Don't miss a BRAND NEW laugh-out-loud, uplifting read from the bestselling author of Old Girls on Deck, Maddie Please ⚓️☀️🌴 Perfect for fans of Judy Leigh, Kate Galley and Dee MacDonald! 'Sea, sunshine, romance and fabulous characters' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Bestselling author Judy Leigh
At 64, Meg Foster is ready to paint outside the lines
Newly divorced from overbearing husband Malcom and with only reruns of Bergerac and an irascible black cat called Ivan for company, Meg decides it’s time to add a little colour back into her life. So when she spots a flyer for a local art class at the Lower Begley community centre, she grabs a brush — despite her only painting experience being a half-hearted coat of magnolia in the downstairs loo.
Surrounded by a motley crew of charming amateur artists, Meg slowly begins to rediscover her spark with the help of the other old girls…and the only male in the group Dennis. And when someone suggests a painting holiday to sun-soaked Santorini, Meg doesn’t hesitate to sign up. Whitewashed walls, turquoise seas and possibly even a Grecian god or two? Yes please!
As the sun sets over the Aegean, Meg starts to realise that life — like art — is all about perspective. Could this trip be more than just a wash of watercolour fun? Could friendship, freedom and a second-chance romance be just a sketch away?
Full of heart, humour and hues of every shade, relax with another joyful story from Maddie Please celebrating the power of reinvention, female friendship, and living boldly — no matter your age.
Praise for Maddie
'Warm, witty and wonderfully engaging, Maddie takes us to Greece for sun soaked fun with a delightful cast of characters.” Bestselling author Kate Galley
'Warm, funny and poignant with engaging characters, it reminds us that you’re never too old for fun, romance and to learn new things!' Bestselling author Karen King
'A new lease of life under the Greek sun. As fresh and delicious as chilled retsina!' Bestselling author Phillipa Ashley
'For a book that’s as cheering and restorative as a long lunch with your very best friend, Maddie Please is the author you need to know!' Bestselling author Chris Manby
'Genuine and life-affirming…a wonderful, lighthearted novel about how it is never too late to find happiness.’ Bestselling author Kitty Wilson
'A heart-warming story filled with friendship and fun. It's official - I want to be an Old Duck!' Bestselling author Maisie Thomas
Maddie Please was born in Dorset, brought up in Worcestershire and went to University in Cardiff.
After a career as a dentist Maddie now lives in Devon with her exceptionally handsome and supportive husband. They have 4 adult-ish children all of whom have left home and are probably rather surprised by all this. She did warn them.
Maddie is a voracious reader, and would enjoy hoovering, defrosting the fridge and cleaning the windows but unfortunately she doesn't really have time. She is very disciplined and sensible about her writing and she likes to write every day because it gets her out of doing the ironing.
ARC | Enjoyable after a perplexing start | I was really disappointed in the beginning of this. I've read most of Maddie Please's books now, and they're generally a nice light read, but the set-up on this felt like she couldn't be bothered. It was sketched, not filled in, and it's pretty ridiculous. Anita is bold enough to invite Meg to travel abroad with them on the strength of knowing each other less than 36 hours, but hadn't simply introduced herself as the next-door neighbor in the preceding months? Meg had no real interest in art or proper confidence in herself, but decided on a whim to go on an art group trip to another country with relative strangers? Three months then passed with no page space and without any of the women, apparently, getting to know each other in the slightest. So weird, and so many other ways to handle it. All that said, this is my preferred style of the genre, in which the unnecessary manufactured drama of characters taking things personally for no reason is entirely absent. It's gentle and uplifting, and comic relief Dennis stays just the right side of becoming insufferable. Nice to see some familiar faces from previous books, and get the reassurance of pairings holding on. Definitely worth the read, just prepare for the super rushed beginning.
Advance Reader's Copy provided free of charge, which did not impact my review.
Meg is a 64-year-old divorcée who has recently moved into a house in a new-to-her village. Bored and lonely, she decides to join an art class. The next day, a woman she met during the class comes over, says she’s her neighbour, and offers her a week-long trip to Greece, simply because Meg seems “nice enough.” Meg is surprised, but jumps at the idea with enthusiasm and only a tiny bit of anxiety. Three months later, the art group arrives on Santorini. I don’t know about others, but to me it seems rather strange and utterly unbelievable that a woman with almost no confidence and with social anxiety would just agree to such an offer from a complete stranger. No thought given, no doubts, not a single “what if” or even “who is this woman?” Nothing! Then we turn the page and—poof—three months have passed. Just like that. On Santorini, Meg tries to relax and let go of her rigid self-consciousness, but again, this is only signalled in two sentences, with no deeper thought given. The group seems to be getting on well, but there’s no sense of connection or friendship forming. We know nothing about the characters. The pages are filled with chit-chat about nothing. Everybody’s smiling, except serious Dennis, who is the party killer. Everything is marvellous. Literally! “Isn’t sea air simply marvellous? It really does make one feel better, don’t you think?” says a British woman who lives on an island about another, much smaller island. Oh, well... Everybody’s polite, making small talk and chit-chat—“it’s rather lovely” and of course, marvellous. If I find that word one more time, I’ll throw up.
Thankfully, there are hints of deeper thoughts, some reflections—but they’re phrased so carefully, as if the author and her character are afraid they might spoil the fun. No, they wouldn’t! One enjoys a book when the characters feel real and have depth—when you can connect with them, see them, and feel them. There were only two moments in this book that gave the characters some real traits and made the story a bit more believable. One was this line: “I have a theory that at about 7:30 every evening there is a collective sigh around the nation as women remove them” (bras). The other: “I’m old, not dead.” Yes, I can relate to that. To sum it up: this book is a light read—a beach read, a summer read. It’s filled with smiling characters and jokes that will make you smile. But the beginning feels rushed, weird, and unbelievable. It’s fine if you want to switch your brain off. However, if you’re looking for something meaningful, with reflections, deeper thoughts, and more relatable characters, read The Wedding People by Alison Espach or The Autumn of Ruth Winters by Marshall Fine—both excellent.
This was my first experience of Maddie Please work and really enjoyed it! This is definitely a book you can settle down on holiday with and get list in the heartwarming, funny story of some ladies going on a drawing retreat. I really enjoyed the characters who were easy to imagine. I loved the quote "Of course it will pass. It might be like a kidney stone, which I've heard can be unpleasant, but you will be fine!" A book to remind us live is for living, so get on and live it!
The Blurb : At 64, Meg Foster is ready to paint outside the lines Newly divorced from overbearing husband Malcom and with only reruns of Bergerac and an irascible black cat called Ivan for company, Meg decides it’s time to add a little colour back into her life. So when she spots a flyer for a local art class at the Lower Begley community centre, she grabs a brush — despite her only painting experience being a half-hearted coat of magnolia in the downstairs loo. Surrounded by a motley crew of charming amateur artists, Meg slowly begins to rediscover her spark with the help of the other old girls…and the only male in the group Dennis. And when someone suggests a painting holiday to sun-soaked Santorini, Meg doesn’t hesitate to sign up. Whitewashed walls, turquoise seas and possibly even a Grecian god or two? Yes please! As the sun sets over the Aegean, Meg starts to realise that life — like art — is all about perspective. Could this trip be more than just a wash of watercolour fun? Could friendship, freedom and a second-chance romance be just a sketch away?
My Thoughts : Here we meet Meg Foster, in her 60s and recently divorced from Malcolm. Having moved to Lower Begley, Meg decides its time to get back out there and live a little, she cant be stuck at home all day doing nothing in her retirement so decides to join a local art class in the village and there she meets her neighbour Anita and some other locals. When it gets put to her to join them on a trip to sunny Santorini in 3 months time as someone has had to cancel, Meg jumps at the chance to go to Greece. We soon follow Meg and the group of old ducks as they settle into Greek life and start to enjoy the beautiful scenery and delicious foods that Santorini has to offer. Whilst some of the group join in on painting sessions, others find it more fun to go and explore the Island, even going on a banana boat ride and sampling the local alcoholic drinks. Meg also befriends Will, another guest on the Art course, as they spend more and more time together, Meg starts to loosen up and really enjoys his company. She thinks she knows him from somewhere but he is not forthcoming on any personal information at first but he also starts to confide in Meg and they grow much closer. Will a holiday romance be on the cards but end on holiday or has Meg found her new beginning!?. As always Maddie Please delivers a story about the ‘older’ generation, the reader gets swept away with the stunning surroundings and amazing scenery. I really liked Meg and also the other supporting cast Beryl, Effie, Dennis and Will. Lots of fun and laughs to be had all round. Looking forward to more from Maddie Please soon.
Old Girls Go Greek is a story that will take you on a journey, Meg, who has recently gotten a divorce, decided she needed to figure out where she goes from here. She saw a brochure for an art class so she joined it. She enjoyed it, The class decided to go on a painting holiday to Santorini, soak up the sun, be inspired by the beauty and do some painting. Meg and some of the other old girls, would get lost in the scenery, decided to do a bucket list and cross them off. It was a time that they started coming alive, doing fun and adventurous things, and finding they began laughing, and wanted more from life than they had at home. When the week was up, and it was time to go home, they were so much different than they were when they arrived. I am an old girl, so I thoroughly enjoyed reading about their journey. But I can see if I was younger, I would get a lot out of this book. When you get in a rut in life, you forget to live, have fun, and when that happens, pick up this book, and find that spark that will ignite you to get out of your rut, and go see what is out there for you. I am happy I did. I received an ARC from Boldwood Books through NetGalley.
I've read a few of Maddie Please's romantic-themed books featuring more mature ladies, and this was another fun read to add to her already splendid books. The story is about Meg, a divorcee in her 60s, getting to grips with her newfound single life, and she happens upon a local art club where she meets some real characters. Some of these characters will be ones you have met before if you have read Maddie's other books, namely the Old Ducks - a group of older ladies determined to make the most of life, regardless of age. They end up at an art-themed holiday on the beautiful island of Santorini, where several members of the art group travel together, and they find another person has joined their group upon arrival. It is a new, handsome male member of the group, and so of course, there is a spark, as well as some recognition from Meg and a bit of a connection which they begin to explore... The rest, you need to read to find out! The descriptions of the scenery, the food, the cute kittens and Meg's cat, back home. A lovely, easy read. Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
Another fun novel from Maddie Please following the exploits of newly divorced Meg and her friends as they head to Santorini on a painting holiday. Think blue skies, whitewashed walls, delicious Greek food, plenty of fun and frolics and a touch of romance all wrapped up in a gorgeous novel. Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the chance to review.
I’m a big fan of Maddy Please’s writing; I’ve enjoyed many of her previous books, so I began reading this book with high expectations.
The main character is Meg Foster; she’s retired, recently divorced & moved home to the village of Lower Begley. She’s been trying out various classes as a way to meet people, the latest being the art class where she meets her neighbour Anita properly for the first time. They soon make friends & Anita invites her to join a painting holiday in Santorini that some of the art class are going on. After some hesitation, Meg decides to go despite her perceived lack of her own artistic talent - after all it’s years since she’s been on holiday, & she’s now free to do as she chooses. In Santorini Meg & Anita team up with Anita’s friends Beryl & Effie; together they have a lot of fun exploring the town & it’s numerous cafes & bars - not too much painting gets done! Most of the group know each other, but there’s Will whom nobody knows, although Meg thinks he looks familiar. In addition to the fun of sitting in the sunshine whilst eating & drinking with her new friends, Meg enjoys some time alone reflecting on her new life as a single woman, realising the opportunities now open to her. She & Will seem to get on well, but he’s something of a mystery & is reluctant to talk about himself, although they find a lot to chat about whenever they’re together - which seems to happen a lot.
As usual, Maddie Please excels with descriptions that evoke the sights, sounds & smells of the coastal town where they‘re staying. I really enjoyed each of the main characters & there’s a great cast of supporting characters including Costas - hotel proprietor & occasional artist’s model. There’s plenty of humour, especially at the wine tasting, & over Costas’s demeanour when he models for the group. Happily, I can say that this book lived up to my expectations. I loved the gentle humour & the characters; the tentative way the friendship developed between Will & Meg developed felt authentic, & Maddie wrote with a light touch about some potentially sensitive issues, All in all, it’s a heartwarming story of second chances & new beginnings for those of more mature ages, a gorgeous read which I loved & recommend to anyone who enjoys this genre.
With thanks to Netgalley & Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read an arc of this book.
Since visiting the island of Santorini is on my bucket list, I jumped at the chance to read this light and entertaining book about how recently divorced 64-year-old Meg Foster took the plunge to start over, and in the process make new friends while rediscovering who she is. This isn’t just a story about a local art class or a trip to Greece, it’s also a story about reclaiming who you are after many years of feeling “less than,” and opening your heart and mind to new possibilities (including a new romance.) The takeaway is that if you’re willing, it’s never too late to change, take chances, and embrace happiness.
Meg had recently moved to a quiet village, and takes a local art class. She meets her neighbor Anita, and other women close to her age, including Beryl and her sister Effie. When a spot opens up for a group trip to Santorini, Meg sprints out of her comfort zone and joins the group. There’s lots of good-natured humor among the women (a few known as “Old Ducks,” which references characters in previous books—and ones I now want to read!), and great descriptions of the setting, food, and wine. There is some repetition of Meg’s internal dialogue, as she continues to bloom and rediscover who she is after being married, and yes, a bit anxious, self-conscious, and focused on doing for everyone except herself for so many years, but I didn’t mind that at all. I enjoyed being part of her journey. If anything, I wish the author had included more detailed physical descriptions of both Meg and the other characters, but what came through was their humor and zest for life, and that went a long way. Spending time with these lovely characters in such a beautiful setting was definitely time well spent! Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for offering me the opportunity to read this delightful book. I am voluntarily posting this honest review.
I do enjoy these books about ladies of a certain age who refuse to get old. I find them funny and inspiring. This one is cut from the same cloth. Meg is a divorcee who has just moved to the village. She has spent a lifetime being dragged down by an abusive husband, the final insult being his running off with his secretary. She knows she is well shot of him but her life is stuck in “park”. She joins a village art class and things go into drive, almost before she knows it.
Her cronies involve a married neighbour and two highly successful retired sisters whose loving bickering is a hoot. She signs up for a week in Santorini to paint. The four friends peel off on their own adventures but Meg stumbles into the biggest one where a vaguely familiar but very handsome member of the trip hits it off with her. She and Will find so much common ground that for the first time in decades, Meg dares to dream. There are so many places she wants to see and Will has seen many of them. Plus, her rusty spider sense susses out that sparks are flying. So she is devastated when he leaves the group without a word.
While she is miffed, she has passed the point of no return in her life. She liked living again and she plans to continue to explore new possibilities. Reading about how her former spouse could suck the oxygen out of her life and how this trip reignites fun for her makes me think of so many boomer women who got stuck taking care of others and forgot about themselves. Perhaps this book will be a kick in the butt to start living. Five purrs and two paws up.
Meg is finding life is a bit routine since her divorce and move to Lower Begley. - everything is a little too quiet. She has tried a number of activities and none have stuck so why not try a painting group. She instantly finds a place to belong when her neighbour, Anita, encourages her to join some of the painters on a trip to Santorini. It doesn't take too much convincing for Meg to come along and life gets much more interesting from that point forward. A light fun read - you did quite like all of 'The Old Ducks' and certainly Meg was a lovely central character to the story. The interactions between the women were quite lovely and you certainly wanted to head off to Greece to experience all the wonderful tastes, smells and views that they were able to enjoy on their 'painting' adventures. There is quite a lot of exploration of Meg realising life isn't over in her 60's and she can have adventures regardless of her age, including perhaps kindling a new romance. Everything progresses quite quickly and it would have been nice at times, for things to have had a little more depth or shape just to help the story. That being said there is nothing wrong with a genuinely light pleasant read with likeable characters who you really would be quite happy to sit down with over a cup of tea or glass of wine for a conversation and laugh. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the chance to spend an afternoon with Meg and 'The Old Ducks'.
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
At 64, Meg Foster is ready to paint outside the lines
Newly divorced from overbearing husband Malcom and with only reruns of Bergerac and an irascible black cat called Ivan for company, Meg decides it’s time to add a little colour back into her life. So when she spots a flyer for a local art class at the Lower Begley community centre, she grabs a brush — despite her only painting experience being a half-hearted coat of magnolia in the downstairs loo.
Surrounded by a motley crew of charming amateur artists, Meg slowly begins to rediscover her spark with the help of the other old girls…and the only male in the group Dennis. And when someone suggests a painting holiday to sun-soaked Santorini, Meg doesn’t hesitate to sign up. Whitewashed walls, turquoise seas and possibly even a Grecian god or two? Yes please!
As the sun sets over the Aegean, Meg starts to realise that life — like art — is all about perspective. Could this trip be more than just a wash of watercolour fun? Could friendship, freedom and a second-chance romance be just a sketch away?
My Opinion
Maddie Please has done it again. Old Girls Go Greek is a book that had me hooked from the beginning. With some lovely characters and great descriptions this was an uplifting novel. A quick and easy read.
Maddie Please's Old Girls Go Greek follows 64-year-old Meg Foster, who feels a bit lost after her divorce from her husband. Seeking a fresh start, she joins a local art class, despite having no painting experience. Meg soon finds camaraderie with a fun-loving group of amateur artists. When the group plans a painting holiday to sun-soaked Santorini, Meg signs up for the chance to discover friendship, freedom, and perhaps a second-chance romance amidst the picturesque Greek scenery.
This novel is a delightful, feel-good escape. What resonated most was following Meg's journey of personal growth; watching her shed the constraints of her past and discover that life and love, still offer plenty of second chances was inspiring. I adored the development of the friendships among the "old girls" on their weeklong holiday. Their quick-witted banter and supportive encouragement felt genuinely heartwarming and provided many laugh out loud moments. Please captures the stunning blue and white landscape of Santorini, making the Mediterranean setting feel like a character itself.
I highly recommend this book for anyone needing an instant mood booster or a cozy escape from the winter chill. If you enjoy later-life adventures and stories centered on the power of female friendship, this is your perfect beach read or armchair getaway.
Thank you to Boldwood Books for providing this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This was a very light, easy read... ideal for a day at the beach or when you want something you can dip in and out of. The setting in Greece is lovely, and the tone is generally upbeat and breezy.
That said, the beginning felt odd and rushed. The main character, Meg, accepts a holiday invitation from Anita, a woman she’s only just met & the story jumps forward three months without showing how they built any kind of relationship. There’s no real explanation or development, which made it hard to believe, especially since Meg is portrayed as someone with low confidence and social anxiety. It seemed strange that she would so quickly agree to an international trip with strangers, without hesitation or second thought.
The group dynamic on the trip is pleasant, but very surface-level. The women all get along just fine, but their interactions feel more like casual acquaintances than deep friendships. There are a few fun lines of dialogue, but overall, the characters lacked depth and emotional connection.
By the end, Meg starts to grow and gain confidence, and there’s a nice message about it never being too late to try something new or make a change. Still, the story would’ve benefited from more development early on to make the journey feel more believable and engaging.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.
Meg who is new to the area, joins the local art class to not only keep herself occupied but to also make new friends. Within no time she finds herself invited on a drawing trip to Greece. The Greek setting was absolutely glorious. The author really knows how to bring an area to life in her readers heads. I was mentally transported there with the characters and loved every minute of it.
The group of amateur artists were lovely to get to know, even Dennis! The friendship between the women was especially lovely as it was funny as well as endearing to read. The descriptions of the food and drink were delightful and had my mouth watering at all the delicious descriptions. It will certainly have you wanting to hop on the next plane to enjoy the wine and meals for yourself! Ivan the cat has to get a special mention as even though I am more of a dog lover, he really does steal the limelight with his huge personality and his gifts for Meg.
Old Girls Go Greek was a pure joy to read! More so as the weather was cold and miserable at the time of reading this book. I could literally feel the sun radiating from the pages and felt wholly uplifted at the wonderful new and old friendships as well as the blossoming romance. Getting older comes to us all and its a reminder that having fun and falling in love can happen regardless of age. A fun, heartwarming and uplifting read, loved it!
Sweet, warm-hearted novel about trying new things in life and finding happiness at any age. Meg is divorced and the mother of a grown daughter. After she divorced she moved into a small home in the country and while she loves her cozy home, she often feels lonely and bored. She tries a few activities but nothing appeals to her until she tries an art class with some other people her age in their 60's She gets on well with her neighbor and before she can think too hard she finds herself on a painting trip to Santorini, Greece.
The travel writing about Greece was excellent and I wished I were with Meg as she explored the beautiful buildings, the food and wine and all of the beauty of Greece. The group who call themselves the old ducks have a weeks worth of fun adventures and even though they don't get a lot of painting done, Meg is finding out what she has been missing. There is also a romantic element as Meg beets Will a retired physician who seems to be keeping secrets. Is she too old to find love? I enjoyed this story and the group of women (and a couple of men) who refuse to just sit back and let life happen to them. I wished for a bit more depth with some of the characters but enjoyed the travel parts so much I want to plan a trip to Santorini! Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for an ARC for review.
Old Girls Go Greek by Maddie Please was a book that will have you laughing out loud, just what I needed to read on a cold wet and windy day. It was a fun quick read that will have you smiling!
Old Girls Go greek was a refreshing read about Meg Foster who is 64 and is newly divorced from her overbearing husband Malcom. . . . . she finally rediscovers herself and finally starts to have fun, Meg loves to paint and when she was at her local art class at the Lower Begley community centre, she spots a flyer for a painting holiday in Greece to sun-soaked Santorini, Meg doesn’t hesitate to sign up. . . . . . . . . . .This is what Meg needs and now she is dreaming of whitewashed walls, turquoise seas, good wine and possibly even a Grecian god or two?
How could Meg not say No!
With her suitcase packed and a new adventure awaits her.
Whilst she soaks in the beautiful sun in Greece, Meg starts to realise there is a life for people her age. . . . and she can live again and breath again, have fun and find friendship, freedom and maybe find someone to hold her close again.
Old Girls Go Greek is a fantastic women's fiction novel with older characters. Shortly after her divorce, Meg Foster realizes how quiet her life is now. She decides she needs more excitement in her life. After some failed attempts to find a new hobby, she signs up for an art class. Here, Meg finds exactly what her life had been missing. Sometimes all you need is a found family to keep you company. When the group of amateur artists decide to take a trip to Santorini, Greece, Meg jumps at the chance to live outside the box. She may be self-conscious and have low self-confidence, but she put herself out there in a new town where she doesn't know anyone. I love that about her.
I enjoyed Old Girls Go Greek. It's a heartwarming tale of a woman divorced later in life that has to learn how to be alone and build a new like but only around her, and not anyone else. I loved watching her personality unfold and her confidence level build. The story was fun with strong characters and vivid scenery. The author's writing style is smooth and conversational, flowing well without any awkwardness.
I have not read any other books by Maddie Please but I will certainly be remedying that sooner rather than later.
Meg has recently found a new friend and joined a painting class. When an opportunity to go to Greece presents itself , she decides to take the plunge and go. A painting trip turns into a relaxing place she is finding herself in. After her divorce she struggled to be comfortable in her own skin- something the sunshine, friends and doing different things are now bringing to her. She also meets Will and thinks he is vaguely familiar but he is very reserved and although pleasant says little about himself. Greece may well have a lot to answer for one way or another!
This is a delight of a read. I'm reading it just as the weather here (UK) is dipping into autumn temperatures and it's wonderful to be immersed in the warmth of a well written read. It's one surrounded by humour and friendship and what that can bring. A zest for life and saying “yes” to new adventures. Perspective doesn't just apply to painting but to life too- how you see things can adjust your demeanour for the better if you let it. An uplifting read that brought a smile, right when I needed it. Loved it.
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.
“Old Girls Go Greek” is by Maddie Please. I found this book’s beginning a bit weird - a woman is invited by practically a stranger to spend a holiday in Greece - and the woman takes the stranger up on the invitation. Three months pass in the meanwhile and they’re on holiday. I felt like I was missing something - anything to fill in some gaps. However, putting that aside for a bit, I never felt a pull of depth to the characters - they’re on holiday as a group and they get along well enough (everything seems to be marvelous!) with small chatter - but, okay, surface friendship (acquaintance) is fine. Overall, this book was a really light read - with a few good lines of dialogue - so I’d recommend it for those days where you want a story that you can pick and put down while watching the kids play in the waves at the beach - or you just need a light read in general.
The concept for this book immediately grabbed my imagination and evoked dreams of visiting Santorini. As the story unfolded, I felt drawn to Meg and some of the other members of the art class, especially when I realised that the group included some of the Old Ducks that had entertained me with their adventures in earlier books. Don’t worry if this is your first experience with the Ducks; this book can easily be enjoyed as a standalone story.
Meg’s backstory and her experiences with her ex-husband are revealed throughout her arc, and it’s impossible not to feel sympathy for her. She has gone from a marital home with a husband and a daughter to being a divorcee, with a new, yet empty nest and a cat who is ambivalent about her to the point of antagonism. Her art group brings variety to her daily life, and she accepts the opportunity to join the group on their Greek adventure.
Of course, Meg’s good intentions hadn’t factored in the influence of the Old Ducks, and the mutinous group began avoiding the restrictions of the itinerary and finding their own fun, which soon translates to great hilarity. When Meg sees a vaguely familiar face, she has no inkling that her life could be about to change slowly yet dramatically.
This delightful escape to Santorini was just the tonic I needed, and I loved everything about it, as it appealed to my rebellious streak!
Recently divorced Meg decides that she needs to do something to get her out of the house and joins a local art evening class. When the idea of a week in Santorini on an art based break comes up she decides to take a chance and join in. This is the type of book that I enjoy, slow paced, doesn't take itself too seriously and, in addition to the lovely setting has delicious sounding food (and drink) has a touch of romance. I liked Meg and can fully understand how difficult it is to make a fresh start in your life. There are the members of the Old Ducks group from the previous books that I loved plus some new ones varying from boring Dennis to mysterious Will. An ideal book to read to give you a touch of sunshine in a cold, grey British autumn / winter. I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.
This is part of a series and I think I've read most of them but you can definitely read them as standalone. Meg is retired and newly divorced and living with a not so friendly cat named Ivan. She sees a flyer for a painting class at the rec center and decides to take up an old passion and soon makes some new friends who then embark on a holiday to Greece to get inspired in in their painting. And if there happens to be some romance in the mix, that wouldnt be half bad would it? This was full of gorgeous scenery, second chance at life and love and found family. It was a perfect escape that can be read in just a few hours Thanks to @rachelsrandomresources and @theboldbookclub for my copy of the book in exchange for my review
At 64, Meg is newly divorced and starting over in a new town, but has recently realized that her life is just plain boring. She joins an art class at the local community center and immediately begins to make friends. When those friends ask her to fill in for someone who has had to cancel her spot on their upcoming trip to Greece, Meg jumps at the chance to break out of her familiar local rut. The trip opens her eyes to the possibilities in her life, as she deepens the friendships with the ladies from the local paint group and meets someone who might change her mind about romance ‘at her age.’
I have come to really like this author’s books, and this was no exception. They’re always filled with stories about friendships among women, how they support and encourage one another to ‘spread their wings’ and take new chances. I loved the references to the other “Old Girls” who have appeared in the author’s previous Old Girls books, and hope that someday, the entire group might be together in a future book :)
The story is well-written, despite being predictable. I liked the four main characters, but think Jillian needs to loosen her grip and calm down a bit. Even though I knew what was coming, it was fun to see how the story moved from beginning to end, and how all the relationships developed.
I have several other books by this author on my to-read shelf, and I look forward to reading them… or the next new book by Ms. Please.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Meg is 64 and recently divorced and has moved into a small village when she decides to try out the local art class where she meets her neighbour and her 3 friends who are known as the "Old Ducks" who are all very funny characters. The group asks her if she wants to join them on an art trip to Santorini. After a controlling marriage Meg decides to finally start living and accepts the invite. A great book on friendship and the laughs the have on the way. It did go on a bit at times or I would have gave it 5* This would definitely be me if I divorced. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review.
Meg has moved to the village of Lower Begley following her divorce from the odios Malcolm. She has tried a lot of the clubs, but finds herself in the local art group with her neighbour Anita. She warms to them and finds herself joining them on a painting holiday on Santorini. The enigmatic Will is part of the group but keeps himself slightly aloof. She is quite surprised when she finds herself liking him and enjoys spending time with him but can't help thinking he is familiar. She can't put her finger on in until her daughter comments on one of the photos she has sent home. A lovely little wistful story.
Old Girls Go Greek by Maddie Please is all about sunshine, sisterhood, and second chances ☀️
Set against the stunning backdrop of Santorini 🇬🇷, Meg Foster, newly divorced and ready to rewrite her story, swaps grey skies for blue seas and bold new beginnings. 🌊
What starts as a gentle escape soon becomes a tale of friendship, freedom, and finding yourself again… proving it’s never too late for a fresh start (or a cheeky plot twist 😉).
Warm, witty, and filled with heart, this feel-good read is the perfect companion for your next holiday, or to banish the wet and windy UK skies away! ☀️💕
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Boldwood Books for access to this ARC.
ARC. After taking one art class, a 64 year old divorcee gets the change to go on a trip to Santotrini. It's a charming book, though it lacks a little something extra in the beginning - the opening feels a bit rushed and hard to believe - she basically took off with strangers - decided to travel with a group of people that she had known for a day. That felt a bit unrealistic. Other than that, it's a lovely, light story. I would say it's perfect for a vacation read or a cozy autumn evening. Life doesn't end once you turn 60.
How refreshing to read about older women rediscovering themselves and having the time of their lives. What's not to love about this book? Firstly, it's set in my beloved Greece, on Santorini; secondly it involves an art group and thirdly there are some great characters. The descriptions of the scenery and food immediately took me back and watching Meg believe in herself and find romance is heart-warming. I thoroughly enjoyed this light-hearted book from start to finish. I only hope there are more in the series.