Thank you so much for granting me early access to this title.
I'm going to keep this review short because the book is already out in the world. So this is more of a note that i hope gets shared with the author. This is my first Clare Pooley and I'm officially a fan because this is definitely one of my favourite books of the year. I love books with older protagonists and reading about one who is unapologetically badass is a joy. I have recommended this book to so many people already and I'm going to read the author's backlist. This was awesome!

Daphne has just turned 70, she’s tired of hiding away and so makes a plan to find some friends … along come Lydia and her Senior Citizens Social Club!

Oh this book was just perfect! The found family/multi generational genre is right up my street and I loved every single character, many of which wouldn’t be out of place in the Thursday Murder Club!

There were so many laugh out loud moments as well as some more touching ones when the group come together to support each other. Although I’m not quite there yet I’m definitely hoping I get to age as disgracefully as this lot!

I adored Clare’s first two novels so had high hopes for number 3 and it didn’t disappoint.

How to Age Disgracefully is the epitome of a feel good read and it left me in tears by the ending but with a heart full of happiness.

As with Clare’s previous books the characters are at the heart of the storyline and what a fabulous mix of flawed but loveable characters she has drawn together.  They were so lifelike and easy to warm to, I felt like I was reading about real people.

Clare does a great job of holding on to the character’s secrets and gradually revealing them throughout the story which keeps you hooked all the way to the end.

There is so much to love in this book, it’s not to be missed.

At a time when I was feeling a bit down on life and falling out of love with reading this was the perfect tonic so thank you Clare, this reminded me why reading is the best medicine!

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK and Clare Pooley for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was my second Clare Pooley book and it was exactly as I expected - the story builds and builds as we slowly get introduced to each character and start to delve into each of their lives. There is a nice wide range of age and genre helping to show Clare’s skill at embodying each character and making each one come to life. I’m not someone who normally enjoys an older protagonist and so I think this probably stopped me from enjoying it as much as I did. I also felt that the oldies were made to be older than they actually are - 60’s doesn’t mean old and unable to do anything. My step mum is 70 and my dad is 76 and they both still head to the gym a couple of times a week, get in their 10,000 steps and love a good night out. However - it’s a funny read with a few good plot twists and turns. Definitely worth a read but not something that blew my socks off and made me desperate to recommend as soon as I finished it.

In Clare Pooley’s latest ensemble comedy, Lydia's new job at the Senior Citizens’ Social Club turns into a wild ride. Expecting tea and card games, she finds herself amidst a quirky group of seniors with secrets aplenty. When the city council threatens to sell their community centre, the seniors team up with a local daycare, a teen dad, and a geriatric dog to save the day. With hilarious escapades and heartfelt moments, this diverse cast of characters fights for their beloved centre with unconventional tactics. A fun, entertaining read filled with laughs and emotion!

http://thesecretbookreview.co.uk

If you’re partial to a hug along with your book, then look no farther than this wholesome, heart-warming embrace from Clare Pooley. It’s a joy of a read, overflowing with wit, kindness and humour and featuring a fabulous cast of disparate, quirky characters spanning the generations.

Meet septuagenarian Daphne, who’s on a mission to make some friends after many years spent hiding from her shady past. She’s methodical, organized and bossy, and reckons all problems can be solved with a whiteboard and colored markers.

Meet kleptomaniac, has-been actor Art. Now in his seventies and long estranged from his family, he lives alone and lonely, apart from his one friend William, regretful about the past and miserable about his future.

Meet menopausal, empty-nest mum Lydia. Downtrodden, drained of confidence and married to a turd, she’s taken on the job of running the local senior citizens’ club with the hope of finding a new interest in life.

And finally, meet 18-year-old, single father Ziggy, who’s trying to be a good dad and do well in his exams, while avoiding the clutches of the local bully boys.

What do they all have in common? A desire to save their local community centre from closure.

And so, the scene is set for another of Pooley’s fabulous, found-family stories, a trope she’s honed to absolute perfection. It’s marvelous romp, which along with the ultimate prize, involves the sharing and solving of multiple individual problems, as well as the revelation of shameful secrets.

The absolute highlight for me, though, was Pooley’s treatment of the seniors, who come across as vibrantly real and relatable, without the merest whiff of cliché or caricature. From a fast-approaching septuagenarian, thank you!

This was such a laugh out loud kind of read. I loved how diverse the cast of characters were, always makes a more interesting read. If you looking for a fun, heartwarming, quick read this one is for you.

I am a really big fan of Clare Pooley so I was very excited to read this book. I love the bubbly trait her writing has. Once again, this was a super fun book that was equally compelling and light. She has a way of writing very relatable and human characters that you can only root for and wish the best. I always love a story of an unlikely bunch finding each other and realise they are soul-friends. It can happen at any time of your life!

I adored everything about this book. It was funny, original and hugely entertaining. I loved that we have older characters defying stereotypes about ageing. Instead of slowing down, the characters in this book are creating havoc and proving that you don't stop exploring and living past a certain age.

Daphne has decided she needs to start emerging from her self-imposed exile, and joins the local senior citizens club. No flower arranging or arts and crafts here though. It's more anarchy and community justice.

Art has a habit that could get him into a lot of trouble.

Lydia feels invisible in middle age and suspects her husband of playing away.

Daphne becomes a rejuvenating force and whilst she may be formidable, she also has kindness running through her veins. She also has a secret past that might be catching up on her.

A feel good and wild romp of a book that made me laugh and warmed my heart.

Centered around a social club for senior citizens, How to Age Disgracefully brings together a diverse group of old and younger people whose lives become somewhat enmeshed. It's very entertaining and I love how it portrays people as unique characters, defined only by their own individuality, not by their age.

As a 64-year-old woman, of course I love this new trend of novels about older people who are not the old-fashioned grannies and grandas traditionally portrayed in fiction. Hell, all my friends are in their 60s and 70s and we are still the same people who lived it up in the 70s and 80s before [some of us] settled down. Suffice to say that there's a lot about their lives, past and present, that they don't reveal to their children and grandchildren. And just because someone loves a good cup of tea now doesn't mean they are ignorant, helpless oldies.

And so in this novel, people reveal unexpected aspects of their past and present, in an engaging story. This is the sort of light fiction I enjoy: the situations may be indisputably fiction, but the characters, dialogue and settings are realistic and believable. And it's funny.

Absolutely recommended. 'Fun for all ages', as they say ;-)

When the police stopped a minibus on the road they were totally unprepared for what they found. The minibus was full of senior citizens, nursery age children, a teenage boy & a flustered driver. When before she had time to ask much the various occupants suddenly started bombarding her with confessions of crimes & misdemeanours! With a start like that I knew this would be a fun read! The story is told from various points of view. Lydia- suffering from empty nest syndrome & a pretty unpleasant husband gets the job of running a Senior Social club in the run down Mandel (should be Mandela!) Hall. Daphne- saying she doesn't suffer fools gladly is an understatement! Art- a 'resting' thespian. Ziggy seventeen year old single dad. Against the odds the diverse group band together in the attempt to keep the Hall open.

I just loved this book. It was funny, it was sad & it was thought provoking. I really didn't want to finish it. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this super book!

I absolutely loved reading this book from the first page to the last. A day club for Senior Citizens, a schoolboy with a child and a dog called Maggie Thatcher. What could possibly go wrong ?
The characters are a mixed bunch from different backgrounds and most have some skeletons hidden away. It was heartwarming and sweet as they set about sorting out each others problems and for some, building relationships.
The book contained a lot of humorous moments and I kept getting funny looks from my husband as I laughed out loud.
I will certainly look out for more books by Clare Pooley.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

How To Age Disgracefully is a hilarious novel about a middle aged empty nester seeking to restart her life now her kids are grown, a teenaged single dad, several senior citizens with various, dubious hobbies on the side, and a community centre literally on its last legs. There are multiple narrators, and I really enjoyed seeing this story come together, from the attempt to save the community centre that brought them together to all the shenanigans an elderly shoplifter and septuagenarian with a hidden past get up to. Nothing felt superfluous and I enjoyed all the characters, the banter, and just the chemistry between them all. Would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants some lighthearted comedy with short chapters that are easy to read!

An enjoyable and funny novel about a community fighting the closure of a local community centre. With a cast of colourful eccentrics, including a dog called Maggie Thatcher, the story has some serious themes, such as social isolation, young parenthood and gang culture, but the warmth and wit elevates it. Lighthearted but not at all superficial.

When age makes you invisible, secrets are easier to hide
A heartwarming story with characters you’ll fall in love with
Loved how the age range brought generations together
Daphne is the rock at the heart of the community - showing that no one is perfect and we all need community and support
Thanks @clare_pooley @bantambooksuk & @netgalley for the perfect feel good summer read

Clare Pooley's books are amazing and this one is as good as the others!
This story pulls you in from the beginning and you route for the characters throughout. Funny, light hearted and a great Summer read. Would highly recommend.

Really enjoyed this book. It reminded me of the type of characters in Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club, but without the murder mysteries to solve.
Feel good book with great characters and a proper British feel to it. Recommended.

Five stars! I really loved this feel-good story. The novel follows a group of retirees who are fighting to save the community center that houses their weekly social group. The narration switches POV between the characters and there wasn't one plot line that I disliked. Daphne, the main character, is excellent. I laughed multiple times throughout this quick read.

Yay, this one was just fantastic again!!! I love anything Clare produces and this one did not disappoint!
The characters were fabulous, the humour quirky, the adventures exciting and the whole thing so heart warming.

This was a really enjoyable, quick read for me. I loved the multiple POV and how each of the characters' stories were woven together. A great read!