Dancing Over the Hill

Dancing over the hill by Cathy Hopkins a funny, laughter filled five-star read. This was one of those books you pick up because you recognise the author and then as soon as you start to think of reading it, wonder what if the author isn’t as good as you remember, I’m glad to say that it was possibly better. I know the book is telling the story of a couple who have been married 30 years, but that’s not everything, its more the relationship between Cait and Matt and their relationships with themselves. No matter what your relationship status or age you will find something in this story that will suck you in and make you laugh so hard you will spit the tea your drinking several times!! So be warned don’t drink and read. Lorna and Debs bring some great comedic moments as well as posing as devil’s advocate and offering advise that may or may not be taken. As we all know you need to follow your own path at times, as if you are already wondering what if, only finding out will settle your brain from asking what if. But what level do you look? Do you scratch the surface or pull all the covers back, that’s what Cait has to figure out when the man who broke her heart in uni comes a knocking? Will you follow Cait on her journey? And give this book a chance? I would suggest that you do it’s well worth a chance.

I read The Kicking the Bucket List so this was a must. I love it when a book makes me giggle chuckle and laugh and this did all that and more, I am of a similar age to these characters so there was so much of me that I could see in them. There is such a raw honesty about the characters in the story that make them feel so very real. This story very much gives you a slap in the face to waken up and stop just getting through each day and start living them. It is then all wrapped up in humour that just cracked me up but still made the point.
Cait and Matt have been married for years, both now in their early sixties they were still working and have their own friends but when Matt is forced into early retirement and Cait has to leave her maternity cover position, they soon realise that they have nothing in common, not even their social lives. Matt withdraws more as he feels in the way in his own home and Cait soon falls prey to an old flame from her university days. Can Cait and Matt rekindle the fire they once had or are they best to go their own ways while they still have chance of an alternate life? Is Cait's old flame her soul mate or is it time to take off the 'rose coloured spectacles' she has worn all these years about him?
There are betrayals of trust and friendships are pushed to the limits as temperatures rise in more ways than one. What I loved about this story is that there were times when Cait and Matt weren't trying to make things work but there was still the basic chemistry. They bounced off each other but it would take more than a little a sparkle from younger days to keep them together.
I really loved how this story has a very modern feel about it. Being in your sixties doesn't mean that you are ready to be put out to grass, there is certainly a lot of living left in Cait and Matt, they just need to decide if what they have is worth fighting for. You could have knocked me down with a feather when I was made to see situations from a different angle. Like wow, is this how I am sort of moments? It really did make me stop and see myself in Cait. A definite mental note of something to be worked on!
Cait's friends come with their own personal baggage, they are both at different ages and different stages in their lives all facing uncertain futures. It gives a good balance, the sort of grass is always greener sort of balance. This is a brilliant all round read that sort of gives you that nudge to take a look at your own life too.

I absolutely loved this, Cathy Hopkins is brilliant at writing about real life in a way everyone can relate to, I first noticed this author when I read the brilliant Kicking the bucket list and I was not disappointed by her latest novel, It follows Cait & Matt a couple who have been married for 30 years, the kids have left home and Cait feels like shes missing out on something but doesn't know what, but when Matt announces hes lost his job and an old flame gets in touch Cait and wants to run away with her, Cait is torn stay with dependable Matt or take the risk with Tom Lewis the man from her past. I think anyone will relate to this, it is laugh out loud in places and make you re think how we act around our significant others. I can't wait for the next book.

Just loved this book by Cathy Hopkins and thought it was even better than "The Kicking the Bucket List". It particularly resonated with me because I am in my early 60s and my husband retired this year. Retirement can be a minefield and this novel highlighted a lot of the issues, both with Matt and Cait's situation and that of Cait's father. The A - Z of retirement activities and the list of achievers in their advancing years were great additions. Highly recommended.

An absorbing, well written thought provoking novel. I really enjoyed following Matt and Cait as their relationships unfolded.

"Dancing Over the Hill" is my second Cathy Hopkins's book and oh my word, guys, I just can't wait for more! It was a read filled with fun, laughter and tenderness and it just spoke with me and resonated with me and it was all what I needed at the moment. I was immersed in the story from the very first page, guys, and I really didn't want to put this book down. It was truly fast - paced but not over - done, it was full of brilliant, larger than life characters that the author so incredibly well brought to life, and it just rang a bell or two, it was so relatable. It was also brutally honest and absolutely hilarious, so really, just the best kind of read, evah. I had great expectations for this book, after reading Cathy's previous one, "The Kicking the Bucket List" and I was not disappointed, I probably liked "Dancing Over the Hill" even more.

What I absolutely liked in this story is the fact that the characters are mature ones - people with past, who experienced a lot and they really know what they're talking about. They make mistakes, and oh boy, some really great mistakes, but they are so genuine and honest in all the situations and I just couldn't help and kept everything crossed for them. Cait and Matt have been married for more than 30 years now and they find themselves in a relationship that's, let's say, came to a little standstill. They don't have anything in common anymore, and they just live in one house, next to each other, but as if separate - if you follow me. Probably more out of habit than anything else they're still together. Then, after a whirlwind of events, they find themselves both out of work and the big question, what now, is looming above their heads, and it's not only about their financial situation but also their private lives. Do they want to stay together? It's not so straightforward, as an old flame of Cait suddenly appears on her Facebook, sending her friend request and trying to seduce her again. Then there are also Cait's friends, Lorna and Debs, trying their best to help as best they can, that doesn't always end well, and Matt's brother (oh boy. Guys! Some of the most hilarious scenes I've ever read, please be careful when you decide to talk sex on the phone with your husband!) and Cait's father, and many, many other characters and things. They were open for new stuff and to learn a new lesson or two.

Really guys, there was not a single thing that I didn't enjoy in this novel. It was down to earth and close to life, and with some best one - liners ever. The dialogues were just spot - on, so realistic and genuine, and the situations the characters got themselves into were incredibly hilarious but not too far fetched. There were so many situations that made me laugh out loud, and I fell for all of the characters, that Cathy Hopkins so easily and effortlessly brought to life. She can so well write about feelings and emotions, it was absolutely brilliant. The chapters were just the right length, snappy and kept me glued to the pages.

Cathy Hopkins deserves so much more recognition, and believe me, I'll be shouting about "Dancing Over the Hill" from all the rooftops! This book made me laugh so hard and I couldn't wait to discover what's going to happen. It is this best kind of book when you want to turn the pages as quickly as possible but on the other hand you don't want it to end. It was a brilliant, entertaining story about love, family and finding your priorities, relationships and seeing that grass is not always greener on the other side. It had me emotionally involved and just pushed all the right buttons for me, and I really can't recommend it highly enough! A perfect read!

I had previously read kicking the bucket I excited when I was given the Oporto read and review her new book. It I’d not let me down as iwad a fantastically funny book. As I read I seemed be forever sharing some of amusing sections that had made me laugh out loud. Cait and Matt are having marriage problems at first it seems that it issues Matt is made redundant but it goes much deeper. The book tells the story of a couple who are at retirement stage, do not think they are ready and how they work at trying to resolve them. The reader can easily put themselves in to the same scenario and so appreciate the humour. I felt that the book was moralistic and giving the great advice to spend time along the way to smell the flowers. I wish I could give more than 5 stars as this was a unputdownable book!
The pages after the acknoledgements add even more wisdom and depth to the book and should not be missed. Retirement is not the end of life but the beginning of a new phase that can be so much fun.
I await eagerly for the next book by Cathy.

This book just hits the marks on so many levels. I've just retired at 50 and my husband is still working, but found lots of scenarios that resonated. It has also made me think long and hard about what our life might look like when he retires in a couple of years and the two of us are rattling round the house all day! There was an honesty to the writing that almost made me uncomfortable but in a way that needed to be done to accurately confront the situations being illustrated. It isn't often a work of fiction, particularly a humorous one, gives me much cause for thought after reading but this book did.

A good read but made me look to my future more than I would like !

Cathy Hopkins follows up The Kicking the Bucket List with this humorous and witty look at the dynamics and relationship of a couple, Cait and Matt, now in their early sixties in a 30 year marriage that is fraying at the edges. The children have left home, Matt has been pushed into early retirement and it becomes increasingly obvious that the couple have little in common. Cait is ripe for something new, a little excitement to bring verve back into her life, and this is provided by the entry of an old flame from university who broke her heart, Tom Lewis. Tom gets in touch via Facebook with provocative and complimentary comments, and unsurprisingly Cait is tempted. What should she do? With hilarious help and advice from her friends, Debs and Lorna, Cait has to figure out whether her marriage is worth salvaging or whether it is time to carve a new path with a new relationship. Hopkins greatest strength is her ability to portray the emotional lives of her characters with depth. A fun and entertaining read on how a humdrum marriage is faced with challenges. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.

What a tonic for grey January days this book is! I loved Cait, especially because of her age and the fact that the author clearly shows that romance most definitely is not just for the young - it just maybe takes a little more effort when we are older. Very funny but moving too, I empathised so much with Cait’s way of coping with her grief over losing her mum and her best friend.

Having enjoyed Cathy Hopkins’ previous novel The Kicking the Bucket List I was eager to read this – and I was not disappointed.

Cait and Matt, married for 30 years are now entering a new stage of their lives one which is easy to identify with if you are 60’ish (or more). They have what appears to be a great marriage. Caitt has a number of outside interests which keeps her active and absorbed and everything is smooth until Matt has to retire. He is now at a loss, not sure what to do with himself and feeling increasingly in the way as Cait continues her busy schedule. Cait is aware of her increasing frustration with Matt and reflects on their relationship. They are well and quite comfortable but it all feels a bit like an old shoe…

Out of the blue she is sent a message via Facebook from Tom Lewis, a man she met at university, who she loved, and lost. Now she is tantalised with what might have been. She confides in Lorna (recently widowed) who as a good friend advises caution, and then she confides in Debs who has separated from her husband and is somewhat of a man-eater.

This is so refreshing. It speaks to women of this age, the doubts of growing older and feeling ‘is this it then?’; the worries of diminishing attractiveness; the feeling of ‘grab it now’. Although this is really funny there is a touch of pathos.

I loved Matt. Poor lamb, just too nice maybe. As for Cait, stop reading Facebook, stop striving to fill every moment. What are you doing? She is likeable but I was on Lorna’s side; appreciate what you have.

This is really well written. A joy to read.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.

I read this book on holiday and it was perfect holiday reading-funny and very easy to read but also very relevant to women of a certain age!Highly recommended!

Many thanks to HarperCollins and Netgalley, yet another great story. It is my pleasure to review this book openly and honestly.

At only 4% and I copied and pasted a quote ‘Cue the mini princess from Frozen singing ‘Let It Go, Let It Go’ in my head. Cue visualization of smashing her in the face with a frying pan’........just had to text this to my best friend. I already want to give copies to ALL my friends.
The jokes, references and problems all apply to my friendship circle, middle class/ish, late middle age/ish ladies and finding these very real problems in a novel really helps.

I started reading after another night with a ‘Snoring husband’ and a ‘nutribullet’ breakfast and continued reading throughout the day until I had finished it. I laughed out loud to the joke ‘How many retirees does it take to change a light bulb? Only one, but it might take all day.’ and immediately told my husband, who was also’ miffed’ as he thought I may be using humour to complain about him taking sooooo long to do anything.

Cathy Hopkins writing style is easy without being too easy and her ability to write humorous passages is ‘ laugh out loud ‘ /able. I could visualise the passage about her cat with the magnetic collar. Couple this with an in depth understanding of emotional upheaval and pragmatic psychology and it becomes more than just a story.

This book is a real page turner. The character of Debs wasn't terribly believeable, but the two main characters of Matt and Cait were well drawn, and one really wanted to find out how their relationship would work out.

All the family behaviour seemed very true to life, and would have readers sympathising with Cait. The son arriving back when they were ready to let his room would be a familiar story to parents of the boomerang generation.

I was given a Netgalley ARC in return for a honest review. I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy this - it looked a little “light” for me. But being of a certain age I was intrigued by the storyline. And it didn’t disappoint. I could identify with the characters and sympathise with their issues. And while marriage breakdown and all the trials of getting older are not laughing matters ,the book is written in an amusing way and I definitely laughed out loud on a couple of occasions. A “Bridget Jones” for the over 50’s.

Matt and Cait are a couple on the edge of retirement just ambling along when Matt is made redundant. What happens next is amusing and sad we can all relate to some part of it. An enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone.

From the author of Kicking the Bucket List, this hilarious new novel will make you laugh, cry and take stock of your life.

Cait and Matt have been married for thirty years and things have gone stale in their relationship. One day Matt loses his job and, with him at home, things become even more strained. Out of the blue Cait hears from an old flame who wants to rekindle their long-lost love.

Should Cait try a new life with this old flame or should she work on resolving the problems of her long and safe marriage?

This book had me laughing and crying and thinking. Ms Hopkins has written this book in a way that you can not help but compare Cait and Matt’s lives with your own. The lists are just like I write, as are the aches, pains and annoyances of living with someone. This book is spot on. Although I am not quite in my 60s, like the main characters, I am not far behind and can relate to many of the problems and grievances in the story.

Very thought provoking and I have absolutely no criticism at all. I am going to read her other book immediately as I am a new fan on Cathy Hopkins!!!

Shesat

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

I didn’t joy this book at first but then it just clicked and a I realised I was reading an incredibly well written book. It made me laugh, I sympathised with both Cait and Matt and could understand both sides of the story.
Hopkins wrote a very well thought out description of a mature man suddenly coming to terms with losing his job and the effect it has on him and his if.
The counselling sessions were wonderful, This would be a good book to give to a couple approaching retirement

This book made me chuckle, made me think and made me reach out and hug my long suffering hubby that little bit tighter. He did ask me if I was cold!!
Cait and Matt are at a bit of a cross roads both newly unemployed and feeling a lack of purpose and , with their children having flown the nest, a lack of feeling needed and loved. They have got into a rut borne of habit and living separate busy lives. The frustrations that they share with us are very real and would resonate with most people of a similar age and experience. These are portrayed with warmth and humour whilst not shying away from how hard it can be to live in this detached way. Both face temptation and with the help of a little counselling (hilariously and movingly described) begin to communicate again. The supporting characters add to this book but never take away from our focus couple which is absolutely right! A really lovely book.
Now to go and book that date night...