The Unretirement by Penny Mirren

Maggie retires from her job of many years at the local council but the struggling Golden Crocus restaurant gives her the opportunity to use her talents as an amazing chef and organiser. Her daughter Hannah, struggling with a successful career as a city lawyer and a single parent, also finds her life turned around by the campaign to save the restaurant.

Oh what a FABULOUS book, I absolutely loved it! A fantastic cast of characters and a lovely story. The author is so skilled at depicting characters of multiple generations and situations. And the story is warm and feelgood without being saccharine and cringe - a difficult balance to strike. I particularly loved the sassy witty bits which made me laugh out loud (floral dresses and denim jackets lol). Truly a book for anyone of any age, a page turner and one that leaves a smile on your face. More please! Very VERY highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Retirement hasn’t worked out to be quite what Maggie expected it to be. She’d planned to have so many adventures travelling with her much loved husband, and everything started so well – but she’s now home again, unexpectedly alone. Well, maybe not entirely alone – her daughter Hannah, a single mother and high-powered London lawyer has moved in nearby, and she’s only too happy to help her out by looking after her young granddaughter. But Maggie wants more – she’d love to work in a restaurant kitchen, but when all her efforts draw a blank, she finds herself licking her wounds with Hannah at the Indian restaurant she’d always loved so much when she used to eat there with her husband.

But something there has gone badly wrong – the owners are abroad, their son is struggling to keep it going, and it’s plain that its days are numbered. So she rolls up her sleeves and decides to do all she can to help save it – bringing fresh hope to the diverse group of quirky individuals who work in the kitchen, enlisting the support of the community, fighting off the threat from a predatory celebrity chef looking to expand his empire. But might it all prove to be too little and too late?

Beautifully written, this book was a total delight – and Maggie a very real and feisty grandmother who I absolutely loved. But all the characters are fantastic – Hannah remembering her first kiss and opening up to new romance, Joe rediscovering his joy of cooking, teen Ben slowly coming out of his shell, Jade making full use of her talents for everything social media related. The villain of the piece is quite wonderfully drawn too, and entirely self-centred and obnoxious – but he’s certainly no match for Maggie when she has the bit between her teeth. The whole fight for the restaurant’s survival is a fantastic read, with so many individuals involved that I really grew to care about, and that I felt part of as I cheered them on throughout – with plenty of humour, loads of poignancy, and bucketfuls of warmth and feelgood.

Fresh starts, second chances, strong friendships, a touch of romance, oodles of love, a determination to succeed – and with food that makes your mouth water, with a few recipes at the end to help you recreate the experience. I entirely adored everything about this book from its beginning to its perfect end – just glorious, and very highly recommended.

(Review also copied to Amazon UK, but link not yet available)

Maggie’s daughter, Hannah, takes her to visit their favorite local Indian restaurant, & they are dismayed to discover that the place is practically empty, & the dishes they loved were not available. When Maggie couldn't resist charging into the kitchen to see what the deal was, she discovered the cook was having a melt-down, and there was a lack of ingredients for him to work with. Being not only a foodie, but having experience in the food trade, Maggie takes charge, and before long Maggie has the place up and running. When she finds out the extent of the cash flow issues and that the restaurant may have to close, Maggie rallies friends & family to help her not only keep this business afloat, but make it profitable again.

This was a fun read, with loveable characters, and hey, who doesn't love an underdog? Perfect for anyone who is in need of a good dose of the warm fuzzies and a smile or two.

The Unretirement by Penny Mirren is a sweet and charming comfort read that tells the story of Maggie Lawford, a woman whose retirement plans are devastated by the death of her husband. Struggling with her grief she withdraws into herself, which is a worry to her daughter Hannah who has moved closer to her with her daughter Alice, following a divorce. When Maggie decides to go back to an earlier career as a chef, she soon finds out that re-entering the work force is much harder than she imagined but a night out at a local favourite restaurant goes badly wrong and gives her just the chance she needs to step up and try to turn things around in order to help save the ailing business. The owners have been unexpectedly delayed while on a trip home to India and their son, while he has a good head for business, is definitely not a chef. Maggie steps in to save the night, and soon both she and Hannah find themselves heavily invested in a campaign to save the restaurant from the clutches of a particularly nasty celebrity chef who happens to be looking for a new venue in the area.
This was just a joy to read, I loved Maggie as a character, her caring nature shone through and her determination was an inspiration. There is a charming romance subplot involving her daughter Hannah which I really enjoyed, there was just enough to keep me invested but it never overpowered the main plot of Maggie and her re=awakening. There were also a whole host of wonderful side characters, each delightful in their own ways. If you need a book that feels like a hug, one that you know will bring you joy, then please pick this one up.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

A charming and appealing read!

Maggie Lawford and her husband looked forward to their retirement, planning to tour the world; what they hadn't bargains for was his sudden death. After her travels, Maggie returns home to her daughter Hannah, recently divorced and who, along with granddaughter Alice has moved home to be closer to her mother. Maggie is a foodie and an accomplished chef and would like to get back to work but no employer seems to take her seriously. Then Hannah treats her to a meal out at her favourite restaurant and they are dismayed to find it almost empty and not as they remembered it from days gone by. It turns out that the owners have had to return to family in India and their son is struggling. Enter Maggie who is determined to turn things around . . .

This is a fun read with serious undertones; society is far too quick to dismiss what the over sixties have to offer and this makes that point but with light-heartedness. I loved all the characters, and the story moves along at a brisk pace which kept me focused. A thoroughly enjoyable read which I'm happy to recommend. 5*.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

A 60 year old retiree planning on living her best life, traveling and exploring the world with her loving husband. When Maggie's husband passes away, she has to find a new normal, begins working in a struggling restaurant, and finds her joy in the kitchen.

Penny Mirren did a wonderful job creating this world, the story was well written and the supporting characters were all relatable and assisted in moving the story forward.

This was an entertaining, relaxing read, and there are a few recipes at the end!

I will be keeping an eye out for more of Penny Mirren's books!

"Let’s just say it’s become clear the ability to cook is now a second-rate requirement. I’m not twenty-three with sketched-on-eyebrows and a 'TikTok following', ergo I’m invisible.”

After spending her retirement travelling the world, Maggie Lawford is home again and ready for a new adventure.

When a visit to her favourite local Indian restaurant reveals the dire state of the family-owned business, Maggie resolves to save them from failure. Armed with a purpose, and with the support of her daughter, granddaughter, and some neighbours, she learns her golden days aren’t behind her just yet.

The Unretirement is mostly Maggie’s story as she finds a new passion in her joy of cooking. While the staff at the restaurant is young and maybe a little inexperienced, her infectious charm soon has everyone following her lead to get back into the groove.

As the experienced old hands join the social-media generation, and more delicious food makes its way from the kitchen to the tables, it becomes a story about a community coming together to save a small business from being gobbled up by large chains.

Penny Mirren wraps you up in a heart-warming tale of family, community, kindness, and joy, served with delicious food (yes, there are even recipes at the end!). I loved how everyone comes together to encourage and support each other despite their differences in age and understanding.

Highlighting the joy of rediscovering familiar bonds and displaying a contagious zest for life, this is a wholesome, endearing, and inspiring novel that proves it is never too late to dream your biggest, most ridiculous dream.

This ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Avon Books.

I had never heard of Penny Mirren, but when I saw the book was about a lady in her early 60s, and her retirement, I thought I would try it. I am certainly glad it did. It was well written, with wonderful characters, and a fun storyline. I would definitely look out for more of Penny Mirren’s books.

Maggie is in her early 60s and had her life mapped out – retirement and trips around the world with her husband – until the unthinkable happens and her beloved husband passes away. When her daughter, Hannah, gets divorced, she moves close to her mum to keep an eye on her mum – and so that her mum can help with the childcare of her small daughter. When Maggie and Hannah go on a rare night out to an Indian restaurant that was always a favourite, they find that that the owners have had to go back to India, and the restaurant is struggling. Maggie then comes out of retirement to help out in the restaurant, and Hannah find herself very invested too – particularly as the owner’s son who is running the restaurant in his parent’s absence gave Hannah her first, never forgotten, kiss when she was younger. Can they save the restaurant?

This is like a warm hug in a book, and I wanted to read ‘just one more chapter’ till I had finished the whole book. Everyone should be more Maggie, a really strong female character whose determination and talent knows no bounds. A great summer read.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6489602103

Great premise but unfortunately the writing, storyline and. character development all fall short. I do not recommend this book.

Maggie and Geoff are retiring to travel around the world. Her from her council office job and him from his job as an executive chef.
Two years later Maggie is back in their house picking up the pieces after his unexpected death.
A chance meal out with her daughter embroils her in the world of hospitality once more and she feels vibrancy returning to her life again.
Alongside Maggie other people get involved in what becomes a pet project for the town.
Her daughter Hannah having moved back to her home town, ostensibly to keep an eye on her mother, but also for childcare, also has a sparkle back in her eye. Teenagers Ben and Jade now have a focus for their various passions. Joe, who was suddenly out of work, finds himself returning to his roots of cooking.
A lovely book about reinvention, the power of positivity and friendship.

Did Maggie save the Golden Circus or did the Golden Crocus save Maggie? The death of her husband floored Maggie in ways she didn't expect but she finds purpose, and herself again, in the Golden Crocus. At the same time, her daughter Hannah, newly divorced has a journey of her own. This is a good read. Sure you can guess what might happen but the characters are so relatable and the story telling is good. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I enjoyed this.

When Maggie retires, she and her husband have big plans to travel. After a short time of following their dreams however, he unexpectedly passes. Now Maggie is home, helping her daughter by caring for her grandchild, but something is missing. She wants to work again. Finally getting to follow her dreams of being a chef, she sets out to get a job. When she finds herself running the kitchen at a friends Indian restaurant that is on the brink of closing, Maggie is determined to save it. Is it too late though?

This book was such a wonderful tale of found family, community, love, and passion. I just adored all the characters that came together to help try and save the restaurant. Maggie is such a force, but one of those characters you just can’t help but fall in love with. She was so caring and compassionate with everyone she met, and I just loved her. I enjoyed the ride of trying to save the restaurant from page one to the final chapter! This book was a warm hug, and I think we could all use those kinds of reads right now!

What a fabulous book to loose yourself in. Full of great characters and plenty of humour. Maggie shows us how you can turn your life around when circumstances change. A real uplifting read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review. It was a sheer delight.

What a wonderful book! Within the first few pages it had me laughing, then moved me to tears. It is a tale of reinventing yourself and starting again after life’s knocks, about friendship and family, and communities coming together. It is heart warming and also very funny. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Cooking, feisty women, beautiful setting and great humour; what more could you want from a book! This is a feel good book that celebrates age and experience, while also championing the other much maligned group that is teenagers. I really enjoyed reading about these characters, who are so true to life. Only one jarring mistake though, Maggie would never have thrown away the tasters she took to the restaurants; they would have bone into her freezer. My age group never wastes food.

Maggie is retired, but after the passing of her husband, she is no longer enjoying retirement and wants a bit of adventure back in her life.
After visiting a local restaurant her and her husband used to dine in. She finds the place almost empty. She comes to realise the chef is struggling. She steps in to lend a hand in the kitchen when she finds out the business is also struggling. She is determined not to let her friends restaurant close without a fight! With the help of her daughter Hannah, her granddaughter Alice, and the community, she creates a plan.

This was honestly such a feel-good read! I love Maggie and her can-do attitude. She was a force to be reckoned with from the beginning and was very determined. We also had so many loveable side characters. Alice was cheeky but adorable. And I definitely had a soft spot for Ben. His character development was one of my favourites.

This was honestly just such a bingeable read, I read most of it in one sitting. I found myself routing for the characters and their plan and found myself smiling with each of their successes. I definitely recommend this one. It is so easy to be sucked into the story, and I didn't want to put it down.

Maggie Lawford, her daughter Hannah and Granddaughter Alice are the main characters of this delightful easy read book, joined by Sav, Joe, Ben, Jade and Oscar. Not forgetting Banjo the dog.
The book is about love, friendship, compassion and community spirit, pulling together. It was funny in places and had me laughing out loud.
Oh, the food! I so wanted to eat it. It was a thoughtful treat at the end of the book to see some recipes had been added.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.

This story highlights the importance of friendship, family, community and resilience, especially when dealing with loss.

Maggie has been dealing with being newly widowed, so she the chance presents itself to help her struggling favourite restaurant, she doesn’t hesitate to jump into action. It turns out, this is just the medicine she needs.

This story proves that age is just a number and it should never hold you back from your dreams.

The pace was a little slow at the start, but then I got into the story and was hooked. Maggie gives me Iona Iverson vibes.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an arc of 'The Unretirement'. I thoroughly enjoyed this warm and cosy hug of a book. Recently retired, and sadly widowed, Maggie's not quite ready to give up just yet and reckons its time to put her cookery skills to good use. I loved everything about this book, great characters, great storyline.... and mouthwatering recipes too! Highly recommend for your holiday read.

The Unretirement by Penny Mirren was a charming and fun escapade into the unexpected twists and turns of life. Plus, I'm interested in almost any story set largely in a kitchen! The main characters are Maggie and her daughter Hannah. I enjoyed the loving and supportive relationship these two have, as Maggie tries to find her purpose in the aftermath of her husbands unexpected passing and Hannah is trying to juggle a career and raising a young daughter after divorce.

The supporting cast of characters in this story were so fun and down-to-earth! Also, it was uplifting to see how the community came together to try to rescue this local small business. This was a feel-good story about creating the life you want, and that it's never to late to find some joy and purpose in life.

I rated The Unretirement by Penny Mirren 4/5 stars and recommend to anyone looking for a light-hearted read, with a little clean romance, and a group of characters I wish I could hang out with in real life.

Thank you to Netgalley, Penny Mirren, and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read the ARC of this book. I was not required to leave a review, and all opinions expressed are my own.