This is a nice novel about, ahem, mature women. These are characters you will root for. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC>.

The cover did put me off reading this story but I am so glad I did. Amazing characters and story and loved every line of it.
Brilliantly written, and a story of not growing old gracefully.

This is Book #1 of the Gin Shack series. I have to admit that I have read these out of order, and therefore have read Book #2 before this one! They both can be read as standalone novels, although I did find it difficult to understand the story by reading them out of order.

Having read the 2nd book first, I had a good idea of the story for this book anyway. Obviously the title gives it away. It’s about a Gin Shack on the beach. Now I like gin as much as the next person, but gin on the beach has to be something that I need to try! Olive’s son Richard is trying to persuade Olive to move into a retirement home. She is dead set against the idea, but eventually agrees on the condition that she can still visit her beach shack.

I definitely enjoyed this book more than the second one. It has sun, sea, sand and gin by the bucket load – what more could you want in a book! It was a fun read and would make perfect holiday reading!

It was all a bit too slow for me. It was a nice change of pace from a adult fiction focusing on the older generation.

Sometimes the search for the perfect G&T can lead you to all sorts of places. The Beach, The Retirement home or even the bar. Olive is a larger than life, gin loving, sea dipping elder who is persuaded by her son to move into a retirement home and despite beileveing he had it wrong, maybe Olive has found the key to an easy life after all - she doesn't have to cook, clean or wash up and has a wonderful view of the coastline.

The only downside is she can't visit her beloved beach hut - that has never stopped Olive though, she is already working out the best way to get down to the beach for her gin ( a woman after my own heart ) With the help of her new found friends it isn't long before more than Olive want in on the action. What starts as something small for a bit of fun leads us into all sorts of situations.

The Gin Shack On The Beach is a full of life and zesty read perfect whilst sampling a G&T. Olive is a wonderful character - alot older than the MC i usually read about but had me laughing out loud, she is the sort of woman that everyone wants to be friends with no matter what the age. She has a wonderful group of friends around her, each as mischievous as the others.

Her son however was a different kettle of fish, and i felt for a while he was cold, selfish and beileved his mum was past it - yet as i spent time getting to know him my feelings changed, i think he just hadn't spent time learning about his mum instead just focusing on what he felt was right and wrong. Matron was a whole other ballpark and if i start my thoughts on her ill never finish.

The narrative was steadily paced, and was filled with moments of warmth, love and drama. Gin, we cannot forget to mention the wondrous gin - as soon as i started this i was craving a gin & hit up the pub in search of my own perfect G&T - im not quite there yet, but i am enjoying Sipsmith and fever tree tonic (in case you wondered!)

I would whole heartily recommend a visit to the Gin Shack and i cannot wait to stop by for Christmas.

Too old, according, to her son, Olive is placed in a retirement home. Things happen that could and shouldn't happen in this type of living environment resulting in mysteries being solved, friendships formed, and little bit of romance and a lot of happiness!

Olive isn't thrilled with the idea of moving into a retirement home, but as long as she can visit her beach hut, she gives into her son Richard's request to move.

Olive as well as several of the characters are feisty, funny and full of life. Olive doesn't like having a set schedule that dictates when she should do certain things at the retirement home, and she finds her own way to visit her beach hut when she chooses.

For me, this was a light read and nothing to knock my socks off while reading it. A good book to read while enjoying a beach trip of your own.

I loved this book. A great example of how people don't change our give up on their interests and hobbies when they get older.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of this book.

Fun easy to read story about a lady in her 80's who moves into a residential home and tries every trick possible to escape to her beloved beach hut and her gin collection.

Made a nice change to read a story where the main character is an older lady. Hope I'm as active as Olive when I get to her age.

I really enjoyed this book I found it lovely and loved the whole story to it. The characters are just so easy to connect with and I just couldnt put the book down. Definitely put me in the mood for a G&T in the sun.

Crisp and refreshing like a perfect G & T, Catherine Miller's The Gin Shack on the Beach is a genre defying cosy feel-good summer mystery. Olive Turner is a spirited, active octogenarian who enjoys freedom, skinny-dipping, her beach hut, her daily G & T, along with spending time with friends, but after a couple of health scares decides to make the most of life in a retirement complex - no laundry or washing up to do! However, Olive's son Richard, encouraged by the maddeningly strict controlling retirement complex Matron, assumes residents should behave in a certain way - attending the extensive but dull set of timetabled activities. Olive is nowhere near ready to settle for a life of boring bingo and along with new friends, Veronica and Randy, sets off on an adventure of a lifetime. I adored Olive's character - friendly, fun, full of life - ripping up the awful stereotype of how someone in their twilight years is expected to behave. We are aware that Olive has suffered heartbreak in her life, so as well as the laugh out loud moments Miller also treats us to poignant passages, which help explain Olive's tricky relationship with her son. Finally, the variety of gins tasted by Olive and friends are enough to make a reader want to join her in her quest of finding the perfect G & T!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and the author Catherine for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a cute book. I really enjoyed reading this...... perhaps this has something to do with Gin. I love how many different Gin's are in here along with giving lots of good tips for the 'perfect G&T'. Some of them I hadn't tried, so I will be sure to give some of the recipes a go!

Its a lovely story that is well written, again beachside stories are always a favourite of mine but had a good bit of mystery and I certainly wasn't expecting the ending to happen quite like it did.

Great for a holiday read and would definitely recommend it for someone looking for a light and easy read.

Would definitely read more from this author.

Lovely holiday read. Took almost feel the sand between my toes and taste the gin! Great characters who I would like to visit again.

From start to finish I was hooked.
There were lots of laughs and, also, a few tears.
Aged Olive is a widower with a grown up son,Richard. She spends most of her free time at a lovely beach hut relaxing and trying to find the best ever gin&tonic!
As she ages in years (but not in mind) RICHARD feels she would be better looked after at Oakley West Retirement Home.
Without spoiling the story, let's just say there are a few little escapades that occur with Olive and her new friends!

Absolutely loved this book. The characters are funny and well developed.

Olive knows that the time has come for her to go into a retirement home. She does not need full-time care, but it would be nice if she no longer had to worry about cooking and washing up.

Going into the home though means she does not want to give up her independence which is why she is very reluctant to let her lovely beach hut and all her friends there go.

Her son, Richard though has other ideas.

As does the Matron, who sees Olive as nothing but trouble.

But how can Olive and her new friends, Randy and Veronica be trouble they are elderly and in a home?

Oh they can and when it involves planning escapes, hiding in cleaning cupboards, trips in police cars and lashings of Gin then you can be sure that Matron is certainly not going to approve.

This is a joyous fun book to read. It will make you laugh, when you imagine, skinny dipping gin swilling octogenarians challenging a stuck up matron (Hattie Jacques sprang to mind instantly) that life certainly does not stop when you live in a care home. It will also make you cry and show you how friendships can be formed at any time in life and that also filling your life with all sorts of people certainly makes it an entertaining one! 

This has practically everything you want in a book to keep you entertained - you have to supply the gin yourself though!

Make mine a double!

5☆ Fun, Cheeky, inspiring, feel good read

Gin Shack on the Beach is really inspiring. If I am anywhere near as fun, determined, passionate,with a zest for life as Olive is at her age then I will be very very happy!

The very first pages had me in fits of laughter....we meet Olive and she's just decided to take a morning dip in the sea.... NAKED!!!.... much to her Son's horror!! LOL

When Olive's Son tells her she is to give up her beach hut she is devestated.
She calls on her fellow beach hut friends to help convince her Son that she is safe and he shouldn't take it away from her.
So you can see why he is concerned lol.

Olive's friends convince Richard to let her keep the Beach hut, on the understanding someone is always around!

Richard has just moved Olive into a care home and the very first meeting with Matron they take an instant disliking to each other.
Especially when Matron lays down the law... No leaving the home in the mornings and they have to be home for dinner.
This is not going to bid well for Olive.

See what Richard doesn't know is that Olive is a secret Gin drinker and she is out to find the perfect combination. Something she started with her late husband.

Now all I can say from this point on.... be prepared from some wild antics, Crazy escape plans, budding friendships young and old, some very scrumptious mixes, heart warming moments, sadness, happiness and some great laugh out loud moments.

I absolutely loved Olive, she reminded me of my Nan ( well except for the naked swimming LOL)
She had such a zest for life it was infectious, she had such strength and determination, a real inspiration for young and old, plus her cheeky fun side was addictive and everyone warmed to her kind nature and big heart. I really wanted to be in Olive' s Gin club.

All of the character's added something different to the story. But most of all they oozed friendship and loyalty to one and other.
I was so desperate to see them all succeed especially Tony as he has so much love to give, and how he helped Olive warmed my heart. He was there for her in her darkest moments.

Matron certainly lived up to her name. She was red hot stickler for the rules and ruled with an iron fist. Well so she thought!
Olive, Randy and Veronica really gave her a run for her money!
I really disliked Matron for various reasons. She came across as cold hearted and ruthless. But that was her job and she wasn't letting her guard down for anyone!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and cannot recommend it enough!
A beautiful fun Cover, plenty of fun, comedy, alcohol, budding friendships, compelling, heart warming and feel good... what more can you want for the perfect summer read!

Catherine really portrays a strong message.... you are never too old to give up on your dreams, build lifelong friendships and create the perfect Gin!

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book. I loved the title, the cover, the story, and having grown up on Long Island, NY, I especially loved Olive's love affair with the beach and the sea. It was a feel good book that does not insult one's intelligence. I want to be Olive when I grow older, but perhaps I should try some gin first. Cheers!

Light hearted reading for the summer holiday - a nice story but not too challenging

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher. I absolutely thought this book was brilliant and could relate to Olive myself !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!