I don't remember what made me choose this book from Netgalley, but I am SO glad that they chose me to be a reviewer of it. I absolutely loved this "heartwarming story of 4 strangers whose lives becoming entwined in life changing ways."
It is nowhere near my normal reading material. I am more of a thriller, horror, murder reader, but this was a lovely change of pace for the holiday weekend wind down. It was sweet and heartwarming and just what I needed for the end of the year to help me focus on my own life in the coming year.
In the Afternoon Tea Club, we meet 4 very different people as I mentioned previously. There's Marjorie, mother of Gracie. She's had a rough life full of abuse by her husband, which has turned to anxiety. Like my own anxiety, hers turns to snapping when she gets overwhelmed.
Then there's Stacy, much younger than the rest. An achingly lonely cat hoarder who hasn't been loved much in life.
Raymond, an elderly widower who has focused much of his life on his partnership with his beloved wife and isn't sure what to do without her.
And finally, Dora, an aimless party girl who, at 50, has finally realized that maybe she should settle down a little.
The way they all become friends is sweet. I love that like loneliness, there is no age limit to friendship. In an age of "boomers" vs "millenials" it's especially nice to see people making friends across generations.
I loved the friendships built among them, but I also enjoyed reading their personal growth stories as well. I may have to start putting down the murder mysteries and start reading more of these heartwarming stories in the new year!

*I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for my review

EXCERPT: Marjorie let out a long sigh. 'Why is life so darned hard sometimes?'

She knew she no longer wanted to continue living as a bitter woman, marred by her past with an abusive husband. Marjorie wanted the chance to live as a woman other people would like to get to know because she was kind and considerate. She certainly realized she would never be classed as a sweet little old lady. But she could start by trying to be better; by trying to unlearn the wrongful message Oliver had taught her with his offensive actions.

ABOUT THIS BOOK: Everyone’s welcome at The Afternoon Tea Club…
Marjorie, Stacy, Raymond and Dora each hold a different story to their chest – lost loves, abandoned dreams, crippling self-confidence issues, and simply feeling invisible. For each of them, the thought of letting those stories out is almost as terrifying as letting strangers in, and that makes for a very lonely life indeed.

But when these four strangers who have struggled to “fit in” end up on the same table for an event at their local community centre, little do they know that their lives are about to be entwined and changed forever because of an Afternoon Tea club.

Cue an unexpected journey of self-discovery, some unlikely new companions, and plenty of tea and biscuits along the way…

MY THOUGHTS: Bland. Like store bought custard.

I was expecting something heartwarming and poignant, something that would make me smile, and cry. Something along the lines of The Last Voyage of Mrs Henry Parker, or The Love Songs of Mrs Queenie Hennessy. I didn't get it.

I should have. We have a wonderfully mixed bag of characters, who never quite come to life. Marjorie, victim of spousal abuse. Stacy, cat lady who never felt loved by her parents. Raymond who is grieving for his wife. And Dora, who has absolutely no idea what direction her life should take. That's not to mention Eileen who has a talent for organising other people's lives, but is ineffective with her own, and her mother Veronica, whose idea the afternoon tea club was.

The writing is flat and simplistic, the characters undeveloped, as is the plot. This could and should have been a touching and emotional read. Instead, I was bored and tempted to abandon the read. This is the second book by this author I have read, both receiving two star ratings. I won't be giving her a third chance.

😒😒

#TheAfternoonTeaClub #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Jane Gilley was born in Nottingham and now lives on the beautiful island of Jersey, with her husband, a rabbit and a Senegal parrot.
Following a career in Interior Design and after writing 6 children's books, Jane now writes adult books full time.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Avon Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Afternoon Tea Club by Jane Gilley 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 and my webpage

Funny, uplifting, poignant and brilliantly written, Jane Gilley’s The Afternoon Tea Club is a wonderful warm hug of a book sure to bring a tear to your eye and touch your soul.

Life can be very lonely and miserable and nobody knows this better than four strangers who have spent most of their lives lurking in the shadows and hiding behind the walls which they had built around themselves. For most of their lives, Stacy, Raymond, Marjorie and Dora have felt like square pegs in a round hole. They have never felt like they fitted in and the thought of letting someone in and seeing the real them is enough to send a shiver racing down their spine yet this reluctance to mix with strangers and let down their guard has made for a very lonely existence. But it looks like things might be about to change for them all thanks to the Afternoon Tea Club.

These four strangers have different stories and issues that have made them wary and hesitant to experience new things and let somebody breach the walls they had built around themselves. From lost love to crippling self confidence to abandoned dreams, life hasn’t always treated Stacy, Raymond, Marjorie and Dora well yet when they decide to attend an event at their local community centre and they find themselves sitting at the same table, little do they realise that their lives are about to become entwined like never before…

As they all go on a journey of self discovery where new friendships are made and tenuous bonds are strengthened, one thing is for certain: endless cups of tea will be consumed and plenty of delicious cake will be eaten because everything is better with tea and cake!

The Afternoon Tea Club is a fantastic read that made me laugh and cry in equal measure. A fabulous tale of friendship, renewal, starting over and the power of tea and cake, The Afternoon Tea Club warms the heart with its beguiling blend of drama, humour and emotion.

Jane Gilley has written a thought-provoking and moving read which I highly recommend, so if you are stuck for what to buy the book lover in your life this Christmas, look no further than The Afternoon Tea Club.

The Afternoon Tea Club is a proper nice read. This is a feel good story that leaves you with a smile and definitely makes you laugh out loud at times. But it is still serious and discusses issues that are very prevalent in this day and age. Highly recommend. Jane Gilley has written a novel that makes me want to start my own Afternoon Tea Club!

This is a lovely warm cosy read! An enjoyable and easy read with lovely characters. Loved the theme of the story in helping lonely people to get together and form friendships.

If you enjoy warm, friendly novels then this is highly recommended.

Thank you Avon Books UK and NetGalley.

I couldn't relate to the characters. I was particularly surprised by the lack of emotions. This book was not for me.

This is essentially a story of loneliness, how much we all need human connection and the importance of friendship.

All the characters have their own story to tell featuring grief, domestic abuse and parental disconnection. The author has also shown how generational gaps can cause tension among families. This is very much a character based novel but whatever the characters age or story they all have something in common. Life hasn’t worked out how they expected it to and they all have a deep rooted loneliness that they are struggling with.

All the characters have a little eccentricity about them but there is a reason they are like they are. This is explained tenderly so you care about them even though at times they are unlikeable.

If you liked A man called Ove then you will understand that there is often a soft heart hidden behind a prickly exterior.

I went into this thinking it would be a feel good fuzzy book. Little did I know the hard hitting subjects it would reveal and that it would touch my heart.

Oh boy this book warmed my soul and had me wanting to weep. Im sure by now we have all seen Terrance on the news discussing loneliness and this book tackled a bunch of people who were feeling lonely and with the invitation to a Afternoon Tea Club the reluctant gang head off to see what is about.



Whilst non were really excited about going - something that started off as a few people meeting for a cup of tea and some cake turns into something bigger for them all.



We follow Marjorie, Stacy, Raymond and Dora - we learn their stories, the troubles they have had in life - and getting their stories out into the word seems daunting but as they discover more about their new friends and themselves relationships bloom.



I cannot express how much i loved this book and how much it made me think about others in the community. It was a delightful read and full of plenty of cups of tea and cake as they start to focus on their new friendships.



A read that makes you think about those who are vulnerable and those who dont seem but may be facing their own issues. Its certainly one to read at this time of year and really does hit the feels.

This was a heartwarming read which is perfect for escaping into. It covers quite a current problem of loneliness amongst older people which made it quite an emotion read at times as it seemed very real.

The characters were all wonderful, realistic creations and I enjoyed finding out more about them. I didn’t particularly warm to any of them at the begining but as I discover more about their back story I found myself growing fond of them. They are definitely an eclectic mix of people and it was interesting to see the many different reasons that they had seeked out the club for companionship. My favourites was Stacey the librarian whose love of cats has meant that she has ended up with 8 of them. I think I felt a bit of sympathy for her as she joined the club so she’d have someone to talk to other than the cats, which is similar to the reason I go to groups so I have someone other than the kids to talk to.

The book is written in a lovely easy style that has a great flow to it. This just draws the reader into the book and ensures that they get fully emersed into the story. There is some funny parts and wry humour which I enjoyed and helped give the story a lighter feel to it. I’m normally a bit wary when books are described as similar to Rachel Joyce’s books but in this case I think the comparison is justified as the style did remind me of those books.

Huge thanks to Sabah from Avon for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book via Netgalley.

The Afternoon Tea Club by Jane Gilley is a story about community and friendship and how these two can literally save lives. Just exactly the kind of book I like to read and I recommend other people read because it's inspiring and real, like life. I enjoyed it very much and look forward to more books by Jane Gilley.

Thanks to Avon Books Uk and Netgalley for the reviewer's digital copy.

Ray, Stacy, Dora and Marjorie all join an afternoon tea club. They are from different walks of life, they are different ages and on the surface, they don't seem to have much in common. However, they have all had trauma in their pasts and are socially isolated in one way or another, which is why the club works so well for all of them.

This was a great premise for a book, it made me wish there was something like this close to me! I found this book to be a little long-winded and confusing to get into though. I think I was about a third of the way through before the story really clicked into place for me. A bit of editing would have been a good idea, just to tighten the story a bit.

I really enjoyed it though, it was a real feel good story and everyone needs to read these kinds of stories on a regular basis.

4 stars from me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books.

This book was both sad and uplifting! I felt so sorry for the characters because of their lives and loneliness. However, the respite provided by the Afternoon Tea Club was incredible and the ending proved that there is always an opportunity for happiness, despite your age.

The plot focuses on four key protagonists and gradually we learn about their past. The Afternoon Tea club provides respite and solace: the chance for company and a break from routine. Indeed, Gilley highlights that loneliness, particularly for the older generation, is a massive issue and that more could be done in communities. Idyllic, the Afternoon Tea Club transported me back to simpler times when strangers could meet and be friends and, whilst the protagonists are reluctant and have an emotional past, it was lovely to see these boundaries broken down.

The stories of the key characters are all so different which made the plot more interesting. I liked how Gilley was able to develop this characterisation. I could not help but favour Raymond the most but, honestly, feel that all four people deserved a jolly good hug! It was lovely to see their progression over the novel and the changes that each of them have; finding inner strength and reaching out to the Club becomes the catalyst for them to make personal changes.

It was very easy to picture the scenes that Gilley describes. I think the circumstances portrayed are relatable to all; often I was reminded of my Nan and the loneliness she experienced. Reading this novel, I wonder if Gilley is trying to encourage more of a community spirit. Despite the mixed ages of the characters, Gilley illustrates that loneliness can come to all, regardless of generation and background. It is stereotyped that the older you become, the inevitable loneliness will set in. However, being younger and surrounded by so many people can still lead to isolation. As such, the writer encouraged me to consider the importance of reaching out to others: even a stranger in the street could have a better day just by saying “Good morning”.

Whilst this novel was thought-provoking, it was still a light-hearted and enjoyable read. The novel concludes during Christmas, adding to the feel-good vibes! However, of course this is not an overtly Christmas novel and could be read all year round. It was so enjoyable that I think I would try and read other books by this author.

My only criticism with this book was the writing style. I felt that Gilley over-used the exclamation mark. Whilst it did reflect the lengthy dialogue – emphasising the speeches and excitement from different characters – I thought that the exclamation could have been witheld a little bit. There was too much for my liking and I honestly find this slightly irritating, regardless of the narrative. This criticism is a totally personal one, so certainly do not let this distract you from picking up this book!

If you are after a heart-warming story with a bit of soul, then I think this is one for you. I relished in the happy ending and found the lack of complications and easy-going narrative a pleasant change to some of my recent reads.

With thanks to Avon books and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A heartwarming read for the current heartbreak in this world. A little piece of happiness and a haven away from the real world, I loved the characters and their friendship, it was like a warm hug on a cold night this book. Highly recommended to everyone, they need it.


Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

A contemporary story that deals with the invisibility and loneliness of being older.

The story begins with a gathering of individuals from the community, mostly, but not exclusively older. Most do not want to be there, but gradually realise that it may add something to their lives. The story has lots of characters and perhaps would benefit from a character list at the beginning.

This a gentle story, where the characters earlier lives are explored, so that the reader knows how they came to be in the situation they find themselves in. The story charts laughter, sadness, and an unmistakable camaraderie between its characters. It is diverse and reflects how an increasingly significant portion of the population feel about their lives.

Older people often feel surplus to requirements and invisible, and this story reflects this well but gives hope that with a little understanding and courage life can be fun and worthwhile at any age.

I received a copy of this book from Avon Books UK via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

A wonderful story, poignant and heartwarming a the same time.
I found it engrossing and entertaining, well written and with a cast of realistic, relatable and well thought characters.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I hate being negative or giving up on a book but had to concede defeat and abandon reading this one as it felt like it was going on forever without anything really happening or any real developments.

This good, not great. Be prepared to pay close attention as there lots of characters and details to follow to get the full effect. The author has talent, and has written an interesting set of ideas with interesting characters. It just needs some tweaks to make it more interesting and compelling.

Thanks for the ARC for review!!

I struggled to get through this one.
The author tried to include FAR too much without fully developing anything (or anyone).
It was nearly 50% of the way through the book before any of the characters had a real attachment to each other.
I think this would have worked better as a graphic novel (heavily edited).
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my DRC.

I liked the idea of this book more than I liked the book itself.

This book is about a lonely hearts club, started by a town council, for the people in the community who didn't have a strong social group and wanted one -- it's mostly focused on the elderly, but open to anyone. It focused primarily on four main members, but there are a large number of peripheral characters to keep track of, as well.

I struggled to get into this book and only kept going because I had promised to review it. It took me until halfway through to really figure out who each character actually was -- there are a lot of characters at the beginning, and it took a while to figure out who the main characters actually were. And nothing really important or interesting starts to happen until you're halfway through. I felt that the first half needed a stronger edit to shorten it and focus it more. Reading the second half was a lot faster for me than reading the first half, and I did enjoy the characters and their lives a lot more in the second half. I just really wish it could have had the same appeal earlier on in the book.

And while the ending was sweet, it was rather improbable with the rapid conclusion. I also struggled with th dialogue. It felt forced and less like how people actually talk and really slowed the book down for me instead of adding to the story.

I wanted to like this book, and I eventually liked the main characters, but it just didn't work for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book. It did not influence my review.

Taking the leap to join a new group of people can be difficult but Marjorie, Dora, Stacy and Raymond are about to discover that leap will be a challenge that will bring them more than they can every hope. They are from different backgrounds with personal hardships lurking in the shadows but a good cup of tea and a decent bit of cake can break down barriers and unite many a worrier.

This is a pleasant story with characters that are very relatable and that you would more than happy spend an afternoon with.