A New Life in Amsterdam: An uplifting, relatable later-in-life romance

by Helga Jensen

Could down-sizing her life mean up-sizing her dreams?

Since her daughter grew up and left home, Sandy has found herself filling her house with things - impulse purchases that she just has to have but that quickly lose their sheen. Why would she need an expensive set of copper pans when she has no one to cook for?

Realising that her shopping habit is out of control, she asks can she de-clutter, downsize and start a new life?

She has always wanted to live on a barge, and she reasons that there is no way she would have room for random purchases on a boat. Taking the bravest decision of her life, Sandy buys and refurbishes a barge in the beautiful city of Amsterdam.

Relishing her independence, she is not looking for love, but as the nights draw in and the leaves start to fall from the trees, she finds herself drawn to cafe owner and expert hot chocolate maker Abe.

Is she willing to take a second chance on finding the one?

A funny, relatable later-in-life romance that fans of Milly Johnson, Sue Moorcroft and Julie Caplin will adore.

Genres: Romance

304 pages, Paperback

Published October 9, 2025

Reviews

[Susanne Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore books that are set in other countries and I was excited to visit Amsterdam as it’s a place that I would love to visit.
Sandy is left alone once her daughter joins her dad in Australia, rattling around a family home, acquiring lots of stuff that she doesn’t really need or want.
Her final impulsive purchase gives her a new future and a new location, a dilapidated houseboat in Amsterdam.
It was marvellous seeing Sandy embrace her new life and community as she begins to make her no home habitable.
Such a joy to have a more mature character take on an adventure and to find romance along the way.
Such a gorgeous uplifting story with a sweet slow build and intriguing romance.
Such a detailed and descriptive story really made the beautiful setting come alive.
I’m tempted to search for barges for sale now so I can have my Amsterdam adventure too!

[Nicky Bale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my usual genre so wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it. I bought it at the book launch where I got to meet the author. Helga was very engaging and I could hear her voice throughout the book. There was a lot of substance to the story and I really enjoyed it. I will certainly read some of her other books.

[Dash fan · Rating 5 out of 5]

5☆ A Feel Good Story of New Beginnings


When Sandy finds she's left all alone in her big house with her daughter having left to live in Australia and a shopping addiction she's now has.
She quickly realises it's time for a change!

What better change than moving to Amsterdam to live on a narrow boat/barge she's never even seen!
Would you be brave enough?
I'm not sure if i could do it!

But what I do know is, i have fallen in love with Amsterdam, and it's on my bucket list. Along with a narrow boat adventure! So this book gave me all the feels and more

I absolutely loved Sandy. She's an older lady, showing it's never too late to follow your dreams.
She's experiencing all Amsterdam has to offer.

What i loved most was the camaraderie and support the fellow narrow boat owners had for each other.
Especially Abe and Beatrix!
Oh, I loved Abe and Sandy together. Sandy dipped her toe in finding love again and all the turbulence that comes with it.

A new life in Amsterdam is exactly what this book is all about. It's about second chances, taking risks, finding happiness, and potential love and friendship.
As i said before, this book gave me all the feels, and i really hope there is more to come! As I'm not quite ready to leave Sandy and Abe.

A big thank you to Hera Books and Netgalley for this copy, which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Angela | thedutchbooknook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sandy is echt een shop-a-holic geworden sinds haar dochter naar de andere kant van de wereld verhuisd. Ze realiseert zich dat haar shop verslaving uit de hand is gelopen en nodig moet opruimen. Ook beseft ze dat een nieuwe start maken nog niet zo'n slecht idee is.

Kopen zonder kijken. Sandy koopt een woonboot in Amsterdam zonder dat ze het in het echt heeft gezien. Bij aankomst ziet ze meteen dat er heel wat aan gebeuren moet. Ook maakt ze kennis met Abe haar nieuwe buurman. Ze is totaal niet opzoek naar liefde maar haar gevoelens voor Abe kan ze niet langer onder stoelen en banken schuiven.

A New Life in Amsterdam vond ik oprecht een heel leuk boek. Van begin tot het einde genoten.

Heel erg bedankt NetGalley voor dit recensie-exemplaar.

[theweebookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Helga Jensen and it won't be the last.

I loved that the characters were older as you don't often get books where the main characters are 50+.

I loved the close group of friends Sandy found and liked all the main characters. Sandy tended to be very impulsive, as her shopping addiction showed while Abe just seemed too perfect.The author's descriptions of Amsterdam are so vivid it makes me want to visit.

This was a lovely, easy read about new beginnings and a second chance at love, which I flew through.

[Book Escapes Babs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Given that we have good friends who live not far from Amsterdam, my husband and I have spent a considerable amount of time there, so it was the title that first drew me to this book.

Sandy’s life has reached a definite pause as her marriage is over, quite amicably, and her daughter has decided to join her father in Australia. Taking the lead from another unnecessary purchase and realising that something must give, she begins looking for her dream future—a Houseboat in Amsterdam. Maybe not everyone’s idea of a dream, but certainly a reason to downsize dramatically and address her compulsive shopping habit. Perhaps foolishly, she buys a boat for a knock-down price, without viewing it first. So, she now has to shut down her life in the UK and make the move to a new country.

I absolutely loved this book and enjoyed following Sandy’s adventures, recognising so many of the references to Dutch businesses and traditions. Such a move, although told gently, would be nigh on impossible in our post-Brexit world, but thankfully, Sandy has an Irish passport, which affords her restriction-free European travel.

Once she arrives, the fun really begins as she must acclimatise to her new normal and learn to blend in with her new compatriots, which includes the kind and charming Abe, who lives on another houseboat. Despite the synopsis explaining that Sandy is not interested in another relationship, she finds it increasingly difficult to avoid the pull of his interest in her.

There is plenty of detail guiding the reader through Sandy’s renovations to the boat, but it’s also easy to spot her confidence and outlook receiving their own makeover. Sandy led the way in proving that, despite age and the menopause, attitude can lead to greater things. Her friendship with Abe, along with the characters whom we also meet along the way, is precisely what she needed.

Whether you’ve visited Amsterdam or not, this is a life-affirming escape to warm even the coldest of hearts. I do hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

[Francisca den Otter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second book by Helga Jensen and it will not be my last for sure! I love the fact that Helga uses mid-life characters in her books, a person I can relate too as I myself am a mid-life person too! She shows that life does not stop when you reach that age, but life can still be very fun and interesting. Sandy shows this to us! She is in for a change, not right away in the beginning of the book, but a little further on. We first learn about her life, her daughter Hannah, her ex-husband Paul, her neighbor friend Debbie and the area she lives in. When Sandy sees an advert of a houseboat in a canal in Amsterdam she cannot stop thinking about it, unfortunately that houseboat is sold but the real-estate agent Gerrit tells her about another houseboat in his portfolio which is for sale. . Debbie's husband Nigel is a bit sceptic about Sandy purchasing the houseboat and says that it's not called B.O.A.T. for nothing: Bring Out Another Thousand. But Sandy doesn't care and she closes the deal on the houseboat and she starts to declutter her house and has a kind or garagesale for her belongings

In Amsterdam she meets her friendly houseboat neighbor Abe, who is more than willing to help her get around, who takes her to the Sunday market and makes her lovely hot-chocolate. But Abe has Beatrix so she obviously does not want to interfere.
Sandy's neighbor from Wales comes over and the two of them have the best of time. As a person living close to Amsterdam I could totally see where they were going and the fun they had strolling through Amsterdam and visiting the museums.
On the last day of her stay with Sandy they throw a party for all the houseboat neighbors which ia great succes. somewhere in the book Sandy say's I'm glad I spent most of my partying time in the Eighties. I mean, the music was a lot better then, for a start. I can so relate to that!
If you are in for a fun mif-life read, look no further!

C = 8 |A = 8 | W = 9 | P = 8 | I = 8 | L = 8 | E = 9 | Score 8,29 = 4 stars

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

=Helga Jensen is one of my favourite authors. I have read and loved her previous books, and she has such a lovely writing voice with believable characters and warmth shining through.
The main character in this novel is Sandy Davies, who is nearly 56 and lives in Wales. Her ex-husband Paul has moved back to Australia, and since their daughter Hannah joined him, Sandy is alone in her cottage. She doesn’t see many people, only her friend Debbie. She does felting, and makes cute animals. But her main hobby is shopping, which she now realises is an obsession, a way of trying to fill the gap in her life. Admitting she is a shopaholic, she decides to do some decluttering in her home.
She suddenly sees there’s a houseboat in Amsterdam for sale and as she has lovely memories of her time there with her late friend Nicky, she decides to do something risky and move over to the Netherlands to start afresh. Things are not as perfect as she hopes though, when she arrives there and sees the boat for the first time…
But everyone seems friendly and she soon meets Abe who lives in the next houseboat. He seems quite flirty and is really nice, but he lives with a woman called Beatrix.
When her best friend Debbie comes over to visit, we get to see the tourist sights of Amsterdam and I enjoyed that part especially. I want to go to the Van Gogh exhibition!
I have never considered living on a houseboat, so I was interested in how it all worked out for Sandy. I also loved that she was my age, as I always feel more connected to characters that are in their fifties than their twenties.
I really enjoyed all the aspects of this book and I always appreciate a closed door romance, as this one is. I loved the characters, including Ted the dog and I liked how all the loose ends were tied up by the end. Another wonderful read by Helga Jensen!
/

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A New Life in Amsterdam is a gorgeous romantic escape from Helga Jensen I loved curling up with and losing myself in!

The bottom had fallen out of Sandy’s world when her daughter had moved out. Rattling around her empty house, Sandy had tried to fill the void left behind by her grown-up child by impulse shopping. Unfortunately, Sandy soon realised that her new toys quickly lose their lustre and that she’s still the same lonely middle-aged woman at a loose end with an empty diary. Having always harboured a dream to live on a barge, Sandy decides to stop shopping and to make her fantasy a reality. Other people declutter, downsize and start over, don’t they, so why can’t Sandy?

Biting the bullet, Sandy sells up and moves to Amsterdam where she quickly begins to relish her independence. Unshackling herself from her material possessions might just be the best thing she has ever done. Romance couldn’t be further from her mind, but a chance encounter with handsome hot chocolate expert Abe makes her wonder whether she should give love another try.

Will Sandy’s new life involve a Prince Charming she wasn’t even looking for? Is her new life in Amsterdam everything it was cracked up to be? Or is Sandy setting herself up for heartbreak?

Helga Jensen’s A New Life in Amsterdam is guaranteed to chase the autumn blues away. Sparkling with wit, humour, emotion and romance, this wonderful tale of new beginnings, fresh starts and second chances will make readers laugh and cry as they find themselves completely invested in Sandy’s adventure in the Netherlands.

Guaranteed to delight romantics everywhere, A New Life in Amsterdam is an absolute treat by Helga Jensen.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Chantal Isabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for this book in exchange for my honest opinion!
A New Life in Amsterdam was a beautiful travel to the capital of the Netherlands.
The writing style is very easy to follow and you can tell that the author did a lot of research on the topics discussed in this book. However, the female lead making the move to the Netherlands ultimately felt quite easy, whereas I would think that finding work or other things such as insurances are not as easy to handle for someone who isn't from the EU.
I, additionally, would have enjoyed a more psychological approach to the shopaholic topic; instead, it was often brushed over and used as an incentive to get the story going during the first ten percent of the book.
Our protagonist was very sympathetic and relatable, however, she did feel a bit surface level to me at times, because I had troubles following her thought processes.
There was a lot of love to detail, especially when it came to experiencing the city, but the protagonist sometimes acted very impulsively, while other times she overthought everything. It didn’t seem cohesive. And sometimes it felt very clear to me that the decisions the female lead made were there to get the plot moving into a certain direction. This felt similar with conversations.
Overall, it wasn’t a fun read and can be called a love letter to Amsterdam, but I would have wished for more depth that could have been developed through describing character’s thoughts more thoroughly, and showing us dynamics instead of telling them.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A New Life In Amsterdam by Helga Jensen is the most delightful novel that I read in just one sitting.
You are never too old to have a new beginning. The fifty-nine-year-old proves that as she moves from a house in England to a houseboat in Amsterdam after the empty nester syndrome kicks in.
Isolated in England, Amsterdam offers a community feel and friendly, feel-good vibes as she is welcomed with open arms by the houseboat community.
In England, loneliness had been temporarily alleviated by becoming a shopaholic. “All these material goods only serve as a temporary comfort blanket. It is loneliness at home that is the problem.” Each shopping high was following by a crashing low.
In contrast, we see the community and care that life in Amsterdam gives. “Kindness, compassion and being helpful are more important than material things.” The lead character finds herself cocooned by the new community.
Characters bond over food and community activities, such as knitting and a book club. All the characters are warm and welcoming. Their love and care reach beyond the book, to envelop the reader.
New beginnings offer new opportunities to step out of ones’ comfort zone and embrace life.
I thoroughly enjoyed A New Life In Amsterdam. It left me feeling warm and loved.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

[Kirsty (BookBlogger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A New Life in Amsterdam by Helga Jensen

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Could down-sizing her life mean up-sizing her dreams?

Since her daughter grew up and left home, Sandy has found herself filling her house with things - impulse purchases that she just has to have but that quickly lose their sheen. Why would she need an expensive set of copper pans when she has no one to cook for?

Realising that her shopping habit is out of control, she asks can she de-clutter, downsize and start a new life?

She has always wanted to live on a barge, and she reasons that there is no way she would have room for random purchases on a boat. Taking the bravest decision of her life, Sandy buys and refurbishes a barge in the beautiful city of Amsterdam.

Relishing her independence, she is not looking for love, but as the nights draw in and the leaves start to fall from the trees, she finds herself drawn to cafe owner and expert hot chocolate maker Abe.

Is she willing to take a second chance on finding the one?

My Opinion

A New Life in Amsterdam was another delightful novel by Helga Jensen. An uplifting read, with a slow-burn romance. I would recommend starting this book when you have plenty of time – it was difficult to put down. With relatable characters, A New Life in Amsterdam was a joy to read.

Rating 4/5

[Kelly Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sandy is suffering from empty nest syndrome after her daughter leaves home and tries to battle this by buying stuff, things that she doesn’t need in a bid to feel better, but she starts to realise that this isn’t working and now her home is full of clutter. In a bid to overcome this she starts to declutter and in the process decides to downsize and start a new life by moving to Amsterdam and living on a houseboat. With her new neighbour, Abe’s help she starts to settle in but is a new home the only new beginning she is going to make.

Sandy is a middle-aged woman living alone after her daughter moves to Australia to be with her father. Rattling around in their family home Sandy realises she needs a change which is when she decided to leave to live on a houseboat in Amsterdam. With this decision and as Sandy gets settled in we see her becoming herself and enjoying life again.

Sandy is such a lovely character as is Abe, her new neighbour, and it brings a smile to your face as you read their story and see them growing closer.

We also get to discover Amsterdam with Sandy, and I feel like we are transported their through the pages and not only that we get a true sense of what it would be like to live on a boat as Sandy does.

This was a lovely, heart-warming easy read from Helga Jensen, perfect to cosy up with.

[Pam Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sandy is at a difficult time in her life and is looking for a change. The change she decides on surprises even her when she decides to move to Amsterdam and buys a rather rundown boat. The life she finds in Amsterdam surprises her as do the new friends who live nearby. Moving away from her home in the UK has some misgivings for her and she does miss her best friend and next door neighbour who she has known for many years. However, it gives her a chance to break from her compulsion to shop which she has indulged in , lonely in her empty nest.

With starting again and second chance at life being central themes. you do find yourself hoping that Sandy can find new friendships and relationships in mid-life. There are some humorous moments and the story is well paced and full of interest. This is a warm story with a likeable central character who has courage and the gumption to take a chance. Amsterdam proves to be a gorgeous setting and completely removed from Sandy's rather isolated life she has experienced before.

Thanks to the publisher

[Moushmi Karmokar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Helga Jensen for the opportunity to read this delightful story.

A New Life in Amsterdam is such a warm and uplifting read! 🌸 I loved following the main character as she leaves England behind and starts fresh on a houseboat in Amsterdam. The contrast between her lonely, shopaholic life in England and the vibrant, caring community in Amsterdam was so beautifully written.

The story highlights how meaningful connections and kindness can bring joy and belonging—from shared meals and book clubs to knitting and friendly chats. The characters are so welcoming and full of life that you feel like part of the community yourself.
It’s a gentle, feel-good story about new beginnings, stepping out of your comfort zone, and finding happiness at any stage of life. I finished it feeling warm, happy, and inspired. Highly recommend for anyone who loves cozy, later-in-life romances with heart. 💛

[Fleurtje Eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite liked Sandy for her being so down to earth and reading about her troubles that are of course very common and is what makes us human, but that were also slightly out of the ordinary such as having a daughter that is closer to her that than to Sandy herself or feeling homesick very unexpectedly despite having started a fantastic adventure. Being insecure and behaving a bit irrationally, yet finding the Dutch courage to open up about that :)

And yes, reading about Amsterdam where I was born was a very nice setting for this book. The only thing missing was an old pub where you eat tosti's (cheese toasties) while having a pub cat looking like it owns the place. But who knows, there might be another book set in the capital of the Netherlands, plenty of stuff to write about, I presume.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

[Emma book blogger Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @rararesources For letting me be part of this tour and reviewing this book. The front cover of A New Life in Amsterdam is vibrant and fresh and looks like an exciting place to be. I wish I was the lady in the picture. This is a romance genre, which is about Sandy, whose daughter grew up, and she has a shopping habit and decides to find a new life. A New Life in Amsterdam is an uplifting and heartwarming read about second chances. The book holds your attention from the first word to the end. I did like Sandy and the other characters; they all seem like lovely people, and I did feel for Sandy at times because of the problems she had in her life and loved her impulsiveness in buying a canal boat in Amsterdam. Very brave. A lovely story that is written clearly and is engaging. 5 stars.

[bookloversclub2023 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone knows I love a Helga book and this one I have to say is one of my favourites! It’s written in such a relatable way and takes you through Sandy’s journey in such a beautiful way of self discovery and second chances. The details are everything but it’s not written in a drawn out way.

I love how Helgas book centre around a more mature main character. I loved Sandy so much as a character. The descriptions of Amsterdam were perfectly written, I feel like I have been there and want to join Sandy on her house boat with her community.

It’s a perfect book for escapism, second chance and feel good vibes but then I wouldn’t expect anything different from Helga- a superb story teller. Thank you so much for sending me a copy Helga- another standout, outstanding book to add to the list.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sandy is a empty nester with her daughter grown up and moving away. Sandy finds herself filling her house up with things. Her money is spent on buying things she doesn't really need. When Sandy's daughter tells Sandy that she should have a fresh start. Sandy impulsively buys a houseboat in Amsterdam. It needs quite a bit of TLC but Sandy is happy to have a new project. The community of the area are friendly and welcoming particularly her handsome neighbour. I loved living life on a houseboat with Sandy and the friendships that she formed will last a lifetime. I was left smiling like a monkey after reading this and wanting to move to this community myself and join the book club.

[Hyggenookandbook · Rating 5 out of 5]

​I read this book in a day—it was perfect escapism! I absolutely loved being transported to Amsterdam, which Helga brought to life so vividly that I could almost smell the delicious pastries & coffee ☕ & it's got me dreaming of canals & cosy barges! 🛥️🇳🇱

​Sandy is a genuinely lovable protagonist, & watching her find her footing again was pure joy. Her journey of finding independence & community was so uplifting.

​This book tackles feeling invisible, second chances, & finding joy in simplicity. It’s a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself!

​Perfect for fans of feel-good fiction & heartwarming stories about self-discovery.

[Emma Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book that I have read by the author and I will definitely be reading more by them. This was such an enjoyable read that I read it in one sitting. The story was easy to follow and heartwarming and had a great cast of characters. Plus I loved the place settings in the story. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story dealing with "empty nest syndrome" with a desire to change her life and do something completely different. I enjoyed this book so much it vividly describes Amsterdam and life on a canal boat. This had a very happy ending but. I wonder will there be more at some point? My thanks to netgalley and the publisher's for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! Sandy's daughter has moved to Australia, and she decides to be spontaneous and buy a houseboat in Amsterdam. There she meets a variety of neighbors, including her handsome next-door neighbor who makes delicious hot chocolate and runs a cafe.

I love romances set in foreign countries, and this was no exception. I've always wanted to go to Amsterdam, and I think that living on a houseboat there sounds fun. It had:

- second chance romance
- reinventing your life when you're middle-aged
- relocating to Amsterdam
- learning the customs, culture, and language of Holland and Amsterdam

It's definitely a lovely cozy romance, set in beautiful Amsterdam,

Thanks to @therabooks, @rachels randomresources for this arc.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how Sandy took control of her life and began really living instead of mist going through the motions.
I want to run off to the Netherlands and live in a boat!
I like reading about people who make changes and refresh their lives because sometimes they become stale.
It’s a good read.
Thanks NetGalley and Hera Publishing for the advance read.

[Deanna Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Helga Jensen, Hera Books, and Netgalley for the ARC. My review is voluntary and any opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this novel about picking up and moving to a new country. Finding happiness and a new way of life. Sandy found herself growing as she learned a new language and found new friends.

[Marian Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story in a beautiful location….Friendship, love and a later-in-life romance are all included in this gorgeous beautifully written story. This book introduced me to a new author, and I can’t wait to explore more of the authors books! I absolutely loved the setting of the story and enjoyed learning about the food, markets and the houseboat community. A cozy hug of a read and the perfect slice of escapism. The cover and blurb drew me in but the authors writing kept me engaged in this beautifully written story about how you can start over at any age. I couldn’t have loved it more!

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous read!

[June Selby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read. Nothing complex or in depth but just a nice relaxing little read before bed. I would definitely get this author again

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love how this author writes about real relatable characters in her books and about people making fresh starts to their lives in middle age and how they always take the readers onto a journey to another country in this case we see the main character Sandy be transported to beautiful Amsterdam. I am currently trying to declutter my house and life so found Sandys story struck a chord and was highly relatable.

The descriptive writing makes you feel like you are actually in the location and experiencing it first hand. This was a lovely story of self discovery friendship and taking chances with a smattering of romance thrown in. I read this in almost one sitting and was the perfect medicine while recovering from illness.

Look forward
To reading what this author writes next.

[Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I have no words that can do this book justice. This is beautifully written and the characters so well developed. I love the fact that Sandy moves to Amsterdam and start her new life, where she is finding independence and new friends. Sandy is such a lovely character, as is Ave her new neighbour, who helps her I d her feet, while she feels an attraction to him. Ioved the settings, the place described, you felt like you were there.

Well done to Helga Jensen on an absolutely stunning page turner. Look forward to your next book 😊