Actual travel has been thin on the ground this week but my reading has taken me to the south of France. Old Friends Reunited by Maddie Please introduces us to Bea Pinkerton, a bestselling novelist with writer’s block. She heads off to stay with old school friends down in the south of France. Much wine is consumed, fountains are fallen into, handsome men appear and a new and exciting plot comes into view. Perfect uplifting fiction for the summer.

Sorry for the delay in reviewing, I love reading Maddie Please books and have a number of them, this is another enjoyable and light read with laughs and sad moments and encouragement, something to entertain on a journey or a sunday afternoon.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
This is the first book I have read by this author. The premise was good, and I really enjoyed the descriptions of the French scenery, good and lifestyle. The main character, Bea, was interesting and although I could understand how she'd developed writer's block and thought a change of scene would be good I found it difficult to empathise with her behaviour, failing to meet a deadline by 12 months! I wondered how she managed to keep funding her life without any income? I disliked the character of Audrie, she seemed very selfish, I don't know what her husband saw in her. That said, I recognise that this means the author's characterisation is good and credible. The romantic storyline is somewhat predictable, but enjoyable all the same. This is a good beach read.

I loved the setting of this book - it's the ideal summer location!
A romantic, easy and light read. Read in one sitting, perfect for escaping from life for a few hours

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

Wonderful book, enjoyed it.

I have read one other book by the author, and the common denominator between the two is the fact that the main protagonists are older than the average 30-somethings in other books. This story is of three friends, all with adult children and friends for almost three decades. Each comes with their own secret(and not-so-secret) problems and their dynamics forms part of the plotline. We only get the story from one point of view, however, that of a successful writer Bea. She is facing writer's block and decides to take a holiday when her friend invites her to France to stay at her Chateau.
She easily makes a sudden trip to France and leaves her extremely dependent children doing their own things. Once there, she finds out her friend imagines a possible divorce in her future as well. This part was actually funny because I can imagine the conversation happening in real life to real people as well. As is the lack fo understanding of each other's 'work'.
Bea's story was nice in itself, but I wanted more of the friends reuniting part, mostly because it was what I was expecting. The togetherness is not as prevalent as the cover signifies. They all do their own thing, and two of the three end up having an interesting conversation during the course of their day.
If my expectations had been different or if the three friends spent longer together than in this narrative, I would have rated it higher. I think fans of this author would appreciate this book more than I did. The writing is well done and conveys the environment well and keeps the reader involved in the events of the page.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Bea Pinkerton is an author suffering with writer's block,
She's a year late delivering her book - and her agent is happy, NOT!!
However, she's not feeling inspired to write and so
Decides instead on a reunion holiday to go!

She's one of three school friends who were renowned
For causing mischief, not letting life get them down.
Now a holiday get together in a French chateau
Seems like a peaceful, hopefully inspiring, place to go.

However, with unexpected arrivals coming, too,
Writing seems the last thing she has time or wants to do!
However, meeting another guest has her pulse racing
Maybe life at sixty she should be embracing!

Get ready for chaos, catastrophe and fun
With very little writing getting done!
A surprise encounter, a change of ways,
And looking forward to better days!

Another inspiring look at life, second chances and more
With new options, new friends and places to explore.
A life changing holiday, unexpected as it seems
Which enables Bea to form and follow new dreams.

For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

The BAG ladies (as in Bea, Audrie, and Gin) have been friends for life. Through thick and thin, they've seen each other through, but this time around, Bea is the one in need of solace...or so she thinks. She's a writer (LOVE a bookish person in a story!), but she's hit a bit of a writer's block at the moment, and it's causing a ruckus with her new publicist. Eight months late isn't THAT bad, right? I mean, especially with how long she's been writing for the same publishing house and all. She's loyal, she's dedicated, and so are her fans...but without a new work, she's pretty much toast. She's tried all she can think, except for an escape...which comes in the form of an invite to see her old friends. The escape doesn't turn out to be the tranquil time she envisioned. In fact, it's complicated by the fact that Audrie is committed to the idea that her husband of an exorbitant about of years is cheating on her, of all things! Gin is also going through husband number...so many I've forgotten...which all adds up to a whole lot of drama. Let us not forget the unexpected, love interest to further rock her world (pun somewhat intended!), and you've either got a pressure cooker of ideas ready to spark her story to life...or a hot mess best left until another day. Yeah, it's a bit of both...but it'll all come out in the end.

I have to admit, I liked Bea's character. She seemed easy to know, and relateable, but for the life of me, I couldn't really connect with the other two. Gin and I were at crosshairs, but Audrie was driving me up a wall with her fear of having her husband actually at home and it disrupting her single-yet-married life. Even Bea raised an eyebrow at THAT revelation, and she's known her longer than my time between the pages! Grant it, without the other ladies, we'd be missing the full picture, but it doesn't mean I have to like them to see it. To each their own, and I'm fully aware someone else may be saying this about my favorite character as well, but that's the magic of reading! Many can read the same story and get as many if not more reactions, thoughts, connections, and so on. With that being said, if you've read this story, who was your favorite and why?

In the end, a good match for Women's Fiction as well as Rom Com fans, and with it's slightly older cast of characters, it opens up the fan base in that arena too!

Fun, escapist and uproarious, Jo Thomas and Milly Johnson fans will not want to miss Maddie Please’s fabulous new novel, Old Friends Reunited.

Bea Pinkerton is in desperate need of a break. But with a fast-approaching deadline looming over her – not to mention her agent breathing down her neck! – Bea needs to buckle down and get some words on paper. Willing to do whatever it takes to unshackle herself from her writing commitments, when Bea is invited to a reunion with two of her old friends in France, she jumps at the chance. Surely, a beautiful chateau will provide her with plenty of inspiration, however, little does Bea realise that she is about to get far more than she initially bargained for…

Bea is going to get anything but rest and relaxation at Chateau St Cyr! Not only are her two friends Gin and Audrey preoccupied with their own marital woes, but a camera crew has rocked up at the chateau to cause even more chaos and upheaval! This holiday has gone from a dream vacation to a total nightmare in the blink of an eye, however, things start looking up for Bea with the arrival of handsome Frenchman Laurent Sinclair.

Laurent is certainly providing her with plenty of romantic inspiration for her next book, but will he help Bea to plot a happy ending for her real life as opposed to her fictional characters? Or is Bea too scared to take the leap?

Maddie Please’s books are always great fun and Old Friends Reunited is certainly no exception! An enjoyable romp that had me giggling from page one, Old Friends Reunited is a breezy read packed with charm, mischief and plenty of side-splitting humour I couldn’t get enough of.

Bea and her friends are an absolute joy to spend time with and they are brought so vividly to life that readers will feel as if they are on holiday in France sitting round a table and having a good laugh while savouring a glass of delicious wine.

A feel-good and uplifting tale that will tickle the funny bone and raise the spirits, Maddie Please has written another winner with Old Friends Reunited.

Thrilling read! I was able to connect with all of the characters and throughly enjoyed the story the author painted.

Sorry, I could not continue with this book. I could not connect with any of the characters and I felt as if I needed a French dictionary to read it. I stopped reading after 25%......Its true what they say. Not every book is for every reader. Rather than leave a negative review on what I hated about the book I decided not to read the rest of it or review it.

A book with plenty of emotion in the French countryside. Old friends changing their lives. Be sure to read this as it has a great storyline.. 4 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

I absolutely adore Maddie’s books and this has been no different at all. I have loved this book and think it’s one everyone MUST read.

Old Friends Reunited has a dreamy setting, I have definitely been transported by this one. This is a quirky and fun read which has proved to be completely unputdownable.

This is a quirky read which takes you on an adventure. It is definitely unique. I love how this is a book which is both heartwarming and funny. It has definitely lightened my mood and I have enjoyed the wit and sarcasm in the pages.

Maddie is a wonderful author and this is a must read. I’m already eagerly anticipating more from Maddie.

Bea is a successful author but is having trouble with her latest book
Audrie has a chateau in France but her husband is retiring and she thinks he wants a divorce
Gin has just spilt up with her husband
Audrie offers them the chance to get together at the chateau for a much needed rest and catch up. Will things go to plan ?

Three long time friends, Bea a recently divorces author who is dealing with writer's block, Audrie who owns the chateau and thinks her husband is cheating on her and Gin who is reeling from her fourth failed marriage, meet up at Audrie's beautiful chateau in France. They all have high hopes that good wine, conversation and laughs will help them deal with their problems. Will all of them looking for support, things could get quite dismal. Bea is not finding the peace and inspiration she is looking for, so is worried she will not ever get her book finished. Enter Laurent Sinclair, Bea's neighbour, who also happens to be handsome, charming and perhaps exactly the romantic muse she needs to get her mojo back. Can Bea take a chance on Laurent, especially when Audrie tells her that he is a divorce lawyer there to help her husband decide on his next steps. Can the friends help one another with their issues? Will Bea take a chance on love?

This was another delightful read from Maddie Please. Three friends coming together after several years, picking up where they left off, except all with some baggage. This is such a wonderful setting, how can anyone not relax and enjoy their time. All three women were trying to move on in their lives with new beginnings, but first, they had to determine if what they thought was true really is. What I love most about Maddie Please's books is the realization that life does not end at 60, when you retire and your children have their own lives. These women all have lots to give, lots to live for and they do. With a glass of bubbly, good french food, a handsome man and a fascinating setting, there is humor, friendship, and new beginnings. Although somewhat predictable, this was a wonderful story that I recommend to those who enjoy women's fiction with humor and wonderful characters.

Old Friends Reunited by Maddie Please
Divorced and on a deadline, bestselling novelist Bea Pinkerton has a severe case of writer's block. With her agent breathing down her neck, Bea will do ANYTHING to avoid writing another word.
So an invite to a reunion with her old school friends at a beautiful chateau in France is Bea's perfect chance to escape. Indeed here, relaxing with old friends and drinking cold fizz, Bea will find inspiration?
I have read several of Maddie's previous books; a particular favourite is The Old Ducks' Club (which, if you haven't read, I would highly recommend); this story is no different.
Yet again, Maddie has written a story full of friendship, love and laughter that many of us at that 'certain age' can easily relate to.
I appreciate the descriptive chapters and the small touches that make the story such a joy to read.
Bea's school friends Audrie and Gin are fabulous characters, both have their issues, but the warmth and understanding from each friend are played out and written so well; with such wisdom, I found myself giving out my thoughts and advice. as I read along.
I am happy to recommend this addictive, entertaining story.
I want to thank publishers Boldwood Books, author Maggie Please and Rachel's Random Resources for a copy to read and review and for the invite to the tour.

This is the first book I’ve read by Maddie Please, but it will not be the last. I loved the story and her writing style. The characters were well developed and I enjoyed getting to know them. The story is based on three friends with very different personalities and varied life situations. The women were at times quirky, independent, strong, and living life in their sixties. I think the fact that they were discovering how much more they could experience endeared them to me. What a wonderful reflection of how special and lasting friendships can be...how we should be open to new experiences and new adventures, and love is just around the corner when you least expect it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

A delightful and jolly romp in the french countryside. A lovely taste of France and generous slice of la bon vivre! Gold-plated romantic escapism at its finest! . . . A fun, flirty and feel-good romantic read that is simply delightful. An irresistible page-turner sprinkled with humour, warmth, wit and a whole lot of heart . . . pure magic from start to finish.

It’s feel-good, but left me feeling somewhat mhew.

Bea is months behind on delivering the manuscript for her next book to her agent. A change of scene might do her good and she goes to stay with a friend from school who owns a B&B in France. Another schoolfriend is there too, and despite the book’s title and the picture on the cover, the women do not get up to any chanannigans.

Bea doesn’t get any writing done,but she does meet a man she’s rather charmed by. He likes her too and invites her to his house for another change of scenery, that may inspire her to start writing again.

It’s feelgood. There is no conflict, only a few minor worries from Bea. Her friend Audrey experiences a lot more conflict, with an absent husband that suddenly wants to retire (and be less absent) and a television crew that has come round to catch up. If the focus of this book had been on Audrey, it probably would have been more interesting.

Bea is a wonderful main character. She's an author of lots of bestsellers, but she's lost her mojo. The way Bea tells her story was just brilliant! I felt like I had found a kindred spirit or had a look into my future (not that I want to get divorced or anything). I loved how she thought!

Although there is romance in this story I would say it's more about Bea finding herself again. Bea reunites with old friends when she goes for an extended stay in France where she hopes to get the peace and quiet and inspiration to write again. Unfortunately for Bea, things are far from quiet there. There were so many things going on and a lot of laughs, both in the book and from me while reading it. This is both a funny and a heart-warming story about having a blast while growing old and perhaps finding love again.