Friends for Keeps: A BRAND NEW uplifting and witty story about friendship and fresh starts from Celia Anderson

by Celia Anderson

The BRAND NEW brilliantly relatable read from Celia Anderson, BESTSELLING author of A New Lease of Life. A seaside village, friends old and new… and a whole lot of surprises. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Celia tells a story with warmth and heart - you'll be rooting for her wonderfully vivid characters, and want them to be your friends too!' Fiona Gibson

Violet Silverwood loves her life by the sea in East Sussex, but as a widow with grown-up children, she’s ready for a new sense of purpose – and more fun! So, along with her outspoken best friend Marigold and their surprising new neighbour Iggy, Violet launches ‘The Seaside Singles’ Club’, for people who refuse to believe that friendship (or romance) has an age limit.

Meanwhile, Violet’s daughter Beth arrives home hoping for some breathing space, but is swiftly pulled into village life and her mother’s plans, as well as coming face-to-face with an old flame.

As mother and daughter navigate old tensions and new beginnings, they discover that life truly is better… together.

Warm, witty and full of heart, Friends for Keeps is an uplifting celebration of fresh starts, community and the courage to open yourself up to life again.

Praise for Celia

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Warm, romantic and different, in the very best way' Katie Fforde

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Celia's stories are always a delightful read.' Bella Osborne

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I absolutely adored it!' Ruth Hogan

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Celia Anderson's characters leap from the page in her beautifully observed stories.' Sue Moorcroft

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A gorgeous, uplifting, poignant tale of love, friendship and second chances... A treat of a novel' Annie Lyons

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Wonderful characters make this a great read' Good Housekeeping

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Unforgettable' Woman’s Weekly

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 2, 2026

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Reviews

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends for Keeps is the first book I’ve read by Celia Anderson, but it absolutely won’t be the last (some of her books are already in my TBR pile). This “golden years” story, which takes place in a village along the East Sussex coast (Lower Linnets and Upper Linnets) was just what I needed. It’s a fantastic reminder that it’s never too late to have the life you’ve dreamed of, whether it’s making new friends, falling in love, or trying new things. The two main characters are Violet and her lifelong BFF, the spitfire and hilarious Marigold. Both women are 70. Violet is a widow, and Marigold has never married. Together, they decide to start a friendship club, The Seaside Singles Club, to bring others of a “certain age” together in friendship and, yes, possible romance. I loved getting to know all the delightful characters, including Violet’s daughter Beth, who returns home after her marriage ends, the mysterious Ignatius Kent, Zac, Hazel, Rab, and all the regulars at the Jolly Jack Tar pub. Thanks to Ms. Anderson, I not only felt like I was right there with them all but also that I wanted to stay!

A secondary plot line involved three older couples who come to the area to book their triple wedding, and again, the characters (which I’ve learned were introduced in other books by the author, and now I can’t wait to read those) and situations are so well-written that you can’t help laughing along with them. I’d happily raise a glass of fizz to toast their happiness. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the eARC. My review is my unbiased opinion.

[Mary Lawrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great story, a perfect summer read. It’s a lovely tale about three generations of the Silverwood family, set in the gorgeous village of Lower Linnet by the sea in East Sussex. Lower Linnet is one of those lovely villages, with a real sense of community, a village shop & pub at its centre along with plenty of friendly locals.

The main characters are three members of the Silverwood family. Empty nesters Violet & Charlie Silverwood moved to Lower Linnet a few years ago having spent many family holidays there. Sadly Charlie died recently & Violet’s life feels a bit empty, although though her best friend Marigold lives close by. Her house suddenly fills up as recently divorced daughter Beth comes to stay with her dog Gwendoline, followed soon after by her nine year old grandson Woody. Violet & Marigold concoct a scheme to start the Seaside Singles Club to help combat loneliness in the neighbourhood, & life is suddenly busy. Beth & Woody get drawn into village life & helping with this which is life-changing for them both.

There’s some great supporting characters, including Violet’s new neighbour Iggy, who she met on the beach early one morning in unusual circumstances & Rab, Beth’s ex from before they went off to university. The seaside setting is delightful, an integral part of the story. It’s a funny, hopeful story of love & second chances across the generations, a great summer read.

Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for an arc of this book which I am reviewing voluntarily. All opinions are my own.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friends for Keeps is a warm, breezy delight set against the charm of the East Sussex coast. Celia Anderson brings together friendship, second chances, and a dash of seaside sparkle in a way that feels both comforting and refreshingly hopeful.

Violet is such a joy to follow – a woman who’s ready to step into a new chapter with humour, heart, and a little mischief. Her partnership with Marigold is wonderfully vibrant, and the addition of Iggy brings an unexpected twist that makes their newly formed Seaside Singles Club even more fun. The dynamic between the three is full of wit and genuine affection, and it’s impossible not to root for them.

Beth’s return home adds a lovely emotional layer. Watching mother and daughter navigate old tensions, rediscover their bond, and face their own fresh starts gives the story real depth. The village community feels alive, and the threads of romance are gentle, uplifting, and perfectly timed.

Overall, this is a charming, feel‑good read about embracing change, finding connection at any age, and remembering that life is always richer when shared. A perfect pick for anyone who loves character‑driven stories with heart, humour, and a beautiful coastal backdrop.

With thanks to Celia Anderson, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Debbie Southwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and was disappointed when it ended because I wanted to read more about Beth and her Mum Violet. Violets Husband died and she keeps hounding her children about what to do with the ashes. Beth has moved back home following a break up from her husband and here she bumps into her first love Rab whose Dad still lives in the village. Violet lives next to her best friend Marigold however has become friends with Iggy who has moved into the cottage a few doors away however has only come to the village to end his life.
Violet and Marigold have created a new friendship group however Violet finds herself juggling having her Daughter back home, her Grandson coming to stay due to his Mum having an accident and providing food for the pub.
The characters the saga louts from another of Fiona’s books, Life in the Old Girls Yet, make an appearance and I loved the cross over which worked really well.
The story was ultimately of friendship and second chances and a really enjoyable story.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun read mainly about a bunch of older characters. The characters are all outstanding on their own. Izzy, who climbs out of the ocean naked to help one of the female characters really stood out (no pun intended). His intent was to drown himself in the ocean, but he couldn't resist trying to make her feel less alone. His story is pretty much the overall point of the book. He comes to realize that there is a point to life and it is worth continuing to live. Friendships are made and they really support each other. There is even a group formed for people their age who are lonely. Sounds perfect to me!

Celia Anderson books are always a treat to read and a very pleasant way to pass time. The characters always stand out.

Thanks to Boldwood Books for the ebook via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual in my reviews, I will not reveal the plot, or rehash the publisher's blurb!

This is a relaxing and entertaining read, set by the sea. Although most of the characters are new, there are "guest appearances" by some old friends from the "Saga Louts" series by this author (which I've read and enjoyed). It was good to see how the characters interacted with the new ones in this new setting.

Although this is quite a light-hearted read on the whole, it also deals with some darker topics such as suicidal thoughts, bereavement, and broken romance. However the overall theme is one of "second chances" - discovering what you actually want in life and moving forward.

I look forward to reading more about these folks!

This would be an ideal holiday read - either on the beach or on the journey.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. All opinions my own.

[Felicity Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun read and good holiday reading.
Based on the East Sussex coast in a village community we meet Violet who has recently been widowed along with her family and friends. She is ready for a new chapter in her life when her daughter Beth makes a surprise visit which is longer than first expected. As the family start a new path in life with surprising jobs and the Seaside Singles Club, everything starts to come together for them.
There are brilliant characters Marigold, Rab and Ignatius in particular!
Some characters from previous books also come to visit, which is kind of lovely but also a bit odd as this book is quite different.
Easy light fun reading!
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood books for the early read.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this latest book from this author it was a lovely feel good read although it did cover some heavy topics but these were dealt with sensitively and was the perfect golden years story with great characters and such a brilliant sense of friendship and camaraderie. I felt by the authors descriptive writing that I was actually there living in the cottage on the beach and part of the beautifully sounding scenery. It was great to see well loved characters from previous books pop up here too.

This was the perfect summer read of second chances and friendships that also shows us life can still be fun at the age of 70 and that it’s never too late to start again and have new beginnings.

[Cyndi · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️ Rating: 2 Stars

Then follow with your review:

I really wanted to enjoy this one, but unfortunately it just wasn’t the book for me. The concept of three women starting a seaside singles club was fun and full of potential, and there were some sweet moments, humor, and themes of friendship and second chances throughout.

However, I found the story very slow-paced and struggled to stay engaged. It was nearly a DNF for me, but I always try to finish a book before reviewing it. While the writing was good, the story simply wasn’t my cup of tea.

Overall, a lovely concept with heartwarming themes, but not a book that personally worked for me.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying I really liked this book. I'm glad our library was able to order the large print, as a lot of our readers need that. The characters were likable and I got sucked in right away. My only dislike was the author inserting three couples that are planning a wedding. They only come up randomly, and were not really part of the story. The one connection to the others could have been handled another way. Just confused as to why they were included at all. Otherwise. a great book!
PS After reading other reviews, I see the three couples were from a different book by the author, however not having read that book, it still seemed very random to me to include them.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a fun read!

Generations come together in this story. Violet, Marigold and Iggy are seniors not yet ready to slow down. They feel there's a need for a club for other like-minded seniors, and The Seaside Singles Club is born!

When Violet's daughter Beth comes home, she is at first very surprised at this new venture, and a little appalled. Face it, it's never easy for adult children to return home and this sure wasn't. Throw in a second chance romance and the confusion that brings up for Beth!

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

[Mary C · Rating 3 out of 5]

While widow Violet Silverwood love living in East Sussex, she is eager to connect with other members of the community by starting The Seaside Singles Club. With the help of her daughter Beth, friend Marigold, new neighbor Iggy and the surprise arrival of her grandson, the group become more involved with the community. In addition, the Sag Louts, introduced in previous books, are on hand planning a triple wedding. Lovely story of family, friends and community.
#FriendsforKeeps #BoldwoodBooks #NetGalley

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about discovering, you are ready for a new sense of purpose. After Violet's husband passed away, she needed some fun and a new purpose. She, and her friend Marigold, and her neighbor Izzy started the Seaside Singles’ Club’. Violet's grown daughter, Beth came to visit, and they weren't close, but Beth felt like she had to come. As the story unfolds, they all learn a lot, they discover who they are now, and what life is looking like now as it unfolds.
I received an ARC from Boldwood Books through NetGalley.

[Firetruckmama · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.

‘Friends For Keeps” is by Celia Anderson. This book is about the importance of friendships, trying new things just because, and - overall - enjoying life with those you have around you. I think the overall idea of this book was a great one - a single club for friends - at any age, but especially for the older folks - is fantastic and I applaud it. If that type of adventure interest you, then pick up this book. For me, this book was a bit slow in places and it didn’t quite for for me.

[Irina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, enjoyable summer read.
I found it funny in places and I have really enjoyed the range of ages of the characters. It has themes of friendship at a later age and second chance love.

It's losing a star because it lulled in places so the pacing was a bit off and there were details I didn't really care about, they felt unnecessary to me.

But all in all, it's a great book for summer.

Read as an ARC through NetGalley, thank you so much:)

[Denice Langley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Violet and Marigold. Two women who have been told they are too old....but too old for what, and who gets to decide? As this group of people takes their lives into their own hands, readers are treated to an unusual journey. This heartwarming story makes you look at age a little differently.

[Linda S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really hate to DNF a book from NetGalley but I just could not get into this one. It was just way too slow for me. Life is too short to read books I am not enjoying! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Nikki Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now that I've reached the half century mark myself, I feel ever more drawn to books with older main characters. Especially those who do not follow a predictable path, who take the road less travelled or just out and out refuse to grow old quietly!

Such as is the story of the Silverwood's. Although this story actually covers the interaction between the three generations of the East Sussex family, it's main "stars" are Violet and her bestie Marigold.

Violet and her late hubby moved to Lower Linnet for a slower pace of life when they retired. Now dealing with her recent widowhood, Marigold now finds her house filling up with relatives once more when her daughter Beth gets divorced and she and her son Woody, and of course Gwendoline the fur baby, move in with Violet!

Violet and Marigold are sick of seeing those their own age give in to loneliness so they pump some energy into the little town with the Seaside Singles Club.

I love small town settings, they are such a microcosm of the world at large with cliques, factions, feuds, politics, etc. The town soon make a safe place to land for Beth and Woody and there are a few other endearing secondary characters who will worm their way into your heart. There's even a wee possibility of rekindled love for Beth when a boyfriend from her teenage years appears back in her life!

Lots of love, hope and humour!

[Anne Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an absolute delight - the friendship between Violet and Marigold (both quite wonderful characters), the introduction (a tad unconventional) of Iggy along with his own strong back story, the planning for the Seaside Singles Club, then the arrival of Violet’s daughter Beth, both navigating their adult relationship with all the mixed emotions it brings. The East Sussex coastal setting is perfectly captured, as is the community they’re all part of - and, as an unashamed fan of the author’s earlier books, I was thoroughly delighted by the newer arrivals and the part they played in the story. The romantic threads are gentle, laced with misunderstandings, and beautifully handled. There’s plenty of humour - but there’s a lot of emotional content too, everything perfectly balanced. A gorgeous story about fresh starts and new beginnings, with uplifting friendships, the strength of family shining through despite the many complications, and a group of individuals I really took to my heart - I loved it.