By Milly Johnson

That will be lovely, darling,’ said Margaret. She was such a lucky woman: she had her Bernard and their beautiful daughter Melinda, a vet working in a gorgeous part of the Dales. Molly had an unhealable broken heart and a son, daughter-in-law and grandson who made the Addams Family look like The Brady Bunch.

They began to come three days later. The first postcard had a picture of Leeds Town Hall on the front. Dear Ms Merryman. I read your story on the internet and I felt compelled to write to you.

Another gem from Milly which follows her usual winning template about 3 women who find their way and get their lives and relationships straightened out. This one held no surprises, but the joy is in the journey. As usual with many of her books, the romance takes the second stage to the ups and downs of 3 damaged and victimized women (and men too!) who find their strength and fulfill their dreams by the end. The romances are pretty sweet though. I liked that this book featured a wonderful kid who is also rescued from an intolerable situation. I would love to see more of Ryan O’Gowan.

This one had me boohooing from about the 80% mark on. And also laughing and reveling in the various comeuppances. I don’t think Milly is capable of writing a bad book. And she is so funny! I do admit that usually one of her main characters will always irritate me to no end and this book is no exception. Molly is just so stupid and weak at the beginning, but I always forgive them by the end with one notable exception in another book. In this one, Molly’s epiphany, especially, is nothing short of epic. **5 out of 5 stars**

**re-read Dec, 2024**
So enjoyed listening to this one on Audible. Of course I loved this book the second time around, although I was more irritated with more of the characters this time. It is safe to say that although many of Milly’s characters have many excellent and admirable qualities, they often are not the crispiest chips in the bag. Molly is indeed pretty blind to her daughter-in-law’s criminal shenanigans, but this time I found Will and Carla’s willing victimization by their vile former spouses even worse and totally inexcusable. Their reminiscences of their former partners past actions and personalities demonstrate that they were fully aware of how badly they being were treated and that neither one had any redeeming qualities whatsoever. Yet they clung to them until they had no choice. Will, in particular pleading with “Darling” “Love” Nicole not to leave him. I was pretty disgusted, to be honest. And I may be wrong, but unlike Molly, neither of those two had any excuse or tragic reason to be so weak. There are two Millys that I will not reread on audible because of two of the main characters’ idiocy and obtuseness. Specifically, Stel in Sunshine Over Wildflower Cottage and Dawn in A Summer Fling. Violet in White Wedding comes pretty close. But on the page (or, in my case, screen) I can skip over those parts. The characters in this one did not reach that level but probably because they are free of them as the story starts which takes the edge off.

Leni’s story is really heartbreaking and the first time I read it, I somehow did not see the truth coming. I saw the many clues this time, of course. Don’t worry, heartbreak turns to happiness and peace at the end, for those yet to read this.

March 19, 2020