ONLY THE LONELY

by Grainne McGovern-Scott

In a quiet corner of the Cornish coast lies Beachcombers, a mobile home park where three old friends have weathered life’s tempests together. Laughter, grief, secrets, and supper clubs held together with too much pinot grigio.
Marjorie, Hetty, and Albert have earned their peace. But when Marjorie discovers a bag full of cash buried in the dunes, everything changes. What begins as a simple morning walk becomes a catalyst for memories long buried and choices long delayed.
As they grapple with what to do, the trio are forced to confront their the sons they lost, the love that slipped through their fingers, and the truths they’ve hidden even from each other for too long. Over seven days, they must decide - is this windfall a gift, a curse, or something in between?
Only the Lonely is a moving, funny and quietly daring novel about friendship, second chances, and the courage to choose your own ending - even if it means rewriting the past.

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 24, 2025

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only The Lonely by Grainne McGovern-scott is like a warm cup of tea shared with old friends—comforting, familiar, and just a little bit cheeky. It follows three golden-hearted companions: Marjorie and Hetty, besties since dinosaurs roamed the Earth (or at least since perms were fashionable), and Albert, the charming latecomer who’s been part of their circle for about a decade and clearly knows how to hold his own.

Each character gets a turn at the mic, sharing their story with honesty, wit, and the occasional emotional curveball. They also lovingly spill the beans on each other, because what are friends for if not a little gentle oversharing?

When Marjorie and Hetty head off on a trip to London, they don’t just pack their bags—they pack a fourth story, unfolding in real time with all the quirks and surprises of a travel adventure that’s less “Eat, Pray, Love” and more “Giggle, Gossip, Repeat.”

I genuinely enjoyed this book. Sure, it’s a tad predictable in places—but so is your favorite rom-com, and you still rewatch it every year. What makes this story shine is its simple charm, heartfelt characters, and the kind of warmth that sneaks up on you like a hug from someone who smells faintly of lavender and biscuits. Marjorie, Hetty, and Albert feel wonderfully real—like people you’d want to sit next to at a dinner party, or better yet, join for a cheeky afternoon sherry.

It’s different from anything I’ve read before—and for me, that’s a very good thing indeed.

[Kasey Stockon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading the synopsis of Only the Lonely and I have to say—it instantly pulled me in! The story of Marjorie, Hetty, and Albert sounds so heartfelt, layered with emotion, secrets, and the kind of friendships that stand the test of time. It truly feels like a must-read for me. I might not get the chance to dive in right away, but I’ll definitely be sharing it with my friends because it’s the kind of book that deserves to be read and talked about. Thank you for writing such a beautiful story!

[Rachelle Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this for my book club , had the pleasure of meeting the author too when she visited our book club .
Holidaying in Cornwall between Xmas and New year so a perfect read . Loved the characters , their back stories , friendships, and the setting . Needs a follow up story would recommend 5stars from me

[Naomie Barnabas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only the Lonely is a tender, witty, and soul-stirring story that beautifully captures the power of friendship, buried secrets, and the unexpected chances that can change everything even at the edge of old age.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a loveable book, with characters you just fall in love with! I loved this book from start to finish! I’d love to catch up with these characters again.