This is an absolutely fantastic summer read, I could imagine lying on a sun lounger cocktail in hand reading this book.

It really is the full package, you will laugh and cry along with Molly. She is lovable and desperately deserves happiness.

I haven’t read anything by Judy Leigh before, but her writing style is lovely and makes for such an enjoyable read.

So grab this book, plonk yourself in the sun and immerse into the wonderful world of Molly.

Molly is celebrating her seventieth birthday and is feeling unsettled. Molly has always been a free spirit, doing whatever she wants to do and doing it impulsively. She is very unlike her sister Nell who is upto now unimaginative, living in a rut and quite pleased with her lot.

When Nell arrives on her doorstep, distraught over an unfaithful husband who has taken up with a young woman, Molly decides to move from the familiar to Spain to an apartment by the beach and see what happens there. The freedom of a new place seems to be the best thing for both sisters and Molly and Nell have adventure after adventure and Nell surprisingly finds a romantic interest as well. Molly now becomes bored with Spain and decides to move on to Mexico, also to give Nell a chance to settle down with the man of her choice. Mexico opens a new vista for Molly.

The story specially in the background of Covid is a fantasy - the dream of disappearing somewhere exotic for just three or four months on a whim. It was a lovely spin on what could be and I am happy if someone out there could actually do this. To read about it was also encouraging - both Molly and Nell were not young and this was definitely a youthful adventure.

If you want an author that is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face with their stories. Judy Leigh is one of them. Whenever an email comes through from Boldwood Books or Rachel's Random Resources featuring a book by Leigh. I don't bother reading the synopsis anymore, I just say yes please straight away ☺️ I know that I will enjoy the story.

Chasing The Sun follows the story of Molly who's just celebrated her seventieth birthday, and is wondering what is there for her in life.

Nell her sister has found out that her husband of forty years has decided he wants a younger woman. This calls for drastic actions to cheer themselves up. So they seize an opportunity and fly to Spain for some much needed time for themselves.

What follows is a light hearted journey of discovery for both sisters, which also leads to a visit to Mexico. Judy Leigh is a dab hand now at creating characters that are so easy to fall in love with. We feel completely integrated into their lives. In Chasing The Sun we get a deeper insight into Molly's thoughts and feelings through snippets of her journal.

Chasing The Sun is a perfect book to lose yourself in. Wether you are sat by a pool or just relaxing in the garden this story is a guaranteed winner.

I love when a book's title can be taken so many ways. In the literal sense, yes...the characters do in fact chase the sun around the globe, but it's not just for its warmth and light. In the metaphorical sense, the cast of characters is on the higher end of the age bracket, so in a way, they are all chasing the sun, or a new day before it sets its last. I like the middle ground somewhere between these two meanings, where the characters are not going after the great burning ball of light in the sky, but rather finding their way back to themselves. For Nell, it occurs after the breakup of her marriage, a seemingly good relationship that follows, and a whole lot of soul searching. For Molly, it starts with her desire to care for others, brings on a bout of "itchy feet", and ends in discovering truths about herself she never knew, and the realization that while yes, she had great days behind her...there were still more to come should she give life AND love a chance.

I found myself in awe of Molly. Her heart was so much bigger than even she knew. Her soul was so much stronger than she gave it credit for. Her wildness, willfulness, and gorgeous behavior was so much more than you'd ever expect of a mature individual, but all of that and then some go into making her the FABULOUS person she was. Watching her break down everything around her bit by bit almost broke my heart because I simply knew that something big was coming her way, but seeing it all built again, and experiencing the pure happiness that she uncovers was unexpected bliss. I can only hope that should I reach her wonderful age one day that I am half as feisty, half as trusting, and half as willing to take the chances that life offers to perhaps discover my best life yet.

So, follow Molly's advice and carpe diem! Do your self the favor and snag a copy of this wonderful book that reminds us that we're only as old as we feel, and that it's never too late for love.

I have been a fan of Judy’s work for a while now. I love the way she writes such feel good and funny stories. I read the synopsis for ‘Chasing The Sun’ and it certainly sounded like I was in for a treat. I jumped straight into the story and boy what a story it is. I thoroughly enjoyed every single second of ‘Chasing The Sun’ but more about that in a bit.
I was drawn into this book from the moment I clapped eyes on the bright and breezy cover and the story within the book’s covers sealed the deal as it were. I made the fatal mistake of starting to read this book just before I went to bed. Let’s just say that bedtime was delayed and I had a ‘lack of sleep’ hangover the following morning. I literally had to force myself to put this book down. If I wasn’t thinking about this book then I was reading the book and vice versa. I managed to finish the book in under 24 hours which is pretty good going for me.
‘Chasing The Sun’ is extremely well written but then I have come to expect nothing else from Judy Leigh. I love the way in which she makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story themselves. She also describes her characters so well that they seem just as realistic as you and I. I couldn’t help but become involved in the story to the point where I was even talking to the characters as if they could hear me. (I’m not mad by the way). I can honestly say that ‘Chasing The Sun’ was another amazing book from Judy and I loved every minute of it. I can honestly say that this book made me chuckle all the way through.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Chasing The Sun’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of her work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

his book is the perfect dose of sunshine that we all need in our lives right now. As soon as I saw the gorgeous cover and read the description for Chasing The Sun I knew it would be a story I would lose myself within.

Molly has come to the sudden, and rather daunting realisation that she is hurtling towards what people would call ‘old’, something she certainly hasn’t felt until now. When she takes a step back and looks at her life with her cat Crumper, and her rather neglected home that is bursting with memories for her, she finds herself rather upset with what her life has become.

When Molly’s half sister Nell suddenly appears on her doorstep with a suitcase in tow, Molly is rather confused – after all, Nell is the one that appeared to have the perfect life. When Nell informs Molly that she has left her husband Phil, and that he has gone off with a younger waitress, Molly decides that they are both clearly in need of some space.

Soon enough they find themselves in sunny Spain, where they come across several rather intriguing characters. There is the Swedish couple who share their roof terrace – and also their hot tub!, and some of the conversations that arise throughout their stay is hilarious!. And then Molly meets Ronnie – a man of their age, who also happens to own a boat, and is on the search for more customers for his boat trips. Molly steps in to help, and the situation honestly had me howling with laughter at points as the situation played out vividly in my mind.

There is so much more that takes place throughout this gorgeous story, but I really don’t want to give too much away. The characters are wonderful and incredibly relatable and oh so likeable, you want nothing more than happiness for them all. I loved the bond Molly and Nell shared, and the ways in which they guided one another through the struggles they were currently facing with love and support.

And of course, the setting itself is an absolute dream! Who doesn’t want to escape to somewhere full of sunshine right now?. Judy Leigh has such a fascinating writing style that really makes you feel as though you are living the story alongside the characters you come to know and love throughout this delightful book.

Witty, charming and full of laugh out loud moments, I loved everything about this story.

This is a sweet story of two sisters, retired and grieving, who decide to rent an apartment in Spain for several months and get it away from it all. A change of scenery, a change of pace. Trying new food, different experiences and meeting new people. They will find new friends, new loves (maybe) and their new selves.

I loved all the experiences that Molly and Nell went through. Being in their late 60’s/ early 70’s and running around the globe to experience adventure seems so daunting. But these two characters are eager to find fun and the sun. The descriptions of activities and food in the new cultures was fun to read about. I always wondered how they had the money to do everything in the story but maybe I’m not supposed to think about that too much.

The writing style flows and is easy to follow. The biggest challenge I had with this book is that they use each other’s name in conversation, constantly. And I mean constantly. That was very annoying to me personally. Other than that, there are a lot of events that take place in the story so it’s never boring, but it is written in such a way that it feels like a very casual story that moves along at a nice pace.
If you like cozy stories of women finding themselves, this will be an enjoyable read.

I’m a firm believer in the fact that it’s never too late to fall in love and find happily ever after! So I’m so glad that I’ve had the chance to read three of this author’s books that reaffirm my belief.

This is mainly Molly’s story. She’s a lovely mix of someone who introspects and yet never misses an opportunity to be adventurous. At 70, Molly is not sure whether she’s looking for love, but she’s certainly looking for a change. She feels a bit stuck in the home she lived with the now deceased Richie, the love of her life. But she’s not sure what she wants to do.

When her sister, Nell, lands on her doorstep after breaking up with her husband, Molly decides that they both need a change of scene and off they go for a longish holiday in Spain. They have a great holiday and some minor adventures, but while Nell seems to find love again, Molly seems to feel unsettled and takes off for Mexico.

There she finds friends and a lovely man, but she isn’t able to commit. Will she finally heal from the loss of her husband and more importantly what she feels is the abandonment of her as a baby by her mother?

This is such a heart-warming read with Molly’s adventurous spirit giving me cause to giggle. Great locations and lovely characters make it a very memorable read.

Most of all the book not only reaffirms that it’s never too late to find love but also focuses on the importance of being surrounded by a supportive community as you get older.

I’ll be on the look out for more of Judy’s books and would absolutely recommend this book to you.

I was drawn to the book by this beautiful and bright cover. I mean, honestly, who wouldn’t like to be one of these women right now? It looks idyllic! I am also falling in love with this author’s books and featured her earlier release, Heading Over The Hill, on my blog last year.

I loved Heading Over The Hill, and found it be one of those books that at the time I think, “aw that was really lovely”, but later sit back and realise it was even better than I first thought. I wasn’t sure this book would top it, but it has.

Judy is an expert at what she does. The character development again, is spot on. I loved how she was able to fully develop both Molly and Nell’s characters. They are likeable and fun yet complex characters, who have had their fair share of hurt and grief, and I could really sympathise with their desire to live life to the fullest and enjoy every moment.

This has been quite a dramatic yet uplifting read. There are so many humorous and heart-warming moments. For example, Judy really brings the hilarity of seeing a seventy year old woman take up horse riding, to life. She also explores in quite some detail, yet sensitively, the notion of loneliness and the need for an identity and a home.

Overall, I have found this to be a captivating and brilliant book to get lost in. I have visited two beautiful countries, encountered some wonderful characters and some who can only be described as slime bags. Judy Leigh has a gift for creating characters that could easily be your aunty or next door neighbour. I was rooting for them, and fully invested in them from the beginning. I’d highly recommend this book to fans of authors such as Jessica Redland, Milly Johnson and Jill Mansell.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Favorite Quotes:

… our neighbour is a handsome Swedish man who sits naked in the hot tub on the roof terrace. What’s not to like about Spain?

You need to remember that we’re not living in the sixties now, Ryan. It’s not very flattering to be asked for sex like that – I felt like an after-dinner mint.

Ahead to the right was a white three-sided building wrapped around a courtyard, its interior dirt-dark. Molly thought it looked like a rotten molar.

It wasn’t every day they saw a teenage mutant ninja turtle crawling along the highway on a moped. And this turtle, Michelangelo with the green face, the orange mask and the wide grimacing tombstone teeth was wearing a tight leather jacket, an orange dress and a long black scarf that ballooned behind, resembling a cape… An American man wound down his window and shouted that she had made his day: the ninja turtles he’d seen on TV when he was a kid had never been cross-dressers. Another man yelled that she must be the most mutant ninja turtle he’d ever seen.


My Review:

I reveled in this tale of two older sisters who were capriciously traveling on an impulse to escape their restlessness and the drama of their less than satisfying home situation in England. I savored every word and adored the spontaneous and impetuous nature of Molly; she was unpredictable and prone to whimsy and highly amusing hijinks, even at seventy years young. Molly is my new favorite septuagenarian. Ms. Leigh’s well-crafted storylines and writing style were fluid, engaging, easy to fall into, riotously entertaining, and extremely pleasing. Her wry wit, keenly detailed observations, and shrewd insights resonated with me and I want to amass and read all her clever words. I am now her ardent Fangirl For Life.

Picture Thelma and Louise in the geriatric years... they would still be full of life and ready for adventure. Drama, adventure, and a ton of laughs are still available to those in their later decades.
Molly has just turned seventy but she feels much younger. Her life has become a bit more sedate since her husband died, but she realizes that her life is not over.
Her half sister, Nell, is settled and comfortable in her married life, until she realizes her marriage is truly over. She turns up on Molly's doorstep and is whisked away with her sister for a holiday in Spain. It takes some time for Nell to accept that she still has life to live and can still enjoy new adventures and meeting new people. Maybe she isn't as over the top as Molly, but she still has plenty to offer.
Molly starts the book as the wilder sister, spontaneous and creative, often without thinking things through and considering consequences, but Nell comes into her own as the months roll on.
One holiday turns into more travel and opportunities, as well as romance, but this book was so much fun I don't want to give the story away.
I laughed and held my breath and could picture myself and a dear friend being wild and bold like Molly and Nell . No matter your age, take this book on holiday with you!

This is a story filled with family drama, angst, turmoil and travel as seventy year old Molly and her soon to be divorced sister, Nell, decide they’re not too old to enjoy life, visit new places, meet new people and live! It is a heartwarming story, taking the reader on holidays to both Spain and Mexico, journeys during which the sisters rethink their futures, explore new places and even possible romances. It is a story about taking chances, getting yourself out of a rut and daring to dream.

The story has lovely characters, some fantastic settings and lots of laugh out loud incidents. It is a lovely read that I thoroughly enjoyed and I’ll definitely be looking out for more by this author in future!

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.

I enjoyed this women’s contemporary fiction novel about a woman named Molly who turns 70 in the very first chapter and the adventures she goes on with her half-sister Nell. I loved that it was a story from an older persons point of view and how life doesn’t stop after you turn 45 (which many books makes it seem it does). This was my first book by this author and I would defiantly read more.

I loved this book. It was a real feel good read, it reminds me of the adventures me and my friend have. Molly and Nell are just too cute and I love their attitudes to everything. I love how they still went on adventures and how life still treats people when they get elderly. I laughed out loud, I cried, I smiled. If you’re feeling rubbish then pick up this book.

I’m not yet 70 – although I’m hurtling towards it at frightening speed – but I can’t begin to tell you how strongly I identified with Molly when she caught sight of herself in the full length bedroom mirror and wanted to attack it with a cricket bat. I’ve never tried wrapping myself in clingfilm and rolling in paint to create a self portrait yet – I might try that next time the fear strikes.

She’s become officially “old” – she looks at her life, her cat companion Crumper, her neglected home and garden with all their memories, and doesn’t like what it has become. She has a good neighbour – perhaps in rather a rut of her own – and they both visit the curmudgeonly old Colonel who lives on the hill and provides a bit of a vision of what lonely old age might have in store. But when her half sister Nell appears on her doorstep with a large suitcase – she’s the one with the apparently perfect life – telling her that she’s left her husband Phil, and that he’s shacked up with a waitress from the local coffee shop, Molly decides that they could both really do with getting away for a while.

And that’s how they find themselves in the peach coloured apartment in Spain, and Molly embraces the fact that life is there for the living. The Swedish couple who share their roof terrace and hot tub provide an interesting diversion, and then Molly meets Ronnie – he has a boat, is looking for customers for his day trips, and Molly enthusiastically dresses up as a giant carp (yes, really…) to help him drum them up. But a relationship with Ronnie isn’t really what she’s looking for – she desperately misses her husband, who died suddenly five years ago, and it’ll take someone very special to match up to his memory. But it’s the quieter and more strait-laced Nell who rather surprises, and leaves Molly free to pursue her next adventure, flying off on her own to house-sit in Mexico.

There are a few surprises in store there – not least an unexpectedly hairy and amorous lodger – but Molly embraces every adventure that crosses her path. I’m in severe danger of telling you the whole story, and I really mustn’t, but her time in Mexico is full of moments and encounters that made me laugh, made me feel, and made me love the wonderful Molly even more than I already did. Ok, so the horse riding on the beach might not have been her finest moment (but it had me in tears of laughter), but when she danced the bachata with new friend Betty it made my heart sing with joy. There were moments that really made me emotional – Santana’s Samba Pa Ti playing on the beach, the sunrise at Chichén Itzá (that’s definitely one for the bucket list), the offerings to the altar on the Day of the Dead – and it slowly dawns on Molly that after having tasted champagne, she just might not need to settle for flat lemonade after all.

There are a few slips and reversals on the way to the gloriously uplifting ending – and one of the best pursuit scenes ever, hilariously funny, but incredibly emotional too, and I thoroughly loved it. But then I loved the whole book – the most wonderful characters, superbly drawn situations and settings, that taste of travel and adventure that we all need so much at the moment, a quite perfect romance, plenty of laughs but with moments that entirely capture your heart. Oh Molly, I do so hope your future will be a happy one – and Judy Leigh, I love your writing more than I can say. Highly recommended, and without question one of my books of the year.

A wonderful, thought provoking novel that brings something different to the literary world. Not all contemporary fiction has to be about ‘beautiful young things’; older, more lived in characters can equally be brought to life, especially by Judy Leigh, who has a talent for telling tales with a more irreverent outlook on life, using such pre-loved personalities. The world is surely a better place, for having her edifying creations in it. If you want to read beyond the normal stereotypical characters, please don’t hesitate to buy this book, which you are sure to enjoy, as the characters develop and are brought to life.

Molly has just attained membership of the Septuagenarian club and is embracing her new decade with open arms. After all, she feels the same now as she did at 30 or 40. It feels as though she has earned the right to behave badly, should she so choose.. Molly is enjoying her Birthday, sat in the garden with a cup of tea, comparing her looks to the garden – a little unkempt and would benefit from some tlc. She cannot help feeling sad about her partner Rich, who died in his sleep 15 years ago.

Molly’s Sister, Nell suddenly moves in with her, after being dumped by her Husband Phil. Phil has replaced her with a pregnant woman 30 years his junior. Molly is desperate that Nell doesn’t find out that Phil’s new partner is expecting, as Nell herself was never able to have children and had suffered 5 miscarriages.

Molly and Nell are agreed on one thing – they both need something new in their lives. Before you know it, Molly has booked them both a holiday – 3 x months in a ‘luxurious’ apartment in Spain. I love Molly’s enthusiasm for life – like a baby encountering something new with unbounded excitement. Molly’s zest for life overlooks the fact that their ‘luxury’ accommodation is actually rather shabby. Indeed their luxury sun terrace, with accompanying hot tub is the biggest let down, when it turns out to be shared by a number of apartments. For me, the laugh out loud moment was when they not only find a stranger in ‘their’ hot tub, but when they send him packing, it turns out that it is very much de rigueur to be starkers in the said hot tub – or was he wearing a peach coloured thong?

Another laugh out loud moment is delivered when Nell has stayed in with a headache and Molly’s impetuous side is brought to the fore, when she decides to go skinny dipping at night. Unfortunately it is a lot darker by the tune she has finished swimming, and she is unable to find her clothes! Rather than panicking, Molly rather be ones the Queen of ‘making do’!

Ulla and Bernt are their Swedish neighbours who quickly become friends, especially as the four of them seem to be the only four in the block who use the sun terrace.

Ronnie Barnes is another new friend for Molly. He is struggling to get takers for his sea cruises, so Molly takes it upon herself to get him more customers, by writhing around in a too tight children’s cod costume! Another laugh out loud moment. Molly’s marketing ploy works though and leads to Ronnie asking her out for a date. This leads to the inevitable ‘what to wear’ dilemma. On a more serious note, Molly realises in a moment of poignancy that this is her first date since her partner Rich.ie passed away. The date passes pleasantly enough, but it seems pretty clear to Molly that this relationship will never be anything more than friendship. Indeed Molly cannot help but compare Ronnie with her late partner. In short, she realises that she isn’t yet ready for dating.

After a fabulous evening with Ronnie and Molly, it starts to look as though Nell might have taken quite a fancy to Ronnie, a relationship which Molly is only too happy to endorse. The questions are whether Spain and/or Ronnie have any kind of future prospects with Nell? If Nell and Ronnie become an item, how will this affect the rest of Molly’s trip away from home? You may be surprised at what Molly does and where she goes next, but you will have to read the novel for yourself to find out how things pan out for our superlative leading lady.

After Heading over the Hill, Chasing the Sun is my second book by Judy Leigh.

Molly and Nell are half sisters. Molly is 70 and is not sure what to make of that at first but soon decides she will make the best of it. She still has lots of things she wants to do. She is a fun outgoing person and I liked how Judy Leigh portrayed her from the start.

Nell is more reserved than her sister. Having two different characters made me feel I knew I was going to enjoy this. The sisters end up in Spain as they leave their hometown of Yeovil in Somerset.

Judy Leigh uses lots of great imagery to show their journey. The fun ramps up a notch when Molly decides to "go it alone" in Mexico. Will Nell keep in contact with her?

Will either of them want to go home?

These were questions in my mind throughout the book. Fun, and some serious moments ensue as the half sisters have the trip of a lifetime.

Again, the Spanish theme in the plot gripped me and this is pure escapism. I just LOVE the cover.

Judy Leigh creates realistic and memorable characters and I did not want this novel to end. It is perfect for a dose of sun, fun love and fabulous food.

Thanks to Judy Leigh, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

5 stars.

I’d like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Chasing The Sun’ by Judy Leigh in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Molly is celebrating her 70th birthday when her half-sister Nell arrives with a suitcase after leaving her husband Phil who’s gone off with a younger woman. They decide to travel and the following morning book flights to Murcia in south east Spain where sun, sea and sangria beckons. Nell becomes enamoured with Ronnie and decides to stay on while Molly has an urge to move to Mexico where she makes lots of friends especially Kristof. Will Molly be content to stay in Mexico or will she realise that home isn’t a place but being with the person you love?

Molly lives with her ginger mog Crumper in her untidy but comfortable home but wants more from life than just existing. So with excerpts from Molly’s diary we follow her exploits as she travels to exciting destinations and makes new friends wherever she goes. ‘Chasing The Sun’ is proof that there’s still fun, adventure and maybe even romance to be experienced even after reaching the age of seventy. I like Judy Leigh’s style of writing which brings warmth to her characters and although maybe not my favourite of her novels it’s still an enjoyable light-hearted read.

I enjoyed the maturity of the characters in this book. It was refreshing to see that love, adventure, and fun can happen at any age. Great easy read, perfect for a lazy weekend.

This book is hilarious the 2 jazzy pensioners get up to all kinds of havoc on their holiday and i couldn't put this down. Give it a go.