Pulling Up the Weeds — Caroline Ashton

Five very different women find they have two things in common… they're all widows and they all need to move house. Rosie - fair, fat and fifty - needs more space to nurture her new business venture - growing herbs. Virginia cherishes her social standing and is mortified that the minuscule pension her consultant husband has left her unable to keep up appearances, whilst Andrea's house is filled with memories, holding her back from starting a new life. Gwen's children, with half an eye on the equity in her house, are trying to push her into sheltered accommodation and Ellie, the recently widowed youngest of the group, is eager to leave the cramped house her husband bought to leave funds for his dream restaurant. With their differing temperaments and opinions, finding the perfect house to share is not easy. A large rectory seems to be the ideal answer but managing to live in harmony proves tricky - until a surprise visit shocks them into realising they have far more in common than they'd thought. A warm-hearted and thought-provoking read, for fans of Hilary Boyd and Rosie Thomas.