I loved this later in life coming alive and rediscovering yourself book!! It was so good. I had the best time reading this book. It was heart warming and shows that you can still find happiness even after dark days in life.
I just reviewed Misbehaving at Cactus Lanes by Patricia Santos Marcantonio. #NetGalley
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This is such a fun and enjoyable read that was so uplifting, it was hard not to have a smile on your face when reading.

With literally no idea why I ended up downloading this, I won't be reviewing it in full. The two chapters I have read seemed OK – a bit too much of a slow-burner for me to want to stick around, and a book that promises a lot that is predictable and a lot (like the whole bowling plot) I wouldn't be interested in. I could see a Keyes or a Moyes taking such a scenario and making something much more engaging, but I wouldn't suggest anyone should avoid this as a disposable beach read.

A delicious tale that blends humor, romance, and the magic of newfound friendship. The writing is warm and witty and I enjoyed following Maggie on her journey of self discovery.
Many thanks to Harpercollins UK and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is about moving on after the death of a spouse but not in the way you imagined.

The protagonist is finding her feet and her identity after the death of her husband.

It did not start with a bang. Instead, the first part was boring and I almost did not finish. By the second half, it began to come together and I became vested in the story.

It was fun being at the Lanes and catching up with the characters and their lives. I loved that Maggie finally grew a spine and was able to stand up to her daughter.

A humorous, fun book to read on those days when you just want a light read.
It was nice to read a story about an older woman.
Second chance romance to find that it is ok to love again.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a great read about learning to listen to yourself and not public opinion. A feel good book, with - spoiler alert - a happy ending. Possibly more details regarding 10 pin bowling than most people need in their lives, but worth a read!

This was the first book I've read from this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I just wish I had Maggie's bowling skills, as she is awesome! This is a heartwarming book about friendship, second chances, and finding happiness in the most unexpected places.

The main characters husband has just died. But it gives the main character a chance to think about what they want now and where they want their life to lead. Allowing in happiness and love to their lives. But the only worry is how the children will take it. A uplifting story about love after loss.

Margaret has lost her husband and in doing so is finding life. She is free to do whatever she wants, the only limitation being her worries about what her children will think.
It was lovely to see a romance about an older woman, and the focus on her new hobby was a helpful part of the plot. However, I felt myself skimming through large chunks of this to get it read. At times, Margaret’s acts of defiance just seemed a bit ridiculous, rather than a ‘you go girl!’ Moment and for this reason I gave it 3 stars however it was a cohesive plot with some sweet moments.

Found this book to be a good read and makes you realise that life goes on and very often for the better. The story line was good and most people I am sure will enjoy reading this. 4 stars

Thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for this ARC

"Misbehaving at Cactus Lanes" is a story about recently widowed, Margaret, also known as Maggie. After her husband passes away and having lived through a dead marriage, Maggie decides to find joy in life again. She discovers Cactus Lanes, a cool bowling alley in Las Vegas. It's not just a place to bowl; it's a place where Maggie finds friends and even a chance at love with the owner, Frank Martinez.

The book teaches us that life isn't just about winning or losing. It's about being true to yourself and taking chances, even if it feels scary. Through her journey, Maggie learns important lessons about love, forgiveness, and being herself.

One of the best parts of the story is the people Maggie meets at Cactus Lanes. They all help her grow and find happiness in unexpected ways.

This is a heartwarming book about friendship, second chances, and finding happiness in the most unexpected places.

I fell in love with the colourful cover and loved this life affirming story that tells you that i's never too late to be alive.
I loved the senior, the storytelling, had fun and was moved.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Margaret is struggling after the death of her husband following a long, loveless marriage. She tries bowling again, after a brief spell of success at school, and finds a new meaning in life.
I did really feel for Margaret, she struggles with her self-esteem, not helped by her daughter taking after her father. The story covers racism, snobbery but also companionship and a sense of belonging, preventing it being too downbeat. I was lucky enough to briefly visit Las Vegas on holiday, enabling me to visualise the locations. Unfortunately when I tried bowling I didn't reach anywhere near any level of proficiency, but did feel the excitement of those who can play well. Definitely something different and a book that I really enjoyed.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

Fun book that I read curled up in front of the fire. Does not take itself too seriously. Enjoyable plot and characters

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love books that celebrate women, female friendships and the power of being together. Cactus Lanes doesn't disappoint. It follows the story of Maggie who after losing her husband realises they were living as separate people long before Bob passed away. She joins a bowling club in search of friendship and fun and the story goes from there...
I really felt for Maggie throughout the book, I was rooting for her all along. Such an uplifting book I would highly recommend.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I enjoyed this page turner book that has characters that you can relate to.

The author covers topics like starting again, Widowhood, friends who are always interfering, as well as romance and love.

I recommend this book.

It was certainly the cover that attracted me to this novel, it's bright and looked like fun, and once I glanced at the blurb and saw the mention of Las Vegas, that was it, I knew i had to read it.

And it certainly lived up to those expectations and the cover is spot on, as this is a rather colourful novel, at least once Maggie starts to live her own life. After all she is attracted by the neon signs at the Cactus Lanes Bowling alley.

For this is a story of how life really can begin in your 70s. It took for her husband to suddenly die, for Maggie to bee freed from what was a stifling, boring, loveless marriage, not abusive, just indifferent, and for her to start discovering what it is she really wants from life.

And that includes re-discovering a love of bowling that she did a term of in school and enjoyed, until her friends talked her out of it. For Maggie is easily influenced by others, at least initially and even know she's ashamed that her daughter has got a lot of the same qualities as Bob.

I loved this look at life in Las Vegas too, for although there are some trips to the strip, mainly when Maggie is volunteering with a senior, we get to see past the gambling and see all the other parts to Las Vegas.

And i just could visualise everything so clearly, and I was loving how Maggie's confidence grew as she gains new skills and friends, and even clearly has a potential love interest.

I was less keen to see there still seems to be a class system in America, and stereotypical prejudices from thankfully not main characters.

This was the first book I've read from this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I just wish I had Maggie's bowling skills, as she is awesome!

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

This was a fun story revolving around a bowling alley and Maggie finding herself and love. The bowling side of it was fun as I had not read a story involving 10 pin bowling before. I loved the way Maggie evolved and the relationship with Frank and her new friends. There were some complex family relationships with Maggie and her children. Overall, fun, easy to read book for some light entertainment.

At the beginning Margaret was rather a fun character with her view of life and humor, not holding back when two women were giving Frank the ojo. And I am not judging her (as if she is not a book character, but indeed a real human being) for sticking to her love less marriage, choosing the easier option.
However, just a few pages after she (not for the first time) mentioned disliking her own daughter for her arrogance or intolerance, Maggie described the pottery teacher and said he looked both 'sexy and silly.' That made me give up at 37%. Indeed, she (or perhaps she and Kyla both) might have changed their tune later in the book, I was no longer in the mood to wait for that.

You are never too old to live your best life... is a common theme these days and no matter how much I agree with it and enjoy reading life-affirming books, it is rather an able-bodied view of the world.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.