Er gebeurt van alles en over het algemeen sluit je de meeste personages ook zonder enige moeite in je hart.

I suspect that I simply went into this book expecting way too much and maybe being misled by the synopsis. Then there is Rosa, Layla's mum who has the most amazing job, even if she can be a bit too kind hearted at times. The business she set up for herself sounds rather unique, definitely bespoke and I wonder if anyone has ever come up with this in the real world.She found a pen on the dresser along with a battered tear-off pad. When she placed them in front of him, Edgar said, ‘You can write it. Six mornings a week, general cleaning, cooking and helping out.’ He paused, then added generously, ‘They can have Sundays off.’

From quite early on I felt drawn into the book and at the same time a warmth glowing from the words, such is my love of this author. It felt comforting but new simultaneously. Finally best friends since childhood Didi and Layla the two main characters of the book. I really enjoyed getting to know both of them, and spent a fair bit of the book hoping they would come to their senses about the various men in their lives! And with that, she discovers so much more about herself, helps the people around her, genuinely just cares to do what's right. Edgar, the old man set upon living life to the fullest before he passes away, does push her to her limits; but, she knows that despite the pay-off she believes she'll receive after, she just wants him to find a bit of happiness, no matter how late in life it comes. Not forgetting an equally grumpy chihuahua to give Edgar a run for his money, and her best friend who may finally be about to get a break from an unlikely source. Lou is een weekend op bezoek in het pittoreske dorpje Foxwell als ze op de parkeerplaats van de supermarkt kennismaakt met de chagrijnige Edgar Allsopp, die, nadat hij haar heeft beschuldigd van een poging tot beroving, nogal wat dringende verzoekjes voor haar heeft. Deze excentrieke tachtiger woont helemaal alleen in een groot landhuis en heeft een inwonende hulp nodig, en Lou lijkt hem de perfecte kandidaat voor die baan – of de enige, omdat hij al veel werknemers heeft verjaagd. Lou staat daar niet echt voor open, maar als ze haar baan en haar huis verliest en Edgar een wel heel bijzondere regeling voorstelt, besluit ze het toch een kans te geven. Zal ze weer wat vreugde in zijn leven kunnen brengen?Jill Mansell’s books are always perfect beach reads. Nice and cheesy love stories, including a lot of side characters with their own love stories. I didn't have much to complain about Jill Mansell's prose - the pacing was fluid, the shift between character POV's was very well-handled - the cast themselves, were such a whimsical and playful and colorful lot, that as you bounced from each of their lives - it is how they inevitably were connected with one another is what made it such a delightful read. 💞💞 For a split second, Edgar looked as if he might be on the verge of breaking into a smile. It didn’t happen. When she’d finished scrubbing the floor, she said, ‘Look, why don’t you write out an advert and let me put it in the newsagent’s window for you? I can do it when I leave here. Get yourself someone who can come and tidy the house up once or twice a week, how does that sound?’ A witty, heartwarming story of love, life and second chances set in the idyllic Cotswolds, from the glorious Jill Mansell.

This really was a captivating read that held my attention the whole way through and there were predictable and unpredictable parts in equal measure which just made the book such a joy to read. I was championing the outcome of this book and I was so pleased that the author chose to end the book the way she did, I do love a dose of Karma! Het verhaal is niet mega uniek ten opzichte van andere feelgood verhalen, waardoor de beoordeling wat aan de lagere kant ligt. Dit betekent echter voor mij niet dat het een slecht boek is, het voldoet namelijk wel aan mijn verwachtingen: lekker in het zonnetje weg kunnen dromen met een ‘licht’ boek.

We lezen het verhaal vooral vanuit Lou, maar we krijgen ook de hersenspinsels van andere personages mee. Lou is lief en behulpzaam en al snel ontmoet ze Edgar Allsopp. Een grumpy old man met een klein hartje. De interactie tussen Lou en Edgar verwarmde mijn hart en ik betrapte mezelf erop dat ik dit boek met een glimlach op mijn gezicht aan het lezen was. Daar heb ik dus helemaal geen zon of fluitende vogeltjes voor nodig. Secrets never stay hidden for long in Foxwell, nor are promises always kept. And no one could guess what lies ahead . . . Lou heaved a sigh. This was getting silly now; she’d got herself into a situation with a truculent pensioner who was a stranger to manners. And much as she wanted to say no to his demand, her conscience wasn’t letting her.