Uplifting, charming, and full of second-chance magic ✨🏡. A New Lease of Life is a delightful, heartwarming story about embracing new beginnings and rediscovering joy. Celia Anderson crafts lovable characters, a picturesque setting, and plenty of feel-good moments. I adored the humour, the gentle romance, and the message that life’s next chapter can be the most exciting yet. Perfect for fans of cosy, uplifting fiction that leaves you smiling and hopeful.

A lovely story of friendship,laughter love and a little sadness. Ingrid has to move on after the death of her husband and the book is about how she does it. Some laugh out moments and some sadness . A must read. Age is no barrier to fun. A good ending .

The book has two names and I thought I should mention both since one is the version I read and ARC of thanks to Netgalley and the publishers and the other seems to be the actual published title.

I sometimes stumble on books with older lead protagonists which does not show lives that I struggle to imagine older women lead ( based on my own circle of knowledge). I know it is not a rational thing, but when I encounter certain characters having outlandish lives, it prevents me from enjoying the book. This is obviously a me problem, and not one I technically needed to mention in this review, but it seemed a good enough place to start.

Ingrid has a semi-unique problem. She is recently widowed and is strapped for cash. She decides to sell her husband’s random collection to make enough money to settle somewhere small. The town Ingrid chooses does not seem to want her to limit her dream to something small. The plan to set up a shop becomes more extravagant by the day with more than a little help from people.


The romance is understated and straightforward, as is most of the content. There is a simple manner in which the narration flows. I may have thought the book was a tad too long but overall it was a good read. There are more books before and after the events in this one. I don’t think it’s a series exactly, but the recurring characters and the town seem to appear in other books.

I would recommend this to fans of the genre.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

What an excellent subject for a book. I have to admire characters that decide to move on from a former life and start afresh. Highly recommended.

This was such a lovely feel good, heartwarming story. Love the delightful cast of characters in this one!

A well worthy read, a believable story and loved the characters. It made a change to read about the older generation.

Liked it . Due to health issues cannot not but will write a proper review at a later time
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

what a fabulous fun read this was!
i totally was invested in the characters, you feel like they are old friends by the end of the book.
it follows the story of Ingrid who has lost her husband and how when moving to a small
village she finds the friends she didn’t know she needed.
an easy read to get lost in

In this fun new novel from Celia Anderson, readers meet recently widowed Ingrid as she plans her future and what to do with the debt and treasures left to her by her late husband. Downsizing to the charming village of Willowbrook and preparing to open a short-term pop-up shop, Ingrid has no idea what new friends -- the extroverted local ladies known as the Saga Louts -- and possible romantic partners -- particularly the helpful local craftsman Joel -- are willing to help her, and she can even help them out as well. Following her work in preparing for a new life and a second chance at happiness in Willowbrook, readers will love the cast of characters in this charming village and their growing friendships and relationships over the course of this novel. Funny, charming, and romantic, the characters are really lively and draw readers into the story, especially since they are so central to Ingrid’s own growth as a character. The setting is detailed and charming as a backdrop to her new life, and readers who love cozy second-chance novels will really enjoy Anderson’s latest book. Heartwarming, entertaining, and charming, this is a fun new novel that is excellently written, emotional, and immersive.

A fantastic 4 star read!

Ingrid has recently lost her larger-than-life husband, Tommy, who suffered a fatal stroke during an impromptu karaoke session at a diner.
Trying to figure out what to do with all of Tommy’s “antique treasures” that cluttered their home, Ingrid decides to take over her aunt’s shop in a small village for one year to attempt to sell the items.

Initially Ingrid feels a little claustrophobic in the everyone-knows-everyone village. But when a small group of locals come together to welcome Ingrid and offer their friendship and help setting up Ingrid’s shop, she wonders if it’s possible to find friendship and companionship in this new stage of her life.

I always enjoy a “second chance” book
whether it’s a second chance at life, love, or friendship. I’ve also become a huge fan of authors who write about characters who are 45+ years old and are portrayed as determined, beautiful, smart, sexy, lovable, wise, and capable. And I appreciate those mature female characters still trying to figure out what they want in life.

Thank you NetGalley, Celia Anderson, and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read the book in exchange for honest feedback. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

I realistically speaking didn't dislike anything about this book, I felt connected to the characters, I liked the writing style, I found it to be an enjoyable read. However this book was kind of just meh to me. There was nothing that stood out for me about this book, it felt somewhat generic which is why I'm giving it 3 stars. However I definitely think this could be a lot of peoples favorite book of the year

Recently widowed Ingrid decides she needs to start afresh and get rid of the ‘stuff’ that her debt ridden Husband has accumulated over his years of being an Auctioneer and bringing home boxes of things in the hope a hidden valuable gem would be amongst it. To assist her to do this her Aunt lets her empty shop to her and Ingrid just wants to sell the items, clear the debt and move on. She doesn’t account however for the friendly locals, the Saga Louts amongst them who are a group of widowed ladies making the most of life. Ingrid starts to be friends with them all as they assist her in getting the shop open ready, along with Josh who helps her move in and his teenage Daughter Olivia who has just moved in with Josh for a while.
This story is about community, friendships, issues that happen to the young and older people and love. I fount the characters loveable, funny, touching and people I would want by my side. I enjoyed this book and it’s a reminder that no matter what love and friendship can change your life in so many ways. Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in return for this review, the opinion of which is all my own.

This book was so good and very motivational! It was a heartwarming story with great characters. This tale about friendship and love is moving and humorous, making it an unforgettable read.

Celia Anderson’s Onwards and Upwards is a joyous, moving and enjoyable tale women of all ages will relate to and adore!

A new beginning is what Ingrid desperately needs. After the death of her husband Tommy, she was left with a large house, a mountain of debt and far too much tat – thanks to the so-called treasures her late auctioneer spouse had collected. When the opportunity to downsize and move to the village of Willowbrook on a temporary lease comes along, Ingrid jumps at the chance. She will open a pop-up shop, stay for a year and move on. She will certainly not put down roots or get involved in village life. Fate, however, has other ideas in store for her…

A group of local ladies called The Saga Louts quickly take Ingrid under their wing and they soon get stuck in helping her build her new business, ‘The Treasure Trove’. Handsome craftsman Joel also pops along to lend his expertise to Ingrid and sparks soon begin to fly between the two of them. Has Ingrid inadvertently found a place where she belongs? Will she make Willowbrook her home? Or will she get itchy feet and move on and leave her new friends behind?

Celia Anderson writes entertaining, emotional and engrossing novels about women who are layered, nuanced, flawed and believable that never fail to hit the spot. Onwards and Upwards is a wonderful tale about new beginnings, second chances, the power of friendship and community and finding a place to call home that will make readers laugh, cry and fall in love all over again.

A fantastic women’s fiction novel readers will want to recommend to all their friends and family, Onwards and Upwards is the latest must-read by Celia Anderson.

Ingrid is a middle-aged woman who is keen to make a fresh start after the sudden death of her husband, Tommy. She lands in a little village called Willowbrook and takes over an empty shop, owned by her aunt, to sell some of the "stuff" that her husband hoarded over the years. He left her with a lot of debt.....and another surprise is coming her way!

Along the way, Ingrid meets the Saga Louts, a trio of interesting women a few years older than Ingrid, who are living their lives to the fullest. She also meets Joel and his daughter Olivia and these two will have a big impact on her life :)

This was a very enjoyable read. Everyone was living their lives and interacting with each other in a way that warmed the cockles of my heart. It wasn't one of those stories where everything is perfect and the main characters fall into each others arms and they ride off into the sunset. No, this is a modern story about modern issues and a woman who is trying to come out from under the shadow of her larger-than-life husband. Recovering from grief takes time too, and the book goes into that in a very sensitive and kind way.

4.5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books.

Such a fun read! Ingrid is a new widow and she is left with a house full of things and a broken heart, but instead of letting it get her down she is determined to thrive as much as possible. The characters are all incredible, the writing style is beautiful, and the entire story is just better than I was even expecting..

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Boldwood books for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review

Onwards and Upwards was the perfect introduction to Anderson's works. It's feel good, fun and fabulous!

Willowbrook is quintessentially English, has a fantastic community full of spirit and houses some charming characters. I can't wait to visit again!

It's a thoroughly enjoyable, heartwarming read that's sharp on friendships, family and hope

Heartwarming and fun with interesting characters and aunique story, this was a wonderful read to sink into to brighten my day!

This is the second book I have read by this author.

Like the first, this book features the colorful older women crew of the village.

The story is engaging and funny. The Saga louts crew are inspiring and encourage us all to keep living no matter what our age.

In this story, a woman moves into the village temporarily after she loses her husband. Of course, she does not expect some of the funny and moving situations she finds herself in.

I enjoy this author for her dedication to featuring women of all ages living life to the fullest or picking up the pieces after unexpected set-backs.

3.5 rounded up

Ingrid lost her husband six months ago and has found her previously luxurious and secure lifestyle was not as secure as she thought it was. Oh, and the company she worked for running hotels has been taken over and she's out of a job. Thinking fast, she downsizes rapidly and takes up the opportunity offered by her elderly aunt, who has just moved into a care home, to move into the flat above her recently closed general store and take over the store to sell the oodles of junk her husband, an auctioneer, had filled the house and stores with.

The aim is to lie low and not engage, but Ingrid is reckoning without the village of Willowbrook's Saga Louts (three older, bold women) and a couple of single dads, as well as the jolly publican and the lovely woman who runs the local cafe in the park. When it all gets too much, they pitch in to help and soon she's tucked into their lives and even showing some interest in one of the chaps. There's some mild peril from a dodgy cousin which is where she realises she needs local support, and accepts it.

Far more than a romance, what I really liked about this (apart from the heroine being 52, the age I was originally on my birthday when I started reading the book (I don't "turn" until 15:40, the time I was born)), was the realistic detail and accidental diversity that fill the book. I do love a bit of detail, and we get to find out exactly how Ingrid brightens her dated flat up and they all set up the shop. Other realistic details include a hospital thread and issues around what one does when one comes out of hospital which will be relatable to many middle-aged readers. One of the older ladies is Black and one of the guys gay, with an Asian family popping up later, none of it particularly remarked upon but quite unusual in the modern village novel if not written by a Global Majority writer and something I do look out for and like.

So a lovely read and I will defintely look out for other books by this author.

Blog review to appear 25 Jan: https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2025/01/25/book-review-celia-anderson-onwards-and-upwards/