I was so looking forward to this one and it didn’t disappoint me. I reread City Girls before I started this one. It was great to catch up with the lives of Devlin, Caroline and Maggie. It is lovely that their families are great friends also. Here’s hoping there is another sequel in a few years time.

The girls are back in town.
How great it was to catch up with Devlin, Caroline and Maggie again. Fans of Patricia Scanlon will be delighted to reacquaint themselves with the feisty ladies and to see how life has been treating them. Older yes, wiser yes, but still ready to take on the world if needs be. Having grown up with these girls it’s great to find out how life has evolved for them, the good the bad and the ugly. . I think long time fans will not be disappointed and new readers will be ordering the back catalogue to get to know these ladies better.
For me this is a 4.5 ⭐️book.
Many thanks to #NetGalley and #simonschusterUK for my ARC of this great book.

The return of the City Girls series see Devlin, Caroline and Maggie taking on middle age. Devlin's City Girl gym and spa is turning 35, but as she prepares to party, her past returns in a shocking way. Maggie is struggling with family problems, and Caroline is facing the fact she will never have the life she wanted.

It was lovely to revisit the characters I first read about many years ago. I'll admit I struggled with working out how old everyone was supposed to be, so I had to stop thinking too hard about it at times because some things didn't make sense in my head! I enjoyed the mix of happy, sad and amusing content, in the well written and easy to read style that you expect from a Patricia Scanlan novel. A good read.

This book was such a treat, I had read all the other books in this collection 2hen I eas a teenager. It was lov3ly to go back and see how the girls lives have changed and follow them on their next chapter. This was a beautifully written book and I can highly recommend.

I was so excited to get the opportunity to read City Girls Forever. I fell in love with the series over 20 years ago when my mother passed them onto me read. It was such a delight to catch up with Maggie, Caroline and Devlin.

It was a pleasure to be back in Dublin with the City Girls again. It’s been a long time since I read them when they were published but I enjoyed being reacquainted with Maggie, Caroline and Devlin the years slipped away.
Now in their 50s the three are still firm friends.
A fantastic story which had me captured from page 1.
Just goes to prove not all family are by blood.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of Patricia Scanlans new book.

It has been over 30 years since Devlin, Maggie and Caroline left an imprint on my heart. After my mother completed City Girls, I was allowed to read it, and felt very grown-up to be so engrossed in life for ladies who knew what they wanted even if they didn’t always get it. Now three decades later, the friends still adore each other – but life isn’t without its share of setbacks. Shock revelations, the impact of Covid and romantic woes can happen at any age, even if you think you’ve got your life together. It is so wonderful to have them back and see them as prepared as ever to take on life.

What a fabulous read. I thoroughly enjoyed every word.
City Girls Forever catches up with Devlin, Caroline and Maggie, some thirty years on from when we first met them in City Girl.
This book works perfectly well as a standalone read about the lives of three lifelong friends who have seen each other through thick and thin, through heartaches and joys, supporting and loving each other unconditionally for better and for worse. That said I've just indulged in the joy of re-reading all three of the previous books, City Girl, City Woman and City Lives and the four-part binge-read has been nothing short of exquisite.
Not only is this a tale of true friendships, but it also touches on some very serious issues, while at the same time, each book shines a light on some of the pertinent real-life issues affecting Ireland in the times in which they are set. From the Civic Centre in Dublin’s Wood Quay to the site of the new children’s hospital, they provide a modern history lesson.
I now have a huge City Girl shaped hole in my life and I'm feeling bereft to have left the ladies' company.

How I loved catching up with Caroline, Devlin, and Maggie.
This is set many years later, and the women are now settled into their careers.
I loved how we were transported into each of their lives and all the events that unfolded. How they had each other's backs and supported one another. True friendship.There was certainly plenty going on. A wedding, a funeral, and a court case while dealing with the everyday family stuff.
I really didn't want this to ever end.
I'm hoping there may be another where we see the three women in their old age. You never know
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster UK for the ARC in return for an honest review.

I remember 'discovering' the City Girl series in my local library at a rather young age, and being both shocked and amazed by the lives of Devlin, Caroline and Maggie. The trio were at once a source of curiosity for me and also, inspiration as they constantly thrived no matter, the trauma they faced and their friendship was a connection that brought support, love and laughter into their lives. The trilogy holds a special place in my heart, so you can imagine my excitement on hearing that 'City Girls Forever', a final novel was being released.
It's 35 years since the popular City Girl gym was created by Devlin and although still successful, the company has weathered through some difficult times with a recession and panademic, so with the an anniversary looming, Devlin decides that it is time to celebrate. Devlin is facing some personal challenges when an acquaintance reintroduces the obnoxious Colin Cantrell-king back into her life. There is an element of the 'Me too' movement with this element of the storyline and while unpleasant, brings the storyline an element of cold reality to the tale as casual sexism/abuse are all too prevalent in today's society. However, this storyline is sensitively handled and even then, has a moderately positive ending for the female characters.
Whilewise, Maggie & Caroline have also moved on with their lives and Maggie is now a successful author, with three adult children and has long divorced Terry (though the former villainess Rita Kirby is long gone!) Unfortunately, Terry does not seem to have changed very much and it's his children who bear the brunt of his former behaviour though this leads to some humorous scenes. And poor Caroline, she always seem to struggle in her love life, even when her career life and friendships are stronger than ever, but this time around, hopefully she will find that happy ending.
Whenever you return to a much loved series, there is always a fear that the original emotions will be lost, that you will not recover that original love for a tale. But I've re-read the 'City Girl trilogy' numerous times and loved the series more and more on each reading. And now, I can safely say, that City Girls Forever is a great ending to the series. Our girls have grown up with us, overcome their original battles and are stronger than ever - and reading about them, still feels like sitting down for a chat with old friends.

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.

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.