Eleanor, stuck in a loveless marriage of servitude, and Andrew, recently dumped and back living with his parents, are still trying to work out how to be grownups.

Through flashbacks we are shown Eleanor's history, and perhaps more importantly, her father's history, as he emerges as the pivotal character of the story. Eleanor, Andrew and other peripheral characters are all satellites guiding Conrad back to the point when he had to make the choice to be a grown up and do the right thing. But which choice was the 'grown up' thing to have made?

This book had a very slow start, and there were times I was tempted to abandon it, but I'm glad I persisted, because I enjoyed the ending. There were parts that were hinted at which I would have liked to have had explored more (the history between Roger and Conrad; how the painting got damaged etc), and it was most satisfying reading the actual grownups telling their adult children how to grow up.

**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

This book is about love found, love lost and found again and everything inbetween. It follows a path that eventually comes together in happiness for one and determination for another. Eleanor was brought up with a very difficult brother who managed to rule the roost so such an extent that Conrad (his father) had to make a very difficult decision which would also the course of another family. Eleanor is a person who wants to keep the peace under any circumstances and becomes dominated by her husband even to the extent of never being allowed to make decisions. One day enough is enough and this is the catalyst which makes her make a monumental decision which makes her take stock of her life. The other strand of the story comes together by a chance meeting of Andrew and Olivia and an apple tree. Andrew works with Conrad and Conrad tells him a story of his lost love. The story continues to give a great feeling and I really enjoyed reading it

Great subject, lots of characters, which I sometimes found a little confusing & difficult to keep up with, but on the whole a nice little tale

Growing Up for Beginners by Claire Calman is an uplifting novel that runs the gamut of the highs and lows that are part and parcel of being an adult at whatever age one decides to ultimately grow up. I love a novel that is rich and complex in character development, and this one certainly fits the bill as an emotionally engaging read.

Eleanor, Conrad, Andrew, and Cecilia are as diverse as they are complicated, each flawed in their own way but so painfully human. There is lots to unpack in the lives of this cast of characters, and I believe that the universal themes of love, loss, and longing will provide plenty of talking points for book club discussions.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

What a beautiful story of love lost and found again. You follows the lives of several people, I loved Elinor (spelt wrong I’m sure) her husband Roger (the control freak) whom I was not so keen on, but, he was just set in his ways. Andrew was a bit wimpy... all the characters so different but connected to love or wanting love. I was not so keen on the consistent use of big flowery words (sometimes they really irritated me) but all in all a lovely book

I really enjoyed this book. How any husband could be so controlling. Especialy cutting out the last pages on her books even on their honeymoon. Interesting the opions on the father not being round on the son. I loved how Andrew went to work half shaved and half dressed. In a werid way it made me laugh thinking of him on the tube!!!!!! i would highly recommend it. I won't spoil the ending but it was good

This has been a good read which I have enjoyed. It had been a nice distraction and an overall easy read.
The characters are likeable and easy to relate to. This has a realistic plot and is a really easy to read book.
This is not entirely what I had anticipated but I have found this one an enjoyable read.

I really enjoy books about relationships between people and the different dynamics and this is a great example.

The characters are well developed and relatable.

A pleasant read.

Loved this book! The characters, the slow easy way they developed and intertwined.
I was a little confused with who was who at some points but it didn’t take long to work it out.
Thanks to Netgalley for this great read!

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Here is goes... I really wanted to like this book but I really, really disliked it! So much so, that I DNF'd it! I felt like I was reading a script for a soap opera. It kept jumping back and forth, there were so many characters and my mind was completely boggled. I kept trying to read it, I was pushing myself but by the time I got to chapter 19 and figured out that I was still was less than halfway done with the book, I gave up. Maybe at a different point in my life I would be more open to this book. The overall flow of the book just didn't work for me right now. Sorry. Just being honest!

On one level a pleasant read about middle class lives but each character has family secrets and is very flawed.
I think the confusion (trying to avoid plot spoiler) besetting Andrew was very well written and very easy to imagine.
As usual one wonders why does she stay with him but then as in real life it’s easier to look in and comment rather than live that life.
Rest assured all works out in the end!!

Absolutely loved this. You can almost see Eleanor blossom throughout the book. Great characters, great story development - all round brilliant. Highly recommended.

I loved this book-a perfect antidote to the troubled times in which we find ourselves.It tells the story of four characters ,all linked in some way.Eleanor is left with her unspeakably awful,controlling husband when her children leave home.Her father Conrad still mourns he love he lost 30 years previously after she disappeared from his life,leaving him in a loveless marriage.Andrew has been left to go back to live with his parents after is girlfriend threw him out . Cecelia is an artist who lives in a state of chaos to which her two daughters help to bring some order.
It's beautifully written,and the characters are all likeable and sympathetic.It's also humorous and poignant in equal measure,and by the end I was cheering.
A lovely,uplifting read-highly recommended if you're in need of some cheering up.

It took me a while to get into this story, the story jumps between characters and times a lot and until I got my head around who was who and what was what it was a little confusing. However, once I did I found myself really engrossed in the lives of the characters.

The characters are well written and mostly likeable, except for Roger who I wanted to punch, to be honest. As the story comes together you see how lives intertwine and their stories develop. It's clever and draws you into their lives and loves.

Despite the slow start I did enjoy this story and would definitely recommend it as a good read.

Sweet and warm novel about us all yearning to stay young. It didn't grip me however it was a pleasant and light-hearted read.

A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. This is not my usual genre therefore am extremely pleased and grateful for opening up my mind to something totally different. 4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thank you to netgallery and the publishers for allowing me an ARC in return for an honest review.
As This book began I found myself unsure of what I thought of it, and if I would even be able to finish reading it at all. HOWEVER I am so glad that I stayed with it. This book has a lovely feeling to it as you progress through the book. They way it’s written makes you really get to know the characters, and want to know more about them.
I found myself instantly disliking Roger, which I am sure many readers will. As well a Marcia who we learn less about but I still had this uneasy feeling as she came in and out of the story. Every other character has had so much thought and time into developing their personality. I can’t say I personally relate to any of the characters in the sense that you sometime find yourself reading about your own life, but anyone that is or ever had been in love would find this book hard to not find warmth by the ending.

Excellent read - I will certainly be looking for more books by the author.

A great read that will particularly resonate with middle aged woman experiencing the empty nest syndrome! Something I can readily relate to at this stage of my life! Initially I found the book jumped around between characters quite a bit but once you were familiar with the characters it flowed really well!
This book explored the complexities of human relationships both young love and middle aged and beyond! It demonstrated that secrets or decisions made in the past can have long reaching consequences in later life and that it is never too late/ hard to change and that happiness can be found once more!
Thank you net galley for this early read.

Funny quirky little novel. Just shows how people still want to be a teenager and dont want to grow up

I absolutely adored this book. The characters were so real that it sucked you in and made you feel a part of the story. You didn't want it to end!