The Last List of Mabel Beaumont: The unforgettable book everyone is talking about in 2023

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Arthur loved to make lists and leave them for Mabel to find, from the ordinary everyday grocery items to ‘I love today, tomorrow, always’. But now Arthur has gone, passed away in the gentle manner that was his way in life, quietly without a fuss. This novel is about finding new meaning in life, whatever your age, overcoming fears that have limited the possibilities that could have been, making new friendships that on paper shouldn’t really work and it’s really touching. Laura Pearson has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Chichester. She lives in Leicestershire, England with her husband and their two children. All in all, this is a really sweet and touching book, filled with moments of love, care and concern. I guess the only negative for me was that even in its USP, it doesn’t venture much out of its comfort zone. Still, if you want a warm and fuzzy read, this is a great book for that mood.

Such a poignant story. Brought a lump to my throat... Will really appeal to fans of Joanna Cannon.' Karen Angelico, author Something interesting that I found when comparing this to similar real-life situations where one partner passes away after being in a long-term relationship, is that the remaining partner will often embark on a fulfilling, active life that’s sometimes quite different from the one they shared with the loved one that they lost. I adored it… A heartbreakingly beautiful story about love in all its different forms. (And she made me cry again, of course). Bravo.’ Nikki Smith What a beautifully written and heartwarming story about love, aging, friendships, self-discovery, loss, grief, loneliness, regrets and second chances. Most of all, it relates to having the courage to make a change and becoming the person you were always meant to be despite expectations of society. I absolutely loved this book so much!! The characters were so real and relatable and I was so emotionally invested. I could just picture myself spending time with this amazing group of women. I was hooked from the very beginning and could not stop reading! ALL the emotions!! 💙💙💙💙

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Surprisingly, Arthur has prepared for his passing by hiring someone to come in to their home for two hours each day. This carer is named Julie, and despite Mabel's initial misgivings, Julie becomes a true friend, helper, and confidant. Through Julie, and her own newfound courage, Mabel meets other friends. A teenager who works at the local market. A seventy year old dance instructor, and a young mother with a tiny daughter. Suddenly Mabel doesn't feel so alone and she is experiencing camaraderie for the first time in decades. She has a new lease on life at the tender age of eighty-six. Her new friends set about to help Mabel find her old friend Dot. THE AUTHOR: Laura Pearson has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Chichester. She lives in Leicestershire with her husband and their two children. Another reason I didn't warm to Mabel was Ollie, the dog. Mabel really didn't like Ollie, couldn't be bothered with him, and Ollie didn't much like her in return. I always trust a dog's instincts. Wow. Seriously. Just beautiful. So many wonderful elements... Such a unique angle... So many memorable characters... Beautiful and utterly affecting.' Louise Beech, author

Written in elegant prose with superb characterizations and a realistic and relatable take on relationships – family, marriage, love and friendship -I found this to be a lovely story that will touch a chord in your heart. It’s gorgeously written and the reader easily becomes absorbed in the story and invested in the characters and the outcome. Mabel and her friends will take over a warm space in your heart, and they’ll stay there for a very long time!At the surface level, the story seems quite easy-going. But Mabel’s life contains many secrets, and as we learn her thoughts through her own first-person perspective, we understand how her life isn’t what it seems. While her biggest secret was quite guessable to me, it was still written well. This beautifully written story of friendship, love, loss and second chances captured my heart. It's a tender and uplifting read and I adored Mabel and her unlikely gang of colourful characters... Leaves you feeling warm, hopeful, and satisfied.' Lisa Timoney, author I wasn’t sure about Mabel at first, she seemed rather cold and a little uncaring but with unexpected support she blossomed and emerged from her previously constricting life into one of self discovery. I loved the element of intrigue surrounding her friend Dot; as the former fiancee of Mabel’s beloved late brother Bill, she would always be in her thoughts and Mabel’s quest for news of her friend kept me hooked. Why did she disappear so suddenly?

It seems impossible. She doesn’t even know if Dot’s still alive. Also, every person Mabel talks to seems to need help first, with missing husbands, daughters, parents. Mabel finds her list is just getting longer, and she’s still no closer to finding Dot. The friends she slowly begins to surround herself with (much to her astonishment) show her that everyone has their own secrets and struggles and that what you see on the surface might not actually reveal someone’s true inner story. People only tend to show the parts of themselves that they feel others can handle. Mabel slowly shows her new friends that despite having isolated herself for so long, she does actually have an innate understanding of the workings of the human spirit. She might not get things 100% right, but her perceptions are often spot-on. In turn, these women show Mabel the importance of having female friends, through all ages and stages of our lives, regardless of how strong our romantic and family ties might or might not be. Instead of experiencing deep regret for all the years she missed out on, Mabel instead embraces what she’s found, and makes the most of it, although she obviously wonders “What might have been?”. Mabel and Arthur have been married for sixty-two years and have never had children. He loved making lists and would leave them for her to find. Suddenly, Arthur passes away and Mabel doesn't know what she will do without him. Then she finds his last list he must have left for her. It had only one thing listed which was to Find D. What or who is D?? Mabel is convinced he meant her best friend, Dot. The problem is that Mabel has not spoken to or seen Dot in sixty-two years. Is Dot even still alive? Mabel decides to find Dot and add a few items to the list. Moving forward, she meets a group of women who are all in different stages of their lives. They become amazing friends and want to help Mabel find Dot. Mabel slowly finds herself opening up and not as lonely anymore. Secrets from the past are revealed as the search for Dot continues. Will Mabel find Dot? Will she have the courage to change and find happiness again?Secrets On The Estate” by Mel Sherratt – Book Review @writermels #SecretsOnTheEstate #EstateSeries #BookReview#NovNov23 November 28, 2023 This is a melancholy tale about living the life that was expected of you, instead of the one you want, but it’s also about the ways in which the saying “When One Door Closes, Another Door Opens” is absolutely true.

I adored it... A heartbreakingly beautiful story about love in all its different forms. (And she made me cry again, of course). Bravo.' Nikki Smith, authorHaving a geriatric lead character is quite a trend nowadays, but to read about one who is willing to step out of her comfort zone is a nice experience. Mabel is an endearing protagonist, a good mix of interfering and caring. I love how she doesn’t restrict her friendships only to women of her own age, and isn’t judgemental about the younger generation. I also appreciate how the plot never made her justify her decision of not wanting children. year old Arthur and 86 year old Mabel have been married for 62 years. Though Arthur is more outgoing, more excited by new possibilities and Mabel is the introvert, not interested in new experiences, they can take the small silences that older marriages are comfortable enough to endure. This is a very uplifting novel. With themes of aging, loss, societal expectations, and the acceptance of change, it was a poignant and very satisfying story of female friendships.