Maddie Please

2022 Advent, Day 18: Today's book was the old ducks club, a funny and fun novel about friendship and finding yourself and refusing to grow old "gracefully." Recently, I have been confronting my own ageing and have been worrying about what life ahead will look like. I have to remind myself that I am not actually that old yet, and what is old anyway. I feel women in particular sort of receive this message that their youth and beauty tie intrinsically into their worth. In the book, a character show more is shocked that a man would want to kiss her even though she is 60 (which is not even old). She makes new friends and gains a new love and focuses on herself, eventually moving to Greece permanently. I hope when I reach that age, I am half so brave and lucky and, most of all, loved. show less

Elin leaves England for a trip back to Australia to visit her family. She talks with a man at the airport and on the plane but never asks his name. Her sister, Rowan, meets her at the airport. At home is her boyfriend, Shane, who is younger and likes to surf and run his bar/restaurant. He is not interested in his family's business of which he is half owner. During Elin's welcome home party, Shane's brother stops in, and he is the same man that Elin met on the plane. Turns out he and Shane do show more not get along. When Elin's uncle is injured on a trip with his wife, Elin is elected to go to bring back their RV. Shane's brother, Kit, agrees to go with her. Which man is Kit--the kind one she met at the airport or the nasty one who interrupted her welcome home party? Is she attracted to Kit? Is he attracted to her?

I enjoyed this story. It was fun. I loved the road trip with Elin and Kit. Those days were so easy on them. They enjoyed life and each other's company. They talked of the past and, hopefully, the future. There were misunderstandings. Rowan was funny as she tried to get Elin to admit she was kidnapped by Kit since they were taking so long to get home. When Elin finds out why Kit went with her, I felt bad that Shane said anything. I wanted to kick his behind. Shane and Rowan's wedding was unusual but fun. I was glad I could go to it. I loved the Silver Surfers that Elin's aunt and uncle belonged to. Their entertainment was a blast as well as the stories they told of other trips. Add in Elin's ex-husband, who is a jerk, and fun is had by all except her ex who she finally stands up to. I loved it.

This is a feel-good book. I couldn't put it down. I had such a good time with these characters that I wish I were on the road trips with them. show less

I probably would have rated this more highly if it hadn't been oversold as a rollicking, laugh-out-loud comedy.

'Cause it ain't.

It is, at best, a borderline soap about sisters who have fallen out over each one's disapproval of the other's love life and who now hope to re-establish old bonds as they work together to prepare their inheritance -- a small houae in the French countryside -- for sale as they settle their aunt's estate.

There's a hunky Frenchman (surprise!) and some colorful locals, show more but except for one scene that descends into slapstick, the laughs are pretty few and far between. show less

As we go through life, it's common to have moments of reflection and wish that we had done things differently. This sentiment is beautifully captured in the story of Denise "Denny" Lambert, a recently retired sixty-year-old who embarks on a journey of self-contemplation with her fun-loving and spunky group of friends, the Old Ducks.

The story's setting takes us to beautiful Mallorca, where Denny accompanies her stepsister and the Old Ducks on a hen trip. The Old Ducks are a group of lively show more and adventurous mature women who refuse to let age dictate their lives. They are a delightful and hilarious bunch, always up for a good time, and Denny's friendship with them is heartwarming.

One of the things I appreciated about the story is how the author portrays the characters' age as just a number. It's a reminder that we can continue to explore, have fun, and enjoy life, regardless of our age. The Old Ducks' attitude towards life is contagious, and it's difficult not to be inspired by them.

The story takes an interesting turn when Denny reunites with the man who ghosted her thirty-nine years ago. Bruno is patient, kind, and understanding of Denny's anxieties and doubts. I loved how they took things slow, getting to know each other again, and reminiscing about old times. It's a beautiful portrayal of how love can be rekindled, even after decades apart.

The Old Ducks' antics are another highlight of the story. Their big yellow duck hats and no-holds-barred attitude towards drinking and having fun are sure to make you laugh out loud. The skinny dipping fiasco is a hilarious scene that will leave you in stitches.

Overall, the story is a heartwarming and inspiring read that will leave you feeling uplifted. It reminds us that it's never too late to pursue our dreams and that our age should never limit us. The characters are relatable, and their journey of positive self-discovery is one that we can all learn from.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a wonderful story about mature women and men living life to the fullest in a gorgeous setting, I highly recommend giving this book a try. It's a delightful and heartwarming read that will leave you feeling inspired to embrace life's adventures.

Thank you to Ms. Please for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review. show less