Charlie's Last Angel by Maggie Christensen #Review
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Some years ago I was asked to ask Maggie some questions about her writing and you can read her answers here.
In her early fifties, Harri Caldwell has always prided
herself on being a strong, independent woman. Content with her single life, she
loves her role as headmistress at the prestigious Lilian Cooper College for
Young Ladies in Brisbane.
High profile barrister Charles Kaye has lived a charmed city life. With an amicable divorce behind him and three grown daughters, he is often featured in gossip columns alongside beautiful young women, a revolving cast his daughters nickname Charlie’s Angels.
When Charles and Harri meet at an art gallery opening, the instant connection is undeniable and, much to the chagrin of Charles’ daughters, a relationship quickly ensues. Their romance attracts media attention, not only because of Charles’ public profile but because Harri is so different from the women he is usually linked to. Older, private and firmly outside the socialite mould, she becomes an unexpected fascination for the press.
As the media attention and his daughters’ disapproval weigh on Harri, she begins to question whether their love can withstand the pressure. Will this prove to be the breaking point for their relationship or will Harri be Charlie’s last angel?
My Thoughts
Harri's comfortable and ordered life is set on its head after she meets the handsome barrister, Charles. He has a certain reputation, an ex-wife and a close family to factor into any decisions they make about their future. In some ways, I felt that it was Harri who was made to make the greatest changes in her life after Charles indicates he would like to retire and move away. You appreciate the security Harri has felt in her role as Headteacher. She has a big learning curve ahead of her as she meets Charles' daughters. They are all such different personalities with different needs.
As the story develops, you appreciate how caring and considerate Harri is. She has time for her friends and proves to be dependable in a crisis. Harri turns to trusted friends for advice and is the sort of person who people go to for the same. With the chance of love in later years, Harri has to decide whether she can compromise her independence. She has several choices available to her and at one point, it is unclear which she will choose. This is such an enjoyable story with a variety of characters and a likeable and well drawn central character.
In short: new starts and difficult choices
About the Archers
After a career in education, Maggie Christensen began writing contemporary women’s fiction portraying mature women facing life-changing situations, and historical fiction set in her native Scotland. Her travels inspire her writing, be it her trips to visit family in Scotland, in Oregon, USA or her home on Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast. Maggie writes of mature heroines coming to terms with changes in their lives and the heroes worthy of them. Maggie has been called the queen of mature age fiction and her writing has been described by one reviewer as like a nice warm cup of tea. It is warm, nourishing, comforting and embracing.
From the small town in Scotland where she grew up, Maggie was lured to Australia by the call to ‘Come and teach in the sun’. Once there, she worked as a primary school teacher, university lecturer and in educational management. Now living with her husband of over thirty years on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, she loves walking on the deserted beach in the early mornings and having coffee by the river on weekends. Her days are spent surrounded by books, either reading or writing them – her idea of heaven!
You can follow Maggie here: Website| Facebook | X | Instagram| Goodreads | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads | Blue Sky | Bookbub
Thanks to Maggie Christensen, Cala Publishing and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.
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