I read this book hoping for a bit of escpaism and enjoyment away from the world. For some reason, it didn't quite draw me in. I liked the book but at times I didn't enjoy it like I thougth I would.

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

I love Santa Montefiore's books and was absolutely thrilled to be able to read this

Another fantastic story - absolutely loved it

I never give synopses of books, I think people should read for themselves.

What I will say is the characters are wonderful and rounded. I loved the way the story weaves family, community and love altogether is resonant particularly of the times we are living in

An absolute belter.
Cant rate highly enough

Another wonderful read from Santa Montefiore! Get the tissues ready....

Marigold has spent her life looking after people; her husband, her daughters, her community, as she runs the village store and more recently her Mother, who has come to live with them.

But as Marigold gradually begins to lose her memory, things are going to have to change, and those who have always depended on her are going to become the ones who look after her.

A well written tale of family, community and most of all love as dementia gradually steals Marigolds memories from her.

It certainly makes you appreciate how important it is to live life in the present.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster UK and Net Galley for this ARC.

This is not normally my typical read but have read the temptation of Gracie which I enjoyed.

The storys follows Marigold in her 60s suffering with dementia.

This started off slow for me and hard to read (in a good way)
Wow really makes you think about life.

Such a moving book.

A good thought out read and researched well into dementia.

Maybe it’s the current situation that leaves me craving escapism rather than real life. I tried with this book but it wasn’t for me which was disappointing as I have Enjoyed many other SMF books

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house for an early review copy.

You will need a box of tissues for this book.
A lovely, heart wrenching story about family and community, love and loss and dealing with a family member who slowly gets lost with dementia.
The characters in the story easy to identify and I was swept with their story, most of the time trying not to cry. Then sobbing.
So beautifully written, such a wonderful read.

This is a heart-rending tale for our times of the experience of developing dementia. Initially it is told from the viewpoint of Marigold as she begins to forget things and her strategies for trying to cue herself to remember. She has been a valued and active member of the team her community but is less able to take part. Her family gradually realise what is happening as she gets the diagnosis. This is a difficult subject that has been sympathetically tackled and conveys a real sense of understanding.

I adore Santa Montefiores’ books. This one definitely didn’t disappoint. So beautifully moving. You felt a real connection. In my opinion the best book she written yet!

Marigold has spent her life taking care of those around her, juggling family life with the running of the local shop, and being an all-round leader in her quiet yet welcoming community. When she finds herself forgetting things, everyone quickly puts it down to her age. But something about Marigold isn’t quite right, and it’s becoming harder for people to ignore. As Marigold’s condition worsens, for the first time in their lives her family must find ways to care for the woman who has always cared for them. Desperate to show their support, the local community come together to celebrate Marigold, and to show her that losing your memories doesn’t matter, when there are people who will remember them for you.

What a read this is! Absolutely stunning and so incredibly moving. We begin with Marigold and her husband having a full house again as their daughter Daisy moved back in with them, they already have Suze and Nan. Their lives are busy and full and I very quickly developed a connection to the characters and the wonderful people they are. Then Marigold starts forgetting and there is a quick deterioration, then the real emotion starts.

I cannot begin to express how moving and beautifully written this is. Montefiore balance sadness with hope perfectly and ensures the reader has a connection to the characters which only makes the second half of the book that bit harder to read. I was sobbing throughout the final few pages of this, the read is so emotive and captures perfectly situations people are living through everyday in the present day.

Montefiore does balance the heart-breaking sadness of the read with love, mostly through Suze and Daisy but also Marigold and the love she and her husband share. This is a devastatingly sad book but there are moments of laughter, of falling in love and a constant, beautiful reminder to live in the present.

'Here and Now' is simply a stunning yet heart-breaking read, I am welling up writing this as I remember the beauty and the pain the characters go through. I adored reading this and highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for an advance copy.

I absolutely loved this book. I have read a lot of Santa Montefiore and enjoyed them however this was a cut above her previous titles in my opinion. The exploration of 'Goldies' journey into dementia was done with such sensitivity and compassion and the balance with allowing the other characters to also tell their stories was captivating. Lovely writing with empathy - thank you!