Mixture as Before, The

Margaret is burying her husband of 40 years and she isn't grieving, she's relieved. He had been retired for 10 years and he had made her life unbearable. He set a routine, watched the money, and went with her everywhere including the grocery store. Now she intends to live the rest of her life as she sees fit. After redecorating her home and running into problems with the young male decorator, she starts to stand up to her three children and begins to enjoy herself. I'm thinking there are a lot of women like Margaret and this story is well written and easy to read. You cheer for her every time she says no and insists she isn't senile and can handle her own life. Wonderful and happy to see a strong woman like Margaret finally come into her own.

3.0 out of 5 stars A spirited, modern-day saga; charming and emotionally engaging, 31 July 2015 Newly-widowed Margaret Wright wants to change her life. Stifled for more than forty years whilst married to the overbearing Reginald, she feels it is time to take control and seize her independence. To the chagrin of her three grown-up children, Margaret employs famous interior designer Jason Parker to completely modernize the family home. But when their relationship develops beyond the professional, Margaret begins to wonder if she is making all the same mistakes again.

Although not a genre I would normally choose to read, I concede that this is a thought-provoking and well-written family story. With a strong cast of genuinely complex characters, the story moves along apace. I found myself rooting for Margaret to stand up to her spoilt children and jealous friends, and I have a sense that this would be an inspirational read for those women that find themselves in similar circumstances.

Rosie Harris is a well-established and popular author for good reason: she writes charming, engaging stories that have a wide appeal. This latest novel is no exception and is an excellent addition to her repertoire. Although not suited to my personal tastes (I kept expecting to find a body under the floorboards!) it was an easy and fairly enjoyable read. ~Anouk

Rating: Three Stars.

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When Margaret is widowed after 40 years of marriage her overwhelming emotion is relief rather than sorrow. Her husband Reginald was 20 years older than her and had made the last 10 years of her life since his retirement a misery with his overbearing and controlling ways.

Margaret now feels that it's time to make a new start and employs an interior designer, Jason Parker, much to the dismay of her children and friends but will this become more than a professional relationship and is she prepared to forego her newfound independence.

I enjoyed this story and really felt for Margaret and the decisions that she had to make although other than Stephen I certainly did not like her children and the lack of support they gave her but it was a good portrayal of family life and problems