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Six Little Words
Can one small note give her the courage to find a new path?One Note. One Act of kindness. Her new beginning is closer than she thinks.
Kate gave up her dreams of being a painter years ago. But six little words pinned to the noticeboard of her local café could change her path forever.
‘To be, or not to be…’ – printed on orange card with no explanation – appears one morning.
Each day, a new line from a different Shakespeare play is added, sparking curiosity throughout the café. Among the regulars is Bardy, a retired English teacher grappling with writer’s block.
As Kate and Bardy follow this breadcrumb trail, they discover a local community group encouraging people to rediscover their own creative spark – and the long-lost courage to chase it.
For Kate, their new group might just offer a second chance at happiness, if only Bardy can find the strength to share his story too…
Kate gave up her dreams of being a painter years ago. But six little words pinned to the noticeboard of her local café could change her path forever.
‘To be, or not to be…’ – printed on orange card with no explanation – appears one morning.
Each day, a new line from a different Shakespeare play is added, sparking curiosity throughout the café. Among the regulars is Bardy, a retired English teacher grappling with writer’s block.
As Kate and Bardy follow this breadcrumb trail, they discover a local community group encouraging people to rediscover their own creative spark – and the long-lost courage to chase it.
For Kate, their new group might just offer a second chance at happiness, if only Bardy can find the strength to share his story too…
Kindle Edition
Published March 12, 2026
88 people are currently reading
8569 people want to read
About the author
Sally Page
22 books557 followersAfter studying history at university, Sally moved to London to work in advertising. In her spare time she studied floristry at night school and eventually opened her own flower shop. Sally came to appreciate that flower shops offer a unique window into people’s stories and she began to photograph and write about this floral life in a series of non-fiction books. Later, she continued her interest in writing when she founded her fountain pen company, Plooms.co.uk.
In her debut novel, The Keeper of Stories, Sally combines her love of history and writing with her abiding interest in the stories people have to tell. Sally now lives in Dorset. Her eldest daughter, Alex, is studying to be a doctor and her younger daughter is the author, Libby Page. Both are keen wild swimmers.
In her debut novel, The Keeper of Stories, Sally combines her love of history and writing with her abiding interest in the stories people have to tell. Sally now lives in Dorset. Her eldest daughter, Alex, is studying to be a doctor and her younger daughter is the author, Libby Page. Both are keen wild swimmers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
September 6, 2025
Norfolk. Kate Oliver is a divorced mum, she gave up on her dream of being a painter years ago until she read six little words printed on a card, pinned to the noticeboard of her local café and each day a new line from a Shakespeare play is added.
Everyone who visits Luigi’s café is talking about it and eight of them assemble a group and local community centre are encouraging people to rediscover their creative spark, or find one and they have nine weeks for each person to enter something into the MACKL competition.
The members are: Luigi a widower, Bardy a retired English teacher, Taylor a young a teenager who had a tough childhood, Linda and Leonard a married older couple, Kate a cancer survivor, Satya a cosmetic entrepreneur and stressed out mother, and Pia a Danish lawyer.
Over cake and coffee and lots of conversation and banter, each selects a project to work on and the rules state no one can have made money from their craft and of course one of the members has and is keeping it a secret and they are not the only ones!
I received a copy of Six little Words by Sally Page from NetGalley and HarperCollins UK in exchange for an unbiased review.
I really liked this story, the characters are funny and diverse, have struggled in some way, need to find the courage to mix with people again and unlikely friendships and bonds are formed.
A narrative about finding a new path, being kind to one another, hearing aids need to be worn and are of no use stuck in a flipping draw, sticking up for your friends and what’s right, new beginnings and everyone has a hidden talent and you just need to find it.
Five stars from me, it also cover serious topics such as work place bullying and loss of self-esteem and fear of it coming back after having and beating cancer and I highly recommend.
Everyone who visits Luigi’s café is talking about it and eight of them assemble a group and local community centre are encouraging people to rediscover their creative spark, or find one and they have nine weeks for each person to enter something into the MACKL competition.
The members are: Luigi a widower, Bardy a retired English teacher, Taylor a young a teenager who had a tough childhood, Linda and Leonard a married older couple, Kate a cancer survivor, Satya a cosmetic entrepreneur and stressed out mother, and Pia a Danish lawyer.
Over cake and coffee and lots of conversation and banter, each selects a project to work on and the rules state no one can have made money from their craft and of course one of the members has and is keeping it a secret and they are not the only ones!
I received a copy of Six little Words by Sally Page from NetGalley and HarperCollins UK in exchange for an unbiased review.
I really liked this story, the characters are funny and diverse, have struggled in some way, need to find the courage to mix with people again and unlikely friendships and bonds are formed.
A narrative about finding a new path, being kind to one another, hearing aids need to be worn and are of no use stuck in a flipping draw, sticking up for your friends and what’s right, new beginnings and everyone has a hidden talent and you just need to find it.
Five stars from me, it also cover serious topics such as work place bullying and loss of self-esteem and fear of it coming back after having and beating cancer and I highly recommend.
April 3, 2025
4+
‘To be on not to be’ that is indeed the question, pinned on orange card in Luigi’s coffee shop in coastal Norfolk. The six words have other words added to it on the days following its appearance and astonishingly, it even has an insta account! Among the regulars curiously looking at the card are Kate and Bardy. It seems this tantalising quote will lead them to a local community group with the objective of sparking or reigniting creativity. Bardy, a retired English teacher, is struggling with writer’s block whereas as Kate has several issues to grapple with. Can the group help each other to find that inner spark and more?
In a world that seems to be going increasingly mad, this is a soothing antidote and a wonderful distraction. The characters are lovely, they’re a diverse group but all are crafted well and so likeable ( maybe not you Tash but thankfully your mustard yellow aura fails to dominate the proceedings!).
I love the appropriate quotes from the Bard at the beginning of the chapters, the use of Shakespeare in the formation of the group and indeed, in the character of Bardy. It’s used cleverly and the creative idea it spawns are fabulous. Each chapter all has the arriving or departing bird life which is a delightful reference to this part of the U.K. The glorious setting gets the artistic juices flowing in several direction and it’s used to great effect. There’s a bit of everything to suit all tastes.
It’s also genuinely funny in places and I find myself chuckling out loud on more than one occasion. This is often courtesy of Leonard whose refusal to wear his hearing aids leads to several faux pas. There’s really good dialogue, some wonderful lively discussions, plenty of cake/ pastries and a glass or two of wine.
It’s obviously a novel that focuses on the courage to find something within yourself but it’s also about friendship and it’s fluctuating dynamics, loss and grief, love, health issues, kindness and understanding.
As well as the lovely characters there’s a delightful whippet called Noy who is not entirely responsible for some colourful scenes.
A lovely, engaging, immersive read.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, HarperFiction for the early copy in return for an honest review.
‘To be on not to be’ that is indeed the question, pinned on orange card in Luigi’s coffee shop in coastal Norfolk. The six words have other words added to it on the days following its appearance and astonishingly, it even has an insta account! Among the regulars curiously looking at the card are Kate and Bardy. It seems this tantalising quote will lead them to a local community group with the objective of sparking or reigniting creativity. Bardy, a retired English teacher, is struggling with writer’s block whereas as Kate has several issues to grapple with. Can the group help each other to find that inner spark and more?
In a world that seems to be going increasingly mad, this is a soothing antidote and a wonderful distraction. The characters are lovely, they’re a diverse group but all are crafted well and so likeable ( maybe not you Tash but thankfully your mustard yellow aura fails to dominate the proceedings!).
I love the appropriate quotes from the Bard at the beginning of the chapters, the use of Shakespeare in the formation of the group and indeed, in the character of Bardy. It’s used cleverly and the creative idea it spawns are fabulous. Each chapter all has the arriving or departing bird life which is a delightful reference to this part of the U.K. The glorious setting gets the artistic juices flowing in several direction and it’s used to great effect. There’s a bit of everything to suit all tastes.
It’s also genuinely funny in places and I find myself chuckling out loud on more than one occasion. This is often courtesy of Leonard whose refusal to wear his hearing aids leads to several faux pas. There’s really good dialogue, some wonderful lively discussions, plenty of cake/ pastries and a glass or two of wine.
It’s obviously a novel that focuses on the courage to find something within yourself but it’s also about friendship and it’s fluctuating dynamics, loss and grief, love, health issues, kindness and understanding.
As well as the lovely characters there’s a delightful whippet called Noy who is not entirely responsible for some colourful scenes.
A lovely, engaging, immersive read.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, HarperFiction for the early copy in return for an honest review.
December 4, 2025
I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
Bardy, a retired English teacher, sees some folks as colors; brilliant colors: golden yellow, turquoise, ultramarine. His marriage is falling apart. He still loves his wife but she wants change. His boys are grown and living their own lives. Tay, his foster daughter, is trying to to work her way into college for art. Brady, aka Jon Shakespeare, is coordinating a group of locals interested in art into a workshop, of sorts. They meet weekly to support each other, work on their projects, give feedback and encouragement for the eight weeks preparation period. All forms of art are accepted: poetry, painting, sculpture, storytelling, music, cooking, carving, etc. The only caveat to participating is the artist cannot have made money as an artist prior to entering the contest…someone(s?) in this group aren’t following the rules…
Kate is divorced. Her three daughters are all doing well and have moved off the island after supporting her thru years of chemotherapy and surgery. The cancer is in remission and
Kate is trying to decide what she wants to do now. Oil painting is on her mind even before she notices the SIX LITTLE WORDS - “To Be Or Not To Be”. This was the first quote of prolific wordsmith, William Shakespeare, posted on the wall in Luigi’s coffee shop. Someone is updating them daily.
Pia is an extremely attractive lawyer from London. She and her equally striking dog, have just met Kate in the coffee shop. They hit it off from minute one, two outliers drawn together by that intangible something. Kate is also noticing Bardy. He was the English teacher for all of her girls. She finds him attractive but thinks he’s attracted to Pia. This is a triangle trying to be a rectangle and ends up almost being a complete wreck when another angle tries to join!
Other characters join the group: Tay, Luigi, (Bardy’s BFF and owner of the coffee shop), an older married couple, birders, Leonard and Linda, an aggressive realtor/sculptor, Tash and a few others who come and go; an eclectic group, for sure! No one has decided what they will do for submission to the contest until week 5 or 6. At times, the weekly meetings feel like group therapy sessions.
Character development happens along with the story itself progressing. Author, Sally Page,tackles big issues facing folks during various stages of life: empty nesting, second careers, moving on after facing potential death from illness, life after divorce, life after abuse, falling in love as a senior, falling in love the first time, etc. Each of these situations are respectfully presented and sprinkled with appropriate bits of humor and actionable information.
Up to this point, I’m leaning towards a 5 star rating. If the book had ended with Bardy’s chapter 52 where he and Kate are finally reading the same Shakespeare quotes at the same time, I’d have been a happy reader. Unfortunately, there’s a bizarre epilogue with three News Flashes that have me deleting one Star.
Recommended for readers who enjoy character driven fiction, small town stories, meandering love stories and contemporary themes done with a touch of quirkiness, humor, kindness and caring📚
Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, via Kindle, with thanks to the author and publisher
Bardy, a retired English teacher, sees some folks as colors; brilliant colors: golden yellow, turquoise, ultramarine. His marriage is falling apart. He still loves his wife but she wants change. His boys are grown and living their own lives. Tay, his foster daughter, is trying to to work her way into college for art. Brady, aka Jon Shakespeare, is coordinating a group of locals interested in art into a workshop, of sorts. They meet weekly to support each other, work on their projects, give feedback and encouragement for the eight weeks preparation period. All forms of art are accepted: poetry, painting, sculpture, storytelling, music, cooking, carving, etc. The only caveat to participating is the artist cannot have made money as an artist prior to entering the contest…someone(s?) in this group aren’t following the rules…
Kate is divorced. Her three daughters are all doing well and have moved off the island after supporting her thru years of chemotherapy and surgery. The cancer is in remission and
Kate is trying to decide what she wants to do now. Oil painting is on her mind even before she notices the SIX LITTLE WORDS - “To Be Or Not To Be”. This was the first quote of prolific wordsmith, William Shakespeare, posted on the wall in Luigi’s coffee shop. Someone is updating them daily.
Pia is an extremely attractive lawyer from London. She and her equally striking dog, have just met Kate in the coffee shop. They hit it off from minute one, two outliers drawn together by that intangible something. Kate is also noticing Bardy. He was the English teacher for all of her girls. She finds him attractive but thinks he’s attracted to Pia. This is a triangle trying to be a rectangle and ends up almost being a complete wreck when another angle tries to join!
Other characters join the group: Tay, Luigi, (Bardy’s BFF and owner of the coffee shop), an older married couple, birders, Leonard and Linda, an aggressive realtor/sculptor, Tash and a few others who come and go; an eclectic group, for sure! No one has decided what they will do for submission to the contest until week 5 or 6. At times, the weekly meetings feel like group therapy sessions.
Character development happens along with the story itself progressing. Author, Sally Page,tackles big issues facing folks during various stages of life: empty nesting, second careers, moving on after facing potential death from illness, life after divorce, life after abuse, falling in love as a senior, falling in love the first time, etc. Each of these situations are respectfully presented and sprinkled with appropriate bits of humor and actionable information.
Up to this point, I’m leaning towards a 5 star rating. If the book had ended with Bardy’s chapter 52 where he and Kate are finally reading the same Shakespeare quotes at the same time, I’d have been a happy reader. Unfortunately, there’s a bizarre epilogue with three News Flashes that have me deleting one Star.
Recommended for readers who enjoy character driven fiction, small town stories, meandering love stories and contemporary themes done with a touch of quirkiness, humor, kindness and caring📚
Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, via Kindle, with thanks to the author and publisher
February 25, 2026
There’s a curious note on the board in Lou’s cafe.
Oh my word. It would be hard for me to have loved Six Little Words more. I adored it unreservedly. It’s one of those books I couldn’t stop reading, didn’t want to end and yet was desperate to discover what happened to the characters.
Six Little Words is achingly beautifully written and the sense of colour that runs through is, quite simply, perfect. With literary, Shakespearean, quotations at the start of each chapter that intrigue the reader, Sally Page has a painter’s eye for detail, colour and setting and yet the book remains accessible and relatable. I think the mix of ordinary people living their own messy, fairly ordinary lives, and the natural nature of direct speech combine with the beauty of the prose so flawlessly that it is mesmerising. The metaphor of birds also adds another layer of interest and enhances the relationships and emotion of the characters in the story. I loved the illustrations too!
Normally I find different points of view in narratives hard work or irritating but in Six Little Words both Kate and Bardy are so fabulously depicted that I didn’t even notice because I was so drawn into the story. Indeed, all the characters are vibrant, realistic and have the ability to create a visceral emotional response in the reader. From teenage Tay to almost octenegarian Leonard there is a person here for any reader to relate to. I absolutely adored the friendship between Bardy and Luigi because we see them not just as men in their 60s, but as the children they once were too.
The plot is fantastic. I loved the way that disparate people come together in the craft group and then how, so often, they are distracted from their purpose with an ebb and flow of their interactions that mirrors the way the tide affects the North Norfolk landscape where the narrative is set.
And it is that creative craft group that unites the gorgeous themes of the story. Six Little Words is a love letter to creativity. There’s painting, quilting, cooking, writing, sculpture, knitting, drawing, music, photography and so on with the clear message that taking part in something for the sheer joy of giving it a go is far more important than awards and prizes for skill in that area. It is through this group that we learn the true meaning of community, of being an outsider, of fitting in, of belonging and of how our past shapes us but does not have to determine our entire future. Sally Page explores relationships in many forms, from the parent-child relationship between Tay and Toni, through kaleidoscopic friendships that form, break and reform, through to marriage and physical attraction. There truly is something for every reader to appreciate and relate to here.
I thought Six Little Words was utterly wonderful. It made me laugh and cry. It gave me brilliant characters, a superb setting and the most glorious plot. When you come to read the book for yourself you’ll know why I am ending by saying that in Six Little Words Sally Page has produced a vibrant, pulsating and golden novel that deserves shouting about from the rooftops! Do not miss it!
Oh my word. It would be hard for me to have loved Six Little Words more. I adored it unreservedly. It’s one of those books I couldn’t stop reading, didn’t want to end and yet was desperate to discover what happened to the characters.
Six Little Words is achingly beautifully written and the sense of colour that runs through is, quite simply, perfect. With literary, Shakespearean, quotations at the start of each chapter that intrigue the reader, Sally Page has a painter’s eye for detail, colour and setting and yet the book remains accessible and relatable. I think the mix of ordinary people living their own messy, fairly ordinary lives, and the natural nature of direct speech combine with the beauty of the prose so flawlessly that it is mesmerising. The metaphor of birds also adds another layer of interest and enhances the relationships and emotion of the characters in the story. I loved the illustrations too!
Normally I find different points of view in narratives hard work or irritating but in Six Little Words both Kate and Bardy are so fabulously depicted that I didn’t even notice because I was so drawn into the story. Indeed, all the characters are vibrant, realistic and have the ability to create a visceral emotional response in the reader. From teenage Tay to almost octenegarian Leonard there is a person here for any reader to relate to. I absolutely adored the friendship between Bardy and Luigi because we see them not just as men in their 60s, but as the children they once were too.
The plot is fantastic. I loved the way that disparate people come together in the craft group and then how, so often, they are distracted from their purpose with an ebb and flow of their interactions that mirrors the way the tide affects the North Norfolk landscape where the narrative is set.
And it is that creative craft group that unites the gorgeous themes of the story. Six Little Words is a love letter to creativity. There’s painting, quilting, cooking, writing, sculpture, knitting, drawing, music, photography and so on with the clear message that taking part in something for the sheer joy of giving it a go is far more important than awards and prizes for skill in that area. It is through this group that we learn the true meaning of community, of being an outsider, of fitting in, of belonging and of how our past shapes us but does not have to determine our entire future. Sally Page explores relationships in many forms, from the parent-child relationship between Tay and Toni, through kaleidoscopic friendships that form, break and reform, through to marriage and physical attraction. There truly is something for every reader to appreciate and relate to here.
I thought Six Little Words was utterly wonderful. It made me laugh and cry. It gave me brilliant characters, a superb setting and the most glorious plot. When you come to read the book for yourself you’ll know why I am ending by saying that in Six Little Words Sally Page has produced a vibrant, pulsating and golden novel that deserves shouting about from the rooftops! Do not miss it!
March 9, 2026
I loved the premise of this book, and having enjoyed several of Sally Page’s previous novels, I was really excited to dive in. Unfortunately, I struggled with the first 30% — it felt slow, turgid, and surprisingly hard to push through. But once it finally found its rhythm, the story picked up and I did start to enjoy it. The frustrating part is that the central idea is genuinely clever, and with a tighter edit this could have been a much stronger, more engaging read overall.
When Kate spots an orange card in a café window with the words “to be or not to be,” she’s instantly intrigued. A trail of similarly cryptic messages leads her to a creative group preparing entries for a competition. Kate joins with the hope of making new friends and rekindling her long neglected love of painting — even if she has no intention of submitting anything herself. Bardy, an ex English teacher wrestling with the collapse of his marriage and a stubborn case of writer’s block, is also part of the group. Around them gathers a wonderfully varied cast, each with their own backstory and creative spark. Before long, they form a close knit circle, supporting one another not just in their artistic pursuits but in the messy, complicated business of life too.
This is a novel with a genuinely clever core idea and some lovely moments of connection and creativity, but it’s held back by pacing issues that make the early chapters a real slog. Once the story finally gets going, there’s plenty to enjoy, yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that a tighter edit would have transformed it into something far more engaging. The heart of the book is strong — it just takes too long to shine.
When Kate spots an orange card in a café window with the words “to be or not to be,” she’s instantly intrigued. A trail of similarly cryptic messages leads her to a creative group preparing entries for a competition. Kate joins with the hope of making new friends and rekindling her long neglected love of painting — even if she has no intention of submitting anything herself. Bardy, an ex English teacher wrestling with the collapse of his marriage and a stubborn case of writer’s block, is also part of the group. Around them gathers a wonderfully varied cast, each with their own backstory and creative spark. Before long, they form a close knit circle, supporting one another not just in their artistic pursuits but in the messy, complicated business of life too.
This is a novel with a genuinely clever core idea and some lovely moments of connection and creativity, but it’s held back by pacing issues that make the early chapters a real slog. Once the story finally gets going, there’s plenty to enjoy, yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that a tighter edit would have transformed it into something far more engaging. The heart of the book is strong — it just takes too long to shine.
March 2, 2026
Six little words on a café noticeboard bring together a group of people looking to embrace or rediscover their creativity. Bardy is a former English teacher who is struggling with life alone after his divorce. Kate is in a similar situation and also recovering from illness. Along with Bardy’s best friend Luigi, prickly Dane Pia, and married couple Linda and Leonard, the group provides friendship, support and encouragement, whilst bringing out their natural talents for various kinds of art.
Sally Page has a wonderful warmth and empathy to her writing and in this book she has created such interesting, likeable yet flawed characters. I loved Linda for her caring nature (and for tackling her frustration at Leonard refusing to wear his hearing aids), Pia for her wisdom, Kate for her vulnerability, Bardy for his kindness and Luigi for his hospitality. Each and every one of these characters, along with a few others who play a role in the story, brings something special to the mix and I came away from this book thinking that it must be really nice to be in the midst of such an amazing bunch of people. I loved the trajectory that each character’s progress took and by the end of the book I felt each one had achieved something and reached a kind of peace with themselves and their lives.
Six Little Words is a joyous read. It’s full of colour, art, love, camaraderie, inspiration, optimism and humour. Put all these attributes together and it’s quite simply a splendid read from start to finish. I loved it!
Sally Page has a wonderful warmth and empathy to her writing and in this book she has created such interesting, likeable yet flawed characters. I loved Linda for her caring nature (and for tackling her frustration at Leonard refusing to wear his hearing aids), Pia for her wisdom, Kate for her vulnerability, Bardy for his kindness and Luigi for his hospitality. Each and every one of these characters, along with a few others who play a role in the story, brings something special to the mix and I came away from this book thinking that it must be really nice to be in the midst of such an amazing bunch of people. I loved the trajectory that each character’s progress took and by the end of the book I felt each one had achieved something and reached a kind of peace with themselves and their lives.
Six Little Words is a joyous read. It’s full of colour, art, love, camaraderie, inspiration, optimism and humour. Put all these attributes together and it’s quite simply a splendid read from start to finish. I loved it!
July 14, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I LOVE Sally's books and I'm always thrilled to get a new one to read.
Sally has this ability to write about painful experiences but infuse it with such light and love and happiness and hope. It's a real joy to read. Whilst the characters might have done through something difficult and their stories are not always happy, I have never left a book feeling anything other than uplifted. They're good for the soul.
It can be difficult to depict colour and beauty and art in words, but she's managed it beautifully. The same with the description of nature and silence and wildlife and peace and being at one with nature.
There are some fabulous characters and they're mostly all loveable. They're so real and familiar and flawed and recognisable.
It's a passionate plea about the importance of friendship, community, and how family is more than just blood. About second chances, about achieving your dreams, especially as our main protagonists are older characters, they can often feel like they're too old to do anything new but that's not right.
I loved that she added a touch of synaesthesia in it, that ability to see colours. I don't know what it's actually like to live with it, it might be horrible, but from my layman's perspective it sounds really beautiful to be able to see the colour of other people's souls., as it were.
There's not much in the way of real hard-hitting plot, but I don't mean that as a negative. I love character-driven stories rather than plot, and so I really preferred that this is more about the characters themselves than what they are actually doing.
This is going to sound like a negative, because the word is normally seen as a negative, but I don't mean it that way. But it feels a bit disjointed. And the reason I take that as a positive is that Sally has done such a deep dive into the characters' emotions that their thoughts and feelings and speech often overlap each other, along with the added 'seeing colours' element, which adds to the disjointed nature, and I think it really works. It makes it busy and imperfect, and I think that is what actually makes it perfect because that's how people are in real life. So for me, it made me more involved and care more for the characters than if they were too....clinical, too perfect, too structured. I think this is a much better way of depicting the characters and their stories.
I've read all of her books and I have to say The Book of Beginnings is still my favourite, but this is still a remarkable, accomplished novel, full of love and joy and hope and magic. It really is a tonic.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I LOVE Sally's books and I'm always thrilled to get a new one to read.
Sally has this ability to write about painful experiences but infuse it with such light and love and happiness and hope. It's a real joy to read. Whilst the characters might have done through something difficult and their stories are not always happy, I have never left a book feeling anything other than uplifted. They're good for the soul.
It can be difficult to depict colour and beauty and art in words, but she's managed it beautifully. The same with the description of nature and silence and wildlife and peace and being at one with nature.
There are some fabulous characters and they're mostly all loveable. They're so real and familiar and flawed and recognisable.
It's a passionate plea about the importance of friendship, community, and how family is more than just blood. About second chances, about achieving your dreams, especially as our main protagonists are older characters, they can often feel like they're too old to do anything new but that's not right.
I loved that she added a touch of synaesthesia in it, that ability to see colours. I don't know what it's actually like to live with it, it might be horrible, but from my layman's perspective it sounds really beautiful to be able to see the colour of other people's souls., as it were.
There's not much in the way of real hard-hitting plot, but I don't mean that as a negative. I love character-driven stories rather than plot, and so I really preferred that this is more about the characters themselves than what they are actually doing.
This is going to sound like a negative, because the word is normally seen as a negative, but I don't mean it that way. But it feels a bit disjointed. And the reason I take that as a positive is that Sally has done such a deep dive into the characters' emotions that their thoughts and feelings and speech often overlap each other, along with the added 'seeing colours' element, which adds to the disjointed nature, and I think it really works. It makes it busy and imperfect, and I think that is what actually makes it perfect because that's how people are in real life. So for me, it made me more involved and care more for the characters than if they were too....clinical, too perfect, too structured. I think this is a much better way of depicting the characters and their stories.
I've read all of her books and I have to say The Book of Beginnings is still my favourite, but this is still a remarkable, accomplished novel, full of love and joy and hope and magic. It really is a tonic.
March 12, 2026
What a gorgeous, beautifully wrought story about friendship and community! I loved it. Each and every character was special and real, and I couldn’t help but open my heart to them.
There was so much depth in the exploration of their emotions, and how they had to set themselves free of the past to move forward. It was a joy to follow them as their group formed and adapted, and as they gained strength and insight from supporting each other.
There were a few surprises on the way, too.
An unhesitating five stars - I’d give it more if I could.
There was so much depth in the exploration of their emotions, and how they had to set themselves free of the past to move forward. It was a joy to follow them as their group formed and adapted, and as they gained strength and insight from supporting each other.
There were a few surprises on the way, too.
An unhesitating five stars - I’d give it more if I could.
March 9, 2026
So... this was not my cup of tea (LOL... and if you do choose to read this, you just might chuckle...)
There were so many times during the book that I thought of throwing in the towel, but I persevered... I thought that if I hung in there just a little bit longer... I might enjoy it. I might really like the ending. Or, where it was going... the direction.
Unfortunately, I was meandering the entire time... That Is... until the last hour or so of the audiobook. Then, the fireworks began!
So, this begins with an index card, bright orange, tacked to the local 'community board' in a coffee shop. What does it say, you ask??
To Be, or Not To Be....
That's it. SIX. LITTLE. WORDS...
From here we go off on a complete and total tangent... What is this about? What does it mean? People start asking around. There are replies to the card. Then, AN INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT IS OPENED... BECAUSE OF THE ORANGE CARD!!! And, it all blows up! As, the one who put the card there in the first place has no idea any of this is going on... until it all blows up!
Kate is divorced. Feels like her life is floundering...
Bardy is a retired English teacher... he wants to write a book now... but he has writer's block.
Pia is a lawyer. She is very reserved and quiet.
Tay is a young woman/girl who works at the coffee shop, and also has another job... where she is being bullied and harrassed.
They all come together, with others, to form a group that will be putting together... something. Something that each of them is good at ... whether it be painting, writing, performing... whatever. AND... in this little group, they begin to learn... about each other, and about themselves...
And, what comes to be in the end is just magical, heart-warming, beautiful and life-affirming!
If you are reading this and considering giving up on it (like I was)... Please Don't! It is so worth the read in the long run!!!
4 Beautiful, Bright, Color-Swirling, Love-Swooning, Think-Twice-About-Your-Decisions stars for me!!!
⭐️🩷⭐️🩷⭐️🩷⭐️🩷
#SixLittleWords by @SallyPage and narrated nicely by @ChristineRendel.
This book was released in February, so look for it on shelves now!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @BlackstonePublishingAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!!
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
There were so many times during the book that I thought of throwing in the towel, but I persevered... I thought that if I hung in there just a little bit longer... I might enjoy it. I might really like the ending. Or, where it was going... the direction.
Unfortunately, I was meandering the entire time... That Is... until the last hour or so of the audiobook. Then, the fireworks began!
So, this begins with an index card, bright orange, tacked to the local 'community board' in a coffee shop. What does it say, you ask??
To Be, or Not To Be....
That's it. SIX. LITTLE. WORDS...
From here we go off on a complete and total tangent... What is this about? What does it mean? People start asking around. There are replies to the card. Then, AN INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT IS OPENED... BECAUSE OF THE ORANGE CARD!!! And, it all blows up! As, the one who put the card there in the first place has no idea any of this is going on... until it all blows up!
Kate is divorced. Feels like her life is floundering...
Bardy is a retired English teacher... he wants to write a book now... but he has writer's block.
Pia is a lawyer. She is very reserved and quiet.
Tay is a young woman/girl who works at the coffee shop, and also has another job... where she is being bullied and harrassed.
They all come together, with others, to form a group that will be putting together... something. Something that each of them is good at ... whether it be painting, writing, performing... whatever. AND... in this little group, they begin to learn... about each other, and about themselves...
And, what comes to be in the end is just magical, heart-warming, beautiful and life-affirming!
If you are reading this and considering giving up on it (like I was)... Please Don't! It is so worth the read in the long run!!!
4 Beautiful, Bright, Color-Swirling, Love-Swooning, Think-Twice-About-Your-Decisions stars for me!!!
⭐️🩷⭐️🩷⭐️🩷⭐️🩷
#SixLittleWords by @SallyPage and narrated nicely by @ChristineRendel.
This book was released in February, so look for it on shelves now!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @BlackstonePublishingAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!!
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
June 19, 2025
Thank you to HarperCollins for access to the Netgalley of this latest Sally Page novel which comes out on 28th August. I've read all of her titles so far, and she goes from strength to strength with each one. This one is her best yet. It has heart, warmth, humour, and insight, and delivers a strong feelgood hit.
It features a diverse and eclectic mix of people, each with their own back stories, who come together as individuals attending a local community art group to enter an annual competition, including Kate, who gave up her dreams of being a painter years ago; Bardy, a retired English teacher grappling with writer’s block; Pia, a Danish human rights lawyer; retired businessman Leonard, and his wife Linda, a former nurse; cafe owner Luigi; entrepreneur Satya; and Bardy's former foster child Tay.
The characters are all loveable, well drawn, rounded, and relatable. I became so fond of them as the story unfolded, and they all feel very real.
As they work on their individual creative projects, they quickly become friends, forging an amazing bond and becoming a support network for each other, as they deal with their respective troubles and issues. This story is a hymn to found-family, and to friendship - especially male friendship, a subject not commonly featured in many novels.
The weekly meetings of this group, and their respective artistic, as well as personal challenges, are a great vehicle for Sally Page to explore the nature of creativity, and how therapeutic and beneficial it can be, which in turn prompts you, as the reader, to consider your own creative outlet.
With its north Norfolk coastal setting, this novel delivers a huge sense of place. It has really beautiful descriptions of the seascape, the skies, the light, and of course the sands and the beaches, populated by huge populations of seabirds, some who are native, some migratory.
This evocation of the natural world and the birdlife in particular, reflects important aspects of the novel, as the storyline explores both the definition of home, and the make up of the people in the art group, and the wider local community.
Just like the local birdlife, some people are confirmed homebirds. Some have arrived from other places - both home and abroad - and settled there, and some are seasonal migrants, natural travellers, passing through en route to other places.
How home is defined is a big consideration for some of the characters, especially Jon, who has a decision to make, and has to ask himself:
'Is home a place or a person?...Is home a place or people?'
With its themes of the transformational, life-enhancing power of friendship and creativity, as well as love, loss and second chances; a dash of Synaesthesia; and a sprinkle of Shakespearian references; this is a thoroughly enjoyable, heart-warming, thoughtful and uplifting read. I loved it. Perfect for fans of Claire Pooley, Ruth Hogan and David Nicholls.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for Goodreads
It features a diverse and eclectic mix of people, each with their own back stories, who come together as individuals attending a local community art group to enter an annual competition, including Kate, who gave up her dreams of being a painter years ago; Bardy, a retired English teacher grappling with writer’s block; Pia, a Danish human rights lawyer; retired businessman Leonard, and his wife Linda, a former nurse; cafe owner Luigi; entrepreneur Satya; and Bardy's former foster child Tay.
The characters are all loveable, well drawn, rounded, and relatable. I became so fond of them as the story unfolded, and they all feel very real.
As they work on their individual creative projects, they quickly become friends, forging an amazing bond and becoming a support network for each other, as they deal with their respective troubles and issues. This story is a hymn to found-family, and to friendship - especially male friendship, a subject not commonly featured in many novels.
The weekly meetings of this group, and their respective artistic, as well as personal challenges, are a great vehicle for Sally Page to explore the nature of creativity, and how therapeutic and beneficial it can be, which in turn prompts you, as the reader, to consider your own creative outlet.
With its north Norfolk coastal setting, this novel delivers a huge sense of place. It has really beautiful descriptions of the seascape, the skies, the light, and of course the sands and the beaches, populated by huge populations of seabirds, some who are native, some migratory.
This evocation of the natural world and the birdlife in particular, reflects important aspects of the novel, as the storyline explores both the definition of home, and the make up of the people in the art group, and the wider local community.
Just like the local birdlife, some people are confirmed homebirds. Some have arrived from other places - both home and abroad - and settled there, and some are seasonal migrants, natural travellers, passing through en route to other places.
How home is defined is a big consideration for some of the characters, especially Jon, who has a decision to make, and has to ask himself:
'Is home a place or a person?...Is home a place or people?'
With its themes of the transformational, life-enhancing power of friendship and creativity, as well as love, loss and second chances; a dash of Synaesthesia; and a sprinkle of Shakespearian references; this is a thoroughly enjoyable, heart-warming, thoughtful and uplifting read. I loved it. Perfect for fans of Claire Pooley, Ruth Hogan and David Nicholls.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for Goodreads
March 6, 2025
I adored this authors book the keeper stories so when I saw this one on NetGalley UK, I requested it quickly and it went to the top of my to be read list. I’m always amazed by how prolific some of the authors I read with a new book every year.
This novel tells the story of a group of adults get together to form a creative group after noticing a poster with six word incomplete quotes from Shakespeare on a café pin board. We are introduced to all the members of the group and gradually learn more about their backstory as the book progresses.
I struggled at the beginning quite a bit to keep up with the number of characters. This is something quite often find difficult in novels eventually I got all the characters straight and was glad I persisted with the book
I loved the Colour synaesthesia element and found this very interesting with one of the characters seeing people as colour aura. His love interest for example is seen as silver only when he touches her very cute.
I liked the fact that this book makes you think deeply about what it means to be creative. I know a lot of people who say they’re not creative but make the most amazing knitted items or play musical instruments. I never thought I was creative although I participate in Amraam putting other peoples ideas on this stage but I discovered I could needle felt and crochet and these creative outlets have been a significant helped me in my retirement.
I liked the little chapter headings which I assumed were Shakespearean, but the pendant in me wanted them all to be six words long
I love the way the characters are developed in this novel their interactions and the way they behaved given the storyline where they realistic. I felt I knew some of the people very well by the end of the novel and recognise some of my friends in them.
I can’t help thinking I want to see wobble the musical
I love the ending. It was quirky and fun just what you needed.
I read an early copy of the novel on NetGalley UK. The book is published in the UK. On the 28th of August 2025 by Harper Collins UK, Harper fiction.
This review will be on that UK, StoryGraph, Goodreads, and my book blog bionic Sarah S book WordPress after
publication will also appear on Amazon UK
This novel tells the story of a group of adults get together to form a creative group after noticing a poster with six word incomplete quotes from Shakespeare on a café pin board. We are introduced to all the members of the group and gradually learn more about their backstory as the book progresses.
I struggled at the beginning quite a bit to keep up with the number of characters. This is something quite often find difficult in novels eventually I got all the characters straight and was glad I persisted with the book
I loved the Colour synaesthesia element and found this very interesting with one of the characters seeing people as colour aura. His love interest for example is seen as silver only when he touches her very cute.
I liked the fact that this book makes you think deeply about what it means to be creative. I know a lot of people who say they’re not creative but make the most amazing knitted items or play musical instruments. I never thought I was creative although I participate in Amraam putting other peoples ideas on this stage but I discovered I could needle felt and crochet and these creative outlets have been a significant helped me in my retirement.
I liked the little chapter headings which I assumed were Shakespearean, but the pendant in me wanted them all to be six words long
I love the way the characters are developed in this novel their interactions and the way they behaved given the storyline where they realistic. I felt I knew some of the people very well by the end of the novel and recognise some of my friends in them.
I can’t help thinking I want to see wobble the musical
I love the ending. It was quirky and fun just what you needed.
I read an early copy of the novel on NetGalley UK. The book is published in the UK. On the 28th of August 2025 by Harper Collins UK, Harper fiction.
This review will be on that UK, StoryGraph, Goodreads, and my book blog bionic Sarah S book WordPress after
publication will also appear on Amazon UK
September 2, 2025
This is the story of a group of creative people who come together to help each other with their amateur competition entries, though this is just a way of getting them known to each other, almost a MacGuffin as it were.
I must admit, not being creative nor a birder nor a twitcher, I found parts of the book boring e.g. each week beginning with a piece on birds was particularly annoying for me. There was a lot of description of nature too, which will appeal to others more than me. I also thought the mentions of Covid and lockdown felt dated: most people don’t want to read about it now.
But I loved the fact that most characters were mature and so brought a wealth of interesting backstories to the book. In particular, I loved Linda’s wiseness. But, that said, I loved Tay the most. I thought she was well described and fascinating. As for her disciplinary meeting, that was the highlight of the book for me.
Finally, being a pedant, I wish more of the quotes had been only six words, as per the title.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC
I must admit, not being creative nor a birder nor a twitcher, I found parts of the book boring e.g. each week beginning with a piece on birds was particularly annoying for me. There was a lot of description of nature too, which will appeal to others more than me. I also thought the mentions of Covid and lockdown felt dated: most people don’t want to read about it now.
But I loved the fact that most characters were mature and so brought a wealth of interesting backstories to the book. In particular, I loved Linda’s wiseness. But, that said, I loved Tay the most. I thought she was well described and fascinating. As for her disciplinary meeting, that was the highlight of the book for me.
Finally, being a pedant, I wish more of the quotes had been only six words, as per the title.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC
August 7, 2025
Sally Page's books are always great and a must-read for me.
It took me a while longer to get into, maybe because I was away, but the story revolves around a diverse group of people, brought together by a small orange card pinned to a notice board in a cafe. To be or not to be...
Bardy and Kate are the two main characters, with Bardy, a newly separated former teacher, running a group for creatives in the area, and Kate, a single mother to two adult children, who has a special interest in painting.
They have one of those connections that you, as a reader, can feel from early on, but life keeps throwing curveballs at them.
The group comprises interesting characters, and somehow, all their stories overlap, allowing you to get to know and love each of the different people.
It's a story that creeps up on you, then hooks you in, leaving you wanting to keep reading.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC.
It took me a while longer to get into, maybe because I was away, but the story revolves around a diverse group of people, brought together by a small orange card pinned to a notice board in a cafe. To be or not to be...
Bardy and Kate are the two main characters, with Bardy, a newly separated former teacher, running a group for creatives in the area, and Kate, a single mother to two adult children, who has a special interest in painting.
They have one of those connections that you, as a reader, can feel from early on, but life keeps throwing curveballs at them.
The group comprises interesting characters, and somehow, all their stories overlap, allowing you to get to know and love each of the different people.
It's a story that creeps up on you, then hooks you in, leaving you wanting to keep reading.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC.
February 21, 2026
I was thrilled when Sally Page offered to send me a copy of this, her brand new book as I’ve read and loved all her other books.
A story of connection, friendship, of finding your tribe and how creativity can relight a spark in your soul.
Synopsis:
Kate spots a card on her local cafe’s wall that has six little words on it. Each day, another line is added and all the regulars are very curious as to who the author is. Kate is hoping that these special words will be the pathway to some much needed happiness.
Will Bardy, an ex-English teacher who is suffering from writer’s block, be able to unlock her long lost creativity and bring some meaning back into her life?
The story was split into a timeline of eight weeks and the descriptions and illustrations of native birds to Norfolk at the start of each of the weeks was a lovely touch. I also really appreciated the use of colour to describe personality and was beautifully done.
I was heavily invested in Kate’s and Bardy’s stories and how the narrative switched so we got to learn both their perspectives. There was also a cast of interesting characters (shout outs to the wonderful Linda and Tay) in this lovely book.
An uplifting, heart warming and tender story and I enjoyed being back in Sally’s world once more.
My six little words to describe this book are:
“A warm hug in book form “.
My grateful thanks go to @sallypage for sending me this gorgeous book and goodies and I’m sure, like all her other books, this will be a great success.
UK Publication Date : 12th March 2026
A story of connection, friendship, of finding your tribe and how creativity can relight a spark in your soul.
Synopsis:
Kate spots a card on her local cafe’s wall that has six little words on it. Each day, another line is added and all the regulars are very curious as to who the author is. Kate is hoping that these special words will be the pathway to some much needed happiness.
Will Bardy, an ex-English teacher who is suffering from writer’s block, be able to unlock her long lost creativity and bring some meaning back into her life?
The story was split into a timeline of eight weeks and the descriptions and illustrations of native birds to Norfolk at the start of each of the weeks was a lovely touch. I also really appreciated the use of colour to describe personality and was beautifully done.
I was heavily invested in Kate’s and Bardy’s stories and how the narrative switched so we got to learn both their perspectives. There was also a cast of interesting characters (shout outs to the wonderful Linda and Tay) in this lovely book.
An uplifting, heart warming and tender story and I enjoyed being back in Sally’s world once more.
My six little words to describe this book are:
“A warm hug in book form “.
My grateful thanks go to @sallypage for sending me this gorgeous book and goodies and I’m sure, like all her other books, this will be a great success.
UK Publication Date : 12th March 2026
July 19, 2025
Kate's intruiged by the little notice in her local cafe referencing a Shakespeare quote. As each day passes another quote is added. It seems a community group is being formed to showcase creative skills.
The group, wide ranging characters are brought together under the guidance of Bardy, a retired teacher. Each have their own creative ideas and long lasting friendships are made.
I was slowly engrossed in this book, the characters are all delightful and grew as the book develops. The story is heartwarming and uplifting, some sadness but mostly good humoured throughout. I think this is my favourite Sally Page novel.......so far
The group, wide ranging characters are brought together under the guidance of Bardy, a retired teacher. Each have their own creative ideas and long lasting friendships are made.
I was slowly engrossed in this book, the characters are all delightful and grew as the book develops. The story is heartwarming and uplifting, some sadness but mostly good humoured throughout. I think this is my favourite Sally Page novel.......so far
August 16, 2025
Another great book by Sally Page. Fantastic setting - North Norfolk is a wonderful place - and I absolutely loved all the characters. Such a mix of people and what a great way to come together - I really want to be part of that group! I thought the support they gave to one another when they needed it was really touching. A real heartwarming story, which reminded me that there is still some humanity out there (even if just in a book!)! And a great ending - very clever and just perfect!
February 16, 2026
This book started out a little slow. At first I was skeptical about the six words "to be or not to be", but I ended up liking the concept of the book. I liked the creative side of each of the people and how they worked together to support one another and become a group of friends.
The story telling was hard to understand at times. It was told from two different character's perspectives, one of which contained a lot more thoughts and was choppy in writing. I really liked the descriptions of one character and how he saw some people with colors. I loved the way he described them.
The book was a little more crude that I like. I think I would have given it another star if it had been clean. I know a lot of the characters struggled in different aspects of their lives, which added to the story. But I personally would have liked it better if it didn't have some of that content.
I would recommend to select readers only due to content.
Cautionary content: s3xual innuendo, divorce, infidelity, cancer/chemo, swearing, homosexual relationships, nudity,
October 17, 2025
When I started reading this book, I found it hard to get into the characters. Halfway, though, and I was pulled in by this little group of people who were drawn together by their love for art and creativity. I loved the diversity, personalities, and how special each character was in their own unique way.
It is truly a heartwarming story about new beginnings, community, second chances, and of course friendship. It reminds us that even when life can be difficult and we are trying to navigate our way through it, true friendship can help make that journey a little easier.
Thank you at #NetGalley and @HarperCollinsUK for this ARC. Another fabulous book by Sally Page!
It is truly a heartwarming story about new beginnings, community, second chances, and of course friendship. It reminds us that even when life can be difficult and we are trying to navigate our way through it, true friendship can help make that journey a little easier.
Thank you at #NetGalley and @HarperCollinsUK for this ARC. Another fabulous book by Sally Page!
July 31, 2025
This was first by this author, I was intrigued by the premise of notes bringing people together. The story wasn’t quite what I thought I was expecting, but I found I really enjoyed it none the less.
At first I found the writing style a little hard to understand, I felt it jumped around and it was written like a stream of consciousness narrative. I persevered, taking time to check who’s pov I was reading and sometimes re reading parts, it did grow on me the more I read, becoming invested in the characters and the storyline really helped.
I found I really quite liked Kate, she was so human and relatable. She felt lost, and lonely, she’d fulfilled her parenting duties and her husband had left her and now she didn’t quite know where she fitted. I really enjoyed her story unfolding, her connection to Linda through her sister and I teared up a few times at Linda’s beautifully kind words.
I liked the friendship between Brady and Lou and how they were there for each other, a beautiful life long friendship, and Tay was interesting and both men were looking out for her.
I loved the underlying message of you can be creative in any number of ways, not just the conventional ways, and how women often dismiss their creative side as it’s not seen as important or they feel laughed at. So true and relatable.
The friendship group was beautiful and I loved how they all met up outside of group and helped and encouraged each other, they were having a blast so much that they forgot they were meant to be entering a competition!
A great and interesting read, a little different to my usual but I’m so pleased I read it as I feel it will stay with me a long time.
At first I found the writing style a little hard to understand, I felt it jumped around and it was written like a stream of consciousness narrative. I persevered, taking time to check who’s pov I was reading and sometimes re reading parts, it did grow on me the more I read, becoming invested in the characters and the storyline really helped.
I found I really quite liked Kate, she was so human and relatable. She felt lost, and lonely, she’d fulfilled her parenting duties and her husband had left her and now she didn’t quite know where she fitted. I really enjoyed her story unfolding, her connection to Linda through her sister and I teared up a few times at Linda’s beautifully kind words.
I liked the friendship between Brady and Lou and how they were there for each other, a beautiful life long friendship, and Tay was interesting and both men were looking out for her.
I loved the underlying message of you can be creative in any number of ways, not just the conventional ways, and how women often dismiss their creative side as it’s not seen as important or they feel laughed at. So true and relatable.
The friendship group was beautiful and I loved how they all met up outside of group and helped and encouraged each other, they were having a blast so much that they forgot they were meant to be entering a competition!
A great and interesting read, a little different to my usual but I’m so pleased I read it as I feel it will stay with me a long time.
March 9, 2026
4.5 stars
This is a gorgeous story. Filled with love, friendship and hope. Stories of community are always such great ways to show depths of character, and Six Little Words is full of the love and support often found in little communities that then encourage such growth and confidence.
I loved the descriptions of the settings with the birds - so vividly described and evocative. A story not just about the characters but the settings playing such an important role too.
I loved the links to the Shakespeare quotes and references - reading and books such an important part in the creativity feeling of the whole story.
The condition of Synaesthesia was a fascinating addition to the story and brought to life the descriptions and colours of the characters and their stories.
This is a gorgeous story. Filled with love, friendship and hope. Stories of community are always such great ways to show depths of character, and Six Little Words is full of the love and support often found in little communities that then encourage such growth and confidence.
I loved the descriptions of the settings with the birds - so vividly described and evocative. A story not just about the characters but the settings playing such an important role too.
I loved the links to the Shakespeare quotes and references - reading and books such an important part in the creativity feeling of the whole story.
The condition of Synaesthesia was a fascinating addition to the story and brought to life the descriptions and colours of the characters and their stories.
March 13, 2026
This is a lovely heartwarming and uplifting read - its a story of friendships and kind people - Kate is divorced and her girls have grown up and moved away, she sees a curious note in her local coffee shop inviting people to join a creative club and she decides to join. Here she meets an eclectic group of people who have their own stories to tell and they bond over their shared interest. I really enjoyed this - its quirky, fun and made me laugh out loud in places - Pasta Bake ( This had me giggling for ages ! )
November 4, 2025
This was a perfect book to read on a gray November day. It is a celebration of community, the inner creative spirit, and the ability to move on from a significant life change that has immobilized you.
As described in her author notes, Ms. Page says the idea for this book came from a creative competition that was initiated during lockdown to inspire creativity in people 65 and older. It was called the King Lear Prize. This was the kernel of an idea that became a fully developed cast of characters and issues.
Kate, divorced, mother of three grown daughters, and cancer survivor happens upon a small orange card on a café bulletin board that says' to be or not to be'. This becomes an invitation to join a group whose members will try to find their own creativity and enter a competition. The only caveat is they are not professional. Kate has had a successful career painting and selling images of her mother’s china but decides to keep this bit of information to herself. Becoming part of this group is a means of new connections.
The members of this group are a varied bunch. Bardy (aka Jon Shakespeare) is the organizer. He is a former English teacher whose wife has left him. Luigi, a widower and Bardy’s longtime friend owns the local café. Tay, is a young woman who has had a difficult life as the daughter of one of Bardy’s foster kids. Linda and Leonard are a married older couple who face the typical problems of accepting aging. Satya, is a harried wife and mother trying to balance home life with her career as entrepreneur, and Pia is a Danish lawyer with an edge, just resettled in Norfolk.
Each of the characters are well developed. The issues grappled with are universal but the twist is their camaraderie in supporting each of their individual pursuits. The underlying theme is that there is creativity within everyone that can lead to surprising outcomes.
I loved each of the characters. Bardy, especially. I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of synesthesia and he has this condition in which he sees people as colors. For him, he is spot on in his feelings about people by the colors they evoke. Kate, also a favorite. As she works out a trauma in her life, she is able to figure out how to move forward. The others were colorful, warm, and despite wide differences, came together as a whole.
So many books reflect the dark sides of the characters. The stories are bleak. Sometimes, hopeless. This was a book that raises the spirit. The problems were as real as the characters but not insurmountable. Choices needed to be made and 'with a little help from their friends,; resolution was possible.
The Shakespeare references were delightful, despite the hoaky end quote! Also enjoyable were the all the bird descriptions introducing each chapter and the descriptions of Norfolk. Made me want to book a flight.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Blackstone for the opportunity to read and objectively review this advanced readers copy.
As described in her author notes, Ms. Page says the idea for this book came from a creative competition that was initiated during lockdown to inspire creativity in people 65 and older. It was called the King Lear Prize. This was the kernel of an idea that became a fully developed cast of characters and issues.
Kate, divorced, mother of three grown daughters, and cancer survivor happens upon a small orange card on a café bulletin board that says' to be or not to be'. This becomes an invitation to join a group whose members will try to find their own creativity and enter a competition. The only caveat is they are not professional. Kate has had a successful career painting and selling images of her mother’s china but decides to keep this bit of information to herself. Becoming part of this group is a means of new connections.
The members of this group are a varied bunch. Bardy (aka Jon Shakespeare) is the organizer. He is a former English teacher whose wife has left him. Luigi, a widower and Bardy’s longtime friend owns the local café. Tay, is a young woman who has had a difficult life as the daughter of one of Bardy’s foster kids. Linda and Leonard are a married older couple who face the typical problems of accepting aging. Satya, is a harried wife and mother trying to balance home life with her career as entrepreneur, and Pia is a Danish lawyer with an edge, just resettled in Norfolk.
Each of the characters are well developed. The issues grappled with are universal but the twist is their camaraderie in supporting each of their individual pursuits. The underlying theme is that there is creativity within everyone that can lead to surprising outcomes.
I loved each of the characters. Bardy, especially. I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of synesthesia and he has this condition in which he sees people as colors. For him, he is spot on in his feelings about people by the colors they evoke. Kate, also a favorite. As she works out a trauma in her life, she is able to figure out how to move forward. The others were colorful, warm, and despite wide differences, came together as a whole.
So many books reflect the dark sides of the characters. The stories are bleak. Sometimes, hopeless. This was a book that raises the spirit. The problems were as real as the characters but not insurmountable. Choices needed to be made and 'with a little help from their friends,; resolution was possible.
The Shakespeare references were delightful, despite the hoaky end quote! Also enjoyable were the all the bird descriptions introducing each chapter and the descriptions of Norfolk. Made me want to book a flight.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Blackstone for the opportunity to read and objectively review this advanced readers copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Six Little Words
Sally Page
Publication Date: February 24th, 2026
Blackstone Publishing
368 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: Women's Fiction
The magic of human connection has never surprised me, but this book did, in the best way possible. This story is about Kate. She gave up her dream of being a painter, but her life slowly begins to change when six little Shakespearean words—“To be, or not to be”—mysteriously appear on a café bulletin board and turn into a trail of daily quotes. As Kate and a retired English teacher named Bardy follow the trail and join a community group, they and the café regulars rediscover their creative sparks, make unexpected friendships, and find the courage to choose joy and appreciate second chances.
The power of community and connection is always a winner with me, and the heart of this book lies in its characters. Page writes characters who feel like old friends; they are flawed yet hopeful, and very human. Their interactions are handled with a heartwarming and realistic touch that never feels fake or forced. The author's writing style is cozy and intelligently profound. The "six little words" at the forefront of the story are the incentive these characters need, and the themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the courage it takes to be honest with oneself always bring a smile to my face.
While the pacing is a little on the slow side, I was never bored. This is slow-burn done right so that the reader can feel the emotional depth of the characters, and that's what makes this book shine. It’s the type of book that makes you pause and reflect. This is a real gem of a book, there is something so comforting about a story that gives you the time get to know its characters. Five big stars for Six Little Words .
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Six Little Words
Sally Page
Publication Date: February 24th, 2026
Blackstone Publishing
368 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: Women's Fiction
The magic of human connection has never surprised me, but this book did, in the best way possible. This story is about Kate. She gave up her dream of being a painter, but her life slowly begins to change when six little Shakespearean words—“To be, or not to be”—mysteriously appear on a café bulletin board and turn into a trail of daily quotes. As Kate and a retired English teacher named Bardy follow the trail and join a community group, they and the café regulars rediscover their creative sparks, make unexpected friendships, and find the courage to choose joy and appreciate second chances.
The power of community and connection is always a winner with me, and the heart of this book lies in its characters. Page writes characters who feel like old friends; they are flawed yet hopeful, and very human. Their interactions are handled with a heartwarming and realistic touch that never feels fake or forced. The author's writing style is cozy and intelligently profound. The "six little words" at the forefront of the story are the incentive these characters need, and the themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the courage it takes to be honest with oneself always bring a smile to my face.
While the pacing is a little on the slow side, I was never bored. This is slow-burn done right so that the reader can feel the emotional depth of the characters, and that's what makes this book shine. It’s the type of book that makes you pause and reflect. This is a real gem of a book, there is something so comforting about a story that gives you the time get to know its characters. Five big stars for Six Little Words .
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
March 2, 2026
📚Six Little Words
✍🏻Sally Page
Blurb:
Can one small note give her the courage to find a new path?One Note. One Act of kindness. Her new beginning is closer than she thinks.
Kate gave up her dreams of being a painter years ago. But six little words pinned to the noticeboard of her local café could change her path forever.
‘To be, or not to be…’ – printed on orange card with no explanation – appears one morning.
Each day, a new line from a different Shakespeare play is added, sparking curiosity throughout the café. Among the regulars is Bardy, a retired English teacher grappling with writer’s block.
As Kate and Bardy follow this breadcrumb trail, they discover a local community group encouraging people to rediscover their own creative spark – and the long-lost courage to chase it.
For Kate, their new group might just offer a second chance at happiness, if only Bardy can find the strength to share his story too…
My Thoughts:
An uplifting and cosy story reminding us of the importance of friendship and community. Six Little Words is an uplifting story of friendship, community and rediscovering creativity.
The mix of characters are interesting, varied and relatable, each with their own backstories; and together they become a united community group, as well as a strong support network for each other. Each time I picked up this book, it was a joy to be back in their company, whether that be with Bardy, Lou and a thermos flask at 4:00am sat on the North Norfolk shoreline, or enjoying coffee and cake with the whole group at the RNLI or the art gallery! Kate, once a promising painter, now finds herself adrift coping with grief, a recent divorce, and the silence of an empty nest. Her days blur together until one morning, she spots a curious note pinned to the café noticeboard: “To be, or not to be…” printed on orange card. Each day, a new line from Shakespeare appears, and the mystery draws in the café’s regulars.
Among them is Bardy, a retired English teacher battling writer’s block and his own regrets. Together, Kate and Bardy follow the trail of quotes to a local community group that encourages people to rediscover their creative spark. For Kate, it’s a chance to reclaim her artistic voice. For Bardy, it’s an invitation to finally share his story.
Thanks NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing, Inc.and Author Sally Page for the complimentary copy of "Six Little Words" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#BlackstonePublishing
#SallyPage
#SixLIttleWords
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Sally Page
Blurb:
Can one small note give her the courage to find a new path?One Note. One Act of kindness. Her new beginning is closer than she thinks.
Kate gave up her dreams of being a painter years ago. But six little words pinned to the noticeboard of her local café could change her path forever.
‘To be, or not to be…’ – printed on orange card with no explanation – appears one morning.
Each day, a new line from a different Shakespeare play is added, sparking curiosity throughout the café. Among the regulars is Bardy, a retired English teacher grappling with writer’s block.
As Kate and Bardy follow this breadcrumb trail, they discover a local community group encouraging people to rediscover their own creative spark – and the long-lost courage to chase it.
For Kate, their new group might just offer a second chance at happiness, if only Bardy can find the strength to share his story too…
My Thoughts:
An uplifting and cosy story reminding us of the importance of friendship and community. Six Little Words is an uplifting story of friendship, community and rediscovering creativity.
The mix of characters are interesting, varied and relatable, each with their own backstories; and together they become a united community group, as well as a strong support network for each other. Each time I picked up this book, it was a joy to be back in their company, whether that be with Bardy, Lou and a thermos flask at 4:00am sat on the North Norfolk shoreline, or enjoying coffee and cake with the whole group at the RNLI or the art gallery! Kate, once a promising painter, now finds herself adrift coping with grief, a recent divorce, and the silence of an empty nest. Her days blur together until one morning, she spots a curious note pinned to the café noticeboard: “To be, or not to be…” printed on orange card. Each day, a new line from Shakespeare appears, and the mystery draws in the café’s regulars.
Among them is Bardy, a retired English teacher battling writer’s block and his own regrets. Together, Kate and Bardy follow the trail of quotes to a local community group that encourages people to rediscover their creative spark. For Kate, it’s a chance to reclaim her artistic voice. For Bardy, it’s an invitation to finally share his story.
Thanks NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing, Inc.and Author Sally Page for the complimentary copy of "Six Little Words" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#BlackstonePublishing
#SallyPage
#SixLIttleWords
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 14, 2026
Lighthearted and uplifting, this is a charming tale of a Norfolk (England) community group that comes together around an amateur competition designed to unlock a person’s creative spark. We alternate between the perspectives of Bardy, a retired English teacher suffering from writer’s block, and Kate, an equally frustrated once-painter, but the others in the group each have equally compelling narratives that slowly surface as the group coalesces into something much greater than originally intended.
This could have been simply another piece of uplifting women’s fiction (and nothing is wrong with that!), but I found a lot to love that went far beyond the expected bromides. Bardy experiences synesthesia and the description of how he saw people as intense and specific colors was fascinating. It was as though his subconscious experiences of people manifested as actual visual portrayals. I also found all the discussions about art — making it, recognizing it, expressing oneself through it (without considering external judgement) incredibly insightful and engaging — even though I have no artistic capabilities or experiences trying to produce it. The array of artistic endeavor was both amusing and absorbing — from oils to poetry to photography to fashion designs (on dogs!) to musical theatre. I was particularly interested in the way that any artistic expression is a window into someone — their interests, the way they see things, the way their brain works — I’m always curious about people and very aware of how differently people “work” from each other. I hadn’t really thought about artistic expression as a channel in that. I liked the reminder also that artistic expression is for the artist, regardless of the opinions and valuations of others. With so much commentary and criticism on all sides, it’s sometimes difficult to remember that you paint or play piano or pretend to take on acting roles because it’s fun and internally satisfying, not because you need the approval from others (unless you’re trying to make a living that way, of course!).
The book had a nice happy ending — full of (realistically IMHO) resolved situations with personal growth required for decent closure. The “Six Little Words” inspiring the title are exposed near the end — and they are perfect! great for fans of Joanna Trollope. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
This could have been simply another piece of uplifting women’s fiction (and nothing is wrong with that!), but I found a lot to love that went far beyond the expected bromides. Bardy experiences synesthesia and the description of how he saw people as intense and specific colors was fascinating. It was as though his subconscious experiences of people manifested as actual visual portrayals. I also found all the discussions about art — making it, recognizing it, expressing oneself through it (without considering external judgement) incredibly insightful and engaging — even though I have no artistic capabilities or experiences trying to produce it. The array of artistic endeavor was both amusing and absorbing — from oils to poetry to photography to fashion designs (on dogs!) to musical theatre. I was particularly interested in the way that any artistic expression is a window into someone — their interests, the way they see things, the way their brain works — I’m always curious about people and very aware of how differently people “work” from each other. I hadn’t really thought about artistic expression as a channel in that. I liked the reminder also that artistic expression is for the artist, regardless of the opinions and valuations of others. With so much commentary and criticism on all sides, it’s sometimes difficult to remember that you paint or play piano or pretend to take on acting roles because it’s fun and internally satisfying, not because you need the approval from others (unless you’re trying to make a living that way, of course!).
The book had a nice happy ending — full of (realistically IMHO) resolved situations with personal growth required for decent closure. The “Six Little Words” inspiring the title are exposed near the end — and they are perfect! great for fans of Joanna Trollope. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
March 7, 2026
Six Little Words on a noticeboard brings together an eclectic group of strangers who are missing something in their lives. They decide to go to the first meeting that has an unknown reason for bring and discover it os a group for people who want to explore their artistic and creative skills in order to join in a competition.
Each mini chapter is written in the first person from the point of view of two of the group members Kate and Bardy. Whilst it was made clear who’s point of view it was taken from I still found the style of writing a little disjointed. Despite that I was fully invested in the very emotional journeys that each of the group members travel on.
Bardy, Lou, Pia and Kate have all lost their partners recently for very different reasons from death to divorce heartbreak is something they all share but wear very differently. Young Tay has had a hard life and we see her relationships with the older group members flourish as she begins to feel more comfortable with her life and responsibilities and learn to move forward knowing she has a support network. Linda and Leonard are happily married but his reluctance to acknowledge his age and subsequent hearing difficulties is causing much frustration between them. Between them all they create a close friendship group and begin to share more of their life, loves and anxieties.
Colours, paintings, Shakespeare and bird life are important aspects of the narrative. Bardy, an English teacher, has syneyhesis he sees people as colours. He often thinks in colours and quotes Shakespeare. Kate also sees life in colours as she paints and describes all she sees. The descriptions of the bird life and area they both live in are vivid full of colour and beautiful imagery.
Themes of grief, loss, bullying, loneliness, racism and love are all explored and the narrative can be quite emotive at times. It isn’t a fast moving book but it is a lovely read. The characters are all loveable and seeing them all develop and move forward using creativity as an outlet for all their emotions and the developing relationships between them all was enlightening and uplifting.
Each mini chapter is written in the first person from the point of view of two of the group members Kate and Bardy. Whilst it was made clear who’s point of view it was taken from I still found the style of writing a little disjointed. Despite that I was fully invested in the very emotional journeys that each of the group members travel on.
Bardy, Lou, Pia and Kate have all lost their partners recently for very different reasons from death to divorce heartbreak is something they all share but wear very differently. Young Tay has had a hard life and we see her relationships with the older group members flourish as she begins to feel more comfortable with her life and responsibilities and learn to move forward knowing she has a support network. Linda and Leonard are happily married but his reluctance to acknowledge his age and subsequent hearing difficulties is causing much frustration between them. Between them all they create a close friendship group and begin to share more of their life, loves and anxieties.
Colours, paintings, Shakespeare and bird life are important aspects of the narrative. Bardy, an English teacher, has syneyhesis he sees people as colours. He often thinks in colours and quotes Shakespeare. Kate also sees life in colours as she paints and describes all she sees. The descriptions of the bird life and area they both live in are vivid full of colour and beautiful imagery.
Themes of grief, loss, bullying, loneliness, racism and love are all explored and the narrative can be quite emotive at times. It isn’t a fast moving book but it is a lovely read. The characters are all loveable and seeing them all develop and move forward using creativity as an outlet for all their emotions and the developing relationships between them all was enlightening and uplifting.
September 5, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for this eCopy to review.
I didn’t expect a note on a café noticeboard to spark such a heartfelt journey, but Six Little Words did just that. Sally Page returns with another warm, uplifting novel that celebrates creativity, connection, and the quiet courage it takes to begin again.
📝 Plot Summary
Kate, once a promising painter, now finds herself adrift coping with grief, a recent divorce, and the silence of an empty nest. Her days blur together until one morning, she spots a curious note pinned to the café noticeboard: “To be, or not to be…” printed on orange card. Each day, a new line from Shakespeare appears, and the mystery draws in the café’s regulars.
Among them is Bardy, a retired English teacher battling writer’s block and his own regrets. Together, Kate and Bardy follow the trail of quotes to a local community group that encourages people to rediscover their creative spark. For Kate, it’s a chance to reclaim her artistic voice. For Bardy, it’s an invitation to finally share his story.
The novel unfolds gently, with kindness at its core. It’s a story about second chances, unexpected friendships, and the healing power of words.
💖 What I Loved
The Shakespeare Thread: The daily quotes are a brilliant device subtle, poetic, and full of meaning. They guide the characters without overpowering the story.
Kate’s Journey: Her emotional journey is beautifully paced. She’s vulnerable but never weak, and her rediscovery of art is deeply moving.
Community Spirit: The café regulars and the creative group feel like real people quirky, flawed, and full of heart.
Sally Page’s Voice: Gentle, wise, and quietly profound. Her writing feels like a warm blanket on a cold day.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Six Little Words is a tender, life-affirming novel perfect for fans of The Keeper of Stories, The Book of Beginnings, or The Lost Bookshop. If you love stories that celebrate everyday magic and the bravery of starting over, this one will speak to you.
I didn’t expect a note on a café noticeboard to spark such a heartfelt journey, but Six Little Words did just that. Sally Page returns with another warm, uplifting novel that celebrates creativity, connection, and the quiet courage it takes to begin again.
📝 Plot Summary
Kate, once a promising painter, now finds herself adrift coping with grief, a recent divorce, and the silence of an empty nest. Her days blur together until one morning, she spots a curious note pinned to the café noticeboard: “To be, or not to be…” printed on orange card. Each day, a new line from Shakespeare appears, and the mystery draws in the café’s regulars.
Among them is Bardy, a retired English teacher battling writer’s block and his own regrets. Together, Kate and Bardy follow the trail of quotes to a local community group that encourages people to rediscover their creative spark. For Kate, it’s a chance to reclaim her artistic voice. For Bardy, it’s an invitation to finally share his story.
The novel unfolds gently, with kindness at its core. It’s a story about second chances, unexpected friendships, and the healing power of words.
💖 What I Loved
The Shakespeare Thread: The daily quotes are a brilliant device subtle, poetic, and full of meaning. They guide the characters without overpowering the story.
Kate’s Journey: Her emotional journey is beautifully paced. She’s vulnerable but never weak, and her rediscovery of art is deeply moving.
Community Spirit: The café regulars and the creative group feel like real people quirky, flawed, and full of heart.
Sally Page’s Voice: Gentle, wise, and quietly profound. Her writing feels like a warm blanket on a cold day.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Six Little Words is a tender, life-affirming novel perfect for fans of The Keeper of Stories, The Book of Beginnings, or The Lost Bookshop. If you love stories that celebrate everyday magic and the bravery of starting over, this one will speak to you.
March 11, 2026
I feel so privileged to have received an ARC of Six Little Words by Sally Page as she has become one of my favourite authors. I feel that I have got to know her characters so well and this book is no exception. I was immediately drawn into a town by the sea in North Norfolk so vividly described that I felt I was living there myself.
As the characters, Kate, Bardy, Lou, Pia, Linda, Malcolm, Tay and others come together to enter the MACKL competition something which a few of them no nothing about having been led there by several cryptic phrases pinned on the notice board of the local cafe. The competition founded during Covid encourages the community to become creative whether it be in writing, art, music or sculpture, in fact, anything at all.
As the group moves forward it becomes clear that each of the characters have reached a crossroads in their lives. Bardy and Lou are lifelong friends who are struggling with loss. Lou’s wife Tina died recently and Brady’s wife has left him, whilst his two sons have gone to live in New Zealand. Tay, is a your woman who was fostered by Bardy and his wife but Bardy always feels that Tay was closer to his wife and would like their relationship to be better. Kate is recovering from a serious illness, having been alone since her husband left her and her three daughters are now grown up and no longer ar home. Pia is a respected lawyer who works in London but is spending more time in Norfolk since she split up with her partner.
This is an endearing book mostly about friendship and coming together to be creative but also to support one another. There are some really poignant moments but also a lot of humour too and I love how Sally Page creates characters that live on in my mind well after I have finished the book. This really is a wonderful book. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reading copy in return for and honest review. I was really thrilled to read this book. I loved it and can highly recommend it.
As the characters, Kate, Bardy, Lou, Pia, Linda, Malcolm, Tay and others come together to enter the MACKL competition something which a few of them no nothing about having been led there by several cryptic phrases pinned on the notice board of the local cafe. The competition founded during Covid encourages the community to become creative whether it be in writing, art, music or sculpture, in fact, anything at all.
As the group moves forward it becomes clear that each of the characters have reached a crossroads in their lives. Bardy and Lou are lifelong friends who are struggling with loss. Lou’s wife Tina died recently and Brady’s wife has left him, whilst his two sons have gone to live in New Zealand. Tay, is a your woman who was fostered by Bardy and his wife but Bardy always feels that Tay was closer to his wife and would like their relationship to be better. Kate is recovering from a serious illness, having been alone since her husband left her and her three daughters are now grown up and no longer ar home. Pia is a respected lawyer who works in London but is spending more time in Norfolk since she split up with her partner.
This is an endearing book mostly about friendship and coming together to be creative but also to support one another. There are some really poignant moments but also a lot of humour too and I love how Sally Page creates characters that live on in my mind well after I have finished the book. This really is a wonderful book. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reading copy in return for and honest review. I was really thrilled to read this book. I loved it and can highly recommend it.
November 25, 2025
Six Little Words by Sally Page is a novel about a group of friends in a small village who form a group together to help them enter an art competition because of a 6 worded notice board placed in a caffe.
Going into this the latest novel by Sally Page as a reader who has enjoyed her previous books and even given them all five stars gave this reader an air of anticipation.
Unfortunately while Six Little Words was still an enjoyable read which for the right reader is still one that would be recommended, it did not meet the high expectation that came from the previous books by this writer.
The problem is while all the basics from Sally Page’s previous works were there a found family, people being able to deal with issues because of the group of friends.
As well as the usual cosy setting, this one the barren landscape of Norfolk and the wildlife that makes their home either permanent or migrantrey..
Which is used as a symbol at the very heart of, Six Little words.
Added to his while most if not all the major characters were likeable, added to this even if some or all of the people in the novel were unlikeable, it does not alter my enjoyment of the novel.
For me the issue was that the connection with enough of the characters to raise the novel to the high standard of the other Sally Pages’s novels was missing in Six Little words
Having said that, Six Little Words still has a good plot line with the issues they were dealing with through the novel. Kept me wanting to come back to the story, it is just that as a reader there was no investment in the outcome either good or bad.
Having said all this if you have read Sally Page’s books previously then it is still worth picking up as a reader you will still gain something from it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Going into this the latest novel by Sally Page as a reader who has enjoyed her previous books and even given them all five stars gave this reader an air of anticipation.
Unfortunately while Six Little Words was still an enjoyable read which for the right reader is still one that would be recommended, it did not meet the high expectation that came from the previous books by this writer.
The problem is while all the basics from Sally Page’s previous works were there a found family, people being able to deal with issues because of the group of friends.
As well as the usual cosy setting, this one the barren landscape of Norfolk and the wildlife that makes their home either permanent or migrantrey..
Which is used as a symbol at the very heart of, Six Little words.
Added to his while most if not all the major characters were likeable, added to this even if some or all of the people in the novel were unlikeable, it does not alter my enjoyment of the novel.
For me the issue was that the connection with enough of the characters to raise the novel to the high standard of the other Sally Pages’s novels was missing in Six Little words
Having said that, Six Little Words still has a good plot line with the issues they were dealing with through the novel. Kept me wanting to come back to the story, it is just that as a reader there was no investment in the outcome either good or bad.
Having said all this if you have read Sally Page’s books previously then it is still worth picking up as a reader you will still gain something from it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 5, 2025
Like many women, Kate Oliver gave up on her dreams of being a painter when she became a mother. Even now, divorced and with her children growing, she's lost confidence in herself until she sees a bright orange card pinned to the noticeboard in the window of her local cafe bearing six little words... 'To be or not to be'.
Each day, a new line from a Shakespeare play is added to the card. Everyone seems to be talking about it, and eight of the most curious and diverse assemble a group. Kate, a cancer survivor, Luigi, the cafe owner and widower, Pia a danish lawyer, Satya a stressed mum and business entrepreneur, Taylor, a troubled teen, Bardy a retired teacher and an older married couple, Leonard and Linda.
At the same time, the community centre is running a craft competition. Incentivised by the little group they've created, they all select a craft project to work on. The only rule of the competition is that you can't have profited from your craft, but one member has done just that but isn't revealing it to the rest of the group.
I loved the diversity and execution of each and every character. They were really well rounded and all special in their own way. The unlikely friendships made and struggles they have faced felt extremely relatable, true to life, and easy to connect with. I must admit I had a real soft spot for Leonard who, with his refusal to wear his hearing aids had me chuckling out loud with his faux pars!
As a lover of Shakespeare, I loved the appropriate quotes at the start of each new chapter.
An immersive, comical, heart warming tale that had me laughing out loud, grinning like a mad woman and sighing all in good measure.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the ARC.
Each day, a new line from a Shakespeare play is added to the card. Everyone seems to be talking about it, and eight of the most curious and diverse assemble a group. Kate, a cancer survivor, Luigi, the cafe owner and widower, Pia a danish lawyer, Satya a stressed mum and business entrepreneur, Taylor, a troubled teen, Bardy a retired teacher and an older married couple, Leonard and Linda.
At the same time, the community centre is running a craft competition. Incentivised by the little group they've created, they all select a craft project to work on. The only rule of the competition is that you can't have profited from your craft, but one member has done just that but isn't revealing it to the rest of the group.
I loved the diversity and execution of each and every character. They were really well rounded and all special in their own way. The unlikely friendships made and struggles they have faced felt extremely relatable, true to life, and easy to connect with. I must admit I had a real soft spot for Leonard who, with his refusal to wear his hearing aids had me chuckling out loud with his faux pars!
As a lover of Shakespeare, I loved the appropriate quotes at the start of each new chapter.
An immersive, comical, heart warming tale that had me laughing out loud, grinning like a mad woman and sighing all in good measure.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the ARC.
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