I love stories with the older generation as the main characters. This book definitely fit that criteria. The characters each have different personalities and are wonderfully created. The plot held my interest in a very busy time in my life, which says quite a bit.

I want to thank Boldwood Book and NetGalley for giving me the pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

Sweet

This is the first book I have read by Ms Anderson and I really enjoyed it. I will have to look for her previous book! This is a heartwarming book about the foibles of older women, mostly widows. Our heroines include a new widow who needs to come to terms with unexpected debt and family surprises and a trio of older single women (widows and divorcees) who take the new widow under their wing. I very much enjoyed reading about women in my own demographic who still have future plans, not to mention a bit of romance!

Thank you to the publisher who lent me an e-arc via Netgalley with no obligation. This review is optional and my own opinion.

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

At the start of the book, we meet Ingrid, who moves to Willowbrook in search of a fresh start after losing her husband, Tommy. Amongst others in the village, she befriends Joel and his teenage daughter. Ingrid isn't sure what to do with all the things that Tommy left behind, but with the help of the other villagers, she opens her own shop, The Treasure Trove.

Ingrid was a lovely protagonist; I found her kind and compassionate, and I really enjoyed following her journey. I also thought Joel and Leo were wonderful characters; they made me smile. The characters who made me laugh the most were The Saga Louts. I enjoyed the bonds of friendship between the characters, which deepened as the story progressed.

This was a sweet, heartwarming story that speaks to new beginnings, and it left me smiling.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

Ingrid’s life after the loss of her auctioneer husband is going to be rather different – having been on his arm at every social event when he was the life and soul of the party, she’s decided she’d rather like a fresh start, a smaller and quieter life. But that’s from necessity too, because he’s left so many debts there’s little left – other than a mountain of surplus stock he’s amassed over the years. Her Aunt Sylvia giving up her shop in Willowbrook gives her the perfect opportunity – use it to sell all the stock, then move on. She had no plans to become part of the community – but, seeing her struggling to get things up and running, the community has other ideas.

First there’s a meal in the pub with Sam – he helped her move – and his lovely young daughter Elsie. And Joel – and she has no idea how both he and his teenage daughter Leo will become part of her life. And on a walk in the country to the farmers’ market, she meets the Saga Louts while visiting Kate’s cafe – Beryl, Winnie and Anthea – who decide she really needs their help and energetically throw themselves into getting the shop ready for opening day. They make the whole experience tremendous fun, and also help Ingrid move on from her loss and face the uncertain future. They’re also all there for her when a few other challenges from her past uncomfortably raise their heads. And in return, she finds the opportunity to offer her help and support too – to Joel who’s struggling with single fatherhood, to one of the Saga Louts facing a particularly difficult time.

This was a quite wonderful story about fresh starts and second chances, full of the most supportive friendships to ease Ingrid’s difficult personal journey. It’s a book with such a strong sense of community, and every single character is so beautifully drawn – especially the very real older characters, but young Leo and Elsie equally won my heart. It’s also very much Joel’s story – told from both their perspectives – with all the support he provides, always there when she most needs him, despite the many challenges in his own life. And the growing attraction between them was beautifully handled – unexpected for them both, something neither of them was looking for, and a particularly lovely and gentle romance that I became entirely invested in.

The humour sparkles throughout – sometimes gentle, at other times laugh-out-loud, especially where the Saga Louts and younger characters (all of them without filters!) are involved. But there are also plenty of serious, emotional and more dramatic moments – especially when those secrets from the past emerge, the whole book quite perfectly paced and balanced. And I must add that I also very much enjoyed meeting again some of the key characters from the author’s last book, seeing how their lives had moved on – nothing that would make this one in any way difficult to read as a standalone, just rather a treat for those of us who so enjoyed their stories. And the ending? Well, I thought it couldn’t have been more perfect…

Filled with warmth and hope, a real testament to the strength to be found through friendship and connections, and so beautifully written – this was a book I really loved, and would very much recommend.

This was the perfect feel good read that offered an endearing storyline, featuring new found family, second chances and heart warming romance.
The storyline of the book was good as it allowed a good insight into Ingrid and her life, as we follow her journey to move on and build a new life for herself. From being so independent and wishing to lead a simple life, you could see the development in her character as the story progressed and she opened up more, with the characters of Willowbrook making a huge impact on her life.
The additional characters in the book were all so well written and integral to the story and the additional story lines along the way were also tied in well. I adored the Saga Louts and they seemed like an amazing group of women, who offered witty one liners, friendship and support when it was needed the most.
The slow burn romance between Ingrid & Joel was nice to read and the ending for them and everyone else was just perfect. I would love to read more and catch up with the characters of the village again.

This is such a lovely, feel good book! Ingrid is grieving for the sudden death of her husband and opens a pop up shop to sell his lifetime collection of tat from auction lots. She quickly makes friends with a variety of people in the village who have an amazing range of personalities, and wardrobes! This book is funny, uplifting and moving, and I absolutely loved it. I hope there are other books to come with tales of these brilliant characters.

Really enjoyed this book, it was funny, light-hearted and interesting. Set in Paris this book perfectly describes life in his beautiful city. People, the sights and the atmosphere this book really brings it to life. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Ingrid’s plan to downsize and disappear is upended by quirky locals, a charming craftsman, and her unexpected knack for village life. Heartfelt and uplifting, this tale of moving on proves sometimes life’s messes lead to its greatest treasures. A delightful story of second chances and community spirit.

In this uplifting story, recently widowed Ingrid moves to the village of Willowbrook after her husband’s death leaves her with debt and a house full of treasures to sell. Renting her aunt’s closed shop, she begins her journey to simplify her life. Along the way, she’s supported by a lively group of older women called the Saga Louts, who take her under their wing, and Josh, a kind-hearted carpenter who becomes more than just a helper.

As Ingrid navigates challenges, uncovers hidden strengths, and helps others with their struggles, she finds friendship, community, and a renewed sense of purpose. This heartwarming tale celebrates second chances, resilience, and the joy of connection in a diverse and supportive village.

Onwards and Upwards by Celia Anderson

Ingrid is desperate to sell up and move on. Recently widowed, she no longer needs the large house or the treasures (and tat) collected by her late husband, Tommy, an auctioneer. Then there’s the debt he left her with, too.

So, she jumps at the chance to downsize and move to Willowbrook on a temporary lease. She’ll open a pop-up shop for just one year – to dispose of Tommy’s accumulated goods – and then move on. No getting embroiled in village life.
A fabulous read about a problem many people ( sadly ) have to deal with.
Stay in the family home or move ? What to do with all your departed loved ones belongings ?
Ingrid deals with it in an unusual way and ends up with more than she anticipated .
Great character and loved to find out what happened when she decides to make a radical change to her life .

Ingrid is widowed and left with a large house full of treasures / tat that her auctioneer husband had accumulated - and a large amount of debt. She sells the house and takes advantage of renting a small shop in a village to try to sell off the "treasures" before starting her life again.
I didn't realise that this book by a new to me author is part of a series, although it didn't affect my enjoyment of the book and I will have to read the other one sometime. It is set in a small village with that community feel, I especially love the Saga Louts, a group of three older ladies who come to Ingrid's aid. There is a romantic interest in Joel, the divorced local handyman with a teenage daughter. This is a lovely feel-good book to read, with humour and that romantic interest. I will certainly be reading more books by this author and can recommend it for a relaxing read.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

After her husband passes away, Ingrid wants a change and also to sell everything her husband left behind, stuff that he collected over the years. She decides to open a pop-up shop that her aunt Sylvia owns in Willowbrook which she buys on a short term lease. After she’s sold everything, her plan is to live in a place where she’s totally alone..

But, her plan of living life her way don’t go to plan, as she meets the Saga Louts, three ladies, Beryl, Winnie and Anthea, take care of her and help her see her life in a different way.

Joel, who is a carpenter and has a daughter named Leo helps Ingrid, slowly he begins to have romantic feelings for Ingrid.

Along with the Saga Louts, The Treasure Team, assist Ingrid and she opens her Treasure Trove shop to the public.

I highly recommend this book.

This was such a lovely feel good, heartwarming story. Love the delightful cast of characters in this one!

Ingrid is desperate to sell up and move on. Recently widowed, she no longer needs the large house or the treasures (and tat) collected by her late husband, Tommy, an auctioneer. Then there’s the debt he left her with, too.

So, she jumps at the chance to downsize and move to Willowbrook on a temporary lease. She’ll open a pop-up shop for just one year – to dispose of Tommy’s accumulated goods – and then move on. No getting embroiled in village life.

But Ingrid hasn’t reckoned on Willowbrook’s extrovert local ladies (known as the Saga Louts). Or handsome local craftsman Joel, with whom there’s a definite attraction. They all want to help set up ‘The Treasure Trove’.

Surprisingly, it turns out Ingrid can also help them.

Will she ever achieve the fresh start and simpler life she craved? Or will Ingrid discover a wonderful new way to move onwards and upwards?

Perfect… Addictive, page turning… I LOVED it Completely unputdownable…

A very gentle but pleasant light read. A good set of characters to invest in, although slightly lacking in depth. Nice plot but the conversations were slightly wooden at times. Lovely community togetherness in an English village for a warm feelgood story. I believe this book is part of a series, I haven't read any others and think this book certainly stood alone without having done so.

Ingrid’s husband died and left her with loads of debt and a bunch of stuff cluttering up their big house so she decides to sell the house and take all the stuff to the store her aunt is closing in Willowbrook and try and sell off some of the stuff to payoff the debt. In the process, she makes some lovely friends who help her to see all she really is and what she is capable of which helps her to move on with her life. There are 3 very valuable women that she becomes close to and really show that found family can be just as good, if not better in some cases, than blood family. These eclectic women help Ingrid to confront her past and move on to her future. And then of course she meets a handsome love interest, Josh, who finds more and more reasons to volunteer to assist Ingrid with the store.
There’s loads of humor in what could be an otherwise depressing story and the plot moves along at a great pace. This was a feel good story with lots of great supporting characters. A truly fun way to spend the time.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

Ingrid's recently widowed and decides to open a shop to get rid of all of her husbands hoard. She decides to move to Willowbrook where she meets 3 ladies known as the Saga Louts also Joel who delivers all her things to the shop. They don't get off to the best start

I loved this . A good feel good read. A story of friendship , love and laughter and a tinge of sadness. Ingrid has to move on after the death of her husband and the book is about how she does it. Some laugh out moments and some sadness . Just read it Age is no barrier to fun. A good ending .

I really enjoyed this story. Ingrid is a strong, relatable character, the Saga Louts are brilliant and there is a diverse range of characters to enjoy. I love the theme of never being too old for a second chance of life – and love. A feelgood, uplifting read.

Ingrid is recently widowed so she decides to downsize and move. She opens up the treasure trove to sell all her husband’s collections and help pay off the debt he left her. I loved the Saga Louts as they took her under their wing and helped her. She finds friends, community, and love in this small town. This is a beautiful story of second chances and moving forward.