Millicent (or “Missy”) Carmichael is in her late seventies. She lives alone in a large house and is irritable, lonely and depressed. Her son Alistair and only grandchild Arthur live in Australia and she is estranged from her daughter Melanie. She ponders her purpose in life, whether she has outstayed her welcome and compares her existence to an “… abstract, galactic isolation, like a leaking boat bobbing in open water, no anchor or land in sight.”

But help is at hand following a random encounter with single mother Angela and her delightful son Otis, then the flamboyant designer Sylvie and the unexpected temporary companionship of a dog called Bob (later changed to Bobby). Although initially fearful and reserved with her new friends - and greatly alarmed at the prospect of having to care for a dog - slowly but surely Missy is drawn into the lives of these individuals, plus others, and finds a new self-confidence and optimism in the process.

The story has elements of gentle humour as well as serious reflections and includes flashbacks to Missy’s earlier life and marriage to author Leo. Missy was a victim of her times, expected to play the dutiful wife of a successful man, and her regrets include a tragic secret that she kept from Leo. The ending has a twist in that the initial assumption one makes about Leo turns out to be incorrect.

The characters are well-drawn, even if Missy can sometimes seem a wee bit irritating in her insecurity and hesitation in the presence of more assertive and confident individuals, although she does finally find her true voice and bare all (or nearly all!) when coming to the defence of one of her new friends.

This is a charming story that will appeal to a wide audience as it tackles the very real issues of loneliness and depression in old age in a sympathetic fashion. However, on a more serious note, this reviewer of a certain age senses the author is very much younger than her protagonist and through the book she expresses her heathfelt desire for older people to be happy. A noble gesture in fiction perhaps, while the practical reality is that for the most part our modern self-absorbed and youth-obsessed society is geared in such a way that there is scant interest in rescuing women like Missy from their leaking boats.

Four stars.

(With many thanks to Harper Collins Australia and NetGalley for the ARC)

A charming, unique story about life, it’s frailty and beauty. I thoroughly enjoyed this book will be looking out for more from this talented author. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.