Gina has been married 43 years when her husband decides he needs to leave and go find herself. She hasn't worked since she got married, and raised her children, so she didn't know what would happen or how she would survive. One day she saw an ad in the paper for a lady to move in and be a companion for a lady that needed to have company. On a whim, she applied and got the job, and her and Dorothy got along really well. Gina was hired for a week, and during that week her and Dorothy, had quite the adventure. They both started realizing their lives weren't over, they remember who they used to be, and at the end of the week, they find themselves, the way they are meant to be now. As I was reading the ending, I kept thinking they are skidding into the finish line. They came out different women from when they met.
I received an ARC from Boldwood Books through NetGalley.

Gina answers an add to be a companion to Dorothy. Little did she know that they would become friends, go on adventures and solve a mystery. This is a beautiful story of friendship, finding your way and it’s never too late to start your adventure.

A bit of a snooze to be honest.

Gina’s life has been upended by her husband of 40+ years deciding his 70s is the perfect time for find himself and leave his marriage behind.

At loose ends she applies for a companion job and finds herself supporting octogenarian Dorothy through a family wedding at an estate.

Dorothy wants Gina to help solve a mystery rather than keep her company.

Ultimately the stakes of this mystery never seemed very high, there was little tension and a lot of filler content.

Gina has been married for 43 years when her husband decides he needs to 'find himself' and leaves her a little stunned.

She answers an add for a companion for the Dorothy, and elderly lady that her family think needs a companion more that she does.

Gina travels with Dorothy to a family wedding of Dorothy's grandson in a country estate owned by a friend of her late husband, Philip.

What could possibly go wrong? Can two older ladies get into trouble? Oh dear, yes they can!

A wonderful fun read that I enjoyed from cover to cover!

Gina’s husband has retired and has decided he wants a new life. Leaving Gina and listing their house for sale. What is she to do. Her daughter thinks she should run after him, her son says good riddance and offers her to come and live with him. On a whim she decides to be a companion to an older woman for a week while she attends an out of town wedding for a family member. Gina thinks she will be sitting, helping her client dress, and just helping her with day to day things. Boy is she surprised. She is practically playing detective. Slipping from room to room, trying to find a secret painting, all while trying to avoid the host. A fun book. Perfect beach read. Old Girls Behaving Badly- Kate Galley- Four stars.

The title immediately got my attention. I am really into reading about women later in life, because there’s still so much living to do at any age. When Gina is abruptly discarded by her husband of 43 years, she has to figure out what to do. She agrees to be a companion for spunky Dorothy during a weeklong family wedding celebration. This was a fun read. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

I have read and absolutely adored Kate's previous two books - The Second Chance Holiday Club and The Golden Girls' Road Trip - they were so gorgeous and such fun and so was thrilled when Kate got in touch about reading her new one. I always feel like I've had a big cosy hug when I read her books.

She has this immense talent and ability to write older characters. So often in fiction, old people, especially women, are written into books as an extra, a novelty, a joke, in the way, is forgetful, is an obstacle. Rarely are they the main star, and that's what I love about her books. She shows such compassion towards them and they make just as good protagonists as any youngster and I for one, love her for that.

There's many, many characters in it, and I don't have the space to go into all them, but I will obviously talk about our two main ladies.

I felt sorry for Gina at first. This is her life and yet it's being ruled by her ex-husband and her children (although more her daughter than her son). She seemed a bit timid, but came into her own when given the chance. She was a really well written character. She's clearly an older lady, but there's enough of a gap between her and Dorothy for you to see this relationship blossom, rather than just having two old women living together. She felt very everyday, like she could be you or I, a friend or a relative. Very relatable and normal, but never dull.

And then we have Dorothy, who I loved. She's this old woman whose family think she needs help, but she doesn't think so, but she does play up to the old woman charade when needed. She is just gorgeous. I could picture her in my mind instantly. For me, she was this boho, free spirit of an old lady, rather than your stereotypical doddery grey-haired grandmother. I found her instantly interesting.

I would say your antagonist, if you want to call him that, is Leonard, Dorothy's relation and behind the week's get together. I won't spoil why or what he does, but he definitely felt very slimy and cold, definitely hiding something, but again very well written, even if I didn't like him much.

It is an uplifting and joyous book, but there are elements of a thriller here, almost a whodunnit, which gave it more depth and made it even more exciting.

Yes, at its heart it is an uplifting book, but it doesn't shy away from difficult topics, such as death, grief, accidents, thievery, old age, divorce, feeling lost, revenge, and blackmail.

It was another of my break-my-rule-of-never-reading-the-kindle-in-bed rule. To be honest, that keeps happening, and I feel it's now become - in the words of one Captain Jack Sparrow - more of a guideline than an actual rule. I just couldn't put it down. I read it in less than 24 hours. That's three of her books read, and all loved, and I cannot wait for future works as she's an excellent storyteller.

Gina is bliindsided when her husband of forty-three years wants a divorce. The family home is to
be sld and ina needs t find a job. Eighty-nine year old Dorothy is mourning the loss of her husband.
She is due to attend her grandson's wedding at the estate of the man she feels is responsible for
her husband's death. Gina is hired as Dorothy's companion for the week long festivities and agrees to
Dorothy's plan of looking for the stolen painting that was the cause of her husband's death. A bond
forms between the two women and Gina realizes that she is capable of much more than her husband
thought. It's never to late to change one's life and pursue dreams.
#OldGirlsBehavingBadly #BoldwoodBooks #NetGalley

This is a delightful read. Gina is a 71 year old woman that her husband of 43 years decides he needs to “find” himself. He leaves on an extended vacation and tells Gina their home is going up for sale and she will need new accommodations. Blindsided by her husband’s new revelations she goes to the want adds to find some employment to support herself. There she finds an add for a companion for an 89 year old woman for one week while the family is enjoying a grandsons wedding. Dorothy is a spry 89 and is set on finding the lost painting stolen from her home that had ultimately ended with the death of her husband. Lots of sleuthing and problem solving develops into a very well written, entertaining read. I was given an advanced reader copy by NetGalley and I am freely sharing my review.

A stolen painting, a tragic accident and a family wedding.
A week long house party hosted by the uncle of the bride.
Paid to be companion to grandma Dorothy , Gina is to be helpful and ensure that she doesn't tire herself out.
Little does the rest of the families know that Dorothy has a hidden agenda.
Sure that the brides uncle is behind the theft of the painting and ultimately the death of her husband, recruiting Gina and ultimately her own granddaughter Juliet in the hunt.
Will they triumph or just cause family upsets?

Old Girls Behaving Badly by Kate Galley is an easy read that had me laughing and relating to the characters throughout.

Gina's husband of forty-three years has left to find himself, upending their retirement plans and leaving Gina to fend for herself as a new divorcee'.

Trying to pick up the pieces of her suddenly changed situation, she applies to be a companion for 89 year old Dot and the two of them head off for a week long extravagant wedding. Once, there, Gina realizes not everything is as it seems and that she and Dot are going to have to solve a mystery.

Both female main characters are fun, very easy to like and I rooted for them both the whole time. I wanted Dot to find what she was looking for and for Gina to realize she was better off without her husband.

I think I've discovered a new genre of book - older women on adventures!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in lieue of an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Gina was happy in her life until her husband left. She decided to make some changes in her life and get a job. This was a quick read.

When 71-year-old Gina is left by her husband and has to sell their home she suddenly needs an income. Therefor she applies for a position as companion 89-year-old Dorothy. Little does she know Dorothy needs her help solving a crime....
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was well written, fast-paced and had relatable characters. I especially enjoyed that the main characters Dorothy and Gina were old women who still lived life to the fullest - I hope I will be like them when I'll be that age!
The ending of the book suggests that this book might be the first of a series and I would definitely read the next book.

This book wasn't as light a read as I thought it would be, and it didn't have the humor as was advertised in the blurb.

Both of these women are going through very bad times in their lives, and that is what makes this a more difficult-to-read book than I thought it would be. The mystery is a good one, and the ending has a lot of lovely twists and turns.

This book set us up for book two and a possible series. As much as I love reading about the older generation dealing with their life difficulties, I don't think I will be reading the next in this apparent series.

*ARC supplied by the publisher Boldwood Books, the author, and NetGalley.

Delightful. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this story, expecting a bit of a mad-cap adventure story involving two older women, which sounded like fun, but it was that and much more. It's probably fair to say it edged into cozy mystery territory. Neither 89-year old Dorothy nor 71-year old Gina have had an easy time of it of late. Dorothy has a plan, however, but needs someone to help her execute it. When she discovers Gina's background in art, she feels sure Gina is the one. Gina's husband of 43 years recently left her to find himself, whatever that meant, and they needed to sell their family home, leaving Gina to find another home. Still reeling, Gina takes a one week job as companion to Dorothy and that is when the fun begins. The author does an excellent job of painting a picture of the setting and lovely homes, making me almost wish I could visit. The boat house you'll hear more about also sounds absolutely perfect.

I won't detail the plot, read the blurb, but will say that I liked both Dorothy and Gina a great deal. Both have their moments, Gina usually underestimating herself while Dorothy's tendency to blurt things better left unsaid out adds to the human side of them. We alternate their viewpoints, btw, adding to our understanding of what is going on in their minds as needed. Dorothy isn't over her husband's tragic death and blames... well, I'll leave you to find out when you read .... and seems simply incapable of letting it go and moving on. She's financially solid, even well off, offering Gina not just a job but stability and a safe place. Both become a force to deal with in their own ways, especially when joined by a younger wannabe sleuth, granddaughter Juliet. You'll meet the rest of the family, too, but those are the standouts. The mystery of the missing painting and the strange family dynamics are intriguing, I must admit. Most importantly, Dorothy and Gina remind us to live our lives without being forced into a stereotyped age-appropriate lifestyle. I'm hoping this is to become a series. I'm not done hanging out with Dorothy and Gina yet and, hmm, Erik?

Bottom line, a fun, thoroughly enjoyable read with a strong character focus, interesting situations, a lovely setting, and message of living our best lives, no matter our age. Thank you #NetGalley and #BoldwoodBooks for introducing me to Dorothy and Gina. I'm hoping there will be more chances to hang out with them, say in France? I mean, what sort of mischief can two ol' ladies get up to in France, especially simply with Gina doing a good deed for Dorothy?

A big thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the eARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. What a fun different read! This is for me more than a cozy mystery. It shows that no matter how old you are, you can open yourself up to new opportunities and personal growth. Gina's ex-husband of 43 years leaves her no choice but to sell the house. She must find a place to live and a job. I enjoyed the fun things that Dorothy and Gina end up doing. I am hoping that this is the beginning of a new series. 4 stars

Received via NetGalley. What a fun read. Enjoy stories with main characters that are not in their 20s and 30s. The mystery of the stolen landscape painting was well-written. I hope there is a sequel.

Ok this book is actually SO FUN! Absolutely charming and adventurous and full of humor and fun. I loved reading a story about older women that isn’t tied up in romance for once. It was a great change of pace for me! I loved the setting, the characters, and the plot!

This is a light feel good read about friendship and living life to the fullest no matter what your age. The characters were likable and the mystery was fun. I have never read golden years fiction before and it was nice to see older people as the main characters. Fast, Fun Read!

Kate Galley, Old Girls Behaving Badly, Boldwood Books, May 2024.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

I was attracted to this book because, after reading criticisms that older women do not feature in many novels. Old Girls Behaving Badly suggested that in this case the criticism is not justified. In addition, the title is reminiscent of the quote ‘Well behaved women rarely make history’, a favourite of mine.

Gina, who answers an advertisement for a person to be the companion for an elderly woman, is seventy-one. Dorothy, the elderly woman whose daughter-in-law is concerned about her ability to care for herself, is in her eighties. Gina is markedly mentally agile, her education as an art historian and working as an art curator an important theme in the novel. Dorothy is less mentally alert in some contexts, but a vital thinking person. Gina is physically able, and Dorothy only marginally less so. For example, Gina while drives the quad bike during an activity as Dorothy’s carer, the latter is a willing participant and needs little assistance when mounting and alighting.

Gina and Dorothy embark on a week together as companion and employer, attending the run up to a family wedding. They are also working together to right a wrong that has, Dorothy believes, resulted in her widowhood. At the same time, Gina is experiencing the loss of her husband. However, in contrast with the loss of Dorothy’s beloved Philip, Gina has been left by her husband of forty years as he seeks ‘to find himself’ and divest himself of a wife he finds dull and unpalatable.

Kate Galley has indeed written older women into positive roles in a novel that combines comic with serious themes, some well developed characters and a storyline that works to a satisfactory conclusion for both Gina and Dorothy.