together, it is a chance for both of them to look at the future instead of focusing on the past. With Isabella, Heather, and others playing their part, can the women make the most of their future?
The story comes in the third person POV.

What I Like:
The book mainly deals with family, relationships, and emotions. Aspects like love, loss, grief, past, happiness, freedom, etc., are an integral part of the plot. Scotland is a part of the story, and some descriptions are lovely.
The two main ladies, Mimi and Jess, are well-etched. They are strong yet vulnerable and beautiful in different ways. The men aren’t fully etched, but Angus is well-developed of them all.
I love how the sons absolutely love their mother. They have loads of issues in their lives and have different coping mechanisms. But when it comes to Mimi, they do everything they can to keep her happy. Indulging in her eccentricities is not at all easy, but they do it because they love her.
Jess’s role in The Glen Carrick House grows from being a caregiver to a part of the family because of her genuine admiration and affection for Mimi. The relationship between the men and Jess is presented wonderfully. It doesn’t feel awkward or weird at any point.

What Didn’t Work for Me:
The book is quite heavy despite the antics of Mimi and Isabella. It’s not something as light or cheerful as the cover suggests. It’s not overwhelming but is still heavy.
The pacing is slow and drags in some places. There’s some repetition, too, probably because Mimi loves to talk about her past. It sometimes feels like the story is going nowhere.
I’m not sure if the title fits the story. The alliteration sure caught my attention and is the reason I requested the book. But after reading the story, it doesn’t seem enough somehow. Not a major issue, considering I make a mess of my story titles.

To sum up, The Highland Hens is a heartwarming book about second chances, love, life, friendships, family, and self-love.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

This story felt like sitting with some cherished friends. This story follows multiple women as they are in different stages of life. I loved getting to see the struggles that aging can cause explored in a empathetic kind way. The setting was described in a whimsical and magic way. This book is a must read exploration of aging.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy to read and review! I was drawn in by the setting in Scotland and the description of the countryside, landscape, and people delivered! Highland Hens tells the stories of Jess (59) in Scotland on a holiday and how she becomes connected with the McKinlay family. Through taking a carers position for the matriarch, Mimi, Jess becomes a part of the family. All of the characters in the story are at a turning point, wondering where to go next with their lives. Some are seemingly stuck living in the past, some afraid of the unknown, and some bogged down in the present. The story takes the reader on a journey of discovery - with humor, romance, heartache, and more.

What a lovely, warm story, truly a hug in a book, the wonderful tale of Mimi Sapphire as a chorus girl and her life until she died with her family all around her and the friendships and loves of everyone within her circle of family and friends

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.

I couldn't get on with this book at all and skim read it. What I read was ok but really not for me.

The initiallly slow start was worth persisting with. It developed into a thoroughly enjoyable read. And definitely one I would recommend to a friend.

Mimi - surely she personifies to an extent, how we all want to be if we have the privilege of achieving the ripe old age that is 88, although I do not condone rudeness, however old you are! Mimi seems to be the much loved matriarch of a family of ’interesting’ characters, each of whom brings a little ‘je ne sais quoi’ to the family. I did find myself rather feeling for Fin, as he tried to justify the behaviour of his family members, whilst conducting a legal battle against his erstwhile wife Karen, who seemed to be living up to her name somewhat! Mimi however seems fairly oblivious to it all, provided that she is surrounded by people in her life that tell her she is beautiful, and who are interested in her former stage presence.

I immediately warmed to Jess, especially with the way that she behaved towards Mimi; she showed true compassion and empathy. I liked to think that there was some kind of spark between Jess and Mimi’s Son, Hamish, or was there more of a latent spark between Jess and Angus, Mimi’s rather angry, grumpy, temporarily wheelchair bound Son.

Lots of questions arise along the way:

- What’s the story behind Angus’ accident on the Inverness road? Why has it made him so bad tempered?
- What happened to Augustine?
- Can we see Jess remaining in Scotland?

I found myself fascinated by Mimi - the way that she didn’t seem to have a care in the world. I think that a bit of misinformation though - I think Mimi did care about her friends and family, and I felt as though she would only be truly happy when her dear Sons were happy. Mimi seemed very happy under the care of Jess, but I did think at times that the care was a mutual thing, with the pair of them both benefitting immensely from each others’ company.

This book captured my heart with its themes of love, love lost and family and I found myself totally immersed in the story, to an extent that I didn’t want the book to end - and when it did, it broke my heart.

Please read this rather marvellous book for yourself - what’s not to love!

This is a book full of emotions: joy, happiness, freedom, sadness, grief, friendship and love. Once it got moving for me at about 10% I didn’t want it to end.

The Scotland setting was described so beautifully I could feel myself there again. Jess falls in love with the area on her first visit, meets Amy and Heather, then takes a job working for the locally famous McKinlay family. Mimi is an older woman, reliving her younger days through her memories. Her three sons are very involved with her care, but they each have things happening in their lives.

I loved how Mimi was permitted to live her life, yes, she had insecurities but wasn’t afraid to be authentic. She and her friend Isabella enjoyed their boozy lunches and entertaining other diners. So much fun!

Be prepared to have a box of tissues nearby, you’ll be needing some. I think a great sub-title for this would be “Presenting Mimi Solitaire “!

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

Such a good book. Mimi is such a inspiration - live for today. Jess is on holiday in the highlands and her new house is being renovated - she’s them thrown a wobble and decides to stay and takes a job to pay her way whilst the renovations take longer than planned.
She goes to live with mimi and the McKinley family.
They are a tribe! This book is lovely.
Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was another joyful read from Judy Leigh, full of fun, sparkling
characters and a beautiful setting in the Scottish Highlands. Jess is
holidaying in the Highlands and waiting for her new home down south to be
renovated before returning to her fresh start (she has been divorced and has
bought a cottage that needs some work). Whilst on her holiday she hears the
cottage will take longer than expected to complete, she needs a place to
stay and answers an advert in a shop window for someone to be a live in
companion for an older lady. The older lady turns out to be Mimi
MacFarland, also known as Mimi Solitaire from her days on the stage in
London. Mimi has been lonely, despite her three sons efforts to keep her
entertained. Can Jess to step in and bring some joy back to Mimi's life for
a few months while her house is renovated?
Together with Mimi's irrepressible friend Isabella, they have some great
fun, enjoying some wild nights out and a trip to London. There is romance
on the cards for Mimi, and for Jess too, as the three MacFarland sons are
devoted to their Mum and so they feature a lot in the story! It's a story
of second chances, of realizing it's never too late to have some fun and
making the most of life. I thoroughly enjoyed it and award it five stars -
thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the chance to read this before
its publication date!

This was ok, but I think really just not for me! I love Scotland though so appreciated the setting. Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy

This was another very good “late in life romance” book by Judy Leigh, one of my favorite authors. Jessica Oliver, age 59, a recent divorcee, comes to a B&B in the Highlands run by a lady named Heather, who soon becomes a close friend. Since repairs on Jess’s new post-divorce home are encountering time-consuming complications, she responds to a help-wanted ad and applies to be a temporary companion to the elderly Mrs. Mimi McFarland (whose stage name in London was “Mimi Solitaire”); Mimi resides at Glen Carrick House nearby. Jess soon becomes an integral part of the McFarland family and a very close friend of Mimi, whose love of stage and singing has extended into her elder years: she is 88.

Before Jess’s arrival, the lonely Mimi has dressed up in her old stage costumes, sung and danced in her home, sometimes with the musical and dance support of her three sons Fin, Hamish and Angus, who love her dearly. Her outgoing friend Isabella visits and takes her out often, but more often Mimi dresses up, puts on records, and reverts to “Chardonnay time” in her loneliness. Jess becomes a beloved friend and quasi-family member of all three brothers as well as Mimi, and gradually her own sense of isolation is eased. At one point, Mimi attends a mini-show composed by her musical son Hamish and encounters an old friend from her stage days named Charlie Gosling with whom she renews friendship.

This was a fun and heart-warming read; my thanks to #Boldwood Books and #NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy.

A quirky, heartwarming book about the importance of family and friendship. Gives you all the feels. Loved it. This was a beautiful read and looking forward to reading more from this author.

Ah Judy Leigh, you have had me smiling and laughing throughout but also made me feel many other emotions too.

But above all Mimi is a larger than life character, she is so full of life at 88, and as an inspiration to us all. If I was able to sing and dance well into my eighties, and had a stage career as varied as Mimi's then I would be one happy girl. Although I don't have her talent so it would be impossible!

Mimi is a massive fan of the theatre and musicals too, but is living a rather lonely existence at home with her sons, who are in and out of the family home. She loves it when her best friend Isabella visits but the rest of the time seems sad.

Until Finn advertises for a live in companion for his mother and Jess enters the McKinlay's lives.

Jess is wonderful with Mimi and the three brothers, and I thoroughly loved getting to know all of the characters.

Mimi though brightens up every page she is on, and is a real breath of fresh air and I loved my time spent between the pages with her.

Once again Judy Leigh has shone a big light on the more experienced of life's years, and portrayed them so well. Loved this book so so much.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which i have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Another enjoyable moving story from Just Leigh showing that life can still be fun and enjoyed in later years.

A Judy Leigh novel + Scotland + the theatre + love and friendship. Is there a better combination? I’ll answer that…no!

There are three sons in the book and I instantly liked Angus, he seemed like the most complete character, honest and likeable. The other two were not my favourites but they did grow on me throughout the story. But my favourite character was their mother Mimi. She was absolutely fabulous. 88 and never better in my eyes. She’s had a fascinating life and is not ready to give that up, and why should she? Why shouldn’t she war a fancy frock, heels and an elaborate headdress for lunch if she wants to? I hope I get to be as amazing as she is.

Scotland is described perfectly, almost like a poem. I love the country and it’s depicted so visually, it’s absolutely beautiful. I fell in love with the idea of Hogmanay. I spent New Years in Scotland about ten years ago and I loved it, but to be in a grand house, snow falling and bagpipes playing (yes I like them) is just idyllic. There is also a small Christmassy scene and anyone who have read my previous reviews knows how much I love a festive book so that’s definitely a big green tick.

The descriptions of Mimi’s clothes is enough to warrant a TV series I feel. Whilst lovely on the page, they’d do even better on a screen, with someone of Maggie Smith’s calibre.

It is overwhelmingly happy and joyful and loving and funny and beautiful, but, if you’re anything like me, it’ll destroy your heart and you’ll find yourself sobbing as a friend. I really felt part of this family and I didn’t want to leave them.

Such an unusual and quirky story, filled with touching moments. Loved it. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

This is a heartwarming 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.