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Lola's Secret
Magic can happen in every family
At the Valley View Motel in South Australia's picturesque Clare Valley, eighty-four-year-old Lola Quinlan is up to her usual mischief. She's sent her family away for Christmas and invited a number of mystery guests to come and stay. But who are all these people, and why aren't they spending the festive season with their own loved ones?
As the big day draws closer and Lola's personal family dramas threaten to unravel her plans, she discovers that at a special time of year, magic can happen in every family – especially your own.
From the bestselling author of At Home with the Templetons comes a funny, sad and moving novel about memories and moments and the very meaning of life.
At the Valley View Motel in South Australia's picturesque Clare Valley, eighty-four-year-old Lola Quinlan is up to her usual mischief. She's sent her family away for Christmas and invited a number of mystery guests to come and stay. But who are all these people, and why aren't they spending the festive season with their own loved ones?
As the big day draws closer and Lola's personal family dramas threaten to unravel her plans, she discovers that at a special time of year, magic can happen in every family – especially your own.
From the bestselling author of At Home with the Templetons comes a funny, sad and moving novel about memories and moments and the very meaning of life.
379 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2011
90 people are currently reading
1187 people want to read
About the author
Monica McInerney
46 books1,125 followerswww.monicamcinerney.com
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Monica McInerney is the internationally bestselling author of twelve novels including The Godmothers, The Trip of a Lifetime, Hello from the Gillespies, The House of Memories, Lola's Secret, At Home with the Templetons, Family Baggage, The Alphabet Sisters and Those Faraday Girls (named General Fiction Book of the Year in the 2008 Australian Book Industry Awards) and a short story collection, All Together Now. Her first children's book, Marcie Gill and the Caravan Park Cat, will be published in Australia/NZ in November 2021.
Monica, 56, grew up in a family of seven children in the Clare Valley wine region of South Australia, where her father was the railway stationmaster and her mother worked in the local library. Before becoming a full-time writer she worked in children’s television, tourism festivals, book publishing, arts marketing, the music industry and as a waitress, a hotel cleaner, a Kindergym instructor and a temp. For nearly thirty years she and her Irish husband have been moving back and forth between Australia and Ireland. They are currently in Australia.
Visit her website at www.monicamcinerney.com
facebook.com/monicamcinerneyauthor
instagram.com/monicamcinerneyauthor
Monica McInerney is the internationally bestselling author of twelve novels including The Godmothers, The Trip of a Lifetime, Hello from the Gillespies, The House of Memories, Lola's Secret, At Home with the Templetons, Family Baggage, The Alphabet Sisters and Those Faraday Girls (named General Fiction Book of the Year in the 2008 Australian Book Industry Awards) and a short story collection, All Together Now. Her first children's book, Marcie Gill and the Caravan Park Cat, will be published in Australia/NZ in November 2021.
Monica, 56, grew up in a family of seven children in the Clare Valley wine region of South Australia, where her father was the railway stationmaster and her mother worked in the local library. Before becoming a full-time writer she worked in children’s television, tourism festivals, book publishing, arts marketing, the music industry and as a waitress, a hotel cleaner, a Kindergym instructor and a temp. For nearly thirty years she and her Irish husband have been moving back and forth between Australia and Ireland. They are currently in Australia.
Visit her website at www.monicamcinerney.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews
July 26, 2016
This book was a sweet little read, feisty Lola was at it again, busy scheming for all good things and had her finger in every nook and cranny as always. A much lighter read than The Alphabet Sisters, but I really don’t like comparing books as they all serve their own purpose, and are their own entity. Monica McInerney is a great writer, so easy to read and enjoy. Aussie themes that are very current appear here, the pressures on Australian mum’s to have it all, work life balance etc etc. The idea of the ‘Baby Squad’ was a tad unrealistic – or was that because I’m jealous and want one of my own?! I did enjoy reading about the runnings of the hotel in a picturesque Aussie location, loved some characters, others not so much.. Geraldine I mean you.
A light hearted read that will appeal to readers who like things tidy, things wrapped up quite neatly on this one. An enjoyable read that I liked, not loved!
A light hearted read that will appeal to readers who like things tidy, things wrapped up quite neatly on this one. An enjoyable read that I liked, not loved!
February 19, 2013
It's not often that I don't finish a book, but sadly Lola's Secret fell into this category for me. Here are a few reasons why I didn't push through to the end..
* I am familiar with Monica McInerney's writing style - but based on synopsis, was willing to give her another try
* Slow start due to multiple background depicts/set up of multiple characters mundane life details
* Tedious, every day reality. A dull, daily life voyeurism.
* Basically the same premise, different house
* The boring side of the human condition
i read McInerney's At Home with the Templetons and had a similar experience. So why try another novel by the author? Well, I read the synopsis and thought perhaps I might like this book more than the previous one I read by the author. You never know, it could be and should be different, right? Why not give her a second try?
However, this was much of the same. A slow start that involves multiple mundane details about a variety of characters and their daily life, which leads them to gathering at the same place, a B&B. Yes, this could be an interesting premise, but McInerney rather focus on less than intriguing details that bond people, rather than weave an interesting complexity. Sure, I can appreciate the true to life approach - but, it doesn't necessarily make for interesting or entertaining reading.
I suppose this ultimately comes down to why the reader is reading a book in the first place. What do you wish to get out of it? For me, it's not simply to get a glimpse into another way of life (despite the details), but to find a connection and be entertained. Although, I could connect with the characters, their lives did not entertain in a way of escaping from my own ordinary life. Even though these people gather, not much happens beside introspective reflection and general analyzing of the human condition.
Now, if you enjoy pondering the more mundane aspects of the human condition, you'll probably like McInerney's writing style and novel premise. It just doesn't appeal to me. I can appreciate it, but rather not invest too much of my reading time taking this journey. Since I already gave full attention to a previous novel by this author, once I saw this was more of the same (with different gathering characters), I determined to put it aside.
* I am familiar with Monica McInerney's writing style - but based on synopsis, was willing to give her another try
* Slow start due to multiple background depicts/set up of multiple characters mundane life details
* Tedious, every day reality. A dull, daily life voyeurism.
* Basically the same premise, different house
* The boring side of the human condition
i read McInerney's At Home with the Templetons and had a similar experience. So why try another novel by the author? Well, I read the synopsis and thought perhaps I might like this book more than the previous one I read by the author. You never know, it could be and should be different, right? Why not give her a second try?
However, this was much of the same. A slow start that involves multiple mundane details about a variety of characters and their daily life, which leads them to gathering at the same place, a B&B. Yes, this could be an interesting premise, but McInerney rather focus on less than intriguing details that bond people, rather than weave an interesting complexity. Sure, I can appreciate the true to life approach - but, it doesn't necessarily make for interesting or entertaining reading.
I suppose this ultimately comes down to why the reader is reading a book in the first place. What do you wish to get out of it? For me, it's not simply to get a glimpse into another way of life (despite the details), but to find a connection and be entertained. Although, I could connect with the characters, their lives did not entertain in a way of escaping from my own ordinary life. Even though these people gather, not much happens beside introspective reflection and general analyzing of the human condition.
Now, if you enjoy pondering the more mundane aspects of the human condition, you'll probably like McInerney's writing style and novel premise. It just doesn't appeal to me. I can appreciate it, but rather not invest too much of my reading time taking this journey. Since I already gave full attention to a previous novel by this author, once I saw this was more of the same (with different gathering characters), I determined to put it aside.
August 26, 2014
Three and a half stars.
I am a huge fan of Monica McInerney’s books. While I enjoyed this one it didn’t appeal to as much as some of her others. Still it was an enjoyable read. It has that light McInerney touch while still managing to deal with topics like neglect, ageing, loneliness and even thoughts of suicide. Instead of spending Christmas with her family, Lola has plans to send them away while she is left to look after the motel they own and care for the guests she has coming. As you would expect, things don't always work out according to plan. Since it is largely about relationships, this book has moments of humour as well as of sadness.
Lola Quinlan is one of those characters who works well in a book but I’m not sure I’d like her in my own family, as she does have a tendency in the guise of looking after people and trying to help, to interfere. Yet she had a lot of really good qualities as well. Despite that I felt sorry for the daughter-in- law Geraldine and thought maybe Jim should have shown some gumption earlier in life. I liked how things were seen from Lola’s point of view and it was not how it looked from Geraldine’s. The reader gets to see a bit of both sides. I did like the setting in the Clare Valley of South Australia. This book was an entertaining read, but just not quite as much a favourite as some others.
I am a huge fan of Monica McInerney’s books. While I enjoyed this one it didn’t appeal to as much as some of her others. Still it was an enjoyable read. It has that light McInerney touch while still managing to deal with topics like neglect, ageing, loneliness and even thoughts of suicide. Instead of spending Christmas with her family, Lola has plans to send them away while she is left to look after the motel they own and care for the guests she has coming. As you would expect, things don't always work out according to plan. Since it is largely about relationships, this book has moments of humour as well as of sadness.
Lola Quinlan is one of those characters who works well in a book but I’m not sure I’d like her in my own family, as she does have a tendency in the guise of looking after people and trying to help, to interfere. Yet she had a lot of really good qualities as well. Despite that I felt sorry for the daughter-in- law Geraldine and thought maybe Jim should have shown some gumption earlier in life. I liked how things were seen from Lola’s point of view and it was not how it looked from Geraldine’s. The reader gets to see a bit of both sides. I did like the setting in the Clare Valley of South Australia. This book was an entertaining read, but just not quite as much a favourite as some others.
October 18, 2012
What I love about the world of books is the diversity of enjoyment. I can be on the edge of my seat, crying into my tissue, sleeping with a light on, laughing out loud, or even falling in love. Lola's Secret left me with a warm feeling and an overwhelming desire to hug everyone I love.
Lola is an 84-year-old grandmother and the glue that holds her family together. When her family struggled with a devastating loss, she reminded them of the importance of staying close and looking past differences. Now she's determined to affect other people's lives in a similar way.
She concocts a plan and decides to bring together a few strangers to her family-owned hotel. Each guest is struggling. There's a man considering a drastic solution to his problems, a woman who is a workaholic and ignores her family's attempts at reconciliation, a couple who've lost their way, and a family torn apart. Lola offers each of them a free stay at her hotel during Christmas. The offer ends up being just the good luck charm each of them needs.
In the midst of her Christmas planning, Lola is also focusing on getting her own family back on track. Sisters Carrie and Bett are fighting and refuse to see how the other is hurting, and one of her great-granddaughters is struggling with her dad's decision to move on. Lola is in the thick of it all. She even has time to bring together a young couple and search for her own past love.
I found the characters memorable and relatable. Lola is feisty and loving. Sometimes she shocks those around her with her honest and direct advice about the importance of family. Her granddaughters, Bett and Carrie, are moms struggling to find personal worth in the face of children's and husbands' needs. Each character illustrates the ties that bind in a very sweet and affecting way. When I realized many of these characters were at the forefront of The Alphabet Sisters, I was eager to pick up a copy and discover more about them.
The only downside was that there were so many characters to care about that I found myself wishing each story had been its own book. But that's only because I wanted a more in depth look into what made them tick.
If you love a book about relationships and enjoy rooting for characters, pick up a copy of Lola's Secret. It's chicken soup for the soul and the equivalent of a warm robe on a cold day.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own.
Lola is an 84-year-old grandmother and the glue that holds her family together. When her family struggled with a devastating loss, she reminded them of the importance of staying close and looking past differences. Now she's determined to affect other people's lives in a similar way.
She concocts a plan and decides to bring together a few strangers to her family-owned hotel. Each guest is struggling. There's a man considering a drastic solution to his problems, a woman who is a workaholic and ignores her family's attempts at reconciliation, a couple who've lost their way, and a family torn apart. Lola offers each of them a free stay at her hotel during Christmas. The offer ends up being just the good luck charm each of them needs.
In the midst of her Christmas planning, Lola is also focusing on getting her own family back on track. Sisters Carrie and Bett are fighting and refuse to see how the other is hurting, and one of her great-granddaughters is struggling with her dad's decision to move on. Lola is in the thick of it all. She even has time to bring together a young couple and search for her own past love.
I found the characters memorable and relatable. Lola is feisty and loving. Sometimes she shocks those around her with her honest and direct advice about the importance of family. Her granddaughters, Bett and Carrie, are moms struggling to find personal worth in the face of children's and husbands' needs. Each character illustrates the ties that bind in a very sweet and affecting way. When I realized many of these characters were at the forefront of The Alphabet Sisters, I was eager to pick up a copy and discover more about them.
The only downside was that there were so many characters to care about that I found myself wishing each story had been its own book. But that's only because I wanted a more in depth look into what made them tick.
If you love a book about relationships and enjoy rooting for characters, pick up a copy of Lola's Secret. It's chicken soup for the soul and the equivalent of a warm robe on a cold day.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own.
June 3, 2017
This was a very enjoyable book to read. The storyline poked along full of subplots and was written in a light manner but managed to deal with serious issues without getting bogged down in nitty gritty details. The characters are well developed and I recognised people I know amongst them. I really liked the main character Lola, she was very witty and held her whole family together while at the same time dealing with her own personal issues. I loved the ending and how everything came together. In this story you will find love, loss, grief, ageing, friendship and personal and family relationships, everyday things that many of us experience. I absolutely loved reading this book, it was the first by this author I have read and I found it to be thought provoking, sometimes funny, and moving at times as well.
May 31, 2024
3.5 stars
Audiobook via BorrowBox
May 27, 2012
While anticipating and then enjoying 'Lola's Secret' I couldn't say I place it amoungst my favorite of Monica's books. I adore this author beyond descriptive words (there's just so much about her too love!) but I found the book lacking that spark, that something that usually pulls me in. It may just be the fact that this book's main plot wasn't strictly based on romance etc. rather, it was from the interesting perspective of the elderly Lola and her take on her life and those of the others around her.
There were romantic elements to the book, but I found that just as I was getting interested, they disapeared as quickly as they had appeared and that left me at a loose end as to how I felt at the ending of the book.
That being said, I found the fact that the narrator of the book was, indeed, in her twilight years; both refreshing and interesting and I enjoyed discovering things from her perspective and whilst I DID connect with her, maybe, I did not relate to her very well and that was a disapointing relisation for me.
Overall, I reccomend this novel for a light read and especially if you're a fan of 'The Alphabet Sisters' and if you're as deddicated to this author as I, for much like her lead character Lola, Monica is truly one of a kind and unforgettable.
There were romantic elements to the book, but I found that just as I was getting interested, they disapeared as quickly as they had appeared and that left me at a loose end as to how I felt at the ending of the book.
That being said, I found the fact that the narrator of the book was, indeed, in her twilight years; both refreshing and interesting and I enjoyed discovering things from her perspective and whilst I DID connect with her, maybe, I did not relate to her very well and that was a disapointing relisation for me.
Overall, I reccomend this novel for a light read and especially if you're a fan of 'The Alphabet Sisters' and if you're as deddicated to this author as I, for much like her lead character Lola, Monica is truly one of a kind and unforgettable.
January 29, 2012
A Monica fan from way back - this was a pleasant surprise since i didn't overly like her last book. But from the first page of Lola's Secret she had me! I just loved the main character Lola - i feel like giving her a big hug. It is a follow on from The Alphabet Sisters, but you don't have to have read it - but if you are after a great, easy and feelgood read, definitely put this in your 'to be read' pile...
Read
May 19, 2012mmmm i wouldn't say it was my favourite McInerney book but it was entertainng. Loved the Clare Valley setting - it being one of my favourite places in SA i am able to visualise the settings and i think when you have a relationship with a landscape / area it does make the reading all that bit more enjoyable.
i think what i would have liked was more about Lola's past and more story development re her lover - fell a bit short at the end.
i think what i would have liked was more about Lola's past and more story development re her lover - fell a bit short at the end.
September 10, 2018
I liked this book, it was a bit weird at the beginning, but i liked how they had all the people who came to the hotels stories, why they were there. The story was sad at some points but funny aswell. I would recommend this book to girls and boys who are around 10-14.
September 3, 2012
Light and easy to read, true Monica McInerney style, keeps you interested, but not too bogged down. As always you want to visit the characters. I just want to meet Lola.
November 1, 2014
Always enjoy Monica McInerney for some light reading. Also enjoy reading books about Australia since my sister lives there and I have visited twice.
July 27, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and loved that it was a sequel to The Alphabet Sisters. I would have loved a different ending, but I still enjoyed it none the less.
September 29, 2017
A good summer read - 3.5 stars - I enjoyed the continuing story of Lola and the ups-and-downs of her life.
November 29, 2017
This is my second Monica McInerney book . I notice that , I like reading her stories and her people.
I feel like I' m meeting real people when I read her books.
I feel like I' m meeting real people when I read her books.
Read
February 14, 2018I enjoyd this book, love the main character, would like to read more about her
June 20, 2017
I found LOLA'S SECRET to be a gentle, heartwarming read, similar to Rosamunde Pilcher's chicken-soup-for-the-soul type stories. A beautifully written, most enjoyable book.
December 10, 2021
The secret was a fizzer. Like fireworks that got a little damp.
September 1, 2019
I like Monica McInerney’s books. They're always a good light read. Nothing to heavy. I put the same review for all her books as while they are different, they are similar.
April 6, 2025
This was a cute comfort read, different lives intertwined through the connection of Lola. It has a sweet finishing touch. Felt emotional and giggled to myself throughout the novel. I'm keen to read the prequel now!
September 1, 2025
What a treat. I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice surprise when I began reading to find that the book is based in South Australia, where I’m from. I don’t often find myself reading books based in Australia.
July 30, 2014
Having just finished 'The Alphabet Sisters' I almost immediately picked up 'Lola's Secret' - to find out more about the Quinlan family, especially more enlightenment about Lola's past.
I would highly recommend reading this after 'The Alphabet Sisters' as I am not sure whether some of the brief exposition to explain some of the previous issues (such as one sister winding up marrying the other's fiancé) is enough for it to make sense, or at least sound believable, to someone who hasn't read the first book.
Lola is the matriarch of the Quinlan family, somehow able to pull strings and make things work out (in that particularly serendipitous way things do in most chick-lit where jobs are easily picked up, people who fancy other people aren't disappointed and intense decades-long family rifts can be solved with a simple chat and some gesture.)
Being set around Christmas also might have got a few hackles up before even beginning - I can tolerate a certain amount of schmaltz, but sometimes this was a bit too much.
I was a little disappointed some storylines weren't followed - but I kind of also appreciated them not going ahead with "And then Lola solved it all". The book follows very much what happens next with the Quinlan family, where I'd hoped the book would actually retell what happened before (as a big secret was revealed at the end of 'The Alphabet Sisters' and the title of the book led me to conclusions) - but it was still good.
I also appreciate that the character of Geraldine, daughter-in-law to Lola and mother of the three Quinlan sisters, was redeemed in some ways - or at least given a second dimension. I didn't like her as a caricature in the first book.
I also liked Lola just telling people to go solve their own problems - the whole fairy godmother thing was a bit too perfect.
The reason I was kind of looking forward to spending some time with Lola (and the conclusion of various things in the first book) was I found the characters of Bett and Carrie grating. Unfortunately, they're still there, still whining and still fighting. Urgh.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the book and devoured it in a short period of time, wanting to know what happens next - and it makes for very good cosy holiday reading. However, I do need to balance it with something that has a bit more depth.
I would highly recommend reading this after 'The Alphabet Sisters' as I am not sure whether some of the brief exposition to explain some of the previous issues (such as one sister winding up marrying the other's fiancé) is enough for it to make sense, or at least sound believable, to someone who hasn't read the first book.
Lola is the matriarch of the Quinlan family, somehow able to pull strings and make things work out (in that particularly serendipitous way things do in most chick-lit where jobs are easily picked up, people who fancy other people aren't disappointed and intense decades-long family rifts can be solved with a simple chat and some gesture.)
Being set around Christmas also might have got a few hackles up before even beginning - I can tolerate a certain amount of schmaltz, but sometimes this was a bit too much.
I was a little disappointed some storylines weren't followed - but I kind of also appreciated them not going ahead with "And then Lola solved it all". The book follows very much what happens next with the Quinlan family, where I'd hoped the book would actually retell what happened before (as a big secret was revealed at the end of 'The Alphabet Sisters' and the title of the book led me to conclusions) - but it was still good.
I also appreciate that the character of Geraldine, daughter-in-law to Lola and mother of the three Quinlan sisters, was redeemed in some ways - or at least given a second dimension. I didn't like her as a caricature in the first book.
I also liked Lola just telling people to go solve their own problems - the whole fairy godmother thing was a bit too perfect.
The reason I was kind of looking forward to spending some time with Lola (and the conclusion of various things in the first book) was I found the characters of Bett and Carrie grating. Unfortunately, they're still there, still whining and still fighting. Urgh.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the book and devoured it in a short period of time, wanting to know what happens next - and it makes for very good cosy holiday reading. However, I do need to balance it with something that has a bit more depth.
October 15, 2012
A long time ago, back in my pre-blogging days (yes, that long ago) I picked up a book called The Alphabet Sisters. One cold, rainy Sunday afternoon I thought I would just read for a while. I was curled up on the couch, near the heater with a cosy blanket and I just kept on turning the pages, one after another. I laughed and I cried (oh boy, did I cry). It was my first Monica McInerney book, but since then I have read a few more, and bought even more that I haven't yet read.
When I heard that Lola, the indomitable grandmother from The Alphabet Sisters was going to be the main character in this book I knew that I would have to read it. I bought it when I was spending the day up at Bendigo but since then it has sat on my shelf unread, until I saw that there was a blog tour- finally the encouragement I needed to actually get the book off the shelf and read it!
Lola Quinlan is looking forward to her family going away and leaving her to own devices this Christmas. She is not, however, going to be by herself. Instead she has placed an ad looking for guests to come to stay at the family motel for Christmas and Lola will use any means at her disposal to have people around her at this time of the year. You have to wonder why she doesn't want her family around, and also who are these people who will come to a small town in country Australia instead of being with their families.
To read more of my thoughts about this book head to
http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2012...
November 19, 2012
Lola is a woman who loves helping others (in the forms of 'schemes'), excitement and to be the life and love of others lives. During the course of the novel she finds out that her schemes and love of being in charge sometimes backfires and finds herself alone for Christmas (although she tries to convince herself she prefers this than to be with her family and friends).
This novel was a bit different than what I thought it would be like. I would have liked to have read more about the people that had won the three free nights in the motel and what happened to them when the course of their lives had changed. Even though events started to unfold before Christmas and as a result none of them ended up staying at the hotel I would have liked to have known how the changes affected their lives. This novel was essentially about Lola and her process of self-discovery. Although I wasn't a big fan of Lola from the beginning to about the middle of the novel (she was a little bit of a meddler and that annoyed me), by the end of the novel I was starting to root for her to discover where she belonged and to put to rest thoughts and events of the past.
This was a quick and sweet read.
I won this novel from Goodreads Firstreads.
This novel was a bit different than what I thought it would be like. I would have liked to have read more about the people that had won the three free nights in the motel and what happened to them when the course of their lives had changed. Even though events started to unfold before Christmas and as a result none of them ended up staying at the hotel I would have liked to have known how the changes affected their lives. This novel was essentially about Lola and her process of self-discovery. Although I wasn't a big fan of Lola from the beginning to about the middle of the novel (she was a little bit of a meddler and that annoyed me), by the end of the novel I was starting to root for her to discover where she belonged and to put to rest thoughts and events of the past.
This was a quick and sweet read.
I won this novel from Goodreads Firstreads.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2019
A fun read, but I didn't enjoy it quite as much as The Alphabet Sisters. Lola is a character that's fun to read about, but frankly is a bit of a caricature - and would be impossible to live with.
February 12, 2019
I picked this up thinking it would be a small mystery. Alas, it is not a mystery, even though 84yo Lola IS being secretive. She is a feisty very alert old woman who enjoys her family. Her family relies on her maybe too much for advice, and a sounding board.
Her adult family brood (son, grandchildren has decided to go somewhere else this Christmas leaving the old woman by herself.Something she wants because she is planning in secret in hosting a free holiday with random strangers at her son's motel, Readers get to meet these random strangers intimately and the reasons why they want to just get away to a no nothing little town in southern Australia.
I enjoyed this little book. ?There is a prequel, The Alphabet Sisters was referenced a few times. I doubt I will be reading it because this book gave reference to a part of life I cannot read about.
Her adult family brood (son, grandchildren has decided to go somewhere else this Christmas leaving the old woman by herself.Something she wants because she is planning in secret in hosting a free holiday with random strangers at her son's motel, Readers get to meet these random strangers intimately and the reasons why they want to just get away to a no nothing little town in southern Australia.
I enjoyed this little book. ?There is a prequel, The Alphabet Sisters was referenced a few times. I doubt I will be reading it because this book gave reference to a part of life I cannot read about.
January 3, 2012
This was more or less a sequel to "The Alphabet Sisters" which I would recommend reading first if you haven't already but isn't really necessary to enjoy the book. I appreciate the way Monica McInerney can write from multiple character's perspectives. She continued to reveal more about the characters I had come to know in The Alphabet Sisters but she also introduced new characters that became part of a subplot that was interesting in it's own right. She managed this without taking away from the main characters, which I find is hard to do (develop secondary characters enough so that you care about them without distracting from the primary characters and storyline). I like the variety of relationships portrayed in McInerney's storys and it was nice to revisit familiar characters a little further down the road.
July 19, 2013
I enjoyed this book. It was a cute, touching story about a meddlesome old lady and would be what we call today BBA - 'Baby Boom Adult' fiction. It had many luscious details and lots of interesting character development. The plot dragged a bit slower than I would have liked, but I am not (quite yet) a BBA reader, either. It's nice to know that when I reach that age group (sooner than I'd like to admit) that there will be stories such as this waiting for me that involve real people instead of sparkly vampires.
Thank you Ms. McInerney for this Goodreads First Reads Giveaway
Thank you Ms. McInerney for this Goodreads First Reads Giveaway
April 17, 2013
This was thoroughly enjoyable but no action, sex, murder, or mayhem. Its fresh, breezy dialogue made it hard to put down. Lola is a feisty, 84-year-old great grandmother who loves her life managing a motel, web surfing, working at the thrift shop, and getting rid of her family during Christmas. What is not to like! The family situations are realistic, and this octogenarian is the take-charge person for family and friends while she plans her own special Christmas, an event with totally unexpected events, despite all her plans.
July 25, 2017
I loved the Alphabet Sisters so I was excited to see what the Quinlans were up to after four years.
This book started really well but I kind of felt it was rushed towards the end & bringing all those characters into it for Christmas was a little like a story within a story that didn't really go anywhere.
And the introduction of Alex at such a late stage was a little left of field for me. I still enjoyed the read as I love the characters, especially Lola & her meddling ways. Is it as good as the Alphabet Sisters? No, but still an enjoyable summer read.
This book started really well but I kind of felt it was rushed towards the end & bringing all those characters into it for Christmas was a little like a story within a story that didn't really go anywhere.
And the introduction of Alex at such a late stage was a little left of field for me. I still enjoyed the read as I love the characters, especially Lola & her meddling ways. Is it as good as the Alphabet Sisters? No, but still an enjoyable summer read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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