Second Time Around

by Marcia Willett

When Mathilda Rainbird bequeaths her beautiful house in a Devonshire cove to three unknown relatives, she brings together a group of people who all secretly yearn for a sense of belonging. Tessa, a delightful twenty-two-year-old, still misses her dead parents and brother but has learned that it is better to be alone than to be with the wrong people. Will, a retired widow, is by nature a positive man. Enchanted by Mathilda's house and drawn to Isobel, Mathilda's housekeeper who still lives in the cove, he sees life taking an exciting turn. Beatrice, a retired prep-school matron, thinks the idea of living with her cousins is preposterous. But a magical Christmas spent in the cove soon wins her over. As they muck in together it is as though they have known each other all their lives. Isobel, who still grieves for her dear friend, recognises Mathilda in each one of them as she is warmly accepted as part of this delightful and truly extraordinary family.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

375 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1998

About the author

Marcia Willett began her career as a novelist when she was fifty years old. Since that first novel Marcia has written twenty more under her own name as well as a number of short stories. She has also written four books under the pseudonym "Willa Marsh", and is published in more than sixteen countries.
Marcia Willett's early life was devoted to the ballet, but her dreams of becoming a ballerina ended when she grew out of the classical proportions required. She had always loved books, and a family crisis made her take up a new career as a novelist - a decision she had never regretted.

Reviews

[Judy Bawks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge Rosamunde Pilcher fan. I don't enjoy "romance novels" but will read fiction whose characters are imperfect, human, and struggle in relationships (as we all do). I love a book with complex characters, people I can feel empathy for as they work their way through the experiences that happen to them. I love to reread favorite books, and Rosemunde is one I frequently reread - whether it's the Scottish/English countryside or the simple life the characters enjoy, I love returning to those people and gatherings and relationships.
I never thought I would find anyone even comparable, but I bought this book because the author was compared to Ms Pilcher. I was not disappointed. The characters were complex, with issues and problems, but likeable and believable, and the story had enough twists that I enjoyed living with these folks as the story moved along. I look forward to reading more of her books.
Although nothing will probably ever touch my love for all of the Pilcher novels, Ms Willett came awfully close!

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘But how do you define happiness?’ she heard Mathilda asking. ‘Do you mean joy? Or do you mean contentment? If you mean some kind of ephemeral excitement bound up with physical gratification, then I must reject your values.’…

And did you find happiness?’ ‘No. But it was worth trying for, surely?’ Isobel looked out over the dazzling brilliance of the sea, hearing Mathilda’s voice in reply. ‘That rather depends on what you lost in the attempt.’

I am so glad I gave Marcia Willett a try. She reminds me of Rosamunde Pilcher, who is one of my favorite authors. Like Pilcher, or another favorite, D.E. Stevenson, she is not an author to read if you like a lot of action, situations, or chatty funny dialogue. If you race through books because you can’t wait to read what happens next, this book is not for you. (Hey I like books like that too sometimes!) But if you like to read thoughtful and sometimes tender writing, if you like to get to know the characters like friends with all of their layers and complexities, if you like to be dropped into a whole world described in detail and like to linger on a sentence or a paragraph sometimes, you might want to give this book a try.

It centers around 4 strangers who have been disappointed in their lives in some way who come together to share an inheritance through the death of a 5th person, Mathilda, whom we also come to know and care about as well. The book seems to center mostly on Isabelle, her friend, tenant, and housekeeper, with the other players each having their own interesting journeys and second chances. Isabelle is a 40-something woman who, bored and vaguely disappointed in her marriage cheats on her perfectly nice and loving husband and by proxy her young teenage daughter. When she regains her sanity she fully expects to be welcomed back to her little family. She is sorely disappointed.

‘What did you expect?’ asked her daughter. ‘Did you expect him to fall on his knees and kiss your feet?’ ‘No,’ said Isobel wearily—but she knew that she had expected just that.

I was struck by the fact that Marcia does not make a blameless, sweet woman who has done no wrong one of her main protagonists. That role is filled by Tessa. She is a young woman who was left an orphan at an early age and who has always longed for a home and family. She has nurtured a lifelong crush on one of the sons of a family who is close to her. When he impulsively proposes to her, of course she gratefully accepts. Is this her dream come true at last?

The other two main characters are Bea and Will. Bea is the matron (or headmistress) of a boys school who, when she retires, finds she has not only lost her position but her home and very identity. And that she has lost them forever. Because you can’t go home again, can you?

At first her old friends had greeted her welcomingly and with affection but, when they realised that she was not just on a visit but had rented a flat in the town, their reactions altered. There was a certain raising of eyebrows which indicated surprise and, in some cases, faint disapproval…On the odd occasions when she’d popped into the school for a chat there had been an undercurrent of suspicion; a ‘What’s she doing here?’ atmosphere which had made her feel uncomfortable…she realised how important her job had been. It had given her status, a title and a position within the community. Now she was no one; Matron no longer, nobody’s mother or wife or child or aunt, just Bea.

Will is an attractive middle-aged widower who, longing for the love and home he did not find with his late wife, quickly falls in love with one of new friends and mutual beneficiaries.

His life had been a quiet one, his administrative work unexciting—rather like his marriage. His Swiss wife had been older than he but he had been attracted by her calm blonde beauty, her smiling good-natured charm. Later—too late—he had discovered that her calm good nature masked an unthinking indifference to life but Will was a loyal man and no one, least of all Bierta, guessed at his disappointment.

Yes, by the end they all get their second chances and paths to happy futures. (Whilst tangling with a scoundrel of an antique dealer). But not in the way you might expect. Necessarily. It is a restful book and yes, I could put it down. But I always looked forward to picking it up again. I am already trying to decide which Marcia Willet is next for me. I am happy there are so many to choose from.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

People make mistakes, have to suffer the consequences, but also experience forgiveness and move on with their lives. Strangers meet and become friends closer than family. This is my favorite Marcia Willett book of the eleven that I've read so far!
***Favorite quote:
She had thrown away love, respect, contentment, security; she had mistaken the shadow for the substance and now must live with the consequences.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book. It's about four diverse people. Firstly Isobel, recently separated from her husband and estranged from her daughter, she becomes companion and housekeeper to the elderly Mathilda Rainbird. Then there are three distant relations, to whom Mathilda bequeathes her coastal house. None of them know her, or each other, and all are lonely in their different ways. There's a recently widowed man who has lived in Switzerland, the just-retired matron of a boys' school, and a young woman who is slowly carving out a career for herself in dog-minding.

The book is character-driven. These people, each with their own story and some painful circumstances, come together and find a surprising rapport. It's relaxing and comforting, and if I could give it four and a half stars, I would do so! One or two people from previous Marcia Willett books come into this novel, but it's not necessary to have read any of them beforehand.

[Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"If you can't be grateful for what you have received, be thankful for what you have escaped".
This story made me appreciate the bad decisions I did NOT make in my life! All that glitters is not gold.
This is a thoughtful read.

[Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

[CLM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willett has now mastered the Pilcher-like novel, with the added ability to gently reintroduce characters from previous books in a way that is not jarring for new readers.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very happy I tried this author. I was at a point where I was running out of authors to read. I have been a big fan of John Grisham, then I found similar authors - Lisa Scottoline - David Baldacci. Enjoyed those and have read most of their books. Recently after watching two Jack Reacher movies, I went looking for more books from the author. Enjoyed the movies but the books had an element to the character that I quickly became unhappy with, so I'm not reading those as often. All of these authors write high octane books and are often page turners.

Then I've gone the other way, Rosamunde Pilcher. LOVE her books! But there are not as many and she hasn't written series, her books are 'stand alone'. I really love to find a series that I can pick up one book after the other. I am trying to find an alternative author to her, because I'm running out of her titles to read. I tried Maeve Binchy. I know I read her a long time ago but couldn't remember what she was like and picked up a couple of her books recently. Nope. Her stories to me, are depressing. I wanted something to read during times of stress when I really need a distraction but, something relaxing. Maeve is off my list at this point, and Marcia Willett is now top of the list. Have read two of her books now and both were very enjoyable reads. I'm looking forward to reading many more.

This book like the first book I read, has a story line that is unlike most story lines I've read in this genre. The focus was not simply on a romantic relationship, but on extended family and finding your place in the world with people you love and love you. And the plot took this direction in a story line, that to me is unusual. When you have been a reader as long as I have, that is no small thing.

I thoroughly enjoyed all the characters and the relationship development between them. I loved the outcomes. Very satisfying and not cloyingly so either. Not all happy endings but satisfying endings with some happy endings as well. Nothing depressing about this book. And again, the descriptions of the natural settings...you can tell how much the author enjoys nature. And there were a lot of dogs in this story, which I love as well. I haven't checked yet, but I'm hoping there is a sequel to this book. Highly recommend this author!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isobel lives in the cottage adjacent to the house where Mathilda Rainbird lives. Isobel lives there rent-free in exchange for doing the cleaning and shopping and being a general companion to elderly Mathilda. When Mathilda dies, it is learned that she left her house to three distant relatives. None of them know of each other. When they see the property, two of them fall in love with its rural location while the other, from afar, wants to sell. And what of Isobel – can she stay or will she be forced out as well? How will they decide on a way forward?
This is one of her early books and I really enjoyed it. A nice cozy read. There are characters in this which show up again in later books so it was fun to read knowing a little of what was to come for them. I'll continue to read this author.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I liked the main characters in this book there were things that annoyed me, which is why I only gave it two stars. So many people have been killed off prior to the beginning of events - wives, husbands, children, parents. It seemed a lazy way to give characters the freedom to change their lives. There are three sets of twins, when two sets are rarely mentioned and being twins doesn't add anything to the story. Other people have mentioned the characters from previous books appeared in this one, so maybe that's why. The scenery often gets described in big chunks; so much thrown in all at once that it seems to exist outside of the story and it broke my attachment with what was going on with the characters.

[Jane Popiolek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up of the shelves (actually, in the reject pile) on holiday when the internet wasn’t working downstairs and got surprisingly taken by it. It’s by a story teller in the vein of Rosamund Pilcher 🥰 and extremely enjoyable. Lovely descriptions of Devon and the sea and the little house hidden in a cove. Some well drawn characters with whom you sympathise greatly. About making mistakes (Isobel) and compromising and not always getting what you want - life’s rarely perfect - but reminding the reader to look for the good in what they have. And that’s quite profound! Also, it was uplifting and with humour. There are a couple of bits that didn’t quite tie up - but very minor. I thought the book felt real and ‘old fashioned’ and I cared about the characters.

[Ann Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely pleasant feel good read. Matilda in her 80`s lives alone in an isolated house on the Devon coast. She has Isobel to do her shopping, to prepare her meals and to remind her to eat. Matilda has no family that she knows of so when she fears she does not have long to live she tracks down three distant family members and leaves her house to them. These three people are not aware of Matilda or each other, but then have to come together to decide what to do with the property.

[Ruth Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, gentle, feelgood read. I have been reading Marcia Willett's books for many years, and I have read this one before. I enjoy the way her characters appear over a number of books, it's like meeting old friends when the main characters from one book appear as support characters in someone else's story. In this story we meet Tessa, Will and Beatrice when they inherit a house from Mathilda Rainbird, and we catch up with Kate Webster and her son Giles.

[Valerie Dashwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cost and heartwarming

I like the way Marcia Willett draws you in bit by bit until you are so immersed in the characters and their lives. The descriptions of the Devon area are beautiful and make you want to visit the county, but you also feel the importance of recognising and appreciating nature in our lives and also to value family and friends.

[Helen Dundas · Rating 3 out of 5]

As always Marsha Willett paints a vivid & glorious picture of the countryside of which she writes. You can almost see yourself there. This was not one of my favourite of her novels. A bit wish-washy of a story for me. I loved “Will’s” character best. To many back & forth with everyone’s heart desires. However, that being said I believe l have read almost every book she has written.

[Michelle H · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an entertaining book in the spirit of Maeve Binchy. Easy to read and enjoyable. Sometimes you just need a simple book that doesn't make you work, and this is it. It was also fun to read a book from the 90's where an inability to get people on the phone instantly cause problems.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as good as ever - I don’t quite know how I missed this one before, a book to lose the hours

[Aimee Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fell on love with this book. Another amazi g story fabulous storyline and characters.

[Laura Mitir · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to live on the cove

[Margaret Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy reading

Love reading this book could actually get into the character while reading good storyline and a pleasant ending would recommend

[Katie Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't seem to stop reading these at the moment. Haven't re read this one as often in the past but enjoyed it this time

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and following the lives of the characters - seeing the value of family, who IS our family, and how people affect our lives. Nice story and well written.

[Donna Mcnab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again Marcia Willett produces lovely characters in wonderful surroundings. This book was satisfying and a pleasure to read.

[Kathy Spann · Rating 5 out of 5]

English Devon novel about an unlikely group of distant cousins that inherited a house on the shore from an unknown cousin. They are all at loose ends and must find a way to rub along together.

[Judy Beyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Warm and cuddly in Cornwall; a book to read when your brain just needs a break. Think Rosamund Pilcher and Mary Wesley. Good characterisation.

[Jane Gregg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ticking off the whole Marcia Willett back catalogue because someone has to.

[Beth J · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cozy, seaside, British read. Exactly what I was craving.

[Nicole Dyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

it took me longer to read it then I thought but it was a good story with interesting characters it felt kind of cozy.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always enjoyed this author and Rosamunde Pilcher. The best

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typical of this authors books, set in the South West, her writing tells the reader about the area so you feel you are there.

Mathilda leaves her house to 3 of her family, none of whom know each other; there's also her housekeeper to consider. The book is about the stories of these people, how they fit into the family and if they can live in this rather unconventional way.

I really enjoy reading this authors books and am looking forward to reading her whole book catalogue.