The Love Story Of Missy Carmichael by Beth Morrey

 

Now that her husband is gone, Missy Carmichael finds herself rattling around a big old house by herself.  Her son has moved with his family to Australia so she only sees her grandson infrequently.  She is at odds with her daughter so doesn't see her at all.  Her friends have drifted away over the years, all busy with their own families and careers.

Missy had been a brilliant student who took a First at university.  But she gave up all thoughts of a career when she met and married her husband Leo.  Leo had a grand career, author of many historical books, always off at conferences and book signings.  Missy stayed home, running the household and raising the children, always sure in the depths of her heart that she loved Leo more than he loved her.

But things can change even in your late seventies.  Missy meets Sylvia who knows everyone and is a decorator.  They start having coffee occasionally and soon Missy also becomes close to Angela.  Angela is a young single mom struggling with raising a young son and Missy is delighted to help out.  Soon she also knows many other people who are friends with her other friends and starts to realize that life is not over.  She also agrees to keep a dog for someone who must flee an abusive relationship and soon the dog is one of the joys of her new life.

I loved this novel.  I'm not sure what I expected but I found a woman close to my own age who is rediscovering herself and finding joy in life.  I've been pleasantly surprised after retirement to find a new community of friends who share interests like reading, playing games or working out at the gym.  Missy finds joy in a time of life that she thought would be more and more closed and restrictive and I loved her openness and care for others.  This is a debut novel and I can't wait to read more by Morrey.  This book is recommended for readers of women's fiction.