Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
This was a cute, lighthearted and feel good read.
A great pallet cleanser book about second chances that makes you smile and leaves you feeling happy and hopeful.
Love this author.

Clover Harringtion is 61 and thinks she is about to be promoted to the board of her City firm. She is mistaken and finds herself out of a job. She heads off to stay with her long lost cousin in Italy. Is Clover ready to embrace change and romance or will she head back to the City? I love Maddie’s books they always make me smile.

Sprinkled with charm, warmth and laughter, Maddie Please’s A Vintage Vacation proves that you are not never too old to start over – and to have the time of your life.

Clover Harrington might be sixty-one, but she is not ready to take a back seat and fade into the shadows. She is still a force to be reckoned with in the corporate world and many of her younger colleagues do not have a quarter of her drive, energy and stamina. Clover does not intend on slowing down any time soon. But that decision is taken out of her hands when she is made redundant. Her career is such a huge part of her identity that Clover doesn’t know who she is without her job. In desperate need to figure out what she is going to do next with her life – and with no support from her other half Jack who is more interested in golf – Clover decides to go and visit her cousin Zoe in Italy and she certainly gets a lot more than she bargained for…

The last person Clover is expecting to see is her eighty-year-old mother Eleanor. Her mother is more interested in growing old disgracefully than in gentle walks by the Italian lakes. The feisty octogenarian wants to stay up all night drinking prosecco and playing poker; she certainly has no intention of slowing down, but is intent on enjoying life and making every second count. Will Clover take a leaf out of her mother’s book and embrace La Dolce Vita? Or will the lure of the corporate world prove absolutely impossible to resist?

Maddie Please’s A Vintage Vacation is a fun and fabulous tale that will make you roar with laughter. A terrific read about embracing change, letting go of your inhibitions and finding joy in being alive, A Vintage Vacation is an escapist and enjoyable Italian-set page-turner guaranteed to brighten up every reader’s summer!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an opportunity to read and review A Vintage Vacation by Maddie Please in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I really enjoyed this book as it's fun story set in Italy which is a place I'm dying to go too. I loved the writing style of Maddie Please and can't wait to read more by her in the future.

Clover, in her sixties, expects a promotion but is instead let go from her corporate job, shaking her identity. With a tumultuous personal life including a selfish partner, Jack, and an unsupportive mother, she escapes to her cousin Zoe's taverna in the Italian Lakes. Initially overwhelmed, she slowly adapts, embracing the local lifestyle and potentially a new romantic interest. Unexpectedly, her mother Eleanor shows up, adding zest to the adventure as she's determined to live life to its fullest. However, when a job opportunity presents itself to Clover, both women must reconsider their future paths.

I was captivated by the characters in this novel. It was enlightening to witness the transformation in both Clover and her mother as they began to view life through a new lens.Clover's life was consumed by the demands of her corporate job, leaving no room for personal connections. Meanwhile, her mother Eleanor felt trapped and discontented in a retirement community. Worried about her daughter's well-being, Eleanor impulsively travels to Italy, intending to bring Clover back to reality. However, she herself becomes enamored with the Italian way of life and a captivating Italian gentleman.

Maddie Please's prose brims with wit, vibrancy, and zest. Her characters pull you into their world, and I found myself completely engrossed in the plot. It's an uplifting tale sprinkled with many laugh-out-loud moments. Overall, it is delightful and heartwarming romance story.

4.5 Stars. A Vintage Vacation is another wonderful Maddie Please novel about women, friendship, family and new beginnings. Clover Harrington might be nearing retirement age, but she is still dynamite in the business world. She is envied by others, so when the company is bought out, guess who is made redundant. At 61, Clover isn't sure what to do and when she tries to talk to her partner, Jack, he fluffs her off and heads of for a golf weekend with his buddies. Clover makes a decision to visit her cousin Zoe in the gorgeous Italian Lakes where she can rest and plan what is next in her life. Before she leaves, she tells Jack to get his stuff out of her house before she returns. For some reason, Clover's 80 year old mother, Eleanor takes Clover's redundancy as an affront to her and decides to head to Italy as well. This was not the quiet reunion Clover was thinking it would be, her mother quickly makes friends and is playing poker, drinking prosecco and having more fun than Clover. Clover meets a man of her own, and they slowly get to know each other and become friends as well. Will Clover find what she really wants in life while rethinking her priorities in Italy?

In true Maddie Please style we meet two women, mother and daughter, who don't really see eye to eye, but have a relationship that can use renewing. Clover has been so busy working and being the best employee she can be, that her personal life is pretty stagnant. When I first met Eleanor, I didn't like her one bit. She was more worried about how Clover's actions would affect her, but I warmed to her as the story progressed. Clover was very hesitant to make any decisions, but as she relaxed and got to know Gio more, she loosened up. I have to say, the relationship between Clover and Eleanor was so much fun. They were mother and daughter, but acted more like frenemies. The setting was amazing and I loved hearing about the area. With Maddie Please's trademark humor, she had me laughing one minute and then being serious the next. This was a wonderful visit to Italy with a mother/daughter duo that seemed so real. There were a few dry spots, but overall, I enjoyed getting to know these strong, independent women embark on a new chapter in their lives.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to receive this book for an honest review.

I was so happy I received this book after traveling to Italy. I could relate to the areas mentioned and it brought me back to my wonderful vacation. Now it makes me want to go back.

I now have found a new author and look forward to others by Maddie Please.
What a nice journey filled with fun, love and romance.

What a book. If I could give more Stars I would for this. I absolutely loved it and am off to find more by the author.

Many people retire before age 60 but not Clover Harrington, she’s still at the top of the corporate ladder and can show those young pups a thing or two in the business world. Then no, the devastation…… she’s made redundant at work.
When her partner would rather play 18 holes than talk about her problem, she’s outta here and off to a bright a breezy location.
Welcome to delightful Italy! With a handsome man in the picture who is caring and actually takes the time to listen to what she says, she may just be hooked. Watch out for Mama though! I have to say when Clover’s mother shows up unexpectedly, she may have just stolen the show. You never quite know what to expect with her and she has quite a few antics to keep you entertained.
I love how the author uses older characters as her main characters as it makes for a fun and quirky read. We all can take a lesson from this book, don’t give up there is life to live and just go out and find your own adventure. I’m ready for the next fun adventure from this author as I always look forward to her books.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Another delightful read by Maddie Please. I loved getting to know Clover and experience her growth and learning to appreciate herself. It is so encouraging to read a book whose primary character is a more mature female who is becoming a new version of herself. The scenery is beautiful ... how soon can I book a flight to Italy!? Clover’s mother started out irritating the snot out of me, but even she changed and I fell in love with her too. Romance is involved, but the various relationships that develop and the willingness of Clover to step out of her comfort zone and discover a new purpose was touching. Loved this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Please see my post for review.

Blog tour - http://ramblingmads.uk/2023/05/31/blog-tour-a-vintage-vacation-maddie-please/

The Blurb :
Clover Harrington might be sixty-one, but she’s still bossing it in the corporate world and can still run rings around her younger colleagues. And then she is made redundant….
Devastated and now suddenly the wrong side of sixty Clover doesn’t know what to do with her life or her corporate wardrobe! What does she wear if not red lippy and a power suit?! Rather than offer her any support, her partner, Jack announces he's off on a golfing weekend, leaving Clover completely adrift.
Desperate to get away from it all, Clover decides to visit her cousin Zoe at her small taverna in the gorgeous Italian Lakes. There she can rest and recuperate and plan the next stage of her life.
Until Clover’s eighty-year-old mother, Eleanor decides to turn up for the holiday too! Instead of gentle ambles around the lake, Eleanor seems more interested in late night poker and swigging Prosecco and Clover can’t quite believe her mum is having more fun than she is. But as the saying goes - if you can’t beat em, join em!
But is Clover brave enough to live La Dolce Vita?

My Thoughts :
Here we meet 61 year old Clover Harrington, having been made redundant unexpectantly from her job and not sure what to do next or where to turn and with her partner Jack being useless and not really caring about much other than himself, and her son living in Canada, Clover decides to go and visit her cousin Zoe, who lives in the Italian Lakes. After all Clover has nothing to lose!.
Soon Clover’s Mum Eleanor turns up in Italy. Living in a retirement home and not really that happy, Eleanor finds it a perfect excuse to rush off to Italy to bring her daughter home. But that is until she finds herself hooked on the Italian life and men.
Soon Clover meets Italian Stallion Gio, after spending time together, Clover soon sees there is more to life than the one she has been living.
Will Clover return to her old life or will she start a new one!?.
As always, I love to hear Maddie Please has a new release out. I enjoy reading about the older generation and we are made to feel like the Characters are one of our own. It was lovely to see the relationship between Cover and her mum develop throughout.
Great supporting cast, fabulous descriptive surroundings of Italy, and not to mention the yummy food that is talked about.
This is one fun filled read you do not want to miss.
Maddie Please, will always deliver and once again she did.
Cant wait for more adventures and stories to come.

A Vintage Vacation by Maddie Please is a delightful and heartwarming tale that follows the journey of Clover Harrington, a sixty-one-year-old powerhouse who suddenly finds herself at a crossroads in life. With her corporate world crumbling around her due to redundancy, Clover is faced with the daunting task of redefining herself and her purpose. What follows is a charming adventure filled with self-discovery, unexpected relationships, and the pursuit of happiness.

A Vintage Vacation is not only a tale of self-discovery and second chances but also an exploration of the importance of family, friendship, and embracing life's unexpected twists. Maddie Please has crafted a cast of well-developed and endearing characters, each with their unique charm and contribution to the narrative.

The novel offers a perfect blend of humor, heart, and inspiration, leaving readers with a warm and satisfied feeling upon turning the final page.

Allin all, A Vintage Vacation is a delightful and heartwarming story that reminds us it's never too late to embrace new adventures, discover our true selves, and live life to the fullest. Maddie Please's novel is a perfect choice for anyone seeking an uplifting and entertaining read, filled with relatable characters and a strong sense of optimism.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Boldwood Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you so much!

I was intrigued by this title as soon as I saw the cover. It just looked like such an inviting summer read.

I enjoyed that A Vintage Vacation features a protagonist who is sixty-one years old. It is a nice change from twenty and thirty somethings.

Unfortunately, Clover is made redundant. This is understandably very upsetting. Sadly (and frustratingly), Clover’s partner is off on his own vacation, leaving her quite adrift. Will her life stand still? No, it won’t! She decides to spend time with a cousin in the Italian Lakes. What will she find there? One thing will be her eighty-plus year old mother but there will be more than this. Watch (happily) as Clover comes to embrace life.

A Vintage Vacation, a title I love for its several meanings, is a delightful novel. Highly recommended to those who enjoy women’s fiction.

I will say it again...Maddie has a gift for telling stories that get me excited about getting older. Age is just a number and there is so much fun still to be had and life to be lived!

Personally I was not interested in the life 61 year old Clover was living before she was made redundant and her partner was quite the %$#@ about it. Being a powerhouse or boss lady and only living for work seems like my idea of hell.

Once Clover was in Italy and realized there was a whole different way to spend her days and that it might not actually have been all that bad losing her job I loved the journey she went on. The characters in this story were just brilliant and I enjoyed the romance! Her mother was quite the character and at first came across as quite the snob and not the most supportive mother, but that definitely changed during the story.

The setting at the Italian lakes was wonderful and really came alive. I could easily picture the trattoria run by Clover's cousin Zoe and her husband and their loving relationship as well as all the lovely people Clover met there and all the wonderful food she got to taste.

My Review: I had a lovely time in Italy thanks to A Vintage Vacation by Maddie Please. Clover Harrington loves 'Rouge Amazone' lipstick, and she's embarking on an adventure, after years in a cooperate job, and a relationship with self absorbed Jack, whose handsome and obnoxious. Her world is turned upside down and she decides to find her feet again, some time out to regain focus, this takes her to Italy to stay with Zoe and Paolo. Her son Ben from her marriage to Casper, is in Canada. Leaving London behind she finds herself collected by the handsome Gio. Such a well written and engaging story. I loved the community, the setting, local phrases that are scattered throughout the book. Definitely a lovely, easy to follow story and a recommended read.

Wow what a ride this book took me on, A Vintage Vacation and I didn't even have to leave home! A contemporary romance that left me feeling happy and with a little smile. Clover is 61 years young and has just been made redundant from her corporate office job. She is feeling down and more than a little lost on what to do with her life so she decides to go on vacation to visit her friend. Then Clover's 80 year old mother turns up and from there I had a real hoot of a time, for a older person she sure knows how to let go and have a blast. I was thrilled that the book was written with older characters rather then the usual 20 year olds. Don't get me wrong I enjoy reading about any age group but the older ones are a rarity and make a refreshing change. The book proves that you are never too young or old to change the direction of your life and sometimes the change you don't want is the change that you need. Beautifully designed and written book!

EXCERPT: Zoe looked astounded for a moment and then clapped her hands.
'Redundant? You? How absolutely marvellous!'
I was momentarily rather shocked. 'Well I didn't think it was marvellous when it happened, I can tell you.'
Zoe quickly composed her face into a sympathetic frown. 'No, really? That must have been awful then. But at least now, think about it, you can do anything! You could go and visit Ben after all the delays and cancellations. You're free! You can start enjoying life.'
I hadn't really considered this way of looking at it and her enthusiasm felt a bit misplaced. It certainly didn't tie into my own feelings. How could losing my job possibly be marvellous?

ABOUT 'A VINTAGE VACATION': Clover Harrington might be sixty-one, but she’s still bossing it in the corporate world and can still run rings around her younger colleagues. And then she is made redundant….

Devastated and now suddenly the wrong side of sixty Clover doesn’t know what to do with her life or her corporate wardrobe! What does she wear if not red lippy and a power suit?! Rather than offer her any support, her partner, Jack announces he's off on a golfing weekend, leaving Clover completely adrift.

Desperate to get away from it all, Clover decides to visit her cousin Zoe at her small taverna in the gorgeous Italian Lakes. There she can rest and recuperate and plan the next stage of her life.

Until Clover’s eighty-year-old mother, Eleanor decides to turn up for the holiday too! Instead of gentle ambles around the lake, Eleanor seems more interested in late night poker and swigging Prosecco and Clover can’t quite believe her mum is having more fun than she is. But as the saying goes - if you can’t beat em, join em!

But is Clover brave enough to live La Dolce Vita?

MY THOUGHTS: A lovely, light and fun romance and feel-good story set largely in Italy.

I love the characters in this book. It was great to see the changes in both Clover and her mother as they learned to see life from a different perspective.

Clover was living a high pressure life in her corporate world with no time for family or friends. Her mother Eleanor was languishing, bored and unhappy, in a retirement village. Concerned that her daughter is losing the plot, Eleanor rushes off to Italy to haul her daughter back to reality, but finds herself seduced by Italian life and a charming Italian man.

I loved the scenes in the retirement village when Eleanor returns from Italy. They played out like a comic movie. I know that Clover is the main character in this book, but it is Eleanor that steals the limelight.

Maddie Please's writing is full of fun, humor and energy. Her characters are engaging, and I was swept along by the storyline. It is upbeat and enchanting with several humorous moments. I do wish that the author hadn't made Clover such a klutz. It didn't seem to fit her character, and seemed slightly overdone.

If you need a reminder that life is not entirely about work, or you are looking for a feel-good light romance, A Vintage Vacation definitely fits the bill.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.2

#AVintageVacation #NetGalley

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T: @MaddiePlease1 @BoldwoodBooks

#contemporaryfiction #friendship #romance #womensfiction

THE AUTHOR: Maddie Please was born in Dorset, brought up in Worcestershire and went to University in Cardiff.

After a career as a dentist Maddie now lives in Devon with her exceptionally handsome and supportive husband. They have 4 adult-ish children all of whom have left home and are probably rather surprised by all this. She did warn them.

Maddie is a voracious reader, and would enjoy hoovering, defrosting the fridge and cleaning the windows but unfortunately she doesn't really have time. She is very disciplined and sensible about her writing and she likes to write every day because it gets her out of doing the ironing.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of A Vintage Vacation by Maddie Please for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

I would firstly just like to say a big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of this book, for my kindle, in return for my honest review.

A Vintage Vacation is the brand new perfect feel good Summer read for 2023…..

Clover is 61 years old and has just been made redundant and now she doesn’t know what she wants to do with her life. While she decides what she wants to do she goes to visit her cousin who lives in the gorgeous Italian Lakes.

This story follows Clover and how she tries to find herself, for once she begins to realise what is really and truly important to her.

This book was heartwarming and emotional and takes place in the most perfect of settings and there were also some very funny laugh out loud moments which i thoroughly enjoyed too…….

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read A Vintage Vacation by Maddie Please. Never doubt that daughters can still learn from their mothers, no matter what their age. This is a perfect summer read!