For readers of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and A Man Called Ove, a life-affirming, deeply moving “coming-of-old” story, a celebration of how ordinary days are made extraordinary through friendship, family, and the power of forgiving yourself–at any age.“At a time when people are having to isolate, [this novel is] a balm, offering an expansive sense of love and possibility at a time when … possibility at a time when the main characters feel like those chances are gone.” —Christian Science Monitor
The world has changed around seventy-nine-year-old librarian Millicent Carmichael, aka Missy. Though quick to admit that she often found her roles as a housewife and mother less than satisfying, Missy once led a bustling life driven by two children, an accomplished and celebrated husband, and a Classics degree from Cambridge. Now her husband is gone, her daughter is estranged after a shattering argument, and her son has moved to his wife’s native Australia, taking Missy’s beloved only grandchild half-a-world away. She spends her days sipping sherry, avoiding people, and rattling around in her oversized, under-decorated house waiting for…what exactly?
The last thing Missy expects is for two perfect strangers and one spirited dog named Bob to break through her prickly exterior and show Missy just how much love she still has to give. In short order, Missy finds herself in the jarring embrace of an eclectic community that simply won’t take no for an answer–including a rambunctious mutt-on-loan whose unconditional love gives Missy a reason to re-enter the world one muddy paw print at a time.
Filled with wry laughter and deep insights, The Love Story of Missy Carmichael is a coming-of-old story that shows us it’s never too late to forgive yourself and, just as important, it’s never too late to love.
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Here is a love story of the most important kind: that of coming to love oneself through accepting and returning the love of others — be it people or dogs. I truly enjoyed reading this story of a big-hearted but embittered woman who turns her life around, two steps forward and one step back, which is to say realistically… An elegant reminder that the rest of us are capable of doing the same thing. In this way, it is not only pleasurable but inspiring reading. (It should come with a warning: This book may cause you to race to the shelter to adopt a best friend.)
A beautiful story about love, loss, guilt and the power of friendship.
I was sorry to say good bye to the characters. A much needed feel good read and diversion at this time.
Very slow.
Good story with optimistic attitude!
This is a great read! I highly recommend it!
Much better than Eleanor Oliphant. And, I was surprised with the reveal. Did not see that coming.
Missy Carmichael is about to give up. She has no friends, her kids are moved away, her husband is gone, and she has no one. A trip to see some fish shocked changes her life.
It was a good read.
3.5/5
The Love Story of Missy Carmichael (also known as Saving Missy) by Beth Morrey is a heartwarming debut about Millicent (Missy) who is 79 and incredibly lonely until she gets new neighbors. It actually took me quite a while to get into this book even though I was listening to the audio, but eventually, I got to the point where I was fully invested in the story and Missy being happy. One of the new neighbors happens to be a small child, and I loved the relationship between her and Missy. The dog was also a bright spot in the novel, and I love anytime an author makes an animal an important part of the story. There is an interesting twist towards the end of the book that I wasn’t expecting, and a lot of readers will find this novel very emotional.
The narrator for the audiobook is Harriet Walter and I really enjoyed her as our main character Missy. Sometimes I have issues with older narrators but that was not the case at all this time, fortunately for me! She really brought this book to life through her voice and inflections, and me having issues getting into it had absolutely nothing to do with her. There are a lot of glowing reviews for The Love Story of Missy Carmichael and although I did find the book fairly enjoyable, there was still something missing for me that I can’t quite put my finger on. Some parts were a little repetitive, including phrasing, and I couldn’t always empathize with Missy even though I think you are supposed to be able to. I would still definitely check out another novel by Morrey though, and will be sure to check out her next book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This debut novel by Beth Morrey is a splendidly written love story that will definitely move you in a wonderful way! 79 year old Missy Carmichael feels she doesn’t have much more to offer now that the love of her life is gone. Her son lives far away and she is estranged from her daughter. But then two strangers and a dog may just show her that she is still a vibrant member of the community. A lovely read!
Saving Missy by Beth Morrey is a simply beautiful contemporary novel about love and friendship. It made me smile and it made me cry.
The leading lady is seventy eight. She has had her family but now she is alone. “Now there was just the echo of it [love] in this ramshackle old house.” There is a “crushing silence.” The reader can empathise with Missy who has known a busy house but now the walls are empty. Her life is shrinking. Her saviours come in the unlikely forms of two women, one boy and a dog.
It is beautiful to watch a life in the twilight years, bud, blossom and bloom again.
We all need friends. We all need to know our lives count.
Owning a dog for the first time, Missy’s reaction to clearing up after her dog makes the reader smile! Owning a dog expands her horizons as dog walkers are a friendly bunch. There is a beautiful bond with Missy and her dog which becomes stronger over time. Tissues will definitely be needed.
With love comes pain and hurt. A guilty secret threatens to sink a life. We can ‘feel’ the pain radiate through the pages as it travels down the years. The burden grows heavier not lighter with time.
The loss of a great love is tangible. The love and care of a community is beautiful to witness.
Saving Missy was a beautiful book. It is a book that swelled my heart with love. It is book that made me cry. It is a book where love lives.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
#Penguin Random House #Putnam
I received this ARC novel in exchange for my honest review. Missy Carmichael is alone in the home she shared with her academic and now deceased husband. She is isolated, lonely and bitter. As you flashback on the majority of her life, she reflects on the many mistakes she has made, her guilt, destruction of relationships and regrets. In the present, out of loneliness, she slowly ventures out to form a few new friendships, take in a dog, Bob, and repair some past relationship which enables her to suffer less pain. The story is slow to evolve and I almost gave up a few times. While the book is well written, I never really liked the main character and felt a lot of sadness for her life throughout a good portion of the story. Through it had some good messages they didn’t override the overall feeling of sadness that prevailed. This was just not my type of story.
The Love Story of Missy Carmichael by Beth Morrey
I loved this book for its quirky 79 yo character – always makes me wonder how it would be like when you are older, spouse has passed away and her children have their own lives, and life choices causing her children to become estranged from her. I enjoy this debut novel where no matter how old you are, it is never too late to still make changes and see the arc and change in the characters – it is a story full of hope and love. This endearing and heart felt story with interesting and quirky characters was such an amazing read for me. Many days after, I am still emotional about this story I absolutely enjoyed. I highly recommend this book.
This is the best book that I have read this year. There’s a lot to unpack and identify with! The elderly matron character learns how to live life for herself rather and for others thanks to a dog she didn’t ask for and some unique characters who befriend her. Heartwarming story. I was rather sad to say goodbye to Missy and her friends when I finished the book.
This was a wonderful debut – an ultimately satisfying and heartwarming novel. There are lots of layers to the story about a 79 year-old widow living in Great Britain. We meet Missy as a lonely and bitter woman whose two adult children are distant (both emotionally and geographically), and who spends her days reliving the mistakes in her life. Almost against her will Missy is befriended by two much younger women, a little boy, and a dog named Bob. The book jacket accurately describes this book as “a life-affirming, deeply moving ‘coming of old’ story, a celebration of how ordinary days are made extraordinary through friendships, family, and the power of forgiving yourself – at any age.”
This book is as comforting as a soft and well-loved afghan – I highly recommend it!
Thanks to Goodreads and G.P. Putnam’s Sons Publishers for a copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.
A joyful, tender, life affirming STUNNER of a book that has made me want to make the most of everything, grab hold of people and all the good moments.
A novel that reminds you that everyone deserves a second chance, even at seventy-nine. Bittersweet, tender, thoughtful and uplifting, The Love Story of Missy Carmichael is a story and a character that stays with you. I loved it.
A generous-hearted story showing the transformative power of friendship and community… A fabulously enjoyable book!
A soulful, refreshing and tender book.
Moving but not sentimental (just as Missy would like it), this is a deeply satisfying read. Missy is a fantastically real character, as complex, frustrating, vulnerable and surprising as any I’ve met in print. I miss her already.
Deeply moving, charming, and filled with wit and empathy — you can read on every page the love and care that Morrey has for each of her characters and by the end you’ll love them too.