A mesmerizing blend of music, magic, and romance that takes readers on a captivating journey through the life of Mabel Johnson. It celebrates the timeless power of jazz and blues, the allure of magic, and the transformative nature of love. Despite minor pacing issues, this enchanting fantasy novel is highly recommended to fans of music-infused tales and those seeking a heartwarming and uplifting read.

A little bit of magic realism in a gentle heart-warming tale of ageing, friendship, family, music and love. Mabel had a glittering career as a blues and jazz musician but is now old and frail and can no longer play the piano or perform. When her great-granddaughter comes to visit she sends up a prayer that Mabel might regain her youth, if only for a week. Such is the power of faith, Mabel does indeed become young again. The two set of on a week-long adventure of music and romance. It’s a pleasant enough read, well-written and insightful, but perhaps a bit twee. Or perhaps I’m just not all that susceptible to sentimentality in my reading…..

If you like music and worry about how your skin and hair may have changed as you've gotten older, this title is a great pick.

Anyone who is aging or caring for an elderly mom or grandma will enjoy this light read about a famous jazz singer who wakes up one morning back in her 40-something-year-old body.

Peppered with musical references and set in Mississippi, the birthplace of the Blues, this title is enjoyable and refreshing. (It also refers to many current cultural and political issues - but not in a heavy handed way.)

The pre-publication title had a couple of transitions that needed more clarity, but overall, this is a sweet read that could be completed fairly quickly. The story of Mabel and the weaving together of her chosen family is a multicultural tale that would be enjoyed by most readers - especially women of a certain age.

There are adult references - after all, if you were made "Young Again," what would you be tempted to do?

Please see a final review at https://www.fyi50plus.com/2022/09/06/this-autumn-fall-in-love-with-a-good-book/.

I didn't know what to expect when this book was sent to me, but i am so glad I read it. I enjoyed the story from beginning to end. I did not want it to end, nor was i able to put it down. Normally I don't enjoy these types of books, but I did for this one so very much. It kinda reminded me of the movie 17 again, but instead of going back to 17, the main character went back to 40 (she's 90 at the start of the book). I enjoyed the flow as well as the characters of this story, and the author did such a great job with this read.

I recieved a copy of the book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest reveiw of my own thoughts and opinions.

If you could be young again, if even for just one week, what would you do? That is a question that Mable never thought she’d have to consider answering. That is until her great-granddaughter prays for it. Going to bed as a 90-year-old woman, Mable and Priscilla are surprised when she wakes up decades younger. Mabel has been incredibly successful and accomplished her dreams of being a musician. She is content in her life and wants for and needs nothing.

Once she wraps her head around what has happened, Mable begins to embrace it. She manages to find herself back on stage, and the whole charade begins to unravel. Can Mable and Priscilla find a way to contain the fallout, or will their lies/charade leave many in ruins?

I genuinely enjoyed every minute of this book. Mable is not only talented but incredibly kind. With the precious gift she was given, she managed to change the lives of people long overlooked. She also got to share herself with Priscilla in a new and beautiful way. All of the characters were raw, real, and completely relatable. The world created by the authors grips you and convinces you that you’ve been there before. I

As someone close to their grandmother, I loved the relationship between Mabel/Peggy, and Priscilla. Like them, we bond over life in general but definitely through music. For this reason, this book will hold a special place in my heart What I wouldn’t give to get a glimpse into my grandparents' lives before us. This story, at its core, is wonderful, and I am so happy to have stumbled upon it.


Voluntarily reviewed after receiving a free copy courtesy of NetGalley, the Publisher, and the authors, Don Trowden and Valerie McKee

This was a good escape read, and can be read in just a few sittings. I loved the premise of Mable becoming young again for a week-a little reminiscent of Freaky Friday. I struggled a little bit with the narration being in 3rd person; I feel like I would have felt more connected to Priscilla, Mable and Richard had it been in the first person perspectives. Overall, this was a fun and refreshing book, and I'd recommend for people who enjoy suspending reality, and music. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Publerati, the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I felt this book was well written. I love the Jazz intertwined in it. I wish it was a movie and I could download its soundtrack. If you are a fan of jazz and love, this book has it. Give it a try. Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this lovely book.

My goodness what a read and I'm so sad its finished. I loved the writing. How easy it was to get into and of course giving other characters a story and a voice. All wrapped up in a gorgeous cover
I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for their next read. You can't go wrong with this one

Thank you NetGalley. This was a fun book to read. Mabel's great granddaughter is staying with her for a week. She asked God at the beginning of the week to make Mabel young again for the week she is there. What a surprise to both of them when the next morning Mabel is young again. Mabel was a musician for most of her adult life. She is now ninety and feeling her aches and pains. They have a wonderful week with friends and each other. Mabel learns a lot about getting old and wishing to be young again. Maybe it is better to go through this life one time and be happy with where we are.

This is pretty good. It has an interesting setting, and although the premise isn't original, it is fun and interesting. Nicely written characters and situations kept me engaged.

I really appreciate the free ARC for review!!

This book was thought provoking and left me wondering if I wanted to be young again. Would I make the same mistakes? Questions, lots of questions! An interesting novel and a unique plot, it was entertaining, different. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Mabel has had quite a life which has been filled with fame, wealth and a close-knit family. With good reason, her great-granddaughter affectionally calls her Grammy May. Now, at 90 years old, she feels the ravages of time and old age. Her mind, body and appearance are all failing her. Unexpectedly and shockingly, a prayer is answered and for one week she is young again. Miraculously, she is given the opportunity to feel passion, energy, and to enjoy good health. What happens in that one short week is nothing short of memorable.

The authors do an excellent job of combining fantasy and reality into this beautifully told story. The cast of characters are a varied group who come together perfectly. Packed with wisdom and emotion the narrative deals with serious issues. Even so, there is levity, and the dialogue is often witty.

Reading this heartfelt and engaging story was an absolute pleasure. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publerati through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book was really a surprise, I scanned the description quickly and it sounded unique so I gave it a try and it exceeded expectations.

Mabel is such a force as a main character. She has lead a long career as a very successful Blues and Jazz artist, but there were regrets of an abusive husband, and the inevitable end of her career. We meet her now at 90 years old, struggling with the pain of getting old and dealing with early dementia. Her granddaughter recently died, and so her young teen Great-granddaughter Priscilla has come to visit for the week.

Priscilla feels like a young Mabel, and their dynamic is really sweet. After hearing Mabel complain of her pain, Priscilla makes a wish that she can be young again for just one week, and huzzah it works! I love the way they write it where it gives you a heightened appreciation for all the amazing things your body can do for you.

With Mabel young, going as Peggy, we bring back her handsome doctor who in some hilarious writing is just a puddle around her beauty. There is some dealing with how much attraction plays into love, although things get a bit sappy towards the end. There are also several other characters all who I found really enjoyable. The ending is a bit perfectly tied up, but I'm not totally mad about it. If anyone can make what they want happen, it's Mabel!

This book was a free download from Netgalley, and I'm so glad I got it!

4.5 Stars...

This was such a great find! I saw it was available for immediate download on NetGalley and, even though I have a gazillion other books on my TBR list, I downloaded it and read it immediately, loving every minute of it.

Set in Mississippi, Mable Johnson is a 90-year-old Blues and Jazz legend. She's been blessed with so many wonderful opportunities and experiences in her life, but she finds herself holding on to past regrets and is in increasing pain the older she gets. Her great-grandaughter Priscilla (who is around 12) is staying with her for the week and, having recently lost her mother (Mabels granddaughter) to a car accident, the two find solace in one another's company.

Priscilla sees how much pain her great-grandmother is in and goes to bed on her first night there praying that Mabel can be young again, even if it's just for one week. Well, Priscilla gets her wish, and Mable wakes up the next day young again (around 40-ish), and she and Priscilla set about having the week of their lives with Mable taking on the persona of one Miss Peggy Winston, a 'niece' of Mables.

Along the way, we are introduced to so many colorful characters...Richard, the handsome Yankee doctor who is new in town...Lizzie, the amazing performer who lacks any self-confidence...Colin, the homeless man who was once a Harvard (maybe?) professor and now finds himself in the throes of addiction...and many more.

Mable (Peggy) gets another shot at being young again and relishes the feeling of waking up without pain and reliving how amazing it feels to be back in the spotlight singing and playing piano for a crowd. She's a 40-year-old woman with the life experience of a 90-year-old woman, and she's not wasting a second of it!

Now, while I loved the story, there were, of course, the handy coincidences and unbelievable things that have to take place for a story like this to work; such as John (Priscilla's father) never once asking to see or talk to Mable during his Skype calls with Priscilla for the entire week, even though he was incredibly nervous about leaving his daughter with her 90-year-old great-grandmother for the week while he was in Germany. How Priscilla, a 12-year-old child, spoke to the adults around her and was able to broker deals and stave of suspicion about Mable's whereabouts to other adults. The convenient timing of the neighbor (Alice) having Priscilla spend the night, so Peggy and Richard could be alone and do their thing, even though they live next door to one another and there's no reason for Priscilla to spend the night when she can just walk over and play with Alice's son during the day. Little things like that.

Overall though, I really did enjoy the story, and while the ending was suuuuuper sappy and syrupy, it worked, and I was glad for it. It's the kind of story that needs a happy-sappy ending.

I'm so glad I gave this a random shot. I hardly ever read books randomly as I always have my next 2-3 already lined up and ready to go, but this was such a pleasant surprise. I devoured it in two evenings, and I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who's interested. I mean, who WOULDN'T want a chance to be young again, even if it's only for a week??

This book is very reminiscent of one published ten or fifteen years ago, titled "29." The premise is the same, including the beginning and some of the types of things that occur throughout the story, but the ending takes a new turn which makes it interesting.