Oh how I loved Missy! Beth Morrey’s debut novel “Saving Missy”, is a wonderfully heart-warming tale of overcoming loneliness, forming friendships and accepting the kindness of strangers in a superb ‘coming of old’ story.
The world has changed around Missy Carmichael. At seventy-nine, she's estranged from her daughter, and her son and only grandson live across the world. She spends her days drinking sherry in her big empty house, reliving her past. However, it's her mistakes and secrets that she dwells on the most. The last thing Missy expects is for two perfect strangers and one lively dog to break through her prickly exterior and show her just how much love she still has to give.
It’s impossible not to immediately form a bond with Missy, she’s one of those women who are prickly, unknowingly cause offence and have fierce opinions but are instantly likeable at a first meeting and someone who has so much to give, given the opportunity. Her unlikely friendship with single mother Angela, an Irish plain speaking journalist and her son Otis made for some fabulous scenes. When Missy takes on a dog that needs a temporary home, her hardened shell begins to thaw and she realises so much love can come from having a pet. Taking her into the local park and meeting other dog walkers, she forms new friendships and begins to enjoy her different routines. Missy starts to enjoy her regular walks and suddenly she’s no longer lonely and stuck in a rut.
A deliciously uplifting and heartwarming tale that tugs on all your heartstrings (keep some tissues handy for one particularly emotional scene) and seeing life through new eyes in a near eighty year old woman gives the reader hope that we never need to be alone at any age.
A beautiful story and a brilliant debut that is already doing well and going down a storm with readers of all ages and I feel privileged to have met and made friends with Missy Carmichael!