Oh I do love a Judy Leigh book, and this was no exception. I especially love a book featuring foreign countries, and this delivered by the bucket load.

And I also love a book which has plenty of things to giggle at, and well grown women dressed as fish, horse riding in the sea, an ill advised skinny dip are just some of the highlights courtesy of Molly. Oh I did enjoy Molly, she has a keen diary writing habit, has just turned 70, is widowed and has wanderlust.,... and I didn't even mention her "self portrait" .

Then her half sister's marriage breaks down and Molly's solution to all of this is to to take them off to Spain for a few months. And Nell, flourishes in Spain, she makes friends with their neighbours and even has a bit of a romance.

However Molly just can't seem to settle, and thus she ends up in Mexico, and as much as I enjoyed the Spanish portion of the book, things hot up and become even more entertaining in Mexico!

It seemed the Molly really came into her own in Mexico, making her own new friends, with a potential man too, and having all sorts of fun and adventures. There are so many highlights but I wouldn't want to give the game away.

I spent a fair bit of the book just hoping my health is still good when I'm 70, so i can still go on good holidays, or longer than the average holiday and get up to all sorts and have the time of my life.

Once again Judy Leigh has written a book, celebrating the simple fact that life doesn't end at 70, and can if you are fortunate enough can just be embarking on the the next phase of your life, and in fact can begin again at 70!

Which is a rather joyous message to be able to take from a purely enjoyable book.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

So wonderful to read a story with a (really) mature woman as the main character. Chasing the Sun will make you want to take that trip to let you discover who you truly are. Being in your sixties or seventies doesn't mean you can't change your future..

Uplifting romp of a tale, inspirational and feel good. Loved it!
Molly has a birthday she spends alone, and is so disturbed by what she sees of herself in the mirror that she would like to smash it. Her sister Nell appears on her doorstep when her 40 year marriage comes to an end. What follows next is some gorgeous completely bonkers adventures in Spain and beyond.
I was captivated by the fearless free spirit of Molly. All the characters are observationally brilliant.
This book has capers aplenty, laughs, true love and loss, projects, plant based food, swimming and more.
I am now uplifted and ready to embrace life!!
Thank you for the early read.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Home. It seems that Molly is on a journey to find it.

Even though she’s got one in Somerset, now, she’s it to find out exactly who she is.

After her mother left her as a child, and herself being a teenage pregnant mother, Mollys never fund peace.

So now, Since her sister's marriage has hit the rocks, she takes her sister to Spain. Here they’re abe to bond and enjoy just being sisters.

Then Nell becomes involved with Ronnie, and Molly yearns to travel again. So leaving Nell in Spain, she leaves for Mexico.

She meets Kristof, who makes her question why she can’t be happy in one place.

Enjoyed It.

What an absolute gem of a book! I have enjoyed other titles by this author, including Heading Over the Hill – a personal favourite.
Chasing the Sun brings us a new protagonist, Molly. She is just turning 70 and reflecting on her late husband and the promise of how they had imagined their ‘old age’ would be. It certainly wasn’t the existence that Molly is currently experiencing. Nell, Molly’s sister brings a new perspective as she announces that her marriage is over, since her husband is having an affair with a much younger woman.
As Molly takes stock of the situation, she is faced with her own reality; she has nothing in her life beyond her cat, her neighbour and the rather grumpy old man who she helps out with. This realisation leads to an adventure of the style which seems synonymous with Judy Leigh’s style of writing. The two sisters head off to Spain for a few months and adventures are guaranteed.
This book is an absolute tonic and a reminder that life doesn’t stop once we reach our vintage years. In fact, for Molly and Nell, life certainly starts.
It was interesting to see how the sisters viewed their futures; Molly was more interested in an artistic style, with casual male friends and strong female bonds. Nell, most certainly, seemed to feel that her life would only be complete with a new man by her side.
As the synopsis explains, Spain is not far enough for Molly’s search for happiness and she seeks out new horizons in Mexico. For me, this was when the story really found its way. The food, sights and sounds were described in such detail that I felt like I was sitting, under a tree, watching the sun on an ancient Mayan temple.
I’m used to the ensemble style of Judy Leigh’s writing and loved meeting the characters in this book. Each one is well considered and offered depth to the overall story. If I was to pick a favourite, it would be Pilar. I once worked with a Mexican maid who asked me if I would help her ‘shit,’ on the master bed! Of course, she wanted to put clean sheets on.

What a fun and engaging story! Love the older main characters, it was very refreshing to read about them. This would be a perfect beach read. Although they sometimes seemed childish to me, I still going them inspiring. Highly recommend this one if you need a pick me up!

Thanks NetGalley, author Judy Leigh, and Boldwood Books for giving me an Arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4 stars
After reading "The Old Girls' Network earlier this year, I was excited to see author Judy Leigh was going to publish another book and asked for an advanced copy! This book was so sweet. I loved reading about characters, who rediscover family, make new friends, and find love even in the twilight years of their lives. The author did a wonderful job creating amazing exotic settings for the sisters to travel to in order to find the next steps in their lives. The scenery and cultures of each place they explored were given such great details that the reader will want to books tickets right away. The author created characters that were relatable and full of life. I appreciate how this author is willing to write books with more mature characters (late 60s/early 70s). This allows readers, especially younger readers, that life is to be lived to the fullest not matter one's age.
Molly was the more mature and serious sister. I found her willing to protect her sister at all cost. Nell was the more happy go lucky sister as well as willing to step out and try new things. I was happy both sisters found hope in the new life path they found themselves on unexpectedly. The HEA for each sister was so satisfying! All in all, I highly recommend this author to any reader that enjoys traveling and seeing characters at any age find themselves and love. I can't wait to read more books by this author in the future.

Two (half) sisters come to a turning point in their individual lives and set off for Spain. One of the sisters (Molly) is quite zany , Nell is probabily more conventional , but gets into a relationship with a man rejected by her sister. About half way through the book, Molly goes to Mexico.
This book felt too long for me and somewhat repetative. I enjoyed some of the desciptions of places, people and events but felt that some were superfluous and made these women seem childish and small minded. Adding Spanish words (sometimes repeatedly) to the text did not add to the atmosphere for me.
But I did like the story on the whole most of the characters were ok, though at times somewhat stereotypical. Not so sure that I would read more from this author, it wasn't the quick escapist read I had hoped for though by the end I was appreciating the book more.
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

this was such a fun summer read! i really liked this book and it made me so ready for summer! i can't wait to get to travel again and i'm so pumped!!

I received an Advanced Readers Copy from #netgalley for honest feedback.

Finding home. Molly is on a journey to find it. Although she has a physical home in Somerset, she is on a journey to find out who she is now. Her mother deserted her as a child. She was a teenage pregnant mother. She has flitted from man to man. But Molly never has found peace.

After the blowup of her sister's marriage, Molly whisks her sister to Spain, where they are able to bond and enjoy being sisters. But after Nell becomes involved with Ronnie, Molly yearns to travel again, so she leaves for Mexico. There she meets Kristof, who centers her and makes her question her wanderlust.

Chasing the Sun would be a great read for fan's of Eat, Pray, Love. Molly is a 70 year old who wants to find herself. The imagery that Ms. Leigh writes about you could actually feel that you are there.

I really enjoyed the first book I read by this author and this was no different. I like the theme of this novel and was a good way of telling their stories.

Molly has lived on her own for the last five years since her husband, the love of her life sadly died. One day her sister Nell arrives on the doorstep case in hand. She has left her husband who has been having an affair and Molly welcomes her in. Molly tries to sort out her sister's marriage but then learns that the new woman is now pregnant- something Nell doesn't know. To get Nell away and for some much needed R & R, Molly books them into an apartment in Spain for four months. Sunshine, sand and sangria- a much needed change for both of them, but after a few weeks Molly still finds she is missing that certain something- and it's not a man. I especially loved the part about riding in the sea- for anyone who has done it- it's an experience to behold. A brilliantly written read to inspire and one that made me smile.
A story of finding yourself later in life (which applies to all ages) and not doing what is expected of you. Of being you and perhaps following your heart a little and living life to the full- whatever that may mean to you. There are down but there are certainly up’s- make the most of all of them. Carpe Diem- Seize the day!

(rest of links as part of blog tour)

Sun, sangria and new starts are the focus of Judy Leigh’s newest novel, “Chasing The Sun.” Leigh, known for her mature characters, explores the importance of embracing change and finding where you belong.

Molly Mitchell feels like she’s been treading water for far too long. It’s her 70th birthday and she longs for change. Insulated in Yeovil, Somerset with familiar neighbours and surroundings, Molly has been stuck in a rut since her husband, Ritchie died 5 years ago. Molly feels like she’s been starving her inner spirited character and wants to let loose. She is funny and spontaneous and needs an outlet.

Ellen Spencer (Nell ), Molly’s 63 year old half sister, is the polar opposite. She is neat and organized and sensible. Her marriage has just collapsed, and she wants things to go back to the way they were. She’s been married to her husband, Phil, longer than his mistress has been alive. She has enjoyed the predictability of her 40-year marriage and is fearful facing her golden years full of ‘firsts.’

The two sisters jet off to Spain to see if a change of scenery and a sense of adventure will help them embrace change. Oddly enough, it’s Nell whose inner diva is kindled. Molly is happy for a while, but yearns for change again and convinces Nell to head to Cancun, Mexico. Molly doesn’t know why she’s so unsettled after this milestone birthday, but as she bellows out her favourite U2 song from the top of her lungs, she knows she “still [hasn’t] found what [she’s] looking for!”. As she feeds her new freedom, her impetuousness leads her into some rather funny situations. From Yeovil, England to Calleblanque, Spain to Cancun, Mexico, she’ll lead you on quite an adventure. Hang on!

Leigh tries hard not to make her older characters stereotypes, but rather creates real people who have the potential to love, to change and to fulfil their hearts desires. She crafts them as glamourous, romantic, strong, and with a present and future to live for and look forward to enjoying. My only complaint was Leigh’s tendency to be palaverous; I felt like throwing my Kindle every time I read ‘Yeovil’ or ‘Berlingo’ as they were overused. Small potatoes. You’ll love the timeless lessons on how to live and Leigh’s trademark spirit of joie de vivre. As you turn the last page, you’ll confirm that it’s never too late to change.

Thank you to Judy Leigh, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Published April 8, 2021.

Wow adored this read!
Judy Leigh is the champion of older women confirming that your age doesn’t define you it’s only a number! It’s never too late to embrace change, travel, take up new interests or totally change your life!
Divorce or widowhood could all be the catalyst for change and a time of self discovery as demonstrated so well by molly and nell in Chasing the sun! Travelling from Somerset to Spain then onto Mexico the sisters experience many new things, new hobbies, new food, new friends,sexual adventures and in doing so discover more about themselves and start living their best lives! A fantastic positive, affirming read that will leave you wanting more!
Thank you netgalley for this early read.

This read was more of a 3.5 stars for me (but will rate it 4 due to the system) It has a very likeable theme, older women getting their groove back post divorce and widowing. The beginning felt long and unenthusiastic to me, slightly repetitive. All in all a decent recent.

Thank you Judy Leigh, Netgalley, and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Have liked everything this author write and this was no exception, funny, warm and a great story

How can I be missing the people in the story almost immediately after I finished reading it? It is because the author has done a superb job of creating the characters in such detail and with such emotion that I feel that I have become friends with them instead of just reading about them.

Chasing the Sun is a journey going from Yeovil, Somerset, England to Calleblanque, Spain to Cancun, Mexico, but it is also a journey of finding where you belong. It seems many people search for years to try to find that place to truly call “home”. Some find it and some settle for a less than perfect place. I am so glad that this book is a Woman’s Fiction and there usually is a happy ending in this genre! Especially in this time when the world is fighting Covid (for over a year now), I need positive, optimistic books to read.

Judy Leigh is extremely gifted in creating scenery and situations with words and I definitely feel like I traveled along to the wonderful settings and experienced the same things as the characters. I laughed so much while reading and also was overcome with sadness at times when thoughts of loved ones now gone came to mind. I especially enjoyed the part of the book when Molly went to the Day of the Dead celebration and visited the altar. That scene touched me so much!

I have read all of Ms Leigh’s books and I love that she includes characters of an older generation in her stories. Just because someone is older does not mean that their life is over. A few of the characters in this book are in their late 60’s/early 70’s and they are full of life and are a pleasure to spend time getting to know. I look forward to reading many more books by this author in the future.

I want to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me the pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

Wow not what I expected but I loved it. A story of sisters and love . It was brilliant. I loved how it moved countries.I learnt a lot about Mexico and the food. The description of plant base tapas was amazing. Ryan was a great character. He should get ten out of ten for trying at times.

This book started off with so much promise, but devolved in to way too many storylines, way to many characters and a disappointing ending.