Sadie and Bronagh have been friends for many years. They are widowed sister in laws, friends, and after a bake off competition in a their local pub ends in disaster they are now on the run from the law. Of course, they are doing it in style, having borrowed Bronagh's grandson's Ferrari. What started as an overnight adventure to Dublin ends up being a much longer adventure as the two fugitives cross over into Wales and our renegades end up making their way to Devon.
Whilst Sadie is mostly sensible, Bronagh is quite the character and soon she is telling everyone that she meets tall stories about who she is and which famous Irish people she is related to. Meanwhile, back at home, their extended families are worried about what the two octagenarians are getting up to and where they might be, although Ryan doesn't seem to be too worried about his car.
When the two ladies end up in Devon, they find themselves staying at an animal rescue farm which doubles as a bed and breakfast. It's fair to say that Tails and Hope farm isn't exactly thriving, especially in the lead up to Christmas. It is here that Sadie reveals a formerly unknown talent for event organisation and fundraising. It is all hands on deck.
Before too long, the whole Irish family (including a sulky girlfriend) makes the trek to the village to try and talk some sense into Sadie and Bronagh, but they too get involved in all the activities in town ranging from nativity plays to baking competitions and so much more. The Devon getaway gets longer and longer as time goes on. Could it be that there is a new life in Devon calling, or will the comfort and memories of home draw them back to Ireland eventually.
You can't really tell from the blurb, but this book is connected to The Vintage Village Bake Off which I read a couple of years ago. It was such a pleasure to revisit the Devon village and re-unite with reluctant lady magnet Robert and his new love Tressy, his sister Hattie and many of the villagers, some of whom still are trying to get their hands on Robert's baked goods (nudge, nudge). Baking is still an important part of this book, from the opening scenes to the end, and there is some delicious sounding food in it!
This book kicks off at a frantic pace, and I was a bit worried that it would keep that speed up all the way through, but it did calm down a bit once the two ladies got to Devon. I am not sure that I have even half the energy that Bronagh and Sadie have. It is a very large cast of characters with all the Irish family and all the villagers plus a few newcomers to town.
If you are looking for something that screams fun, features memorable characters with a big dash of Christmas spirit, then this may be the book for you!
I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews, Foodies Read hosted by Based on a True Story and Comfy Cozy Christmas hosted hosted by Lisa from Boondock Ramblings and Erin from Still Life, With Cracker Crumbs. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.
Rating 4/5
Golden Girls on the Run
Age is just a number. Trouble is a lifestyle.
When octogenarian sisters-in-law Sadie and Bronagh find themselves at the centre of a scandalous (and slightly explosive) bake-off fiasco, there’s only one thing to do – steal Sadie’s grandson’s gleaming red Ferrari and make a run for it.
Sadie is the practical one, all cardigans and contingency plans. Bronagh treats rules as loose suggestions – especially if mischief or wine is involved.
What begins as a quick getaway across Ireland soon spirals into a wild, cross-country adventure filled with fake identities, unexpected friendships, and more than a few brushes with the law.
Sadie and Bronagh may be on the run, but what they find at the journey’s end might just be what they were missing all along…
Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/GoldenGirlsRun
Judy Leigh is the bestselling author of Five French Hens , A Grand Old Time and The Age of Misadventure and the doyenne of the ‘it’s never too late’ genre of women’s fiction. She has lived all over the UK from Liverpool to Cornwall, but currently resides in Somerset.
Social Media Links –
Facebook: @judyleighuk
Twitter: @JudyLeighWriter
Instagram: @judyrleigh
Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JudyLeighNews
Bookbub profile: @judyrleigh
Thanks for reviewing my book and for your kind comments. Sending best wishes, J
ReplyDelete