The Silver-Haired Sisterhood

by Judy Leigh

The BRAND NEW feel-good read from MILLION COPY BESTSELLER Judy Leigh ‘We’re celebrating life,’ Rose said. ‘Life, every single minute of it. Tell me, girls - is there ever anything better to celebrate than that?’

Five years after seventy-something Tess jetted off to Paris with her best friends, Jen, Rose, Della and Pam - the Five French Hens - for Jen’s hen do, a lot has changed. Prospective groom Eddie has been given the heave-ho, Tess’s husband has been sent packing and the Hens are making the most of their golden years.

But Tess is stuck in a rut. Rather than embrace her independence, she watches on as Rose wows Paris, Jen explores Iceland and Pam heads to Greece. But when tragedy strikes Della, Tess is shaken into action. They both need a change of scenery and longing to see the Northern Lights, they head to the Highlands of Scotland and the magical Isle of Skye.

There Tess and Della get more than they bargained for. Along with stunning scenery and breathtaking history, they find new friends, grand adventures and even romance. And when they’re joined by the other Hens, together they start plotting a fabulous new future for them all.

Travel with Judy Leigh to the magical Highlands in this uplifting, joyous and funny tale of friendships and new beginnings. This is the perfect feel-good story for all fans of Maddie Please, Dawn French and Caroline James.

Readers love Judy

‘Judy Leigh’s great strength is her wonderful, full-of-life characters. I especially love how so many of her starring roles in her novels go to strong women, and particularly older women… Highly recommended.’

‘You can only love the beautiful writing style of Judy Leigh. It's light, fresh and breezy, She gives aging a sparkle, that doesn't make it seem scary but something to embrace and enjoy to the maximum.’

‘Judy Leigh has become one of my favourite authors. Her writing is amazing. I have read most of her novels and look forward to the next one.’

‘I hope you too pick up this heart warming, fun filled frolicking story of friendship and love. It is well worth a read.’

‘As usual, Judy Leigh excelled at imagining her characters, and it was a treat to follow their adventures. Of course, I don’t include spoilers, but I can certainly promise a story filled with the very best kind of people, love, and a reminder that age is just a state of mind.’

Praise for Judy

'I loved this book. It's funny, emotional and a book that fills you with determination not to let life pass you by as you get older.' Jennifer Bohnet

‘Brilliantly funny, emotional and uplifting’ Miranda Dickinson

'Lovely . . . a book that assures that life is far from over at seventy' Cathy Hopkins bestselling author of The Kicking the Bucket List

'Brimming with warmth, humour and a love of life… a wonderful escapade’ Fiona Gibson

Genres: Fiction, Humor, Romance, Contemporary, British Literature, Chick Lit, Womens Fiction

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 2, 2024

About the author

Judy Leigh has lived all over the UK from Liverpool to Cornwall, but currently resides in Somerset. After teaching theatre, writing lyrics for a punk band and setting up Shakespeare Festivals, she completed an MA in Professional Writing.

She is a prolific writer, but when she is not at her computer you will find her on the beach, walking, doing yoga or splashing in the sea. She is also a Reiki healer, a vegan and an animal lover. She has three black cats and she enjoys live music, theatre and football.

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Earlier I had read The Golden Oldies' Book Club by Judy Leigh and remembered enjoying it very much, so I picked this one up when I saw it. Since I'm getting older sometimes it's fun to read about 'women of a certain age' and their adventures.

Description:
Five years after seventy-something Tess jetted off to Paris with her best friends, Jen, Rose, Della and Pam - the Five French Hens - for Jen’s hen do, a lot has changed. Prospective groom Eddie has been given the heave-ho, Tess’s husband has been sent packing and the Hens are making the most of their golden years.

But Tess is stuck in a rut. Rather than embrace her independence, she watches on as Rose wows Paris, Jen explores Iceland and Pam heads to Greece. But when tragedy strikes Della, Tess is shaken into action. They both need a change of scenery and longing to see the Northern Lights, they head to the Highlands of Scotland and the magical Isle of Skye.

There Tess and Della get more than they bargained for. Along with stunning scenery and breathtaking history, they find new friends, grand adventures and even romance. And when they’re joined by the other Hens, together they start plotting a fabulous new future for them all.

My Thoughts:
This is a funny and sweet book of friendship and new beginnings. The women portrayed are the best of friends and come together to help each other when in need. They are women I would love to know. I got a warm feeling reading this book and loved the time I spend with the women in Skye. I admired that they are so determined to help and that even at their age they are not afraid of something new. I recommend this to women who like to read books centered on friendship and love.
Thanks to Boldwood Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.

[Vivacious · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book, especially since it centres on septuagenarians, an age group I don't often see as protagonists in fiction. When I laughed out loud on the very first page, I was convinced it was going to be a winner.

Sadly, the charm didn't last. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, making it hard to connect with the story. I found it difficult to believe in the characters and found the villain especially unconvincing.

This novel did not deliver on its promise, but all was not lost: I did enjoy the characters and the food references that made me hungry. I also found the ending satisfying.

[Pav S. (pav_sanborn_bookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!!!

After a tumultuous few years, Tess and her friends, the Five French Hens, embark on a trip to the Highlands of Scotland and Isle of Skye following a tragedy. Together, they find new adventures, friendships, and even romance, leading to a positive outlook on their golden years and a hopeful future. This heartwarming tale by Judy Leigh explores themes of friendship, new beginnings, and the beauty of travel.

This book is a perfect blend of fun, melancholy, and optimism. If you're struggling to get back into reading, this book could be just the jumpstart you need.

While I typically gravitate towards thrillers, I made a conscious decision this year to read whatever captures my attention and nourishes my soul. Every now and then, delving into women's fiction with a humorous twist can be just what the doctor ordered.

The five characters in this book (Tess, Jen, Rose, Della and Pam) are fully developed, allowing us to delve into their stories and perspectives. The camaraderie and unwavering loyalty among them were truly enjoyable.

The vivid descriptions of the setting transport you right alongside the characters, immersing you in their world. I appreciate how a small act of kindness can lead to positive changes in unexpected ways.

As a military family, I'm accustomed to frequent moves and fleeting friendships. It's rare to find lasting connections when people come and go so quickly. I've often pondered what it would be like to cultivate lifelong friendships, and this book offers a glimpse into that possibility.

If you appreciate humor, a fresh perspective on life, and heartwarming tales of friendship, this book is must-read. Here's to hoping we all find that forever friend to weather life's storms with. This book is sure to leave you with a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. Enjoy!

[Davida Chazan · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75/5 Stars. Although this is a sequel to "Five French Hens" which I didn't read, I don't think that detracted from my enjoyment of this lovely novel. You can read my full review here https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2024/12/0...

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute female friendship novel. Five lovely senior women explore life and love in their 70s. The story takes place mostly in a hotel on the Island of Skye in Scotland. Best friends who are divorced or widowed vacation together in Skye. They help a man who is divorcing his wife try to fix up his run-down inheritance hotel. The ex wife wants him to sell the hotel so she can have her half. He doesn’t want to sell his family’s legacy. The women help him out and turn things around for him. Fun story.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 'feel good factor' holiday read!

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

I love Judy's books, they're so heartwarming and funny and always put a smile on my face. And they're even better when set in Scotland.

I absolutely adore the way Judy writes older characters. It's quite common in fiction (be it books, films or TV) that older characters, 70+, are there just to tick a box, for the novelty, to be a nuisance. They're very rarely the protagonist or the hero. And Judy writes them with such heart and passion and pride, that of course they should be the stars of their own story. It's really quite powerful.

I loved all the women in this, but this is Tess and Della's story and they do rock it. They're fabulous women. They have their concerns - mainly Tess - but they haven't lost all of their spark. It looks at how age is just a number. Sure there are things you have to consider as you get older, but just because you're 75, 85, 95, whatever, it doesn't mean you HAVE to do something or you CAN'T do something.

I am not the same age as the characters - in my 30s to their 70s - but I still loved it and related to them. So much so that I assume readers closer to their age will love it even more, because they can relate to what they're going through and feel closer to the characters.

I also love this idea of friendship being the family you choose, especially as you get older and start to lose people and possibly start losing your independence.

Judy's books never fail to cheer me up. They're light and uplifting and cosy, easy and quick to read, comforting, but they don't hide away from the truth. There's some difficult topics in this, including illness, grief, bereavement, loneliness, ageing, affairs, despair, lack of self esteem.

This does follow on from Five French Hens, which I haven't read, and so I can definitely say you can read this as a standalone. You'll probably get little things from this book if you've read the one before it, but I never felt at a disadvantage coming into this. Judy goes a great job at filling in some history without regurgitating what came before.

I won't spoil it, but let's just say the women don't see as much of Skye as they may have initially wanted, but what is there just sounds beautiful. I love Scotland but have never been to Skye and would love to, and Judy has really depicted it so well that you can practically see it. I wonder if she has any history with that area.

Where I think Judy excels is two fold: firstly, in the characters, I mentioned that above. But also with the dialogue. When I do my own writing, dialogue is the thing I struggle with the most. I love writing prose and description and scene setting, but then I stumble when it comes to the dialogue. Dialogue should be natural, should feel like a conversation, it shouldn't feel like you're reading a made-up story, like the author doesn't know how to form a conversation. And that's what Judy does so well. It flows so naturally that you get lost amongst it and forget that you don't actually know these people.

It could have quite easily strayed into the sickly sweet territory, but she's got it just right.

Whenever Judy releases a new book, I jump at the chance to read it. I am lucky that I have been sent a number of her books in the past by the publisher, and every single one has been a pleasure, and so now I keep my eye out and recommend her books to anyone wanting a light, peaceful, cosy, warming story.

[Kirsty (BookBlogger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Silver-Haired Sisterhood by Judy Leigh

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Five years after seventy-something Tess jetted off to Paris with her best friends, Jen, Rose, Della and Pam - the Five French Hens - for Jen’s hen do, a lot has changed. Prospective groom Eddie has been given the heave-ho, Tess’s husband has been sent packing and the Hens are making the most of their golden years.

But Tess is stuck in a rut. Rather than embrace her independence, she watches on as Rose wows Paris, Jen explores Iceland and Pam heads to Greece. But when tragedy strikes Della, Tess is shaken into action. They both need a change of scenery and longing to see the Northern Lights, they head to the Highlands of Scotland and the magical Isle of Skye.

There Tess and Della get more than they bargained for. Along with stunning scenery and breathtaking history, they find new friends, grand adventures and even romance. And when they’re joined by the other Hens, together they start plotting a fabulous new future for them all.

My Opinion

Judy Leigh has once again written a delightful book with some older characters – even though our characters are in their 70s they still manage to go on an entertaining adventure. I started reading this book with the aim of just reading a few chapters and before I knew it, I was at the end. Our Hens support each other through both the good times and the bad in this uplifting read.

Rating 4/5

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨4 stars✨

This was my first book by this author and it didn’t disappoint!

This book follows five best friends, all of which are in their seventies (love reading about older characters), and explores themes such as friendship, loss, new adventures and proving that age should not be a barrier in preventing people from living life to the fullest!!

The main bulk of this book was set on the Isle of Skye as our protagonists help rebuild the reputation of a struggling hotel. I loved the setting was really rooting for all of the characters and the success of this hotel!

I will definitely be reading for from this author and would recommend this book!

I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

[Meddings_Musings: Erin Meddings · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a delightful, heartwarming, and charming read (although I admittedly teared up early on in the book).

The story is about friends in their 70’s who always show up for one another - for the good, the bad, and the downright ugly.

As I get older, I find myself greatly enjoying books about mature women who know the importance of keeping their minds busy, their souls young, and their hearts full of love and laughter.

I can’t wait to read more stories from Judy Leigh! This is a definite MUST-READ!

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
a book about friendship, very easy read and fairly predictable

[Lucy Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had to read this as it was a follow on, it was again a lovely read and very much how I wish to live my 70's 80's and beyond.

[Helen Temple · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful . Fluffy .

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
I loved the eccentric characters in this book. They were realistic with realistic and complicated lives. I enjoyed meeting all of these characters and reading about the twists and turns they experienced. The setting was descriptive and picturesque. The Scotland scenery was beautifully depicted. The plot was not necessarily unique but there was one plot point that bothered me. Why did they give the cheating and vindictive estranged wife so many opportunities to sabatoge their progress in the hotel? With all those intelligent women around, why couldn’t they think like a woman scorned? Why did they leave the hotel unattended so often? Why didn’t they take her keys away? The writing was good and I enjoy this author’s work.

But seventy-seven is nearly eighty and then it’s, like, will I get to ninety or will everything that lurks in sniper’s alley get me?’

‘Disease, loneliness, immobility, death…’

every mickle meks a muckle.”

‘That small things combined can have a big effect.

‘Every seven years your body changes big time to get ready for the next stage of life. So at seven, you’re a child. At fourteen, a growing woman. By twenty-one, a full woman. Twenty-eight, then thirty-five, right up until…’

No nightmares are symbolic of our inability to control a particular situation in our life,’ Daz explained as he prepared Rose’s muesli, his expression serious. ‘Your nightmare represents a lack of freedom and power, Tess. In other words, there’s something you’re really frightened of in real life, and the nightmare is telling you to prepare for it.’

Nauti Buoy?

Latrine Kleen and Jenna Cide

‘Friends count for a lot,’ Rose said. ‘They’re the family you choose, the ones who hold us together when we come apart.’

‘Ah, the secret talk of men must be kept between themselves. We are wicked creatures, all of us, and our banter is not for the delicate ears of a young woman.

‘A person isn’t who they used to be. The total sum of their worth isn’t the mistakes they’ve made. I learned that when you left. No, it’s about who we are now, how we measure up today.

‘It’s like you’re a group of goddesses who help each other. Rose is the chief decision-maker, Pam is the voice of wisdom and protection.’ Robin examined Tess’s face ‘Della feeds you all, looks after you. Jen is the emotional heart of the group and you…’‘I think you’re the fun one,’ Murdo said. ‘The one who’s up for a laugh. ‘Tess is the nurturing one, the thoughtful one–the one who’s intuitive and warm and affectionate. She’s unafraid of being spontaneous, letting her feelings show.’ ‘In the hunter-gatherer tribes, such a courageous person held everyone else together in times of hardship.’

She realised that she needed to be one half of a magnet, equally tugged and tugging.

‘It’s beautiful. It makes me feel that out of something bad, there’s always hope.’

…in a magazine that if you lean into the wind you get a real sense of being hugged – you feel locked in the arms of the present moment, allowing life to shape you as it is meant to.

Life was good. Like the skies, things were always changing. And miracles were always possible.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

With Christmas approaching, Tess feels a little left out when her friends – of many years – all seem to have exciting plans. Jen’s off on a cruise to Iceland, Pam heading for Greece, Rose is living and working in Paris (in her eighties, but playing piano in a nightclub), and Della’s hoping to get there on a long-promised trip with husband Sylvester. Tess has always wanted to see the Northern Lights, and there’s nothing holding her back, so she impulsively books a solo break on the Isle of Skye – then starts to work out the logistics of how to actually get there. But she does have unexpected company – Della’s Paris trip, for the very saddest of reasons, doesn’t happen, so they travel there together. But on arrival, the hotel proves not to be quite what they were expecting – run down, no warm Scottish welcome, only a reluctantly agreed bed for the night so that they can then look for somewhere else.

It turns out that owner Roddy’s wife has left him, he’s barely coping, and she’s also demanding he sells the hotel to give her half the proceeds. With more guests expected, and seeing a real possibility of turning the place around, Tess and Della decide to step in – they’re full of ideas, and Tess is a particular dab hand in the kitchen – and help an initially reluctant Roddy fight for the hotel’s future. They’re unexpectedly joined by an ailing Rose, struggling to recover from illness, and her young (caring, enthusiastic and rather lovely) friend Daz – and together they all show what a positive approach can achieve. There’s a substantial cast of really well drawn characters – guests Robin and his son Jamie willingly join their efforts, and they also win over curmudgeonly guide and handyman Murdo, slowly helping him change his life in the process. Roddy’s wife Isla though remains determined that they will fail, sabotaging them at every turn – but she really doesn’t realise quite what she’s taking on.

There is, of course, a lot of laughter – the relationships between the women (and the other two join them too before their stay is over) are an absolute joy throughout, with their support for each other, sheer zest for life and finding enjoyment in every available moment. There are serious issues too – a good measure of grief and loss (quite wonderfully handled, and that sometimes moved me to tears), health problems, mental health issues – but always a focus on how life can be made better, grasping every opportunity, overcoming every obstacle, buoyed up by friendships new and old and the glimmer of hope for the future.

The Skye setting is quite beautifully drawn, with the most vivid descriptions – neither their efforts at the hotel nor the snowfall can stop them getting out and about and seeing the beauty to be found on their temporary island home. And I’ve always very much enjoyed the author’s more mature characters – her books are always a firm testament to the fact that it’s never too late to change your life in a positive way, especially with the support of friends. But I really think this book might have been my favourite of them all (so far, of course!) – I was entirely caught up by the fight to save the hotel, the struggles of some of the characters, and the wonderful women who showed such fierce determination to succeed. The whole book is filled with emotional moments that really touch your heart, but immensely uplifting, leaving you with the warmest glow – and it’s the most tremendous fun too. I really couldn’t recommend it more highly.

[June Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quote that pops up frequently online goes something like, "You have only one life to live. You might as well do something with it". It always seems to be attributed to a different person, so I have no clue who really said it first but it's universal, so guess it doesn't matter. Judy Leigh's "The Silver-Haired Sisterhood" echoes that theme, that life is meant to be lived. The four characters in it, with Tess and Della being the focus, embrace that attitude despite age and all that comes with it. As they know and are reminded, much joy can also come with it. It's okay to be old. Yes, people may seem to look through you but that doesn't mean you have to be invisible and fade into the background, either. This is a delightful and heartwarming reminder to us all to live with hope and joy, reaching out for new experiences and to those who make up the family we create.

I won't detail the plot as the blurb does an excellent job but will note that the characters are wonderfully fleshed out and distinct. While I haven't read it, I gather that there's a previous book with these same characters that I'm definitely going to have to find. While the characters don't downplay the problems of aging, loss of mobility, losing loved ones, health issues, and such, the positives shine through them, even when they themselves aren't quite feeling it 100%. To me, that actually made them all the more real. The dialogue seemed to flow naturally, chatter you'd hear while sitting with friends or simply listening to others about you. It was wonderful to see Tess and Della find joy and purpose during their somewhat impulsive trip to Skye in hopes of relaxation and seeing the Northern Lights. As I just had the joy of seeing them above my home here in Alaska recently, that goal made me smile in anticipation.

They also reach out to help others and create new relationships, all the better when they are surprised with visitors. Will they see those magical lights dancing in the sky? Well, I'm not telling but you'll definitely enjoy this book if you love character driven books. There's so much more to the story but, well, you just need to read it. Thank you #BoldwoodBooks for the early introduction to this wonderful, optimistic sisterhood of women (and the glossary at the beginning). No matter what our ages, we should all be half as full of life and up for adventure and "What's next?" as they are.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Silver-Haired Sisterhood by Judy Leigh is the most delightful contemporary offering which I just could not put down.
Judy Leigh has done it again! – and produced a wonderfully warm offering showing how to live life to the full, whatever your age. Age is, after all, just a number. It’s how you feel on the inside that counts.
The leading lady is seventy-seven, supported by a cast of friends who are similarly aged, including Rose who is eighty and who doesn’t let age or health scares get her down. It’s all about ones’ outlook on life.
Judy Leigh shows that we are never too old to start a new adventure. When life presents you with opportunities – grab them with both hands!
Getting older may present challenges but it is how we deal with them that counts. We can wallow in self-pity or we can use grit and determination to fire on all cylinders.
Some characters are suffering from grief. One lets her memories warm her. Another is wallowing in grief and ‘what-ifs’, suffering from survivor’s guilt in the form of PTSD. He finds solace in alcohol but it is never the answer – until an epiphany sees a fresh determination to be a new person. “A person isn’t who they used to be. The total sum of their worth isn’t the mistakes they made… It’s about who we are now.” We all make mistakes. We must learn from them and move on. “Out of something bad, there’s always hope.”
Friendship is important. “Friends … they’re the family you choose, the ones who hold us together when we come apart.”
Most of the novel is set on the beautiful Isle of Skye. Judy Leigh has a wonderful descriptive pen and brings the landscape alive for the reader as we ‘experience’ a snowy December on Skye.
We see the beauty of second chances. We cannot change the past but we can have a brighter tomorrow.
I adored The Silver-Haired Sisterhood. It is a novel that will warm your heart and make you smile.
Judy Leigh always produces wonderful stories. I cannot get enough of her writings.
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although not labeled a series, the Silver-Haired Sisterhood is the third book featuring this group of friends: Tess, Rose, Jen, Pam and Della. It is five years since we met them in Five French Hens and Tess is stuck in a rut. She watches on as Rose wows Paris, Jen explores Iceland and Pam heads to Greece. But when tragedy strikes Della, Tess decides it's time to take action and embrace her independence. They both need a change of scenery and longing to see the Northern Lights, they head to the Highlands of Scotland and the magical Isle of Skye. They enjoy the scenery and meeting new friends with some romance and adventure. Will this be the start of a new life for both Della and Tess?

Judy Leigh writes fun books about mature women. They are retired, either widowed or divorced, yet have lots of life left to live. I love the traveling aspect in these books. They don't have to go far, but getting away allows them to reflect on their lives and let their hair down to have fun. I have a friend who is also widowed and we have been traveling together. I really relate to these women, except maybe the romance part as that is not on my list of things to do when I travel. These books are always about friendship and supporting one another, usually with a bit of romance thrown in. As all the Hens join each other on the Isle of Skye, I was looking forward to seeing what they would get up to. I have gotten to know these characters through these books and they are like old friends. They are well-developed characters, with quirks and independent personalities, but would do anything to support one another. With humour, lighthearted moments and some things to think about this story unfolded with a satisfying ending. If you enjoy books about friendship, stories of mature women, and travel with friends, then I recommend The Silver-Haired Sisterhood. Phyllida Nash narrates this audiobook and does a great job with the voices, tone and expression of this story.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uproarious, emotional and uplifting, The Silver-Haired Sisterhood is the fabulous new novel from Judy Leigh.

A lot has changed in the last five years for Tess and her best friends Jen, Della, Pam and Rose. The five French Hens – as they are known – plan to make the most of their golden years, however, Tess cannot help but feel as if she is stuck in a rut. While Rose has wowed Paris, Jen is exploring Iceland and Pam is living it up in Greece, Tess feels as if life is passing her by. But when tragedy strikes Della, Tess is shaken into action. In desperate need of a change of scene, the two friends decide to stop wallowing and to grab the bull by the horns, so they head off to Scotland and the Highlands to see the Northern Lights.

The scenery is spectacular and the two friends find themselves having the time of their life – especially as their grand adventure leads them to make new connections and maybe even fall head over heels in love. With the other Hens joining the party, the five friends realise that with great pals by your side anything is possible and that the future is ripe for the taking – but only if they are willing to take a chance on themselves…

Judy Leigh’s books are the equivalent of a glass of champagne! Her writing never fails to sparkle, her characters always leap off the pages and her stories are effervescent, delightful and impossible to resist. The Silver-Haired Sisterhood is a wonderfully witty, hugely enjoyable and wholly captivating tale about friendship, courage, hope and romance I couldn’t stop reading.

A joy from beginning to end, The Silver-Haired Sisterhood is another superb page-turner from the hugely talented pen of Judy Leigh.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Years ago when I read and reviewed Five French Hens, I said I would love to see a sequel. Well the sequel now exists in the form of The Silver-Haired Sisterhood and I am as delighted with this book as I was with the first one.

Although admittedly I can't really remember most of the details many years on from the first book, so it can definitely be read as a standalone. I did though remember Della, and it really was good to catch up with all of these hens.

Now in their late 70s, and getting in at least one case rather close to the big 8-0, it's fabulous to catch up with these ladies and see how their lives have developed further. And they are still up for adventures

Which is what led Tess and Della to head up to the Isle of Skye for a pre-Christmas holiday, only for the hotel that looked amazing on the website to not quite match the reality. By which I mean, the owner wasn't expecting them, is suffering his own heartbreak and has more or less given up.

Della and Tess although they were hoping for a relaxing break, jump into action and their holiday becomes a whole lot busier. But they do get to go one some trips, with the rather memorable Murdo.

i really don't want to give too much away so won't say much more of the plot but would like to stay just how enjoyable this was. I was loving every second of this book, and the characters have found their way into my heart to stay.

And once again with a Judy Leigh novel I am inspired to know that my life won't be over too soon and that you can still have a rich and fulfilling time, even well past retirement age! Absolutely adored this book.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The description of the book tells you what the book is about, and it made me want to read it. For me, the book was about crossroads, where things changed in their lives, and forces them to think about who they are, what they want to do, and they start to move forward. It isn't just the silver haired women, there are younger people, facing the same challenges.
Things have changed in my life recently, and when I was reading this story, it made sense to me, that I was meant to read this book, so I would think about what had happened and figured out what I wanted to do. Like the people in the book, I didn't really know what I wanted to do. The ladies in the book, made some plans, and they followed through with the plans, and in some ways it showed them what they didn't want to do., but for others, it brought out their passion, and got them excited about life again. I think we all have crossroads all through life, and as I get older, it was comforting to see, that there can be an exciting life even when you are old. You try something, it might not be what you want, but it can lead you to what will bring you joy, get you excited to get out of bed in the morning, and you can live and not just exist. I think I have been living, I exist, so thank you, Judy Leigh for this book that reminds me there is still life, and it is up to me, to discover, what excites me now.
I received an ARC from Boldwood Books through NetGalley. This book got me excited about life again, and I am off to find the joy and the excitement. It is being released on December 2, and I am going to preorder books to send to some people I know that will love this book.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I grow older, I appreciate books about "seniors" enjoying their lives and making the most of their time while nurturing friendships and tackling life's challenges. This book fits that bill partially. It does feature five seventy-something friends with different interests, talents and life journeys. Along the way, they support, encourage and help each other.
I didn't like how the book glosses over potential health problems. Each woman except Rose are in perfect health, and even she has no long-term challenges after suffering a stroke. And most of the women have no financial struggles, which is unrealistic in the world I live in. In these respects, the book is a fantasy. There's also a ton of drinking by almost all the characters.
I really like that the book introduces characters with flawed relationships who definitely struggle with grief. It offers insight into how characters navigate a cheating spouse, the death of a loved one, and potential romance. These aspects of life are reality for many "seniors."
Tess is my hero for stepping out of her comfort zone and heading to the magical Isle of Skye. This location sounds amazing! Even with all the challenges she faced there, though, life is pretty easy with plenty of energy and time to take care of herself.
The ending is sweet. I am inspired to care for my friendships and make time and space to invest in the people I love who love me too.
Readers who want a feel-good story with plenty of relationship drama will appreciate this book!

[Lisa of Hopewell · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Interest
Maybe I’ve forgotten one, but I believe The Silver-Haired Sisterhood is the first sequel Judy Leigh has offered readers of her feel-good books about women of a certain age. I’m all for it!



Click link for map credits: Scotland and Skye
The Story


Welcome back Tess, Della, Rose, Jen, Pam and, of course, Elvis from Five French Hens. In this story Pam and Elvis are mostly in Greece and Jen is off exploring Iceland. Meanwhile, due to [NO SPOILERS!] Tess and Della head to the Isle of Skye for holiday, but things get off to a rocky start. Then an odd phone conversation with Rose in Paris, adds to the trouble. As they settle in to form instant, but believeable, friendships with the hotel owner, Roddy, they see why the rocky start: A vindictive ex-wife who apparently took lessons from the wife of the red-haired Prince! Nacassism, revenge, and greed all have a role in her antics.

While Tess and Della help Roddy, and Rose and young friend Dax arrive from Paris, the gals get updates from Jen on her “Viking” crush and stay up-to-date with Pam and Elvis’ trip to Greece. In typical Judy Leigh fashion, romance is on the cards for at least one of the gals holidaying at the hotel on Skye.

As Tess, Della, and Rose, and a nice young man named Sandy, his wife, and little daughter, all rally around Roddy to fight off the ex-wife, new plans are made, lives are changed in the best ways, and everyone mostly has a good time.

My Thoughts
First off, I want to eat everything Della has ever cooked in either book! Recipes!! Come on! And, now Sandy’s food is added to the mix. Yes, please! I’m pretty sure I smell a nice little series brewing and I sure hope I’m right. This was fun even if the vindictive wife was a bit on my nerves–she was supposed to be, right? Roddy, Sandy & family, Uncle [Murdo??–I listened to the audio] all were good additions to the “Hens***” from Paris.

***Note for Americans: A “Hen” party is a bachelorette party and is often a weekend away “do.”

Another note for Americans: Did you know Tess can be short for Theresa? You did–just news to me then? I only knew of “Teri or Terri or even Terry” as short for Theresa or Teresa.

My Verdict
4.0
The Silver-Haired Sisterhood by Judy Leigh

I listened to the audio book

Attention Boldwood Books or Amazon or P.R. agency: for the love of all that’s holy please, please, please STOP tagging on garbage like ” A BRAND NEW feel-good uplifting read from TOP TEN author Judy Leigh.” It cheapens Judy’s fine work. This is tacky.

[Jo Lynn Bruno-Diehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Judy Leigh's books. She writes about "women of a certain age". It is a classification that I fit into comfortably. It is refreshing to read about older women who are living life and still having adventures.
This is a sequel to "5 French Hens" and picks up the story 5 years later. Some things have changed Tess is now divorced and feeling a bit at loose ends, Rose is playing piano at a drag club in Paris, Jen and Pam are off on European adventures and Della is facing an unspeakable loss. Tess and Della head to the Isle of Skye in Scotland to see the Northern Lights and have a pre Christmas holiday.
They have booked a hotel that sounds wonderful but is sadly, not that, when they arrive. They immediately spring into action to help the hotel and its owner, Roddy get the hotel back up and running.
There are many interesting and eccentric characters that make this task humorous and exciting (even if the whole premise is a bit unrealistic). There is a classic villain in the form of Isla, Roddy's estranged and money hungry wife, an alcoholic uncle who is much more than what he seems, and all manner of hotel guests that add to the adventure.
We also get a small geography lesson about Skye and as always with Ms. Leigh's books, a glimpse into the possibilities for living life well into one's seventies.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Scotland so a story set in the Highlands in the run up to Christmas was just what I needed!

We meet a close group of friends who are all about to head off for a break and do their own thing of which all sounded lovely and I was torn with which I would have preferred. I don’t want to give too much away but Della’s plans change sadly and she finds herself tagging along with Tess to the Isle of Skye. There are some surprises in store for them when they arrive as things don’t quite go to plan.

I loved the hotel, setting and characters. They basically have that, lots of character! I fell in love with the area as the author described it so wonderfully. The descriptions of food had my mouth watering also. I was wishing I was sat down with the characters to enjoy meals and drinks with them as things are certainly entertaining.

The Silver-Haired Sisterhood is very much about friendship. It was lovely to see this group of women supporting each other through the good and bad as well as the fun they have together. It covers grief and addiction and whilst a little emotional in parts, it certainly made for an uplifting, feel good read. Guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face!

[Colin Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my normal fashion although I had read the first book in this series, The Golden Oldies' Book Club, I managed to miss the next in the series, Five French Hens. This didn't affect my enjoyment of the book, although sometime I'll have to go back and read that one.
This time the main character is Tess, a seventy something divorcee, who is fed up with being in a rut and decides to book a stay in a hotel in Skye that she saw on the Web (Skye seems to be very popular this year, I have read a couple of books set there already). She is joined by another of her friends, Della, but when they arrive at the hotel it isn't all that it seemed. They are eventually joined by more of their circle of friends which brings them all back together again.
Skye certainly sounds like a wonderful location and it again makes a pleasant difference to have the main characters a similar age to myself. There are some devious goings on occurring that the girls have to help contend with, but they have some help from new friends as well. A book that I definitely enjoyed and there is an open storyline that could lead to another book, which I'm looking forward to.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this fun new novel starring a group of capable older lady friends -- the self-titled Five French Hens -- as they explore the world, readers join Tess, stuck in a rut in her marriage and needing a change of scenery when tragedy strikes at Della’s life. Both wanting to see the Northern Lights and get a change of pace, they adventure to the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye to find their happiness. As they discover new friends, Scottish adventures, and a hint of romance, the French Hens reunite in the highlands to plan a spectacular new future for all of them. With a host of feisty, funny, and supportive women starring in this new release, readers will love their outlook on life and learn that one is never too old to choose a new path. With its heartwarming message and charming friendships, Leigh’s new novel is excellently written and full of adventure and warmth. The characters and their friendship are the stars of the novel, and readers will really appreciate their character development as individuals and a group throughout this novel. With its fantastic premise and exciting and enjoyable events, readers will love Judy Leigh’s latest novel and her characters’ exploits.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book by Judy Leigh that I’ve read (although I have Five French Hens, the book that introduces the five women — aka, “the Hens” — on my Kindle TBR pile!). Ms. Leigh does a great job of filling in some backstories about the lovely women in this standalone, although now I will go back and read that first story! What appealed to me was that all the women were in their 70s or 80s, and I just turned 70. I was curious about how they all would be portrayed. As I’ve never been to England, the Isle of Skye (where Tess and Della go to see the Northern Lights), or Europe, I jumped at the chance to travel with these women. The characters are all multi-dimensional, and the dialogue and interactions are realistic and so enjoyable. You can feel the love they have for one another. I loved their friendship, resilience, humor, and, despite loss and sadness, they continue to embrace, celebrate, and live their lives to the fullest. Great lessons for any reader at any stage of life! Thank you, NetGalley, Judy Leigh and Boldwood Books, for the opportunity to read this delightful advance readers copy and discover a new (to me) author. I have voluntarily provided this review.

[Linda S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Silver-Haired Sisterhood tells the story of a group of older women who are facing challenges in their lives - divorce, widowhood, health issues - you name it. Tess, who I felt the story mainly centered around, had found her husband in bed with another woman and they got divorced. Della is happily married to the love of her life. Rose, who had been a performer in Paris, is recuperating from a stroke. Jen had a broken engagement but may have found new love on a vacation. Pam is happily traveling with her dog Elvis. These ladies have fun! Tess plans a trip to Skye in Scotland where she travels with Della and the two pitch in to help the hotel owner make a success of his business. When their pals Rose, Pam, and jen also show up, the story really came alive. Through the ladies' discussions of a previous "hen party" (which I determined was similar to an American bachelorette), I get the idea that there must be another book out there featuring these women so I do plan to look for more books by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Storied Conversation · Rating 5 out of 5]

Judy Leigh's The Silver-Haired Sisterhood is an inspiring and heartwarming novel that celebrates living boldly at any age. The story follows a seventy-seven-year-old protagonist and her group of vibrant friends, including the spirited eighty-year-old Rose, as they embrace new adventures and tackle life’s challenges with resilience and humor.

Set against the stunning backdrop of a snowy December on the Isle of Skye, the novel explores themes of friendship, second chances, and the power of hope. Leigh masterfully portrays the beauty of chosen family, the strength to overcome grief, and the courage to move forward from past mistakes.

With its charming characters, uplifting message, and vivid descriptions of the Scottish landscape, The Silver-Haired Sisterhood is a feel-good read that reminds us that age is just a number and it’s never too late for new beginnings. This is a novel that will leave readers smiling, inspired, and eager for more of Leigh’s heartwarming stories.

Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood, Rachel's Random Resouces, and the author for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.