The Old Girls' Chateau Escape brings us back into the life of 71 year old Gina. She is living in Dorothy's boathouse, trying to figure out what to do next when Dorothy asks her to take a job as a companion to an old friend she hasn't talked to in years. Meredith Harper is a successful writer, recently moved to Provence, and needs help looking after her husband, whose health is deteriorating. He has dementia and she has recently broken her arm. Her daughter moved her to live near them, but had to go be with her son who had a serious accident. When Gina arrives at the grand chateau, it becomes clear that Dorothy has not given Gina the full story. Meredith is also writing her memoirs, and Dorothy wants to know the contents before anyone else, especially as there are secrets from when they were friends. All she wants Gina to do is help her get Gerald up and ready for the day, and then come back in the afternoon to type up her new book. Gina likes Meredith and Gerald and doesn't want to lie to them, but she does owe Dorothy. Once she gets to know her neighbour and the manager of the Chateau, she settles in and begins to enjoy her job. Can she betray Meredith? What is the big secret?

I enjoyed meeting Gina in the last book and liked her even more in this one. She is loyal, calm, a problem solver and go getter. Dorothy is well off and a bit entitled, but also has a good heart. Adele, the English neighbour is suspicious from the beginning. Why is she really there? My mind went in a couple of directions, and was close, but not quite. I loved Lucien. He is managing the chateau for his uncle and was wonderful. We learn about his relationship with his mother and how much he did for her, and the kick in the teeth he received in return. He is a workaholic and trouble shooter and was constantly sorting out situations. He was also in love with someone, but afraid to say anything. Although there is humour and an uplifting storyline, this book has some serious themes or situations. We have broken friendships and the secrets that go with it, dementia, family emergencies and the steps you must take, teen pregnancy, miscarriages, thefts from the chateau and the who and why that go with it and more. There are a couple of mystery storylines (who is Adele, thefts) that carry throughout the story, as well as the family, friendship, and author themes. With all this going on, I enjoyed being pulled into the story.

Two old friends. One unexpected adventure!

When, at the age of 71, Gina Knight's husband of four decades left her unexpectedly, she thought her life over. Until she met Dorothy Reed – a woman so full of the joie de vivre you'd think she was 21, not nearly 90. Gina would do anything for Dorothy. So when Dorothy suggests she take on the role of companion for one of Dorothy's old friends, Gina sees no reason to say no.

Meredith Harper is a successful writer, living in Provence, and needs help looking after her husband, whose health is deteriorating. But when Gina arrives at the grand chateau, it becomes clear that Dorothy has not given Gina the full story. Because Meredith is also writing her memoirs, and Dorothy wants to know the contents before anyone else. So much so, she's sent Gina to spy.

But what secrets is Meredith keeping? And will Gina be able to find out the truth before her cover's blown?

I love the author's writing style. Cannot wait to read more from them. I love the characters and how they continue to live their lives. I aspire to be like them. Will recommend to others.

A lightheaded read. Not as good as their first adventure together but still a jolly good time to be had with these two pensioners who refuse to grow old gracefully - and good for them!

This was my first by this author so didn’t know what to expect, answer is, plenty of hi-jinks, intrigue and secrets. It reminded me of a saying, oh what a wicked web we weave! What you have to work out is who has the secrets and why. Also who has the most to lose by the truth.

My favourite character was Gina for her kindness. Least favourite was Solene for obvious reasons.
It was a easy read, which just flowed.

I didn't read the first book with Gina and Dorothy, but you don't need to to enjoy this story.
It is story with humor, but also a bit of a mystery.
Not very surprising, but very enjoyable.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Kate Galley for the arc of The Old Girl's Chateau Escape.

This book is a brilliantly executed cosy mystery. I do believe that it's part of a series of books although I have read this one as a standalone which worked out fine. I am, however gonna have to go back to the first book because I enjoyed The Old Girl's Chateau Escape so much!

who would of guessed that a pair of friends in their later years could have so much zest for life! I loved the characters, Gina and Dorothy. Both were funny, zesty and have all their marbles ( and then some! ) Dorothy has been estranged from Meredith, a friend for many years and she noticed that she was looking into getting someone to write her memoir. There's a secret to be told and even though Gina doesn't know, Gina goes over to secretly report back to Dorothy whilst helping Meredith.

As this story unfolds, it holds lots of emotions. For me I laughed, I cried, frowned and felt happy. By the end of the story, I didn't want it to end. These ladies, I want them as my own Nana! I hope when I get to these later stages of life, that I will carry myself like the characters in this book. Wonderfully written!

4.5 stars on story graph. 4 stars on other review sites

Absolutely obsessed with this one! The cover and storyline is adorable. I have been recommending this one to all my friends now that it is out.

I have enjoyed previously read books by Kate Galley, but this one just didn’t click with me as much as I had hoped. I think it fell flat for me and the characters just didn’t appeal to me. Though I enjoy books with older women exploring life and the mix of female friendships, the plot just didn’t achieve anything exciting. But this is a light and fairly quick read, so it might be something you would enjoy reading on a quiet Saturday afternoon.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Contemporary
Fiction
Humor
Mystery
Mystery Thriller
Women’s Fiction

EXCERPT: Dorothy let her eyes scan the wanted advertisement for a second time before she clicked her mouse to exit the page. She sat back in her late husband's chair, her fingers resting on his walnut desk as she looked out of the window down the stretch of garden to the boathouse.
So, it was official, Meredith and Gerald really did need a companion. Dorothy's friend Barbara had been right when she'd spoken to her on the phone; it wasn't just gossip. The ad didn't mention the book, though. Barbara had heard that Meredith was writing her memoir and she had suggested it was going to be a tell-all affair. Dorothy shuddered at the thought.
They had made a pact not to ever talk about what they had done in the summer of 1970, but perhaps Meredith had changed her mind. Dorothy hadn't seen her for years. How could she know what she might or might not write about now?
Of course, Gina must go; she was perfect for the position. As soon as the thought entered Dorothy's head, she felt a pang of guilt. Gina Knight - the woman Dorothy had dismissed as a mousy nobody when she'd first seen her, had since become one of her greatest friends and was now occupying the boathouse at the end of Dorothy's garden. If she could get Gina to accept the role and fly to the south of France, she would be in the perfect place to report back to Dorothy on the contents of this memoir.
Was it too much to ask her new friend? She pushed her chair back and reached for her walking stick, which she'd left propped against the filing cabinet. Dorothy was eighty-nine and only operated at one speed now, and she used it to get her out of Philip's office and down the garden to the boathouse. This might very well be asking too much of her new friend, but there was a lot at stake and she was going to ask, regardless.

ABOUT 'THE OLD GIRLS' CHATEAU ESCAPE': Two old friends. One unexpected adventure!

When, at the age of 71, Gina Knight's husband of four decades left her unexpectedly, she thought her life over. Until she met Dorothy Reed – a woman so full of the joie de vivre you'd think she was 21, not nearly 90. Gina would do anything for Dorothy. So when Dorothy suggests she take on the role of companion for one of Dorothy's old friends, Gina sees no reason to say no.

Meredith Harper is a successful writer, living in Provence, and needs help looking after her husband, whose health is deteriorating. But when Gina arrives at the grand chateau, it becomes clear that Dorothy has not given Gina the full story. Because Meredith is also writing her memoirs, and Dorothy wants to know the contents before anyone else. So much so, she's sent Gina to spy.

But what secrets is Meredith keeping? And will Gina be able to find out the truth before her cover's blown?

MY THOUGHTS: This is the fourth book I have read by Kate Galley, and they have all been exceptional reads. Galley has the knack of creating characters that I would like to hang out with and get to know better; characters I would like to join on their jaunts and spend more time with.

Dorothy is quite entitled and more than a little bossy and interfering, but she has a good and generous heart. Gina is also good-hearted, plus a calming influence and a problem solver. But when asked to try and uncover certain information, she has some reservations. I was suspicious of Adele (as the author intended) an English woman in the villa beside Gina's and who seems to have far too many questions about Meredith and Gerald and, at one point, Lucien, the acting hotel manager.

There is a lovely storyline involving old and fractured friendships, dementia, teenage pregnancy, adoption, miscarriages, and a gambling addiction, with a raft of thefts thrown in for good measure. There's always something going on and, although these are all serious subjects, Galley manages to keep the tone of the novel upbeat and uplifting.

I'm sure we're going to see many more adventures involving Gina and Dorothy and I, for one, can't wait!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#BRANDNEWfromKateGalley #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: Kate Galley lives in Buckinghamshire with her husband, children and Meg, their Patterdale Terrier. Much of Kate's inspiration comes from the many varied lives of her clients as a mobile hairdresser, and the inspiration for this book came from one woman's tale of a hilarious Christmas coach trip.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Golden Girls Road Trip by Kate Galley for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

I am not sure what happened but when I went looking to read this book earlier in the year, I could not find it anywhere. All of a sudden, I saw it in my library and jumped at the chance to read and review. I loved the original story of Gina and Dorothy and their friendship. They found each other at delicate times in their lives and Gina, 71, and Dorothy, late 80s, found their best mates.

Gina is still trying to figure out what to do with her life after her husband Douglas left to “find himself”. She lives in Dorothy’s boat house so when Dorothy asked her to go to Provence to be a companion to two old friends of hers, Gina accepted. Dorothy and the friends have been estranged for decades and her friend Meredith is writing her memoirs. There is something that Dorothy did for which she is ashamed and wants to ensure the story will not be revealed in the book.

The characters are rich and fully formed. Gina, the bastion of caring and good sense, once again solves problems and brings people together. And in a wonderfully satisfying bit, she finally gets a chance to give Douglas some of his own back. You go girl. I love the old girls and hope they continue to behave badly. It is so much fun when they do. Five purrs and two paws up.

The follow up to Old Girls' Behaving Badly and another good romp through life. Gina is one of life's fixers and doesn't know it. Newly separated, aged 71, she became companion to the incorrigible Dorothy in the first book. Now Dorothy is encouraging her to to sign up as companion to her estranged friend Meredith in the south of France for a few weeks. And so begins another adventure, investigation and lovely story. It's heartening to see Gina discover the woman she can be. #netgalley #oldgirlschateauescape

Another brilliant light read from Kate Galley!! Another favourite author added to my list. I do hope these tales keep coming from “the old girls”

The Old Girls' Chateau Escape is a delightful and fun stories about two senior women who are living their lives to the fullest, even when they're up there in age. It's really a celebration of women friendships, humanity, and how we all relate to each other.

This was such a lighthearted, funny book that I found myself enjoying The characters were wonderful, the splashes of mystery were fun, and the entire plot felt refreshing. I particularly loved the relationship between Gina and Dorothy- it felt authentic, raw, and like I would fit in despite being generations younger.

Kate Galley's writing is very easy to relax with, making this a perfect vacation read. At no point did the story feel too heavy and left me feeling quite warm and fuzzy.

Gina is beginning to wonder if she can really justify her position as companion when Dorothy asks her if she would do something for her In Dorothy’s somewhat checkered past there are things she would rather keep quiet about. Now one of the group, who is a famous author is about to write her memoirs. She needs assistance caring for her husband, who has dementia as well as helping with the memoirs. Can Gina go and find out what is in this story.
Gina goes to France and finds herself in the midst of a mystery.
This was a fun read with some interesting characters and a great setting. It was an enjoyable read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read and review this book.

The Old Girls' Chateau Escape is book two of a series, but can be read independently. 71 year old Gina serves as a "companion" to Dorothy, who is 89. Dorothy asks Gina to go to Provence to temporarily serve as a companion to her old friend, Meredith, whose daughter and son-in-law have been called out of the country after their son suffers an accident. Apparently, Meredith is writing her memoirs, and Dorothy is concerned that something in her past will be shared by Meredith in her book.

This book serves up a little mystery as we follow the happenings at the hotel in Provence where all this takes place. A fun read!

Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of this title!

In the latest book starring Gina Knight and Dorothy Reed, readers travel to France with Gina as she takes on a new position as a companion to Dorothy’s friend Meredith Harper, a successful writer in Provence looking after her ailing husband. However, Dorothy has left out some important information that Gina needs to know, since Meredith is writing her memoirs and Dorothy needs to know what is in it before they are published. Gina must negotiate her friendship with Dorothy, her developing working relationship with Meredith, and her own adventures in Provence in this funny, charming, and deeply enjoyable continuation of the Old Girls series. Once again, the characters are the star of this novel, and readers will love this new location and new adventure that Gina explores with a host of new faces. As the spy mission for Dorothy and local mysteries in Provence appear, readers will love the different storylines that Kate Galley weaves throughout this fantastic and fun new read. Excellently written, deeply enjoyable, and absolutely chaotic, this book is a great mix of female friendships, ridiculous hijinks in the name of friendship, and emotional and personal growth for a host of characters that readers are sure to love.

Once again the author delivers a fun story with a mystery or two. Dorothy is off on a cruise and persuades Gina to take a companion job in the south of France for an old friend of hers. One she hasn’t spoken to in decades. Being a pushy busybody employer/ friend, Gina agrees to Dorothy’s request. Of course she also wants Gina to discover what Meredith is writing in her memoirs. There is a secret that Dorothy doesn’t want revealed and doesn’t even tell Gina what it is.
A difficult task if you don’t know. Once in France and she meets Meredith and her husband Gerald, who has early stages of dementia. She feels guilty with her promise to Dorothy and still undecided if she will do it. Meredith is a bit standoffish, but being that she broke her arm and needs help she relents and allows Gina to help.
There are other mysteries surrounding Gina stay at the hotel and she is drawn into helping solve them. To me it’s fun to read about senior citizens, as one myself. There is still a lot to enjoy in life and the author gets that message nicely across. Thank you #NetGalley and #BoldwoodBooks for this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own. #OldGirlsChateauEscape

Sequel to Old Girls Behaving Badly, an old friend of Dorothy's is planning to write her memoirs and Dorothy, afraid of what might come out about herself in Meredith's book, urges Gina to take a job as Meredith's companion and find out what she is planning to write. Gina heads to France to help out with Meredith's husband who has dementia, while Meredith herself recovers from an injury at a hotel owned by her daughter. There are also various dramas going on at the hotel itself, with the acting manager owing money to someone and things disappearing from guests' rooms. There were kind of a lot of smaller plotlines and maybe too much about the stuff at the hotel. Overall on par with the first book, a mostly light, quick read. 3 stars.

The Old Girls Chateau Escape is the second book by Kate Galley featuring octogenarian Dorothy Reed and septuagenarian Gina Knight. In this story Dorothy asks Gina to apply for a short stint as companion to Dorothy’s old friend Meredith Harper and her husband Gerald. Dorothy is recovering from a broken arm and Gerald is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. While Gina is in Provence at the Hotel and Spa du Cezanne, Dorothy has asked Gina to report back to her on the memoir Meredith is rumored to be writing.

Upon arrival in Marseilles, Gina is picked up from the airport by the interim hotel manager Lucien DuBois, nephew of Meredith’s son-in-law Hugo, hotel owner. Rose, Meredith and Gerald’s daughter, has insisted her parents relocate to France so that she is available to help them. However, soon after Meredith and Gerald’s arrival, Rose and Hugo are called away when their son, Oliver, is involved in a serious accident, which is why Gina has been engaged to help in their absence.

While at the resort, Gina has been tasked to get the elderly couple out in their new surroundings and to help them adjust in their new home. With Dorothy’s broken arm, another task of Gina’s will be to transcribe the daily recordings Dorothy does. Gina’s tasks are not too time intensive so to fill her days she befriends Lucien as well as fellow cottage guest Adele. Both seem to have mysteries to solve, and Gina is very good at problem solving.

This is another lovely tale with some important serious threads woven through a fun adventure. With well crafted characters and a lovely Mediterranean setting, this beautifully plotted story is a real tribute to the joie de vivre of ladies of a certain age. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!