Another winner from this author who really knows how to make a great story with a very eclectic group of people. Old age people who refuse to take up age appropriate activities at the community centre band together to help save their centre from being sold off. Along the way they have their own issues to deal with, some very chequered past history, and also helping a young single father escape the clutches of a local gang. Daphne is the grandmother everyone will want, or want to be, such a vibrant feisty character. Well written story and interesting characters with a good mixture of funny moments and real emotion.

I love the seniors in this novel: they're alive, bizarre and enjoy the freedom given by being of a certain age.
It's well plotted, compelling, and solid. Loved it
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This was such a lovely and light-hearted read.
I do hope I'm like the main characters when I'm older.
It's a reminder not to judge a book by its cover and to remember that everyone, not matter what their age, had value.

I’ve been trying to write this review for weeks. It feels like whatever I write won’t do it justice. Every little detail matters. It’s such a delicious book! A family of quirky characters that are so themselves, so real. Clare Pooley has created yet another world that’s a privilege to be part of. It was so deeply immersed in the joy and love for these characters that I had to take breaks from reading to tell whoever was around me about it. Once I put it down, I couldn’t quite tell whether I had read a book or watched a film. They were so present to me, so full of life and humanity. One of my favourite reads of the year so far!

I really enjoyed this story of smashing stereotypes, ageing and grow old disgracefully. The characters were well written and the author managed a balance of humour and emotional, tender moments. Definitely one to read.

I absolutely adored this book. It smashed all of the stereotypes, made me laugh out loud and was one that I couldn’t put down. Daphne was just fantastic, as were all of the others. I would have liked to hear a bit more backstory on ruby and Anna but otherwise it was just perfect.

This is a lovely read, I found it a bit cutesy in parts but overall I enjoyed the humour and loved all the characters and the idealism of the situations. I found it easy to get to know all the characters but ultimately Daphne is the star! Everyone needs a Daphne in their lives!

Really enjoyable, funny book!

Compelling read with relatable characters who I was rooting for.

I was sad when it ended because I want more!

First of all thank you for approving my request!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.

I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

This is absolutely hilarious, I loved how the book neatly started in the midst of the action and the way the narrative flitted between the characters. The story unites generations and whilst there is some heavy material covered (drug gangs, divorce etc), the overaching humour and friendships makes this book a winner. Highly recommended!

**Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own **

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 ;-)