The Secret Gift of Lucia Lemon

by Celia Anderson

After fifty-eight years of playing it safe, Lucia Lemon wants something more from life. If only she knew what…

Until she receives a package in the post from an old friend that will change her life forever. Inside, she finds a bundle of cash, a collection of old maps, and a beautiful compass that no longer points north.

Holding the compass in her hand, Lucia suddenly feels hopeful – for the first time ever, life feels full of possibility and the open road is calling. If only she’s brave enough to answer it…

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Family, Travel, Audiobook, Relationships, Chick Lit

372 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 16, 2021

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Reviews

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a lovely read, it briefly mentions Memory Lane from the first book but, you can read this as a stand alone book. The story was so interesting and the characters were all so funny and quirky. The plus in this book is that it ends on a happy note which left me feeling satisfied.

[Gabi Coatsworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook and it wasn’t until I was halfway through that I realized why the book struck me as familiar. Nothing to do with the plot, but it reminded me in tone of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books. I was riveted. I waited for a picnic that included lashings of butter, and wasn’t disappointed. At first I found it all disconcerting, but decided to go with the flow and listen to the end. Non-British readers probably have no idea what I’m talking about, so I’ll be interested to read the other reviews

[Samantha Tonge · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Lucia Lemon receives a lump sum, and very unusual gift, she decides it's time for change - cue a journey during which she and her son Isaac, along with friends new, and old, will build a shiny family.
However no family life is free from difficulties. Will the travels ahead allow Lucia and her companions to look forward to a happier future, or will secrets from the past stop each one of them from moving forwards?

What a joyous, uplifting read, with a beautifully crafted, diverse cast and gorgeous settings. I couldn't wait to finish it and find out if the characters enjoyed the ending they deserved. Romance, humour, mystery, this story has got it all. Anderson has outdone herself again. And what surprises in the last pages. The perfect escapist read you won't want to put down.

[Elaine - Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more I read The Secret Gift of Lucia Lemon the more enchanted I became with the story and it's group of charming characters. This is a story about how we all need a little push to step outside of our comfort zones and how we are never too old to have new adventures. A wonderfully written story about the family we are born into and the family that we make along life's journey.
I enjoyed the visual elements of the story expressed through the group's travels through England and France, it made me want to rent a campervan and start exploring myself. I couldn’t put the book down, it was definitely worth reading.

[Sam I · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not finish. Can’t believe how many good reviews there are of this book. Wow. For starters, I think the main character was selfish to impulsively spend all the money HIS relative left them on a van. Then I could not believe 15K was supposed to buy a van big enough to take 4 adults (all of whom would want separate sleeping spaces mind you) and a baby. Has the author ever seen any campervans ? Did not stick around to find out if anyone else joined the party, it was all too ridiculous. Why would an octogenarian who lives in a huge manor want to squire himself into a van and go travelling with a bunch of people he never met? And the main character, we are told how delightful and wonderful she is....but why? Show don’t tell. I get the book was aiming for a quirky, jovial romp but I could not get past the glaring improbabilities of so much, nor the predictable outcomes. Yikes, what a corker. Even predictable escapist fluff has to be somewhat believable.

[Jenni Keer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was lucky enough to read an early copy and was totally enchanted. A truly uplifting book about an eclectic group of friends and second chances. Celia at her absolute best.

[Hazel Prior · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, colourful story about a road trip in which bonds are made and truths are revealed!

[Susan Kumar-Merino · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice quirky story

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

With grateful thanks to netgalley and celia Anderson for an early copy in return for an honest opinion.
Having read the last 2 books by this author I was so delighted to have her new book.
Lucia lemon is one amazing lady along with her husband Des son Isaac lodger Polly her son Reggie old buddy Peter and brother in law they take us on an outstandingly amazingly funny and yet extremely poignant journey there friendship just grows and becomes so amazing what they conquer together from Cornwall to France to Wales to England along with there secret object.
We see this motley crew grow and become so much more confident and overcome obstacles, sometimes the answer is right under your nose, the author has very sensitively and brilliantly brought autism into the book in such perfect way. I totally just loved these characters sheer joy and total escapism I can highly recommend this outstandingly beautiful book. ❤

[Isabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story with an equally amazing and quirky set of characters. Joyful and uplifting, a fantastic journey through the UK and France and the characters’s past. Another great book from this very talented author!

[Melynda Harrison - TravelingMel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, easy read. There were a few things that bugged me but I was happy to paddle along and let the sun warm my face (metaphorically) and accept the happily ever after.

[Linda Louch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this very enjoyable book with a quirky cast of characters, they even visited Memory Lane. Lucia Lemon and her husband are given some money and a very special compass which enables them to change the direction of their lives and achieve the happiness they both wanted.

[Linda Louch · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining and refreshing read with a quirky collection of characters they even visit Memory Lane. When Lucia Lemon and her husband are given some money and a very special compass, their lives change and they both find happiness in unexpected ways.

[Sheila Garcia Medina · Rating 4 out of 5]

actual rating: 3.5

[Rachel Galbraith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad read, just a story about a bunch of people who become close friends while road tripping in a van, each with their own agenda. Bit predictable to be honest but light and easy to read.

[Sarah Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a nice easy holiday read then this novel fits the bill. A cast of quirky characters bring this family story to life. For Lucinda Lemon and her extended family it is time to step outside their comfort zones and confront past issues. A road trip through England and France provides the delightful backdrop that enables Lucinda to explore the past, the present and the future.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet story!

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started really well and hooked me in but by the middle it was just plodding along and I was bored of it all.

[Carol Baskerville · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentle and easy read- plot is about several people's lives which are at a standstill and how one act of kindness changes their lives, unravelling each of their problems/ past and then their future.
Of course it has a happy ending.
Charity book - £1
Loved the l Lucia on the cover, and as I was off to Rome - felt appropriate.
Sue you would like this book.
Young ones would find it boring I think.

[Jess Botha · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book for a book club, and I can safely say I never would have picked this up otherwise. I didn't like it at all. It's way too convenient, predictable, and cheesy for me. I can see why some might like it if they're looking for an easy read, but it wasn't for me at all. The compass has a weird "one ring to rule them all" power over its owner, and the compass is very "His Dark Materials." Also, the proofreading was terrible? The cat's name changes from Petula to Petunia and back again, and there are a lot of mistakes. Unfortunate, but you can't like everything!

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 & 1/2 stars
This was a cute enough story, but honestly Lucia's "secret gift" was, I guess, the gift she received from a relative that really was mentioned but just didn't seem to be that significant nor interesting nor pivotal--unless I missed something? And I am just realizing now, I never found out who was Reggie's father!

[lynette lindner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it, each character had their own story often with secrets. A wonderful journey with a little bit of magic added made it a very exciting powerful read with a few twists along the way.

[Ally Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent wee book. Would be a perfect holiday read - lovely story and pretty predictable. Lots of spelling errors and poor writing though which I found distracting.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fine if a bit too sugary sweet for my liking. Lucia is recently retired and married to Des who was just laid off from his job. They have a mildly autistic son, Issac, who is working in a job that he doesn't really like and have taken in a boarder, Polly, and her baby, Reggie. When Des's cousin, Tommy, sends them money and a box of maps so that they can spend their retirement travelling, Des gets upset and moves out while Lucia embraces the challenge and buys a used motor van. Among the items that Tommy sent was an old compass that only works for special people and helps give them direction on big decisions that they have to make. So Lucia uses it to tell her where she should go on her trip. Issac, Polly and Reggie are joining her and they decide to bring Tommy and his old friend, Peter, along for the ride. All of them have their own issues to work out. Peter has to decide whether or not to let the national trust take over his estate that he can no longer afford to care for, Tommy has to decide if he is going to finally tell Lucia that he loves her, Issac has to decide if he is going to try to market the video game that he is making and if he is going to pursue a relationship with Polly, Polly has to recover from her sister's death and Lucia has to find a way to cope with her failed marriage and guilt over her brother's death when they were children. Along the way they meet nice people and have lovely weather and lean on one another. The biggest twist was that Reggie isn't Polly's son but her nephew and she thinks that Issac is his father since he was friends with her sister at university. But Issac never slept with her sister and is not the reason why she killed herself, but he wants to support Polly and Reggie as if he was his own. Tommy and Lucia end up together after Des admits that he is gay, which really came out of left field, and Peter agrees to let go of his estate if he can still maintain an apartment within it. So everyone ends up happy.

[Marty · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unexpected gift of money gave Lucia Lemon, her husband and her son, the freedom not only to dream, but to do….. but what should they do with this gift? – The freedom money brings does not always give you what you would expect –. When he retired, Tommy Lemon decided to give his God children their inheritance before he died. He opened opportunity to them that caused both family friction and joy. Lucia and her husband Des find their dreams do not fit together well; their adult son, Issac, is slightly Autistic and spends most of his time in his room. Along with the inheritance, Lucia also receives a special gift that helps her decide what to do. On a whim she bought a delightfully decorated travel van so the family could have a wonderful vacation – but what she thought they wanted didn’t work out. Des suddenly leaves the family sneaking out in the middle of the night. Although devastated Lucia decides to go on the trip anyway. Issac reluctantly agrees to go with his mother, and she invites their tenant, a young lady with a baby to join with them on their trip. As they start their journey, they pick up not only the Godfather Tommy, but Tommy’s old friend Peter. This mishmash of people for a wonderful diverse traveling group while they not only see France, but learn a great deal about themselves and life. A wonderful uplifting tale

[Sarah Kingsnorth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secret Gift Of Lucia Lemon, by Celia Anderson

Lucia Lemon is stuck in a rut. When she recieves a lump sum and a mystery item from a distant relative of her husband, she decides it’s time for change.
Along with an eclectic gang of characters and a campervan, Lucia sets off on the adventure of a lifetime.
There are secrets, mysteries, second chances, romance and friendships. This book is jam packed.
I loved the inclusion of autism, which was written with empathy, knowledge and fitted into the story beautifully.

This is a special story, quite unique, funny, emotional and touching.
A wonderful read that deserves five stars.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication date 16/9/21

With thanks to #Netgalley and #HarperCollins for an ARC.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lucia, Her son Isaac and others go off on a trip. Exploring new places and finding truths out about themselves and each other. Well that’s the first half of the story, once home more truths are discovered and finally decisions are made. Only three stars as I found the first half of the story dragged a little. I know it was setting up for the second half of the story which was a quicker pace and far more interesting. I liked the characters and the story as a whole but felt there was bits in it that weren’t really necessary and just slowed the story down. I felt some of the issues in the book could of been explored more or had more time in them rather than what they had to eat or bought from the supermarket etc.

[Karen Smillie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second read of the year and it was amazing. I didn’t want it to end. The characters were all relatable and lovely there wasn’t a favourite they all balanced each other out. I loved the idea of just getting up, out and travelling to wherever they needed to be for their own personal reasons. I wish they had stayed in Cornwall a little longer though. There seemed unfinished business there with Angelina. I did predict some of the ending issues and this didn’t spoil it for me and I was annoyed at Des for being selfish but I guess he was struggling to come to terms with his feelings for so long. I have enjoyed every one of Celia’s books! Can’t wait to dive into the next one!

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was fine. Not good, not bad just okay. I can see what the author was going for but it all just fell a bit flat. The magical realism of the compass was half baked and you kind of forgot it was even a thing at times. Every character seems to have deep conversations about personal demons with people they only just met and the issues again fell flat. There's a theme in the story of survivor's guilt but it just isn't explored enough in a meaningful way. The motley crew of quirky individuals had promise again fell flat. Things felt rushed and unearned and overall, it was just a bit twee for me. I like a cozy read but it was just a bit too cheesy to really enjoy. I do, however, think the author described places well

[Macy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine, a bit treacly for me. Is that an appropriate adjective since this is an English novel? I listened to the audiobook but found the reader a bit old lady ish sounding, given that Lucia is only in her 50s (although there were also older characters, but younger ones as well, and the book isnt in the first person). It technically ticked all the boxes....varied cast of characters, mini adventure, people coming to terms with past trauma and growing, yada yada. Just felt a bit saccharine for me.