#Review #Library #LibraryRead #TheLastListOfMabelBeaumont
Mabel Beaumont's husband Arthur loved lists. He'd leave them for her everywhere. 'Remember: eggs, butter, sugar'. 'I love you: today, tomorrow, always'.
But now Arthur is gone. He died: softly, gently, not making a fuss. But he's still left her a list. This one has just one item on it though: 'Find D'.
Mabel feels sure she knows what it means. She must track down her best friend Dot, who she hasn't seen since the fateful day she left more than sixty years ago.
It seems impossible. She doesn't even know if Dot's still alive. Also, every person Mabel talks to seems to need help first, with missing husbands, daughters, parents. Mabel finds her list is just getting longer, and she's still no closer to finding Dot.
What she doesn't know is that her list isn't just about finding her old friend. And that if she can admit the secrets of the past, maybe she could even find happiness again…
My Review
The book captivated me from the start with its beautiful cover, but it was the description that truly piqued my interest. It introduces us to Mabel and Arthur, a couple married for over six decades. Upon Arthur's passing, Mabel discovers a note from him with the cryptic message "Find D." Interpreting this as a directive to reconnect with Dot, a friend she hasn't seen since before her marriage, we are taken on Mabel's heartfelt journey to find her long-lost best friend.
I loved this book. The depiction of Arthur's death and Mabel's initial grief brought me to tears, yet as the story progressed, it was imbued with such warmth that any subsequent tears were ones of joy. Mabel's search for Dot is enriched by the cast of characters she encounters: Julie, her carer; Erin, a teenager who works in the local store; Patty, a dance teacher; and Kristy, a young mother and neighbour. Each character is endearing and relatable, yet they have their own struggles, which Mabel addresses along her way.
This book is a treasure, brimming with friendship and opportunities for redemption. While it has its melancholic moments, particularly as Mabel grapples with Arthur's loss, the narrative is predominantly a tapestry of humour, delight, and tender moments that are sure to leave you smiling. Would recommend.
The Author
Laura Pearson is the author of five novels. The Last List of Mabel Beaumont was a Kindle number one bestseller in the UK and a top ten bestseller in the US. Laura lives in Leicestershire, England, with her husband, their two children, and a cat who likes to lie on her keyboard while she tries to write.
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