I really enjoyed this book. The characters were awesome and the book was heartwarming. It had quirkiness and a great approach to aging.

There were so many players on the board, not a single one I could care about. I’m learning that I’m not a fan of ensemble casts in books. But if you do enjoy this type of plot line, this might just be the book for you. So many people enjoyed this, I’m sad I wasn’t one of them.

Full transparency, I didn’t end up reading the copy NetGalley approved for me, I borrowed this from my local library recently and am just adding my review now. That said, big thanks to NetGalley for the approval!

Thank you to the publisher for giving me an opportunity to review this!

Unfortunately, it was a Did Not Finish for me at the 41% mark. I could not get invested in the characters or the storylines. I found the narrative to be overall disorganized, as well, so it was a bit hard to follow. This was my second attempt from this author and I will not be trying any more of hers - I was unable to finish both of the ones that I tried. Makes me sad because the synopses both sounded like books I would enjoy, but perhaps her writing style just doesn't land for me!

I have previously enjoyed The Authenticity Project and Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting by this author and always get excited when I see Clare Pooley has a new book out. How To Age Disgracefully had a fun cast of characters and is written with the wit and sense of humour I've come to appreciate Clare Pooley's writing for. Daphne especially was a riot! It's refreshing to see people in their 70s ruling the roost and not wilting away behind plants in front of a window. I also loved the Iona Iverson cameo in this book. I'd recommend this book to lovers of British contemporary fiction and readers who enjoy ageist stereotypes of elderly people being useless and playing bingo being kicked to the curb. Thank you @netgalley for sharing an ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

A well-done entry in the senior citizen protagonist genre. I liked that the story started at the climax - where a bus full of unlikely friends is pulled over and everyone confesses to something different - and then jumps back to the beginning. The evolution of all the characters was well done. It was a warm, community style story, without being sappy or totally implausible.

Thank you for the ARC. I purchased for my library and will share.

This was such a fun book to read! It was heart-felt and laugh out loud funny. I loved the multi-generational characters, unlikely friendships, and crazy situations they get themselves into. The story is about lonely seniors who meet when they attend a local senior citizens club. The club meets in a community center that is set to close in order for luxury apartments to be built in its place. The seniors can't let this happen and they band together to save the building. Each of the seniors are memorable and even though they have secrets from their past, it is what bands them together into a quirky group of friends fighting for a common goal.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC!

This was delightful. The characters were so interesting and full of life. Claire Pooley's books catch me at moments when I need the particular kind of stories that she writes.

This was a quick, feel good read filled with quirky characters who will stay with you for a while! If you are a fan of Clare Pooley's other books you will find a lot here to love.

A community center brings together a group of chaotic and quirky characters. I enjoyed getting to know all of their depths. Daphne was witty and hilarious. It was a fun read.

Who wants to age? No one that's who! But when you run into a fun group of seniors like this and their young counterparts next door, throw in a city trying to take down the building, you are in for a funny treat! From the little stories and background hiding behind the seniors, add some sparkle between our main female and male character, you'll read this quickly and laugh throughout!

I really tried hard to like this book, I even listened to the audiobook. I wanted to write it higher but essentially settled for a fair 3 stars.

Writing: 4/5
Pace: 2/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Ending: 4/5
Enjoyability: 2/5

The writing was intriguing; it had multiple POV and how each character relates to another. The characters are likable in their own way. The pacing was tragic. I just wasn’t seeing the connections to the story the way it could have been if there were more fun scenarios. The beginning of the book captured my attention, but the middle left me yawning. The story ended well, with lots of themes surrounding friendships, chosen family, and the theme of growing up and the meaning of what remains of life. I just wished it was executed better throughout instead of just the beginning and end.

Overall not a bad read, but if your mind is not prepared for this type of genre, you might find yourself snoozing.

Clare Pooley’s How to Age Disgracefully is a heartwarming and hilarious exploration of unexpected friendships, rebellion, and the joy of not conforming to societal expectations of aging. When Lydia takes on the role of managing the Senior Citizens’ Social Club, she imagines quiet afternoons spent sipping tea and playing cards. What she doesn't expect is a group of seniors whose lives are far more colorful—and chaotic—than she ever could have imagined.

From Art, a kleptomaniac former actor, to Daphne, a woman hiding from a mysterious past, and Ruby, an avant-garde knitter with a flair for revenge, the members of the club have more than their share of secrets. With age rendering them invisible to the world, they’ve embraced their freedom in surprising and often rebellious ways. When the city council threatens to sell their beloved community center, these seniors—along with a quirky daycare crew and an unlikely teenage ally—band together to save it, employing hilariously unconventional methods.

Pooley’s novel is a delightful romp that defies stereotypes about aging and shows that it's never too late to make a difference. With wit, charm, and plenty of heart, How to Age Disgracefully reminds readers that sometimes the best adventures happen when you least expect them. A perfect read for anyone looking for a mix of humor, heart, and a little bit of mischief.

HOW TO AGE DISGRACEFULLY by Clare Pooley was a total charmer. Pick it up for laughs, heart, and pensioners behaving badly. It gave me lots to smile about!

4/5 - I thought this book was so quirky and fun - humorous yet also heartwarming. What a great cast of characters! Sometimes you need a light book just like this to lift your spirits and just have a good time. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this title and how we do, overlook seniors and babies. What a delightful cast of characters. I couldn't wait to see where the story went and ride along with Daphne, Art, and Ziggy!

**An Uplifting and Witty Celebration of Living Life to the Fullest**

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Clare Pooley’s *How to Age Disgracefully* is a delightful, laugh-out-loud novel that proves it’s never too late to embrace change, take risks, and find joy in the unexpected. With a cast of unforgettable characters and a story brimming with humor and heart, this book is an absolute treasure.

Pooley’s writing is sharp, witty, and full of charm, perfectly capturing the trials and triumphs of growing older with humor and grace. The protagonist’s journey is relatable and inspiring, filled with moments of self-discovery and bold decisions that showcase the beauty of aging on your own terms.

The characters are richly drawn and utterly lovable, each bringing their own quirks and wisdom to the story. Their interactions are heartfelt and hilarious, offering a wonderful reminder of the power of friendship and community at any stage of life.

The pacing is spot-on, with a perfect blend of laugh-out-loud moments and poignant reflections. Pooley’s ability to tackle serious themes with warmth and lightheartedness makes this novel both meaningful and immensely entertaining.

*How to Age Disgracefully* is a joyous celebration of living authentically and embracing life’s messiness at any age. Clare Pooley has crafted a novel that will make you laugh, cry, and feel inspired to tackle whatever comes next with courage and a smile. Highly recommended for readers of all ages!

"How to Age Disgracefully" is the third novel by Clare Pooley that I've had the pleasure of reading, and I enjoyed it. I absolutely adored Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting, and this book didn’t disappoint either. Like her other works, How to Age Disgracefully is a heartwarming tale about a diverse group of people who start off as strangers but end the novel as friends. The story revolves around a community center at risk of being demolished, prompting a quirky, determined group of characters to come together and save it. Among them are a group of eccentric seniors, a middle-aged woman reexamining her life and marriage, and Ziggy, a teen father doing his best for his daughter. While I found the characters enjoyable and the premise appealing, the plot was a bit predictable (especially if you're familiar with Pooley's other novels), and the pace felt a bit slow at times. Nevertheless, if you enjoy feel-good fiction, you may like this one.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

4.5 stars!! I adored this book so much. Clare Pooley’s wit and character development is so robust. I love how she brings out the flaws and imperfections and the humanity in her characters. This had me rooting for the seniors and chuckling at the same time. Pooley has become a go to author for me. Recommended to many others and purchased for my mom.

<i>“life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely, but rather to "skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'Wow! What a Ride!” <i/> Hunter S. Thompson

This is one of the most fun “lighter novels with substance” that I’ve read.

The novel opens when a police officer pulls over a bus full of mostly seniors, all who, without being asked, are quick to confess to a variety of crimes.

From there we go back in time to find out led to the present dilemma.

Eccentric Daphne, having just celebrated her 70th birthday, alludes to a mysterious past, is tiring of her solitary life, and decides to join the senior center. Here she meets a motley crew including:
* Lydia, the program director, is a woman in her mid-50s who is married to a complete ass and needs to find her backbone and her voice
* Art, an aging actor with a bad habit and an estranged family
* William, Art’s best friend
* Ziggy, an 18 yr old single father trying to go to school & care for his infant daughter
* Anna, who knits, but she’s not knitting potholders. I won’t ruin the fun by disclosing why she’s knitting oversized projects, but they are irreverent, a bit (ok, a lot) naughty, and hilarious.
* an adorable aged dog named Margaret Thatcher
* The children at a day care center

But the real star of the show here is Daphne who made me laugh out loud more than once. She’s completely delightful! She’s witty, snarky, opinionated, minces no words, and bears no fools. And she gets things done.

It may seem like a lot of characters but they each have a unique voice and story arc , so they are easy to follow. They all come together to save the community center but it’s about is much more than that.

Not only does this book destroy stereotypes of aging, these seniors are vibrant and intelligent, who have much to offer society and show the younger members of their group a thing or two. I loved the bond and intergenerational sense of community they built.

Don’t miss the author’s note at the end where she tells us her inspiration for the story.

I may not be aging as disgracefully as this group but I sure did have fun with them!

Growing old...something we can't escape from, but when it is done as these characters do, it becomes a romp through fun, friendship, and finding you have not lost what makes you..you!

Clare Pooley shows us how the collision of a retirement club, a nursery, and AA meeting in the same run down building can create a story of need, fulfillment, and the ability to make connections long ago thought to be impossible.

They often say that age makes one invisible and perhaps you may have found that to be true already, but these oldies mixed in with the young prove that life only starts when you want it to. Art, Daphne, and Ruby provide some very different approaches to a life lead and one yet to live. Led by a mousy Lydia, a charming baby, a teenage father, and of course Margaret Thatcher (the dog), they gather to save a crumbling building and in the process build lives that once again add the spark to having fun and finding the joie di vivre.

If you want to have some enjoyable fun and humor you need to sign onto this story. It was an escape from the madness of today!