Three friends are approaching their fifties and are all at turning points. Helen is in a loveless marriage and, with her grown up kids left home, she has forgotten who she is and what she wants from life. Teacher Kay is divorced, with an adult autistic son and is also full time carer for her ageing parents, so she has little time for herself. Caro is single, wealthy and child-free but she now worries about approaching later life alone.

When Caro suggests they go on holiday to Cyprus this could be just the break they all need. However, it seems that Caro has another reason for going abroad  and when her friends find this out it could create fissures in their friendship...

Initially, I wasnt sure if i would be be able to relate to the characters as the cover image portrays a group of older ladies. However, being in my mid 40s, I realised that I am actually not far off the age of Helen,  Kay and Caro, eek! 

A light-hearted storyline which explores the impact of menopause, mental health and fertility on women. Traditionally these are things that many are embarassed by and try to cope with alone. Important topics that need to be talked about more!

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC

DNF at almost 50%.

Sadly this stopped working for me. It started well enough with Helen finally being full of energy which, if well channelled, could lead to much needed change. But by the time the initial scene(birthday diner) ended and we had an initial chance to meet the characters, the narrative nosedived into a very boring story. Turns out my patience is not that abundant, therefore I've decided to give up on this. Sorry.

I am very grateful for access to an advance copy of this book; however, I have chosen not to finish it. I read nearly 40% of the book before deciding that it is "not for me at this time".

The author paints lovely descriptions of the scene and setting, but the characters were not quite there for me. I just could not connect to any of them.

I would prefer to not give a negative review on Goodreads, so I will mark it as DNF on that site.

Once again, thank you for the advance e-read of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

"A Midlife Holiday" is the story of the life-changing holiday of 3 old university friends to Cyprus. The 3 women have followed different routes in life since their student days but have remained in touch and still meet up at the age of 50. As they each struggle to get to grips with different issues they get help from each other and some of the Cypriot locals. A great thought-provoking book.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

You know when you are fast approaching that midlife period, and 50 is a heck of a lot closer than 'young'?
I'm there now, so the prospect of reading about women in that age bracket appealed.
Three women who have been firm friends since their university days are either turning 50 or already there.
One, Helen, married with two adult children and a husband more interested in finding his adventure abroad than at home.
Two, Kay, divorced and caring for her parents and a son with autism.
Three, Caro, the highflying businesswoman with everything she ever wanted, apart from a relationship and her own family.
They end up on holiday in Cyprus, which bears different fruits for each of the women, in turn.
Now, in some ways, there were two stereotypes plugged here; the frumpy housewife-style middle-aged women who have put on the lbs and are no longer fun; instead, they are more intent on keeping house and losing their own identities then there is the sharp-edged woman who appears to have forsaken all of the above in order to secure her great career, and wealth, and ended up lonely.
However, it was good to see them trying to claw back a little bit of what made them individuals, throughout the story, and I would be intrigued to find out how the next stage in their midlives pans out.
Many Thanks to NetGalley and Hansson Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I found Midlife Holiday unexpectedly profound, maybe because I turn 50 myself this year. Three best friends, who aren't being that truthful to each other, go on a Cyprus holiday. They all need it badly for different reasons that all come down to one thing: they have lost sight of themselves. Being of service to others has blunted their desire for life and, at 50, they need it back.

I just couldn't get into this book at all. The first two chapters gave me whiplash. Scenes were bouncing around, characters were in and out with no indication of who they were. As a reader, I felt like I was standing still and the camera lens of the narrator was just spinning around in circles and I had no idea which characters and situations I was supposed to grab on to in order to anchor me in the story.
I'm always excited to see a fun book about women in midlife, but this didn't do it for me. I'm DNF and moving on.

Helen, Caro and Kay have been friends since their carefree university days, though since then their lives have taken different paths. Caro is a successful, unmarried executive. Kay is a teacher, single mother and caregiver to her ageing parents and autistic son. Helen is married with a selfish husband and self-absorbed children.

Over the years their friendship has frayed, but the three women come together to celebrate Helen’s 50th birthday. After a teary and sometimes tense lunch, Caro invites her friends to join her on her holiday in Cyprus. Helen and Kay decide to set aside their responsibilities and join her, only to discover that Caro isn’t there for relaxation at all.

It can be hard to find a story about adult women with relatable lives and problems, so I was excited to discover “A Midlife Holiday”, first book of the “Midlife Trilogy”. It was refreshing to read about characters close to my own age as their friendship deepened and they rediscovered their authentic selves. I enjoyed how their individual and collective pasts were revealed throughout the story.

Yet there was something about the story that bothered me. I kept getting bumped out the of the narrative. At first, I thought it might be the author’s use of and Britishisms and unfamiliar brand names, but I don’t have a problem with that in other stories. If it’s important, I look it up and read on. It took me a while to realize that it was Hansson’s use of figurative language that was distracting me.

Cary uses simile and metaphor frequently. There are places where she squeezes 3 or 4 metaphors into one paragraph. I found this jarring, particularly when I was left puzzling over her comparisons. How, for example, can wine be like a cushion or grapes like pigs on a spit?

Despite my issues with the writing style, I’m looking forward to the next book in this trilogy. I’ve enjoyed reading about Helen, Caro and Kay in this coming-of-middle-age story. I want to know what happens next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hansson Publishing for my advance copy.

Received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The cover and the blurb suggested a different book to this. I was expecting fun and wit and escapism and was disappointed..

I didn’t like the characters and did not feel any emotional investment in the 30 year old friendship of the three women. By the end, if the women had been real, I would have expected them to walk away from each other. Sorry this wasn’t my cup of tea and I ended up skimming.

As someone about to turn 50, this appealed to me. I wasn’t happy about the descriptions of any of these 50 year olds though. Two were frumpy, frazzled, overweight and stuck in such a small life. I don’t know anyone like that. And then the last one of the three was a powerful business woman with no children who was such a two dimensional personality.
It wasn’t badly written and the descriptions of Cyprus was delightful. I just couldn’t get past the imagery of women who were my age who I felt so far removed from. I also wish Kay (who was the best of the friends) had more of a story arc. She deserved it way more than Helen who was self-absorbed and angry that her spoilt children and husband had left her with nothing to show for life when she had sat on the sidelines and only had herself to blame. And Caro, again so self-absorbed and cherishing a ridiculous moment of passion in college that has left her unable to move forward.
Not all soon to be 50 year olds are so old as Helen and Kay and as lithe and fashionable as Caro. I have given it 3 stars as I know I am sounding bitter and the writing was not that bad.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

A midlife holiday is a funny totally relatable read that I loved from start to finish!
Three middle aged women who are juggling careers,relationships, children, elderly parents and all whilst being of a certain age!
Caro invites good friends Helen and Kay away on holiday with her as she needs female friendship and company for what she is about to endure! Helen and Kay also have there own reasons for needing a complete break from the life they have at home, over the course of the holiday we see kay catching up on well earned sleep,Caro proceeding with her controversial plans and Helen finding a love of sailing and rediscovering the joy of lust and intimacy !
A great read that I didn’t want to end !
Thank you netgalley for this early read,4

A thoroughly enjoyable read! I loved the characters who weren’t the usual beautiful young people. The descriptions of Cyprus were delightful and made me want to return. A feel good, easy reading book, great for the beach.

I absolutely loved this book. It’s just beautiful and has such a genuine truth in the story. It’s a story based on friendship but has so much more. I was left needing to know more about the three friends so am really happy that this is part one of a trilogy. I can’t wait for the next books. I think women of a similar age to the characters will really “get” this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.

This is a lovely story about life, love, and friendship, and it's told through three different perspectives. All three storylines weren't equally developed, but the women were relatable, and their issues will likely resonate with the target audience. It was nice to read about relationships with women who were a bit more mature and wise than is seen in many novels currently on the market. This is a great start to a new series.

What do three midlife friend do for fun, why go on vacation in Cyprus.

At first I thought it would be a typical story about seeing the sights and all finding new loves, but instead all three of them became clearer about what they want and who they are. One reminded me of the movie "Shirley Valentine," but this time she doesn't stay and all of her relationships change too. There is one who just needs sleep, and sleep she does and finally one is going to become a mother and there is an interesting twist to it. The hotel itself have staff who are open and helpful to the three women and the hotel and grounds sounds wonderful. I would love to see a story that involves a trip to Las Vegas for the three of them.

As the story evolves the characters become more rounded and become more forgiving toward each other flaws and misconception about how their lives really are. It's like a awakening for all of them. And although their are men involve they seem to be the catalyst for the changes they take.

I want to thank Hansson Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of three women having fun in Cyprus.

This book was so lovely! You learn about 3 women in the middle of their lives and how that impacts their relationships with each other and themselves. I liked that they each felt real. They had the same issues that you or your mother would be experiencing.

I do feel like the book was too long. I think the story could have been 100 pages shorter and still gotten the plot across.

Three friends gather for a birthday lunch, which turns cathartic on some level for each of them. Frustrations abound in this holiday away. A week in Cyprus is not only the answer , but it unleashes emotions and revelations neither woman expects. Each woman has come determined to find answers within herself. Helen, Kay, and Caroline friends since university, have allowed life to lengthen the space and closeness of friendship. Gathered to celebrate Helen’s fiftieth birthday, it’s Helen’s revelations that not only will her husband be away on yet another climb,but he will be absent for their anniversary. Caroline , successful but in a highs stress job suggests they go to Cyprus with her. For her it’s not just a well deserved holiday, but she is looking for a miracle. Kay need no miracle just a break from the college that consumes her days and the students with lackluster dreams for the future. This holiday will meet and exceed each woman’s wish. Happy reading

I didn't really know what to expect going into this book. I assumed it would be a funny, tongue and cheek, story about three friends who took a trip together and the discoveries they'd make. It was that and so much more. This novel actually hit on so many of the themes and situations that women face as daughters, wives, mothers, friends, colleagues, and more. What is expected of us vs what will make us happy and enrich our lives. What we do for others vs what we do for ourselves. I could relate on so many levels and really enjoyed this story. At the core it's about three women who are still finding their way in the world and navigating the sometimes treacherous path of deep, long, and loving friendship.

This was a really fun story about how you never stop learning and growing and changing your mind and knowing your worth all wrapped in a wonderful friendship jacket. I would've loved a little more of the ending as it felt a little rushed and abrupt

Caro, Helen and Kay, all women in their fifties have known each other since uni or as they say in the states, college. Helen is married with children to Lawrence, a mountain climbing self-absorbed man. Kay is divorced with a son, Alex. Caro is single, successful, wealthy, and her longest relationship has been with her career. Each woman has issues with their life, and yet each woman fails to see what the other is going through. After a complete meltdown at Helen’s birthday celebration, the trio go off to Cyprus for a holiday. Each desperately needs this holiday, to sort out secrets, their friendships and themselves.

I have to say, I wasn’t impressed with this read. The characters were not engaging, the characters felt either whiny, selfish, or boring. I couldn’t connect with these women. The characters are best friends for over 30 years and yet didn’t realize what the other was going through. The secondary storylines of children, spouses, or family situations for these women were annoying at best or did not add to the story in a good way. There were times I was skimming which means for me the story did not captured me. Overall, an okay read. I did not like the book ended. The chapter before was a drama tense chapter and then nothing. Everyone goes back to the holiday, life, nothing is wrapped up, just ended.