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The Unretirement
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Meet foodie Maggie Lawford.
After spending her retirement travelling the world, she’s home again – and ready for a new adventure.
When Maggie’s daughter, Hannah, takes her to visit their favourite local restaurant, Maggie is heartbroken to find the place empty. But the last straw comes when Maggie realises the chef is at his wit’s end – she can’t resist charging into the kitchen and taking matters into her own hands.
Never one to give up without a fight, Maggie resolves to save their beloved restaurant from failure, and it’s not long before she has a military-grade plan to turn the place around again. Finding herself back at work, all she’ll need is support from Hannah and her cheeky granddaughter, Alice, as well as a little help from her neighbours.
After all, Maggie’s golden days aren’t behind her just yet…
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After spending her retirement travelling the world, she’s home again – and ready for a new adventure.
When Maggie’s daughter, Hannah, takes her to visit their favourite local restaurant, Maggie is heartbroken to find the place empty. But the last straw comes when Maggie realises the chef is at his wit’s end – she can’t resist charging into the kitchen and taking matters into her own hands.
Never one to give up without a fight, Maggie resolves to save their beloved restaurant from failure, and it’s not long before she has a military-grade plan to turn the place around again. Finding herself back at work, all she’ll need is support from Hannah and her cheeky granddaughter, Alice, as well as a little help from her neighbours.
After all, Maggie’s golden days aren’t behind her just yet…
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- GenresFiction
380 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2024
78 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
June 3, 2024
3.7 Stars
One Liner: Entertaining
Maggie Lawford is back home after traveling the world post-retirement. However, she knows she needs to find a project/ job to be productive. Being in the food and catering industry, Maggie is passionate about cooking. When her daughter Hannah takes her to their favorite restaurant, Maggie finds her purpose. The restaurant is struggling. The chef is at his wits’ end.
Maggie takes charge and resolves to save the restaurant. Soon, she has a plan ready to be put into action. With help from her daughter, Hannah, and granddaughter, Alice, and the people at the restaurant, Maggie is determined to make this a success.
The story comes in the third-person POV of Maggie and Hannah.
My Thoughts:
Well, the vibrant cover and heartwarming premise made me grab this book. As much as I like the concept and the characters, I need to first ask – why did it have to be an Indian restaurant? Why do we still need a white person playing savior to a brown family? It could have been any restaurant!
Now the rant is done, let’s move on to the rest.
The book starts at a slow pace but picks up momentum after 30% or so. Maggie, Hannah, and little Alice are easy to like. They have their flaws, but that makes them realistic. Alice is a sweetheart. I like books with cute kids, and this one hits the right notes.
The dual POV from Maggie and Hannah helps advance the plot. It also prevents the book from being too repetitive and only about Maggie. However, I was confused a few times and had to reread to determine who spoke the dialogue and whose internal thought it was. This should be sorted in the final copy.
The found family and community tropes are well done. The other characters are distinct, be it Joe, Ben, Jade, or Sav. Maybe Sav could have had a little more depth, given his role, but what we have is good. I like that Raj and Gita’s characters also have some strength and are more than just names.
There’s a lot of food in this one (obviously!), and since some of it is Indian, I did want to get a taste of it (the vegetarian stuff). I’m not a fan of fusion dishes, but some of those in this book have been tried in cooking shows by chefs and contestants, so we aren’t dealing with anything that unique (at least to me).
On that note, thank you for not messing up the names of the dishes. There are recipes at the end (not formatted properly in this ARC). The Fajita with an Indian twist reminded me of the Frankie Rolls we ate in college.
Naturally, we have a happy ending. Everything gets sorted. The bad guy (of course, there is one, even if his presence is limited, thank goodness!) is put in place, and the found family is looking forward to a brighter future.
To summarize, The Unretirement is a fun read with delicious recipes, nice characters, and a second chance at achieving one’s dreams.
Thank you, NetGalley and Avon Books UK, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheUnretirement
One Liner: Entertaining
Maggie Lawford is back home after traveling the world post-retirement. However, she knows she needs to find a project/ job to be productive. Being in the food and catering industry, Maggie is passionate about cooking. When her daughter Hannah takes her to their favorite restaurant, Maggie finds her purpose. The restaurant is struggling. The chef is at his wits’ end.
Maggie takes charge and resolves to save the restaurant. Soon, she has a plan ready to be put into action. With help from her daughter, Hannah, and granddaughter, Alice, and the people at the restaurant, Maggie is determined to make this a success.
The story comes in the third-person POV of Maggie and Hannah.
My Thoughts:
Well, the vibrant cover and heartwarming premise made me grab this book. As much as I like the concept and the characters, I need to first ask – why did it have to be an Indian restaurant? Why do we still need a white person playing savior to a brown family? It could have been any restaurant!
Now the rant is done, let’s move on to the rest.
The book starts at a slow pace but picks up momentum after 30% or so. Maggie, Hannah, and little Alice are easy to like. They have their flaws, but that makes them realistic. Alice is a sweetheart. I like books with cute kids, and this one hits the right notes.
The dual POV from Maggie and Hannah helps advance the plot. It also prevents the book from being too repetitive and only about Maggie. However, I was confused a few times and had to reread to determine who spoke the dialogue and whose internal thought it was. This should be sorted in the final copy.
The found family and community tropes are well done. The other characters are distinct, be it Joe, Ben, Jade, or Sav. Maybe Sav could have had a little more depth, given his role, but what we have is good. I like that Raj and Gita’s characters also have some strength and are more than just names.
There’s a lot of food in this one (obviously!), and since some of it is Indian, I did want to get a taste of it (the vegetarian stuff). I’m not a fan of fusion dishes, but some of those in this book have been tried in cooking shows by chefs and contestants, so we aren’t dealing with anything that unique (at least to me).
On that note, thank you for not messing up the names of the dishes. There are recipes at the end (not formatted properly in this ARC). The Fajita with an Indian twist reminded me of the Frankie Rolls we ate in college.
Naturally, we have a happy ending. Everything gets sorted. The bad guy (of course, there is one, even if his presence is limited, thank goodness!) is put in place, and the found family is looking forward to a brighter future.
To summarize, The Unretirement is a fun read with delicious recipes, nice characters, and a second chance at achieving one’s dreams.
Thank you, NetGalley and Avon Books UK, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheUnretirement
May 19, 2024
I had never heard of Penny Mirren, but when I saw the book was about a lady in her early 60s, and her retirement, I thought I would try it. I am certainly glad it did. It was well written, with wonderful characters, and a fun storyline. I would definitely look out for more of Penny Mirren’s books.
Maggie is in her early 60s and had her life mapped out – retirement and trips around the world with her husband – until the unthinkable happens and her beloved husband passes away. When her daughter, Hannah, gets divorced, she moves close to her mum to keep an eye on her mum – and so that her mum can help with the childcare of her small daughter. When Maggie and Hannah go on a rare night out to an Indian restaurant that was always a favourite, they find that that the owners have had to go back to India, and the restaurant is struggling. Maggie then comes out of retirement to help out in the restaurant, and Hannah find herself very invested too – particularly as the owner’s son who is running the restaurant in his parent’s absence gave Hannah her first, never forgotten, kiss when she was younger. Can they save the restaurant?
This is like a warm hug in a book, and I wanted to read ‘just one more chapter’ till I had finished the whole book. Everyone should be more Maggie, a really strong female character whose determination and talent knows no bounds. A great summer read.
Maggie is in her early 60s and had her life mapped out – retirement and trips around the world with her husband – until the unthinkable happens and her beloved husband passes away. When her daughter, Hannah, gets divorced, she moves close to her mum to keep an eye on her mum – and so that her mum can help with the childcare of her small daughter. When Maggie and Hannah go on a rare night out to an Indian restaurant that was always a favourite, they find that that the owners have had to go back to India, and the restaurant is struggling. Maggie then comes out of retirement to help out in the restaurant, and Hannah find herself very invested too – particularly as the owner’s son who is running the restaurant in his parent’s absence gave Hannah her first, never forgotten, kiss when she was younger. Can they save the restaurant?
This is like a warm hug in a book, and I wanted to read ‘just one more chapter’ till I had finished the whole book. Everyone should be more Maggie, a really strong female character whose determination and talent knows no bounds. A great summer read.
April 4, 2024
Maggie is recently retired, she had planned on spending her retirement years with her husband travelling and exploring the world.But life had other plans and now the years stretching in front of her seem so lonely. When an impromptu dinner with her daughter at her favourite local restaurant revels that the spot is struggling, Maggie finds her purpose. Determined to lend a hand and get the once popular restaurant back to its former glory, Maggie starts to find her joy again, chopping and cooking in a small kitchen with a dedicated if inexperienced crew.
I love authors that create a strong and interesting cast of side characters. I could and would happily read a book about any of Maggie’s restaurant co-workers. But I also really enjoyed reading about Maggie. Her joy in the kitchen as well as her love of the people in it is infectious. If you love a good underdog story you will love rooting for the restaurant to succeed. There is a real community heart in this story and it’s heartwarming to watch it come together. My only real complaint is h the food sounded so amazing it made me hungry.
Releasing November 12 2024.
Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books and Penny Mirren for letting me review The Unretierment
I love authors that create a strong and interesting cast of side characters. I could and would happily read a book about any of Maggie’s restaurant co-workers. But I also really enjoyed reading about Maggie. Her joy in the kitchen as well as her love of the people in it is infectious. If you love a good underdog story you will love rooting for the restaurant to succeed. There is a real community heart in this story and it’s heartwarming to watch it come together. My only real complaint is h the food sounded so amazing it made me hungry.
Releasing November 12 2024.
Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books and Penny Mirren for letting me review The Unretierment
May 23, 2024
A 60 year old retiree planning on living her best life, traveling and exploring the world with her loving husband. When Maggie's husband passes away, she has to find a new normal, begins working in a struggling restaurant, and finds her joy in the kitchen.
Penny Mirren did a wonderful job creating this world, the story was well written and the supporting characters were all relatable and assisted in moving the story forward.
This was an entertaining, relaxing read with a few recipes at the end!
I will be keeping an eye out for more of Penny Mirren's books!
Thank you Netgalley, Avon Books, and Penny Mirren for the ARC copy of this book!
Penny Mirren did a wonderful job creating this world, the story was well written and the supporting characters were all relatable and assisted in moving the story forward.
This was an entertaining, relaxing read with a few recipes at the end!
I will be keeping an eye out for more of Penny Mirren's books!
Thank you Netgalley, Avon Books, and Penny Mirren for the ARC copy of this book!
April 26, 2024
Maggie decides that after her husband passes away that she is going to find her passion while in retirement. She ends up working at a restaurant and finds her passion. She helps some people out while they encourage her to pursue her love and she expands what she loves to do. It was nice to read a book that was about a more experienced group of people and them working hard to achieve new dreams.
Be sure you continue past the Authors note where you can find recipes for some of the dishes that were made.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc..
Be sure you continue past the Authors note where you can find recipes for some of the dishes that were made.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc..
April 7, 2024
Thanks NetGalley for the unretirement. I thoroughly enjoyed the read. Love the characters - especially Maggie - and found the read a delight. Highly recommend it
September 26, 2024
I'm glad I stuck with it despite not really liking the main characters at the beginning. They grew and learned.
April 5, 2024
Honestly, I grabbed this complimentary ARC from Netgalley for the cover, which is soo dangerous, right?
You shouldn't judge a book by it's cover!
(But it looked so fun!)
I've definitely been burned before when I've done that, but not this time - this was a delightful read.
I am always up for a "second chance at life" read. Maggie's retirement life was firmly set in her mind, until life threw her the cruelest of curve balls. But as we all know, when one door closes, another will open.
I happily followed her rediscovery of a past passion for cooking, and the way she went after her goals.
The cast of characters helping her breathe new life into a struggling restaurant was heartwarming.
It was easy to connect with Maggie, her daughter Hannah, and her daughter Alice, and see them work together to find their happiness.
I recommend this read, and voluntarily leave my review. This is sweet, heartwarming, and an enjoyable read.
You shouldn't judge a book by it's cover!
(But it looked so fun!)
I've definitely been burned before when I've done that, but not this time - this was a delightful read.
I am always up for a "second chance at life" read. Maggie's retirement life was firmly set in her mind, until life threw her the cruelest of curve balls. But as we all know, when one door closes, another will open.
I happily followed her rediscovery of a past passion for cooking, and the way she went after her goals.
The cast of characters helping her breathe new life into a struggling restaurant was heartwarming.
It was easy to connect with Maggie, her daughter Hannah, and her daughter Alice, and see them work together to find their happiness.
I recommend this read, and voluntarily leave my review. This is sweet, heartwarming, and an enjoyable read.
May 27, 2024
Retirement hasn’t worked out to be quite what Maggie expected it to be. She’d planned to have so many adventures travelling with her much loved husband, and everything started so well – but she’s now home again, unexpectedly alone. Well, maybe not entirely alone – her daughter Hannah, a single mother and high-powered London lawyer has moved in nearby, and she’s only too happy to help her out by looking after her young granddaughter. But Maggie wants more – she’d love to work in a restaurant kitchen, but when all her efforts draw a blank, she finds herself licking her wounds with Hannah at the Indian restaurant she’d always loved so much when she used to eat there with her husband.
But something there has gone badly wrong – the owners are abroad, their son is struggling to keep it going, and it’s plain that its days are numbered. So she rolls up her sleeves and decides to do all she can to help save it – bringing fresh hope to the diverse group of quirky individuals who work in the kitchen, enlisting the support of the community, fighting off the threat from a predatory celebrity chef looking to expand his empire. But might it all prove to be too little and too late?
Beautifully written, this book was a total delight – and Maggie a very real and feisty grandmother who I absolutely loved. But all the characters are fantastic – Hannah remembering her first kiss and opening up to new romance, Joe rediscovering his joy of cooking, teen Ben slowly coming out of his shell, Jade making full use of her talents for everything social media related. The villain of the piece is quite wonderfully drawn too, and entirely self-centred and obnoxious – but he’s certainly no match for Maggie when she has the bit between her teeth. The whole fight for the restaurant’s survival is a fantastic read, with so many individuals involved that I really grew to care about, and that I felt part of as I cheered them on throughout – with plenty of humour, loads of poignancy, and bucketfuls of warmth and feelgood.
Fresh starts, second chances, strong friendships, a touch of romance, oodles of love, a determination to succeed – and with food that makes your mouth water, with a few recipes at the end to help you recreate the experience. I entirely adored everything about this book from its beginning to its perfect end – just glorious, and very highly recommended.
But something there has gone badly wrong – the owners are abroad, their son is struggling to keep it going, and it’s plain that its days are numbered. So she rolls up her sleeves and decides to do all she can to help save it – bringing fresh hope to the diverse group of quirky individuals who work in the kitchen, enlisting the support of the community, fighting off the threat from a predatory celebrity chef looking to expand his empire. But might it all prove to be too little and too late?
Beautifully written, this book was a total delight – and Maggie a very real and feisty grandmother who I absolutely loved. But all the characters are fantastic – Hannah remembering her first kiss and opening up to new romance, Joe rediscovering his joy of cooking, teen Ben slowly coming out of his shell, Jade making full use of her talents for everything social media related. The villain of the piece is quite wonderfully drawn too, and entirely self-centred and obnoxious – but he’s certainly no match for Maggie when she has the bit between her teeth. The whole fight for the restaurant’s survival is a fantastic read, with so many individuals involved that I really grew to care about, and that I felt part of as I cheered them on throughout – with plenty of humour, loads of poignancy, and bucketfuls of warmth and feelgood.
Fresh starts, second chances, strong friendships, a touch of romance, oodles of love, a determination to succeed – and with food that makes your mouth water, with a few recipes at the end to help you recreate the experience. I entirely adored everything about this book from its beginning to its perfect end – just glorious, and very highly recommended.
May 24, 2024
"Let’s just say it’s become clear the ability to cook is now a second-rate requirement. I’m not twenty-three with sketched-on-eyebrows and a 'TikTok following', ergo I’m invisible.”
After spending her retirement travelling the world, Maggie Lawford is home again and ready for a new adventure.
When a visit to her favourite local Indian restaurant reveals the dire state of the family-owned business, Maggie resolves to save them from failure. Armed with a purpose, and with the support of her daughter, granddaughter, and some neighbours, she learns her golden days aren’t behind her just yet.
The Unretirement is mostly Maggie’s story as she finds a new passion in her joy of cooking. While the staff at the restaurant is young and maybe a little inexperienced, her infectious charm soon has everyone following her lead to get back into the groove.
As the experienced old hands join the social-media generation, and more delicious food makes its way from the kitchen to the tables, it becomes a story about a community coming together to save a small business from being gobbled up by large chains.
Penny Mirren wraps you up in a heart-warming tale of family, community, kindness, and joy, served with delicious food (yes, there are even recipes at the end!). I loved how everyone comes together to encourage and support each other despite their differences in age and understanding.
Highlighting the joy of rediscovering familiar bonds and displaying a contagious zest for life, this is a wholesome, endearing, and inspiring novel that proves it is never too late to dream your biggest, most ridiculous dream.
This ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Avon Books.
For complete review, visit https://aquamarineflavours.wordpress....
Find me on other platforms via https://linktr.ee/AshieJayn
After spending her retirement travelling the world, Maggie Lawford is home again and ready for a new adventure.
When a visit to her favourite local Indian restaurant reveals the dire state of the family-owned business, Maggie resolves to save them from failure. Armed with a purpose, and with the support of her daughter, granddaughter, and some neighbours, she learns her golden days aren’t behind her just yet.
The Unretirement is mostly Maggie’s story as she finds a new passion in her joy of cooking. While the staff at the restaurant is young and maybe a little inexperienced, her infectious charm soon has everyone following her lead to get back into the groove.
As the experienced old hands join the social-media generation, and more delicious food makes its way from the kitchen to the tables, it becomes a story about a community coming together to save a small business from being gobbled up by large chains.
Penny Mirren wraps you up in a heart-warming tale of family, community, kindness, and joy, served with delicious food (yes, there are even recipes at the end!). I loved how everyone comes together to encourage and support each other despite their differences in age and understanding.
Highlighting the joy of rediscovering familiar bonds and displaying a contagious zest for life, this is a wholesome, endearing, and inspiring novel that proves it is never too late to dream your biggest, most ridiculous dream.
This ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Avon Books.
For complete review, visit https://aquamarineflavours.wordpress....
Find me on other platforms via https://linktr.ee/AshieJayn
May 28, 2024
Penny Mirren, a name I hadn't come across before, caught my attention with a novel about a woman navigating her 60s and the adventures of retirement. The decision to delve into her story was a rewarding one. The book is a testament to skilled writing, endearing characters, and an engaging plot. I'm now keen to discover more of Mirren's work.
The narrative follows Maggie, a woman in her early 60s who had envisioned her retirement filled with global travels alongside her husband. However, life takes an unexpected turn when she loses her husband. Amidst this, her daughter Hannah, dealing with a divorce, moves closer to Maggie, both for support and to share the responsibilities of raising her young daughter. A spontaneous visit to their once-favorite Indian restaurant reveals the establishment's hardships, prompting Maggie to step out of retirement to lend a hand. Hannah, too, becomes deeply involved, especially when reacquainted with a past flame, the owner's son, now managing the restaurant. The story weaves a tale of whether they can revive the beloved eatery.
What stands out in Mirren's writing is the robust and captivating ensemble of secondary characters. Each one is crafted with such depth that they could easily be the protagonist of their own story. Maggie, in particular, shines through with her passion for cooking and her heartfelt connections with those around her. Reading this book feels like receiving a warm embrace; it's the kind of story that beckons you to read 'just one more chapter' until you've devoured it entirely. Maggie embodies strength and resilience, making her a character to aspire to. This book is a delightful addition to any summer reading list.
A heartfelt thanks to Netgalley, Avon Books, and Penny Mirren for providing this Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC).
The narrative follows Maggie, a woman in her early 60s who had envisioned her retirement filled with global travels alongside her husband. However, life takes an unexpected turn when she loses her husband. Amidst this, her daughter Hannah, dealing with a divorce, moves closer to Maggie, both for support and to share the responsibilities of raising her young daughter. A spontaneous visit to their once-favorite Indian restaurant reveals the establishment's hardships, prompting Maggie to step out of retirement to lend a hand. Hannah, too, becomes deeply involved, especially when reacquainted with a past flame, the owner's son, now managing the restaurant. The story weaves a tale of whether they can revive the beloved eatery.
What stands out in Mirren's writing is the robust and captivating ensemble of secondary characters. Each one is crafted with such depth that they could easily be the protagonist of their own story. Maggie, in particular, shines through with her passion for cooking and her heartfelt connections with those around her. Reading this book feels like receiving a warm embrace; it's the kind of story that beckons you to read 'just one more chapter' until you've devoured it entirely. Maggie embodies strength and resilience, making her a character to aspire to. This book is a delightful addition to any summer reading list.
A heartfelt thanks to Netgalley, Avon Books, and Penny Mirren for providing this Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC).
March 23, 2024
I picked out this book because the main character is a retired woman who has just lost her husband, who now wants to use the skills she went to school for, so long ago, and get a job as a chef. There aren’t that many books out there where the protagonist is in their 60s, so I thought, why not.
This is set in a small town in Essex UK, that is touristy, and Maggie thinks for sure she can get a job at any of the many restaurants in town, but they all reject her. It isn’t until her daughter Maggie, takes her to eat at one of their old-time favorite restaurants, and they realize that there is no one there. And the reason being that the owners have left for India, and their son, who is in high tech, is trying to run it, and not doing a good job of it.
And so, Maggie gets out of retirement, and helps not only the restaurant, but herself, and anyone else who the place has ever touched.
The novel is a cute story, with a good sort of villain, who wants to buy the restaurant, because he knows it is failing. But the real bad guy is that not enough people are coming in to eat, and Maggie tweaks the menu, and with the help of social media, gets the word out.
Enjoyable story. I do enjoy the interaction with the side characters, such as Maggie’s retired neighbor who collects things to resell them, such as jigsaw puzzles, and also takes life drawing classes (and he posed at one too in a pinch).
There is, of course, a cute granddaughter, but not so cloying that you want to skip pages where she appears.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. The book is due to come out the 23 of May 2024.
This is set in a small town in Essex UK, that is touristy, and Maggie thinks for sure she can get a job at any of the many restaurants in town, but they all reject her. It isn’t until her daughter Maggie, takes her to eat at one of their old-time favorite restaurants, and they realize that there is no one there. And the reason being that the owners have left for India, and their son, who is in high tech, is trying to run it, and not doing a good job of it.
And so, Maggie gets out of retirement, and helps not only the restaurant, but herself, and anyone else who the place has ever touched.
The novel is a cute story, with a good sort of villain, who wants to buy the restaurant, because he knows it is failing. But the real bad guy is that not enough people are coming in to eat, and Maggie tweaks the menu, and with the help of social media, gets the word out.
Enjoyable story. I do enjoy the interaction with the side characters, such as Maggie’s retired neighbor who collects things to resell them, such as jigsaw puzzles, and also takes life drawing classes (and he posed at one too in a pinch).
There is, of course, a cute granddaughter, but not so cloying that you want to skip pages where she appears.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. The book is due to come out the 23 of May 2024.
May 7, 2024
The Unretirement by Penny Mirren was a charming and fun escapade into the unexpected twists and turns of life. Plus, I'm interested in almost any story set largely in a kitchen! The main characters are Maggie and her daughter Hannah. I enjoyed the loving and supportive relationship these two have, as Maggie tries to find her purpose in the aftermath of her husbands unexpected passing and Hannah is trying to juggle a career and raising a young daughter after divorce.
The supporting cast of characters in this story were so fun and down-to-earth! Also, it was uplifting to see how the community came together to try to rescue this local small business. This was a feel-good story about creating the life you want, and that it's never to late to find some joy and purpose in life.
I rated The Unretirement by Penny Mirren 4/5 stars and recommend to anyone looking for a light-hearted read, with a little clean romance, and a group of characters I wish I could hang out with in real life.
Thank you to Netgalley, Penny Mirren, and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read the ARC of this book. I was not required to leave a review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
The supporting cast of characters in this story were so fun and down-to-earth! Also, it was uplifting to see how the community came together to try to rescue this local small business. This was a feel-good story about creating the life you want, and that it's never to late to find some joy and purpose in life.
I rated The Unretirement by Penny Mirren 4/5 stars and recommend to anyone looking for a light-hearted read, with a little clean romance, and a group of characters I wish I could hang out with in real life.
Thank you to Netgalley, Penny Mirren, and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read the ARC of this book. I was not required to leave a review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
January 10, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and was thinking about Maggie long after the book ended.
This is a fabulous character who really got under my skin and that I found I was rooting for from the very first few pages and that loved more and more, as the story progressed.
She might be retired but she is up for a new challenge and finds it in her local Indian Restaurant, which along with her daughter Hannah, grand daughter Alice, and some of Hannah's old school friends they band together to try to save this local institution.
I took a bit longer to gel with Hannah, but she was developed, I found her growing on me, and really loved well before the end. She is protective of her mother, but at the same time, I think she admires her greatly.
This is a book that shows that you can still have a fulfilled life after retiring, that you can take on new challenges and actually thrive, even when widowed. It's inspiring, heartwarming, incredibly well written and was a sheer pleasure to read.
I'm already looking forward to seeing what this author will write next.
Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
This is a fabulous character who really got under my skin and that I found I was rooting for from the very first few pages and that loved more and more, as the story progressed.
She might be retired but she is up for a new challenge and finds it in her local Indian Restaurant, which along with her daughter Hannah, grand daughter Alice, and some of Hannah's old school friends they band together to try to save this local institution.
I took a bit longer to gel with Hannah, but she was developed, I found her growing on me, and really loved well before the end. She is protective of her mother, but at the same time, I think she admires her greatly.
This is a book that shows that you can still have a fulfilled life after retiring, that you can take on new challenges and actually thrive, even when widowed. It's inspiring, heartwarming, incredibly well written and was a sheer pleasure to read.
I'm already looking forward to seeing what this author will write next.
Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
May 16, 2024
When Maggie retires, she and her husband have big plans to travel. After a short time of following their dreams however, he unexpectedly passes. Now Maggie is home, helping her daughter by caring for her grandchild, but something is missing. She wants to work again. Finally getting to follow her dreams of being a chef, she sets out to get a job. When she finds herself running the kitchen at a friends Indian restaurant that is on the brink of closing, Maggie is determined to save it. Is it too late though?
This book was such a wonderful tale of found family, community, love, and passion. I just adored all the characters that came together to help try and save the restaurant. Maggie is such a force, but one of those characters you just can’t help but fall in love with. She was so caring and compassionate with everyone she met, and I just loved her. I enjoyed the ride of trying to save the restaurant from page one to the final chapter! This book was a warm hug, and I think we could all use those kinds of reads right now!
This book was such a wonderful tale of found family, community, love, and passion. I just adored all the characters that came together to help try and save the restaurant. Maggie is such a force, but one of those characters you just can’t help but fall in love with. She was so caring and compassionate with everyone she met, and I just loved her. I enjoyed the ride of trying to save the restaurant from page one to the final chapter! This book was a warm hug, and I think we could all use those kinds of reads right now!
March 25, 2024
The Unretirement is Penny Mirren's debut novel. I really enjoyed this novel. It was light and clean and featured mature women characters. There were many references to food that sounded delicious and i was happy to find recipes at the end of The Unretirement. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that there actually is a town named Saffron Walden.
If you like books about how a community comes together, you would like The Unretirement. (I was reading a book with very serious content and very happy to mix in The Unretirement.)
I'd be quite pleased to read another book by Penny Mirren and i hope she keeps writing!
Many thanks to NetGalley for introducing me to another new to me author! Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Papaperback for the opportunity to read the advance review copy of The Unretirement in exchange for an honest review. Approx 384 (paperback) pages. Publication date is Nov 12, 2024.
If you like books about how a community comes together, you would like The Unretirement. (I was reading a book with very serious content and very happy to mix in The Unretirement.)
I'd be quite pleased to read another book by Penny Mirren and i hope she keeps writing!
Many thanks to NetGalley for introducing me to another new to me author! Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Papaperback for the opportunity to read the advance review copy of The Unretirement in exchange for an honest review. Approx 384 (paperback) pages. Publication date is Nov 12, 2024.
May 18, 2024
3.75 stars.
The Unretirement by Penny Mirren is a delightful story about Maggie who has retired but still yearns for some purpose in her life.
She finds that in an Indian restaurant that most likely is going under. Maggie goes in full guns blazing. She helps out, teaches some of the staff some skills that set them on the right road. As each problem arises she seeks to problem solve it. She can't do it without the community support that arises. They passionately work together to foil the awful TV chef who'd like to buy the property.
Hannah - Maggie's daughter too is negotiating that time in life where she has divorced and is scrambling to find a work life balance. Meanwhile her lovely young daughter Millie adds some charm and humour to the story.
This is a warm hearted story of community, finding your way and making choices that really satisfy you. It's not easy but they all pretty much make it by the end.
The Unretirement by Penny Mirren is a delightful story about Maggie who has retired but still yearns for some purpose in her life.
She finds that in an Indian restaurant that most likely is going under. Maggie goes in full guns blazing. She helps out, teaches some of the staff some skills that set them on the right road. As each problem arises she seeks to problem solve it. She can't do it without the community support that arises. They passionately work together to foil the awful TV chef who'd like to buy the property.
Hannah - Maggie's daughter too is negotiating that time in life where she has divorced and is scrambling to find a work life balance. Meanwhile her lovely young daughter Millie adds some charm and humour to the story.
This is a warm hearted story of community, finding your way and making choices that really satisfy you. It's not easy but they all pretty much make it by the end.
May 24, 2024
***I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review
Maggie’s daughter, Hannah, takes her to visit their favorite local Indian restaurant, & they are dismayed to discover that the place is practically empty, & the dishes they loved were not available. When Maggie couldn't resist charging into the kitchen to see what the deal was, she discovered the cook was having a melt-down, and there was a lack of ingredients for him to work with. Being not only a foodie, but having experience in the food trade, Maggie takes charge, and before long Maggie has the place up and running. When she finds out the extent of the cash flow issues and that the restaurant may have to close, Maggie rallies friends & family to help her not only keep this business afloat, but make it profitable again.
This was a fun read, with loveable characters, and hey, who doesn't love an underdog? Perfect for anyone who is in need of a good dose of the warm fuzzies and a smile or two.
Maggie’s daughter, Hannah, takes her to visit their favorite local Indian restaurant, & they are dismayed to discover that the place is practically empty, & the dishes they loved were not available. When Maggie couldn't resist charging into the kitchen to see what the deal was, she discovered the cook was having a melt-down, and there was a lack of ingredients for him to work with. Being not only a foodie, but having experience in the food trade, Maggie takes charge, and before long Maggie has the place up and running. When she finds out the extent of the cash flow issues and that the restaurant may have to close, Maggie rallies friends & family to help her not only keep this business afloat, but make it profitable again.
This was a fun read, with loveable characters, and hey, who doesn't love an underdog? Perfect for anyone who is in need of a good dose of the warm fuzzies and a smile or two.
March 31, 2024
Entertaining, heartwarming and inspirational.
Following some amazing travelling in her early retirement, the now recently widowed Maggie is feeling a little lost and unclear what she should do with her time.
Enjoying an evening out with her daughter Hannah, at an old favourite place, all doesn't seem to be as she remembered it. It turns our the owners have returned to India and their son has taken over. However he is a tech geek and not a trained chef... Maggie realises that the kitchen is struggling and jumps in to rescue the evening.
Afterwards she's full of positive energy and she's taking charge trying to help the restaurant to survive - and to get back her own purpose in life.
Full of inspiration, hope, community spirit and an annoying baddie...
The Unretirement by Penny Mirren is currently set to be published 23 May 2024.
ARC via NetGalley
Following some amazing travelling in her early retirement, the now recently widowed Maggie is feeling a little lost and unclear what she should do with her time.
Enjoying an evening out with her daughter Hannah, at an old favourite place, all doesn't seem to be as she remembered it. It turns our the owners have returned to India and their son has taken over. However he is a tech geek and not a trained chef... Maggie realises that the kitchen is struggling and jumps in to rescue the evening.
Afterwards she's full of positive energy and she's taking charge trying to help the restaurant to survive - and to get back her own purpose in life.
Full of inspiration, hope, community spirit and an annoying baddie...
The Unretirement by Penny Mirren is currently set to be published 23 May 2024.
ARC via NetGalley
April 6, 2024
Be kind and pay it forward.
This story isn't exactly about what to do with oneself after retiring, but more about finding what makes you smile. Admittedly, I was feeling unsure about both Maggie and Hannah who repeatedly were being judgmental and making unkind remarks about eating vegan or organic, or the neighbor wearing Lycra.
However, it is a delight to read books with female main characters like Maggie being one mean mother-cooker! The Unretirement is a book that deserves to be on my for-a-rainy-day shelf on Goodreads as it made me laugh with all the colorful characters being a part of a newly found group of friends, regardless of age, backgrounds, difficulties in life and such. Next time all we need is a chronic or a disabled person added tot the mix :)
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
This story isn't exactly about what to do with oneself after retiring, but more about finding what makes you smile. Admittedly, I was feeling unsure about both Maggie and Hannah who repeatedly were being judgmental and making unkind remarks about eating vegan or organic, or the neighbor wearing Lycra.
However, it is a delight to read books with female main characters like Maggie being one mean mother-cooker! The Unretirement is a book that deserves to be on my for-a-rainy-day shelf on Goodreads as it made me laugh with all the colorful characters being a part of a newly found group of friends, regardless of age, backgrounds, difficulties in life and such. Next time all we need is a chronic or a disabled person added tot the mix :)
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
May 19, 2024
Maggie and Geoff are retiring to travel around the world. Her from her council office job and him from his job as an executive chef.
Two years later Maggie is back in their house picking up the pieces after his unexpected death.
A chance meal out with her daughter embroils her in the world of hospitality once more and she feels vibrancy returning to her life again.
Alongside Maggie other people get involved in what becomes a pet project for the town.
Her daughter Hannah having moved back to her home town, ostensibly to keep an eye on her mother, but also for childcare, also has a sparkle back in her eye. Teenagers Ben and Jade now have a focus for their various passions. Joe, who was suddenly out of work, finds himself returning to his roots of cooking.
A lovely book about reinvention, the power of positivity and friendship.
Two years later Maggie is back in their house picking up the pieces after his unexpected death.
A chance meal out with her daughter embroils her in the world of hospitality once more and she feels vibrancy returning to her life again.
Alongside Maggie other people get involved in what becomes a pet project for the town.
Her daughter Hannah having moved back to her home town, ostensibly to keep an eye on her mother, but also for childcare, also has a sparkle back in her eye. Teenagers Ben and Jade now have a focus for their various passions. Joe, who was suddenly out of work, finds himself returning to his roots of cooking.
A lovely book about reinvention, the power of positivity and friendship.
June 6, 2024
Thank you, Avon Books UK, for a gifted copy of this new release.
This delightful story hooked me from the beginning, and I found myself unable to put it down and finished it in two days. It follows Maggie, a recent widow who decides to pursue her passion for cooking after her retirement. Despite facing rejection from local restaurants, she finds solace in helping out at her friend's struggling Indian restaurant while also juggling childcare for her daughter Hannah.
This book is a delightful blend of lovable characters together to achieve a common goal. It is a heartwarming reminder that people of all ages can work together and make a difference. The underlying message of family and community adds to the feel-good nature of the story.
Although I'm not personally a fan of Indian cuisine, the vivid descriptions of the dishes throughout the book had my mouth watering. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for a heartwarming tale filled with love, laughter and delicious food.
'The Unretirement' is available now!
This delightful story hooked me from the beginning, and I found myself unable to put it down and finished it in two days. It follows Maggie, a recent widow who decides to pursue her passion for cooking after her retirement. Despite facing rejection from local restaurants, she finds solace in helping out at her friend's struggling Indian restaurant while also juggling childcare for her daughter Hannah.
This book is a delightful blend of lovable characters together to achieve a common goal. It is a heartwarming reminder that people of all ages can work together and make a difference. The underlying message of family and community adds to the feel-good nature of the story.
Although I'm not personally a fan of Indian cuisine, the vivid descriptions of the dishes throughout the book had my mouth watering. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for a heartwarming tale filled with love, laughter and delicious food.
'The Unretirement' is available now!
April 27, 2025
This is a lovely comfort read of a book - it tackles some big themes in a really sensitive way, as the main character Maggie is still coming to terms with the death of her husband and the change this has made to her life and her future.
Without giving too much away, we get to meet her daughter Hannah who has her own personal struggles along with work and a young daughter to bring up. Maggie and Hannah both find themselves trying to work out what their new future looks like, which ends up being channelled through a local restaurant that's meant a lot to their family over the years.
There is also a wannabe celebrity chef, an introduction to going viral on social media and over time meeting new people and making new friends within their local community.
The end felt very satisfying without resorting to a lot of cliches - great little summer or holiday read.
Without giving too much away, we get to meet her daughter Hannah who has her own personal struggles along with work and a young daughter to bring up. Maggie and Hannah both find themselves trying to work out what their new future looks like, which ends up being channelled through a local restaurant that's meant a lot to their family over the years.
There is also a wannabe celebrity chef, an introduction to going viral on social media and over time meeting new people and making new friends within their local community.
The end felt very satisfying without resorting to a lot of cliches - great little summer or holiday read.
April 1, 2024
The unretirement is a total joy of a book!
Championing the older woman , showing that ageing, retirement and widowhood is not the end of the road but could successfully be navigated in such a way as to provide a second chance at life!
The sense of community, friendship and general wholesomeness makes this book such an endearing read that will give you hope and inspiration as you face getting older!
Absolutely loved the storyline, setting and the vastly diverse range of characters who despite their age, background,gender, sexuality or experience all came together for one worthwhile cause , all under the instructions of the magnificent Maggie!
A great read that I would highly recommend
Thank you NetGalley for this early read
Championing the older woman , showing that ageing, retirement and widowhood is not the end of the road but could successfully be navigated in such a way as to provide a second chance at life!
The sense of community, friendship and general wholesomeness makes this book such an endearing read that will give you hope and inspiration as you face getting older!
Absolutely loved the storyline, setting and the vastly diverse range of characters who despite their age, background,gender, sexuality or experience all came together for one worthwhile cause , all under the instructions of the magnificent Maggie!
A great read that I would highly recommend
Thank you NetGalley for this early read
May 31, 2024
This book does start off a bit slowly, but if you stick with it, it is an enjoyable read overall.
At the core, this is the story of love, friendship, and community. There was more humor in it than I anticipated, and I was very happy to see the recipes included! Maggie is learning how to live again after being newly widowed, and it will likely resonate with some readers ... though not all of them will decide to jump into action to help their favorite restaurant, which is struggling.
I really enjoyed how this story reminds readers that age is just a number. You are never too old to follow your dreams. The characters are well developed and relatable. The dual POV gives readers a well-rounded glimpse into the story.
At the core, this is the story of love, friendship, and community. There was more humor in it than I anticipated, and I was very happy to see the recipes included! Maggie is learning how to live again after being newly widowed, and it will likely resonate with some readers ... though not all of them will decide to jump into action to help their favorite restaurant, which is struggling.
I really enjoyed how this story reminds readers that age is just a number. You are never too old to follow your dreams. The characters are well developed and relatable. The dual POV gives readers a well-rounded glimpse into the story.
May 9, 2024
This story highlights the importance of friendship, family, community and resilience, especially when dealing with loss.
Maggie has been dealing with being newly widowed, so she the chance presents itself to help her struggling favourite restaurant, she doesn’t hesitate to jump into action. It turns out, this is just the medicine she needs.
This story proves that age is just a number and it should never hold you back from your dreams.
The pace was a little slow at the start, but then I got into the story and was hooked. Maggie gives me Iona Iverson vibes.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Maggie has been dealing with being newly widowed, so she the chance presents itself to help her struggling favourite restaurant, she doesn’t hesitate to jump into action. It turns out, this is just the medicine she needs.
This story proves that age is just a number and it should never hold you back from your dreams.
The pace was a little slow at the start, but then I got into the story and was hooked. Maggie gives me Iona Iverson vibes.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 5, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this copy for my honest review.
What an enjoyable read! A delightful story about Maggie who has recently retired, but finds herself wanting to relive her passion of cooking. She finds a local restaurant struggling and with the help of the community, turns it around. It also follows her daughter Hannah who struggles with balancing her life as a solicitor and as a single mum to the adorable Alice. A truly heartwarming story I would recommend anyone to read.
What an enjoyable read! A delightful story about Maggie who has recently retired, but finds herself wanting to relive her passion of cooking. She finds a local restaurant struggling and with the help of the community, turns it around. It also follows her daughter Hannah who struggles with balancing her life as a solicitor and as a single mum to the adorable Alice. A truly heartwarming story I would recommend anyone to read.
March 28, 2024
Overall this was very enjoyable, cosy read and a really solid debut novel.
It followed some very familiar patterns that I’ve seen in similar books of this genre (I’m thinking specifically of the memory library which explores similar themes but with more emotional investment). But for me The Unretirement is overall just a very ‘light’ book. It’s a definite easy read and it doesn’t really get gritty with anything, there’s no deep emotional exploration, gripping plot, or significant relationship developments really - it’s just a sweet little book with some relatively likeable characters.
Something I do absolutely love though, is that I am seeing more and more books like this that are centred around women who aren’t teenagers or in their early twenties. I feel like there’s so much more that should be explored here as I really enjoy reading about women who have lived a little and have real world responsibilities to juggle alongside the ‘fun plot’ that unfolds.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC
It followed some very familiar patterns that I’ve seen in similar books of this genre (I’m thinking specifically of the memory library which explores similar themes but with more emotional investment). But for me The Unretirement is overall just a very ‘light’ book. It’s a definite easy read and it doesn’t really get gritty with anything, there’s no deep emotional exploration, gripping plot, or significant relationship developments really - it’s just a sweet little book with some relatively likeable characters.
Something I do absolutely love though, is that I am seeing more and more books like this that are centred around women who aren’t teenagers or in their early twenties. I feel like there’s so much more that should be explored here as I really enjoy reading about women who have lived a little and have real world responsibilities to juggle alongside the ‘fun plot’ that unfolds.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC
April 5, 2024
I love coming of older age fiction and The Unretirement is a wonderful example.
Funny, fresh and gloriously inspiring, Maggie shows us all that it really is never too late to embrace all you have around you: family, community and your own untapped talents. I feel joyous after finishing this book and ever so slightly hungry from all the delicious sounding food. The recipes at the end are a lovely touch.
Penny Mirren has a joyful voice and I will be looking for it in her future books.
Funny, fresh and gloriously inspiring, Maggie shows us all that it really is never too late to embrace all you have around you: family, community and your own untapped talents. I feel joyous after finishing this book and ever so slightly hungry from all the delicious sounding food. The recipes at the end are a lovely touch.
Penny Mirren has a joyful voice and I will be looking for it in her future books.
May 8, 2024
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an arc of 'The Unretirement'. I thoroughly enjoyed this warm and cosy hug of a book. Recently retired, and sadly widowed, Maggie's not quite ready to give up just yet and reckons its time to put her cookery skills to good use. I loved everything about this book, great characters, great storyline.... and mouthwatering recipes too! Highly recommend for your holiday read.
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