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Cary J Hansson

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A Midlife Holiday (The Midlife Trilogy Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Cary J Hansson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.0 2,068 ratings

Book 1 of 3: The Midlife Trilogy

See all formats and editions

A wonderfully witty and brutally honest story about female friendship.

'Heart-warming, heart-breaking and hilarious.' Reader review.

'Shirley Valentine meets Bridget Jones.' Cup Full of Books.

An Amazon All-Stars award winning title.

Meet Helen. She worries that the walls are closing in. With her children grown and her selfish husband away again, she's full of regrets at not taking the exciting paths she dreamed about in her youth. So when the chance of a last-minute holiday to Cyprus with her two best friends is offered, she grabs it.

Meet Caro.A successful city analyst. Single and childless, she's not in Cyprus for the glorious sunshine and crystal-blue waters. But her secret feels so shameful she can't bring herself to share it.

Meet Kay. Sandwiched between the needs of a grown-up son with learning difficulties and elderly parents, all she wants to do is sleep in the sun, preferably all week.

As Caro's secret emerges, tensions between the women explode.

Friendship was easy when they were young, how can it be so hard now?

A Midlife Holiday is the life-affirming first tale in The Midlife Trilogy women's fiction series. Funny, emotional, compassionate and wise, Cary J Hansson shows us why middle-aged women are only just getting started!

Prepare to meet three new friends you'll feel you've known all your life!

What readers are saying:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This is a such classy novel"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Wonderfully written"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "funny, emotional and addictive!"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I literally could not put this book down."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "A delicious read. A little bit of Shirley Valentine indeed."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "An incredibly insightful and imaginative story."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"The characters are unforgettable, And wow! What a climax! Brilliant, charming & captivating."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"That ending! ... in awe of how masterfully this is brought to a close."

“I haven’t devoured a book in one sitting for a long time but I literally could not put this down. It shouldn’t be so rare (or refreshing) to read about the lives of middle-aged women, but it is ... compulsively readable. ‘A Midlife Holiday’ is funny, brutally honest, extremely relatable and a perfect summer read." SouthAsia Magazine

"I loved this novel. It's beautifully written and deeply truthful." Jill Clough, Author of Morph: Lakeland Book of the Year Award 2019

"Funny, touching, richly described and so captivating. I was transported to Cyprus with my new-found friends, Kay, Helen and Caro. It deserves to be a best-seller." - Kerena Swan, Award winning author of Scared to Breathe

"A well written, page turning tale of loss and awakening with engaging characters and hilarious moments. I can't wait to read the next one." Heather peck, Author of Glass Arrows, Shortlisted 2021 East Anglian Book Awards.

"This is chick lit, grown-up and midlife, redefining what it means to be in our prime." - Net galley reviewer.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fantastic page-turner filled with humor, life lessons, and enlightenment. The book has a beautiful storyline interpreted by well-developed characters. It was also realistic and unpredictable. The author was also spot-on with friendships. Sustaining friendships isn't easy, let alone managing them for three decades. Readers Favorite

"I haven't devoured a book in one sitting for a long time but I literally could not put this down. It shouldn't be so rare (or refreshing) to read about the lives of middle-aged women, but it is. Cary J Hansson handles her subject matter with authenticity, providing some seldom heard (yet much-needed) commentary on midlife. The book is compulsively readable. Any woman entering (or rapidly approaching) her fifth decade on this planet will find much to identify with here. 'A Midlife Holiday' is funny, brutally honest, extremely relatable and a perfect summer read." SouthAsia Magazine

"I loved this novel. It's beautifully written and deeply truthful." -Jill Clough Author of Morph: Lakeland Book of the Year Award 2019

"Many issues that women have to face in the modern world ... are touched on with a hint of humor that makes the reader smile and say, 'Yes, that is how it really is.' ... well written and easy to read and portrays what friendship and support mean." Readers' Favorite

"A well written, page-turning tale of loss and awakening with engaging characters and hilarious moments. I can't wait to read the next." - Heather Peck Author of Glass Arrows Shortlisted 2021 East Anglian Book Awards

"Definitely my favourite book this year. Funny, touching, richly described and so captivating I was transported to Cyprus with my new-found friends, Kay, Helen and Caro. It deserves to be a best-seller. - Kerena Swan Award winning author of Scared to Breathe

"An easy read on the surface but one which makes you think seriously about the role of a woman as she ages, how easy it is to get lost along the way and give up on your dreams and ambitions in favour of pleasing your family." - Netgalley Reviewer

"... a funny totally relatable read that I loved from start to finish!" Netgalley reviewer

"I literally could not put this down... The book is funny, brutally honest and so, so relatable. I loved it. Highly recommend!" - Netgalley Reviewer

"A deeply heartfelt comment on menopausal women and their place in society today!" - Netgalley Reviewer

"Pick it up if you're looking for a mature, coming of age story, second chances and taking responsibility for consequences." - Bookaholic On The Loose

"Tremendously enjoyable and well worth a read. ...a breath of fresh air!" - Grace J. Reviewerlady

"...a thought-provoking story about women who are at a turning point in their lives. "A Midlife Holiday" is funny, serious and a very enjoyable read." - Netgalley Reviewer

"... a fantastic Summer beach read. There are arguments, affairs, tears and laughter... I would highly recommend putting this in your suitcase!" - Netgalley Reviewer

When does a role become an all-consuming identity at the expense of an authentic life? This novel explores the complexities of adult life with some controversial elements that are sure to ruffle some readers' feathers. I envision lively discussions of these characters choices as a book club reading. - Goodreads Reviewer

I walked into this thinking it was going to be a lighthearted story about three middle-aged ladies on a girls trip but it was so much more. Their trip was full of humor but also some serious, friendship defining moments. It will open your emotions and make it impossible to close the book.Goodreads Reviewer

About the Author

Cary J Hansson is the author of six books and several short stories. Her work has been shortlisted in national and international competitions. She lives in Stockholm, Sweden where she enjoys a glass of wine and a cold water swim daily, but not in that order. To learn more visit her website.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09WYTVCZK
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hansson Publishing (May 17, 2022)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 17, 2022
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 618 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 320 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #11,614 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #13 in Women's Humorous Fiction
- #116 in Women's Literary Fiction
- #428 in Contemporary Women's Fiction

Customer Reviews:
4.0 2,068 ratings

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Cary J Hansson

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Cary is a fifty something mum of three, an ex-dancer, actress, waitress, cleaner, TV presenter, double-glazing sales rep, fax machine operator (what's a fax machine?) You name it and she's cleaned it, served it, sent it or sold it.

After years of globe-trotting and messing about, she settled down to a BA in Literature and Creative Writing, got a First Class and promptly moved to Sweden to start her own mid-life adventure.

She swims in the Baltic sea year round, paddle-boards under midnight suns and has learned to sail.

The author of six books and several short stories, Cary's work has been shortlisted in national and international competitions. She writes stories about ordinary people, living lives of extraordinary courage and indestructible humour. She promises only two things: no knights in shining armour and no flying cars. Her characters save themselves, as in the end we all must do.

To learn more visit: https://www.caryjhansson.com/

Customer reviews

4 out of 5

2,068 global ratings

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Kassie

a great girlfriend readi

Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2024

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I really enjoyed the diverse characters and their back storylines. Each woman became a friend a mine as I read what they deal with daily. It makes you pause, just as they did, to recognize I , myself am living in the midlife. Reminded me of last trips with my girlfriends. Can’t wait to read the next book!

Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2024

Verified Purchase

Main characters have different wants and needs. Major life changes occurred quickly. Debating whether to get next book.

Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2023

This book was okay. Nothing jumped out at me as great or wonderful. I thought it was very predictable and could have been more than what it is. The idea behind this book is great! It could have been so original and unique. It did not keep my attention very well and I had to push through to finish reading it. It's not awful but not the best. I would try to borrow it from your local library before you buy it to see if this is the book for you.

3 people found this helpful

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shannon p.

So cute

Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2024

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I just finished this book it was a very good read. A feel good self discovery type of book I’m definitely ordering the other 2 in the trilogy

Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2024

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A great story of three women, their individual lives, and their friendship. I related to this book on many levels and the author really brings home the demands that women are pressured with daily by others and the demands they put on themselves. I’m fully vested in these three women and most definitely will read the next two books.

Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2023

Verified Purchase

I’m not quite done with this book but was thrilled to see that there are 2 more in the series. As a woman in her 50’s, I feel so seen by this author and I can relate to these characters so much. It’s funny and poignant and honest and real. Highly recommend!

9 people found this helpful

Helpful

Mareli @ Elza Reads

An enjoyable holiday read

Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2022

Who is your best friend? Since college? Ha, got you. Not so many people out there who can celebrate their 50th birthday with her two best friends since college.

Who knows you better than a friend with whom you've traveled more than 2 cities in over 3o years - the best of times, the worst of times. Friends like that know each others deepest darkest secrets, dreams and regrets.

Helen, Caro and Kay have been the best of friends for the better part of 30 years. They met in college with stars in their eyes and dreams in their hearts. Life however, as the tendency is, made other plans and got in the way of their own.

Helen is married to an ego-centric man who probably married the fun-loving and bubbly Helen for exactly those trades. 25 years later it appears as if he doesn't realize that the one who is blowing out her flame and bursting all her bubbles, is him.

Kay's story can be a book all by itself and what a tearjerker it would make. Divorced, dealing with a mentally challenged child and taking care of her elderly parents. This woman needs a holiday.

Caro, the initial shy and withdrawn one, is the one who climbed the corporate ladder and who sleeps in a different city every other week. Alone. She believed that life could be planned to the finest little detail and everything you might want, is right there on the internet. Just make your choice.

When Caro invites Helen and Kay to accompany her on a weeklong holiday to Kyrenia, Cyprus - they all jumped at the opportunity for an impromptu Midlife Holiday.

It didn't take long for the three friends to discover the little cracks in their decades old friendship and to realize that they don't all know each other and their dreams as well as they thought. The week in the Mediterranean provides the ladies a change to do some stock take of their current situations and to re-evaluate their futures.

A Midlife Holiday is a life affirming and thought provoking read, well presented with humor and wit and filled with raw human emotions. If you like to go on moral high-horse adventures - this one might not be for you. But life is more than moral debates and sometimes it's the way it is and it's your friend. Your best friend. Of course you will support her.

9 people found this helpful

Helpful

Lynne M. Spreen

Mixed feelings

Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2023

Three women, all facing their 50th year, agree to a short vacation in Greece. One, a woman burdened with caregiving, is exhausted and has no life. The second, a housewife with a selfish husband, is finally seeing how little he's brought to the relationship. The third, focused on her career, has decided to become a mother, at fifty. I had mixed feelings about these women. They're supposedly really great, long-time friends, very loyal and always there for each other, but they hide things from each other and keep secrets. And they didn't seem like great friends; for example, when Helen finds out Caro intends to get pregnant, she judges her severely, yells at her, storms out of the hotel room and doesn't come back that night. Weird. The thing that has me curious about book two is that Helen plans to leave her husband, and there's a bit of a cliff-hanger at the end. So I'll give it a shot.

4 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Ross Webb

Good book.

Reviewed in Canada on May 1, 2024

Verified Purchase

Great read. My wife enjoyed it and shared with her book club.

Trudy Jerdan

Fantastic 😍

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 6, 2024

Verified Purchase

I haven't read a book like this before, and it didn't disappoint! Gripping storyline, couldn't put it down. Immediately downloaded the next one - thank you Cary for a fantastic job well done 💕