Saving Missy by Beth Morrey Book Review

Saving Missy

Beth Morrey

Sometimes it takes a lifetime to find where you truly belong…

Seventy-nine is too late for a second chance. Isn’t it?

Missy Carmichael is prickly, stubborn – and terribly lonely. Until a chance encounter in the park with two very different women opens the door to something new. Something wonderful.

Missy was used to her small, solitary existence, listening to her footsteps echoing around the empty house, the tick-tick-tick of the watching clock. After all, she had made her life her way.

Now another life is beckoning to Missy – if she’s brave enough…

‘A touching, deftly written debut that celebrates community and kindness’ Sunday Times

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My Thoughts

This is the story of Missy, a seventy nine year old lady who is desperately lonely but too proud to admit it. Her son and grandson have moved to Australia and she doesn’t see much of her daughter, so she spends much of her time rattling around her large house alone.

This changes one day when she goes for a walk in the park and meets Sylvie, Angela and her son Otis. The two women take Missy under their wing and soon we begin to see a different side to the old lady. As she slowly lets her new friends into her life she becomes much more relaxed and likeable, even taking care of Bob (the female!) dog.

I loved reading about the transition in Missy’s character after she met her new upbeat and vibrant friends. The book is a great example of how loneliness can affect older people and how it can change by simple acts of kindness.

The chapters alternate between the present time and going back to her life as a young wife and mother. It becomes clear why Missy feels guilty about decisions she made and her vulnerability shows through.

This is an amazing debut full of warmth, humour and kindness. I adored the relationship which developed when Missy began to enjoy the companionship of Bobby the dog. Although she was reluctant at first, it soon starts to open doors and makes the old lady see the world in a different light.

A well written and heartwarming read.

Thank you to Anne Cater and Harper Collins for a copy of the book and opportunity to join the blog tour.