Judy Leigh's "Lil's Bus Trip" takes readers on a delightful and heartwarming adventure that transcends age, showcasing the transformative power of friendship, discovery, and the unexpected joys that life can offer. This four-star novel introduces 82-year-old Lil, her daughter Cassie, and their friend Maggie on a bus trip across Europe, promising laughter, happiness, and timeless lessons.

As Lil embarks on this journey with an eclectic group of fellow travelers, including members of the Salterley Tennis Club and the Jolly Weaver football team, Leigh weaves a tale filled with moving moments, outrageous adventures, and gastronomic delights. The contrast between Lil's expectations and the diverse preferences of her companions adds humor and depth to the narrative, creating a lively and entertaining read.

The author skillfully captures the essence of each destination, from the beaches of Normandy to the beauty of Bruges, infusing the story with a sense of wanderlust and cultural exploration. The interactions and dynamics among the characters are portrayed with warmth and authenticity, making them relatable and endearing.

The central theme of the novel revolves around the idea that life is full of surprises, regardless of age. Lil's unexpected discovery about the potential for new love in her advancing years adds a touching layer to the story, showcasing Leigh's ability to blend humor with poignant moments. The novel invites readers to reflect on the possibilities that come with embracing change and stepping outside one's comfort zone.

While the overall tone is light-hearted, some readers may find certain elements of the plot predictable. However, the charm lies in the characters' journeys of self-discovery and the camaraderie forged during the bus trip, making it an engaging and uplifting read.

In conclusion, "Lil's Bus Trip" is a heartwarming tale that celebrates the joys of friendship, love, and embracing life's unexpected twists and turns. Judy Leigh's storytelling prowess shines through, delivering a narrative that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant. Perfect for fans of feel-good fiction, this novel earns a well-deserved four stars, leaving readers with a smile and a renewed appreciation for the beauty of new beginnings.

What a hoot!!
This is so much fun, with great characters and a laugh-out-loud wonderful plot sprinkled with fabulous humour.
I do live boos which have more senior women taking centre stage and having good fun, instead of sitting idly knitting by the window. After all just because a person is in their 60s and 80s doesn't mean that they are ready for the scrap heap, they have just as much laughter and life in them (even more I'd say) than someone half their age.
Oh to be Lil and co, honestly an octagenarian has more adventures than myself, LOL! I loved every moment of this and makes me want to head off on a coach trip of my own, preferably hitching a ride with this bunch of women.,
I laughed so much while reading this, you can't help but smile throughout and I can guarantee you will be chuckling remembering various scenes well after closing the last page.
This book has it all, it's the perfect escapist read, one which leaves you feeling happy and wanting to re-read it all over again.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review. I requested this one because I loved the title and I loved the cover. I didn't read much about the book so I didn't really know the premise behind the story but I really enjoyed it. I loved the storyline, I loved the characters, I loved the setting...I especially loved Lil...and that the main characters were older people in need of some adventure...this was just a feel good book all the way around for me. :)

Lil’s Bus Trip by Judy Leigh

This story was such a pleasure to read. It tells the story of 82-year-old Lil and the bus tour she takes with her 65-year-old daughter Cassie. This story is filled with a fun cast of characters and lots of laughs.

I haven’t been able to go on any kind of vacation since the pandemic began and this really felt like a fun adventure. It definitely made me want to go on a fun trip!

A lighthearted and happy read, for sure.

I gave this book a solid 3.5⭐️

I just love Judy Leigh’s books, and I don’t even need to read the blurb before I sign up to review one, they are all just fabulous.

In this adventure, we meet Lil and a variety of her friends and acquaintances. They’re a mixed bunch, with the younger ones from the football team, those in the middle from the local tennis club and the not so young, like Lil, Maggie and Albert. This eclectic bunch all head off on a road trip in a mini-bus, and the results are both touching and hilarious.

Right from the start, before they even get out of the car park in fact, there are mishaps and misunderstandings. But there are some wonderful moments of friendship and even a bit of romance. The inter-generational mix works very well, with everyone having something to contribute and to enhance the experience. As always, the older characters prove that life is for living and that everyone can have a good time.

With some fascinating settings, wonderful characters, and some genuinely laugh-out-loud moments, this book is such a pleasure to read. I enjoyed every page, and was really sorry when it had to end. Another absolute page-turner from one of my favourite authors. The perfect pick-me-up.

This was such a cure heartwarming read, I really enjoyed it. If was an easy read and I love all the characters

82 year old Lil and her 62 year old daughter, Cassie along with several town members take a bus trip across Europe. Lil hopes to convince herself she isn't too old to enjoy life. This is a fun read with lots of humor. The tour group visits some major cities and meet lots of locals. Makes a bus trip sound like fun. This is the first book by Judy Leigh that I've read and has me looking at her other titles. I enjoy an uplifting and fun read. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Thankyou for giving me the chance to read and review. I do enjoy stories with older characters. Probably because I can build a better picture of them in my mind. It was full of love and laughter and enjoyable

I appreciate that Leigh writes about older women, and her books are all enjoyable glimpses into that world. Lil is in her ‘80’s, loving a staid life when she is invited on a bus tour with some locals, her daughter and her friend, Maggie. Shaking things up, Lil goes on the bus trip with an assortment of characters, and experiences Amsterdam, Belgium, Honfleur while gaining new insights into her priorities. A lovely read, thanks to NetGalley.

Lil's Bus Trip was an exquisitely sweet and uplifting read.

The indefatigable Lil lives in a retirement complex. She makes the most of every day, carrying out random acts of kindness and spending time with her friend Maggie and daughter Cassie. She has a good life, but has poured all her love into Cassie and has never given her heart away since her beau Frank returned to America in 1953.

When the local pub organises a bus trip to Europe Lil, Maggie and Cassie grab the chance to see a little more of the world. It becomes a trip that will change their lives in unforeseeable ways.

A book about second chances, about friendship and kindness, full of love, laughter and joy.

82 year old Lil and her 65 year old daughter Cassie, decide to go on a minibus tour of Northern Europe with their friends from the local Jolly Weaver football team, and three members of the tennis club. Lil also convinces her best friend, Maggie to come as well. They want to shake up their monotonous life. This eclectic bunch of travelers become a bit closer than they expected as they bond over their exploits in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

I really enjoy stories with older characters, especially those who are still up for a good time, new adventures and making the most out of their lives. From twenty somethings up to octogenarian Lil, these intrepid travelers get up to some fun, romantic and even dangerous adventures. If you have read other Judy Leigh books, you know that it is not the destination, but the discoveries the characters make along the way. Lil and Maggie, both realize that even at their age, romance is still in the works. I am a huge Judy Leigh fan, so was looking forward to this new book. I enjoyed Lil's and her friends' adventures, but it was not one of my favourite books by Judy Leigh. Having said that, I still recommend this story with all its fun, quirky characters that will make you smile as well as enjoying a bit of armchair travel.

82 year old Lil decides she needs an adventure, so what should she do? She books herself, her daughter and her friend on a European bus tour.

What a delightful and fun story!

A large cast of characters meant this book had a slow start but what a fun filled book this became. The reader became drawn into Lil, Cassie and Maggie story.
An uplifting book which shows you can grow old disgracefully! But also a light hearted story of love, friendship and laughter
Fantastic book , would recommend
Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Judy for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

I loved all of the characters, even if there were 13 people on the road trip, each of them was so well written and detailed that it was as if I was on the road trip with them. The mix of very different people worked perfectly in this book. My favorite character is Cassie, although I grew to love all of them.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Boldwood Book and NetGalley, too,
For my copy of this book, here's my honest review.

If you enjoy books with the young at heart
This is a book you really need to start!
With 82 year old Lil taking her daughter and a friend to go
On a bus trip across three countries, just like so!

They're travelling with a young football team
And middle aged tennis players following a dream
What will they find as they travel around?
What life changing discoveries might be found?

Can Maggie break free and leave her hubby at home
Where will Lil's trio decide to go roam?
Who will the visit and who will they meet?
Will they make new friends and have others to greet?

Go on this journey full of fun and laughter
With liaisons and romances - and potential disaster!
Along with places, beer and cider to explore
Maybe the chance to find someone who you'll adore.

It is a story about being brave and bold
Of recognising life doesn't have to stop as you grow old
Old age is just the accumulation of years
And life needs living to the full, facing our joy and fears.

When 82 year old Lil decides that she needs a holiday, she takes her daughter Cassie and her best friend Maggie along for the ride. Along with a variety of different people, they embark on a mini bus tour of Europe and soon discover that it’s never too late to live and love.

This book, to begin with, was a bit of a slow burner. As there are a few people going on the holiday, it meant that quite a few characters needed to be introduced early on. However, once they actually got going on the holiday, I couldn’t put the book down.

Told mainly from the point of view of Lil and Cassie, it covers their holiday across France, Belgium and Amsterdam with many hilarious, poignant and wonderful moments along the way.

It was interesting to see how all the different personalities interacted, especially as they were all travelling in quite close proximity and were a variety of ages.

Lil is a feisty, strong brilliant woman but her life made me a little sad especially as she couldn’t have the man that she loved. However, she has her daughter and that, at least to begin with, has always been enough for her.

Cassie is as strong as her mother. She’s not how you’d expect women of her age to be and i loved how she went against the stereotype. She’s bold, she writes, she sings and she’s confident and I adored this about her. She’s proof that age is but a number and she felt very realistic.

Maggie is the shy character of the group. She’s not overly appreciated by her husband and I found it nice to follow her journey and development throughout the book.

For the most part, I loved all the supporting characters although I wasn’t a huge fan of one of the men. Read it and you can probably figure out who.

The writing style and setting meant that I could picture myself taking this holiday with this group of people and the overall joy they get from it jumps from the page. The places they visited were described well (although some of the places I have visited in person so it was a little easier to imagine,) and I could feel the emotions felt by the characters as they visited various countries, cities and landmarks. I could imagine myself standing there with them.

I am not going to say anymore. If you’re a follower of this blog, you’ll know that I don’t like to give too much away.

Overall, this novel would make a lovely holiday companion (if you’re managing to have one) or will make you feel like you’re on holiday if you’re staying closer to home.

Lil’s Bus Trip is an endearing, warm, gentle novel about rediscovering life and allowing yourself to enjoy it. I really hope that, at some point, we see these characters again. I loved sharing this adventure with them.

Oh my goodness, what a delightful story this was. When Lil makes the decision at the age of 82 – to book herself, her daughter who is 65 and her friend Maggie on a bus trip that will take them around Europe, she is in desperate need of some adventure in her life.

Alongside this trio of travellers we meet a football team and members of the Salterley Tennis club who are all embarking on the same trip as them, however their ideas of a good time are far different from Lil’s, but despite this difference in age and opinions, they form a bond of understanding with one another and are sure to make the journey all the more exciting in their own ways.

From lounging about on the beach, to taking in all the sights of the cities they visit on their journey, each new location they visit provides us with some truly laugh out loud moments, alongside those that warm your heart entirely. As the trip progresses and the return to normality is in the horizon, can Lil and her friends embrace the fresh outlook on life the trip has provided or will they find themselves falling back into their old habits.

If you are looking for a fun filled story full of adventure and friendship then this is undoubtedly the book for you. With a cast of truly enchanting characters and a storyline that you become fully immersed in it really is impossible to not feel a connection to Lil as you follow her adventures.

Lil, in her 80s decides she needs to get out and about more and live a little. With her single daughter Cassie and her friend Maggie who is stuck in a boring marriage, in tow, they join some locals on a bus trip to several European destinations, including Normandy, Belgium and Amsterdam, The group of varying ages as well as ourlooks, makes for an interesting ride.

This book shows us that generations can mix and support each other but alos that even as the years trundle on, there is still time for fun, frolics and romance. An uplifting story with an overwhelming theme of understanding, compassion and how friendships are important. A lovely book that will leave you thinking, one is never too old for adventure.

What a fun book to read! It begins with a group of people who all live in a small town in England. A local pub owner decides to plan a bus trip to Belgium, France and the Netherlands and several of the townspeople sign up. Some are upper-class snobs, while others are very simple people, and their ages and personalities are quite diverse. The book describes their adventures and the bonding that takes place in these sorts of situations. Loved the characters and the story!

I was looking forward to reading this book after reading the description (and the cute cover!) and I absolutely loved it.

The main character, Lil, is 80 years young, and takes her BFF Maggie, and daughter Cass on a bus trip to France, Belgium and The Netherlands. The descriptions of where they visit and the people they meet are spot on and it makes the reader long for road trips and exploring all that they have to offer - and longing to take a trip with Lil. So many funny things happened throughout the book that made me laugh out loud - literally! I love the writing style of Judy Leigh and how she focuses on 'older' main characters, which shows that older people do have a story to tell, their life isn't done yet, how grow old gracefully (and have fun along the way) and that love strikes at any age!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC which I reviewed in exchange for my honest review.