The Life Rules of Hilda Pride

by Claudia Carroll

Hilda Pride is misunderstood.

Friends let you down, romances don’t last and the only person you can rely on is yourself. Hilda believes this, so why is she still feeling so lonely…

Then life throws Hilda a curveball – an unexpected inheritance, a trip to Ireland and a huge but crumbling stately home that might just one day be hers to keep. Still stuck in her ways, Hilda is determined to tackle Mayfield Manor alone, but renovating a mansion single-handed might be beyond even her.

What Hilda needs is friends, so for the first time in years, Hilda Pride dares to lower her defences and everything in her world shifts in an instant. Hilda could never imagine what happens next, but it will change her and a community forever.

An uplifting, inspiring and heartwarming novel about the importance of friendship and the power of taking a chance.

Genres: Fiction

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 19, 2026

About the author

Claudia was born in Dublin and is a graduate of UCD, the College of Music and of the Gaiety School of Acting. Since then she has worked extensively as an actress on the Irish stage, but is probably best known for her role as TV’s Nicola Prendergast in the long running Dublin soap opera, ‘Fair City.’

Reviews

[VickydpBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

perfect for fans of Marian Keyes and Shari Low

I enjoyed this book it made me laugh in places but it was hard to get the storyline.

One Irish village, one fixer-upper & one chance to open her heart...

Sometimes friends and romance let you down but Hilda Pride knows she can face anything on her own, so why is she still feeling a little lonely…

What Hilda needs is friends, so for the first time in years, Hilda Pride dares to lower her defences and everything in her world shifts in an instant. Hilda could never imagine what happens next, but it will change her and a community forever

[Helen Leecy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coming back to Claudia Carroll after not reading her for such a long time, I really thought this would be one of those books that felt familiar in the best way. I used to read all of her books when I was younger, so there was definitely a bit of nostalgia going into this one, and maybe that is partly why the disappointment hit a bit harder.
It was not a terrible read by any means. In fact, it was quite a quick and easy one to get through, and the overall story was fine. But for me, that was also the problem. It was just... fine. Everything felt a bit too surface-level, and I kept waiting for it to dig deeper and really take me along with it, especially when it came to Hilda herself.
Hilda is the sort of character you initially feel very sorry for. She is lonely, isolated, and clearly not someone with much warmth or love in her life, so at first, there is that sense of wanting to understand her and hoping there is going to be a really meaningful journey ahead. But then she opens her mouth, and you immediately understand why people struggle with her. That in itself is not an issue at all, because unlikeable characters can be fascinating when they are written with enough depth. The problem was that her transformation never really felt earned to me.
Without saying too much, because I do not want to veer too far into spoiler territory, there comes a point where Hilda is given some home truths, and from there it felt as though a switch had simply been flicked. Suddenly, she is more likeable, more self-aware, and more palatable, and I just did not buy into it. I wanted the inner monologue. I wanted the discomfort, the resistance, the slow dawning realisation, the back and forth of someone truly coming to terms with the fact that maybe they have been the architect of some of their own unhappiness. Yes, she apologises, yes, there are signs that she is changing, but it never felt gradual or emotionally convincing. It felt like the book wanted me to accept that growth had happened without really letting me experience it alongside her.
That was the biggest thing missing for me throughout the whole book: depth. I wanted to feel like I was actually there for Hilda’s self-discovery, but instead I felt as though I was only seeing the finished results, without the emotional groundwork that would have made it satisfying. For a story that seems to hinge so much on character, it left me feeling oddly hollow.
Oliver did not help matters either. He was so over the top as a villain that he barely felt believable. I do not mind an unlikeable or even awful character, but he felt exaggerated to the point of caricature. And his offering Hilda a job that was so clearly beneath her, given her qualifications, just made no sense at all. It felt like one of several moments where the plot needed something to happen, so it happened, whether it rang true or not.
The money side of things was another part that really fell apart if you thought about it for more than five minutes. There is a big deal made of Hilda needing money, to the point where she goes to the bank asking for a 1.5 million loan and is, unsurprisingly, refused. But then the community somehow rallies, and over the space of what feels like about two days, they are able to provide what seems like 1.5 million pounds’ worth of help. I know books like this sometimes ask you to suspend disbelief a bit, but this just felt implausible. On top of that, Hilda is somehow paying Rita and Hannah’s wages as well, and I kept thinking, with what money exactly? The whole book kept stressing how badly money was needed, but then it completely glossed over where any of it was actually coming from. It felt less like a satisfying solution and more like the practical details had just been waved away.
The ending was another let-down. There is such a big build-up over who will get the house, and I was expecting something that at least felt plausible or emotionally grounded. Instead, the decision that was made just did not make much sense to me, and then everything wraps up in this overly neat, sugary way where everyone seems to live happily ever after. It felt rushed, saccharine, and completely out of step with the emotional weight the story had been trying to build. Rather than landing in a satisfying way, it just made me sit there thinking, hang on, what?
That really sums up my experience with this book, if I am honest. I kept having moments where I thought, this does not quite add up. The bones of the story were there, and I can see what it was aiming for, but the execution never quite got there for me. Too many things happened because the plot needed them to happen, not because they felt natural for the characters or believable within the world of the book.
I do not regret reading it, because it was still readable, and it certainly did not drag. I flew through it easily enough. But it never made me feel much beyond mild frustration and a sense that it could have been so much more. I wanted more insight, more emotional honesty, more complexity, and more time spent really unpacking who Hilda was and how she got from one version of herself to another.
So overall, this was a disappointing one for me. Not awful, not unreadable, but nowhere near as rich or satisfying as I had hoped. I came into it hoping to reconnect with an author I used to really enjoy, and instead I was left feeling as though I had read something that skimmed the surface of its own ideas and never quite trusted itself to go deeper.

[Shelley's Book Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Life Rules of Hilda Pride
Claudia Carroll
Publication Date: April 19th, 2026
Boldwood Books
266 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Women's Fiction

This book was so very heartwarming. Hilda is a woman who has spent many years living a very strict set of rules she applies to herself. Hilda finds comfort in routine and the predictable. Some of the rules are for practicality, and some are for her self-protection. She wants to keep herself safe from hurt and disappointment, as she has had lots of both in her past. But Hilda's rules begin to unravel when she loses her job, and she realizes that while her strict rules may have kept her safe, they have also kept her very isolated.

When she inherits an estate in Ireland, she starts to come out of her shell. Mayfield Manor is massive and in need of repair. While there, she tries to do everything herself, and she finally realizes that she's gonna need some help if she wants to restore the home; while doing so, she restores her faith in humanity. Hilda's later-in-life changes were something to behold. She realizes that it's never too late to change. I enjoyed reading about Hilda finding her place in the community with some found family. Connections are so important, especially as we grow older. Hilda is only in her fifties, so she still has lots of time left now that she's chosen to not live so solitary. I loved that the author included a great background of why Hilda has decided to live that way in the first place. She was very courageous to do what she did.

Carroll balances wit and humour with plenty of emotional depth. I didn't like Hilda much at first, but I did understand her, and then she started to grow on me. This is a character study that shows outward growth to the max, but also the internal kind. She started to trust her own judgement more. I don't know what it is, but I love books that focus on domestic life—what can turn an ordinary day into the extraordinary. There is a lot of warmth in these pages and kindness too, and not just from others. We need to learn to be kind to ourselves as well. I know Hilda started out thinking you can only count on yourself, and while that may be true in some cases, it's not a good idea to live your entire life that way. I felt a kinship with Hilda; she's stubborn but relatable. I loved the emotional depth of this one. All. The. Stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Deanna Loves to Read!!:) · Rating 5 out of 5]

💗💗💗💗By the time I finished this book, I felt like I was wrapped up in the biggest, warmest hug!!!🥰

Hugo Mayflower has passed away intestate. His lawyer, Douglas, must find his closest relative to inform them that they have inherited the crumbling, very run down Mayfield Manor, and no money to fix it. Douglas gets help from his friend Laura, who runs a genealogy company (run out of her home office!). After weeks of searching, she finds that Hilda Pride is the only living relative, or is she???

We meet Hilda as she is teaching her honors Math class at a private high school in Scotland. She is AWFUL!! I really did not like her when we she is introduced in the story!!! And the worst is even though it has been pointed out to her, she takes no responsibility for her words or actions. She lives by the rules her mother has shared with her. Her father had died, and her mother had some strange ideas- romances don't last, you can only rely on yourself, we (mom and Hilda) are all we need. So now at 55 years of age, and living strictly by these rules, Hilda finds herself suspended from her job for Mayfield Manor. With nothing else on her plate, she drives to the very small town of Mayfield in Ireland to see what this is about.

Well she arrives in full Hilda armor, and upsets everyone she meets: Rita (long term housekeeper), Hannah (gardener), her next door neighbor Sybil, and anyone else she comes into contact. We see people's reaction in the local (and only) pub where everyone gathers on Friday nights.

As Hilda begins to clean the manor, she realizes this is more than a one woman job. Realizing she needs help and has ostracized the entire community, she reaches out to Douglas for advice. Douglas is a hidden gem and sees into people way more than they realize! From his advice, Hilda reaches out to Rita, and a reworking of her rules begins.

I loved the honesty of the characters in this story. Even while Hilda is trying to change, she has to be reminded by Rita, "Whatever you are thinking of saying, say and do the opposite!" The relationship that eventually develops between the two women is wonderful, and we get to see the vulnerable side of Hilda. WE ALL need a Rita in our life! When another possible heir shows up, Hilda realizes that she loves the manor and the community. The community comes together to help Hilda, but will it be enough? And will she stay?

This is a beautiful, heartwarming story that reminds us connection is so important, people can be kind and good, and it is never too late to change and change the rules of your life!!

I am looking forward to anything else this author writes!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Life Rules of Hilda Pride is a charming, uplifting story about a woman who has spent most of her life convinced she’s better off alone—only to discover that solitude isn’t the same as safety, and independence isn’t the same as connection. Hilda Pride is wonderfully prickly, stubborn, and deeply misunderstood, the kind of character who has built her own fortress brick by brick after too many disappointments. Friends let you down, romances fade, and the only person you can rely on is yourself… or so she believes.

Then life hands her something she never expected: an inheritance, a trip to Ireland, and a crumbling stately home that might one day be hers. Mayfield Manor is both a burden and a possibility, and watching Hilda try to tackle it alone is equal parts funny and heartbreaking. She’s determined to keep her walls high, but the house—and the community around it—has other plans.

As Hilda reluctantly lets people in, everything begins to shift. The novel captures that slow, tender unthawing beautifully: the way friendship sneaks up on you, the way belonging feels both terrifying and miraculous, the way one unexpected chance can change not just a life, but an entire community. There’s humour, warmth, and a lovely sense of Irish charm woven through every chapter.

What makes the story shine is how deeply human it feels. Hilda’s journey isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about learning to trust, to soften, to let herself be seen. It’s about discovering that strength doesn’t always mean standing alone, and that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is reach out.

The Life Rules of Hilda Pride is heart‑warming, hopeful, and quietly inspiring—a celebration of friendship, second chances, and the unexpected joy of letting people in. A perfect comfort read for fans of Marian Keyes, Shari Low, and anyone who loves stories where emotional walls come down one gentle moment at a time.

With thanks to Claudia Carroll, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Frances Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable

I enjoyed this story, Hilda Price was a strange woman who lived her life along very narrow lines, did not deviate, nor make allowances for those who behaved inappropriately, in her eyes at least.
But the phrase more to be pitied than scorned comes to mind because someone made her that way. When she was at University she appeared to be enjoying life, taking part, but that seemed to stop when her Mother was ill. There are little hints that her mother was difficult but no more detail than that.
Hilda taught at a private girls school, she was strict and although she was a good teacher, she was not popular with her students or her fellow teachers, who excluded her from their social activities. She was truly isolated and when she made an example of a student in class, it resulted in her being suspended, leaving her adrift.
Reprieve came in the form of a visit from an Irish Heir Hunter who had identified her as being the sole beneficiary of a distant relative. Hilda decided to go and see her inheritance, a crumbling Georgian house in County Kildare. There was a small welcoming committee to greet her, Laura, the Heir Hunter, Douglas, the solicitor, Rita, the housekeeper and Hannah the gardener. Afternoon tea had been laid out, but as usual Hilda rebuffed their kindnesses and came across as ungrateful and asked them to leave.
I don’t think Hilda intended to offend people, she just didn’t know how to be sociable. However, Rita and Hannah were made of stern stuff and gave Hilda another chance, well several actually and slowly Hilda started to change and just when she started to settle into her new life there was unexpected news which was going to cause problems for Hilda.
I would have like a bit more of Hilda’s backstory but I enjoyed her transformation, with the help of Rita. I was a bit confused by aspects of the Irish legal system but it added to the story. I read this in a day and it was time well spent, from my perspective.

[Heidi Lengenfelder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilda Pride is the kind of character who doesn’t ask for help—and honestly, doesn’t think she needs it. She’s built a life on independence, carefully structured and emotionally guarded, and at first glance, she seems perfectly content that way. But beneath that polished exterior is a quiet loneliness that sneaks up on her in the most unexpected ways.

When an inheritance whisks her away to a small Irish village and drops a crumbling manor into her lap, it feels like something out of a dream…or maybe a test. Mayfield Manor isn’t just falling apart physically—it becomes a reflection of Hilda herself: strong foundations, but long overdue for care, connection, and a little chaos.

What makes this story shine is its warmth. The community surrounding Hilda doesn’t bulldoze her walls—they gently, persistently, and sometimes hilariously chip away at them. Friendships grow in organic, messy, and deeply human ways, and watching Hilda slowly open up is incredibly satisfying. There’s no instant transformation here—just steady, meaningful change that feels earned.

The romance is soft and secondary, woven in with a light touch that complements rather than overshadows the story’s true heart: found family, healing, and the courage it takes to let people in.

This book feels like a cozy Irish escape with emotional depth—equal parts comforting and quietly transformative. By the end, Hilda’s journey reminds you that independence is powerful, but connection is what truly makes a life feel full.

[Nicki Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for a review.

The Life Rules of Hilda Price was a heart warming feel good story. Hilda Price is a typical matriarch. She is a school teacher and has been for over 30 years. Throughout her life, she always thought she was doing right, instilling discipline and rules when in fact she was being rude, obnoxious and ultimately unlikeable. She had no friends, her colleagues disliked her and she was very secluded. When an unfortunate event happens at school, she gets an unexpected letter that is ultimately going to change her life for the better.

When Hilda gets told she is the sole heir to a big estate in Ireland, she ups and leaves to see for herself. She doesn't know what to expect, but she definitely didn't expect to find true friendship and to change the way she has acted her whole life. She didn't expect to fit in to this small town, and she didn't expect to fall in love with it.

This story was truly heartwarming. It showed a female character who's childhood with a tough mother depicted how she turned out. Bitter, untrustworthy and rude to others. But when someone comes in to your life and sees through that, anything is possible.

True friendship was made in this book. I liked that it wasn't a romance, there was no man saving the day for her to fall in love with. It was about people supporting each other just because.

A lovely easy read overall.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilda Pride is misunderstood. Friends let you down, romances don't last, and the only person you can rely on is yourself. Hilda believes this, so why is she feeling so lonely.... Then life throws Hilda a curveball - an unexpected inheritance, a trip to Ireland and a huge crumbling stately home that might just one day be hers to keep. Still stuck in her ways, Hilda is determined to tackle Mayfield Manor alone, but renovating a mansion single-handed might be beyond even her. What Hilda needs is friends, so for the first time in years, Hilda Pride dares to lower her defences and everything in her world shifts in an instant. Hilda could never imagine what happens next, but it will change her and a community forever.

What a heartwarming story this was. A story of second chances and new friendships. It's quite an emotional read that also has some humour. The pace is steady, the characters are well-portrayed and likeable, and we even get some twists.

Published 19th April 2026

I would like to thank #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #ClaudiaCarroll for my ARC of #TheLifeRulesOfHildaPride in exchange for an honest review.

[Maddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It reminded me a bit of ‘Eudora Honeysett is quite well thank you’ and ‘A man called Ove’. It was so much fun. You start off finding Hilda, or should I say Miss Pride, just annoying, but she soon grows on you. I haven’t read any of Claudia Carroll’s books before, but I will be looking out for more.

Miss Pride is an old school secondary teacher in Scotland who doesn’t take any nonsense — from pupils or staff. When she goes a bit too far telling off a student, she finds herself suspended, and the thought of sitting alone in her flat drives her mad. So when a woman turns up to tell her she’s inherited a manor house in Ireland, it feels like exactly the fresh start she needs. She arrives with all her usual curmudgeonly ways, but soon realises she can’t restore the house alone — and that letting people in brings rewards she never expected.

I really enjoyed this story. Miss Pride might come across as sharp and stubborn, but watching her settle into Ireland, take on the manor house and slowly let people in was such a joy. It was funny, heart warming and full of lovely moments.

[Karen Mace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really enjoyable read, especially watching a character I didn't like to begin with, become a real favourite!

When the owner of mayfield manor dies with no family or no will, and a staff who are glad to see the back of him, it's up to Laura, an heir hunter, to track down any relatives of his and that leads her to Hilda!

Hilda works as a teacher and is a stickler for rules and doing things the right way, even if that makes her very unpopular, and she seems to be lacking any empathy for the plight of others. She soon finds herself out of work and at a low point. And that is when Laura gets in touch - and even laura struggles to find a nice thing to say about Hilda. But she's intrigued enough to visit the Manor and it's fascinating to see how the dynamics change when she meets her match in some of the staff.

the more we learn about Hilda too, the more we begin to understand why she is the way she is and I found the journey her character goes in to be really endearing and I found the setting and circumstances to be really engaging and made for a really enertaining story.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great feel good story involving interesting characters, good plot development, showing goodness and forgiveness of people with a great desire to help each other and the community. Hilda Pride is a middle age, never married math teacher who runs a super tight ship in her classroom, who unfortunately has a run in with a student and is ultimately suspended from her position. Hilda , being a cantankerous, miserable person, with no family or friends to speak of is at a loss about what to do with her future, at this time she is notified that she inherits an estate from a very distant relative that she was not aware of, she travels to Ireland and discovers a dilapidated estate. Hilda dismisses people there from welcoming her and gains a nasty reputation, the housekeeper, Rita wears Hilda down , and Hilda comes to her senses and slowly becomes a new, friendly, caring woman. This story centers on second chances, the ability and willingness to change with a favorable outcome. I enjoyed this book, it was a quick, enjoyable read. Thank you to NetGalley.

[Tiffanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cozy, feel-good read centered on friendship, kindness, and finding your footing again. Hilda’s journey really shines—watching her grow while taking on the challenge of restoring the run-down home she’s been given adds a satisfying layer of purpose to the story.

One of the highlights for me was the sense of community. I loved seeing people come together to support Hilda, reminding her (and the reader) that you don’t have to do everything alone. There’s also a thoughtful thread about learning to set healthy boundaries while still allowing yourself to be open to others, which felt both relevant and well-handled.

That said, while the themes are strong and the overall vibe is comforting, parts of the story felt a bit predictable and slower-paced than I would have liked. It’s an enjoyable, easy read, but it didn’t quite leave a lasting impact for me.

Overall, a warm and uplifting story with meaningful messages—perfect if you’re in the mood for something gentle and heartwarming.

[Keeley Ribchester · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found The Life Rules of Hilda Pride by Claudia Carroll to be a warm, uplifting, and thoroughly feel good read filled with humour, heart, and wonderful character moments. Hilda was such a relatable heroine, and watching her slowly let her guard down as life pushed her out of her comfort zone made this an emotional and satisfying journey.
The story blended second chances, unexpected inheritance, found friendship, and personal growth with a lovely Irish setting that added charm and atmosphere. I really enjoyed the balance of humour and heartfelt moments, and the message about taking risks and letting people in made this a genuinely uplifting read.

This will appeal to fans of Me Before You, Grown Ups, and PS, I Love You, with its mix of found family, fresh starts, emotional healing, and small community charm.
A heartwarming, hopeful, and feel good story that left me smiling right from chapter one.

[Ann Lovell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this opportunity to read this ARC.


Hugo Mayfield dies and leaves his estate with no will.

Laura the heir hunter and Douglas the solicitor are tasked with finding who will inherit the estate.

Hilda Prime - maths teacher with a less than radiant persona , more ruthless and cold hearted.


Oliver son of Hyacinth from Ottawa. Successful hotel chain owner.

The story switches between Kildare in Ireland and other locations relating to the plot.

It moves at enough pace to keep you engaged and build a picture of the characters and surroundings.

It revolves around the absence of a will and what appears to be huge inheritance. On the surface of it seems straightforward.

Watching the characters grow and change with help from the community is lovely and gives a sense of real Irish rural life.

This lovely read has a few twists and turns but the overall theme is friendship and community.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilda Pride is one of those really prickly people that can't find joy in anything, but sees plenty in the worlds to criticize. At the beginning of the book, she is really just an awful person that no one likes.
Her sharp, callous words get her into trouble at the school she teaches at in Scotland. About that time she is notified that she has inherited property in Ireland from a relative she didn't even know she had.

She immediately starts burning all her bridges in that small town in Ireland. However, there is one woman who barges through the barriers Hilda has thrown up and she begins to teach Hilda how to change. One by one the people become her friends.

This women's fiction book is about it never being too late to change and make some lifelong friends. I really enjoyed it. The secondary characters were almost as fun as Hilda ended up being. Very well written!

Thanks to Boldwood Books for the digital copy via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

[Barbara Selman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the early copy for my honest review. This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed the story. It’s Hilda’s story and she is a teacher who is middle aged and never been married. She s a miserable person to put it mildly. She has no family and her friends list is nothing to brag about. But then out of the clear blue, she inherits an estate in Ireland from a distant relative which she knew nothing about. So she packs up and goes to Ireland to view her new future only to find a run down place. Is this the new beginning for Hilda? OR will she continue to be miserable and continue on the path of people running when they see her coming? I mean who wants to be with someone who continues on the miserable journey. This book is an emotional heartwarming story about second chances and new beginnings.

[Hannah Symonds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilda has lead a lonely life, she realises in later life just do you. But when something extraordinary happens she cannot believe her luck. After inheriting a stately home, she believes her luck is in but when she gets to Ireland, she does not realise the extent of the stately home that is in disrepair and needs a lot of work doing to it, but nothing will stop Hilda. The only way she is going to achieve this ginormous task is to ask for help and this is something she has not done for a long time and she is scared. But going forwards she knows this is what needs to be done. It was a good story about friendship and coming together to be part of a community. Also Hilda letting her guard down and realising it is not as bad as she hoped. I thought it was a good read, and I loved Hilda’s strength and determination.

[Mindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hilda Price is a misunderstood secondary school teacher. After she is suspended due to parent complaints, she learns she is the sole heir to the 50 acres of Mansfield Manor. As she takes up residency in the Manor and tries to tackle all of the much needed renovations, she finds herself softening her tough exterior. She becomes a kinder version of herself as she relies on the generosity of new found friends.

The Life Rules of Hilda Pride is a sweet book with a warm hearted story. The storyline read more tell than show in my opinion, but I really enjoyed the overriding themes of kindness and friendship throughout the book.

Thank you Claudia Carroll and Boldwood Books for the advanced copy of the book.

[Nicola Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this. It was predictable but well written and flowed well with likeable characters. Hilda is a cantankerous teacher who gets suspended because of her attitude to a student, which is the tip of the iceberg. Lauren is an heir hunter who finds Hilda and tells her she is the only heir to a stately home in Ireland. When she turns up there, she alienates many people because of her brusque rudeness. However she manages to turn herself around with help from some locals, who all support her when she is faced with a battle. I thought Hilda was a great character, which distracted from the predictability of the plot.

[Sara Oxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiring five-star read. Hilda Pride reminded me of another Mrs Pride I once knew, she was also stubborn and Scottish, sadly she never had the change that our Hilda did, mores the pity. This story was sublime, it takes you on a journey and has you all over the place when things go wrong but then have you reaching for cake and a cuppa alongside Hilda, Rita and Hannah, and have you chasing your family tree. This is a great story with plenty of twists and passion, even if they are passionate about a grand house that is falling down, this story has a great sense of community that leaps of the page.

[Roo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilda Pride is a teacher in a Scottish school when she gets suspended, she’s a strict teacher and isn’t liked in her school. When a phone call comes out of the blue that she’s inherited a house in Mayfield Village in Ireland, she’s making friends, she’s loving her new home, but another lost relative Oliver appears and wants the house.
I really enjoyed this book, it’s a feel good, happy read. I loved reading about Hilda, she’s shows that we can be different and still exist, being different does not make you bad. Oliver is the bully in this read and he was perfect for his role, it makes him unlikeable which was good. A perfect 5 star read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

[Sarah Truckell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. 4.5 stars. I really liked this book, the first I’ve read by Claudia Carroll. Hilda Pride is an unpopular teacher at a private school in Scotland but is suspended due to an incident with a pupil. She unexpectedly inherits a manor house in Ireland from an unknown Uncle. She sets off to look at the property – a crumbling stately home. Her brusque manner is off-putting and she does not endear herself to the manor’s housekeeper Rita or gardener Hannah. But she needs friends to help transform the manor. A great book about building friendships and community spirit.

[Teresa Starrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilda Pride, an educator, is stuck in her ways. She makes it clear to her secondary students that she is the only one correct when she is engaged in a confrontation. After the death of a relative she never knew, Hilda finds herself an owner of a run down estate. Because she has been disappointed in those around her many times, she does not engage with the staff of the home or the townspeople- after all, they will just let her down, right? This heartwarming story of the ways in which others can potentially change our hearts and our outcomes was truly an enjoyable read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Karen Tebbutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Claudia Carroll, and it certainly won’t be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed the story—Claudia brings her characters to life so vividly that they stay with you long after you’ve finished the book.

I’ll admit I wasn’t particularly keen on Hilda at first, but as the story progressed, she really grew on me and became a character I was rooting for.

A thoroughly engaging and enjoyable read.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Claudia Carroll and Boldwood Books for the early ARC of this.

[Emily West · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not really sure what I was expecting from this book but I definitely didn’t find it. I found it boring and really slow paced. I’m all for books about relationships and redemptions but I just couldn’t get on board with the characters and found the whole situation slightly farcical. This book will appeal to some people but it wasn’t the right book for me at the time. I would also like for the author/editing team to do some fact checking as Althorp House is not in Norfolk, but Northamptonshire.

[Sadie-Jane Huff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 111 of 365 ~ 2026

🌟🌟🌟🌟

When what you need is a heartwarming, cozy read and it plops right onto your lap - you know the world is looking out for you :)

I breezed through this one, with its rather fiercely spirited main character who finally decides she has found reasons to break her hard barrier and let some light in.

I received a complimentary copy of the ebook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#book111of365 #amreading #thisbookfairyisreading #theSGtrekkiereads #boldwoodbookstour @netgalley @boldwoodbooks

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilda was a very strict miserable middle aged teacher in Scotland with no friends.
When she is told she has inherited a large run down mansion in Ireland.
After a bad start in Ireland being abrupt with her staff and neighbours dismissing any help they try to give.
Hilda is wound down by Rita the housekeeper and her personality slowly changes and friends are made.
A very enjoyable book, heartwarming and emotional.
Loved the process of Hilda changing and Rita was great.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

An overall pleasant story, which left me a bit wanting though, considering the amazing incipit. I fell in love with the leading character Hilda expecting maybe a little more struggle and depth. The potential was all there only to be left aside and had a pleasant but a bit predictable story be told instead. The ending sounds a bit rushed, too.
It’s still a good story deserving 4 stars.

Thank you to Boldwood Books, NetGalley and the author for an early copy.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 1 out of 5]

After not having really enjoyed Remember I love You, also by Claudia Carroll, I hoped I was going to enjoy The Life Rules of Hilda Pride.

The book was a DNF.

I unfortunately couldn't get into the book and the plot and characters didn't resonate with me.

1 star

Thanks to Claudia Carroll and Boldwood Books for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.