#BookReview of #LearningtoLoveLucy by Kerry Manning

‘Lucy rarely looked at herself, and nobody looked at her. As long as she dressed in dark colours with her hair clean, she was happy’
– Learning to Love Lucy

[ About Learning to Love Lucy ]

Lucy Hehir stopped loving herself a long time ago. Her ex-husband put paid to that. He regularly reminded her just how useless she was.

At age 49 she’s done with feeling frumpy and scared. What she needs is a new life filled with joy and excitement and purpose, and yes, maybe love. From confusing dating apps to disastrous online dates, nobody measures up to her friend’s sizzling brother, Jim. The only problem is he over a decade younger than her.

Just when things start to look good for Lucy it all comes tumbling down. Lucy’s ex-husband is sniffing around and causing Lucy serious anxiety. When her daughter returns home, she finds herself slipping back into her old role, forever saying sorry and trying to please everyone.

Can Lucy throw off her past, learn to live and most importantly, show her wobbly bits to a younger man?

[ My Review ]

Learning to Love Lucy by Kerry Manning published November 3rd and is the first book in The Inverbridge Series.

Lucy Hehir, at only 49 years of age, felt washed up and rather useless to society. After her marriage breakup years previously, she had managed to make a new life for herself but she wasn’t really living. Her husband had been emotionally abusive toward her, destroying her self-confidence and leaving her a shell of her former self. With her children reared and after fleeing the nest, Lucy is rudderless, comfort eating and spending way too much time in her own company.

Following a whim to venture forth one morning to break in her new trainers, Lucy crosses paths with Rose Ryan at the local café and a whole new world unexpectedly opens up for her. Although younger than her, Rose has the same sense of humour and similar hobbies, and soon the two friends become inseparable. Lucy finds herself opening up a little and rediscovering some of her passions in life and, with Rose’s support, she also rediscovers herself.

When Rose introduces Lucy to her brother Jim, sparks fly and Lucy finds herself falling for this younger man. She is very aware of the age difference but he seems oblivious to it and after many failed dates with online matches, Lucy soon realises that Jim is who she really wants.

Lucy Hehir was always at the beck and call of her demanding husband and very much a hands-on mother with her children. During those years she lost herself but now her self-esteem has been given a much-needed boost until one day her ex comes calling, bursting her joyous bubble as her anxiety levels climb and the self-doubt begins to creep in again. As Lucy navigates these difficult times, she is supported by Rose and Jim but has she the courage to keep walking forward into this new life or will the memories of the past drag her back down?

Lucy’s story will unfortunately resonate with many women who have had to suffer through difficult relationships, who have had to be brave and start over again. One minor quibble I did have was Lucy’s age. There were times her actions were a bit hard to pin down, as, at only 49 years of age, she came across as being so much older. Maybe her life experiences had made her so but I did question it and had to check her age more than once.

In Learning to Love Lucy, Kerry Manning highlights the importance of friendship and the support a social network can offer. Lucy is a beacon of hope proving that one is never too old. Unfulfilled dreams can be brought to the forefront and, with the encouragement from the right people, proving that there is always the possibility of a better future. Kerry Manning will be back with book 2 in this series featuring Rose as the main character so we can expect more from the seaside Galway village of Inverbridge. A sweet and heartfelt tale, Learning to Love Lucy is a gentle debut, a tender exploration of finding oneself written with empathy and insight.

[Thank you to Kerry Manning for a copy of Learning to Love Lucy in exchange for my honest review ]

[ Bio ]