Publisher's Weekly Review
The three widowed 60-something women who lend "golden girl" power to Medlicott's episodic debut would be very much at home in Jan Karon's Mitford. Amelia, Hannah and Grace all live in a Pennsylvania boardinghouse, unhappily confronting the insults and injuries involved in aging. When Amelia inherits a deteriorating farmhouse in Covington, N.C., the three decide to move in together, gearing up to rehabilitate both the farmhouse and their lives. Although their alternately neglectful and overprotective grown children are disgruntled at their mothers' unconventional new lifestyle, the women find the time to become themselves, enjoying a combination of companionship and independence. Between gardening, cooking and exploring photography, the spunky trio jointly weather many trials and adventures including flood, fire, a claim on their property and romance. Medlicott's penchant for detailing local sights as minutely as a tourist map, coupled with the slow-lane pace, may be too warm and cozy for those accustomed to more action, and events that are surprising to the characters may be mundane to more sophisticated readers. But Medlicott's idea is a winner: women in their twilight years finding alternatives to large group homes or living alone. Solving an all-too-common housing dilemma, the three ladies inspire by forming a community in which they thrive and find new careers and loves, all with dignity and autonomy. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Booklist Review
Grace, Hannah, and Amelia are about as different as any three women can be, but the petty miseries of their dismal retirement boarding house near Philadelphia have forged an iron bond of friendship. When Amelia unexpectedly inherits a dilapidated farmhouse in North Carolina, the women screw up their collective courage and decide to renovate the house. Abandoning their odious landlady and ignoring the pleas of their adult children, the women rebuild meaningful lives for themselves as they rebuild the crumbling house and grounds. Amelia develops her long-suppressed talent for photography, Hannah survives the surgery she's been avoiding and opens a greenhouse, and Grace discovers a new self-confidence that allows her to be open to love. This is schmaltz, pure and simple, but it's such sincere schmaltz that the reader can't help but be moved by the "ladies" and their progress. Some judicious editing would have helped; there are several annoying subplots and too much repetition, but these quibbles don't detract from a genuinely inspiring tale--perfect for the "gentle read" crowd. --George Needham
Library Journal Review
Like a Grandma Moses painting, this first novel is unrealistic but exudes a good bit of charm. A sixtyish widow inherits an old farmhouse in Covington, NC, and invites two friends to move in. Readers who weather the less believable parts of the story (e.g., the farmhouse restoration is quick, painless, and carefree) are rewarded later when they come to care about the ladies. Although so dominated by their husbands in the past that they hardly know what they want or what they are capable of doing, they learn and grow together. The real world does intrude in the form of a loved one with HIV, a threat to the title of their new home, and a grandson with an alcohol problem. The women grow in self-confidence until one publishes a book, one finds love, and one runs a physically demanding business. The ending is pure fantasy, but readers will enjoy the ride. Medlicott, a senior citizen herself, has self-published three prior works.--Carol J. Bissett, New Braunfels P.L., TX (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.