In the book Old Girls Behaving Badly by Kate Galley we meet Jena she is 72 and her husband recently left her and announced he wants to sell the family home. Feeling at loose ends Jena decides to apply to be a companion to 89-year-old Dorothy when she gets the job it is to spend the week with Dorothy at her grandson Toby‘s wedding at a palatial estate when she arrives at the wedding venue she barely has her clothes unpacked when Dorothy tells her she really hired her for her artistic expertise because the year before Dorothy and her husband‘s home was broken into in the painting he won in a contest was stolen something Dorothy believes the host of the wedding Lenny is to blame for. To make matters worse in an effort to stop the burglar her husband Phil chased the man tripped and eventually died from his injuries and Dorothy refuses to get over it not until Lenny who she blames gets what he deserves. Jenna initially refuses to do it but soon changes her mind she to head in immediate dislike for their host Lenny. Her and Dorothy are not the only ones not fans of his because eventually he wrecks a quad and the evidence shows someone messed with it in an attempt to kill him. I am really doing a horrible job reviewing this book just know Lenny only gets those he can blackmail to do his bidding in so there are many people who would like to see Lenny get his due but in the end it will be left up to Jenna. This was an awesome book I am already fans of mysteries being solved by elderly people and I must say this is one of the better ones I have read. I love this book everything from the writing to the characters to how it ended if this becomes a series sign me up. I want to thank Boldwood books for my free arc copy via NetGalley please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

"OLD GIRLS BEHAVING BADLY" is a delightful exploration of the vibrancy and zest for life found within the older generation. The author's portrayal of friendship and the joy of embracing new experiences is both heartwarming and inspiring. With a refreshing perspective, the narrative proves that age is just a number when it comes to pursuing one's passions. Readers will find themselves immersed in Dorothy and Gina's adventures, eagerly anticipating what the next chapter holds. An uplifting and feel-good read that leaves you with a renewed appreciation for the endless possibilities life offers at any age.

I thought this book was a cute, fun read! It has a serious mystery but isn't heavy or scary, making this a good vacation read. I enjoyed reading a story that focused on older women, and highlighted them as being active, competent, and clever. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for something light that features female characters.

This was a funny, cute quick read. Sometimes a bit far out, but good.

When Gina finds out that her husband's idea of retirement is quite different than what she thinks they've been planning all these year, she is left adrift. No husband, no home. When she signs up to be a companion to an older woman during a family wedding, she has no idea of the mayhem she'll be forced into!

I liked Gina's ability to turn bad into good, and her art history background definitely helped her out. The relationship that grew between Gina and her charge, Dorothy, was sweet. This is a great, light summer read.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Gina Knight (real name Georgina) has been married to her husband Douglas for over forty years . Expecting they will share their twilight years together when suddenly he drops a bombshell on her. She finds herself needing something to do with her life and most importantly a place to live. Gina applies for a position as companion to octogenarian Dorothy Reed, who likes to be known as Dot. Sounds like a nice and fairly easy job for Gina but Dot wants Gina to do more than be a companion to her she has a specific task for her.

I’ve not read any books by this author but after reading the book blurb I really wanted to read more. It’s a really great read and lately I’ve been enjoying reading more books where the main characters are over the fifty age bracket and showing they can live good fun lives as much as the younger generation. This book made me laugh out loud at times and I enjoyed reading about all the various characters. A very entertaining read that made my heart sing at times.

I absolutely adored this murder mystery. It illustrates that just because you're over 60 doesn't mean you're dead or in your dotage.

Gina is in a spiral - her husband has decided he needs to find himself at the tender age of 70+! He's ran off and left Gina to deal with the fallout - selling their house, finding a new place to live, dealing with their grown kids. I must admit Gina's son is a lot more grown up and empathetic than his sister. She just acted like a spoiled brat!

Her search for a new place to live leads her to Dorothy. Dorothy is a little older and having some mobility issues, but her marbles are intact thank you very much! They are soon fast friends and Gina finds herself invited along to a family wedding as Dot's companion. But the wedding week descends into chaos when the host is found dead.

The alternating points of view really let you empathise with the main characters and how they are perceived by the world around them. Their relationship with the 3rd sleuth was really sweet and just shows that friendships can traverse age.

Leonard was a really easy victim to dislike and pretty mush his entire family was odious! A few of them did try to redeem themselves but it's all a bit little too late.

The twists and turns keep you on your toes and the pacing keeps the story chugging along.

The sarcastic humour, strong elderly characters and strong storyline make this a great murder mystery. There is even a timid chance at a new relationship lying in wait for Gina.

I really hope this is the beginning of a fab series!

Light hearted whodunnit… 🥸

Told from two perspectives, Gina whose life has taken an unexpected change with her husband Douglas announcing in a Dear John style letter, that he needs a break to find himself, then deciding he wants to end his marriage. And 89 year old Dorothy, whose family believe she needs a companion to help her, which she does not agree but reluctantly agrees when Gina applies, with an ulterior motive…

A short light hearted whodunnit style read, keeps you entertained from beginning to end. Not an author I’ve read previously, but will be one to look out for going forward.

A fun story with a mysterious twist. There were a lot of character names to keep up with, but as they started to develop, it got easier.

The main characters were very likable, and Dorothy is everyone’s favorite kooky aunt.

Seventy one year old Gina Knight had had the rug pulled from under her feet when her husband of more than forty years decided he needed to "find himself", leaving Gina not entirely sure what was happening. Knowing her home would be sold, Gina searched for somewhere else to go - she didn't want to encroach on either her son or daughter and their families - and when she applied for the position of companion to an elderly woman, and received the job, Gina decided things were looking up. Dorothy Reed was a spritely eighty nine year old, and needed Gina for the upcoming week of wedding festivities at a mansion belonging to a relative.

Gina was in awe of the place she would be staying in - the majesty and beauty was a sight to behold. But when Dot explained what she had in mind for this week, Gina was immediately hesitant. A painting was missing, and Dot believed it was hidden in the house they were staying in. She tasked Gina with finding it before the week was over. Gina was worried about being caught snooping...

Old Girls Behaving Badly is my first by Kate Galley and it was lots of fun! With Dot and Gina getting up to mischief, and Dot's granddaughter, thirteen year old Juliet, also joining in the fun, it was definitely a week out of the ordinary. An entertaining read, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and recommend highly.

With thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Well, these "old girls" might have been behaving "badly" but it was all for a good reason, and they weren't so misbehaved at all - unless you include snooping around the rather grand house of the host, but, as I said, they have an excellent reason if justice is to be done.
Gina, at 72, is the gofer, searching the house on Dorothy's behalf, who, at 89, is the instigator of their activities. An unlikely pairing, but it works so well.
Gina, recently abandoned by her husband who needs to "find himself" is at a loss and, on seeing the ad in The Lady for a companion role for a week with a view to it becoming a permanent position, thinks what has she got to lose? She and Dorothy hit it off over a shared love for art, and so Gina is hired. The week concerned is for a family wedding taking place at the bride's uncle (Leonard) grand home, where close family members gather for activities and fun prior to the big day. Gina believes it'll be a case of giving medication and fetching slippers for the older woman, but Dorothy has other ideas. She believes Leonard was instrumental in the death, a year ago, of her husband Philip, whereupon he also stole a painting she believes he has somewhere in the house. And she wants Gina to track it down.
So, begins the fun. Gina wonders what she has let herself in for, Dorothy cannot resist sniping at Leonard, and Leonard is simply the smuggest, most odious of show-offs who loves being the centre of attention. Add in some family members with secrets, a teenager with a tendency to record private conversations and who'd rather be anywhere else, and you have a really entertaining story that held my attention from start to finish.
The author writes older characters really well, and is not afraid to throw in the unexpected now and then.
Throughout, Gina and Dorothy become good friends, and unwittingly both help the other to move on (Dorothy from her grief and Gina from her marriage ending). It's a heart-warming story with lots of humour mixed in with real family issues. I'd like to think from how it ends that there is more to come from these two.

Another Kate Galley book for my bookshelf and another corker it is too. Kate has really pulled it out of the bag with this rollicking adventure of two loveable mature women you won't want to leave behind at the end - which is great news seeing as this is just the start of a brand new series.
I absolutely loved following the antics of these two strong, capable women.
Gina, as the unlikely companion to octogenarian Dorothy, has many layers and I can't wait to find out more about her intriguing past. Whilst Dorothy herself is wry, wily and made of formidable stuff.
This book had the feel of a joyous, caper, as though Miss Marple and Jessica Fletcher had taken themselves off to an Agatha Christie-esque setting to enjoy a lavish wedding and solve a mystery, whilst channelling AbFab vibes.
An uplifting read, which touches on serious issues, whilst still being entertaining, as with all good heart-felt fiction.
Thoroughly recommend.

This was a wonderful read! I thoroughly enjoyed it and finished it within twenty four hours!!! I just couldn’t put it down and when I did, I couldn’t wait to pick it back up again!!
Gina is a housewife looking forward to spending lots more time with her husband now he’s retired but he drops a bomb and tells her that he needs some time to find himself, and doesn’t want to be with her anymore. They will have to sell the house to go their separate ways… while she’s looking through a magazine, she finds an advert for a companion for an elderly woman who will be attending a wedding and needs some support. There is also accommodation provided of the job becomes more permanent. She decides to apply and gets the job with Dorothy, who has another agenda. She wants a friend like Gina to do some snooping on her behalf!.
I cannot recommend this book enough! If you like reading something funny and entertaining then you should buy this book!!!
Many thanks to Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this arc copy for review consideration via Netgalley. My opinion is my own.
#Netgalley, #TheBoldBookClub, #KateGalley.1.

I Love how this author writes about the older generation in such a positive and uplifting way and shows that you are never too old to do anything that you put your mind too.

This was a lovely feel good and uplifting read about friendship and of embracing life.

Look forward to seeing what this author writes next and would also love a sequel of this one to see where Dorothy and ginas adventures take them next.

This was a lot of fun! Both Gina and Dorothy were fun characters with complex back stories, the full intention of why Dorothy wanted Gina to work for her doesn't come out for a while... But when it does it's very funny.

They become firm friends and I love the bizarre and ridiculous situations they find themselves in at the build up to the wedding and the aftermath. Harry was the MVP character and I loved the dynamic between Dorothy and her granddaughter! My grandma would often sneak me champagne!

It's a fun story with a lot of detail and backstory at times, but easy to read and enjoy!

I loved this book, reading it was like meeting friends for a chat. I find it rewarding and entertaining when the main characters in a book are older women reinventing themselves. Gina is a very likeable 71 year old, and Dorothy is a feisty octogenarian. The story unfolds over a week in a beautiful country house before a family wedding. I hope this is the start of a series, I’d love to read more about Gina’s adventures.

I think there could have been more of a punch to this book! It didnt catch my attention like I had wanted it to.

Gina's husband of over 40 years has decided to leave her and find himself when hes in his 70s. This was a little too unbelievable for me. With one parent in their 70s and one in their 60s for me, I know all too well what that age brings. And it's not leaving a spouse of 40 years to find yourself. Maybe 50s-60s would have been more believable.

Gina takes a caregiver position caring for an 89 year old, Dorothy. These two get into some mischief along the way.

I was hoping this would be a bit funnier than it was.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for the ARC!

Quirky lovable characters. Captivating story that draws you in the first and doesn't release you until the end wanting more. A creative approach to growing older. Galley keeps you guessing until the end. I loved this novel and hoping there are more to come in this storyline.

The story revolves around Gina, a woman in her 70s whose life is turned upside down when her husband suddenly leaves, forcing her to sell their home. Having spent years focused on her family instead of her career, she's not sure what to do next. When she answers an ad to be a companion at a week-long wedding, she sees it as a potential opportunity.

However, Dorothy, the woman who placed the ad, doesn't actually need a companion; she needs someone to help her find a stolen painting at the country estate where the wedding will be held. Dorothy discovers that Gina was once an antiques expert and decides she's the perfect person for the job. Gina only learns about this hidden agenda when she arrives in Norfolk and reluctantly agrees to help.

What Gina thought would be a simple job turns into a complicated mystery. She and Dorothy begin following clues, discovering unusual happenings, and realizing that other wedding guests might be hiding secrets. There's even a priest from the local parish whose behavior raises suspicions. The plot thickens with twists involving blackmail and other shady dealings.

The narrative feels like the start of a series of mysteries featuring Gina as a modern Miss Marple. The mix of quirky energy, sleuthing, and intriguing characters suggests that Gina's adventure-solving journey has just begun.

A fun and adventurous story, which proves it’s not just the young who enjoy life! Grab a glass of something, a comfy chair and enjoy

Oxfordshire, septuagenarian, octogenarians, unpleasant-host, vengeance, wedding, wealthy, sabotage, teenager, revenge, mystery, lies, secrets, amateur-sleuth, art-theft, families, family-drama, family-dynamics, family-expectations, friction, friends, friendship, frustration, grief, grieving, house-party, divorcing, entitled-attitude, extortion, suspense, suspicion*****

Gina at 71 has been dumped by her husband of many years and gets only blame from her daughter (son is supportive). Dorothy is 89 and still grieving the useless death of her husband a year ago and is positive that the events precipitating his death were orchestrated by the very egomaniac hosting the wedding as he is the bride's uncle, and the groom is Dorothy's grandson.
Gina is trying to sort out her life and decides to answer an ad seeking a companion for an elderly lady (Dorothy) for a week. Dorothy's children had placed the ad without her knowledge, but she decided to go along with it to use the ruse for her ends. Gina needed the money, so it was arranged. And they became fast friends. Now it starts to get dicey! I loved it!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Boldwood Books via NetGalley. Thank you!