This is quite a reasonably written book, I reckon. It's just a shame the plot is so unrealistically romantic. "Could do better", I would mark this effort. I think Astley would be a better writer if she moved to a different genre. Judy: The world does not end happily ever after. People do not simply forgive each other.

A further negative is that the reader on the audiobook version I had, helped to reinforce the romantic impression with her character portrayals. Sort of like a British romantic comedy film or TV series. ( )

I wonder if Judy Astley's novels reflect what is happening in her life or her friends' lives. Earlier books are about relationships, then family life with younger and then older children, then older parents with adult or nearly adult children. This story is definitely in the last category.
Sara is married to Conrad, an artist of some repute. He is twenty five years older than her and is approaching his seventieth birthday. He feels she would be better off without him and is withdrawing from her and life in general, hoping to find a way to make his exit in the very near future.
Meanwhile, Sara is attracted to Ben, a neighbour, who gives her the motivation to exhibit her paintings and to start painting seriously again...and to contemplate an extra-marital fling. ( )