The woman who kept everything is a truly lovely book. Easy to read and one you can devour in a single sitting. The character of Gloria come across very personable and I immediately felt I had bonded with her within the first few chapters. The storyline is very believable as I can picture the storyline happen to anyone in her situation.
It was very well written and I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

“Cor, I never thought owt could be as nice as this, ducks!”

The dialogue in Jane Gilley's novel, The Woman Who Kept Everything, is absolutely delightful! She has captured the British West Midlands' dialect brilliantly. The story is a nice, light read detailing the adventures of a widow named Gloria who overcomes her need to hoard all manner of things, asserts her independence with her family, regains her enjoyment of life, and finds love and friendship in her twilight years.

Although this reviewer enjoyed reading about Gloria's trials and tribulations she did not appreciate the blithe treatment that mental health issues were given in this book. Just as it is unrealistic to believe that a long-term hoarder can be “cured” in less than two weeks during a few chats with a social worker, it is equally improbable that her son's anger and depression could be overcome quickly and painlessly after only a few visits to a professional. However, it is a huge leap for society that mental health issues are being identified and written about by Gilley, so kudos for that.

“Ta-ra, love!”

Gloria Frensham is in a bad place at the beginning of The Woman Who Kept Everything, by Jane Gilley. If the title wasn’t enough to clue you in to Gloria’s problems, the first sentences the describe Gloria navigating her extremely cluttered, nasty smelling home in an attempt to make a cup of tea. She might have been content(ish) to go on living as a hoarder except that a blown fuse tips off the authorities and her very angry son. That blown fuse means that Gloria is suddenly homeless and without her possessions.

The plan, Gloria is told, is for her to temporarily go to a nursing home for some intense therapy for her hoarding, before going to live with her son and his family. This part was the least satisfying for me, because it glosses over the hard work it must have taken for Gloria to come to terms with her urges to collect and keep. After that, the book picks up. Gloria can only stand to live with her son, Clegg, who struggles with anger the way she does with hoarding, for a few days before she starts to look for an out. Fortunately for her, her longtime friend Tilsbury shows up with a scooter and an offer of tea—which leads to Gloria going on the lam.

Gloria’s escape takes her to rediscover an old friend who’s hoarding and house are in even worse shape than hers was and to visit London and Eastbourne for the first time. Most importantly, Gloria finds her metaphorical feet again. She stops letting her son boss her around, reclaims her funds, and finds a new home for herself. Not only that, but she finds Gloria again. Her wit and take-no-crap attitude make The Woman Who Kept Everything hilarious. Even though the book tackles uncomfortable issues, Gloria’s attitude keeps things surprisingly breezy.

I had a lot of fun reading The Woman Who Kept Everything.

Gloria is a delightful 79 year old widow, who has been hoarding everything possible since the death of her husband. When she is forced to leave her house, she refuses to go into a care home and embarks on an adventure instead, a journey of self-discovery that shows her that there is more enjoyment in making new memories than holding onto old ones.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book with its gentle insights into aging and how it's never too late to experience life to the fullest.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

I wanted to like this book more than I actually did, but that’s not to say that I disliked it, I’m more neutral. It was okay, it has some lighthearted moments balanced out by more serious ones, and a somewhat charming 79 year-old woman, Gloria, who as this story begins is a hoarder. A way of life, which seems to have begun when her husband died. Her son Clegg decides that he has the right to take over her, her life.

Gloria, indignant over his self-righteous attitude, makes other plans for herself, and in the amount of time it takes to incant bippity-boppity-boo, tries to show him that she’s no pushover.

What follows is a journey that leads to a new outlook on life, a willingness to become a more adventurous and engaged-in-life woman, and who may have just reclaimed her real self.

This is Jane Gilley’s debut novel and I look forward to seeing more from her in the future.


Many thanks for the ARC provided by Avon Books UK

Uplifting and thoroughly entertaining; this is a realistic look into aging, into a woman's discovery of who she is, a story of kindness and of the search for joy that shows it's never too late to learn how to love life and enjoy it to the fullest.

Loved this book. The characters were amazing and as my parents start to descend into tough old age health issues, this gave me much to think about!

What a sweet book. I did read it in a sitting, and enjoyed it very much, although it was perhaps a little improbable!
Gloria, at 79, is surrounded by the detritus of her life. She is a hoarder of the worst sort, not just old newspapers but old food waste, boxes, cartons, absolutely surrounded by 'stuff'.
The story of her release from all this is great, and I loved her adventures with her band of friends collected along the way. Her tortured son Clegg was well portrayed as was the rather odd man in her life, Tilsbury.
It was interesting to see the changes in all their characters as the story progressed.
Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy.

This was a lovely read. Gloria's story started out sad and alarming and turned out so very heartwarming. It's nice to read about such interesting characters and now I want to go on the coach trip!

Strange choice of topic having the main character be a 79 year old hoarder who has to start over after years of living in a house full of junk, but it works. Gloria really did keep everything and yet in the end she ended up with even more.

I was fascinated by the title and read this book before some I had received earlier but struggled to identify with any of the characters. The writing seemed stilted and quite childish at times and I couldn't imagine a 80 year old woman talking and thinking that way. I'm afraid this book was a big disappointment.

"It was so difficult for everyone concerned, she thought when an elderly relative needed caring for. But now she's seen, first hand, how impactful and disruptive these decisions were on everyone's lives."
Gloria is 79, a hoarder and terribly lonely. She can't fathom why her son never visits. There are no invitations for holidays.
Until... she is taken to a nursing facility after her home has an electrical problem.
Gloria listens and speaks to a wonderful social worker who is able to help her realize what she has been fearing and why she has been hiding all these years amongst the clutter.
Fast forward: Gloria makes a unique decision to live each day and spend whatever time left, checking off items on her bucket list.
She learns to advocate for herself and for others. Gloria finds the things she has been missing in her aging years; happiness, love,worth, friendship,and finally her family.
This is a novel that perhaps we all need to read. We all age. We all will take care or know of someone being cared for.
It is a realistic look into aging with humor and some sadness, that all too many often forget to see.

A fast, enjoyable read. Might be good for book groups. The story took several abrupt turns, but in a good way.

Thank You Netgalley & Publishers For Granting My Request To Review This Book:

I Wouldn’t Say This Is The Typical Story That I Gravitate To But I Think That’s Was One Of The Things That’s Appealed To Me, To Give This Book A Chance; I’m So Glad I Did.

This Definitely Brought A Few Smiles To My Face, Both By The Characters And What They Say/Do But Also But Also By Their Relationships. I Enjoyed Seeing The Repairing Of Relationships Between The Main Character Gloria & Her Son/Friends. It Did Also Bring A Tear To My Eye When I Least Expected The Turn The Book Took With Gloria & One Of Her Friends.

It Didn’t Take Me Long To Read This & I Think That’s Was Mainly Because I Related Gloria To A Family Member, Which Was Quite Comforting.

I was most drawn to the plot, seeing that my family is currently going through a likewise situation with an elderly relative who can’t seem to let go of any of her “treasures.” It was a great read to put things into perspective, particularly our lack of understanding regarding our relative’s underlying depression, loneliness, aches and pains, and the generational gaps and behaviors in general. This beautiful, charming, witty story is the perfect read for those in the throes of battle with their loved ones over letting things go, having to make difficult decisions about their care, and taking the time to consider their feelings in depth.

In “The Woman Who Kept Everything,” we follow 79-year-old hoarder Gloria and her road to self-discovery, her strained relationship with her son, a whopping family secret, and an adventure of a lifetime. Most importantly, it offers the simple reminder that life is short, uncertain, and always, no matter at what age has the time and space to be lived to the absolute fullest.

While I don’t typically gravitate towards stories like this, I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it. The writing was a breeze and I enjoyed the English diction and idioms that I, personally, didn’t feel overwhelmed by. In fact, I found it only added to the story itself. Without a doubt, the reader will be charmed by the many colorful characters and their relationships with each other, as well as where life takes Gloria next. I think this story is bound to touch all of its readers upon publication.

Old Age Power! Gloria is a hoarder until a dangerous electrical fault in her house forces her to a temporary stay at a care home and then with her bully of a son and family while the repair is sorted out. Unbeknownst to Gloria, her son is clearing out her house to sell it. When she finds out and on the spur of the moment, Gloria and her old-time friend Tilsbury go off on an adventure, if only to spite her son whose credit card is paying for all of this. And to her own amazement, she finds that there’s life in the old girl yet! An interesting “coming of (old) age”, if a tad improbable.

I would like to thank Avon Books UK and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Woman Who Kept Everything’ by Jane Gilley in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
At the age of seventy-nine Gloria Frensham is removed from her home as she’s hoarded so much rubbish there’s a danger it could catch fire. Her son Clegg and his wife Val welcome her into their home but only because he wants to sell Gloria’s house and keep the profit. Gloria doesn’t feel ready to go into a retirement home so along with her little suitcase she decides to make a journey that changes her life.
‘The Woman Who Kept Everything’ is a unique account of an elderly lady who has a difficult relationship with her son. She isn’t yet ready to give up her freedom by being moved into a retirement home and proves it by travelling to places on her bucket list and then taking a coach trip to Eastbourne where she makes new friends.
When I started reading I found it a bit depressing but as I got further into the story I became involved with the characters until Gloria’s escapades were making me laugh and cry in equal measure. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the adventures she experienced and was delighted there was a happy ending. Long live Gloria and may she continue enjoying life!

I enjoyed the first third of this book much more than the rest of it. I particularly liked the main character Gloria and her daughter-in-law as well. The reason I’m giving it lasts stars is because I have read a lot about hoarders and hoarding, and I believe that stopping those behaviors is a lot more complex and difficult than the author made it seem.

Thank You to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Gloria is a hoarder. She doesn't realize it and climbing over stacks of stuff and garbage isn't a problem for her. The bathtub is full? No worries, she doesn't need a shower anyway. She just doesn't understand why her son won't visit.

When an electrical fault causes social services to move her out of her house, she is forced to stay at a facility for care and counseling. It is here that she begins to realize how her hoarding has affected her life. When she is released from the facility, she goes to live with her son and his family, believing that her home was just being cleaned and she would return there.

Once she realizes her son intends to sell the house, keep the money and commit his mother to a facility somewhere else, Gloria decides she has had enough and sets out on an adventure. She begins traveling, meeting people and making friends. And along the way, she learns that she is a woman with a lot to offer.

I appreciated that while the story was more light-hearted than serious, it did not treat the subject of hoarding lightly.

I loved Gloria's spunk and tenaciousness. Watching her blossom into a remarkable woman was a delight. Seeing her joy at helping an old friend, a hoarder herself, and realizing how unhappy and unfulfilled she was for so many years was gratifying.

While this is a story of one woman discovering who she is, it is also a story about relationships. It is a story about kindness and compassion; about adventure and friendship and finding joy in life. It is a story that shows us it is never too late for anyone to learn to love their life.

Gloria, age 79, is in funk. She can barely get around her house that is stuffed full of items she has saved since the death of her husband many years ago. Her son rarely checks on her. When an electrical problem is found in her home, Gloria is whisked off to a rehab center and then to her son's home whose family does not want to deal with her. One afternoon, her best friend takes her out for a treat he can barely afford. This small event sends Gloria on a series of adventures as she rethinks how she wishes to spend the rest of her life. Readers who enjoyed A Man Called One or The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper will find this to be an endearing story.

The Woman who kept everything is a very interesting read. It tells a story of our times, a story which is an open secret, that most choose to overlook.

It raises important questions and hope as well. I was happy to read this and it would make a great and inspired book club read.