Heartfelt and hopeful. This is a recommended purchase for collections where women's fiction is popular.

I loved this band of characters. Some serious themes in this book, and I liked how they were integrated into Missy’s awakening.

Thanks to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review

The book world has a niche spot for old curmudgeons in the last decade or so and I am always partial to reading them because I know it's pretty likely that it will end up being a heartwarming read.

That was definitely the case with Missy Carmichael, a 79 year old woman living in London. Her children are grown and living their own lives away from her, her husband fell ill years before leaving her in their big house all alone.

A chance outing leads her to find friends in a couple of her neighbors which leads to them helping her clear out her treasure trove of an attic to help her home feel like a home and even taking in a dog of a friend while she is unable to take care of it.

While you cannot help root for Missy, there are some serious topics brought up in this story. Some including; abortion, postpartum depression, infidelity, estrangement, spousal abuse, and more.

It took me a little bit to get into the story and I felt the middle dragged a tad, but I did like the ending solution to her problems.

3/5⭐️

Also, *spoiler alert* there was just no need at all for how Bobby ends up leaving Missy and I'm quite peeved about it.

I enjoy books that are multi-generational. Not just within a family but friendships as well. This is the story of 79 year old Missy Carmichael. She's alone being estranged from her daughter and son. One day while at the local park she meets 2 women who invite her for coffee. Before she realizes what's happened she is friends with Rachel, Angela and Otis. They even convince her to babysit a dog. A wonderful fiction true to life current day story set in London with lots of of reminisces of Missy's nearly 80 year life. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is a super fun read. I really enjoyed this one!

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Oh my heart! I just adore Missy and this whole story. There’s so much emotion going on with this story. I didn’t expect to feel so much but overall just a fantastic read. This was a brilliant story that will stay with me for a long time.

Thank ’ you to NetGalley for the ARC. This was actually the second time I read it and I don’t generally re-read books. As I was reading it, I realized fairly quickly that I remembered the story. It is just a beautiful and heartwarming story; the kind of warm, feel-good book that I need in my life right now. The main character is lonely, touchy and doesn’t really believe that she is worthy of friends. As they surround her, overwhelm her and teach her to return that love, her life changes as she finds forgiveness and love for lost family members. Great book.

I received a free digital advance review copy from Penguin Group/Putnam in exchange for my honest review.

Beth Morrey refers to her book, The Love Story of Missy Carmichael, as a coming-of-age story for her 79-year-0ld protagonist, which is an apt description as Missy's story shows that it's truly never too late to reinvent oneself. When the book opens, Missy is living alone in London. Her husband is gone, her son and beloved grandson live in Australia, she's had a falling out with her daughter, and she is friendless. I found it a bit hard to get into the book, and in particular to connect with Missy, but upon reflection, I think that feeling served a purpose, given how lonely and isolated Missy feels. Something changed around the 20-25% mark, and I thoroughly enjoyed the story, wanted to keep reading, and really started rooting for Missy. MIssy's present day experiences alternate with flashbacks to her college years and early years of marriage and motherhood, which provides insight into how her relationships with her family and her view of herself have developed. As is true in life, some difficult things happen, but overall, the story is about kindness and hope as Missy realizes that there are choices within her control to make a happier fulfilling life at any age. This book would be a great choice for the 2021 Reading Women Challenge prompt for a book with a protagonist older than 50.