3.5 stars

Whilst I did enjoy this book I also thought it was quite slow paced and didn’t really live up to the title. The also thought there wasn’t a lot of romance between Joy and Luca and I would’ve liked more. Overall it was an easy read but wasn’t my favourite of the authors unfortunately

Book Review: Sisters Making Mischief by Maddie Please

Maddie Please’s Sisters Making Mischief is a delightful and heartwarming novel that promises laughter, a touch of chaos, and plenty of feel-good moments. In this vibrant and humorous story, Joy Chandler, a woman who’s tired of being the caretaker and afterthought in her family, decides to take a break from her hectic life and find herself again. A dysfunctional Christmas leads to a trip to France, where Joy is welcomed by her mischievous younger sister, Isobel, and a rustic potato farm that brings out the fun and adventurous side of Joy that’s been buried for too long.

The premise of the book is light and breezy, yet the underlying theme is about reclaiming joy and rediscovering life. Joy’s character is relatable—she’s the unsung hero of her family, always taking care of everyone else while neglecting her own needs. Her frustration with her family is completely understandable, especially when her Christmas plans are ruined by family drama. Her decision to visit Isobel in France is a much-needed escape, and it’s the perfect opportunity for her to rediscover herself, have some fun, and perhaps find a little romance along the way.

Isobel, her fun-loving, free-spirited sister, adds an extra layer of charm to the story. The dynamic between the two sisters is dynamic and entertaining, with plenty of mischievous antics that will keep you grinning. France itself adds an extra layer of allure, and the rustic setting of the potato farm, combined with Isobel’s personality, gives Joy the freedom to explore new possibilities, from a new job to a potential romance.

Sisters Making Mischief is the perfect mix of humor, heart, and hope. Maddie Please’s writing style is warm and easy to read, making it a perfect companion for readers who want something uplifting and lighthearted. The humor is genuine and the characters feel like old friends you can’t wait to spend time with. The story is filled with endearing moments, unexpected twists, and an empowering message about rediscovering your spark at any age.

This novel is a great choice for readers who enjoy stories about self-discovery, family dynamics, and second chances. Fans of authors like Judy Leigh and Dee Macdonald will feel right at home with this heartwarming and delightful read.

Rating: 4.5/5

Maddie Please has once again delivered a refreshing, fun, and uplifting story that will leave you smiling. Sisters Making Mischief is a joyful celebration of life, love, and laughter—proof that it’s never too late to find happiness and take life by the reins. Highly recommended!

A fun read that made me smile repeatedly! Heartwarming and wonderful prose, this was the perfect read to relax and enjoy to brighten your day.

In this funny novel about family and sisterhood, readers join Joy, her daughter Sara and her two children, and her son and daughter-in-law John and Vanessa (and their kids) at Christmas dinner which quickly devolves when Sara announces her divorce and John and Vanessa are moving to New York. With every single hosting duty on her shoulders and exhausted by the family drama, Joy decides to go to France and visit her younger sister Isobel to take a break on her rustic and charming potato farm. In searching for her happiness and her old self, the time with her sister will bring out their shared mischievousness and perhaps give Joy a second chance at a job, love, and living. With two fantastic sisters starring in this novel, readers will sympathize with Joy’s struggles with her family and laugh at her adventures with Isobel in France, and the narrative and location shifts in the novel do a great job characterizing Joy’s character development. The characters, particularly Joy and Isobel and their relationship, and their emotions are the star of this novel, and Maddie Please does an excellent job bringing them to life in incredible and realistic detail in this emotional, charming, and heartwarming new release.

A wonderful story about finding yourself and putting your needs first. Not selfish but essential. Going to visit her sister in France after a horrible Christmas.. finding friendship fun and enjoyment in life again.

Funny and heartwarming. A novel to read if you want to relax
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

All she wanted was a lovely family Christmas with perfect turkey and luxury crackers. Instead, daughter Sara announces she’s getting divorced...and where is the fizz? And son, John and perfect wife Vanessa announce they are leaving for New York… and are the vegetables organic? And not one of them has made her a cup of tea!

So Joy decides she’s going to leave them all to it and head to France to visit her younger sister Isobel - a break from it all is just what she needs!

Isabel’s potato farm in France might be rustic, but Joy is hoping to find a bit of the old her again. Do her family really only think she's their dogs body? Where has Joy’s joy gone?

Being with Isobel is loud and chaotic and being together brings out both sisters’ mischievous side! And being in France adds a welcome touch of ooh la la to Joy’s life again. Soon, she has a new job, a new man and maybe even, a second chance at living!

Loved it. Will recommend to others

Joy can't believe what's happening. Her daughter Sara turns up at Christmas and says she's getting a divorce. Her son John says he's moving to New York. She's fed up with doing everytji9ng for everybody and nobody noticing. She decides to go to France where her sister Isabel and husband Felix live. She meets their next door neighbour Luc. Good laugh out loud moments

Wow, I could really relate to the feelings that Joy had at the beginning of this book! The lack of appreciation by her family and things not going quite to plan when you have spent so much time, money and effort to make things enjoyable for others...... I guess this is even more so at this time of the year, when both positive and negative emotions are heightened.

Anyway, Joy decides to just leave her family to it and she heads to France, to spend a bit of time with her sister Isobel. Isobel's home is the opposite of Joy's, in that it is loud and untidy but there is a lot of charm in just "being", the way that Isobel lives her life, and slowly Joy finds herself relaxing.

I am not going to spoil the plot here, but this book is more about women of a certain age finding their voices again rather than an older lady finding romance, if that makes sense.

I really loved it. The characters were charming and the setting of the book added to the charm.

5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books.

A delightful read! I love the fact this book features an older character who realizes a few years after a divorce that it’s never too late to change the future. When Christmas doesn’t quite go the way that Joy had planned, she packs her bags and heads to France to stay with her sister. What follows is chaos, fun and laughter and a chance for Joy to get more out of life.

As I get older myself, I enjoy reading books that feature an older protagonist, so I was very interested to read the new book by Maddie Please starring 63-year-old Joy trying to rediscover her lust for life.

Even though I am a decade younger than Joy, I found a lot of her experiences in this book very relatable. It starts out at Christmas time when, as usual, the family matriarch is in charge of doing absolutely everything for everyone else and no one gives a seconds thought to what she might want or need. Why do adult children regress to behaving like teenagers when they return to the family home? At what point does the time come when parents can stop being parents and start putting themselves first again? This is what Joy finds herself trying to work out.

I loved the idea of Joy just taking off to visit her sister in France and letting everyone get on with it. It’s the first step in her realising that her children are now adults and can fend for themselves and it is okay for her to try and work out what she wants for herself. I am heading to this point in life myself and it is a hard period to navigate, especially for someone who has built their life and identity around being a wife and mother for so many decades. It’s easy to lose yourself in caring for other people and lose sight of who you are as an individual. Watching Joy realise this things was revelatory and made me think about certain aspects of my own life, which is not what I expected from a light romance novel.

I am hoping that I haven’t made this book sound too heavy because it really isn’t, in fact it is laugh out loud funny in places peopled with lots of warm and amusing characters. I particularly enjoyed Isabel’s mother-in-law and her outlook on life and her octogenarian romance. A number of the scenarios Joy finds herself in are hilarious – straining muscles, spilling stuff down herself, clothing mishaps – and totally relatable, but the book also contains moments of tenderness and wisdom. All in all this book has something to offer readers of all ages and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This was such a fun story! I've read Maddie Please books before in the past and Sisters making mischief did not disappoint, I laughed so hard I cried at one point!

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

The story follows Joy, who’s completely over being taken for granted by her family. She was hoping for a nice, drama-free Christmas, but instead, her daughter announces a divorce, her son decides to move to New York, and everyone expects her to handle everything without a single thank-you. Fed up, she decides to escape to France to visit her sister, Isabel—and that’s when the fun begins.

I loved watching Joy’s transformation. She starts out overwhelmed and stuck but slowly begins to rediscover herself in the most charming and hilarious way. Her time in France is full of misadventures, witty banter with Isabel, and laugh-out-loud moments that made me wish I could join them. And while the title suggests the sisters are causing mischief, it’s more like they stumble into one funny situation after another.

What really stuck with me was how relatable Joy’s journey felt. It’s such a feel-good reminder that it’s never too late to make a change and put yourself first. The story had so many little nuggets of wisdom woven into all the humor and chaos—it left me smiling and even a little inspired.

If you’re in the mood for a warm, funny, and uplifting read, this one is definitely worth picking up. I’ll be keeping an eye out for more from Maddie Please!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books.

EXCERPT: It was the day before Christmas Eve, and I was ready for my guests to arrive. The beds were all made up, I'd put flowers in the rooms and plenty of towels. I'd decorated the Christmas tree and in a spurt of unexpected enthusiasm got out all the other decorations, hoarded over the years, to cover every surface with little light up houses, candles and ornaments. Stephen hadn't approved of a lot of them, he said it made the place look tacky, and it probably did but I didn't have to worry about his opinion any longer.
I'd put a small Christmas tree in the attic bedroom for the girls and decorated the staircase, which looked marvelous with a swag of artificial greenery, some fairy lights, and festive ribbons and under the tree, an exciting pile of presents beautifully wrapped and decorated. Even Marty, who had voiced the opinion that sticky tape was not needed on a properly wrapped gift, couldn't fail to be impressed.
I went to open the fridge door, to have a last look at all the things in there. A very pleasing collection of lidded boxes neatly stacked up. I had even bought a pineapple, some goat's cheese, and fresh figs and I can't stand any of those things. Then I went on to the pantry to admire the stocks of emergency gin and Baileys, and the monstrous turkey that had been soaking in brine and spices for two days.
I took a deep breath. Everything was ready and, courtesy of the big bowl of potpourri on the hall table, the house smelled of Yuletide cheer. I felt a little bubble of happiness and hope well up inside me. I'd been through some dark times over the last few years, but now perhaps I had got a grip of my life again, and I was ready to sow it to my family.

ABOUT 'SISTERS MAKING MISCHIEF': Joy Chandler has had enough!

All she wanted was a lovely family Christmas with perfect turkey and luxury crackers. Instead, daughter Sara announces she’s getting divorced...and where is the fizz? And son, John and perfect wife Vanessa announce they are leaving for New York… and are the vegetables organic? And not one of them has made her a cup of tea!

So Joy decides she’s going to leave them all to it and head to France to visit her younger sister Isobel - a break from it all is just what she needs!

Isabel’s potato farm in France might be rustic, but Joy is hoping to find a bit of the old her again. Do her family really only think she's their dogs body? Where has Joy’s joy gone?

Being with Isobel is loud and chaotic and being together brings out both sisters’ mischievous side! And being in France adds a welcome touch of ooh la la to Joy’s life again. Soon, she has a new job, a new man and maybe even, a second chance at living!

MY THOUGHTS: I love this uplifting book from Maddie Please best of all the books I have read by her.

Maddie writes with realism and humor. Both characters and the situations they find themselves in are relatable.

Maddie has always loved Christmas - the joy of bringing all her loved ones together under one roof has meant a lot to her. But since Stephen left, the wheels seem to have rather fallen off the wagon, and this Christmas was worse than ever! Dejected, she heads off to visit her sister Isobel in France.

Isobel and her mother-in-law Eugenie would warm any heart. Eugenie plays on her age, but she is a wily old bird. Isobel is the antithesis of Joy - a fly by the seat of her pants kind of person. She and husband Felix fight like cat and dog yet clearly adore each other. The villagers are all welcoming, but seem to know everyone's business, including Joy's. And what they don't know, they will make up!

I loved Joy's gradual awakening and acknowledgement of all that was wrong in her life. Her bucket list of goals/changes she wants to make to her life is brilliant. I could take it and make it my own.

This is a fun, warmhearted and poignant story. I read it with a smile on my face, and that smile has stayed there ever since I finished.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#SistersMakingMischief #NetGalley

MEET 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 Sisters Making Mischief by Maddie Please for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

This book is predominantly the story of Joy Chandler's life. To begin with, it's so relatable it's almost depressing. It's Christmas time and the first Christmas Joy is going to spend in her own home since her ex-husband Stephen left her 4 years ago. For the last 3 years Joy has spent the festive period with her family at their houses. This year, it's Joy's turn to host and she's determined to make the most of it. Unfortunately, things don't quite turn out how Joy planned. Her daughter is morose, her grandchildren constantly bicker and her daughter in law is difficult. On top of this, Joy's eagerness to make sure everyone has a good time ends up with her waiting on everybody hand and foot. Would it hurt them to even offer to help? Feeling exhausted and unappreciated after Christmas dinner, she decides enough is enough and make plans to go and visit her younger sister, Isobel in France. This is where the tone of the book kicks up a gear. Her sister has a carefree attitude to life, almost the polar opposite to Joy, but this is a good thing. Together they are hilarious. Life isn't taken too seriously, mishaps get laughed at rather than bringing on tears and most importantly, the sisters have lots of fun.

I don't know anyone who at one time another has wanted to just pick up their purse and go......anywhere......as long as it's alone. As Joy worked hard to insure a memorable holiday for her family, the fates laughed at her. So when all of her hopes were popped just like a balloon, Joy does just that, opening the door while shutting out the noise of her family. Visiting her sister reminds her that life used to be fun and it still can be. You just have to look for it.

A great read that filled some hearts with hope.

Joy is doing her best, carving a new life for herself after her marriage breakdown but her offspring are wrapped up in their own lives. Christmas is the final straw, Joy needs a change of scenery and heading to France and her sister Isabel’s abode is it! What a difference!

Joy is a character I loved. The longer I spent with her, the more I saw her change and grow for the good. Maybe a trip to France was her ‘personal greenhouse’ to become Joy again rather than a mum, wife or grandmother.

Eugénie made me chuckle. At times she seemed determined to try to rile Isabel as a stereotypical mother in law. And Isabel, she was a delight. She brought Joy out of her shell with her sibling banter! You wouldn’t have believe they were that age!

Please transported me to rural France where I found peace amongst the chaos Joy found herself in. I was away from the hustle and bustle of working life in the more relaxed laid back feel of La France. I wanted to savour the book but I felt so comfortable with Joy, Isabel and Felix (to name but a few in a cast of many), I raced through Sisters Making Mischief.

Maddie Please has a new fan in me. I love my trip to the continent. Her characters are loveable her writing heart warming with scenes of comic brilliance! I want to read more from this woman’s keyboard!

**Sisters Making Mischief by Maddie Please**

From the very first page, the author draws me into a captivating narrative that revolves around the themes of family dynamics and the journey of self-discovery. This charming tale is a delightful blend of warmth, humour, and uplifting moments—truly a feel-good piece of women’s fiction.

Joy sets out with the simple aspiration of enjoying a perfect family Christmas. She envisions a festive celebration filled with a golden-brown turkey, luxurious holiday crackers, and the comfort of her loved ones surrounding her. However, her idyllic plans quickly unravel. Her daughter, Sara, unexpectedly drops the bombshell that she is getting a divorce, turning Joy’s hopes for a nice bubbly family Christmas into a bitter disappointment. Meanwhile, her son, John, along with his seemingly perfect wife, Vanessa, share the news that they are moving to New York City. To add to her exasperation, Not even a single family member has taken the time to make her a cup of tea!

Feeling overwhelmed and unappreciated, Joy makes a bold decision to step away from the chaos and negativity of family life. She heads to France to visit her younger sister, Isobel, believing that a change of scenery will provide the emotional reset she desperately needs.

Isobel runs a rustic potato farm in the picturesque countryside of France. Although the farm is far from luxurious, Joy relishes the chance to reconnect with the more carefree version of herself that seems to have been lost in the demands of family life. As Joy immerses herself in Isobel's vibrant world, she begins to reflect on her role within her own family. Does her family only see her as a caregiver? Where has all of Joy's joy gone?

During her stay with Isobel, the energy is infectious. The sisters share boisterous laughter and playful moments, and their time together uncovers an adventurous side of both women that had been long suppressed. The lively atmosphere of the French countryside injects a much-needed dose of excitement and romance into Joy’s life. Before long, she finds herself navigating new opportunities—whether it’s exploring a charming local market, meeting a captivating new man who shows interest in more than just her culinary skills, or beginning a new job that reignites her passion. Joy starts to embrace the mantra that you’re never too old to embark on a new journey.

The vivid descriptions of Joy's experiences and her tireless pursuit of every opportunity make the story come alive on the page. My only criticism of this beautifully crafted story is that I found the ending too abrupt; I wished for more time and additional chapters to savour the conclusion and delve deeper into Joy's transformation.

You wouldn't know from the cover that Sisters Making Mischief is actually a festive read and a thoroughly enjoyable one at that!

I think an escape to France or somewhere similar would be welcome to all of us at the moment as the stresses and chaos of christmas start taking their toll.

As always Please writes with her trademark humour and has created some real, relatable characters in sisters Joy and Isabel.

It's fun, uplifting and the perfect escapism.

Actual rating closer to 3.5 stars.

Little bit of a mixed bag. I didn’t like Joy’s family, specifically her kids and grandkids. Like, wtf? Have some respect for your mother/grandmother. She’s not a servant, for starters! My mother would have put all of them in their place…which brings me to Joy. Joy kinda lets them treat her poorly, in my opinion, and does nothing more then complain about them…a lot for the first while. In all fairness she was just hoping for a relatively uneventful Christmas with her family only to have a divorce announcement and a moving away announcement dropped on her. So, she lets her daughter, and her children move into her house and takes off to France to visit her sister.

Her sister, Isabel, has a potato farm in France. Once she gets to France, things get better and less…annoying. The sisters have some pretty entertaining banter, and Joy has some amusing adventures. Joy starts to learn that it’s okay for her to put herself first and that’s good. The lady needs a perspective adjustment. I will say I was a bit disappointed that the sisters didn’t have more adventures together.

I did enjoy the French the author plugged in there. My French is about a decade and a half of rusty, so I really enjoyed that words and phrases were dropped in there, even if there might have been a mistake or two, especially because it’s taking place in freaking France. There better be French somewhere in the book! Lol

Conclusion

The book is mostly a funny fluff read, once you get over the complaining. It really drives home the idea of living for yourself and actually living your life instead of just existing.