Project Me

by Carol Anne Hunter

When her husband of 30 years trades her in for a more current model, Maggie resolves to live the quiet life. The safe life. The single life. Well, she is only weeks away from her 50th, doesn't do drink or men and has already embraced Trainee Old Duffer status. But waking up one morning with the office geek and a hangover makes her think again - maybe there is life after marriage. She decides to refurbish, re-brand and re-launch, and all before her golden birthday, but she hasn't a clue where to start. Cue the conception of Project Me. Before long, her life is like the night bus - full of users, wasters, halfwits and chancers, all with their own agenda. If only there was someone she could ask for help. Emergency! Code Red, woman down, send back up! The clock's ticking...

236 pages, Paperback

First published August 13, 2014

Reviews

[Miriam Drori · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you review a novel that's not for you? I've always kept away from chick-lit before, or as someone described it: "hot flush fiction" - chick-lit about the older woman. What I'd read about the genre didn't appeal. In addition, I've been away from an English-speaking country for a long time, and I'm not familiar with ways of life described in it. The language has also moved on since I emigrated.

So, while this novel is very well written and the level of editing is amazingly good, the whole thing felt a bit foreign to me. It wasn't that I didn't understand anything. I laughed at the humorous prose and the situations, but I didn't identify with any of it.

Towards the end, however, I'd become rather fond of Maggie and was hoping she'd find a way to sort herself out. I won't say whether she does, but I found plenty to enjoy in this novel and highly recommended it.

[Yvonne Marjot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Project Me is Maggie's last ditch attempt to bring meaning, organisation and (most importantly) love into her life before reaching the dreaded 50-years milestone. Of course she sets about this project in a rational, sensible and well-planned way. At least, that's the plan, but meeting gorgeous Gus derails the project before it's even got off the ground, and she's swept off into a marvellous new world of new relationships, new work, new clothes, and a man who's much more interesting than her ex, the disappointing Ken.

Maggie's instant crush on Gus, and his unbelievable gorgeousness set off my cynicism radar straight away. He seemed much to good to be true. Was he as perfect as he seemed? Would it really all end with hearts and roses? You'll have to read it for yourself.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done, Carol - a joyous gallop of a read from start to finish.

I am so not the target demographic for this or similar books, but Carol's protagonist, Maggie, is resourceful and determined, and refuses to be browbeaten or bullied.

As I said, well done Carol, and roll on the next one.

John

[Sarah Louise Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book from the first page; the author draws you in and makes you feel like the protagonist Maggie is chatting directly to you. It's very very witty, and has plenty of suspense to keep you reading. Loved it.

[K.B. Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast-paced, sharp and sassy read with a rapidly-approaching-50 heroine. It was light and fun, a great break from my usual dark and gritty choices. I particularly liked the way the character managed to find her way out of the destructive clutches of manipulative bullying to rebuild her identity.