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Friends of Dorothy
The funny, wise and brilliant new novel from the star of QI and the author of Between the Stops
After much searching, the happily married young couple, Amber and Stevie think they have found the perfect spot in Grimaldi Square. Despite the rundown pub across the way, the overgrown garden and a decidedly nosy neighbour, number 4 is the house of their dreams. Stevie, a woman who has never left anything to chance, has planned everything so nothing can spoil their happiness. But ... upstairs in their new home, seated on an old red sofa is the woman they bought the place from - eighty-year-old foul-mouthed, straight-talking, wise-cracking Dorothy - who has decided that she's not going anywhere. It turns out that Dorothy will be only the first in a line of life-changing surprises.
Friends of Dorothy is a touching, funny novel about a family that is not biological, but logical; a story close to Sandi Toksvig's heart.
EVERYONE LOVES SANDI TOKSVIG!
'Life-affirming and addictive' SUNDAY EXPRESS
'Wise and kind ... it will make you miss your stop' OBSERVER
'Full of wit and wisdom' RADIO TIMES
'Inspires ... wonderment and gentle chortles' Independent
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2024
313 people are currently reading
2196 people want to read
About the author
Sandi Toksvig
111 books549 followersDanish/British writer, presenter, comedian, actress and producer on British radio and television. She currently presents The News Quiz on BBC Radio 4 and 1001 Things You Should Know on Channel 4. In October 2012 she succeeded Sheila Hancock as Chancellor of the University of Portsmouth.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 399 reviews
September 14, 2024
Sandi Toksvig and Victoria Wood are the two funniest women I’ve ever had the pleasure of spending an evening with at the theatre. Both left my face aching from laughing so much. Having really enjoyed Flying Under Bridges years ago, I’ve been waiting for ST to entertain me to the same degree. Sadly, this book doesn’t do it.
The premise is that two women buy a house together and when they move in, Dorothy, the vendor, is still living there and has no plans to leave. Shades of Alan Bennett’s The Lady in the Van, I thought, and so not particularly original. An open mind and a few amusing conversations kept me interested for a while but I kept wondering where the storyline was going. The answer is not very far! It just meanders on, addressing various issues as it goes but without any real cohesion. I admit to skimming a bit, something I only do when I’m losing patience with a book, in order to find out if the ending was worth it. It wasn’t (for me), mainly because I wasn’t invested in any of the characters and didn’t care what happened to any of them.
With thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for a review copy. I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to read this and sorry that it has left me feeling so disappointed.
The premise is that two women buy a house together and when they move in, Dorothy, the vendor, is still living there and has no plans to leave. Shades of Alan Bennett’s The Lady in the Van, I thought, and so not particularly original. An open mind and a few amusing conversations kept me interested for a while but I kept wondering where the storyline was going. The answer is not very far! It just meanders on, addressing various issues as it goes but without any real cohesion. I admit to skimming a bit, something I only do when I’m losing patience with a book, in order to find out if the ending was worth it. It wasn’t (for me), mainly because I wasn’t invested in any of the characters and didn’t care what happened to any of them.
With thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for a review copy. I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to read this and sorry that it has left me feeling so disappointed.
September 23, 2024
I enjoyed this book more than I was expecting. It isn’t very ‘real’ but it’s just a good fun romp.
Amber and Stevie are recently married, and have bought a house together – what they weren’t expecting was an octogenarian sitting tenant called Dorothy! Dorothy quickly gets under their skin – making them delicious meals, and tidying up around the house, although she nearly ruins it when she makes a large hole through a downstairs wall thinking she was being helpful and making it more open plan. Enter the builders – one of which seems to be fond of Stevie’s best friend Jack.
It is amusing, and it had a novel (if unbelievable) story line, and I was happy to read it to the end.
Amber and Stevie are recently married, and have bought a house together – what they weren’t expecting was an octogenarian sitting tenant called Dorothy! Dorothy quickly gets under their skin – making them delicious meals, and tidying up around the house, although she nearly ruins it when she makes a large hole through a downstairs wall thinking she was being helpful and making it more open plan. Enter the builders – one of which seems to be fond of Stevie’s best friend Jack.
It is amusing, and it had a novel (if unbelievable) story line, and I was happy to read it to the end.
March 22, 2025
Friends Of Dorothy is the sixth novel by Danish/British presenter, comedian, actress and radio/TV producer, Sandi Toksvig. DC Stevie Baxter has everything organised for her move with her new wife, Amber Delaunay, into 4 Grimaldi Square in London. The one thing she hasn’t factored into her meticulous plans is the presence, in the house, of the ageing former owner, Dorothy Franklin.
There’s no sign of Amber, and calls to the estate agent and their cut-rate solicitor don’t suggest any easy or effective solutions for moving on the seventy-nine-year-old. At her desperate call, Stevie’s best friend, Jack Parker pops over from the pub, The Price of Onions: ’We bought the house from her’ says Stevie. ‘From her, or with her?’ is Jack’s cheeky inquiry.
Turns out that Jack knows Dorothy, as do their cut-price removalists, who seem quite happy to take direction from Dotty despite Stevie’s carefully prepared plan. Dorothy’s, now their, cranky next-door neighbour, Mrs Haggerston makes her displeasure of the whole situation (new neighbours, women married to each other?) loudly known.
On her way home from work, Amber has stopped to buy some lovely thick bath towels in Stevie’s favourite colour when she encounters a woman going into labour. She may not be on duty, but she’s a paramedic: she has to stay and help deliver the baby. It sets off something in her brain or her hormones. Even though Amber and Stevie haven’t properly discussed it, she suddenly wants to be a mother herself.
By the time Amber has arrived and a vague sense of order has been achieved, she convinces Stevie it’s too late to turn a sleeping Dorothy out onto the street. The next morning, they wake to the smell of bacon: Dorothy is determined to send them to work on a proper breakfast. Dorothy, resistant to subtle, and then blatant, suggestions about leaving, seems inordinately attached to her wheelie case. Will they ever get the house to themselves?
Toksvig gives the reader laugh-out-loud dialogue and larger-than-life characters in a hilarious sitcom that can’t fail to produce tears of mirth and, sometimes, a lump in the throat. She manages to include sperm donation, the lives of saints, a condemned building, falling in love, music, dressing up, bladder cancer, an illegal weed crop, a pair of vanlifers, a riotous party, and even a bit of gunplay.
Eventually, Amber and Stevie understand that “It’s Dorothy. There seem to be no rules”. Later still, Amber tells her wife “Give up, Stevie. Stop thinking you and I are in charge.” Sandi’s narration of the audio version is the perfect enhancement to a very entertaining tale.
There’s no sign of Amber, and calls to the estate agent and their cut-rate solicitor don’t suggest any easy or effective solutions for moving on the seventy-nine-year-old. At her desperate call, Stevie’s best friend, Jack Parker pops over from the pub, The Price of Onions: ’We bought the house from her’ says Stevie. ‘From her, or with her?’ is Jack’s cheeky inquiry.
Turns out that Jack knows Dorothy, as do their cut-price removalists, who seem quite happy to take direction from Dotty despite Stevie’s carefully prepared plan. Dorothy’s, now their, cranky next-door neighbour, Mrs Haggerston makes her displeasure of the whole situation (new neighbours, women married to each other?) loudly known.
On her way home from work, Amber has stopped to buy some lovely thick bath towels in Stevie’s favourite colour when she encounters a woman going into labour. She may not be on duty, but she’s a paramedic: she has to stay and help deliver the baby. It sets off something in her brain or her hormones. Even though Amber and Stevie haven’t properly discussed it, she suddenly wants to be a mother herself.
By the time Amber has arrived and a vague sense of order has been achieved, she convinces Stevie it’s too late to turn a sleeping Dorothy out onto the street. The next morning, they wake to the smell of bacon: Dorothy is determined to send them to work on a proper breakfast. Dorothy, resistant to subtle, and then blatant, suggestions about leaving, seems inordinately attached to her wheelie case. Will they ever get the house to themselves?
Toksvig gives the reader laugh-out-loud dialogue and larger-than-life characters in a hilarious sitcom that can’t fail to produce tears of mirth and, sometimes, a lump in the throat. She manages to include sperm donation, the lives of saints, a condemned building, falling in love, music, dressing up, bladder cancer, an illegal weed crop, a pair of vanlifers, a riotous party, and even a bit of gunplay.
Eventually, Amber and Stevie understand that “It’s Dorothy. There seem to be no rules”. Later still, Amber tells her wife “Give up, Stevie. Stop thinking you and I are in charge.” Sandi’s narration of the audio version is the perfect enhancement to a very entertaining tale.
July 6, 2025
DNF.
JFC so cringy.
The cringiest book I've ever read.
I had to DNF because I could not take the writing style and it's cookie-cutter approach to Jack was T E R R I B L E.
Maybe it got better but, I waited 8 chapters for it to be good so I think that's far enough. Eesh.
There are enough queer writers out there now that we don't need this pantomime horse of a book.
Edit: I bloody love Sandi Toksvig and I just do not understand how this book is so bad.
Also I've noticed a lot of these reviewers were given free copies to review, and most people rated them up (3 instead of 2.5, 4 instead of 3.5) which skews this whole thing.
I give it 0.5
JFC so cringy.
The cringiest book I've ever read.
I had to DNF because I could not take the writing style and it's cookie-cutter approach to Jack was T E R R I B L E.
Maybe it got better but, I waited 8 chapters for it to be good so I think that's far enough. Eesh.
There are enough queer writers out there now that we don't need this pantomime horse of a book.
Edit: I bloody love Sandi Toksvig and I just do not understand how this book is so bad.
Also I've noticed a lot of these reviewers were given free copies to review, and most people rated them up (3 instead of 2.5, 4 instead of 3.5) which skews this whole thing.
I give it 0.5
January 24, 2025
Really disappointed. I only powered through because my mother-in-law, who lent it to me, loved it so much. There was no depth to any of the characters or any of the, quite random, plot points so it was hard to really care about anyone or what happened to them. The storyline cruised from one random unconnected event to another with no proper story arc.
(SPOILERS example: Stevie’s apparent PTSD/personality change post pub-attack which is resolved with one talking to from Dorothy, or the single fertility clinic appointment which we the reader are not actually taken along to, which immediately gets Amber pregnant - with twins, which itself is casually announced with a single word and then moved on from with no further comment. Or the whole Tony/Connie and attempted murder debacle which could have been a story in its own right had it been explored properly instead of crammed haphazardly into a couple of chapters at the end like the author suddenly remembered she had to come with a reason Dorothy was still hanging about.)
Jokes feel like they are shoehorned in, so unfortunately cannot even say “at least it was funny.” It really feels like this was just a jumble of possible ideas that had been noted down separately and then attempted to string together in a rush to churn out a book. Can’t imagine this ever being published were the author not already famous, and that winds me up.
(SPOILERS example: Stevie’s apparent PTSD/personality change post pub-attack which is resolved with one talking to from Dorothy, or the single fertility clinic appointment which we the reader are not actually taken along to, which immediately gets Amber pregnant - with twins, which itself is casually announced with a single word and then moved on from with no further comment. Or the whole Tony/Connie and attempted murder debacle which could have been a story in its own right had it been explored properly instead of crammed haphazardly into a couple of chapters at the end like the author suddenly remembered she had to come with a reason Dorothy was still hanging about.)
Jokes feel like they are shoehorned in, so unfortunately cannot even say “at least it was funny.” It really feels like this was just a jumble of possible ideas that had been noted down separately and then attempted to string together in a rush to churn out a book. Can’t imagine this ever being published were the author not already famous, and that winds me up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2024
Cosy, quirky and tender!
[ad/pr product] thanks to Pride Book Tours for a copy of this book.
Synopsis:
Married couple Stevie and Amber move into what they hope to be their dream home, to find that the previous resident (Dorothy) still upstairs in the house. Dorothy is the 80 year old foul mouthed owner who decides she’s not going anywhere. And so the story begins as Stevie and Amber navigate the chaos to achieve their happily ever after.
My thoughts:
- I adore a senior protagonist is a story and Dorothy was brilliant - hilarious, cheeky, and tender
- the LGBTQ+ rep was brilliant across many characters
- brilliantly written quirky characters
- a delightful, funny, cosy read that had plenty of poignant moments
This book was eh exact antidote that I needed to distract myself (briefly) from the world around me!
[ad/pr product] thanks to Pride Book Tours for a copy of this book.
Synopsis:
Married couple Stevie and Amber move into what they hope to be their dream home, to find that the previous resident (Dorothy) still upstairs in the house. Dorothy is the 80 year old foul mouthed owner who decides she’s not going anywhere. And so the story begins as Stevie and Amber navigate the chaos to achieve their happily ever after.
My thoughts:
- I adore a senior protagonist is a story and Dorothy was brilliant - hilarious, cheeky, and tender
- the LGBTQ+ rep was brilliant across many characters
- brilliantly written quirky characters
- a delightful, funny, cosy read that had plenty of poignant moments
This book was eh exact antidote that I needed to distract myself (briefly) from the world around me!
February 24, 2025
3.5⭐️
1% in (kindle reader) and you find an old lady living in your house but it isn’t until 40% in until you finally get round to sitting down and having a conversation about it. Really?!
It felt as though someone was explaining to me, in great detail, a sit-com they had seen on TV and it was one of those “needed to be there” moments. All a bit too chaotic but still mildly enjoyable and I did love Dorothy.
1% in (kindle reader) and you find an old lady living in your house but it isn’t until 40% in until you finally get round to sitting down and having a conversation about it. Really?!
It felt as though someone was explaining to me, in great detail, a sit-com they had seen on TV and it was one of those “needed to be there” moments. All a bit too chaotic but still mildly enjoyable and I did love Dorothy.
October 1, 2025
absolutely not
November 25, 2025
2.5
It's marketed as humour, but it is sappy & alternately delivering unhappy shocks & melty comforts. The humour is jerky, Neither the slapstick lands, nor the snark.
This could have been a really fun comedy, based simply on the premise given in the blurb... but that is "done" 1/3 through the book. After that, it becomes wannbe frederik Backman, & I dislike wannabe-ing & unfortunately, don't care much for Backman either.
It could also have been deep with an insight into the life of the ex-owner, like the Hindi play "Jis Lahore ni dekhyaa (o jamyaa i ni)" (do check it out).
But it wanted to do be a pride parade & include every colour on the rainbow (which can also be done, case in point : "The Pregnant King") & it does become it, but ceases to be a meaningful book.
It's marketed as humour, but it is sappy & alternately delivering unhappy shocks & melty comforts. The humour is jerky, Neither the slapstick lands, nor the snark.
This could have been a really fun comedy, based simply on the premise given in the blurb... but that is "done" 1/3 through the book. After that, it becomes wannbe frederik Backman, & I dislike wannabe-ing & unfortunately, don't care much for Backman either.
It could also have been deep with an insight into the life of the ex-owner, like the Hindi play "Jis Lahore ni dekhyaa (o jamyaa i ni)" (do check it out).
But it wanted to do be a pride parade & include every colour on the rainbow (which can also be done, case in point : "The Pregnant King") & it does become it, but ceases to be a meaningful book.
September 5, 2025
To say that this book reads like a bad Hallmark movie would be an insult to Hallmark movies. Hands down the worst book I've read this year. The toilet humor, the cringey jokes, the flat one-dimensional stock characters. Had it not been for the reading challenge, I would have DNF-ed while I was ahead, but here we are. In other news, this book is now available for sale at the shop! Can I sell books or what lolol
November 7, 2024
Cheesy as hell and predictable but loved it none the less. Very much an easy read. Loved all the characters.
December 6, 2024
3.5 - This was very cute but also a little boring. Very much a cozy, low stakes, slice of life kinda read. Not technically a holiday book, but Christmas does happen (TWICE) so this fit my mood.
October 7, 2024
Let's be honest, it's a rather unlikely scenario. When Amber and Stevie buy their dream home they find it comes complete with the previous owner and no matter what they try, they don't seem able to get octogenraian Dorothy to leave! However, it you are willing to overlook this - and I was - then what you will find is a rather charming story about love, family and friendship in many guises.
As you might expect from a book written by Sandi Toksvig, there is a lot of humour in this book as the couple try to negotiate with Dorothy and make their house their own. However there are lot of deeper issues covered too such as care of the elderly and the challenges faced by gay people as they seek to create a family and how they can still, sadly, face prejudice just for who they are.
As well as Amber, Stevie and Dorothy, there are several other entertaining characters. I particularly liked Jack and his granny Birdie. Many of these characters were quite quirky which was balanced out nicely by sensible Amber and Stevie.
I'd call this a cosy kind of read, full of fun but also rather poignant at times. Recommended if you are looking for an easy to read, heartwarming book.
As you might expect from a book written by Sandi Toksvig, there is a lot of humour in this book as the couple try to negotiate with Dorothy and make their house their own. However there are lot of deeper issues covered too such as care of the elderly and the challenges faced by gay people as they seek to create a family and how they can still, sadly, face prejudice just for who they are.
As well as Amber, Stevie and Dorothy, there are several other entertaining characters. I particularly liked Jack and his granny Birdie. Many of these characters were quite quirky which was balanced out nicely by sensible Amber and Stevie.
I'd call this a cosy kind of read, full of fun but also rather poignant at times. Recommended if you are looking for an easy to read, heartwarming book.
October 29, 2024
2.5⭐️
Low key one of the things I like about the library is being able to try comedian’s books without paying for the privilege. This is a case in point, I would have been annoyed to pay money to read this book tbh. While I liked the vibes and the purpose, it was going for comforting magical characters and it crossed the line into twee.
Low key one of the things I like about the library is being able to try comedian’s books without paying for the privilege. This is a case in point, I would have been annoyed to pay money to read this book tbh. While I liked the vibes and the purpose, it was going for comforting magical characters and it crossed the line into twee.
February 18, 2025
bloody hell, that was a tough read
April 10, 2025
I really enjoyed this heartwarming story. Comical and touching.
November 17, 2025
What a charming little novel that is so very British. In this LGBTQ-forward novel, Toksvig writes a tale of friendship, growth, and community. Delightful little novel.
March 23, 2025
Charming and very very funny.
January 31, 2025
Had to have something light after Prophet Song and actually ended up loving this. Listened to the audio book and basically I love Sandi so was sold. Whimsical, Lovely and joyful!
3.5/4
3.5/4
September 26, 2024
Friends of Dorothy is an absolute gem of a read. Brilliantly funny and witty and just a really nice feel good story.
I absolutely love Sandi Toksvig, so was so pleased I got to read and review this.
We follow Amber and Stevie, a young married couple, who have found the ideal house, only to move in and discover the old, stubborn woman they bought the house from, Dorothy, has decided she's not moving out.
Want to know more, be sure to pick your copy up.
So all in all, Friends of Dorothy was such a nice, wholesome read. It's heartwarming, touching and full of wisdom.
It's the type of read to settle down on the couch with, get comfortable with your favourite drink, and while the time away turning the pages.
It's a fast paced novel, with lots happening and laugh out loud moments galore.
A real tender, life-affirming read.
I read this delightful book in two sittings.
5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
I absolutely love Sandi Toksvig, so was so pleased I got to read and review this.
We follow Amber and Stevie, a young married couple, who have found the ideal house, only to move in and discover the old, stubborn woman they bought the house from, Dorothy, has decided she's not moving out.
Want to know more, be sure to pick your copy up.
So all in all, Friends of Dorothy was such a nice, wholesome read. It's heartwarming, touching and full of wisdom.
It's the type of read to settle down on the couch with, get comfortable with your favourite drink, and while the time away turning the pages.
It's a fast paced novel, with lots happening and laugh out loud moments galore.
A real tender, life-affirming read.
I read this delightful book in two sittings.
5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
October 7, 2024
The story started off strong and I enjoyed the opening and meeting the characters. The dialogue was funny and engaging, and the diverse cast of characters, including queer representation and an older leading lady too, added the charm that drew me to the story.
As the story progressed, it became a bit too chaotic for my taste, and I found myself losing interest. I typically gravitate towards stories that leave me feeling uplifted, and some of the content in this story just didn’t. That said, I still appreciated the main characters and thought some of the humour was fantastic.
There are strong moments of tenderness, found family vibes and several scenes which had me chuckle along. I can see the appeal and I know this’ll be a big hit with other readers.
As the story progressed, it became a bit too chaotic for my taste, and I found myself losing interest. I typically gravitate towards stories that leave me feeling uplifted, and some of the content in this story just didn’t. That said, I still appreciated the main characters and thought some of the humour was fantastic.
There are strong moments of tenderness, found family vibes and several scenes which had me chuckle along. I can see the appeal and I know this’ll be a big hit with other readers.
November 6, 2024
Overall entertaining but got to be too much at times.
September 8, 2024
I loved this book so much, the characters were fabulous and it was so easy to get into the story. The idea of moving into your new home and the previous owner is still in residence is an inspired idea. I enjoyed how the story unfolded and how creative Sandy is. The whole premise made me smile.
December 1, 2024
I was disappointed, I enjoyed 2 of Sandi's non fiction books. I found this one too contrived, it was as if everything had to be fitted in, a lesbian marriage, old ladies, a gay couple, homophobia, gender change and domestic violence.
April 29, 2025
reading all the nice reviews, i thought i was missing the point of this book. maybe my expectations were too high. then, i met a comedian in a beer garden who loathes the author and my opinion felt validated.
June 29, 2025
highly enjoyable; charming and silly, what more could you want?
March 22, 2025
Friends Of Dorothy is the sixth novel by Danish/British presenter, comedian, actress and radio/TV producer, Sandi Toksvig. DC Stevie Baxter has everything organised for her move with her new wife, Amber Delaunay, into 4 Grimaldi Square in London. The one thing she hasn’t factored into her meticulous plans is the presence, in the house, of the ageing former owner, Dorothy Franklin.
There’s no sign of Amber, and calls to the estate agent and their cut-rate solicitor don’t suggest any easy or effective solutions for moving on the seventy-nine-year-old. At her desperate call, Stevie’s best friend, Jack Parker pops over from the pub, The Price of Onions: ’We bought the house from her’ says Stevie. ‘From her, or with her?’ is Jack’s cheeky inquiry.
Turns out that Jack knows Dorothy, as do their cut-price removalists, who seem quite happy to take direction from Dotty despite Stevie’s carefully prepared plan. Dorothy’s, now their, cranky next-door neighbour, Mrs Haggerston makes her displeasure of the whole situation (new neighbours, women married to each other?) loudly known.
On her way home from work, Amber has stopped to buy some lovely thick bath towels in Stevie’s favourite colour when she encounters a woman going into labour. She may not be on duty, but she’s a paramedic: she has to stay and help deliver the baby. It sets off something in her brain or her hormones. Even though Amber and Stevie haven’t properly discussed it, she suddenly wants to be a mother herself.
By the time Amber has arrived and a vague sense of order has been achieved, she convinces Stevie it’s too late to turn a sleeping Dorothy out onto the street. The next morning, they wake to the smell of bacon: Dorothy is determined to send them to work on a proper breakfast. Dorothy, resistant to subtle, and then blatant, suggestions about leaving, seems inordinately attached to her wheelie case. Will they ever get the house to themselves?
Toksvig gives the reader laugh-out-loud dialogue and larger-than-life characters in a hilarious sitcom that can’t fail to produce tears of mirth and, sometimes, a lump in the throat. She manages to include sperm donation, the lives of saints, a condemned building, falling in love, music, dressing up, bladder cancer, an illegal weed crop, a pair of vanlifers, a riotous party, and even a bit of gunplay.
Eventually, Amber and Stevie understand that “It’s Dorothy. There seem to be no rules”. Later still, Amber tells her wife “Give up, Stevie. Stop thinking you and I are in charge.” Sandi’s narration of the audio version is the perfect enhancement to a very entertaining tale.
There’s no sign of Amber, and calls to the estate agent and their cut-rate solicitor don’t suggest any easy or effective solutions for moving on the seventy-nine-year-old. At her desperate call, Stevie’s best friend, Jack Parker pops over from the pub, The Price of Onions: ’We bought the house from her’ says Stevie. ‘From her, or with her?’ is Jack’s cheeky inquiry.
Turns out that Jack knows Dorothy, as do their cut-price removalists, who seem quite happy to take direction from Dotty despite Stevie’s carefully prepared plan. Dorothy’s, now their, cranky next-door neighbour, Mrs Haggerston makes her displeasure of the whole situation (new neighbours, women married to each other?) loudly known.
On her way home from work, Amber has stopped to buy some lovely thick bath towels in Stevie’s favourite colour when she encounters a woman going into labour. She may not be on duty, but she’s a paramedic: she has to stay and help deliver the baby. It sets off something in her brain or her hormones. Even though Amber and Stevie haven’t properly discussed it, she suddenly wants to be a mother herself.
By the time Amber has arrived and a vague sense of order has been achieved, she convinces Stevie it’s too late to turn a sleeping Dorothy out onto the street. The next morning, they wake to the smell of bacon: Dorothy is determined to send them to work on a proper breakfast. Dorothy, resistant to subtle, and then blatant, suggestions about leaving, seems inordinately attached to her wheelie case. Will they ever get the house to themselves?
Toksvig gives the reader laugh-out-loud dialogue and larger-than-life characters in a hilarious sitcom that can’t fail to produce tears of mirth and, sometimes, a lump in the throat. She manages to include sperm donation, the lives of saints, a condemned building, falling in love, music, dressing up, bladder cancer, an illegal weed crop, a pair of vanlifers, a riotous party, and even a bit of gunplay.
Eventually, Amber and Stevie understand that “It’s Dorothy. There seem to be no rules”. Later still, Amber tells her wife “Give up, Stevie. Stop thinking you and I are in charge.” Sandi’s narration of the audio version is the perfect enhancement to a very entertaining tale.
February 3, 2025
This book was about a lesbian couple, Stevie and Amber, who buy a house only to find that the previous owner, an old lady called Dorothy, is still living there. At first the two women try to figure out how they can get rid of her, but eventually they become a family. Dorothy is a really interesting character and it takes the couple a while to figure out what she’s doing there. She had sold her house to them because her ex-husband said he was coming back and wanted half of what it was worth as they had bought it together and she didn’t want him having it because he was a horrible man - he ran off with her 18 year old daughter a couple of months after they got married (crazy) and the daughter had then died shortly after (tragic). She kept the money in a suitcase because she didn’t feel like it was secure at the bank and took it everywhere with her. She had planned to shoot her ex-husband when he came for his money. She tried and failed to. She ends up agreeing to give him half, as long as he stays far away from Grimaldi Square, but before she can give it to him, he has a stroke and as she is his next of kin, she ships him off to an old people’s home.
Stevie is a police officer and Amber is a paramedic. At the beginning Amber says to Stevie out of the blue that she wants a baby. Stevie is shocked because she’s not sure. Her best friend, Jack, works at the pub on the corner, The Onion, that we later find out is owned by Dorothy. Jack is gay and throughout the story we see him fall in love with one of the builders working on Stevie and Amber’s house, Arun. Jack also plays the piano. Jack’s grandma, Birdie, is best friends with Dorothy. Birdie lives at the top of an old block of flats that the council want to knock down, but Birdie doesn’t want to move because that’s her home. At the end of the book, the flats get knocked down, and the sun shines on Grimaldi Square. Dorothy renovates the flats above The Onion, that she owns, and she moves into one with Birdie; Stevie and Amber have twins and move into the other bigger flat; and Jack and Arun move in to Dorothy’s old house. The Onion is transformed by all of them from a dingy, empty pub, to a really successful centre of the community.
It’s really hard to explain this book chronologically. Oh well, I tried.
I feel like the moral of the story is that community is everything. It’s a nice story of friends and neighbours helping each other.
I loved it. Loved Dorothy’s philosophy on life. Really likeable characters all around. Would definitely recommend. Thoroughly enjoyable read.
Stevie is a police officer and Amber is a paramedic. At the beginning Amber says to Stevie out of the blue that she wants a baby. Stevie is shocked because she’s not sure. Her best friend, Jack, works at the pub on the corner, The Onion, that we later find out is owned by Dorothy. Jack is gay and throughout the story we see him fall in love with one of the builders working on Stevie and Amber’s house, Arun. Jack also plays the piano. Jack’s grandma, Birdie, is best friends with Dorothy. Birdie lives at the top of an old block of flats that the council want to knock down, but Birdie doesn’t want to move because that’s her home. At the end of the book, the flats get knocked down, and the sun shines on Grimaldi Square. Dorothy renovates the flats above The Onion, that she owns, and she moves into one with Birdie; Stevie and Amber have twins and move into the other bigger flat; and Jack and Arun move in to Dorothy’s old house. The Onion is transformed by all of them from a dingy, empty pub, to a really successful centre of the community.
It’s really hard to explain this book chronologically. Oh well, I tried.
I feel like the moral of the story is that community is everything. It’s a nice story of friends and neighbours helping each other.
I loved it. Loved Dorothy’s philosophy on life. Really likeable characters all around. Would definitely recommend. Thoroughly enjoyable read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2024
We meet Stevie waiting impatiently for Amber to enter the new home they have just purchased together. They know they will have to do work on the house when they can afford it, but it was just about all they could afford. Stevie has plans and lists for everything and Amber was supposed to be there so they could enter their new home together. However she is not so Stevie enters alone and makes a startling discovery.
The book is full of wonderful characters from the nosy neighbour to Agnes who runs the pub opposite and of course Dorothy who flings surprise after surprise at the young couple, completely upending Stevie’s plans. It also is awash with Toksig’s dry humour to make you laugh out loud. I absolutely will be recommending everyone I know reads this great read.
The book is full of wonderful characters from the nosy neighbour to Agnes who runs the pub opposite and of course Dorothy who flings surprise after surprise at the young couple, completely upending Stevie’s plans. It also is awash with Toksig’s dry humour to make you laugh out loud. I absolutely will be recommending everyone I know reads this great read.
July 21, 2025
4.5 stars - audiobook
I really enjoyed this! Even if initially I was confused as I hadn't realised it was fiction, thinking I'd started Sandi's autobiography/memoir haha but I'm very glad I didn't know what to expect, as it was a very pleasant surprise.
It is full of very funny lines and scenes. It does have serious topics too, but the characters are so wonderful that they bring joy after every storm. Dorothy is brilliant, and very much steals every scene. Just brilliant.
I enjoyed Sandi's narration, and thought it worked well as an audiobook. I looked forward to listening, and it made the housework more interesting!
I really enjoyed this! Even if initially I was confused as I hadn't realised it was fiction, thinking I'd started Sandi's autobiography/memoir haha but I'm very glad I didn't know what to expect, as it was a very pleasant surprise.
It is full of very funny lines and scenes. It does have serious topics too, but the characters are so wonderful that they bring joy after every storm. Dorothy is brilliant, and very much steals every scene. Just brilliant.
I enjoyed Sandi's narration, and thought it worked well as an audiobook. I looked forward to listening, and it made the housework more interesting!
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