Lola Bloom The Flamingo Diaries: A Midlife Memoir-in-Motion

by Bree Penfold

Midlife is hard enough. Now imagine letting someone else make your decisions.



Meet Lola Bloom. Forty-something. Mum. Wife. Recent expat.



After leaving everything familiar behind in Canada for a fresh start in the UK, Lola is figuring out life in a new country while raising two teenage boys who suddenly don't need her quite so much anymore, navigating marriage, making new friends, and discovering who she is becoming now that she's hit her forties.



There are cultural misfires. Family chaos. Friendships that keep you sane. Decisions that seemed like a brilliant idea at the time. And plenty of what the hell am I doing? moments you eventually have to laugh at… because honestly, what else are you supposed to do?



But this isn't just Lola's story. You get to decide where it goes.



At the end of every chapter, you choose what Lola does next—and every decision sends her down a different path. Depending on what you choose, Lola might go viral in the most chaotic way possible, stir up small-town drama she never saw coming, make a decision she'll probably be laughing about over wine later... or stumble into exactly what she didn't realise she was looking for.



Some choices work out. Others result in the kind of spectacular fumble that makes a much better story afterwards. And if you're sitting there thinking, Lola... maybe don't—well, remember who made the choice. That's on you.



Life in your forties isn't about finally having all the answers. It's about discovering that everyone else is winging it too.



And Lola? She's starting to realise that not knowing exactly what comes next might not be such a bad thing. She's saying yes more. Worrying a little less about what she's supposed to be doing. And discovering that, honestly, the best stories rarely start with someone making sensible decisions.



Lola Bloom: The Flamingo Diaries is funny, relatable contemporary women's fiction about life after 40, starting over in a new country, friendship, family, marriage, second chances, and figuring out what you want when life looks nothing like you thought it would.



If you've ever wondered whether everyone else secretly has adulthood figured out, immediately Googled something you just confidently claimed you could handle, or thought okay... thank God it's not just me—welcome. You and Lola are going to get along just fine.



And when you reach the end? Go back and choose differently. Take the path you ignored the first time and discover another side of Lola's story. Because with four choices at the end of every chapter, there's always another but what if I'd...? waiting for you.



Start reading and make your choice. Choose wisely. Or don't. That's usually more entertaining.

523 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2025

About the author

Bree Penfold is a Canadian-born writer living in the English countryside, where she turns midlife chaos into fiction filled with humour, heart, and a dash of rebellion. Her own reinvention inspired The Flamingo Diaries, her debut novel. She writes for women navigating change and believes midlife isn’t an ending — it’s the start of the best chapter yet. Bree lives in Kent, UK with her family, a couple of unruly pets, and a devotion to strong coffee.

Reviews

[Yasmine Hardcastle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read a pre-publishing ARC to provide feedback and edits and then the final product. What a delight! It’s a strong debut novel with a great concept. As a fellow Canadian transplant in England and in the same age bracket, I could relate to so much!

[Jo H · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a 38 year old mum who has definitely lost some of her pink, I totally related to this book.

I loved the concept of choosing what chapter to read next - I’ve never read a book like that before and it was really fun. (Although as someone pointed out to me, Bree has basically written 4 books in 1 - crazy lady!)
I will definitely pick this book up again and choose another path when I need a pick-me-up, “because reinvention doesn’t happen just once. It happens everytime you choose differently!”

I laughed my way through this book, mostly because it was really relatable, but also because it’s bloody funny! But it’s also warm, heartfelt, encouraging, inspiring and wholesome. I loved all of the relationships that make up this book - new, old, tricky, loving, but all important and often very much needed! The epilogue got me!

The path I chose to read: Chapters 1, 2B, 3B, 4A, 5D, 6C, 7C, 8C, 9A, 10D, 11, Epilogue (for my own future reference!)

[Giselle Guido · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! I have never read a book with a choose your own adventure, and I loved it! I chose a different journey every time until I finished the book! Great humour throughout and I found myself laughing so hard I cried, on multiple occasions! Great read!!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is quite literally the definition of a gift that keeps on giving. Never in my adult life have a read a book that’s a choose your own adventure and I can say that I am officially obsessed!! Loved the raw honesty and relatability and can’t wait to see what other adventures Lola has in store. Also quite convinced I need to plan my own girls Barcelona trip as well!

[Grace Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and relatable.
I read this in short bites over a few days and it was satisfying to choose your own adventure, a bit like the video games from the 80’s.
Lola deserves a medal!

[Bree Penfold · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the author, all I’ll say is this: The Flamingo Diaries is the book I needed in midlife—something honest, funny, and hopeful.

If these pages remind even one reader that reinvention is possible at any age, then every late night writing session was worth it.

Thank you for picking it up. 💖🦩