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THE SINGLE LADIES OF THE JACARANDA…
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THE SINGLE LADIES OF THE JACARANDA RETIREMENT VILLAGE (edition 2019)

by Joanna Nell (author) (Author)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
1177231,212 (3.76)1
Once again I have ventured outside my usual crime fiction genre.
But this came to me so highly recommended I felt I could not miss it. And it is a delightful read.

Peggy Smart has reached the age that I am approaching, and she feels a bit as if she is over the hill and that there isn't much left for her. That is until her childhood friend Angie turns up. Peggy always envied Angie. She seemed to have life on a string. Peggy though was forced into becoming a secretary and then she married early. Angie disappeared from her life, went overseas and re-appeared only occasionally. But now she lives in a unit just 3 doors away in the retirement village, and instantly she challenges Peggy to get more out of life.

I really warmed to this book and to some of Peggy's predicament. An enjoyable read. ( )
  smik | May 16, 2019 |
Showing 7 of 7
I really enjoyed this book and appreciate the accuracy provided by a geriatrics specialist. ( )
  Kimberlyhi | Apr 15, 2023 |
A delightful tale of the ladies (and men) of Jacaranda Retirement Village.

The author has done a great job with the characters and situations found in the retirement village. A very enjoyable light read. ( )
  PhillipThomas | Nov 30, 2022 |
This was a light read for my local library challenge. I struggled to engage with it initially, however it did improve.
A few laugh out loud moments but a little predictable. ( )
  HelenBaker | Aug 22, 2022 |
This was a lovely bit of fun to read, you might need to be - of a certain age to appreciate it though! ( )
  Fliss88 | Sep 21, 2020 |
Once again I have ventured outside my usual crime fiction genre.
But this came to me so highly recommended I felt I could not miss it. And it is a delightful read.

Peggy Smart has reached the age that I am approaching, and she feels a bit as if she is over the hill and that there isn't much left for her. That is until her childhood friend Angie turns up. Peggy always envied Angie. She seemed to have life on a string. Peggy though was forced into becoming a secretary and then she married early. Angie disappeared from her life, went overseas and re-appeared only occasionally. But now she lives in a unit just 3 doors away in the retirement village, and instantly she challenges Peggy to get more out of life.

I really warmed to this book and to some of Peggy's predicament. An enjoyable read. ( )
  smik | May 16, 2019 |
An enjoyable book, although I disagree with the ‘funny’ tag on the cover. Peggy is slumping into old age in a retirement village, her self esteem too low (courtesy of growing up with a critical mother) to encourage widower Brian even though he obviously likes her. An old friend - well mostly a friend, they have a bit of a past - turns up and steam-rollers her into a makeover of clothes and attitude. I found the depictions of fuzzy memory and loss of independence a bit depressing (maybe my own old age is starting to loom) but ultimately a pleasant story about refusing to ‘go gentle into that good night.’ ( )
1 vote Griffin22 | Mar 22, 2019 |
I was quite torn by this book. It was funny and entertaining but I also found it easy to put down. I was easily distracted by other things and it ended up taking me a week to read. I wasn’t drawn into the story or the characters, just a mere bystander.

I couldn’t relate to Peggy, a frail 79 year old. My mother at 80 and my mother-in-law at 89 are both active, vibrant and extremely self reliant people.

I really enjoyed the politics of the retirement village which elicited quite a few giggles and Peggy’s crush on Brian was sweet and this was one plot line I was eager to see through to the finish.

At times I felt quite saddened by Peggy’s circumstances and her inner thoughts and at other times she had me in fits of laughter.

Nell covers many women’s health issues in a humorous, but never demeaning, way.

Peggy’s constant thoughts of “looking after” Brian, ironing his clothes, cooking his meals had me rolling my eyes and wondering if Peggy really wanted to gain any independence.

The introduction of Angie, Peggy’s best friend from school days, was a breath of fresh air; at last salvation. Angie had lived a wild, crazy life and the two hadn’t seen each other for 50 years but they instantly reconnected, old friendships are like that. I loved Angie....and then I didn’t! You will have to read the book to find out why.

Even though I struggled to love this book I would suggest you read it if you have an ageing parent, you may learn some empathy, or if you are approaching the retirement home stage, you will learn to speak up, play up and never stop having fun. ( )
  Ronnie293 | Nov 7, 2018 |
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