A New Life in Amsterdam by Helga Jensen #Review #PublicationDay

 

Helga Jensen's latest novel, A New Life in Amsterdam is published today on October 9th by Hera Books. 

 
Could down-sizing her life mean up-sizing her dreams?

Since her daughter grew up and left home, Sandy has found herself filling her house with things - impulse purchases that she just has to have but that quickly lose their sheen. Why would she need an expensive set of copper pans when she has no one to cook for?

Realising that her shopping habit is out of control, she asks herself: can she de-clutter, downsize and start a new life?

She has always wanted to live on a barge, and she reasons that there is no way she would have room for random purchases on a boat. Taking the bravest decision of her life, Sandy buys and refurbishes a barge in the beautiful city of Amsterdam.

Relishing her independence, she is not looking for love, but as the nights draw in and the leaves start to fall from the trees, she finds herself drawn to cafe owner and expert hot chocolate maker Abe.

Is she willing to take a second chance on finding the one?

My Thoughts

Sandy is at a difficult time in her life and is looking for a change. The change she decides on surprises even her when she decides to move to Amsterdam and buys a rather rundown boat. The life she finds in Amsterdam surprises her as do the new friends who live nearby. Moving away from her home in the UK has some misgivings for her and she does miss her best friend and next door neighbour who she has known for many years. However, it gives her a chance to break from her compulsion to shop which she has indulged in , lonely in her empty nest.

    With starting again and second chance at life being central themes. you do find yourself hoping that Sandy can find new friendships and relationships in mid-life. There are some humorous moments and the story is well paced and full of interest. This is a warm story with a likeable central character who has courage and the gumption to take a chance. Amsterdam proves to be a gorgeous setting and completely removed from Sandy's rather isolated life she has experienced before.

In short: hoping for a second chance  

About the Authors

Helga Jensen is an internationally award-winning British/Danish best selling author and journalist. Her debut novel was a winning entry in the 2017 Montegrappa First Fiction competition at Dubai’s Emirates Literary Festival. Her debut was also a contender for the coveted 2021 Joan Hessayon Award for new writers. Helga's best selling novel, Fly me to Paris, was a finalist for the 2024 Popular Romantic Fiction Award. In 2025, her novel, A Christmas in Prague, was also a finalist for the Popular Romantic Fiction Award.

 

Helga holds a BA Hons in English Literature and Creative Writing, along with a Creative Writing MA from Bath Spa University. She is currently finishing a Creative Writing PhD.

 

You can follow Helga here: Twitter  |  Instagram   |  Facebook 

|  book links  

Thanks to Helga Jensen, Hera Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 

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