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Winifred Peters Is Not Sorry for Her Loss: A Warm, Uplifting Story of Female Friendship Against the Odds
Not yet published
Expected 9 Apr 26It's time to shake off the dust and make a new start... A warm, uplifting novel of bold adventures and new beginnings, perfect for readers of Rachel Joyce, Joanna Nell and Sophie Green.
'Warm, witty and wise - Winifred Peters is an absolute delight!' CELIA ANDERSON
'A joy from beginning to end' CJ WRAY
'Such warmth and humour... I cheered for Winifred over and over' JUDY LEIGH
When her husband departs, her adventure begins...
1933. In the tiny outback town of Bittamilla, Winifred Peters buries her husband after decades of dutiful silence, surrounded by her thankless grown-up children.
On discovering a surprise inheritance, Winifred makes a sudden decision to leave town, and when she encounters a young wife taking refuge from her husband, the two women board a train to bustling Sydney.
The city brings unexpected adventures, new friends and the chance to finally find their voices. But when the past catches up with them, will they be able to hold on to their fiercely won freedom?
Readers have fallen in love with Winifred
'Winifred is a heroine for anyone who's ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or quietly furious. Peppered with mishaps, laughter, and the kind of friendships that feel like lifelines'
'Well, Winifred Peters is quite a character. Her adventures made me laugh out loud several time while reading this book'
'Very enjoyable... reminded me of Miss Benson's Beetle so if you liked that book you will enjoy traveling along with Winnie'
'Written with a lot of heart and humour. It was uplifting and illustrated that one is never too old to transform their life for the better'
'A truly enjoyable read. I was completely invested in Winifred's story'
'Fun and heartwarming, with a satisfying ending. Recommend!'
'Warm, witty and wise - Winifred Peters is an absolute delight!' CELIA ANDERSON
'A joy from beginning to end' CJ WRAY
'Such warmth and humour... I cheered for Winifred over and over' JUDY LEIGH
When her husband departs, her adventure begins...
1933. In the tiny outback town of Bittamilla, Winifred Peters buries her husband after decades of dutiful silence, surrounded by her thankless grown-up children.
On discovering a surprise inheritance, Winifred makes a sudden decision to leave town, and when she encounters a young wife taking refuge from her husband, the two women board a train to bustling Sydney.
The city brings unexpected adventures, new friends and the chance to finally find their voices. But when the past catches up with them, will they be able to hold on to their fiercely won freedom?
Readers have fallen in love with Winifred
'Winifred is a heroine for anyone who's ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or quietly furious. Peppered with mishaps, laughter, and the kind of friendships that feel like lifelines'
'Well, Winifred Peters is quite a character. Her adventures made me laugh out loud several time while reading this book'
'Very enjoyable... reminded me of Miss Benson's Beetle so if you liked that book you will enjoy traveling along with Winnie'
'Written with a lot of heart and humour. It was uplifting and illustrated that one is never too old to transform their life for the better'
'A truly enjoyable read. I was completely invested in Winifred's story'
'Fun and heartwarming, with a satisfying ending. Recommend!'
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 9, 2026
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 20, 2025
Winifred Peters Is Not Sorry for her loss, by Louise Jensen Duffy is a very fun read!
With the death of her controlling, abusive husband and children who make her feel more like a burden than a cherished mother, Winifred is free to do whatever she desires.
However, her husband thinks he will control her even from his grave, leaving her with nothing but some old bonds that are believed to be useless.
He even leaves her home to their equally awful son.
While the children are arguing about where she will live, she discovers that those old bonds weren't useless at all; she receives quite a financial windfall.
Winifred informs her now groveling children that she will NOT be staying with any of them.
She is, in fact, going to take some time to escape this oppressive life she has been living all of these years with her abusive husband and horrible adult children.
Along the way, she befriends a young woman who is also running from an abusive relationship.
They strike up a friendship and the adventure begins.
This writing was great, with fun, well developed characters.
The adventures described in a way that made me feel as if I were right there with them.
There were laugh out loud moments.
I kept cheering for Winifred to stay the course when her children all tried to get the money.
This book is one to snuggle into on a chilly evening.
My thanks to Netgalley, Headline and Louise Jensen Duffy for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I highly recommend this one!
With the death of her controlling, abusive husband and children who make her feel more like a burden than a cherished mother, Winifred is free to do whatever she desires.
However, her husband thinks he will control her even from his grave, leaving her with nothing but some old bonds that are believed to be useless.
He even leaves her home to their equally awful son.
While the children are arguing about where she will live, she discovers that those old bonds weren't useless at all; she receives quite a financial windfall.
Winifred informs her now groveling children that she will NOT be staying with any of them.
She is, in fact, going to take some time to escape this oppressive life she has been living all of these years with her abusive husband and horrible adult children.
Along the way, she befriends a young woman who is also running from an abusive relationship.
They strike up a friendship and the adventure begins.
This writing was great, with fun, well developed characters.
The adventures described in a way that made me feel as if I were right there with them.
There were laugh out loud moments.
I kept cheering for Winifred to stay the course when her children all tried to get the money.
This book is one to snuggle into on a chilly evening.
My thanks to Netgalley, Headline and Louise Jensen Duffy for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I highly recommend this one!
October 24, 2025
Set against the sunbaked backdrop of 1930s Australia, this charming and quietly rebellious novel follows Winifred Peters as she steps out of the shadows of her past and into the light of unexpected freedom. After decades of dutiful silence, Winifred buries her husband—and with him, the life she never chose.
What begins as a funeral becomes a flight. Armed with a surprise inheritance and a fierce new resolve, Winifred escapes Bittamilla with a young woman in tow, both seeking refuge and reinvention. Their journey to Sydney is peppered with mishaps, laughter, and the kind of friendships that feel like lifelines.
The prose is witty and warm, with just enough bite to keep things honest. Winifred is a heroine for anyone who’s ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or quietly furious. Her transformation is tender, funny, and deeply satisfying—a reminder that it’s never too late to rewrite your story.
Perfect for fans of Joanna Nell and Rachel Joyce, this is a celebration of second chances, chosen family, and the joy of finally saying “no” so you can say “yes” to yourself.
My thanks to Louise Jensen Duffy, the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
What begins as a funeral becomes a flight. Armed with a surprise inheritance and a fierce new resolve, Winifred escapes Bittamilla with a young woman in tow, both seeking refuge and reinvention. Their journey to Sydney is peppered with mishaps, laughter, and the kind of friendships that feel like lifelines.
The prose is witty and warm, with just enough bite to keep things honest. Winifred is a heroine for anyone who’s ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or quietly furious. Her transformation is tender, funny, and deeply satisfying—a reminder that it’s never too late to rewrite your story.
Perfect for fans of Joanna Nell and Rachel Joyce, this is a celebration of second chances, chosen family, and the joy of finally saying “no” so you can say “yes” to yourself.
My thanks to Louise Jensen Duffy, the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
October 29, 2025
After burying her abusive husband and being left penniless and destitute, titular character Winifred Peters is already being treated like a burden by her ungrateful children. Upon discovering a financial windfall, the trajectory of her life changes instantly as she and a newfound friend embark on an adventure that will forever change their lives.
The novel was written with a lot of heart and humor. It was uplifting and illustrated that one is never too old to transform their life for the better. However, I felt that the book could have benefitted from a bit of editing. It was a little too long and repetitive.
Overall, this was a charming story. Recommended for anyone who likes stories centered on historical fiction, strong female friendships, and the evolution of a main character throughout a redemptive arc. Three and a half stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and Headline for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
The novel was written with a lot of heart and humor. It was uplifting and illustrated that one is never too old to transform their life for the better. However, I felt that the book could have benefitted from a bit of editing. It was a little too long and repetitive.
Overall, this was a charming story. Recommended for anyone who likes stories centered on historical fiction, strong female friendships, and the evolution of a main character throughout a redemptive arc. Three and a half stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and Headline for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 20, 2025
When Winnifred Peters' domineering husband unexpectedly dies, her life undergoes a sea change. Because after living in hardship for most of her married life, and raising numerous children - none of whom see their mother as a person in her own right - Winnie discovers that some of the apparently worthless stocks her husband left her have turned out to be very valuable indeed.
What follows is a madcap historical adventure which takes Winnie from the farthest ends of the Australian Outback to the highlife in Sydney, as she makes friends, spends money, and begins to discover who she really is and what she wants from life - none of which goes down very well with her outraged children...
Funny, touching, and memorable, Louise Jensen Duffy introduces us to a lively group of women and an appealing protagonist in Winnie herself. Don't miss this one, especially if you are in need of a pick me up!
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
What follows is a madcap historical adventure which takes Winnie from the farthest ends of the Australian Outback to the highlife in Sydney, as she makes friends, spends money, and begins to discover who she really is and what she wants from life - none of which goes down very well with her outraged children...
Funny, touching, and memorable, Louise Jensen Duffy introduces us to a lively group of women and an appealing protagonist in Winnie herself. Don't miss this one, especially if you are in need of a pick me up!
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a fun, feel-good, and at times laugh-out-loud read.
Set in outback Australia in 1931, Winifred Peters is relieved to finally be free of her oppressive husband when he dies — only to discover he’s left her penniless, with nothing but a stack of worthless shares and a house full of knick-knacks to be sold off and divided between two of their sons.
Things soon take an unexpected turn, though. Alongside Ruby, another woman from Battamilla, Winifred finds herself on an unplanned trip to Sydney, where a chance encounter changes the course of her life.
The characters have real depth and personality, with plenty of often unintentional humour born from sheer obliviousness. Jensen paints a vivid picture of 1930s Australia, capturing both the prejudice and the struggles faced by women at the time, while also celebrating the strength and power of female friendship.
Many thanks to Hachette Australia & New Zealand for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley
This was a fun, feel-good, and at times laugh-out-loud read.
Set in outback Australia in 1931, Winifred Peters is relieved to finally be free of her oppressive husband when he dies — only to discover he’s left her penniless, with nothing but a stack of worthless shares and a house full of knick-knacks to be sold off and divided between two of their sons.
Things soon take an unexpected turn, though. Alongside Ruby, another woman from Battamilla, Winifred finds herself on an unplanned trip to Sydney, where a chance encounter changes the course of her life.
The characters have real depth and personality, with plenty of often unintentional humour born from sheer obliviousness. Jensen paints a vivid picture of 1930s Australia, capturing both the prejudice and the struggles faced by women at the time, while also celebrating the strength and power of female friendship.
Many thanks to Hachette Australia & New Zealand for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley
October 24, 2025
Mrs Peters is Not Sorry for Her Loss by Louise Jenson Duffy is a truly enjoyable read. I was completely invested in Winifred’s story, and all of the characters felt so well developed. The writing was excellent, and I went through such a range of emotions while reading.
After an abusive marriage, Winnie's finally given the chance to live exactly as she pleases, and watching her transformation was deeply satisfying. I found myself cheering for her as she discovered her freedom and began to experience kindness, friendship, as well as a new sense of courage and identity.
I even woke up thinking about this book the next morning; this is always a sign of a great read for me! The pacing was spot on, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
I received an advance review copy from NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
After an abusive marriage, Winnie's finally given the chance to live exactly as she pleases, and watching her transformation was deeply satisfying. I found myself cheering for her as she discovered her freedom and began to experience kindness, friendship, as well as a new sense of courage and identity.
I even woke up thinking about this book the next morning; this is always a sign of a great read for me! The pacing was spot on, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
I received an advance review copy from NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Winifred Peters Is Not Sorry for Her Loss had a mix of genuinely funny moments and more serious, thoughtful ones, and I appreciated the attempt to balance humor with grief. When it worked, it really worked.
That said, my copy felt like it still needed a fair amount of editing. Some sections dragged on longer than necessary, while other moments that could have benefited from more depth were rushed past too quickly. The uneven pacing made it harder for me to stay fully engaged.
Overall, there’s a good story here and I liked the concept, but the execution didn’t quite come together for me. A solid, okay read, but not one that fully lived up to its potential.
Thanks to Net Galley for the advanced copy. This is set to publish on April 9, 2026.
That said, my copy felt like it still needed a fair amount of editing. Some sections dragged on longer than necessary, while other moments that could have benefited from more depth were rushed past too quickly. The uneven pacing made it harder for me to stay fully engaged.
Overall, there’s a good story here and I liked the concept, but the execution didn’t quite come together for me. A solid, okay read, but not one that fully lived up to its potential.
Thanks to Net Galley for the advanced copy. This is set to publish on April 9, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What an absolutely wonderful story.
Winifred Peter's lives in a small rural, Australian town in 1933 and has just lost her husband. But is she actually sad about it? Not surprising for the time, she isn't left with much in the will, except for some shares.
Sick of her children and the town, she befriends Ruby at the train station and they head towards Sydney but what becomes of them in the big smoke?
Dry humour and formidable female friendships are a pure delight. What will the women do to support each other? Is there a line they won't cross?
This novel is full of Australian charm, wit, humour and wonderful characters.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette Au for a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Winifred Peter's lives in a small rural, Australian town in 1933 and has just lost her husband. But is she actually sad about it? Not surprising for the time, she isn't left with much in the will, except for some shares.
Sick of her children and the town, she befriends Ruby at the train station and they head towards Sydney but what becomes of them in the big smoke?
Dry humour and formidable female friendships are a pure delight. What will the women do to support each other? Is there a line they won't cross?
This novel is full of Australian charm, wit, humour and wonderful characters.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette Au for a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 21, 2025
Winifred Peters is Not Sorry For Her Loss was a very enjoyable story, an easy read with characters I really cared about. As the novel opens Winifred's domineering husband dies and she is finally able to escape her sad, small town life and figure out how to live. Happily she discovers that her cheap, stingy husband actually left her quite a bit of money and we follow along as she heads for Sydney and all life has to offer when she is no longer under her husband's thumb. In many ways the book reminded me of Mrs. Benson's Beetle so if you liked that book you will enjoy traveling along with Winnie.
October 23, 2025
Well.., Winifred Peters is quite a character. Her adventures made me laugh out loud several time while reading this book. I can easily imagine the author having fun writing this book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews