Who wouldn't want to channel Helen Mirren at any age, let alone at 79 years old. Poor old Peggy Smart is a million miles away from channeling anyone as half as amazing as Dame Helen, living in the Jacaranda Retirement Village, widowed, increasingly isolated from her grandchildren thanks to her ungrateful daughter in law. She has a massive crush on hottie Brian, somewhere in his eighties. And so do a number of other residents - competition. But overall life in the village is pretty dull, every day the same as the other, her fellow residents equally uninspiring and dull, petty, and probably just as fed up with their lives as Peggy is. Is this all there is?
And then one day a new arrival! Peggy's old school friend, her closest friend all those years ago, the glamorous, beautiful, stylish, fun-loving adventurous Angelina moves in. And Peggy is in her sights to give a new lease of life to. Peggy has mixed reactions to the Cinderella-fairy godmother scenario unfolding in front of her, but is very quickly under the spell of her exciting and lively friend, taking her back to a happier time. Oh the fun they have! It wouldn't be a good story if a few problems and conflicts didn't crop up along the way, bringing up old conflicts and pettiness from their younger days.
This is funny, engaging, and a joy to read, making you feel good inside. No murders, no violence, no nastiness, blood, law breaking. It's a great story, with adorable characters, trying to live the best lives they can in their twilight years. Something we can all aim for, and perfect reading for these times when we really need to be connecting with others as much as we can.
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