The Last List of Mabel Beaumont by Laura Pearson was a lovely story. We are immediately drawn into the world of Mabel and Arthur, a married couple in their eighties who, on the surface appear to be the ideal couple. However, Mabel quickly sets us right on that as she reveals that she has never been the wife that Arthur deserves. When Arthur gently passes away, Mabel is left floundering and wondering what she is going to do now. Arthur had always been a list maker and when Mabel finds one of his last lists she makes it her own to complete.

Unknown to Mabel, Arthur had arranged for a carer to come in and support her in the months following his death, and this care-giver, Julie, becomes a great friend and the first member of Mabel’s new found family. In the months following, she meets a few more women of varying ages and together they embark on a journey of friendship, loss, hope and renewal as these women support, nourish and guide one another.

The Last List of Mabel Beaumont with it’s message of “it’s never too late” was a heart-warming story that had just enough vinegar added to keep it from becoming too sweet. The writing was seamless and the characters were on the most part well developed and well rounded. This was a relatable story for me and an encouragement to step out of one’s comfort zone and see what life has to offer no matter what your age is. ( )

The Last List of Mabel Beaumont is a bittersweet tale of found family, life after loss, and taking chances. Laura Pearson tells the story of Mabel, a widower, who is on a voyage to finish her husband's last to-do list. Along the way, Mabel finds a new set of friends, rekindles lost love, and learns to love the life she is living. The book made me shed a tear or two, it was a quick and easy read. ( )

Mabel Beaumont is an elderly woman of 86 years. Her husband, Arthur, passes away shortly after the story begins. Arthur has always made lists, and she soon finds a list that includes " Find D.". Initially she is not sure who " D" is, but later determines that it is an old, close friend of her and her husbands, named Dot. So, she begins a to seek out Dot, who she has not seen since before her marriage and is uncertain if Dot is still alive. This is a very touching and moving story , as Mabel grieves the loss of her husband, and reflects back the good and bad of her marriage, and their childlessness. Soon, several young people enter into her formerly closed life. Julie, a carer that her husband had arranged for in the event of his death, Erin, a teen aged girl who is a clerk at her local grocery store, as well as a neighbour with a young baby, who offers to walk Mabel's dog, Olly. Patricia is friend of Julie's, and soon becomes a friend of Mabel's as well. Each of these women are struggling with their own problems, and Mabel is happy to try and help each one.

A story of many complex relationships, friendship,grief , hope, and love.

A quote from page 22 by Mabel . " I didn't love him , at first, but I grew to . Not passionate love, not the kind of passionate love people talk about dying for, more a love built brick by brick. A love made of appreciation, and shared grief, and kindness. He was good man. Such a good man."

Highly recommended. ( )

My kind of book, old women, secrets, romance, and death. ( )

Sometimes a book just immediately appeals. The title and premise of The Last List of Mabel Beaumont were right up my street, and now I've read it I can say that the story is too. This is a brilliant and beautiful book in every way. Not only was it all I hoped for but it exceeded all those hopes.

A big part of what makes this my kind of read is that it's about an ordinary and long life, and about what happens when Mabel has to step out of her comfort zone. Married for 62 years to Arthur, when he dies she has so many thoughts and feelings. She's lost and lonely without him and yet the marriage wasn't always one where they were completely in step with each other. Arthur left a list and it says 'Find D'. This must surely mean that Mabel must find Dot, her former best friend who she hasn't set eyes on for six decades.

What comes next is the most perfectly executed story about marriage, companionship, friendship and love. Mabel makes new friends of all age groups and although an unlikely group they make, the wisdom and experience of each is of so much benefit to the others. With their help, Mabel sets out to try and find out what happened to Dot and in turn begins to heal from her loss.

I thought Laura Pearson's writing was perfection. She nailed all the minutiae of life and made it interesting. The story tugs on the heartstrings and yet it's so uplifting and joyful in so many ways and I loved that she managed to surprise me with some unexpected developments in the plot.

This is a book that has so much detail I want to talk about that I could go on and on for ages (I will spare you that!) but sometimes a book comes along that just entirely envelops me, which has a bit of everything I love, characters that I care about, and a story that I become totally immersed in and which makes me laugh and cry. The Last List of Mabel Beaumont is that book. It's a complete and utter triumph. ( )