It’s such a pleasure today to be joining the blog tour for the latest book from Judy Leigh, The Silver-Haired Sisterhood, and sharing my review: published by Boldwood Books on 2nd December, it’s now available as an e-book (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback, and as an audiobook. As always, my thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support (my last blog tour of the year – thanks for the breather!), and to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy (provided via netgalley).
I’m sure you’ll know by now that I’m a tremendous fan of Judy’s writing – whether the second chance/never too late books published under her own name or the historical novels she writes as Elena Collins (pop the names into my search bar, you’ll find all my reviews) – and I couldn’t have been more delighted when I heard that she is now officially a million copy bestseller. I’m a touch ashamed that I haven’t been able to keep up with her cosy mystery series too (something had to give!), but I did thoroughly enjoy the first, Foul Play at Seal Bay (you’ll find my review here) and still hope to catch up later. I’ve loved Judy’s books ever since I discovered her through A Grand Old Time way back in 2018 (yes, there is a review – you’ll find it here) , but I have inexplicably missed a small number along the way (also on my catch up list) – one of those was Five French Hens, so I was a teeny bit concerned when I saw this book mentioned as a sequel. I really needn’t have worried though, and neither should you – it’s absolutely perfect as a standalone story, and I took these wonderful women immediately to my heart…
‘We’re celebrating life,’ Rose said. ‘Life, every single minute of it. Tell me, girls – is there ever anything better to celebrate than that?’
Five years after seventy-something Tess jetted off to Paris with her best friends, Jen, Rose, Della and Pam – the Five French Hens – for Jen’s hen do, a lot has changed. Prospective groom Eddie has been given the heave-ho, Tess’s husband has been sent packing and the Hens are making the most of their golden years.
But Tess is stuck in a rut. Rather than embrace her independence, she watches on as Rose wows Paris, Jen explores Iceland and Pam heads to Greece. But when tragedy strikes Della, Tess is shaken into action. They both need a change of scenery and longing to see the Northern Lights, they head to the Highlands of Scotland and the magical Isle of Skye.
There Tess and Della get more than they bargained for. Along with stunning scenery and breathtaking history, they find new friends, grand adventures and even romance. And when they’re joined by the other Hens, together they start plotting a fabulous new future for them all.
Travel with Judy Leigh to the magical Highlands in this uplifting, joyous and funny tale of friendships and new beginnings. This is the perfect feel-good story for all fans of Maddie Please, Dawn French and Caroline James.
With Christmas approaching, Tess feels a little left out when her friends – of many years – all seem to have exciting plans. Jen’s off on a cruise to Iceland, Pam heading for Greece, Rose is living and working in Paris (in her eighties, but playing piano in a nightclub), and Della’s hoping to get there on a long-promised trip with husband Sylvester. Tess has always wanted to see the Northern Lights, and there’s nothing holding her back, so she impulsively books a solo break on the Isle of Skye – then starts to work out the logistics of how to actually get there. But she does have unexpected company – Della’s Paris trip, for the very saddest of reasons, doesn’t happen, so they travel there together. But on arrival, the hotel proves not to be quite what they were expecting – run down, no warm Scottish welcome, only a reluctantly agreed bed for the night so that they can then look for somewhere else.
It turns out that owner Roddy’s wife has left him, he’s barely coping, and she’s also demanding he sells the hotel to give her half the proceeds. With more guests expected, and seeing a real possibility of turning the place around, Tess and Della decide to step in – they’re full of ideas, and Tess is a particular dab hand in the kitchen – and help an initially reluctant Roddy fight for the hotel’s future. They’re unexpectedly joined by an ailing Rose, struggling to recover from illness, and her young (caring, enthusiastic and rather lovely) friend Daz – and together they all show what a positive approach can achieve. There’s a substantial cast of really well drawn characters – guests Robin and his son Jamie willingly join their efforts, and they also win over curmudgeonly guide and handyman Murdo, slowly helping him change his life in the process. Roddy’s wife Isla though remains determined that they will fail, sabotaging them at every turn – but she really doesn’t realise quite what she’s taking on.
There is, of course, a lot of laughter – the relationships between the women (and the other two join them too before their stay is over) are an absolute joy throughout, with their support for each other, sheer zest for life and finding enjoyment in every available moment. There are serious issues too – a good measure of grief and loss (quite wonderfully handled, and that sometimes moved me to tears), health problems, mental health issues – but always a focus on how life can be made better, grasping every opportunity, overcoming every obstacle, buoyed up by friendships new and old and the glimmer of hope for the future.
The Skye setting is quite beautifully drawn, with the most vivid descriptions – neither their efforts at the hotel nor the snowfall can stop them getting out and about and seeing the beauty to be found on their temporary island home. And I’ve always very much enjoyed the author’s more mature characters – her books are always a firm testament to the fact that it’s never too late to change your life in a positive way, especially with the support of friends. But I really think this book might have been my favourite of them all (so far, of course!) – I was entirely caught up by the fight to save the hotel, the struggles of some of the characters, and the wonderful women who showed such fierce determination to succeed. The whole book is filled with emotional moments that really touch your heart, but immensely uplifting, leaving you with the warmest glow – and it’s the most tremendous fun too. I really couldn’t recommend it more highly.
About the author
Judy Leigh has lived all over the UK from Liverpool to Cornwall, but currently resides in Somerset. After teaching theatre, writing lyrics for a punk band and setting up Shakespeare Festivals, she completed an MA in Professional Writing.
All her novels celebrate the ups and downs of life, relationships, the power of laughter and the belief that everyone has a second chance at happiness, whatever their age.
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website | Bookbub | Newsletter sign up
Ooh I like the sound of this!