Nell, Barney and her father in law Frank decide to move to the countryside and while Barney is enthusiastic about the move, Nell and Frank have reservations. They soon settle in to their new life and begin to forge friendships and make connections.

All three characters have lots of issues that need dealing with and as the book progresses they all begin to grow and I enjoyed seeing Nell and Barney reconnect and almost become teenagers again as they rediscover themselves.

I loved all the characters in the book and they began to feel like family as I was fully invested in their day to day lives. I enjoyed the interactions with Frank and Beryl who were my favourites and some times they had me laughing out loud. I also loved Nell’s relationship with Frank and how that strengthened as he dealt with his grief and how his life had now changed.

The books deals with many important issues which are prevalent in everyday life and I think they were written in a wonderful way.


A great story about real life that I would definitely recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley, Celia Anderson and Boldwood Books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Many of us know the feeling when moving house into a new area- its traumatic to say the very least. Nell, her husband Barney and his father have moved to Willowbrook. Nell soon gets swept up in the local shop by the Rev Bev for a new project and Barney, trying to get out of doing his disastrous attempts at DIY finds a café where his skills may be put to better use. The saga louts are around causing mayhem as usual but as ever with good hearts. Are Nell and Barney going their separate ways or can they sort things out once and for all?

I really enjoyed this. It's a life affirming read with messages for all of us. Taking the most of every opportunity and when life throws lemons- make lemonade as you never know what's around the corner- it could be something wonderful if you let it. I liked Nell and her positive attitude to life and especially the Rev Bev who I’d love to know in real life! A tonic for the soul that left me with more than a smile.


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Readers, watch out for Living the Good Life by Celia Anderson. It's available in July. This book was very enjoyable.

Barney's who's wanting to cut down on work and have some more leisure time persuades his wife Nell and father Frank to move to Willowbrook. He then finds life's not as easy as it seems. Nells discovers lots to do in the community but Barney's finding it hard

Willowbrook is a very immersive setting and this instalment includes new characters who are equally engaging. This is a warm and uplifting story, full of different strands of human engagement, There are not quite as many laughs as the previous book, but it is very moving and I really enjoyed the interplay between all the characters,