Book Review: The Lavender House by Hilary Boyd

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Not only are there authentic characters and a credible and engaging plot, but the main characters are in their sixties. Hurrah!

The story shows that while life may not begin at sixty, it doesn’t necessarily end there either. Nancy, the female lead character is sixty-two and is in the not unusual position of being both carer for her elderly mother and for her grandchildren while their parents are at work. She also has a new man in her life.

I loved the way the story unfolded. The doubts and pressures Nancy experienced as she tried to follow not only her duties and responsibilities, but also her heart, were easy to sympathise with.

This is contemporary romantic fiction for the more mature woman – my sort of fiction – more please, Hilary!

Back Cover Blurb: Nancy de Freitas is the glue that holds her family together. Caught between her ageing, ailing mother Frances, and her struggling daughter Louise, frequent user of Nancy’s babysitting services, it seems Nancy’s fate is to quietly go on shouldering the burden of responsibility for all four generations. Her divorce four years ago put paid to any thoughts of a partner to share her later years with. Now it looks like her family is all she has.

Then she meets Jim. Smoker, drinker, unsuccessful country singer and wearer of cowboy boots, he should be completely unsuited to the very together Nancy. And yet, there is a real spark. But Nancy’s family don’t trust Jim one bit. They’re convinced he’ll break her heart, maybe run off with her money – he certainly distracts her from her family responsibilities.

Can she be brave enough to follow her heart? Or will she remain glued to her family’s side and walk away from one last chance for love?

Type of Read: with wine, chocolate and a sofa to yourself. Do-not-disturb sign on the door.

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction

The Lavender House is published by Quercus and is available as a paperback, an ebook and as an audio book.

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