I’ve read a couple of novels by this author and always found them to be lighthearted, warm and entertaining. Her latest novel, Old Girls On Deck, certainly lived up to its predecessors as we follow Jill and her sister Diana as they embark on a ten day cruise. They may be in their sixties, but these two certainly know how to have fun. This is a great beach read that I can highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the chance to review.

EXCERPT: I picked the phone up without looking, I assumed it was Diana; she phones me at least once a day, usually about something unimportant, but it's nice to hear from her anyway. At least I get an idea of her mood. Since she was widowed, she's doing very well, but I know she must be very lonely. There have been a lot of unhappy, tearful calls over the last five years, which more often than not saw me in my car going over to try and help. Her new neighbour, Tom, seems to have developed a bot of a crush on her recently. He's always washing out her recycling bins and offering to trim her hedges, so to speak.
'Ahoy there! Everything okay?'
'That's the correct answer!' said an excited voice and then there was the sound of cheering and explosions and car horns and I nearly rang off because I thought it was a nuisance call . . .

ABOUT 'OLD GIRLS ON DECK': When retired Jill Parker wins an all-expenses paid mediterranean cruise for two she is thrilled! At 63 life in retirement has got a little bit bland for Jill and this might be just the holiday she and husband Eddy need to get the sparks back in their marriage.

But when Eddy admits he would much prefer to build his patio and look through the latest DIY magazine, Jill is left with only one other option – her sister Diana.

Diana has become rather reclusive since her husband, Caspar died, but perhaps this is the push she needs to bring some excitement back into her life, too?

Could this trip be just what both sisters need to reconnect and chart a new path for their futures?

Excited to be exploring new horizons and catching up, the sisters soon discover that not everything is smooth sailing on board. And as they enjoy cocktails together at sundown, they discover that they are both actually a little all at sea…

MY THOUGHTS: I enjoyed this book about two sisters in their sixties going on a cruise together. This is another book to add to the great number of enjoyable titles about older women learning to have fun, and becoming wiser while they do so. I guess we all like reading books which feature our own age groups, and it is great to see so many fun and touching books written to please our generation.

Personally, I would love to cruise the Mediterranean, but not on a huge ocean liner. All those people! But all those people provided much light entertainment in Old Girls on Deck. There is a great mix of characters from the absolutely delightful eighty-something-year-old Evelyn to the boring pests who tend to tag along, hopefully, and are sure you should be grateful for their company.

I liked the ways both Jill's and Diana's personal growth is stimulated on the cruise. Diana has been something of a recluse since the death of her husband Casper, while Jill has felt somewhat stuck in a rut with her husband Eddy.

There are the usual high-jinks and laughs I have come to expect from Maddie Please's books which, in Old Girls on Deck, includes getting lost while out sightseeing and missing the boat!

If there is one thing that I can take away from this book it is, and I quote directly, the world is full of kind people. They just don't make it into the news. And exciting and outrageous things can happen at any time.

⭐⭐⭐.6

#OldGirlsonDeck #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Maddie Please was born in Dorset, brought up in Worcestershire and went to University in Cardiff.

After a career as a dentist Maddie now lives in Devon with her exceptionally handsome and supportive husband. They have 4 adult-ish children all of whom have left home and are probably rather surprised by all this. She did warn them.

Maddie is a voracious reader, and would enjoy hoovering, defrosting the fridge and cleaning the windows but unfortunately she doesn't really have time. She is very disciplined and sensible about her writing and she likes to write every day because it gets her out of doing the ironing.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Old Girls on Deck by Maddie Please for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Jill’s in a rut. She doesn’t even listen to Radio Wonderful anymore, she’s in such a rut, but she doesn’t know quite how to go about changing things up. She answers the phone “Ahoy There” as always, thinking it’s her sister, but lo and behold it’s not her sister, but it is in fact Radio Wonderful calling and she’s won a Mediterranean cruise for two. Her husband Eddy would rather stay home and build the patio he’s been promising to build now that he’s retired and suggests that Jill take her sister Diana, who’s life has been in a bit of a tailspin since the death of her husband Casper. So it’s time they both have some fun and step out of their comfort zones and build the bond again as sisters, as things were relatively strained while Diana was married to the controlling Casper. But now both women have the opportunity to face things in a new light-for Jill it’s her humdrum life and the state of her marriage and for Diana it’s the chance to come out from the shadow of her husband and be her own person, all while enjoying all the benefits of the cruise ship and the gorgeous Mediterranean stops. There’s loads of on board activities-their less than successful attempt at chocolate making and line dancing had me chuckling, and Diana’s being pursued by the ship’s photographer was a fun little romantic addition to the story.
The story is fun, but there’s lots of reflection too. And when the cruise comes to an end, you’ll be left with a tear in your eye in, a smile on your face and a reminder that it’s never too late to enjoy your life or to have a fresh start. A great summer read.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

The protagonist is sixty-three year old Jill, and I warmed to her almost immediately. I found her humorous, and I enjoyed the way she talked to the reader. At the start of the book, Jill won a Mediterranean cruise, and decided to take her sister Diana with her. I was excited to follow the two of them on their adventure.

I found this a lovely humorous read, with lots of fun, lively characters to meet along the way. The dialogue made me chuckle, and the story was quite heartwarming too. This book did make me smile, so I would recommend it for one of those days when you just need a little lift, or find yourself in the mood for a light, entertaining read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

Jill doesn’t even listen to Radio Wonderful any more – in fact, there are a lot of things she doesn’t do any more, her life in a definite rut that she lacks the energy to change. But she doesn’t check who’s calling when picking up the phone, answers with her usual “Ahoy there” thinking it’s her sister, and finds she’s won a Mediterranean cruise for two in their on-air competition. Husband Eddy would rather get on with building the patio he’s been promising her since he retired – so she decides to go with sister Diana, whose life has rather lacked direction since losing her husband Casper.

It’s time for them both to have some fun – starting with an incident with the balloon arch as they get on board, through all the various on board activities with ample quantities of food and drink, and on their excursions ashore. But it’s not all a laugh a minute – there’s plenty of time for sisterly bonding too. For Jill it’s an opportunity to consider the state of her marriage and how humdrum their life together has become – for Diana it proves to be a chance to blossom away from the considerable shadow of her husband and her part in his former career.

Their individual journeys are really engaging, and both women were particularly easy to identify with. Jill’s first person narration – her distinctive voice endlessly entertaining – was peppered with observations about later life that rang true on so many occasions. One that particularly hit close to home for me was about the fear of stepping outside our comfort zone becoming greater with age, perhaps because we become more aware of potential problems and dangers, and the fear begins to stifle us – it made me SO glad I’ve been brave enough to book my own cruise experience, and I plan to enjoy every moment as much as Jill and Diana did. And they really had the most fantastic role model in the friend they found on board, Lady Evelyn – she might be in her eighties, but certainly knows how to have fun.

The author recreates the whole cruise experience quite wonderfully – all the on board activities from the lectures, through their less than successful attempts at chocolate making and line dancing, and the evening shows led by the irrepressible cruise director Dicky. There’s the range of people aboard that everyone who’s ever cruised will recognise – especially those who are best avoided. And, of course, the ever-present ship’s photographer to capture the highs and lows – and the radio station certainly want as many pictures as possible of their winners having a good time – although there are times when they have reason to be rather glad he’s around.

Yes, of course, there are lots of laughs – but a fair bit of drama too, some unexpected romance, and more than a touch of poignancy as both women grow and change and become more comfortable with what their futures hold. The whole story is beautifully told – no shortage of fun, but lots of opportunities for reflection too. And, when the cruise is over, what a thoroughly perfect ending – leaving you with a tear in your eye, a smile on your face, and a nice warmth around the heart.

This was a book that any reader would enjoy, but particularly those who are a little older – I thought it was the perfect reminder that there’s fun to be had whatever age we might be, and that it’s never too late for the excitement of a fresh start. Just wonderful – and one that everyone should add to their summer reading list.

This was another delightful read by Maddie Please that I thoroughly enjoyed. I’ve read a few books by this author and have found them very entertaining reads. This one was based around 2 sisters who head off on all expenses paid cruise around the Mediterranean. One of the things I love about this author is she bases her characters on women in their sixties . And whilst I’m not of that age yet it makes a lovely change to the usual age bracket in books of women in their thirties and forties. It shows that women can still have lots of fun and laughs at that age also. I loved the way the relationship developed between the sisters as the story progressed. They met another lady on the cruise who was older than them and I thought she was an absolute darling of a character. A fabulous read with a perfect ending.

An enjoyable, warm and humorous novel of two sixty something sisters who embark on a Mediterranean. Ideal beach read especially for avid cruisers.

When Jo, who is enjoying retired life with her husband Eddie, wins a free cruise she invites him. Eddie encourages her to invite her recently widowed sister along on the cruise. Her sister has been depressed and lonely since her husband, who was a cruise captain, passed away. Once on the cruise, they meet new friends, enjoy new adventures and all documented by the handsome French photographer who has taken a shine to her sister Diane.


This was a fun read. I enjoyed their adventures on the cruise and all the fun they got up to during the cruise. It also spurred them on to make changes to their lives.
Thanks to @boldwoodbooks, @rachelsrandomresources, @netgally and the author for this ARC

Great premise but the writing is awful and the characters are one dimensional at best. I do not recommend this book.

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

I enjoyed this book.

Jill wins a 10 day cruise, all expenses paid, and her husband, who doesn’t want to go, but stay at home and build something in the garden, advises her to invite Diana instead.

Whilst on the cruise, the two sisters think about the way they’re living their lives now, and about the changes they want to make.

The story was funny, touching and warm.

I loved the characters, you throughout their story make it clear that you’re never too old for fun and to learn new things.

I highly recommend this book.

Maddie Please's "Old Girls On Deck" is a delightful, feel-good read that delivers laughter and warmth in equal measure. The story follows two sisters in their sixties who, after winning a cruise in a competition, embark on a journey that proves retirement and widowhood are far from being the end of their stories.

The novel shines with its humorous and uplifting narrative, showcasing that life after sixty can be filled with adventure and joy. The sisters' escapades on the cruise are both exciting and engaging, making it easy for readers to root for them from start to finish.

Please's writing is refreshing, offering a much-needed representation of older women as vibrant and adventurous. "Old Girls On Deck" is a testament to the idea that age is just a number, and it wonderfully captures the essence of living life to the fullest, no matter your stage in life. A solid four-star read, this book is perfect for anyone looking for a heartwarming and hilarious escape.

I’d been genuinely looking forward to reading this book and was delighted to dive right in. Jill’s lacklustre marriage sounded rather depressing, and I wanted to see her find her spark. What better place to look than on a cruise? However, her husband is not on the same page, so she turns to her sister Diana, whose late husband was a cruise ship captain.
Jill is full of life but weighed down by the failing connection between her and her husband, Eddy. Clinging on to the memories of their relationship, she is determined not to see all those years go to waste. Eddy is comfortable in his ways and sees no harm in staying close to home and completing a project that he’s been talking about but never started. It seems to be a familiar theme amongst retired people.
Diana had withdrawn from life since the death of her husband, Casper, and my heart went out to her. Her life had revolved around his work, and we soon learned the extent of that. Joining the cruise is the catalyst for the siblings finally opening up to each other and being totally honest about their lives.
As the story progressed, I genuinely had no clue which way the character’s stories would arc, but I knew that their futures were in safe hands with this author. The two siblings’ characters were beautifully developed, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing their metamorphosis along the way. There are plenty of supporting characters who introduce a wealth of material to the main story, and I think that Lady Evelyn provides the perfect balance for the comedic moments.
With plenty of laughs and moments for reflection, this fabulous book restored my faith in life after work. I’m certainly looking forward to what my retirement may look like, but not yet.

I adored this humorous yet incredibly real tale about two sixties sisters traveling on a cruise together. Several ideas came to me as I was reading the narrative. Why are women beyond, say, sixty years old becoming virtually invisible? Given that I was born "in the second half of the last century," I find it understandable why books featuring "older women" are so well-liked these days. For example, I adore Joanna Nell's works, and I believe I've discovered a new favorite writer in Maddie Please. writers who just craft humorous, engrossing novels with a surprising depth and fantastic older female characters.
Despite being sisters, Jill and Diana believe they no longer have much in common. Jill is contentedly wed to Eddy, a dependable but somewhat dull husband, and Diana is a captain's widow. a cruise ship captain. She has therefore traveled throughout the globe multiple times with her spouse, taking in the experience and the landscape. There's more to that, too, as Diana discovers when she travels alone that traveling with her spouse has never been more labor than pleasure. Jill gradually comes to see that although Eddy isn't particularly daring, he is kind, dependable, and diligent, and they genuinely love each other.
In any case, Maddie Please excels at characterizing travelers of all stripes. The people that just take cruises in order to boast about them to their friends, the ones that truly want to travel to as many fascinating locations as they can, and some who simply want to live a peaceful life free from the burden of housework and grocery shopping. I occasionally had to put down the book to wipe away tears of laughing. If Maddie will continue to write. Kindly make reservations for me.
Thank you for providing this review copy, Bold wood Books and Netgalley.

I loved this funny but also very true story about two sisters in their sixties, going on a cruise together. While enjoying the story, a few things sprang to mind. Why is it that women over say, 60 years of age, are becoming more or less invisible? Being born ‘in the second half of the last century’ myself, I think it’s no wonder books with ‘older women’ are so popular nowadays. I just love Joanna Nell’s books for instance and I think a found a new author to love in Maddie Please. Authors who simply write engaging and funny stories with some unexpected layers and wonderful female OLDER characters.
Jill and Diana may be sisters, they think they have not much in common anymore. Jill is happily married to Eddy, a reliable but slightly boring husband, and Diana is the widow of a captain. A captain on a cruise ship. So she’s been around the world several times, enjoying the voyage and the scenery with her husband. Well… we learn that there is more to that, because Diana realizes, now she’s on her own, that travelling with her husband was always more work than pleasure. Jill slowly realizes that Eddy may be not very adventurous, he’s sweet, hardworking and reliable – and they love each other a lot.
Anyway, Maddie Please is a master in describing travellers of all kinds. The ones that only go on a cruise because they want to brag about it to their friends, the ones that really want to see as much interesting places as possible, and the ones that just want to lead a quiet life without having to bother anymore about cleaning house and doing the shopping. Every now and then I had to stop reading to wipe tears of laughter from my face. I’ve never been on a cruise and I don’t really want to, but you know what? I see the same type of travellers when I take the ferry to Hull to go and visit one of my favourite cities: York. So it’s very cleverly done – and since I’m going to York at the end of this year, I fear I will have to try and keep a straight face because I will be thinking of this lovely book.
This will not be the last Maddie Please book for me.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this review copy.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a delightful, heartwarming read relating the escapes of Jill and her widowed sister Diana. Jill wins an all expenses paid 10 day cruise and her husband Eddy suggest she invites Diana to go with her because he wants to stay home and build a patio. Warm, funny and poignant with engaging characters, it reminds us that you’re never too old for fun, romance and to learn new things. It also made me want to go on another cruise!

Old Girls On Deck by Maddie Please Focus is on Jill and her sister Diane both retired and in their 60s, Diane still mourns the loss of her sea captain husband five years on. This is why when Jill wins a 10 day cruis she invite Diane to go with her. Diane is no stranger to cruises after all her husband used to captain them but at first she is reluctant to go until Jill finally convinces her. on this cruise magical things happen and before it’s over both women especially Diane will feel like a new her. At first Diane is admired because of her husband Casper who was a captain for many years and respected by many people and it seems they all want to meet Diane especially after she is on Dix cruise line show but not everyone is interested and Diane because of him or at least not when it comes to the French photographer Rafeal he’s even there when the ladies missed the boat and have a little adventure in Italy. I loved that Jill started missing her husband there was so much a great nurse to this book it was so nice reading about women who had fun and didn’t have to sleep around with every Tom Dick and Harry to have a great vacation. I love MaddiePlease‘s books and although this wasn’t as good as some of her others it is still so worth reading. For some reason I am having a hard time describing what this book is about just know they go on a cruise and learn new things about their self and each other the sisters become closer they meet great friends learn to line dance and it is just an awesome way to pass an afternoon.#BoldwoodBooks, #NetGalley, #MaddiePlease, #OldGirlsOnDeck,

"Old Girls On Deck" by Maddie Please is a delightful contemporary novel centered on two sisters in their sixties who embark on a cruise, where they meet an octogenarian who shows them how to enjoy life. The story emphasizes that aging doesn't mean settling and encourages living life to the fullest. One sister, a widow of five years, learns to step out of her late husband's shadow and embrace her own identity, while the other sister, with her newly retired husband, discovers the joys of exploration beyond domestic routines. Set against the vibrant backdrop of the Mediterranean, the novel is filled with witty dialogue and vivid sensory descriptions.

The book tells the story of two sisters in their 60ies going on a cruise. While on this journey they make new friends, have some adventures and learn new things about themselves.
I liked reading the book, it was entertaining and had relatable main characters and quirky supporting characters. It took me a while to get into the story but when I did I found it very charming.

A heartfelt story about not giving up and making the most of life.
I found the antics on board both hilarious,and realistic, full of ageless fun. A warm tale to be enjoyed from the first page.

The main characters in this excellent book are women I would love to meet. I love the theme of older women taking a new turn in their life, it seems life can begin at sixty! The book is filled with warmth, empathy and humour. It has also made me want to go on a cruise! I love all books by Maddie Please and I hope there are many more to come.