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Coming Home to Maple Lodge by Alison Sherlock #Review

  I am delighted to feature the first in Alison Sherlock's new series set in the Corswolds. Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge was published by Boldwood Books on June 20th. A family and hotel in desperate need of help… Maple Tree Lodge has been the home of the Jackson family for over a century. But the hotel has never been a success and, following the sudden loss of his father, architect Ben Jackson soon discovers the hotel is close to financial ruin. Ben has to make some tough decisions if the hotel is to survive and his family are to keep a roof over their heads. With the hotel in urgent need of a renovation, Ben’s sister calls on the talents of her best friend, interior designer Lily Watson. Cash strapped Lily needs a successful project to prove to herself and her high-achieving parents that she can carve a successful career and Maple Tree Lodge sounds like just the place for Lily to showcase her talents. However, Lily’s vision for a cosy, country Cotswolds hotel is the com...

The Not So Golden Oldies by Liz Davies #Review #PublicationDay


It is great to be involved in the Publication Day celebrations for Liz Davies' latest romcom, The Not So Golden Oldies. 

 

When retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be…

Meena Fisher is a middle-aged medical secretary with a husband, two grandchildren, a house to run, and more hobbies than you can shake a stick at. She is perfectly happy with her life just the way it is.

Her husband, Oscar, is a middle-aged workaholic who spends his days either in the office or on the golf course. With his wife looking after both him and the house, he gets on with the business of making money. He is also perfectly happy with his life just the way it is.

They share a house, and they sometimes eat dinner together if they can both manage to be in the same place at the same time. Aside from that, their paths rarely cross. The arrangement suits them both.

But when Oscar is forced to take early retirement and decides it’s only fair that he takes over the running of the house, both their previously happy lives are turned upside down.

The question is, can they find a way to live together with the new status quo? And, more importantly, do they want to?

My Thoughts

This story is centred very strongly on just two characters: a middle aged couple who are approaching retirement and all the changes to their daily life which that will bring. At the beginning, they are not on the same page about this. Oscar's retirement has been forced on him and he finds it hard to leave behind his workaholic ways. Meena is still at work and has a very busy lifestyle both inside the home and outside with several interests and commitments. In many ways, they have been living fairly detached lives for quite some time, without realising it. 

    As the story develops, you realise what has motivated Meena to want to exert such a firm control over all aspects of her life. She has wanted to impose her standards on everything and presenting a perfect image to the outside world is a form of self defence. Slowly, Meena realises that there can be a different way of living. This is a gentle read which you follow through the twin perspectives of Meena and Oscar. As the story continues, my sympathy for Oscar grew and I began to see a much less self-centred side to him. With all the hallmarks of a Liz Davies romcom, you have humour through character, more mature central characters and a message that they have a lot of living still to do.

In short:  Can love bloom again? 

About the Author

 


Liz Davies writes feel-good, light-hearted stories with a hefty dose of romance, a smattering of humour, and a great deal of love.

She’s married to her best friend, has one grown-up daughter, and when she isn’t scribbling away in the notepad she carries with her everywhere (just in case inspiration strikes), you’ll find her searching for that perfect pair of shoes. She loves to cook but isn’t very good at it, and loves to eat - she’s much better at that! Liz also enjoys walking (preferably on the flat), cycling (also on the flat), and lots of sitting around in the garden on warm, sunny days.

She currently lives with her family in Wales, but would ideally love to buy a camper van and travel the world in it. 

 

You can follow Liz here: Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Website
 
Book links:   Amazon UK
 
Thanks to Liz Davies and Rachel of  Rachel's Random Resources
for a copy of the book and a place on the event.
 
Check out these great bloggers!
 

 

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