Author: Judy Leigh
The Old Girls’ Network is a book by Judy Leigh, the UK’s leading author about second chances and never being too late to change our lives. I previously read The Vintage Village Bake Off, The Golden Gals French Adventure, and The Golden Oldies’ Book Club.
In this book, we meet Barbara, a grumpy single woman in her 70s who worked for the Royal military as a secretary, where her punctuality and excellent organizational skills were appreciated. She lived her life in a highly structured and organized way and fell out of touch with her sensitive and friendly sister, Pauline, who married, had a daughter, and then, in retirement, moved to a village to live a quiet village life. Barbara never understood that, but then, after having an accident, she had to come to visit Pauline to rest and recuperate.
At first, very unwillingly, Barbara engaged with village life and met the community, not understanding her sister and her way of life. But, as time passes by, Barbara slowly accepts the quiet life in a village and the community. At first, hostile to an injured Irishman who lost his wallet and whom Pauline generously hosted whilst he recovers, eventually, they develop a friendship, and the question remains whether the Irishman likes someone in the village, and if so, whom?
In line with her other books, Leigh again shows that it is never too late to change our lives, and that love can find people at any point, any time, and anywhere. Also, it can find us when we least expect it, as was the case in this book, with several love stories that unfold throughout the book. Or, in the case of the author of this blog, only six weeks after relocating to the US in what was meant to be only a coffee and a hangout between two book lovers lol
The Old Girls’ Network was a lovely story. As with her other books, Leigh knows how to paint a story of community, friendships, and second chances, and her book brings some light and hope into an otherwise grim world. I would only say that the title is slightly misleading because the old girls’ network is mentioned once in the book, and the book is not about the old girls’ network but a village and community life, friendships, and love that can find people when they least expect it. I originally thought the book would be about a network a bunch of senior women form, which would, mind you, be a great book to read 😊
Thank you for reading!