I enjoyed this book by an author that is new to me.
The book is about three friends who have reached their 50th birthdays. It was well written and funny whilst dealing with several topics, including menopause, family and fertility. The book deals with the meaning if friendship.
I hope that this book will be the first in a trilogy.
Thanks to netgalley and the author for this read.

A Midlife Holiday
This book tells the story of three women coming to terms with the fact that they’re all approaching a milestone birthday. We meet Helen, Caro and Kay each one feeling dissatisfied with the direction their life’s have taken for different reasons. Helen feels like she’s been taken for granted, just there to be a wife & mother but not being noticed as a person in her own right. Caro is the most successful of the three, but look a little deeper and we see that no one really has it all. Kay the last of the trio is struggling to cope with her circumstances, she has a son who is fairly dependent on her and she’s also struggling with elderly parents one of whom has dementia.
The trio decide to jet off and so they book a holiday to Cyprus and here is where the story takes off.
There are definitely shades of Shirley Valentine here, but for me this story fell a bit flat. I felt that both Helen and Caro were very self absorbed and Kay’s story was barely touched on. So for me this is a 3 ⭐️read.
It’s not too taxing though and is ideal as a holiday read. Many thanks to #NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

Bridget Jones crossed with Shirley Valentine.

3 women who have been friends since university are hitting the milestone birthday of 50. As they take a holiday together to Cyprus each of them has their own concerns about where their life is.

Although the 3 main characters are a little stereotypical of Mid life women it works in the context of the story.
It will be interesting to see what happens to the characters on the following books as I understand this is the first of a potential trilogy.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for a ARC in return for any unbiased review.

I am so thrilled to see book with characters in midlife as I am too!
This book is great and I enjoyed it and could absolutely relate and would have loved to see more of where the 3 friends went later in life.

Thank you to the publisher for my NetGalley copy all thoughts are my own.

Have to admit took me awhile to get into this book, but once I did I was totally committed.
For all those going through or have survived the menopause this is a must read for you.
The relationships between Helen, Caro & Katy is so real. All in all a very enjoyable read

I usually enjoy a midlife story, but I must admit at first my interest in this book was slow to captivate me, it was an intriguing read but it took me a few nights to read whereas usually I’m able to devour a book in one or two sessions

A midlife holiday was funny, sad and a throughly enjoyable read. I especially enjoyed the idea that just because women reach midlife it doesn’t mean they have to settle for a mundane life. Relatable friendships with their up’s and downs all set in Cyprus. I’d be excited to see what happened next for Caro, Helen and Kaye.

I really enjoyed the plot and characters of this book. The story started a little slow but got more entertaining the further I read. There were some laugh-out-loud moments, shocking moments, and heart breaking moments in the book. Loved it!

From the start, you begin to feel that this story is not going to be what it seems. A well written glimpse into a midlife woman's life. At times hilarious, others, thought provoking. I found myself smiling and nodding one minute, then questioning my own views the next.
I am so pleased the author got this story published, and look forward to the next book.

I enjoyed this book. It was exactly what the title suggests, a group of middle aged women going on holiday together. The characters were likeable and relatable. The story has a good mix of emotions just like real life. Will look for more by this author.

An quick entertaining read with a good dollop of humour. Slightly predictable book about 3 women around their fiftieth birthday who all are questioning their life choices and revaluating. Believable set of characters that most readers of a similar age could identify with their midlife situations. The book is set in sunny Cyprus as they undertake a week's holiday together which, luckily, the more wealthier of the trio is funding. Their lives then move along and change at a fast rate being light and fun even if somewhat rushed. I understand this book is the first of a series and I look forward to seeing how these three women's lives pan out after their holiday.

A Midlife Holiday by Cary J Hansson is a fun filled contemporary novel that entertained me from the start.
Three friends since uni thirty years earlier take a holiday to sun-filled shores. Life has been passing them by with their responsibilities back in Britain. Now is the time for the three to have a week and to re-discover themselves.
A character is easy to empathise with, as she has her fifty first birthday, she seems largely ignored as a person, and taken for granted as a wife and mother. Her birthday presents are sensible household gifts. She needs to ‘discover’ her true self that has been submerged for so long.
The setting is glorious – sea, sand and sunshine. Comprehensive descriptions enable the reader to easily picture the landscape.
It is a time to be brave and try new things. You never know what you might be good at. Now is the time to grab life with both hands.
The characters were all delightful in this glorious fun-filled novel. I cannot wait for more from Cary J Hansson.
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

On the surface this is a story of old friends meeting up for a holiday in Cyprus. As the story unfolds the impact of life choices, circumstances and opportunities on each woman becomes apparent. The range of issues addressed is wide ranging; the aging process is skilfully portrayed. I loved this book and as it’s the first in a trilogy I’m greatly looking forward to the next book in the series. I can wholeheartedly recommend this book.

loved this story of three middle aged women who go on holiday together, funny and serious at the same time. enjpyed the story

Loved this story really relatable and beautifully written. about 3 friends Helen, Caro, Kay who are struggling careers ,relationships, children, elderly parents and all whilst being of a certain age!
They decide to go to Cyprus for a holiday to get away from their problems, only Caro has a special reason for being in Cyprus and Helen realises what she wants from her life and marriage.
I do hope there is a follow up story.
Would highly recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley & Hansson Publishing for a advanced copy.

This is a such classy novel. I have to admit that I first chose to read it because I mistakenly thought it was set in the tourist traps of Southern Cyprus (where I used to live); I also assumed that it would be a cosy middle aged Shirley Valentine style sun lounger read - but let me say I was so wrong. ‘A Midlife Holiday’ is set in Northern Cyprus (a completely different country and a totally different kettle of fish) and it is not strictly a comedy, but a beautifully written and true to life story of three friends and their all too relatable mid-life choices.

Cary Hansson has a very entertaining and accessible style of story telling and I was quite sorry when I came to the end of the book. I will certainly look out for any future novels from her.

Many thanks to all concerned for letting me read and review this terrific book.

A fun beachy read about a woman who finds freedom at 50. Delightful characters and lovely settings. This book would make a great movie.

A Midlife Holiday is one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read for some time. It’s the next genre for those of us who loved the chick lit boom of the late 1990s!
Focussing on 3 ladies hitting the big 5-0, we head off on a spontaneous holiday to Cyprus with Helen, Caro and Kay. All three are at pivotal points in their lives - having teenagers, elderly and infirm parents, a dull marriage, a successful career without love, childless. Most ladies of a certain age will identify with one of the lead characters.
Cyprus brings into sharp reality what’s missing in their lives. This is not all light-hearted, fluffy storylines. There’s some real angst, arguments and sad moments along the way.
I loved this book, and if I’m right, think we might get to see more of these ladies in the future. Their stories are not over yet!
Thanks to Netgalley and Cary J Hansson for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Shirley Valentine type of book. Three 50 year old women go on holiday together, fortunately one of them was rich enough to pay for the trip for all them. Each has a different backstory which wasn’t staggeringly interesting, just ordinary people dealing with life.

It was all rather predictable, especially the ending. An ok holiday read but I don’t think it lived up to the hype.

This book was so cute! I loved the premise of a group of old friends, now 50 somethings, going on a trip together! I appreciated the personality differences between the 3 characters and loved the real life, old friend arguments! While the writing was simple and lacked the pull of not being able to put the book down, I still enjoyed it. This book will make a great summer or beach read and if you're at that "midlife" age, will be one that you'll appreciate!