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The Silver Ladies of Penny Lane
Tess and Orla have been best friends throughout most of their adult lives. So when life gave them lemons and their loved ones let them down, they pooled their resources and bought a dressmakers shop on the corner of Penny Lane. And they’ve been doing just fine ever since.
But one day, while studying her tired eyes and shapeless figure in the mirror, sixty-two-year-old Tess realised that she doesn’t want her life to be just fine anymore. She wants it to be extraordinary. For as long as she can remember she’s put everyone else first. Now she wants to rediscover herself – and experience the kind of whirlwind adventure that will have the power make her smile when she’s confined to the armchair of a retirement home.
With the encouragement of fun-loving and quirky Orla, Tess joins an over-the-hill dating agency and the two friends book a singles cruise around the Mediterranean. And that’s when their adventure of a lifetime really begins…
But one day, while studying her tired eyes and shapeless figure in the mirror, sixty-two-year-old Tess realised that she doesn’t want her life to be just fine anymore. She wants it to be extraordinary. For as long as she can remember she’s put everyone else first. Now she wants to rediscover herself – and experience the kind of whirlwind adventure that will have the power make her smile when she’s confined to the armchair of a retirement home.
With the encouragement of fun-loving and quirky Orla, Tess joins an over-the-hill dating agency and the two friends book a singles cruise around the Mediterranean. And that’s when their adventure of a lifetime really begins…
312 pages, Paperback
First published April 18, 2019
3078 people are currently reading
1891 people want to read
About the author
Dee MacDonald
16 books264 followersThe Runaway Wife is Dee’s first (published) novel but in fact she wrote her very first book – at around seven years of age! This was a love story which she duly illustrated before sewing all the pages together up one side. Writing was what she ‘was good at’ in school and she won several essay competitions, but then life got in the way and she didn’t pick up a pen again until after retirement.
Dee left Scotland and headed for London at the beginning of the swinging sixties. After typing her way round the West End she became an air stewardess on long haul routes with BA (then BOAC) for eight years. After that she did market research at Heathrow for both the government statistics and for BA, she became a sales rep and was the receptionist at the Thames Television Studios in Teddington when they had the franchise.
She then ran a small B&B for ten years in Cornwall, where she lives with her husband. Dee has one son and two grandsons who live locally.
Her second book, The Getaway Girls, will be published in July.
Dee left Scotland and headed for London at the beginning of the swinging sixties. After typing her way round the West End she became an air stewardess on long haul routes with BA (then BOAC) for eight years. After that she did market research at Heathrow for both the government statistics and for BA, she became a sales rep and was the receptionist at the Thames Television Studios in Teddington when they had the franchise.
She then ran a small B&B for ten years in Cornwall, where she lives with her husband. Dee has one son and two grandsons who live locally.
Her second book, The Getaway Girls, will be published in July.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 386 reviews
April 26, 2019
Dee MacDonald Rights delightful stories with engaging characters. This was a book that put a big smile on my face and swept me away into these characters lives. Tess and Orla we’re great characters and I enjoyed spending time with them. This was an upbeat heartwarming tale Full of heart and hope.
Tess and Orla are BFFs and own a dress shop for plus size women. Test the size she needs to make some changes before her daughter’s wedding including losing some weight and finding a date. Tess and Orla join a shady dating service and go on some pretty disastrous dates. There are some definite struggles when it comes to love and weight loss, but the friends are buy one another’s side. I really loved how supportive these ladies were of one another. I enjoyed watching Tess try to improve herself, but... I wish she could have come to realize she could do this without a man! Ugh too many times a woman improves her situation in a book by finding a man, I’m sure this is a personal pet peeve but still. I did however still truly enjoy this story, because these characters were so delightful.
An engaging story that will make you feel good! Live gloriously!
*** many thanks to Bookouture for my copy of this book ***
Tess and Orla are BFFs and own a dress shop for plus size women. Test the size she needs to make some changes before her daughter’s wedding including losing some weight and finding a date. Tess and Orla join a shady dating service and go on some pretty disastrous dates. There are some definite struggles when it comes to love and weight loss, but the friends are buy one another’s side. I really loved how supportive these ladies were of one another. I enjoyed watching Tess try to improve herself, but... I wish she could have come to realize she could do this without a man! Ugh too many times a woman improves her situation in a book by finding a man, I’m sure this is a personal pet peeve but still. I did however still truly enjoy this story, because these characters were so delightful.
An engaging story that will make you feel good! Live gloriously!
*** many thanks to Bookouture for my copy of this book ***
April 24, 2019
This is definitely a case of false advertising: I was promised “A totally uplifting, heart-warming, hilarious page turner” by the blurb, but instead this was a boring romance in disguise, about a middle-aged woman’s obsession with losing weight and finding a man, and had it not been an ARC I would’ve given up by 20%.
Tess Templar, 62, makes bespoke outfits for larger ladies with her best friend Orla. Realising that she has gained a lot of weight herself since her husband ran off with a younger woman, she determines to get back in shape by joining a slimming club, get a tan by going on a cruise and find a date for her daughter’s wedding by registering with a dating agency.
I’m annoyed by this book because it was supposed to be about an older woman finding herself again, and the message that this can only be achieved through a man and being a size 12 was profoundly depressing. Tess is an amiable enough character but comes across as weak, vain and shallow. The mismatched dates she goes on were far from hilarious - and to portray callous alcoholic date-rape as such is pretty disturbing.
The Greek holiday where she supposedly has “the adventure of a lifetime” was just a series of food descriptions, with characters complaining about too much Greek food. She meets one genuine interesting man but he’s not attractive so is an object of pity.
I struggled to find a single funny moment in the whole book, and the positive outcome - Tess learns to be happy with herself - but only if she doesn’t gain weight - so much for body-positivity! The whole message of the book was undone by the ending - spoiler alert - she finds a man.
I’m sure there are plenty of readers who will love this. The writing is fine, the characters realistic and there is a standard Happy Ending, but this is not my kind of book and I didn’t like the messages it sent. I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Tess Templar, 62, makes bespoke outfits for larger ladies with her best friend Orla. Realising that she has gained a lot of weight herself since her husband ran off with a younger woman, she determines to get back in shape by joining a slimming club, get a tan by going on a cruise and find a date for her daughter’s wedding by registering with a dating agency.
I’m annoyed by this book because it was supposed to be about an older woman finding herself again, and the message that this can only be achieved through a man and being a size 12 was profoundly depressing. Tess is an amiable enough character but comes across as weak, vain and shallow. The mismatched dates she goes on were far from hilarious - and to portray callous alcoholic date-rape as such is pretty disturbing.
The Greek holiday where she supposedly has “the adventure of a lifetime” was just a series of food descriptions, with characters complaining about too much Greek food. She meets one genuine interesting man but he’s not attractive so is an object of pity.
I struggled to find a single funny moment in the whole book, and the positive outcome - Tess learns to be happy with herself - but only if she doesn’t gain weight - so much for body-positivity! The whole message of the book was undone by the ending - spoiler alert - she finds a man.
I’m sure there are plenty of readers who will love this. The writing is fine, the characters realistic and there is a standard Happy Ending, but this is not my kind of book and I didn’t like the messages it sent. I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 19, 2019
2 friends Tess and Orla in their 60s having a dress making shop for plus sized women, soon get into losing weight and finding a man for themselves using an online dating portal.
The book started off sweet. But there was an underscore of women not accepting their bodies, which I didn't like.
The story had its cute scenes, but nothing which spoke of strength. I have liked author Dee MacDonald's previous 2 books where the main character was strong and her own person. In this, Tess came across as more desperate to get a guy. She slept with two of the men from the online dating site on their first date. One was non consensual when she was drunk and not in her senses, but she justified it.
I skim read the rest of the book as this was not how I wanted the book to be. It didn't fill me with hope and pleasure. It left me with only one thought
I don't want to become like Tess when I get to be her age!!
The book started off sweet. But there was an underscore of women not accepting their bodies, which I didn't like.
The story had its cute scenes, but nothing which spoke of strength. I have liked author Dee MacDonald's previous 2 books where the main character was strong and her own person. In this, Tess came across as more desperate to get a guy. She slept with two of the men from the online dating site on their first date. One was non consensual when she was drunk and not in her senses, but she justified it.
I skim read the rest of the book as this was not how I wanted the book to be. It didn't fill me with hope and pleasure. It left me with only one thought
I don't want to become like Tess when I get to be her age!!
April 22, 2019
Hi, Dee Macdonald strikes again with this wonderful ‘ feel good’ book about Tess and Orla, 2 friends who for various reasons are now ‘ looking for love’.....they decide to join an online dating agency where ‘ a match is guaranteed’ within 6 meets or your money back and also gives them access to go on a Greek cruise with the online group
The 2 friends also run ‘ Curvaceous’ a bespoke ladies dress shop for the ‘ larger woman’ and they both also join a slimming club in readiness for meeting the men and the cruise
As always this author immediately makes you LOL with her writing and you easily ‘become friends and get to know’ the main characters, not an easy thing to do with characters but its always the way with her books
The ‘dates’ are hilarious and the cruise enjoyable as we set sail round the Greek Islands and interspersed with the comedy and story was some great descriptions of the islands and history ( non boring! )
Again, as always with this authors books, mixed in with everything else are some poignant lessons and situations which just fit right and make you think
I was cheering for Tess and Orla at the end and especially Tess when she attends her daughters wedding and was a great satisfying last few pages.....I hope their will be more about these 2
I really love Dee Macdonalds ability to tell a story, tell it well and have me laughing out loud, fabulous all round
10/10 5 Stars
April 17, 2019
When I saw the title of this book, I thought it would be a fun, light read that ideally would make me laugh. I am sorry to say it wasn't so. This book is about an older, divorced woman, Tess, who is worried about how fat she's getting and how she might not have a date for her daughter's wedding so she and her friend sign up for a dating app.
Half the book is about how she mustn't eat all the food she's eating and how the woman who runs the sessions at the WW-like place where she goes tells her (and others) how they must never be ok with being fat. There are at least a hundred mentions of how she shouldn't eat this or drink that and then another as many of how such and such food is worth it or oh well she's on vacation, blah blah. In this day and age of body neutrality and body positivity, this alone drove me insane.
But then as if tying your worth to food wasn't enough, the main character goes on these disastrous dates, at two of which she drinks too much to the point of not being in her right mind. At one of which she has sex without remembering that she does. Only to find out later that the guy is a player and does this all the time (this being getting women drunk and having sex with them.) I am pretty sure we call this non-consensual sex. As if the fact that she experiences this isn't enough, when her supposedly good friend finds the same man in the app, she doesn't even warn her to not go there. This is friendship?
Tess and her "friend" Orly talk unkindly to each other all the time, they put each other down, they are snide and catty. All of which might be real-world but none of which is "hilarious feel good." And even as Tess starts to feel better about herself, the fact that it's 100% correlated with a man and with looking thinner, made me so disappointed. The only person I maybe liked was Shirley but of course she was one of the smallest characters in the book.
Overall, for me, this book was neither funny, nor feel good.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Half the book is about how she mustn't eat all the food she's eating and how the woman who runs the sessions at the WW-like place where she goes tells her (and others) how they must never be ok with being fat. There are at least a hundred mentions of how she shouldn't eat this or drink that and then another as many of how such and such food is worth it or oh well she's on vacation, blah blah. In this day and age of body neutrality and body positivity, this alone drove me insane.
But then as if tying your worth to food wasn't enough, the main character goes on these disastrous dates, at two of which she drinks too much to the point of not being in her right mind. At one of which she has sex without remembering that she does. Only to find out later that the guy is a player and does this all the time (this being getting women drunk and having sex with them.) I am pretty sure we call this non-consensual sex. As if the fact that she experiences this isn't enough, when her supposedly good friend finds the same man in the app, she doesn't even warn her to not go there. This is friendship?
Tess and her "friend" Orly talk unkindly to each other all the time, they put each other down, they are snide and catty. All of which might be real-world but none of which is "hilarious feel good." And even as Tess starts to feel better about herself, the fact that it's 100% correlated with a man and with looking thinner, made me so disappointed. The only person I maybe liked was Shirley but of course she was one of the smallest characters in the book.
Overall, for me, this book was neither funny, nor feel good.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 3, 2019
Finished reading: April 2nd 2019
"These things usually happen when you aren't looking for them."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
March 22, 2019
I received this one for review from Netgalley.
2/5 DNF
TRIGGER WARNING: RAPE
Tess and Orla are best friends in their 60s. They run a plus-sized ladies clothing boutique together and are preparing for a cruise around the Greek Islands. Tess is a widow who is looking for a new partner and Orla is always up for a good time. They have decided to join a weight-loss group and are both working on their new look.
I wanted to like this one so bad. I'm constantly looking for representation of older adults in books and was excited when I read the description of this one. But I could not get past the numerous problems and stereotypes that started from page one. My first issue with this book was the constant use of the word "normal". Whether the author was talking about body image or personality, everything was constantly compared to an invisible standardized "normal" that the reader is supposed to fill in. This is especially noteworthy anytime Tess and Orla are talking about their work at the clothing store. Time and again they talk down about themselves and their customers who are plus-sized and refer back to this idealized "normal" body size. There is only one character in the story, Shirley, who is supportive during conversations regarding weight-loss and acknowledges that Tess has been through a lot with losing her partner to an accident and a diagnosis of cancer. All other conversations about weight and weight loss are extremely negative, shaming, and not the least bit helpful for a fictional character or for the reader who may be experiencing similar things.
But by far my biggest issue with this book is the horrendous relationships that Tess has with the men she meets through a dating website and the conversations she has with Orla about these men. Tess is very uncomfortable with the actions of one of her dates and leaves the situation as soon as possible, yet when she describes what happened to Orla, Orla frames the entire situation as if it were Tess's fault. That the man wasn't "that bad" and she was overreacting. Which in turn makes Tess, who has horrible self esteem, question her own actions and clothing choices.
Fast forward to the next date with a new guy and she repeatedly tells him she doesn't want more alcohol. She is struggling to stay awake because she is so drunk. All she wants to do is go to sleep. And she wakes up in the middle of the night with him naked in her bed. WHAT. THE. HELL. After that point she falls back to sleep and wakes alone in her hotel room to a note from him saying "oh we both drank so much last night" and is immediately blaming herself.
That was rape. At the very least, let's categorize it as sexual violence. She was literally struggling to stay awake. Has only brief memories of what may have happened. And is too ashamed to talk to Orla about it. I can't even begin to describe how enraged that scene made me. And the entire thing was blown off as if it was a regular part of her dating life/something to be expected because she drank too much = victim blaming.
This is all magnified in my head as the worst possible content for a book when it isn't talked about in a way that calls it like it is and the character is an older adult. Older adults are already seen as asexual beings in general, but even more so when the idea of sexual violence against an older adult is brought up in regular conversation.
Now maybe later on in the book it would have been discussed. But I stopped reading at 35%.
I wanted to like this book. I liked Tess as a character. I liked that she was trying so hard to change the things she didn't like about herself, for herself, after spending years doing things for other people. But at some point it was too much and I gave up.
2/5 DNF
TRIGGER WARNING: RAPE
Tess and Orla are best friends in their 60s. They run a plus-sized ladies clothing boutique together and are preparing for a cruise around the Greek Islands. Tess is a widow who is looking for a new partner and Orla is always up for a good time. They have decided to join a weight-loss group and are both working on their new look.
I wanted to like this one so bad. I'm constantly looking for representation of older adults in books and was excited when I read the description of this one. But I could not get past the numerous problems and stereotypes that started from page one. My first issue with this book was the constant use of the word "normal". Whether the author was talking about body image or personality, everything was constantly compared to an invisible standardized "normal" that the reader is supposed to fill in. This is especially noteworthy anytime Tess and Orla are talking about their work at the clothing store. Time and again they talk down about themselves and their customers who are plus-sized and refer back to this idealized "normal" body size. There is only one character in the story, Shirley, who is supportive during conversations regarding weight-loss and acknowledges that Tess has been through a lot with losing her partner to an accident and a diagnosis of cancer. All other conversations about weight and weight loss are extremely negative, shaming, and not the least bit helpful for a fictional character or for the reader who may be experiencing similar things.
But by far my biggest issue with this book is the horrendous relationships that Tess has with the men she meets through a dating website and the conversations she has with Orla about these men. Tess is very uncomfortable with the actions of one of her dates and leaves the situation as soon as possible, yet when she describes what happened to Orla, Orla frames the entire situation as if it were Tess's fault. That the man wasn't "that bad" and she was overreacting. Which in turn makes Tess, who has horrible self esteem, question her own actions and clothing choices.
Fast forward to the next date with a new guy and she repeatedly tells him she doesn't want more alcohol. She is struggling to stay awake because she is so drunk. All she wants to do is go to sleep. And she wakes up in the middle of the night with him naked in her bed. WHAT. THE. HELL. After that point she falls back to sleep and wakes alone in her hotel room to a note from him saying "oh we both drank so much last night" and is immediately blaming herself.
That was rape. At the very least, let's categorize it as sexual violence. She was literally struggling to stay awake. Has only brief memories of what may have happened. And is too ashamed to talk to Orla about it. I can't even begin to describe how enraged that scene made me. And the entire thing was blown off as if it was a regular part of her dating life/something to be expected because she drank too much = victim blaming.
This is all magnified in my head as the worst possible content for a book when it isn't talked about in a way that calls it like it is and the character is an older adult. Older adults are already seen as asexual beings in general, but even more so when the idea of sexual violence against an older adult is brought up in regular conversation.
Now maybe later on in the book it would have been discussed. But I stopped reading at 35%.
I wanted to like this book. I liked Tess as a character. I liked that she was trying so hard to change the things she didn't like about herself, for herself, after spending years doing things for other people. But at some point it was too much and I gave up.
April 17, 2025
Very fast paced cute story about two friends who sign up to go on a singles cruise through an online dating app. Tess, the main character dates many men prior to the cruise all which for one reason or another prove to be less than ideal.
As she and her friend Orla find out it is hard to find a nice man when you are in your sixties. Once they go on the cruise they throw caution to the wind and have an outrageous time.
It was a fun read and had many sub stories to keep me engaged. This was a book club selection.
As she and her friend Orla find out it is hard to find a nice man when you are in your sixties. Once they go on the cruise they throw caution to the wind and have an outrageous time.
It was a fun read and had many sub stories to keep me engaged. This was a book club selection.
March 25, 2019
What an entertaining and riveting read!
Tess was a character I took to straight away. I have to admit I was a little bit more wary about Orla as she seemed quite self obsessed but the more I got to know her, the more I grew to like her, even if at times she did make me roll my eyes with some of her remarks.
The dating agency that Tess and Orla join, well that was the real high light of this story for me. I couldn’t help but chuckle at Tess’s luck with her dates or should I say misfortune. They really do make for a fun read that I was totally hooked on as struggled to put the book down. The cruise itself, whilst still a wonderful read, was a little more sombre in places which really tugged on my emotions. If anything it makes you remember that no matter what life throws at you, get out there and enjoy yourself.
Tess is a real inspiration in many ways through out the novel. She gives hope that even in more mature years, there is still the chance to go out there and find love. Even with out a man, Tess is very much doing it for herself. Her determination to lose weight and feel great for her daughters upcoming wedding had me loving her even more and I wish I had an ounce of that for myself!
The Silver Ladies of Penny Lane is a feel good, fun and fabulous read. I absolutely adored it and was so sad to get to the end as I had enjoyed the story so much. I really hope we get to see more of Tess and Orla as they are larger than life characters who readers will definitely want to see more of. Brilliant!
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Tess was a character I took to straight away. I have to admit I was a little bit more wary about Orla as she seemed quite self obsessed but the more I got to know her, the more I grew to like her, even if at times she did make me roll my eyes with some of her remarks.
The dating agency that Tess and Orla join, well that was the real high light of this story for me. I couldn’t help but chuckle at Tess’s luck with her dates or should I say misfortune. They really do make for a fun read that I was totally hooked on as struggled to put the book down. The cruise itself, whilst still a wonderful read, was a little more sombre in places which really tugged on my emotions. If anything it makes you remember that no matter what life throws at you, get out there and enjoy yourself.
Tess is a real inspiration in many ways through out the novel. She gives hope that even in more mature years, there is still the chance to go out there and find love. Even with out a man, Tess is very much doing it for herself. Her determination to lose weight and feel great for her daughters upcoming wedding had me loving her even more and I wish I had an ounce of that for myself!
The Silver Ladies of Penny Lane is a feel good, fun and fabulous read. I absolutely adored it and was so sad to get to the end as I had enjoyed the story so much. I really hope we get to see more of Tess and Orla as they are larger than life characters who readers will definitely want to see more of. Brilliant!
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
May 18, 2025
Chosen by my IRL book club as a “lighter summer read.” From chapter one, it was a book I would normally have left unfinished. I soldiered-on, Hate Reading all the while, because even the Stinkers are usually good fodder for discussion. The characters were superficial; the story was trite; and as a lifelong student of healthy body image, I found the *constant* unbalanced yammering about weight to be troublesome.
And wouldn’t you know it, after I was more than 80% through this mess, the other readers called it, and chose another book. 📕 😡 😡 😡
And wouldn’t you know it, after I was more than 80% through this mess, the other readers called it, and chose another book. 📕 😡 😡 😡
July 19, 2024
A book club choice that after the first two chapters I was tempted to abandon altogether - but it did improve.
I'm in the age demographic, although not really partial to a romance story unless offered something susprising and compelling.
I'm the right age group, the right weight and the right marital status to find much to be engaged by with this brisk story but I couldn't relate at all.
I don't like stretching the bounds of credulity much either - especially when there are so many attempts to set this in real places and appear authentic.
I've been on many a cruise and not encountered one such as described in the story - the heroines had a bath AND a shower - a travelling companion seemingly managed to get insurance and a placeon the ship despite his health prognosis - no one over the age of 55 encounters any sexual challenges that could be attributed to their age group...they all just get it on!
Tess starts the story at 13 stone (a little heavier than me) and very quickly is getting into a size 12 for a wedding - but I've been two stone lighter than her and never managed less than a 14...
Anyway, the upshot of my review is that it reads like something from Woman's Weekly at the start. Mature divorced woman desperately seeking beau but thinks she also needs a diet to be happy. There are so many references to appearance - both of men and women - that its shallowness reaches transparency.
The dates she goes on are meant to be amusing I imagine but Ms MacDonald's writing style does not tickle my funny bone. There is far too much repetition of phrases (her friend Rosemary needs to draw those out when proofing), too much superfluous description and a lack of belief in the reader to fill in blanks.
A particular niggle which made me lose interest in Tess was that she shows little appreciation for how hard farmers have to work and that, yes, they do rely on someone to keep the house tidy if they are up at 5am and not abed before 11pm. Tess has her own demands for someone suitable for a wedding, someone to treat her a certain way but potentially offers little in return depending on the chap's circumstances it seems.
The likely husband material was writ large as soon as he was mentioned as an aside, but then I don't come across "Shirley" very often in books so I was paying attention to her involvement as it was very "tacked on" so had to be of significance. Lucky he's about to retire or his absence performing would jarr with Tess!
Above all however I think the book suffers the most from the jacket hype. Uplifting? Not particularly. "Absolutely Hilarious"? Not a jot. I didn't laugh once.
If it were described as a gentle romance, unchallenging and rather lacking in substance it would better serve.
I've cranked it from a 2 star to 3 star because I did finish so the overall story arc had merit - just not great execution.
I'm in the age demographic, although not really partial to a romance story unless offered something susprising and compelling.
I'm the right age group, the right weight and the right marital status to find much to be engaged by with this brisk story but I couldn't relate at all.
I don't like stretching the bounds of credulity much either - especially when there are so many attempts to set this in real places and appear authentic.
I've been on many a cruise and not encountered one such as described in the story - the heroines had a bath AND a shower - a travelling companion seemingly managed to get insurance and a placeon the ship despite his health prognosis - no one over the age of 55 encounters any sexual challenges that could be attributed to their age group...they all just get it on!
Tess starts the story at 13 stone (a little heavier than me) and very quickly is getting into a size 12 for a wedding - but I've been two stone lighter than her and never managed less than a 14...
Anyway, the upshot of my review is that it reads like something from Woman's Weekly at the start. Mature divorced woman desperately seeking beau but thinks she also needs a diet to be happy. There are so many references to appearance - both of men and women - that its shallowness reaches transparency.
The dates she goes on are meant to be amusing I imagine but Ms MacDonald's writing style does not tickle my funny bone. There is far too much repetition of phrases (her friend Rosemary needs to draw those out when proofing), too much superfluous description and a lack of belief in the reader to fill in blanks.
A particular niggle which made me lose interest in Tess was that she shows little appreciation for how hard farmers have to work and that, yes, they do rely on someone to keep the house tidy if they are up at 5am and not abed before 11pm. Tess has her own demands for someone suitable for a wedding, someone to treat her a certain way but potentially offers little in return depending on the chap's circumstances it seems.
The likely husband material was writ large as soon as he was mentioned as an aside, but then I don't come across "Shirley" very often in books so I was paying attention to her involvement as it was very "tacked on" so had to be of significance. Lucky he's about to retire or his absence performing would jarr with Tess!
Above all however I think the book suffers the most from the jacket hype. Uplifting? Not particularly. "Absolutely Hilarious"? Not a jot. I didn't laugh once.
If it were described as a gentle romance, unchallenging and rather lacking in substance it would better serve.
I've cranked it from a 2 star to 3 star because I did finish so the overall story arc had merit - just not great execution.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2024
I read this on holiday and that’s exactly the right place to read it, as it was an easy to read chick-lit. It was pleasant but not the “absolutely hilarious feel-good novel” as written on the cover.
Much was fairly predictable, making it easy to pick up and put down but there were quite a few things that felt like lazy writing, mainly around the men in the story. I also felt that Tess and Orla and I had nothing in common apart from our age (and I can sew). The multiple descriptions of what she was wearing or eating seemed to interrupt the flow of the story.
Good for Tess for believing that there was more out there for her (plenty of life left) but her aims seemed rather uninspired and old fashioned for a book from 2019 about a woman who ran her own business - losing weight and finding a man. Tess was better than that.
Much was fairly predictable, making it easy to pick up and put down but there were quite a few things that felt like lazy writing, mainly around the men in the story. I also felt that Tess and Orla and I had nothing in common apart from our age (and I can sew). The multiple descriptions of what she was wearing or eating seemed to interrupt the flow of the story.
Good for Tess for believing that there was more out there for her (plenty of life left) but her aims seemed rather uninspired and old fashioned for a book from 2019 about a woman who ran her own business - losing weight and finding a man. Tess was better than that.
March 4, 2024
I found this book to be delightful! Good characters, good writing, and I enjoyed reading about their cruise!
October 2, 2019
I enjoyed every minute of this heart-warming, funny, silly story of two sixty-something year old single ladies looking for love by navigating the world of internet dating. I found myself laughing out load at their experiences. This is the ideal book to read when you are looking for a break from serious reading.
September 21, 2024
Ok. So, starting out I thought "hey, here's a light, breezy read and! It's advertised as funny and delightful"!! (And my daughter's mom-in-law had given it to me last Christmas..And as I was waiting for a reserved library book to arrive, decided to take this off the shelf)
So here we go-- Tess and Orla apparently have been friends darn near their whole lives..close enough therefore (and comfortable enough) that some insults and snarky side words don't sever their closeness..
I liked the decision when Tess realized she had get in shape, shed some weight..my complaint? (And perhaps some would say, I'm being a tad bit judgy..but I don't think so) my feelings, if you know, you KNOW you need to shed some weight, need to do better for your body..you don't wait until your daughter's(or son) wedding!! And you sure as heck don't do it to "catch a man"!! And we much as you know your friend needs to do the same..you can't shame them into it..
But I did find the humor in the joining a group to take a cruise..And even tho Tess didn't behave like the mature woman she is..she did enjoy the cruise and the sites when the boat docked..
I did enjoy the story - to a degree..not enough to give 5 stars , but enough to give it at least 3.5 which rounded up is 4..it is a light, somewhat humorous (you have to look for it) ..but know ahead of time, there's body shaming (granted its amongst themselves, snarkiness, and a couple of random sexual encounters ( one of which was while inebriated) and one on a first date!! I like Dee's writing, but this one left me kinda scratching my head a little..--P/
So here we go-- Tess and Orla apparently have been friends darn near their whole lives..close enough therefore (and comfortable enough) that some insults and snarky side words don't sever their closeness..
I liked the decision when Tess realized she had get in shape, shed some weight..my complaint? (And perhaps some would say, I'm being a tad bit judgy..but I don't think so) my feelings, if you know, you KNOW you need to shed some weight, need to do better for your body..you don't wait until your daughter's(or son) wedding!! And you sure as heck don't do it to "catch a man"!! And we much as you know your friend needs to do the same..you can't shame them into it..
But I did find the humor in the joining a group to take a cruise..And even tho Tess didn't behave like the mature woman she is..she did enjoy the cruise and the sites when the boat docked..
I did enjoy the story - to a degree..not enough to give 5 stars , but enough to give it at least 3.5 which rounded up is 4..it is a light, somewhat humorous (you have to look for it) ..but know ahead of time, there's body shaming (granted its amongst themselves, snarkiness, and a couple of random sexual encounters ( one of which was while inebriated) and one on a first date!! I like Dee's writing, but this one left me kinda scratching my head a little..--P/
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2019
The Silver Ladies of Penny Lane is a delightful story about two friends, Tess and Orla, who own a plus-sized dress shop for women. It was a light, quick read, and I enjoyed getting to know two women in their 60s who were ready for love and adventure. The book follows the women on their dating and dieting escapades, which are hilarious, disappointing and upsetting. The story was well written and fun beach read.
That being said, there were some serious flaws in the story. First, Tess’s date with Andy, the hotelier and “serial seducer” created a huge issue for me. He targeted her from the beginning as the victim of his date rape, plying her with numerous drinks and taking advantage of her when she was too drunk to give consent. Not only did Tess blame herself for being taken advantage of, she did not warn Orla, who revealed that she was going on a date with the same man! The line, “Tess decided to say nothing” ruined the book for me. I understood when she didn’t tell her immediately, as she was ashamed and embarrassed. But the fact that she didn’t warn her friend before she was put in the same position was unforgivable. That is not a real friendship!
The other flaw, in my opinion, is the fact that so much of the story revolved around the fact that Tess needed to lose weight in order to find a man and be happy. She spoke repeatedly about her insecurities, and concluded that in order to become more confident, all she needed to do was lose weight. For me, this viewpoint really took away from the story, and missed an opportunity to portray post-menopausal women who are not the “ideal weight” as complete and happy women.
I started off really enjoying the book and ended up disappointed with the arc of the story.
My thanks to NetGalley for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway
That being said, there were some serious flaws in the story. First, Tess’s date with Andy, the hotelier and “serial seducer” created a huge issue for me. He targeted her from the beginning as the victim of his date rape, plying her with numerous drinks and taking advantage of her when she was too drunk to give consent. Not only did Tess blame herself for being taken advantage of, she did not warn Orla, who revealed that she was going on a date with the same man! The line, “Tess decided to say nothing” ruined the book for me. I understood when she didn’t tell her immediately, as she was ashamed and embarrassed. But the fact that she didn’t warn her friend before she was put in the same position was unforgivable. That is not a real friendship!
The other flaw, in my opinion, is the fact that so much of the story revolved around the fact that Tess needed to lose weight in order to find a man and be happy. She spoke repeatedly about her insecurities, and concluded that in order to become more confident, all she needed to do was lose weight. For me, this viewpoint really took away from the story, and missed an opportunity to portray post-menopausal women who are not the “ideal weight” as complete and happy women.
I started off really enjoying the book and ended up disappointed with the arc of the story.
My thanks to NetGalley for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway
May 3, 2019
If you're looking for a humorous and honest read about the dating perils and pitfalls for older women, you will enjoy this book. The characters are older, divorced or widowed women who own their own seamstress shop for "larger women." They gives us hope that even in our older years, love can still be found, and if it isn't, that is ok, too. While there are a couple of serious moments, overall the story is light and entertaining and will have you laughing and cheering them on.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
April 25, 2019
Everytime I see the cover of this book, I start humming the Beatles song. So, thank God it’s not an audio review. LOL. I would not want to put you through this. 😉
What I like about this author’s books is that she puts the more mature people in the spotlight. These people often have been through a lot and might have let themselves go for a while. But it’s not because you are over 50, 60 or older, you are doomed to be alone for the rest of your life or you don’t want to look your best.
Can they be as naive as someone much younger? Sure thing and there are always people, no matter their age who (try to) take advantage. Do you have to blame yourself for being taken advantage of? Maybe yes, you should be a little more critical, but it still does not give the other person the right to treat you the way they do (did).
Is it unusual to say oh, I really should not to this or that, but doing it anyway in the meantime? No, because when you take a moment you will probably realize you have done it yourself on one (or more) occasion(s).
Society often dictates things and you feel obliged to follow through, but there is nothing wrong with being selfish from time to time and do something you feel good about even though others might not agree.
Look for a new partner (or not), go on a diet (or not). It does not matter as long as you feel it’s the right thing for you, go for it. That the lesson I have learned here.
I enjoyed this book. Is it laughing out loud? Maybe not, but it made me smile nevertheless. Is it feel good? It certainly is. The road to happiness is a rocky and twisty one, but if you do not give up, you will reach your destiny. 5 stars.
Thank you, Dee MacDonald, Bookouture and Netgalley.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
What I like about this author’s books is that she puts the more mature people in the spotlight. These people often have been through a lot and might have let themselves go for a while. But it’s not because you are over 50, 60 or older, you are doomed to be alone for the rest of your life or you don’t want to look your best.
Can they be as naive as someone much younger? Sure thing and there are always people, no matter their age who (try to) take advantage. Do you have to blame yourself for being taken advantage of? Maybe yes, you should be a little more critical, but it still does not give the other person the right to treat you the way they do (did).
Is it unusual to say oh, I really should not to this or that, but doing it anyway in the meantime? No, because when you take a moment you will probably realize you have done it yourself on one (or more) occasion(s).
Society often dictates things and you feel obliged to follow through, but there is nothing wrong with being selfish from time to time and do something you feel good about even though others might not agree.
Look for a new partner (or not), go on a diet (or not). It does not matter as long as you feel it’s the right thing for you, go for it. That the lesson I have learned here.
I enjoyed this book. Is it laughing out loud? Maybe not, but it made me smile nevertheless. Is it feel good? It certainly is. The road to happiness is a rocky and twisty one, but if you do not give up, you will reach your destiny. 5 stars.
Thank you, Dee MacDonald, Bookouture and Netgalley.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
May 17, 2019
The Silver Ladies of Penny Lane was such an enjoyable story about the pitfalls of dating and rediscovering yourself in your golden years. I could identify with the storyline of trying to lose weight and also find a suitable date for an upcoming family wedding. The dating site Tess and Orla join sent them on some hilarious dates!
The two also embark on a Greek Island Cruise together that was equally entertaining. I’ve always wanted to take a cruise and now I want to even more!
This book is for anyone who has survived a dating site, lived through an embarrassing divorce, or just enjoys the long-lasting friendship of a best friend.
The two also embark on a Greek Island Cruise together that was equally entertaining. I’ve always wanted to take a cruise and now I want to even more!
This book is for anyone who has survived a dating site, lived through an embarrassing divorce, or just enjoys the long-lasting friendship of a best friend.
June 14, 2025
I have mixed feelings about this book. I hated the way the main character was so hard on herself about her weight. It sounds like she wasn't even that overweight. The book was very negative about weight to the point that I was becoming angry. Every time they went to lunch or dinner, it was another opportunity to bring up weight and deprivation.
When they went on the cruise, it was more interesting. But this read like anti-fat propaganda.
When they went on the cruise, it was more interesting. But this read like anti-fat propaganda.
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June 11, 2025I did enjoy this! It was cute and funny.
January 16, 2024
Tess owns a clothing store with her best friend, Orla, that specializes in custom plus size clothing. At 62 years old, she soon realizes that she has been stagnant and wants more from her life. She decides to begin a weight loss journey and try her hand at online dating - with her friend along for the ride. They decide to embark on a Mediterranean cruise sponsored by the dating site in search of the perfect date. Her motivation? Her daughter's upcoming wedding. Can she hit her weight goals? And will she find a date to make her ex-husband jealous?
I really wanted to like this book but I had quite a few issues. First of all, the author felt the need to point out in every other sentence that the MC was overweight - not only that, but the MC was also extremely critical of other people who struggled with their weight especially after she was successful in meeting her goals. Next, her relationship with her best friend was off. I'm all for an open and honest friendship but Tess was quite mean, judgey, and competitive (not in a good way) towards Orla. On that same tangent, Tess was super judgey and superficial when it came to her dates. While a majority of her dates ended up being terrible human beings, she had such a terrible attitude and was quick to judge them before getting to know them. I will say the one thing this book got right was the potential horrors of online dating. On top of all that, the book ended so abruptly that even if I enjoyed it I would have been mad. I believe this story is expanded in another book but the ending was downright terrible.
I really wanted to like this book but I had quite a few issues. First of all, the author felt the need to point out in every other sentence that the MC was overweight - not only that, but the MC was also extremely critical of other people who struggled with their weight especially after she was successful in meeting her goals. Next, her relationship with her best friend was off. I'm all for an open and honest friendship but Tess was quite mean, judgey, and competitive (not in a good way) towards Orla. On that same tangent, Tess was super judgey and superficial when it came to her dates. While a majority of her dates ended up being terrible human beings, she had such a terrible attitude and was quick to judge them before getting to know them. I will say the one thing this book got right was the potential horrors of online dating. On top of all that, the book ended so abruptly that even if I enjoyed it I would have been mad. I believe this story is expanded in another book but the ending was downright terrible.
March 22, 2019
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
On the surface, this is a quick and fun read, although it doesn't go very deep. While I enjoyed it, it bothered me that Tess is portrayed as seeing the solution to all her problems in losing weight and finding a man (in that order). She does accomplish both, but not before realizing that she needs to put herself first sometimes - and that she lost weight for herself, because she feels good about herself. The “finding a man“ thing is also a bit fraught, given her dating misadventures - including something that sounded disturbingly like date rape to me, but isn't unpacked any further. And while I enjoy a happy ending as much as the next person, the ending was very rushed and improbable.
On the surface, this is a quick and fun read, although it doesn't go very deep. While I enjoyed it, it bothered me that Tess is portrayed as seeing the solution to all her problems in losing weight and finding a man (in that order). She does accomplish both, but not before realizing that she needs to put herself first sometimes - and that she lost weight for herself, because she feels good about herself. The “finding a man“ thing is also a bit fraught, given her dating misadventures - including something that sounded disturbingly like date rape to me, but isn't unpacked any further. And while I enjoy a happy ending as much as the next person, the ending was very rushed and improbable.
April 19, 2019
The Silver Ladies of Penny Lane: An absolutely hilarious feel good novel by Dee MacDonald, is my first book by this author. I enjoyed this book, but I did not find it funny. Tess and Orla are best friends and partners in a dress making shop, and are looking for love. I like the finding herself of Tess's story, but did not enjoy other aspects of the book.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you.
August 21, 2025
KU Free Trial | Basically, ew | I will give MacDonald a second chance, which is why I'm giving a second star, but I had more problems with this than I had enjoyment from it. The entire book is hyperfocused on drinking too much and trying not to be fat, because being fat is apparently the worst thing a woman can be. The main characters are overweight women who opened and run a clothing shop for other overweight women, and yet they say unkind things about their clients' weight. Everything, absolutely everything, is viewed through the veneer of whether it will cause weight gain, how can Tess later balance out the calories of this, surely she's "earned" a treat from that. If you deal with disordered eating, stay away from this book! Almost everyone in the book must have cirrhosis of the liver, because my god, the alcohol consumption! Not only does Tess end up having blackout drunk sex (that's not consensual, MacDonald), she gets so drunk that she falls asleep in public at a table and an unflattering photo is taken of her while unconscious, she gets fully drunk on multiple other occasions, and even when she's simply having a nice meal with a man she finds interesting, she can't force herself to sip her drink as planned, and goes through several glasses in the time he takes to drink half a non-alcoholic beverage. I don't see how Orla and Tess could be called friends, they don't seem to like each other, enjoy each other's company, or have anything in common, and Tess is too concerned about her own embarrassment to warn her "best friend" that the guy she's going on a date with is predatory. Tess is also a snob, which did not make her appealing. And she and her ex split up 11 years before, she had a multi-year satisfying and loving relationship with someone else, created a whole new life, but is still so angry and jealous of her ex and his affair partner (now wife) that she makes all her life decisions based on trying to show them up. She doesn't need weight loss and a new man, she needs major therapy. Speaking of a new man, we get details of every single bite of food and combed over hair of every date...until her insta-love soulmate, who she's going to marry after a five minute conversation. No detail of that date. Or the off-page death of a perfectly nice character, just "oh, hey, they died, that's sad, want another drink?".
March 24, 2019
Having reached a certain age myself, I wanted to read the SILVER LADIES OF PENNY LANE for some guidance in how to maneuver through the world of post menopausal romance.
The book did not disappoint.
The real heroine of the book is Tess. Ditched by a cheating husband and then loosing the man who came into her life next to cancer, she’s a 60-something women looking for love, companionship and someone to spend the rest of her life with. If you use her as a yardstick to senior dating, you just might not think the world is rosy and bright for those over a certain age.
After signing with a dating service that guaranteed her a match or a full refund, Tess is ready to get her money back. There was the farmer who wanted a maid, not a wife; the cheating businessman; the man who wasn’t looking for a woman at all, and the list goes on.
I had to read to the end simply to know if Tess ever found her hero. No spoilers here, but I will say the book was a satisfying read. Along the road to love Tess needs to lose weight and get in shape for her daughter’s upcoming wedding. After all, she’ll be standing next to the woman her husband left her for and the two of them are as different as chalk and cheese. Losing weight and getting into shape after the age of 50 is a struggle every woman in that age bracket who has tried to do it, knows. The book stayed true to the problems inherent in senior dieting and fitness.
Overall this was a lovely book about the problems, pitfalls, and dangers of getting older, of looking for love, and for staying fit and healthy.
Thank you to Netgalley for a sneak peak and I’m giving this book 4 stars.
The book did not disappoint.
The real heroine of the book is Tess. Ditched by a cheating husband and then loosing the man who came into her life next to cancer, she’s a 60-something women looking for love, companionship and someone to spend the rest of her life with. If you use her as a yardstick to senior dating, you just might not think the world is rosy and bright for those over a certain age.
After signing with a dating service that guaranteed her a match or a full refund, Tess is ready to get her money back. There was the farmer who wanted a maid, not a wife; the cheating businessman; the man who wasn’t looking for a woman at all, and the list goes on.
I had to read to the end simply to know if Tess ever found her hero. No spoilers here, but I will say the book was a satisfying read. Along the road to love Tess needs to lose weight and get in shape for her daughter’s upcoming wedding. After all, she’ll be standing next to the woman her husband left her for and the two of them are as different as chalk and cheese. Losing weight and getting into shape after the age of 50 is a struggle every woman in that age bracket who has tried to do it, knows. The book stayed true to the problems inherent in senior dieting and fitness.
Overall this was a lovely book about the problems, pitfalls, and dangers of getting older, of looking for love, and for staying fit and healthy.
Thank you to Netgalley for a sneak peak and I’m giving this book 4 stars.
April 11, 2019
Another very enjoyable book from Dee MacDonald. I've read both her other books, which I loved, and so was really looking forward to this one too, and it was just as good. This is again about ladies in their 60s, and very funny, about the different dilemmas more mature single ladies have to deal with as they get older.
The story is about Tess and Orla, best friends who own a dress shop together. Tess is the seamstress and Orla keeps everything else on track. They are both ladies of a certain age who decide to join a dating agency. Orla is definitely the more outgoing one, and Tess is mainly looking for someone to accompany her to her daughter's wedding. She also wants to lose weight so she looks and feels good in front of her ex-husband's skinny second wife.
So both Tess and Orla embark on a journey to lose weight, by joining a slimming club, and join a dating agency to find a man too. There are lots of very funny moments, and poor Tess does seem to get the short end of the stick in the dating department. It's certainly enough to put most people off dating agencies! But they meet some great characters and make friends along the way. Tess also finds her self-confidence again and realises that, while she may have started on this quest to look good for the wedding, she ends by feeling a lot better about herself, and through that confidence unexpectedly finds love.
Really lovely book, yet again, by Dee MacDonald. If you are looking for an easy-reading, real feel-good book then this is the one for you. I look forward to reading Dee's next book.
The story is about Tess and Orla, best friends who own a dress shop together. Tess is the seamstress and Orla keeps everything else on track. They are both ladies of a certain age who decide to join a dating agency. Orla is definitely the more outgoing one, and Tess is mainly looking for someone to accompany her to her daughter's wedding. She also wants to lose weight so she looks and feels good in front of her ex-husband's skinny second wife.
So both Tess and Orla embark on a journey to lose weight, by joining a slimming club, and join a dating agency to find a man too. There are lots of very funny moments, and poor Tess does seem to get the short end of the stick in the dating department. It's certainly enough to put most people off dating agencies! But they meet some great characters and make friends along the way. Tess also finds her self-confidence again and realises that, while she may have started on this quest to look good for the wedding, she ends by feeling a lot better about herself, and through that confidence unexpectedly finds love.
Really lovely book, yet again, by Dee MacDonald. If you are looking for an easy-reading, real feel-good book then this is the one for you. I look forward to reading Dee's next book.
October 3, 2019
An enjoyable cozy HEA romance featuring middle-aged, plus size ladies.
With Amber's upcoming wedding, mother of bride, Tess, will be standing beside her ex-husband, Gerry, and his younger, slimmer now wife Ursula.
A talented dressmaker who makes plus size clothing for clients of Curvaceous, Tess tackles weight-loss for herself with a weekly weigh-in group, dietary changes and walking to running every day.
Joining an older-adult dating service and going on a week long Greek cruise with the same group provides some humorous situations along with a bit of travelogue experiences.
Happy ending with unexpected characters made this a positive reading experience. I will definitely be looking up her other books.
With Amber's upcoming wedding, mother of bride, Tess, will be standing beside her ex-husband, Gerry, and his younger, slimmer now wife Ursula.
A talented dressmaker who makes plus size clothing for clients of Curvaceous, Tess tackles weight-loss for herself with a weekly weigh-in group, dietary changes and walking to running every day.
Joining an older-adult dating service and going on a week long Greek cruise with the same group provides some humorous situations along with a bit of travelogue experiences.
Happy ending with unexpected characters made this a positive reading experience. I will definitely be looking up her other books.
February 28, 2025
I read this for a book club. If 1 1/2 stars were an option, that would be my rating.
I am the antithesis of the intended audience, and thus did not connect well with the book. The underlying subjects are potentially interesting--the difficulty of adjusting our niches in life as we age, fear of loneliness as we age, competing impulses for independence and partnership as we age.
However, this book is supposed to be a light frolic. The cover describes it as an "absolutely, hilarious, feel good novel." It wasn't to me. The comedy worked here and there, but mostly not, and the ending struck me as all wrong.
However, I do not trust my judgment on this book. It was not written for a seventy-something guy who likes long non-fiction books and Victorian novels.
I am the antithesis of the intended audience, and thus did not connect well with the book. The underlying subjects are potentially interesting--the difficulty of adjusting our niches in life as we age, fear of loneliness as we age, competing impulses for independence and partnership as we age.
However, this book is supposed to be a light frolic. The cover describes it as an "absolutely, hilarious, feel good novel." It wasn't to me. The comedy worked here and there, but mostly not, and the ending struck me as all wrong.
However, I do not trust my judgment on this book. It was not written for a seventy-something guy who likes long non-fiction books and Victorian novels.
April 4, 2019
Tess and Orla have been friends forever. Now in their sixties they together run ”Curvacious” a boutique specialising in clothes for the larger lady which they make and tailor themselves. Both are now single having lost one or more partners and Tess thinks that they should get back into dating before they are too old and whilst they can still enjoy themselves. This leads to signing up to a dating agency MMM. Included in the price is a discount on a cruise- so what’s not to go for? This is the story of their lives around the dating adventures and the cruise. Orla soon finds someone nice and then another. Tess however goes through the mill of learning that people are not always who they say they are and may have other intentions. You have to smile! The ex husband’s rather bitchy new wife. Also thin- something both Tess and Orla aspire to and have also joined the local slimming club to attempt to rectify this. Tess’s daughter is getting married in a few months and she is determined that she is not going to be upstaged by a thinner woman on the arm of her ex. I loved this. A tale of life and its ups and downs. Life, love, adventures and a bit of escapism with wonderful larger than life characters you would love to meet. An uplifting heartwarming read to make you smile (and the odd cringe at some of the dates!). A perfect summer read.
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1
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