A Year of Mr Maybes, published by Boldwood, is the brand new feel good novel written by USA Today bestseller Judy Leigh. True to her style, Leigh delivers on her winning formula of laughter, love and friendship with this tale that shows that the end of one thing is not the catastrophe that it initially feels like. Instead, it can be the catalyst for the beginning of lots of new, exciting opportunities and experiences.
When Val has nearly finished her perfect Christmas dinner and heads to the pub to collect her husband and celebrate the day together, the last thing that she is expecting is to witness him cosying up to another woman in his local. But that’s what she finds: her steady husband of seventy-something with his white curls and steady routine, hand in had with someone a lot younger than Val. Definitely not the perfect Christmas Day that Val had in mind!
Instead of crumbling into hysteria, accepting Ray’s excuses or wallowing in self-pity, Val takes the brave step of starting again. She moves a few miles to Lowenstowe on the coast of north Cornwall and is determined that she is going to be in full control of what, and more importantly who, she wants to spend her life with.
Cue Val quickly finding a life long friend in Connie, a lonely widow who can’t seem to move on after the death of her husband. Often in the kitchen of Teasal Cottage with one of Val’s delicious brownies, they hatch a hilarious, yet at times awkward plan for Val to find her Mr Right. You see, Val needs a date for her son’s wedding in December so that she doesn’t have to face the painful reminder of her husband’s betrayal alone. However, as Val begins to open up to her potential Mr Maybes, she begins to realise that a Mr Right is not necessarily what she needs or wants.
Instead, Val’s generosity to her neighbours, Alice and Kevin and the elusive and mysterious Ben, help her to become part of community life. And when Val becomes friendly with the local eccentric, Loveday Moon, who sees it as her sole purpose in life to save the planet, there is no stopping Val. Energised by Loveday’s passion, Val helps her to pull the community together to preserve the environment and the beautiful landscape of their village.
What did I think of the eBook?
When Val is first humiliated by her husband in the way that she is, you feel sympathy for the character straight away. However, this is short-lived as it’s quickly made clear that this isn’t going to be a book marked by unhappiness. This is definitely one to pack in your suitcases or save for when you have some time to sit and endnote in a good book as you’re not going to want to put it down. Through Val’s determination to make the most out of a bad situation and the introduction into her life of some colourful characters, Leigh will have you laughing along with the crew of A Year of Mr Maybes and their shenanigans! Val’s year of Mr Maybe’s has the year twirling by so quickly that she begins to run out of time. Thanks to her new outlook, friends and life though, she refuses to be disappointed and neither will you be.
How much is the book and how can you buy it?
The book is currently available on Amazon for £2.84 for the Kindle Edition and £9.46 for the paperback edition.
About the Author
Judy Leigh has lived all over the UK from Liverpool to Cornwall, but currently. Judy completed an MA in Professional Writing and before that she taught theatre, wrote lyrics for a punk band and set up Shakespeare Festivals. Her bestselling novels include A Grand Old Time, The Age of Misadventure, Five French Hens,The Old Girls’ Network, Heading over the Hill, Chasing the Sun, Lil’s Bus Trip and The Golden Girls’ Getaway.
Judy is currently working on another set of novels under a different author name. These will be dual timelines and more than a little bit spooky. The first will be published in 2022.
When Judy is not at her computer writing, she is often on the beach in Somerset or on the moors, walking, doing yoga or travelling in the camper van. Judy is also a Reiki healer, a vegan and an animal lover. She has three black cats and she loves live music, theatre and football.
About the book
- ASIN : B09MTXBNRL
- Publisher : Boldwood Books (29 Mar. 2022)
Review by: Rowena Jukes
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* Disclaimer: We were sent a copy of the eBook in return for a feature. All opinions are our own.
16 comments
What a really lovely review. There is a special feeling for a writer when a reviewer absolutely ‘gets’ what you’re trying to do in a story. Thanks so much. Warmest wishes. J x
You are welcome and thank you for inviting us to review your book
Sounds like a lovely read and I am sure in some ways very relatable to many. I guess you kind of feel like you are on this journey of rediscovery with her?
Yes in a way, I always get myself into books and into the character’s head
I will check it out for sure, thank you for the review. The premise is interesting, I will grab it as soon as I finish my current read.
Worth adding this to your reading list
This sounds like an interesting read. I’m glad that the author had Val turn her life around and start again. Not as easy as one might hope.
I agree, not easy at all.
By just reading little bit of this book here on your blog, I’m already interested in checking out full story by Judy Leigh Year of Mr Maybes!
So glad you are, hope you do get a copy of this ebook
This sounds like a great book! I prefer paperback over ebooks, I will check it out!
Absolutely! Ebooks are great when you are on holiday and don’t wait to carry too many books with you.
Sometimes the end of something can lead to a much greater and better thing! What a nice twist – I love a good feel good book.
A lovely twist indeed, thank you
I love that it’s not a sorrowful landing but one of hope. We can move on from tragedies, and getting immersed in the stories of other characters doing so, can inspire us to do the same.
I agree, and nothing like a good book to get yourself immersed in the story