I really liked the premise of this story, and certain parts of the plot really touched my heart, but overall, the book fell a little flat for me.

I ended up finding it a bit boring, and that’s not to say it wasn’t a good read - because it still was; it just didn’t resonate with me as much as I thought it would.

Following Stuart, a middle-aged man finding his feet in the world again after the loss of his father, whom he devoted 25 years of his life to caring for, ‘Waiting for a Bright New Future’ is about change. Not only how wonderful it can be, but how scary it can feel - and furthermore, what it can teach you.

I don’t do spoilers so I won’t go into detail, but one of the things I liked the most was watching the main character come out of his shell and learn to stand up for himself. It was truly inspiring - the journey he went on, and I appreciated the side stories with the other characters that helped him along the way.

Would I recommend it? For an easy, light read yes… but I personally would have liked the story to delve a little deeper than it did. What we got with regard to Stuart’s upbringing, for example, was so interesting!

I really enjoyed this book. It was different than anything else I've read recently. I couldn't put it down! I will keep an eye out for this author's future work!

I loved everything about this book except for Stuart’s siblings. I can still feel how awful and entitled they were!

Stuart has sacrificed everything to care for his father in his last years, and when he does without leaving Stuart in his will, Stuart is left without anything to stand on.

When Florence comes into his life as a boarder, Stuart isn’t sure what to make of her, but this unlikely duo breathes new life into one another and pulls back the curtain on what’s possible when all the light you knew goes out.

Loved this! Stuart has cared for his dad his entire adult life; whilst his brothers go off and live theirs. His dad had intended on changing his will to reflect this, but he dies before he is able to. After his dad dies; he’s free to live as he wishes, but his brothers insist the house is sold within a year, leaving Stuart to no choice to get a job and take in a lodger. Florence brings colour and fun to his life. Meanwhile; Jayne, the daughter of Lilian next door had returned to care for her mother; and she wants to rekindle their childhood relationship. Stuart is quick to fall into a relationship with Jayne; it makes both her and her Lillian, so happy, but is it making Stuart quite as happy at a time when he is finally free of the responsibilities he’s had for so long. A really great book.

Thank you Netgalley and Joffe Books for a copy of this book to review.

I really enjoyed Stuart and his journey. With an actual older Stuart in my life, I couldn't help but picture him in this role and was rooting for him the whole time.

This was such a sweet a story. Really pulled ay my heart strings, resonated with Stuart (main character) so much having been through a similar situation. Was rooting for him the whole way through. Real page turner. Loved it

I really enjoyed this one! It was a quick read and kept me entertained. The cover is super cute also - bookshelf material!

Waiting for a Bright New Future focuses on Stuart, who is down on his luck. His father, who he has spent much of his adult life caring for, has recently passed away. In a series of unfortunate events, Stuart was left out of the will and soon he will be left with nothing. Then, Stuart takes on a lodger, Florence, who is everything he is not - larger than life, and all of a sudden Stuart isn't sure of what he wants or who he is anymore.

This book was an uplifting story about second chances and learning that life can change if you let it. As a reader you couldn't help but feel bad for Stuart given what he has given to his father, and the awful way he is treated by his siblings. It was rewarding to watch the relationship between the unlikely pair of Stuart and Florence.

Really well done, interesting, comfort read with some uniqueness (not the same old troupes!). An absolute delight to read. I am so grateful to have gotten the opportunity.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love this novel. A man who has cared for his elderly father for 25 years struggles to find his place in the world after his father passes. He is advised not to accept the comfortable from someone who provides an unlikely source of freedom.

Not your typical rom com. It had me by the heartstrings! I read it so fast I had to go back and read it again. I enjoyed I both times :)

loved this romance and how the journey stated and ended. loved the friends and all of the trials that they went through on the journey. loved the cast and i can't wait t read more.

This book really tugged on my heartstrings. I was rooting for Stuart the whole
Way through.Your never to old to start again and find your life.

Waiting for a Bright Future
Sally Jenkins
2023
5 Stars



Thank you NetGalley and Publisher Choc Lit for review. I have not received any rewards or compensation for this review and therefore all views and opinions are of my own, the reviewer.

In summary: Stuart is about to lose his home to his greedy brothers after the death of their father. Stuart oversaw the caring of their father while their father was sick. This is the story of how Stuart overcomes adversity coming in to his own.

This book to me was one that I wasn’t sure I would actually like, based on title and synopsis. I decided to take a chance on this book and I am very glad I did.

The author takes Stuart, an older male in his fifties on a journey of self discovery and giving him glimpses of hope. Stuart is very much the underdog. Discounted by everyone in his family, and his first love which happens to be his next door neighbour, Jane for most of his life. Stuart took it upon himself to care for his father until the end of his father’s days. When his brothers swoop in to sell the house from under his feet within twelve months or so, Stuart is left out in the cold. He has no job, no prospects for the future and he is desperately wanting to rekindle a relationship with his next door neighbour Jane that they had when they were teenagers.
Enter Florence. She is the breath of fresh air that Stuart needs. Florence brings life to Stuart. I loved the way that Florence was developed and how she was able to help Stuart open his eyes to what is around him, giving him courage. Everyone in life needs a Florence I think.
I loved the way Stuart evolved and how he grew as a character. I loved the way that he was able to figure out that he didn’t need to be second choice or a stooge for anyone. I was glad he didn’t end up with Jane who was clearly abusing his goodwill and his love for her to take care of her mother.
I loved the writing of this book, I loved the way Sally developed the characters and delved into older relationships complete with complexity. I found myself cheering for Stuart as he gets his happily ever after. The characters are still there in my mind days after finishing the book, so thank you Sally for Waiting for a Bright Future.

Unexpectedly fun and bright! This book did not take the easy way and do the predictable, so good luck figuring out where it's going, and that's what makes it so good!

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

Absolutely awful- the idea behind it was appealing however the story was a huge disappointment. Save your money.

This was something a little different to my usual books and I must say I really enjoyed it. It took me through a full range of emotions and I really felt myself empathizing with the characters and wanting the best for them

A great read!

This book was sweet. A nice, light read. Definitely more Women's Fiction than Romance.

Nice to have an older protagonist, but I wasn't a big fan of the whole sister storyline.

Very cute, but ultimately not my cup of tea.

Full disclosure: this was an advanced reader copy provided by NetGalley.

How can you not root for Stuart Borefield?!

Synopsis: Stuart Borefield put his life on hold and left teaching to be a full-time carer for his father until his death. Now aged 55, his two older, wealthier brothers (who didn't care for their father at all before his passing) are pulling the rug from underneath Stuart - saying that they want to sell the house he's been in for years, even though his father willed it to him. They "generously" allow Stuart to stay in the home for one more year before it's sold, but after 25 years of being a full-time carer, Stuart is now in a spot where he desperately needs an income and a plan. He finds employment as a carer for William and finds a roommate to supplement rent - Florence - who immediately brings necessary brightness and color into Stuart's life. Florence is a singer in a band, just left her husband, and would be called "wild" - but these polar-opposite roommates bring the best out of each other - Stuart out of his shell and Florence to a state of stability.

As I said, you can't help but cheer nonstop for Stuart. He's SUCH a sweet, wholesome guy, and the characters around him (his elderly neighbor, Florence, William) are also wonderful. I left the book feeling like I may need to make a life change just as Stuart did - take risks, try new activities, invite a wild, colorful flatmate into life, and something extraordinary will happen.

Plus, it's just enjoyable to read a novel from the perspective of a 55-year-old. You don't see that often, but it's good to see examples of fantastic "middle-aged" characters living exciting, full lives!

Thank you to NetGalley and ChocLit for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.