I have a real fondness for novels about female friendships, especially the ones which have lasted through a decade or more – and this one fits the bill perfectly.

Helen Williams has reached the milestone of her fiftieth birthday and she feels quite deflated; her selfish husband has abandoned her, putting himself first as always. Life is getting to her and the walls are closing in – but at least she has a birthday lunch with her friends to look forward to. However, that occasion adds to her depression and when offered the chance of a week in Cyprus, Helen starts packing. Meeting a local and finding out there is more to life than the rut she has settled into, she begins to flourish but the discovery that one of her friends has an ulterior motive for this week’s travel shocks her and she reacts badly with criticism instead of support. Can the three women revive their friendship?

After reading several crime novels, this one was like a breath of fresh air! I may be a decade-plus older than Helen, but I could quite easily understand her frustration with life. Who would want a husband like hers? Her story is all too common and the author handles it all beautifully with a well-written and entertaining novel! I was rooting for Helen all the way through but wasn’t exactly sure where it was heading until the end. Tremendously enjoyable and well worth a read. I have certainly added Cary Hansson to my ‘must watch’ list and will be looking out for the remaining books in this trilogy. Definitely worth a look and, for me, 4.5*.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is – as always – my honest, original and unbiased review.

Helen Winters feels that her life is dull and the walls are closing in. Her self centred husband is away climbing mountains and misses her 50th birthday. Her children are grown up and no longer depend on her. She regrets all the things she didn’t do that she wanted to do when she was younger. She jets off to Cyprus with two of her lifelong friends for some rest and relaxation. She enjoys the sun and the attention of rather handsome men and she’s feeling alive again. When Helen learns that her best friend isn’t in Cyprus for the sunshine as she previously believed she is shocked and tension threatens their lifelong friendship and she worries nothing will ever be the same again. Will she be able to repair the friendship?
This book is a bit different from anything I normally read but I’m glad I’ve read it. It’s funny and entertaining and keeps you wanting to read more. I couldn’t give up reading until I’d almost dropped my kindle onto my face. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to netgalley for the advance copy and opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest reviews.

Helen, Kay and Caro have been friends for a long time.
Over lunch for Helen's 50th Birthday, Caro invites them to join her for her holiday in Cyprus.
With Helen's husband currently away (again!) in Nepal climbing Everest she agrees and Key, who has a complicated home set up agrees too.
When they get there, Helen takes a sailing lesson and discovers she loves it,, but then discovers a secret that Caro has been keeping from her and it rocks their friendship.

This book is a touch Shirley Valentine, but is mainly about the relationship between the friends and the things they will do for each other. It's a nice quick read.

I really enjoyed this book and it gave me major Shirley Valentine vibes. It follows the ups and downs of three 50 year old women taking a trip to Cyprus and re discovering themselves along with their friendship.

This was a nice, light read and a great escape from reality. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a summery beach read.

My thanks to NetGalley and Hansson Publishing for the opportunity to read Cary Hansson's A Midlife Holiday.

we take a vacation with three old friends who have been through good times as well as the tough times.
There are laughs but there are also topics well worth thinking about. Enjoyable.

I enjoyed this. I liked that the main characters were in their 50's, it makes a nice change as usually women of this age are usually the mum's or mother in law's of the main characters.
I'm looking forward to the next book.

Long term friendships and now nearing their 50's set about finding themselves and enjoying life. The characters are well described as are the settings making for a lovely read and well worth doing so. I am giving this 5 stars and I will re-read this at a later stage.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this e ARC

A deeply heartfelt comment on menopausal women and their place in society today!
The book is based around three friends that have remained loyal to each other since their time at university. Helen, Caro and Katy are getting together for Helen's 50th birthday for lunch!! Their lives have taken very different directions, and with the menopause thrown in, unexpected sparks fly!
Very enjoyable tale, with fun, passion and serious issues. The relationships between the three are brilliantly depicted. Possibly a bit too real in places!! Menopause can be cruel!!
Thank you NetGalley for the early read!! Very enjoyable!!

A well written tale of 3 women who have been friends for many years. The story starts in the UK and ends in Cyprus. Charming characters (mostly) and the author has taken time to describe the surroundings to the point you feel you’re there too.

A tale of friendships and relationships and how they can impact and intertwine. The book is really enjoyable and leaving you waiting to see what comes next.

Helen Winters is celebrating her 50th Birthday, her hormones are all over the place, her husband is off climbing Everest, her kids are being typical kids.
To top it all off one of her longest friends buys her a pretty average gift for a middle aged woman and this tips her over the edge.
So when the suggestion of a week in the sun is made, it takes very little persuasion for her to accept.
Helen and her two friends from Uni head off to Cyprus to chill out in the sunshine….. and a week of life changing events take place.
A thoroughly enjoyable read from cover to cover, especially so if you are a woman of Helen’s age and know how it feels to be taken for granted by your husband or children.
Heartwarming and hilarious, a must read for summer.
I look forward to the second book in the trilogy.

A really good read. I thoroughly enjoyed this story following the lives of three fifty year old woman who are all being dragged down with family life so when one of them suggests a holiday they jump at the chance..Helen ,Kay and Caro are great characters who you can identify with and it's a great holiday read .I'm pleased there is a follow up so I can find out what eventually happens to them all and whether they will ever get back to normal life

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. When I started it I wasn't sure what to expect but I did think it would be a bit more lighthearted than it was. It had a good story but although I started out sympathising with Helen, my opinion of her had changed by the end.

This book was sent to me by Netgalley for review. There are so many characters that I became somewhat confused. Although the story moved slowly, it was Intriguing. This author is talented in weaving a story. Stay u til the end…it is worth it.

A really fun book about 3 long standing friends each thinking the others have everything they want and the true reality when they decide to accompany one of the friends on a holiday in Cyprus. I don’t want to give too much away but I loved the theme of not needing a knight in shining armour to save you but rather the idea you can save and change yourself. The book is nicely poised for another instalment I am more than looking forward to.

An enjoyable, if somewhat predictable story about 3 middle aged friends who learn about themselves and make some life changing decisions while on vacation together.

What a fun read. I thought this would be a good one and I wasn't disappointed. We meet three friends who met at university. Helen is about to turn 50 and rather than spend her birthday or their 25th wedding anniversary together her husband is off trying to scale Mt Everest. You get the impression that things are not going to bode well when he calls the day after his successful summit (which is Helen's 50th b'day) forgetting to wish his wife Happy Birthday, rather he gets annoyed that he couldn't get in touch with her the moment he succeeded. The reason why she was in Asda buying milk.

The three friends all have personal issues and they end up going to Cyprus for a week where tensions add up and confrontation occurs.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters are believable and I was interested in finding out about them and discover what would happen on their holiday. I thought the plot flowed well and the conversations between the women were true to life and easy to read. I definitely recommend this book and I will be looking out for the next one. Thank you #netgalley

Thank you to ##NetGalley for the advance copy of #AMidlifeHoliday by #CaryJHansson
What a joy. Caro decides to invite her life long friends Helen and Kay to go on holiday to Cyprus with her, without revealing why she is really going to Cyprus.
A true to life story of three women approaching 50, hugely relatable, I can’t wait for the next episode.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you for allowing me to read this advance copy. I enjoyed the story line and felt the feelings explored bt the 3 main characters felt familiar, to either myself or friends who discussed their own mid life experiences. An easy read, with a good storyline. I am left wondering what happens next to Caro, Helen & Kay. Does their long standing friendship survive the next life stage.. I look forward to reading the next book.