Waiting For A Bright New Future- Blog Tour

Author: Sally Jenkins

Publisher: Joffe Books

Publishing Date: 5th December 2023 

Many thanks to the publishing team and ZooLoos BT for my digital copy and a spot on the blog tour

Blurb

Can you learn to live again at fifty-five?

Stuart Borefield has spent his life putting others before himself. In particular, his elderly father.

But when his father dies and Stuart discovers he forgot to put him in his will, he’s shattered.

His older brothers allow Stuart to remain in the family home for just one year. So Stuart advertises for a lodger and gets his first job as a paid carer, looking after kind-hearted, elderly William.

Stuart’s new lodger is the lively and colourful Florence, an ageing tribute band singer who is full of life. And also the complete opposite of staid Stuart.

He’s not used to the dancing and singing that fills the house with joy. Not to mention her knickers left to dry on every spare surface in the bathroom.

She’s everything Stuart never got the chance to be. And for that, he can’t help but push her away. No matter how alive she makes him feel.

But Stuart has already changed. He’s no longer the timid man he was when he met Florence. And the future is looking bright, if he only has enough courage enough to grasp it . . .

My Thoughts

A delightful book that pulls at the heartstrings

We go on a POV from Stuart who after spending many years caring for his father is now at a loss both from grievance but also his daily tasks and questions his now identity. 

Stuarts character was well done, lots of emotion as we join him navigating this new chapter in his life that brings along many challenges. I was worried that he wouldn't find his voice and lose everything even himself but he rose. The family dynamics and lack of support within relationships was interesting to read and reflected some points in real time. 

It also showed having the right people around you can make all the difference . Florence character was bold and loud and I think the perfect match for Stuart. I enjoyed reading this relationship and the changes it went through over time. 

I really liked the different take this book took. Typically it is a female POV in this situation so it was refreshing to read it from a males POV. 

This was a well written book that takes a leisurely slow pace as we join the trajectory of Stuarts life with all its up and downs and get to meet lots of new people along the way.