Prompt: A book you picked because the title caught your attention.

I’ve had The Gin O’Clock Club by Rosie Blake on my TBR trolley for a while. The title is very appealing and the blurb sounded interesting. I enjoyed The Hygge Holiday when I read it earlier in the year so was looking forward to this one.

What it’s about?

Bring the sparkle and fizz back into your life with the help of The Gin O’Clock Club

Lottie is always in a hurry, rushing through her days ticking tasks off her to-do lists. Teddy is worried about his granddaughter – and he knows that his late wife, Lily, would have known exactly what to say to make things better. Now that Lily has gone, it’s up to Teddy to talk some sense into Lottie.

With the help of Arjun, Geoffrey and Howard, the elderly reprobates who make up his Gin O’Clock Club, Teddy makes a plan to help Lottie find her way back to the things that really matter – family, friendship and love. But as Lottie balances a high-powered job with her reluctant attendance at whist drives, ballroom dances and bingo, Teddy wonders if she’s really ready to open up her heart to the possibility of true happiness…

Laugh, cry and fall in love with this colourful cast of characters in THE feel-good novel of the year

What I think:

I’m so glad I finally got around to reading this book. It’s the kind of warm, heartening novel that 2020 needs.

Lottie is hard-working and dedicated and as a barrister she works long hours. Her determination to succeed means that sometimes she puts her personal life on the back burner.

She is spending less and less time with her boyfriend and she’s supposed to be bridesmaid for her best friend but has to keep rearranging their planning sessions.

When her grandmother dies, Lottie finds herself also having to look after her grieving grandfather.

Stretched too thin Lottie’s life starts to spin out if control as she finds herself exhausted and letting everyone down.

Grandfather Teddy and his group of friends come up with a plan to help Lottie reconnect with the good things in life – old-fashioned dates, activities with friends and readjusting her work-life balance.

I absolutely loved Teddy and his Gin O’Clock Club pals. They are kind and funny and so supportive of each other. When I’m older I can only hope to be so lucky as to have a group of friends like that.

The dates they arrange for Lottie are fun and sometimes hilarious.

This is a book about love – how important it is to all of us. This book will definitely make you think about jow you spend your time and who you spend it with.

This was a really enjoyable read and I definitely recommend it as a stocking filler if you’re looking for a joyful read to start 2021.

Join The Gin O’Clock Club for yourself:

Waterstones: click here

Amazon.co.uk: click here