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Life in Palmyrton #1
Life, Part 2: Lydia's Story--The Second Chance
Lydia Eastlee has skipped a decade of her life.
When she married a much older man, Lydia took a shortcut from grad student to middle-aged matron. Do not pass go. Do not drink jug wine or buy Ikea bookshelves.
Now Lydia finds herself a 45-year-old widow. She’s got a suburban McMansion she doesn’t want, a hole in her day where her job used to be, and a bunch of married-couple friends eligible for Social Security.
Lydia wants to start over and recapture the endless possibilities life offers at age 25.
She adopts a shelter dog with issues.
Buys a charming little starter home on the verge of collapse.
And accepts a job she doesn’t know how to do.
Lydia soon learns that youth isn’t for the faint-hearted. Her dead husband is trying to control her future through the terms of his will. And her impulsive decisions may cost her some new friendships she can’t bear to lose.
But with the help of a quirky dog trainer, a hilarious colleague, and a hunky young carpenter, Lydia may get a second chance at the life she missed.
When she married a much older man, Lydia took a shortcut from grad student to middle-aged matron. Do not pass go. Do not drink jug wine or buy Ikea bookshelves.
Now Lydia finds herself a 45-year-old widow. She’s got a suburban McMansion she doesn’t want, a hole in her day where her job used to be, and a bunch of married-couple friends eligible for Social Security.
Lydia wants to start over and recapture the endless possibilities life offers at age 25.
She adopts a shelter dog with issues.
Buys a charming little starter home on the verge of collapse.
And accepts a job she doesn’t know how to do.
Lydia soon learns that youth isn’t for the faint-hearted. Her dead husband is trying to control her future through the terms of his will. And her impulsive decisions may cost her some new friendships she can’t bear to lose.
But with the help of a quirky dog trainer, a hilarious colleague, and a hunky young carpenter, Lydia may get a second chance at the life she missed.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 21, 2019
942 people are currently reading
506 people want to read
About the author
S.W. Hubbard
32 books453 followersS.W. Hubbard writes the kinds of books she loves to read: twisty, believable, full of complex characters, and highlighted with sly humor. She is the author of the Palmyrton Estate Sale Mystery Series and the Frank Bennett Adirondack Mountain Mystery Series, as well as the Life in Palmyrton Women's Friendship Fiction Series. Her short stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and the anthologiesDead Drift, Crimes by Moonlight, The Mystery Box, andAdirondack Mysteries. When not writing, she hikes with her rescue dog, Libby, and her husband. She lives in Morristown, NJ.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
October 19, 2019
Since I have thoroughly enjoyed Hubbard's Frank Bennett Adirondack Mountain mysteries and her Palmyrton (how on earth is that place pronounced?) Estate Sales mysteries I was pretty sure I would like this book even though it turned out not to be a mystery, at least not one in the traditional sense.
We find Lydia married to a very wealthy but much older man, who is written as rather stuffy and in control of everything, including his wife. Not surprisingly when he dies suddenly she is left adrift and rattling around her huge house "like a marble in a refrigerator box." Just before his death she had quit her job, one she loved and was very good at, so she didn't even have that to anchor her and shape her days. Most of her friends were couple friends of her husband who may have meant well but really didn't offer much support, other than encouraging her to follow all the instructions he had left in his will.
Most widows are advised not to make any major decisions in the first year; Lydia didn't even wait a month before she made several significant changes. The reader will root for her and at times even cheer, fingers crossed that all those changes work out. Along the way she meets several new people who become caring friends and we also meet up, too briefly, with a couple of characters from the Palmyrton Estate Sales mysteries.
Leave them wanting more, which is just what Hubbard has done! Looking forward to the next book in the series.
We find Lydia married to a very wealthy but much older man, who is written as rather stuffy and in control of everything, including his wife. Not surprisingly when he dies suddenly she is left adrift and rattling around her huge house "like a marble in a refrigerator box." Just before his death she had quit her job, one she loved and was very good at, so she didn't even have that to anchor her and shape her days. Most of her friends were couple friends of her husband who may have meant well but really didn't offer much support, other than encouraging her to follow all the instructions he had left in his will.
Most widows are advised not to make any major decisions in the first year; Lydia didn't even wait a month before she made several significant changes. The reader will root for her and at times even cheer, fingers crossed that all those changes work out. Along the way she meets several new people who become caring friends and we also meet up, too briefly, with a couple of characters from the Palmyrton Estate Sales mysteries.
Leave them wanting more, which is just what Hubbard has done! Looking forward to the next book in the series.
January 18, 2020
Charming and real....
Felt like I was living this life as a friend. Great story , so well told. I can’t wait to read about Roz...plan to start the mystery series. Thinking I have an additional new favorite author.
Felt like I was living this life as a friend. Great story , so well told. I can’t wait to read about Roz...plan to start the mystery series. Thinking I have an additional new favorite author.
February 15, 2022
I loved this book!
I stayed up way to late reading this and was disappointed at its rather abrupt ending! I really enjoyed the writing in this book and was sorry to have it end.
I stayed up way to late reading this and was disappointed at its rather abrupt ending! I really enjoyed the writing in this book and was sorry to have it end.
August 10, 2022
Can't put it down
A glimpse into the thinking and lifestyle of the rich trying to downsize their life. It kept me reading constantly - perhaps to my husband's dismay.
A glimpse into the thinking and lifestyle of the rich trying to downsize their life. It kept me reading constantly - perhaps to my husband's dismay.
July 15, 2022
Lydia married an older man who took care of her,protected her and when Lydia left her job so they could retire and travel her husband died on her. Now Lydia is alone,lonely and terrified with what to do with her life and what direction to go in. She has to find her own way,make her own life and deal with some rather odd circumstances while doing this. Very good read with excellent charaacter development!
September 13, 2021
Control
Lydia married an older well established man. Lydia had been married for eighteen years. She had just quit her job at her husband's urging, so they could travel extensively. But then he unexpectedly dies, she is shocked to realize that he is still controlling her from the grave. Lydia needs to find what makes her happy. She has spent her married life being pampered and protected by Charles. She has also spent that time catering to his wishes. Getting a dog, selling their very large home, buying a cost fixer upper, getting a job and making new friends.
Lydia married an older well established man. Lydia had been married for eighteen years. She had just quit her job at her husband's urging, so they could travel extensively. But then he unexpectedly dies, she is shocked to realize that he is still controlling her from the grave. Lydia needs to find what makes her happy. She has spent her married life being pampered and protected by Charles. She has also spent that time catering to his wishes. Getting a dog, selling their very large home, buying a cost fixer upper, getting a job and making new friends.
September 27, 2022
Highly recommend...
This was honestly one of the best books that I have read in a long time. Lydia was a very likeable character, along with her friends Roz, Seth, Tom and others. Life, Part 2, was a real page turner. I hated to see it end.
This was honestly one of the best books that I have read in a long time. Lydia was a very likeable character, along with her friends Roz, Seth, Tom and others. Life, Part 2, was a real page turner. I hated to see it end.
September 9, 2021
Loved this story. Hope the other 2 are as good.
November 29, 2020
Lovely story
I like it because I could not figure out the ending. It hooked me from the beginning and I could not put it down.
I like it because I could not figure out the ending. It hooked me from the beginning and I could not put it down.
November 9, 2020
Best Book I read this Year!!
I really enjoyed how Lydia became the person she always wanted to be. Her husband had stunted her from evolving into a competent adult bt making decisions for her!
I really enjoyed how Lydia became the person she always wanted to be. Her husband had stunted her from evolving into a competent adult bt making decisions for her!
October 22, 2019
Wonderful stand-alone from a favorite author-Hooked on Lydia from the start!
I highly recommend this book about a woman who is plummeted to a new life. She is a strong character, driven by those feelings she had not faced head on in her past. I was particularly impressed in the story telling, but relating so closely to Lydia was a surprise. I’ve read all of this author’s 2 previous mystery series and this new entry, although not a mystery, is extremely captivating. I’ll be happy to continue following this series as well. Kudos!
I highly recommend this book about a woman who is plummeted to a new life. She is a strong character, driven by those feelings she had not faced head on in her past. I was particularly impressed in the story telling, but relating so closely to Lydia was a surprise. I’ve read all of this author’s 2 previous mystery series and this new entry, although not a mystery, is extremely captivating. I’ll be happy to continue following this series as well. Kudos!
February 6, 2021
This was such a good chick-lit about a 45 year old woman finding herself after the death of her much older husband. This story had everything I love, a realistic journey with the sadness of loss, humor, romance, and a strength to create a new life that only comes from within. The character development was spot on. The pacing was perfect and it all came full circle to a wonderfully satisfying read.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
December 21, 2019
Loved it
I enjoyed this book so much. It wasn't my normal read, but I'm so glad that I read the 1st page. I loved all the characters. The story itself was what I needed to read. Change is hard but sometimes you have to do it full throttle. I will look it more books by this author. It made my heart happy.
I enjoyed this book so much. It wasn't my normal read, but I'm so glad that I read the 1st page. I loved all the characters. The story itself was what I needed to read. Change is hard but sometimes you have to do it full throttle. I will look it more books by this author. It made my heart happy.
December 25, 2019
A great story about a woman's path
A wonderful real life story about how a middle aged woman learns how to reinvent herself when her life abruptly changes without warning. I really love this author. She makes you feel like you know and care about her characters and want to see them triumph.
A wonderful real life story about how a middle aged woman learns how to reinvent herself when her life abruptly changes without warning. I really love this author. She makes you feel like you know and care about her characters and want to see them triumph.
February 5, 2020
Didn’t want to put it down nice I got into it
Loved the characters and wasn,t ready for it to end., but think it ended at the right time. Look forward to reading more from this author
Loved the characters and wasn,t ready for it to end., but think it ended at the right time. Look forward to reading more from this author
October 22, 2020
Loved the story and the cross over from another series.
June 29, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I have become a huge fan of S.W. Hubbard's writing. I find her books to be absolute page turners and I think more people should give her books a chance. The author is local to my area and I was fortunate enough to discover her Palmyrton Estate Sale Mysteries series since she graciously sent me a free copy of the first and fifth audiobooks in the series. Since then I have read every book in that series as well as the first three books of her Frank Bennett series (so far.) I was so excited to start this new Women's Fiction series and I was definitely not disappointed! On to book 2!
December 17, 2022
Five stars for Life, Part 2: Lydia’s Story by S.W. Hubbard
I don’t recall how I discovered her, but I’ve been enjoying author S.W. Hubbard’s book reviews on Goodreads for a while. Recently she posted about a sale on the first book of her Life in Palmyrton series, so I decided to give her novels a try and was immediately drawn into Lydia’s story.
Life, Part 2 begins with a death but is really a beautiful story of new beginnings. Lydia enjoyed 18 comfortable years as Charles Eastlee’s wife, but after his death she realizes that she gave up more than her restless youth when she married an older man. She’s been living his cautious, beige life and now finds that it has too little meaning without him. Making big changes isn’t without risk, but it’s time for Lydia to reach back into her youth to figure out what she really wants for her life going forward.
Life, Part 2 is as smoothly written and engaging as Hubbard’s reviews. Lydia and her old and new friends come to life in an easy, natural way as the story progresses through a full year, feeling like people you know in your own life. There is just enough angst to make Lydia’s journey feel true to life, balanced with lots of humor and small moments that make you cheer for Lydia as she makes her fresh start.
I stayed up late finishing Lydia’s story, and the ending was abrupt enough to make me immediately download book 2 of the series to my Kindle. I look forward to learning more about Lydia’s humorous new friend Roz in Life, Upended: Roz’s Story, and hopefully more about Lydia’s life as well.
I don’t recall how I discovered her, but I’ve been enjoying author S.W. Hubbard’s book reviews on Goodreads for a while. Recently she posted about a sale on the first book of her Life in Palmyrton series, so I decided to give her novels a try and was immediately drawn into Lydia’s story.
Life, Part 2 begins with a death but is really a beautiful story of new beginnings. Lydia enjoyed 18 comfortable years as Charles Eastlee’s wife, but after his death she realizes that she gave up more than her restless youth when she married an older man. She’s been living his cautious, beige life and now finds that it has too little meaning without him. Making big changes isn’t without risk, but it’s time for Lydia to reach back into her youth to figure out what she really wants for her life going forward.
Life, Part 2 is as smoothly written and engaging as Hubbard’s reviews. Lydia and her old and new friends come to life in an easy, natural way as the story progresses through a full year, feeling like people you know in your own life. There is just enough angst to make Lydia’s journey feel true to life, balanced with lots of humor and small moments that make you cheer for Lydia as she makes her fresh start.
I stayed up late finishing Lydia’s story, and the ending was abrupt enough to make me immediately download book 2 of the series to my Kindle. I look forward to learning more about Lydia’s humorous new friend Roz in Life, Upended: Roz’s Story, and hopefully more about Lydia’s life as well.
August 25, 2021
Learning at any age.
Who says you stop learning as an adult? Just when you think life is good, something or someone will make you think about your life; past, present and future. This story will make you wonder about the choices you've made or the cards you've been dealt or the promise of the future by the decisions you need to make. Good reading.
Who says you stop learning as an adult? Just when you think life is good, something or someone will make you think about your life; past, present and future. This story will make you wonder about the choices you've made or the cards you've been dealt or the promise of the future by the decisions you need to make. Good reading.
July 1, 2021
I enjoyed this very much, but I'm a sucker for stories about mid-life reinvention. What lifts this is the well-drawn characters, the humor and the truthfulness about those what-was-I-thinking moments. But Lydia is a character I was rooting for from the beginning. I just wish I knew what comes next for her!
July 11, 2022
Lydia finds herself a widow at 45, “blessed” with financial security that comes with many strings. This is a book about a woman finding herself and gaining the courage to live the life that she wants. I like that Lydia is a bit clunky as she adopts a rescue dog, sells her house, and buys a fixer-upper. Lydia isn’t confident as she makes decisions. But she does find herself and her voice.
August 16, 2021
Nice Book
I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and easy to read. I will definitely recommend it to my friends. I can't wait to read the next book.
I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and easy to read. I will definitely recommend it to my friends. I can't wait to read the next book.
December 25, 2021
Love the book
This was a variety of what a lot of the books I read consist of. It was wonderful, thoughtful, very cheery & a picture of how your life can change. Hope to find others the same.
This was a variety of what a lot of the books I read consist of. It was wonderful, thoughtful, very cheery & a picture of how your life can change. Hope to find others the same.
June 12, 2022
Part 2
Takes a lot of courage to go into the second act, will it be as successful, will the audience be ready to move on and not hang around, will it meet up to expectations. I think Lydia did just fine making her part 2 as much or more than part 1
Takes a lot of courage to go into the second act, will it be as successful, will the audience be ready to move on and not hang around, will it meet up to expectations. I think Lydia did just fine making her part 2 as much or more than part 1
December 22, 2020
Great book. Really liked the main character Lydia from the beginning. No mystery or intrigue, just life. A bit of a different read then I am used to with SW Hubbard but I enjoyed it. I see there is a book 2, will definitely read on.
January 5, 2021
Her life changed in a manner of seconds
From retirement party to emergency vehicle . The recapturing of her twenty five self ,she went from master degree student to matron .Lydias and back again in her new life,its exciting and challenging as the.butterfly soars her wings . A story you cant.put down .It captured my interest and I found a new writer to follow
From retirement party to emergency vehicle . The recapturing of her twenty five self ,she went from master degree student to matron .Lydias and back again in her new life,its exciting and challenging as the.butterfly soars her wings . A story you cant.put down .It captured my interest and I found a new writer to follow
February 19, 2021
Excellent
First time reader for this author and I really enjoyed the story. Can't wait to start book 2. Engaging characters with lots of smiles.
First time reader for this author and I really enjoyed the story. Can't wait to start book 2. Engaging characters with lots of smiles.
October 19, 2021
Feel good
This is a feel good book in its finest form. I enjoyed every word. It’s a light hearted read that compacts tragedy, moving on, changing life into a sweet story. It’s acceptance of life as it twists and turns. Not a book you remember forever, but well worth the time.
This is a feel good book in its finest form. I enjoyed every word. It’s a light hearted read that compacts tragedy, moving on, changing life into a sweet story. It’s acceptance of life as it twists and turns. Not a book you remember forever, but well worth the time.
April 19, 2022
exceptional
From the characters to the situations to the plot line, this book hooks you and reels you in. Worth every minute, and highly recommended. We
From the characters to the situations to the plot line, this book hooks you and reels you in. Worth every minute, and highly recommended. We
June 30, 2022
Totally enjoyable
Such a lovely story about a woman learning to live the life she really wanted, after the sudden death of her husband.
She starts to make friends that are not associated with her husband and she starts to spread her wings into a new life.
Such a lovely story about a woman learning to live the life she really wanted, after the sudden death of her husband.
She starts to make friends that are not associated with her husband and she starts to spread her wings into a new life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews