This novel is a poignant and beautifully written exploration of friendship, following the lives of three women who have shared over three decades of highs and lows. From the joys of births and marriages to the challenges of divorce and grief, their enduring bond offers a heartwarming glimpse into the strength of lifelong connections. However, the book also bravely tackles heavy topics such as sexual abuse and eating disorders, making it a thoughtful but sometimes challenging read. While it forms part of the City Girl series, it stands perfectly well on its own, offering a rich and compelling narrative for both new and returning readers. A heartfelt story of resilience and friendship, but one to approach with awareness of its difficult themes.

Patricia is a fantastic writer. I have to pace myself so often so I know I'll always have books of her to turn too. They are full of the best characters. They are full of the dreamiest descriptions so that I can picture all she describes. They are my perfect sit down with a good book read.
I admit I've never gone as far back(yet) in her back catalogue. So I haven't heard of these smashing ladies before. But I will soon. Because I loved these woman. And wanted to get to know there past jaunts too.
I love reading about older characters( or more mature compared to the norm!)
This gaggle of friends were brilliant. I loved to read about a group so tight. A group that would ultimately be there through good and bad.
All the characters are so different but I could picture them all. And it made reading them all the better imagining their personalities as I went.

Wow what can I say. I laughed. I cried. I didn't want it to end. One of my favourite authors and obviously re read the first three books before devouring this one.

Thankfully her books are always ones I can re read so I can be enveloped in the world of the city girls time and time again

Thanks for the opportunity to review

I cannot believe it is 30 years since we heard from the City Girls. I loved this series about 3 friends and the progression of their lives and friendship. This instalment brings us right up to date with the state of their lives and careers. There are many ups and downs in the lives of each of the three friends. Always knowing that the other two are there for them come what May. I loved this and I am sure you will too. If you are a follower of these friends you need to be brought up to date. I have all of Patricia Scanlon’s books. Each one an absolute joy.

An absolutely cracking read.

This was a fabulous read. It's about three long-time friends, their lives and families, and their ups and downs.

I first heard about Patricia Scanlan many years ago-I saw a set of two of her paperbacks on special offer, (Promises, Promises, and Mirror, Mirror), snapped them up, and what a fab read! I went on to read just about all of her books. I have read the three previous 'City' titles, and I know I enjoyed them-but I don't remember much about the happenings in them, as it was ages ago. Starting this book, it didn't seem to matter if you hadn't recently read the others, as the action takes place 30+ years later. I soon got into the story without having to look back etc. This book could be enjoyed even if you hadn't read the others.

A warm, wonderful cosy read to curl up with. Wise, and well-observed. Covers issues lots of families come up against and experience. Fast-moving, the pace never lets up. It just flows, so you get through it before you realise. Her writing just has the skill to hold you to her pages. Easy to get into, and so easy to get absorbed in.

Well-written. Perfectly expressing the characters' thoughts and feelings, so you're glued to their stories. It's unpredictable, and varied. Included many of my favourite ingredients I like to read about. An absolutely cracking read.

I was delighted to have the chance to read a pre-publication copy of this book. It's quite a big book, so I thought I'd save it for an upcoming hospital stay.....not a chance! Once I had a dip in it, I just couldn't stop, and now it's finished. What a great read.

This will delight fans of Patricia Scanlan's writing. And if you've not read any of her books yet, you have a whole load to look forward to.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ City Girls Forever by Patricia Scanlon

I was about sixteen when I was first introduced to Patricia Scanlon’s books predominantly City Girls. I fell in love with Devlin, Caroline and Maggie and they became a part of my life. Reading this book gave me such nostalgic joy and brought me right back to my teenage years.

We rejoin the three girls as they battle new challenges and try to make sense of their lives. They reminisce over the last twenty years at their highs and lows and celebrate their wonderful friendship which is as strong as ever. Life is far from over for these three ladies. There is still so much they want to do.

I loved this book as much as every other Patricia Scanlon book. She is a truly exceptional writer in how she portrays these strong, powerful women. She invents the most loveable characters and ignites such warmth and joy in me with every word I read. Her characters are always so relatable and I love how she promotes other Irish authors, businesses, areas etc in the story. This is such a feel-good, cosy, easy book to read made even better in front of the fire with a hot chocolate.

Thank you so much to @netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

Loved, loved, loved being reunited with the City Girls. Warm and cosy I devoured it quickly and couldn’t put it down.

The City Girls are back!
This series was one of my favourites, so imagine my excitement when all these years later a new book appeared on Netgalley.
Caroline, Devlin and Maggie have lost none of their appeal and their friendship is still strong.
Telling their stories at this later stage of their lives brings a world of new issues - divorce, menopause, historical abuse, eating disorders, to name a few. Lots of fun and laughs too.
Highly recommended!

What a thrill to get to read this. I was so excited to see there was a new addition to this story. I was determined to re-read the previous ones first but couldn't wait; I had to dive in. It was absolutely wonderful to back in the world of the City Girls again. Maggie, Devlin and Caroline have all moved on in life since when we last knew them but they still remain the same characters that we loved. Life has changed them in some ways but that makes it all the more realistic. The story itself is a great read but at the heart of it all is the friendship of the three women in all its ups and downs. It is absolutely relatable. Wonderful. A must read for Irish fiction fans.

A long time ago , when I ran out of Maeve Binchy books to read, I asked a bookseller (Waterstones in Belfast) if they could recommend a similar author; Patricia Scanlan was the answer. It's remarkable then that quite a few years later, after finishing and loving all her books and long before my bookstagram days, I met Patricia in that very shop, clutching my well worn copy of City Girl. I had just missed a book signing in Easons (damn work) but the staff there told me she was going to Waterstones to drop in some posters........so I ran like an eejit, found her , got my book signed, and a hug, and didn't stop smiling the rest of the day. What a beautiful, kind and warm woman she is.

As mentioned above I have read all of Patricia's books however I have a soft spot for City Girl, it being my first......I've reread the trilogy many times over the years, always going back to them when in need of some comfort. So you can imagine my delight when I heard that Devlin, Maggie and Carolines' adventures were continuing, 30 years later. And even more so when I got my hands on an advance copy (thanks @patriciascanlan7224 @netgalley and @simonschusteruk)

Despite being 30yrs after the original, it's perfectly placed in the contemporary world. The girls have grown up and moved on in realistic ways so, although it was great to catch up, the story soon got on with the 'now and next'. For this reason, I don't think you need to have read the three previous books, however it would really add to your experience if you did.

Ah guys, I just loved every word of City Girls Forever.......it was like being back in touch with three old friends. Full of the warmth and wisdom synonymous with Patricia's books, I laughed in parts and even had a wee cry. I ended the book as snug as a bug in a rug; happy, uplifted and utterly satisfied.

This is one to grab a cuppa and curl up with; dedicate some time as it so easy and comforting, you'll not want to put it down.

I loved, loved reading about the lives of the City Girls from start to finish.
Patricia has recreated their lives and incorporated the last thirty-five years creatively.
Great story lines of the three main characters. I loved that they all had individual issues that readers could relate too; especially when she wrote about Covid times and the struggle that families felt.
Great detail in describing different locations and restaurants.

Having read the city girl trilogy when they originally came out I was thrilled to hear Patricia Scanlon was writing a catch up with Devlin, Maggie and Caroline. As usual Patricia writes warm characters ( except for Tony and his wife) with lots of excitement and twists along the way. Definitely would be recommending to others, I don't think it's necessary to have read previous books either .

City Girls Forever by Patricia Scanlan

Best friends Devlin, Maggie and Caroline are now in their 50s and making preparations to celebrate the anniversary of Devlin's business, City Girl gym and spa. But each of the friends is facing huge challenges and they need each other's support more than ever.

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! This book is a masterclass in writing - the characters, the storylines, the breathtaking range of issues. I raced through it and loved every minute of it. Please can we have another follow-up?! Very VERY highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

This book is a really warm book following three friends through time and explore their highs and lows. We follow Devlin as she tries to get her gym and spa running successfully and the culmination of the book is a huge event to celebrate her anniversary in the business with her friends. Whilst this is going on the past catches up with her and she risks a scandal.. A little bit of romance for Caroline and this is dealt with quite tenderly and with care. The final friend is Maggie and we follow her family problems with an overbearing brother preying on her mother as well as a daughter with problems of her own with her ex.
The characters are well rounded and the dialogue is quite sharp with some lovely moments of humour. Sensitive issues are dealt with and there’s a definite hint of maeve Binchy about the plot development and the reliance of friends on each other to get through.

The City Girls are back.

Devlin is getting ready to celebrate 35years of her City Girl gyms. Maggie and Caroline and on hand to help. A brilliant read following on from City Lives. This book can be read as a stand alone. I loved the series and the strength of the characters in it. I found it hard to put it down once I started.

City Girls was a wonderful read for me ,I was really happy to read city Girls forever.This is a wonderful warm entertaining read that I enjoyed from beginning to end.#netgalley #s&suk

As a fan of Patricia Scanlan 's for many years I was delighted to hear that she was working on a follow up to the City Girls trilogy which I have to admit I have read more times than I can count! I was delighted to be approved with an early reading copy which I devoured in roughly two days and have to admit it was fantastic catching up with my favourite trio and being introduced to their children and even some of their wider family circles whom we hadn't met before.

I will definitely be recommending this book, it's excellent and I look forward to its publication in March.

Many thanks.

It was so nice to be back with Devlin, Caroline and a Maggie and to see how things are going for them since we last heard from them in City Lives. I actually went back and read the previous books in the series before starting this one . City Girls Forever was a wonderful read and I devoured it in a few sittings . These women are strong and feisty and I love the way they have each others backs . Whilst this is an easy read it’s also one that deals with various life issues that arise . A wonderful read with the perfect ending .

Scanlan’s masterful storytelling shines through as she weaves together these compelling arcs, reminding us that the bonds of friendship can weather any storm. With moments that spark joy and tension alike, City Girls Forever is a heartfelt celebration of resilience, love, and the power of community. This installment proves that once a City Girl, always a City Girl, and no matter what challenges arise, they’re ready to embrace life together with style and sass.

In read City Girls many years ago. It was nice to be able to catch up with the characters and their lives and friendship.