The road trip of a lifetime!

Synopsis

It’s always a good time for a road trip… 

When 82-year-old Lil decides to book herself, her 65-year-old daughter, Cassie, and her friend Maggie on a bus trip across Europe, she hopes for a little adventure to counteract the monotony of life in sheltered accommodation. 

Along with three members of the Salterley Tennis Club and the Jolly Weaver five-a side football team, whose ideas of a good time are rather different to Lil’s and strikingly at odds with each other’s, the merry band of travelers set out on their great adventure. 

From moving moments on the beaches of Normandy, outrageous adventures in Amsterdam, to the beauty of Bruges and gastronomic delights of France, the holiday is just the tonic Lil, Maggie and Cassie needed.  

And as the time approaches for them to head home, Lil makes an unexpected discovery – even in her advancing years, men are like buses – there isn’t one for ages then two come along at once. Is Lil ready to share her golden years, and can the ladies embrace the fresh starts that the trip has given them. Or is it just too late to change…

My review

Lil is a happy, single 82 – year – old lady, enjoying her life. When opportunity arises, she books a holiday for herself, her 65 – year – old daughter Cassie and her friend Maggie Together with members of the Salterley Tennis Club and the Jolly Weaver Football Team, they will be on a bus trip through Europe.
While exploring Normandy, Amsterdam, Bruges, Ghent and more of France, Lil, Cassie and Maggie are having a great time, even if all the participants have another idea of what having a great time means.
And while all travelling together, different characters are a recipe for some clashing, sneaky behaviour but also new friendships. And even Lil will discover that you’re never too old for growing feelings!

Judy Leigh’s books are always a winning recipe if you’re looking for a feel – good read with great, strong characters, all easy to love!

Lil is 82 years old, but damn, if I will be as vibrant as her when I reach that age, that surely would be great!
She only once fell in love, with an American soldier. But before things could get any further, he went back home, leaving Lil alone and even if unaware at the moment, pregnant with Cassie.
However, even if her life didn’t go really as expected, she enjoyed wherever life would take and she is still having her joie de vivre!
She is also kind, not only generous towards her family and friends, but those little things she did for e.g Jenny, were really heart – warming.

We also got to know Cassie better, and I have to say, in some ways she looks so much like her mother. She is also kind of a wandering spirit, not looking for love and just being content with her current life.

I loved reading how mother and daughter go on this trip together, getting even closer than before.

And also the other participants of the trip all have their own moment in the book, making sure that there are many things going on and as a reader you’ll never know for 100% for sure what the next thing will be that will make you laugh!

I have been on a few bus trips myself, so I could relate to the characters easily when being tired of just sitting in a bus, seeing in passing beautiful sceneries etc.
Also making new friendships during holidays was something I recognized. And seeing how friendships (and some more) will still be standing after the trip, had me nodding in agreement.

I just frowned my brows reading one leg of the trip, because for me, it didn’t make sense at all… After Bruges they go further on their trip, for only later on returning to Ghent. Being a Belgian, and knowing these places, I didn’t understand why they won’t be doing it in one straight line. But that’s just me, being a total nitpicker as usual!

Overall I found this a beautiful story, about people of all age ranges and characters being on an adventure together. Mainly I found it submerged in sweet moments, showing us that age is really just a number. And that past loves can somehow still have a hold us, and that future loves are not only for young ones!
This was a funny, feel – good story, that made me laugh, sometimes even left me a bit flabbergasted, and even the ‘heavier’ moments were just wonderful to read!