The Summer Seekers- Sarah Morgan-Contemporary fiction

One of my top reads of 2021. Kathleen is eighty and wants to do Route 66 across

America. Her daughter Liza is aghast at this and would rather she think about

sheltered accommodation. Martha is living back at home after an acrimonious

divorce and the little confidence she did have has now very much been shelved

, not assisted by her mother who not only thinks that the sun shines out of

Martha's sister but that Martha always makes bad choices- bourne out now by

her lack of job and marriage. The two meet up after Kathleen advertises for a

driver- something Martha can do but again is very unsure about. The result is

a symbiotic relationship where each is good for the other once they get to know

one another. I loved this early on- there is something about Kathleen for all

her foibles that you can't help but take to. A woman who has seen life and

hindsight being that wonderful thing that it is can pass on her advice rather

than criticism which is all Martha has sadly ever had. Kathleen has her own

issues with Liza and for once Liza has taken her advice to get away for a

while to put her own life into perspective rather than run around after two

ungrateful, spoilt daughters and a busy husband whilst putting herself last.

  A book that is life affirming and one with lots of good advice in it: “ There

are no bad decisions, just your decisions which may not be those of others”

and “ I think in life we tend to regret the things we don’t do more than

the things we do” . I found this heartwarming and thought provoking

in a very good way. A truly wonderful read, a tonic, a pick-me-up and

a smile. 10* if I could