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Aged to Perfection #1
A Midlife Bloom
A new beginning. A house with some unexpected "issues." A secret decades in the making.
Happily- ever-after was supposed to be forever. But when I found myself unexpectedly widowed, I felt I needed a change of scenery. With my son off living his life and finishing grad school, I knew it was time to move on.
Boy, did I have no idea what I was getting myself into…
This time, though, I would live my life on my terms. Age is just a number, and after turning thirty-nine for the eleventh time, I have the knowledge and experience to do things my way. Or so I thought…
My first big move was buying a charming house in an adorable small town called Andale. The problem? I purchased the property based on a few photos, but in reality, the house is a dump. It will take a ton of work to make it into a home.
But moving to Andale reveals a secret I was unprepared for, and it's bigger than I ever could have imagined.
Unfortunately, while adjusting to my new reality, I find a body. There's been a murder.
Because of where I found the body and my being new in town, I'm the prime suspect. So, I have no choice but to get involved and clear my name.
Thankfully, middle age is still young enough to start a brand new chapter because that's what I will do. Life is what you make of it, and I'm about to prove I'm aged to perfection.
Happily- ever-after was supposed to be forever. But when I found myself unexpectedly widowed, I felt I needed a change of scenery. With my son off living his life and finishing grad school, I knew it was time to move on.
Boy, did I have no idea what I was getting myself into…
This time, though, I would live my life on my terms. Age is just a number, and after turning thirty-nine for the eleventh time, I have the knowledge and experience to do things my way. Or so I thought…
My first big move was buying a charming house in an adorable small town called Andale. The problem? I purchased the property based on a few photos, but in reality, the house is a dump. It will take a ton of work to make it into a home.
But moving to Andale reveals a secret I was unprepared for, and it's bigger than I ever could have imagined.
Unfortunately, while adjusting to my new reality, I find a body. There's been a murder.
Because of where I found the body and my being new in town, I'm the prime suspect. So, I have no choice but to get involved and clear my name.
Thankfully, middle age is still young enough to start a brand new chapter because that's what I will do. Life is what you make of it, and I'm about to prove I'm aged to perfection.
183 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 25, 2023
252 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Sara Bourgeois
234 books343 followersSara Bourgeois is a Midwesterner through and through. She spends her time writing, reading, herding cats, and standing in her driveway during tornado warnings. (You can't see them from the basement.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 18, 2023
What happened here?
So this author has been around for years and published tons of books but this is written like a newbie. Is it actually a writing group working under a pen name? Is that how she has so many different series? I've wondered for awhile because some of the writing is so different from book to book but this is bizarre. The whole first section is weird and how does she even know the sheriff's name already? The next book will probably be a pass for me.
So this author has been around for years and published tons of books but this is written like a newbie. Is it actually a writing group working under a pen name? Is that how she has so many different series? I've wondered for awhile because some of the writing is so different from book to book but this is bizarre. The whole first section is weird and how does she even know the sheriff's name already? The next book will probably be a pass for me.
November 12, 2023
Can you please explain to me how someone can know the first name of a person that they have not met, nor have they been introduced? Because that's what happens with the main protagonist as the sheriff is walking up to her door, and then later on presumes to be on a first name basis with him, even though I don't recall any mention of him telling her it's okay to do so.
There are other plot flaws I found, but they would require spoilers so I won't bother.
Someone else mentioned that it feels like others are writing under Sara Bourgeois name, and I can't help but feel the same. That makes two series now that I'm bailing out on. These just can't meet the allure of Wicked Witches of Conventry/Familiar Cat Mysteries (Mysteries of Meri) and apparently neither the writing style.
There are other plot flaws I found, but they would require spoilers so I won't bother.
Someone else mentioned that it feels like others are writing under Sara Bourgeois name, and I can't help but feel the same. That makes two series now that I'm bailing out on. These just can't meet the allure of Wicked Witches of Conventry/Familiar Cat Mysteries (Mysteries of Meri) and apparently neither the writing style.
April 10, 2024
This book needed an editor. The protagonist knows the sheriff's first name before being introduced. I wondered if she had moved back to the town. And what state are they in? We don't learn until 50% in why she moved there in the first place and that she has a grown child in college. The latter half of the book had several verb tense problems. And there was no magic until 78%, and it just came across as implausible. How does she have money for all these renovations? She was running around all over town, which really added nothing to the story, other than meeting other characters. It was a quick read; things happened really fast. I would have appreciated more depth.
February 8, 2023
Needs a good editor
I've read many of Sara Bourgeois' books and usually enjoy them. This book though is a mess. It feels like large chunks are missing and what is there has some major mistakes, both in plot and grammar. If you like a good witchy cozy skip this and read her Kitten Familiar books.
I've read many of Sara Bourgeois' books and usually enjoy them. This book though is a mess. It feels like large chunks are missing and what is there has some major mistakes, both in plot and grammar. If you like a good witchy cozy skip this and read her Kitten Familiar books.
February 11, 2024
This book is bizarre. It's like reading her notes.
I'm so confused.
I started the second book in hopes there is a difference, but it is much the same.
There is no flow. No natural progression.
I'm not a writer, I've tried, and it's hard. But this is just weird.
I'm so confused.
I started the second book in hopes there is a difference, but it is much the same.
There is no flow. No natural progression.
I'm not a writer, I've tried, and it's hard. But this is just weird.
February 15, 2023
A new and entertaining paranormal women’s fiction series
This is a new and entertaining Paranormal women’s fiction series. A great cast of characters and an entertaining storyline. A woman who lost her husband in the past year her son is off at college and she’s decided to make a change in her life has bought an old farmhouse unseen. She moves to the town and finds out it needs a lot more work than she thought and she hires a local contractor to help do some repairs. Things happen other things are found in the fun begins. Read on and find out what happens in this new paranormal women’s patient series
This is a new and entertaining Paranormal women’s fiction series. A great cast of characters and an entertaining storyline. A woman who lost her husband in the past year her son is off at college and she’s decided to make a change in her life has bought an old farmhouse unseen. She moves to the town and finds out it needs a lot more work than she thought and she hires a local contractor to help do some repairs. Things happen other things are found in the fun begins. Read on and find out what happens in this new paranormal women’s patient series
October 30, 2023
Meh
I wanted to like this book, I really did. But there was so much left out. I mean, Tilly having a kid wasn't even mentioned until halfway into the book, as well as what happened to her husband. It read like it was thrown together without much thought to plot line.
I wanted to like this book, I really did. But there was so much left out. I mean, Tilly having a kid wasn't even mentioned until halfway into the book, as well as what happened to her husband. It read like it was thrown together without much thought to plot line.
January 26, 2023
It was good but I found it lacking. There was real potential for this story, but I found the protagonist weak. Most midlife paranormal mysteries the woman is fumbling but strong. I just found Tilly boring. I'm sorry to say but it didn't keep my attention until the end of the book. When I read a midlife paranormal story it usually stays with me well after I have finished it and I can't wait to read the next one. I'm not sure if I will be reading the next one in the series.
I feel bad about this review, I hope everyone will ignore my review and take it upon themselves to form their own opinion. The thing is I used to love reading the author's books. Not sure what happened but it doesn't feel like she is putting her everything into the stories. She publishes a lot of stories in a year and maybe that is the problem.
Please don't go by my review. Read it you may like it
I feel bad about this review, I hope everyone will ignore my review and take it upon themselves to form their own opinion. The thing is I used to love reading the author's books. Not sure what happened but it doesn't feel like she is putting her everything into the stories. She publishes a lot of stories in a year and maybe that is the problem.
Please don't go by my review. Read it you may like it
June 23, 2024
The plot premise sounded interesting and drew me in, but the actual writing just about pushed me back out. First, it's slowww, very disjointed and repetitive. This book badly needed a deep edit by a qualified somebody who cared. The paragraphs felt like cut and paste gone feral. A character greets the lead with a "Welcome," and two sentences later says, "Hi there." Time warp? Amnesia? One moment somebody is talking in the basement, then they're suddenly on the stairs. Teleportation?
Even without considering the lack of continuity, the dialogue felt unrealistic and clumsy, and in no way felt like an exchange between "mid-life" characters. I'd put the main character in her teens to early 20's despite the mentions of children. Oh yeah, and even when written in first person, not every sentence has to begin with "I," by the way. At this stage of the book, I'd seen better specimins from my middle schoolers, to be honest.
I'll admit that so much of nothing-happening (other than the most boring murder in my memory) forced me into skimming until about the 50% mark. Past mid-way, it felt like an editor may have gotten their hands on it. The structure felt less disjointed with slightly more mature word choices. The story picked up and things FINALLY started to happen, showing some promise. This storyline still interests me so I may skip ahead a few books just to see whether the actual writing has improved with time.
P.S. -- I like to read and review a book before I read others' comments, which I just now did. It seems I'm not alone by far in my take of this book. So, here's my question. Just HOW is this book rated over 4 stars?!?
Even without considering the lack of continuity, the dialogue felt unrealistic and clumsy, and in no way felt like an exchange between "mid-life" characters. I'd put the main character in her teens to early 20's despite the mentions of children. Oh yeah, and even when written in first person, not every sentence has to begin with "I," by the way. At this stage of the book, I'd seen better specimins from my middle schoolers, to be honest.
I'll admit that so much of nothing-happening (other than the most boring murder in my memory) forced me into skimming until about the 50% mark. Past mid-way, it felt like an editor may have gotten their hands on it. The structure felt less disjointed with slightly more mature word choices. The story picked up and things FINALLY started to happen, showing some promise. This storyline still interests me so I may skip ahead a few books just to see whether the actual writing has improved with time.
P.S. -- I like to read and review a book before I read others' comments, which I just now did. It seems I'm not alone by far in my take of this book. So, here's my question. Just HOW is this book rated over 4 stars?!?
July 23, 2025
This was not very well written. It was like a bunch of paragraphs and ideas that got jammed together without a logical or smooth flow. It seems the author was distracted and certainly didn't proof the writing; a group of beta readers and joining a writer's group are encouraged.
Right from the beginning of the book there are problems. Tilly buys a house sight unseen (photos online only). The place is pretty much a wreck, but the master bedroom seems ok, so she puts her clothes away in the dresser. Not much later she has to clean the room extensively so that she can put her clothes away. Another issue is when the sheriff shows up she automatically knows his name is Shane, but she's new in town, how would she know? There are multiple inconsistencies like these along with unnecessary repetition like "it has to be recharged by being positioned over the main ley line..." and a few paragraphs later "It has to recharge by being positioned over the main ley line..." Proof-reading, editing, and beta readers would fix these writing issues.
Right from the beginning of the book there are problems. Tilly buys a house sight unseen (photos online only). The place is pretty much a wreck, but the master bedroom seems ok, so she puts her clothes away in the dresser. Not much later she has to clean the room extensively so that she can put her clothes away. Another issue is when the sheriff shows up she automatically knows his name is Shane, but she's new in town, how would she know? There are multiple inconsistencies like these along with unnecessary repetition like "it has to be recharged by being positioned over the main ley line..." and a few paragraphs later "It has to recharge by being positioned over the main ley line..." Proof-reading, editing, and beta readers would fix these writing issues.
January 25, 2023
Tilly Parsons finds herself plunged into several quandaries as a recently widowed transplant to town
Her renovation project house appears to be more of a project than anticipated- perhaps in more ways than one
Tilly is forced to explore not only who and what she is and what she wants, needs and prefers as a single person. she is suddenly faced with an unexpectedly large and new to her set of skills and responsibilities to learn about and properly defend and execute
Midlife widowhood just got a whole lot more interesting, and likely more dangerous
Is Tilly joining a community of magical kin? or is she the weakest link and easiest target in a game of resources and power?
intriguing midlife reboot and whodunnit
Her renovation project house appears to be more of a project than anticipated- perhaps in more ways than one
Tilly is forced to explore not only who and what she is and what she wants, needs and prefers as a single person. she is suddenly faced with an unexpectedly large and new to her set of skills and responsibilities to learn about and properly defend and execute
Midlife widowhood just got a whole lot more interesting, and likely more dangerous
Is Tilly joining a community of magical kin? or is she the weakest link and easiest target in a game of resources and power?
intriguing midlife reboot and whodunnit
July 14, 2025
Editor needed
This is the problem with many Kindle published books: not enough editing by an actual editor. While the writer had a good idea, the repetitive sentences that started with the word "I"- sometimes one after another, sometimes two or more in the same paragraph-would have been caught and changed. Also, this character keeps interjecting herself into the murder ludicrously even telling a woman she was consulting with the sheriff who had very weakly told her to butt out.
The writer has promised, but I wouldn't recommend this book. Will I read the next one? I'll probably start it, but it might be DNF.
This is the problem with many Kindle published books: not enough editing by an actual editor. While the writer had a good idea, the repetitive sentences that started with the word "I"- sometimes one after another, sometimes two or more in the same paragraph-would have been caught and changed. Also, this character keeps interjecting herself into the murder ludicrously even telling a woman she was consulting with the sheriff who had very weakly told her to butt out.
The writer has promised, but I wouldn't recommend this book. Will I read the next one? I'll probably start it, but it might be DNF.
February 5, 2023
A second go around in a new town.
When life makes a middle aged mom start all over in a new town, she starts to second guess herself and her decisions.
Her new house bought by pictures only needs a lot more work than she could have dreamed. When searching for things that need fixed she and a new friend find a recently murdered man In her basement.. And the sheriff wants her to butt out of his case. There is even a cat and a voice that seems to speak to her telepathically.
When life makes a middle aged mom start all over in a new town, she starts to second guess herself and her decisions.
Her new house bought by pictures only needs a lot more work than she could have dreamed. When searching for things that need fixed she and a new friend find a recently murdered man In her basement.. And the sheriff wants her to butt out of his case. There is even a cat and a voice that seems to speak to her telepathically.
February 1, 2023
Fun Read
The first book in a series is where you are introduced to the characters, the environment, and the direction the series will be taking. Usually the first book has so much to cover the story itself is neglected. This book is one terrific exception. You get all the information I mentioned plus a great stand alone who done it. An excellent read with the promise of more to come Thai look forward to reading.
The first book in a series is where you are introduced to the characters, the environment, and the direction the series will be taking. Usually the first book has so much to cover the story itself is neglected. This book is one terrific exception. You get all the information I mentioned plus a great stand alone who done it. An excellent read with the promise of more to come Thai look forward to reading.
January 9, 2024
This is a decent story that could be better. The transition from mundane to magical could have been handled better and before you ask, no, I don't know how. The characters are interesting, the plot is a bit haphazard, and the premise was not revealed till almost the end of the story. This surprised me, because I have read other works by this author and liked them a great deal more.
August 29, 2024
This is such a good relaxing story. This reminds me a little of the movie "The Money Pit" but Tilly is starting over after a divorce and buys a bed & breakfast site unseen and the house is a lot of work. Tilly calls a contractor and when they go down to the basement; there is a dead man and more surprises with cats and the town.
March 28, 2025
DNF 40%
I didn't like the formatting for this book. Each chapter is divided by lines.
I didn't like that MC knew everyone's first names without being introduced to them.
I didn't like the long, drawn-out random conversations with random town residents that didn't move the story along.
The book is only 182 pages, and at 40%, nothing of note has happened except a body found in the first 20 pages.
I didn't like the formatting for this book. Each chapter is divided by lines.
I didn't like that MC knew everyone's first names without being introduced to them.
I didn't like the long, drawn-out random conversations with random town residents that didn't move the story along.
The book is only 182 pages, and at 40%, nothing of note has happened except a body found in the first 20 pages.
January 27, 2023
Arc review I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Tilly parsons just bought a farm house in Andale and finds a body in her basement ,while also find out about being a witch. this is a great case to solve. Awesome story
October 23, 2023
Fun read
I enjoyed this book but it really needed some more background. Why did her husband die, where did she encounter the house and why did she buy it? Other than my questions it was a good read
I enjoyed this book but it really needed some more background. Why did her husband die, where did she encounter the house and why did she buy it? Other than my questions it was a good read
January 25, 2023
Hmmm
Interesting, but not a grabbing page turner. So far it is interesting enough to consider reading the next in the series.
Interesting, but not a grabbing page turner. So far it is interesting enough to consider reading the next in the series.
February 11, 2023
This is a well written and has well developed characters. The story is catching and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!
February 18, 2023
DNF. I read 72% and gave up. Boring..
February 24, 2023
Quick read.
So enjoyed this story. Finished in record time. Hated to put it down.
Battery about to die, so finished as quickly as I could and glad I did.
So enjoyed this story. Finished in record time. Hated to put it down.
Battery about to die, so finished as quickly as I could and glad I did.
March 14, 2023
new witch 🧙♀️
The book was ok.. about all can say. Story line was ok, but not really sure can say 100% what I disliked..
The book was ok.. about all can say. Story line was ok, but not really sure can say 100% what I disliked..
April 2, 2023
blooming good
This is a great read good characters story line and world looking forward to reading the next book a well deserved 5 stars
This is a great read good characters story line and world looking forward to reading the next book a well deserved 5 stars
April 20, 2023
A good read
This book is really great. I like that its multi paranormals, that not fighting each other and work together a good read
This book is really great. I like that its multi paranormals, that not fighting each other and work together a good read
October 16, 2023
Rated
4 Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kindle Unlimited Read
4 Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kindle Unlimited Read
October 31, 2023
I was disappointed that this book was not as polished as I expected. The characters were not developed fully and the transitions between scenes is abrupt.
November 1, 2023
Great for teens
I'm used to really adult books but I enjoyed this one. Kept my interest thought-out the book. No sexy scenes.
I'm used to really adult books but I enjoyed this one. Kept my interest thought-out the book. No sexy scenes.
February 13, 2024
A Midlife Bloom
I loved this book! The characters are fantastic and the storyline was GREAT! Looking for ward to reading. The next book in the series!
I loved this book! The characters are fantastic and the storyline was GREAT! Looking for ward to reading. The next book in the series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews