EXCERPT: He couldn't imagine a better life partner than sensible, well-adjusted Joyce - a thought he was regularly reminded of during his work days, which often involved counselling married couples, the children of working parents, or people trying to put their lives back together after having their hearts trampled and crushed.
One type that intrigued him the most was those couples who seemed to enjoy sparring - those who appeared ill-suited and even seemed to dislike each other, yet came to him week after week, ostensibly for the purpose of improving their relationship. Sometimes he was left wondering if they simply enjoyed his company. Plenty of times he'd gently suggested they might spend their money and time better elsewhere, but the hints never took and they'd always book another appointment before leaving together amid snipes and curses.
Of course he couldn't tell them they'd be better off calling it quits and getting on with their lives separately and stop making each other so unhappy. They had to come to that decision on their own. Meanwhile, he had a business to run, and fortunately or unfortunately, depending upon how you looked at it, these clients contributed to his bottom line.

ABOUT 'RIGHT WAY UP': When plans are upended, who can turn them the right way up?

Kind-hearted and practical psychologist Colin Palmer has spent decades helping his clients. Now he's under pressure to retire and hit the road in a new caravan with his wife Joyce.

However, when Joyce abruptly heads off on her own adventure, Colin's perfectly ordered world is flipped upside down. He's left grappling to make sense of their marriage, who he is and what he wants.

Enter no-nonsense, blunt, firecracker ex-nurse Shirley Royal! Recently widowed, Shirley is also searching for meaning after losing the bedrock of her existence. She's ripe for a new project and Colin might just be it!

But just when Colin's future appears bright and assured, thanks to Shirley's friendship, Joyce tumbles back into his world. How will he now navigate a path between his old life and new?

MY THOUGHTS: Right Way Up is my first book by Australian author, Fiona McCallum, who is well known for her novels featuring relationships and journeys of self-discovery.

I didn't particularly like either Colin or Joyce at the beginning of the read. Colin appeared to be an old stick-in-the-mud, and Joyce lost no opportunity to snipe at him. Joyce wants to travel Australia with a caravan in tow, while the whole idea fills Colin with fear and distaste. Colin seems fearful of upsetting Joyce and reluctantly falls in with her plans rather than coming straight out with a simple, 'No, I don't want to do that.' The man is a psychologist, for heaven's sake. I wanted him to practice what he preaches about negotiation and compromise and stop being such a doormat. Little did I know that he was going to have to pull up his big girl's pants and start standing on his own two feet!

Fiona McCallum gave me a lot to think about in Right Way Up, a story about 'late in life' separation, a situation I believe is becoming ever more common. What happens when a couple in their seventies splits up? Who takes what, including friends? How do you split the assets, the house, the money? The plight of the increasing numbers of homeless 50+ women is mentioned. Let's face it, unless the family home is something magnificent in a prime real estate area, it's going to be damned difficult to purchase two reasonable homes for the price of one, and banks aren't known for giving mortgages to old age pensioners. These are all things that are worrying Colin as Joyce moves in with her new partner, and things that we all have to think about. What if . . .

I had no idea of how Colin and Joyce's situation was going to be resolved, or if it could be resolved at all, but Fiona McCallum comes up with a very workable solution that surprised me. I enjoyed the insights into some of Colin's patient cases. Some are enlightening, some entertaining and some quite sad. The introduction of Shirley into the story was a breath of fresh air, although I did wonder once or twice if he was any match for her.

I'll definitely be reading more from this author.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

#RightWayUp #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: Fiona McCallum was raised on a cereal and wool farm near Cleve on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula and remained in the area until her mid-twenties. Having lived in Melbourne and Sydney, she currently resides in Adelaide. Fiona is the author of more than a dozen bestselling novels that draw on her rich and contrasting life experiences, love of animals and fascination with human nature.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harlequin Australia, HQ & MIRA, via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of Right Way Up by Fiona McCallum for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

What a wonderful story, Right Way Up looks at the twists and turns of a long time married couple finding their way as they enter retirement. The main character is Colin; and he is oblivious to the fact that people change, and the fact that technology is advancing faster than Colin can comprehend, so he ignores it for the most part. On the other hand his wife of fifty years, Joyce, has embraced the Internet since she has retired and has got a whole new lease on life as she embraces causes she can get involved in now she has stopped work.

When Colin and Joyce first discussed retirement, the plan was they would buy a caravan and become Grey Nomads, hit the road and explore Australia. But in reality Colin is in a rut, he wants life to stay the same, and he really doesn’t want to live in a caravan, and he doesn’t really want to stop work either. He is a psychologist who spends his working day trying to help individuals and couples sort their emotional challenges. It appears that he seems to offer solutions that work, while helping them recognise behavioural problems. He also imparts advice that they must take care of themselves first, some advice that he doesn’t take on board himself.

His comfortable work/life balance all changes when Joyce suddenly ups and leaves their comfortable life to go and wash oil off stricken seabirds for a week on the other side of Australia. Colin struggles, as everything around the home has been run and organised by Joyce. He tells himself it will be only for a week, but then just when he expects her home, Joyce throws him an even bigger curveball. She is leaving him.

Somehow Colin has to change, and Right Way Up follows his journey. One of his clients is a recently widowed woman, Shirley, and she helps him to develop domestically without doing it for him. One of his other clients helps him with an Internet issue that is destroying Colin’s reputation which he is not even aware of.

Shirley and Colin become firm friends and Colin finally learns to live without Joyce. When he finally has his work/life balance under his control, Joyce returns. Colin is happy with his life, and he doesn’t want to give up his independence, or his friends.

Right Way Up looks at life and how people change, in this case Colin and Joyce change and don’t even know they have. They each go through a journey of self-discovery, although Colin is forced into his journey. I loved the characters and could totally relate to each of them for different reasons. Despite my summary, the story is intricate and I had no idea how Fiona McCallum was going to resolve the issues. Hint - she does it well! A great read, and I recommend it.

What a wonderful heartwarming story.
I really enjoyed Colin’s character, a tender and nice soul, that I wish I know him too.
A feel good kind of read book this one!

Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher Harlequin Australia, HQ for the ARC.

Right Way Up is a heartwarming, honest and sincere story about Colin a psychologist who has been married to Joyce for decades but when Joyce throws him a curve ball he finds friendship in the form of a bright and forthright ex nurse called Shirley. The book truly reminds me of what it is like getting older even though I am not quite yet 40 as I get older I have realised what really matters. This book highlights that as it certainly isn't the material things that matter but companionship and love are a huge part of a happy life! The story had me absorbed from the first page until the beautiful conclusion! I loved the characters and instantly felt a connection with Shirley but surprisingly by the end it was Colin who became my favourite.

I enjoyed this book although I found it a bit slow to get into it. It’s easy to picture people of Colin, Joyce & Shirley’s era going through similar situations.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What an incredibly heart-warming, honest story! Right Way Up by Fiona McCallum pulled on my heart fiercely and because it harnessed me at an emotional level, I fell quickly into the plot and became heavily invested in the warm, caring and likeable Colin. The author hits the nail on the head of so many older relationship issues and I felt I was nodding constantly. Wonderful bits of wisdom and truths leap off the page, particularly from Colin who must put his own advice into action more times than not!

Colin is a practicing psychologist in South Australia who spends his working hours trying to help individuals and couples sort their emotional challenges. He is quite sympathetic and understanding and it appears his clients think so, too, as he seems to offer them solutions that work, while helping them recognise behavioural problems. He imparts advice that they must take care of themselves first.

Things are moving along as usual in his own home, when Joyce, his wife, discusses retirement. But he is not quite ready for it, yet goes along with her desire to get a travelling van with the intentions to travel. But when Joyce heads off on an adventure of her own, she is away longer than Colin expects her to be. When she returns, she drops a bomb on him that will drastically alter their lives. Then he is hit with another trial. This time relating to his work. When faced with two drastic and unexpected curve balls in his personal and work life, initially it sets him off balance. But in the end, the disruptions force him into new directions. These changes, ironically, in his life are for the better. He becomes more independent and learns new activities like cooking, tending to accounts and attending social activities. But there is more. On this journey of growth, he gets help from a female friend named Shirley: a retired nurse who has recently lost her husband. She is a real bright spark in Colin’s life with her friendship, understanding and advice. She’s the magic ingredient of support he needs after a double barrel blow. She helps him to move positively forward. And move forward he does! He truly begins to live a more relaxed fulfilled life. And when another curve ball hits him, he handles it with grace and compassion. The growth in this man is uplifting and you just love him even more.

This story is about changes in relationships, particularly between husband and wife. Also, grief after loss is exceptionally demonstrated. Then there is the importance of friendships, social activities and trying new directions. Listening to Colin counsel (hearing his thoughts about psychological truths) was quite fascinating as it provided an inside view of a psychologist’s job.

Although Colin sometimes accepts blame a little too much (in my opinion) in his marital relationship, he certainly recognises his flaws and tries to make changes in his life. All through the drama, he remains caring and sensitive. recognising that nobody is perfect and no one person can be everything. For we all can use a little improvement here and there!

I adored this novel and so glad I read it! Right Way Up held my attention from start to finish and the conclusion was a pleasant surprise. Characters, dialogue, plot and setting are all well presented. Plus the pace is steady and purrs along nicely. The cat character is a charming addition, too! Highly recommend this positive, delightful relationship-focused gem! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to HQ Fiction and Netgalley for a review copy.

What a glorious book. This is the first of Fiona’s books I have read and I absolutely adored it. The story focuses on Colin, a psychologist who is close to retirement and lives with his recently retired wife Joyce, until Joyce decides to io and leave and poor Colin is in a quandary as he has no idea how to cook, or essentially run a household. However, just at the right time he meets recently widowed Shirley and they build a great friendship based on brutal honesty with each other. The storyline shows how relationships change over time, for both the good and bad and the characters were extremely relatable. I now need to go and find more of Fiona’s books to read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for an advance copy of this book for an honest review.

Colin Palmer is a psychologist in Adelaide, he’s been married to Joyce for almost half a century and he’s close to retiring. Joyce is keen for them to become grey nomads, she’s been researching caravans and what type of vehicle they would need to tow one.

Colin is shocked when Joyce up and leaves, she has a reason and he’s used their routine, everything is organised and done by his wife and without her he’s a little bewildered and lost. Colin soldiers on, going to work and seeing his clients and he thinks she will only be for a week? Then Joyce throws him the biggest curve ball and one he didn’t see it coming and his life is turned upside down.

Colin meets ex-nurse and straight to the point Shirley Royal, she’s recently been widowed, and she’s willing to give him much need domestic advice, but not do it for him and they enjoy each other’s company and become friends. Colin has to accept things have changed, he comes to terms with Joyce’s choices and makes plans for his future and feels optimistic. When she returns, he’s worried his new found independence will end and yet he can’t turn his back on Joyce and what about his friendship with Shirley?

I received a copy of Right Way Up from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an honest review. Fiona McCallum is known for writing stories about relationships, human nature and self-discovery, with interesting characters and in unique situations and that will make you think. Her latest novel is no exception, anyone whose married knows it changes over time and so do people, Colin and Joyce had their routine and it was too regimented, I felt like they were housemates and not husband and wife.

The narrative explores aspects such as were Colin and Joyce happy or just meandering along, what do you do when plans change and overcoming obstacles and you can’t simply shut the door on your old life and start a new one. How soon is it to move on and should you give someone a second chance and with what kind of boundaries should be established and it won't be the same.

The story is just as detailed and intricate as the cover and it holds clues to what happens and I didn’t predict the ending and it will make you think outside of the box and from different perspectives, I highly recommend and five stars from me.