Fenella's Fair Share
Fenella Woodruff shares with housemates half her age to stay young — then the arrival of handsome divorcee Martin changes everything…
Fenella Woodruff shares with housemates half her age to stay young — then the arrival of handsome divorcee Martin changes everything…
Fenella Woodruff shares with housemates half her age to stay young — then the arrival of handsome divorcee Martin changes everything…
Contemporary women, Family life, Humorous (general)
It was fear of missing out on life and succumbing to cats that drove 49-year-old Fenella Woodruff into a house share with young, free singletons. Juggling her job at a gallery with the demands of an invalid mum, the arrival of a handsome new housemate near her age throws Fen into a spin. For Martin, who radiates a certain woodland charm, she is keen to act as sounding board over a bottle of wine while his divorce plays out.
As the younger housemates embark on carnal adventures of their own, things look hopeful--until Fen is dragooned into accompanying her parent on a Norwegian fjord cruise. Onboard ship, her focus switches to Mother, who voices strong opinions on her daughter’s life while refusing to let infirmity dictate her own, and to an enigmatic gentleman they meet in Bergen.
Normal service resumes when Fen returns home, ready to turn things up a notch with Martin. But a horrid surprise awaits…
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Chris Chalmers has a real knack for creating memorable and convincing female characters who make us laugh. Fenella Woodruff is no exception and is clearly going to give the likes of the younger Bridget Jones a run for their money. ~ Alex Pearl, author of the Lovejoy & Finkle murder mysteries, Personal contact
Fenella Woodruff, boldly navigating 21st-century singledom, is a brilliantly sharp-tongued comic creation. She's happy playing den mother to her immature flatmates, until dishy divorced Martin joins the menage and disturbs their precarious dynamic. With a warm wit reminiscent of Alan Bennett and Victoria Wood, Chris Chalmers has created a heroine to cherish, for all her flaws and flummoxes. ~ Suzi Feay, Book Critic and former Lit Ed of The Independent on Sunday