'The story that unfolds reads like a beautifully written memoir. The lonely formality of Hannah's l950s childhood, the tragic and disturbing loss of her mother in her early teens, her sexual awakening in l960s Paris and her eventual discovery of true love, followed by the heartbreaking loss of her husband, are all vividly and truthfully told. But it is the portrayal of her relationship with her sister that is most compelling. The vulnerability she feels about winning her sister's love and their see-sawing between adoration and rivalry is so astutely crafted that it is painful to read.' -- Telegraph On FIFTY IS NOT A FOUR-LETTER WORD: 'Bridget Jones for grown-ups! ... Women of a certain age will relate to Hope as she struggles to make sense of her life. An enjoyable holiday read.' -- My Weekly 'The novel is fun and frothy and very good' -- Evening Standard 'A witty, involving novel' -- Easy Living 'Funny, perceptive - I absolutely loved it.' -- Penny Vincenzi 'This is a coming-of-age novel with a difference. The age in question is 50, which these days is arguably more difficult to handle than those awkward teenage years. Wise, witty and wonderful.' -- Sue Peart, You Magazine 'Funny, spiky, and with the ring of truth on every page' -- Rosie Thomas 'Funny, wise and proof that the perfect heroine doesn't have to be a chardonnay-swilling thirty-something, this made me laugh and weep from start to finish. Linda Kelsey has the knack of making you care about her characters and she deals with huge issues with the lightest touch. I wish I'd written this!' -- Cathy Kelly 'Funny, wise, true and not just for women of fifty!' -- Wendy Holden 'Compulsive and poignant with well drawn characters.' -- Catherine Alliott
