"The Widows' Pact" by J.L. Cole is a poignant and deeply moving story about the unlikely friendship between two widows, fifty years apart in age. Lena, a young widow struggling to find her way after the tragic loss of her husband, finds solace and support in the company of Evelyn, a spunky and opinionated seventy-one-year-old widow. As their friendship blossoms, both women grapple with their own demons and past traumas, discovering that healing and redemption can come from the most unexpected places.

One of the highlights of the book is the dynamic between Lena and Evelyn. Their contrasting personalities create a rich and engaging narrative, drawing readers into their world and leaving them rooting for their friendship to thrive. Cole does an excellent job of building these characters from the outset, allowing readers to connect with them on a deep and emotional level.

The alternating viewpoints between Evelyn and Lena provide insight into their individual struggles and journeys toward self-discovery. While Evelyn's zest for life is contagious, her well-intentioned but often unsolicited advice serves as a reminder of the complexities of family dynamics and the challenges of navigating grief.

The book unfolds in short, compelling chapters that keep readers engaged from start to finish. While the story starts slow, it gradually picks up momentum, culminating in a satisfying and emotionally resonant conclusion. "The Widows' Pact" is a beautifully written exploration of grief, depression, and the transformative power of friendship. It is a must-read for anyone who enjoys character-driven stories with depth and heart.

It's such a happy feeling when you grab a book expecting very little and it turns out to be a standout among a pile of middle of the road more hyped new releases I've been reading lately. This book was very entertaining, twisty, fast-paced and with likeable lead characters. Set in Canada, we follow the unlikely friendship between 70-year old Evelyn and 27-year old Lena, who meet at the cinema on what seems to be a random Tuesday. Both women are recent widows. Lena and Evelyn couldn't be more different, both in personality and life experience, but their bonding over movies and baking grows into a more complex relationship involving a mystery...and a murder? Part women's fiction, part murder mystery, this book builds up momentum slowly until the Epilogue's very welcoming final twist. Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion. 👏

I was quite drawn to the cover design of this book, and the title sounded intriguing.

What I loved about this book was the fact that it surprised me. From the cover design, I thought this book looked like a thriller. Before I started reading, I had an idea in my mind that the main characters would be antagonistic women. That was not the case.

This story was about friendship between two women. The bond between them warmed my heart, and I was also surprised by how funny this book was - I couldn't stop chuckling. It was a touching book to read, and warmed my heart at the same time.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

This book was totally different from what I expected. Starting quite harmless it gains momentum and has some unexpected surprises. I really enjoyed the read.

The Widows' Pact is a story of love and loss, indecision and guilt, control and concern, truth and omission, but most of all, friendship and its evolution into a healthier place for both individuals. Overall, I found this book following a way to process several dilemmas for both Evelyn and Lena. Two individuals who were so opposite it seemed unlikely they could ever be friends. The whole process was sometimes frustrating, as change often is. The Widow Pact is an engaging, thought-provoking read.

The Widows' Pact
by J.L. Cole
Lena Martin’s life couldn’t be more tragic. So far in her twenty-seven years she has buried her best friend, her husband, and, subsequently, what little enthusiasm she had for life. Evelyn, a passionate elderly widow is the opposite. Opinionated and slightly obnoxious, she hasn’t met a problem she couldn’t fix.
Oh my gosh!! I loved the friendship that was formed by Lena and Evelyn!! An unlikely friendship, maybe they both learned so much from one another. There are secrets Evelyn tries to tell Lena, but it was oh so difficult. But, in the end, Lena learns to love Evelyn. Such a great book.

This book was really good. It caught my attention right from the beginning. I'm glad I gave it a try.