Wonderfully feel-good, uplifting and emotional, Abby Williams’ The Time of Our Lives is a warm-hearted, witty and captivating contemporary tale of friendship, loyalty and loss that will make you laugh and cry in equal measure!

Twenty-six year old Erin feels as if she is on the top of the world. Everything she has always wanted is within her reach with a fantastic job, a gorgeous fiance and a brilliant best friend who is always there for her willing to lend a helping hand, a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on. Everything seems to be going Erin’s way and the future looks bright and rosy – until it all comes crashing down around her ears leaving her heartbroken, lonely and with nobody to turn to. Unable to return home to her parents and desperate for a place to lick her wounds and hide from the rest of the world, Erin takes shelter in a room in a house nearby. Only, little does she realise that in her new digs, she is going to find not just a sanctuary, but a place where her life can start over and she can be the happiest she has ever been.

The bottom had fallen out of Lydia’s world when her husband died suddenly. At seventy-six years of age, Lydia thought that life couldn’t possibly hold any further surprises in store for her, however, she soon realises that her husband’s death was only the beginning. As her husband’s skeletons begin to tumble out the closet, she is flabbergasted when she finds out that he has left her in a multitude of crippling debts! What is Lydia going to do now? How can she possibly find all the money required to pay off all of these debts? Taking in a lodger seems to be one step in the right direction to get some money in the bank and when Erin comes into her life, Lydia soon finds a friend in her hour of need and the two bond despite the fifty year age difference between them.

When they find an old letter in the attic which brings to light long-buried secrets, Lydia and Erin decide to grab the bull by the horns and go on the trip of a lifetime. But will they find what they’ve been searching for all this time? Can the two women ever be happy again? One thing is for certain: their friendship is sure to see them through whatever obstacles come their way.

Abby Williams is a pseudonym for top saga writer Fiona Ford and having loved her historical novels, I was really looking forward to The Time of Our Lives and I was certainly not disappointed. Written with plenty of flair and charm, The Time of Our Lives is a poignant, witty, beguiling and emotional tale that proves that you are never too old to take a leap of faith. A book that tugs at the heartstrings and tickles the funny bone, The Time of Our Lives is a fabulous page-turner full of wonderfully realized characters you cannot help but care about and cheer for.

A fabulous tale that would make for a fantastic big-screen adaptation, The Time of Our Lives is a funny, thought-provoking and irresistible read from a brilliant talent in contemporary women’s fiction: Abby Williams.

This was a beautiful and touching story about friendship, emotions and discovering your true self.
Two women from very different generations, brought together by life's misfortunes not only become housemates but best friends. Helping each other through grief, heal broken hearts and tackle loneliness they prove friendship is not defined by age.

With alternating points of view, I loved how the author crossed between ages, beliefs and personalities with ease.

I thought this to be a lovely, emotional story - a lovely summer read. I liked this much more than I thought I would and I'm not ashamed to say I may even have shed a tear!

Thanks to @netgalley and @ariafiction for an advanced eARC in exchange for an honest review.

We meet the wonderful Lydia recently after her husband passes away. She realises her beloved husband had been keeping secrets leading her son to convince her that she must take in a lodger to make ends meet. With this in mind she meets with the lovely, yet sad, Erin. We’ve seen that twenty-six-year-old Erin has had a difficult time and needs a new start - her fiancé and best friend betrayed her.
Erin moves in and over the following days and weeks we see how both women bring out the better qualities in each other and provide the support each needs to move forward instead of looking back and dwelling on the past.

Honestly, I adored it from the moment these two women met. I was totally absorbed into their lives. Both characters complimented each other fantastically, although both were quite feisty and opinionated. I think they are both brilliant and loved that the emphasis of the book was their relationship and how they helped each other.
We read how each character dusts themselves off and both move on with their lives – even with an age difference they learn so much from the other. They both go on quite a journey in the short time they know each other, there are great successes, heart-warming moments that had me smiling from ear to ear but also failures and disappointments. Throughout it all they have each other; I found myself smiling, laughing but then feeling very empathetic to their situations.
This book is very nicely written, you get a good sense of the atmosphere – their excitement, disappointments, the sadness and the loves each character lives through. We are introduced to a lovely selection of additional characters, although there will be a couple you will instantly dislike. The perspective changes between Erin and Lydia but it’s done very well and I really enjoy getting two views of events throughout.
I enjoyed how the book encompassed the realities of life, that everything isn’t always perfect, but you live through the moments, you learn, and you continue the best path for you.
Here’s to friendship and having those who support and love you always.
I would highly recommend this book.

I found this book really charming.  The characters were insanely interesting, the premise was good, the writing had a good flow even as we moved between the narratives of Erin and Lydia.  I found the idea of these two different women helping one another heal and grow charming.

           I think the most interesting part for me, though, was the fact that every character- even the ones you want to hate the most, have moments of redemption.  They aren't any of them all good or bad, selfish perhaps... and flawed.  Human.  That said, I still felt bad for the way people in their lives treated both the women.  Betrayal- by a husband who hides truths, about finances and the past, from his wife.  A best friend and a fiance that offer one of the greatest betrayals.  This book dealt with complicated things- complicated relationships, health issues and emotions; and it did it was with grace and humor.  I am so glad I read it.  Five stars!

         On the adult content scale, there's language, drinking and some light sexual content.  I would give it a four.  It isn't geared toward teens, obviously, but I wouldn't say no to the 17+ crowd.

I really liked this book. I enjoyed the two different point of views and how one younger character and one older character integrate their lives and help support each other through a difficult time in both their lives. I like that it was set in Bath as somewhere different, too.

There may be a 50 year age difference between Lydia and Erin but they become fast friends in this heartfelt novel. Both are at loose and scary ends- Lydia's just found out that her dead husband left her with huge debt and zip resources and Erin's fiance cheated on her with her BFF. Erin rents a room from Lydia, an arrangement neither of them could have envisioned but it turns out to be for the best. Both have something to teach the other, whether it's how to use a smartphone or about life in general. Thanks to net galley for the ARC. This is a tad slow in spots but it's a pleasant read.

I absolutely adored the book. Lydia had lost her husband recently so she was lonely and had this extra room at home to take a lodger. Erin's fiancé had slept with her best friend and she was homeless and jobless. And you guessed it... Both fit well with each other. Erin started staying with Lydia. A letter in the attic rolled the past into the present and brought about a great reveal.

My first book by author Abby Williams, I loved the scenes between Lydia and Erin, they elt like two halves of a whole. There was this perfect give and take between them. Their connection melded them so beautifully. Each helped the other. Broken heart and loneliness healed as they went together on a quest. Looking at both these characters kept my loneliness at bay.

This story was their journey of emotions, their happiness and sorrow, their anger and betrayal, their love and laughter. I loved how they were the perfect support to each other. Friendship sees no age, and this book was the perfect example of them.

This book by Abby Williams gave me so much happiness that I had a wide Cheshire grin the entire time I was reading it. Absolute fun.

I loved the book, and it honestly loved me back.

This is a story about friendships. I loved reading the story from different viewpoints.
The writing was done well but I felt that it could have been written more concisely
This was a beautiful story about taking chances

This is a story of two women, the men they trusted who betrayed them and how they found a way through to putting their lives back together and come to rely on their own judgement. Erin and Lydia are engaging, individual characters who each have something to teach the other – and do so with a large dose of humour, compassion and taking chances into the unknown.
They do interfere in each other’s lives in a way I wouldn’t have dared, but it’s done with love and the best of intentions, and against all the odds actually turns out differently to how I imagined.
The emotions are well portrayed as they learn to tolerate, understand and then love each other, both facing a very different future to the one either of them imagined.
A thoroughly enjoyable book.

I had the time of my life reading this book. This was an out of the box storyline, so interesting, and a page turner. I loved most of the characters ( except well you know!) and it deal with a very difficult subject in a thoughtful and respectful manner.

This is a wonderful story about enduring friendship. A very fun summer read! I loved reading the different POV’s from Lydia and Erin—two women sharing their lives and learning from each other.

While Lydia (76) is reeling from her husband’s sudden death, and finds out that he has left her in crippling debt. This leaves her wondering if she really knew her husband well at all, and no choice but to take in a boarder for some extra cash.

Erin (26) has an amazing life. She has the job she wants, an amazing boyfriend, and a great best friend. That is, she does until all of that comes crashing down around her and suddenly Erin is left with nothing and nowhere to go. Desperate for somewhere to go, she rents a room from Lydia.

When these two women from two very different generations are brought together by life’s messes, they form a special bond and help each other to find their way. This is a powerful story about being able to change your life around when you have hit rock bottom.

The writing was done well, but I did feel that the author could have cut a lot of it out and still had a great story. That being said, it did drag a little bit for me in some parts pretty slowly. I also think the author could have come up with more creative adjectives. There were a lot of repeats (enough to notice).

Overall though, this was a beautiful and touching story about taking chances. Would highly recommend! 

Thanks to NetGalley and Aria Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review and opinions.

‘The Time Of Our Lives’ is a wonderful story about friendship, and a friendship that endures. I loved reading about Lydia and Erin. Since the weather is amazing at the moment, I’d recommend take it to the beach. A perfect beach read.

"The Time of Our lives" would make a great summer read. I loved the dynamic and unique friendship between Lydia and Erin. The are different stages of their lives, with Lydia being much older, but they were able to relate to one another and help each other in so many ways. It's definitely the book for you if you like reading women's fiction and ones that have strong female characters.

Lydia has become a widow at the age of 76. Now her son, Luke, has explained to her that there are financial issues in her future. Her home and her lifestyle are in jeopardy. He has suggested she find a lodger to help with the cost and upkeep of her historic home. He must return to New York where his job and his pregnant wife await him.

Luke helps Lydia find Erin. She is a 26 year old young woman who has discovered that her fiancee and her best friend are having an affair. She has lost the two closest people in her life, her job and her place to live.

Lydia and Erin is a match made in heaven.

Because both of these women have had huge losses in their lives, they soon learn that they are facing some of the same emotional hurdles.

Lydia has an attic filled with antiques which must be sold in order to help her finances. There should be enough money to pay off all the debts. She drafts Erin into helping sort through things and as they do, Erin learns about antiques. The two of them form a team to travel to antique fairs and sales with their wares. Lydia teaches a great deal to Erin. One of the most important things she teaches about selling is to include a good story of explanation with each item to be sold.

In life, Lydia and Erin teach one another about facing the future with an open heart. They both have things to overcome, but with their shared friendship they are able to meet things with strength.

This is a wonderful book.

There are sorrows which seem overwhelming but which must be faced. There is a great deal of humor. And most of all there is a growing love and friendship.

Erin brings Lydia into the technology age. Ideas and items which were never a part of her life become necessities. And a lady can always use a new more modern wardrobe.

Lydia presents Erin with ideas about the possibilities in life. After having her self esteem damaged, she is encouraged to recognize her capabilities, talents and her goodness.

Lydia must deal with a failing memory and mood swings which come out of the blue. She feels uneasy at first and then becomes frightened. Her situation is handled well by the author. There are explanations which answer many questions about Alzheimer's disease.

This story has wonderfully well rounded characters. Lydia, Erin and all the secondary characters behave like real people behave. Some are good, some are not so good but all of them are interesting.

The plot moves quickly. There are no down spots. The perspective changes between Erin and Lydia. It is seamless and shows two different views of the same events.

I have enjoyed this book very much. It is about powerful relationships. And it illustrates that even after devastating loss, life can go on and become a new adventurous chapter in the story.

Most of all it illustrates that at times what we need most in life is a friend who will love us no matter what.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.

I enjoyed the dual perspectives of Lydia and Erin. I liked the way their lives and stories intertwine.

This is a heartwarming, story about life and friendship. Enjoy!

I enjoy 50+ protagonists, dual POVs, and happy stories. “The Time of Our Live” offers all of these.

Tragedies strike at the outset for our two protagonists.

‘But anything is still possible,’ Erin exclaimed. ‘What’s stopping you? What have you always really wanted to do?’

Adventures ensue.

Romance, finding own’s own strength, untangling messes, and, above all, friendship, are the themes that carry the story.

This is a wonderful book about how new beginnings can be the biggest blessings, no matter your age. Lydia Harper, newly a widow,is forced to take in a boarder in order to make ends meet. Erin, who recently found out her fiancé and boss was cheating on her with her best friend, needs a fresh start. These two women become fast friends and business partners and enrich the life of the other in many unexpected ways. The characters in this boom were likable and you were cheering them on through the whole story.

A beautiful, well written novel, which moved quickly and drew the reader in. I thoroughly enjoyed this book..
The story covers the friendship and lives of Erin 26, and Lydia 76 years young! Both of them find themselves in impossible circumstances. Lydia needs a lodger- Erin needs a home. Despite a 50 year age difference, both get on well and a close bond forms. A need to raise money by Lydia leads to the ladies restarting an antiques business selling stock from Lydia’s attic. Erin when looking at the stock ithe attic finds a letter to Lydia which opens a can of worms !
There was some brilliant twists and turns to the story which left the reader guessing, both ladies learning from each other.
This would be a brilliant holiday read, it’s a book which you have to keep reading yet don’t want to end.
Thank you to Netgalley and Head of Zeus,Aria for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

This book was so interesting to me. Two women, different ages and different lives coming together in their grief to discover family and friendship. Erin has the perfect life, a great fiancé, a great job and a great best friend until it all falls apart. Lydia is an elderly lady who lives in a beautiful Georgian house who has just lost the love of her life. Due to financial issues, she has to take in a lodger, enter Erin, who needs a place to land and finds it with Lydia. The two of them work together to make their lives worthwhile again. There were some interesting twists, but this is mainly a novel of friendship and overcoming adversity. I really enjoyed it and will look for more from this author. If you are looking for a nice book to curl up with, this is the one for you.

A heartwarming and entertaining story that made me smile and root for the characters.
It's well written, the characters are fleshed out and the plot is engrossing.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.