Perfect in these times of uncertainty and financial worry, The Golden oldies Book Club is an Easy read full of cider Apple sweetness.
The plot is lovely and light, if slightly unbelievable at times.

The women of the Combe Pomeroy bookclub have been looking at their current lives and wondering what the future holds for each of them. When they decide to take advantage of their twinning association with a French village by visiting for a week, the experience will have them re-evaluating their lives and what they want. Upon their return, their daily lives change for the better. Delightful story of older women who realize there's still more for them to explore, learn and love.
#TheGoldenOldiesBookClub #NetGalley

This was the third book I’d read by Judy Leigh, and was as much a treat as the others. I will be eagerly looking to read more from this author in the future as her books evince such warmth and charm. The action in this book primarily takes place at Sharrocks’ Cider Farm, run by Jeannie Sharrock, and it is peopled with her memorable, joke-telling mother Violet, age 95; twin grandchildren Caleb and Ella; and assorted friends like Aurora, Danielle, and Verity. Booklover Ruth Barclay runs the library and book club which boasts diverse characters, humorous and contentious discussions of several books, and an inactive twinning relationship with Ploumenez in France.

Ruth arranges a trip for the book club to stay in a gite in Ploumenez on a cider farm there. Jeannie especially enjoys the differences in cidermaking, beverages produced, and the farm itself. The events there, including a ladies’ day of “sand yachting” (of which I’d never heard) broaden the book club members’ horizons and introduce more charming characters—Francine, her husband Julien, daughter Amelie and Julien’s father Bruno.

These are mostly later-in-life characters in their late 60’s and 70’s, but there is friendship, development of romance aplenty and wonderful character evolution.. One of the most endearing relationships is the unusual friendship between farm manager Barney Knowles and Ruth, two widely different people who find commonalities.

My thanks to #NetGalley and #Boldwood Books for an advance copy of “The Golden Oldies Book Club in return for an honest review.

This is the first book I've read by July Leigh and I really enjoyed it. Both humorous and heartwarming, it was the kind of book you can curl up with and get lost in for a pleasant getaway. Jeannie, Ruth, Aurora, Verity, and Danielle (the main characters) are good friends and are also in a local book club together. They are supportive of each other share in their ups and downs and generally have a great time together. Most of these ladies are retirement age and are facing issues of whether to retire or not, what to do if they retire, can you find love at their age, etc., and this book mostly deals with facing the issues and the importance of female friendship.

The characters are relatable and fun. They have a lot of energy and are involved in many activities (like the ladies trip to France). The writing style was easily readable and draws you into the lives of these women.

Thanks to Boldwood Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on December 6, 2022.

This a beautifully written heart felt story about love, friendship, family, community, and how reading books can bring people together. This book makes you want to move to a small town and join a book club.

My favorite person had to be Violet for all her words of wisdom. She may be 95 years young but nothing gets past her, All her funny little jokes and some very funny one liners.

This book was such a fun read and one that makes you smile and believe all good things are possible at any age.

Judy Leigh is a fabulous writer and this one adds to her collection. Well written as normal. Loved the quirks from the characters too.

A sweet book about friendship, support and love from a wide age ranging group of friends. It’s a slow read and probably not my favourite Judy Leigh novel but would be a nice beach read, easy to put down and pick up again with memorable characters.

Another great read from Judy championing the older woman!
A book based on friendship, community spirit and second chances! In the wonderful setting of Sharrock cider farm and Combe Pomeroy!
Jeannie is typical of a middle aged woman pulled in all directions running a home and business, looking after her elderly mother and teenage grandchildren ! The local community book club provides a diversion and a chance to catch up with friends in a convivial atmosphere and it is here where a plan to travel to France is hatched!
The French trip provides a wonderful time for the group of ladies each having their own issues to deal with as they sample local cider, eat regional foods, relax and unwind!
Friendships are formed with their hosts and return visits ensue. As Jeannie finally concedes that she can step back from her responsibilities and do something for herself all ably abetted by the charismatic Bruno proving that it is never too late for happiness love and fun!
Thank you netgalley for this early read.

A lovely feel good book about the inhabitants of a small village. The story centres around a cider making business and those involved in it directly and indirectly. A great read about getting old and how that doesn't mean everything has to stop. I loved all the characters and how they interact with each other and around the village. A gentle easy read that won't disappoint. Thank you to NetGalley for the preview

It is so nice to read a book that focuses on the lives and loves of the older generation. Jeannie runs Sharrock cider farm which has been in her family for generations. Along with her mother Violet, her two grandchildren Ella and Caleb, live with her as their father now lives in Spain. Her friends include Ruth the librarian and Aurora who she went to school with. Ruth runs the book club where other members include Danielle who has split up from her husband and Verity who is fed up with husband Mark and his attitude. Ruth organises for the ladies to go to France on an exchange trip where they stay with Bruno and his family on their cider farm. The characters were all really likeable and I loved how the relationships developed. All in all a lovely easy going read that had the thread of friendship and relationships that aren’t always straightforward. Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a lovely book, that is perfect for book clubs. I enjoyed the setting and the characters. It is a slow read, but I savored my time with these characters.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

The Golden Oldies Book Club by Judy Leigh

Not surprisingly this would be a great title for a book group . I am in one and I think the title would bring up some good topics for conversation.
Enjoyed the book and whilst some of the characters would be classed as ' difficult ' in real life , I can certainly see why they have a leading role in the book. Very amusing.

A very enjoyable read with very loveable characters! I look forward to more by this author. Many thanks for my ARCcopy. P Fowler

Another well written book. The main character is very contankerous, grumpy and single minded. However at parts she did make me chuckle.

Totally love that Judy Leigh always put older characters in the heart of her books, it actually draws me too her books. Another lovely story with great descriptions, and characters. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

A quick, easy and cute read that was full of humour. It is well written with a captivating storyline and well developed characters that I loved.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Another great, fun book from this author, great story and full of great characters. I really enjoyed it.

I really really wanted to love this book but the character of Violet was ‘challenging’! ,you expect a 95 year old to be in charge and have her say and grumpy on occasion but she really wasn’t that nice and irritated,coupled with her jokes it was a DNF for me

This was an enjoyable read but I didn’t feel emotionally attached or concerned about my of the characters although I did like the characters in the book group discussions.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I love reading about people who are navigating the second half of life, so to have a main character in her 70s who runs an apple farm and business---sounded great. And there's a supporting cast of olders, which should have been perfect. Jeannie, who is divorced, lives with her mother and twin grandchildren in a sweet small town in rural England. The grandkids are about to leave for college, and Jeannie is tired. She's at a place in her life where she's not sure what to do. The business is too much; she's exhausted, but even the attentions of a new and compelling suitor can't bust her out of her rut. In fact, by the end of the book, I was frustrated with her dithering, and at the end, the decision is made for her, so the character arc isn't ideal. The author has a gift for descriptions, and the activities of the town centering on the orchard are interesting, but everything is written in a way that distances the reader from feeling attached. I wished I could have been more emotionally moved by the story--there was so much potential--but the author's style is to tell us what happened to the characters, without us feeling involved. So a mixed rating on this one.