The Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch: A Novel

by Laura Jensen Walker

From the author of Death of a Flying Nightingale comes the moving story of a solitary seventy-year-old curmudgeon embracing the connection of family and daring to follow her dreams.

Primrose Honeychurch doesn’t really “get” people. Books, though, make perfect sense.

At seventy, the sharp-tongued recluse prefers to keep company with her own routines. But when a life-altering diagnosis leaves her worried she’ll never be missed, she decides it’s finally time to do something to leave her something no one will ever forget.

Clutching her mother’s ashes and the book of her heart, Primrose hops on a plane, bound for Hay-on-Wye, the legendary Welsh “Town of Books.” Unfortunately, her literary pilgrimage just won’t follow the plot. After an accident derails her trip, she finds herself staying awhile with estranged family. But she senses a kindred spirit in the niece she’s getting to know, who uncannily understands the world much the same as Primrose herself does.

As rolling green hills and book-lined streets frame an unexpected season of discovery, what began as an unwelcome detour becomes something more profound. For the first time in her life, Primrose begins to glimpse the beauty—and courage—of true human connection.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary, Cozy

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 20, 2026

About the author

Laura Jensen Walker is the author of several books, including the Lefty nominated historical fiction, DEATH OF A FLYING NIGHTINGALE, called "riveting and affecting" by NYT bestselling author Susan Elia MacNeal.

Laura's second historical, THE POSTMISTRESS OF PUDDLINGTON, also set in WWII England, has been called "a must read for fans of THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY," and releases in August 2026.

THE PILGRIMAGE OF PRIMROSE HONEYCHURCH, Laura's women's fiction debut about a solitary curmudgeonly senior who prefers books to people and sets off on a literary pilgrimage to "the Town of Books" in Wales, releases in October 2026. "A heartfelt exploration of courage, reinvention, and the quiet bravery it takes to choose a different life." -Emily Colin, NYT bestselling author of THE MEMORY THIEF.

Laura is also the author of several fun mysteries, including the Agatha-nominated MURDER MOST SWEET, and 2006's THE ALPHABET SLEUTHS. (Think The Golden Girls meets The Thursday Murder Club.)

Reviews

[Victoria Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch by Laura Jensen Walker is one of those rare books that is deeply moving and emotionally satisfying without offering any hint of saccharine sweetness. Following the main character, an older woman whose life has been limited by her abusive father and her neurodiversity, the novel manages to make you immediately root for Primrose despite her prickly personality. Her determination to deliver her beloved mother's ashes to her mom's hometown in Cornwall, her love of books and reading, and her desire to share her children's story with the world, grants this isolated woman the courage to dramatically change late in life. Not too late, which is one of the major beauties of this novel -- Primrose finally finding a warm, welcoming family in her eclectic group of energetic cousins provides the grounding she needs to fully bloom. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy stories about family, books, self-discovery, and achieving one's dreams.

[Maddie Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely tale of a misfit seeking out meaning and family in a fraught time toward the end of Primrose's life. Walker draws complex characters and what brings them together in unexpected ways. Readers will love a tour of the English countryside as backdrop to Primrose's literary quest and her journey of the heart.

[Tami (New book - New day!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a quiet, profound magic in stories centered on characters who have lived a full seven decades, and Laura Jensen Walker’s *The Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch* captures this brilliance effortlessly. At seventy years old, Primrose Honeychurch is a sharp-tongued, solitary woman who has long preferred the predictable comfort of books over the messiness of human relationships. But as her story proves, it is never too late to open your heart, chase a new goal, or embark on a life-changing journey.

For fellow book lovers, one of the most delightful aspects of this novel is how deeply literary it feels. Primrose’s world is steeped in books, and having literary references woven directly into her journey makes reading her story feel like a warm, shared secret between booklovers. Her affection for the written word forms a relatable bridge into a character who might otherwise seem like a recluse.

At its heart, *The Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch* is a charming exploration of self-discovery and self-acceptance. Primrose’s unexpected detour—a trip to Wales that brings her back into contact with family—forces her out of her guarded routine and challenges her to be open-minded and brave. Watching her navigate this newfound openness is inspiring; it reminds us that growing older doesn't mean standing still, and that true courage often lies in letting down our walls.

Beyond Primrose’s personal growth, the novel carries a touching message about the vital importance of belonging and cultivating genuine human connections. It serves as a gentle reminder that leaving a lasting mark on the world doesn’t require grand, revolutionary changes. Instead, true legacy is found in the memories we leave behind in the hearts of those we love.

Thank you Netgalley and Brilliance Audio for introducing me to Walker.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bawled (cue the ugly cry) for the last half hour of this book. I was immediately taken with Primrose, her unique mind, and her cheekiness. A trip Cornwall and Wales was a nice added bonus as well ;) This was such a heartfelt story and I adored the unique cast of character so much. A reminder that it’s never too late to take a chance and truly fall in love with your life. There was sadness and hope. Any book that makes me cry the way this one did gets an automatic 5 stars.

Thank you to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for an Advance Listening Copy of this book.

[Bookstaglam Kira · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch
By Laura Jensen Walker
Release Date: 10.20.26
Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Thank you, Brilliance Publishing, for an ALC of the Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch.

Primrose, a septuagenarian, recluse, lover of words and books, receives a life ending diagnosis that makes her take the trip she has been meeting to take for her late Mother.

This is a character driven, slow build story that will have you cheering for the characters that people don't initially but grow to love. A coming of age that shows it's never too late to build those bonds, do the things, and make the trip.

This story grew on me as it progressed. I appreciated the awareness around neurodivergence. That ending was beautiful.

I would love to see the referenced fictional children's book from this story become a real life book. 🥰

For fans of the Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett and One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot.

Trigger warning: domestic violence, cancer.

Do you enjoy fictional stories about older main characters? What are your favorites?

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch is a gentle, heartwarming novel about family, connection, and finding purpose later in life. Primrose’s unique voice carries the story, and the English setting is wonderfully atmospheric. I loved spending time in Hay-on-Wye and could almost picture myself wandering through the bookshops.

While the story unfolds quietly, it never felt empty. Instead, it celebrates small acts of kindness, unexpected friendships, and the courage to open your heart. Readers looking for a reflective, cozy novel with memorable characters and a strong sense of place will find much to enjoy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch by Laura Jensen Walker is a recommended feel-good cozy novel - for the right reader. It follows yet another solitary curmudgeonly senior citizen who discovers it is never too late to changes her ways.

Primrose Honeychurch, 70 year-old and a retired librarian, lives in Los Vegas in a rental house and is an endling. She has always loved books more than people, with her dear mother being the exception. After her abusive father died, her mother became ill and died before the two could take a long-planned trip, returning to Cornwall to see her family and the place of their birth. Primrose, who has recently received a medical diagnosis of her own, is now going to undertake that pilgrimage with her mother's ashes. She is also going to visit other destinations, including the famed Welsh town of books. Her trip has several surprises along the way.

This is yet another novel in the increasingly familiar trope of an intractable senior taking some chance and then miraculously changing their whole personality and world view. While on the trip, Primrose discovers among other things, that she is neurodivergent and maybe she doesn't mind jibber-jabbering as much as she claims. This is heart-warming, predictable throughout, eye-roll inducing, and very saccharine. T'aint realistic at all. Set a massive dose of disbelief aside. I understand I am an outlier here. Those who love emotional, bittersweet stories where the protagonist undergoes a transformative change will love this novel.

Admittedly the novel lost major points with me right at the beginning when Primrose unplugs a freezer which is making a bothersome noise at night, accidentally leaves the door cracked open, and discovers, later the next day, the smell of rotten meat. I might believe it was all thawed, or partially thawed, but rotten? Nope. Ain't going to happen that way. Sure she's in Vegas, but her house does have air conditioning, which we know is true later in the plot. Also, as a character, she is portrayed as especially judgemental, demanding, and rude at the beginning which makes her difficult to like.

The Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch is a good choice for those who love transformative stories and can set all disbelief aside. Thanks to Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

https://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/...

[Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sounded perfect for me: Primrose is an aging bibliophile, neurodivergent, and on a pilgrimage to Hay-on-Wye. Unfortunately, the execution was disappointing. For a start, Primrose is not just neurodivergent. She is also rude, ungrateful and thoughtless of others. This is not my experience of neurodivergent people, so I assume this is just how the author chose to create the character. She is very unlikeable, despite a sympathetic backstory. On the other hand, the rest of the characters are far too likeable. They are as sweet as saccharine and do not behave like real people at all. I like happy endings, but the number here are unbelievable and became so predictable it was boring. There's a problem? Don't worry, it will be solved on the next page with minimal drama. This sounds like I hated the book. I didn't. I really liked the English and Welsh settings, and Primrose's backstory was interesting. It was an easy read. I just wanted more.

[Romy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know where to begin. I had such a lovely time reading this beautiful story. At first, I didn't like Primrose that much, but before I knew it, I was rooting for her, and she is without a doubt an amazing main character.

I don't have the words to explain how beautifully written Primrose's character is, and how much I learned from her. She is courageous, determined, and independent; despite her fears, Primrose is determined to step out of her comfort zone and start trying new things.

My favorite part is the not-so-unlikely friendship she develops with her niece Clover. Yes, there is a huge age gap, but they are both neurodivergent, and in Clover, Primrose finds somebody who understands her, but most importantly doesn't judge her.

This is Primrose's journey, through which we learn the importance of belonging and developing real connections; leaving a mark in a world doesn't always mean big changes; sometimes it's about the memories we leave behind in our loved ones' hearts.

Her story is also about self-discovery and self-acceptance, but also about being open-minded and brave. One of my favorite things about Primrose is her love for books and how she found haven in literature. But it is also important to remember that books should not be our entire world. We are social creatures after all. We crave connection and belonging.

This is the kind of story that speaks to your soul and gently invites you to reflect on things that we usually try to avoid, like our mortality or facing our fears. For me, this one is an absolute yes. Beautifully written, with lovable characters from whom we can learn, and a cast that is just as good. The story paints the kind of picture we would like to exist in the real world: Kind people, good friends, loving family.

[Lora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Primrose's longing to visit the book town of Hay-on-Wye is something I related to instantly — a place with books everywhere sounds like a dream trip come true, and that bookish heart runs all the way through this novel.
Primrose herself is wonderful. She begins as a bit of a grumpy old soul, but she's endearing and easy to love from the start. Over the course of the trip she discovers new qualities in herself and in those around her, slowly breaking through her protective shell. I appreciated how the story gives readers real understanding and warmth toward neurodivergent characters, woven naturally into the relationships and the gradual acceptance that grows between them.
And of course, there's the joy of the English countryside and the constant, loving references to beloved books throughout. This novel reads like safety and a warm snuggle. It was a delight to find a main character who shares my taste in books and British TV — that little thrill of recognition made it feel like reading with a kindred spirit.
There are tender and difficult threads here too — explorations of family, acceptance, and hard experiences. This is ultimately a moving and bittersweet story, so do prepare yourself emotionally going in. But at its heart it is a comforting, bookish, character-driven journey about opening up, finding connection, and the quiet magic of being among books.
Content warnings: spousal abuse, illness, death, loss, and themes around dying and end of life. Please note the story deals directly with death in a significant way — sensitive readers, particularly those grieving, may want to approach with care.

[Sarah Oakey · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot of bookstagrammers out there who will love this story!

A self professed unusual character, Primrose Honeychurch is 70 years old and lives in Las Vegas. She has never been married or had children and she has still not recovered from the death of her beloved mother.
When she recieces a diagnosis of stage 4 cancer she decides its finally time to take the pilgrimage her mother never did...back to her mother's home county of Cornwall in England!

Although the market is awash with the grumpy/sunshine trope I think there are few elements that set this story apart from the rest and I think some bookstas will love this book because Primose is a complete bookworm and there are many delicious references to wonderful classics. Also on her pilgrimage she visits the most beautiful places including Oxford, Stratford upon Avon and Hay on Wye ❤️.

It was the mention of Hay on Wye in the synopsis that drew me to this story. For me the grumpy/sunshine trope does come with an element of predictability and if I'm being completely honest, I personally struggled to warm to Primrose. I know she is referenced as neurodivergent, and of course we all experience and navigate the world in our own ways, but for me she came across more as a rather rude and grumpy old woman than someone I could really root for.

The book does lean heavily into the tourist's view of picture-postcard, quintessential Britain (scones and jam ahoy, la-di-daaa!), but I actually had no problem with that. Britain's quintessential-ness is, after all, one of its biggest selling points.

[Catherine Gaffney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so glad to receive an advance copy from NetGalley for "The Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch". As woman who received an ADHD diagnosis in my late 50s, I could relate to Primrose's slow realization of her neurodivergence as clues added up, and - more importantly - she saw similar traits in others whose diagnosis did not hinder their brilliance or creativity.

The cross-generational friendship between Primrose and her grand-niece Clover was among my favorite elements of this novel. Through their encounter and adventures, Primrose's concept of "family" is expanded and, I would even say, redeemed.

Having been to Hay-on-Wye in Wales, I adored the trek to the Town of Books. It is a truly magical place and I could almost smell the pages of all the books on shelves while reading.

There are tough things in the novel - like in life. And death. They are dealt with beautifully. I cried healing tears through the final chapters, in the best way.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and touching novel about regrets and courage. Primrose Honeychurch is a solitary seventy-year-old curmudgeon who doesn't really "get" people but understands books just fine. Clutching her mother's ashes and the book of her heart, she sets off on a literary pilgrimage to Hay-on-Wye — the legendary Welsh "Town of Books" — only to have an accident derail her plans and land her with estranged family. What follows is an unexpected season of discovery, especially when Primrose finds a kindred spirit in a niece who sees the world much the way she does.

The neurodivergent representation here is authentic — Walker herself was diagnosed as neurodivergent in her sixties, and Primrose was written from lived experience. It shows in every specific, careful detail of how Primrose moves through the world. I really enjoyed watching her growth, and Kristin Atherton's narration was great — she gives Primrose warmth without ever making her sensory-seeking or people-avoidance feel like quirks.

[Kristen Cook - A Book Ninja · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

I was not familiar with Laura Jensen Walker but I was drawn to the cover of this audiobook and the description.

Primrose Honeychurch is a seventy year old female who is headed to England to spread her mom's ashes. What was just to be a trip of closure resulted in connection with family, found family and a beautiful story.

I am all for stories about characters are a bit quirky and Primrose Honeychurch did not disappoint. I found myself able to relate to so much she said, thought and felt.

I enjoyed the narrator for all the characters except for Riley. This is a minor complaint but I felt that it made her sound immature and insincere.

Trigger warning: Definitely check out the trigger warnings for this book. This is not a light read but I did enjoy it. Some of the triggers would be domestic violence, child abuse, dementia, and cancer to name a few.

I received an Advance audiobook copy of this book from NetGalley and Brilliance Audio in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Becky | myhyggereads · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

I adored THE ALPHABET SLEUTHS by Walker, especially because of humour and mature characters, and I naively expected the same from this book. Oh my, was I wrong!

First off, having tissues nearby would be helpful while reading. There are some heavy topics addressed in this book, for example, domestic violence and death, and Walker doesn’t shy away from the candid reality of them.

Primrose, the main character, is seventy years old, extremely grumpy, a curmudgeon really, and (later revealed to be) neurodivergent. At times, her behaviour seemed harsh and borderline rude to me, especially towards her niece, Clove, and her work friend, Wendy, but she is also quite self-aware and makes amends in her own unique way. As the book progresses and she spends more time with her mum’s family, the Penroses, we see her soften gradually. The warm welcome displayed by the Penroses is truly heartwarming, and I’m so glad that they accepted Primrose as she is. This unconditional acceptance allows her to lower her guard a bit and appreciate the love of an extended family.

The English countryside setting was delightful, and all the talk of cups of tea and bickies served not only as moments of bonding but more lighthearted ones too.

This book reminds us that it truly is never too late to do what we want in life, and while parts of the ending gutted me, I finished the book with a smile on my face!

Special thanks to the author, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for my gifted advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[kw · Rating 5 out of 5]

At seventy, Primrose Honeychurch has spent a lifetime finding people far more baffling than books. Sharp-tongued, allergic to "jibber-jabber," and shaped by an abusive father who dismissed her as an oddball, she's built a quiet, solitary life around reading, writing, and cataloguing interesting words in a journal, a habit the novel echoes beautifully by opening each chapter with one. A frightening medical diagnosis becomes the push she needs to finally take the trip she and her late mother always dreamed of: scattering her mother's ashes in the Cornwall village where she grew up, and visiting Hay-on-Wye, the fabled Welsh town built entirely around bookshops.

Naturally, the pilgrimage doesn't go as planned. An accident derails Primrose's carefully mapped-out solo trip and strands her with her mother's estranged family, including her twenty-year-old niece Clover, a neurodivergent artist whose way of seeing the world turns out to be remarkably, movingly similar to Primrose's own. That connection becomes the emotional core of the book, and it's handled with real tenderness: through Clover, Primrose begins to understand herself, and the sense of lifelong "otherness" she's carried, in an entirely new light.

What makes this novel exceptional is its refusal to simplify. It's genuinely funny and atmospheric, Hay-on-Wye's twenty-plus bookshops are rendered so vividly you can practically wander them yourself, but it never shies away from real pain. Primrose's childhood, her father's abuse, the ways her mother quietly absorbed the worst of it to protect her, is difficult, sad material, and the book earns every bit of the grief it asks readers to sit with. Her late-in-life diagnosis, and the parallel discovery of her neurodivergence, are woven together thoughtfully rather than treated as a single tidy twist, and readers who see themselves in Primrose's experience of "always feeling weird" growing up may find those sections hit especially hard.

The character work is the novel's greatest strength. Primrose starts out prickly, even hard to like, but the slow thaw as she opens herself to Clover and the rest of the Penrose family feels completely earned, never rushed or sentimental for its own sake. Watching her build a found home in the UK, alongside the smaller thread of her children's book Bentley the Peculiar Bear finally finding an audience, gives the book a real sense of accumulated warmth by the end.

The ending is emotional, sad and uplifting in equal measure, dealing honestly with mortality, legacy, and the question of what we owe ourselves before it's too late. It's not always a comfortable read, but it's a deeply rewarding one: quietly beautiful, genuinely moving, and the kind of book that stays with you.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Primrose, as curmudgeonly as she was, was wonderfully written and completely likable. And Clover was an absolute gem. The author did such a beautiful job portraying neurodivergence through both characters. As the mother of a neurodivergent grown son, I recognized so many things in Primrose and Clover that felt authentic and familiar.

Although the ending was expected, you can’t help but hope for a miracle along the way and feel deeply for these characters. This book gave me all the feels—heart, humor, sadness, and ultimately, so much warmth. A lovely, memorable read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the Publisher and Author for the advanced copy.

[Book Bench · Rating 4 out of 5]

Primrose is the kind of narrator you would happily share a long ride with. The author gives her a voice full of good humor and quiet observation, and the pilgrimage frame keeps the whole story moving along. I enjoyed the premise immediately.

The people Primrose meets along the way each contribute to her understanding of herself, and those small adjustments accumulate into something genuinely moving by the final stretch. My own faith has been more about the journey for years, so this little pilgrimage felt like a friend walking a similar path.

Stories that make you hope for small things are doing the largest kind of work. Sweet and steady and relatable is a great combination.

[Sohana Nasrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch is tender, funny, and quietly moving. I was immediately drawn to Primrose—a prickly, solitary woman who understands books far better than she understands people—and to the idea of a literary pilgrimage to Hay-on-Wye.

What begins as a story about loneliness and grief gradually becomes one about family, belonging, and allowing yourself to connect with others, even late in life. Primrose can be difficult, but that is also what makes her feel wonderfully human. And, as someone who loves books, I found the bookish setting especially charming.

A warm, thoughtful story about discovering that it is never too late for your life to take an unexpected turn.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an advance copy.

[Stephanie Bull · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute gem!

Primrose Honeychurch is a seventy year old American who sets off on a pilgrimage to scatter her beloved mother's ashes in her native Cornwall and visit the bookish town of Hay on Wye. Primrose and her mother were inseparable, having suffered for many years at the hands of Primrose's abusive father. Primrose is a delightfully curmudgeonly character who endears herself to the reader immediately. Arriving in Cornwall, Primrose meets her loud and exuberant extended family who totally overwhelm the neurodivergent Primrose, however they warmly welcome her into their hearts.

This is a wonderfully warm, often emotional, and definitely not sentimental, story of courage and being brave enough to embrace change later in life. Laura Jensen Walker has a great sense of place with evocative descriptions of Cornwall and the bookish town of Hay on Wye. Beautifully written, this is the perfect book to curl up with on a stormy Autumn afternoon.

So many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my draft copy in return for my honest and unbiased review.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free digital copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway. All opinions are my own.

5⭐️ book! I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. Trigger warnings should be stated: Physical/Mental Abusive Relationship, Death of Parent, Cancer/Illness, Death/Dying. I would highly recommend this book if you are interested in a cozy-ish read full of self discovery and growth. It’s never too late to learn about yourself and others, or to have the adventure of a lifetime.

From a personal perspective the neurodivergent aspect of the story hit hard and was well done. Now I need a physical copy to add to my bookshelf, this is a book that I can see myself re-reading (which really says a lot)!

[Grace Topping · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book that will touch your heart, this is one. It tells the story of a woman's journey from living an isolated life to one where she discovers love and acceptance in a far-away land. Primrose is sharp-tongued (you later learn why), but you find yourself rooting for her. I highly recommend "The Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch" to anyone who would like to sigh when turning the last page.

[Susan · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

This was a cute but incredibly predictable end of life story. We learn about the childhood and life of Primrose as she approaches her own death. This was a good character study of a woman who hasn't had much say in her own life and how she tries to take some control at the end. I did love the characters and how they interacted with each other. A nice book to escape into!

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a gifted audiobook ARC from NetGalley of The Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch by Laura Jensen Walker. I loved this book, it was an uplifting experience and devastating at the same time. The pacing was perfect, the writing was beautiful and funny and easy to follow. The narrator, Kristin Atherton, did a wonderful job bringing the cast to life. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

[Caroline Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely heartfelt story which grabbed my attention from the very first page. I really warmed to the main character as well as the other women who came into her life. I thoroughly enjoyed Primrose's interactions with others and her reflections on her experiences. The author has done a brilliant job of weaving a story about neurodiversity without the information feeling forced. Heartwarming and heartbreaking, this was a joy to read and I didn't want it to end. It will be high on my recommendations list.

I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Dawn Griffith Hansard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely stunning book! I absolutely loved the characters and the location in Cornwall and Wales simply came alive. The Penrose women were such a beautiful example of what it means to be a family. The story of Primrose will definitely linger with me. Thanks #NetGalley #LakeUnionPublishing

[Barbara G. Graybill · Rating 5 out of 5]

PLEASE READ!

I can only say that I loved this book. It made me laugh and it made me cry. It gives warmth and strength to the concepts of life and death, family love, and how we are all different. Love is the unifying factor that only we can open

[Cheryl · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read an ARC of this book, I absolutely loved it and the characters were fabulous, I was said when I finished the book as I had to say goodbye to the characters within.

[Pam Inman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow...wow...wow! What can I say? This story made me have ALL the emotions. I laughed, got angry, and I cried (big crocodile tears!).

In The Pilgrimage of Primrose Honeychurch, Primrose, a quirky 70-year-old living in Nevada, goes way outside of her comfort zone to scatter her mother's ashes in Cornwall, UK. She makes some self-discoveries along the way, meets long-lost relatives, and makes new friends on this journey. While she may rub some people the wrong way in the beginning, I just don't see how it is possible not to eventually and absolutely adore this woman.

I have to thank the author for bringing awareness to the term "neurodivergent." I had never heard of it before. After doing some of my own research, I found that it answered some of my own questions going back to my childhood.

And then, to top it all off, the literary references in this book made me so happy! The titles, the stories, the bookstores, the libraries, and Hay-on-Wye, my new bucket-list destination!

I will mention, and I don't think it is a spoiler, that there is a trigger warning for domestic violence.

All in all, I can't express enough how much I loved this book! Another 5-star NetGalley read for me!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy!

[Lola · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy from the publisher through Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

This book caught my eye when I saw it on Netgalley and I liked the idea of reading a book about a seventy year old character finding out she's neurodivergent. This was one of those books where after reading the blurb I had got some wrong expectations, I thought the diagnosis mentioned in the blurb was her neurodivergence diagnosis, but it is not. There is still her journey about discovering she's neurodivergent, but there are also parts about her diagnosis and how that leads her to go to UK and deal with some things.

This book is a tough one to review and rate for me, because I think it's a good book, but it also was hard to read at times. It made me feel and even cry at the end. I also think it's not necessary a book I always enjoyed because of the hard and sad parts, but it certainly left an impact. It is well written and I liked the character development and seeing Primrose deal with everything on her path. The ending however is very sad, but also uplifting in a way. It deals with themes of what we leave behind after we're gone as well as what you really want out of life and what's important.

I also struggled with this book at times especially when it came to Primrose remembering her past as there is something just so deeply sad about this, probably because I could relate so much to the neurodivergent parts and not knowing that while growing up and always feeling weird. The parts that dealt with Primrose's past and how she grew up where tough to read for me. I just felt so bad for Primrose that she had such a hard life with her abusive father and by the time her father died, her mother doesn’t have long to live anymore and now while Primrose is seventy year old she finally has to chance to really life and do what she wants and I just thought that was very sad. I did like she always had her books to escape in. It is also uplifting and hopeful with how Primrose finds family and a home in the UK and that was wodnerful, but I couldn't quite shake the heaviness and deep sadness and that made it hard to fully enjoy this book.

Now having said all that I actually did mostly enjoy this book. I thought Primrose was very relatable, even though I didn't always like her at first, she really came across as a curmudgeon at first. I liked getting to know her character more and I did understood why she acted the way she did. I liked seeing her find her family in the UK and connecting with them and especially her connection with her niece Clover was very well written. It was heartwarming to see how the Penrose family embraced her and welcomed her and how she really found a home there. I also liked the plot line about Primrose's book Bentley a Peculiar Bear and how she was trying to find a home for the book and eventually ends up sharing the story with people. Her journey of finding out she's neurodivergent was also interesting and I liked how that helped her understand herself more.

To summarize: This book really left an impact, it is well written interesting story about a seventy year old discovering she's neurodivergent and finding her family in the UK while dealing with a recent diagnosis. This could be quite an emotional read at times and the ending made me cry. Primrose felt relatable with her neurodivergent traits and I liked seeing her find her out she's neurodivergent. It did take me some time to fully warm up to her. There's also something deeply sad to me about how Primrose lived most of her life with an abusive father and only now toward the end finds her place to belong. I liked the story of Primrose's journey to the UK and the book city she wants to visit and connecting with her UK family while she's there. I especially liked her connection with her niece Clover. The story about the book Primrose has written is great too. This book deals with topics of finding your way and family as well as what we leave behind after we're gone. I am glad I read this book, but it was a tough one to read at times.