I loved Molly. Such a simple straightforward story from her young days in the war up to the present day. How she dealt with everything life threw at her, coped with tragedy and loss, but still had a long., happy and fulfilled life, although never getting over her first and only love. I can never give any of Amanda Prowse's books less than 5 stars, as that is what they thoroughly deserve.

This is a tender, loving, life story about Molly, who now at 94 is at the end of her time on earth.
She has secrets, heartache and has had a journey that not many could ever imagine,
Her siblings know some of the tragedy of Molly's life, but not all.
Her survival was not easy and not without surrendering her most precious gift!
Can she at the end of her earthly time, find the serenity that she needs?

I love Amanda Prowse's books and I always feel as if I made new friends in each book. This is no exception and I truly loved the character of Molly and her family!
Excellent!

It's December and molly is 94. She is working hard on writing a letter.. I really liked molly. I liked the descriptions. I lost interest some.. I liked the dialogue and characters.

An Ordinary Life tells the story of Molly, who at the beginning of the book is 94 years old and in hospital after having a fall at home. She was in the process of writing a letter to her son.
The story then reverts back to the early stages of World War 2 and follows Molly's story throughout the years.
I enjoyed this book immensely, having worked with the elderly there are lots of stories about the war told but many untold due to the traumatic events and experiences. It covers life, love, and loss all wrapped up in Amanda's usual brilliant writing.
Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for free copy in exchange for an honest review

What a blockbuster of a book! Amanda has departed from her usual genre to some extent in this absorbing story which starts out during world war two and spans the years in between right up to the present day. The format may have changed but the human interest at the heart of the story is handled with Amanda's usual deft touch. We see events through the eyes of Marvellous Molly, or M as she has been christened by the handsome soldier brother of her best friend. Dragged reluctantly out for a drink after work , Molly is introduced to handsome Jo and for both of them it's a coup de foudre. It's a love that will inform and mould the rest of Molly's long life. A few snatched moments is all they have before Jo is killed during preparations for DDay landings. Molly is left bereft and pregnant at a time when being an unmarried mother meant disgrace and stigma. Determined to keep her precious baby, Molly hides the pregnancy from all but her devoted older sister , Joyce, who poignantly is unable to bear children with her devoted husband Albert. Molly gives birth alone in the bathroom of the home she still shares with her unbending, remote mother. Disowned by her mother, bereft by her all consuming grief for Jo and losing her job at the war ministry, Molly is recruited , thanks to her fluent French, to embark on a dangerous mission to occupied France. Fired by a burning desire to avenge her beloved' s death and to ensure her son grows up in a safer world, she agrees to allow Joyce and Albert to take little Jo to live with them in the country where he will be safer. The sisters agree he will be returned after the war. There follows a story spanning 8 decades , encompassing grief, loss, the human cost of war, heroism in it's many forms and ultimately, the greatest of all emotions, love. This glorious book would make the most wonderful television saga and I hope some far sighted producer reads it and makes it happen. I would give this book more than 5* were it possible. Absolutely spellbinding! Another triumph from the incomparable Amanda Prowse

Wow what a stunning novel from Amanda Prowse. The story starts with Molly age 94,who after an accident, ends up in hospital ,she had started writing a letter to her son and soon her thoughts go back to when she was a young girl .Her story spans over 70 years and its truly breathtaking, such wonderful characters and it tells ot lost love family ties and a heartbreaking decision she has to make ,which is so sad but beautiful as well .A truly amazing read and the ending is so poignant I had tears rolling down my cheeks, but they were happy tears as well .I'll be seeing you Molly

Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this beautiful book. Amanda Prowse you have done it again and written such a heartfelt and emotional read of love and loss and how some secrets can be kept for a life time along with the precious memories they bring. This was a delight to read even though it did leave me a crumpled mess by the end. Once I had started reading it I couldn’t put it down and read it pretty much in one sitting I enjoyed the descriptions of wartime and how the story started at the current time then worked its way back through the years back to the present day with all of the events of that time intertwined in such a clever way and how the events of the story all linked together and where unfolded as the story went on.

I highly recommend this book and also Amanda Prowse other novels as she deals with real life problem and issues in a very heartfelt and sensitive way.

2.5 stars rounded up, generously. **This review may contain spoilers for those who have not read the book yet. **
This was such a disappointment! But for once, the title is correct - this is definitely and Ordinary book. There is nothing special about it. I cannot feel anything towards Molly in her plight as she was written as such a weak character - and I don't say that lightly.

During the war, many women in Europe bravely faced daily challenges - rationing, loved ones gone missing or killed in the Blitz, sons and husbands killed or taken captive during the war. Nothing was easy about any of it. But I just could not empathize with Molly at all in this entire story. It seemed that every time she was faced with a challenge, she just ... gave up. And why did this story go on as long as it did? Had Molly died in the 60s, 70s, 80s or even 90s.... nothing would have changed at all for the story. I was expecting so much more and honestly, even when there was a chance for everything to come to light, and make reading this entire story worthwhile... it doesn't happen.

There are so many better books out there with almost the same storyline, so give this one a pass.

What a beautiful beautiful read, loved every page, thank you Amanda, for letting me have an advanced copy and you've done it again, made me smile, made me cry, spending time with marvelous Molly was a pure joy ❤️
A wonderful story with some really lovely charecters

I received an advance copy of, An Ordinary Life, by Amanda Prowse. I really liked this book about Molly, who in her 90's recalls her life, mainly the bad. It was a very good book.