Hilary Boyd

I generally avoid books with a romantic story line, but I have to admit this one captivated me. The story of an old marriage that has lost its gleam is a familiar one to many of us in our “old girl” years, playing in to the older age group longing for romance.

Some things were annoying. George is an insufferable husband, controlling and potentially nasty. Still Jeannie stays with him and consistently beats herself up for not enjoying living with a man who questions her every movement in a truly awful manner and who withdraws physical contact without any explanation. She also finds reasons to like her self-obsessed and wastrel son-in-law, taking abuse and maligning of her character with only more self-blame.

I’ve met some people ‘of that certain age’ who still take pride in sticking with obnoxious men because they were married to them, but I can’t find positives in this particular set of manipulative relationships. It seems a bad example, and Jeannie is in danger of being martyred through her endless bowing to command. I wanted to have a firm talking to with her, but in truth, she was unbelievable, and thus didn’t cause anything but irritation. I believe the author wanted to make her seem a positive example but she becomes tiresome. Sure, bad on her to fall in love with someone else while married, but double bad on her to allow things to get to this pass. The endless grovelling is annoying.

I found the character of Rita well-drawn- she, as friend and confidant to the main character, acts as confidants often do- providing support and conflicting advice in equal measure. She adds accelerant to the marriage breakdown until it seems to be actually occurring, then changes direction and gets her own cold feet.

Age is a constant in this book- the main character turns 60 and is constantly being called old- most annoying to this 61-year-old reader- I could identify! A part of my non-calcified heart longs for a lovely fellah to wander into my life and make me feel lust again- so we like radiant Ray (who is given some small faults but is really just SUCH A GOOD GUY that we are forced to like him - heck, he’s even good in bed, without any discussion of the omnipresent hydraulic problems in this age group!). ‘Things’ just magically happen. Made me laugh. Of course, he IS fit from doing martial arts, so he of course has no troublesome chronic diseases. (Despite some rough years, with alcoholism rampant). Ah well, hopes, and apparently other things, spring eternal.

Jeannie also is fit and unconcerned about intimate issues- despite 10 years without intimate contact, she is able to spring in with aplomb. Well, after miles of self-flagellation about even thinking about s-e-x. She doesn’t demand utter darkness for their first interlude, or feel at all awkward. Again, stretches believability, but this is romantic fantasy, after all.

At least it isn’t capitalism-porn, where what people own plays the central role. The author keeps her characters front and centre, with the environment in muted colours around them.

The story is well written, with just enough tragedy to keep interest high. Quite enjoyable and worth a read, as long as you don’t see in Jeannie an example of how one should live with a controlling man. (Or partner)… (altro)

This book was very believable and easy to read, but very slow and boring in my opinion.

This story follows Annie Delancey and her happy, grown family as the child she gave up for adoption while she was a teenager tries to contact her. This ends up causing trouble within the family and the story follows this very drama.

While the drama that occurred was believable, I found that a little bit more action or drama could have happened to make the story more interesting. While more drama might have made it seem less realistic, it also would have made for a better novel.

The story moved very slowly, but the writing was very beautiful. The descriptions and word choices by the author made it a very beautiful read. Once I got about two thirds into the book, I did find myself hooked to the story since I wanted to find out what was happening to the characters.

I found the ending to be quite lame and uneventful. I expected an interesting ending that showed how the characters were years later, instead of a small summary of a random event to the family.

I did enjoy this book, and I would suggest it to other people but I would not read the book again. Well written with a believable plot, but not the most attractive read to keep you hooked onto the book.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.… (altro)

Jeanie vuelve a enamorarse con 60 años, pero ¿valdrá la pena abandonar a su marido y una vida cómoda por un hombre que conoce tan poco?
Nunca es tarde para enamorarse Jeanie tiene sesenta años, una casa bonita, su propio negocio, una hija casada y una encantadora nieta de dos años. Aunque en apariencia lleva una vida cómoda y tranquila, la verdad es que su matrimonio con George es aburrido y totalmente predecible.
Hasta que un día conoce a Ray. Cada jueves, cuando acompaña
a su nieta al parque, se encuentra con este atractivo abuelo que juega con su nieto. Empiezan hablando de los niños y acaban explicándose la vida.
Las conversaciones de los jueves en el parque son cada vez más importantes para ambos y, poco a poco, Ray y Jeanie se dan cuenta de que se han enamorado. Pero ¿tiene derecho a abandonar lo que ha sido su vida durante treinta años y a destrozar a su marido?
¿Sería una locura a su edad arriesgarlo todo para perseguir un nuevo amor?… (altro)