Norman, unknowingly to them, had been the glue that kept three former colleagues together. Ten years ago Norman had a tragic accident that never stopped his love of life and when he dies, he has a request for Bridget, Gloria and Derek. He wants them to take his ashes to the Shetland Islands where he wished he could have gone. It is possible that he was conceived there but his mother only left vague hints and a picture. When they get to the island, he has additional requests to visit certain locations and try to find if he has any relatives.

The three who start off prickly at best are taken aback but Gloria decides to make the best of it and Derek agrees and Bridget goes along under protest. Many protests. They also decide to take pictures of Norman’s urn and themselves as they go the to the various places. It is quite a trek for three pensioners but along the way, something wonderful occurs. They face the issues that had put up the walls all those years ago and start to work as friends together. Along the way there are so many wonderful people they meet. There is romance as well as lots of other delightful things. I highly recommend this book. It is a testimonial to life. Five purrs and two paws up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

Bridget, Derek and Gloria, all former colleagues in their seventies, attend the funeral of Norman, another former colleague. They all harbour some guilt about an accident Norman had onsite that put him in a wheelchair. They knew he had taken up knitting, as he sent them all questionable knitwear to wear at his funeral. But they hadn't realised that he had made a business out of it and had a huge following on YouTube and other social media.

Now the three are asked by Norman in a posthumous letter to scatter his ashes on Shetland and also, once they're there, to try and find his family. The problem is that there is tension between the three because Derek has secret feelings for Gloria and Bridget and Gloria don't really get on. Still, they decide to fulfill Norman's wishes but while they are carrying Norman's ashes around Shetland in an urn, it gets kidnapped by a mysterious motor biker, and then a storm arrives.

I liked the idea of a road trip but found Gloria a bit selfish, and the Shetland Islands seem especially bleak and rainy in winter. The story didn't seem very substantial and seemed over before it began. I liked old friends reconnecting, dealing with their feelings and getting a second chance, but it was all very predictable from the first page. All main characters are in their seventies which is a nice change. If you enjoy light fare with elderly characters, this is for you.

3.5 stars

This is the sweetest read. If you need a book to make you laugh out loud, smile, cry a little and just feel good this is the one to read. Norman, a beloved man to many, has died and left a beautiful legacy. At his funeral he leaves letters with his last wishes. And so begins a fantastical journey of his three best friends to fulfill them. Derek, Bridget and Gloria all loved Norman, but did not like each other. Not even the tiniest bit and they’ve not been in the same room in what seems like forever, but because of their love for Norman, they all take off together to honor their dear friend. Lots of highs and lows along their way that made for a wonderful read.

Favorite Quotes:

Making sweeping statements is unkind. Judgement without knowledge is a dangerous thing.

Derek was a pensioner and absolutely could not hold his own in a fight. He’d never tested that theory, to be fair, but he was pretty sure he was right.

My Review:

For a human on the other side of 60, I found this to be cleverly amusing as well as acutely and sometimes painfully perceptive on the effects and attitudes of aging by those in the throes of the process. I remember my grandfather groaning (what I mentally labeled as old man noises) and, on more than one occasion, remarking to me as a child, “It takes a lot of courage to get old.” I now know what he meant. The writing alternated between humorous and reflective, and then on to observant and poignant. I will be looking for more of this author’s storytelling.

What a lovely story. I really enjoyed the journey the three friends went on.

Reading about the Shetland islands felt like I was actually there.

I found myself engrossed in the mystery they found themselves trying to solve. To me, this definately had The Thursday Murder Club vibes with the three of them and their humour and the mystery. I really felt for all three of them but really enjoyed how it concluded.

I also really enjoyed the knitting saga!!
A really enjoyable sweet story.

I’m not sure who was having the last laugh here as I started the read. Was it Norman from the grave? Was it Norman’s followers watching this trio cart an urn around the rather inhospitable Shetlands? Or was it one of these intrepid trio?!

Norman departed this world but left a legacy. A rather distinct legacy. His knitting forum and then his will. His demands on his former compadres to fulfil his bucket list and scatter his ashes. This little road trip was a test for the trio of his former work mates!

Gloria I didn’t like. She took the air of superiority when it was meant to be camaraderie. But she organised the trio and she had the wheels. Derek oh my, he’s a 60 year old on heat. His admiration for Gloria in their heyday hasn’t waned. Then there is Bridget. A semi voice of reason but her animosity (for want of a better word) towards Gloria proves a slight clouded judgement to proceedings.

That said, their journey around Norman’s bucket list (along with Derek’s additions) brings a level of bonding to the trio. Yes there is still friction as there always would be whenever you’re spending 24/7 with others. But my big question was would they get the level of closure Norman had tasked them with as well as the scattering of his ashes?

Kate Galley has stage-managed a very entertaining read. The Last Laugh Club took me on a tour of Scotland but also took me in a journey of acquaintanceship. I had three people who knew each other to pass pleasantries but didn’t really know each other.

This became a trip where three work colleagues got to know each other but not just the superficial, the real stuff. The insecurities, the fears, the home truths. This is not just a romance, it has purpose! Just glorious!

Norman's funeral and wake bring some surprises
As three friends of his each realises.
They didn't know he was in touch with all three
And was a youtube sensation, as they now see.

Norman had left letters for each of the friends
With instructions for them to see where his ashes end
He wants them scattered in the Shetland Isles
By all three of them - that doesn't bring smiles!

Bridget is forgetful and worried, too,
Derek is a homebird and dislikes travelling, too.
Gloria was their boss a decade gone by
The three aren't friends but they'll have to try.

Travelling by ferry and minibus, too,
Brings them together, what can they do?
There are secrets, discoveries and mystery, too,
As carrying out Norman's wishes they strive to do.

New people to meet, places to see,
Journeys to make and friendships to be.
What will happen as they follow Norman's schemes
Maybe it'll help them follow their dreams?

A story filled with laughter and a joy to read
As this intrepid trio discover what they really need.
For my copy of this book I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

The Last Laugh Club
by Kate Galley

I was genuinely looking forward to diving into this book, especially after spending a delightful day with my mother and her two sisters, all vibrant women in their seventies, sharing laughter and stories. Unfortunately, the book did not live up to my expectations. I found it difficult to connect with the characters or engage with the plot.

In the story, Derek, Gloria, and Bridget embark on a bittersweet journey to scatter the ashes of their dear friend Norman at the northernmost point of the Shetland Islands, a location rich with rugged beauty and poignant memories. Despite their shared love for Norman, the dynamic among the three friends is wrought with tension; they harbour deep-seated animosities towards each other. Their journey becomes not just a farewell to their friend, but also a complex exploration of their fraught relationships, revealing old wounds and unresolved conflicts along the way.

I feel that the issue may have been with my inability to connect with the story, as almost all the reviews are positive.

The Last Laugh Club by Kate Galley

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Three former friends. One last request. The journey of a lifetime!

Bridget isn’t the adventurous type. But somehow she finds herself attending a memorial for her oldest friend, dressed in the bright woolly jumper he once knitted her – at his request. To her dismay, she’s not the only one. There’s glamorous Gloria and quiet Derek too, each wearing their own knitwear gifts.

The three former colleagues haven’t been in the same room for years, something Bridget has been perfectly happy with. But when they’re asked to grant their friend’s final wish – to scatter his ashes in the Shetland Islands – Bridget finds herself swept into an adventure she never planned.

Crammed into a battered minivan, armed with far too much yarn and not nearly enough patience, the unlikely trio head north. As the ferry pulls away and storm clouds gather, Bridget begins to wonder if this whole idea was a mistake. But sometimes, the most unexpected journeys can lead to the best discoveries – about friendship, forgiveness, and how it’s never too late to start a new chapter…

My Opinion

I have read a few books by Kate Galley and they have all been delightful – The Last Laugh Club was no exception. Even though Kate has written older characters, they still manage to take us on an adventure. With some wonderful characters, this was a joy to read. An entertaining, heart-warming read.

Rating 4/5

When Norman’s working life came to a rather premature end, his three former colleagues – Bridget, Gloria and Derek – continued to visit him. Not together though – they haven’t willingly spent time in a room together for many years. And although they certainly knew about his new-found passion for knitting, they had no idea that the word had spread considerably more widely – when they attend his funeral, wearing some of his creations (at his request), they discover his YouTube channel, Norman Knits, had over eight hundred thousand followers. But he has one further request of them – he never did make it to the Shetland Islands, and had a bucket list itinerary he’d like them to carry out on his behalf. And his dearest wish was to have his ashes scattered at Muckle Flugga lighthouse – the northernmost point of the islands.

Bridget used to be Gloria’s highly efficient secretary – but she’s very aware that her memory and concentration is starting to let her down, and she’s leaning increasingly heavily on the support of her husband Derek. When he decides not to accompany her, she worries about his plans for the future. Gloria’s as brash and bossy as she was throughout her working life – and she sets about organising the details of their trip, leaving behind the complications of her current relationship (the latest in a long line – but he was becoming rather tiresome). As for Derek – well, he’s happy to go along with whatever Gloria decides, and he’s still as infatuated with her as he ever was.

The first ferry crossing’s a nightmare – Gloria’s plans to fly were thwarted, and their transport on arrival wasn’t exactly what she’d hoped for either. But, accompanied by Norman’s ashes – and taking selfies along the way to share with his fans – they all make the best of it, enduring each others’ company and following his meandering route to his final resting place. But all goes far from smoothly – they seem to be being followed, the weather gets the better of them at times, and then there’s something of a mishap that sends their plans totally awry for a while…

This book was an absolute joy from beginning to end – real fun, with the most wonderful characters, and not only the trio at the story’s centre who all found their places in my heart. They find new and sometimes unlikely new friendships among the islanders – but also get to know each other again, rebuilding their relationships, and discover more about themselves (and about Norman’s past) along the way. The event that ruptured their friendship is slowly revealed – and talking it through enables them all to look to the future with new insights and fresh hope for the future. There’s a great deal of laughter as they make their way across the islands, but loads of really poignant moments too – and the story moves at a cracking pace that keeps the pages turning ever faster. There are lots of touches of the unexpected too – the whole story is just so wonderfully told.

I’ve never been to the Shetlands, and the whole setting – inhospitable, rugged and wild, but sometimes so beautiful – is perfectly captured and wonderfully described. And, should you be put off by the idea of a pensioners’ road trip, set that aside immediately – they’re all so brave when the chips are down, up for every new challenge (even if quaking inside), and so very determined to make it to the finish line (for Norman, who really knew what he was doing when he set his challenge… but for their own sense of achievement too). I really loved every moment – such an entertaining and heartwarming read, and one I’d very much recommend to others.

I was attracted to the blurb, which seemed a fun and different read. I liked that main characters were in their 70s and they were all very different and interesting. It was a good heartwarming book about friendship. This would make a great holiday read.

The Last Laugh Club was a gorgeous and heartwarming read that had me captivated from the very beginning. Even though Norman was deceased I felt he was there with us as the three former friends Gloria, Derek and Bridget journeyed to the Shetland Islands. The journey to scatter Norman’s ashes was filled with hope and laughter and the sharing of secrets . I loved the main characters and those we met along the way. A lovely read that I would have no trouble recommending.

The Last Laugh Club is the latest offering from new-to-me author, Kate Galley.

While we never actually meet Norman, his presence is felt through the escapades of his friends as they embark on a mission to fulfill his last wish: to scatter his ashes at the northernmost point of the Shetland Isles. Bridget, Gloria, and Derek are apprehensive about this journey, as their complicated history has left them with a strong dislike for one another. Will they manage to put aside their differences to honour Norman's request?

Ultimately, The Last Laugh Club delves into themes of friendship—particularly the process of mending them—along with forgiveness and adventure. Bridget, Gloria, and Derek are all in their 70s, having become set in their ways, making it challenging for them to confront the issues that have driven them apart. Kate has skillfully woven together moments of laughter and tears, leaving me thoroughly engaged.

Be sure to grab your copy today!

Former colleagues Bridget, Gloria and Derek are tasked with scattering the ashes of friend Norman in the Shetland Islands. Along the way, they face many adventures - and their own personal histories.

An emotional journey, with funny sections, heart warming sections, and sad sections, a wonderful mix of content. I really liked the mix of characters, they wove so well together - the knitting group was also brilliant. A tale of friendship and forgiveness, a great Summer read.

There are few books which could be so instantly appealing to me: a trio of older characters and knitting. When Norman passes away, he leaves each of his three friends a letter. Gloria, Bridget and Derek were all former colleagues of Norman. He asks the three of them to take his ashes and scatter them at the most northern part of the Shetland Islands.

This was a fabulous book which was both light-hearted and tender. The author has created three wonderful characters.They are each flawed, complex and relatable, and they come alive vividly on the page.

I was sorry to finish this book as I so enjoyed spending time with Gloria, Bridget and Derek on their adventure in the Shetland Islands. It was an entertaining read whilst dealing with themes of guilt, forgiveness and friendship.

When their friend Norman passed away, he requested that Bridget, Gloria and Derek go on an adventure to scatter his ashes in a place close to his heart, the Shetland Islands, because he didn't live long enough to make it. Bridget, Gloria and Derek used to work together many years ago and were friends. But the friendship ended, and they hadn't seen each other since.
They do agree to do it, and set off to do it for their friend. After they got started, his assistant told them he had requested one more thing, to find his family, he didn't know he had. They also learned that Norman had a huge following on his YouTube channel about knitting. They take on the task, and it is rough because they really don't like each other. But Norman was always a jokester, so he had them on quite the adventure. Will they talk about what happened and why their friendship ended? For Norman, they have to work together to carry out Norman's wishes. It really is a fun read, with the places he has them going, now they are on his YouTube channel, and have started having followers. They think one is actually following them for real, as they go from place to place.
I received an ARC from Boldwood Books through NetGalley.

Norman George, good friend, genius knitter and secret YouTuber.
When he sadly dies he leaves instructions for his three friends, Gloria, Bridget and Derek about where to scatter his ashes. The only thing is he wants them scattered at the most northerly place in the Shetland isles and all three take him with them on a road trip in the middle of winter with storm Beryl looming. The downside to the trip is not the weather but the fact that Bridget, Derek and Gloria really don’t like each other very much but their love of Norman and their guilt from things that happened in the past drives them to attempt the task they have been set as a trio.

I absolutely adored this story of friendship, family, love and loss.
It was an easy fast paced read which makes you fall in love with all the characters.
Norman knew EXACTLY what he was doing when he sent his friends on this trip!

With thanks to Boldwood and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest unbiased review.

A really up-lifting book with funny bits and some sad bits. Death of a friend and a character who might have dementia. The characters were funny and the story was very interesting. I loved the fact that it was set in Scotland. My thanks to netgalley and the publisher's for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I enjoyed reading The Last Laugh Club by Kate Galley. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

The Last Laugh Club
By Kate Galley
Published by Boldwood Books Ltd

A heart warming tale full of friendships, then & now and someones mysterious last wishes.

Bridget is struggling with her memory, she isn’t the adventurous type, but won’t be left behind.
Gloria is the glamorous and bossy type and happy to organise everything and everyone.
Derek is the quiet one who finds himself in the middle of two friends each wanting to do their best for Norman.

All three arrive at the memorial for their oldest friend Norman, dressed in the bright knitwear gifts – at his request. The three former colleagues haven’t been in the same room for years, or even been in touch. But now they have a task, a request by Norman. His wish is – to scatter his ashes in the Shetland Islands.
Together they find themselves swept into an adventure they never planned or imagined they would be on in their later years.

A comical tale of trials to get the job done, alongside the rekindling of friendships, trust and loyalty.

Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature.
#Netgallery