The book begins in 2013, where we meet Liberty ‘Libby’ Allgood, who is in her mid-sixties and a writer for the local newspaper. She was married to Jim, who died seven months before. They have three kids (Eleanor – with daughter Ellie-Jo, 4 - and two sons Simon and Ben) and Libby lives with her cat – Cornflake.
On a solo trip to the theatre, she meets theatre director Monty Charles, who she knew decades ago at drama school. They begin a romantic relationship, but she is part of The Three Muscateers (though there’s now four of them) – a widows’ wine club – and the other members are a bit suspicious of Monty’s intentions.
Zelda is a widow, who lives three doors from Libby with her two Westie dogs. She owns a hairdressing salon and has a grandson Albert. There’s Janet Loveday who was widowed, but is now married to Alan and Viv – a professional gardener who has a boyfriend called Patrick.
As well as the wonderful women, I must mention The Olive Branch, the Greek restaurant owned by Nikos and Evelina that the Muscateers go to regularly. Nikos is very sweet and looks out for Libby. He was one of my favourite characters in the book.
I liked the short chapters and that we see events from each woman’s point of view. The story is easy to get into and I really liked all the great characters and the fun, witty writing style. I like older characters in novels too, as I find it easier to relate to them for me in my fifties, than characters in their twenties. I did find Monty annoying though and often wished Libby would have done or said things differently at some points in the story.

Unfortunately this was a DNF ( did not finish) for me, however I'm still giving it 3 stars because it was clearly well written, perhaps a little too well written, let me explain.... Julia Jarman has written the main male character, Monty, that well that I can't bare reading anymore of his arrogance and just plain rudeness any longer so I've had to give up on it, that or throw the book against the wall, which I probably would if I was reading a paperback copy but I'm reading on my kindle

BLOG TOUR REVIEW


Review for 'Widows On The Wine Path' by Julia Jarman.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Julia Jarman, Book And Tonic, Boldwood Books, Bold Book Club and Rachel's Random resources Tours.

Publication date 3rd April 2024.

This is the second book I have read by this author but it most definitely won't be my last!! It is also the second book in this series but can be read as a standalone. I have also read 'The Widows' Wine Club' which is the first book in this series and I would also highly recommend it!

This novel consists of 70 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is very well written with vivid descriptions setting the picture perfectly in the readers mind. The title, description and cover works perfectly with the storyline.

Yet another absolutely fantastic read in this brilliant series from the absolutely fantastic Julia!!! In this book we meet the fantastic Viv, Janet and Zelda again as they continue their life journey being widows together. In this book we meet new addition to the widows 'club' Libby who has lost her husband Jim who she was married to for 30 years. Libby takes a trip to the theatre and bumps into Monty Charles from her past. As the Muscateers know from experience the first year of widowhood is when your at your most vulnerable and loneliest and when Monty sweeps Libby off her feet the Muscateers and tries to whisk her from her friends. When Libby starts changing, losing her self esteem and her freedom the Muscateers are determined to help her. After all just like the Three Musketeers themselves... "One for all and all for one!" Will our Three Muscateers be able to help Libby? What is Monty up to? Well, I can't tell you that as it will spoil the fun!! You'll just have to grab your copy of this absolutely fantastic book and find out for yourself!!! These fantastic women all have extremely different personalities as well as different lifestyles. They are all of the older generation which I really enjoyed reading about as it makes a change from the majority of the books that I read where the main protagonists are in their 20's and 30's. these women all have different life experiences, have learnt different lessons and have different outlooks on life but they all form an unlikely friendship group which doesn't always go as smoothly as one would hope! I absolutely loved having so many strong female protagonists in this series, being female myself. I also love the fact that we get to see what is going on from Libby, Viv, Zelda and Janet's perspectives ensuring we get a much bigger picture of what they are all thinking and feeling throughout. Julia does an absolutely amazing job weaving their chapters together and times them perfectly so they are in tune with each other, flowing nicely and so the reader doesn't get confused with which character we are "with" she states their name at the start of each chapter. Julia captivated their individual personalities perfectly and her evocative writing skills made each of them jump out of the pages and come to life. There were moments of laughter, tears, jealously, heartache, resentment, humour, sorrow and all the emotions you can think of and Julia captured them all perfectly with her words! I enjoyed watching their personalities and friendships develop and change throughout this book as well as seeing them get up to even more adventures and mischief!! After I read the first book in this series 'The Widow' Wine Club' they felt like friends at the end and I was gutted to have to say goodbye. I was landed when I found out about this book ans have loved meeting them all again along with Libby. I was saddened to have to say Goodbye again and hoping there will be another book filled with these amazing characters coming again soon!!! Their friendships get tested throughout the book with several different events going on and with opinions divided but they all lifted each other up and had a special bond throughout which was amazing to 'see'!! It also just goes to show and prove that age should never be a barrier to living your life!! I would love to see this book turned into a movie with Dame Judie Dench being involved, of course!! . I don't want to say anything else about the storyline as I don't want to give to much away. I was crying with laughter at times and screaming in frustration at others so it is definitely a mixed bag and most definitely worth a read!! This is why Julia quickly became one of my favourite authors and I am hoping to see the gang again very soon!!

Although this is the second book in the series I would have had absolutely no problems reading it without reading the first book 'The Widows' Wine Club' previously. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.

The characters are strong, realistic and I became completely invested in each and every one of them in the first book in this series and loved meeting them all again and also meeting Libby in this book. They all had their own problems, secrets, feelings and all had unique personalities and I just absolutely loved getting to know them all. I felt each of their love , friendship, pain, heartbreak, happiness, anger, sorrow and so much more. I loved the main protagonists Libby, Viv, Janet and Zelda who were both such strong females but were also very realistic having their individual strengths and weaknesses which I enjoyed getting to know more about. I love seeing strong female leads in books being female myself and these two were both fantastic women. My heart went out to Libby throughout the book and although at times I was screaming in frustration at her not being able to see certain things it is easier said than done when youve never been in that position. I loved seeing their personalities change and develop as individuals as well as together as the storyline went on. Julia does an absolutely amazing job of bringing the story to life and the characters leap out of the pages as your turning them thanks to her evocative writing skills!! It is so hard to say what I feel about the characters without giving anything away so I won't say anymore about them as I don't want to go into too much detail at the risk of spoiling it for other readers but Julia really has done a brilliant job at bringing each of the characters to life and I am missing them again already. Well done Julia!!!

Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the first chapter of Julia's 'The Widows' Wine Club' which is the first book in this series. I have previously read it myself and would highly recommend it!

Overall a beautiful book filled with strong women, friendship and a rollercoaster ride of emotions!!

356 pages.

This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle, free with kindle unlimited and £9.99 in paperback at time of review via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5/5 (I loved it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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A delightful heartwarming read where the original widows, Viv, Janet and Zelda welcome Libby into their group. It’s wonderful to know that your friends will protect you and offer support in good times and bad!
The storyline is emotional, down to earth and a reminder of the importance of family, friends and feeling a sense of belonging.
Libby is finding her way after the loss of Jim, she enjoys meeting ‘The Muscateers’, particularly at her local restaurant where the owners are good friends too. The four friends regularly check on each other, offer guidance and help when necessary, their different life experiences are an asset.
Libby meets an old acquaintance at the theatre, quickly falls under his spell and then finds herself going along with more than she’s comfortable with. I didn’t enjoy Monty’s treatment of Libby, making decisions without consulting her and stealing. Visiting Greece wasn’t a great experience for Libby, the reader has the opportunity to explore their own feelings on expectations of basic human needs and rights.
Libby received help to build her confidence and also to save herself from the reality of what she had hoped for and what she received. The ending is a lovely surprise to renew faith in true friendship.

Congratulations and thanks to Boldwood Books, NetGalley and Julia Jarman for the opportunity to read this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Last year I read and enjoyed Julia Jarman's book The Widow's Wine Club. Whilst she had written many many childrens books but this was her first book for adults. I really enjoyed it so I knew that I would read the next one. The premise is that a group of strangers meet and bond over the fact that they are now widows. They become known as The Muscateers.

In this book, The Muscateers are back! Zelda, Viv and Janet have continued to meet on a regular basis and support each other through times of joy, time of triumph and tribulation. Now though, they have a fourth member.

Libby has been a widow for around a year after losing her husband of over 30 years, Jim. Her mother has dementia, she spends some of her time caring for her granddaughter, and of course there are the regular meetings of the Muscateers. One of her favourite places to meet her friends is at The Olive Tree, which features totally delicious sounding Greek food!

Whilst going to a show at a London theatre, Libby runs into an old crush who she originally met at drama school. Monty is handsome, charming and it doesn't take long for Libby to fall for his charms. Soon she is regularly travelling to London to see more shows and spending more and more time with him.

Zelda, who is also one of Libby's neighbours, is concerned, especially when the relationship starts to escalate quite quickly after a slow start. Soon Libby is missing Muscateer's catch ups, and when she goes on holiday to Greece becomes increasingly difficult to get hold of.

Libby was undoubtedly vulnerable, and this is something that can make someone like her an easy target. And as she starts to be separated in various ways from her friends and family, that vulnerability is exposed.

In some ways, there isn't a lot of subtlety in the characterisations, but is the kind of story that you hear about regularly in real life. I don't know if you have ever watched one of your friends meet someone who causes everyone around them to be concerned. I have, so I really related to the concerns that were being expressed by the Muscateers. It can be very difficult when you try to share your concerns and they fall on deaf ears and you have to sit back and wait until you are needed.

This is a book about a very serious subject and yet it is still surprisingly readable. I loved the friendship between the women, some of the food mentioned in the story sounded delicious and take me away to Greece!! I did find it kind of meta that the author referenced one of her own kids books in the story, but that book deals with the subject of dementia so it was relevant to the story

In the acknowledgements, the author mentions that the next book will be called Widows on the Waves. I am already down for that book!

Light, sparkling and thoughtful

I thoroughly enjoyed Widows on the Wine Path. Although it was book 2 of a series, I had no problem getting right into the characters and plot. The heroines are widows of a certain age, a demographic I identify with. The plot includes gaslighting and mental abuse, so be warned that beneath the froth, there is valuable and sincere life lessons. I have just downloaded the previous book in the series!

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time-constrained e-arc via Netgalley. This review is optional and my own opinion.

Widows On The Wine Path by Julia Jarman is the second book after Widows Wine Club A funny book explaining how the musketeers initially got together. In this book Libby is a new addition to their widow club her husband Jim has only been dead for a year and she is finding it hard to adjust taking baby steps she goes to the theater alone in runs in to an old classmate she knew from acting class at University. His name is Charles Montclair but now goes by Monty ignoring red flags she saw in the beginning she starts seeing him on a regular basis but soon he wants to move in something she really doesn’t want to do but after he bullies her into it it she ultimately allows it. This isn’t going to be the end of his once and in the end she will learn mini lessons the first always pay attention to red flags. Trying to keep my reviews shorter let them a lot of stuff out especially the funny part with her daughter Eleanor who initially thought Marty was a transgendered friend and although this book is humorous there’s also intense times especially on the vacation Libby couldn’t say no to. This is a very intriguing book and one I highly recommend I almost want to go back and find out how Zara Janet and Viv initially met each other. I really enjoyed the authors writing style and will definitely be on the lookout for more books by her and her previously written books this is a fun book to pass the afternoon with our a fun beach read either way you cannot go wrong with the widows on the wine path by Julia Jarman I want to thank Boldwood books and NetGalley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes I am blind and dictate my review.

A new author for me and an excellent book from Julia. I will be having a look for more of her books. This one ticks all the boxes for me and didn't disappoint.

I was drawn to this title by both its cover and the book’s description. Here Julia Jaman does what many authors of women’s fiction-she places a group of friends together and lets the reader become a part of their lives. In this instance, the women are widows who have formed their own support system as the support group they attended was not for them. The three, Viv, Janet and Zelda all get to know another widow named Libby. How will these friends be there for Libby when she most needs them. Find out more about all four women in this enjoyable read.

Note that this book is the second in the series. I think that it can be read as a standalone.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Very much part of a series, but a stand-alone read.

The Widows' Wine Club - consisting of Val, Janet and Zelda - happily add a fourth member to their number when they meet Libby, widowed after thirty years and a bit lost without her partner. Libby begins to gain her confidence again and when a trip to the theatre brings reacquaintance with someone she admired years ago, she begins to look to the future again. But the other ladies don't have the same feelings towards Monty Charles and, knowing how precarious the first year of being on your own is, vow to keep an eye on the relationship.

I felt a bit out of step with this one; it was as if I didn't really know the characters the way I was expected to and it wasn't until the very end that I realised this was part of a series. I think, had I read the first one, it would all have made much more sense. As it was, I spent a lot of time wondering just how stupid Libby could be. Not quite the fun read I was expecting and, for me, 3.5*.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is = as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

I have not read the other books by this author in the series.
The group of widows in the story took me from one emotion to the next and then back again. They connected as a support group who like wine.
The author did a good job making me care for each of the widows but there are a lot of things that are needed for me to get into the story more.
I am going to read the first in the series and that will help be become more familiar with the women.
Thank you NetGalley, Julia Jarman and Boldwood Books for the ARC of Widows on the Wine Path. This is my personal review.

I loved this sweet little read about a group of friends and widows who love a support each other through all life throws at them. Through thick and thin, this book shows how shared grief, experience, and friendship stands the test of time and weathers all storms. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a copy of this book for an honest review.

This little group of musketeers, all widows, are so bold and adventuresome! It's a bit of a roller coaster - you'll alternate between laughing and crying, mad to snickering, The writing is so descriptive that you see the sights, smell the smells, and feel the emotions with the exception of the theater scenes.

It definitely was not the book I expected and I found it to be slow and frustrating at times.. Perhaps if I had read the first book, I would have rated it higher. The four main characters were well developed, have a great bond over their shared status as widows who are learning to live and love again, and always have each others backs.. I was disappointed with what happened to Libby as I thought she had more sense, but that is the writer's prerogative to create them as she sees them. The highlight of the book was the relationship between Libby, Janet, Zelda, and Viv.

A warm emotional moving story of a group of widows who form. A wine group Really a support group to help each other.All is going well till a man named Monty appears.I enjoyed this story from first to last page.#netgalley #boldwoodbooks

Perhaps not what I expected however the book was still an enjoyable read. This is the second book in the series and although I haven’t read the first one I didn’t feel that I needed to in order to follow this one.
The book features 4 widows who have a great friendship however Libby is the most newly widowed.
While at the theatre Libby bumps into Monty who she knew from her younger years and they start a relationship however Monty is not the person Libby thinks he is.
Monty tried to distance her from her friends and family and whisks her off to Greece however Monty is controlling and manipulative and has an impact on her self esteem. This is where the friendship of the widows become invaluable.
The description of the scenery and food was good and I detested Monty with a passion and found myself getting annoyed when reading the book so perhaps not the relaxing read I was expecting however thought provoking and a reminder that intelligent women can be taking advantage of when vulnerable. I was touched by the friendship and how they were determined to rescue Libby from the situation she had found herself in.
Many thanks to Boldwood books and Netgalley for a review copy of this book however all opinions are my own.

The Musketeer members Viv, Janet, Zelda and new member Libby, all widows and after meeting by chance at a "a support club" decided to form their own club, The Widows Wine Club.

After a visit to the theatre Libby meets a smooth actor from her past, that at the time, had a major crush on. Monty Charles as he is know now, sweeps Libby off her feet and away to Greece where things take a dramatic decline!

Another wonder read from Julia Jarman, one that you will want to read from cover to cover, in one hit!

I haven't read the first book in the series, however this was really read as a standalone book. Libby is still mourning the death of her husband Jim, but is helped by the women in the Widow's Wine Club. When she meets someone from her past she falls for him, however the others smell a rat.
SPOILER ALERT. I actually found this book really frustrating, I really felt for Libby, however I just couldn't like Monty, even before doubts about his true intentions came to light. It does show how even an intelligent person can come under the control of someone else without them realising it. The importance of friends and their support is really shown here. I'm not sure about humour in this particular book, but the scenery and the food when they went on holiday made up for this. Not a light read, but one for when you want something deeper.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

A group of widows in a wine club, this just sounds like a good time, and it definitely was. I really enjoyed this one.

Suspenseful and adventurous!!!

Those two words describe Widows on the Wine Path by Julia Jarman. I really did enjoy this book! Jarman kept me on my toes and wanting to read more and more.

I was cheering for the Musketeers the whole time, hoping they would succeed!

This book was a mix of comedy and suspense as poor Libby meets an old love interest a year after she loses her husband Jim. Being a little nieve and lacking confidence in her ability to be alone, this poor lady gets well and truly sucked in by this naughty man!!!
Her gang of friends can’t seem to change her mind or find out enough to keep an eye on her, so can only worry from the sidelines! I felt that way too!! So much so, I had to keep reading through the night to find out what happened!!!!
I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, the characters, in fact I loved it all!!!! I really look forward to reading more from Julia Jarman!!
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, #Jarman6745.