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Sunday, October 20, 2024

Sisters Making Mischief, by Maddie Please


 Publication Nov. 22, 2024

Joyful and inspiring. While written about a senior aged woman, there is much in this book that can serve as inspiration for any age, male or female. Joy starts the story stressed, trying to provide her children and their families with the perfect family Christmas. That doesn't go well. Joy soon comes to the realization that while she's growing older, she isn't growing older happily. She decides a trip to France to spend some time with her more spontaneous, enjoy the moment type sister. Isobel is a delight, full of humor and genuine love for her husband Felix, who runs a book shop, and Joy gradually comes to realize that her priorities had included everyone but herself. That's where the story really begins to take off.

It's a delight. Not because it's easy, but it's wonderful to see someone not only realizing all they have allowed themselves to miss out on but taking action to make changes. I won't detail the plot other than to say that it was fun, full of humor and adventure. Even Isobel, already living her best life, finds a path to making it even happier with Joy's more disciplined focus and ideas. Joy finds....well, I doubt I'm giving away anything to say she finds the possibility of second love. She also learns to tolerate rambunctious, fun-loving dogs, Marcel and Antoine, who have distinct personalities, too. I mean, while Joy's adventures, or should I say misadventures (wait until you see what she does to a Chanel outfit, borrowed at that), provide humor, some of the scenes involving the dogs made me chuckle aloud. Let's just say, leaving their footprints in newly poured cement and Marcel's frustration at trying to get a too long branch through a too narrow opening will make dog owners everywhere grin.

So lots of humor and lovely descriptions, but it is the message of living every moment that will resonate most with readers. As a senior myself, I found myself unconsciously nodding as Joy sorts out where she lost herself and how to find her way. Her bucket list is definitely interesting. While I have no interest in some of the items, I took notice of her repeated idea of not having to make things perfect for everyone else. It's a big moment when she finally removes her wedding ring, signaling openness to a new relationship with the initially rather mysterious Luc. In fact, some of the early humor is of everyone conjuring up ideas of his past, Isobel's mother-in-law seeming convinced he is a medical doctor. Uh, well, maybe not, Eugenie, but he may be the answer to what ails Joy. What a delight to see the very realistic relationship develop between them, slow, stumbling build and all. 

Bottom line, I loved this book and am wondering how I have managed to miss Maddie Please books before this one. I will definitely be remedying this soon, I assure you. Thanks so much #BoldwoodBooks for introducing me to Joy, Isobel, Felix, Eugenie, Luc, and, yes, those fun ones. I appreciate the early look and will be avidly looking for anything else from Please. Loved the virtual trip to France, that's for sure, and the imaginative glimpses into Joy's thoughts. I'm pretty sure I'd want to be her new best friend if she were a real person. It was wonderful to see her take charge of her own life.

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