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An Ordinary Life
From the bestselling author of The Girl in the Corner comes a tale of love, loss—and one last extraordinary dance.
Christmas Eve, 2019. Ninety-four-year-old Molly lies in her hospital bed. A stroke and a fall may have broken her body—but her mind is alive with memories.
London, 1940s. Molly is a bright young woman, determined to help the war effort and keep her head up despite it all. Life becomes brighter when she meets and falls in love with a man who makes her forget everything with one dance. But then war forces her to make an unforgettable sacrifice, and when she’s brought to her knees by a daring undercover mission with the French Resistance, only her sister knows the secret weighing heavily on Molly’s heart.
Now, lying in her hospital bed, Molly can’t escape the memories of what she lost all those years ago. But she is not as alone as she thinks.
Will she be able to find peace—and finally understand that what seemed to be an ordinary life was anything but?
Christmas Eve, 2019. Ninety-four-year-old Molly lies in her hospital bed. A stroke and a fall may have broken her body—but her mind is alive with memories.
London, 1940s. Molly is a bright young woman, determined to help the war effort and keep her head up despite it all. Life becomes brighter when she meets and falls in love with a man who makes her forget everything with one dance. But then war forces her to make an unforgettable sacrifice, and when she’s brought to her knees by a daring undercover mission with the French Resistance, only her sister knows the secret weighing heavily on Molly’s heart.
Now, lying in her hospital bed, Molly can’t escape the memories of what she lost all those years ago. But she is not as alone as she thinks.
Will she be able to find peace—and finally understand that what seemed to be an ordinary life was anything but?
396 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 9, 2021
3295 people are currently reading
8573 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Prowse
84 books1,977 followersPrevious Book: 'Swimming to Lundy', published th August 2024'.
Latest Book: 'This One Life', published 7th January 2025.
Next Book: 'Ever After' published 7th August 2025.
Amanda Prowse is an International Bestselling author whose thirty-two novels, two non-fiction titles and ten novellas have been published in dozens of languages around the world. Published by Lake Union, Amanda is the most prolific writer of bestselling contemporary fiction in the UK today; her titles also consistently score the highest online review approval ratings across several genres. Her books, including the chart topping No.1 titles 'What Have I Done?', 'Perfect Daughter', 'My Husband's Wife', 'The Girl in the Corner' and ‘The Things I Know’ have sold millions of copies across the globe.
A popular TV and radio personality, Amanda has appeared on numerous shows where her views on family and social issues strike a chord with viewers. She also makes countless guest appearances on BBC national and independent Radio stations including LBC, Times Radio and Talk FM, where she is well known for her insightful observations and her infectious humour. Described by the Daily Mail as ‘The queen of family drama’ Amanda’s novel, 'A Mother's Story' won the coveted Sainsbury's eBook of the year Award and she has had two books selected as World Book Night titles, 'Perfect Daughter' in 2016 and 'The Boy Between' in 2022.
Amanda is a huge supporter of libraries and having become a proud ambassador for The Reading Agency, works tirelessly to promote reading, especially in disadvantaged areas. Amanda's ambition is to create stories that keep people from turning the bedside lamp off at night, great characters that ensure you take every step with them and tales that fill your head so you can't possibly read another book until the memory fades...
Praise for Amanda Prowse:
'A powerful and emotional work of fiction' - Piers Morgan
'Deeply moving and emotional, Amanda Prowse handles her explosive subjects with delicate skill' - Daily Mail
'Uplifting and positive, but you will still need a box of tissues' - Hello!
'A gut-wrenching and absolutely brilliant read' - The Irish Sun
'You'll fall in love with this...' - Cosmopolitan
'Deeply moving and eye opening. Powerful and emotional drama that packs a real punch.' - Heat
'Magical' - Now magazine
Latest Book: 'This One Life', published 7th January 2025.
Next Book: 'Ever After' published 7th August 2025.
Amanda Prowse is an International Bestselling author whose thirty-two novels, two non-fiction titles and ten novellas have been published in dozens of languages around the world. Published by Lake Union, Amanda is the most prolific writer of bestselling contemporary fiction in the UK today; her titles also consistently score the highest online review approval ratings across several genres. Her books, including the chart topping No.1 titles 'What Have I Done?', 'Perfect Daughter', 'My Husband's Wife', 'The Girl in the Corner' and ‘The Things I Know’ have sold millions of copies across the globe.
A popular TV and radio personality, Amanda has appeared on numerous shows where her views on family and social issues strike a chord with viewers. She also makes countless guest appearances on BBC national and independent Radio stations including LBC, Times Radio and Talk FM, where she is well known for her insightful observations and her infectious humour. Described by the Daily Mail as ‘The queen of family drama’ Amanda’s novel, 'A Mother's Story' won the coveted Sainsbury's eBook of the year Award and she has had two books selected as World Book Night titles, 'Perfect Daughter' in 2016 and 'The Boy Between' in 2022.
Amanda is a huge supporter of libraries and having become a proud ambassador for The Reading Agency, works tirelessly to promote reading, especially in disadvantaged areas. Amanda's ambition is to create stories that keep people from turning the bedside lamp off at night, great characters that ensure you take every step with them and tales that fill your head so you can't possibly read another book until the memory fades...
Praise for Amanda Prowse:
'A powerful and emotional work of fiction' - Piers Morgan
'Deeply moving and emotional, Amanda Prowse handles her explosive subjects with delicate skill' - Daily Mail
'Uplifting and positive, but you will still need a box of tissues' - Hello!
'A gut-wrenching and absolutely brilliant read' - The Irish Sun
'You'll fall in love with this...' - Cosmopolitan
'Deeply moving and eye opening. Powerful and emotional drama that packs a real punch.' - Heat
'Magical' - Now magazine
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 628 reviews
February 13, 2021
EXCERPT: . . . the memory of her lover's palm running over her back beneath the winter sunshine on a stolen afternoon, as they lay close together on a tartan blanket among the ruins of war was, even now, enough to make her weep like the willow beneath which they had sought shelter. His face, captured in her mind like a picture, a particular smile, lips closed, one side of his mouth raised more than the other, his hair flopping forward, his eyes mid-laugh...It had always been him.
And now, here she was. Lying alone on a trolley in a corridor, unable to imagine whatever might come next, able to think only about what had gone before: each step, each breath and each day that had led up to that point in time. Her body quite useless now, but oh! The miraculous thing it had done: bearing a child, a boy! A beautiful son . . .
She cursed her inability to finish the note she had started, wishing nothing more than to place it in the hand of the boy who had shaped her whole life. She needed to tell him of her history. Her story, her ordinary life, and thus his story, the full truth he'd never known but that she'd promised, finally, to tell him. The truth that now he might never know.
ABOUT 'AN ORDINARY LIFE': Christmas Eve, 2019. Ninety-four-year-old Molly lies in her hospital bed. A stroke and a fall may have broken her body—but her mind is alive with memories.
London, 1940s. Molly is a bright young woman, determined to help the war effort and keep her head up despite it all. Life becomes brighter when she meets and falls in love with a man who makes her forget everything with one dance. But then war forces her to make an unforgettable sacrifice, and when she’s brought to her knees by a daring undercover mission with the French Resistance, only her sister knows the secret weighing heavily on Molly’s heart.
Now, lying in her hospital bed, Molly can’t escape the memories of what she lost all those years ago. But she is not as alone as she thinks.
Will she be able to find peace—and finally understand that what seemed to be an ordinary life was anything but?
MY THOUGHTS: This is a steady-paced but extremely emotional family drama that had me in tears several times during the read. Amanda Prowse is very adept at that.
I adored and admired Molly. She was an extremely strong and courageous woman, but that strength was also her undoing. No matter what befell her, she picked herself up and kept going, until she could go no further.
I didn't think that I would enjoy An Ordinary Life when I first began it. It felt like it was going to be a 'soppy romance.' But I should have known better. Amanda Prowse has never let me down yet, and she certainly didn't this time either. A few twists, and the book went off in an entirely different and unexpected direction.
I enjoyed An Ordinary Life. Molly wormed her way into my heart as I celebrated her successes, cried with her at her heartbreak, held my breath when she was in danger, and took pleasure in her joy.
An Ordinary Life is proof that Prowse can turn her hand to any genre, successfully. Every book she writes is different, yet every book stirs my emotions.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.3
#AnOrdinaryLife #NetGalley @MrsAmandaProwse
#familydrama #historicalfiction #mentalhealth #romance #WWII
THE AUTHOR: Amanda Prowse was a management consultant for ten years before realising that she was born to write. Amanda lives in the West Country with her husband and their two teenage sons.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of An Ordinary Life by Amanda Prowse for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
And now, here she was. Lying alone on a trolley in a corridor, unable to imagine whatever might come next, able to think only about what had gone before: each step, each breath and each day that had led up to that point in time. Her body quite useless now, but oh! The miraculous thing it had done: bearing a child, a boy! A beautiful son . . .
She cursed her inability to finish the note she had started, wishing nothing more than to place it in the hand of the boy who had shaped her whole life. She needed to tell him of her history. Her story, her ordinary life, and thus his story, the full truth he'd never known but that she'd promised, finally, to tell him. The truth that now he might never know.
ABOUT 'AN ORDINARY LIFE': Christmas Eve, 2019. Ninety-four-year-old Molly lies in her hospital bed. A stroke and a fall may have broken her body—but her mind is alive with memories.
London, 1940s. Molly is a bright young woman, determined to help the war effort and keep her head up despite it all. Life becomes brighter when she meets and falls in love with a man who makes her forget everything with one dance. But then war forces her to make an unforgettable sacrifice, and when she’s brought to her knees by a daring undercover mission with the French Resistance, only her sister knows the secret weighing heavily on Molly’s heart.
Now, lying in her hospital bed, Molly can’t escape the memories of what she lost all those years ago. But she is not as alone as she thinks.
Will she be able to find peace—and finally understand that what seemed to be an ordinary life was anything but?
MY THOUGHTS: This is a steady-paced but extremely emotional family drama that had me in tears several times during the read. Amanda Prowse is very adept at that.
I adored and admired Molly. She was an extremely strong and courageous woman, but that strength was also her undoing. No matter what befell her, she picked herself up and kept going, until she could go no further.
I didn't think that I would enjoy An Ordinary Life when I first began it. It felt like it was going to be a 'soppy romance.' But I should have known better. Amanda Prowse has never let me down yet, and she certainly didn't this time either. A few twists, and the book went off in an entirely different and unexpected direction.
I enjoyed An Ordinary Life. Molly wormed her way into my heart as I celebrated her successes, cried with her at her heartbreak, held my breath when she was in danger, and took pleasure in her joy.
An Ordinary Life is proof that Prowse can turn her hand to any genre, successfully. Every book she writes is different, yet every book stirs my emotions.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.3
#AnOrdinaryLife #NetGalley @MrsAmandaProwse
#familydrama #historicalfiction #mentalhealth #romance #WWII
THE AUTHOR: Amanda Prowse was a management consultant for ten years before realising that she was born to write. Amanda lives in the West Country with her husband and their two teenage sons.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of An Ordinary Life by Amanda Prowse for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
March 4, 2021
A lovely story about an extraordinary woman. The story starts off with Molly age 94 writing a very important letter followed by a tumble down the stairs. The book then jumps back to Molly at age 18 working for the British government as a translator during WWII. The story than documents Molly’s life through the decades. First love, war, sacrifice, tragedy, hardship, friendship, forgiveness, hope. Molly didn’t always have an easy life but she always had a bit of a spark. I really liked Molly and enjoyed getting to know her throughout her life. She really made the ultimate sacrifice and lived with the fallout for all her life. But I do have to say I think she made the right choice and came to peace with it in the end. The perfect book to pick up when you’re in the mood for a quieter story with a big heart.
*** Big thank you to Amazon UK for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
*** Big thank you to Amazon UK for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
April 14, 2022
An Ordinary Life is a domestic drama novel written by Amanda Prowse, an author who continually delivers quality story, memorable characters, and heartbreaking scenes. I've now read around a dozen of her books and will keep reading the rest until I catch up to her current total of ~25. In this one, 94-year-old Molly knows she will die soon yet she has one promise to fulfill. What could the letter she's writing be all about?
Much of the book (except the first chapter, a few in-between ones, and the last two) takes place in the 1940s. Molly works in one of the British ministries, helping translate messages to win the war. She's nearly 30, unmarried, and shadowed by her brother and sister who have reached success according to their mother. Molly's colleague begs her to go out for drinks one night, to meet the girl's brother... one thing leads to another, and Molly finds herself smitten. The story ebbs and flows with tragedy as we see what happened in the 1940s, up until we discover her hidden secret. From there, time jumps every decade to let us know what's happened to Molly, and then finally, we're back at the moment when she's writing the letter and encounters yet another tragedy.
This is a slow start with a long lead-in. But it keeps your attention. In time, you realize what the secret is but not necessarily how it all plays out. Several scenarios are possible, and because you are missing the facts of a 60-year-period, it's not entirely what you expect... nor does the final goal match what you'd assume when you read the first few chapters. It is by no means a suspense novel, rather a poignant story of what happened to many people during war. How Molly reacts in those middle years offers many surprises. And it highlights Prowse's talents at developing unique characters.
Much of the book (except the first chapter, a few in-between ones, and the last two) takes place in the 1940s. Molly works in one of the British ministries, helping translate messages to win the war. She's nearly 30, unmarried, and shadowed by her brother and sister who have reached success according to their mother. Molly's colleague begs her to go out for drinks one night, to meet the girl's brother... one thing leads to another, and Molly finds herself smitten. The story ebbs and flows with tragedy as we see what happened in the 1940s, up until we discover her hidden secret. From there, time jumps every decade to let us know what's happened to Molly, and then finally, we're back at the moment when she's writing the letter and encounters yet another tragedy.
This is a slow start with a long lead-in. But it keeps your attention. In time, you realize what the secret is but not necessarily how it all plays out. Several scenarios are possible, and because you are missing the facts of a 60-year-period, it's not entirely what you expect... nor does the final goal match what you'd assume when you read the first few chapters. It is by no means a suspense novel, rather a poignant story of what happened to many people during war. How Molly reacts in those middle years offers many surprises. And it highlights Prowse's talents at developing unique characters.
February 1, 2021
The novel opens with 94 year old Molly Collway in her beloved cottage reflecting back on her life and finally planning to write a long promised letter to someone very important to her. A letter she never gets to finish. Her life hasn't always been easy, especially as a young woman, but her later years have been filled with love and family. It's her early years, as an 18 year old working as a translator in the Ministry of Information during WW2 that she recalls most strongly. Where her best friend Geer introduced her to her handsome brother Johan, a navy officer and they fell head over heels in love. For many young women, WW2 was an extraordinary time when they not only had to go out to work but also had to make choices they never would have been free to make before. The consequences of Molly's choices would set her life on the path that it took for the rest of her life.
Molly's story made for an enjoyable read, but lacked that something extra to give it some excitement as Molly's life after the war becomes rather humdrum. However, it will likely appeal to readers who love family dramas.
With thanks to Amazon UK Publishing and Netgalley for a digital copy to read
Molly's story made for an enjoyable read, but lacked that something extra to give it some excitement as Molly's life after the war becomes rather humdrum. However, it will likely appeal to readers who love family dramas.
With thanks to Amazon UK Publishing and Netgalley for a digital copy to read
February 4, 2021
London, 1940s. Molly is a bright young woman, determined to help the war effort and keep her head up despite it all. Life becomes brighter when she meets and falls in love with a man who makes her forget everything with one dance. But then war forces her to make an unforgettable sacrifice, and when she’s brought to her knees by a daring undercover mission with the French Resistance, only her sister knows the secret weighing heavily on Molly’s heart.
Now, at the age of ninety-four, lying in her hospital bed, Molly can’t escape the memories of what she lost all those years ago.
Will she be able to find peace—and finally understand that what seemed to be an ordinary life was anything but?
When I started reading this, I did not think that I would love this book. It was such a beautiful and heartfelt story; I was so lost in Molly’s story that I did not even realize how the time flew and within a few hours I had finished reading it.
Often when we come across stories of people during the World War II, we hear and read examples of sacrifice, courage and exceptional strength through their actions. This story is no different.
This book takes us on a journey through Molly’s story. It covers the different experiences and emotions that one faces in life such as love, loss, grief, anger, joy and hope. Faced with some of the toughest decisions she did experience some emotional breakdowns but with every challenge or circumstance that Molly faced, she just grew stronger and never lost hope.
What’s amazing is that Molly considers her life ordinary but for us readers, it is far from that. In fact, I found her life both extraordinary and inspirational!
I would highly recommend this historical fiction to everyone! It is definitely worth reading!
Thank You NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC!
Now, at the age of ninety-four, lying in her hospital bed, Molly can’t escape the memories of what she lost all those years ago.
Will she be able to find peace—and finally understand that what seemed to be an ordinary life was anything but?
When I started reading this, I did not think that I would love this book. It was such a beautiful and heartfelt story; I was so lost in Molly’s story that I did not even realize how the time flew and within a few hours I had finished reading it.
Often when we come across stories of people during the World War II, we hear and read examples of sacrifice, courage and exceptional strength through their actions. This story is no different.
This book takes us on a journey through Molly’s story. It covers the different experiences and emotions that one faces in life such as love, loss, grief, anger, joy and hope. Faced with some of the toughest decisions she did experience some emotional breakdowns but with every challenge or circumstance that Molly faced, she just grew stronger and never lost hope.
What’s amazing is that Molly considers her life ordinary but for us readers, it is far from that. In fact, I found her life both extraordinary and inspirational!
I would highly recommend this historical fiction to everyone! It is definitely worth reading!
Thank You NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC!
April 6, 2021
*https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogsp...
I love reading anything that is set during WWII and Amanda Prowse hasn't disappointed in this family drama centred around a young woman who made great sacrifices and risked her life to help end the war.
The story opens with Molly aged 94 suffering from a stroke and a fall that lands her in hospital unable to communicate, although her mind is perfectly clear. Molly is desperate to tell her story.
From here we go back to 1943, London and an 18 year old Molly. She is an amazing, strong woman and very intelligent. She is fluent in German and works for The Ministry of Information as a senior translator translating propaganda posters and transcripts intercepted from the enemy. We follow Molly's extraordinary life through the ups and downs of love, friendships and family in a time of war.
Amanda Prowse portrays how the war had changed the trajectory of many lives and how women slotted into jobs usually allocated to men. The story also shows the societal restrictions of the time concerning reputation and appearances. Molly falls in love fast and hard, as many did during this time of uncertainty. When he is sent off to fight she spends many hours thinking of her love and praying for his safe return whilst she continues with her life and doing what she can to end this war and bring her loved one home.
With themes of PTSD, spies, societal expectations and family, Amanda Prowse has written a beautifully described story that is filled with love, danger, tension, sacrifice and heartbreak.
I thoroughly enjoyed this compelling Historical Fiction.
*I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley
I love reading anything that is set during WWII and Amanda Prowse hasn't disappointed in this family drama centred around a young woman who made great sacrifices and risked her life to help end the war.
The story opens with Molly aged 94 suffering from a stroke and a fall that lands her in hospital unable to communicate, although her mind is perfectly clear. Molly is desperate to tell her story.
From here we go back to 1943, London and an 18 year old Molly. She is an amazing, strong woman and very intelligent. She is fluent in German and works for The Ministry of Information as a senior translator translating propaganda posters and transcripts intercepted from the enemy. We follow Molly's extraordinary life through the ups and downs of love, friendships and family in a time of war.
Amanda Prowse portrays how the war had changed the trajectory of many lives and how women slotted into jobs usually allocated to men. The story also shows the societal restrictions of the time concerning reputation and appearances. Molly falls in love fast and hard, as many did during this time of uncertainty. When he is sent off to fight she spends many hours thinking of her love and praying for his safe return whilst she continues with her life and doing what she can to end this war and bring her loved one home.
With themes of PTSD, spies, societal expectations and family, Amanda Prowse has written a beautifully described story that is filled with love, danger, tension, sacrifice and heartbreak.
I thoroughly enjoyed this compelling Historical Fiction.
*I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley
February 19, 2021
The novel starts in present day with 90 year old Molly writing a letter to someone from her past. The novel takes you back to England during World War 2, a time period I have always been fascinated with. Molly is a fiercely independent twenty something with no interest in leading a domestic life. As was true for many people during WW2, Molly's life was not easy and she encountered numerous hardships, suffered losses and made many sacrifices. The writing was perfectly descriptive, transporting the reader to the time period.
Molly's hardships didn't end when the war was over and my heart broke for her. I thought this book was going to be historical fiction focused on wartime but it was so much more as 70 years of Molly's life filled the pages. I felt like she was part of my life and I will miss her and this story.
Thank you Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review
Molly's hardships didn't end when the war was over and my heart broke for her. I thought this book was going to be historical fiction focused on wartime but it was so much more as 70 years of Molly's life filled the pages. I felt like she was part of my life and I will miss her and this story.
Thank you Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review
April 13, 2021
This was my first by Amanda Prouse, courtesy of NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing. It is a flashback from 94 year old Molly Collway's deathbed, back to when she worked covertly for the English during the 2nd World War, met, and fell in love with a handsome young soldier. She experiences much happiness but also many tragedies. I would say that her life was anything but ordinary, but to anyone who didn't know her secrets, it really would seem just that. And isn't that the way it seems for many seemingly ordinary humans, until you delve deeper beneath the surface? For her, the family she holds near and dear doesn't in fact know the real Molly or her many secrets. That could be sad, but it took strength and gumption for Molly to ultimately be happy and resigned to accept the cards she was dealt. If this had been titled anything else, I probably wouldn't have liked it as much. It made me think about how we move past, and sometimes even hide away, the things we did in our younger years.
February 5, 2021
Christmas Eve, 2019: Ninety four year old Molly lies in her hospital bed. A stroke and a fall mmay have broken her body - but her mind is alive with memories.
London, 1940's: Molly is a bright young woman, determined to help the war effort and keep her head up despite it all. She meets and falls in love with a man who makes her forget everything with one dance.But war forces her to make an unforgettable sacrifice, and when she's brought to her knees by a daring undercover mission with the French Resistance, only knows the secret weighing heavily on her heart.
Lying in her hospital bed, Molly realises she has not been able to fulfill a promise she made a long time ago. We go on a journey with her as she reminisces about events that took place in her life. This is an emotional story about love and loss. It's descriptively written with a steady pace.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #AmazonPublishingUK and the author #AmandaProwse for my ARC in exchange for a honest review.
London, 1940's: Molly is a bright young woman, determined to help the war effort and keep her head up despite it all. She meets and falls in love with a man who makes her forget everything with one dance.But war forces her to make an unforgettable sacrifice, and when she's brought to her knees by a daring undercover mission with the French Resistance, only knows the secret weighing heavily on her heart.
Lying in her hospital bed, Molly realises she has not been able to fulfill a promise she made a long time ago. We go on a journey with her as she reminisces about events that took place in her life. This is an emotional story about love and loss. It's descriptively written with a steady pace.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #AmazonPublishingUK and the author #AmandaProwse for my ARC in exchange for a honest review.
June 23, 2021
Molly Collway is ninety four and she's delayed starting a very important task for years, she needs to write a letter and she’s running out of time. Unfortunately Molly takes a tumble on the night she begins penning her letter, she has a stroke, and she’s unable to speak and ends up in hospital on Christmas Eve. Lying in her hospital Molly’s body is frail and broken and her mind is still sharp. A life time of reflection, some of her memories are wonderful others are incredibly sad and you have no idea how her story will end.
Molly’s life hasn’t been ordinary at all, she crammed a lot into ninety four years and she enriched many people’s lives. As a young woman she worked as an interpreter during WW II, fell in love with her best friends brother Johan, joined the resistance in France, worked as a POW liaison officer during and after WW II and her last job was working in the records department of a large English hospital.
As you read Molly’s story the years go by, she grows old and her secret is always on her mind. The story revolves around Molly finding peace with her past, accepting that she made the right decision as a young woman and at a very difficult time for her. Thanks to NetGalley for my copy of An Ordinary Life, I enjoyed the story, maybe it could have been a little shorter and three stars from me.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
Molly’s life hasn’t been ordinary at all, she crammed a lot into ninety four years and she enriched many people’s lives. As a young woman she worked as an interpreter during WW II, fell in love with her best friends brother Johan, joined the resistance in France, worked as a POW liaison officer during and after WW II and her last job was working in the records department of a large English hospital.
As you read Molly’s story the years go by, she grows old and her secret is always on her mind. The story revolves around Molly finding peace with her past, accepting that she made the right decision as a young woman and at a very difficult time for her. Thanks to NetGalley for my copy of An Ordinary Life, I enjoyed the story, maybe it could have been a little shorter and three stars from me.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
December 10, 2020
This is book is 5 + stars !! I loved this whole story line and it was great to take a break from all the psychological thrillers I have been reading in the past few months (which are my favorite genre). Amanda Prowse just knows how to write an awesome story and I loved this one from the beginning to the end. She is a 94 year old woman, reliving all her many years and boy does she ever!! I highly recommend this book to all!! Thanks to NetGalley for this early release in exchange for my honest review.
March 4, 2021
DNF @ 38%
No connection to the character. 1st read by this author (and last) the writing style didn't hit me. I didn't feel much and this far into the book I was not one bit curious of how it would end.
This was less than ordinary
No connection to the character. 1st read by this author (and last) the writing style didn't hit me. I didn't feel much and this far into the book I was not one bit curious of how it would end.
This was less than ordinary
February 5, 2021
I have just finished reading An Ordinary Life by Amanda Prowse
An Ordinary Life is a Historical Fiction, with the main character Molly starting off the story at age 94. The story is based primary in England during war time
This really was not a good fit for me, as I found the writing and story to be almost geared for Young adults. I could not get into the characters and had a very difficult time finishing the book. It is rare for me to not want to finish a book once I start it.
I did only finish it, as I committed to a review. It is getting good reviews overall, so I am sure many readers will find it appealing.
Thank You to NetGalley, Author Amanda Prowse, and Amazon Publishing UK for my advanced copy to read, and review.
#AnOrdinaryLife #NetGalley
An Ordinary Life is a Historical Fiction, with the main character Molly starting off the story at age 94. The story is based primary in England during war time
This really was not a good fit for me, as I found the writing and story to be almost geared for Young adults. I could not get into the characters and had a very difficult time finishing the book. It is rare for me to not want to finish a book once I start it.
I did only finish it, as I committed to a review. It is getting good reviews overall, so I am sure many readers will find it appealing.
Thank You to NetGalley, Author Amanda Prowse, and Amazon Publishing UK for my advanced copy to read, and review.
#AnOrdinaryLife #NetGalley
February 6, 2021
I am excited to be taking part in the #BlogTour for Amanda Prowse's beautiful, heartfelt and poignant story AN ORDINARY LIFE.
Having not read Amanda Prowse before I had no idea what to expect, apart from what the premise outlined that had initially drawn me to the book for it's wartime subplot. And yet I wasn't prepared for the emotions it evoked in me. I can see why she is such a high-rated author as she has that ability to draw you in and make you feel as if you are the main protagonist with all her experiences of love, life and loss. I was initially drawn to this book for his historical fiction aspect but it's the easy contemporary style that leaves you feeling emotive.
AN ORDINARY LIFE is about one woman's extraordinary life that was anything but ordinary. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry and it will make you feel. It spans the years from 2019 to 1943 and throughout the years to the present day again. It is a tender tale, a beautiful story that is both heartfelt and heartbreaking...and it is about a secret carried over seven decades.
Christmas Eve 2019: Ninety-four year old Molly has a secret. A secret that she has carried for seventy five years and now she is the only one remaining that knows of it. She knows that at her age time is no longer on her side and this secret which she carries, she knows the time has come to impart that knowledge to the one whom it affects the most. Her son. And so she begins a letter but is unsure where to start. And then she sees another envelope marked "Private Correspondence" that spoke of the news the recipient never got to read and a tear escapes her eye. She places her unfinished letter to her son with the other aged envelope in her book "The Study of Flora" and sets it aside for a moment until she can gather her thoughts. A quick cup of tea and then she will finish it.
Molly carries the delicate teacup along the half-lit hall of her cosy cottage. She knew every nook, every cranny and every nuance of this house she purchased seven decades ago for her a little Joe. But her socked feet misjudged the two hundred year old staircase and she clutched her little teacup to her chest as if her life depended on it - it had been her grandmother's teacup - as if protecting it was of greater importance than any attempt to protect her aged bones. And as her frail body descended, she felt her head hit every step as she thumped her way down. The only two thoughts in her mind were - "This was my grandmother's teacup!" and "This may be how I die but I must finish my letter!" This, she thought before she drifted into dark oblivion.
It was her granddaughter Frances who found her and as Molly tried to tell her and the paramedics about her letter, she found her voice could only utter grunts and sounds. Now Molly finds herself in a hospital bed having suffered a stroke that has taken her words from her after a fall that has broken her body...but her mind remains alive with memories... And the thought that she must finish that letter.
London 1943: Nineteen year old Molly Collway works as a translator of both German and French for the Ministry of Information in her bid to help the war effort. She hopes this position will be a stepping stone to a career in Diplomacy although her family would rather she settle down with a nice young chap and have babies. But Molly wants more from life than domesticity. That is until her best friend Geer drags her along to a dance one evening and introduces her to her handsome brother Johan. As soon as their eyes meet, Molly forgets everything else and sees only him. They dance as if no one is watching, as if they were the only people in the room.
Time is short, as it was in wartime fraught with stolen moments, and Molly and Johan's was just that. A lieutenant in the navy, Johan is stationed in a secret location, though he assures her he is quite safe as he remains on English soil. The couple share only a handful of moments together before it is all tragically torn apart. But not before one stolen moment together that she now treasures - the memory of Johan's touch, his kiss and the feel of their nakedness.
But Molly while has no time to mourn, her mother has no time for her grief. She returns to work hiding a secret from everyone...except her sister Joyce, who urged her to tell their mother before she guessed. But too late, Molly returned home from work with a backache that lead to her locking herself in the bathroom and giving birth to her beautiful son who she named Joe, after his father. Her mother was shocked at the shame that Molly had brought on their good family name and told her that she nor the baby were not welcome under her roof. Molly's plan had been to save enough money to see her through her confinement and return to work whilst acquiring someone to look after Joe in her absence.
But things change. Especially in wartime. Molly soon found herself without a job and no way of taking care of Joe. So she decided on a temporary solution while she saved enough for her and Joe to live a comfortable life. She asked her sister Joyce to look after him and keep him safe until after the war when living in London was no longer a risk. It seemed the ideal solution...for now.
The remainder of the war saw Molly become an undercover operative with the French Resistance until she realised the danger before becoming a POW liaison officer for the duration of the war and beyond. Once the war was over, Molly decided a move to the countryside would be a far better life for a child and bought a cottage in Chelmsford in Essex. She decorated Joe's room in shades of blue and suspended her father's wooden airplanes from the ceiling...and prepared to welcome her son home at last. After nine months growing and blooming under Joyce's loving care, is this finally to be her's and Joe's happy ever after?
Without giving any spoilers away, suffice to say Molly's life continues throughout the years from post-war Britain to the sexual revolution of the 60s, the decadence of the 70s, the changes of the eighties, the losses that came with moving into another century up until her fall on Christmas Eve 2019. She changes as the times change and she loses many people she has held dear...including her beloved sister Joyce. Leaving Molly the only one remaining who carries the secret. And now, it seems she may never finish that letter that was so important to her.
Molly's story, her secret, her life...is anything but an ordinary life. It has known tragedy, heartache, loss, grief and pain but it has also known love, happiness, hope and even contentment. Her story is one that will touch you and leave you with tears of sadness as well as happiness.
AN ORDINARY LIFE is definitely a tale of a life that was anything but ordinary. It is a tale of reflection and of acceptance that is both emotive and compelling from beginning to end.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it...with tissues!
I would like to thank #AmandaProwse, #RachelsRandomResources, #AmazonPublishingUK and #Netgalley for an ARC of #AnOrdinaryLife in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Having not read Amanda Prowse before I had no idea what to expect, apart from what the premise outlined that had initially drawn me to the book for it's wartime subplot. And yet I wasn't prepared for the emotions it evoked in me. I can see why she is such a high-rated author as she has that ability to draw you in and make you feel as if you are the main protagonist with all her experiences of love, life and loss. I was initially drawn to this book for his historical fiction aspect but it's the easy contemporary style that leaves you feeling emotive.
AN ORDINARY LIFE is about one woman's extraordinary life that was anything but ordinary. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry and it will make you feel. It spans the years from 2019 to 1943 and throughout the years to the present day again. It is a tender tale, a beautiful story that is both heartfelt and heartbreaking...and it is about a secret carried over seven decades.
Christmas Eve 2019: Ninety-four year old Molly has a secret. A secret that she has carried for seventy five years and now she is the only one remaining that knows of it. She knows that at her age time is no longer on her side and this secret which she carries, she knows the time has come to impart that knowledge to the one whom it affects the most. Her son. And so she begins a letter but is unsure where to start. And then she sees another envelope marked "Private Correspondence" that spoke of the news the recipient never got to read and a tear escapes her eye. She places her unfinished letter to her son with the other aged envelope in her book "The Study of Flora" and sets it aside for a moment until she can gather her thoughts. A quick cup of tea and then she will finish it.
Molly carries the delicate teacup along the half-lit hall of her cosy cottage. She knew every nook, every cranny and every nuance of this house she purchased seven decades ago for her a little Joe. But her socked feet misjudged the two hundred year old staircase and she clutched her little teacup to her chest as if her life depended on it - it had been her grandmother's teacup - as if protecting it was of greater importance than any attempt to protect her aged bones. And as her frail body descended, she felt her head hit every step as she thumped her way down. The only two thoughts in her mind were - "This was my grandmother's teacup!" and "This may be how I die but I must finish my letter!" This, she thought before she drifted into dark oblivion.
It was her granddaughter Frances who found her and as Molly tried to tell her and the paramedics about her letter, she found her voice could only utter grunts and sounds. Now Molly finds herself in a hospital bed having suffered a stroke that has taken her words from her after a fall that has broken her body...but her mind remains alive with memories... And the thought that she must finish that letter.
London 1943: Nineteen year old Molly Collway works as a translator of both German and French for the Ministry of Information in her bid to help the war effort. She hopes this position will be a stepping stone to a career in Diplomacy although her family would rather she settle down with a nice young chap and have babies. But Molly wants more from life than domesticity. That is until her best friend Geer drags her along to a dance one evening and introduces her to her handsome brother Johan. As soon as their eyes meet, Molly forgets everything else and sees only him. They dance as if no one is watching, as if they were the only people in the room.
Time is short, as it was in wartime fraught with stolen moments, and Molly and Johan's was just that. A lieutenant in the navy, Johan is stationed in a secret location, though he assures her he is quite safe as he remains on English soil. The couple share only a handful of moments together before it is all tragically torn apart. But not before one stolen moment together that she now treasures - the memory of Johan's touch, his kiss and the feel of their nakedness.
But Molly while has no time to mourn, her mother has no time for her grief. She returns to work hiding a secret from everyone...except her sister Joyce, who urged her to tell their mother before she guessed. But too late, Molly returned home from work with a backache that lead to her locking herself in the bathroom and giving birth to her beautiful son who she named Joe, after his father. Her mother was shocked at the shame that Molly had brought on their good family name and told her that she nor the baby were not welcome under her roof. Molly's plan had been to save enough money to see her through her confinement and return to work whilst acquiring someone to look after Joe in her absence.
But things change. Especially in wartime. Molly soon found herself without a job and no way of taking care of Joe. So she decided on a temporary solution while she saved enough for her and Joe to live a comfortable life. She asked her sister Joyce to look after him and keep him safe until after the war when living in London was no longer a risk. It seemed the ideal solution...for now.
The remainder of the war saw Molly become an undercover operative with the French Resistance until she realised the danger before becoming a POW liaison officer for the duration of the war and beyond. Once the war was over, Molly decided a move to the countryside would be a far better life for a child and bought a cottage in Chelmsford in Essex. She decorated Joe's room in shades of blue and suspended her father's wooden airplanes from the ceiling...and prepared to welcome her son home at last. After nine months growing and blooming under Joyce's loving care, is this finally to be her's and Joe's happy ever after?
Without giving any spoilers away, suffice to say Molly's life continues throughout the years from post-war Britain to the sexual revolution of the 60s, the decadence of the 70s, the changes of the eighties, the losses that came with moving into another century up until her fall on Christmas Eve 2019. She changes as the times change and she loses many people she has held dear...including her beloved sister Joyce. Leaving Molly the only one remaining who carries the secret. And now, it seems she may never finish that letter that was so important to her.
Molly's story, her secret, her life...is anything but an ordinary life. It has known tragedy, heartache, loss, grief and pain but it has also known love, happiness, hope and even contentment. Her story is one that will touch you and leave you with tears of sadness as well as happiness.
AN ORDINARY LIFE is definitely a tale of a life that was anything but ordinary. It is a tale of reflection and of acceptance that is both emotive and compelling from beginning to end.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it...with tissues!
I would like to thank #AmandaProwse, #RachelsRandomResources, #AmazonPublishingUK and #Netgalley for an ARC of #AnOrdinaryLife in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
March 1, 2021
Historical fiction at its best! Need I say more? Of course! I did not expect to love this book. I've read a lot of WWII books but thought following one woman through her life would be interesting. It was eye-opening. The author took me through joy and extreme sorrow in a story of a woman who is torn in many directions throughout her life. The emotions the author brought through the main character, Molly, were real and took me through the highs and lows in her life. When I finished the book, I was drained but felt like this woman had lived life her way before most women did.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK/Lake Union Publishers for the opportunity to read and review this amazing book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK/Lake Union Publishers for the opportunity to read and review this amazing book!
February 23, 2021
Oh this was just fabulous. You know when you get a writer whose prose style speaks straight to you? Bingo. And this one strangely reminded me of William Boyd's Any Human Heart. A whole life story, the second world war, dramas big and small, a very human story, some utterly convincing older age sections. Very moving. Highly recommended.
February 17, 2021
This is my fourth novel by AP and I absolutely love her writing. She tells a realistic, often heart wrenching tale of love, family and loss.
This one was similar and I couldn’t put it down. If you enjoy great Women Literature then you’ll love this. It’s told in past and present and I was really hoping things were going to get better. I was looking for closure. I refuse to give anything away and I really hope that you read this.
Thank you Amazon Publishing UK and Lake Union Press via Netgalley for this ebook. I’ve voluntarily given my review.
This one was similar and I couldn’t put it down. If you enjoy great Women Literature then you’ll love this. It’s told in past and present and I was really hoping things were going to get better. I was looking for closure. I refuse to give anything away and I really hope that you read this.
Thank you Amazon Publishing UK and Lake Union Press via Netgalley for this ebook. I’ve voluntarily given my review.
January 15, 2021
Another amazing heartfelt book from this author. I felt I was part of the story as it just pulls you in. I could not put this down. I feel like I grew up with the family. Just wonderful. The author always seems to jab you in the heart with her wonderful books.
Looking forward to more.
Thanks to the Author, the publisher, and NetGalley for an early release of this book.
Looking forward to more.
Thanks to the Author, the publisher, and NetGalley for an early release of this book.
May 8, 2025
This historical fiction novel is a quietly moving novel that explores the hidden depths of a woman’s life over the course of nearly a century. The novel centers on the story of Molly, a woman who seems unremarkable at first glance but whose life is filled with love, loss, sacrifice, and strength.
The narrative begins in the present, as 94-year-old Molly lies in a hospital bed, bedridden after a fall. Through a letter to her son and flashbacks, the reader is drawn into her memories—stretching back to the Second World War—uncovering a poignant story of young love, tragedy, and resilience.
Prowse demonstrates a gift for turning a seemingly mundane life into something profound. I was amazed how skillfully she moved the novel along without much explosive action. I easily connected with Molly and the other orbital characters in her life, especially your siblings. The narrator's voice of the audiobook I listened to augmented my enjoyment with the many character voices, especially Molly's voice as she ages. The novel’s central theme—that no life is truly ordinary—resonates still after the final page. It’s a reminder that behind everyone there is a story worth hearing.
The narrative begins in the present, as 94-year-old Molly lies in a hospital bed, bedridden after a fall. Through a letter to her son and flashbacks, the reader is drawn into her memories—stretching back to the Second World War—uncovering a poignant story of young love, tragedy, and resilience.
Prowse demonstrates a gift for turning a seemingly mundane life into something profound. I was amazed how skillfully she moved the novel along without much explosive action. I easily connected with Molly and the other orbital characters in her life, especially your siblings. The narrator's voice of the audiobook I listened to augmented my enjoyment with the many character voices, especially Molly's voice as she ages. The novel’s central theme—that no life is truly ordinary—resonates still after the final page. It’s a reminder that behind everyone there is a story worth hearing.
February 5, 2021
'When you're young, or just younger than we happen to be, it seems unthinkable that you will ever become the older people around you. I think the older you get, the more invisible you become'
Molly is 94 years old and on Christmas Eve 2019 she settles down in bed to write a letter that she should have written a long time ago, a letter revealing a secret that she has kept hidden for more than seventy years, but she never gets to finish it as she decides to go downstairs and, in a lapse of concentration, she loses her balance and falls down the stairs, resulting in a stroke and some broken bones. Now, lying in a hospital bed, all battered and bruised, she reflects back on her life, the man she met and fell in love with during WW2, the huge sacrifice she made and the secret she's held close all these years, the content of which, it seems now, will never be revealed.
There is nothing ordinary about the life of Molly Collway, who witnessed and dealt with so much tragedy and loss within a very short space of time during the war, making the ultimate sacrifice and then keeping it secret for such a long time, standing by the promise that she made to her sister until she thought the time was right. The story is told over two timelines, starting in 2019, then going back to 1943 where Molly begins her story in war torn Britain, reliving the trauma that many people can relate to during those terrible times, and hoping that future generations will never experience these atrocities in their lifetime. Amanda Prowse, once again, writes with dignity and compassion, a tale of love, loss, hope and adversity, creating real characters that, for the time that I was reading this book, I felt like they were a part of me. It is such a poignant tale and in true Prowse fashion, I was reduced to tears on more than one occasion, the quote at the beginning of my review really hit a nerve and I was a complete mess for a whole day. It's an exquisite piece of writing that deserves way more than the maximum five stars I am able to honour it with.
I'd like to thank Amazon Publishing and Netgalley for the auto approval. I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.
Molly is 94 years old and on Christmas Eve 2019 she settles down in bed to write a letter that she should have written a long time ago, a letter revealing a secret that she has kept hidden for more than seventy years, but she never gets to finish it as she decides to go downstairs and, in a lapse of concentration, she loses her balance and falls down the stairs, resulting in a stroke and some broken bones. Now, lying in a hospital bed, all battered and bruised, she reflects back on her life, the man she met and fell in love with during WW2, the huge sacrifice she made and the secret she's held close all these years, the content of which, it seems now, will never be revealed.
There is nothing ordinary about the life of Molly Collway, who witnessed and dealt with so much tragedy and loss within a very short space of time during the war, making the ultimate sacrifice and then keeping it secret for such a long time, standing by the promise that she made to her sister until she thought the time was right. The story is told over two timelines, starting in 2019, then going back to 1943 where Molly begins her story in war torn Britain, reliving the trauma that many people can relate to during those terrible times, and hoping that future generations will never experience these atrocities in their lifetime. Amanda Prowse, once again, writes with dignity and compassion, a tale of love, loss, hope and adversity, creating real characters that, for the time that I was reading this book, I felt like they were a part of me. It is such a poignant tale and in true Prowse fashion, I was reduced to tears on more than one occasion, the quote at the beginning of my review really hit a nerve and I was a complete mess for a whole day. It's an exquisite piece of writing that deserves way more than the maximum five stars I am able to honour it with.
I'd like to thank Amazon Publishing and Netgalley for the auto approval. I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.
December 12, 2020
Do you ever stop and look at an elderly gentleman or lady and wonder what filled their life? Was it family? A career? Did they love? Were they loved? Did they travel? We often just see a wrinkled face and rarely stop to wonder what precious moments a senior has experienced. Amanda Prowse, in her endearing novel, ’An Ordinary Life,’ writes to prove that we should never, ever judge a book by its cover. Especially when it comes to our fellow human beings. Those wrinkles are earned and there’s always a story behind them.
Eighteen year old Mary (Molly) Colloway’s life was anything but ordinary. When she meets her best friend’s brother, Johan, in December 1943, it’s love at first sight. Although they only had a few days together, he leaves her to guard something precious. When he breaks her heart, her sister, Jocelyn, comes to her rescue. Offering to lighten Molly’s load, Jocelyn agrees to keep a secret enabling Molly to throw herself into her career helping in the war effort. Her job at the Foreign Office in the translation department has equipped Molly to join the Resistance and her bravery helps save countless lives. As she reminisces about her 94 years from her hospital bed, Molly realizes that she truly has had an extraordinary life. The burden of secrecy, in retrospect, is what has enriched her life.
I love stories such as this that feature strong women who are brought to their knees and due to circumstances forced to dig deep and draw on strength they didn’t know they possessed. In doing so, they make the best of a bad situation and, in many cases, find that the whole experience has enriched their life. Molly, the youngest in a family of five, lost her father to cancer when she was a child and has lived with a bitter, resentful, and emotionally distant mother. Rather than dwell on her wretched home life, Molly grabs the first opportunity to move out and move on with her life. Each time Miss Molly falls into a huge pothole of devastation and sadness she claws her way back to life and happiness through sheer determination. Central to the theme of this wartime love story is love, loss, secrets and the necessity of creating one’s own happiness in the midst of a world at war. Prowse deftly invites readers into the protagonist’s inner circle and allows them to experience the joy and sadness that shape who the characters are and what they represent. This is more than a wartime romance, it’s about character building in spite of our circumstances and creating a lifetime of memories by putting one foot after another, one day at a time. I read an interview with Prowse where she describes how she has a ‘whoosh’ moment where the concept of the book, almost fully formed, comes to her and she has to immediately write it down detail by detail before it gets lost. I love when authors share the writing process with their readers! Here’s to many more ‘whoosh’ moments, Mrs. Prowse! The world needs more of your books.
Thank you to Amanda Prowse, Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to read this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Eighteen year old Mary (Molly) Colloway’s life was anything but ordinary. When she meets her best friend’s brother, Johan, in December 1943, it’s love at first sight. Although they only had a few days together, he leaves her to guard something precious. When he breaks her heart, her sister, Jocelyn, comes to her rescue. Offering to lighten Molly’s load, Jocelyn agrees to keep a secret enabling Molly to throw herself into her career helping in the war effort. Her job at the Foreign Office in the translation department has equipped Molly to join the Resistance and her bravery helps save countless lives. As she reminisces about her 94 years from her hospital bed, Molly realizes that she truly has had an extraordinary life. The burden of secrecy, in retrospect, is what has enriched her life.
I love stories such as this that feature strong women who are brought to their knees and due to circumstances forced to dig deep and draw on strength they didn’t know they possessed. In doing so, they make the best of a bad situation and, in many cases, find that the whole experience has enriched their life. Molly, the youngest in a family of five, lost her father to cancer when she was a child and has lived with a bitter, resentful, and emotionally distant mother. Rather than dwell on her wretched home life, Molly grabs the first opportunity to move out and move on with her life. Each time Miss Molly falls into a huge pothole of devastation and sadness she claws her way back to life and happiness through sheer determination. Central to the theme of this wartime love story is love, loss, secrets and the necessity of creating one’s own happiness in the midst of a world at war. Prowse deftly invites readers into the protagonist’s inner circle and allows them to experience the joy and sadness that shape who the characters are and what they represent. This is more than a wartime romance, it’s about character building in spite of our circumstances and creating a lifetime of memories by putting one foot after another, one day at a time. I read an interview with Prowse where she describes how she has a ‘whoosh’ moment where the concept of the book, almost fully formed, comes to her and she has to immediately write it down detail by detail before it gets lost. I love when authors share the writing process with their readers! Here’s to many more ‘whoosh’ moments, Mrs. Prowse! The world needs more of your books.
Thank you to Amanda Prowse, Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to read this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
November 30, 2020
2.5 stars rounded up, generously. **This review may contain spoilers for those who have not read the book yet. **
This was such a disappointment! But for once, the title is correct - this is definitely and Ordinary book. There is nothing special about it. I cannot feel anything towards Molly in her plight as she was written as such a weak character - and I don't say that lightly.
During the war, many women in Europe bravely faced daily challenges - rationing, loved ones gone missing or killed in the Blitz, sons and husbands killed or taken captive during the war. Nothing was easy about any of it. But I just could not empathize with Molly at all in this entire story. It seemed that every time she was faced with a challenge, she just ... gave up. And why did this story go on as long as it did? Had Molly died in the 60s, 70s, 80,s or even 90s.... nothing would have changed at all for the story. I was expecting so much more of this story and honestly, even when there was a chance for everything to come to light, and make reading this entire story worthwhile... it doesn't happen.
There are so many better books out there with almost the same storyline, so give this one a pass.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I apologize if it was too honest.
This was such a disappointment! But for once, the title is correct - this is definitely and Ordinary book. There is nothing special about it. I cannot feel anything towards Molly in her plight as she was written as such a weak character - and I don't say that lightly.
During the war, many women in Europe bravely faced daily challenges - rationing, loved ones gone missing or killed in the Blitz, sons and husbands killed or taken captive during the war. Nothing was easy about any of it. But I just could not empathize with Molly at all in this entire story. It seemed that every time she was faced with a challenge, she just ... gave up. And why did this story go on as long as it did? Had Molly died in the 60s, 70s, 80,s or even 90s.... nothing would have changed at all for the story. I was expecting so much more of this story and honestly, even when there was a chance for everything to come to light, and make reading this entire story worthwhile... it doesn't happen.
There are so many better books out there with almost the same storyline, so give this one a pass.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I apologize if it was too honest.
January 9, 2021
Well didn't I choose to start the year off with a bang?!
An Ordinary Life tells the tale of a woman who was far from ordinary. Beginning in the present day when the protagonist, Molly, is 94 years old, we then flash back to her late teens, during World War 2, and watch as her life unfolds, filled with moments of joy, sorrow, heartbreak, terror and love. We see the choices she made during the war and how those choices go on to mould the rest of her life until we are brought right back to the present day again.
Elements of the plot were predictable but I think that's always the case with a story which chooses to start at the end and certainly, in the case of this novel, it doesn't detract from the enjoyment. If anything, it heightens the anticipation as you wait for the inevitable to happen. There are a couple of things which happen at the end of the novel, one of which I loved and one I can't decide if I liked or not. Part of me feels it was entirely the right thing to do within the story and another part of me feels it should have been done differently but I can't explain more without spoiling it, so I'll just say you'll have to read it yourself and make up your own mind!
If you like historical fiction with a dash of romance, a splash of action and a lot of heart, then this book is for you.
An Ordinary Life tells the tale of a woman who was far from ordinary. Beginning in the present day when the protagonist, Molly, is 94 years old, we then flash back to her late teens, during World War 2, and watch as her life unfolds, filled with moments of joy, sorrow, heartbreak, terror and love. We see the choices she made during the war and how those choices go on to mould the rest of her life until we are brought right back to the present day again.
Elements of the plot were predictable but I think that's always the case with a story which chooses to start at the end and certainly, in the case of this novel, it doesn't detract from the enjoyment. If anything, it heightens the anticipation as you wait for the inevitable to happen. There are a couple of things which happen at the end of the novel, one of which I loved and one I can't decide if I liked or not. Part of me feels it was entirely the right thing to do within the story and another part of me feels it should have been done differently but I can't explain more without spoiling it, so I'll just say you'll have to read it yourself and make up your own mind!
If you like historical fiction with a dash of romance, a splash of action and a lot of heart, then this book is for you.
February 9, 2021
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!
There was nothing ordinary about the life of 94-year-old Molly, Marvellous Molly, or M, to those who loved her.
But who would think it of an elderly woman, quietly going about her life?
As she lays on her hospital bed we are taken through her story, spanning from the midst of World War 2, up to the present day,
Molly, as many women did, stepped up in WW2, working hard to bolster the efforts of the country, both in legal, some illicit ways.
Along the way, she fell in love, but sometimes, fate has a nasty way of dashing all your hopes and dreams.
I really don't want to give away any spoilers, but let me just say, Molly's story, her secrets, and how the story ends, really touched me.
The vivid setting descriptions written by Amanda Prowse, the words used to convey the emotions of the characters, all worked, and I was hooked all the way through. What a heroine, Marvellous M!
Thanks to NetGalley, and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There was nothing ordinary about the life of 94-year-old Molly, Marvellous Molly, or M, to those who loved her.
But who would think it of an elderly woman, quietly going about her life?
As she lays on her hospital bed we are taken through her story, spanning from the midst of World War 2, up to the present day,
Molly, as many women did, stepped up in WW2, working hard to bolster the efforts of the country, both in legal, some illicit ways.
Along the way, she fell in love, but sometimes, fate has a nasty way of dashing all your hopes and dreams.
I really don't want to give away any spoilers, but let me just say, Molly's story, her secrets, and how the story ends, really touched me.
The vivid setting descriptions written by Amanda Prowse, the words used to convey the emotions of the characters, all worked, and I was hooked all the way through. What a heroine, Marvellous M!
Thanks to NetGalley, and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 11, 2021
I received a free electronic copy of this historical novel from Netgalley, Amanda Prowse, and Amazon Publishing UK - Lake Union. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read An Ordinary Life of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. Amanda Prowse writes a subtle tale with a real kick. After a steady, ordinary climb, we see that the life of Mary "Molly" Collway was anything but ordinary.
We start at the end - Molly is in Chelmsford, Essex on Christmas Eve in 2019, and 94 years old. She has tasked herself with sharing the information known only to herself and her sister, Joyce, now deceased. Information that the sisters promised each other to share with Joe only after the death of one of them. Information that is important to her nephew Joe and his offspring...
And then we go back, back, back. Is a story that begins on Malet Street, Bloomsbury, London, on December 15th, 1943, when Molly is 18-years-old and the world is at war. Fluent in several languages, Molly works in the translation department of the Ministry of Information along with her best mate Geertruida 'Geer' de Fries. Her work is classified, and she and her friend Marjorie are senior translators, with an impressive security clearance. Molly is pleased with her life as is and has no interest in pursuing a romantic match and marriage as her mother insists she must. She wants a career, to see the world. And after the war, she hopes to qualify for a diplomatic posting. Men are not in her immediate plans. Then she meets Johan, Geer's big brother, and a soldier. And all bets are off...
pub date Feb 9, 2021
received January 25, 2021
Amazon Publishing UK - Lake Union
Reviewed on February 6, 2021, at Goodreads and Netgalley. Reviewed on February 10, 2021, at AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, and BookBub. Not available for review on Kobo, nor on GooglePlay though they have previous books by Amanda Prowse.
We start at the end - Molly is in Chelmsford, Essex on Christmas Eve in 2019, and 94 years old. She has tasked herself with sharing the information known only to herself and her sister, Joyce, now deceased. Information that the sisters promised each other to share with Joe only after the death of one of them. Information that is important to her nephew Joe and his offspring...
And then we go back, back, back. Is a story that begins on Malet Street, Bloomsbury, London, on December 15th, 1943, when Molly is 18-years-old and the world is at war. Fluent in several languages, Molly works in the translation department of the Ministry of Information along with her best mate Geertruida 'Geer' de Fries. Her work is classified, and she and her friend Marjorie are senior translators, with an impressive security clearance. Molly is pleased with her life as is and has no interest in pursuing a romantic match and marriage as her mother insists she must. She wants a career, to see the world. And after the war, she hopes to qualify for a diplomatic posting. Men are not in her immediate plans. Then she meets Johan, Geer's big brother, and a soldier. And all bets are off...
pub date Feb 9, 2021
received January 25, 2021
Amazon Publishing UK - Lake Union
Reviewed on February 6, 2021, at Goodreads and Netgalley. Reviewed on February 10, 2021, at AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, and BookBub. Not available for review on Kobo, nor on GooglePlay though they have previous books by Amanda Prowse.
January 31, 2021
What an absolutely beautiful and poignant telling of British life during and after World War II. The story is told through the memory of a woman 94 years old beginning in 1943 when Molly, our protagonist, is 18.
The descriptions are vivid to the point that I almost covered my ears while reading about the blitz. The development of the characters is excellent.
Thankfully, the storyline is straight forward carrying the reader through all the decades of Molly’s life, ending in 2019. There is no flip-flopping, back and forth (which has become so popular with writers and so irritating to readers) just a retelling of 75 years of life, death, loss and forgiveness.
In this era of such affluence we’re in, it’s good to read about those caught up in the ravages of war, having to make decisions they’d never choose in a stable time, but doing whatever they must to survive and provide stability for those they love.
I also very much appreciate the fact that each chapter was headed with the place, the date and the age Molly had achieved.
This novel gets 5* all around! I will look forward to others by Amanda Prowse. I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, in exchange for an unbiased review.
The descriptions are vivid to the point that I almost covered my ears while reading about the blitz. The development of the characters is excellent.
Thankfully, the storyline is straight forward carrying the reader through all the decades of Molly’s life, ending in 2019. There is no flip-flopping, back and forth (which has become so popular with writers and so irritating to readers) just a retelling of 75 years of life, death, loss and forgiveness.
In this era of such affluence we’re in, it’s good to read about those caught up in the ravages of war, having to make decisions they’d never choose in a stable time, but doing whatever they must to survive and provide stability for those they love.
I also very much appreciate the fact that each chapter was headed with the place, the date and the age Molly had achieved.
This novel gets 5* all around! I will look forward to others by Amanda Prowse. I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, in exchange for an unbiased review.
February 3, 2021
Definitely a story that pulls at your heartstrings.
Beautifully written historical novel.
Main character, Molly, has so much going on and tries to make the most of what she has. She has so many secrets that take a toll on her emotionally, physically and mentally.
The duel time line of present day to London in the 1940’s was very well done and keeps you engaged.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
Beautifully written historical novel.
Main character, Molly, has so much going on and tries to make the most of what she has. She has so many secrets that take a toll on her emotionally, physically and mentally.
The duel time line of present day to London in the 1940’s was very well done and keeps you engaged.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
January 25, 2021
4.5 rounded up to 5
Another emotional read from Amanda Prowse. I can always count on going thru a few tissues when I read Ms. Prowse. She has quickly become one of my favorite authors.
Molly, our protagonist, ages from a young girl living with her Mother to a young woman in love, to a woman hardened by the choices she has to make to survive during the war to decisions later in life. This book will make you feel. Have tissues handy. Great characters, story can be a little predictable but story itself is beautifully written. Love the relationship between the siblings. This story will immerse you in the horrors of war, what people had to do to survive and how times have changed. I loved how Ms. Prowse would end a chapter with a major milestone in Molly’s life, then move on, knowing its effects, but not dwelling on it. Just as we must do, learn by it, move on, but never forget it.
Thanks to Ms. Prowse, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.
Another emotional read from Amanda Prowse. I can always count on going thru a few tissues when I read Ms. Prowse. She has quickly become one of my favorite authors.
Molly, our protagonist, ages from a young girl living with her Mother to a young woman in love, to a woman hardened by the choices she has to make to survive during the war to decisions later in life. This book will make you feel. Have tissues handy. Great characters, story can be a little predictable but story itself is beautifully written. Love the relationship between the siblings. This story will immerse you in the horrors of war, what people had to do to survive and how times have changed. I loved how Ms. Prowse would end a chapter with a major milestone in Molly’s life, then move on, knowing its effects, but not dwelling on it. Just as we must do, learn by it, move on, but never forget it.
Thanks to Ms. Prowse, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.
January 30, 2021
Many thanks to the author for a free signed review copy of this book. Having read and loved The Boy Between, a vital book about depression and its effects, which Amanda Prowse co-wrote with her son Josiah Hartley, I was thrilled to receive this pre-release paperback.
A tale of love and loss and perseverance, An Ordinary Life is set in war torn 1940s London. The story begins with ninety-four-year-old Molly struggling to write a letter to her son. Before she can do more than make a start, she suffers a fall and a stroke. The narrative then moves back in time to a youthful nineteen-year-old Molly.
I found this read a real tear-jerker at times, so make sure you have your tissues ready. Other points in the book made me smile and at times chuckle aloud.
Despite the title, this is no ordinary book, and Molly’s life is actually quite extraordinary at times. An emotional and engaging read, I give An Ordinary Life a solid 5 stars and will be looking at other books by this writer.
If you enjoy women’s fiction, tales of love and endurance, and wartime reads, you’ll love this book.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
A tale of love and loss and perseverance, An Ordinary Life is set in war torn 1940s London. The story begins with ninety-four-year-old Molly struggling to write a letter to her son. Before she can do more than make a start, she suffers a fall and a stroke. The narrative then moves back in time to a youthful nineteen-year-old Molly.
I found this read a real tear-jerker at times, so make sure you have your tissues ready. Other points in the book made me smile and at times chuckle aloud.
Despite the title, this is no ordinary book, and Molly’s life is actually quite extraordinary at times. An emotional and engaging read, I give An Ordinary Life a solid 5 stars and will be looking at other books by this writer.
If you enjoy women’s fiction, tales of love and endurance, and wartime reads, you’ll love this book.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
January 22, 2021
M is for Marvelous
A heartbreaking story of a love taken too son and a young life altered forever by WWII. Such sadness I felt reading this book I had to stop and wipe away the tears so I could read on.
How much sadness and pain can one person handle in a lifetime? Can one ever forget the ugliness of the war and the horrible losses it inflicted on the families of the young men lost to them forever?
Molly certainly had her share of pain and misfortune. After she falls pregnant and before she can tell her boyfriend he is killed in the war. Her life is never the same, all she has left is a shiny button that fell from his uniform and the child he would never know. Because of the times and the circumstances she would have to make the most devastating decision in her life.
This book was one of the most emotional books I have read. Molly lost a lot and she saw a lot of horrible things in her secret work with the government. She was blessed to have sisters and a brother that loved her and were there for her although her mother was not.
As she lived her life from a young woman of nineteen to the ripe old age of ninety four her life was full. Her story filled with sadness, sorrow and love plays out within these pages. Her most closely guarded secret was never revealed.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I would highly recommend it.
Thanks to Amanda Prowse, Amazon Publishing U.K., and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy in return for an honest review.
A heartbreaking story of a love taken too son and a young life altered forever by WWII. Such sadness I felt reading this book I had to stop and wipe away the tears so I could read on.
How much sadness and pain can one person handle in a lifetime? Can one ever forget the ugliness of the war and the horrible losses it inflicted on the families of the young men lost to them forever?
Molly certainly had her share of pain and misfortune. After she falls pregnant and before she can tell her boyfriend he is killed in the war. Her life is never the same, all she has left is a shiny button that fell from his uniform and the child he would never know. Because of the times and the circumstances she would have to make the most devastating decision in her life.
This book was one of the most emotional books I have read. Molly lost a lot and she saw a lot of horrible things in her secret work with the government. She was blessed to have sisters and a brother that loved her and were there for her although her mother was not.
As she lived her life from a young woman of nineteen to the ripe old age of ninety four her life was full. Her story filled with sadness, sorrow and love plays out within these pages. Her most closely guarded secret was never revealed.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I would highly recommend it.
Thanks to Amanda Prowse, Amazon Publishing U.K., and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy in return for an honest review.
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