I guess I haven’t seen many books catered more to the 60’s plus age but maybe I’m just not the target market BUT I had seen others rave about the author and this book. The title also drew me in too. Loved the storyline and the characters - such a fun read and so happy I read it.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to receive this book for an honest review.
What a cute read. I loved the characters and how easy it was to read.

I found a new author to read.

Thanks to NetGalley, Avon Books UK, and the author for the chance to read this book.

This is an enjoyable read focusing on community and friendship. The cast of characters varies quite a lot in age but works really well together with the banter. There is a bit of romance and plenty of learning to move on with grief in your heart. The storyline was engaging and moved at a relaxed pace without being boring or drawn out.

I very much enjoyed this light hearted, fun and feel good novel, centred around recently widowed Maggie. All the characters were great and the plot was entertaining and original. An inspiring and enjoyable read.

"The Unretirement" by Penny Mirren is an inspiring and thought-provoking exploration of life after traditional retirement. Mirren’s writing is both insightful and empowering, offering a fresh perspective on what it means to find purpose and fulfillment in the later stages of life. The book challenges the conventional notions of retirement, encouraging readers to embrace new opportunities, passions, and adventures. Through engaging anecdotes, practical advice, and a touch of humor, "The Unretirement" provides a roadmap for reinventing oneself and making the most of the years ahead. It’s a must-read for anyone looking to redefine their golden years with energy, enthusiasm, and a renewed sense of purpose.

In Maggie’s Second Act, Maggie embarks on a new chapter of her life after her husband’s passing. Embracing retirement, she discovers her passion by working at a restaurant. Here, she not only finds joy and purpose but also receives support from others who encourage her to pursue her dreams. The story is a heartwarming exploration of reinvention and fulfillment, showcasing how a more experienced person can find new paths and passions later in life. It’s a refreshing read that celebrates the journey of achieving new dreams in the later years.

Being in the edge of retirement myself I read this book with gusto. I titter with laughter in parts and get how you feel in the precipice of a life change.

The unretirement is a heartwarming novel by Penny Mirren.
This was such a cute read. The story was easy to follow and had a great cast of characters. I binge read it in a day. I will definitely be reading more by the author. I highly recommend it.
💝 Thank you to Avon books, netgalley and the author for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyed this book made me laugh, thanks to publisher and NetGalley for opportunity to read this
Wishing the author all the best with this book

Enjoyable, easy to read tale about Maggie, who is recently retired and decided to support her local Indian restaurant when they face some difficult times. Light hearted story, likeable characters, and an easy to read style make this an enjoyable book.

A fun story about rekindling friendship and finding fulfilment. I enjoyed both Maggie and Hannah’s stories, and their joint project. Add in lots of humour with some sharp one liners, and a dash of romance, and this book has all the ingredients to make a satisfying read.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC.

The Unretirement by Penny Mirren is a delightful story about Maggie who has retired but still yearns for some purpose in her life.

She finds that in an Indian restaurant that most likely is going under. Maggie goes in full guns blazing. She helps out, teaches some of the staff some skills that set them on the right road. As each problem arises she seeks to problem solve it. She can't do it without the community support that arises. They passionately work together to foil the awful TV chef who'd like to buy the property.

Hannah - Maggie's daughter too is negotiating that time in life where she has divorced and is scrambling to find a work life balance. Meanwhile her lovely young daughter Millie adds some charm and humour to the story.

This is a warm hearted story of community, finding your way and making choices that really satisfy you. It's not easy but they all pretty much make it by the end.

This was a lovely gentle read with the love between mother and daughter and a kind community at the heart of it. the descriptions of the food were certainly mouthwatering and I loved that the outcome was quite believable! I would certainly recommend this book, great for an aeroplane trip!

This delightful story hooked me from the very beginning and I found myself unable to put it down, finishing it two days. It follows Maggie, a recent widow who decides to pursue her passion for cooking after her retirement. Despite facing rejection from local restaurants, she finds solace in helping out at her friend's struggling Indian restaurant while also juggling childcare for her daughter Hannah.

This book is a delightful blend of lovable characters who come together to achieve a common goal. It serves as a heartwarming reminder that people of all ages can work together and make a difference. The underlying message of family and community adds to the feel-good nature of the story.

Although I'm not personally a fan of Indian cuisine, the vivid descriptions of the dishes throughout the book had my mouth watering. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for a heartwarming tale filled with love, laughter and delicious food.

This was a delightful book to read, was never sure what would happen next as Maggie is a very strong character. How will it all turn out and will the Indian restaurant be saved, I had to keep reading to find out. Great book for your summer read on holiday.

This book does start off a bit slowly, but if you stick with it, it is an enjoyable read overall.

At the core, this is the story of love, friendship, and community. There was more humor in it than I anticipated, and I was very happy to see the recipes included! Maggie is learning how to live again after being newly widowed, and it will likely resonate with some readers ... though not all of them will decide to jump into action to help their favorite restaurant, which is struggling.

I really enjoyed how this story reminds readers that age is just a number. You are never too old to follow your dreams. The characters are well developed and relatable. The dual POV gives readers a well-rounded glimpse into the story.

3.7 Stars
One Liner: Entertaining

Maggie Lawford is back home after traveling the world post-retirement. However, she knows she needs to find a project/ job to be productive. Being in the food and catering industry, Maggie is passionate about cooking. When her daughter Hannah takes her to their favorite restaurant, Maggie finds her purpose. The restaurant is struggling. The chef is at his wits’ end.
Maggie takes charge and resolves to save the restaurant. Soon, she has a plan ready to be put into action. With help from her daughter, Hannah, and granddaughter, Alice, and the people at the restaurant, Maggie is determined to make this a success.
The story comes in the third-person POV of Maggie and Hannah.

My Thoughts:
Well, the vibrant cover and heartwarming premise made me grab this book. As much as I like the concept and the characters, I need to first ask – why did it have to be an Indian restaurant? Why do we still need a white person playing savior to a brown family? It could have been any restaurant!
Now the rant is done, let’s move on to the rest.
The book starts at a slow pace but picks up momentum after 30% or so. Maggie, Hannah, and little Alice are easy to like. They have their flaws, but that makes them realistic. Alice is a sweetheart. I like books with cute kids, and this one hits the right notes.
The dual POV from Maggie and Hannah helps advance the plot. It also prevents the book from being too repetitive and only about Maggie. However, I was confused a few times and had to reread to determine who spoke the dialogue and whose internal thought it was. This should be sorted in the final copy.
The found family and community tropes are well done. The other characters are distinct, be it Joe, Ben, Jade, or Sav. Maybe Sav could have had a little more depth, given his role, but what we have is good. I like that Raj and Gita’s characters also have some strength and are more than just names.
There’s a lot of food in this one (obviously!), and since some of it is Indian, I did want to get a taste of it (the vegetarian stuff). I’m not a fan of fusion dishes, but some of those in this book have been tried in cooking shows by chefs and contestants, so we aren’t dealing with anything that unique (at least to me).
On that note, thank you for not messing up the names of the dishes. There are recipes at the end (not formatted properly in this ARC). The Fajita with an Indian twist reminded me of the Frankie Rolls we ate in college.
Naturally, we have a happy ending. Everything gets sorted. The bad guy (of course, there is one, even if his presence is limited, thank goodness!) is put in place, and the found family is looking forward to a brighter future.

To summarize, The Unretirement is a fun read with delicious recipes, nice characters, and a second chance at achieving one’s dreams.
Thank you, NetGalley and Avon Books UK, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
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Other links will be updated soon.

I think there comes a time in every single retirees daily grind that they wish they still had a job to go to. It doesn't matter if they need the money, it is just having some place to go and a group of people to talk to and validation that you fit in.

Maggie and her husband retired with plans to drive to all the places they wanted to see. Unfortunately, he died before their plans really took off. A year later Maggie is bored with only her young granddaughter to pick up after school. She decides it's time to put her culinary institute training to good use and get a job cooking. Unfortunately no one wants to hire an "old" lady.

When the opportunity arises to help the son of some friends who are stuck in India and can't run their Indian restaurant, Maggie pitches in to try to get the restaurant back in working order and making money.

Great story, lots of comedy, excellent camaraderie between.the different ages working together, the community scenes shows what can happen if people care about those around them. Add to this a crabby chef from a neighboring village is trying to buy the restaurant out from under them. (Well written creep.)

I loved the book and really felt for Maggie when she was out looking for a job at retirement age. That part was perfectly written. I know, because I went through the same thing when I retired.

#HarperCollinsPublishersLtd #TheUnretirement #Maggie #Alice #PennyMirren #Avon #Hannah #KitchenStaff #JoeBenSavJade #RomCom #LifeChangingDecisions #Recipes

As I’ve just retired myself I was particularly interested to read this novel and it didn’t disappoint. It shows that older people have lots of useful skills and experience they can share with the wider community. It was a really feel-good story with some well drawn characters including several unsavoury ones who I’m pleased to say got their comeuppance. A very satisfying read.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Penny Mirren, a name I hadn't come across before, caught my attention with a novel about a woman navigating her 60s and the adventures of retirement. The decision to delve into her story was a rewarding one. The book is a testament to skilled writing, endearing characters, and an engaging plot. I'm now keen to discover more of Mirren's work.

The narrative follows Maggie, a woman in her early 60s who had envisioned her retirement filled with global travels alongside her husband. However, life takes an unexpected turn when she loses her husband. Amidst this, her daughter Hannah, dealing with a divorce, moves closer to Maggie, both for support and to share the responsibilities of raising her young daughter. A spontaneous visit to their once-favorite Indian restaurant reveals the establishment's hardships, prompting Maggie to step out of retirement to lend a hand. Hannah, too, becomes deeply involved, especially when reacquainted with a past flame, the owner's son, now managing the restaurant. The story weaves a tale of whether they can revive the beloved eatery.

What stands out in Mirren's writing is the robust and captivating ensemble of secondary characters. Each one is crafted with such depth that they could easily be the protagonist of their own story. Maggie, in particular, shines through with her passion for cooking and her heartfelt connections with those around her. Reading this book feels like receiving a warm embrace; it's the kind of story that beckons you to read 'just one more chapter' until you've devoured it entirely. Maggie embodies strength and resilience, making her a character to aspire to. This book is a delightful addition to any summer reading list.

A heartfelt thanks to Netgalley, Avon Books, and Penny Mirren for providing this Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC).