A captivating exploration of love, ambition, and self-discovery, with a quirky, relatable protagonist. The narrative feels refreshing and unconventional, though a few plot points could be tightened up. Still, it’s an uplifting and exciting journey.

This book just wasn’t for me. I felt like the pacing was a little too slow and I never found myself eager to pick the book back up. It wasn’t the writing that I didn’t care for but the development of the story.

The Excitements was a delight to read. I love a book where the "elder" protagonists have a whole life that you know nothing about. The Williamson sisters are 99 and know for their part in WW2. They had relatively minor roles and are often seen at events. However their great nephew is about to find out that his definition of "minor role" might not be what it seems. These sisters are spunky, hilarious and super smart. A delightful read.

For a book called The Excitements it's kind of dull. A bit campy without being fun, and the dialog seemed repetitive. I felt like I was watching the characters from a distance instead of being alongside them. The historical information about women serving during WWII was very interesting though. Otherwise a bit too much of a jumble of plots.

Thank you to Net Galley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Excitements by CJ Wray!

CJ Wray's The Excitements is an exhilarating narrative that masterfully intertwines both character-driven and plot-driven elements. The story is propelled by the dynamic personalities of its two protagonists, whose cleverness and bravery shine throughout the narrative. Wray crafts these characters with intricate depth, making them not only well-developed but also immensely likeable. Their resilience in the face of adversity adds a layer of relatability, drawing readers into their world. As they navigate a series of thrilling challenges to save the world, the plot unfolds with a gripping intensity that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The seamless blend of character development and plot progression ensures that The Excitements is not just a story to be read, but an experience to be savored.

Thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Excitements by C.J. Wray is delightful. Switching between multiple points of view, it mainly follows the amazing storied lives of two elederly sisters, Josephine and Penny.

They may appear to be sweet, little old ladies, great aunts to their nephew, Archie. The two sisters are World War II veterans who’ve lived so many lives, I don’t think I could adequately detail them here.

If you like a well written tale about two sisters who defied their situations in life to become heroes in their own rights, this story is for you.

This book was such a delight to read. I am a huge fan of books with elderly main characters. The two main characters in this book happen to be sisters who were heavily involved in WWII. Now in their nineties, the sisters are in France receiving an award for their efforts during the war liberating France. The two sisters dote on their great nephew Archie who has no clue about their history. Always in search for their next “excitement,” the sisters intend to pull off one last hurrah. The witty banter and interesting history makes this a very fun read. I enjoyed this book so much and look forward to reading more from this author.

This is a charming tale of 90 yr old sisters and their nephew Archie. WWII vets, they are spry and spunky and hold secrets that their family does not know. I'm always looking for older protagonists and this one took the cake with witty banter! Flowing from past to present we get the well-rounded tale of how they've come to be up for a big award. I really enjoyed Archie's character as well and his fierce protectiveness of their happiness.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read (earlier this year - sorry I'm late!) and review. I would like to see more like this!

Short synopsis: The Williamson sisters who were both WWII Veterans searching for their next adventure. Traveling to France to receive a special award with their nephew Archie, the women have something else up their sleeve, a secret mission to right some wrongs.

My thoughts: It's no secret that I love me a story with some plucky old women, and this one hit the mark just right! I loved how fiery and witty they both were, even though they were both well into their 90s. The timeline switches between now and their time in the war were done so seamlessly. The story immediately captivated me! I love a strong female character, but these two women who had hidden their true efforts in a major war just totally amplified the narrative.

Read if you love:
- WWII Veterans
- Amazing women
- World travel and adventures
-

This was such a fun one! I love the unique characters and the setting of the book made me want to visit Paris soon. Overall, I really enjoyed this one and will need to be on the look out for other books by this author.

Regrettably had to DNF this at about the halfway mark. It was too much of a jumble, just literally felt like a whole bunch of different ideas were thrown in a bucket and shook up together then poured out in no particular order, which is a shame because there was certainly some interesting stuff in here!

Also, fullest of disclosures: there's a throughline of casual theft throughout this book, in which a character steals jewelry from boutiques. I think we're supposed to be all "haha, get 'em!" because she's stealing from like, Cartier, but I worked in a small boutique and a bracelet theft occurred on my watch once and I got so much shit for it - the owner even tried to (illegally! she was a bad person) dock my pay for it. So as much as I wish I could enjoy the concept of pocketing marquise blood diamonds I just kept feeling too bad for the clerks who would one way or another likely suffer from it. Sorry for my retail worker sympathies.

My thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own, and this book totally may be your speed if you're unencumbered by terrible boss PTSD!

THE EXCITEMENTS was such a fun read. Wray constructed a tale with the perfect balance of personal flashbacks, witty banter, heart, and suspense. The Williamson sisters will steal your heart and maybe a little more if they don’t get caught.

What can one say about Josephine and Penny Williamson? These two women are fabulous characters. The author brings them to life with her prose. The flashbacks were perfectly timed and added all the information the reader wants to know about the history of our leading ladies. Their story is made up of intrigue and secrets, but also with emotional and touching moments as well. And let us not forget Archie. His character is a wonderful counterpoint to our feisty seniors.

Honestly, if you want a quick read that is entertaining, heartfelt, and has a little action, THE EXCITEMENTS is a great option.

This is a cute story about two elderly sisters who are always searching for the next “excitements” in their lives. The book starts with the sisters planning a trip to Paris with their nephew Archie as there next adventure. There are flashbacks throughout the book that also tell a story of the sisters and their experiences while serving in World War II. I enjoyed the contrast between past and present, which added more depth to the characters and also gave kind of a separate plot line.

An unconventional mystery with heart and wit, perfect for readers who love historical fiction, heists, and cunning elderly protagonists.

What a witty, exciting, and brilliant story! Perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn's Killers of a Certain Age, The Excitements was everything I wanted it to be and more. The intricate plot, fast pace, colorful cast of characters, and rich details should excite any potential reader. They won't be disappointed!

I thought this was really well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I think it will find readers at our library, so we will definitely be purchasing for the collection.

I adored The Excitements. It was amusing, informative and touching. The characters are so engaging and I was blind sided by the outcomes.

The past comes to bear on nonagenarian British WWII veteran sisters, Penny and Josephine Williamson. As the women prepare to receive another award for their service (this time for their help liberating France). Some old vendettas emerge, and the sisters prepare to pull off a heist to settle some outstanding debts. What are these debts? As that adventure unfolds, the author fills in the past 90-plus years of Penny and Josephine's lives, making readers privy to secrets that neither sister has dared to share with the other, particularly when it comes to their extracurricular activities during wartime. This novel is filled with surprise, poignancy, and excitement.

A wonderful novel about two women who worked during World War 2 . It opened my curiousity of what women really did World War 2. I mainly thought of them as nurses, ambulance drivers on occasion. I loved that their joie de vivre has been a lifelong condition that shows no signs of letting go.

Loved how charming the elderly main characters were. Would gladly spend several books with them. A bit like The Golden Girls, but with a bit more intrigue.