Saving Missy: Free sampler

by Beth Morrey

Prickly. Stubborn. Terribly lonely.
But everyone deserves a second chance…

A dazzling debut for 2020 – are you ready to meet Missy Carmichael?

Missy Carmichael’s life has become small.

Grieving for a family she has lost or lost touch with, she’s haunted by the echoes of her footsteps in her empty home; the sound of the radio in the dark; the tick-tick-tick of the watching clock.

Spiky and defensive, Missy knows that her loneliness is all her own fault. She deserves no more than this; not after what she’s done. But a chance encounter in the park with two very different women opens the door to something new.

Another life beckons for Missy, if only she can be brave enough to grasp the opportunity. But seventy-nine is too late for a second chance. Isn’t it?

Genres: Fiction

400 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 8, 2019

About the author

Beth Morrey was inspired to write her debut novel, Saving Missy, while pushing a pram around her local park during maternity leave. Getting to know the community of dog owners, joggers, neighbours and families, she began to sow the seeds of a novel about a woman saved by the people around her, strangers who became friends. Previously Creative Director at RDF Television, Beth now writes full time. She was previously shortlisted for the Grazia-Orange First Chapter award, and had her work published in the Cambridge and Oxford May Anthologies while at university. Beth lives in London with her husband, two sons and a dog named Polly.

Reviews

[Repix Pix · Rating 5 out of 5]

¡Qué hartón a llorar!

[Cookie1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book I would normally have bought. I got it so that I could participate in a read a long. I felt it started quite slowly. At first I simply didn’t like Missy much at all. I didn’t like Angela either, I felt she would rip Missy off. The book improved a lot in the latter half. It was quite sad toward the end, but still beautiful. I’m very pleased I read it.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew this would be a 5 star book when I couldn’t bear to finish it so left the last 15% until the next day! And the ending didn’t disappoint. The story of a 79 year old woman, in her own, detached from her family, who gradually comes into contact with the people around her is gripping, funny, sad and uplifting. I love a novel with an odd collection of characters who become connected by the basic decency of the people involved. This novel is very honest and full of heart.

[Barbara Kennard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just finished this book. Loved the ending. The subtitle is "Help was on her doorstep. All she had to do was let it in." That was so true of Missy. I read it conscious of having recommended it to my adult nephew as a feel good book, and then thought I wasn't sure it would be his cup of tea, but it was a good read and I recommend. You can learn from her life and mistakes, as she does. Very real, and lovely to see people helping each other through life's ups and downs.

[Robin Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOT a free sampler on Kindle and has a different cover (woman, dog, bird). Harper Collins paperback 2021, ISBN ...8334062

Lovely story. Some great use of language, including: "Children are so beautiful, flawless and shiny, like a conker newly out of its shell."; "The way I saw it, with narcissism, you were just gazing at your reflection in a like; with philautia, you were frolicking in the lake and inviting people to join you."; "We muddled through our two walks a day, mud being the operative part of the word..."

At one point I wondered how all of something recounted could have been done in one day.

Not quite enough commas and "whom"; and just over a dozen more serious proofreader quibbles, such as poor grammar, misrelated participles, misuse of words, and a truly unwanted comma.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gentle read with believable story lines and characters.
An uplifting story, well told, themes of friendship and life, bitterness and regret which we can all relate to.
Was surprised and delighted that it was partly set in familiar surroundings ( Cambridge)
Great easy read which left me warm and cosy inside.

[Sue Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this with Pigeonhole over 10 days and each day left me wanting to read on. I totally enjoyed this book. It was heartwarming, sad, poignant with characters you could really grow attached to. The backstory of Missy and Leo added a little extra. So well written that I must admit it brought tears to my eyes at times. Just wonderful!

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come

[Natasha Seymour · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really excited about this book, ironically I always judge a book by its cover (sue me) and this read looked like an exciting journey. It fell quite flat for the first half, I really had to push through. It’s not so much that the story line isn’t interesting or original, it’s just too long and too wordy and too much negative space in between the actual happenings.

The last third was the best, everything kind of happened at once. It was a beautiful story of an interesting and realistic life of Millicent and I ended up liking her quite a lot. I definitely teared up a couple of times. But most of the time I felt myself trying to speed read through the whole thing.

Didn’t quite hit the mark but perhaps I fail to relate.

[Lindsay Paterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely uplifting book

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! The characters were so well developed and colourful, the setting as well. It makes me want to go out and make friends with everyone in my local park, intent on finding my own Angela, Sylvie, and Denzil!

The most poignant and resonating part of the book for me was the courage Missy showed in creating a new life for herself, intent on reclaiming her ‘self’. Themes of identity, isolation, and love for one’s furry family all make this a heart warming book.

Wonderful!

[Sharon Chaffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Missy is seventy eight estranged from her daughter, her son has moved country, her husband is gone. She is a lonely recluse but a decision to see some fish being relocated changes all that. This is set not only in the present but flashes back through missy’s life. “Spoiler alert”! she’s never been happy. It does have lovely moments but a few decisions by the author left me feeling unsavoury.

[Sharnelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wouldn’t normally read a book like this but I’m straying away from the brutality of crime novels and picked this up at the airport - and I loved it.

If you want to feel like a fly on the wall in a small town and watch a widow’s life be reborn in the best way possible - this charming book is absolutely worth the read.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for Book Club without much enthusiasm but found so much more than expected. It unpicks the effects of unresolved grief and how that can affect relationships long into the future. It also stresses the importance of social relationships, not only for the elderly but also for other vulnerable people.

[Caitlyn Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refreshing and light-hearted read while also having an increasing depth throughout it!

I loved this book. I think it’s the first time in a long time I’ve read a novel centred around a protagonist who is older and not the sprightly 20-something.

I loved the expression of emotions of guilt, grief and connection throughout. Highly recommend!

[Louise Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written, loved Missy and her friends. Makes me want to go out and befriend elderly ladies! Loneliness can be the worst kind of poverty!! I loved this story very heartwarming and heartbreaking in parts!! (Why did Bobby have to die!)

[Mr William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this, and actually found myself welling up in the final chapters - only one other book in my life has ever drawn tears from this cold husk of a man! Lovely story, and very moving (obviously)

[Karen Keane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shades of Eleanor Oliphant and A Man Called Ove, this is very much one of the feel good books that are popular at the moment. The story of Missy and how she acquired new, and quite whacky friends, via a dog called Bob.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book exceeded my expectations and I was drawn in to Missy's story as she experienced her metamorphosis. Her past cleverly unfolded, helping us to gain an understanding of the woman that is Missy.... a woman worth saving.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book written from the perspective of a seventy-something year old. About love and loss, friendship and never being too old to change yourself or your life. Sad bit towards the end, wish it didn't have to happen but understand how it kept the story moving.

[Rachael Hind · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simultaneously heart-warming and heart-breaking, I haven’t been so touched by a book since I read Eleanor Oliphant.

[Marion C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

[Julie F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I didn’t want this book to end.
Thoroughly enjoyed it. The authors way with words to paint a vivid picture. Such an emotional ending. Absolutely loved this book.

[Jayne Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.
Wonderful read with beautiful characters.
I've never been a dog person but this book has almost convinced me to get one!

[Victoria Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the end I loved this book. Throughout the read it felt a bit slow, however all in all, it is a beautiful book. Love it!

[Charlotte Butterworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a while to get into, but then charming. A good read and very original

[Gydle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book. So many of the things resonated. I wish I was brave enough to get a dog.

[Pati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely read

[Leonie Recz · Rating 3 out of 5]

You need an easy read with a happy ending sometimes and this one I really enjoyed. Growing older, love of a dog and family and friends: this is life.

[Sharlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. A loveable easy read!