Molly’s life was far from ordinary.
Aged 94 and lying in hospital after a fall and subsequent stroke, she reminisces about her life and a whirlwind love affair during war torn London, that ends in tragedy and leads to a heartbreaking decision that will change her forever.
Amanda Prowse is very good at exploring relationships and emotions, and this book is no exception. The bond between Molly and her sister Joyce was particularly moving.
Although it was a good solid read, I felt it was quite predictable and the story was similar to many books l’ve read before.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another amazing book from Amanda focusing on an extraordinary female lead character Molly. A stand alone book following the story of Molly an ordinary woman who ends up in France during WW2 helping the resistance. Mollys life isn’t straightforward which gives depth to the book and it doesn’t end as you might hope or expect which I liked. If you want an easy to read book full of depth then you won’t be disappointed by this or any of Amanda’s books. I think Molly has become my favourite female from Amanda’s writings. Thanks NetGalley and Amanda.

An Ordinary Life by Amanda Prowse
A captivating and moving read by this bestselling author. Ninety four year old Molly takes a tumble and ends up in hospital. Her mind is alive with memories. It’s 1940 and while doing her part for the war effort she meets her one true love. With circumstances out of her control she is forced to make sacrifices that change her life forever. Working undercover and as part of the French Resistance she draws on her inner strength and the love of her family. Will Molly keep the promise she made to her sister? I couldn’t put this book down. I would strongly recommend this absorbing and wonderful read.

The was a sweet book about a woman who had secrets. You get a glimpse of her long life and the family she loves and how it never seems to be the right time for revealing those secrets. She lived and loved her “ordinary life”, but this was only after a very non-ordinary beginning. I would definitely recommend this book.

This is a book which begins at the end. Ninety four year old Molly has had a bad fall at home and suffered a stroke. In hospital, she fears she may never be able to finish writing a very important letter she always promised to. From this beginning, Amanda Prowse takes us back to 1940s London where young Molly meets a man who will change her life. We then follow Molly through her life until we get back to the present day. And what a life she has had!

Amanda Prowse is a prolific author never fails to write a book I enjoy. She is a wonderful storyteller and creates characters who seem so real and who you take to heart. Although this novel is a little different with its historical focus, as ever I was caught up with the life of her heroine through all its ups and downs. Molly didn't have an ordinary life. She had an extraordinary life, although in her later years she was content to live an ordinary life. Through her we see how women throughout time have had to face adversity with strength and courage. Her resilience was admirable and her secret was heart-breaking.

An Ordinary Life is a tender story of love, loss, courage and hope. Amanda Prowse's many fans won't be disappointed.

Wow Amanda has done it again. What a fabulous read and unlike the title there is nothing ordinary about this book. We first meet Molly as a 94 year old woman who falls down the stairs. Molly had an emotional rollercoaster of a life which was anything but ordinary. We go back in time to when Molly was a young girl working as a translator during the war. It is so easy to feel part of the family with these great characters. This book is so well written you can imagine yourself right there with them. Make sure you have tissues to hand and plenty of time as you will not want to put this book down. A well deserved 5 star read

We are introduced to Molly age 94 writing a letter to her son. We are then taken back though a life that is anything but ordinary. From the Second World War in London to the present day Molly's life did not follow any of the paths she imagined but made for a rich story of strength over adversity, sadness and happiness. A wonderful story.

I have read nearly all of Amanda Prowse books and this was another amazing heartfelt story. It was just wonderful. I couldn't put this down. I felt I was part of the story as it just pulls you in. It brings all emotions, hope, sadness, happiness, I loved it! The author always seems to jab you in the heart with her wonderful books.
Looking forward to more.

Thanks to the Author, the publisher, and NetGalley for an early release of this book.

Despite the title this is no ordinary book and the lead character, Molly, did not lead an ordinary life. I love Amanda Prowse books, she never disappoints me, and this one is no exception. Historical fiction...Who knew I would enjoy it the way I did. I think it was the author, she did an exquisite job of describing the scenes and the emotions so well and the story-line is captivating.

I felt many things, right along with Molly, while reading this book...sadness, happiness, scared and hopeful. I loved how she never shied away from her mental illness and was never embarrassed about it, despite the time period she lived in. The book is so heart rending and beautifully written. It is a story that shows how war, and life's other surprises, can break our bodies but not our souls...if we don’t let it. Amazing book. Very hard subject matter but very well worth reading.

Genre: Fiction

Release Date: 9th February 2021



It's Christmas Eve, 2019.

Molly is dying.

She knows that, and as she lays in her hospital bed to every passer-by she looks like just another frail 94-year old woman. Ordinary.

But she is far from that.

From her bed, Marvelous Molly relives almost a century of sadness, war and secrets... and of love, excitement and laughter. Counting the days backwards, we explore all the true loves and losses that Molly has lived through and still holds in her heart to this day. All of this is jotted down in a letter intended for her son ... and I really hope he gets to read it one day.

I fell in love with Molly from the moment I met her, first of all loving her like a kind grandmother and watching her form into a beautiful woman, a mother a law-breaker, a lover ... an entire person that society often forgets that can be hidden inside an elderly body.

Beautifully breathtaking, this tale of a beautiful life kept me in a constant state of wanting to cry and smile at the same time. Vivid and vibrant, I was sucked back in time to dance and laugh with Molly ... a woman who proved that life, in all it's ups and downs, is anything but ordinary.



RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to NetGalley and Amanda Prowse for this ARC.

An Ordinary Life is the story of Molly, a flawed but lovable character whose life was anything but ordinary. I enjoyed this book, but WWII dominates the historical fiction genre, and this one didn't really stand out. I would have loved more of Molly's life and work during the war and less of her later years - much of the last quarter of the book felt unnecessary. I also prefer historical fiction with a strong sense of place and time, which this book lacked.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for early access to this book in exchange for my honest review.

Another amazing heartfelt book from this author. I felt I was part of the story as it just pulls you in. I could not put this down. I feel like I grew up with the family. Just wonderful. The author always seems to jab you in the heart with her wonderful books.
Looking forward to more.

Thanks to the Author, the publisher, and NetGalley for an early release of this book.

Amanda Prowse really knows how to write a tear-jerker. She captures emotions just perfectly in her writing. This book is no exception.
This book is about family, love and hope. We are reliving the life of Molly, who is in hospital after a stroke. We are taken on a journey through time of this wonderful woman’s life. It was certainly anything but ordinary!
This was certainly a step out of my comfort zone, as I don’t read a lot of historical fiction, but it was so worth it to be encaptured by this story.
This is really a page-turner and a fantastic read.

I’ve just finished this beautiful book with tears rolling down my face . Each time I read a book by Amanda I think this was her best one yet and again I’m proved wrong.

The book opens with Molly who is 94 and has just had an accident falling down her stairs. The burning thought in her mind is the letter she has just written to her son which may now go unread.

We travel through Molly’s life in every wonderful chapter. From a young 18 year old to present day. The trials of war are beautifully explored and the very different times were people kept up appearances and unmarried mothers were looked down on were a reality of not so long ago.

A mothers love shines through this book. The sacrifices Molly made for her son were heartbreaking but I was so full of admiration for her courage. My own mother and grandmother have been a huge influence in my life and as I read Molly’s story I connected with how the circle of life turns. The decline in physical health versus the young mind full of memories is so relatable. The lives lead by previous generations largely remain untold. My own granny told me she was to be engaged to a solider who never came back from the war. This was something she had never disclosed to anyone else and it came back to me as I read Molly’s story. How events can change history fascinates me.

This book was just what I needed to read as we all go through uncertain times. It reaffirms to me that material goods are not the most important things but family, love, happiness and hope are priceless. This book and Molly’s story will stay with me for a long time. I LOVED LOVED LOVED it.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this fantastic book.

Absolutely amazing!

I’ve read previous books from Amanda prowse before and this is definitely my favourite.
It starts with Molly in 2019, she’s writing a letter.... Then we jump back to the Second World War and Molly begins her story. A lot of downs, but Molly always manages to come out the other side. Definitely recommend you all to read this.

Another good read from this author, sensitively written about families and friendships although it did take me a while to get into this story line it didn't really grip me and I found some parts of the story a bit depressing.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Omg Amanda Prowse never fails to make me cry and this story of Molly is no different. We begin with Molly, in her 90’s being found by her niece after having a full. We are then taken back to Molly’s you get life starting during world war 2 and we learn of her deeply emotional story. An amazing read, most definitely recommend.

My thanks to Netgalley for my copy of An Ordinary Life. I've long been an admirer of Amanda Prowse's work but I think this must be the most beautiful of them all. A really charming book which should be sold with an accompanying box of tissues because if you're anything like me you will shed many tears, both of sadness and also happiness. The plot would make a great television series.

The book starts with Molly, an old lady, in present day remembering her life and writing a letter to complete a promise she made to her beloved sister.

We then go back with Molly to the war years, where Molly is helping the war effort by translating documents for the Government. An invitation which is to change the course of her life comes from her best friend, and colleague, when she persuades Molly to come out for a drink with her and her brother after work. This then affect the course of her life.

Molly's war years are extremely hard, and like others she has to make enormous sacrifices, but some sacrifices are enough to test you to breaking point. Then Molly is asked to undertake a mission on behalf of the Government, and she accepts as she will do anything to help shorten the war, and thereby keep safe those she loves.

Molly's life goes through many ups and downs and hardships no one should ever have to face - unfortunately many did in those hard times. Still she comes through and looking back she had anything but An Ordinary Life.

Another fantastic book by this extremely talented author. The characterisations are perfect, with instantly believable and recognisable characters. Various parts of the story probably happened to many people at the time. The story was pacey, and interesting from start to finish, and I didn't want to put it down. The only part I would have changed was the ending but that's subjective. I would have liked her to complete a promise made.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough - and it's one I feel will appeal to a large audience.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3739936127

Molly certainly does not have an ordinary life! She is a remarkable and engaging character, who swiftly becomes under your skin. I simply could not stop reading this enthralling book and was blown away by the bravery and determination of Molly. Set in World War Two, she shows that she is an extraordinary woman who is willing to fight for what she loves, despite the terrible things that befall her. Her resilience is inspiring and on many occasions I found myself in tears for her and the difficult decisions she was compelled to make.
Such an emotional book, it was such a page turner and totally had me absorbed from the first page.
I love historical fiction and I love an emotional journey, this book ticked so many of my boxes for both of these, it’s brilliant!