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This is book #2 for my #24in2024 challenge. And for this book I have visited USA.
The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.
Title: Misbehaving at Cactus LanesAuthor: Patricia Santos MarcantonioFormat reviewed: EbookSource: NetgalleyPublisher: One More ChapterPublication Date: 15th February 2024Rating: 4 Stars
Title: Misbehaving at Cactus Lanes
An hilarious and heartwarming read perfect for fans of Judy Leigh, Caroline James and Maddie Please!
As Margaret Adams buries her late husband she comes to a shocking realisation – she was widowed long before Bob dropped dead on the ninth hole at his beloved golf club.
Now, with her children grown and her unhappy marriage over, Maggie goes in search of something to make her happy. Enter Las Vegas bowling alley, Cactus Lanes!
With its neon sign, legendary chilli fries and community spirit, stepping through the doors does more than put a smile on Maggie’s face, it changes her life.
As she discovers the friendships she’s always craved – and a chance at a true love with gorgeous owner Frank Martinez – Maggie comes to realise that it’s not about winning or losing, it’s about choosing your lane and striking with determination in the direction that allows you to be you.
It was certainly the cover that attracted me to this novel, it's bright and looked like fun, and once I glanced at the blurb and saw the mention of Las Vegas, that was it, I knew i had to read it.
And it certainly lived up to those expectations and the cover is spot on, as this is a rather colourful novel, at least once Maggie starts to live her own life. After all she is attracted by the neon signs at the Cactus Lanes Bowling alley.
For this is a story of how life really can begin in your 70s. It took for her husband to suddenly die, for Maggie to bee freed from what was a stifling, boring, loveless marriage, not abusive, just indifferent, and for her to start discovering what it is she really wants from life.
And that includes re-discovering a love of bowling that she did a term of in school and enjoyed, until her friends talked her out of it. For Maggie is easily influenced by others, at least initially and even know she's ashamed that her daughter has got a lot of the same qualities as Bob.
I loved this look at life in Las Vegas too, for although there are some trips to the strip, mainly when Maggie is volunteering with a senior, we get to see past the gambling and see all the other parts to Las Vegas.
And i just could visualise everything so clearly, and I was loving how Maggie's confidence grew as she gains new skills and friends, and even clearly has a potential love interest.
I was less keen to see there still seems to be a class system in America, and stereotypical prejudices from thankfully not main characters.
This was the first book I've read from this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I just wish I had Maggie's bowling skills, as she is awesome!
Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
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