Thank you to @penguinrandomca @knopfca @netgalley for the digital ARC in return for my honest review.
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My thoughts…
Lovely. I have followed this series from the first book’s publication in 2004. Now, 14 books later, I’m still enjoying it. This series has been a combination of sweet romance, cozy mystery and charmingly philosophical take on life. I love The MC’s (Isabel Dalhousie) analysis of human behaviours, motivations and musings. It was an intelligent and philosophical read, and has the very best intentions when it comes to “interfering” in others’ lives because Isabel is always “spending half her waking hours thinking about how we are to live our lives”

II adore this series. Having followed (and loved) the work of this brilliant and prolific author for decades, it is this series in particular - Isabel Dalhousie, her essential “goodness”, and her gorgeously-welcoming literary world - that has earned a very special place in my heart.

An indulgence of the highest order - sinking into this story is akin to revisiting a time, place, mindset and community, so impossibly comforting and reassuring, that there is no doubt but that “the world is a better place for its presence.”

Softly-insulated in much the same manner of a sweet romance, or a cozy mystery - Isabel Dalhousie, philosopher, wife and mother, goes about her days thinking about people and motivations, and intentions - weighing in with her careful (and non-judgmental) analysis as she observes, navigates (and sometimes sets straight) misalignments in the world around her.

Financially privileged (but certainly not arrogant), Isabel has two young sons, and is in a sweet and caring relationship with her beautiful spouse Jamie, who is much younger than her, and a musician (and quite possibly, as Isabel reflects, “everything any woman could possibly want in a man”).

An absolute joy, Isabel herself, is, in a word - perfection. A lovely lady, prone to tangential musings and meanderings, Isabel gently tackles decidedly thorny and sometimes mysterious issues, in her quietly intellectual way “spending half her waking hours thinking about how we are to live our lives”, serving as editor (and owner) of the somewhat erudite “Review of Applied Ethics” - and a large portion of the remainder applying her talents to the troubling problems she sees around her in everyday life and love.

From her comfortable Edinburgh-based circle of art galleries, tea rooms, concerts and committees, Isabel cannot help but help people, “interfering” in their lives to offer ideas and solutions to complex problems - albeit only on request, and always with the very best of intentions.

In this story, as Isabel brings her considerable rationality to bear on situations including a call for help from a estranged family, a toddler with an propensity to bite, her temperamental housekeeper, a potentially nepotistic orchestral appointment, and the always (fascinating and) troubling nature of her niece Cat’s love-life, it’s clear this author has found the key to capture and connect with “the something precious in each and every one of us”.

For this reader, a journey (and a series) one can but hope, that is far far from ending.

A great big thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.

There is nothing more delightful, calming and restorative than a new Alexander McCall Smith novel! This is the 14th book in his Isabel Dalhousie series, and I really enjoyed reading about the latest people who asked Isabel to help them solve their unusual problems, her kind and handsome musician husband Jamie, finding out what their 2 young boys are up to, the psychic explorations of their housekeeper Grace, and the latest adventures and romantic entanglements of her niece Cat. But my favourite part of the story was following Isabel's thoughts as they tangent into philosophical questions mid-conversation and the humour of how each of her acquaintances adjusts to them. A thoroughly enjoyable read!

I am always looking forward to another “visit” with Isabel Dalhousie and her family.

She is delightful. Always pleasant. Well-mannered and kind. She is what I hope everyone is like, at least on the inside. Reading about her is like sitting outside on a warm day with a book. Perfectly simple.

Ever since I started this series, years ago now, I’ve always felt that she had a calming effect. I’ve never been to Scotland, but Edinburgh lives in my imagination as this perfect, quiet city. Where one can lunch and then go to an art museum or the orchestra and everything is always fine. It’s probably not really like that, but reading about it let’s me feel it. So it’s calming, peaceful and happy. Content, perhaps. I have trouble describing this feeling accurately. It’s like the opposite of anxiety.

No matter how many times Isabel interferes in someone else’s business (even by request), I don’t feel like I can blame her. She always seems to make their lives better, even briefly. All the stories are about this; Isabel gets involved where she probably shouldn’t, but she helps and all is well again.

These stories could so easily be discounted as too good, too perfect. I don’t think so. The earlier volumes had more drama, but now that Isabel and Jamie are married with children, it’s like visiting a favourite aunt. You know precisely what you will get. It’s charming.

I will keep reading these as long as the author keeps writing them. I love them. I’m always left feeling lighter and better.

The Sweet Remnants of Summer is yet another charmer in the delectable Isabel Dalhousie series set in incomparable Scotland.

Isabel and Jamie both become enmeshed in local socialness after Jamie felt his wife took on too much. She is invited to sit on the Scottish National Portrait Gallery Board where her skill set and compassion come in very handy. She becomes involved in lives of those around her including a dear friend. Sometimes she puts a foot in it (don't we all!) but is usually philosophical and wise in her views. The story is extraordinary in its ordinary daily life thoughts and hopes as Isabel and Jamie love each other and their wee boys.

Alexander McCall Smith writes thoughtfully with great insight into human nature. But he does it gently with wit and candor. His characters, particularly married Isabel and Jamie, are curious people who think and verbalize many thoughts I've had...so very relatable! What happens in this series could easily happen in your life or mine. Their two young boys also appear in the story as only two energetic children can.

After reading every book by this author, I am always eager to read the newest. His descriptions and writing style are uniquely him. Just beautiful!

Readers of many genres will find rest for the soul with the sweet Isabel Dalhousie series. You will smile and chuckle and nod with understanding.

My sincere thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this refreshing book, written in typical McCall-Smith fashion.