Hillary Yablon’s "Sylvia's Second Act" is a charming and inspiring novel that captures the essence of reinvention and personal growth. Yablon’s engaging storytelling and relatable characters create a narrative filled with warmth, humor, and heart. The protagonist’s journey of self-discovery and renewal is depicted with authenticity and depth, making Sylvia’s transformation both compelling and uplifting. The novel deftly explores themes of second chances and embracing new opportunities, set against a backdrop of vibrant, well-drawn settings. "Sylvia's Second Act" is a delightful and empowering read, perfect for anyone seeking a feel-good story about finding joy and purpose in life’s later stages.

I adored this cheeky, hilarious novel that was littered with warmth and reality.

I'm a British gal and sometimes books from the USA can be jarring from a social aspect, but not in this case.

I loved the characters, especially Sylvia and her housemate and the funny dress designer. The scenes hiding naked suitors in the bedroom had me giggling away, it was just so funny and totally imaginable!

I'd love to read more from this author and would totally recommend this novel to friends who need a laugh and can appreciate a strong woman who can laugh at herself.

Joyful

This story was incredible from start to finish.
There was a great combination of funny and more poignant parts. And you could 100% imagine this as a movie.
It was great to read a book with two women, who were in their sixties and seventies, showing that age is no barrier.
I liked that despite her life being in turmoil, she didn't sit back and let it get to her. She got out there and started life over again.
I also enjoyed all the Sex and the City references and following them on their journey that took them across the world.
This is definitely a must read and I would definitely love to read more from Hillary Yablon in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“I admit it. I have fantasies, of course I, who doesn’t”
A hilarious, heartwarming, feel-good chick-lit about a woman in her 60s rather than her 20s.
Loved that the novel showed an older character having fun.
Sylvia wants to travel, have adventure and a bit of second chance romance, showing it’s never too late to reinvent yourself.
All the while I was reading was thinking this would make the perfect rom com movie
Thanks @hillaryyablon, @orionbooks & @netgalley for the fabulous debut novel

What a wonderful read! It was both humorous (removing a sundress from a ceiling fan and feeling up fake boobs) and thought-provoking.

Sylvia Fisher, a 63-year-old woman, is having a terrible day. After a pleasant visit to the hairdresser, she unexpectedly discovers her husband, Louis, in an intimate situation with a woman she strongly dislikes.

As if matters could not worsen, Louis admits to losing all of their money in a poor investment. Furthermore, the so-called "accident" turns out to be an ongoing affair.

With the support of her best friend, Evie, Sylvia decides to pack her belongings and, following an embarrassing incident at the airport, travels to visit her daughter.

However, the relationship between Sylvia and her daughter, Isabel, is strained. Isabel wants her mother to forgive Louis and return home.

Sylvia, however, is determined not to do so. For the first time in her life, she prioritizes her own well-being.

She relocates to New York City with her friend Evie and restarts her dream of a wedding planning business. Despite skepticism from others regarding her capabilities, Sylvia is resolved to achieve success in her life.

This is a story about embracing life's challenges, pursuing personal fulfillment, and recognizing that age is not a barrier to achieving one's goals.

A wonderfully written story that I can highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Publishing group for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

Amazing book!
I was thoroughly engaged throughout this book and I didn't want to put it down! The author captured my attention from the get go! Five stars from me :)

A lovely read about starting over later in life.
Sylvia has just walked in on her husband and another woman, she also just found out her husband lost all their money. So, off she goes to Manhatten with her bestie to live out her Sex in the City dreams.
I really enjoyed spending time with Sylvia and Evie, both were fabulous characters. There were lots of storylines woven together by the author and I thought she did a good job of finishing each one off.
I want to spend longer with Sylvia and Evie, so a second book would be lovely.

If you need a really good giggle, then this is one for you!

Sylvia married life has been decided and dictated by her husband; now living in a retirement community where she is less than happy, she comes home to find her other half in bed with - well, not her! Briefly moving in with her glamorous friend, Evie, Sylvia realises that's she's too young to wait for death so, despite her husband's protests, the two of them head off to New York to start living again!

As a sixty-something myself, this book was just the best read! Thought-provoking, entertaining and so very, very funny this one kept me on my toes. Never underestimate a mature woman or two - and Sylvia and Evie know just how to live life. Ups and downs along the way are all entertaining and this is a book which definitely left me with a lighter heart than when I started reading. Never say never! Five sparkling stars and my recommendation for this gorgeous novel.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

This is the first book I've read from this author (mainly cos its her debut) and given how much I loved this one and how quickly I devoured it, it definitely won't be my last.

It's another book in this new sub genre of books, about kick ass women "of a certain age".

Which is a genre that I am thoroughly enjoying more and more each time I encounter it.

For who wouldn't want to grow up and by like Sylvia. Ok I don't want her cheating husband, or meddling daughter, but her determination to start living her life after she catches her husband iin the act, is inspiring.

She and friend Evie, move to New York to follow their dreams, and Sylvia even takes up wedding planning,

I was loving every second of his book, from its first to last page. It's joyous, its awe inspiring, it has plenty of sex and the city references and its generally just a refreshing read.

Utterly brilliant.

Thank you to Orion and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

When Sylvia walks in on her husband cheating on her she packs her bags and heads to NYC with her friend Evie for a fresh start and for a second chance at the wedding planning industry. It sounds like a pretty typical start for a romance novel except Sylvia is in her 60s and Evie her 70s which put a refreshing twist on the tale. There's plenty of references to Sex and the City so if you're a fan of the show you'll likely enjoy Sylvia's Second Act which has similarly laugh out loud and cringe-y moments.

I really enjoyed reading this, it was a brilliant holiday read that actually had me reflecting on what adventures there might still be time for in my own life. The ending felt a little rushed, but it did take a turn that I wasn't expecting.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with a copy this in exchange for an honest review.

Light, fun, quick read, with many, many references to Sex and the City, this is a mix between that show and the Golden Girls. About two friends who leave their retirement home in Boca and move to New York for adventure and a better life. Mistakes are made, challenges are overcome and this is another welcome reminder, that you should really not underestimate women over 60, they've lived a life!!

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC win exchange for an honest review.

I’ll be honest, I was a little skeptical at first, especially as we are thrown straight into the deep-end. The more I read this, the more I enjoyed it. I really liked the character development that was very apparent throughout the whole book, especially for Sylvia’s daughter who I disliked for the majority of this book. The plot twist with Frank really got me but it really was all for the best in the end.

This is the best book I've read in a very long time. We're so used to reading about women who are in their 20s, 30s, and maybe 40s, but never in their 60s. It is never about someone starting anew and realising their aspirations if it is in that decade. Sylvia acts in this manner after discovering her spouse is unfaithful to her! I adored the plot, her connection with Evie, and the idea that you can always pursue your aspirations no matter how late you are! Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful. I'll be recommending this to book clubs and spreading it everywhere. Readers will adore this one.When you discover your lifelong partner having an affair, what steps do you take? preparing to leave for the City of Love and packing. Hillary Yablon wrote this humorous and endearing novel about taking advantage of second chances and living life to the fullest. You must include this book in your list of 2024 Must Reads, I swear.

What do you do when you find your husband of a lifetime in bed with another woman? Packing up and ship out to the City of Love. This is a funny and heartwarming book by Hillary Yablon that is all about second chances and living your life to the max.

I promise you this is a book you need to add to your 2024 Must Read Books. Fabulous job, Hillary.

Literally the best book I’ve read in a long time, we are so used to seeing books for women in the 20-30 something range possibly forty something once in a blue moon, but never 60s. If it is in that decade it is never about someone starting their life over and achieving their dreams. Sylvia after finding her husband cheating in her does just that! I loved the storyline, her friendship with Evie, and I loved the notion it’s never too late to achieve your dreams! Fantastic Fantastic Fantastic. Will be sharing this everywhere and making it a book club pick. Readers are going to love this one