Having loved Judy Leigh's first book, I felt it worth taking up the publisher's offer and reading The Age of Misadventure. The blurb seems to offer a similar harum-scarum chase, and in some ways it's true. But instead of escaping from the prison of an old people's home, this one features a silly woman escaping from her shyster husband.

It's a very family-orientated book. Georgie's long-standing protective attitude towards her younger sister will doubtless resonate with many. The concerns of both women for their daughters and the relationships they are in, ditto. The care given to Nan, who is actually Auntie, trapped in her home with little heat and company. It's all great stuff.

Actually I found the sister thing suffocating, and got extremely irritated with both of them, but I did wonder if that was just that I don't have a sister. Maybe this is a sister thing?

The trouble with the book really stems from the stupidity of each of the characters. How does 'escaping from your husband and not leaving a trail' not go into the pea-brain of the sister, who uses her husband's credit card all the way around the country? Well, that's a clever plot point. The way Georgie then managed to escape from the flat for secret trysts without alerting the police who were on duty to watch for the stalker really irritated me—both for her irresponsibility and the implication that the police simply weren't watching. Is this forgivable in a crazy adventure where the protagonists continually make really bad choices?

I got so exasperated with them. But the characters are really well drawn, the adventures in various parts of the UK nicely done, the uncertainty over which of the contacts was really a stooge (why didn't she just google the so-called journalist?). The problems are worth seeing if and how they sort themselves out. And Nan has some wonderful malapropisms and failures of idiom (as does the Spanish boyfriend, who's a hoot).

So, it's worth reading. Funny. Exciting. Exasperating. Take your pick.

I really enjoyed the author's previous book and was looking forward to another fun adventure with this one. The title is intriguing and full of promise! Imagine my shock when I saw that it was written in present tense. Generally when an author turns to the dark side and uses this abomination perspective, I never trust them again.

I did persevere, although the rather miserable beginning seemed to go on too long. I have to admit that I was really disappointed that I didn't like this story. I gave a lot of thought as to why and concluded that it's the characters. The author's previous book had a main character who I really liked. A strong woman who despite being elderly, decided she wasn't ready to be dead yet and went on adventures. This one, all the characters were whiners, complainers or both.

I felt it took too long to get to the traveling part and then everything seemed to go wrong so that it was just depressing. Even a satisfying ending couldn't make a stressful journey into something fun or daring.

I very much enjoyed Judy Leigh's previous book (A Grand Old Time), so i didn't hesitate at the chance of reading her latest book 'The Age of Misadventure'. This book was just as enjoyable and quite often, i found myself smiling. The main character is Georgie (Georgina) and in parts, i was visualising my own sister who shares the same name. Furthermore, Brighton is just a 15 mins drive from where i live. I rarely write what a story is about as i prefer one to read the book for themselves, but i do recommend. Hope it isn't too long before i am enjoying another book by Judy Leigh.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review.

Whilst I did enjoy The Age of Misadventure, I think I was expecting more of a Thelma and Louise caper with an eccentric granny thrown in for good measure. It was enjoyable though. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author for the chance to review.

This is a book that users of a family organiser calendar will relate to. The narrator is Georgie, divorced, after her husband left her for a ' Jessica Rabbit' type of girl. You hoped that would mean a female with buck teeth and facial hair, but in reality, she is what my boys call ' well stacked'.
Georgie is part owner of a beauty salon, and her daughter,Jade, also works there. Jade is romantically involved with a professional footballer and wants to move to Spain with him.
Bonnie is Georgie's sister,who seems quite pathetic, but this is due to being married to a sleeze bag named Adie,who is dodgy, has numerous affairs, but always creeps back into her affections by means of expensive holidays and jewellery .
Then, there is Nana,who is an absolute star! Like most older people they love a good moan, although, her alcohol intake was rather surprising!! . I gave this five stars. The family interaction is very well described, and getting older is acknowledged, but no limitations are placed or expected of the older person, indeed, their usefulness is appreciated and applauded.
Was everything tied up too neatly at the end? I had guessed the relevance of the bracelet early on, but that didn't detract from the story.
The introduction of a romance for Georgie was good, after dealing with her madcap family, she really deserved a happy ending and new beginning .
This will be a brilliant holiday read. It's not too taxing, tense at times, but it is mainly a laugh out loud and feel good book.

Headline : Another excellent tale of family and ageing
Stars : 5
Judy Leigh seems to have the knack of pinning down the various voices of the generations, especially that of more senior citizens.
Whilst the tale of a dodgy husband and the retribution sought by one of his partners is central to the novel, the interaction between the family members and the growth that is seen in both the relationships and in a personal sense too is palpable. Like in Leigh’s earlier book A Grand Old Time, the release from old age incarceration, albeit mental more than physical, is a joy to behold.
I look forward to Judy Leigh’s next book with great anticipation.
This book was provided as an advance copy by the publisher in return for an honest review.
Note :
I intend to provide the above on Amazon when the book is released on 21 Feb 2019.

Georgie has a settled life running her own beauty therapy business. Until,that is, her sister's husband ,Adie, crosses a ruthless gangster endangering the whole family's lives . A cross country journey ends with them hiding near Brighton. With laugh out loud moments, frustation and sadness as Georgie deals with her petulant daughter, her eccentric aunt and her indecisive sister, the novel is hard to put down and totally immersive.

I absolutely adored this book. I was so excited when I saw that Judy Leigh had a new book out. I loved her last one so much that I bought a copy for my mum. She loved it too!

This one is slightly different in tone. Still with the author’s wonderful humour and fabulous characters, there’s a bit more tension and drama in this book.

Georgie has taken her aunt, who she calls Nan, and her sister and her daughter, away on a bit of a last minute adventure as they try to get away from Bonnie’s rather dodgy husband and one of his unpleasant “business associates”.

There’s so much humour in this book, but there is tension also, as the women are in danger. It’s a perfect mix of humour, romance and suspense, with wonderfully real characters. So enjoyable.

I received my copy of this book from Netgalley having read A Grand Old Time by Judy Leigh previously and having enjoyed it immensely.

A review on the site stated 'A gorgeously fun and uplifting novel, perfect for fans of The 100 Year Old Man and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.' Well I loved both those books but this one unfortunately was not for me. Only The 1oo Year Old Man was referred to in The Age of Misadventure I cannot think of anything else these books have in common.

As a slightly, ahem, more mature lady I love the fact that Ms Leigh acknowledges the fact that fun doesn't stop at thirty. However, the cast in this book disappointed me, they were so cliched and the older lady Nanny Basham was in my opinion a mere caricature with the author stretching the limits to get a laugh.

It was a great plot and I think would make a fantastic television series but sadly the book was not for me.

A family fun filled story of hiding out and finding out who you really are and what you are capable of. A varying age range of characters, some I liked some I didn’t! But you can’t be drawn to everyone. I must admit I felt the story dragged a bit it the middle but loved the ending. I’m glad I persevered.

I recieved this book via Netgalley and give it my honest review.
A Funny, uplifting novel where are is no limit when it comes to living your life to the full! A book dull of emotions, humour and the sky's no limit adventure! I have not read anything by this author before, but I will be in the future, it was well written and a joy to read.

Absolutely fantastic book.
I was so surprised by it. To be honest I thought it was going to be crap!
How wrong I was best book I've read in very long time.
It's got everything in it.
Thanks xx

55-year-old Goergie doesn't want a new man in her life. The most important people to her are her daughter, aunt and her sister. But they have started to drift apart. Georgie has never been a fan of her sisters husband, so when she learns he has been up to no good, Georgie thinks that this will be the ideal opportunity to bring the women back together. Along with her 21-year-old daughter and 80-year-old Aunt, Georgie and her sister Bonnie head off for the coast of Sussex.

The main characters in this book were a mixed bunch, some you liked and some you didn't. Georgie and her daughter Jade were fine, it was their Aunt Nan that got on my nerves the most. She constantly moaning, very ungrateful and argumentative. The sister, Bonnie thought that she was something else, a trophy wife and so very lazy, she thinks that everyone should wait on her. There is so me sexual content in the book. The writers style seemed a bit choppy at times. There were parts of the story that just felt a little bit flat.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author Judy Leigh for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:

55 year old Georgina Turner is a control freak and A+ worry wart.  She shows her love and adoration of the three most important women to her (her daughter Jade, sister Bonnie, and Aunt Anne or Nanny) by being way too involved in their lives and giving unsolicited opinions and advice.  The more she tries to pull them in, the further apart they grow, though.  

          When it looks like Jade is going to move in with her very recent boyfriend and Bonnie is in danger due to her shady husband's questionable business deals; Georgie does what any rational woman would do.... scoops them up, grabs her elderly Nanny and runs for the coast of Sussex.  Between trying to reign in an 80 year old with a sweet tooth and an eye for men, and trying to keep Bonnie and Jade safe, it's no easy task.  Especially since Bonnie is used to all the finer things- and has to problem using her charge card to get them, leaving a paper trail.  You have a diva, a twenty one year old with a bad attitude, an 80 year old reeling between constant complaints and having the time of her life.... and Georgie.   Anxiety driven worry wart supreme.... what could go wrong?  Well, you could add a tall dark and handsome stranger into the mix....

My thoughts:

To be honest, I liked the book, but there were some serious issues.  I felt like the flow of the book was a bit messy- choppy and disjointed.  Now, that could have been the author's intent, but it rarely makes a good impression on me.  The story line was great, and I liked the premise.  I found Nanny to be great fun, and was generally charmed by her.  That said I basically hated the other females.  Jade mostly acted like a spoiled ten year old.  Yeah, I know Georgie is tripping over multiple boundaries here but that's your mom.  I kept looking at their interactions and thinking.... did I ever treat my mother like this?  Do I need to apologize?  Bonnie is a pampered trophy wife.  She refuses to see all the problems in her marriage.  She's an enabler and consoles herself with shopping.  I wouldn't even mind the cliché too much if there had been more character growth here.  As a class A worry wart myself I can kind of connect with Georgie.  But she has to know when to step back and let go... while she got there eventually it was painful to watch.

All of that said, I did enjoy the time with Marcus, and Luis was a great character.  Both were great romantic interests for the girls.  I also liked how they portrayed the police force here.  It was a great book, but not my favorite read by far.  I think, though, that that's more of a preference thing.  For me, this is a three star book.

On the adult content scale there's light sexual content, language and violence.  It isn't too explicit, but I would still say this is definitely geared toward the 17+ crowd.

I was lucky enough to receive an eARC from Netgalley and Avon books in exchange for an honest review.  My thanks!

I'm not quite sure how to describe this book - cosy thriller? Family drama? It'c certainly not the chick lit the cover and the blurb suggests. I'd not describe it as particularly uplifting, either, as some parts of it was quite grim.

It is a romance, however, and there is a feel-good factor, despite all the traumatic events. I did have trouble with some aspects of the story, though - the significance of the bracelet for one (I won't say any more for fear of spoilers).

I loved Nan's character - she was so well written. I know older people who grumble and grizzle in exactly the same way! Jodie not so much. Bonnie needed some backbone and common sense. The MC, Charlotte, was quite dour, and I kept expecting her love interest to either be one of the bad guys or with the police.

Nevertheless, it's an enjoyable read, just not quite what I anticipated.

Having really enjoyed 'A Grand Old Time' by this author, I was hoping for another lighthearted, engaging read. However I felt this one was rather formulaic and ordinary, simply setting up stock characters in the first part of the book to be challenged in the second. I was not particularly drawn to the characters, as they seemed rather stereotypical and flat, and consequently was not interested enough in them to finish the novel, which is unusual for me. Very disappointing.

After reading Judy Leigh’s début novel A Grand Old Time I was really looking forward to this book. Sadly I wasn’t too keen on it. The characters didn’t gel with me and I didn’t especially enjoy the story.

The story is about 55 year old divorcee Georgina, a beautician with her own business. She has a 24 year old daughter Jade who’s a personal trainer, a sister Bonnie – professional house wife and then there’s Nan – Georgie’s Auntie but they all call her Nan. Bonnie is married to Adie a dodgy wheeler dealer and womanizer, but Bonnie thinks the sun shines out of his proverbial backside. In her eyes he can do no wrong, whatever misdemeanour he commits he can always be forgiven because really, he loves Bonnie (well Bonnie thinks so). That is until he goes one step too far and now he’s got himself in far deeper than ever before, with a real life gangster on the war path who decides if he can’t find Adie then he’ll come after his wife and his sister-in-law instead.

In the meantime Jade has landed herself a professional footballer boyfriend Luis. They plan to share a flat together in Brighton. What better place for Georgina to hole herself up with her sister and Nan to lie low for a while and hide from gangster Beddowes. Jade reluctantly lets them stay in the flat of one of her boyfriends footballer friends who’s currently away, with strict instructions to stay out of the way of her and Luis.

That’s the story. Now the characters, and this is why I couldn’t grow to like the book. Jade and Georgina were OK, I quite liked them. Nan, sorry, she just got on my nerves most of the way through the book. She did come good at the end but up to that point I suffered her character rather than embraced her. She was ungrateful, argumentative and was always moaning. Most reviewers of the book seemed to love her though, ah well.

Bonnie. Oh Bonnie. If I had been Georgina, sister or no sister I think I would have throttled her long before any gangster got the opportunity. She wouldn’t have it that her husband was a complete waste of space or that he didn’t give a damn about her and just saw her as a trophy wife who he could pick up and drop on a whim. She was so lazy too. Her sister did nothing but wait on both Nan and Bonnie hand and foot while they were in hiding in the flat without a moments gratitude. Bonnie spent pretty much most of the time through the book crying and droning on about her precious Adie.

I did enjoy the ending. It was incredibly far fetched but that really didn’t matter as it was all part and parcel of the humour and fitted perfectly. It moved at a faster pace and kept you on the edge, enthralled at how it was all going to end. I just wish there had been a little bit more excitement through the rest of the book.

All in all, for me it was an OK story. I got a little bit bored when they were hiding in the flat, that bit seemed to drag on for too long I thought, but it did have its funny moments. That’s just my thoughts though, and whilst this book wasn’t for me, it won’t put me off reading more from this author as I do like her sense of humour.

I became an instant fan of Judy Leigh when I read her debut novel, A Grand Old Time, so when I was offered an advanced review copy of The Age of Misadventure, I immediately said yes. Judy has a real talent for writing older characters so I was delighted to see that many of the characters in this book were 50+.

I dunno, I'm starting to think that maybe I'm odd AF. So many people have called Georgie bitter, but I think that's maybe because they can't connect to her experiences? If you haven't had someone you've been in a relationship with for a LONG time hurt you, then maybe you can't relate? Unfortunately, I can relate to her. I know how hard it can be when your trust is broken by a person you dedicated so many years of your life to. It makes it hard to trust again.

Anyway, the story. I really enjoyed this read. I found this book the perfect late evening/bedtime read. The plot is not too taxing. Bonnie's (Georgie's sister) husband gets himself into trouble, so they decide to take a girls trip away while things blow over.

My favorite character by far was Nan (Georgie's aunt). She was an absolute howl and I laughed out loud several times when reading her parts. Her character is where Judy's writing really shined. Nan has lived alone for years after the death of her husband Wilf, so it was lovely to see her growing more confident with new people and new places as the book went on. It really reminded me of Evie Judy's first book.

I almost wish that Nan got more page space because she was such an endearing character. I could relate to Georgie because of her experience but I found Bonnie and Jade (Georgie's daughter) a little hard to gel with. I think this is because their development mostly happened towards the end of the book so it felt a little rushed. I feel like this made it hard for me to change how I felt towards those characters.

However, for me, those issues didn't change how I felt about the book overall. This story will make you smile and it will make you laugh out loud. If you're looking for an enjoyable read I'd definitely recommend The Age of Misadventure

Georgie and her sister, Bonnie have to leave Liverpool in a hurry after Bonnie’s husband gets wrapped up with a dangerous monster. Bringing along their 88 year old aunt, Nan, and Georgie’s daughter, Jade, the road trip is the beginning of a trip to Brighton to hide out. There are a lot of humorous situations, but much of the plot is a little unbelievable, mainly Georgie, who is supposed to be the level headed one, putting herself in danger unnecessarily. I did enjoy the relationships between the women and their evolving attitudes towards independence. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

I honestly cannot say I enjoyed this book at all. While the premises certainly had its promises, the reality fell flat in comparison.
What could not be fun about 4 women escaping a hardened criminal, out to kill them? You know, apart from the fact that the daughter is *furious* non-stop, either because her mum is living below them, because her mum dares have her life endangered (such an annoyance!) or because ... Well, I don't know really - Jade just seemed perpetually determined to be angry with her mum.
Bonny, honestly, wasn't much better. "Sure, I have someone after me, but hey, surely shopping's more important than not being found, right?". Nan, I could actually understand - she was old, supposed to be something of a comic relief... And even though her "misunderstandings" ventured beyond the acceptable from time to time, she seemed alright. Ish.
Even the main character's love story didn't really seem to hold the sort of feeling I was looking for.
I probably would've been less disappointed by this book if I hadn't been looking forward to the concept as much, but still... The entire thing felt a bit like a car lurching forward: stop, too fast, stop, too fast, ... No consistent rhythm, characters that weren't so much "hilarious" as they were annoying, ... Really not my kind of book, all in all.